Kimiko tapped her foot impatiently on her bedroom floor. She wanted to go and find Raimundo, but she knew she'd never get past Nick. She frowned and kicked the baby pink carpet. She hated this room. All pink and girly and over protective. For such a large room, it was awfully smothering. She fingered the locket around her neck. And clicked it open. She gazed down at the picture of her mother.
"Mum, what should I do?" She whispered. She closed the locket and slumped back onto the bed. She closed her eyes and saw Raimundo's smiling face gazing at her. She sighed and wished that she could just reach out and touch that face. There was no way he would ever get past Nick now. It just wasn't going to happen.
She sat up and looked around. There was a breeze blowing in softly from the open window … but she hadn't left the window open. She stood up walked towards it. She leant out and a hand was put across her mouth. She tried to scream but no sound could escape her.
Chase looked around.
"Where's Pedrosa gone now?" he sighed.
"Don't know," Said Jesse.
"What do you mean you don't know?" asked Chase.
"Hey, I'm not his babysitter!" Said Jesse.
Chase groaned and looked around.
"Where's your brother?" he asked.
"Probably with Rai," Said Jesse.
"How do you not know where your brother is?" asked Chase.
"Not – his – babysitter!" Said Jesse slowly.
Chase rolled his eyes.
"What about Omi?" he asked.
Jesse opened her mouth and he rolled his eyes.
"Not their babysitter, I know." Said Chase.
"Sure feels like it sometimes." Said Jesse.
"Don't I know it," Said Chase, shaking his head.
As the person holding Kimiko let her go, she span around.
"Clay?" She asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Rai asked me to come and meet you," Said Clay, "He doesn't want to come himself in case your bodyguard shows up."
"Well where is he?" Asked Kim.
"He's busy," Said Clay.
"Stealing something?" asked Kimiko.
"Probably not," Said Clay, "He's taking a break."
Kimiko sighed and looked away.
"Why does he even do it?" She asked.
"That's a complicated answer," Said Clay, "But he's going to stop when he can."
"What are you doing here?" asked Kimiko again.
"He wants me to give you this," He said, handing her a note, "And he wants a reply if you can."
Kimiko took the note, folded it and started to read:
To Kimiko,
Sorry I can't make it, I want to avoid being arrested if possible. I'm sorry for the way I walked off, but this isn't easy for me. If you want to see me again, send a reply with Clay. Write whatever you want, I promise he won't read it. I'm working on a way that we can stay together without people getting hurt, or more importantly, putting you in danger. There's some stuff going on with Chase Young and me at the moment and causing complications could lead to an unhappy ending.
I don't want us to fall apart because of this. I think fate brought us together and I really want to see you again. If you feel the same way, send a reply with Clay ASAP.
Love from,
Raimundo.
Kimiko looked up and Clay caught her eye.
"You gonna write a reply?" He asked.
"Yes, I won't be long." Said Kimiko, walking across the room and sitting at her dressing table. She pulled a draw open and took out a piece of pale blue paper, an envelope and a pen. She thought for a moment and wrote down a few sentences. She looked back down at the note from Raimundo and wrote again. Once she was done, she put it into the envelope, slipped in another piece of paper and wrote Raimundo's name in curved letters. She picked up a bottle and sprayed a little scent on the envelope before handing it to Clay.
Clay pocketed the letter and winked at her before climbing out of the window without a word. Kimiko walked over to the window.
"Thank you Clay!" She called after him.
She sat back down on her bed and began tapping her foot impatiently again. Now she wanted his reply, but it could be a while. She sighed and slumped back on the bed. This was stupid; she was getting all worked up over a guy. All her friends always said never get worked up over a guy, but she really liked him. She liked Raimundo, a teenage burglar. Something was wrong with this picture.
Not far away, Raimundo and Omi were in a side alley. In his hand, Raimundo held a lit cigarette that he was drawing breath from every few seconds. Omi looked at him. His face was a picture of concern. It was obvious he was worried that Kimiko was going to reject his note.
"I thought you gave up," said Omi.
"I just need something to calm me down, okay?" Said Raimundo.
"You like this girl very much," said Omi.
"I think I must do," Said Raimundo, "I'm bloody crazy, getting all worked up like this over a girl."
As they looked out, they spotted Clay walking up the path. Raimundo stepped out, trod on his cigarette and looked him up and down, looking for a note. Clay drew a pale blue envelope out of his pocket.
"She replied," He said.
"Thanks Clay," Said Raimundo, holding out his hand.
"What's it worth," said Clay, holding up the envelope.
"How about I don't smash your face against the wall?" Said Raimundo impatiently, "Now hand it over!"
Clay smiled and handed it over. Raimundo caught the scent of her perfume on the envelope. He sighed and slit the envelope open. As he began to read, Clay and Omi watched him for any tell tale signs if it was good news or bad:
Dear Raimundo,
It's good that you got in contact. I understand that you didn't want to risk Nick seeing you. I don't really understand what's going on with you, but then again, I guess that's something for me to find out. I don't want us to fall apart either. I think we need to meet up again, but with Nick looming over me, it won't be easy.
Luckily, every year my dad holds this fancy dress party thing where he invites all his friends and business associates. It will be so crowded that Nick won't be able to find me even if he tried. I think it would be best if we met there. I'm always allowed to invite one friend and I've put the invitation in the envelope. Everything you need to get in will be on there.
Please tell me that you're coming! I really want to see you again!
Love From,
Kimiko.
xxx
Raimundo opened the envelope and pulled out the invitation. A smiled spread across his face and he noticed both Clay and Omi sighed with relief. He grinned.
"I've gotta write a reply," He said, "And then I'm gonna need your help."
He leant against the wall as he began to write his reply. Once he was finished he grinned and handed it to Omi this time.
"Be quick," He said.
"I will not let you down!" Omi said.
Omi ran up the path. Raimundo sighed and glanced at Clay, who was smiling at him.
"What?" He asked.
"Nothin'," Said Clay.
"Clay …" Said Raimundo.
"Look, I'm just glad for you. You haven't been really happy about anything since I met you. Now you've finally found something to keep you smiling." Said Clay.
As Omi handed the note to Kimiko she sighed and held her breath. She opened the note and began to read:
Dear Kimiko,
Thanks for the invite. It sounds like a plan! I'll be there, but the whole costume thing? Not sure about that. Is it compulsory? I'm waiting for your reply, hoping you'll send it back with shorty here.
Lots of love,
Raimundo.
"Hold on," She said walking over to her dressing table and pulling out another sheet of paper.
She scribbled down her reply and sighed as she handed it to him, wrapped in an envelope and sprayed with scent, just like the last one.
"I will get it to him quick!" Said Omi.
"Thank you Omi," Said Kimiko, "I'll be right here."
Omi left and Kimiko sighed deeply before sitting at her dressing table. Her heart was beating and she was breathing heavily. She was getting impatient already and she'd only just sent the reply!
Raimundo took the letter from Omi and smiled his thanks as he slit it open and read:
Dear Raimundo,
You're welcome and yes the costume is compulsory! By the way, you have to wear a mask as part of your costume! I just wish I could speak to you face to face at least once. I hope to be hearing from you soon.
All my love,
Kimiko.
xxx
Raimundo frowned and pulled out yet another piece of paper. He leant against the wall and began to scribble his reply. As he wrote his face was set in concentration and his tongue was out slightly. He obviously didn't realise how funny he looked because he didn't notice Omi and Clay in silent laughter watching him.
He turned around and held the letter out to Clay. Clay took the letter and sighed as he set off again. Raimundo called out his thanks and began tapping his foot on the ground impatiently.
Kimiko took the note and opened it. She held her breath again as she read:
Dear Kimiko,
How will I know how to find you if you're wearing a mask? Did you think this through? Besides, I don't have a costume. I'll be there though, promise. Send your reply soon.
Love From,
Raimundo.
Kimiko rolled her eyes.
"Is he always this argumentative?" She asked.
"Probably, but I don't actually know what you're talking about." Said Clay.
Kimiko sat down and wrote her reply. She smiled to herself as she signed the bottom of the page.
"One of us will be back soon," Said Clay.
"Thank you," Said Kimiko.
He left and Kimiko sat at her dressing table. She tapped her fingers unconcernedly on the varnish wood and gazed blankly at her reflection, which returned her distant gaze.
As Clay handed the note to Raimundo, he glared at him.
Dear Raimundo,
You'll know me because I'm dressed as Sakura, from my favourite manga. You must have at least heard of it! My dress is pink. I hope to see you in costume. I'm sure you'll find one.
All my love,
Kimiko.
xxx
"You need to get another messenger boy," Clay said.
"Don't worry," Said Raimundo.
"Haven't you heard of texting?" Asked Clay.
"No credit?" Suggested Raimundo as his excuse.
Clay rolled his eyes. Raimundo leant against the wall and wrote his reply, taking in the scent from the letter he still had clutched in his hand. As he turned to Omi, he looked around at the garden they were nearest to. There was a tree hanging down with pink blossom. Cherry blossom, also known as Sakura blossom. He reached up and pulled down a bunch before handing it to Omi.
Omi handed the bunch of blossom to Kimiko. She smiled and opened the note.
Dear Kimiko,
I'll find something. I'll look for you there and I send a bunch of beautiful Sakura blossom for my beautiful Sakura. I'll miss you.
Love,
Raimundo.
Kimiko smiled and looked down at the blossom. She looked back at Omi.
"It's alright, I don't need to reply." Said Kimiko, "but thank you."
"You are welcome." Said Omi, looking relieved.
"I hope I'll see you soon too," She said.
"I'm sure you will," Said Omi, sounding depressed at the thought of carrying more messages.
He left and Kimiko looked at the pink blossom on her dressing table. The pink petals were bright and cheerful. She must go and get a vase for them.
(A/N) Oh I'm so sorry! I'm late again! I'm more stressed out by these exams than I thought and at the weekend I went prom dress shopping.
The Sakura is card-captor Sakura (which I do not own by the way. Just disclaiming in case) for those of you who didn't figure. This is turning out to be a little bit of Romeo and Juliet. At least the film with that guy out of titanic (won't waste my time typing his name).
Hope you're enjoying this, tell me what you think.
Lots of luv and apologies,
Becky.
xxx
