Title: An Odd love story
Summary: Have you ever fallen in love with your best friend's sibling? This is a story in which Syaoran is Touya's best friend. He falls in love with Touya's sister, Sakura. Will Touya agree with his best friend's feelings? Will Sakura love Syaoran the way he loves her?
Rating: T
Genre: Romance/Suspense
Ages: (Right now) Sakura: 18 Syaoran: 23
Dedication: This fiction is dedicated to all my best friends!!!
Chapter 10:
---One week later---
---Sakura's POV----
"It is very important in communication…" Blah, Blah, Blah… Frankly, right now, I don't care what's important in communication.
These are the times when I would prefer being born to an ancient era, than born to this modern era. Least they didn't have to listen to these boring university lectures.
You know the expression, 'I can see your lips moving but all I'm getting is blah, blah, blah.' Well I never realized how true that can be until I came to university. Even my classes at high school weren't this bad because at least then there was the chance of interaction with the teacher and we were usually given something to do rather than just sitting there. I sighed heavily and began squiggling on the corner of my lecture notes. My notes were just a load of scribbles that I'd scribbled down so that I wouldn't walk out of the lecture with nothing. Nope, I would proudly walk out with notes that I wouldn't be able to read tomorrow, great.
The guy next to me appeared to be asleep, lucky fellow! I don't blame him!
"When a carrier wave is amplitude-modulated, the proportionality constant is made equal to unity, and the instantaneous modulating voltage variations are superimposed onto the carrier amplitude…"
Wow! I actually heard each word distinctly! I flipped the pages of my text book to the part concerning Frequency Spectrum of the AM Wave and looked to see what the lecturer was talking about. Unfortunately my enthusiasm ended there. My focus on the lecture drifted off again and I found myself looking at the clock, and then noting that we had fifteen minutes left of the lecture.
I know they were going to be the longest fifteen minutes in history of time. I sighed and propped my chin up with my hands as I gazed, unfocusedly, at the lecturer. My thoughts drifted from lecturer to Syaoran. He has been avoiding me since a week, after that 'romantic episode' with him. I wonder what has got into him. I wanted answers. What was he thinking while he was holding me? Why is he avoiding me now? And does he miss me as much as I miss him?
"The equation of an amplitude-modulated wave contains three terms…"
There was a long pause in which I focused back on what was going on. The lecturer appeared to be staring right at me!
In panic I looked down at the book and saw that the passage he was referring to was at the top of the page my book was opened to. As I looked back up the lecturer continued, "Well perhaps the man asleep in the back row could tell us all about it as he obviously has enough of a grasp of this to not pay attention!"
For a moment I was simply relieved that he wasn't catching me out on my dreaming state but then, as people in the lecture started staring and sniggering, I began to feel bad for the poor guy next to me.
I nudged him sneakily with my elbow causing him to jerk awake and gaze sleepily around the lecture hall.
"Ah, I see you've emerged from your slumber, how kind of you, majesty. Would you be able to tell us all the answer to my question?"
What a boorish prick that lecturer is!
The guy next to me stiffened and starting going red and the professor should really have accepted that he was the winner and moved on but he continued to look expectantly up at the back row.
Feeling a bit uneasy at the uncomfortable silence and the unfriendly looks being shot up towards me I waited until the lecturer looked pointedly at the clock and shoved my text book across the desks so it rested in front of the poor unfortunate next to me.
"There." I whispered pointing at the passage in my book that he was supposed to know. To his credit he immediately caught on and, without even seeming to read from my book, he quoted perfectly,
"The equation of an amplitude-modulated wave contains three terms. The first term represents the unmodulated carrier. It is apparent that the process of amplitude modulation has the effect of adding to the unmodulated wave, rather than changing it. The two additional terms produced are the two sidebands - the frequency of the lower sideband is (fc – fm), and the frequency of the upper sideband is (fc + fm)."
This wasn't a boring topic as I thought!
The professor pursed his lips looking extremely disappointed and snapped, "Well that's the paragraph, yes, but you won't have your friend pointing out the appropriate parts of the textbook in the exam so I suggest you try and pay more attention in my lectures in future."
The guy next to me nodded penitently and murmured a "Sorry."
I flushed at being included in the criticism and bowed my head over my notes to avoid the continued stares of my fellow classmates.
Finally the end of the lecture came and I quickly gathered the stuff off my desk and into my bag. Being in the back row I managed to escape the majority of the crush as people virtually stampeded in their desire to leave the lecture hall. Throwing my bag onto my back I turned onto the path which led down to the large library which was situated in the middle of campus. I needed a bit of research for my assignment which is due on Monday but after that, it was the weekend for me.
I was just considering what I was going to do over the weekend since Syaoran was not talking to me. May be I should confront him and ask what his problem was. Hmm.. Yeah I will do it or may be Nakuru can do it for me!
I heard someone shout, "Hey!" Behind me.
I turned my head to see if the shout was directed at me and saw the guy who had been asleep in the lecture dashing down the path towards me.
"Wait up!" He called and so I stopped although I wasn't sure it was me he was talking to. Barely a second later after his arrival, he was panting, next to me. "God, you walk fast!" He exclaimed with a wide grin as he pushed some floppy hair out of his eyes.
I shrugged self consciously. "I guess." I said eyeing him somewhat suspiciously.
Seeming to sense my confusion he thrust something at me and, looking down, I saw that it was my textbook. I had completely forgotten that he had it in my haste to leave the hall.
"Oh!" I said in recognition. "Thanks." I took the book and pushed it into my already-full bag.
"No, thank you!" He objected, "You saved my life back there. Professor Kuromi is an old bug."
"I totally agree." I smiled. "But it was nothing, honestly."
He lifted his eyebrows unbelievingly. "I bet not many of those students we share that lecture with would have helped me out. I'm Rhys by the way." He held out his hand and, after only a tiny little pause, I took it.
"I'm Sakura."
"Nice to meet you, Sakura. Hey, listen, do you have to rush off somewhere now or do you have time to let me buy you a thank you coffee?"
I opened my mouth to decline but then I hesitated as I thought it over. Why was I immediately going to say no? He seemed like a nice guy and there couldn't be any harm in getting a drink with him.
Noting my hesitation he said, "Hey, if you're busy I totally understand. It's just that that was my last class of the day and I'm meeting up with a friend in about an hour so I have some time to spent."
I liked the way he gave me an excuse so I could get out of it if I wanted. Very gentleman like. Switching into my somewhat abandoned flirty mode I put my hands on my hips. "Oh so I'm just a break, is that it?" I teased.
He glanced at me as if to check that I was joking and, seeing my smile, he nodded vigorously.
"Yep, I'm afraid so. You saw right through my plot, young lady."
"Well," I sighed deeply then laughed, "Make it a smoothie instead of a coffee and you're on."
"Great." He smiled widely again and I found myself grinning back.
We started walking slowly towards the University café bitching about the long, long lecture we had just suffered through as we did so. He explained that he'd fallen asleep not only because the lecture was boring but also because he'd been up most of the night watching Jackie Chan movie marathon on Star Movies.
"Oh my God, you watched them all last night!" I exclaimed in amazement and admiration.
"I was just going to tape it but then I got sucked in and I'd be dammed if I was going to go to bed just to make Professor Kuromi happy."
There was a pause after he said this as I tried desperately to bite back a smile and he turned a brilliant shade of red.
"That did not come out right!" He said hurriedly, even his ears were practically glowing red.
"I should hope not!" I choked out. "Otherwise suspicions may arise as to how you're passing first year electronics!"
We laughed together and I was warmed by the fact that he could laugh at himself and not offended by my comments even though we'd only just met.
Arriving at the café I ordered a mango smoothie and, after Rhys insisted on paying, we snagged a table near the window.
I took a moment as we both settled ourselves and took the first sips of our drinks to study him. He wasn't good-looking really. His nose was quite long, his ears stuck out a bit too much and, although I've heard some women find it attractive, his black hair and pale, white skin just didn't do it for me. However, he was friendly and open and had a great smile which made up for a lot.
Sensing that the pause, I searched for something to say. Before I had time to think of anything, however, Rhys brought up the paper we had to hand in next week and soon we were, once again, happily involved in conversation.
It was good to talk to someone about university. All my close friends were doing master degrees in other departments and the friends I'd made in Electronics all turned out to be the sort of people who didn't turn up to lectures.
Time flew by as we chatted. Rhys was incredibly easy going, fun to talk to and, probably because he knew it was his best feature, he smiled a lot making me feel as if I was a truly entertaining and interesting person to talk to.
"Hey Sakura," He said suddenly. "What are you doing today night? Becoz the cinema near here is doing a Jackie Chan marathon."
"Really?" I asked, perking up immediately. "New ones or old ones? They can't possibly do them all!"
"Old I think." He replied, grinning at my excited response. "So what do you say? Shall we go?"
"Yeah! Oh, actually, hang on." I don't know why, but Syaoran came into my mind. "Um Rhys." I said cautiously. "You mean just as friends, yeah?"
His happy expression weakened slightly but then he seemed to recover and he grinned. "Well, since you have asked, I would have to say that I definitely mean just as friends."
God it was awkward. I was determined to make him understand because I didn't want to lose him as a friend before we'd even properly got to know each other.
"I'm sorry." I said quickly. "I have known you only for a few hours. That's why."
"Hey, that's cool." Rhys said reassuringly. "But we can be friends, right?"
"Of course." I said, relieved he was being so cool about it.
"So your address?"
I wrote it down in a paper and gave it to him.
"I will pick you around 5.30," He said. "Well now that's settled I'm going to be awfully rude and leave you alone here, but I really have to go now."
I smiled at Rhys and said sweetly, "It's ok. I'll see you later. Thanks for the smoothie."
"Anytime, and I mean that. Thanks again for saving me from Professor Kuromi's hands."
---Syaoran's POV----
I was nearly floored, when I saw Sakura for the first time after a very very long time. She was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, as well as the most innocent one too. I was hoping that in spite of her looks, she would have end being a bitch or slut. It would sure make it easier for me, so that I wouldn't have thoughts of running my hands through her auburn hair. Or, touching the outline of her lips!
But no, I soon found out Sakura was just the same old 11 year old petite girl, I was always familiar with. No change in her sweet behaviour that would conquer anybody's heart.
To be honest, Sakura and I had renewed our connection the second we meet. It was a weird feeling for me, because I felt comfortable around her knowing that I wasn't the most social person. Sakura and I spent hours watching TV together, discussing books, and talking till the early morning hours. Sadly, I had to go back home urgently for few days. That's when I came to know how much I was depending on her company.
And suddenly when I was alone with her - after missing her severely for few days - I couldn't control my hormones. Now, for the first time in my life, I have acted like a pervert.
To me, Touya was like a God calling me at the accurate point. If he hasn't called me then I seriously don't know what I would have done. But the scary part was that he called me to ask whether I was messing with his little sister. WEIRD!!! I don't know how that guy guessed that. But I know one thing, I have feelings for her, but at the same time, I didn't want to lose my best friend. Never!
So, I have been avoiding Sakura for the next week or so. I couldn't stand to be around her feeling how horrible friend I was. Everything Touya did for me and everything he said to me, at least I should be grateful for such a friend. Friends didn't cheat on each other - that's my basic principle.
It was hard to avoid Sakura. I started to spend long hours in the library making the excuse that I was studying. And, when I was at the apartment when she was, I would remain invisible in my room or go downstairs to hang out with Yue. I would spend hours reading at the bookstore, looking for any activity to past the time. I was sure Sakura was noticing my odd behaviour by now. Especially because I was missing our daily college walks as I would leave 15 minutes earlier than usual.
Truth was I missed her company. I had become dependent on her the few weeks I had lived with her. Everyday that I wouldn't talk to her became more painful for me.
At home on Friday evening, Nakuru and I dug through our movie collection, trying to find an appropriate family movie, because Touya wanted to have a 'family-movie-night'. By family, he means – me, Touya, Sakura and Nakuru. That's when Sakura, walked out of her room, wearing a red Chinese silk top looking almost stunning.
I know I was supposed to ignore her, but accidentally I spoke out, "You look nice."
'Shit!! Cant you say something more than just nice.'
She whirled to face me, her hair half up, pins falling from her hands. "Thanks," She said in disbelief.
"Not just nice, gaki. She looks stunning," Nakuru corrected.
At that moment Touya emerged out of his room, "Sakura have you seen my -" he caught sight of Sakura and stopped short. "So where the hell are you going?" He said coldly.
"I should have told you earlier, Touya. Sorry that I forgot. I'm going to the pictures with a friend of mine."
Nakuru chuckled and rolled her eyes. "I think we'll manage today's movie night without you."
Touya and I looked at her unbelievingly and she grinned more and said, "She had told me earlier."
Sakura went to Touya and hugged him and asked, "Sorry I didn't ask you earlier, but will you let me go for now. Please."
There was a loud knock at the door and we started in surprise.
"He's early? Could you let him in, Touya?" Sakura exclaimed turning back to the mirror and attempting to finish the elaborate knotty thing in her hair.
Touya shot me an indecipherable look, then yanked open the door. The guy looked slightly surprised at the force with which the door had been flung open and I could tell that he hadn't expected Touya to be answering his knock. Moreover he hadn't expected me or Nakuru in the same room.
Touya was doing the typical protective brother look which included the narrowed eyes, the straightened shoulders, frowned lips and a body language stating that 'I-don't-like-you'.
"Hey, I'm Rhys," the guy said coolly to Touya.
"Sakura, this guy doesn't even have a vowel in his name," Touya retorted ignoring Rhys's introduction. Nakuru grinned at his comment and Rhys, he was surprised.
"Hey." I replied for Touya unenthusiastically.
"Oh for Gods sake!" She laughed. "Enough already!" She grabbed the two short black chopsticks she'd had ready and jammed them through her bun to keep it in place. "Let's go."
She grabbed her bag and headed over to where Rhys was standing. As she sailed past me she whispered, "It's not a date." I lessened the rigidity of my body and released the breathe, I was holding for sometime.
"Bye guys." She called out cheerily before she shut the door firmly behind us.
"I better follow them," Touya said grabbing his jacket.
"What!!" Nakuru and I gasped.
"She won't know it. I promise. I'm taking your car, Syaoran," he opened and shut the door silently behind us. We stood there in confusion for a while, not knowing whether to support him or not.
Once we were out of our confusion state, I grabbed a bottle of beer from the fridge while Nakuru pushed some movie into the DVD player. My heart was aching and I hated this feeling. But personally I was glad she whispered, 'it's not date' to me. If she hadn't said that I might have followed Sakura like Touya did.
"How do you feel, gaki?" Nakuru asked me knocking me out of my trauma, before grabbing a glass of water and joining me on the couch.
"My name's Syaoran, not gaki," I retorted. I don't want her to annoy me when I was in bad mood.
"So how do you feel?" She grinned at me.
"What?"
"I saw your face when Sakura said 'I'm going to the pictures with a friend of mine'. It was devastating."
"I don't know."
"Leave it. I have something more important to ask," She stopped and I could see her fighting mentally whether to ask or not.
Suddenly she asked, "Sakura told me that you are avoiding her, gaki. Is it true?"
I decided to ignore her, returning my attention to what the DVD player was playing.
"She wants to know why you haven't been around." She continued, "Library?? Can't you give her better excuse, gaki??"
I looked at her and decided not to speak yet. I just want to know where this was going to end. She grinned at me and asked,
"Did you kiss her?"
"What?" I asked chokingly. "Who said that rubbish?"
"So you didn't kiss her? Come on, gaki, I expected more courage from you. The way you look at her, I feel like you are going to eat her now," She chuckled.
This is why I don't like her. She could read my mind and I hated that.
"Am I that obvious?"
She smiled and said, "Thank God, Touya blindly trusts you, so it's not that obvious to him."
I just nodded.
"So, what's the reason for this avoidance?"
It was time I told her. After all, Nakuru was my friend.
"I almost kissed her. I might have if Touya hadn't called me at the right moment," I confessed.
"What? Touya destroyed your moment? Shit!" Nakuru screamed, nearly dropping her glass of water.
"I'm glad he called me, Nakuru. If he hadn't called me then, I don't know what I might have done."
She gave me a discerning look, "What? Glad? Stupid! Are you glad now when she's out with some guy? Don't think that Touya could permanently keep her away from guys."
"What more do you want? I can't date my best friend's sister. It's against Guy's rule."
"Damn Guy's Rules!!" She sighed and continued, "Come on, this time it wasn't a date. But do you think she will do that for you always?"
"Do that for me always?"
"Yeah! Rhys wanted a date! But she decided against it. You wanna know why?? FOR YOU, GAKI. But do you think she will do that for you always?"
"But Touya's my best friend and Sakura's my best friend's sister." I yelled. It took a minute for me to compose myself before I could continue speaking. "I can't break his trust."
Nakuru began to play with one of the loose strings of the pillow that sat on her lap. I could tell she was deep in thought. I needed her to tell me that I was doing the right thing. Nakuru was the only one I relied on to give me sound advice, since she's also attached to Touya and Sakura as I was.
"I don't know if you're making the right decision, Syaoran. Do you want my honest opinion about this matter?" She asked.
"Yeah."
"The truth is he doesn't like any guys near her. Touya may not be happy when he knows that you like his sister. But he will be personally glad if you are the one she chooses."
I closed my eyes and tilted my head back. This conversation was beginning to give me a headache.
"But don't break her heart. He will kill you then," She advised, rubbing a consoling hand across my hand.
I opened my eyes and I saw her grinning hard. I know what her grin meant – 'This is gonna be FUN!'
A/N:
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO EVERY ONE!
Since this story has reached 100+ reviews. I wanna say thanks to all the kind ppl out there 4 reading my story.
THANKS TO:
EchizenRyoma, ellabell, Iris Deepdelver, Lily Moon-Beam, simply-complicated19, AngelEmCuti, lhaine07, DN Angel and Cardcaptor Sakura, story_teller, the real game starts, amethyst-dreams27, Twilight Kisses, Airashii Yui, , Anon, James Birdsong, ~~Cool~~, animegirl115, S A A - K U N, Tanuokami, Xxdarkness-angelxX, moon23, lilcheyannelil, cherryblossom192, pink-strawberries, ladychan14, konnie, 0jaz0, animegirl115, Changing spirit, billy, StarAngel02, ~~fairytale~~, muggle-harmony16, michiko14anime, XXX, TraptHuman, Sardizzle15, Daddy's girl, personwholikestoread:), lighthouselullaby13, ana-tsuki, animegirl115, anjuliet, BigCityDreams, CelestialMoussy, DarkAngelGirl93, delight046, dustyiness, , EvilDunkin-Sama, jazzystar12, LadyChan14, michiko14anime, Princess-Christina-Ark, read-a-holic545, StarAngel02, Tanuokami, Teruna Hime, With the Grace of An Angel, yingfa07, ZebraBow, Blue Fire Heart, CelestialMoussy, Jen15, JoJoChou0128, lover95, luvr4fantanim, OhSoKrispy77, sakura1112
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
AngelEmCuti, DN Angel and Cardcaptor Sakura, Twilight Kisses, Airashii Yui, EchizenRyoma, ellabell, Iris Deepdelver, Lily Moon-Beam, simply-complicated19, , S A A - K U N
BTW, keep on reviewing. Love u all.
Another important note: University lectures aren't that bad!! :)