A/N: Chapter 11 is up! I DO NOT OWN THE SONG «WINTER SLEEP»! ALL RIGHTS GO TO OLIVIA LUFKIN! PLZ ENJOY ;3

Chapter 11

AYUMI POV

*LUNCHTIME AT SCHOOL September 4th*

«Eh? My birthday?» I asked dumbfounded. Ever since the contract with StarDaze, our performance and the 10 million yen we won, I'd totally forgotten that my birthday was in 8 days. «Yes, dummy! You're turning 18 in a matter of days! Didn't you always talk about how you were going to hold a party and stuff?» Seiko asked. «Well…I guess I did, sorry…», I said sheepishly.

«So, what do you want for your birthday?» Naomi asked. «Um…», I mumbled and scratched my chin. When I thought about it, I realized that there isn't anything particular I want right now. But if I say that, these two are gonna pressure me like hell. «Maybe some cookbooks or perfumes? I love both cooking and sweet scents, so that would be nice!» I suggested. «Sure! How about CD's? You like music too!» Seiko said. I nodded. «And I know you like games too! So many possibilities!» Naomi said excitedly. I laughed and picked up some omellets from my box lunch.

«Hey, what about Kishinuma-kun? He knows it's your birthday soon, right?» Naomi asked. «Um…I think so! I remember his, at least», I said. «That doesn't have anything to do with HIS memory, Ayumi…», Seiko mumbled. I sighed and closed my eyes. To celebrate my birthday with Yoshiki would be amazing… «Well, what do you want from Knight-kun?» Seiko asked. I sighed dreamily and whispered: «I want his love…».

It took a moment for me to realize just how pathetic I sounded.

Seiko and Naomi stared at me for a while. Then, they started to laugh like CRAZY. «HAHAHAHAHAH! That's soooooo romantic!» Naomi said sarcastically. «Haaaaaaaa, yeah!» Seiko said after taking a deep breath. I whimpered shyly and looked down to the ground. I wasn't lying though. It's almost ridicioulus how much I want him to treasure me.

*AFTER SCHOOL*

«What?! It's your birthday soon!?» he yelled out surprised. «W-why do you sound so surprised? Don't tell me you forgot!» I said and crossed my arms. He hovered down his head shamefully and mumbled: «Sorry…». I sighed but I couldn't help but to chuckle a bit at his clumsyness.

«So, are you planning to have a party at your place?» Yoshiki asked. «Yeah! I'm planning to invite all of our friends!» I said. «I see. But wait…That's right! So, what do you want for your birthday?» he asked. Oh no, what should I say?! It'll be so embarrasing! I took a deep breath and said: «As long as it's from you, anything's fine!» I said. Yoshiki sweatdropped and said: «That makes it even harder, you know…». «I giggled and took his hand. «But if you absoulutely want to give me something, how about staying the night on my birtday?» I asked boldly. Seiko kinda teached me how to be honest about my feelings if I want him to do something for me, so that's what I tried to do then.

Yoshiki blushed furiously and stammered out: «W-what do you mean?! It's wierd to hear something like that from you…». I giggled and tapped his nose. «It's fine if you don't want to. I'm just making it clear that you can do it with me that day!» I said. Yoshiki covered his mouth in embarrasment and coughed akwardly. «How about a cute tank-top instead…? I'm still working the double amount of time and saving up, so don't be shy», he mumbled. I laughed and said: «Suit yourself! You are coming…right?» I asked. «Of course», he said and we reached my house, it suddenly started raining again. That's why I gave him my umbrella again, like the first day of school. That rainy day in August.

«Thanks! I'll give it to you tomorrow, so don't worry», he said and opened it. «I'm not. By the way, are you going to go home straight away?» I asked him. «No. I've got some grocery shopping to do, so I'm going to the supermarket first», he said. «Okay then. Bye!» I said. He waved and ran back to his apartment. Now it's time for some planning! First I have to convince my parents to keep away from the house on my birthday!

YOSHIKI POV

God, I hope she didn't suspect me! My heart literally skipped a beat when she told me about her birthday. Now I have to buy it earlier than planned! «Fuck!» I whispered in frustration. Miki told me to do it as soon as possible, but as a man I was proud to say that I was really nervous. My hands are literally shaking! Luckily, the shop is close to the music shop, so if I decide quickly I may make it! And I have to write a song too! Wow, I'm trying so hard to be the perfect boyfriend here! I chuckled a bit to myself. Maybe I shouldn't buy it now…I was thinking of doing it in maybe two or three months. Fuck it. I'm buying it NOW! I straightened up my back and gracefully went into the jewellery shop.

*SEPTEMBER 12th (Ayumi's birthday) 19 PM*

AYUMI POV

A few days earlier, I'd given out an invitation to all of our friends and all of them said that they would come. I'm so excited! I can't believe that I've already become 18 years old! I jumped around in happiness while waiting for everyone! Mom was fixing the food and stuff, but she said that she would leave us when everyone came. «A girl and her friends need some privacy!» she said and patted m eon the head.

Hinoe was here earlier too. She'd curled my hair and given me a midnight-blue, short dress with long, lacey sleeves to wear. «You look so adorable, sweetie!» mom said as she put the drinks on the table. «Thanks!» I said. The whole living-room was decorated with balloons, sparkly bands and paperletters hanging on the roof saying: «Happy birthday, Ayumi!» I sat down on the couch and waited for the others until I heard someone ring the doorbell.

«Ah, Seiko-chan and Naomi-chan come in!» mom said as she opened the door. «Happy birthday, Ayumi!» Seiko and Naomi said and gave me a birthday-hug. «Thanks guys!» I said. They both gave me their gifts. After I put them down on the table in the living-room we sat down on the couch while waiting for the others.

During the next fifteen minutes, Mayu, Morishige-kun and Mochida-kun arrived. A.K.A everyone but Yoshiki. «Hey Mochida-kun, where's Yoshiki?» I asked him. «He said that he needs to get some work done. He'll be coming anytime soon, though», he said and gave me a reassuring smile. «I see…that's good», I said and forced a smile. It feels a bit lonely when he's not around. Suddenly, Seiko poked my cheek and said: «Cheer up, birthday girl! This is your big day! Let's have some fun!» I smiled and nodded. And then we sat down and ate some of mom's delicious homemade food.

The party was so much fun! We played spin the bottle, and Mochida-kun had to twerk upside down again! Luckily, he has improved with his twerking skills. We also played truth or dare and Morishige-kun had to stick at least one of his hands up Seiko's top. Seemed like both of them enjoyed it though. I got a lot of great presents too! I got the Selena Gomez perfume by Naomi, a cookbook from Seiko, A Kalafina CD from Mayu, neon-pink headphones from Morishige-kun and a brand new mascara from Mochida-kun. But there was still one thing missing.

Yoshiki.

Yoshiki wasn't here yet. He's missed almost everything! Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Just as I heard it, I ran the fastest I could to the door to open it. There I saw an exhausted Yoshiki that was panting like crazy with his guitar case in his hand and bouquet of pink roses in the other. «Yoshiki…», I whispered. «*pant* S-sorry *pant* for being late *pant*», he said in between pants. When heg ot his breath back, he embraced me with all his might. «Happy Birthday Ayumi», he whispered. I smiled, took his hand and led him to the living room.

«Dude, where have you been?! You have no idea what you've missed!» Mochida-kun said. «Heh, sorry. I was a bit in a hurry since I had to work over-time», he explained and sat down with us. «Well Knight-kun, seems like you're the only one who haven't been giving out your present to Ayumi! Do it now!» Seiko said excited. Yoshiki nodded and looked at me. «First of all, let me give you this bouquet», he said and gave it to me. «Thank you!» I said and gave him a hug. «Wait, that's not it!» he said and pulled out his guitar. We all gave him some room, since he appearently was going to play it

. «I've written a song for you too. It's called «Winter Sleep», he said and winked at me. My heart quickened it's pace. He wrote a song…just for me? «That's so romantic!» Seiko whispered to Morishige-kun. «I guess…», Morishige-kun mumbled. Yoshiki took a deep breath before he started playing. Then, he started to sing:

It keeps coming back to me

I remember, this pain

It spreads across my eyes, everything is dull

Everyone's smiling, they're smiling

It pushes me far far away

I can't understand, everything is blue

Can you hear me out there?

Will you hold me now, hold me now?

My frozen heart

I'm gazing from the distance and I feel everything pass through me

I can't be alone right now

Will you hold me now, hold me now?

My frozen heart

I'm lost in deep winter sleep

I can't seem to find my way out alone

Can you, wake me?

Those deep words that made my tears fall without a shame, I…I understood them. This was exactly how Yoshiki felt when I didn't know his feelings. He couldn't do anything but to stand there and watch as I got along with him. He needed someone to warm up his heart when he went through those tough times. He didn't allow anyone to do that, except for a special someone: me. He continued to sing:

I know when I let it in

It hides love from this moment

So I guard it close, I watch the moves it makes

But it gets me, but it gets me

I wish I could understand how I, could make it dissapear

Make it dissapear

Anyone out there, here me now

Will you hold me now, hold me now?

My frozen heart

Kiss my lips, and maybe you can take me to your world for now

I can't be alone right now

Will you hold me now, hold me now?

My frozen heart

Please, make it all go away

Am I ever gonna feel myself again?

I hope I will

Just listening to him made my mind get filled up with our memories together. And those memories, made my heart feel a bit warmer. I covered my mouth while sobbing quietly. Just as Yoshiki strummed the last tone, he put the guitar down on the ground and pulled me in for an embrace one more time. «Sorry. I didn't buy a real present for you today, but…», he said. «Oh Yoshiki, this is…this is more than enough…Thank you…», I said in a shaky voice. «You're welcome, Ayumi…», said.

«AAAAAAAAAWWWWWW!»

We totally forgot that all of our other friends were in the very room watching our every move. As we realized, we let go of eachother while blushing. Seiko, Naomi and Mayu were squealing at us and said: «That's too adorable! I can't believe he did that just for her!» Mayu said. «I know right? They're just perfect for eachother!» Naomi said.

We akwardly sat down and continued our party by watching some of my favourite movies. During the movie, Yoshiki whispered in my ear: «I can spend the night here, right?» «Of course», I whispered sensually back.

A/N: HUEHUEHUE, U KNO WHAT DAT MEANS! Yup, you guessed it! There's gonna be a lemon in the next chapter XD Hope you enjoyed chapter 11! Plz review and tell me what you think! Until next time ;3