Author's note: This is a third person story behind finding out the secret of Shuya and Noriko's past. Which was part of the prompt from my teacher.. Well, the secret and journals were in their entirety.. But.. Whatever. Love, Scout.

Another November day whizzed by and everything was just about back to normal.

The day ended on a high note. It was shockingly warm and bright outside.

This deemed to be a special day for Shuya (our narrator), Noriko (his girlfriend and fellow Program survivor), and Shane. They had just packed

their backpacks and decided to talk around the suburb. And go get something to eat at the Starbucks down the street.

Shuya was a bit gullible at times. He was smart, yes, but sometimes, he was forgetful. And a bit optimistic. Still, even after everything happened.

That being said, he forgot to zip shit his backpack as he and his friends walked down the hall. And out of the backpack fell his notebook, which

doubled as his journal.

Behind them was their English teacher. She quickly rushed to pick up the notebook, one she saw Shuya writing in quite often.

She tried to run after him and the rest of the group, the reading group from class.

"Shuya!" In a last ditch effort. She called out his name. Finally, he turned his head.

"Mrs. McKanna? What is it? I turned in my essay already!"

Then, he figured it out on his own. She caught a glimpse of the last page of his notebook. And being the kind of teacher she was, she kept on

reading.
"Your notebook... Your journal." She caught just information to know what had happened to them. The two of them.

They met there.. They went through that.. I can finally understand.

She gave them those eyes the adults in America always had. Those deep, wide, sympathetic eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Shuya. I better give you this back. I have to be home soon. I'll see you all in class tomorrow, okay?"

He was used to this reaction. Being reminded of the memories at the moment made both Shuya and Noriko's hearts sink. Despite that, he kept

his composure.

"It's fine. Thank you, Mrs. McKanna. I'll see you tomorrow also." He quickly, though not genuinely, flashed his signature smile. That smile made

not only Noriko fall in love with him, but the ten other girls in his class. And soon, he hoped, the rest of America.

The others gave her a quick wave before continuing out the door.

After the left the school and were out of sight from the bullies, the seniors, and in general, the rest of the school, Shane asked exactly what it

was that set him off about the notebook.

"It's a long story, Shane." He answered, they walked under the falling leaves. "I think my bag's still open. Just take the journal and read it. I

trust you. You're my friend, Shane. Someone already read it. It doesn't matter anymore."

Shane did just that, and afterwards, zipped his friend's backpack shut.

When the walk was over, they sat down and got some drinks. Shane began to fully focus on the notebook.

"Oh my God..." He stares at his only friends in awe and shock. "You? There?"

"Uh huh." Noriko nodded her head.

"You lived? Together?"

"Yes. We did." She replied again.

"And you're here, now?"

"Yes, Shane!" She laughed.

"And... What was I going to say?"

"I don't know, Shane. Ask Shuya."

Shane looked at his other friend and wondered, "How did you end up here?"

"Well, Shane, we were born to run."

* 2 Students Remaining *