A Change of Heart

By Misae

Disclaimer: CLAMP owns CCS, never I.

A.N. Hi all :D Thanks for reviewing! Enjoy :D


Chapter Seven: Truth

People long for the truth

Yet others lie for selfish reasons

But sometimes, the truth hurts

Do you still want to know it?

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"Hurry up, you bandy-legged slowpokes!" Yelan snorted impatiently, "Make sure that the gifts for the bride are absolutely in order!"

"Yes, Mistress Li!"

The servants scurried around and packed the luggage in the waiting handsome carriage neatly for Yelan. The sweltering sun bore down harshly upon her face as she dabbed her perspiration away quickly with her dainty pink handkerchief. She glanced disapprovingly at the slow snail pace her servants were working at and tapped her traditional Chinese fan with annoyance on the edge of the large carriage wheel. They were packing the luggage into the carriage carefully in fear of damaging any expensive or fragile items.

"We're done, Mistress. Please, you may get into the carriage now," elderly butler Wei opened the carriage door politely for Yelan.

She huffed and got into the cool carriage and out of the hot sun. Noticing her loyal butler's exhaustion, her irritation somewhat lessened.

"Wei, take care of the house while I'm gone. And take care of your health too," Yelan added in an affectionate undertone to her old butler. He smiled and waved pleasantly, his eyes crinkling with laugh lines around them, clearing showing he was indeed not getting younger.

As the large dark wood carriage took off, leaving a trail of hot dust in its wake, Yelan mused to herself in jubilation. Finally, her baby son was going to marry! The thought of it brought a little tear to her eyes as she realised he would no longer be her baby anymore. Syaoran's older four sisters, Fuutie, Feimei, Fanren and Shiefa had already left her coop way before Syaoran had even fallen in love. Fuutie, Feimei and Fanren had married to a distant cousin, a wealthy merchant, and a Chinese prince who was seventeenth in line to the Chinese throne respectively.

Shiefa was the worst one, Yelan shuddered at the disappointing reminder even one of her children had been. She had ran off with a silly little sailor boy and there was no news of her ever since then. It was absolutely intolerable for her to even contemplate the poor life Shiefa was leading at that very moment.

Dismissing all thoughts of her daughters, Yelan could not help but smile at the thought of her wonderful handsome son marrying a gorgeous princess of Japan. Sakura was her distant niece since she had married the king's cousin but she always thought the world of the pretty auburn-haired young lady. Her thoughts full of the marriage details and plans, Yelan did not realise how long her trip actually took to the palace.

.

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"Can you believe that I'm getting married?!"

Sakura bounced up and down on the plush cream-coloured lounge chair, her green eyes sparkling with happiness. Her hair was flying messily and her skirts were bouncing around her knees. She flopped down onto the chair, slightly breathless at her workout, gazing longingly at the emerald jewel set in the middle of several tiny diamonds adorning her left ring finger. It complemented her eyes perfectly and she knew that was the reason why Syaoran had chosen to give her this particular ring. Sakura couldn't help the goofy grin she had on her face.

"Mou!" she pouted, "I miss him so much already!"

"He just went to prepare for Aunt Yelan's arrival. What is up with you, kaijuu, you're acting moronic," Eriol drawled, not bothering much about Sakura. He was lounging on the dark sanguine chaise, lying on his back and was playing with the golden cat, Kero which sitting heavily on his chest. Kero was nibbling playfully on Eriol's fingers; while Eriol's other hand stroked the soft amber fur.

Bounding over noisily and towering over him, Sakura snatched a protesting mewing Kero away from her visibly indignant brother. Eriol scowled and sat up, attempting to seize the cat back. Sakura held Kero close to her chest and whacked him hard on the head with her free hand.

"Can't my own brother be more excited for me? Or even Syaoran?" Sakura scowled back, "Oh Kero, at least I know you're happy for me, aren't you?"

She nuzzled the golden cat, which licked her nose back in affection. A wry smile flickered across his lips as Eriol watched their interaction.

"I am happy for you. When did he propose? The night of the dinner party?"

"How did you know?! Did you spy on us?! Are you psychic?!" Sakura gasped in awe at his spot-on guess, dropping the golden feline once again onto Eriol's lap.

"Isn't it obvious? Seeing that the both of you disappeared during the dinner party itself," Eriol replied nonchalantly, raising an eyebrow as his sister's marveling of his smartness.

He stroked Kero's smooth fur again, earning an appreciative mew from the cat. Half-tuning out Sakura's gushing about Syaoran's romantic and spontaneous proposal, Eriol thought about his fondness for cats. 'Must have been because of Spinel,' he mused, 'Wonder how's he doing…'

"MOU! Are you listening!?" Sakura smacked him doubly-hard on the head, glaring at his lack of attention to her, sitting down in a huff beside him.

"Fuck…! Hey!" Eriol rubbed the sore spot on his head, returning her glare twice as fiercely as Sakura pulled Kero away possessively, and thumped him once more.

"LANGUAGE! How many times must I tell you! Hmph! I'm not talking to vulgar inconsiderate insensitive stubborn people like you any longer. Total waste of my precious saliva," Sakura huffed, stalking away with the cat cradled in her arms.

"Yeah busu, go donate that 'precious saliva' of yours to Syaoran then!" Eriol yelled after her, still rubbing the egg-like bump that had risen furiously in the middle of his head.

Sakura whirled around at his crude comment, gave him a positively withering glare, before stomping off.

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"TOMOYO-CHAN!"

Tomoyo barely had a second to look up from the musical scores she was looking through when Sakura came bursting into the room, sending the score sheets flying from the only hexagonal teak table there with the torrential wind she brought in with her run. The room was modeled after a huge beige birdcage, brightly lit as there were floor-length windows with simple lavender drapes running their length.

"Oh dear!" Tomoyo let out a distressed cry as she had been working on a piece of music to help Sakura with her next music lesson, after Sakura had narrowly missed a harsh scolding from her teacher during the previous lesson.

"Never mind that!" Sakura brushed off Tomoyo's attempts to pick up the scattered pieces of paper, "I've got something really important to tell you!"

Her short bangs windswept, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes bright and sparkling with excitement, she grabbed Tomoyo hard by her elbows.

"I'm getting married!"

"Oh my gosh! What—How did—What the—How…?"

"Here! Look at this!" Sakura quickly shoved her left hand up for Tomoyo's inspection.

The beautiful ring on Sakura's ring finger only confirmed that a wedding was underway. Screaming away, the two girls were literally jumping for joy. Sakura squealed about how Syaoran had gotten down on one knee, all the way blushing tomato-red, to ask for her hand. She had wanted to torment him into thinking that she had to think about it first, but the moment she hemmed and hawed about her answer, Syaoran's face such a crestfallen expression Sakura couldn't help but agree right away!

When the craziness of it all calmed down somewhat, the two women continued to chatter animatedly about the wedding proceedings and the plans and whatnots. They began drawing up ideas for the wedding, when Sakura remembered something important.

"Oh, but my parents won't be back from their political visit so soon, I think. I bet they're just taking the chance to relive their romance without us spying on them," Sakura wrinkled her button nose at the gross thought of her parents acting all mushy. "So we'll probably have to wait for them to return before we can actually start real plans and choosing the date of the wedding."

"Oh no but Aunt Yelan is coming over today to start preparations for the wedding though. I suppose we could start here and there a little first, don't you think?" Sakura frowned at the thought.

"Hmm that's possible too. Anyway, shouldn't you call her 'Mother' now?" Tomoyo admonished her playfully. Sakura gave a sheepish smile and swatted Tomoyo lightly on the shoulder, making them both laugh.

"Well, Tomoyo-chan! I've got another great news for you!" a secretive and devious look appeared on the normally innocent looking princess, making Tomoyo more than a little apprehensive. "Weeeellllllllll… I want Sonomi's Fitting to do my wedding gown!"

Sakura beamed brightly. Tomoyo was so overwhelmed her jaw dropped open before she could catch herself. She squealed and engulfed Sakura in a bear hug, which Sakura returned as enthusiastically in kind. After releasing her, Tomoyo couldn't help but feel a great affection for the bride-to-be. Seating Sakura down quickly, Tomoyo picked up one of the forgotten music scores and rushed to jot down the wedding dress details.

"Fire away, Princess!"

"Hahaha hmmm let's see… I want my dress to be pouffy, soft, white… or pink! Hahaha! Hmm and oh and I want it floaty and light so I can still run around! And then I want…"

.

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"So… I suppose now we're really becoming brothers eh?" Eriol whispered inaudibly to a water-coloured vividly painted large portrait of the three of them on the carpeted wall – him, Sakura and Syaoran.

He had been walking through the dusky lineage hall. Light was streaming in from the windows, illuminating the long corridor with its maroon carpeted walls lined with numerous paintings and portraits of the royal family, displayed the heritage and history of Japan's leaders. Eriol had stopped right in front of that gold-trimmed frame. This portrait was done when he was ten, and Sakura and Syaoran twelve. They had posed on the flat rocks by the pond where they loved to swim in. The backdrop was a glittering peaceful blue because of the water and the clear sky, while green trees dotted occasionally in the middle.

Sakura was in the middle, sitting on a flat dry rock, her pale yellow dress pooling around her crossed legs. The cute bonnet hat on her head shielded her from the overbearing sun. Cupping her chin in both hands, Sakura had given the same effulgent smile she had at present, looking a vision of happiness. Syaoran and Eriol both flanked Sakura, standing on the grey rocks instead. Syaoran's brown hair was ruffled and messy, his hand resting lightly upon Sakura's left shoulder, giving an elusive smile, his coffee eyes showing a faint cheerfulness.

Eriol? He had stood on Sakura's right. One leg was up on a higher rock, showing off his shin-high navy socks. A hand on his hip as a show of impatience, Eriol had looked a picture of boredom. His mouth was a defiant scowl and his cerulean eyes looked away in a distance. A sardonic expression had spread unknowingly across his face, as he looked upon his younger self. What a brat.

Although he always called Sakura a little monster, and had his fair share of verbal sparring with Syaoran, he could not help but feel left out suddenly. They had been a little royal group for as long as he could remember, even before his disappearance. They hardly ever spent time away from each other, and now those two were embarking on a lifelong journey without him.

Wistful and a tinge jealous, Eriol walked on as he thought of the good ol' days they shared. Ah, all the memories… Somehow, he suddenly wanted to marry, he wanted to have what those two were going to have. But the problem was, with whom? Tomoyo? He shook his head, a blush creeping up his neck at the thought of the girl.

.

Lost in his thoughts, Eriol strolled unwittingly into the very same birdcage room Tomoyo was in. Sakura had left to await the arrival of Yelan with Syaoran, leaving the dark-haired seamstress alone to work on the design of the wedding gown. Tomoyo's pencil ran fluidly on the paper like watery ink on canvas. She drew and drew, and the paper seemed to come alive. Deep in concentration, she barely paid heed to the presence of another being. Designing was her life and passion, whenever she had a burst of inspiration, she could simply design for hours endlessly. She would rather go without food or drink than lose her muse.

Eriol shuffled awkwardly when Tomoyo didn't even look up from the table to acknowledge him. He pressed his lips together, unsure of what to do. He didn't want to disturb her when she looked so immersed in her work. Deciding hastily, he tiptoed, although he wasn't sure why he was acting so suspiciously, but yes he tiptoed as quietly as a mouse would and sat himself beside her. Tomoyo merely brushed away a stray lock of her hair before resuming drawing fervently, oblivious to the prince who was content at just watching her.

Eriol could barely contain the familiar warmth that was spreading in his chest as he glanced at her profile, serious and focused. The last time he felt this peculiar sensation, they were just teenagers. But strangely enough, he welcomed the warm glow that sparked. He wasn't sure what it was, but he was content and happy just to be suspended in that moment, alone with her.

"Wahhhhh hahaha! All done!" Tomoyo let out a sudden gasp, making the man beside her jump, and wiping the gentle smile that graced his lips. A brilliant grin illuminated the joy that showed clearly on her face, and Tomoyo raised her designs up to kiss them, grinning even more goofily at her accomplishments. Eriol couldn't resist when he saw her cute action. He sniggered.

Shrieking at the sound that reverberated around the birdcage room, Tomoyo leapt to her feet, scattering her designs in her fluster. Instinctively, her hand lashed out and accidentally whacked Eriol on the side of his head.

"OWWWWWWWWWW goddamnit what the bloody hell!" He howled as the back of her hand had smacked his right eye dead-on, and his hand clutched his socket, as if trying to prevent the eyeball from falling out. He rocked to and fro on the chair trying to relieve the pain. Tomoyo's mouth was shaped into a comical 'O' at the realization of what she did and she stared unblinkingly at the howling prince, before she regained her composure.

"Oh my goodness I'm so sorry! Here, let me see..!" She reached out to pull his hand away to inspect the damage she did, only to have him shove her hand off roughly. A little hurt at his abrupt action coupled with the numerous expletives Eriol was uttering at the speed of light, she scowled indignantly, placing her hands on her hips defensively. "Oh stop it, you little crybaby. I bet it's just a light scratch. Besides, you were the one who came creeping up on me and almost gave me a heart attack! Serves you right!"

At her sarcasm, Eriol raised his head to glare at her with his good eye. Ice blue eyes, or eye in this case, flashed dangerously and his nostrils flared, "Hell, woman! How could you not even notice my presence! A rapist could have raped you and you wouldn't even know!"

Tomoyo's jaw dropped open once more as she let out an insulted gasp. Her eyes narrowed half their size as she retorted, "That's just silly. Obviously I would have noticed… that! Ugh, you are so stupid!" She stomped her foot childishly and busied herself with picking up the completed designs that awaited Sakura's approval.

Eriol gave her a what-the-hell look but then she was too busy ignoring him to notice. "Oi."

Tomoyo rolled her eyes pettily and ignored him.

"Oi, woman!"

The sides of her mouth twitched in annoyance.

"Aren't you going to take responsibility for injuring me, and possibly the disfiguration of my handsome face?"

"What?!" At that totally thick-skinned statement, she whirled around in utter incredulity. Having got her attention back again, Eriol smirked devilishly, one hand still covering half his face. "Oh c'mon. Is that the way to treat the future king?"

Dilemma alert, Tomoyo struggled with herself for a few seconds before succumbing. "Oh fine. Let's see your 'serious injury', your highness," she placed extra emphasis on his title to scorn him.

She replaced the papers on the table before she hauled his hand away from his eye, earning another glare from him. It was worse than she thought. The area around his eye had started to bruise a sickly yellowish-green. The eye white looked a tad bloodshot, probably from a burst blood vessel. Tomoyo grimaced at the damage she had done.

"Well? Am I disfigured for life?" Eriol asked cheekily at her sudden worried expression.

Rolling her eyes, she grudgingly replied, "No. But you will be if you keep up with that smart mouth. Hang on, I'll get some ointment." With that, she left the room hurriedly to fetch the medicine.

Leaning backwards on the chair and stretching languidly, Eriol watched her disappearing figure before a small smirk graced his features. His eyes twinkling with glee, he couldn't help but feel so happy at the thought of how much Tomoyo still cared for him. He sniggered, the joy he felt was indescribable he almost wanted to hug himself, but he had to resist the urge for fear of looking like a clown.

Tomoyo returned as quickly as she had left, causing Eriol to hastily cough to cover up his actions, he clamped a hand over his eye once again, trying to look still in pain. She strode over, opening the brown bottle of ointment in her hands.

"Hands off," she ordered, before using her fingers to dab on some of the faintly herbal-smelling medicinal liquid around his eye. Tomoyo placed the bottle down on the table, bending down to get a better look at the bruise. Eriol's nose twitched at the unpleasant odour of the ointment, but was distracted by her cool fingers gingerly rubbing the bruise. He winced when she reached a particularly sore spot, and her gaze flickered in concern and their eyes connected. Amethyst met azure.

Her fingers froze, lightly resting near his eye. Time seemed to have stopped and all they could hear was the heavy fast breathing of each other. Tomoyo was afraid to break eye contact. Even though the passion and earnest in his eyes scared her, she couldn't bring herself to look away. Eriol stared right back at her, willing her to understand his unspoken emotions. But all she looked like was a frightened mouse that had met a cat waiting to prey on it.

"So..." he cleared his throat nosily, startling her, "Falling in love with me?"

Silence greeted him.

Then he howled like a hyena once again, as his head snapped back at the ferocious force Tomoyo used to press his bruise in as a reply. She pursed her lips and her eyes screwed up, ignoring his renewed cussing at the pain, "You wish!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh oh fuck!" Eriol growled out through gritted teeth. Tomoyo had resumed collecting her designs, turning her back defiantly on him. He was so not going to tolerate such treatment, not even from her! Despite clutching his hurting eye socket, he used his free hand to grab a stronghold of her slender wrist, pulling her roughly to face him. She glared up at him fiercely, as he had stood up and was more than half a head taller than her.

Seeing she was not going to back off, Eriol relented, sighing heavily. Reaching out to trace her jawline gently with his slim hand, he couldn't help but feel a sudden sense of remorse and guilt washing over him like a sudden thunderstorm. Her eyes widened at the three-sixty change in his temperament, as her eyes followed the path his fingers took upon her face. The look he was giving her scared her even more.

"I know," Eriol began softly, his baritone voice echoing softly around them.

"Know what?" Curiosity made her ask when he didn't continue.

Eriol's fingers had traced their way to her full, luscious lips. He trailed on her bottom lip, causing her heartbeat to spike.

"I know," he repeated himself, "I know… Oh, Tomoyo!" His eyes were clouded with distress and the dark bangs fell across his eyes. He looked very a picture of anguish and turmoil at that moment that Tomoyo was too taken aback to even respond.

"You… you…" Eriol's voice caught as his throat had constricted with emotion, his hands grabbing her shoulders tightly, "Can you ever forgive me? Can you?"

"I was such a fool! I..! I was so caught up with hating you that I never tried to see it from your perspective! I knew it, I knew it. You definitely had your own troubles, right? That's why you drugged me? You must have been threatened by that son of a bitch! Why else would you have risked your life after that to sneak out from there to try and save me?!"

Shock registered upon Tomoyo's face as she realized what Eriol was talking about. She never once thought Eriol would find out about her part in saving his life. Eriol continued his anguished ramblings, "Here I was, thinking the worst of you! Oh my god I'm such a bastard! Damnit! I should have known! Should have known you would never betray me for some evil intention, I should have…"

"Why did you have to dig up the past?!" Tomoyo pushed him away forcefully, her eyes holding nothing but horror and accusations. He glanced at her in surprise. He thought she would be glad that he had found out he knew she hadn't betrayed him for evil intentions. Having her rant at him in return was definitely unexpected.

"You would have been better off if you didn't know! Why did you..!? Ugh you royals have nothing better to do is that so!"

His temper flared. "So. You'd rather I continue to blame you and hate you?"

"Yes!"

"What the fuck!"

Their glaring contest intensified, both were furious, but for very different reasons.

"Don't you get it? Or are you really as stupid as you look?" Tomoyo spat out. He swelled angrily like a bullfrog at her statement. About to retort, Tomoyo cut across him and continued, "Obviously it'll be better that if you didn't know! And yes since you want the truth so much, I'll tell you since you're so desperate!"

.

She had just left the common toilet. It was dingy, a little dark and rather dirty, but it was a toilet all the same. About to head back to wash the clothes, Tomoyo was startled by a sudden fierce shout in her direction. One of the leader's underlings beckoned her over. She dared not to disobey and hurried over, wondering what she was needed for. Maybe Takashi toppled the teapot and broke it again.

"Master wants to see you." And that was all said before the wooden sliding was slid open and she pushed in roughly. Falling hard on her knees and bare hands heavily, an unkind girlish giggle made Tomoyo feel ashamed. Looking up slightly , she could see a low table with food and sake, while the leader lounged behind it. A geisha he invited over was pouring a cup of sake for him, her elaborate orange, sakura-patterned kimono flowing gracefully. The mocking laughter came from her.

"Well, let's see here," Master boomed, "The blue-eyed boy, he's your friend right?"

"I…er… Yes..Sir," Tomoyo managed, too afraid to move from her kneeling position even though it was very uncomfortable.

"Hahahaha! Good! They brought me the right little spy then eh?" Master's raucous laughter caused the geisha beside him to jump and cover her face with her kimono sleeve to give him the due attention.

"Now you!" He barked, throwing a small red triangle packet that landed right at Tomoyo's fingertips, "See that? It's a sleeping drug! I want you, to drug that little boy friend of yours tomorrow night you hear?!"

Puzzled, Tomoyo didn't know how to respond. "Oi, you there! You understand, or you're just too stupid? I want you to drug that boy!"

The master was in a slight drunken stupor, his cheeks were flushed, and his mouth hanging agape when he wasn't talking, or shouting for that matter. "I'm gonna sell him away to China then I'll get shitloads of money hahahahaha! I don't know which idiot there wants to actually buy this dumb boy, god for so much! But then, that idiot is giving me a huge profit! And the moron is paying me more to ensure that little slave-boy isn't hurt in any way. Like who cares whether he's hurt or not?! So I should thank that crazy fucker for his money yeah muahaha! And maybe I'll buy you a new silk kimono eh?"

Master leered at the geisha from behind his spectacles, making her giggle and flutter her lashes at him.

"What…?" Tomoyo couldn't help but let out a gasp. China seemed so far away! And they didn't treat the slaves any better than they did in Japan, and she was to be playing a hand in sending Eriol away? Bringing him further from his homeland to a whole new unknown scary world? No way could she do that to him!

"Ehhhh?" She had spoken that last sentence out loud. Master had heard and he wasn't happy. Stumbling over to her drunkenly, he dragged her up by the collar. Tomoyo stared at his chin, too afraid to look directly into the jet-black cold eyes that bore straight into her, terrorizing the hell out of her.

"You do it, you hear me? Or else I'll send your other little friend to the mines to work." His voice was dangerous. Tomoyo couldn't believe her ears. Send Takashi to the mines? They were actually considered fortunate to work in the Master's house as slaves. Those who were sent to the mines to dig for precious ores or minerals never came back right. Some became horribly ill and eventually died coughing blood. Some had accidents and they lost limbs, causing Master to order their disposal as their hands and feet were all he needed. Some even lost their minds there. They'd saw unnatural things and experienced indescribable terrors. This was absolutely the worst nightmare for any slave here. No one wanted to be sent to the mines!

"Send me instead, please," Tomoyo implored quietly, making up her mind to save both Takashi and Eriol to the best she could. An amused smile lit Master's face, "You… I've got better plans for you, if you don't do as I've ordered you to," he murmured leeringly, letting his tongue run the length of her chin. Her eyes widened in fear. He was going to… going to..! She shuddered at the thought of being raped.

"So…" Master whispered deviously into her ear, nipping her flesh as he went along. "What will you do, girlie?"

Cackling when he saw the tears that she was holding back, he threw Tomoyo out of the tearoom with the drug packet. She fell onto the dusty ground. What was she to do? She had… no more options left.

.

Her eyes downcast, she looked exhausted in the diminishing light. The sun had begun to set, oblivious to the both of them. The birdcage room was starting to get dimmer, shrouding the two of them in semi-darkness.

"You were wrong. I betrayed you for selfish reasons. I… sacrificed you… to save Takashi… I'm sorry…" Tomoyo bit down hard on her lip in shame. She had made that one choice. If she didn't do it, all three of them would suffer the consequences. At the very least she managed to save Takashi, and… herself. Admittedly, she never stopped feeling the guilt of her decision to protect only Takashi. Eriol… He was stronger… That was what swayed her decision.

Eriol stood there, not caring whether night had fallen. Hell, the world could have been fast-forwarded but he would still be there, her last sentence ringing over and over again in his ears.

He finally understood why it was human nature for people to tell untruths. They lied to protect the people they loved, they lied to liberate others from burdens, and Tomoyo had lied to protect him. She had thought that he would have been better off if he hated her. She was right. After their separation, he would have only pined for her and would have spent unnecessary time to find her. As a prince, this was utterly out of the question. If he hated her, he would forget her and would get on with his life. But this turnout now was hardly what she had expected eh? Perhaps their fates were too closely intertwined that even Tomoyo could not have foreseen this unexpected turn of events.

If he were in her shoes then, he most probably would have made the same decision as she did then. But… Truth as it should be told was indeed painful to hear. He never expected her to choose Takashi over him. That really hurt him the most.


To be continued…

A.N. Hey i really really hope ya'll like this chapter! i rewrote this more than my fingers can count i think and had about 4-5 versions of this ONE chapter. Oh man. i still think there's something out of place but i really can't place my finger on it! Argh.

Anyway, a shoutout to all those having upcoming exams! All the best and concentrate on studying! I'm rotting away doing math most of the time. Still have 3 more humongous subjects to study for! Math is just the tip of the iceberg. Sheesh. School sucks big time lololololol. Oh yeah i'm a junior college student, not poly :D