I want to thank everyone who has reviewed and courage me to continue. I know this may seem similar to all stories that involve Athrun being a playboy and etc, but I am usually a sap to those kinds of stories, lol. Hopefully, I can throw an unexpected curve ball or two.

I do apologize if some characters are OCC, especially Lacus. And for this story, Kira and Cagalli are not siblings.

Chapter 3

I opened the door to our two bedroom apartment, the smell of this morning's bacon still lingering in the air. Mail and schoolwork were spread across the top of our table, as I added my school backpack to the mess.

Lacus sat watching TV on our couch while eating a bowl of grapes. I smiled at her and headed straight into the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and some chips from the cupboard. I took a sip of the water.

"So, we are going to the baseball game tonight," Lacus informed me, and the water in my mouth sprayed out all over the floor.

"You might be, but I am staying here." I replied.

"Cagalli, the whole school goes to the baseball games." Her head tilted as I started to wipe the ground with a towel from the water I spitted out. "Athrun is also pitching. It's sort of a spectacle, really."

"Oh really?" I asked, tossing the wet towel into the sink before leaning my shoulder against the wall.

She glanced up toward the ceiling and pursed her lips together. Then she looked at me, smiling slightly. "Well, for starters, a ton of scouts are there. And reporters from all the local newspapers and TV stations. You just have to see it. Even if you only go to one game, Cagalli, it has to be when Athrun's pitching. Plus, you can take some awesome pictures for Destiny, the school magazine."

My eyebrows lifted at the thought of photographing the school's new stadium and fans. "Someone is already assigned to take photos of the baseball team." Taking a quick pause, I frowned slightly, "However, I do need to work on my night photography." I pulled away from the wall and glanced at my camera bag.

"And you can work on your action shots too," Lacus added with a sly smirk.

I rolled my eyes. "Three hours ago you were telling me to avoid this guy and now you are like his biggest fan. What gives?"

"Athrun Zala is still a guy you should not fall for and should be avoided at all costs. Athrun Zala the baseball player is totally worth watching and should be observed whenever possible. You see the difference."

I laughed at her insane logic. "They are both the same guy. Just want to put that out there before I agree to go."

Her eyes lit up as a grin spread across her face. "So you will go with me then?"

I released a breath and closed my eyes. "Yes. I'll go with you."

Her squeals of delight filled the air and I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation welling within me. I didn't want to be excited to see Athrun in his element, but I was. But I would be dammed if I was going to admit it.

The lights of the stadium caught my eye before anything else did. The tall fixtures beamed in every direction, giving the school the appearance that it was lit up from the inside out.

I brought my camera to my right eye and closed the left, as strands of my hair dangled in my line of vision. Pushing the strands away, I angled the lens to show only the top of the baseball stadium, with the lights and the illuminated sky as the focal point. I manually adjusted the focus and the shutter speed before pressing the shutter release button and hearing the familiar click sound I had grown to love. Satisfied with the preview on the screen, I walked over to Lacus.

"Good shot?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "We'll see," I said.

I was still learning how to use my new digital camera. I had saved two full years to buy it, saving every bit of Christmas and birthday money from relatives and doing small photography jobs for local businesses. Oftentimes, I thought the picture on the camera's small preview screen looked gorgeous, only to find out it was blurry or nowhere near as pretty once it was full-sized on my computer monitor. But I was learning.

We walked side by side toward the stadium's entrance. Lacus wasn't joking when she said it was a spectacle. The line to get in exceeded the length of the field and spilled out into the parking lot. We took our place at the end and I took out my camera again, mesmerized by the sea of blue and white. Everyone was decked out in our school colors, some wearing mock baseball jerseys with player's names on the back.

"Cagalli, come on! You can take more shots once we sit." Lacus urged, scanning te seat numbers on tickets.

I followed obediently behind her. "Don't most of the students sit in the bleachers?" I pointed toward left field.

"Depends on what you are trying to see."

"Oh no. What have you done?" My legs began to tremble as I watched Lacus lead me all the way down the stairs to the front row, closest to the field.

She turned around, grinning from ear to ear. "Here we are," she announced before plopping down and looking left into the team's dugout.

I turned my head as well and realized we were practically in the freaking dugout. "I am not sitting here!"

"Yes you are. These are our seats and the game's sold out." She smiled innocently and patted the empty seat next to her.

I scowled. "At least switch seats with me then. I don't want to be the one closest to their dugout."

"Fine," Lacus laughed before hopping up and flipping her pink hair over her left shoulder. "He won't see you, Cagalli. You can photograph him all you want and he won't even notice the flash." Her face all serious.

"How is that even possible?"

"Because Athrun is all business out here. He doesn't look in the stands. Ever. And I mean, ever. Last year this girl took her top off and screamed Athrun's name like a lunatic the entire time he was up to bat. He didn't move a muscle to look in her direction. I am pretty sure you can light yourself on fire and he wouldn't even know."

I laughed, "Let's not test that theory."

"Look around Cagalli. I am pretty sure this is the one thing in Athrun's life that he takes seriously." Lacus leaned back into her seat.

"How did you even get these seats?"

Lacus stood up, "I promised to participant in today's game." Winking in response to my confused face, she continued, "You will see soon enough. I will be right back."

Watching her walk away in utter confusion, I turned to scan the crowed and noticed that we were surrounded by what appeared to be major league scouts. Each carried their own radar gun to measure the speed of Athrun's pitches, and notepads to write everything down. There was a forest of television and press cameras lined up on tripods behind home plate. It was the closest thing to a media circus I had ever seen. And I currently held my own professional sized camera, which definitely helped us fit in with all the madness.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Sunrise Field!" The announcer's voice filled the air. "Here to sing the national anthem is our very own Archangel University student, Lacus Clyne!" Cheers reenergized the atmosphere as Lacus walked quickly to center field, microphone in hand.

I instinctively grabbed my camera and adjusted the lens, focusing on the emotions of her face, as she began singing the opening words in perfect pitch. When she finished, I watched as she walked off the field.

"We have a sold out game tonight, folks, and we all know why! Taking the mound against out rivals Lessips University, is one and only Athrun Zala!" The announcer pronounced Athrun's name like he was the savior of the free world, like Athrun was a hero.

And I guess in a way he was. He brought media attention to the school and recognition to the baseball program. That attention translated into revenue for the school.

"Now taking the field is your Archangel University White Coats's!" The announcer's voice paused before continuing, "And now taking the mound, Athrun Zala!"

Athrun walked confidently toward the dirt mound, his white and blue pinstriped pants hugging his body in all the right places.

His face looked different, more focused. This wasn't the playful guy from the student union anymore. This was the confident, serious baseball player.

"What are you smiling at?" Lacus voice cut my inner dialogue as she returned back to her seat.

I quickly dropped the smile I didn't know I was wearing. "Nothing," I snapped, "In addition, when did you decide to sing again? I thought you stopped back in high school, after….."

Smiling proudly, Lacus responded, "I love to sing. Athrun had originally encouraged me a year ago to sing at all home baseball games, when he caught me singing alone in the choir room. And plus, my mother wouldn't want me to stop singing."

Grabbing hold of her hand, I gave Lacus a light squeeze. "You were amazing."

"Thank you," she responded. Smiling coyly, she added, "It is irritating how good he looks in his uniform, right?"

I jerked my head towards Athrun. "Seriously. Why does he have to be so hot?"

Athrun stood on top of the pitcher's mound, his left cleat kicking at the dirt in front of him. He placed his toes on the white rubber, dropped his glove hand to his knee, and gripped the ball with his left. His eyes focused solely on his catcher squatting sixty feet away, With a brief nod he leaned back, his body performing a motion so fluid and smooth it looked like was made for him.

When his left hand released the ball, it flew by at a speed so quick I could barely make out anything but a white blue. The sound of the ball impacting against the catcher's mitt was so loud it echoed against the backstop. Two more pitches screamed by, just as fast.

"Strike three! You are out!" the umpire shouted enthusiastically and the crowd cheered wildly.

The scouts in the stands huddled together, comparing the red "94" digital readout on their radar gun screens.

"Holy shit that was 94 miles an hour!" I said out loud, my mouth slightly open.

"I told you he is good."

I focused my camera on the pitching mound. Click.

After a couple of shots, the inning ended. I watched Athrun jog off the field and into the dugout, never once looking into the stands. He instantly reappeared, a blue helmet on his head, two bats in hand. He swung the bats around like a windmill, stretching his shoulders. And when he bent over to stretch his hamstrings, girlish screams filled the air, along with flashes of light.

Athrun stepped around home plate. I started to grab my camera, but then shoved in back on my lap instead. I had enough pictures of Athrun for one night.

The opposing pitcher went through his motion and as he released the ball, Athrun took a small step forward before his hips twisted with his swing. The pink of the ball against the metal bat quickly disappeared amidst all the cheering. Athrun easily rounded first base and picked up speed as he raced toward second. The outfielders fired the ball at the shortstop as Athrun slid to second.

Athrun planted both feet on top of the dusty and brushed the dirt off his chest. The photographer in me couldn't hold out any longer. I grabbed my camera off my lap and zoomed in on Athrun's hands, now covered in batting gloves as he stepped away from second base with three long strides. Click.

The dark shade of his emerald eyes now shadowed from his helmet, gave him an almost mysterious appearance. Click.

"Going to make an Athrun Zala photo album for yourself later?" Lacus flicked a finger at my shoulder as she teased me.

"You are the one who said I needed to work on my action shots!" I whisper shouted.

"I didn't say they all had to be of Athrun."

"Shit." I snapped the lens cap on and quickly flipped the power button into the off position, where it stayed for the remainder of the game.

When it finally ended, Athrun had pitched all nine innings. The final score was eight to one. Archangel University won. I grabbed my camera and shoved it into my purse before looking back at the team celebrating on the field. The coach pulled Athrun aside and escorted him over to the press area where he was overwhelmed by reporters, scouts and fans.

Athrun glanced up from the field and directly into my eyes. That single look stopped me in my tracks, and I slammed myself into the man walking in front me. Athrun smiled and turned his attention back toward the cameras.

I strolled through campus, following the cement pathway that would lead me to Destiny's office. I had joined the award winning student run magazine.

I pulled the glass door open and a gush of air conditioning greeted my face. I moved my sunglasses on top of my head, pulling my blonde hair back with them.

"Hey, Mir," I said as I entered, not wanting to startled Mirialla, who squinted at the computer before she looked up.

"Hey, Cagalli, come look at this." She waved me over, her expression still tight. I peered over her brown ponytail and over her shoulder at the photograph on the screen. "I need this picture to have more expression. It's not giving me what I want. What am I missing?"

I looked at the 8 year old boy standing in front of spilled water buckets, his expression sorrowful. "First of all, I don't think it should be in black and white. The details get lost in this photo. May I?" I pointed at the seat she occupied.

"Please." She jumped up from the seat as we switched positions.

I reopened the original photo in the photo editing software and manipulated the colors. "This picture needs to be in color."

Her hands clapped together behind my head before she squeezed my shoulders. "You are such a freaking genius."

I smiled, my eyes glued to the screen. "Thanks."

"So what is up?" Mir smiled.

"I just stopped by to work on some photos I took of last night's game. I thought you might want to use them for the feature you are running on Athrun Zala."

"Tell me you are not one of…" she hesitated, "them."

"One of what?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowing.

"One of the hundreds of girls on campus in love with Athrun Zala." She rolled her eyes and let out s sign.

I chuckled. "Uh, no. I can't stand the guy."

"Well that is a first," she admitted with a laugh. "We have a million pictures of Athrun but in all honesty, I would love to see anything you shot."

"Thanks, Mir." I sat up a little straighter and smiled, as I felt the little pride swell up inside of me.

"Now that you saved me from killing myself over this photo, I need to eat. See you later and thanks again," She tossed her purse strap over her shoulder and walked away.

After an hour of edits, I had to admit the photos from last night were good. They were better than good, actually. My stomach rumbled and I wondered if Lacus was still on campus. I sent her a quick text to which she responded, "Still here. In the student center."

I wrote back "I'll be there in a few."

Inserting the memory card from the computer, back into my camera, I quickly got up and left the building.

I passed some girls and pretended not to notice when they pointed and whispered Athrun's name.

Irritated, I took a detour through campus through a path of trees, pleased when I noticed the pathway was virtually vacant. I shook my head while I walked, annoyed that Athrun's antics had made me the focus of attention I didn't want.

I opened the heavy glass door to the student center. Craning my neck, I looked around for Lacus. She titled her head and waved, catching my eye, before I strolled over to where she and Kira were sitting. I flung my backpack on the table before plopping down.

"Thought you weren't coming to my game?" Athrun slid his body into the seat next to mine, his tone sounding a bit arrogant.

"Lacus threatened to set me on fire if I didn't." I kept my voice cool and avoided his eyes, scooting my chair away from his.

"Well, at least now I know how to get you to go out with me."

"I am not going out with you," I said, turning my head away from him.

"At least give me your number then?"

"No thanks."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want to." I breathed out, still irritated about the way other girls acted around him. It just kept eating at me, which was a good thing, because it helped me resist Athrun.

"Come on, Princess."

"Stop calling me that!" I rose from the table, grabbing my things. "I'll see you guys later. I have to go to class." I announced, my attention solely focused on Lacus and Kira.

Dropping my sunglasses over my eyes, I opened the glass door to leave the student center, as I made my way to the Communications and Arts building.

"Princess! Princess, wait up!"

I looked back to see Athrun racing to catch me, and everyone's attention drawn toward us.

"For the last time, my name isn't Princess," as I continued my way to class, slightly picking up my speed.

"I know, but you have never told me your real name," he said, slightly out of breath.

I let out a quick sigh, and stopped in my tracks. "Cagalli. My name is Cagalli."

"It's really nice to meet you, Cagalli." He said my name all sweet as his emerald eyes danced.

"I would say it is nice to meet you too, but I haven't decided yet," I responded, as I continued my way to class.

He laughed. A real, hearty laugh and I had to stop myself from doing the same. Walking by my said, he finally responded after a minute, "Anything I can do to help sway your decision?"

"I highly doubt that."

"Let me take you out, Cagalli." He said it so honestly, I almost believed he genuinely wanted to.

"No." I stood firm, my tone flat.

"Why not?"

"I enjoy my dates to be disease-free."

"As do I," he responded confidently, before giving a head nod to a passing teammate.

Now it was my turn to laugh. "Right. I have heard you are not really particular about who you date."

Frowning slightly, he responded, "Well you heard wrong, then."

"Oh, that is right. Actually, I heard you don't date at all. You just sleep with any girl who bats their eyelashes in your direction. Sorry for the confusion."

"I really need to meet your sources."

He followed me into the Communications and Arts building. When I reached my classroom door, I turned to him and said, "See you later, Athrun," as I headed down the stairs to my regular seat.

"Are you going to be this hostile on our date?" he shouted into the packed room.

All heads turned my directions, curiosity overwhelming them. I swallowed the lump in my throat and willed my cheeks to not turn red.

Pausing on the stairs, I pivoted and glared at Athrun. "Who said I was going on a date with you?"

"Don't make me beg, Princess." I shot him an irritated glare as the classroom filled with whispers and sounds of shock. "Don't make me beg in front of all these people. It's embarrassing."

"I'll go out with you, Athrun!" a busty blonde shouted across the room.

"Perfect! I am sure you two will have a great time together." I dropped into my seat and slide down lower, wishing for the power to become invisible.

My eyes closed and I took a few deep breaths before I felt warm whisper interrupt my attempt to relax. "I don't want to go out with her, Princess. I want to go out with you." His breath tingled against my neck, causing the small hairs prickle with excitement and sending goose bumps shooting down my arm.

"What are you doing? Get out of here," I whispered, my tough façade cracking.

"Promise me you will think about it." His voice lowered with insistence, and then he gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"Promise you I will think about going out with the school's biggest player? Oh sure, I'll think about." I snickered.

"Promise me," he insisted.

Either he was actually sincere, or he was a really good bullshit artist and I was completely buying into it. I took one deep breath. I turned my head to the left and looked him dead in the eyes. "Fine. I promise I'll think about it. Will you go away now?"

A wide grin emerged and his gorgeous eyes lit up. He stood up without another word and walked out of the classroom. I sat in silence, trying to hear anything other than the sound of my heart.

I'm pathetic.

When class ended, I walked outside to find Athrun surrounded by a group of giggling girls. His eyes met mine, and he broke from the circle, running to catch up. "Stalk much?" I said between breaths.

"It's not stalking when you enjoy it," he teased.

Half of me wanted to punch his gorgeous face, and the other half wanted to make out with it. "I bet you say that to all the girls." I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"I don't have to say that to all the girls. You are the only one who gives me crap for things like…breathing."

I rolled my eyes again. "Well, you are an annoying breather."

"You are an annoying eye-roller," he fired back.

"What?" I stopped walking and turned toward his smug face, causing the pack of girls following us to stop as well.

"You shouldn't roll your eyes like that. Didn't your parents ever tell you it wasn't good for you?" He shoved a hand into his front pocket as girls walked by, begging for his attention. Unfortunately, for them, I had his complete attention, whether I wanted it or not.

"My father said a lot of things," I responded defensively.

"Oh, I get it now." His voice was as sweet as ice tea. "Daddy issues."

"How does any girl stand you?" He made me so mad I wanted to smack his confidence out of him, but I just stood there frozen as the wind breezed through my blonde hair.

"My smile." Athrun actually delivered the line seriously, pointing to his mouth as he broke into a big smile.

I couldn't take it anymore. "At least you are humble," I said, before willing my legs to move.

"Just let me take you out. One date," he shouted at my retreating frame. "And if you hate it and we have a horrible time, you never have to go out with me again."

I stopped walking and turned to face him. "So that's it? Just one date and you will go away forever?" I laughed at the thought that I was actually considering the idea.

We were making a scene again as girls whispered and guys waited to observe if Athrun Zala would actually get shot down.

"Just one date." He held up one finder in front of my face before involving the crowd. "Help me out here, guys." He turned to face the group around us. "Tell her to go out with me one time. What can it hurt?"

The crowd roared with encouragement, and I heard shouts like "Aww, go out with him!" and "It's just one date! Do it!"

I shook my head and rolled my eyes. "Fine. Just one."

Loud cheers erupted at my response. You would think I had accepted a marriage proposal the way those idiots were carrying on.

But then again, what had I just gotten myself into?

Chapter 4 Preview:

Lacus grinned mischievously. "If the date is horrible then he'll go away, right?"

"That's what he said," I responded reluctantly.

…

"First things first," he said, pulling a paper bag from his jacket pocket. I heard the sound of metal clanking as he poured the entire contents of the bag onto our table.

Quarters spilled out in every direction. "What the hell?" I shouted, trying to stop some from falling off the table.

…

"This doesn't change anything," I stammered, my defenses fading.

"It changes everything." He sounded so sure of himself.

Until next time