MY SKIN

Adam would not leave Tosh alone. Wherever she turned at school he was there, even during classes she would see him peering through the door and giving her a mocking wave. Though it was not often, thankfully. However when she was trying to study in the library or walk through the corridors or go home, he was there, smirking and persisting.

"Ah Toshiko, can I say how lovely you look in your blouse today" Adam said as he strolled passed her. "Pink matches that blush of yours wonderfully"

The worst thing of it all was that Tosh couldn't believe she blushes around this smug git.

"Was that a gasp I hear? I do take your breath away a lot recently or are you just asthmatic?"

She was pretty sure she didn't gasp but then again...did she?

"N-n-no I'm n-n-not asthmatic" Tosh stuttered before running down the corridor as fast as she could.

Something about Adam scared her.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

Gwen opened her locker and no rose fell out. Ianto raised an eyebrow. "Has your admirer given up?" he asked.

For the whole month roses had fallen out of Gwen's locker. Each day of September the exact amount would fall out. Gwen's mother had complained about the stench of roses in Gwen's room and her father is threatening every male near his precious girl. Not a pleasant experience for Ianto and Andy.

"No" Gwen sighed. "My admirer has moved onto putting chocolate in my locker" she pulled out a Mars Bar. "My favourite"

"I thought you quit Mars Bars after I told you about them testing on animals" Ianto frowned.

"But it's chocolate!" Gwen whined ripping the wrapper open and taking a vicious bite. "How can you resist?" she asked after swallowing. "So...has Adam said or done anything to you?"

"Apart from the occasional smirk in the corridor? No, hopefully this means he learnt his lesson and won't do anything ever again"

Gwen snorted. "Or he found new prey"

"Always the optimistic one you are" Ianto said sarcastically.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

It was Saturday and Tosh was waiting for her mother.

It was a little cafe that served a decent non-greasy food. Every Saturday Tosh and her mother would sit down have a meal and discuss Tosh's life. It was part of the programme her doctors came up with. Tosh needed to be more open especially with her mother so she could talk about what stresses her out.

While Tosh loves the time spent with her mother. It was awkward and tense, her mother barely knew her and Tosh barely knew her mother. The trouble of being a full time working mother and full time working genius daughter. No time for each other.

She pulled out a book, Sense and Sensibility one of her favourites and began to read. After ten pages someone sat in the chair opposite her, she put her book down and beamed...only to see Adam there instead of her mother.

"W-w-why are you h-h-here?" Tosh stuttered clutching her book tightly to her chest.

"Don't you remember? Oh Toshiko I'm hurt" Adam pouted. "After all you're the one who asked me on this date"

"I-I-I did?"

"Of course you did, we arranged to meet at this little cafe you know and have lunch together. You also implied we might go see an old movie, one of those French black and white ones you love"

She did love foreign movies. She loved eating here. She was sure she never mentioned either to Adam in passing but...so...she must have...but she didn't remember...which must mean...was she...loosing her mind?

Adam took her hand. "Don't worry your sweet little head. You've been so busy you were bound to forget now then what do you want to eat, my treat and don't argue you deserve to be worshipped"

Across the city unaware of her daughter's situation, Mrs Sato left a message on the answering machine telling Tosh she wasn't able to make lunch this week.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

Owen was trying to find that damn biology book. The one he needed for his essay, the one he had also secretly wanted to read and it wasn't there. The damn bastards had lent it out to someone else. Scanning the shelves for a similar text book Owen spotted the shy and quiet Toshiko through the gaps. She was leaning over several books while jotting down notes in a note pad.

He couldn't help admire her.

She was beautiful, smart and dedicated to her work. Something he only saw in doctors, the only people he admired more than anything other than his grandmother. A hand grabbed Toshiko's shoulder and voice that brought dread to Owen spoke.

"Hello darling, what are you up to?"

"H-h-hi Adam" Tosh stuttered. "J-j-just some work f-f-for biology"

"You should take a break, you look exhausted and I don't want my girlfriend practically passing out" Owen felt as if someone punched him in the stomach. Someone as delicate as Tosh was dating a creep like Adam? That was bad, worse than bad it was a disaster "You're blushing again and you're heart is racing, you love me"

Owen clenched his fists tightly. The damned bastard was putting words in Toshiko's mouth.

"I-I-I-I do?"

"Of course you do. The blush and fast heartbeat is evidence enough but the fact you stutter and enjoy my kiss is also sure signs of it as well"

"M-m-my first kiss" Tosh whispered.

"And it was wonderful" the bell rang. "Ah got to go psychology is waiting for me" yes that fucked up freak would take psychology just so he knew how to mess even more with people's minds. "I'll see you tonight seven o'clock for our date. Love you too sweetheart"

Owen stood there for a few minutes until he was certain that Adam was gone for good. Tosh had started to work again when he moved round the bookcases and sat down next to her.

"So you're dating Adam" he said quietly causing Tosh to jump. "Dump him now"

"W-w-why should I?" Tosh demanded fury and fear shining through her eyes.

"Because Bookworm, the guy is a psychopath who almost destroyed Ianto Jones two years ago" Owen stood up as he noticed the textbook he wanted was on the table. He inwardly grinned; she definitely earned some admiration from him. "Save yourself before it's too late"

"Why are you helping me?" Tosh whispered Owen smiled at the first non-stuttered sentence he heard in a while.

"Because you're sweet" Owen replied before leaving the library.

Tosh was certain she was blushing now.

TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW

She was beautiful but unnaturally thin. Her short blonde hair was paler and weaker than the last time as it spread out against the too white pillow. Her big eyes were shut but they still looked sunken in at her small, thin bony face. Her whole arm looked like it could snap if Tosh bent it.

"Oh Mary" Tosh whispered tucking in some blonde hair behind the girl's ear. "You've gotten worse"

Mary was anorexic. Worse that anorexic, she had delusions. Mary was convinced she was an alien in a human skin. Tosh had befriended her in both her lucid state and her insane state. Tosh was the only one she trusted and Tosh had now betrayed her by leaving the ward forever.

The visits weren't enough and Tosh had heard from the nurses that Mary might die if she doesn't start eating again soon.

Tosh felt tears prick up at the thought of her only best friend dying.

"Ah Toshiko there you are" Dr Smith, a kind man in his forties with big ears and blue piecing eyes. He had watched over Tosh throughout her stay and had discussed many sciences with her. "I'm sorry about Mary, she was dear to you wasn't she? Unfortunately I don't think I can do anything more for her" Tosh hunched over to hide her tears when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Don't hide your tears Toshiko, you can openly show your emotions, remember what we have discussed?"

Tosh nodded and allowed him to hold her as she cried for Mary. After several long minutes of crying and being comforted, Tosh pulled away from Dr Smith and kissed Mary's forehead.

"Get well soon" she whispered before allowing Dr Smith to usher her into his office.

"Now Toshiko would you like a cup of tea? No? How about a banana filled with potassium? No? All right then why not tell me how school is going for you"

"I...well...the work is easy enough but...the people..."

"You're finding it hard to make friends?"

"Well Gwen and Ianto are friendly enough but I don't know how to...reconnect I guess...I've changed so much and so have they...its complicated"

Dr Smith nodded. "Why not suggest spending lunch with them once a week. Just getting to know them again. Think of it as homework for me"

"Ok" Tosh whispered.

"How's your mother? Still spending Saturday s with her?"

"Well...last Saturday I went on a date instead" Tosh said blushing a faint pink. "I'm in love Dr Smith" she blurted out.

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"According to Adam, my heat beats faster, I can't stop blushing, I stutter and I enjoy his kiss so that must mean I love him!"

Dr Smith didn't like the sound of that. It sounded like the young boy was putting thoughts in Toshiko's head. "Toshiko, you're a very nervous person it's expected for you to stutter, blush and have adrenalin rushes around people in general" Dr Smith said seriously, his blue eyes hardening. He cared for Toshiko deeply, as if she was a daughter. "You're at the stage of life where your hormones are running wild and any kiss will feel good. I don't think its love"

"I-i-it must be" Tosh stuttered. "I-I-I-I can't t-t-think of any other conclusion"

Dr Smith smiled a sad smile. "Why not go home, have a nice bath and get an early night. No homework ok?" Tosh nodded. "Fantastic, now off you go Toshiko"

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