A/N: Longest update ever! I know! I have no excuses but here it is...ENJOY!
FunkE-BunnE-Gal: (running around, dancing, literally) MY MUSE! MY MUSE IS BACK! YIPEE! I THOUGHT IT LOST IT BUT IT CAME BACK AFTER WEEKS OF GRUESOME LONELINESS! LIKE A LOST DOG IT HAS RETURNED!
U.P: (rolling his eyes) Not all lost dogs return.
FBG: Joy sucker! U.P: I am just being truthful. Admit it. You were lazy.
FBG: (whines) And busy!
U.P: (smiling smugly) So you admit that you were lazy then? FBG: (confused) What? (starts to understand) Hey... Kira: (walks in eating a chicken wing) He got you there you know. FBG: Okay fine! So he got me! BIG DEAL! Athrun: (walks in eating a chicken wing) Quit being spiteful. Cagalli: (walks in eating a chicken wing) And lazy! Kuzzey: (walks in eating a chicken wing) VERY lazy! FBG: WHERE DID YOU GUYS GET THE CHICKEN WINGS FROM! U.P: I believe your mother order pizza and wings...Readers read on!
Chapter 21 : Athrun Saved
He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sun as he watched the tiny white speck fly further and further to the distance. His heart was pounding loudly in his chest as he watched the speck fall; fall straight down into the pond on the far side of the hill.
"DAMN!"
"Athrun! There's no need to curse, it was a good shot!"
"Then why do you still sound rather disappointed Dad?" the older man flushed, "I'm kidding Dad! You know by now that I will never be a real golfer I just enjoy whacking the ball around."
"You should've played hockey then…" replied Patrick Zala grinning, as he placed his ball on the yellow tee.
Athrun blushed, "You won't quite will you? It's not my fault that it took me five years to learn how to skate!"
The Zala men were playing at the local country club. Athrun's mother was socializing; while he and his father took to the fields. He didn't like golf, he wasn't good at golf and he never really understood the scoring but he did enjoy listening to his Dad complain about things.
"So how's the thing you and Kira been working on lately?" asked his Dad casually as he took a swing. "FORE!"
"Okay," replied Athrun.
"You don't sound it-HOLE IN ONE!"
Athrun sighed, "I would sound better if it was the most ideal plan but this worked. I do like the finalist but there's another girl I like too…"
"Another?"
"Yeah."
"Who?"
"Kira's sister."
"I see," replied his father, as they walked to the next hole. "I have nothing against dating your best friend's sister so long as you are good to her. I mean look at your mother and me."
"I realize that but I can't let Kira down at not go through with this."
"Just go through with it then."
"And break some innocent girl's heart?"
"You either hurt the feelings of someone who is VERY dear to you or you hurt the feelings of a woman who you barely know," replied Patrick as he grabbed his score sheet from the caddy.
Athrun's shoulders sagged, he felt the weight of the pressure on him; physically and mentally. If Athrun quit now, Kira would never forgive him but if he stayed on any longer he might never tell Cagalli he had feelings for her.
"GIMME THAT!" Athrun yanked the golf club from his Dad, swinging all his frustrations toward the little white ball.
Patrick raised his hand to his eyes watching the white ball sail higher and higher and then fall; fall straight down into hole number six.
"ATHRUN THAT WAS BRILLIANT! FROM THIS DISTANCE TOO FOR A ROOKIE! AMAZING!"
"Eh…"
"OH ATHRUN!"
"What the….oh shit…"
"MR.ZALA! I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE YOU; YOU LOOK SO YOUNG AND FIT! I THOUGHT YOU WERE ONE OF ATHRUN'S FRIENDS!"
Patrick Zala chuckled as the young woman with deep magenta hair and a coy smile ran up to give him a hug.
"A pleasure as always Mia," he replied. "What brings you out here? I had no idea you fancied golf."
"Oh no Mr.Zala! I was here at the country club for the debutant meeting when I met Mrs. Zala. She told me you and Athrun were here so I had to come and say hi!"
Athrun just stood there trying to look as calm as he possible could, the LAST thing he needed was Mia. In fact Mia was probably the thing which was most likely going to kill him in life.
"Well Mia," said Patrick looking at his son. "I can see that Athrun has gotten quite bored playing an old man's sport. Why don't you and him go out for lunch?"
"Dad!"
"Yes Athrun?" he replied raising one eyebrow.
"I thought we were going to continue to discuss that important piece of business," stammered Athrun glaring at his dad in shock and anger, "that we were just discussing."
"Athrun please," replied Patrick sounding firm. "Mia's father and I have been friends for a long time, you two grew up together. I know you are no longer engaged but that doesn't mean that you can't spend time together just as friends."
The look in his dad's eyes told Athrun that there was no hope; he was going to have to spend his lunch with Mia. He shuddered a dreadful lunch that was going to be. "Oh all right. This was getting boring. Come on Mia we can go anywhere you like…"
"Oh Athrun! Always the gentleman!" she squealed latching herself onto his arm. He cringed however this went unnoticed by Mia.
"Father!" he snapped over his shoulder. "Have someone take my clubs back to the car and then leave a message for Kira telling him that I OWE him twice and will meet him at Rainforest."
"Alright Athrun."
"DAD LEAVE THE MESSAGE NOW!"
"Okay Athrun!" he yanked out his cell phone and speed dialing Kira's number while muttering, "I'm only doing this because I forced him to get rid of Mia. If I had to spend one moment in that sweet yet annoying girl's presence I would… Hello? Ah Kira! Yes, I'm fine. How are you? Oh that's excellent. Athrun told me to tell you that he owes you twice and will meet you at Rainforest. Yes that's exactly what he said. Yes I'm sure. No he isn't here. He went out to lunch. Ok well you got it and I'm sure you know what it means I have to continue my game. Talk to you soon my boy. Bye."
"SHIT!"
"Kira what is it?" asked Lacus, they were sitting on a blanket in the park she was reading while Kira was working at video editing on his lap top.
"Athrun is stuck with Mia and they're going to Rainforest. WE HAVE TO SAVE HIM!"
"My cousin? What is she plotting this time…goodness that girl," muttered Lacus shaking her head. She looked at Kira intently. "What's your plan?"
"No idea…"
"Oh I know! Get Cagalli! She'll be able to drag Athrun out…"
"How? Cagalli won't rescue him unless she has good reason too."
"Well…Kira do you have anything of hers on you right now?"
"Uhh…I have her IPod."
"Where's yours?"
"Ran out of space for songs," replied Kira blushing. "Cagalli let me use hers till I can get the money to buy it from her."
"Break it."
"WHAT?"
"I said break it."
"WHY?"
"If you wanna save Athrun do it. Break it, break it good. Say that Athrun ran over it with his car or something and that he won't give you the money to pay her back."
"Why would he run over it in the first place?"
"You dropped it and he ran over it by accident."
"But it would be my fault," replied Kira.
"No," said Lacus. "It's Athrun's. He should pay for at least half the damage done. The fact that her property is destroyed will get her mad enough to go over there and yell at him. In that time I'll send Jason to do the dirty work…"
"Jason…"
"My hairstylist," she said. Kira gaped at her. "He's a good friend of mine. He was the protégé of my former stylist Gaston and has now exceeded him, I knew Jason since we where kids. He'd do anything for me."
"Why is that?"
"So he could use my hair to show off to the world his talent?"
"So he's not in it to date you then?"
"No! Jason has a boyfriend!"
"WHAT!"
"Nevermind! Let's just go now!" She grabbed Kira by the hand and dragged him to the car so they could destroy the IPod and rile up Cagalli into a fit of rage.
Athrun wanted to cry. They were sitting at a table with those benches you have to slide into; she was beside him, her hand on his leg (his thigh to be specific) and was trying to engage him in a deep conversation.
Like Mia is capable of a deep conversation. GOD HER HAND! GET IT OFF ME! His mind was screaming as he tried to look like he was interested in what she was saying. The food they ordered was left untouched, Mia too busy talking and Athrun too busy with his heart palpitations and steady rise in blood pressure.
"Athrun don't you think destiny is true from that? I mean if Loraine can find true love like that, her soul mate. That would mean destiny is true!" Mia snuggled against Athrun. Heart-rate! Heart-rate! Oh god forget the curse I'm going to die of a Mia inflicted heart attack!
"Oh Athrun! Just think that my soul mate is out there somewhere…."
"ATHRUN ZALA!" The yell made him jump, causing Mia to fall backwards against the bench, he turned his head around only to see a streak of blonde. He was being pulled up from his seat by a small blonde haired woman who had the fire of rage in her beautiful amber eyes.
"CAGALLI! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE! LET GOT OF ATHRUN!"
"YOU! SHUT IT!" snapped Cagalli giving Mia a death glare. "This is between ME and ATHRUN!" Mia whimpered and backed away slowly, she knew that Cagalli could be quite the barbarian.
"Cagalli," sputtered Athrun, he was getting slightly choked by her grip on his collar. "What's wrong?"
"WHAT'S WRONG? WHAT IS WRONG? YOU JERK!" she shoved him back into his seat. "YOU RAN OVER MY IPOD! YOU RAN OVER MY IPOD AND REFUSE TO PAY ME BACK! KIRA TOLD ME EVERYTHING! LOOK!"
She reached into her bag; her IPod Nano was in a zip-lock baggy crushed almost into oblivion.
"I didn't…I NEVER RAN OVER YOUR IPOD!"
"LIAR!" yelled Cagalli shaking the bag violently, a jingle of metallic pieces could be heard. "KIRA DOESN'T HAVE A CAR TO RUN OVER MY IPOD WITH AND HE WOULDN'T RUN OVER IT BECAUSE IT HAS HIS PRECIOUS SONGS INSIDE IT'S MEMORY! YOU BEING THE IDIOT THAT YOU ARE RAN OVER IT WHENI T FELL OUT OF KIRA'S POCKET!"
"When? He never told me this! I SWEAR I DIDN'T RUN OVER IT!" said Athrun in protest with a growing sense of relief, he was happy Cagalli was here, happy on so many levels. Sure he was mad that she was accusing him of something he didn't do, sure he was mad that she was making him look like a total idiot but seeing Cagalli made his heart soar because he was now no longer alone with Mia.
"So what?" snapped Cagalli calming down slightly. "You're telling me that LACUS ran over it? How else could it have been smashed like this unless it was run over by a car! Hmmm you tell me? I don't think my best friend would break my IPod on purpose!"
Athrun was about to say that maybe Kira was framing him when he saw a large group of people with cameras coming into the café following a flamboyantly dressed young man who kept yelling out Mia's name.
"OH MS.MIA! MS.MIA!"
"Yes?" she asked standing up looking slightly terrified and happy at the same time.
"THERE YOU ARE!" squealed the young man in a high pitched voice.
"JASON ERWITZ!" gasped Cagalli. "What are you doing here!"
"Who?" asked Athrun looking puzzled.
"Jason Erwitz the famous hairstyle who is-"
"Who!" interrupted Jason, giving Cagalli a quick wink, "The stylist to many MANY fashion icons and celebrities. I've done Trisha, Kate, Halle, Stella, and etcetera etcetera! And now! I am here, with my style team to prep Mia who was referred to me by a friend of a friend of a friend of mine to be headlining Olivia Reynold's new winter line!"
"WHAT!" shrieked Mia, Cagalli and Athrun in joy, disgust and confusion.
"Oh yes!" replied Jason putting his arm around Mia's shoulders, starring at her with star filled eyes. "What I was told was right! There is SO much potential in you! You look better then most models and such a natural! With such demure and grace! I don't know why I've never heard of you before! Well you're lucky to be discovered because you my dear ARE A STAR!"
"REALLY! OH ATHRUN!" shrieked Mia turning from Jason to throw her arms around Athrun only to get a look of disgust from Cagalli. "OH ATHRUN! I'M GOING TO BE A STAR!"
"Oh dear," said Jason tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Who is this young man? Your boyfriend right? Well I'll you one thing. You're star potential has dropped to virtually zero."
"What do you mean?" asked Mia turning around with tears in her eyes, she stepped away from Athrun. "Why? How?"
"Well a boyfriend my dear! Just think about it!" snapped Jason. Mia gave him a blank look. He sighed taking her hand and with a tilt of his head said. "My dear girl if you were to be a model starting out while having a boyfriend would be disaster to you. You won't be able to make it anywhere if you're attached. You need to let go and be single for awhile, just until you become super successful. I'm sure if your…Athrun? Yes? If your Athrun loved you enough he would be willing to let you go."
"But-but…"
"It's now or never Mia. We need you. The show needs you. I only came because I was so desperate since our model, Liz, broke her leg this morning. I didn't know what else to do and I was assured that you were a beauty. But now I see you're more then a beauty you are a star! Don't throw it away for this young man! Not when you could go so many places!"
"I'LL DO IT!" yelled Mia excitedly, completely sold to Jason's wonderful speech.
Jason grinned broadly, clapping his hands together in delight. "EXCELLENT!" He linked his arms with Mia. "Shall we?"
"Yes please!" chirped Mia, as she started to walk away she turned her head towards Cagalli, surprisingly. "CAGALLI YULA ATTHA TAKE CARE OF ATHRUN ZALA FOR ME! I WILL BE VERY ANGRY IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO HIM WHILE I'M BECOMING FAMOUS!"
Cagalli starred blankly.
"Okay. Move out people!" Jason Erwitz, Mia, his fashion crew and the reporters left in a large throng followed also be a group of onlookers. Cagalli and Athrun stood not sure what to do or make of the odd situation.
"CAGALLI!"
She turned to see Lacus and Kira walk into the café, Kira shifting nervously under Athrun's death glare.
"Was this your plan?" he snapped glaring at Kira.
"Was what my plan?" replied Kira looking at Athrun as innocently as he could. The blue haired young man growled, grabbing Kira's arm. Kira shrieked. "Y-yes! Well part of it anyways…"
"No it wasn't!" snapped Lacus smacking the bag of Kira's head. "It was my idea Athrun. Cagalli, I ran over your IPod but I had to do something to make you mad enough to start a scene."
"What? Why! Wait…" said Cagalli the plot dawning on her. "Is that why Jason was here?"
Lacus smiled. "Yup. He had to get Mia away from Athrun and give her a good reason to STAY away from him. She was always quite pretty except she copied me because I was prettier. However I think Jason can do something about her copy-cat behavior and throw her into a lifestyle she would actually fit in with."
"That was nice of you Lacus."
"I didn't say it was nice of me," snapped Lacus. She giggled. "Olivia Reynolds is the plus size collection!"
They laughed.
"Wait, wait," laughed Cagalli slowly catching her breath. "Wait. Why did I come here again?"
"You would've scared Mia more into wanting to leave…"
"Oh…hey!"
"I will pay you back for your IPod. I'm sorry for getting you in trouble-ATHRUN!"
"THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU LACUS!"
"LAY OFF SHE'S MY GIRLFRIEND!"
"I MEAN AS A SISTERLIKEFRIEND!"
"Oh…okay then!"
Cagalli laughed, "Why don't we just sit down and eat. After all this…I'm quite hungry."
"Me too," said Kira, they sat down at the table and waited to order not really caring that people in the café were still starring at the odd group even more confused by the situation then the group was.
"Hey how did you know that I was in trouble…I just told me dad to leave you a message, I didn't even know what to say!"
Kira laughed slapping Athrun on the back. "Dude! You NEVER owe ME for ANYTHING! How else would I know?"
U.P: Not much happened. At least Mia is forever gone...is she a plus size?
Lacus: No (giggles)
U.P: With her fat head I'm surprised she isn't...shame...
Laucs: (laughs harder)
FBG: (eating a chicken wing) It's cold...
U.P: You should've gone down and got it earlier.
FBG: STOP BEING MEAN!
U.P: (taken aback) I am not being...
Lacus: FBG ignore him. It's his personality.
FBG: Fine!
Lacus: Hey whatever happened with that chocolate and Cagalli? You know the ring inside?
FBG: Hehehe about that...
U.P: What did you do?
FBG: The doctors sad that it won't do any damage to me. Just slight discomfort...
U.P & Lacus: YOU ATE THE RING!
FBG: It was accident! I TOTALLY forgot it was in there!
Lacus: Athrun is going to kill you...
U.P: Not that he isn't going to already.
Lacus: True. We hope you enjoyed this chapter of Love By Elimination! Please read and review! Oh dear she looks so upset...go cheer her up U.P! (FBG is curled up in a corner in shame)
U.P: (whines) But I don't know HOW to cheer people up...
A/N: I'd like to put up some free advertisement. During my abscene from this fanfic, I have started work on another fanfic, co-authored by my friend. If you like this fanfic, read the manga Death Note, want some more laughs or all of the above (even though they aren't above but you know what I mean) please check out It Could Be Worse written by the crazy-sugar-obesessed-psychos Thanks R & R people!
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