I had no idea what Amu meant by 'later' in her notes to me. Typically, in best friend code, 'later' means later that day. But I wasn't sure, so after I arrived home, I hopped back on the subway and headed to Amu's place.
Amu didn't necessarily have her own place, she just lived with Ikuto. She moved out the second she turned eighteen so that she could live with him. I liked living with my mother, but Amu really became independent after everyone got to middle school. She was happy though, so I didn't bother her about it.
"Amu's" place was a tiny two-bedroom apartment that wasn't too far from my house, but far enough that I had to take the train to get there.
I walked from the train station, across the complex's parking lot, up the stairs to the second floor and knocked on the door.
Except that Yaya beat me to it and swung open the door the second I was about to knock.
"Yaya saw you from the window and decided that I would scare you!" Yaya managed to squeal out in her childish third person voice through fits of laughter.
"Y-yeah, you got me," I stuttered, squeezing in Amu's apartment. I noticed that everyone else was already and the "later" did mean that afternoon.
"Attention, attention!" Utau shouted as soon as I entered the room. She stood on a coffee table to get everyone's attention. "Listen close because I am notgoing to repeat myself. All of you are flying first class to Orlando, Florida to celebrate the start of my American tour. We will stay at a five-star hotel and all of you will receive two week passes to Disney World and Universal Studios. Any complaints, comments or questions?" Utau gave a sly smile; her words had intrigued everyone. Even I was beginning to become antsy (like I said, I was eager for a vacation).
A voice spoke up. "When do we leave?" I think it was Tadase.
"Tomorrow." Was all Utau said before she started handing out air plane tickets.
Tomorrow was a bit sudden, that wasn't a lot of time to pack. Utau handed me my ticket while explaining that each of us had a seat buddy. My ticket read: Seat 12B Flight 87 to Orlando Florida Departure: Thursday 7: 15 pm Arrival: Thursday 8:09 am. I had to give myself a second to think about leaving on a Thursday and arriving on a Thursday, but then I remember the mysterious science behind the International Dateline.
Everyone began finding their partner, as per the usual: Amu was with Ikuto, Yaya was with Kairi, Utau was with Kukai (like we all saw that one coming), and Tadase was by himself. I narrowed my golden eyes at the blonde who winked at me in return. She was playing matchmaker again, which only meant that I was paired up with-
"Rima?" a voice spoke from behind me, barely loud enough that I could hear it through the rambling of my friends. I turned around to see that none other than Nagihiko was standing behind me, his brown eyes beaming happily at me and his violet hair falling in a curtain behind his back.
"Nagihiko," I said bluntly then completely averted my gaze to the floor.
"I believe you're my seat buddy," he held his ticket in front of my eyes. I put my ticket next to his and my heart fell. Our seat numbers were right next to each other. I would have to deal with the person I despised most on an international flight. It was so tempting to just not go, but it was prepaid and I would hate to upset Utau.
"Whatever," I said bluntly and rolled my eyes, shoving the ticket into my purse and abruptly leaving Amu's apartment to avoid any more air space with you-know-who.
I rode the train back to my house frustrated. How dare Utau put us in the same row together, she knows how much I hate him. Then again, it wouldn't be the first time this has happened. I briefly recalled the time Amu shoved us both together in a Ferris wheel or how we were locked in the closet together for seven minutes. I shook my head as the train stopped at my station; they really needed to get it through their thick skulls that we were not going to get together no matter what.
I knew that everyone wanted it to happen, but there was no way it was going to happen. I just didn't feel any sort of anything when I thought of us in a romantic way. The thought of it made me want to gag.
I disliked Nagihiko for the sole reason that he tries to be buddy buddy with my best friend. Also for the sole reason of disliking him.
"I'm home!" I shouted as I walked in the door of my house. I waited for a reply and heard nothing. I noticed my mom sprawled out on the couch, deep in sleep. Not wanting to wake her, I draped a blanket over her and walked up the stairs to get in my own bed. I didn't even bother changing, I crawled under my covers and let sleep wash over me. I was going to need it, tomorrow was going to be a long day, and tomorrow night was going to be even longer.
Yay for updates!