Chapter Twelve: Jealousy 101
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Author-person: I just realized that I had my anonymous review filter on… whacks head on table. Well, that was stupid…
Anyways, it's off… so non-members can now review… (Special thanks to Emmy-chan aka Li'l Lawliet!)
Oh, and I just posted some Vampire Knight one-shots (YuukixZero)… if some of you guys are interested, you can go check it out. They're entitled 'Better than Blood' and 'Hugs and Kisses'. Hope you like them!
And now, back to 'Of Princesses and Black Cats'!
NOTE: When you start to read Fenris' thoughts, (Yes, the dog.) imagine that he has a British accent.
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Any minute now, and he was sure that his back would give way… He needed to get to the stand… and fast. The grass rippled under his feet as he walked, bumping a few people as he crossed the lawn with breakneck speed. Just a little more. He went faster, feeling the weight of the table on his back getting heavier and heavier by the second.
"Oh, thanks." A dark-haired teenager said as Train Heartnet made his last few steps.
Upon reaching his destination, he lay the table down on the grass and looked skyward. Train held up his hand to shield his eyes from the intense light.
The hot afternoon sun beat down on him and the busy students of Kayashima High mercilessly, sending malicious UV rays through the thinning ozone layer like laser beams being blasted from outer space. The weather was weird lately. One second there was a monsoon and then suddenly, there was a heat wave. Was the Earth's thermostat busted or what? He suddenly regretted having decided to wear long sleeves today.
Rubbing his aching back, he gratefully accepted bottled water from Ray Cobalt.
"Sorry to drag you into this. Are you sure it's okay?" The boy asked worriedly, scratching the back of his head.
Train drained the bottle and grinned at the boy. "It's fine. Really."
The class president bowed slightly and the sweeper felt the strange urge to squeeze him lifeless. He was so adorable. Completely, utterly adorable in the way he spoke so politely and in the way he carried himself. To Train, this was the true bishie, not that hot-shot Aizawa. Train would've begged on his knees to become Ray's older brother.
"Well… we'll make it up to you somehow."
Again with the politeness. Train would resort to kidnapping pretty soon. "There's no need for that. I'm just doing princess a little favor."
"Train!" Eve called out from afar, as if on cue.
The Black Cat smiled.
"I'll see you later then, Mr. Heartnet."
Okay, I definitely have to find out where he lives.
"Call me Train for Pete's sake. You're making me feel like an old man."
….
Train was worried about how she would act after what happened back in the restaurant. It was his entire fault for ruining the good mood and getting all detached… He was a jerk and he knew it.
Train had never seen Eve so upset before. She seemed so fragile and vulnerable… and yet, so… beautiful at the same time. The Black Cat tried to shake the thoughts out of his head, but to no avail. He remembered her sitting against the cold brick wall… all drenched and her eyes, slightly red from all the crying she'd done. But he couldn't help but notice how her dress was glued damply to her body, finely accentuating a figure that he hadn't noticed before… and how she resembled an angel when she looked up at him in surprise. She seemed so innocent. So pretty. And in a bizarre way… so perfect. And if Eve wasn't too busy moping, she would've seen Train visibly flushing.
He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. Dammit.
Would she break down crying? Never try to speak to him again? Smash things on the wall? Train immediately fixed his eyes on the grotesque cookie jar on top of the counter. It looked like a cross-breed of a mudfish and a mutilated kangaroo (She should definitely get her hands on that). He waited nervously at the foot of the stairs when he had called her down for some dinner, keeping his fingers crossed behind his back.
C'mon, that cookie jar has GOT to go.
The door finally creaked open, and Train was utterly shocked when Eve had come bursting out of her room with a blinding radiance and a cheerful smile on her face. The princess acted like nothing happened… and he was somewhat glad that she was normal. Albeit a little disappointed because the ugly jar was still intact.
Ah well, I can always put the blame on the dog.
When Sven came home in the morning, Fenris was sent out of the house and was told to 'think about what he's done'.
….
"What?" He said, walking over to her.
Train had that sweet smile on his face again, and Eve could see a group if girls literally dropping to the ground as he passed by. Damn him and his gorgeous pretty-boy looks. How could he be so sweaty and tired and still look impossibly good? Eve bit her lip. Was it still alright to look at him that way? To still admire him? And to still love him? She felt as though every single time they shared a happy moment, it ended up with her crying or her getting hurt. It was always her that would lose. But somehow, she'd already expected that. From the time that she'd realized her real feelings for him, Eve had prepared herself for all things she had to go through. And that included Train breaking her heart… whether it was intentional or not. It was extremely difficult to act like things were fine… but Eve could manage. It was all for Train anyway.
"Thanks for helping us out."
"No problem." It's the least I can do after…
"Train?"
He wiped the sweat on his brow with the back of his hand. Train felt his heart beating at an unusually fast pace.
"Are you alright?" Eve's voice shook a little. He looked flustered…seemingly bothered by something (which was extremely rare).
"Yeah. Just… tired. Mind if I take a rest?"
"No, not at all. Go ahead."
He nodded and made his way to the bench where Fenris was tied to. Train sat down and rubbed his temples. He needed to calm down and think rationally. Eve was like a sister to him… Okay, maybe something a little more than that. It was a feeling that was a teensy bit above infatuation. He was aware that he had somehow developed certain feelings for the princess over time. Especially when she had confessed and… well…kissed him. But he couldn't love her. It was just not right. Why? One, he still loved you-know-who. Two, if he did love Eve and it got out in the open, Sven would definitely kill him. Three, he was too old…well, maybe not… but he wasn't exactly a teenager anymore. And four, he just didn't… deserve her.
I don't love her.
Train ran a hand down his face.
Who was he kidding?
I can't love her.
He saw Eve talking with some of her classmates. She smiled. Then laughed. And for the first time, Train did not see her as a child… She looked so grown-up… and immensely beautiful. Eve pushed a lock of golden hair behind one ear and continued to chat with her classmates, completely unaware of the Black Cat gaping at her in obvious admiration. He put a hand over his mouth and felt a blush creeping to his cheeks.
I… want to love her.
He mentally punched himself. The sudden realization left him staring blankly into an open space, but in an instant, he had once again fixed his eyes on the golden-haired princess who was now carrying some cans of paint.
Fenris wagged his tail excitedly and rested his furry head on Train's left knee. The dog gazed at the troubled Black Cat, looking almost sympathetic.
"Thanks, buddy." Train scratched the back of Fenris' ear.
"I still owe you big time… for the cookie jar."
The dog looked like it was rolling its eyes.
I know, I know… I hated you for that…but now, I have an idea…
Fenris lifted his head up and bit Train's hand playfully.
How 'bout you and missy get together?
"Y'know, you dogs have it easy all the time. I mean, you get to eat for free, you get to leave your crap anywhere and you don't have love-lives."
Ohohoho. Yes we do. Humans are just too busy to notice. And excuse me? I don't just leave my poop lying around.
Train heaved a sigh and patted the dog's head. "Maybe… I should leave."
Fenris raised a non-existent eyebrow. What? You can't! Who's going to scratch my belly then? Only you can do that!
"But then, I'd be hurting Eve again."
True.
"But if she confesses, and I reject her… I'll hurt her even more."
I thought you loved her? Why would you reject her?
"Kyaaaaa!"
The sudden outburst of fangirls almost sent Train jumping up from his seat. He looked up and saw the familiar narcissist making his way towards Eve. Oh great. Aizawa had a bouquet of lovely magnolias in hand, and an annoying smug plastered on his face. Train saw the bishie flip his bangs and kiss Eve's hand in a prince-like manner.
"To MY princess." He put an emphasis on the 'my', making it a point to all of Eve's other admirers to just back the hell off.
Eve reluctantly accepted the flowers from him and gave him a small smile. "Thank you. They're beautiful." she said. But in reality, she wanted to shove them straight up his ass. She was so not in the mood for his flirting with her. There were posters to paint, and tables to set up… How could this guy still find time to try and woo her?
Train felt his stomach lurch as he saw Makoto grin from ear to ear. What did Eve say to him? And where was Rika when you needed her? She was supposed to keep watch if the bastard suddenly swooped in and tried to hit on the princess. But as Train glanced around, she was nowhere to be found. Something like panic flashed in his eyes.
"Not as beautiful as you…" Makoto said, winking. Fangirls swooned in the background.
Eve was disgusted, but smiling.
Train was panicking, but not doing anything.
"I see your little friend is here." The bishie turned to look at Train who was sitting quietly on a bench.
"Yeah. He's helping out."
Makoto's eyes narrowed as he saw the brown-haired man stand up slowly and make his way toward them, dragging his stupid mutt along. He hated Train Heartnet in every aspect, and his feelings intensified when his fangirls started chattering excitedly as the 'hot-guy-in-motorcycle' (as they deemed him) came closer. Makoto observed the man warily. He was wearing a white shirt this time with the long sleeves rolled up to his elbows, frayed blue jeans that were torn in the knees and black sneakers.
Train looked normal to him, but in the eyes of a fangirl, he was a knight, and the adorable husky that walked beside him was his noble steed.
Train stuffed one hand in his pocket, while the other clutched Fenris' leash tightly.
"Er… I guess I should say hi."
Fangirls swooned again. Train sweat-dropped.
"Hn." Makoto said, his hate meter going up a notch.
Eve sensed the dark aura forming and immediately stepped in. "I just realized, I haven't introduced you two properly."
"Aizawa Makoto. Son of the president of Aizawa Electronics, heir to a multi-million dollar corporation, Kayashima High's idol and Eve's noble prince." He though up his own intro, bowed and conjured a rose out of nowhere, almost magically.
"Train Heartnet. Ace sweeper, professional gunman, Eve's knight in shining armor and the guy who just stole your fans." Train winked at the crowd of girls.
"Kyaaaaaa!!"
The narcissist was livid. Eve could've sworn that she saw steam coming out of his ears.
Well, if Makoto was going to act all cocky, then Train will just have to play along with him. He actually wanted to add, 'former Chronos Number and top Eraser' to his introduction just to see how the guy would react. But if he went as far as that, it would definitely cause a ruckus.
The pretty-boy opened his mouth to say something, but a certain Ray Cobalt appeared.
"Aizawa! Causing trouble again?"
And for the umpteenth time, fangirls swooned.
The class president crossed his arms in front of his chest and frowned at the alleged 'idol' of the high school. He looked somewhat exhausted, neck free from the tie, coat discarded and sleeves rolled up just like Train's. He was authoritative, clearly respected by some of the students… with an exception of Makoto, who seemed undaunted by president's scolding.
Ray ran a hand through his black hair irritatingly.
"Aren't you supposed to be with YOUR class and setting up YOUR stand for the Night Festival?" He said, amber eyes hinted with anger.
Makoto raised both hands up and smirked. Clearly, he didn't care what the other teen had to say. Nor did he have any intention of getting bossed around.
"Lighten up, Cobalt. I'm not causing trouble."
And with one swift motion, he gathered a startled Eve in his arms and kissed her on the lips. "Just seeing my girlfriend."
Train had his mouth hanging open, Ray gasped, fangirls fainted, the dog barked, the world ended, (well no, not really) Eve was paralyzed, and if Rika was there, she would've been screaming.
"Get your hands of off me!" The princess finally yelled, breaking free from Makoto's grasp.
"Princess, I--" She slapped him with all the force she could muster and then threw the bouquet at him.
Eve's fingers reached for her lips. It was just a smack, but she felt… violated. That was uncalled for. Completely unexpected. It was crazy. It was stupid. It was… gross! And Train had front row seats. He actually looked like he was going to throw up… but then, he suddenly looked angry and Eve saw his hand slowly reaching for Hades. He stopped as soon as he realized that she was staring at him, and then looked away.
"I--…"
"Shut up, Aizawa. Go back to your classmates." Ray demanded going a little pink around the ears.
With his head bowed low, and the air of confidence around him dissolving almost completely, he stalked off… but his fangirls were too shocked to follow.
Train felt blood draining from his face. His hand clenched and unclenched. Strangely though, the anger that had gripped his chest subsided and was replaced… by another feeling. He turned his heel, not wanting to see Eve's flushed face or hear Ray's frantic apologies for not having prevented the whole thing. Was it… jealousy that he was feeling? Was this how Eve felt every time he mentioned Saya? If so, then he had to admire her… because it hurt like hell. He found that he couldn't think straight and that he wanted to claw his heart out if it was possible.
"Train?"
He looked over his shoulder and smiled at Eve half-heartedly. "I'll see you at home. Fenris' hungry."
No I'm not. And stop using me as an excuse!
Jealousy.
Train had never felt it before…
…and he didn't like it one bit.
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Author-person: I figured that Train had to realize his feelings at some point… And Eve needs to get revenge for all the times he'd hurt her feelings. So, ha!
Ray Cobalt? A feeling in my gut told me to include another OC in the story. I actually used him waaaaay back in my first story (I was eight, I think).
… it wasn't pretty… the first story, I mean. Sadly, it was a literary failure. Pinches cheeks.
I hope this chap is okay… my brother was annoying me while I was typing this…
