A/N: I deleted the poll, in case you didn't notice. I will probably do the first chapter in the upcoming months. Will write it when I'm horny or something. :X
Comments:
Kingsoldier: hehe i'm too lazy to review, just to say i have read your story. oh, and dont look at me like a god, haha
Moosashi/Eclair: Constructive reviews :D I greatly appreciate. Moosashi: isn't that what romance is about, haha. Eclair: you pointed a talent i, myself never knew :O oh and everyone hates Penny, for sure. I will assure you that you will definitely hate this chapter too.
10th chapter, 2000 views, 22 reviews.
Thanks for all the support you guys have given me.
*For an easier time for both me and the reader, I do use internet memes. If you don't understand what the hell I am talking about, Google is there, Yahoo is there, Bing is there, Wikipedia is (always)there, urbandictionary is there, or if you want you can use . As you can see, the internet is wonderful.
"That's right, I will destroy their relationship."
"You may have won the deal, but it's what counts in the end."
"You may have also won his heart, but it's what counts in the end."
"And in the end, I will win everything."
"And in the end, you will be in ruin."
"That's right, I have planned it all."
Lifelessly on the bed, he stared at the ceiling.
"Tia….", he mumbled to himself.
I'm confused.. why do I feel this way towards her? We are friends right? Why is it.. that I get this notion that 'that' thing is developing inside both of us? It's so interesting.. I wonder what it's called?
Zatch tried to recall, and reached a disturbing conclusion.
No, no! I don't want to be in love! Especially not with Tia! I mean.. she is my friend.. right? Friends shouldn't be in love.. but she told me she loved me. So this is how it feels to be.. in love? Am I really in love?..
Zatch pondered for minutes.
That's right.. Tia knew my feelings all along; she even said not to deny my feelings for her. She is a reliable person.. but, can I really do this? Should I even.. be her.. boyfriend? I really dislike that word.. I don't know why. I want to make her happy, but..?
Zatch tried to deny that fact.
Maybe I don't love her; maybe she was wrong. I think.. I like her, BUT only just that little bit.
Of course, deep down inside, Zatch knew he loved Tia; it was his child-like nature that prevented that fact.
I guess I will tell her how I feel, and Tia can help me with this. I don't like to be always bombarded by so.. disturbing thoughts.
That's right! I've got to meet Tia at the garden in the morning.
Zatch arrived early, and due to his hyperactive nature, went to observe the peaceful surrounding.
"Zatch.."
A familiar voice.
"What are you so interested at?"
Tia leaned forward, with her hands behind her back. Zatch noticed she wasn't in her usual clothing; this time she wore a sleeveless skirt-like pajama. Zatch stared at amazement..
..beautiful..
Tia looked back at him inquisitively, and gave him a confused look.
..yet innocent and cute..
"..Zatch? Something wrong with you today?"
"Ah! Um.. sorry.."
Tia pulled out a cup of hot chocolate from her hand.
"Come on, let's sit."
Zatch, of course, followed suit.
"So, Tia, what did you ask me here for?"
"Oh, nothing in particular.. just maybe.."
Tia was unwilling to continue, but with a purpose. She was looking at Zatch, hoping he would help complete the sentence.
"I'm just a typical girl, can't you read my mind?"
"You want to..?"
Tia 'facepalmed' herself.
"Never mind, forget what I said."
"Alright.. oh! Tia, you wanna go out later?"
"Woah, now that's a big surprise. Why the late reply, Zatch?"
"R-Really? Then, let's go!"
Those words lifted up her spirits for the rest of the day, and a big smile hung on her face. Unconsciously, she returned to drink from the cup of hot chocolate.
But she found out it was depleted. D:
"I think I'm going home now, my parents can be.. well you know."
"W-Wait! No, no.. can you come back soon? I need to tell you something important.."
Tia was in absolute shock.
"Is it what I think it is?"
She managed out an 'alright!' with her blushing face. Tia rushed back home, and after taking a refill, she returned back to the garden, finding Zatch still sitting at the bench.
"Alright Tia, calm down.."
She tried to walk over as calm as possible, and sat on the bench.
Whilst taking a sip of the hot chocolate, Zatch tugged her hand, and Tia turned over as a response.
"Here it comes.."
"Tia, I think I like you!"
She immediately spat out her drink.
"Z-ZATCH! WHAT THE HELL! CAN YOU BE MORE ROMANTIC?"
"WHAT DID I DO WRO-"
His voice was cut out by her hands.
"DO YOU WANT TO CHOKE ME TO DEATH, HUH?"
"Agggh, no… Tia.."
Tia released her grip, and pretended to be still pissed about the situation. She turned her head away from him, facing the lush green trees.
"Tch. You are the worst kind of boyfriend ever."
"T-T-TIA! How could you say that.."
"I'm just saying. Only a GOOD boyfriend would kiss me on the cheeks to cheer me up, wouldn't he?"
Having said that, Tia resumed to drinking her hot chocolate.
"Nu.."
Tia emphasized much on the 'good', trying to tease the boy. Yet, on the other hand, she hoped to get a response from him; of course, she believed that her subliminal message would not get through.
A soft, tender, and warm feeling enclosed a certain part of her cheek..
..and it responded with a flushed, red tinge.
Zatch tried hard to please Tia. For the first time, he felt a rush of blood at the sides of his mouth. He could see Tia stopping all other bodily motion, except placing her hand onto the spot he had just kissed.
"Tia.."
The couple lay in silence for a few moments.
Tia extended her hand to reach for the boy's, while having her cup still in her hand. She placed her palm onto his, and locked his hand firmly with her fingers; Zatch did the same.
The still blushing couple continued until there was no more hot chocolate left..
..even so they both did not want to let go.
"I'm late.." , Zatch muttered under his breath.
He had just finished with his kingly chores and was dashing to the desired spot where he was supposed to meet Tia.
"A few more turns and I should be able to meet her.."
Yet the girl he saw was not the cheerful scarlet-haired princess.
But rather a demon-faced turquoise ghost stood in his path.
"..Penny, I don't have time for this.."
The girl would not take such a response.
"We have to talk things out."
"No! Penny, you don't understand, not right now.."
"I said, we have to TALK THINGS OUT!"
Zatch was stunned at the ferocity and the graveness of her voice. He took a few steps away from her..
"Zatch, can't you understand? You only belong with me."
"…, I don't love you.."
Zatch said with a sympathetic voice.
"Hah! Then I suppose you love that Tia bitch?"
In contrast, Penny replied with arrogance. He looked at Penny with burning eyes, and grabbed her by her clothes.
"DON'T YOU DARE INSULT HER! THE PERSON WHO DOESN'T UNDERSTAND IS YOU!"
"SHUT UP! WHAT DOES SHE HAVE THAT I DON'T! I GAVE YOU WHATEVER I HAD; I SACRIFICED MY POSITION TO BECOME QUEEN JUST FOR YOU!"
Zatch knew what he wanted to say, but he was afraid that those words may break the already fragile heart of hers. He understood that Penny harbored an enormous love for him, and she had given him everything that was important to her, but Zatch could not make himself love her back.
He knew that he had to say those words..
"Penny, you are.."
He tried to shut his eyes, hoping it would help muster some courage.
"..really, very selfish.."
He hung his head heavily.
"…"
Penny was in tears. Could she have been wrong? Was she being selfish instead of generous? She begged to differ, but the evidence was there.
Penny came to realization that she was selfish. But still, who cares? All she wanted is his love.
"I'm selfish, ain't I?"
Zatch tilted his head up, hoping she could come to her senses.
"Hahaha.. If you can't love me, then.. I will have to force you to love me.."
It was starting to pour. Raindrops gently tapped her scalp, and she looked up into the grey sky.
"Why isn't he here yet?.."
Raindrops were gradually getting more frequent and heavier; yet she continued to sit on the bench, waiting..
She was drenched, and Tia decided it was time to seek shelter. Furious and disappointed, she darted back to the palace compound. Just as she was storming back to her home, she saw..
"Penny! You can't force anyone to love you.. that's.. wrong.."
However, Zatch was not one to control her ideology. Penny reached for his neck, and pulled his head towards hers. They ended with their lips interlocked for a long 20 seconds..
..long enough for Tia to witness.
..too long for Zatch to handle.
As he saw a teary-faced Tia dash out of the palace, the flashbacks came to him.
It seemed like it was yesterday.
It seemed that he had made the same mistake again.
It seemed that he failed to protect the person he loved the most…
He broke free of Penny's control, and chased after her in the rain.
But the rain had already concealed her in its mist; she was already gone.
A/N: Unfortunately, the temptation to announce my 10th chapter, is too great. So now I'm gonna fail all my exams :P Nah, don't worry, I'm not Zatch, I can do maths.
Once again, thank you all readers. And in case you were so afraid that this chapter was the epilogue, fear not, the ending will be in some 8 chapters (or so) away.
Penny-bash button below