Twelve:

"...eh?"

The stinging pain on my cheek

made me let go of her hand.

"I know, I know...

I remember it all,

but even then,

I still feel that guilt."

She turned away from me.

"I'm sorry Big Brother,

but I've made up my mind."

The pain of the slap eventually faded away

only to be met with a stab in the heart.

It hurts.

It hurts terribly.

It hurts so much that tears start to flow.

But then-