Chapter 10 Counting Stars
"Sorry I'm late, Ryuzaki." I apologized as I sat in the seat across from L in our usual coffeehouse, which was much more crowded than normal. "Traffic was brutal; I had to bend a few laws to get here now instead of later."
L frowned. "I do not appreciate Ana-chan breaking laws just to be able to meet me."
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Yeah, we'll be counting stars
I tapped the side of my nose. "The law's only broken if you're stupid enough to get caught. I have to ask, why did you choose Valentine's Day for us to go out?" The coffeehouse was filled with couples cuddling at tables and booths. The owner even decided to make it a love-song karaoke night to draw in customers.
At least I wasn't being stared at for sitting with L even though it was publicly known I was with Light. I had taken to wearing a blonde wig and sunglasses whenever I went out. The paparazzi don't know where I live and this is my method to keeping it that way.
I see this life
Like a swinging vine
Swing my heart across the line
In my face is flashing signs
Seek it out and ye shall find
"Oh? Is it? This was just the only day I had off of work. I didn't make Ana-chan call off a date with her boyfriend so Ana-chan could eat with me, did I?" Yeah, you didn't know. Just like how you're not the world's greatest detective.
"No, Light-kun and I didn't have any plans. We've been growing apart ever since I left… and I'm pretty sure it's mostly my fault, too." I said as I frowned at the table, my panda eyes growing heavy.
Old, but I'm not that old
Young, but I'm not that bold
And I don't think the world is sold
I'm just doing what we're told
"Is it because of those dreams you've been having?"
"Somewhat. It's more like his words aren't matching his body language. I'm very good at reading people and Light has been very stressed but…he's proud of himself, even if he says otherwise. He also seems… crueler than before." A side effect of the Death Note, but L didn't know that.
I feel something so right
By doing the wrong thing
And I feel something so wrong
By doing the right thing
I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive
"Hmmm…" L murmured. "Ana-chan… I don't believe you've ever told me your opinion of Kira."
Oh, the infamous question. Well, statement. And it's about time that he asked me that. "No I haven't. I'm Team L all the way."
"So, you think Kira is evil?"
Lately I been, I been losing sleep (hey!)
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard (hey!)
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
"Evil is simply a matter of perspective. Kira was trying to do a good thing, in an extremely twisted way, I'll admit, but then he became corrupted by power. He sees everyone who comes after him as evil, wither they're innocent or not, and eliminates them. He killed my dad." I flinched. "Yeah, my dad was a nutjob, but he would've never gotten out of that place. The chances of him killing again was near non-existent."
Lately I been, I been losing sleep (hey!)
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard (hey!)
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars
"Perhaps…" L said so quietly I almost didn't hear it. It was clear he didn't believe me.
A bright flash lit up the room and thunder crashed, scaring the couple on stage. The lights flickered once, twice, then went out. Someone screamed. I think it was me.
My chest tightened as I ripped off my glasses. I couldn't see. My breath shortened. I couldn't see! Oh God, oh God…
I feel the love
And I feel it burn
Down this river every turn
Hope is our four letter word
Make that money
Watch it burn
Something touched my hand and I bit back a sob. "Ana-chan?" It was L. L? My mind refused to focus. Slowly, my eyes adjusted enough to see L only inches from my face. "You are expressing signs of a panic attack. Take deep breaths."
I did as he said. The panic slowly ebbed away until I was barely trembling. "Thank you," I whispered.
Old, but I'm not that old
Young, but I'm not that bold
And I don't think the world is sold
I'm just doing what we're told
"Could Ana-chan explain why she had a panic attack?"
I shuddered. "I-I…was 6…A-And…no one liked me, thought I was creepy or satanic, and the adults let the kids get away with everything! So, the day winter break started, s-some of the older kids thought it would be funny to lock me in the garden shed on campus." I chocked back my tears to the best of my ability. "T-The police d-didn't find me until two days later."
And I feel something so wrong
By doing the right thing
I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie
Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly
The lights suddenly came back on and the owner of the coffee house went up on stage. "Sorry about that, everyone!" he said. "The storm outside is horrible; we offer you all free coffee for the rest of the night!"
Lately I been, I been losing sleep (hey!)
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
L, shockingly, reached across the table and brushed away a few tears that had escaped. He smiled, merely tilting the corners of his mouth up, but it was the most reassuring thing I had ever seen. "Let's not let fear keep us from having fun today, alright Ana-chan?"
"A-Alright."
Lately I been, I been losing sleep (hey!)
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard (hey!)
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars
Author Tips: Review
After editing the work on screen or in print, I like to read the text aloud. Awkward sentences and errors that slipped through earlier edits show up readily when reading out loud.