Fade Away My Memories Chapter 14
Lise: yay pools! Fish is like a freaking mermaid in those things…
Yusei: just be glad she didn't try to drown you
ME: she tried to drown you?
Yusei: multiple times, but it's okay. That's Fish… ^^;
Lise: and I'd stop her…but it's Fish…you can't stop her. It is physically and mentally impossible…
Yusei: exactly. We just deal
Lise: and I love her anyway! XD
ME: I take it you two liked the last chapter then?
Yusei and Lise: yep
ME: great! I do not own 5Ds, but I do own this storyline and my OC's. Hope y'all enjoy! XD
/
I walked into the kitchen in my pajamas. The time zones had messed with my head. I'd woken up pretty early…well for me anyway. On the weekends and breaks I usually sleep in till at least 12. Here in Hawaii I had woken up at just past 8:45. Not so bad but not what I wanted. I had slept pretty peacefully though.
Enough with the sleeping crap. I yawned and used the hair elastic that's always around my wrist to tie my hair up in a messy bun… I need food. I opened the large kitchen's fridge and combed the contents for milk. Of course it was at the very back of the damn thing. Oh, and it was expired…brilliant… That thought went down the drain…literally…
"Morning, sweetie," Mom greeted as she wheeled herself in.
"Morning…" one of the guys said.
"Hey Mom," I said from the sink. "Milk was expired." I chose to ignore whoever had also gotten up.
"The other people who were in the house before must've left it. We have bread though. We can make toast," Mom said.
"Toast sounds awesome!" Leo agreed as he bounced into the room with his sister in tow. Both twins sat at the kitchen counter with Mom and…Yusei…of course…
It wasn't long before Fish, Akiza, Jack, Kalin, and Crow joined us. The poor toaster was so overworked…
After everybody had started eating, or, in Leo's case, finished eating, my Mom decided to spring something on us.
"So today, Christmas Eve, we are NOT going into the pool-"
"AW!" Leo whined.
"UNTIL..."
"Oh…"
"Until, we're done shopping. There's a few things we need to buy. Also I figured it'd be fun to explore the cool things on the Big Island! Therefore, get ready for some fun!" Mom looked way too happy for her own good. Why did we ALL have to go shopping!
/
"Hey, does anybody know if I'm going the right way?" I asked. I had absolutely no idea where we were going. Jack and Mayoko were co-navigating…and…let's just say Jack didn't like that very much. Crow was driving the other car behind us. This time I was driving Lise, Leo, Akiza, Mayoko and Jack. Crow was driving Kalin, Luna, and Fish. I was praying to any God that actually existed that they were having a much less loud car ride then we were.
"No, Jack, that's the wrong turn! That's the airport where we came out two days ago!"
"No it's not! And I would know, I remember distinctly that that is the turn! Oh, and that same day I drank some of the expired milk, so it's a significant day!"
"A what? And didn't you read the expiration date? And what does that have to do with the airport?"
"No, because I thought it was safe! And it reminds me of where we turned and how we got to the house!"
"That doesn't even make sense!"
I just sighed and tried to block out the yelling. I'm not exactly a big fan of shopping; neither are a lot of people going along with Mayoko's idea. But Mayoko is the only real adult…technically I'm 18 but I don't really count that yet since I'm still in school and I still feel like a kid.
"Hey guys, there's a beach!" Leo pointed out excitedly. "With cone…thingies…in the water!"
Akiza giggled. "Yeah…think they're alien spaceships, Leo?"
"That'd be cool! Underwater aliens!"
"Coming from beach…Apu…naga…bleh…" I tried to say. I don't get the Hawaiian language at all.
Somebody poked the back of my head. "Don't try to pronounce the names. It makes you sound like an idiot," Lise told me.
Both Akiza and Leo erupted into a fit of giggles. I felt my face and my ears turning pink. At least it stopped the yelling.
Jack consulted the map again and found out that "Oh yeah, you were right, Mayoko!"
I swear everybody wanted to smack him right now. "Right…well, I suggest we go out to Kona, have some fun," Mayoko said. She sounded like some sort of military leader giving out battle plans. "Then when we head back we'll get some more food for tonight, tomorrow and the next few days. Then we should be set. Any questions?"
"Nope!" everybody answered simultaneously.
"We'll fill the rest in later…"
/
I got out of the car and reluctantly put a bookmark in my third book. Don't look at me like that! I happen to love books and enjoy reading! I come prepared…
Anyway, I tossed my book back on my seat. The Hawaii air was muggy and every store was sure to have air conditioning...So that was a plus.
"Okay, who wants to go with whom?" Mom asked right off the bat. "You can do whatever you want as long as you meet back here at…oh…2:30."
"I wanna go with my sister!" Leo announced. Shocker…
"I'll go with them," Akiza said and smiled.
"I call my girl," Crow grinned and held Fish's hand. That was the main reason she'd rode with him this time around. The way Fish figured, if my Mom was in the car with me, there was no way Yusei could do anything. The way I saw it; if he's driving, there isn't much he can do without killing everybody…
"I'll go with Kalin and Jack," Mom said then. She wheeled away faster than I could protest. Damn that woman has no legs but she can move! The boys hurried to catch up with her. Crow and Fish walked off to be in their little world. The twins and Akiza had left a while ago.
I sighed. "Let's go…" I really…really wanted to punch the smile that had spread on Yusei's face off so hard his face ended up on the moon while the rest of him was still here. This boy was something else…
"So…um…where to?" he asked.
"I don't know…" I admitted and just started walking in the only direction the rest of our group of TRAITORS hadn't taken.
"That's okay…" Yusei said and fell into step beside me.
I completely started to freak out…and for no reason to…I mean…he was being…normal…At the library…had I rejected him? I didn't think so…I think I did…but…maybe he hadn't seen it like that? Did I see it like that? Oh crap…do I really feel like that?
"Are you okay?"
"What?"
"Well…um…" Yusei's cheeks had turned slightly pink, and, I noticed, so had his ears. "You're kinda red…you're not sick or too hot right?"
"No…um…it's nothing really…" I tried to sound normal but instead I sounded like a stuttering idiot. Something caught my eye and I automatically turned to go into the shop.
It was just one of those tourist shops. With those little trinkets you buy, and throw away or lose when you get home. It was air conditioned so I figured sticking around and browsing couldn't hurt. Every shelf was full of random stuff. It ranged from tiki's to flowers to little ornaments to bracelets. I lost track of Yusei after a while. I don't know if he was following me or not. I wasn't really paying attention as I looked at everything.
Suddenly, he was right next to me again. "I think I found something you'd like…"
I admit I was curious. I cocked an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
"Uh huh…"
"Show me," I blurted. Immediately I regretted saying that. It could be anything. Dozens of images flashed through my brain and made me feel much more cautious then I should have.
Yusei smiled though and took my hand. I felt my face flush, and it wasn't because he pulled me out of the shop back into the heat. Then I realized he'd left without me realizing. Was I getting dumber or was he just really good at being quiet?
He'd brought me to an outdoor stand with a huge array of jewelry. I stared at him dubiously. I'm not a big fan of jewelry. I only wear it on occasion.
"Here…" Yusei said and handed me a small abalone turtle. It was really cute and I did instantly like it…The only problem was I couldn't figure out what exactly it was… I froze when Yusei pulled the elastic from my hair. My blond hair fell everywhere, including into my eyes. Hence the reason for keeping it back that day…Gently, Yusei took the little turtle and pinned my hair back. The little turtle was a clip… I was now a very unattractive red color….
/
I smiled as much as I could. Lise looked…pretty…well, she had before but now even more so… I preferred her with her hair down…She was bright red the entire time I'd been paying for the little turtle clip.
"I…I like it…" Lise said once I'd led her away. And yes, I was holding her hand…and yes she wasn't pulling away…for now.
"That's good. I thought you would," I replied. My t-shirt was now sticking to me…Black was definitely a bad shirt color to wear today.
"It's hot," Lise suddenly stated. "I'm gonna get something to cool down. Wait there." She pointed to a bench and before I could protest she'd dropped my hand and entered the store.
I sighed and sat down. At least the bench was in the shade. It was slightly cooler, but it was still heavily hot. Hawaii's winter was exactly like its summer…and its spring…and its fall… Must get kinda boring…
Suddenly there was something icy on the back of my neck. I gave a start and whirled my head to face Lise. She laughed and pushed a cold drink towards me. It looked icy and exactly like another one Lise was sucking down from her straw.
"Thirsty?" she grinned and sat down. I took the drink she'd bought for me. I felt like an idiot cuz I was just staring at it. "I didn't poison it, ya know. It's Piña Colada flavored, like mine is, and it's really good."
I sucked on the straw carefully. The taste of coconut and pineapple…I think… "It is good…"
"Toldja!" she grinned and kept drowning her cup's contents.
"Well, thanks…" My smile was small; I mean she'd just iced my neck for God's sake, but the drink was good…
"So…we've got a half hour to kill…Whattaya wanna do?" Lise asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Just walk around?" I suggested. I really didn't wanna buy anything in the tourist places. They were fun to look at, but I wouldn't be getting anything from them. The place with Lise's new turtle clip had been outdoors and more like those outdoor markets. Lise enjoys those more, and I've found that I do too.
"Sure…but you're gonna fry," Lise reminded me, eyeing my black t-shirt. Hers was a light shade of red that bordered on pink, but had a more orange tinge to it.
I smiled. "I can take my shirt off and-"
"What? NO!" Lise cried, her face turning red and staring at me with…most likely horror. "Leave your shirt on, moron…"
I couldn't help but laugh. Her expression was priceless. My reward was a swift elbow to my ribs, which knocked the wind out of me.
"Sorry…" I wheezed. "You…ow…"
"I'm sorry…that was stupid…I just…reflex…didn't think…" she babbled softly. I watch her throw out her finished drink and fidget uncomfortably with her hands.
I do the same with my drink and clasp her hands in mine. She stares at me like I've grown a second head. "It's okay, really…I've had to go through tons worse. It's something small, don't worry about it."
She looks away and pulls her hands back. "Okay…It's just a stupid thing that I always do…"
"Hitting people that irritate you?"
"Ha ha…and no…feeling really badly about something that really isn't important…"
"Well, we can work on that," I said and get to my feet. "We have 15 minutes to kill. How exactly should we murder time?"
"With knives," Lise grinned and stood up too. Without consulting each other, we automatically walk in the same direction; back towards the car.
/
"Pool time!" Leo cheered when we were back home.
"We should unload the cars first. We have a lot of groceries," Mom said. She hands everybody at least two or three items and in little time at all, the cars are empty. It helps when you have at least ten people to help.
Just as Leo wanted, within moments everyone is outside and swimming in the pool. I'm just glad none of us girls are on our monthly cycles. That really sucks…
Fish played with the water effortlessly. She made huge tidal waves to splash us all. I swear she aimed specifically at Yusei multiple times…Okay, more than the rest of us…maybe just as much as Jack…I dunno…
Either way the sun and the water and the air just felt amazing. I took a break from the playing to lie on my back near the shallow end of the pool.
"Feeling good?" Akiza asked as she swam nearby.
"Very…" I replied. A sigh escaped my lips and made my red-haired friend laugh a little.
"Ya know, despite her many attempts to drown him, I think Yusei's pretty happy too," she gave me her knowing look.
I rolled my eyes. "That's not because of me."
"Okay…it's three-quarters you," she winked and swam off before I could protest.
"Time to get out! Dinner's in an hour and most of you should probably shower!" Mom shouted from one of the many sliding glass doors leading out to the pool.
"Aw man!" Leo whined and kept swimming. He would be in there until the very last second; I had no doubt about it.
His sister rolled her eyes. She walked herself out of the water using the stairs with Akiza and Jack right behind her. Kalin, Crow, Yusei and I each pulled ourselves out from the poolside instead of the stairs. Fish, of course, bended the water to her will and literally had it set her down completely dry and clean. No chlorine. She claims she hasn't been able to do the exact same thing to others yet. That just means showers for the rest of us.
I am the first to shower out of me and Akiza. I won rock, paper, scissors… It feels even better to clean up after a long day. It gives me time to think too.
I stare at my hands. The red spirals stare back at me. Nobody has ever held them like…like Yusei did…What exactly does he see in me that I don't?
I finish quickly so Akiza can shower too. Shortly after she finishes, Mom announced dinner. I take my turtle clip with me and push it into my wet and freshly brushed hair.
"Tomorrow it's Christmas!" Mom grinned widely and spread her arms. Even in her wheelchair, she has the amazing gift to look tall and welcoming. I can see why my Dad loved her every day. "Dig in!"
"This is really good, Mayoko," Kalin said after a few minutes of just eating.
"Thank you. I will admit that I've never been more proud to cook for at least ten people while in a wheelchair." She leans forward and rests her elbows, clasping her hands as she does, on the table expectantly. "So what did you all do during your shopping day?"
I freeze. My face will definitely give me away… Maybe if I look really small I can disappear and nobody will notice…
"Luna and Akiza and I found this awesome store with our names on license plates!" Leo reported. He looked particularly proud.
"Well, we found Leo and Luna's name but not mine," Akiza edited.
"Right."
"We carried groceries," Jack said next. His voice is a sour tone. He obviously didn't enjoy it.
"We did more than that!" Kalin insisted. "Mayoko took us to the open market nearby. She's awesome at finding good deals."
"I honestly hope you're not just brown-nosing me," Mom teased.
Kalin shook his head. His cheeks were slightly pink. "No…but you're a good cook…"
That makes Mom laugh. Sometimes my adopted brothers are just plain stupid. But like real brothers, you care about them anyway.
"We explored the nearby beach. We didn't find anything but I had fun with Fish," Crow piped up next. He and Fish are definitely holding hands under the table. I smiled at them. They're a really sweet couple.
"I did get some practicing in," Fish added. "I can make ice fine, but I'm having trouble boiling water…"
Everybody looked expectantly at me and Yusei. I stared at my plate as if it was its fault for not making me disappear fast enough.
"We…we uh…" I heard myself say. "We went walking and found this…" I point at the little turtle still in my wet hair. "And that's…that's it…"
"It's adorable," Mom complimented. She wore a beautiful smile and I watched as her eyes darted to Yusei.
His dark-haired bangs covered his eyes as he too stared at his plate. I couldn't see his eyes but…his cheeks were red… And…it…it was…really cute…
/
"Hey, let's watch a movie!" Luna suggested the moment we had all finished our dinner.
"Yeah; Transformers!" Leo yelled. He pumped his fist into the air.
"But you always wanna watch that!" Luna whined.
"Cuz it's awesome!"
Mayoko smiled and winked at her daughter. Lise's eyes sparkled happily.
"Why don't we watch The Secret World of Arrietty?" Lise said, interrupting the fighting siblings.
"Yeah!" both twins say excitedly. They hurry off to the house's media room to start up the film. I'm surprised it was so easy…
The rest of us follow them and sit ourselves accordingly. Fish, Crow and Akiza on the couch, Jack and Kalin in the chairs, Leo and Luna on two stools and me with Lise on the floor.
None of us had seen the movie. Lise found out, I assume through mindreading, that Mayoko had bought it.
I sat with my back against the couch. Lise was just a couple feet in front of me. I just watched the movie for a while. I noticed…about halfway through…I could reach out and touch her…Not in a creepy way…in a…um…how do you say it? … 'familiar way' I guess…
Lise's hair was just about dry. Still just barely wet but when it was at its softest…
She stiffened when she felt my touch. I ran my fingers through her hair gently. She turned her head to look at me from the corners of her eyes.
"I'll stop if you want me to…" I whispered. I didn't want to disturb anybody else and I definitely didn't want to make Lise feel strange.
She studied me curiously. After a while she slowly nodded and sat normally. I smiled happily and continued. My fingers felt sore after a while…but I kept going until the end of the movie.
"That was beautiful…" Fish said breathlessly. The credits had started rolling.
"Yeah…" Crow agreed but I had a feeling he wasn't referring to the movie.
Jack shrugged. "It was okay…" He was the first to head to bed.
"Night guys," Kalin smiled and followed Jack out.
Hand in hand, fish and Crow followed. Akiza grinned knowingly at me. I'm pretty sure she was watching more than just the movie…
I sighed and wrapped my arms around Lise's waist; my nose and mouth in her hair, inhaling her scent that was always distinctly hers. This time her usual smell of ink, pencils, coconut, hot chocolate, and a fresh breeze was joined by the faint hint of Hawaiian flowers. She held perfectly still.
"Um…what're you doing?" Leo asked. He didn't look suspicious; just curious.
"Nothing you need to worry about," Luna scolded. She pulled her brother away.
"I'm sorry…" I said in a low voice. "Did…did I scare you?"
"Um…no…not…not really…It…I just…" I waited while Lise searched for the right words. I imagined her face was red…like I knew mine was… "Mom…and Dad used to do something like that for me…when I was little…so…um…" she disentangled herself from my arms. "Thank you…" she whispered so softly I barely heard her.
"Oh…uh…sure I…" How do I explain to her that I when…we were together…I did that for her anyway?
Before I can think of what to say…well, something that doesn't sound stupid and totally crazy, Lise kissed my cheek. If at all possible, I turned even redder than I had before.
Lise smiled nervously. "Um…Night…" And then she left… I waited and then I walked to my bedroom when I knew she had reached hers.
"What took ya so long?" Crow demanded sleepily when I sat on the bed.
"Something…uh…" I searched for words that wouldn't give everything away. I smiled and lay down, pulling the covers up.
"Someone…and something…beautiful…"