Chapter Twelve: Cinema And Chill

After having left the store, ending up with three movie choices from three different genres, we go in the direction of Kyo's until we're interrupted by a head-on collision. Tohru and three other boys surround her, their gait ceasing when they bump into us.

"Wow! Its-" Tohru stops short, staring down at her feet. "I'm so sorry! I never got your name." She glances back up at me, and I realize who she's referring to.

I open my mouth to reply, only to be cut off by the formerly calm Kyo next to me. "Its Kitty." He looks pointedly at our school's 'prince'. "Where are you off to, rat boy?"

The prince scoffs, folding his arms across his chest. "As if I owe you an explanation. Have you not learned from that incident that involved my fist, your eye, and a dent in Shigure's wall?"

Kyo tenses immediately, clenching his fists and taking a step forward. "At least I'm not with someone, just because she pities me." His eyes become red daggers then. "Get tired of it being just you and your right hand?"

I cringe, unprepared for that savage comment from Kyo.

"Guys, stop fighting!" The blonde boy says, gesturing at Tohru. "You'll make her upset."

The other boy, who's taller and with bi-colored hair steps in front of the prince. "What movies are those anyway?" He asks, nodding his head towards the three cases in my hands.

I take advantage of the break in tension, forcing a smile. "One comedy, one scary movie, and one action film. Kyo and I plan to spend the night laughing, covering our eyes, and watching blood spill." I steel myself, looking over at Kyo. "Can they join us?"

He narrows his eyes, before redirecting his angry gaze in the prince's direction. "Not if he's gonna be there."

The boy in question begins to reply, only to be interrupted by the excited look in Tohru's eyes as she bounced on her heels. "Please Yuki? That sounds like so much fun!"

Yuki slumps forward, heaving a deep, reluctant sigh before giving a nod of consent. "For your sake, I can be mature enough to set aside our differences for one night."

She squeals and the blonde joins her. The both of them jump up and down, holding hands and spinning in a circle together. Eventually, the taller boy gravitates to Yuki, latching onto his tie. He sighs and the four follow us towards Kyo's place.

...

Kyo likes Tohru. At least based on the fact he glances over at her constantly. And in a way, I feel like her stand-in, her replacement. Because Kyo's never looked at me or anyone else the way he looks at her. Like there's a golden halo above her head and angels singing as they bask in the girl that is Tohru. But I act like I don't notice a thing, even though I feel cheap and unwanted.

A bloodcurdling scream claws out of the TV speakers as a bedraggled apparition climbs out of a hole on screen. She drags her body forward by sinking her nails into the dirt, eyes zeroing in on the victim she was thirsty for. I don't even flinch at this, never finding myself afraid of scary movies, in contrast to Tohru who squealed and grabbed Yuki's hand.

And when I look to see Kyo glowering at the union of their hands, I put two and two together. Yuki was dating Tohru and Kyo liked Tohru. Now it all made sense...

But it didn't make things any better now that I figured it out; it only made matters worse for me on the inside.

"T-Tohru," the blonde whimpers, covering his eyes with her uniform sleeve. "Can we w-watch something else? Please?"

I move to click off the TV with the remote, only to be stopped by Kyo's hand on my wrist. Or more specifically, his thumb making smooth, circular motions into the inside of my wrist. A shiver rips through me as I still at this unexpected action, beginning to smile when he intertwines my hand with his.

I don't know what made him affectionate all of a sudden, but I like it.

I allow myself to grin in the dimly lit living room, feeling warm by such a small thing after all that we did with each other. You'd think seeing each other naked would make me blush more than holding hands would.

But my heart comes to a screeching halt when I notice he's watching Tohru...not me. And when his eyes lock with Yuki's, his lips curl up into a smirk, as if he were flaunting a prize he'd won. Gloating, as if to wave around something he was using to compete with.

That's when I pull my hand back and decide to keep them in my lap the rest of the movie.

It was stupid of me to feel moved by something so simple.

And it was even more stupid that I actually thought Kyo felt something more for me.

...

When everyone leaves, I feel hollow once more as Kyo and I are left alone. In deafening, suffocating silence. I don't know what to do with myself now that I've just recognized that I don't just see Kyo as someone I share a bed with on Fridays. But...I liked him. A little bit.

And even after seeing what he did tonight, its even worse that I don't like him any less for it.

I plop down on the couch in defeat, resting my face in my hands as I stare at the wood floors. I feel hurt. And annoyed. And drawn to him. And distant from him. And none of this did more than confuse and sadden me. But when he takes a seat beside me, he runs his calloused palm down my forearm, holding my wrist loosely in his hand. His thumb makes patterns in my skin again, and my heart restarts when it hits me that he's doing this when Tohru and Yuki aren't even here. But the moment ends when he relinquishes his hold and he gets to his feet.

"Do you wanna stay here or something? I know I said you had to go home and everything..." he lets his voice trail off, clearing his throat and looking away. "You can leave if you want. Whatever."

I fight back my smile, twirling the many bracelets on my wrist. "I don't have a change of clothes."

He cocks an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "You can wear my shirt to bed, dummy. Just make sure you give it back."

And just like that...my heart soars.

Its pathetic.

And I hate it.

But I love it too.

Because I've never felt my heart do that before.

"Fine," I say, acting as if its a big deal. "But I gotta call my folks, first. Let em' know where I'll be."

He gives a dry laugh, moving to swipe the popcorn off the couch and into his hand. "Have fun explaining that."

I stick my tongue out at him, even though his back is to me, and I bring up the contacts on my phone. Once I reach my favorites list, I find the one labeled Home and select it, raising it up to my ear.

I listen to it ring.

And ring.

And ring...

Just when I think someone's going to finally pick up, I'm directed to voicemail. And instead of soaring, my heart sinks and falls, down to the very bottom of me.

I tell them I'm staying at a friend's house, for lack of a better word. I say that I'm fine, will do my homework, and I hope to see them when I get home from school tomorrow. After wrestling with myself for a few seconds, I begin to tell them I love them, only to be cut off having reached the message limit.

When I hang up, it feels like I'm swallowing a boxing glove as I blink back tears.

But I put the mask back on.

I switch from Gina to Kitty.

And I make myself forget for another night.


You guys...are fabulous. And I don't like using that word unless I'm making a joke. But ya really are :3

And even though I usually don't promote things, I wanted to recommend a book to all of you that like any of my stories, or if you're a breathing human. (Sorry aliens out there~) But do yourselves a favor and read "It Ends With Us" by Colleen Hoover. Even if you've never read one of her books, the romance/angst genre, or don't read books...I hope you do. I'm still thinking about it.

I also hope you like the next chapter! ^_^


Kuramasgirl19769: I am feeling much better! Just got a few more things to do and my health should be set. Thank you! :D


SweetLiars: Your words move me. Seriously :') And exactly! If characters decide to break up because someone left the toilet seat up, that would be ridiculous lol I think every character in Fruits Basket has a sad story, now that I think about it. But I'm re-reading the manga now to refresh my characterizations of everyone. The Kyo I'm portraying is the one straddling his old ways and his new ones. The Kyo of the later parts of the manga when he learns to straighten up and fly right ;) But one of the best compliments is that my story impacts someone or that its brave because of how I was. So, thank you again! :)


Killer Disco Queen: Mwahahahahahahahahaha! GOOD. THAT'S RIGHT. I'M TALKING TO YOU IN ALL CAPS AGAIN. HOW YA LIKE ME NOW? XD But really, thank you my lovely Queen! Oh gosh. I forgot that I sometimes smile when I write angst scenes too. X.X I think that really defines our friendship haha When it popped into my head for him to bring up the mirror scene, I got so giddy lol You thought the beach thing was bad. Just you wait... :)


Guest: Thank you! And I always thought it was the coolest thing for the readers to learn about the characters as they do. It puts you into their world that much more. That's an interesting idea. Hmm... But thank you again for checking out and supporting this story! ^_^


zozo09: Thank you! :D I don't get tired of showing you guys my gratitude. I just hope you don't lol I've always wondered what it would be like to make a tragic ending though. :P