It Started With a Crush: Chapter 11: "What Hurts More?"
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Finally!
"Yes, I'm done!" Cagalli announced proudly finishing her ten thousand words report on Dictatorship. The output-- she slid it towards Athrun's direction for him to review. As Athrun went over her work, on official break, Cagalli pushed her chair away from the wooden table and stretched her tired arms before leaning her elbow back on the table.
Frequently, she would catch Athrun readjust his reading glasses, which Cagalli taught to be real sexy.
"By the way, Athrun. How's your arm?"
"The doctor said I will be able to remove the cast in a few days." Athrun said plainly while reading.
"That's good news."
Athrun nodded his head in agreement before going back trough Cagalli's entire paper. Athrun paused and glimpse up at Cagalli a bit surprised. "Cagalli, this paper is actually exemplary work. I admit that the way it was written could use some work but the concept-is amazing."
"I'm just glad that it's over." Cagalli lay back on her chair, waving off what Athrun had just said and reached for her soda then took a sip.
Rereading Cagalli's work, Athrun became thoughtful for a moment. "Cagalli, would mind reviewing FAITH's platform for me?"
Cagalli blinked in disbelief while biting on straw "You want my opinion?"
"Yes. Hold on, I think the files is in here somewhere."
Trilled. Cagalli sat up straight at this, waiting for Athrun to present her with the files.
Athrun shuffled his bag, and then searched his laptop. Still unable to find what he has been looking for, Athrun stood up from his seat then frown. "I seem to have left the files back in my room. The dorm is only five minutes away. Would it be all right for you to wait here until I get back?"
"Wait." Cagalli shouldered her bag. "I'll just come with you. I've always wanted to check out your room."
Athrun looked at her strangely at first before realizing she was serious.
"Cagalli, you are aware that girls are not allowed inside the male's dormitory, right?"
Cagalli pushed back to her feet. Pulled out a tan Gatsby Cap; threw it on her head; and smirked confidently. "Leave that to me."
00000
As Athrun liberally passes through the reception desk as well as the watched elevator with Cagalli along side him without a fuss; Stunned did not even describe half of what Athrun was feeling right now. He is down right pissed, actually. With his palm fisted and his brow furrowed, Athrun retort. "I can not believe they let you in." He was referring to the building attendants. As he and Cagalli roamed through the open corridor of floor seven. Male dormitory building.
"They thought I was a guy. They're idiots. So they let me in." Cagalli said half annoyed herself. All she had to do was wear a large cap and matching overcoat and then presto! She was in! First, she hoped it would work. She just did not think it will actually work!
And clearly Athrun is not quite happy about it. Mainly -- letting Cagalli into the boy's dormitory. No person would be if others mistake your significant other to be male when she is a hundred percent female!
If it weren't for Cagalli wanting to look at their: his, Dearka and Yzak's bedroom. He would have said something back there and that something would not have been pretty. Not necessarily harsh but definitely unpleasant.
Athrun grabbed Cagalli's fisted hand. "It's this way." He quickly led her to room A0707.
So far-- so good. Other than building structure, the boy's dormitory and the girl's dormitory were no different, Cagalli thought.
The guy's room seems roughly divided into three portions. There were three beds, desks and chairs, all arranged in one row while a television hangs on a wall across those.
Cagalli found one part of three in the room to be a complete mess-- there exist a large pile of clothes, magazines, disks dumped on one bed and floor space. The middle part of the room, on the other hand, has its dump set on table space. And the last part of the room looks so tidy as if no one sleeps there. It was a strange sight.
"You share a room with Yzak and Dearka, right?" Cagalli just wanted to make sure.
"Yeah."
Cagalli circulated the room as if she'll discover something interesting laying around. Given the time, Cagalli was not paying any attention to him. Athrun seemingly nonchalant kicked a pair of boxers under the bed, to hide them.
It wasn't long when, Athrun continued to search his messy desk for his earlier misplaced file. Cagalli's shoes echoed a clicking noise as she walked absentmindedly circulating the room, one foot after the other.
Found it! Athrun was about to tell Cagalli the good news when he turned around catching a glimpse of Cagalli's back, posed, one foot in front of the other. It seemed simple but not when Athrun saw it. Cagalli's walk was different. Her arms swayed at her side with elegance and her hips rocked back and forth in such a rhythm it dazed him.
Not good.
The more Cagalli casually circulated and evaluated their space. The more he realized him and Cagalli where together in a secluded room alone. Athrun felt a surge of hormonal panic. He couldn't look away. He wanted to memorize every face, every look, every pose that she did.
Athrun gulped, loosening his collar. Was it getting hot in here? Athrun stopped when he had realized what he was dong. He wanted to slap himself awake. Athrun, you are a gentleman! Now is not the time to be thinking of these things. Control yourself!
"Athrun?" Cagalli shifted her weight onto one hip and turned to him. He had seen this action before but it was at this moment, Athrun's limit broke.
The silence fell over them and Cagalli's face reddened at Athrun's intent stare. Athrun crossed the short space between them in two quick strides and before Cagalli could blink, Athrun clasps her back, pulling her against him into a passionate kiss.
Cagalli struggled at first, surprised at Athrun's assertive behavior but not for long. Slowly Cagalli began responding to his lips and, with a large amount of elation. Their kiss deepened into something that was hard and fast and wanting. It was something he had only dreamed of.
"Cagalli," he all but growled at her.
"Athrun," Cagalli whispered against his lips, her legs giving in and she found herself sitting on the bed edge with Athrun right in front of her.
They kissed soft and slow. Pushing away whatever junk was on the mattress, and letting them fall carelessly to the already messy floor. Her fingers brushed lightly through his dark hair; caressing gently the fine hairs at the base of his neck.
She lay on her back and Athrun ran an index finger along her proud jaw and crooked it under her chin sweetly coaxing her closer.
Closer still. Their hands wandered of their own accord. Cagalli's eyes closed almost immediately as he deepened the kiss, her hands feeling around his upper body until they came across the round buttons of his shirt. Her fingers worked effortlessly until they were undone and he was free from the material. All the while Athrun had worked on pushing off his shirt, revealing underneath Caglli's fingertips the smoothest skin she had ever felt.
After a moment, Cagalli melted beneath Athrun as his lips touched her earlobes and gasped at his cool touch to her warm belly under her button-up shirt. His capable hands swiftly undid the blouse she had managed to put on as he smiled against her mouth. Her shirt was now open.
"I can't believe you guys are going to do it on my bed!!!"
Both Cagalli and Athrun instantly stopped at what they were doing with wide eyes.
Apparently, the couple was too engrossed at each other that they had not notice the door open. And what's worst, both Cagalli and Athrun knew was yet to come because standing next to the bewildered Dearka is a very angry Kira.
He had been watching them when they'd done IT. Make out, that is.
"Athrun…." Kira hissed.
"Kira, it's not what it looks like. We were only making out!"
"Shirtless?" Kira glared darkly at the shirtless Athrun.
"This-" Athrun stuttered, starting down at his bare chest. "This… I can explain!"
Cagalli felt as if she had been slapped. She felt like wanting to slam her head repeatedly on the nearest wall because she was the reason how they both end up shirtless in the first place!
When Cagalli quickly stood up in search for a wall. Dearka eye's unexpectedly lit up at the sight of her. Athrun who noticed this, immediately pulled up the bed sheet to cover Cagalli's exposed underwear.
"Cover up, Cagalli." Athrun warned, wrapping fabric on the blonde.
"Don't touch my sister!" Kira dove in, pushing Athrun and himself onto the floor. Cagalli caught in the violent action, unfortunately also fell along with them.
"Wow, threesome with incest!" Dearka calmly sauntered into the room with the door automatically closing behind him, and simply watched and did nothing as Kira grappled his best friend on messy floor. Kira apparently winning as one of Athrun's arm is clearly still in a cast.
"What on earth are you standing there for!?" Cagalli screamed at Dearka. "Help me pry Kira away from Athrun!"
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Everyone turned their heads towards the door.
"Hey, did I just hear a girl scream in there!?"
Kira and Athrun pulled away from each other.
"Oh no, sorry I haven't realized the television was set on so loud." Dearka answered back, obviously telling a lie. The guy outside fortunately seem to have believed him fairly easily. At least, that is what they thought until they found some guys-- who happen to be Yuna's friend's guarding their door, rending Cagalli trapped inside the room.
Yuna again. "Great." Athrun let out with pure sarcasm.
16:36
Squatted on the center of the room with the rest of the trapped people, Kira crossed his arms and narrowed his gaze at the person next to him. This is all Athrun's fault! Kira didn't know that was for sure. Just like how he didn't know why exactly he was making such a fuss over it. It was just a kiss, after all. Nothing else had happened. It wasn't like they'd had sex or anything…Or Had they? Kira maliciously glared at Athrun who was busy trying to think of a way to get Cagalli out from the room without being caught.
Dearka looked at Kira bored. "Kira, just let it go." He said after watching and listening to the guy murmur to himself words which are already too many recall. "It's not like they had sex in front of you or anything."
"They could have!" Kira did not stop the excessive glare.
"They would have done it eventually anyway."
Both Cagalli and Athrun's faces flushed in an awkward shade of embarrassment.
"Would you two stop talking as if we are not here?" Cagalli almost shrieked.
Athrun nodded in desperate agreement.
"Don't tell me you never made out with Lacus or even thought of it." Dearka teased.
Kira grit his teeth. "Of course, I haven't!"
Dearka sighed. "It seems, I'm the only one who is experienced here… Even Yzak hasn't done it yet." Dearka shook his head disappointedly. "You'll all still a bunch of innocent virgins."
"I am not." Kira said frankly without much thought.
"Kira, stop joking around. You obviously could not have done it yet." Athrun hissed.
"Seriously, I'm not!" again, Kira simply revealed heedless.
Counting how many girls Kira had successfully gone out with, which is two; and the fact that Kira couldn't have possibly done it with Lacus yet… "No way, you did it with Flay!" Cagalli busted out in compete and utter shock.
Athrun, Dearka and Kira seemed pretty surprised too. Athrun and Dearka from the recent discovery while Kira who just happened to realize too late of what he had just unconsciously exposed.
"Did I say it was with Flay? I never said it was with Flay." Kira panicked.
"You did it with Flay Allster? You sly lucky bastard. The girl is hot!" Dearka teased with hints of jealousy. "Kira, are even aware how many guys would be so envious of you right now!?"
17:28
Doing nothing.
"You know, Kira… you don't really have to stay when your room is only a floor away." Dearka pointed out.
"And what, leave Cagalli alone with you and you?" Kira outrageously pointed his index finger at Dearka then to Athrun. "Never!"
17:45
Still doing nothing.
Bored. Dearka started again. "You know, Athrun, I've been meaning to ask you something for a long time now."
"What is it?"
"Since Kira and Cagalli are twins and they looked a lot like each other. Who do you see when you look at Cagalli?"
"Cagalli of course!"
"Err… right." Dearka wasn't convinced.
Kira turned his head sideways and so did Athrun. They both scooted away from each other while Kira takes Cagalli with him.
18:29
"Man, what a persistent bunch they are." Dearka sighed, after peeking through the peephole.
"So they're still there?" Kira couldn't believe it. None of them could.
"Apparently." Dearka confirmed.
"Hey, where's Yzak anyway?" Cagalli asked out of curiosity.
"Oh, he will be out having dinner with his mom. He won't be back until later." Dearka said, peeking through the whole again. Unfortunately, the guys guarding their door were still there.
19:02
"Dearka what are you doing?" Cagalli had her arms wrapped around her knees when she noticed Dearka drawing of line with a pair of circle on paper.
Dearka lend the picture to Cagalli the moment he was done and Cagalli studied the image. It was a poor drawing of a simple stick woman—the kind little kids usually draw. She was carrying two pair of large circles, chest high, which looks a lot like melons--.
Hold on…. Cagalli squinted, when she saw her name below the poor drawn image.
"Don't you think it would be more appropriate for Athrun to be caught dating girls with a lot of sex appeal?" Dearka laughed. Cagalli took another glimpse at the drawing Dearka had made of her then it caught on. And considering Cagalli's temper on the subject, Athrun didn't dare say a word.
Cagalli crumpled the paper at hand. "What is it with women and big breast!? Is that all you men see!" Cagalli screeched. "Suddenly, I'm starting to understand why you are dating Meer!"
"I knew it! I knew it! There is a girl in there!" a voice from outside declared.
Cagalli froze, feeling all eyes on her for giving herself away.
Oh crap.
Cagalli dejectedly and quietly sat back down.
Kira and Athrun said nothing while still thinking of ways to fix the mess they were in. Not Dearka though.
"On contrary, Cagalli. Women are not all about the breast." Dearka countered defending his male gender. "True, Meer's best assets are her breasts but look here." Dearka pulled out a deck of pictures of women from his wallet and showed it to everyone and explained what he meant by sliding one photo forward one at a time. "Stellar Loussier here doesn't have large breast but she does have sleek and tight arms. Lunamaria Hawke on the other hand, is all legs which explain the short skirts. Shiho Hahnefuss has a nice butt-- this explains why she always wears tight fitted jeans and skirt. Whilst Flay Allster is amazingly hot." Dearka finished proudly, crossing his arms with obvious triumph.
Caught in the moment, the rest of the guys looked through Dearka's fascinating collection. "Wow. I never realized Shiho had such a rear."
"This girl Loussier does have pretty nice arms."
Disturbed, Cagalli's brow twitched. "I can't believe you guys are discussing this in front of me. You guys are a bunch of perverts!"
"It's called women appreciation. Ap-pre-ci-a-tion." Dearka defended. "The key here Cagalli, is to know your best asset and then flaunt it."
"So… Um… What about Lacus?" Kira asked, curiously causing all three-- Athrun, Cagalli, and Dearka to turn to the brunet in complete surprise.
Disgusted, "Kira Yamato, you are sick!" Dearka retorted "Lacus is like a sister to me and Athrun! You don't expect me to talk about my sister's assets!"
Feeling rather shameful, Kira's maroons eyed way with his back bend low. "Well, you talked about Cagalli's." Kira mumbled with face looking away, a little pissed.
The blond crossed his arms and sigh. It was obvious wasn't it, how he could freely talk about the blonde princess? "Cagalli is not my sister."
Thump. Thump. Thump.
"This is the administrator. I'm coming in!"
In knowing this, everyone quickly got up to their feet. They were in deep trouble.
With no else to hide Cagalli, thinking fast, "Athrun and I will handle this." Dearka whispered to the twins. "Kira, Protect Cagalli as if your life depends on it." And with that, Dearka shove both Cagalli and Kira in to the bathroom in a hurry.
Seconds later, the door to their room was forced open with an all-round keycard even before anyone could get to answer the door.
Following the attendant, Yuna shouldered Athrun on his way to the bedroom.
"All right. Where is she!?" The large man began.
"Who?" Dearka faked.
"Don't play dumb with me Elsman, Seiran and his friends told me they heard a girl scream in here."
"A girl? That's impossible. No girl could have passed the security downstairs even if we wanted a girl up here. How many times should I explain it was the television everyone heard?"
Athrun nodded in agreement. "It was only the television."
"Oh. I wonder how can a television program actually be able critic your taste in dating women." he countered directly at Dearka's face, explaining what his groupee heard.
"I have no idea what you are taking about, Seiran."
Yuna pretended to wander around. "What is it with women and big breast!? Is that all you men see! Suddenly, I'm starting to understand why you are dating Meer!" Yuna quoted the words thrown earlier. "Now, how on earth could the television have known you were dating Meer Campbell?"
Not carrying about the boy's little argument; the attendant went on and searched the room. The man opened closets; look out the balcony; threw up bed sheets then looked under the bed. Spotting nothing out of the ordinary, "Bathroom" The man announced where he intends to check next.
As the man quickly approached the bathroom. "Sir, I don't think you would want to go in there." Athrun warned wanting to stop him.
The professor pressed the open button. Occupied.
"Kira is in there, sir" Athrun thought fast. One single foul-up then he would be caught lying. "Food poisoning."
Dearka backup Athrun's statement by fanning his nose.
The man was not impressed. He had a job to do and house rules to maintain. If a girl is indeed hiding in there—the bathroom; he wasn't going to let some little excuse as 'occupied' interfere on what needed to be done.
"Yamato, open up!" The man tried again. This time, he pound hard at the door.
Behind the door, inside the bathroom, Kira listened carefully to the conversation taking place on the other end.
Curious. "Kira, what's going on out there?" Cagalli whose hearing is not as sharp to Coordinator's asked.
Kira hushed her trying to keep her voice down. "Not good." Kira whispered. "Apparently, the attendant doesn't plan on leaving until he checks this bathroom."
"Kira, what are we going to do?"
"I don't know, Cagalli. If this keeps up I'm sure we'll be found our eventually."
"What's going to happen to you guys then?" She asked referring to Kira, Dearka and especially Athrun for breaking house rules but Kira didn't know as well.
When the bangs on the bathroom door became more aggressive, Kira took a step back with Cagalli clung closed behind him.
"Kira, I'm sorry for wanting come to the male's dormitory."
Cagalli gave his arms a squeeze and that is when Kira felt it-- that unusual stab to the heart.
Never. Never in his entire life have he felt so needed by his sister. Often he watched over Cagalli because he is obligated to do so, being the brother who loves her and all. Cagalli of course, thought it was annoying. But this! This is different. Feeling her hand tightening against his arm, silently, she depended on him to protect her! And Kira felt a spark of happiness lit up within him. He thought he could cry.
Clutching his right hand on Cagalli's left, Kira swore under his breath, He was all fired-up. Don't worry, Cagalli. Everything will work out fine because big brother is here! Driven with a sense of purpose, Kira was determined to protect. Thus, he decided to go along with the I-ate-food-poisoning gimmick.
"I'm afraid I can't, sir!" Kira hollered back with Cagalli watching him baffled in the sidelines, her bag held tightly against her chest. "I ate something real bad this afternoon!"
"Then hurry up and open the door when you're done!"
"Cagalli, help me out here." Kira whispered urgently. Using his eyes and head, he nodded at her as a sign.
And with that, Cagalli bolted up, eyes growing wide. Her help? What could she possibly do!? Cagalli's amber eyes glided around the bathroom. Searching for—well… anything when the idea came to her. Sound effects. Sound effects. As silently as she could, Cagalli scrambled around the small area in panic. Thinking of the right sounds fix for the cause.
Soon enough, and not a moment to lose, Cagalli found herself stomping around; tinkling one objects after another making weird loud noises as strong as she possibly can. Lastly, deep breath. Cagalli pursed her lips then blow. "Prrrffftttt!!!"
"Ohhhhh!!!!!....."
Pffffttttt!!!!
"Arrrggghhhh!!! Nnngghhh…"
Pooooottt!!!
Stomp!!! Stomp!!
From the side of the bedroom, for stink precaution purposes, the attendant backed away from the door. Disgusted at what he was hearing, with his eye twitched. "Mr. Yamato that sounds ghastly!" He hollered, pinching his nose in case some of those gases escape the confinement of the bathroom.
Yuna, Athrun, and Dearka apparently, were not too trilled about the sounds that were coming from in there either. Despite Yuna's desperate attempt of defaming the all-time favorite Athrun Zala and Dearka Elsman; and despite, Athrun and Dearka's knowledge of the sound being fake. All three of them were frozen, face twisted in their own way of expressing disgust.
"Mr. Yamato, make sure to see a doctor about that stomach of yours, after!"
"Uh… Yes, sir. I will. Just after I—Ohhhhhhhh…."
Prrrrffffttttt!!!!
"I think I'll be stay here for a while longer." Kira added before faking another long agonizing groan.
"Don't rush, take your time!" The man shook his head and turned his attention back into the other people in the room. He made his way to the door then paused. "I'll be going then." He announced, "Zala, remind your friend to take a lot of pills when his trough. And Seiran, I'm trusting you'll report to me again when there something comes up." And with that the elder male left.
Concluding—there's no point in sticking around any longer. Yuna tuned his heels and stormed out as well. "I'll be watching you, Zala."
00000
"Three days left until election campaign."
"Are you nervous?" Cagalli smiled at Athrun as they walked together one clear afternoon.
"You can say a little bit… but what I was really wondering is if--"
"Ah. There you are my Cagalli!"
Both Athrun and Cagalli stopped as Yuna sashayed towards them; he had a red rose in hand; he swung it delicately on his fingers as he walked making an imposing display. And behind Yuna are those who always followed him around.
"For you." Yuna presented the flower to the blonde then Athrun out of protective reflexes placed a hand between the rose and Cagalli, surprising those who saw this gesture, Yuna being one of them but not for long.
Yuna's shock was soon replaced with a smirk. "What's this?" Yuna's started. "Why if it isn't Athrun Zala, is there something wrong with me approaching my fiancée?"
It was a direct jab; a sudden blow of realization causing Athrun to slowly lower is working arm between the two, giving Yuna the space and opportunity to shoulder through.
Striking further, "Is Athrun Zala your boyfriend, Cagalli, is he?" Yuna demanded his fianceé while his posse stood listening intently behind them.
Cagalli felt as if she was being closed in by the crowd and the situation. She never would have imaged something like this could happen and she was unsure of what to do actually. Cagalli heart and head was in conflict. It was hard to get the words out. She is indeed in a relationship with Athrun and only a few friends knew about this. Publicly however, Princess Cagalli Yula Athha of Orb is known to be engaged to Orb's Yuna Roma Seiran, the man who her father and country had chosen for her. Cagalli felt her heart being thorn apart. She had to choose. She had no choice.
He has to understand.
At the moment, Cagalli did not have courage to face anyone thus; she bowed her head in defeat. "No." Cagalli answered the conflict that is her life. "He's not."
"Athrun Zala is not?" Yuna faked a gasped of surprise side glancing to his posse behind him. "If he is not then who is the lucky man in your life Cagalli? To who is it that you will be eventually be marrying?"
Cagalli shut her eyes and breathed in. "To you, Yuna."
Yuna smiled a wry smile. He just wanted to hear Cagalli say it. And the result—only pleases him. His shorn head made him look like a mischievous kid. He held Cagalli by the waist and gave her a peck on the cheek for show. "As you may be aware, campaigning will start in three days. You will be cheering for me won't you, Cagalli?" Yuna continued, handing her the rose he was unable to awhile ago.
Cagalli still did not dare raise her head. "Of- of course."
Yuna gave her another peck and then smirked "That is all I wanted to hear." He told her before turning to Athrun again. "Before I forget, I am wishing you luck on the election Zala because you will need it." Yuna laughed before going on his way. Yuna's posse of course followed suit behind him.
"Athrun…." was Cagalli's first word upon Yuna disappearance. She wanted to explain what had just happened; she wanted to apologize but Athrun didn't need to hear it.
"I think I need some time to myself." And with that Athrun turned around and left too.
00000
Two is the number of days Athrun and Cagalli stopped talking to each other. Those two days seemed like a life time. Today is the second.
There is no word to describe the pain Cagalli was feeling. It was a mixture of regret, shame, guilt, and depression. It was painful.
Cagalli has cooped herself inside their room for two days now and has been refusing to come out since. Fact is fact, she had messed up badly. How could she have allowed herself be swept over by something as silly as love and forget that she is already very much engaged? She had even purposely miss class for the selfish reason not wanting to run into either Yuna or Athrun.
Lacus even tried to help by getting in touch with Athrun but Athrun has failed to pick up his mobile phone over five times now. Now, all Lacus could do for the girl is stay with her.
"There. There. Cagalli, I'm sure Athrun will forgive you." Lacus gently stroke Cagalli's back as the girl continued to cry. "I know he will be calling you eventually to tell you that everything is all right." Lacus gazed up at Cagalli's silent and stationary mobile phone on a nearby desk, wishful that it would ring any minute.
And it did not.
"Face it, Lacus. He is not going to call. You've been telling Cagalli he would since yesterday and look where this has lead." Flay side glanced at the depressed blonde who no longer wished to show face.
Lacus silently eyed at Flay with a you-are-not-helping sort of look.
Cagalli's sobs still echoed all over their silent room.
Next to the depressed Cagalli is the comforting Lacus who is still trying to make it all better; Flay on the other hand, indifferently leaned on the window staring at the environmental view found outside their window. "I think I now understand why we never gotten along." Flay said plainly, causing Lacus and Cagalli to shift their attention to her.
"What are you talking about?" Cagalli wanted to ask between sobs but before she could, Flay simply continued.
"Lacus is too trusting. She expects everyone will come around eventually and is patient." Flay explained, "Cagalli is always doubtful. You are always caught between whether what is right and wrong, good or bad; a pure utilitarian. While I am a go-getter and simply go after what I want."
00000
Cagalli paced the many hall of Xavior and then stop to chance her breath.
"Oh, if you were me what will you do, then?" Cagalli could hear her own voice as she recalled questioning Flay for calling Lacus' method of patience a waste of time.
"If I were you, I will come up to him and start fixing the situation myself."
"So he hasn't returned yet?"
The guard shook his head.
"I see. Thanks anyway." Cagalli walked away from the man with hints of disappointment. She and Lacus have been searching for Athrun all morning. They went through specific classrooms, FAITH's office, the cafeteria, the male's dormitory, and even some of his hangout spots and still no sign Athrun.
Four rings. Five rings. Six rings.
"How odd, it is rare for Athrun not to answer his phone." Lacus said after another failed attempt of trying to reach Athrun through her mobile phone again.
"I don't get it." Cagalli said, completely out of ideas on where to look. "He's not with Kira. He's not with Yzak or Dearka. And he's is not with his companions from FAITH. Where could Athrun possibly have gone?" Cagalli brushed her sneakers on ground as she and Lacus continued on their search.
"I'm worried, Cagalli. This is not like Athrun." Lacus said.
Cagalli knew how Lacus felt because inside, Cagalli too was starting to worry.
That is when both of them heard a very familiar voice.
"Meyrin, are you all right?"
Athrun? Cagalli acted fast trailing the voice with Lacus close behind her. There was no mistaking it, she knew that voice anywhere and when she found the blue haired coordinator who they took so much trouble to find and was about to call his name, she stopped dead on her tracks promptly catching a surprising scene of Athrun with his arms wrapped around another girl.
On impulse, Cagalli stepped back and then leaned on an opposing wall, hidden from the couples view. Lacus who was right behind her was also pulled to the same position by her.
Lacus gasped after noticing what Cagalli was staying hidden from. "What is Athrun—"
Cagalli hushed Lacus before the songstress could say anything else.
Caught by the moment, Meyrin was the first to speak.
"Athrun, you are someone who I greatly look up too and I-… I haven't been totally honest with you about my feelings but actually, I-… I liked you for a long time and I like you a lot!"
A confession! Cagalli felt her heart beat.
"I like you too." Cagalli and Lacus heard Athrun's reply perfectly.
Cagalli felt as if she had been slapped hard in the face. Cagalli didn't want to believe it. All this time when she had been crying over him, and waiting so dumbly by her phone, hoping Athrun would call. When Athrun was in fact here cheating on her with Meyrin Hawke!
With all the issues and possible conflict which circulates around Cagalli and Athrun's unethical secret relationship; maybe in reality Athrun's existing affection for Meyrin Hawke is actually a good thing. After all, Meyrin seems to be a nice girl, who is obviously not engaged to another man. Yes, she does seem much deserving of Athrun's love.
Cagalli has not failed to consider this but her teary amber eyes just couldn't help but flash bright red at the sight of the scene. There was a hurt that struck her chest, an unsolicited type of pain. He was cheating on her. This is fact. Cagalli was not only hurt but she was also dead angry. How dare he!? Taking one last look at the lovely couple, Cagalli turned and ran. "Athrun you idiot! I hate you!"
"Cagalli," Lacus worried. She too took one last look at her childhood friend's unacceptable behavior before running after Cagalli who disappeared.
Athrun how could you.
With face fully flushed, Meyrin pulled away and shook her head from Athrun's apparent misunderstanding. "No, I mean I really-really like you!" the younger girl confessed.
Suddenly, Athrun was lost for words. He never would have realized Meyrin, who he often thought of like a little sister in FAITH could actually have romantic feelings for him. Meyrin is smart, sweet, and pretty. Anyone would be lucky to have her but he- found it impossible to return her feelings.
"I am sorry, but I do not feel the same way." Truthfully, Athrun told her because right now. Right now, despite what had happened, he still--……
"It's Miss Athha isn't it?" Meryin continued to stare at the floor. She did not need to look at Athrun surprised how-did-you-know- face for she already knew. "I can tell from the way you look at her…. It's different."
"I am sorry."
Meyrin had tears in her eyes but she willfully shook her head. "No, I understand. I'm just glad I was able to tell you, that's all."
00000
"To the coming campaign!"
"To our future President!"
"Cheers!" Everyone clunk their cup filled with soda and drank.
Athrun sweat dropped. Everyone seems to be exaggerating. Just because the odds of Yuna Roma Seiran is high does not prove a thing. It's not like he had already won but then again, the FAITH members having this much confidence is good morale.
Athrun then shifted his attention to Meyrin who was also having fun and celebrating with the rest of the crew. He was helping her find her missing earrings when Meyrin tripped then suddenly confessed to him. Athrun was simply relieved he had not emotionally hurt her too much by turning her down.
Unexpectedly, there came a loud bang on the door.
Everyone stopped and looked at the entrance when a distraught member of FAITH runs in panting with news. "GAEAns HAVE HACKED INTO THE CAMPUS' BROADCASTING SYSTEM!"
"That's impossible. How could a bunch of Natu--… even I can't hack into that system!" One of the seniors proclaimed.
"It's true! I've heard they'll be making a live broadcast at exactly sixteen o clock!" the guy panted.
Sixteen o clock?
Athrun and everyone's attention shifted from their haggard friend to the room's digital clock. The time was now exactly 15:58. Two minutes everyone breathe. Waiting for all three digit numbers to progress accordingly seemed like a life time.
15:59.
16:00.
The television inside FAITH's office turned-on automatically as to all broadcasting system found all around campus. On screen were three panels shifting from one to another portraying three different but lovely girl each time.
"Good afternoon, Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Xavior students. You are in for a real threat today.
First and foremost, let us not forget Xavior's ideals and those who share its same beliefs… The conception of wanting to make everywhere a place where both Naturals and Coordinators can grow-up together, happily and freely, in a place not located on an existing neutral nation such as ORB.
It is because of these ideals that a Natural such as me is able to speak in front of everyone in campus today and I am grateful… I am grateful to be here. I am grateful that despite the discrimination going around campus that GAEA exists. The same GAEA that made this broadcast possible. The same GAEA that is a true example of Xavior's ideal. And the same GAEA that can make a real difference.
GAEA's ideals of true equality have been overshadowed by FAITH's influence long enough. This time GAEA could not have found anyone else more befitting to represent them for the cause.
I am Flay Allster, daughter of the Atlantic Federation Foreign Minister; is now, a proud member of GAEA."
"I Lacus Clyne of PLANTs, a proud supporter of equality and peace, am now also a proud member of GAEA. Hello my friends, I am grateful of being granted the opportunity to part of the same student body as everyone. And as a fellow student, I must admit, I want the best for everyone. I have seen many things and experience what you have experience- some good, some bad, and I trust we can do better because we deserve better and we can.
GAEA is here to make sure our voices are heard. They are here to assist and make further improvements. I have chosen to associate with GAEA because I truly believe that GAEA is on the right track to make our campus and everywhere else a better place. My friends let us move forward. I have faith in all of you will make the right choice as we did."
"And Lastly, I am Princess Cagalli Yula Attha of ORB, a daughter of the neutral nation, known as the "Land of Peace". To everyone who is witnessing this broadcast, I Cagalli Yula Attha, as of this day will be running for student body president."
The panels merged into one big room with all three girls together. "And we want you to vote of for GAEA."
The broadcast ended leaving the television screen with white noise and a lot of stunned faces.
Everyone seems to be in shock at the moment.
"Athrun, three of the most influential females in campus are against you." In hearing this, Athrun broke a sweat. He did not understand why this was suddenly happening.
Cagalli Yula Athha of ORB Union, Lacus Clyne of PLANTs, and Flay Allster of Earth Federation.
Three princesses.
"What happened to Yuna!?"
"What is going on here!?"
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A/N: girl power?
Please don't kill me. I swear that this is the last time Cagalli and Athurn will have a misunderstanding within this fic.
Yes. Yes I know the male dormitory thing has no major significance in the story but this story was never down right serious to begin with lol. I really had the intention of taking it out from the whole chapter but oh well; it would have been such a waste to delete the whole thing.
Wow, I never imagined I would be updating this fic again. Thanks for the awesome reviews! Those really drove me to write this chapter.