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Disclaimer: I wish Ikuto was mine. But he's not. Boohoo.

.Chapter o2.

Reunion with open arms? I think not.

Amu fidgeted with her hands as she thought about what to do. She could feel hundreds of eyes piercing in her back, waiting for her response to the declaration. Did they think that she would blush and act like some dumb school girl? Well, that might be what the real her would do, but Amu would never act like that in school. Her 'cool and spicy' reputation would take a beating. There was no way that she'd lose her classmates' respect. She had already lost everything else.

Besides, Amu reasoned with herself, this was Ikuto. He had left her. Right now, she should be making him eat her fist. Mentally preparing herself for her response, Amu took a deep breath and turned around to her inquiring classmates.

"Are you talking to me?" Her steady and cool voice did not show the inwardly nervous sensation brewing inside. Immediately, the chattering of students filled the room again. Remarks of 'that's so cool!' and 'just like Amu' filled the auditorium. Amu put on a smirk and looked up to the stage.

Ikuto stared back at her, matching her smirk. What was he planning?

The microphone sat in his hands as he spoke again, in that velvety smooth voice of his.

"You are Amu, are you not?" The girl crossed her arms and leaned her weight on one leg.

"So what?" Amu mentally thanked her calm exterior to the years of training.

"So…" That smirk quirked up a bit more as the male locked on his dark orbs with hers. An amused glint reflected from those pupils. He was teasing her. "So that means the song I just played was for you."

Amu's mouth went dry. She would say something witty and tell him to back off, but no remarks came to mind. She was mesmerized by that familiar figure standing some distance away from her, teasing her just like old times. But her mind registered the situation quickly and she held her tongue bitterly. This was not old times. Time has passed. She has changed. Amu ignored the erratic beating of her heart. With a toss of her hair, she turned away.

"Whatever." Her feet led her outside the room where she could hear the murmurs of the other students. Once she was sure she was out of sight, her shoulders slumped forward and she leaned against the wall. Hands clenched, Amu stood in silence. She wondered what Ikuto's expression was at that moment. Was he laughing at her? Did he think of her as of low status? With a sigh, Amu stood up and walked outside through the nearest doors. His feelings were such trivial things now, and she should not be wasting time in figuring them out. Amu nonchalantly walked out of school. She didn't have the heart to learn at the moment.

Her feet dragged on the concrete floor tiredly as she walked through the town. What she needed now was a nice nap in somewhere quiet. Better not go home then. Not really caring where her feet led her, Amu walked around the streets unaware of her surroundings. Soon, a couple of benches and gardens came into her view. The town park, she observed. Benches to lay on and it was quiet. Sweet.

Plopping herself down in an uncharacteristically unladylike manner, Amu covered her eyes and laid down on the wooden sticks that formed the bench. Too much stuff happened today. No sleep plus Ikuto coming back equals a pooped out Amu. Math happened to be her best subject.

Letting her mind wander free, Amu detected the chirping of birds nearby. She could hear the ice cream truck faintly in the background, and the slight breeze rustled the leaves on the trees. Her hair was swept along with the wind. Calm and relaxing. Amu deduced that this was the most peaceful time she had had in over a year. The only time that she actually didn't mind being by herself.

Her thoughts were interrupted when a warm breeze hit her face. Then she recognized the sound of breathing. Amu's eyes snapped open to stare into Ikuto's dark orbs.

"Boo." His whisper graced his lips and blew warm breath against her skin. Surprised and uncomfortable by the close distance, Amu scooted up farther on the bench to gather some distance from the male. A slight blush adorned her cheeks, and she let her hair fall in front of her face to hide it.

"It's only been one year, and you change into a stalker." Amu immediately reverted to her exterior character. Ikuto was just another one of her classmates. He'd never understand or, she thought bitterly, like the real her.

The male straightened up, but he kept his knee propped on the bench. He gave her a teasing stare.

"What makes you think I didn't do that before?" Amu flushed. Her hair was still carefully draped over her face, but she must have tensed under him because he shifted to give her more space.

"Because everyone changes." Her reply was quiet. She peered curiously to see his expression. Ikuto merely stared back.

"Not everyone." He contradicted her. After a pause, he questioned her. "Why would you say that?"

"Because time waits for no one. Everyone and everything changes." Amu's voice was still soft, keeping her tone detached. She could see a furrow in Ikuto's brow as he spoke.

"Did you change?" His eyes probed into hers to seek an answer. Amu gulped. Was he talking about her confession? Blinking furiously, she slid back a bit more on the bench, keeping her face downcast. There was no possible way that he was concerned about something as trivial as that. He had better things to worry about.

"I believe I did." Amu wondered if that sounded like denying her feelings for him. Then again, did it matter? She felt the weight on the bench lift a little, and she realized that Ikuto had moved his knee. No longer caring about covering her face with her hair, Amu raised her head to look at the contemplative male. His eyes were dark as they regarded her with intensity. She flinched as he moved his head closer to hers. Dark orbs flickered as they observed her eyes for a trace of uncertainty, a clue that she was lying. Amu hoped she revealed nothing.

The moment seemed to last forever until Ikuto finally stood back up. The intense look had been replaced with a more carefree one. He stuffed one of his hands in his pocket as he extended the other towards Amu to pull her up.

"You'll catch a cold if you sleep here."

The girl stared at his hand thoughtfully. If she put hers in his, would that mean anything? Determination flowed through her as she stood up while brushing his hand away. She wouldn't take a risk. Ikuto was just another acquaintance. Besides, they didn't have a significant relationship with each other in the first place.

A slight tinge of guilt nagged at Amu as she saw his hand drop dejectedly to his side. Looking away, she mentally sighed. Her mind was probably making up stories to ease herself from all of these emotions.

"I'm leaving." She waved a hang behind her to signal her departure to him. She began to walk away when his voice stopped her movements.

"You didn't change at all." Amu could hear the smirk in his voice. Growling slightly, she replied.

"You don't know me anymore." She began to walk away faster. Right before he was completely out of sight, she heard his voice again, barely a whisper carried by the wind.

"But I will…"

Amu paused. Was that Ikuto's voice? Then she rolled her eyes and chuckled bitterly. Her imagination was going haywire.

A/N: These chapters seem to be shorter than my usual chapters for some reason. I hope you guys don't mind. hehe

Thanks to TessieA12, nongpad, Hime-And-Ikuto, midnightangel109, Starless Winter, ni-chan and mit-chan007, shugocharapimp, xXxgooglylaughxXx, Mitsuki Sakura Uchiha, kellie413, and .xXxRoCk aNgElxXx.

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