Allemande

It was one summer morning when I met a bright-eyed girl who travelled a long way just to see her friend. But the man she longed to see doesn't feel the same way as she did. The guy barely spoke to her when they saw each other.

She had no money, wore a sparse smile on her small face, and had a pale shadow… as pale as her skin.

I wondered how that could be: that her shadow cast a pale gloom against the sunlight, though it must be this scene that led me to her.

I watched her, crying silently as he walked away beyond the willow tree, with its branches casting long shadows of unshed tears. That afternoon, it was just me and that girl.

Left alone with her, I was unsure on what to do.

"Cagalli," I called out.

I've inched my way until I was standing beside her.

"So he's the guy," I continued.

There was no response on her part.

"He's the smartest guy in class. He's my classmate."

Her eyes drifted once more, and then landed on mine. We stared at each other for a while. I saw her mouth move slowly, as if she longed to say something, but at the same time, the words just disappeared.

"It's Athrun Zala right?" I felt the dryness of my throat like screeching gears of a worn-out clock.

"Yes," she whispered.

"He is pretty popular. How did you two become friends?"

I cursed myself again for asking too much.

I thought she wouldn't answer but she did. A short reply came.

"He is my cousin."

From a friend to a cousin… I thought perhaps, they share a deeper relationship than this. But then again, it's none of my business. For the moment, I couldn't inquire further.

She waved goodbye and left. I watched her fleeting view against the afternoon sun. I suddenly thought of going after her, but I held back.

Not now­, I told myself.

Tuesday came and there she was; in front of me while being introduced to everyone as a new member of our class...

I remembered her saying yesterday: "Sophomore, class C. Actually, tomorrow is my first day to school."

A new classmate.

She came from a provincial school in the southern islands. The same town where Athrun used to live, I suppose.

"My name is Cagalli Yula Attha. I'm happy to meet everyone," she said in a low, solemn voice.

I memorized the words as I've heard them.

The pallid look on her face was the same as when I first saw her. I realized that and again, I was worried.

I thought about breakfast, and assumed she didn't take any.

When the teacher said she'd sit beside me, I wasn't able to hide my reaction.

I smiled… but then I felt myself cringe.

"Mr. Yamato, you seem to be ecstatic about Miss Attha sitting beside you," the teacher teased.

Everyone in the class laughed, except Athrun.

He was sitting 5 paces from my right, located at the center of the classroom.

The perfect rival- I consider.

"Of course ma'am," I admitted.

"Looking forward to it," I added a curt smile while throwing a slight glance at Cagalli...

But her eyes were on him. When he didn't return the gesture, she slowly retreated to her seat- beside me.

The class went on and I was really sleepy. Unable to control the urge, I stepped outside and went to the restroom. For most of the time, my attention was on her. But her attention's obviously not in class. She had that distant look in her eyes. Her mind seemed to float somewhere. I couldn't know.

I washed my face with the cold water coming out of the faucet.

Then I stared at the mirror.

You're observing that chick for almost six hours now. You did the same yesterday and probably continue doing so 'till this day ends. Heck you even dreamt about kissing her. And that's pathetic. You've just met her like 36 hours ago and now you're like an obsessed fan! – The image on the mirror derided.

I felt myself grunt at that remark. My self-image is such a detractor.

In any case, that image is right about me, because it was me.

I didn't feel like returning to class, so I went to the music room instead.

Even if I'm academically delinquent, I do have some things to look forward about school: the baseball team and the music room.

To explain, I used to be the cleanup hitter for the junior baseball team. I never thought I'd be good at hitting things, far and away. After learning about this, my mom said, "You're actually talented at something Kira…"

And about music… well I do love sleeping in the music room. If other people enjoy doing it in the library or on the rooftop, I like dozing off inside the music room.

The music room…

When I'm inside it, it's as if my soul is being pulled out to roam around and be free. It's the silence displayed by each instrument without an artiste that comforts me.

The door screeched as I twisted the knob. Soon after, I found myself inside the silent haven known as the music room.

No one was in there and I felt good. I placed myself on a chair near the window, and did what I'm supposed to.

It was the allemande that pulled me out from the depths of slumber.

Being quite clued-up in music, I already knew the piece: Suite Nr.6, by the genius, Johann Sebastian Bach.

The cellist was precise with every note. But with every stroke, I could feel the sadness running through the artiste's fingers. I imagined myself in the middle of an empty baseball field…

The scoreboard was inverted, the school names were written upside down, and thick clouds gather around above. There was a weird atmosphere surrounding me. Even the smell of grass was weird: Damp and stingy.

And then, I saw Cagalli standing on the outfield, wearing an olive green dress, while holding onto something.

I strained my eyes to see what it was, and it wasn't long before I realize what she's holding: blue hydrangea. The sight was painful. How she etched such lonesome scenery before me.

An incredible deal of sadness.

Linking this dream to reality, I noticed that she was really there. Not on the baseball field, but on the other corner of the music room with the baroque cello clasped between her thighs.

She was playing J.S. Bach, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, inside the music room with me.

I pulled myself off the chair and walked slowly towards her. Outside, the afternoon sun glowed with more intensity.

"I hope I didn't disturb your sleep," she said without looking.

"Actually, you did wake me up, but I'm not disturbed at all," I replied. "Go on, play as you like."

It sounded like I'm pleading for her to continue. Once again she played Suite Nr. 6. The allemande once more took over the silence between us. But halfway, she paused.

"You skipped history class."

"I always skip history," I clarified, while studying her reflection on the windowpane.

"The teacher asked me where you are and I couldn't answer. So I searched outside for you. When I couldn't find you, I went back to class."

"Sorry for that."

"Athrun told me not to waste time looking for you. He talked to me while I'm heading for the music room just a few minutes ago."

. "So he did that at last," I remarked

She looked at me with earnest feelings transcending through those brown eyes and said, "Thank you."

I couldn't understand at first.

Why the heck are you thanking me? For what?

But it didn't take long for me to realize the reason.

"You're thanking me because if you hadn't searched for me, then he wouldn't have bothered talking to you."

"Yes," she said. Her expression unreadable.

"Even if it's not because he cares about you…" I couldn't finish myself. It's as if I'm stabbing her with my words.

"It's enough for me," she said while stroking the cello. "Athrun said that if I want to survive in this school, then I should use my head. If I do stupid things, then I might as well go back home."

I snorted. "Your cousin is a jerk."

She sighed. "No one really understands Athrun. He's difficult to get along with, but then he's been very kind to me."

"Kind to you?" I couldn't hide the sarcasm in my voice. "He wanted you to go home. He doesn't even show a speck of concern that you came here all by yourself! Darn it, he doesn't even know if you're okay or -"

That's it. I think I've said too much. Sometimes I just can't control my stupid mouth.

"He left home two years ago. His parents wanted him to. And I couldn't stop him. Don't say that, please… you don't know anything."

I felt like the bad guy in those cheesy movies, verbally chastising her prince.

"Ok, so I don't know anything about you two. But still, I don't like the way he treats you, and that's how I feel."

"I have to go," said as she stood up.

"Wait, I thought you'd like to play another song," I diverted. This is not a good way to end this conversation with her.

"Afternoon break is over. I must go back." She worked towards the door but I pulled her hand.

I pulled her hand, unthinkingly.

She turned and gaped at me, but I knew she wasn't angry.

"Kira, please, let's go back."

My left hand remained still- clutching her wrist.

"I'll let you go if you'd…"

She waited for me to finish. Her hands felt cold and thin, I reckoned.

"Go out with me," I declared.

You are such an idiot – my brain screamed.

The two of us walked silently until we reached the classroom. Athrun was already in there, reading his book. I caught his eyes shift on our direction, but seconds after he looked away.

"Good thing you found him," one of our classmates, Dearka, told Cagalli.

Dearka is one of the few people I tolerate in class. Most of the students there are clueless about everything. They only know how to thrive inside galaxies of weird stuff such as Math and History.

And Athrun is one of them. He's the top-notch student. Diligent and always serious. All the teachers and the girls love him. I wouldn't be surprised if they have his picture hidden beneath their sheets.

"Kira's always skipping class, and I'm surprised you managed to haul him back. Good job!" He tapped my seatmate on the shoulder.

"Shut it dude." I glared at him.

Cagalli remained silent for the rest of the day and I never considered breaking her silence by saying thoughtless words.

Athrun continued on building his atmosphere of indifference, while thoughts were circling inside my head.

His parents sent him away. He left her. She was obviously hurt that's why she came all the way here…only to be rejected by him…

They're cousins…

He told her to go back. She cried…

I turned to see her once more. She was reading her book and writing something.

"What do you want for dinner?" I asked.

Her pen stopped moving. But she didn't reply.

"You agreed to go out with me right? So I want to know…"

"Curry please."

"Good choice," I said smiling.

And so we walked together after class. I plan to cook curry for her in my apartment. She didn't resist the idea; just smiled when I asked her to come to my place.

I wasn't planning anything more than a dinner for both of us. I didn't expect her to be so complacent.

"Kira?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"Again… why?"

"The truth is I don't have a penny left for dinner. I haven't eaten anything since last night."

"What?" My jaw dropped in shock.

"You didn't eat anything, not even lunch…"

She nodded and blushed. It was perhaps an embarrassing confession on her part. But I felt worried.

-Seriously worried about this girl.

"Let's have some curry for dinner and then pizza afterwards. I feel like stuffing myself for hibernation."

She nodded then giggled.

"Animals don't hibernate during summer," she stated.

"I'm a different type." I laughed.

We shared a temporary silence that came after.

I don't care if Athrun means a lot to you. I wish…

I took her hand and we walked towards the nearby restaurant.

AN: This is for Inuloverforeva. I forgot to post a fic for the twins on their birthday, and somehow I'm trying to redeem myself... But I'm already saying this: This is NOT an ordinary pairing fic. Prepare to be wrong…