Disclaimer: I don't own CCS…blah, blah, bleh…
( ) – my thoughts and comments
Troubling Attractions -- Chapter 9
+Tomoeda in Happy Japan+(morning)
The scorching sunlight barged into Tomoyo's bedroom as she groaned, turning away from 'the light' in her lavender bed. She sighed as she opened her eyes to another day…another day without Sakura and her brother. Sakura was like a dear sister. Although Tomoyo was never very close to Touya, with just his presence, she felt as if she had an older brother too.
Tomoyo was in such deep dismay that she did not notice that her eyes were watering. She hardly ever cried, not since Mr. Kinomoto passed away. She sniffed and glimpsed at her clock, which pointed to 10:00 a.m. Just as Tomoyo sat up, her telephone rang. She grunted and slammed back unto her bed. After another three rings, she fumbled off the bed and ran to the living room.
When she reached the room, her voice message already came on.
Hello! You have reached Tomoyo Daidouji's home. She is currently unavailable, so please leave your name, your contact number and a brief—
Tomoyo picked up the receiver, "Moshi Moshi!"
No answer and Tomoyo said again, "Hello?"
"Hello, Ms. Daidouji."
The unfamiliar male voice puzzled Tomoyo. "Who is calling?"
"My name isn't important at the moment. I just phoned to inform you that your friend and her brother are alive."
"What? Are they really?"
"Yes, Miss Daidouji."
"Where are they?" asked an anxious Tomoyo.
"I do not know myself."
"How can I confirm this?"
A long pause came…"You will just have to hope in your heart and… trust me."
Before Tomoyo could say or ask anything further, the person hung up. Tomoyo continued to stare at the receiver strangely while she pondered about the words he said.
+In Olive Garden in NY+ (nighttime)
After Sakura, Syaoran, Touya and Meilin entered the restaurant, Yukito was there to greet them. "Welcome to— OH! Hello people that I know."
Touya just ignored his statement and replied, "Table for four…please."
Yukito just smiled and grabbed four menus, "All right then, this way." He gestured to a booth in the far corner. After they settled in and ordered, Meilin wanted to go outside, saying she wished to get some fresh air. She asked Touya if he needed some too. He declined, however, Meilin just dragged him out with her, and Sakura and Syaoran found themselves stuck with each other. Syaoran thought this was delightful while Sakura thought that it was repugnant.
They sat for a few minutes scanning the restaurant. Sakura was looking at everything and everyone but Syaoran, afraid that if she even glimpsed at him, she would lose her sanity.
Hmm… maybe I can make him lose his…
With that notion, she flipped her hair, smiled at him for a split second, cutely rested her chin on her hand and crossed her legs, pretending to be occupied with dust floating in the air. She saw him twitch a bit. She laughed inwardly and decided to take a step farther and speak with him.
"So, how is it going?" She grinned 'sincerely' still resting her chin on her hand.
"Uh-uh…all right I guess." He hesitated.
"You guess? Why?"
"Well, life could be better." He rested on the backrest with sadness and frustration increasing within him.
"What? The life of a college student/ DJ who works at one of the hottest clubs with girls chasing him day and night not good enough for him?"
Syaoran did not answer, still staring into the distance.Sakura continued, "I'd imagine that that would be every man's dream."
"It's not as great as you think." Syaoran frowned.
Sakura suddenly became interested in the direction the conversation was going, "Now, why don't you tell me about it."
"College can be very stressful especially when one can't exactly dedicate oneself to one's future and education." He paused and glanced at Sakura who nodded, assuring him that she understood.
"Having a full time job and going to school isn't easy, especially if you don't have much time to study. Having girls chase after you because you are a 'hot' DJ, or whatever they call me, is not an adequate reason for me to enjoy it." He sighed, "It doesn't lessen the amount of stress…" He did not need to finish his sentence because he had made his point.
"Wow, I guess it is not as amusing as I thought it would be." She began to zone out on the subject, remembering what she thought college life would be like when she was younger. She thought of dorms filled with parties and fun. Being independent and being able to do what ever you want with no parents and adults telling you what you can and cannot do. No stress…no work. Now that she had heard of the "terrors" of the rode to adulthood, she was afraid. She was going to join Syaoran and his stressful life in about half a year.
"So tell me, beautiful, how is your life going?" Syaoran interrupted her thoughts.
"Um…it is going okay."
"Wow, 'okay' is a much better adjective than 'all right'…" He said with sarcasm.
She wheeled her eyes and started to pout, "Fine…mother. My life is going in a better direction. Instead of speaking with a drunken man, I am now talking to a sarcastic guy." She smiled and began to laugh.
Syaoran could not help but laugh with her. By the time they stopped laughing, their food had arrived on a tray with Yukito carrying them. He was smiling as usual, "Hello, you love birds. Here is your food…oh, where are the other two?" Sakura and Syaoran blushed.
"We are not love birds," Syaoran replied first, "and don't know. I think they went outside."
Sakura giggled, "Yeah, 'outside' for some air." Syaoran wondered what she meant by that while Yukito chuckled in assurance.
"By the way, Yukito, why are you working here? I thought you had a permanent job at the club," asked Syaoran.
"Oh, well, it is simple. I have two jobs!" He alleged excitedly as he laid their food on the table.
Sakura and Syaoran cringed at his answer. Not that there is anything wrong with having more than one occupation, but the way he said it.
Uh, I think he sounded…really…girly just now, they thought.
"So…why don't you tell me something about that brother of yours, Sakura," said Yukito, looking at her so she would know that she had his full attention.
Syaoran raised an eyebrow at the sudden change of subject and wondered about Yukito's unexpected interest in Touya. "Wait…how do you know about Sakura's brother?"
Yukito continued to carry his eerie smile on his face and replied, "We met at Starbucks when Sakura came in for work. I was talking with Meilin before and—"
"Hey! Waiter! Would you stop putting me off and give me my damn food!" said a customer in the other side of the restaurant. Sakura and Syaoran's gaze fell on the tray that Yukito was holding in his other hand. There it was, the man's food still steaming hot. "I'm so sorry both of you, gotta go before I get fired. We'll chat later. Ciao!" With a quick wave, he was off.
Sakura and Syaoran stared at him in disbelief and then stared at each other. Seconds later, their gazes suddenly fell to the table separating them; their faces tinted pink.
Sakura looked up at him and asked thoughtfully, "Do you think we should wait for the other two? It would be impolite to just eat without them."
Syaoran shrugged, "For all we know, they probably already skipped dinner and had dessert."
"Hoeh? Why would they…" Her eyes widened in realization of what he was implying. She then giggled. Syaoran smiled at her reaction and looked at her dreamily. Sakura felt his glance and stiffened, asking him, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
He replied gratefully, "That is because you look absolutely innocent and stunning, especially when you laugh."
Sakura flushed at his compliment and smiled, "Thank you."
He leaned in, resting his elbows on the table, "Just saying the truth. I am sure you hear every guy say flattering remarks as that all the time."
Sakura's facial expression went from dreamy to dreary, "I do, however, they only say them to get what they want. Even if they are true… women like to hear them, but the men saying them are not truthful." She stares at the wall as if trying to look into the past.
Syaoran sympathized with her, "But all men are not like that."
Sakura heaved a sigh, "I know…" She then zoned out and her eyes went blank, no longer shining. She mumbled, "If they aren't, they abandon you…"
Syaoran pondered about her 'unrelated' statement, but then he pitied her. Why was he so stupid? He had encouraged her to remember her somber years. He checked the door to see if maybe, just maybe, Touya and Meilin would walk in and help him to cheer up Sakura. Much to his luck, they came in laughing.
TBC…
Review please! Thanks to the people who read too! This story is kinda slow...for now, lol.
Personal thanks to:
? (five 'question marks' person) - Thanks for reviewing! Maybe you should stop putting question marks as your anonymous name...hehe.
MiniSparky - I'm glad you pointed out the obvious (major sarcasm statement, LOL). Thanks for the compliment and the review!
FlowerLover - eh...I have updated. Thanks for review!
Lanny - Of course it's not that hard to figure out...somethings will be obvious while...others will be big surprises. Even YOU won't know them! HAH! hehe, j/p. Thanks for the review.