A/N: GASP! Could it be…? I UPDATED TWICE IN A ROW! This is one hell of a long chappie Oo! I don't know how I did, since I left in for so long and went back to it… but I like the MSN convo part. I like character interactions in my story, and well MSN's a pretty damn example of that! XDXD! I tried to make the screenames as obvious as possible so yeah. And thank you so much for the reviews… they were really touching! And to those of you're wondering if anybody will get a happy ending, yeah they will, but SOMETHING has to happen, right? Oh and Jays Arravan, they DID kill someone else off… well two people actually. I CRIED.
Disclaimer: Me no ownie SEED/Destiny because if I did, then… I don't know what'll happen. I ran out of things to post
Day 8 – Secrets
"I can go to school dammit!" Carys snarled, wrenching her arm away from the nurse, glaring. "I don't need to be kept in this damn hospital!"
"Carys! Jonathan has been notified, and he will be coming here to pick you up shortly!" the nurse, Meiko, exclaimed, trying to hold Carys down. Stellar watched by in amusement, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"Who the hell are you to call my father by his first name?" Carys demanded fiercely, eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Meiko seemed flustered. "You can stay here for one more day! If you're good, I'll talk to the doctor about letting you and your friend off in the afternoon!" she said hastily.
"Spare me your lame excuses," Carys rolled her eyes. "It's not like I was actually going to go to school anyway."
With one last look Meiko stalked off and Stellar looked at Carys. "How come you're here?" she asked quietly.
"I stayed out in the rain too long," Carys replied simply. "I lost track of time, I guess. What happened to you?"
"I stayed out, too. Waiting for Shinn," Stellar replied, drawing her knees to her chest. "He never showed up. I waited there for a while, and then I just started walking, hoping he'd be happy, even when I wasn't with him."
Carys gripped the sheets. "I… I was at my Mom's grave," she choked out, tears hitting the blindingly white sheets.
Stellar looked up curiously.
"She never walked out. She died. And I… thought that maybe… all that was a nightmare, and maybe she'd really come back," the other girl continued. "I always used to ask Father why she'd never come home, and he said she was with my brother and she was happy."
"Carys-chan…" Stellar began.
"She died because… because… I couldn't be my brother…" Carys hugged herself.
Walking over, Stellar laid a hand on her shoulder. "Lacus-chan always tells me… you shouldn't bear these things alone. She says it doesn't help ease your pain. She tells me that… it's easier with someone else with you," she said soothingly, perching on the edge of Carys' bed. "And that there is a fine line between love and hate."
-
Mwu tiredly crashed onto his desk, still half-asleep. A fairly large wrapped up package with a note attached to it sat on his desk. "Eh? What's this?" he mumbled, picking up the note and finding it to be from Aisha.
This was left in your mailbox yesterday, you dolt! It certainly smells good!
Curious, Mwu began to rip the wrapping paper. He had been too depressed to check his mailbox yesterday so he hadn't known there was any mail for him…
"Wow," he gazed down at the elaborately decorated cake, with the words SECRET ADMIRER written in his favorite kind of icing across the top. Dipping his hand into the icing, his eyes widened. "Damn this is some fine culinary art!"
"Hello, La Flaga-san," Athrun greeted jovially. "Is that a Valentine on your desk?"
"A very tasty one! Come taste it!" Mwu said, ushering Athrun over.
Athrun did as he was told and took a taste of the icing. "Wow! Who sent you this? This is really good!" he exclaimed, moving in for another scoop of icing.
Narrowing his eyes, Mwu slapped Athrun's hand away and covered the cake protectively. "Mine! Get away! Mwu wants cake all to himself!" he declared. "I haven't tasted a cake this scrumptious since… what, high school or something? Or maybe it was in college… or my birthday last year…"
Sweatdropping, Athrun pointed to the card. "You might want to read that, La Flaga-san," he suggested.
Mwu hastily opened the red flap and read the neatly typed note. I wasn't sure if chocolate was still your favorite. Enjoy the cake, Mwu. –From a Secret Admirer, it read. Mwu frowned. Who knew that chocolate cake was his favorite kind of cake, other than him?
Practically everyone who knows you, a little voice said rhetorically.
True, true! Mwu thought, nodding.
Athrun inched away, worrying for his Math teacher's sanity. Did sane people nod their heads while talking to themselves! No, probably not.
"Good morning, Athrun, La Flaga-san," Kira greeted, throwing his backpack onto his desk and sinking into his chair.
"What's wrong with you? The day is lovely! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and it's nearly Valentines! Shouldn't you youngster be making out in the hallways?" Mwu asked, scratching his head like it was the most obvious thing in the world to do.
Athrun and Kira gave him a look that clearly said, 'Where the hell did YOU come from!'
"Uh… no," Athrun replied slowly.
"Aww… where's your Valentine spirit?" Mwu questioned incredulously. "Don't you people have girlfriends?"
"I would like to have one," Athrun grumbled, crossing his arms and eyebrow twitching.
"Do what I told you to!" Mwu said, rolling his eyes.
"I am," Athrun replied.
"I've been helping him," Kira volunteered to make his presence known.
"Is it working?" Mwu asked.
Kira and Athrun nodded.
"There you go, Zala," Mwu nodded sagely. Oh yes… that TEACHING POSITION WOULD BE HIS!
"La Flaga-san, I was wondering," Kira spoke up curiously. "Why are you so adamant about helping us with our personal lives?" he questioned suspiciously.
"Uh well… eh… because, you see… err…" Mwu fumbled for a suitable explanation. "Well, Kira, because, I love you all as my students so much that I believe you all deserve someone, so you don't stray off and drop out of school, turn to the life on the streets, etc. It hurts me very deeply to see each and one of you bright students just wither away without your special someone!" he added some dramatic weeping for effect.
Kira blinked. "Um… OK, then! Then what about you, La Flaga-san? You don't have a special someone either and it breaks our heart to see you so old and single and withering away to die alone!" he countered, an evil, evil, EVIL plan forming in his mind.
"HEY! Don't drag me into this!" Athrun exclaimed, looking horrified. He was afraid of that scary, ominous glint in Kira Yamato's amethyst eyes.
"Eh? Well, Yamato! Uh…" Mwu began, searching frantically for an excuse. "I, well, you see… it's, err… Hey! I'm not that old!"
"We're waiting," Kira sang, arms crossed and a smirk upon his face.
Athrun watched intently, interest piqued. Why was Mwu so flustered?
Just then, in the nick of time to save Mwu from embarrassment, the door slid open and revealed… RAU LE CREUSET (A/N: Bet you expected Murrue, eh?)! Oh yes, Rau might not have been Mwu's favorite person in the world before, he was NOW! Yes, Rau Le Creuset, without even knowing it had saved Mwu's heartbroken ass from being completely embarrassed with his witty top-notch English student's question.
"Ah, Mwu! So nice to see you're spending extra time with your students," Rau said in his usual irritatingly calm manner, that same, arrogant smirk on his face, dressed in the same impeccable, 'I'm-a-PE-teacher-and-YOU'RE-not-so-I-will-mock-you' manner; which meant a track suit. But Mwu was convinced that Rau wore those to spite him. To taunt him, to remind him that Mwu wasn't a PE TEACHER! It never occurred to him, even for a flitting second that Rau just might not have fashion sense, and was too lazy to go shopping for anything else.
"Ah! Rau!" Mwu exclaimed joyously, jumping up. "So glad to see you! Hey, why don't we talk over morning coffee? Every man enjoys early morning caffeine!"
"What are you doing, you imbecile?" Rau sputtered as he was dragged out by a jabbering Mwu, looking bewildered.
Kira snickered and Athrun blinked several times.
"Kira Yamato, what have you got in your mind?" Athrun demanded.
Kira stopped snickering and his eyes glinted. "Come, Athrun! Our secret plan will launch right now!" he declared majestically.
"Buddy, you aren't on… drugs, are you? You don't quite seem like yourself today," Athrun said, inching away.
"Oh come on, Athrun! I'm just fine," Kira rolled his eyes. "But La Flaga-san's not!"
"Oh?" Athrun arched his eyebrow.
"What's wrong with you today? Where's that smart Athrun Zala we all know and love?" Kira asked suspiciously. "Are you sue you aren't on drugs?"
"Yes! Well, what about La Flaga-san?" Athrun demanded impatiently.
Kira grinned. "Well, you know, we all know that Ramius-san and La Flaga-san are madly in love…" he trailed off.
A devious smile crept onto Athrun's face. "I see what you mean, Kira!" he agreed, eyes shining. "It's brilliant!"
Kira nodded. "Yes, I know. But this is our little secret! No one else knows about it," he whispered.
"Fine by me," Athrun whispered back. "What should we do first?"
"I don't know. I haven't gone that far yet," Kira whispered.
Athrun's eyes widened in disbelief. "You… you mean this was completely spur of the moment?" he demanded in a low voice.
"Well, yeah," Kira admitted, whispering.
"Kira, why are you whispering?"
"Why are you whispering, Athrun?"
"I don't know,"
"Well neither do I!"
-
Cagalli caught up to the pink-haired girl, who looked dead tired and was putting her books into her locker, which was adorned with a mirror and pictures. "Hey, Lacus!" she called out.
"Oh, Cagalli! You're unusually early today!" Lacus greeted, smiling. Exhaustion was written all over her features and her baby blue eyes seemed to be lacking its usual shine.
"You look awfully beat," Cagalli commented, peering closely. "Shouldn't you be home, resting?" she demanded.
"I'm fine. Besides we have that big unit exam in Science and Biology, and I have a feeling we'll have a pop quiz in English. I had to come to school," Lacus shrugged. She unsuccessfully tried to stifle a yawn. That didn't go unnoticed by the fiery blonde.
"No way you're staying in school, Lacus Clyne!" Cagalli declared, shaking her head. "You look like you're going to die!"
"Cagalli, I can't miss the test!" Lacus protested as Cagalli began dragging her down the hallway.
"Lacus, I don't think the world won't stop turning if Lacus Clyne missed just two itty bitty tests," Cagalli scoffed, rolling her eyes. "However, I will let you stay, only in one condition."
"And what will that be, Cagalli?" Lacus asked wryly. She really needed to do those tests, and she couldn't afford to miss a day! She needed to pick up Carys and Stellar's homework, and no one else would probably volunteer to face a grumpy Carys and an unusually quiet Stellar, so she'd be the one left to do that! And she couldn't do that if she wasn't at school! She had also promised to help a fretting and panicking Miriallia with the dance, she also had a tutoring session with a struggling freshman, and she couldn't skip out on the promise she made to Kira about helping him with Music class! About a dozen other things she needed to do that day ran through her mind, and she was determined to take any deal Cagalli would offer.
"If you tell Kira today that you are madly in love with him and that you wouldn't hesitate to bear his children, then I'll let you stay!" Cagalli declared.
"CAGALLI!" Lacus gasped, expression one of sheer panic. "That's- that's not quite true! I mean, uh… ANYWAY, I can't miss today! I really need to do those tests, and I have to get Stellar and Carys' homework, and no one is going to volunteer to face a fuming Carys and an abnormally quiet and heartbroken Stellar! And I can't do that if I'm not at school. I also promised Milly I'd help her with the dance, and that's only six days away! I also have to tutor a freshman in Math, plus I have to help Kira with his Music homework! Cagalli, I CAN'T MISS A DAY!"
Cagalli blinked a few times. And blinked a few times more. And a few times more as Lacus took deep breaths to calm herself. "Well, Lacus," she began. "Like I've said before, the sun won't blow up if you miss two-"
"There might be a pop quiz in English!" Lacus interrupted.
"Let me go on, dammit!" Cagalli cleared her throat. "AS I was saying, the world will not fall apart if you miss two and perhaps three tests, Lacus. There are always rewrites, and the teachers probably won't give a crap. As for Carys and Stellar's homework, I volunteer Yzak to deliver them, because I'm sure he'd be delighted to. And I'm sure Milly can find a replacement for you to help her, and it's six whole days away! As for your freshman, I'll take over… what's with that look on your face!"
Lacus erased her previous look of shock, fear and the expression of a deer caught in headlights and replaced it with a smile. "Uh, nothing! It's just that… she's failing, and she happens to be in Athrun's fan club, so I thought that maybe, you know you'd want to wring her neck rather than to help her…" she trailed off, smiling sheepishly.
"Fine then. I volunteer Miriallia to help the obsessive fan. And I'm sure Amarfi-san will be glad to help Kira in his time of need," Cagalli declaimed.
Lacus opened her mouth to protest but stopped as she looked at the expression on Cagalli's face: pure and raw determination. And she knew, when Cagalli set her mind to something, there was absolutely NO way to deter the blonde. With a resigned sigh, Lacus shrugged. "You win, Cagalli. I'll go home."
Cagalli shook her head. "Goodness, Lacus. You can't keep hiding it forever. Sooner or later, someone or something will slip, or by some forsaken miracle, Kira will figure it out! Then what are you going to do?" she demanded, aggravated. "You can count on Shinn to slip up in the future! The idiot's almost denser than Kira! And thrice as stupid!"
"Shinn's not stupid," Lacus sighed. "I just don't understand what you two have against each other. You guys are family… well, half, anyway."
"Please. If I knew, I'd tell you, but since I don't, I'll keep my two cents to myself," Cagalli replied. "However, don't you switch subjects on me, Lacus Clyne! That little trick won't work on me anymore!"
"I didn't change the subject; I just simply commented Shinn wasn't 'thrice as stupid' as you so kindly put it," Lacus pointed out mater-of-factly, shouldering her bag.
Cagalli frowned. "Huh? Whatever. The point is, Lacus that you have to tell him sometime before this life is over!" she snapped impatiently. "If you won't do it, some people will just have to do it for you!"
"Cagalli," Lacus began, frustrated. "It's not like I haven't tried!" Gritting her teeth, she brought her voice down back to its normal level. "It's clear he's not interested, I'm just trying not to burden him with unnecessary weight."
"Are you protecting Kira or are you just scared that your heart will be broken?" Cagalli deadpanned. "We've all got secrets, Lacus. Is that yours? Is that why you won't tell Kira? Is it because, that somewhere in your heart, you're just as selfish as the rest of us!"
Lacus gripped the strap of her back pack so tight that her knuckles were beginning to turn white. Swallowing, she chose her next words with unwavering precision. "What about you Cagalli? Why won't you tell Athrun? What are you so afraid of?"
Cagalli froze, and her fists clenched. "That's… That's not the issue here, Lacus!" she cried out finally.
Lacus whirled around, eyes brimming with tears and flashing with fire and emotions that Cagalli had never witnessed in Lacus before. "THEN WHAT IS THE ISSUE, CAGALLI!" she screamed, gaining the attention of a few stragglers.
"I-"Cagalli flinched.
"I have to go," Lacus mumbled, quickly hurrying down the corridors before Cagalli had a chance to respond.
Letting out a frustrated cry, Cagalli punched the row of lockers, eyes flaring.
-
Lunch/After School
Carys stretched out, staring at the ceiling blankly. She had refused all help from that bloody, despicable, suck-up nurse… Meiko, was it? It as if the woman was desperate to win her over, sucking up, delivering everything and anything Carys or Stellar had wanted. Carys scowled at that thought. What for? She was a patient… wasn't there some law against emotional attachments or something? It was sickening. Carys just wanted peace, and out of this damn hospital, but Meiko had fussed and fussed over her, as if she was her mother…
And the way she called her father's name so endearingly… that fact had lingered in her mind all day, and she couldn't figure out why…
"Carys?" Stellar's voice inquired.
"Eh?" Carys turned her head to face the girl. "What?"
"What are you thinking about? You're glaring at the wall," Stellar answered.
Carys chuckled nervously. "Nothing, nothing… just… ways to torture that nurse…" she replied evilly.
"I quite like her," Stellar shrugged, reaching for a chocolate bar off the mountainous pile of candy… contributed by none other than Meiko. "She seems nice, and caring. Much more than what I can say for the other nurses and doctors. It's almost like being home."
Carys scoffed and turned around. "Yeah, right… it's revolting how she tries to suck up. What for? Sure, my father may be rich, but come on… it's not like he'll be donating to the hospital or anything!"
Stellar giggled. "Come on now. You're so set against hating her, you're blind to what you really think," she stated. "In more ways than one, I might add," she added under her breath.
"What was that, Stellar?" Carys demanded, grumpy.
"Nothing, nothing!" Stellar said, smiling. "It's just you're too proud, that's all."
"Proud my ass… the stupid nurse lady acts like she wants to be my frigging mother," Carys grumbled eyes hardening. "As if…"
Stellar blinked a few times before throwing the wrapper into a trash bin. "Well I'm gonna go out for a bit," she declared, heading out the door.
"You go do that," Carys shrugged, sitting up. "I will wallow in my self-misery by myself."
As Carys began to ease and enjoy the quiet moment of peace and utter serenity, the door opened and Meiko came in.
"Oh come on!" she muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes.
"I'll just ignore that," Meiko declared, cheerily, although there was an underlying tone of hurt.
"Ah yes, and why don't you just pretend I don't exist while you're at it?" Carys cheerily suggested. "And let me stay in this, quiet, overbearingly white walls of the room?"
"Come on now, Carys, you can't be bothered to go on a walk like Stellar?" Meiko asked hopefully. "I could even push you in a wheelchair, if you're too tired to walk!"
"Oh please, you're not my mother, so please stop acting like it!" Carys cried disbelievingly. "I'm a damn patient out of here by tomorrow! So stop acting like you're going to stay here forever and all parental!"
Meiko frowned, and Carys turned her head away, missing the look of utter despair on the nurse's face. "Your father told me… you might be… like this," she sighed heavily.
Carys turned her head around immediately, eyes narrowed and fixated on Meiko. "What!"
Just then, Carys' father, Jonathan Walker, a successful lawyer, burst in. "Carys! You poor dear, I was so worried! And Meiko!" he exclaimed.
Carys gripped the sheets tightly, mind frozen and eyes glaring and wishing to burn holes in both her father and Meiko as they embraced and shared a chaste kiss. Then suddenly, she remembered something. A detail so insignificant that at the time, she disregarded it with the utmost casualty…
Flashback to that fateful dinner
"You're actually home, Dad," Carys stated dryly, setting the dinner in front of him and sliding into the seat across his.
Jonathan Walker simply grinned broadly, his aged eyes twinkling. "Were you lonely without your dear father?" he asked.
"No, not really. I like the peace and quiet. It doesn't make much difference," Carys replied mechanically. Then her father would laugh, ask her how her day went, excuse himself, drink a bit of brandy, go over some case files and pass out. It was all the same actually.
"It won't be-"
"My day was fine," Carys cut in. "And, you're excused, I even set out the ashtray and the special brandy glass in the study and the couch in the den is nice and comfy."
Jonathan chuckled. "Oh no, I wasn't going to ask you how your day went. I mean I was, just a little bit later. I was just going to say, that it won't be like that much longer," he replied mysteriously.
"You… always say that, Dad," Carys shrugged, pouring herself a glass of water.
"This time, I promise, sweetheart. There will actually be someone to greet you when you get home," Jonathan smiled.
"A housekeeper… delightful," Carys said wryly.
"Sort of… anyway, are you busy this Sunday?" Jonathan asked.
Carys looked up in surprise. "You know I have a soccer game, Dad. But of course, it really doesn't make a difference… you've missed the last what, twenty games, so what does it matter, right?" she asked, smiling wryly.
Jonathan frowned. "I'm busy, you know that," he sighed heavily.
"Yes, Dad, I know. You're too busy to come to your daughter's measly soccer games, come to her tenth birthday party, her thirteenth, and her sixteenth, watch her in her first little league, her first drama production," Carys stopped counting on her fingers. "Don't worry, Dad! You know, I'll always have Aunt Julia there with me! Oh wait… I forgot she died last year!" she said with mock cheerfulness.
"But I thought I'd make up for that and do something together on Sunday," Jonathan protested.
"Oh yes, Dad, one soccer game makes up for nine years that you've missed. Nine years… time sure flies, doesn't it?" with that, Carys stormed off, and slammed her bedroom door shut, the resounding sound traveling through the Walker residence.
Flashback to the present
Is that what he meant by how I wouldn't have to be alone? Carys thought, mind still numb. A… a… new mother
Another clue she had disregarded came flooding back… she should have realized it! But she was SO set on retaliating against her father… that she had completely missed out on the one thing that had been important…
Flashback to Clue Day
"OK, Dad. What the hell is this?" Carys demanded, eyebrow arched.
"Oh come on! I can't do something nice for my daughter before I go away for business?" Jonathan shrugged, holding out his arms in surrender.
"This is the second time you've been home. What's gotten you so happy?" Carys inquired suspiciously. Her father was home Monday and this was Wednesday… hmm… what was going on?
"Oh… it's a secret, but you'll find out soon," Jonathan said, winking.
Carys shrugged and threw the CD case into the air, smiling.
Flashback to present
All the signs were there… the unexplained happiness, unexpected gifts; coming home twice a week… she just couldn't see it. Her mind finally tuned into the words currently spoken by her father.
"…I know it's sudden, but what can you say? It was love at first-"
"You… bitch!" Carys yelled, eyes flaming, and fists shaking in fury.
Jonathan and Meiko looked startled.
"I know you're still grieving, Carys, but it's been-"Jonathan was cut off yet again.
"SHUT UP! I DON'T EVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" Carys shouted. Her furious glare rounded on Meiko. Pointing an accusing finger at the shaking woman, Carys screamed out, "I KNEW IT! YOU WERE TRYING TO SUCK UP! How… How DARE YOU!"
"Carys, that's enough! You haven't even given Meiko a chance!" Jonathan insisted desperately. So he had known that his daughter wasn't going to take this all smiley and it'd all turn out to be a fuzzy, big, group hug, but still… hope was good, right?
"I don't NEED to! She'll NEVER be my Mother, and if you want me to be happy for you, FORGET IT! YOU HEAR ME, DAD! I'll NEVER BE HAPPY FOR YOU!" Carys screamed, too angry to even cry.
"Carys, please, I'm not trying to replace your-"Meiko began.
"SHUT UP! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT FROM YOU!" Carys jumped off the bed, shaking in rage. "ESPECIALLY you!"
"Carys…" Jonathan began warningly.
"NO! I HATE YOU, Dad! I hate you! You're trying to replace Mother, to take her away! You NEVER loved her! I HATE YOU! Have a nice life with your new, not depressed wife, Dad! Count on me not being there!" Carys stormed off, slamming the room door with one last, infuriated glare.
Meiko burst into tears and Jonathan sighed, gently rubbing her back. He missed out on his daughter's life… what could he say? He knew next to nothing about his own daughter, and the only other person, who did, his sister-in-law Julia, was dead. He had hoped that a new mother figure in her life would bring them closer together… Obviously, that wasn't happening any time soon, was it? No, probably not…
-
Yzak drove leisurely toward the hospital, nervousness gripping him like an iron. Carys Walker and Stellar Loussier Clyne's homework lay on the passenger seat. He was glad school surprisingly let off early today, delighting all the students, but… How was he supposed to deliver this to Carys? Now that he saw her differently, in a completely new light? It's not like he had feelings for her anything, Yzak had firmly convinced himself that, but hell, no one actually expected him to act the same right? Not after what HE HAD SEEN! IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE!
He hadn't told anyone, not even Dearka, well especially not Dearka. Wait… no, Yzak probably couldn't even if he wanted to. It was impossible to pry Dearka off of Miriallia ever since the girl had given him a chance… it was horrible! Now on top of losing his car, license, he would be forced to watch Dearka enjoy his HOME THEATRE SYSTEM! HIS BELOVED THEATRE SYSTEM! He had plans for that beloved piece of electronic! Damn!
Anyway, he hadn't spoken of his little witnessing episode to anybody, in fear of Carys' fiery wrath. Nope, it wasn't because he felt that the girl probably didn't want to seem so weak to their friends. It was NOT because he cared. Nope, not at all.
Yes, denial was written all over in Yzak's lame ass excuses he fed himself. Hell, even he thought it was lame!
When the shiny white building called the hospital loomed into view, Yzak briefly considered running away. But that would seem cowardly, which he definitely wasn't. OK, well, he was afraid of Dearka's dog, but really… who wouldn't be?
No, Yzak thought firmly. I will march into that building, and deliver this homework like a manly man would!
With renewed determination, Yzak did just as he thought. He marched into the hospital proudly, head held high, homework in hand.
"Uh, is Room 203 still occupied?" Yzak questioned the nurse at the reception.
The nurse was an extremely… slutty one, to put it mildly. Her fiery red hair was styled into a loose bun, and her uniform seemed to be WAY too revealing.
Batting her eyes, the nurse popped a bubble with her bubblegum. "Why?" she asked in a low voice. "You know something you can do in there?"
Yzak frowned and ran over his greeting sentence again. Oh yeah, he could see why it would sound perverted. "No, I don't mean it like that. I meant are the patients still in there. Stellar Loussier Clyne and Carys Walker?"
"A foursome is good, too," the nurse replied, twirling her hair.
"No, lady! I don't want to have sex with you! Do you realize that'd be statutory rape!" Yzak demanded, scowling.
"I won't tell if you won't," the nurse sang.
"NO! Are they still in or not?" Yzak questioned, sighing.
"Aw, come on! If you give me a kiss, I'll tell you!" the nurse suggested.
Yzak grimaced. "Uh… you can't, because… because… err… I AM GAY!" he declaimed finally. Anything to get this bloody nurse off his back… after all, no one he knew was here in the lobby right now!
"That's OK, sweetie! Bring your gay lover and we'll have an all-out party!"
"NO! LEAVE ME ALONE, DAMMIT!" Yzak yelled, eyebrow twitching madly. "I want to speak to your supervisor!"
The nurse paled. "OK, OK! I'll lay off!" she rolled her eyes. "Jeez… they're still in."
Shuddering Yzak proceeded to walk away before the nurse said, "Hey, maybe you can hook me up with that drop dead heartthrob blue-haired friend of yours from yesterday? Or the sexy brunette! OR the black-haired cutie!"
"NO!" Yzak sprinted toward the elevator, ignoring the shake of heads from passing patients and the disapproving glare at the nurse by other nurses. "I hate hospitals," he muttered darkly.
The elevator stopped with is brief, ding! and Yzak stepped out and dragged his suddenly weighed down feet across the hall, and stopped a little ways from Carys and Stellar's room. Oh he could DO THIS! He was a MAN!
As he was busy with pep-talking himself, he realized that there was severe yelling from the room. Confused, Yzak listened. Which he shouldn't have done. Oh no! Yzak should have gotten far, far away from that hallway, and disappear like the wind! …But he didn't. As they say, curiosity killed the cat!
"…DON'T EVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" Carys' seemingly extremely and entirely out-of-control and I'm-gonna-kill-you-because-I-am-so-mad-right-now-you-can't-guess-how-much voice. Yzak noted with glee she sounded even angrier than when she usually spoke to him. "I KNEW YOU WERE TRYING TO SUCK UP! How… How DARE YOU!"
Yzak knew from then it wasn't Stellar she wasn't talking to. Stellar was way too mild-mannered and quiet to irk anyone in any way.
"Carys that's enough! You haven't even given Meiko a chance!" a man's voice. Maybe her father's? Probably. The voice did sound familiar to Yzak.
Carys' enraged voice spoke next. "I don't NEED to! She'll NEVER be my Mother, and if you want me to be happy for you, FORGET IT! YOU HEAR ME, DAD! I'll NEVER BE HAPPY FOR YOU!"
I wonder if her Dad's getting remarried…? Yzak wondered.
"Carys, please, I'm not trying to replace your-"a woman's desperate and hopeful voice. Maybe this was Meiko?
"SHUT UP! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT FROM YOU!" This was definitely Carys. There was a short pause before she spoke again. "ESPECIALLY you!"
"Carys-"it was her father, with a hint of warning and exhaustion in his voice.
"NO! I HATE YOU, Dad! I hate you! You're trying to replace Mother, to take her away! You NEVER loved her! I HATE YOU! Have a nice life with your new, not depressed wife, Dad! Count on me not being there!" After that angered outburst, the door flew open and Yzak stood, ear to the door and extremely wide-eyed. Oh no, he was going to DIE!
"Uh… hello!" Yzak greeted, clearing his throat.
"You bastard!" Carys snarled, swinging his fist to his face and getting in a good right hook. And damn, did that hurt. It looked like Carys wanted to do more damage, what with her eyes glaring and flaming and her fist drawn back. Oh yeah, she definitely had murder spelt across her face.
"Uh… spare me?" Yzak suggested.
Thankfully, someone Up There liked him today, for the announcement thingy came on, announcing a Doctor Conrad and Nurse Meiko for a Code Blue in the Infant Wing. That seemed to take Carys' anger temporarily off of himself.
The door flung open again, and the woman who he assumed was Meiko rushed out, tear-stained face obvious. She was pretty, that much Yzak was sure of. And then a man who was obviously Carys' father came out.
So Carys takes after her Mother, eh? Yzak mused, the forgotten homework on the ground.
"Carys-"the man began.
"Get away from me," Carys snapped, sprinting off in the direction Meiko had run off to.
"Uh…" Yzak meekly raised his hand, dumbfounded. Oh well! At least I got to live to see another day! He thought cheerily.
"Huh?" Carys' father just seemed to take notice of him, standing there like an idiot with a reddened face in the middle of a hospital hallway. "Oh! I'm sorry! I assume that's Carys' doing?" he asked, grinning nervously and apologetically.
Yzak nodded.
The man ran a frustrated hand through his hair, a habit often seen in Carys, sighing. "That daughter of mine…" he muttered. Looking up, he smiled apologetically once more. "I'm Jonathan Walker. Carys' father."
"But… you look old enough to be her really old brother," Yzak blurted out, eyebrow arched.
Jonathan chuckled. "I always did look too young for my age… or at least from what I've been told," he confessed, chuckling. "And you are…?"
"I'm Yzak Joule," Yzak said proudly.
"Oh, then you must be the infamous 'that idiot Joule' Carys always rants about," Jonathan nodded. "Or… she rants about you whenever I'm home and she is in a talkative mood."
Yzak felt his eyebrow twitch at the words, 'that idiot Joule'. But then he remembered the heated argument. "Uh, sir, I couldn't help but overhear…" he trailed off.
"Oh, that. Well… it was rather hard not to hear it, I suppose. Carys yells rather loud when she's angered," Jonathan answered. "I'm pretty sure you could tell what it was about."
"Sort of," Yzak shrugged. "I didn't mean to pry."
"That's OK. No use in hiding it, I suppose," Jonathan plopped into the chair conveniently placed by the room. "I didn't really expect her to take it with a smiling face, but… I just thought a mother-figure would help."
Yzak picked up the discarded homework and sat across from the tired man. He didn't know what to do. The great Yzak Joule didn't know what to do in this compromising and troubling situation. Well, he couldn't just say, 'Sir, don't worry, everything will be alright, even thought your daughter seems to hate your guts and you'll never have a happy life with your new wife. But hey! The sun's still shining!'
"Carys' Mother committed suicide when she was younger," Jonathan began, frowning. "No one blamed her, but she took it upon herself to blame Carrie's death on herself. Maybe it's because of Ken… I don't really know."
"You don't sound like you know too much about your daughter," Yzak commented bluntly.
Jonathan chuckled wryly. "No, no I don't… I've missed everything. Her soccer games, little league, competitions, basketball games, drama productions… you name it, I've missed it," he replied bitterly. "I don't know how to talk to her at all."
"You shouldn't be telling me this. You're better off telling Lacus Clyne, Stellar Loussier Clyne or Miriallia Haww, sir," Yzak said, frowning.
Jonathan shook his head. "Nah… she might not realize it, but Carys is attached to you, I can tell you that much. It's all in the way she talks about you," he said sagely. "It's different when I ask about her other friends. It's pretty clear Carys has gotten attached to you over the years, Joule-san. And I'm glad there was some company for her."
"That's not-"Yzak started.
"Oh damn. I have to get going. My client is waiting for me in my office I think. Believe me when I tell you being a lawyer is pure slave-driving. It takes a lot of time from my non-existent family life," Jonathan declared, scowling.
"What kind of lawyer?" Yzak asked, intrigued. He wouldn't mind being a high-power lawyer someday…
"Divorce attorney. Particularly nasty watching these couples battle it out in court," Jonathan answered. "Carys would make an excellent lawyer, having her argument skills sharpened everyday."
Yzak smirked. "Only from the best," he bowed curtly. "Nice meeting you, sir."
"No need to be so formal," Jonathan gave a mock salute. "Thank you, Joule-san."
"You're welcome, Walker-san," Yzak gave another curt bow as Jonathan Walker entered the elevator, whipping out his cellphone. Organizing the forgotten homework, Yzak stood just as Stellar bounded out into the hallway.
"Yzak-san!" she exclaimed, seeming confused. "What are you doing in the hospital?"
"Cagalli so graciously volunteered me to deliver homework," Yzak scowled, holding up the stacks of paper for emphasis.
"School let out already?" Stellar asked.
Yzak nodded. "Remember? Today was half-day," he reminded the blonde.
"Oh… right. Half-day," Stellar nodded slowly. "I forgot."
"Everyone sends their regards," Yzak declared, handing Stellar the bundle of homework. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go somewhere."
"Oh. Have a nice day then," with that Stellar entered the hospital room, wondering where Carys could have run off to. She absentmindedly flipped through her share of homework, stopping at the English project. The dreaded English project. Why? Because it was a partner project… and surprise, surprise, her partner was Shinn! Which wasn't good, because Stellar wanted to avoid the boy. Maybe it wasn't too late to switch partners? After all, the project had only been assigned two days ago!
"Oh… why did I have to fall in love with you?" she whispered bitterly.
-
Cagalli grudgingly wrenched open her mailbox, not at all happy with how her day had gone. First, her blasted alarm clock from hell had made her late, and then she was forced to watch Mia Campbell tie herself to her Athrun…
Dammit, Cagalli, get a grip! You don't own Athrun; she shook her head firmly, pulling out a delicately wrapped box out from her mailbox, thoroughly surprised. "My Secret Admirer?" she mumbled, feeling a bit creeped out. This guy… knew where she lived…? That was just a little bit creepy… Just who was this guy!
"Welcome home, Cagalli-sama," a maid greeted formally, bowing. "Your afternoon snack is ready in the sun room. Is there anything else you would like?"
Cagalli waved her off, intent on spending quality time with her newest present. "No, no, nothing else. Thanks, Maria." She said distractedly. Plopping down to her favorite beanie bag chair, Cagalli tore open the package, and opened the little box. A gold heart-shaped locket greeted her, with what looked like amber stuck in the middle in the shape of a star. Cagalli's eyebrow twitched as the star reminded of her Mia Campbell's star clip that looked like stretched, dried-out dead starfish…
"My, my, Cagalli-sama! That's quite a trinket!" a maid said enviously.
Cagalli nodded. This maid in particular she didn't quite liked. Hell, she downright hated her! Not only was her cleaning way sloppy, she showed no respect for others… and plus, Cagalli swore her jewelry kept getting missing everyday…
"Yes, yes it is," Cagalli agreed coolly.
The maid set down a tray of ice cold water and quickly exited, but not before throwing a shady glance at Cagalli's new locket. Cagalli leveled her with a cold gaze before giddily returning to her Secret Admirer's letter.
My blonde princess,
It's only six days away from Valentine, a time when I will confess my love to you; I hope with all my heart that you will accept it. Engraved in this locket is a picture of us, one that I treasure very much.
Your Secret Admirer
As Cagalli reached to open the locket, the phone rang noisily, interrupting her.
"Dammit!" Cagalli mumbled, stomping into the kitchen, where the nearest phone was located. Growling, she violently snatched off the phone. "Hello?" she demanded.
"Hello, Miss Attha, how are you today?" a high-pitched female voice droned. Before Cagalli could even open her mouth, the droning tune continued. "Today at Paris Beauty Cosmetics we're offering a yearly subscription to our monthly supply for only fifty dollars! Will you be interested in buffing up your makeup kit with the new 50 Paris Beauty Strengthening and Lengthening Mascara and some Kiss-Proof Glitter Lip-Stic? Or perhaps I could even interest you in some Blend-Friend Face Powder?"
However to the blonde, all that could be heard was, "Blah, blah, blah; blah, blah, blahdiblah! Blah, blah, blah, blah? Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah blahdiblah, blah, blah, blah? Blah, blah, blah?"
And her vision was slowly seeping with red as her eyebrow began to twitch. She was interrupted from her locket for… this? A telemarketer! A vein popped out and she gripped the phone with inhuman strength.
Outside the Attha mansion, the paperboy tripped over himself as he heard various smashes and crashing sounds within the kitchen, along with curses and indignant yells.
-
Lacus sighed and blankly sat in front of her computer. She had run straight home and had locked herself in the room eve since, staring blankly at the computer screen. And staring. And staring. What was so interesting about a black, blank computer screen is far beyond me. Anyhow… the pink-haired girl had sat all thoughts of missing tests and other various things relating to missing school completely disappeared. She was well aware of the half-day situation, and was also well aware that the maids had knocked on her door a few times, asking Lacus if she was going to take calls from her friends.
She hadn't.
Lacus heaved another sigh. How had her life gotten so messed up? The feelings she harbored for her best friend had never been too much of a problem, but when Flay showed up… it was like Lacus couldn't get rid of Kira from her thoughts. And when she found out that Flay and Kira… It wasn't just about not being able to go to the dance with Kira anymore. It was about the fact she was losing her best friend, all the while letting her first love slip right through her fingers.
A crystal tear fell from her eye and trailed down her cheek, but Lacus paid no heed, too focused on looking back on all the times she could have told him. In grade five, grade six, grade seven… all the summer vacation they spent together… hey, what about that time in camp when they got lost in the rain? Could that possibly been a very good time?
"Lacus-sama?" a maid's muffled voice came through the double doors. "There's Yamato-sama on the phone for you…"
Lacus bit her lip. "I don't want to talk to him," she called out, exhaustion and pain written in her voice.
"Yes, ma'am," the maid answered curtly, and Lacus heard the scuffle of footsteps.
Kira… if you could only know how much I loved you… would any of this be any different? Lacus questioned, more tears trickling down her cheeks.
-
Kira hung up, desperate. "Lacus…" he whispered, sitting on the edge of his bed, absentmindedly twiddling with his thumb. "Why won't you let me help you?"
He was still confused. Did he love Lacus? Or was she just his best friend? And what about Flay? What the hell did he feel for her, exactly? It broke his heart to see his best friend so unlike herself. Lately her smile had slowly disappeared and it had dragged Kira down to a pit of despair; she didn't laugh as much and it depressed Kira (A/N: Gee buddy... what DO you think that is!). He missed his best friend. That much he knew for sure. But still… he couldn't help but feel betrayed. Why hadn't Lacus told him? What did she have to be so afraid of? Didn't she trust him? Every time she smiled at him, didn't it occur to her just once that he might have liked to know? That way, they might not have been in this mess. That way, in some way, there might have been some straight, paved path for them to follow.
The main trouble was, Kira didn't know what he wanted that path to be. A path as best friends, with one heartbroken and one forever laden with the guilt? Or a path as true love, with two of them never wondering, 'What could have been?', 'What if?'
Skipping school he had seriously thought about it. Lacus? Or Flay? He even wrote out little pros and cons sheet, and had even taken the time to color code it. But nothing helped. He couldn't ask his friends, their answer was pitifully and pathetically obvious: Lacus. He could understand why. They had known her longer. But Kira knew both of them. Two different girls, both as different as black and white! Flay Allster, someone who seemed manipulative and cold outside, yet someone who just needed a little guidance and company on the inside. Lacus Clyne, who always sacrificed herself for others, yet held in so much inside. One he had gotten laid with, one he had known forever.
Isn't there a 101 Guide for this stuff? Kira wondered bitterly. No, of course not. Life would be too easy then…
"ARGH!" the frustrated teen fell back on his bed, shutting his eyes. He needed something to clear his mind.
Knock!
Something to make him think straight…
Knock!
Something that could help him make a right decision…
Knock!
…or better yet, make a decision for him!
Knock!
Maybe he should flip a coin?
Knock!
He needed something now…
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
And he needed something to make that incessant knocking stop!
"KIRA YAMATO! What are you doing in there!" His mother demanded shrilly. A pause. "Oh my goodness… ARE YOU DOING DRUGS! Kira Daisuke Hibiki Yamato! Open this door right now or you do not want to know what I will do to you! If I find a shred of evidence that tells me you've been sniffing coke or smoking marijuana, or even worse, injecting yourself with cocaine I'll-
"MOM!" Kira cried, swinging the door open, an exasperated expression on his face. "What's wrong with you!"
His mom looked around suspiciously. "Well, Kira, I knocked several times and you refused to answer!" she said, hands on her hips. "I just wanted to talk and you so blatantly ignored me! Where have I gone wrong in raising you and Shinn? You both lock yourselves in your rooms and you abandon your mother emotionally like that… oh, the rewards of raising teenagers!"
Kira sweatdropped as his mother continued to ramble on, wiping tears from her eyes. His mother could be so dramatic…
"What do you need, Mom?" Kira inquired, sighing.
"Well for starters I could use some help in the kitchen," his mother said immediately, brightening. "And the lawn looks a little shabby… the floors could probably use some dusting too… and that hideous coffee table in the basement has been bothering me a while-"
"Mom," Kira coughed, arms crossed.
"Oh, alright," Keiko Yamato rolled her eyes. "Teenagers these days… I just wanted to see if you wanted to talk. I've noticed you don't seem like yourself lately and you and Lacus don't get together anymore! It's nice having another girl to chat with in a house full of men, you know!"
Kira raised his eyebrow. "Uh… OK…?"
Keiko sat herself down on Kira's desk chair and motioned for her eldest son to sit down. He complied, after shutting the door and locking it. "Kira, I know you're in your senior year, and I'm sure you're mature enough to know the dangers of teenage sex… although I'm not too sure about your brother. He's just so dense!" she paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
Kira froze and chuckled nervously. Oh Mom, if only you knew…
"But Kira, don't think you can hide it from your parents," Keiko said seriously, cutting into Kira's thoughts.
Kira looked up, astounded.
Keiko looked at him sadly, and Kira suddenly noticed his exuberant, hyper mother looked a lot older all of a sudden. "Kira… I know you think we won't understand, but believe it or not, we did go to high school," she sighed. "It just hurts your father and I to know that you didn't trust us enough to tell us. Well, I can understand why you wouldn't tell me, but you could've at least told your father."
Kira nodded numbly. Wow… his world was coming to an end! He devised all the ways to murder Shinn… oh that boy was going to pay.
"Before you go out and mutilate your brother's body and decide to cost us all our money," Keiko said, as if reading her son's thoughts. "We sort of figured that out on our own. Kira, we aren't blind. Your father's been there, he noticed it, and I knew it when you just stopped being with Lacus and slipped into a state of dazed-ness. We don't want to kill you, Kira, we want to help you. I do believe there's a world of difference in that,"
"Go on," Kira croaked.
"There's no us in wondering what could have been, Kira, and your father and I won't pester you about it anymore. It was your decision to tell us, and even thought it pains us, we still respect your decision, sweetheart. Just know we're here for you. Alright?" Keiko said, tears brimming her eyes.
"Alright," Kira answered, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"Come here," Keiko pulled her son into a motherly embrace, tears falling freely. "Oh my little boy has grown up so fast… you're already eighteen!" she said proudly. "We're both very proud of you, Kira. No matter what you do, we'll be there backing you up."
Kira simply nodded, wondering when the last time he and his mother had actually hugged.
"Now, is there anything you'd like to talk about?" Keiko asked, already anticipating the answer and knowing the outcome.
"Yeah…" Kira answered, turning beet red.
"Oh how adorable! You're blushing!" Keiko fussed, pinching his cheek affectionately. "Is it about Lacus?"
Kira looked at her suspiciously. "What has Shinn been telling you, Mom?" he demanded.
"No, no, no! Your brother hasn't told me anything!" she crossed her arms, and frowned. "You and your loyalties… alienating your own mother from your little circle of trust!" she huffed in mock anger.
"Well… since you already know what it's about, why don't you just give me the golden piece of advice?" Kira suggested.
Keiko smiled mischievously. "Of course! Oooh! I've waited so long to do this!" she squealed. "I'll be right back, honey! Don't you go anywhere!"
Kira watched in disbelief as his mother dashed out of the room like a school girl on crack. A minute later, she came rushing back, something small in her hands.
"What is it?" Kira asked.
"This, Kira," Keiko said proudly as she opened her palm. "Is the ring your father gave to me when he proposed!"
Kira looked at her strangely. "You want me to get married at the age of eighteen?" he questioned, shocked.
"Of course not! We don't want you to get married until you're at least thirty!" Keiko exclaimed, laughing. "What I mean is Kira; give this ring to that special girl for you. Your father gave this to me because he loved me, and I think you should do the same for your special someone. No matter who it is, Kira, a best friend or a girlfriend, give that ring to the girl that you care about the most. And make a promise to stay by her side always. Just give it to someone you truly care about."
"But who, Mom?" Kira demanded, aggravated. "I need to know who!"
Keiko laid a hand on her son's shoulder. "Sweetie, I know you're confused, but I think deep in your heart, you already know which one you truly want. Just do what your heart tells you. And give this to her on the Valentine's Dance, OK?" she said comfortingly.
Kira took the ring and gazed at it as his mother stood up to leave. "Well since nobody will be willing to help with dinner, I'll just order pizza for us," she paused at the door. "Kira, I know you'll choose right. It was your father and I that raised you after all!" she said cheerily. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to lecture your brother!"
Kira barely noticed her leave. 'Deep in your heart, you already know which one you truly want.'
Did he? Did he really know who he wanted?
-
Shinn sat, on MSN, talking to Rey Za Barrel, Lunamaria Hawke, and Auel Neider. If possible, he felt even worse for what he did to Stellar… which was currently bordering near 'shoot yourself so she'll be happy' stage.
Blaze Phantom says:
Shinn, you're the most idiotic person I have ever seen in my life.
Red Gunner says:
How DARE you do that? You know what? I think I'll shoot you myself! I hate you SO much right now! Standing up a girl is one thing, but how can you plan a double date like that!
Impulse says:
Hey! I feel bad enough already!
Abyss says:
Yeah well, not bad enough, buddy. If you were gonna forgo what Youlan and I told you, at least remember to cancel it with the other girl!
Red Gunner says:
WHAT! YOU PUT HIM UP TO THIS! YOU INSENSITIVE BASTARD HOW COULD YOU! IF I COULD STRANGLE YOU RIGHT NOW…ARGH! You… you… UGH! No words could describe how stupid you two are!
Blaze Phantom says:
…
Abyss says:
Oh shut up! I apologize for it, alright? Jeez! You women these days…
Red Gunner says:
What is that supposed to mean, Auel Neider!
Impulse says:
It's really not his fault… I did forget to cancel it with Kiki…
Red Gunner says:
It still doesn't change the fact you guys are asses. Rey, aren't you going to back me up?
Blaze Phantom says:
…
Abyss says:
Rey…?
Red Gunner says:
Oh come on! Don't tell me you're siding with those two!
Impulse says:
Rey… where's your manly pride!
Blaze Phantom says:
… Lunamaria, I am a man, but those two are idiots, so I'd have to say I shall remain… neutral.
Red Gunner says:
:furious: WHAT! Where's your loyalty to your girlfriend, Rey Za Barrel! GAH! You three are all idiots! I'm leaving this conversation right now! You three are all so impossible!
Abyss says:
Boo hoo. Cry me a river, build me a bridge and jump off it. :rolls eyes:
Blaze Phantom says:
Goodbye, Lunamaria. See you tomorrow then.
Impulse says:
Uh huh. See ya tomorrow, Luna!
Red Gunner says:
RAR:gives Auel, Shinn and Rey a good whack on the head: Why do I even remain friends with you guys? Sometimes you really do make me wonder… :thoughtful look:
Impulse says:
Maybe because you love us:angelic look:
Red Gunner says:
Uh… huh… anyway, Auel Shinn, you deserve to be punished until hell freezes over. And Rey? I hereby cancel our date to the movies tonight. You hurt my feelings and I need to recuperate.
Abyss says:
Maybe I forgot to say this before: I APOLOGIZE. What more do you want, woman!
Red Gunner Auel, Shinn, you guys are such asses says:
I don't know… maybe you guys need to make it up to STELLAR:GASP: You know, the girl that YOU guys single-handedly landed in the hospital! And also your friend!
Impulse says:
But she doesn't WANT to see me! And is your name really that necessary?
Red Gunner Auel, Shinn, you guys are such asses says:
Yes, it's necessary. And you can't give up just like that! KEEP seeing her until she WANTS to see you! Camp out by her room or something! I've seen the Clynes' hallways and trust me, I wouldn't have problems living there!
Abyss -Lunamaria, I hate you. Love you Meyrin- says:
Luna, weren't you going to leave?
Impulse -I'm really sorry Stellar! I'm just really stupid- says:
Yeah! Why don't you leave right now?
Red Gunner -Auel I hate you too, and Rey, I DON'T love you- says:
Maybe I will!
Blaze Phantom says:
Lunamaria, do you really hate me?
Red Gunner -Auel I hate you too, and Rey, I DON'T love you- says:
Yes, yes I do. says :
That… hurts.
Red Gunner -Auel I hate you too, and Rey, I DON'T love you- says:
GOOD.
Abyss -Lunamaria I hate you. Love you Meyrin- says:
Goodbye Luna, now be gone! And tell Meyrin I said hi.
Red Gunner -Auel I hate you too, and Rey, I DON'T love you- says:
Why should I? I hate you, remember?
Abyss -Lunamaria I DON'T hate you. Love you Meyrin- says:
Fine. I DON'T hate you. Happy? Now leave us men be.
Red Gunner -Fine Auel, I DON'T hate you, and Rey, I DO love you- says:
Fine, fine… I'll tell her, but just because I am so gracious and nice. But you better fix things up with Stellar, Shinn! Or I'll hunt you down! And Auel, I'm sure Meyrin will so glad to know that YOU were behind Stellar's hospitalization. :Evil cackle:
Abyss -LUNAMARIA! Love you Meyrin- says:
WTF LUNAMARIA! Tell her that and I'll chase you down with my Dad's new hacksaw! I swear it!
-Pretty in Red- Love you Auel has logged on and joined the conversation
Blaze Phantom says:
Hello, Meyrin.
Impulse -I'm so sorry Stellar! I'm just really stupid- says:
Hey… wassup?
Red Gunner -So innocent…- says:
Hello, sister dear!
-Pretty in Red- Love you Auel says:
Is it true?
Abyss -Sharpening the hacksaw. Love you Mey- says:
Is what true? Whatever you're referring to? I'm sure it was false information!
-Pretty in Red- Love you Auel says:
It's too heinous! I can't even repeat it! Luna! Repeat it for me!
Blaze Phantom says:
Auel, save yourself right now.
Impulse -I'm so sorry Stellar! I'm just really stupid- says:
Buddy, just run.
Red Gunner -So innocent… MUAHAHAHA- says:
Gladly! Auel and Youlan had the smartest idea and set Shinn up so he'd be double-timing and Shinn fell for it! So if you want to kill your idiot boyfriend, be my guest!
-Pretty in Red- Auel… how COULD you says:
:GASP: SEE! HOW COULD YOU DO THAT! I could KILL YOU! That's no way to treat a girl!
Abyss -To my family: I loved you, to my friends: I loved you all too, to Luna: I hope you die, to Mey: I loved you anyway :cries:- says:
Hey! That's not what happened! Get the facts straight if you're gonna tattle, Hawke!
Impulse -I'm so sorry Stellar! I'm just really stupid- says:
I'm really sorry about it! But there's nothing I CAN do!
Blaze Phantom -Live your life- says:
Auel, stop being so immature. Meyrin wouldn't kill you.
Abyss -To my family: I loved you, to my friends: I loved you all too, to Luna: I hope you die, to Mey: I loved you anyway :cries:- says:
How would YOU know! Do you even know how hard she hits? It's a miracle I've survived this long!
-Pretty in Red- Auel… how COULD you says:
I'm still here… :twitch, twitch:
Impulse says:
Look. I'd gladly shoot myself if it'd make Stellar happy, but no one's coming up with any other bright ideas! So what am I SUPPOSED TO DO!
Red Gunner -So innocent… MUAHAHAHA- says:
You COULD always beg for her forgiveness until she decides to forgive you…
-Pretty in Red- Shop 'till you drop says:
You could always take her shopping and buy her all she wants until she forgives you!
Abyss -Shopping malls are EVOL- says:
No, Shinn! Don't do it, pal! Trust me on this one: you take a girl shopping and their sole intention is to render you money-less! DON'T DO IT:freaking out:
Blaze Phantom says:
I agree. Just beg.
-Pretty in Red- says:
How could you say that about me! I didn't waste ALL your money! You still had a dime left in your bank account! THAT's not money-less, and it's not like your mother didn't give you money afterwards!
Abyss Shopping malls are EVOL says:
Mey, a DIME! I had a good five hundred dollars in there! And you used up four-hundred ninety cents of it!
Shinn tapped his mouse button, head in hands.
"My, my, Shinn! You teenage kids have such interesting MSN conversations! Next time you guys chat, come call me over!" Keiko exclaimed, amusement written clear in his voice.
Shinn slowly turned his head to see his mother's face, all smiling. "GAH!" he screamed, jumping out of his chair and crashing to the floor. "Wh-what are you doing, Mom! Whatever happened to respecting your son's privacy!"
"Oh honey, are you alright?" Keiko asked worriedly. "I just couldn't help it! You have NEVER looked so focused on anything as you did just now! I'm so glad I got to see that part of you before I died!"
"Mom… what happened to respecting your son's privacy!" Shinn cried, hastily typing something on the conversation box and immediately bashing the computer off.
"Oh please, Shinn! I'm your mother! I'm the authority figure of this household!" Keiko laughed, waving him off.
Shinn sweatdropped. "…Right…" he said, crossing his arms and plopping down on his bed, miffed. "Is there something you wanted?"
"What, now I can't visit my baby son just because I want to?" Keiko asked, sitting down on the red desk chair and looking thoughtful. "But there is something I wanted to talk to you about!"
"I haven't been doing drugs, my school marks are fine, I've done all my chores, my homework is all done too, and it's Kira's turn to do the dishes tonight." Shinn listed off mechanically.
"Oh, honey! That's not what I wanted to talk to you about!" Keiko exclaimed. "I wanted to talk to you about Stellar, and that odd girl that called after you left!"
Shinn flinched. Oh well, you know, the sky could be falling at this very moment. Did he really have to talk about his love life with his mother!
"Since Luna and Meyrin seem to be doing a splendid job making you guilty, I'll refrain from pummeling you and grounding you until your life is over," Keiko said pleasantly.
"That makes me feel a lot better, Mom!" Shinn said sarcastically.
"But you should've remembered to cancel it with what's-her-name. Honestly, she's not your type! Too flamboyant and shallow! You need someone more down-to-earth, sweetie. Someone who can keep her head on Earth, you know, someone like Stellar!" Keiko rambled as Shinn kept by his wish to melt into the floor.
"ANYWAY! What I'm trying to say is, if you knew you wanted to be with Stellar, you shouldn't have listened to what anybody else was saying," Keiko explained. "Love is never an easy thing to deal with, Shinn, especially a girl's broken heart. I think you're learning that right now. Am I right?"
Shinn nodded. "Yes," he mumbled.
"What are you going to do about it then? I'm sure the Clynes' hallways ARE very lovely, but I'm sure its purpose wasn't to have you live in it," Keiko questioned, chuckling.
"I don't know," Shinn snapped. "She doesn't want to see me!"
Keiko frowned. "You're lucky you have a girl who tolerates that attitude of yours…" she muttered under her breath. Raising her voice she said, "Come on Shinn! You know better than to give up!"
"What do you suggest I do then?" Shinn asked, eyebrow raised.
"Well…" Keiko trailed off. "I like what Meyrin suggested, but I don't want you to be broke… so why don't you just explain to her what happened?"
"Maybe I didn't explain it: she doesn't want to see me!" Shinn said, frustrated.
"You and your brother get frustrated too easily! Chase after her, Shinn! You're on the track team for a reason!" Keiko exclaimed, rolling her eyes as if that was the solution to everything in the world. "Then romantically grab her and tell her that other girl meant nothing to you! Explain to Stellar that she's the only woman right for you, Shinn! Then kiss her, and ride off into the sunset in a pumpkin coach!"
By now his mother had stood up, off in her own world, leaving Shinn very scared for his life… oh yes, when he would be gong to college, he was applying for a school far, far, far away from here!
"Mom, Mom, Mom?" Shinn said meekly.
"And… huh?" Keiko looked at her cowering son and cleared her throat. "Just explain what happened, alright? Do that as soon as you see her, or I'll personally make sure your love life is a living hell." She added ominously.
Shinn nodded eagerly. "Yeah, yeah! I'll do that!" he agreed whole-heartedly.
-
Carys skidded around the corner of the squeaky linoleum floor and came face to face with the dreaded window she had stood in front of years before, amidst the screaming and the frantic doctors. The window remained the same. The little girl from before stood in front of the window, watching, confused. A large brown teddy bear rested in her tiny hands and Carys remembered with desperation that that girl had once been her.
Flashback
A little black-haired girl stood on her tiptoes, peering over the window ledge at what was going on inside. A horde of doctors and nurses clad in blue gowns were around her brother's crib, all yelling something in complicated terms she didn't understand. Her mother and father were inside, her mother with a horrified expression on her face.
The blue door next to her crashed open as a panicking nurse crashed inside wheeling a funny-looking machine with two cymbal-like thingies hanging off of it. "DOCTOR!" she screamed.
A doctor whipped around and fiddled with the funny contraption and another doctor pressed a button. The first doctor hid her brother from view and Carys Walker pouted, craning her neck to see better. Several minutes later the doctors and nurses shook their heads. As they moved to say something to their parents, Carys finally got a better view of her brother. He was laying still, and he seemed a little blue, and Carys wondered if her brother was a Smurf. She liked Smurfs; they were cute! She had even gotten her Dad to buy her a big stuffed Smurf so she could give it to her brother!
"…sorry, Walker-san. There was… nothing we could do," the doctor, a tall woman with golden blonde curls said regretfully. The medical personnel filed out, each giving their regrets.
Her mother was sobbing uncontrollably as her father gazed at his wife helplessly. No amount of money was ever going to bring a baby boy back. This was one factor that had gone uncontrolled. His eyes traveled to where Carys stood. His daughter was staring at them curiously, Smurf's hand clutched in hers. How could he tell his four-year-old daughter that her brother wasn't ever coming back?
Flashback to present
Almost mechanically, Carys' feet carried her to the big window where the doctors were, crowding around the glass incubator. Lizzie's parents were off to the side, her mother in tears. Lizzie's father looked just as helpless as her father did. Angry yet somber eyes, hatred because he couldn't do anything to ease his wife's pain, grief because his son was dying… was this what her father had felt? Come to think of it… what had her father felt all these years?
"You're here, lady!" Lizzie exclaimed, a huge smile on her face.
"Yeah… here I am, Lizzie," Carys said meekly, eyes trained on that incubator. She spotted Meiko, all her previous desperation and sadness gone, completely focused on saving that baby.
"The giants in the white coats came in a while ago!" Lizzie announced, puzzled. "Is Ken going to go away?"
Carys nodded numbly. "Yeah, Lizzie. He has to go away," she answered.
"Mommy told me not to cry. Why is she crying, lady?" Lizzie looked at Carys, big doe eyes wide with curiosity.
"She's just sad that Ken's going home," Carys replied, kneeling down to Lizzie's eye level. "But you be good, OK? Ken's just going up to where the big clouds are, and… and… he'll be… h-he'll be happy."
Lizzie nodded. "Lizzie will be good! Lizzie promised Mommy and Mommy promised Lizzie she'd be with Lizzie forever!" she quipped. She held out the teddy bear. "Here, lady. You can have it. Mommy told Lizzie Ken would have LOTS more where he's going! Do you like teddy bears?"
Carys hugged Lizzie tightly, crying like she had never done before. The guilt and anger she felt over the years left her completely, and left her with regret and another kind of guilt. She had never done anything for her father. She hadn't ever taken the time to know what her father felt. Carys lifted her head and saw Meiko, performing chest compressions on the baby. A doctor gently pulled her away, shaking his head.
"Ken!" Lizzie cried, breaking free from Carys' hug and rushing inside the room.
And Carys continued to cry.
-
Yzak stood around the corner, watching the girl cry. Jonathan Walker's words still floated around his head: "She's attached to you."
What was he supposed to do? He wasn't Zala; he didn't have the natural flair for things like this! He wasn't even close to being as comforting and compassionate as Kira was, and as dense as he was, Shinn was passionate about things he did and wanted to protect. Yzak wasn't Dearka either; he wasn't even close to being emotional and devoted as Dearka was…
However, Yzak still found himself in front of someone he thought he had hated for thirteen years and running. Still he found himself knelt in front of her, arms open. Still he found himself embracing the sobbing girl when she had thrown herself at him like he had done that for his entire life. And as shocking as it was, it felt…OK. Hell, it felt a lot better than just 'OK'. It felt… right. And for just once, Yzak didn't hate Valentines so much anymore.
-
Miriallia hung up the phone, on cloud nine. She hugged her pillow as she fell back onto the orange blankets. Who knew being with Dearka Elthmann would be this great? He was so much different than she first thought… he was sweet, comforting, he was actually a great listener, he was fun to be with, and most of all, he brought out the best in her. And that's what had Miriallia first fall for Tolle. He brought out the best in her.
For no reason at all, Miriallia giggled giddily. What would tomorrow be like? She wondered, dazed with happiness. I think… I think Dearka really is the one for me… maybe I do love him.
"Milly, sweetie? Are you off the phone now?" Angela Haww's voice asked. "I think it's very lovely that your communicating with your boyfriend, but sweetie, your father and I need to use the phone too, and I really hop you're thinking of the outrageous phone bill we'll be getting by the end of this month."
Miriallia blushed. Had she really been on the phone for that long? A quick glance at the clock proved her mother right. Oh yeah… two hours on the phone with Dearka. Had somebody told her that a month ago, she would've laughed and offered them a one-way ticket to the asylum. But look at her now…
"Oh yeah, I'm off the phone Mom. Sorry about the phone bills," Miriallia called, logging onto her MSN. "I'll pay for half of it."
"It's great to see you taking responsibility for your actions, Milly" her mother sang happily, obviously tearing up about the fact she wouldn't be paying all of the stupidly expensive phone bills.
Miriallia saw that only Cagalli was on, which seemed… odd. Kira would usually be on, and she expected Lacus to be on since she had gone home. Athrun should also be on, and Yzak, Shinn… Dearka was out to dinner with his family…
Precious Rose says:
Hey there, Milly.
Orange Dream says:
Cagalli, hey! Where is everybody?
Precious Rose says:
Athrun's at some fancy restaurant for his father's company thing, and I have no idea what Lacus, Kira, Shinn and Yzak's doing. Guess what my secret admirer gave me!
Orange Dream says:
Oh? He gave you another present? What is it this time?
Precious Rose says:
I'll show you.
Precious Rose wishes to start a webcam conversation with you. If you wish to accept, press Accept. If you wish to decline, press Cancel.
Miriallia clicked on Accept as Cagalli's webcam showed the blonde currently looking for her newest present.
Precious Rose says:
WTH? BRB.
Orange Dream says:
Yeah, yeah… I'm not going anywhere!
Miriallia waited for a good fifteen minutes, surfing the net for random things. She had opened her school dance décor folder and was scrutinizing the colors when Cagalli FINALLY came back on.
Precious Rose says:
WTF! It's not here!
Orange Dream says:
What do you mean? What's not there?
Precious Rose says:
What do you think! My present! It's gone! Someone's stolen it!
Shinn Yamato's E-Mail to Stellar Loussier
To: blonde. impulse.silhouette. we talk? Please?
Hey Stellar, uh I was just wondering, can we talk? I know you hate my guts and don't ever want to talk to me again, but I just want to explain and apologize. Can I at least do that? After that you can hate me all you want, and I'll respect whatever you're going to do. Meet me at the park at 5:00 tomorrow, 'K?
-
Kira Yamato's E-Mail to Lacus Clyne
To: shizukana.yoru. strike.freedom. We need to talk
Lacus, we need to quit avoiding each other and start telling the truth. Meet me tomorrow after school by the creek at five. Don't bail. I'll make you talk and drag you to the creek if I have to.
-
Lunamaria Hawke's E-Mail to Friends
To: FWD: About MOI
Full Name: Lunamaria Erin Misha Hawke
Age: 16
Favorite Colors: RED, RED, RED
Hobbies: Sports, XD!
Favorite Movie: Uh… let's say… 50 First Dates
Favorite Book: I don't read a lot, but I really liked Showdown at Dawn
Do You Smoke: WTF, NO!
Birthday: July 26!
Hair Color: Magenta
Eye Color: Grayish-purple. It's so sexy! (LMAO Mey!)
Favorite thing to do indoors: According to Auel, I apparently like wasting my time taking stupid quizzes from stupid magazines
Favorite thing to do outdoors: Run, and be ACTIVE!
Favorite Artist: Maaya Sakamoto! (A/N: Coudln't resist! Sakamoto-san is Luna's seiyuu)
Do you like preps: … No comment.
Nickname: Luna, Jam
Are you smart: No, not with Math
Do you have a boyfriend? If yes, who is it: Yes, and Rey!
If you said yes to the last question, do you like them: Oh no… I hate them so much and wish they'd get out of my life. OF COURSE I DO! What kind of question IS this!
Are you hot: …Auel, are you absolutely SURE you didn't make this questionnaire up? You're the only guys I know that would ask a girl that… Oo
Are you ugly: Nope. At least, that's what Rey tells me…
What are your measurements: I am NOT answering this, and Youlan, Vino and Auel: if I find that YOU guys ARE the ones who made this… I'll kill you!
Favorite Food: Hmm… pizza
A deep, dark secret that no one knows about you: Nothing. I tell my friends everything
Anyone you want to pummel to the ground right now: Yes.
Anyone who hates YOU right now: Auel, probably. I think he threatened to chase me with his Dad's hacksaw… LOL
Did you like this questionnaire: Err… yea, sure… whatever
Where are you right now: I'm just gonna ignore how creepy this question sounds… at home?
Where do you live: This is EXTREMELY creepy! 4578 Aquacrest Ave.
Who was the last person you talked to: Meyrin
Are you happy this is over: Sure… whatever!
Fill it out and send it back guys!
A/N: Well that's another chapter! And for those of you that are wondeing about Don't Fall In, it IS a one-shot, not a full story, but I'm not entirely sure what I'll do with it. And I DID update Mission if anyone was even wondering about that... Read and Review as always!