Hello! Did ya miss me? Okie so here's the third chapter, it's a little longer than the others I think…Idk. Anyway enjoy! :*
For the next couple of days we didn't leave the house really, we went for a walk once down to the convince store to help Arata shop for lunch and dinner groceries. We spent most of those two days catching up with each other, exchanging stories and laughing, just having a good time. We had so much to share, so much to talk about the lists were endless. It felt like the old days, but even better.
That afternoon Chihaya and Arata were having a very deep informative chat about, you guessed it; Karuta. While I was spread across the couch with my earbuds in trying to take a late afternoon nap.
I'm out of touch, I'm out of love
I'll pick you up when you're getting down
And out of all these things I've done I think I love you bet-
My earbuds were yanked violently out of my ears. I shot up rubbing my aching ears.
"What the hell are you doing?" I said irritated staring daggers at the culprit; Chihaya.
"We were talking to you, you were being rude," she stated plainly.
"If you're going to take off my earbuds I would appreciate it if you didn't rip off my ears in the process." I glared at her.
She stuck her tongue out at me being the incredibly childish human being she is. Before we could break out in a wrestling match Arata said
"I was just asking what class you were in Taichi,"
"Oh that," I said, I put my hands behind my head and flopped back onto the sofa "I finally made it to Class A with Chihaya and Nishida."
Arata nodded "Impressive"
"I know" I grinned not doing very well in hiding my joy.
In that instant I heard a phone buzz. I knew that ringtone as Chihaya's.
"Chihaya your phone," I said reminded her.
"Hm? Oh yeah, right," she laughed lightly picking up the mobile. I gave her a sidelong look and sighed, did she seriously not know what her phone sounded like?
"Hello?" she answered "…what?" she finally said her voice tiny. She saw our concerned expressions and gave us a reassuring smile before leaving the room.
Arata frowned "I wonder what that could be."
"Yeah," I said thoughtfully, stuffing my earbuds back in their rightful positions.
And it's dark and cold in December, but I've got you to keep me warm
If you're broken I will mend you and I'll keep you sheltered from the storm that's raging on now
Chihaya entered the room again phone in hand looking confused and disorientated.
"Chihaya? You okay?" I asked hiding the worry in my voice.
Her glassy eyes searched the room for the person responsible for the question. When her eyes landed on me I saw the clouded look lift from her eyes and she put on her best fake smile "Yeah I'm...fantastic!" she said enthusiastically, too enthusiastically actually. I knew there was something wrong behind that smile of hers.
"Thank goodness for that," said Arata smiling kindly.
My jaw dropped, he didn't honestly fall for Chihaya's obviously fake answer did he? Then again, I thought, he didn't know Chihaya as well as I did, so he might not be able to see through her façade. I could though and I knew there's something else going on behind that fake smile. What it was I didn't know...
I looked back to Chihaya and raised my eyebrow as if to say, what's going on? I know you're lying.
Chihaya smiled happily, nothing's wrong.
I tilted my head, you're lying. I can see right through you.
Chihaya's smile faded and she looked to the ground shaking her head ever so slightly. I could almost hear her saying, no, not now Taichi.
I nodded and turned up the volume of my iPod to hear the last few lines if the song;
I'm out of sight, I'm out of mind
I'll do it all for you in time
And out of all these things I've done, I will love you better now.
X X X
That night I was finally drifting off to sleep with I heard a small voice,
"Taichi?" it said.
"Chihaya?" I said sitting up groggily. My eyes immediately widened as I saw the state Chihaya was in. Her eyes were red and puffy and there were uncontrollable tears streaming down her face silently. The sight of her like this broke my heart.
"Chihaya what's wrong?" I asked astonished.
Instead of answering my question she threw herself into my arms and sobbed loudly. Her sudden action surprised me but wrapped my arms around her anyway.
"What's the matter?" I asked again. She said nothing but continued to sob into my chest. "Shh Chihaya, you'll wake Arata." But even after that she didn't stop.
I sighed "Let's go to your room," I whispered in her ear, she gave a small nod. Clearly not in the state to walk let alone stand up, I picked her up and tip toed across the room, out the door and into her room next door. Chihaya's room was right next to ours but my bed was closest her room, so we shared a wall. That's a stroke of luck; I don't think we'll wake up Arata that way. Quite frankly I didn't want him to wake up because Chihaya came to me not him for whatever reason it is.
I placed her down gently on her bed much like I did the first night we were here when she fell asleep after her Karuta game. I sat down next to her stroking her hair. It was soft, very soft, like silk in between my fingers. Her sobbing was reduced to small sniffles every once and a while, I thought it was now safe to ask-
"Chihaya, tell me what's wrong," I said quietly. Obviously she wasn't quite ready to answer that yet and burst into a fresh flow of tears. My heart twisted painfully, I didn't like hearing her cry like this. I didn't like hearing anyone cry, the sound was painful and if she's not happy how can I possibly be? I wiped the tears from her eyes to best I could but as soon as I got rid of one another came to take its place.
"It's okay," I soothed "you can tell me when you're ready."
I wondered what could have happened to have Chihaya in such distress. I was longing to help her problem but I didn't know what on earth was wrong, therefore I couldn't and it was killing me. What could it possibly be? I quietly lay down beside her and turned onto my side to look at her. Her hair was sticking to her wet, tear-stained face and her eyes were bloodshot but she still looked beautiful. I brushed the hair out of her face. I waited for a few more minutes then she spoke.
"Chitose," she managed at last
"Chitose? Your sister?" I said puzzled
She nodded feebly "S-she" she stopped wiping tears from her eyes "she's been…"
I waited until she was ready to continue. In the meantime I rubbed her shoulder. What's happened to her sister? Whatever it is it can't be good.
"She's been diagnosed with cancer!" Chihaya choked on her words and started crying once again.
I didn't say anything, I didn't ask what type of cancer or when she found out, bit I had a feeling I already knew the answer to that. It was probably the phone call she got today. I admire her for keeping her feeling so well hidden up until now. I simply lay next to her because that's what she needed right now. She didn't need anyone to console or soothe her she just needed someone to be there with her as she cried. And she'd chosen me. It must be awful for Chihaya; everyone knows how much she loves her sister and to get that news would just be absolutely devastating. Chihaya had stopped crying now but there were still noticeable tears in her eyes. We lay there peacefully for a while not uttering a single word.
"You okay now? I should probably go back to my own room now," I said breaking the silence between us. I didn't really want to go but I couldn't stay there forever, though I would've liked to. Chihaya didn't say anything in return so I assumed she was asleep. I got off the bed and just as I was about to take a step I felt something pull me back.
Chihaya's hand.
I froze. I tugged my hand back ever so slightly, but she pulled back harder. I stumbled back onto to bed.
"Chihaya what are you…?" I began
"Will you stay here with me tonight?" She said her voice soft.
Why did I hesitate in answering I don't know. Was it because I could feel my heart pounding loudly in my chest? I didn't expect this. I don't know what to say. I'm confused. She only wants me to stay because she's upset and needs someone there for her, I told myself, you may never get a chance like this again…I don't want to take advantage of her though. I'd be fine, she's just asking me as a friend so what's the harm?
Chihaya looked up expectantly waiting for an answer.
Its fine, I kept repeating in my head.
I smiled at her "Of course."
She smiled back.
I crawled under to covers with her, my heart racing. We laughed when we couldn't find a position to lie in but eventually we did. I lie on my back with Chihaya snuggled up to me, our feet entangled. I was aware of all the places our bodies were touching, it made my heart lose control. She felt warm. The way our bodies fit together was perfect, like we were made for each other. But that surely couldn't be true; she sees me as an older brother. In this moment I ignored that fact and enjoyed Chihaya's embrace.
I've seen all different sides of Chihaya, I've seen her extremely happy, sad, angry, determined, but tonight was the first that I'd ever seen her so upset and distressed. I love getting to see all the different side of her, they're all equally beautiful. They make me love her even more.
"Thank you," she whispered
"You're welcome," I whisper back and then added "anything for you."
"You're the best," though I couldn't see her face I could hear the smile in her voice.
My heart rate was probably over what any human could deal with, but at the same time I felt completely calm and relaxed. In this time I knew-
Only Chihaya can make me feel this way.
Naw huggle time! I really really really want to know what you thought about this chapter. It was a bit different I guess, I was actually quite excited about writing it. I wrote the second part before the first XP I woke up really early and felt like writing that particular scene, I'd had it in mind for ages now, so then this afternoon I did the first part. I'm a very strange person I know. Btw that song was Lego House by Ed Sheeran if you were wondering (it's a great song check it out) because Taichi has great taste in music like that xP I'm begging you to let me know your thoughts on this chapter. Bai xoxo
