Auel was surprised at what had just happened. Then, he saw them hugging. He looked back and walked off, his head down as if he was carrying a heavy load on his shoulders. "Cagalli…"
A/N: Okay, you read further, I must warn you, Athrun is too out of character, well, for the sake of the humor part, I think.
Chapter 7: "Goodbye…"
Cagalli didn't seem to have noticed Auel leaving. As Shin and Cagalli parted from each other's arms, Cagalli wasn't blushing like Shin was. "You're blushing." Cagalli said smiling; she was obviously back to her happy self. Shin was still blushing. The bell then rang. "Let's go inside. Wait, you go ahead, I'll catch up later." Cagalli said waving to Shin as she remembered where Auel must have gone to.
Cagalli searched for Auel outside their school premises. "Auel! Where are you? Where have you gone to now?" Suddenly, someone grabbed her wrist, it was Athrun. Athrun followed her when she went looking for Auel. She was startled to why Athrun was chasing after her. Anger suddenly struck her. "Let go of me!" She was striving for him to let go of her hand. "No, we have to talk." "No, I have to find Auel." Athrun's grasp then loosened allowing her to free her hand. Athrun has somewhat lost contact of his world the moment he heard Auel's name. He didn't even notice Cagalli going away.
Auel was lost in his thoughts. He didn't know why he was so much affected by Cagalli and Shin's contact. "Why? She's just my old friend…my true and only…love…wait, love? Is that it? No, we are just like siblings not…not…lovers…" he then heard Cagalli's voice calling his name. Then, his cell phone rang.
"Hello, mom?"
"Auel, my boss called, he said I should go back to the States to fix some immediate problem. This means we have to go back later this evening."
"Tonight…? But, we've only been here for a week…can I stay?"
"No, you have to go back with me. Whether you like it or not."
"Mom…but…Cag--"
"No, you'll come with me." He was cut off by her mother as she hanged her phone.
"Cagalli…"
"Auel! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!" She was silenced as he saw his saddened face. "Why? What's wrong?" "Cagalli…I have to tell you something…" She let him to continue. "Mom just called…she said…we'll go back to the States…later tonight…" Cagalli was shocked, she was speechless. She was more stunned when he enveloped her into a hug. "Cagalli…can I spend my last night with you? It seems, we won't go back for quite some time." He whispered to her ear. Cagalli just nodded as tears flowed down her amber orbs.
Athrun watched the childhood friends from behind a plum blossom tree. As the two was still embracing, flowers fell from the tree; it blended with the mood of the two people hugging. "She's crying…that guy made her cry…why he? He shall pay." Athrun said
As the two parted, they walked towards a grocery store. Cagalli seemed to have forgotten she still has classes to attend. Athrun, was the same, he just followed the two.
At the grocery store…
"Hey Auel, why did you bring me to the grocery store?" "I'm hungry." As he said that, as if on cue, his stomach growled. "So it seems." She then giggled, he just blushed. "Wait, just a moment ago, she was crying, now she's laughing? Still, he shall pay. Now, for my plan." Athrun said as he kept his eyes on the two.
Athrun grabbed a cereal box that he was going to throw to Auel. Unfortunately, when he threw the cereal box, Auel picked up his handkerchief that fell on the floor, so, the box didn't hit him, instead it hit an old lady. "Oh no…" As Athrun ran for his life, the old lady called the security guard to chase after Athrun. "AAAHHHH!" Athrun shouted, fortunately for him, Cagalli didn't hear him screaming because she was on the other side of the store. "What just happened?" Asked a confused Auel.
After few minutes of their searching for their own respective snacks, Auel and Cagalli met up in the cashier. "Wow Auel, you…you bought so many!" Cagalli's eyes widened as she saw Auel's cart full of snacks, cereal boxes, milk, fruits and of course chocolate! Auel bowed as he said blushing, "I said I was hungry…" Cagalli patted him at the back. "Don't be shy, I just over reacted, by the way, you're the one to pay for my things, okay Auel?" Cagalli pouted like a little child. Auel blushed once more, it seems he can't stop blushing whenever he sees Cagalli, "Oh well…"
Athrun who outran the security guard and the old lady was panting hard, he ran for like two miles. By this time, he would have forgotten about his intention on going to the grocery, but, he was a coordinator, a very smart one, he can't forget things easily. After resting for a while, he searched for them. "Okay, time for action again." He said grinning. "Wait, I forgot what my back-up plan was. Darn!" okay, so, he's forgetful, sometimes…only… still, he didn't lose hope, he still searched for the two, unfortunately, he was being chased for almost an hour which means, the two must have gone somewhere far by now. Athrun bowed his head as a sign of defeat and left the building got return to their beloved school.
After Auel and Cagalli went to the grocery store, they decided to do a walk trip. They just hanged out; questioned one another then Auel asked a very unexpected question to Cagalli. "Um…Cagalli…" he asked not looking at her. "Who was that guy you hugged this morning? Is he…um…kind of your boy…friend?" it was hard for him to ask such question but he had to ask her to ease his senses. "Wh—what?? Are you kidding me? That was my friend, well; we're kinda close, so hugging is not a big deal for us." Cagalli explained while biting a Hershey's chocolate. Auel didn't reply, he was contented with her answer and the silent atmosphere. "Soon…it will be night…you'll be leaving Japan. ……and me…" The last part was softly whispered by Cagalli. "Don't you worry, I will come back. ……to you…" He said the last part with a whisper too.
Then the night came…
As the sun laid to a peaceful slumber, the moon now shone her light and majesty to all with the company of the shining stars.
"I think I have to go back now, mom must be waiting for me ages ago." Auel said as he stood up from the grass. They were beside a lake that they saw when they were walking; they thought it would be a nice spot to talk so they stayed there. Cagalli didn't respond, she was depressed, she would definitely miss these moments they were alone together, it's been so long and this may never occur again…ever.
As she stood up, Auel pulled her into a hug. She then felt her shoulder was becoming wet with what? "Tears? Auel, you're crying? But…why?" "I'll miss you Cagalli, this might never happen again, these times we spent together, I'll definitely miss it. Please, can I have one kiss…from you?" he then looked at her but never letting go of her. She just nodded, her emotions took over. Then, their lips met for a short yet sweet kiss, a sign of love? No, a sign of friendship, that was all it is. As they parted, none of them was blushing, they were just happy with the feel of one another's lips and the company of one another.
"Okay, it's time to go, I'll accompany you Auel until you really are out of my sight." He just smiled; she will be the last person he'll ever see once he left this country.
In the airport…
Suddenly, someone announced, "The flight to United States of America will be leaving in ten minutes." "Okay, Auel, time to leave now. Cagalli, thank you for accompanying us, I hope we didn't bother you." Auel's mom said smiling. "That's okay, Mrs. Neider, it was my choice to accompany you here. I wish you a safe trip." Then she turned to Auel, "You take care now, Auel." She was the one to hug him now. Then Auel opened his mouth to speak but no voice was heard, "I love you Cagalli."
He was now out her sight, then, tears slowly left her eyes falling uncontrollably on her cheeks. "I love you Auel…"
At the plane, Auel felt that tears were forming in his eyes, he fought to stop it from falling, but failed, he just looked at the window with tears falling from his stunning eyes.
"I wonder what's happening now between those two." Athrun thought to himself as he tucked himself to bed for some rest after a very long day.
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A/N: Okay, this was kind of long, well, for me it was long, I hope you liked it! I'll appreciate very much your reviews, whether compliments or flames! Bye then!
