Disclaimer: I do not own CCS or any characters in this manga/ anime. The characters and events in this story are fictitious. Any similarities to real persons are coincidental and unintentional.
Summary: A New Year means a fresh start. But, content with her single life, Sakura has never felt the need to search for that special someone who would complete her. So, when 'Fate' brings him to her…
Sheer Illusions
-1-
Ugh. That's the only word that describes how I'm feeling right now. It's the beginning of a new year; I suppose everyone should be in a good mood and partying. So, why am I here moping around and seemingly the only party pooper in a 100-mile radius?
I groaned. This is so sad; I mean, here I am—lying on my bed—repeatedly counting the glow-in-the-dark star stickers (that my brother got for me) on my ceiling when I should be out at a club or party bringin' down the house (wait—did I just say that?).
I repeat: this is sad. Or at least, that's what I was thinking until someone popped into my head. Yes! I could always rely on her! She'd be able to turn around any bad situation.
I rolled off my bed and reached for the black cordless phone resting in its cradle on my desk. Flipping back long auburn hair, I dialed the seven digits that would connect me to my best friend.
I waited a few seconds, impatiently drumming my fingers on the wooden table, while I listened to the dial tone. After a few rings, someone finally picked up, but it wasn't who I expected.
"He-helloooooooo," A male voice slurred. "Whooo…sshhtere?"
I cringed. "Excuse me?"
Mixed feelings of dread and disgust began to brew in my stomach. I hate drunks. Absolutely, positively hate them with all the fibers of my being.
They scared me. A lot. And countless sessions of therapy did not help lessen my fear of them either.
I was prepared to hang up when I finally heard a familiar voice. The loud drunken mumbling was soon a part of the noises in the background. Thank heavens!
"Hello?" A tired voice greeted me. "Um, hold on, please."
I suspected that she had her hand cupped over the mouthpiece because the sounds suddenly became muffled, but I could still hear strings of words when her hand inadvertently left its intended place.
"No, Eriol!" I heard. "Don't—OHMYGOD! My mom is going to kill me!"
I raised a brow. Okay… I have no idea what was going on over there, but I'm assuming this Eriol guy did something bad—like, I-peed-in-your-priceless-Ming-vase type of bad.
Silently, I suffered through another five minutes of her agonized shouting and a bout of awful retching sounds (another reason why I hate drunks) coming from—and there's no doubt it's him—Eriol.
Just as I finished filing my pinky nail (I got bored), she returned to the phone. I adjusted the cordless device so it rested comfortably between my ear and shoulder, and blew lightly on my perfectly manicured finger.
"Finally," I said, faking heavy exasperation. "Tomoyo, if I had to stand another minute of those barf sounds, I might have to go back to my old therapist. I'm not kidding. I'd send you the bill in the mail afterwards."
"What do you need, Sakura?" Tomoyo's usually cheerful voice was replaced by a tired, chiding tone. "I'm kind of busy at the moment."
"Yeah, I can tell," I said, trying to hold back my amusement. "Who's Eriol, huh?"
A grin spread on my lips as I heard her groan dramatically. Usually, I didn't approve of making light of others' despairs, but when it came to perfect Tomoyo, this was a rare chance. I couldn't bring myself to miss it.
"Eriol?" Tomoyo finally repeated after her moment of complaint was over. "He's the son of one of my mother's business acquaintances. We just met tonight at the company's New Year party."
My grin grew wider and I couldn't hide the amusement in my voice anymore. This was torture for the Daidouji heiress, but for me, it was fun, fun, fun.
"Your mother set you up again?!" I exclaimed, bursting out in laughter. "Man, I love Aunt Sonomi."
Tomoyo was everything but pleased at that moment. Her tone was sarcastic. "Ha ha. You know, this wouldn't be so funny if you were in my position. I mean, how would you feel if some drunken guy you barely know got dumped into your arms?"
And just like that, the smile I previously wore completely melted off my face. Ugh. Drunk people again. I shuddered with disgust. It's amazing how just the thought of them can set me off so quickly.
"Yeah, you're right," I agreed. "I would so hate to be you right now. I don't know how I would be able to handle it."
Tomoyo's tone of voice softened. "No…I should be the one who's sorry. For a moment there, I almost forgot about your dislike of these situations…"
"I'm just really messed up right now," She explained with a half-hearted chuckle. "Taking care of a totally plastered guy and smelling like puke was not how I pictured my New Year's Eve."
"It's okay," I sympathized. "We'll go out and do something for New Year's later. I'm sorry I can't help you with your drunk guy problem. But, when he enters hangover stage, and you want some help…"
Tomoyo laughed for real this time. "I know, I know. If I need some help with butt-kicking, I'll call you, Sakura."
"Great," I said. "Then, I guess I should probably let you get on with helping E-ri-ol. Talk to you later, Tomoyo."
"Wait," I heard as I began to pull the receiver away from my ear. "What did you call me for in the first place?"
"Oh," I said, the grin returned to my face. "Nothing. I just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year."
Like I stated earlier, Tomoyo has a natural ability for turning bad situations around. I swear she must have been born with magic or something—because somehow, Tomoyo had always managed to conjure up a solution for everything.
But with or without it, she is and has always been my best friend. And when you've got such a great friend like her, who needed magic?
Of course, this New Year's Eve/ New Year's didn't make my list or anything, but it could have been worse, I contemplated, peering out into a sky of grayish-black. The fog had doubled in thickness over the last few hours of the "old" year, perhaps foreshadowing that the New Year would be full of surprises, or maybe the right word would be uncertainty?
Silently, I hoped that there would be more good than bad in store for everyone, but not even I could keep my thoughts straight when the sky blew up in dusty hues of red, purple, blue, green, silver, and gold fireworks.
Happy New Year!
A/N: First of all, Happy New Year, everyone! After several years of nothing, I bring you my second CCS story, Sheer Illusions. Like I explained in my profile, I couldn't keep away from FFN for long... And in the wee hours of New Year, I got this sudden inspiration to write something like this. I hope you liked it--and if you did, reviews would be much appreciated. (Authors need to be reassured, too.)
Oh, and to those of you who have read my other CCS fanfic, A Second Attempt at Love, I'd like to express my thanks for being so supportive. It's too early to say that I'm returning to finish it, so I'm not making any promises...But, on the brighter side, I am looking through it again and am trying to figure out how to continue it (if I do continue it).
Whyte Lilac
