(scratching sound comming from the bottom)
U.P:(peers down eagerly)FBG! IS THAT YOU! (girl from The Ring pops out) AHHHHHHHHHH! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING DOWN THERE!
Girl From Ring: I needed a new hole...
U.P: What happened to FBG!
G.F.R: (laughs evilly) I killed her!
FBG: No you didn't! I'm right here! (playingPoker with Kuzzey, Sai, Nicol, Yzak, Dearka, Mir and Cagalli)
U.P: (pushes G.F.R back into hole and buries her, then runs to FBG and hugs her) YOU'RE OKAY! YOU HAD ME SO WORRIED!
FBG: I snapped out of it! Besides, I couldn't bare to watch these guys play such a bad game so I had to join them.
Everyone: HEY!
FBG: (shrugs) Readers Read On!
Chapter 7: Movie Marathon Goes Awry
"Two days! No shit!" he exclaimed, his two friends nodded simultaneously, he gaped at them.
"We're not lying Kira," said Dearka firmly, "We wouldn't joke about something this serious, and the guy cancelled his classes the last two days, saying his was sick."
"WHAT!" screamed Kira, the other customers in the café starred at him, he lowered his voice blushing, "Athrun Zala, cutting classes! That's not normal…it's a…CONSPIRACY!"
Yzak snapped angrily, "You don't think we don't realize that? The problem is what do we do about it?"
Kira stroked his chin thinking, finally he said, "We need him to get some attention from a girl without any obstacles."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Dearka studying Kira's expression curiously, he has a plan. I can feel it…
Kira smiled mischievously, "Well you know I have a sister and all…"
Cagalli sat at her desk, her foot tapping to the beat of music. She was absorbed in re-reading her notes from her lecture, searching for important points she could use in her paper. She tugged at her pony-tail in frustration, "They don't make University easy! Why did I have to take Social Sciences anyways…"
Her amber eyes turned towards the clock in her room, she frowned, the time was six thirty in the evening, and she had spent more then two hours already working on the paper. She groaned. Her golden ginger cat, Akatsuki yawned as he stretched out on Cagalli's bed, she smiled at the sight of him. She remembered how she used to hate cats but then her brother bought him for her as a birthday present when she turned twenty-one, she became very fond of the impudent ginger kitty. Her cell phone rang, she groaned, lunging she nearly squashed her cat, who yelped in dismay as she grabbed her Nokia from her pillow.
"Hello?"
"Hello my dearest sister!" cried Kira sweetly from the speaker, "How are you doing?"
"What the hell do you want Kira Yamato?" snapped Cagalli angrily into the phone, Akatsuki mewed loudly in the background agreeing with his owner.
"Well Cagalli, you see I have a bit of a problem," said Kira, "and you're the only one who can help me."
Cagalli snorted, "Aren't I always the one to save your butt?"
"In most cases yes," replied Kira loosing his sweetness, "Look. The guys and I have decided to have a Star Wars marathon but I left the DVD's at home. Could you ever so kindly drop them off at Athrun's apartment for me?"
"Why don't you come pick them up?" snapped Cagalli angrily, "Why should I drop them off?"
"Because at the moment, I'm with the guys at a restaurant. Athrun's not feeling well so he stayed home. Could you just drop them off for me please!" whined Kira, he knew his sister would give in, eventually.
"Kira! You keep asking me to do you favors! You do realize that you still owe me the fifty bucks I lent you last Sunday, for your date with Lacus! Who also happens to be my best friend, you know, you're lucky I didn't tell her where you got the money from…"
"I know! I know! I'm glad you didn't" said Kira sincerely, because he knew Lacus's reaction wouldn't be good if she found out he was leeching of her best friend, "I promise I will pay you back the money you lent me plus twenty-five bucks extra, just for doing this."
Cagalli considered his offer for a moment, she decided, "Okay fine! I better get my total of seventy-five dollars from you! I'm going to wait at Athrun's place till you come back and you're going to give me the money, in person! No buts!"
"Fine!" replied Kira, "Fine, I'll give you the money in person at Athrun's place. Deal?"
"Deal," agreed Cagalli, she hung up her phone, "Now to find those DVD's…"
She watched the numbers as the elevator made its slow ascent, her destination was the fourteenth floor, apartment 1405. Cagalli sighed, her brother owed her big time for this. The elevator finally stopped at her floor, she got off, wandering down the dimly lit hallway. She arrived at the door of 1405, there was a poster stuck on the front reading, 'Humble Abode'. She chuckled, only Dearka could've thought to put something that hypocritical up, everyone knew that this apartment was far from humble.
She raised her hand and knocked loudly, she waited, no answer. Cagalli frowned and she knocked again harder, after another few minutes, still no answer. This made her frown more, "Where the hell is he?"
She knocked again, yet again there was no answer. Cagalli sighed, raising her leg she gave the door a swift kick. It made a loud noise, finally she herd muffled footsteps and the lock being turned. The door swung open.
Cagalli gaped, Athrun was leaning against the frame, he was wearing track pants and nothing else, she starred turing a unique shade of pink.
"Uh, Hi Cagalli," he said looking surprised as well as embarrassed, his own cheeks turning red, "What are you doing here?"
"Ah, well, you see," she searched for the right words; she took in a deep breath and said, "Kira told me to drop by and bring the DVD's. He said you guys were going to have a marathon or something."
"He did?" replied Athrun, his emerald green eyes looked dazed, "Never mentioned anything about it to me…"
He shrugged, "Well come in. I suppose you're going to wait for him or something right?"
"Yeah," replied Cagalli, making it a point to avoid starring at Athrun's perfectly chiseled chest, "He owes me money so I'm going to wait for him."
Athrun smiled knowingly, "He didn't pay you back for lending him the money for his date with Lacus did he?"
"Do you think he did?" replied Cagalli, they gazed at each other and then both of them started laughing.
"Well I don't know where those guys could've gone," he replied quietly and smiled ruefully, "I wouldn't say I was exactly myself these past two days."
Cagalli watched him with a worried expression as he crashed onto the couch rather lazily; she recognized this as very un-Athrunish behavior. She sat down on the couch beside him. They sat in silence for a bit, Athrun watched her from the corner of his eyes. She was wearing black cargo pants with a bright pink t-shirt with bold black letter that read 'You Suck!'
"So if you don't mind me asking," said Cagalli, "Why haven't you been yourself these two days?"
Athrun sighed sadly, "Had a bad date."
"That's it!" she said looking at him incredulously, realizing her words she added, "I mean. That doesn't sound…well I mean it must've been bad if you're…but don't we all have bad dates?"
"I know, I know," he replied sullenly, "I know it's just a date. We all have bad ones but this one was particularly bad…"
"Don't ask either," he added angrily, "I don't want to talk about it."
"I wasn't going to," snapped Cagalli her own temper and frustration reaching critical mass.
"Yeah right," muttered Athrun, for once his own emotions were getting the better of him.
"Did I look like I was going to ask?" snapped Cagalli her arms crossing over her chest, her amber eyes glaring at his emerald green ones.
"Of course you were going to ask!" yelled Athrun, he lost complete control now, "YOU LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WOULD ASK WHY DID I SKIP TWO DAYS OF CLASSES AND LAZE AROUND AT HOME LIKE SOME KIND OF ZOMBIE. BECAUSE ACCORDING TO EVERYONE ELSE, ATHRUN ZALA IS NOT PERMITTED TO GET DEPRESSED ABOUT ANYTHING! DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH PRESSURE I'M UNDER! I DON'T NEED ANYMORE SHIT FROM ANYONE ELSE! NO MATTER HOW CONCERNED YOU ALL ARE! I WAS DOING FINE ON MY OWN THANKS!"
Cagalli sat stunned, she had never seen the normally suave and sophisticated Athrun Zala loose control, something he rarely does and when he does, it's normally when one of his closest friends are around. He was breathing heavily, standing, he looked up at Cagalli and saw the fear in her amber eyes, What the hell did I just do? I shouldn't have lost control like that…I scared her…this…this isn't normal; I'm not normal…what's wrong…
He would've continued to mentally torment himself when he felt arms around him. He looked down, and saw the top of a blonde head, Cagalli was hugging him. He felt himself go red. They stood there, hugging each other for a few minutes, neither knowing what else to do when a loud gurgling erupted in the room. Cagalli instantly let go of Athrun, giggling, "Athrun did you by any chance eat anything at all today!"
Athrun blushed, "Ah, no, no I didn't."
"That explains the sound," laughed Cagalli she turned towards the kitchen, "How about you get changed and I'll make us something to eat. I think we'll be here awhile."
"You really don't," seeing the look on her face Athrun said, "Okay sure."
Cagalli was busy making a Greek salad when the phone rang, hearing that Athrun was in the shower she picked it up.
"Hello Athrun Zala, Yzak Jule and Dearka Elsman's residence," she said professionally.
"Wow sis, I didn't think he'd end up making you take his calls," chuckled Kira into the phone, Cagalli growled.
"What do you want?" she said.
"Well I won't be back until late. Yzak ditched us to go see a movie with Nicol, Sai and Kuzzey. Dearka and I just met Lacus and Mir at the mall, so I don't think we're going to come home any time soon," he said frankly.
"WHAT!" screamed Cagalli into the phone, "What the hell am I supposed to do with Athrun!"
"Hang out?" suggested Kira, "I don't know. You figure something out."
"KIRA YAMATO!" yelled Cagalli, "You're not going to pay me seventy-five dollars. You're not going to even pay me ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS! WHEN I SEE YOU AGAIN, YOU'RE PAYING ME ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS! YOU GOT THAT!"
"WHAT!" he yelled back into the phone, Cagalli could here the worried whispers of Lacus and Mir in the background.
"YOU HEARD ME!" snapped Cagalli, "And you better do it because you don't want to hear what I have to say about you and Dearka to my friends!"
She could hear Kira gulp on the other end, "Okay fine. Have fun with Athrun sis."
Cagalli slammed the receiver down grumbling, she put the salad on the kitchen table. Scooping a bowlful for herself she continued to grumble about stupid brainless brothers.
"Something wrong?" asked Athrun, he was now wearing faded jeans and a black Nike t-shirt, "I heard yelling."
"Oh it was just Kira," smiled Cagalli, "I made Greek salad."
"Looks good," said Athrun, he seated opposite her, grabbing a bowl he asked, "What did Kira want?"
"He said that he and Dearka met up with the girls, so they won't be coming back home any time soon," she replied crossly, stabbing at her olives with her fork.
Athrun swallowed his mouthful of salad and asked, "What about the movie marathon?"
"Looks like it's just us," replied Cagalli with sigh, "You still up for it?"
Athrun starred at the Star Wars trilogy boxed set and replied, "I'd rather watch a bunch of old Bruce Lee flicks…"
"Me too," agreed Cagalli, she laughed, "I'm not into the whole 'May the force be with you' stuff like Kira."
"I have all of the Bruce Lee movies, you wanna watch them together?" asked Athrun tentatively, trying very hard not to make it sound like a date.
"Sure," said Cagalli, she added hastily, "not as a date or anything, just two friends watching a movie."
"Yeah," replied Athrun nodding, "Yeah…"
They were halfway through their third Bruce Lee flick, Game of Death when Athrun felt something heavy against his shoulder. He turned looking down; he saw Cagalli had fallen asleep. He watched her, mesmerized by the peaceful look on her face, a very different contrast from her normal fiery self, "she's so innocent." He said aloud without meaning to.
Cagalli yawned snuggling closer to him, he blushed, not entirely sure what to do about the situation. He sat for a moment, stopping the movie, he continued to sit, not sure if he should leave her on the couch or take her to a bed. Finally after his mind debated the thought in a serious courtroom like setting, he decided on putting her in his bed for the time being.
Ever so gently, Athrun tucked his arms under her and lifted her up, surprised at how light she felt in his arm. Cagalli yawned murmuring something in her sleep but did not waken. He sighed, starring at her beautiful face, wait a minute! Did I just think that! Athrun Patrick Zala refrain from that thought process right now! Athrun Patrick Zala's brain, refrain from computing that thought process right now!
He placed her onto his bed; he pulled his blanket over her, tucking her in securely. He starred at her for a moment longer, she turned her head and a few strands of blonde hair fell onto her cheek. Not exactly knowing what he was doing, Athrun brushed them away, and smiling to himself he left the room.
He was almost finished Game of Death when there was a knock at the door, he quickly opened it. A tired looking Kira and Dearka entered, Dearka immediately slumped onto the couch, while Kira leaned against the kitchen counter.
"What happened to you guys?" asked Athrun looking at his fatigued friends.
"Lacus and Mir went head to head in mini golf," said Dearka on the verge of tears, "We had to spend nearly three and a half hours playing mini-golf! MINI-GOLF! And Yzak ditched us to spend the night at Kuzzey's! Kuzzey's family is having a barbeque!"
"I get your point!" snapped Athrun, Kira was looking around the room puzzled, "Where's Cagalli?"
"She's sleeping in my room," said Athrun with a shrug. Kira's mouth flew wide open and Dearka looked abashed, his eyes going wide.
"Athrun," said Kira slowly, "What did you and my sister do!"
"Nothing," said Athrun looking at him confused, finally he put two and two together, "Oh god! KIRA! That's disgusting! How on earth can you think that…that I would…ugh…Kira man!"
"So you didn't!" said Kira looking relived, Dearka's face relaxed more as well.
"NO!" exclaimed Athrun, "We were watching Bruce Lee movies. She fell asleep on the couch. I didn't know how long you'd be so I carried her to my room and but her on my bed. Jesus! Kira, I'm your best friend! How could you even think that!"
"Sorry man," replied Kira running his hand through his messy brown hair, "I jumped the gun."
Athrun shook his head, "I hate to say this but for some reason everyone tends to think the dirty thoughts first…"
Dearka nodded in agreement. Kira went to check in on his sister, he came back into the living room, "She looks fast asleep. I'd hate to wake her. Athrun is it alright if she sleeps here tonight?"
"Yeah sure," replied Athrun with a shrug, "I always found the couch more comfy or I'll steal Yzak's room…"
"Okay," said Kira grabbing his sister's keys from where she placed them on the counter, "Tell Cagalli that I took her car, when she wakes up and tell her to call me, I'll come get in her the morning."
"Will do," replied Athrun, he said good-bye to Kira and the violet eyed boy left for home. Athrun sighed flopping onto the couch to finish the rest of the movie; half listening to Dearka's snores coming from down the hall.
Cagalli opened her eyes, she yawned, starring up at the ceiling. She frowned, that wasn't her ceiling, and her ceiling didn't have a poster of Angelina Jolie tacked up on it. Her head slowly turned side-ways, there was a desk to her right, with a Dell desktop computer on it and tons of textbooks, and she read one to be A Begginer's Guide to Advanced Chemistry. She felt herself panic; she looked to the ground hoping to see her familiar peach colored carpet, instead she saw a pair of men's black Levis and a bottle of Axe body-spray. Cagalli Yula Athha's mind couldn't take it, she screamed. She screamed long and loud, she jumped out of the bed and ran out of the door still screaming. She ran right into a living where, three young men sat eating breakfast starring at her.
"Good morning sunshine," said Dearka smiling. Cagalli was breathing heavily but that did not stop her from glaring knives at Dearka.
"WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE?" she yelled, Yzak simply ignored her, he was too intent on reading the Vector cereal box. Dearka said nothing, cowering behind his Cheerio's box, hoping the Bee would protect him. Cagalli's flaming amber eyes turned on her victim, Athrun Zala who was busy eating his Frosted Flakes, she shriekd, "YOU!"
"What about me?" he replied munching on his cereal.
"What did you do to me last night!" she said pointing her finger accusingly at him. He sighed, and said, "While we were watching movies last night, you fell asleep. I carried you to my room and put you on my bed, since I wasn't sure how long Kira would be. Kira came and said to leave you, he took your car home and said he'd pick you up in the morning, just call him to let him know."
"Oh!" said Cagalli blushing, she shuffled her feet feeling embarrassed, "Sorry about that. I got scared, you know not waking up in my room…"
"It's perfectly understandable," said Yzak he picked up his stuff and put his bowl in the dishwasher, "Now if you all excuse me, I have to get to work."
"Yzak," said Cagalli quickly, "Are you driving?"
"Yes," he replied looking at her suspiciously, "Why?"
"Can you give me a ride home?" she asked looking at him with pleading eyes.
Both Athrun and Dearka choked on their cereal, more Athrun then Dearka, he was starring at Yzak, waiting for his response.
"Sure," replied Yzak was an easy shrug, "Your house is on Huntington Ridge right?"
Cagalli nodded, "Yeah."
"Okay," replied Yzak, "You don't need to freshen up or anything right? Cause I have time, I can wait a few minutes."
Dearka started coughing loudly, choking on his food. Athrun gave him a hard thump on the back, both of them had the word STUNNED plastered on their faces.
Cagalli blushed, "No I don't. We can leave now." She turned to Athrun who was still looking stunned, she said to him still blushing, "Thanks a lot for having me over last night and letting me use your bed. I guess I'll see you around. Bye guys!"
Athrun watched Cagalli leave with Yzak, feeling rather funny inside, he wasn't sure what it was but more then anything he felt angry. He wasn't sure why, he just felt angry.
FBG: (sitting on a pile of poker chips) AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA! I WON SUCKERS!
Cagalli: You cheated! I should kick you ass!
Athrun: Now Cagalli she won fair and square.
Cagalli: I should kick YOUR ass!
U.P: I couldn't agree more.
Everyone: NO ONE ASKED YOU!
Cagalli: Athrun Zala GET BACK HERE! (chases after Athrun)
Kira: (trying to steal poker chips) Hehehe...
FBG: (catching him in the act, gives him a whack with her Spoon of Power) TRYING TO STEAL FROM ME EH!
U.P: (crying in corner) Everyone is so mean to me...sniffsniff
Lacus: (comforting him) I'm not. I think your very sweet.
Haro: Haro! Haro!
FBG: While we all have fun (whacks Kira again) I hope you all send in your reviews! (whacks Kuzzey and Kira) And I hope you enjoyed (whacks Yzak, Kuzzey and Kira) this chapter of (gets whacked by Yzak) OW! I mean...'Love By Elimination'!
