(a/n)

(12.o1.o8)

I have downloaded the Twilight film in the internet! Haha. I'll just wait for the original DVD to come out.. yeah.

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CHAPTER o3

By

©ancercute

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Takeru was surprised at Kari's sudden actions and looked down at her. She only smiled at him, so he also smiled back. The group took a long table and settled there. Kari sat between TK and Zoe.

"What were you doing?" whispered Zoe to her.

"I'm sorry, I know that was embarrassing. But I saw Daisuke."

"Oh. Right. But nice move anyway," she giggled.

"Whatever."

TK took his seat and the boys were ordering their food. The team was joking and laughing and were all being noisy.

"What do want to order?" he asked her.

"Whatever's on the menu."

"Alright." He told the waitress their order, and as soon as she left, Kari spoke.

"I'm really really sorry for I did just this moment. Very sorry, but I saw Daisuke."

"That guy from the soccer team?"

"Yeah. I'm really sorry."

"Sure. Who is he anyway?"

"He's just a crazed annoying hard headed suitor who won't leave me alone."

"Nice," he smirked.

"You know, you keep on making ironic remarks."

He just smiled. The food then came and the group began to eat, make jokes and talked about different stuff. Kari found herself laughing at some of the guys' jokes.

"How's the critic coming?"

"I'll be able to know if I got in on Friday. I hope I do."

"You will, and you should. You featured us and no one is going to say no if I'm in it," he proudly said.

"Yeah right. But hopefully I could."

They spent a few more times chatting and Kari lost track of time. The only time she remembered it was when she felt her wristwatch.

"Oh, darn it. I have to go. It's getting late," she announced as she looked at her watch that read 10:45, and rose from her seat.

"Fine fine. Let's go," Takeru also stood up.

"I'm not pulling you out of your fun. Don't worry, I'm not asking you to come with me," she defended when she heard the tone of his voice.

"What? Do you think I'd let you go home by yourself? I've got manners you know. And besides, Tai might kill me if anything happens to you."

"Okay, okay. But you don't hold any responsibility with me. It's not your fault if something happens."

"Technically, it is mine since I invited you to eat out with us."

"Riiight, sure."

They both said their goodbyes to the group as Kari earned a grin from Zoe, and together left the restobar. The sky was tainted pitch black with the million twinkling stars and the only crescent moon. They walked beside the sideway guided by the street lights on the dark nighttime.

The walk was silent, the awkward kind of silence. Neither of the two said anything, and to Kari's case, it was because of shyness. It was unbelievable since she even had the guts to do what she did with TK, clinging to him. And now, she couldn't pronounce a single word to him. Probably, she was totally humiliated of herself regarding her actions.

While walking besides each other, their hands bumped and touched. The pink blush crept to her face again at the feel of his hands.

"You're quiet," he suddenly broke the dead silence with his childish grin.

"Uhm," she then laughed a shaky laugh. "I don't have anything to say."

"You're a quiet person aren't you?"

"Well, kinda. That's what they say."

"You should go out more often."

"Uhm. Right. Sure."

After a few more moments of silence, she finally decided to ask, letting herself start the conversation.

"Where do you live anyway?"

"A block from the corner of yours. It's not that far."

"So you walk home by yourself?"

"Yeah. Most of the time. Does Tai stay there with you?"

"No. He's here because it's their semester break. He'll be gone after a few weeks."

He nodded. "So, tell me about Daisuke."

That made her crunch her eyebrows in wonder. "What do you want to know about him?"

"He's been courting you right?"

"Yeah. So?"

"For how long?"

She paused and mentally counted the months in her head.

"About a year, I think."

"A year?!" he bolted in amazement.

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing. I'm just amazed. You never said yes to him?"

"No. I rejected him several times but he's so stubborn. I just leave him alone. Sometimes, I pity him. It's awful that he keeps doing it and yet nothing ever goes back to him."

"Then why don't you give him a yes?"

"I don't like him."

"Simple as that?"

"Yeah. I mean, what's the point? The feeling's not mutual. You end up wasting your time."

He laughed and looked at the dark sky. "You're right. I bet your ex-boyfriends are laughing if they know about it."

She was uneasy about that subject. She looked down at the pavement she was walking on and lifted her eyeglasses in place. She let out a small laugh. "Uh. I never had one."

He then looked at her. "Never? Even one?"

"No. That's a dead end right there to our conversation if we talk about that."

"But some courted you right?"

"Right."

"And you never did accept even one?"

"No."

"You're incredible," he was amused at her answers. "Why?"

"Same reason. Never did like them."

"Who do you like?" he asked directly.

She blushed again and chewed her pink lips, then smiled.

"It's not worth knowing."

"Really?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Uh huh. So what about you?"

"I've had only one. We dated for a month and then I broke up with her."

"Why?"

Before he could answer, they reached the porch of her house.

"It's not worth knowing," he grinned at her as he repeated her words.

She pursed her lips and tried to unsuccessfully hide her smile.

"Right. Well, thanks anyway." She said grabbing the doorknob. She went inside and smiled before closing the door, acknowledging her gratitude.

He stayed outside until she finally closed the door and walked home alone.

•-•-•

It was 7:30 am when Kari woke up to the sound of her alarm clock. When she looked at the time, she frantically threw her covers and hastily ran to grab her towel and dash to the bathroom. She was going to be late. She didn't have enough sleep last night since she already closed her eyes by 12:45 am.

After taking a bath, she snatched a pair of faded jeans and a navy elbow length sleeved shirt. She hurriedly put on her Airwalk slip-ons and looked outside the window only to see a gray gloomy sky. At the last minute, she took her sling back and hooded jacket and ran outside. There wasn't any vehicle passing the streets so she decided to rush through school. It was three blocks away.

When she was a block afar, it started to shower and rain. She put on her hood and carefully ran towards the school gates. The cement was wet and full of puddles. The frigid wind blew in her face as the temperature dropped. She was 15 minutes late.

Kari went to her first class, Algebra and was soaking wet when she entered the room during the professor's discussion. All eyes were on her and she quietly walked to her desk.

Her free time came and the heavy dark clouds were still pouring rain. The school grounds were all wet, except those with roofs. She walked towards the cafeteria where Zoe was waiting for her in one round table in the corner. She lined up for her food and then came to her.

"Why were you late this morning?" she asked the brunette.

"I overslept. Of all days that could rain, it has to be when I'm late," she exasperatedly said.

"Haha. I know. What about those pictures you developed yesterday?" Zoe asked when her friend was about to bite her burger.

"Crap!" she cried. "I totally forgot! I was in a hurry. What time is it?" She was panicking again, going on hysterics.

"Relax. You're so uptight. It's still 11:45."

"What?! Listen, I have to go." She left her unfinished burger on the table, her only food and she wasn't been able to eat it all. "The studio closes at 12 and doesn't open till one. The deadline is 1 o'clock to the editor." She took her bag and got up. "I'm really sorry Z."

"No prob, but aren't you going to eat? You haven't had breakfast," her friend said with concern.

"Don't worry. I'll eat later," Kari shouted when she was by the cafeteria door.

She put on her hood and went to the photo studio under the endless rain. She got inside the air-conditioned room and wrapped around the jacket to herself. She was getting cold. Fortunately, the line wasn't long so she got her pictures in no time. She was going to the Student Council building to pass them and she didn't even take time to look at her shots. She was in a hurry.

She pulled the door of the studio open and out of the air conditioned room that was freezing her. When she stepped down the wet stairs, she got out-balanced and slipped to almost land on her butt if a hand hasn't caught her by the arm. She steadied herself when the hand released her.

"Watch where you're going," Takeru cautioned her.

"Oh. It's you. Thanks," she went down the stairs carefully and placed her loose eyeglasses on the bridge of her nose. They ran for shelter towards the pathway with a roof. Once they were out of the wet, Kari refrained from hurrying. She took out her pen and scribbled her name on the sealed pack of her pictures.

"What are those?" TK asked as they walked to the building.

"Pictures. I'm going to pass them to the editor. The deadline is this one and I have classes by 12:30."

"Oh. They'll post the results this day right?"

"Yup. Aren't you going to have lunch?"

"I will. After you hand those pictures," he said as he looked at the small sealed envelope in her hand. "You won't open it? To take a look?"

"I'd rather see it when I know if I get the spot or not. I don't want to guess by judging my shots."

"Alright. But you'll let me see them, won't you?" he grinned at her.

"Of course, I will." She smiled at him. And when she looked at his face, she was blown away by how much more handsome he looked in the rain. It was like he was glowing and the raindrops in his golden hair made it glisten and sparkle. As he smiled back, she couldn't help blush and look away.

"Have you had lunch?" he asked. "You've got a hectic schedule."

"Uhm. I ate two bites of burger," she replied quietly.

"For lunch?!" he confirmed.

"Yeah. I was in a hurry. I was late this morning. And I forgot to get the pictures a while ago. I just remembered it when I was in the cafeteria," she explained.

They reached the Student building and went inside. It was again air-conditioned and Kari shivered.

"You're cold," he stated.

"Well, the weather's cold and there's an air-condition. Do you think I'll sweat?" she joked.

"Haha. That's not funny," he laughed sarcastically. "You should've brought a denim jacket."

"Well, you can't help it if this is what I brought," she spoke as she found the room of the school paper editors. She went inside and TK tagged along.

"Uhm. I'm here to pass my pictures."

The girl in the desk looked at Kari, then to TK and then back to Kari.

"Sure. Come back at around 5pm. We'll post the results outside in the bulletin."

Kari nodded and thanked her. They both went out the room and the girl stuck her gaze at the back of the two.

"You should eat lunch. You've got nothing inside your stomach," Takeru stated with a tiny bit of worry.

"That's fine. I can manage. Besides, my class starts in a few," she assured.

"Are you sure?"

"Yup. Don't worry," she parted from him and waved bye, going to her next class leaving Takeru alone by himself who then left to the cafeteria to eat lunch. By the time he got there, he spotted Zoe and Kouji on the corner, in the same table that was occupied by Kari a while ago. He walked over to them after paying for his food.

"Mind if I sit?" he asked.

"Sure," replied Zoe. The two were finished having their meal and were chatting to let time pass.

"I bumped to Kari just before coming here," TK stated to Zoe, which made Kouji look at him, beginning to wonder what's with Kari and him.

"Oh? She was going to get her photos."

"Yeah. She did. Were you with her before she went there?"

"Uh huh. We were here in the cafeteria. She only ate two bites of burger!" she added.

"Right. She told me that," he said continuing to eat his pasta.

"She's so stubborn. She'd always let herself starve for things like that."

"Hey listen TK," Kouji cut in. "Mind if I skip practice today?"

"Why? You ask Mr. Team Captain."

"I have to go with Z here. She needs to do something after class."

"Sure, go ahead. I'll cover up for you."

"Thanks man."

"Hey, I have to go," Zoe announced getting up from her seat. "I have classes in a few minutes."

Kouji also rose from his seat and took her to her next glass, saying bye to Tk. He was left again to himself.

After he finished his food, he put back the tray and threw his trash in the garbage. He left the cafeteria and bumped with Kouji on the way out.

"Are you going to attend English?" he asked his blond friend.

"Absolutely," he answered rolling his eyes. "Like I have anything better to do."

The whole afternoon passed still in gloom, infinite shower of rain and ice cold wind. It was a bad Friday.

Later, after Kari's classes, she went to see the results. The large bulletin in the Student Council building was crowded with several students who attempted to fill in the spots of the school paper.

She made her way to the feature editor category and searched for the name below that title. When she found it, it wasn't hers. It was some other girl who goes by the name of Karyl. Disappointed, she went over to the Photography category and searched for the lucky person who caught the place. She couldn't help but smile when she read her name below the category title. It was her. She snatched the spot. She was the school paper photographer. She was overwhelmed with victory and self-satisfaction. Beside her name were the photos she took. And surprisingly, when she examined them, she felt the boil of her blood in her cheeks. Every photo had Takeru in it. She noticed that. He was present in every picture although when she took them, she didn't remember focusing on him. It just happened. The blonde guy in his green jersey shorts, shirtless. She was embarrassed at what came out, but she couldn't hide the smile that exposed on her face.

Not taking long, she went to the Editor's office and claimed her position. She was back face to face again with the girl behind the desk as she showed the girl her ID. She motioned to her place. The photographer's table, her spot. But she didn't linger in the office. She would start to arrange her things next week. For now, she needed to go.

When she was about to go out, another wavy brunette girl was acquiring in the front desk. She overheard what she was saying and learned that she was Karyl, the new feature editor. She turned her head towards Kari and was surprised at her presence. Surprised in a somehow rude way. She smiled a challenging smile, and Kari returned the gesture politely, although she could sense from her that she was full of pride and vanity. Nevertheless, she walked towards the door and noticed that Karyl was slightly shorter that she is, yet she was wearing a pair of three inch boots. It was plain obvious that she was the kind of girl who wore a lot of make up, heavy lipstick, flashy clothes, killer hills and flaunts a lot. But without further ado, she left the room, not knowing that Karyl was lifting her eyebrows at her back all the while.

Once outside, she began to feel the cold again and coughed. She left the air-conditioned room and ran under the rain towards the roofed pathway, where she met Zoe and Kouji walking hand in hand.

"Are you going home?" Z asked her friend who suddenly coughed again.

"Yeah. It's been pretty tiring all day. I'm exhausted," she managed to reply added with another cough.

"Are you alright?"

"Of course, I'm fine. I'm just tired that's all."

Zoe noticed her friend's lips were beginning to get pale. She took her hand which was surprisingly frozen in cold.

"Your hands are freezing!"

"Well, the weather is cold."

She didn't believe to Kari's answers. She put her hands on her neck and felt the intense heat of her skin.

"Kari! You're burning! You're sick," she said with concern.

"You should go home right away Kari and rest," advised Kouji.

"I will. Don't stress. I'm just low on fatigue right now." And that's when she felt the pain hitting her head hard like a baseball ball thrown to her skull. It made her shut her eyes in soreness. "Alright. I'll be going now."

That moment, the wind blew hard and made Kari shake. She chewed her already cold and dry lips. As she moved her shivering feet to step, the throb in her brain got worse and she got out-balanced. She fainted and fell on Zoe's arms.

"OMG! Kari," Zoe panicked.

•-•-•

(a/n)

(12.o7.o8) I'm done. It's exactly 11:10 in the evening. Lol. Reviews please. Thank you, and see you soon when I update.