Right Here Waiting

by brokenshadow23

Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura belongs to Clamp.

Chapter 10

Decisions

-Sakura's POV-

Time flew so fast. Two weeks more to go and the school year would end. Finally, there would be no more sleepless nights and schoolworks. However, what made me excite the most about having vacation was the fact I finally had the chance to enjoy myself and it would help me get away from him too.

Indeed, I wanted to still be his friend, but based from what we were acting, I seemed to me that it would be hard for us to go back.

"Okay! Settle down guys!" A deep male voice said as he opened the door. Mr. Terada reached the teacher's table then started to scan the blue book in front of him. He cleared his throat then began to speak. "I have a surprise for you today. Pop quiz."

I groaned inwardly, knowing that he was not joking. I sank on my seat. 'Hoe. Why does he always give a pop quiz whenever I forget to check my notes?'

"However, this time, I will allow you to answer it with someone." Mr. Terada continued, and my face lit up. Finally, I have the chance to pass the quiz! Instantly, the whole class mumbled and chose their partners. I turned to my right, but someone beat me to be with her. I started to panic once again and suddenly, a gentle voice came from behind.

"Sakura."

I shivered. Slowly, I turned to him. "Yes?"

Eriol smiled at me. "Can you be my partner?"

I tried to resist, but to no avail. Everyone had already someone with them except for both of us. I sighed inwardly. "Alright."

Eriol's smile widened. "Don't worry," he assured. "I have read the topic this morning."

I nodded and gave him a small smile.

Our Math class was only an hour and a half, but for me, it was like eternity. The time went by slowly, which made things harder for me. We did not talk much since I asked him if it was alright for me to do all the writing while he was the one to solve those equations. We finished in half an hour so we remained silent for a few moments until he decided to speak.

"Why are you avoiding me Sakura?"

I bit my lip, not sure how to answer him. I gazed at him, and saw that he was studying my expression. "I…"

"Did I do something?"

I shook my head and tried to smile at him. "No. It's not you." I said softly, but avoided his gaze this time.

"You know, Sakura, you are not good at lying." Eriol told me in a calm voice. His sapphire eyes were fixed on me, probably observing my every move. "Besides, I know Li-kun would not glare at me every time we meet each other in the hallway if I did not do anything."

Sighing, I did not want the conversation to continue. So I looked up and forced another smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

"Seriously, Sakura, do you think he bought that?" Syaoran asked her calmly as he closed his locker. He turned to her and saw her looking down at her foot.

"I don't know." She answered. "I was not prepared to answer any of his questions so I tried to let it go."

Syaoran took a deep breath and sighed. He knew very well how much Sakura hate confrontations. Being a sweet girl, she was not used of having enemies with an exception of her brother, of course. He walked until he was few inches near her then he lifted his hand to place it on Sakura's head. "Alright." He said. "Just make sure that every decision you'll make will not make you to cry, okay?"

Sakura stared at him and pondered. "Can you help me decide?"

Before Syaoran could even answer, another male walked towards them. Eriol greeted them, making Sakura's eyes widen, while Syaoran smiled inwardly. "Can I come with you?" Eriol asked.

Sakura kept silent so Syaoran turned to him. Syaoran considered for a moment and said, "Sure."

'What?!' Sakura cried inwardly, shocked on Syaoran's answer. She was sure that he would say no since Syaoran was too over protective for his own good plus she knew very well that even though they had become friends, he was still uneasy with his presence. She gazed at him questioningly.

Syaoran saw her reaction, but continued to smile. "However, I still have a book to pick up at the library so I suggest you two go first."

"I… I'll go with you." Sakura hurriedly put in.

Syaoran shook his head. "That won't do, Sakura. Your brother will kill me if you are not home before he arrives. Besides, Eriol walked you home before right?" He looked at the other guy for approval.

Eriol nodded.

With that, Sakura scowled. She grabbed Syaoran's arm and pulled him a bit away from Eriol. "Are you serious?"

"You know I don't want to do this." Syaoran told her. Then he put his hand again on her head and let her look at the smile playing on his lips. "But, I believe, you know the answer to your problem. I'll call you tonight. Bye."

Sakura watched him walk away and sighed. 'This will be a long trip to my home.'

-Sakura's POV-

Ever since I was a child, Touya labeled me as someone who cannot be silenced. I enjoyed talking, exchanging stories here and there. Perhaps that was the reason why Syaoran found comfort in my company. I would always do the talking, while he would always be there to listen.

However, there were also times that I would keep my mouth shut entirely. And this would include this afternoon.

I walked silently, trying my best to enjoy the surroundings rather than letting myself be eaten by the tension in the air. Eriol walked side by side with me, probably doing the same. The walk should only take ten to fifteen minutes, but I felt like the minutes were going slower. I sighed.

"How are you Sakura?"

I felt my chest tighten in surprise. I paused for a moment and answered. "I'm fine."

Eriol paused too and continued, "I am not convinced."

Sighing inwardly, I decided to look up to him. "What do you want me to say?" With that emerald met sapphire. His expression was blank, but searching. Few moments passed then to my surprise, he softened his look.

"I'm sorry."

I blinked. "W-what?"

Eriol smiled sadly. "I have done something wrong, right?"

"No." I answered simply and averted my eyes of him.

"You know Sakura, no matter what you do, you are the type of person who cannot hide her real feelings." Eriol said in a soft voice.

With that, I silenced. I could not trust myself this time since I knew I would simply ask questions. Somehow those were not that important to me now. "I… It's nothing. Really." I said, and then suddenly I looked into his eyes. It was deep, comforting, yet still searching. I was used to that look, but I could not put a finger on whom.

Sakura's agony partially ended in silence and little smiles. She spent her time thinking of that person who looks at her the same way as Eriol's while Eriol decided to let her think for a moment. After all he knew in a way why she was avoiding him. It was too early to talk about magic, and he wanted to build her trust once again before he moved to his agenda of getting to know her magically.

After checking on the chalkboard, Sakura began to do her chores when Touya arrived along with Yukito.

With the usual exchange of greetings, Sakura turned to Yukito and remembered that time when she admired him. Then her eyes widened in realization.

'Those eyes…'

"Thank you so much, Yukito!" Sakura exclaimed all of a sudden then gave Yukito a hug. Without any word, she ran off to the living room and dialed Syaoran's number.

"Hello?" Syaoran's tired voice rang in her ears.

Frowning, Sakura decided to change her mood first before she broke the good news. "LI SYAORAN! You made my life a living hell!"

Instead of saying sorry like Sakura thought it would be, Syaoran chuckled. "It's not that bad, Sakura. You need it after all. So how did it go?"

The girl pouted as she realized that he was right. He was, after all, the main trigger to know the truth. With a sigh, she began to tell him about what happened during their walk. She paused for a moment and gave another sigh. "Then I was thinking whether who it is until Yukito smiled at me."

Syaoran kept silent, but Sakura knew that he was smiling at what happened.

"I then realized that the way he looked at me is probably like someone only to care for and not more than that."

"Are you sure?"

"Not really." Sakura admitted. Of all the talents she received, mind or expression reading were not given. That was the reason why she was always labeled as dense. "However, if that's the case, I think it would have him as a friend than none at all."