Here's Chapter Eight. Please R&R, which I really do appreciate. I take it to heart.

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Gundam Seed/Destiny :(

Chapter Huit- Identity Theft?!

The days progressively passed by, day by day and Cagalli's father continued to badger her about the missing necklace. As routine called for, she woke to attend Heliopolis Academy. But, today was quite different from the other days, and Cagalli never would have expected this.

As every morning started she brewed a warm coffee in the kitchen, then toasted and buttered a piece of seedless rye bread. Her father had already left for work, and Cagalli poured the warm liquid into a paper cup and covered it.

She gathered together her books for school, and drove to the academy while nibbling on her toast and sipping her coffee. The silence got to her, and Cagalli turned on the radio.

Once arriving at school she met up with Lacus and Kira. But now occurred the most peculiar thing. A girl with short golden hair, and brown colored eyes was accompanying Athrun, gripping his arm possessively.

Cagalli couldn't help but try and figure out the situation. "Cagalli, what are you-" Lacus paused and glanced to see the mysterious girl.

"Oh my god…" Lacus clamped her mouth shut with her hand, and Kira was as puzzled as Cagalli was.

"What is it Lacus?" Kira attempted to console her. Even though it was evident that it was shocking to see Athrun with another woman, Lacus was shocked about something else.

"Kira. Don't you recognize her?" Lacus hissed, pointing at the girl with horror. Kira frowned and slowly turned his gaze back on the female.

He stared for a long moment, "I don't think so- wait… is that?" He froze.

"Mia." The two said at once. Mia, was a nonexistent person to Cagalli, for the exception that this girl had 'stolen' her crush.

"What did she do to her hair? And are those contacts?" Lacus said hastily, Kira looked shocked and he was struck speechless.

"Mia?" Cagalli asked.

"Mia Campbell. She's my cousin Cagalli." Lacus said.

During homeroom Cagalli received a school newspaper, the headlines were different than the club had planned. It read: Cinderella Found? On the cover of the paper was a photograph of Athrun and Mia holding hands.

The girl was wearing Cagalli's prized possession, her necklace. After class Cagalli went to lunch and met up with Lacus.

"Look Cagalli, I'm going to talk to her okay?" Lacus spoke, worriedly patting her friend's shoulder.

Cagalli was more horrified than anything, not registering anything at first. Kira looked concerned as well.

Later that day, during the evening Lacus called, "Cagalli its me. I need you to come over right away."

The blonde dressed quickly, changing out of her pajamas and pulling on a jacket and sneakers. She retrieved her car keys and headed out the door, managing to sneak past her father's watchful eyes.

Cagalli drove over to Lacus' house, and paused in front of the mansion, ringing the doorbell. Lacus pulled the door open, grabbed Cagalli's arm, and dragged her inside.

"Lacus what-" Cagalli began.

"Shh!" Lacus hushed, closed the door behind her best friend and urged Cagalli up the stairs and into her bedroom.

"I spoke to Mia." Lacus started.

"And?" Cagalli questioned.

"Well, here. She gave me this." Lacus dropped the Athha emblem into her friend's outstretched hands.

"Thank god." Cagalli said, exhaling and smiling.

"Cagalli, you know that she's pretending to be you? Athrun gave her the necklace. He thinks she's his dream girl." The pink-haired girl said.

Cagalli took a deep breath and released it. "Look Lacus, I had my one night. I'm not rich… and I don't have the kind of money that Mia has. I had my fun, and now its time to come back to reality."

"Cagalli! What are you saying?!" Lacus grabbed Cagalli's shoulders and shook her.

"This isn't some minor crush that you'll get over Cagalli. I know it. You love him don't you?! And if you're going to let him go, well, that's your decision. But it's mine too. I care about you Cagalli, and I'm not about to let this opportunity of true love slip right through your fingers. Not right in front of my eyes. This is a once in a lifetime chance, I found mine, and now it's your turn."

Cagalli fell silent, as the words sank in and pretty soon her mind was reeling in a state of confusion.

"Cagalli, we're best friends. I'm not going to let you make a mistake you'll regret for the rest of your life. So please… if you won't do it for you, do if for me, and Athrun." Lacus said.

"I just… I don't know…" Cagalli murmured. Tears bubbled up in her eyes, then started to drip down her cheeks.

"Oh, Cagalli…" Lacus embraced her friend and comforted her. "Please. Don't give him up. Just don't."

Cagalli went home that night, and removed her jacket and shoes. She slumped onto her bed and sighed, staring up at the ceiling.

"Do I really love him? Or is it a crush? What do I do…?" Cagalli rubbed her eyes and sighed deeply.

She rubbed her temples attempting to push back these thoughts for the moment and get some sleep.

"Cagalli!" There was a knock on her door. "Where were you?" Her father yelled.

"Please… I don't need this right now…" Cagalli murmured under her breath.

Uzumi Nara Athha opened the door, and came inside. "Your room is a mess Cagalli. You better clean this up. As long as you live in my house you live by my-" He paused in his lecture when he saw his daughter was in a miserable state.

Her father took a short breath, and sat. "Cagalli, tell me… is something wrong? You've been acting really out of character lately." He took her hand and looked at his daughter with sympathy, like a true father would.

"I think I'll be okay." Cagalli said, softly.

"Sometimes things don't work out the way we want them to Cagalli. But all we can do is make a decision and move forward, then hope for the best. That's the only way we can find the true answers we're looking for." He said.

"Whatever is getting to you will eventually pass Cagalli. But it will never go away if you don't do something about it. So make the best decision you can, and use what you already have to help you. I've taught you discipline, and I trust you to make the right decision." Uzumi kissed his daughter on the forehead and pat her on the arm.

Then he stood up and turned to leave the room.

"Father?" She called before he left.

"Yes Cagalli?" He paused.

"Thank-you… I love you." Cagalli said, feeling much better, as a resolution filled her mind.

"I love you too."

-R&R please!!! And by the way, I don't have anything against Mia or anything Sorry about that, I just couldn't think of anyone else to use and I didn't want to make up my own character, like Keyline again. Anyway… I'm still looking for more opinions on Shinn's date. By the way, I'd be glad to hear anyone's opinions on other coupling ideas. So long for now :) And have a HaPpy EaStEr EvErYbOdY!!!!!