AN: I have thought of this story upon listening to a song. I am a person who creates whenever inspiration comes. As others say, "Inspiration is for beginners…" Maybe I'll always be like that.

You will never be the same again after reading this…

It all started that day, when I saw her on the school hall: a new comer standing all alone on the side of some lonesome bench, with her eyes on the field outside the window. The sun was bright on that day, with the summer just beginning.

Whenever I think of summer, I always look forward to having some "fun".

Summer party, baseball, girls… liquor.

I was sixteen.

Droplets of sweat kept forming on my forehead as I stand there beside the same window.

It's hot – I thought.

But I didn't leave. I don't want to go back to History class.

I hate dwelling on somebody else's trash.

Yes, I think history does that.

So I kept on observing her, like an experiment on a fragile test tube.

She was wearing her uniform, white collared blouse with dark pleated skirt, hiding her knees from my view. Her hands folded together, holding a hand bag, colored gray.

And with some stroke of coincidence, someone started playing "Sundress", a song from a geek pop singer.

I like it though…

And from the inside out you're so beautiful

I want to hold you in my hands

I'd do anything you want me to …

I found myself singing, not inside my thoughts, but aloud. She caught me. Her eyes drifted from somewhere else…then on me.

I felt like an idiot.

I smiled, an awkward one, and she nodded in acknowledgement.

"Hi," I continued while approaching her.

"So, you're new here right?"

She smiled and once again, nodded.

Is she mute?

My thoughts were just weird.

"I am looking for someone…" I almost didn't hear that answer, but then the words came clear to me.

"Someone?"

"Yes."

Her voice seemed to get softer and softer, being swallowed by the background noise.

"I learned that He studies here, so I transferred schools," she continued.

Her eyelashes were fluttering so I wasn't able to see the expression in her eyes.

"What's his name, maybe I can help."

It's like I'm hitting on her but then, after learning that she's essentially looking for another guy, I sounded more disappointed than cool.

When she didn't answer, I dropped the conversation and remained silent. We're now standing side by side.

I haven't even asked her name.

The sun's heat began to irritate me.

How can the sun be so hot and bright, like it was burning everything? And the air was dry. Maybe I could make some steak, just by throwing some slab of meat down the school yard. Well done.

"You know, it's almost time for lunch, maybe we could go to the cafeteria," I suddenly offered.

"No… no. Thank you," she declined immediately.

"We could find that guy first."

When she didn't answer, I knew it.

She was carrying something heavy…

-In her heart perhaps.

-Or in her stomach.

I heard it. Her stomach growled and that obviously means she's hungry.

"I'm Kira, it's nice meeting you" I started. I pulled my hand outwards for a handshake.

It's weird. After hearing me say, "I'm Kira", I thought: I haven't introduced myself this properly. Not to a girl.

Great. I really do look like an idiot.

She touched her stomach and blushed. She might have been conscious about it.

"I… am Cagalli," she spoke, while holing my awkward, sweaty hand.

Did she just say her name?

But I heard it. It's Cagalli.

And then, it growled once more.

"My treat," I announced.

I really don't want to think this as a date I mean, I just met her. But hell yeah, I was kind of nervous.

I got two large bowls of seafood stew, two slices of spiced bread, and two glasses of lemonade.

I handed the bowl and the bread to her. She reluctantly accepted the offer at first, but soon after, she's already busy devouring her meal. It's as if she had not eaten anything in a while.

"So, what class and year are you in?" I began asking while watching her carefully.

"Sophomore, class C. Actually, tomorrow is my first day to school," she replied.

"Then why are you here a day earlier?"

She dropped the spoon that was halfway from the bowl, to her mouth.

"I am looking for someone…"

Oh that guy again…

"Mind if I ask who he is?"

"A friend. Dear friend."

She looked at the unfinished stew, and then at me.

That was the first time I saw her eyes. They're large, and brown. They kind of reminded me of the sun -bright, and piercing.

Golden-brown.

"Why are you wearing the uniform instead of more casual clothes?" I diverted, seemingly uncomfortable with those big brown eyes.

"I thought the school guards wouldn't let me in if I don't wear these. I only have to have a look around, and find him."

"Is this guy a boyfriend?"

"No."

"Just a friend?"

"Perhaps, yes."

"Where do you live?" I continued asking.

"I'm still looking for a place to stay. Now, I'm on a small room at the girls' dormitory. It's pretty expensive and the rent was provided by the scholarship program, but I could only stay there for a month. I must look for a cheaper place to stay in."

"I see…"

I wasn't really paying attention to her explanation. I was busy scanning her features.

She looked pale, not really malnourished. Just pale.

Her hair tied into a small knot, leaving a few tendrils of yellow draping across her neck and ears. A few freckles on the cheeks and a tiny nose. Nice thin lips.

She sipped the soup and finished the bread…then whispered a short prayer.

"Do you want some more?" I asked, as I found her staring at the empty bowl.

"No, thank you very much," her weak tone suggested something-

"I just remembered…" her voice drifted.

The empty bowl rested between her palms. It's as is she was staring through it, with her mind, completely detached from the rest of her body.

Piercing Brown eyes…

"Cagalli over here!" a wide-eyed boy waved his hands while standing beneath the wooden arch at near the school entrance. The afternoon sun made everything around him appear tangerine while his eyes were brilliant green.

She ran towards him, holding an empty lunchbox and a tear-drenched handkerchief.

"Did they do that again?" he worriedly asked after seeing her lunchbox.

She nodded and sniffed.

"I'll get them this time," said the boy.

"No, no!" Cagalli exclaimed while trying to pull his hand as he moved away.

"The first time you tried to fight them you got so injured and had to rest for a week. Just let it go," she pleaded.

"But all they do is pick on you, I can't allow that!" the boy argued.

"Don't worry about me… this will pass, just don't put yourself into trouble again."

She slacked on the side of the porch, gathered her knees up and made silent sobs.

The boy sighed.

"I won't fight. Just stop crying okay?"

That afternoon was almost like a routine for the two of them. He would wait for her outside class, and she would come to him; in tears for some mischievous doings of her schoolmates.

She was always being bullied by their upper classmen. Either they take her lunch or hide something; like a pen or a notebook.

He on the other hand was her shield and shock absorber.

"Let's eat somewhere," the boy decided.

"I… don't have any money. I'm fine. I'll just go home and cook something."

Though it was quite convincing, her stomach betrayed her decision.

"My treat," the boy simply said.

"Hey… are you ok?"

I was a little bit worried. She was spacing out for a while.

Startled perhaps, she diverted her eyes on me once again.

"Oh… I… must be daydreaming. Sorry."

"Yeah I think you are."

She bowed and said, "thank you for the meal."

I felt the humility and gratitude from that gesture. I was so embarrassed; I didn't realize how red my face had become.

"It's just a simple soup, don't mid it!"

I almost laughed like a clown.

But then it felt really good. I've never received such appreciation from someone before.

It felt odd, and good.

The sky was now clearer, and the sun's heat, almost doubled. Students slowly started to crowd the cafeteria, while I sat there, beside that interesting girl I've met almost an hour ago.

"How do you plan to look for him?" I asked again.

She folded her handkerchief - three folds. Then, arranged the creases of her skirt.

"I don't know. I just waited for him to pass through the hallway. I don't know what class he belongs to, or maybe, he's not studying here anymore… I don't know."

"Why do you want to see him?"

She sighed in response.

I knew it.

Desperation.

"He left…right after…"

It was quite hard for me to hear her say because her voice was low and soft. Like some quiet breeze that touches ones ears; you wouldn't realize what it says; and then it's gone forever.

I was still in the middle of assimilating all of this when she hurriedly left the seat to go somewhere.

She ran outside, and following her, was me.

"Hey…" I couldn't even hear my own words when I came closer. There she was - under a large willow tree.

She was standing behind a familiar figure.

Could it be that he is…

I went still.

"I've come here… to see you. " She stammered.

-An awkward confession.

I couldn't see his face, but I knew who he is. I remained rooted on the ground.

So he was the guy she's looking for.

Then she spoke once more.

"I thought you'd come back. I've always thought you'd say it, but …"

"But what?" There was irritation in his voice – blunt words.

"Why…" she whispered.

"Go home."

It was like a brief instruction, like what a father says upon scolding his child. His remark though, was a little impersonal.

He started walking after saying that.

And then I saw it.

Tears: One, two, three – as they flowed across her cheeks. She wiped her eyes with her left hand. And her fingers trembled.

I saw them.

I wanted to say something, but I don't know what: I was standing there, invisible to the two of them.

He continued to gain distance as he walked farther. Her voice was harsh and broken. She called out his name.

"Athrun…"

He pretended not to hear her, and walked away.

I remained still, watching as she continued crying silently.

I couldn't understand what I felt. My heart felt like being pierced by a dozen needles.

But then, I couldn't move.

No, it's not me- I thought once more.

This girl needs him…

Not me.

That moment I knew that our lives- the three of us, will never be the same again.

AN: To all the readers of my others fics. I do apologize for not updating. But I'm really looking forward to writing this fic, and finishing the first chapter. Will update the others as soon as I have thought of a decent update...

Now, kindly review.