Disclaimer: Sadly, I still don't own anything – although I really, really wish I do – which wouldn't really change a thing.
Chapter Nine
Normal P.O.V.
"Damn. Will there be no end to the requests?!" Seichi exclaimed in exasperation. The band was allowed to take a half-an-hour break after their first seven songs and there was still a basket full of pieces of papers with song requests left untouched.
Takashi slumped on one of the chairs near the stage where they were allowed to rest. "I blame it on these two guys' popularity." He shot both Syaoran and Rai a weak glare – which was the only act of annoyance his present strength allowed him to do.
Rai stood with two hands on his pockets – a signature stance. "What? At least now we know that if we ever do make it to the music business, we'd have fans."
"You two would." Takashi sighed. "I seriously need a girlfriend."
"Oi Syaoran-kun, where are you going?" Seichi asked Syaoran who was heading towards another part of the lobby.
Syaoran shrugged. "To get a drink." He left without another word.
Seichi grinned. "Hey Rai."
Rai rolled his eyes. "I know, baka."
Takashi looked from Seichi's beaming face to Rai's irked one. Was there something I missed?
O.O.O.O.O
Syaoran's P.O.V.
I walked towards the most beautiful person in the room thinking to myself how much I was risking by even attempting to talk to her. I knew she didn't like being regarded as a girl – or at least something to that extent. But how could I not when she looked the way she did? Of course, that didn't change the fact that I still have to try not to gawk at her like a drooling fool.
"Who dressed you, queer girl?" I grinned. That was a good start. At least I didn't go all gentleman on her.
She scowled. That was a good response too. "Would you believe me if I told you that I dressed myself up?"
I thought about for a moment. Not a chance. I shook my head. "I probably would if you came in a pirate costume."
She smacked my arm. I probably deserved that. "Hmp. Fine. Hiiragizawa-senpai had one of his maids dress me up. Could you believe it? Another rich, cocky, bastard in the house."
At that point, you couldn't blame me for laughing as hard as I did. "Who's the other one?" I didn't know if I pulled off the innocent act.
"Like you don't know who." She looked at me with an expression that I could not comprehend. That probably did it. I mean, what was with that face of hers anyway? She and her weird expressions.
I smiled. I could practically feel my teasing façade fading away. I wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. The only way to know for sure is to take my chances.
I'm wondering the streets in a world underneath it all.
But nothing seems to be, nothing tastes as sweet as what I can't have
– like you and the way that you're twisting you hair round you finger.
Tonight I'm not afraid to tell you what I feel about you.
Teddy Geiger's song was exactly the kind of music I needed. Well, at least it went well with my mood.
Repositioning the mask over my eyes with one hand, I offered her the other.
She stared at me with what I assumed was a look of mixed confusion and innocence.
I chuckled. "What? You can dance right?" Actually, I was a little afraid she would turn me down…
O.O.O.O.O
Sakura's P.O.V.
I stared at Li's open hand in front of me. What was I supposed to do with it?
"What? You can dance right?" I must've looked like an idiot 'cause he was laughing. (Okay, just chuckling.)
Should I say yes or something? Although, I wasn't sure what it was that I saw reflecting in his eyes. Doubt? Nervousness? Yeah right, as if he was even capable of those feelings.
Nevertheless, I took his hand and he led me to the dance floor without another word.
God, I swear something was wrong with me tonight 'cause I suddenly found it incredibly hard to breathe! And who ever turned the air-conditioner off? Is it getting hot in here or what? Damn. Breathe… In, out. In, out.
Li placed my left hand on his shoulder and held my right hand with his. We swayed slowly in tune with the rhythm of the music.
I practically kept my head down and would've even glued it to my chest if I could. I had no idea why but I just couldn't look at him in the eye. I think I was afraid of what I might see in them.
He was holding me so close that I could smell his perfume. It smelled so nice. I knew it would forever be imprinted on my memory now on – the kind that would instantly remind me of him whenever and wherever I would catch the scent of it.
"Why are you so stiff, queer girl?" Why would it even matter "why"?
"I am not stiff." I gave it my best to sound sure of myself. "It's this dress that's making it so hard to move."
He was silent for a moment – thinking, perhaps. I wasn't sure what he could possibly be thinking about.
"You were dancing perfectly just a moment ago with Hiiragizawa-senpai, you know."
Um… so? I looked up to him for the first time. He wasn't looking at me but was staring blankly to possibly a far corner of the lobby. Man, I swear this guy had been so hard to read. I thought I had their species all figured out. I mean, I could read Hiiragizawa-senpai, Okina-senpai and all the others pretty well. There was the exemption of Mikage-senpai… But still.
I unintentionally flinched when his piercing eyes made contact with mine. They were firm – strong. Again I got the feeling that his eyes were swallowing me whole.
"Ne, Kinomoto…"
I looked at him with curiosity. This would be the first time that I will have such a serious conversation with him. At least I was assuming that this would be a serious one. Then again, I wasn't really sure because this is Li we're talking about.
He took a deep breath. "You know…" He let it hang again.
I just couldn't contain myself and watch him like this. What happened to the "cocky bastard"? What happened to that annoyingly arrogant Li that I have grown to really like? Oops… Wait. Hold up for just one minute! I did not just think that, okay? Okay.
"Spit it out Li." This time, I looked at him with unwavering eyes.
Not that I would admit it, but there was this very, very small voice within me that was practically screaming at him. C'mon Li. Just say you like me and get it over with! Say you like me too.
O.O.O.O.O
Syaoran's P.O.V.
I was taken aback by how strong her gaze held me. I was still contemplating on whether to actually tell her how I find her so interesting and fun to be with – whether to tell her I like her… a lot – or to just keep my mouth shut.
Whatever I choose, there would be pros and cons.
If I decide to tell her, I would get one of three possible reactions. One, she would never talk to me again and I would have accept the fact that I was too much of a loser to deserve her; two, she would take it as a joke; or three, if everything really goes well – which, chances are, the one with the least probability of happening – she would smile at me with those sparkling green eyes and say that she feels the exact, same way.
On the other hand, if I decide not to say anything, I would be able to keep our relationship the way it was now but somebody might beat me to the punch and I would lose her just like Okina-senpai suggested. Who knew that guy could make so much sense?
I would have to choose the lesser of two evils. Which was?
I took another deep breath, the sweet smell of her hair filling my nostrils. There was something about it that was quite hypnotic. It wasn't helping at all.
"Sakura, I…"
And then T-Pain's voice rang in my ears. What about the mood I was going for?
Kinomoto removed the hand that was on my shoulder. Her face was expressionless. She led me out of the dance floor. Although, I kinda liked how she didn't remove her other hand from mine. So, what now? I just couldn't let it end this way, now could I? Be a man. Be a man…
I held on to her hand tighter, stopping her from her tracks. She looked at me with curiosity.
"Sakura." I made sure she heard me perfectly amidst the loud, unfitting music of T-Pain and Flo Rida. "I…"
O.O.O.O.O
Sakura's P.O.V.
"Sakura I…" Was he really going to say it?
I held my breath. Part of me really wanted him to say that he liked me. Why? Don't ask. I had no idea why.
The feeling was something new to me. I had been around boys for, well, forever. I lived with a brother and a father and when I went to school, I instantly got along with most of the guys (not the girls). It went on 'til junior high and high school. And now that I was in college, I still hang out with guys. So when I started to feel awkward around Li, I didn't know what to make of it.
Maybe I do like him. Maybe even like, like him…
Mmmmmmmm…
Let me talk to 'em.
Let me talk to 'em.
Damn T-Pain, I cursed in thought. We couldn't sway to the danceable beat of the song now, could we?
I removed my hand from his shoulder and led him out of the dance floor, my right hand still holding his left. I could tell that he was annoyed by the sudden change of music too. Funny.
Next time, he might be able to say something. Such a nice thought – "next time"…
Suddenly, his grip on my hand got tighter, which made me stop and turn to face him.
"Sakura." That was the second time he called me by my first name. Was this really happening?
At that moment, I couldn't even hear the song anymore. It was like my ears could only hear his voice and the fast beat of my heart that was beyond my control. And of course, there was that small, small voice again urging him to continue.
"I li–"
The sound of a phone ringing cut him off and made me release the air that I was holding in. Damn my phone to hell! Of all the times it could be ringing, why now? Why not yesterday? Or later? Or better yet, tomorrow?!
I sighed.
He sighed.
"You should answer it. It could be important."
I gave him a weak smile before fumbling for the god-damned gadget that I was keeping in the secret pocket the unbelievably heavy dress had. I flipped it open half-heartedly.
"Mo–" My eyes were as wide as saucers when I realized who was at the other end. I knew the voice all too well that it only took me a split second to process. "-nii-chan?!" Oh Kami-sama, this means he's in Japan! He never called unless he was already in the country.
Gah… Hell is going to break loose soon.
A/N: A million thanks to those who reviewed! I'm super happy that you guys read my work. As they say (they being my language professor – who wouldn't really count as a "they" but only a mere "she". But what the heck? "They" sounds more believable. lol.) – "Like a speaker needs his listeners, a writer needs readers to be really considered as a writer." (Or something like that… lol)
Oh, and the songs I used here were "For You I Will (Confidence)" by Teddy Geiger and "Low by Flo Rida and T-Pain.
Short chapter. Then again, I want to keep it that way.
So, Touya is coming! And Syaoran didn't get to tell her lol.
Soon guys, I promise.
Hope you enjoyed this.
R&R please, and no flames. ^_^
Chapter 10 – Touya meets Syaoran. Dun dun dun… and the other guys of course! lol
Ja.
