Reality's Dream

Chapter 13: Illusions

Sakura pushed open the doors of the school to escape into the cold air of the inner courtyard, the tears seeming to freeze upon her cheeks. A bone chilling breeze sent shivers through her body as she made her way to one of the benches. She could go back inside to the warmth of industrial heaters, but the thought of running into anyone deterred her. Her eyes searched the silver sky almost hoping the answers to all her problems were somehow written in the clouds. Her muddled mind reran over the scene in the classroom trying to get a grip. Her form trembled continuously from the icy surroundings but she lacked the strength or desire to move. Sakura felt the wind no longer touch her as a jacket, her jacket, was slipped over her shoulders. She lifted a tear stained face to find Eriol standing beside her, her book bag also in his hand.

Eriol sat down in silence offering his comforting presence without imposing. If she wanted to talk he would be there, and if not he would just wait with her till lunch ended. And if she wanted to be alone he would leave. Whatever she wanted or needed, he would do.

Sakura waited a few minutes before a coherent thought came to mind. "I can't believe he would say those things to you."

Eriol was a little surprised but recovered quickly. "Well I guess he felt threatened. The idea of you not being around is not something he's had to face before." Eriol distinctly remembered how Syaoran had scared away so many guys, including him at one point.

"That still gave him no right." Sakura emphasized, a little bewildered that Eriol was defending Syaoran's actions while she was the one berating them. "You're his friend and he treated you like..like…"

"An enemy?" Eriol prompted. And that's what they were now, enemies. Even if Syaoran was unaware of it, they were now unconscious competitors for Sakura.

"Yeah. I just don't understand." Sakura mumbled trying to figure out why Syaoran would flip out like that and turn on his friend so quickly. Eriol on the other hand was starting to get a very good idea why Syaoran was becoming more than protective of Sakura. He was tempted to speak of it, but for many reasons he kept his mouth shut.

"And it's not like we're even going out." Sakura said almost bitterly. "What a thing to fight over."

Eriol paused a moment before tentatively speaking up, "Well what if we were to make it true?"

Sakura's eyes flew up to his completely speechless.

"I realize that this may not be the best of times but what Li was saying is true…I like you…as more than a friend." Eriol stated as Sakura felt a blush slowing climb to her face as her heart gave a little flutter. Sakura opened her mouth to speak but he rushed on. "I know that you and him were rather…attached and I understand that you may have not completely given up on him…but what would you say to us…well giving it a try?" His brilliant blues eyes looked almost vulnerable with fear and hope swirling around in their depths.

Sakura was unsure what to say, torn by uncertainties. She liked Eriol. But was liking enough? "Eriol I can't lead you on. I like you but…"

Eriol cut her off. "As I said I know you're still working on getting over Li, but maybe I can help you with that." He offered jokingly before suddenly becoming serious again as he confessed, "When we first became closer I had no idea what an amazing person you are. You have such a caring heart, even for people who cause you pain. And you're strong. And you're so beautiful. When I saw you at the party I truly thought you looked like an angel…Maybe that's why he always kept other guys at such a distance," Eriol said with a wry smile. "So they wouldn't see how wonderful you are and…fall for you. I know I'm not much of a replacement but all I am asking for is a chance. Just a chance to see if there's something more to us."

"…"

"…"

"Alright." Sakura whispered with a small smile.

"Alright? You'll go out with me?" Sakura nodded. "Really?" Eriol questioned again incredulously, an unbelieving smile spreading across his face.

Sakura giggled at his dazed happiness and shock, and he soon joined in on her laughter. Slowly their hands found one another's, and it was a nice release to just sit, laughing, hand in hand. From a shattering of friendships could form a new bond…perhaps an even stronger one than friendship.

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"Thanks for driving me home." Sakura said as they headed out of the school parking lot.

"I live to serve milady." Eriol responded in his smarmy false accent making Sakura crack another smile. He was good at that and god knows how much she needed to smile. It was one of the reasons she was not heading to practice. She didn't have the courage to face Syaoran yet. For the rest of the school day Eriol's defense of Syaoran had rung in her ears until it hit her, the reason for Syaoran's edginess. 'How could I have been so clueless?' Sakura questioned for the millionth time. She felt like such a complete idiot and didn't quite have the nerve to see him. They had fought before but this was by far one of the worst and she couldn't help but feel a little guilty when she thought of what Syaoran was going through.

As they pulled up to the two-story petite yellow house Sakura eyes widened as she noticed a figure waiting on the porch swing. She had been planning on calling his cell phone to say she wasn't going to practice once she was safely home, but it looked like someone was one step ahead of her.

Eriol noticed her hesitation as she grabbed for the door handle. "You don't have to do this. We could hang out for a while or I could take you to Tomoyo's." He suggested.

But Sakura simply shook her head. "No it's alright. We're gonna have to face each other at some point." Then she turned and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "But thank you." And with that she opened the door and got out, heading toward Syaoran.

Sakura gave one last glance as Eriol backed out of the driveway, waving goodbye. Taking a deep breath she faced back toward her house and headed up the worn in stairs, slightly creaking with her weight. At the top she halted both looking at one another, both trying to determine what to do or say. It was Sakura who spoke up first," How did you know that-?"

"That you weren't going to show up," Syaoran said for her, a whisper of a smile appearing on his face. "I just did."

With that Sakura could feel some of the tension ease away. While neither was in the best of spirits, it was clear that any anger Syaoran had was easily concealed and under control. Sakura approached the swing and sat down beside him. The two rocked gently back and forth watching the occasional car drive past the house. Sakura was working out what to say when Syaoran began, "Look I'm sorry for the way I treated you. I don't know why but I just overreacted and went way out of line…"

"No, no." Sakura interrupted. "It's me who should be apologizing. I can't believe I forgot. No wonder you blew up, thinking you might lose another person. I'm such an idiot for not remembering. What kind of a friend am I?"

Syaoran was stunned momentarily. He had been working out why he had acted so rashly and here an answer was being dropped right into his lap. Was it really that simple? Could it have just been the idea of losing his best friend coupled with his current situation? But no matter the cause, he knew she was not the one to blame. "Sakura don't say that. Whatever the reason we fought it definitely was not because of you. You have always been there for me, especially at times when I don't deserve you're support. Don't ever for a moment think there is something wrong with you. You truly are the best friend anyone could ever ask for…I don't really know what I would do if I lost you."

Sakura felt her heart swell at this admission. Even if she didn't have his love, she knew he valued her as a friend and that meant the world. "Well it's not like you haven't done the same for me." She replied.

"Really?" Syaoran asked, though it seemed more like he was talking to himself, rather then asking her. "I've been so focused on Tomoyo while something has been bothering you. I knew something was wrong but I let it go. And I'm sorry if I let you down…but I guess you found someone to help you." Syaoran didn't have to say who he was speaking of but Sakura knew very well who was meant.

'Might as well tell him now.' She thought. "Eriol and I are going to start dating." Sakura told him gently watching his face carefully.

Syaoran forced out a small chuckle after a moment at his friend's examination, "I'm not going to go crazy if that's what you're worried about." Sakura gave a smile, their friendship was okay. As long as that relationship remained she could suffer through anything.

His joke was a rather good cover for what he truly felt of the statement. He might as well have jumped in front of the truck that passed by them for it would have done less damage than that simple little sentence had. Surprisingly it wasn't anger that rose inside him but rather an aching sadness. Syaoran tried to force the feeling away excusing it as fear of her drifting away from him. But truly he knew it was other reasons that caused this pain. He dared not to ask what those reasons were; still fearing the truth for the changes it would give rise to. Ignorance is bliss. But one can tend to forget that ignorance also leads to tragedy.

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Meiling observed her friends at their usual midday meal with a critical eye trying to figure what the hell was going on with them. It had been a week since the significant dispute and everything seemed to have been thrown off kilter, though they seemed to be doing a decent job hiding it. To anyone on the outside it would seem that everyone was on good terms having an energetic conversation about recent couples and the upcoming Valentine's Day dance. But beneath the surface boiled hidden tensions and desires. Eriol sat by Sakura with a casual arm draped along her chair, but the look in his eyes was a protective one, especially when aimed at a certain amber eyed person sitting across from them. Meiling noted with interest the "truce" that the two had put in place. But it was all for show. Their friendship was no more than an illusion and a way to keep the peace. She noticed the slight tightening of Syaoran's jaw whenever Sakura and Eriol smiled at one another, or how his eyes would light up whenever that smile shone in his direction. But Sakura seemed oblivious to these subtle variations in Syaoran. So wrapped up in her shifting world she failed to notice the changes she had so desperately hoped for. But she was trying to move on, to escape and without solid proof she would now be the one blind. And to top off this three ring circus was Tomoyo who seemed to have the disappearing act down to an art. She had been missing at every lunch since that fight under the guise of some extracurricular activity. But Meiling wasn't buying it. She had seen how Tomoyo would mysteriously leave the instant Syaoran appeared. She was avoiding him, no doubt about it. The question was….why? Meiling sighed in confusion and frustration just wondering why everyone had to be so difficult. 'If only they would just admit their feelings we wouldn't be in this mess.' If they didn't do something Meiling was quite tempted to meddle in their affairs.

Meiling was brought back to reality with the girly giggles of Rika and Chiharu who were interrogating Sakura over details of her and Eriol's most recent date.

"Aw, that's sooo romantic." Chiharu exclaimed. "I wish Takashi would take me on a picnic. But somehow he's mistaken getting me extra butter on my popcorn at the movies to be true romance." She gave a dramatic sigh.

Rika leaned in close to Sakura whispering, "So is he a good kisser?"

"Rika!" Sakura yelped as her cheeks turn bright red. She was not used to such bold questions. With her only major crush being a secret she had never been really teased about boys. Now that she was dating, she had a lot of catching up to do in that department.

Her friends laughed at her reaction. "We'll take that as a yes." Rika said smirking.

"So does that mean you two will be going to the dance together?" Naoko piped up, putting her mystery book down for the moment. Sakura gave an inward sigh, 'I guess even the latest coupling gossip is enough to pique her interest.' She didn't really like that her love life was so scrutinized and watched. When word had first begun to spread around school people had been in shock. How a guy had gotten past Syaoran was a mystery even if they were friends, or had been friends to those who really knew what was going on.

"Well I would like to." A smooth voice cut in. The girls turned to see Eriol smiling at them. "That is if you'll honor me with your presence of course." The girls melted with awe at his charm while Sakura giggled an affirmative. Syaoran on the other hand had a less than thrilled reaction to this display but once again Meiling was the only one to take note of it.

"So Syaoran are you going to the dance with Tomoyo?" Chiharu asked.

"I would think so but to confirm that I would actually need to see her." The group let out a little chuckle at this all wondering where their raven haired companion had hidden herself away at. Only Meiling and Syaoran seemed suspicious of her absence.

"You know what would be adorable?" Meiling commented for the first time during lunch. "If you and Tomoyo doubled up with Sakura and Eriol."

She wasn't sure who looked more shocked, Eriol, Sakura, or Syaoran. 'She's crazy!' Was the similar thought of all three. Meiling knew of the trouble the four were having yet here she was suggesting they grouped. But before any of them could form a seemingly casual protest they were swamped with the approval of others. "Oh that would be so cute!" "The four best friends!" "Think of the pictures!" Soon they found themselves to be set for a double date dance for Saturday night.

'Good,' Meiling thought. She was sick of this mess and the only way she could think to fix it was to force them together. Avoidance only prolonged problems. Now all she had to do was tell Tomoyo and let the chips fall where they may.

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A/N: Thank you to all who reviewed.