Chapter 10 Kaoru Hitachiin
"I can't believe you!" Hikaru's voice echoed throughout the house. "You're replacing me with her!"
"Well, from the way you've been acting recently, she's obviously the better choice!" Kaoru made sure his voice was just as venomous as Hikaru's, even though it was a higher pitch.
"She is nothing but a trashy skank! I'll bet you money that she's gonna do everything in her power to get you in bed, and then she's gonna dump you!"
"You are so immature! You know she's not like that! You just want to throw a hissy fit because I have a hot girlfriend and you don't!"
Hikaru's eyes were blazing. He grabbed a vase off an end table and threw it with all his might at Kaoru's head.
The moment the vase left Hikaru's hand, everything slowed down. Kaoru knew he didn't have time to move and he was utterly surprised. The vase was inches from colliding with Kaoru's face.
Centimeters.
Millimeters.
But, just before it hit and shattered on Kaoru's head, Melinda tackled him they fell in a heap to the floor.
Melinda rolled off of him and stood; facing Hikaru.
"Well, if isn't the skank herself?!" His voice screeched across the room.
Melinda kept a soft, sympathetic look. "Hikaru, it doesn't have to be this way."
"It wouldn't be if you left my brother alone!" He yelled with such hatred in his voice.
Melinda winced. "I know what you're feeling. I understand what's going through your mind."
"So now you think you can fix it?!"
"No. I can't, but you can." She walked a little closer. "Hikaru, I know that you're upset that Kaoru has found someone and you haven't. I know that you feel all alone and you want your brother to be there for you."
Hikaru's blazing eyes were shining with tears. "If being in love makes you brainwashed and doesn't allow you to help your own brother, then I don't want it!" Hikaru turned and ran into the hallway maze of doors. He opened the one to his bedroom and slammed it shut behind him.
Melinda sighed and walked over to Kaoru, whom remained splayed out on the floor and watched with his mouth open.
"Sorry I tackled you. I just didn't think you would appreciate it if I told you I could've saved you from having a vase smash you in the head." She smiled sheepishly. She took his hand and helped him up. She gave him a content smile and began leading him downstairs.
Instead of settling with that, Kaoru swept her up in his arms and spun her around. She wrapped her arms around his neck and Kaoru noticed something. Her arms fit perfectly around his neck. His left arm fit perfectly in the bend of her knees. And his right arm fit perfectly around her back. He kissed her forehead and she nestled further into his chest.
Weeks had passed since Melinda's confrontation with Hikaru. Now, Kaoru was waiting for Melinda to arrive at the Black Masquerade.
The event itself sparkled and dazzled. All the hosts and gentlemen wore sleek, black suits and eloquent masks. Then the hostesses and girls wore beautiful, black and white dresses and exquisite masks.
Kaoru was adjusting his black and gold mask when his shoulder was tapped lightly. He spun around to see who it was.
There Melinda stood.
She looked beautiful in a long clingy, black dress. It went to the floor but her red pumps peeped out from underneath. Her thin arms were covered by the long sleeves and her pale, creamy skin looked beautiful and flawless with the harsh black. Her long, curly, jet black hair was swept to the side and her full lips were a bright red. Also, Kaoru's favorite part, her smoldering green eyes were framed by an intricate black and silver mask.
"Wow." His reaction made her smile.
"I know! I love it! Ooh! Look at the back!" She turned around and Kaoru almost died from how amazing she looked. The back dipped very low and exposed a lot of skin.
"I have to get my dance if you look like that." He grabbed her hand and pulled her out to the dance floor.
The scene was beautiful.
Lights twinkled everywhere. "Boats & Birds" by Gregory & The Hawk played in the background. Kaoru and Melinda were dancing gracefully, except for the occasional toe-squishing accidents. Sparkling black and white confetti rained down and made it seem like Kaoru and Melinda were dancing in the middle of the night sky.
When the song ended, Kaoru and Melinda slipped out, unnoticed. Once outside, Kaoru took her hands in his and looked into her eyes.
"Kaoru?" She asked softly.
"Yes?"
She took a deep breath. "When I first came to this school, I felt like I was on an alien planet. Lynn and Amy were the only two that could remind me that we were still on Earth. And when they weren't there to remind me, you were. Then, after a while, it was easy to remember that this is Earth, but it was hard to keep my head out of the clouds. It was always you who pulled me back down." She laughed nervously. "What I'm avoiding asking you is: Are you really ready to choose me over your brother?"
Kaoru sighed. "Melinda, of course I'm ready. I'll always pick you. Also, he'll get over it. One of these days, Hikaru is gonna fall in love and she's not gonna want him because he's so immature."
"She might help him grow up," Melinda said hopefully. "I helped you."
They both chuckled and leaned into each other. Kaoru slipped his arms around her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She closed her eyes and tilted her head up. First, Kaoru kissed her forehead. Then, he kissed both of her eyelids. Next he kissed one of her cheeks, her nose, and then kissed her other cheek. Last, he kissed one side of her jaw, her chin, the other side of her jaw, and then he hovered over her lips.
"Love comes first," he whispered. He pressed his lips to hers and they both savored the electric feeling flowing between them.