diclaimer: no, I don't own the anime! xOx

CHAPTER 11: OVER BOTTLES OF WINE

"Does 8 pm suits you?" Cagalli asked as she walks to the living room. It's been a month since the summer yet the weather outside is still hot and burning.

No answer.

"Heine!" Cagalli said with some kind of annoyance and rhetoric.

"Chill out! Don't worry, I'll come. I'm just wondering, is it really all right to Mirialla?" Heine spoke ina light and funny tone with his back on the wall. He wore a cargo pants and a white shirt.

"When I called her a while ago, she said that she is free at any given time," she answered back.

"So where is the place again" Heine asked intending to fool her.

"Heine! Why you.. I'll get you someday," Cagalli answered noticing his intention but she still gave the right place just in case she is wrong.

"Got you. Until tonight then."

"Be sure to come, bye," Cagalli said in a tone of threat. She hung up the phone and is now sitting in the sofa.

It's been a month since they saw each other. That was when he helped her finished her research paper. He consequently received a call that day saying she's on her way to Orb, which brought him sadness. He had planned to confess his feelings about her but the opportunity had prohibited him not to.

I just have to tell her tonight. I'll be crossing the line now Cagalli. I have to let this feelings out. He sighs and returned the receiver.

"Do you need something Princess," the maid asked Cagalli.

"I don't need anything for now. Thank you. You may leave the room," she replied. The maid left leaving Cagalli alone in the living room. She lean on the back of the sofa and gazed at the ceiling. She smiled after. So far, this is the good thing that can happen.

The first week after the summer class, Cagalli felt somewhat good although Athrun haven't contacted her. She couldn't explain it but somehow she expected a call or just a message from him but she got nothing.

Same with the second week and so she started to feel depressed. Her depression had gone from bad to worse. She tried to make herself busy to compensate for her depression but the best medicine according to her is her friends, her best friends!

Why that Athrun! It's been four weeks and still nothing. Keep my contact number and I'll keep yours, she repeated his words. Is he that busy? Maybe he had a girlfriend or something? Or maybe, I'm JUST a classmate he met during summer. Crap! I hate this!

………………………………..

"Sir, you have a visitor." Guy whispered to Athrun.

""Let them in." Who could they be? I'll have to deal with them first then I'll try to finish this report until tomorrow.

The door opened quietly and in a minute Athrun smiled as he heard a familiar voice. He didn't need to turn around to see who it was.

"I heard in this place, people are not punished if they take a rest from a stressful day." The voice belongs to none other than his bestfriend Kira Yamato.

Athrun turned around to see a brunette guy leaning his back on the side wall of the entrance.

"Kira is right, take a break!" said a pink-haired lady in a golden clip. The pink princess as she was called, Lacus Clyne.

Athrun smiled at them. "I haven't seen the both of you in ages. Where have you been? Have you been dating?" he asked eventually.

Athrun knew that secretly, one holds a feeling for each other. They had confessed to him individually. It was him who tries to arrange it for them.

Lacus blushed as she diverted her eyes outside the window. Athrun, stop fooling around. Kira might notice

Nice job Athrun! Kira thought.

Athrun watched the two party and chuckled.

"What?" they both asked staring at him.

"Nothing. It's just that you two look good together," he ended. He was able to get a good laugh.

Both party was overjoyed by the last remark as well as Athrun who had been very busy with the training.

When he returned to Plant, he's father had arranged a massive training for him both with the Zaft Force and with some political intellectuals. To avoid disturbance, his father made an order that all his gadgets be confiscated from him.

During the first week, he had tried to talk it out to his father to just return even his mobile phone, his only contact to Cagalli but to no avail. Th past weeks have the same result and so the gap between father and son widen as well as the amount of time wasted to spend with Cagalli.

With this, he felt annoyed.The first thing he needed most was someone to talk to, someone willing to listen. All he wished was a single soul and now there were two sincere soul standing in front of him.

"Well, I guess your busy for the moment. So we'll be seeing you in the usual place and time. Wind up a little bit, all right Athrun?" Kira asked.

"Can't wait till tonight. See you both there," Athrun answered. This time, father should let me have some rest. He must!

"Bring your telescope, will you Athrun?" asked Lacus.

"Just like old days huh? All right, I will."

………………………………….

"Mirialla, it's been a while since I last saw you. How's life?" Heine called from his car. He arrived simultaneously with her.

"Take it easy. I'm not even out of my car yet," Mirialla answered back from the open window through the driver's seat of her car.

"Hurry it up then," Heine exclaimed wearing a cargo short in a yellow shirt. Mirialla also wore a cargo short and an orange shirt.

After they were out from their car, they head to the beach where they decided to camp. A sparkle of fire can be seen from the pathway and three small camps.

"Cagalli is early,' Mirialla commented

"You're right it's 8 pm in my watch but the camp and the born fire have been already set," Heine glanced at her and took her bag, " I'll have those."

"Thanks Heine. Why did you think Cagalli called us? She asked after.

"Maybe she wanted to have a reunion," he humored.

"Come on Heine, we knew Cagalli better than that.," answered Mirialla.

"Yeah I now, I was only kidding." Heine answered then thought. Even Mirialla noticed Cagalli' indifference today. Does she have a big problem?

"Hey, why did you stop talking?" Mirialla hit him with her elbow gently.

"Oh, I was just wondering about the thing that you have said," he answered back as he looks at her without noticing that they are already there.

When Heine turned his head back to where the light is, he saw Cagalli sitting in a log staring at the fire probably waiting for them. He was startled by how beautiful she looks; her features enhanced by the effects of the flame specially her face which seem to glow

She wore a cargo short, same as them, in a red shirt. They agreed to wear that get up during camping when they were about 10. Going with her get up was a pair of red sneaker.

Mirialla shrug Heine,"when are you going to tell her?" she asked giving him a glanced.

Heine was caught off guard," tell her what?"

"Oh come on Heine! You know what I'm saying so don't act innocent!" she exclaimed.

"I really am innocent to what you're saying. Care to tell me?" he asked. Does she mean my feelings about her? Well at this moment I sucked! How will I tell Cagalli about it if I can't even say it to Mirialla?

"Well if you don't want tell me, fine! Just tell her as early as possible. Time is the key to everything," she finished, before it's too late

"Where did you got that?" Heine asked concealing his reaction.

"Somewhere," came a short answer

Heine felt warm inside. He had managed to get a piece of advise from her even though he didn't admit anything. Thanks Mirialla1 I'll really tell her tonight.

……………………………….

"How's the sky?" Kira asked holding a bag of food in his right hand.

"We're lucky, the sky is clear. We might even spot some meteors," Athrun answered. He withdrew from the telescope and went to the lying mat while at the same time, he gesture for his friends to go in there.

"Let me have that Kira. I'll arrange our food," Lacus said smilingly.

"Here you go," Kira said who slightly flushed. " It's not heavy anyway.

"I'll brought some wine," finished Athrun.

Their hang out place was the rooftop of the tallest building in Plant. They stay there with Athrun's telescope as Astronomy was their favorite past time. It's a little dark as the perfect place for stargazing aided by the telescope. The three of them wore a casual outfit.

Athrun stood up and went to the edge of the rooftop and look down below. Kira noticing Athrun's movement went to the same place.

"Hey, are you all right? He asked after.

"The scene below is amazing. I saw this every night but it still keeps me amazed. All the time." Athrun answered not addressing the real question. The city below is soaked in a sea of bright lights minus the noise creaked by people roaming around the busy streets and establishments as well as the sound of raging vehicles. A city in glory!

"But the view above is much more amazing plus interesting. And the good thing is, it is natural," Kira finished he haven't answered me directly. He's hiding something. Lacus and I should talk to him.

"Well said," Athrun agreed.

"We shouldn't keep Lacus waiting," Kira uttered. With this, the two men heads to the mat where Lacus is still arranging the food and the wine.

…………………………………..

"Another toss and this time, it is for our everlasting friendship," Cagalli uttered raising her wine glass for a toss.

Heine felt guilty with the last remark so he was the last one to raise his glass.

"Hey guys, do you have any commitment? I mean, are you in a relationship right now?" Cagalli asked initiating a topic, which is related to her current situation. Atleast what she think. She felt light-headed, as she was becoming a little drunk. It is because she didn't take any chaser after every gulp.

"So far so good1" Mirialla answered.

Heine and Cagalli look at her. It was Heine who asked, " what do you mean?"

"Simple-minded persons," she answered back feeling drunk now. " I'm not in a relationship right now. I'm still waiting for the man of my dreams," she finished her head spinning. Among the three of them, she is the weakest link when it comes to drinking.

"Cut it out Mirialla," Cagalli uttered showing a disgusted face, "you're expecting a guy of your dream? Yuck!"

"Oh, shut up Cagalli. How about you Heine?" she asked.

"Well I.. umph.." he stuttered as he couldn't fathom the words to say.

"Don't be shy," Mirialla said her eyes beginning to close. She eventually closed it and leans to Cagalli's shoulder but she still managed to say, "after all Cagalli is…" she haven't finished her statement as she is already asleep.

"Hey Mirialla wake up! Heine and I are still standing," Cagalli said as she tried to wake her up.

"I'll go ahead,' Mirialla answered in a low voice.

Heine stood up and went to Mirialla. " Cagalli, is her bed already fixed?" he inquired

"Yeah it is," Cagalli replied

Heine bent down to carry Mirialla and they head to the camp as Cagalli lead the way. She unzipped the zipper of the camp and put some pillows inside.

Heine laid Mirialla on her back whom they guess is in a deep sleep right now.

"Are you still up,' Cagalli glanced at Heine.

"You bet I am," came the answer.

"Lets go back to the born fire," she suggested

A minute or so, they were sitting side by side. Both people are staring at the fire. It was Heine who spoke first.

"Cagalli, I have to tell you something," he begins.

Cagalli lean on Heine's shoulder, which sent him blushing. He was glad Mirialla was asleep by now.

"If that thing bothered you a lot. Go ahead, tell me." Cagalli said still leaning on him. She missed her bestfriends as well as conversation such as this. That is why she tried to wake up Mirialla so she could join them.

Although her head is spinning she tried to stay awake. Not yet, Heine is still standing.

Heine was overwhelmed by the situation. He closed his eyes to cherish the moment, to feel Cagalli by his side.The cool wind is blowing but the born fire had kept them warm and so he forgot the words to say. For the nth time!

"Nothing! I'm just testing if you're still awake," he said. "How about you? How's life?" he initiated another conversation.

"Life is better with you guys hanging around," she answered.

Heine could see the sad face of Cagalli though she tried to hide her loneliness.

"What's the problem Cagalli?" he asked again

"I missed someone." She had planned to say it to the both of them but Mirialla is sleeping right now.

How come she missed someone if she is already in Orb and with us? Although he had a feeling that it is someone special judging from her reaction he managed to ask, "who could it be?"

Heine engrossed in his thought hasn't notice that Cagalli had withdrawn from his shoulder. She looks at the sea as if for assurance. She then continued to lean over Heine."Well, I met him during the summer class. Remember, the research paper which you even help me to finish?"

"Yeah."

"The funny thing is that it only lasted for five weeks and it's been a month since I saw him but I really long for him," he had heard her say the worse.

Heine was speechless for a moment. And I thought you hadn't changed

He felt sadness for two reasons. One is that because Cagalli is upset and two because he couldn't do anything to ease her pain. He is not the reason of her anguish and he hated it. He however, put his arm around her to give her a hug, which hurts him more. He is complimenting the one he loved who missed someone special and maybe the one she loved.

Cagalli as opposed to him felt very glad that she had told it to him. I just know he would understand.

"Have you been in-love?" she asked out of curiosity.

He was taken a back by the question but managed to answer, '"yes."

"Good for you. Atleast you know that it is love. Don't imitate me, although I miss Athrun I am not sure of what to feel. Stupid me."

So Athrun was his name.

"What's wrong with me?" with this remark she closed her eyes and fell into sleep.

"There is nothing wrong with you," Heine said waiting for her reply. Noticing that she didn't reply, he adjusted her arm to an angle to see her sleeping face. " I am truly in-love with you Cagalli," he said passionately. How he wishes he could tell it to her when she is awake but he couldn't. Some things do change.

He had let her sleep in his arms as he watched the sky, which for him had seem to become darker.

………………….

After snack, they started to take turns in using the telescope. Athrun had given them enough time to use it.

Feeling a little bored he said," hey guys could you sit beside me. It is fun to watch the star by unaided eye."

Kira was helping Lacus to focus the lens when they heard Athrun. "Lacus, do you sense something odd with Athrun? Well we knew he is always in a hurry but from my point of view, he is overdoing it. Other times, he is contained only to himself. What do you think happen to the past 3 months?"

"I've noticed it too. Why don't we let him spill it out?" Lacus commented

"Nice idea! Let's go." The two heads off and sat beside him.

Athrun lay his back on the mat, which the two followed. Their heads form an imaginary small triangle.

"Athrun, I'm going to ask you again. Are you all right?" Kira initiated the conversation

"I know you were worried about me but I can assure you I'm all right. The training that was set by my father is the reason why I look restless," Athrun answered.

"Are you restless?" Kira asked again.

"I told you. I only look restless but actually I am not," he answered again

This is going nowhere. We'll have to try another approach. " So why haven't you entered the same school for the summer? Kira and I could accompany you." Lacus began

"I have to admit that I do miss your presence when I entered University of Philstone but an unexpected thing took place that changed it all," he replied. This time, he likes the topic. "That school had given me enough memories worth reminiscing,' he ended.

"With whom?" Lacus asked. Kira turned his head to see a smiling Lacus. Good one!

Athrun didn't speak and fixed his eyes to the sky above. Kira blocked Athrun's vision by putting his right palm just above Athrun's eyes.

"Tell you what. What is really worth reminiscing is a special person not a place. A stormy day could end up special if shared with your love one. Not unless your chasing storms," Kira blurted out.

Athrun removed Kira's hand and sit. He was again followed by his best friends with a penetrating look.

"All right! Just cut with those stares," he said

"Continue, we're listening," Lacus said.

"I met a girl name Cagalli. Well our first meeting is not grand. I can't even remember it. It is maybe because it is an ordinary meeting of classmates but it had changed one day when she fainted. I don't know what made me do it but I volunteered to carry her all the way to the Health Service. Maybe because at the beginning, I recognized that she is not feeling good. And from there, I started to feel happy whenever she's around," he ended shyly. His not good at confessions and he knew it.

"What is wrong then?" Kira asked

"I haven't' seen her in a month," Athrun uttered

"So you missed her. Then why don't you give her a call?' Lacus asked

"Father had confiscated my mobile phone for the training and all her contact details are stored there." Answered Athrun sadly.

"So you're saying that she would give you a call?" Kira asked.

Athrun was startled by the question. I hope so.

"Speak up," Lacus insisted with a glowing eyes.

"I don't know. To tell you the truth, I am hoping she would. Why I hope so? Don't even ask because I myself could not understand why," Athrun uttered, he is beginning to feel good.

"Is that the reason why you seem not on your self," Kira asked observing his best friend.

"Yeah," he hates to admit it but this is really the reason.

"If I were you, I would focus on the training first so you could talk it out to your father about your mobile phone. He would have no reason not to give it to you the minute he can see that you're performing well," Kira answered.

An idea struck Athrun. Kira is right. Why didn't I think of that?

"Thanks guys! Really!" he said now a smile flashed in his face.

"Well what if you're father did not give you the phone. Would you search her? I mean, it is a possibility right?"

"Yeah, I definitely will" Athrun said ina light but audible tone.

"Do you know where to begin?" Lacus inquired.

Athrun flashed a long smile, "she only happens to be the Princess of Orb."

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