Disclaimer: I do not own PoT
A/N: HELLO! As requested, half of the chapter is in Atobe's POV. Thank you so much to my friend Yuzuru Renge who's always there to help me. Sorry for the delay girl!
Please read and review.
Chapter Twenty
Rumbling Hearts
Cassie has what they called 'Hang over' though its been three days since the Halloween party. She still couldn't forget what happened when she and Atobe danced. She could remember every single detail of it, and as much as she hate to admit, she love every minute of it. She doesn't know why but when they dance, it was as if all her hatred towards Atobe evaporate from her system. Or did she really hate him? Maybe not. She was just so hurt when he told her that everything that happened between them was just because of a stupid bet. But why did she feel that he really has feelings for her. When they danced, he held her so tight and she saw love in his eyes...She's sure that he's not feigning it. The eyes can never lie...
She sighed deeply and just walk down the corridor of the high school building, her mind still preoccupied with the thoughts of him. She didn't even hear that Hikari was calling her.
"CASSIE!" Hikari shouted her name loudly and finally, she noticed her friend.
She turned and faced her. "Why are you shouting my name?" she asked with a knotted forehead, half-irritated.
"I've been calling you several time already!" Hikari explained.
"Do you need something?" she asked Hikari.
"You haven't seen the post on the bulletin board about the latest student ranking?"
She shook her head. She's not interested, she doesn't want to see the usual result.
"You should see it." Hikari held her wrist and drag her to the bulletin board. Students are surrounding the bulletin board but when they saw her approaching, they gave them way. And there she saw the ranking...She topped the past major exam and the over-all top one student this term!
"Congratulations, Cassie. Finally you defeated Atobe-sama. You've been craving for this for almost three years!"
"Thank you..." She's been craving to defeat him. She should be happy right now, she finally did it but she why she doesn't feel happy at all.
"Ah~ Ore-sama is number two this time?" Her heart beat erratically upon hearing that familiar voice. She looked sideways and saw him standing a few feet away from her.
"Well, congratulations, Minami-san, you finally did it, you defeated ore-sama. Ore-sama is sure that you're a happy with the results." He smirked and then looked at her. He frowned. "Aren't you going to say something?"
She just shrugged, she doesn't know what to say and aside from that she's not completely happy. "What should I say anyways?"
"Ore-sama can't believe that you went speechless. The girl who will never run out of word went speechless out of shock and so much happiness?" He laughed loudly."That's new. Just enjoy it until it last." Just that and then he left.
"Hey, it's not so you to stay silent," Hikari said.
"I just don't know what to say or to react."
"Well I'm expecting you to be so happy and boast it to Atobe-sama. But instead, the cat caught your tongue. Geez. What's wrong?"
"Nothing...I'm just so surprised." That's not the real reason why she's not happy with it. Defeating Atobe will never make her happy anymore. There's only one thing that will make her totally happy; Atobe's heart. She realized that she still love him deeply and wanted him to love her back.
Being in love is the best thing that happen to her life. She admit that the first time she saw Atobe she hate every piece of his being, his attitude, his popularity, everything! But all the hate she felt before is not really hate but its love. "Today, I'm decided! I'm gonna swallow my pride and tell Atobe I love him. And I'm willing to forget the bet. Everything just to be with him." Yes, Cassie knows how desperate she might sounds like. But she loves him. And she could do everything for him.
Cassie walked out of her room with a big smile plastered on her face, this simple action was immediately noticed by Akaya and Aya. Who stopped eating their breakfast in midway to look at the arriving older teen. "Ohayou, Aya, Akaya.." She said with a big smile on her face. She was really happy! And no one could erase the smile off her face today. No one!
"Did you see that Aya.." Akaya whispered to his twin sister who nodded.
"Yes, I see that too..." Aya whispered back.
Cassie frowned, she saw the exchange between the twins and she didn't like it,
"What's wrong you two?" She asked as she joined the two, picking up a waffle toast in the process. No one dared to reply, until a few minutes, "Ne... Cassie-neechan something good happen to you?" It was Akaya who mustered a lot of strength to ask his step-sister.
"Of course I'm totally fine.." She said while sipping her favorite lemon tea.
"You sure?" Aya said suspiciously to her sister, "Nothing really happen? As in nothing."
Cassie knotted her forehead, "Why, is it not right for me to be happy without any reason at all?" She stated making the two shook their hands a little.
"No not at all Cassie-neechan.." The twin both deny. Then turned to look at each other.
"Cassie-neechan is dangerous when she's happy.." the two both mentally agreed.
At the halls of Hyoutei Academy, Cassie is spreading her happy pheromones, "Good morning! Good morning everyone..." She said greeting every student she passed by. Causing them to start murmuring and whispering to each other.
'Cassie-senpai is unusually happy.'
'Do you think something happened to Minami-san?"
'Maybe because she's now top one.'
'Maybe..'
'Who knows'
'Maybe she's only acting, pretending to be happy..'
'Yeah, I heard that Atobe-senpai is engage to marry the heiress of Aikawa Corporation'
'I heard that, she was so beautiful..and she has manners compared to Minami like a dog always barking.'
'Hey, shut it she could hear you, you know..'
Cassie could hear them but she don't care whatever they think of her. She told herself this morning no one could change her mood. Even their trash talk against her. Cassie continue to walk straight towards the corner when she bumped into someone, "Oh, good morning beautiful."
It was Yuushi.
"Hey, Yuushi good morning," Cassie greeted him.
"Ah, good morning Cassie." He greeted back while he fix his eye glasses.
"Where you going?" She asked her smile never leaving hers but instead of answering Yuushi chuckled.
"What's with the chuckle Yuushi?" She asked curiously.
"Cassie-chan is happy... I presume this relates to Atobe," He said wisely.
Cassie blushed. Seeing her blush confirmed his guess,
"I'm just going to him and make him sign this papers!" She showed a folder, the documentation of the previous party. That's her alibi of seeing him, and it was a bright idea.
"Is that all?"
She blushed harder.
"Is it because of what happened at the Halloween party," he stated.
"I guess I can't hide anything from you." She sighed deeply. "That time, that very moment I could feel that he still has feelings for me..." She paused then she turned to look up to meet Yuushi's gaze, "So, today I will tell him I love him..."
"How about Aikawa-chan?"
"Yeah...but I really love him. And I know he loves me too..." she whispered.
"I know. Sorry for bringing it up." Yuushi knows this moment will come, he somewhat could feel jealous of Atobe.
'This girl before me really loves Atobe..' He thought.
"Ne, Yuushi... thank you for what you did at the party without you what will I become if Atobe saw me cry...you're the best!" She said with cheerful smile. "So, where are you going Yuushi?" She asked once again.
"I'm going to see Atobe but well I think you should go first and I will follow suit I know the two of you need sometime alone," He said with a wink.
"Yuushi!" She reprimanded him.
"Don't give me that look..." He said with that he walk away.
"Oh gotta go!"
Cassie sighed deeply, she was outside the door of Supreme Student Council. She was grasping the folder real hard as if she's getting her strength from it. This is the moment..
"This is now or never Cassie, let's do it!" She said to herself as she twisted the door open quietly not to create a noise. She will surprise him, but instead she was the one who got surprise. Right in front of her, she could see Miharu's back. Their faces are close to each other and their lips are connected! Her mouth wide open into a silent tears. They we're kissing! Cassie froze, she can't even move a muscle. Why is she still standing there, she should go out and leave but...
She closed her eyes tightly to stop the tears from falling. She clenched her fists and bit her lips, they were trembling.
Be strong, she told her self. She gathered all her strenght. "Ahem!" she cleared her throat loudly and finally the couple noticed her.
Aikawa's face was so red when she saw her and Atobe, on the other hand is devoid of any emotion. "Ah, Minami what brings you here. You're disturbing us." Atobe put his arms around his fiancee's shoulder.
She felt like her heart will explode at any rate but she get a hold of herself. "Well sorry to disturb you but I have an important errand for you Mr President slash walking ego." She put the papers on his desk. She congratulate herself for not stammering and for making her voice stern. She could have win the best actress award! "You need to read those and sign it. Since I'm done with my errand. I should go now so that you can continue what you we're doing. Enjoy!" She stormed out of the room fast. She can't take it anymore. She could feel pain everywhere, 'They said only heart could feel the pain but why is it her body felt like it was also been broken?' Cassie thought until she bumped into someone again.
"Cassie-chan?" She turned to look up only to see Yuushi looking down at her, his eyes mirrors how worried he was to her. "Cassie-chan, you're crying." He said his thumb wipe away the tears off the side of her eyes.
"Yuushi!" Cassie said as she jump on his arms as she broke out a heartbroken sob and agony. Of all the seventeen years of her life this is the first time she cried like a child especially in front of someone.
Miharu was stunned, her hands on her mouth, where their lips touch each other, earlier without any warning Atobe pull her against him and close the distance between her faces. She blushed in total embarrassment, she doesn't know why he did it. And then suddenly Cassie saw them... Keigo is sweet and caring to her whenever they are in front of other people and he's not like that when they are alone. They were never intimate that's why she was startled when he kissed he without a warning...Could it be...
Atobe's PoV
"She's not here anymore." I said as I saw Cassie went out of my office. I seat down on my swivel chair as if all my strength was drained from my body. "Miharu, can you leave ore-sama alone. Ore-sama need to do something."
I saw that Miharu wanted to say something or rather ask something but she just sigh. "Alright." She went out of my office.
I love Cassandra, she was the first girl who did not fall on my charm and the first girl who openly went against me. I fell in love with her. I went so far that I change and courted her. It came so far that I will do all what she ask me to...
But when she told me she hates me, my heart is shattered... this is the first time I was rejected. And it crushed my ego and pride I totally admit that. That's why I told her about that bogus bet...which is not true at all. Just to save my pride, the only thing that was left in me.
I showed to everyone and to her that I am not hurting that's why when I heard that Miharu is finally back from London I contact her parents to ask them the permission of having her as his fiancee again. Yes, again. My grandfather and her grandfather are the best of friends and business partners and we were engage to be married ever since. But I didn't like the idea. I will never let anyone manipulate my life and so I confronted our grandparents and told them to cancel them to cancel the happened eight years ago that's why they were really puzzled why I bring it up again. My parents were surprised because they know my feelings for Cassandra but they never dare to ask. They just let me do my own decisions, just like always.
Cassandra asked me away from her then that's what I did...
So that's what I did...
Flash back...
He took a seat a few inches away from the young heir and grab one of the beer cans beside him. The two guys stayed silent for a while as they drink and blankly stared at the sunset.
"Say, ore-sama wants you to say something that will cheer ore-sama up," Atobe partly demanded while he exchange looks at the boy beside him.
Sanada shot him a glare, "What do you think of me, a clown?" Sanada was surprised to see look on his face, determine and full of feelings. Dissonant, to his narcissist high and mighty Atobe Keigo that everyone knew.
He roared a laughter, but it sounded bland, he was sure that something is bothering this guy. They were not friends but they are not enemy as well, might as well he should ask him about it.
"You're not your usual self, Atobe, what happened?" he asked, of course, coldly.
He just drink his beer again and ignore his question. "I'm not forcing you to tell me about it." He just shrugged.
Atobe deeply sighed. "Ore-sama was been rejected.." there he finally said it.
Sanada sighed this is not really his forte, love is kind of not on his vocabulary, Mayu, his twin is the one who's obssessed about the idea of love. And the love itself... He and his sister known Atobe since they were little kids. Their grandparents are good friends and they were childhood friends, and many people doesn't know of this. Their communication stopped when he left for London but after a few years, he came back and they became rivals in tennis.
"What now.. you're not gonna say anything to Ore-sama Sanada.." Atobe said while throwing the can at the nearby trash shute with accuracy. "I'm always cynical about that kind of thing..." Sanada answered back while opening the can and drink it. Then he turned to look at Atobe.
"But one things for sure..if the girl said she doesn't like you then just accept it...a gentleman always respect the girl they loves. And even though you are not included to the future she wants then you just have to be happy for her.." Sanada sighed and continued, "You will know that you love someone when you want her to be happy. Even if that means you're not a part of their happiness." He said making Atobe turned to look at the stern fukubochou.
"You just told Ore-sama that Love is not in your vocabulary..don't tell ore-sama that your in love as well..ah~"
Sanada shook his head, "No, but thats what Mayu always saying.. she was the one who was in love with the idea of love...and love itself.. I don't want to repeat this again Atobe.." He said with a sigh.
"Now, Ore-sama understands.." Atobe said then he turned to face Sanada, "Ore-sama just have to move on then..at least Ore-sama will try.. its settled Sanada.." he said
"What settled.." Sanada asked.
"As a the form of gratitude Ore-sama's team will have a practice match against your team.. Ore-sama has to pay Mayu a visit as well." The diva said with his usual arrogant tone on his voice.
"What promise Mayu told you?" Sanada asked with a stern look on his face
"Ah~ you don't know? Mayu said the object of Ore-sama's affection loves Ore-sama but she was wrong so she needs a little bit of visitation.." Atobe said to Sanada.
I stood up and look outside the window, suddenly my eyes caught two people hugging each other. My heart beat so hard, near to explosion when I realized that it was my Cassandra and my friend Yuushi. I really knew it, my insight was never wrong...
"Just like Mayu said..its hard to let go.."
Flash back
"You are evil Atobe Keigo!" Mayu exclaimed her eyebrows knotted, yes she was talking to Atobe Keigo in front of the Rikkaidai's tennis court. While the regulars on each of school was having a match except for Niou, Yukimura and Yanagi who was observing the match. "Ah~ now Ore-sama is the evil one.." Atobe said with his usual arrogant voice.
Mayu twitched
"I told you Cassie likes you..no stratched that Loves you but what did you do? You act like a jerk you choose your ego and your overbearing pride than telling her you love her and even though she hates you, you will just wait for her to love you back in return.. and its impossible that Cassie hates you because she didn't.." Mayu said her voice rising at everyword.
"Ore-sama is not following..Ore-sama's pride is the most important thing in Ore-sama's world.." Mayu was totally pissed off no wonder Cassie hates him! He was so arrogant for his own good.
"What now Sanada-chan cat bit your tongue.."
"Atobe the advice you need is you need to go after her! or else I'm gonna kick your butt you hear me?" Mayu said angrily.
"No..." He simply said.
"And why not!" She said twitching.
"Ore-sama is decided, Cassie said she hates Ore-sama and Ore-sama asked her what do she want Ore-sama to do, Ore-sama will do everything for her.. so when she said that he wants Ore-sama away from her, then so be it...Ore-sama just have to let go even Ore-sama loves her a lot.." Atobe said for the first time. Mayu known him since they were little kids and its her first time seeing him this serious, his eyes never waver and she knows he is serious about moving on, and letting go of Cassie.
"Seriously Atobe...what if Cassie loves you truly and she's only lying when she said she hates you." Mayu said, comparing the serious tone on Atobe's voice.
"Why would Cassandra lie to Ore-sama?"
"I don't know.."
"Ore-sama believe whatever Cassandra say.. so Ore-sama believe that when she said she hates Ore-sama then she hates Ore-sama."
"But Atobe I'm warning you...letting go of someone you love is terribly hard..." She said with a solemn look on her face. Atobe chuckled.
Mayu twitched, "What's so funny! I'm serious here, you dolt!"
"When looking at you, Ore-sama could see the older Sanada.." Atobe said with a chuckle.
"Of course we're twins!"
"Oi Oi! Atobe are you confessing your love for Mayu here, sorry to say she's taken..." Niou said as he approach the two with Yukimura and Yanagi.
"Sorry to say but Atobe has zero chance..." Mayu snorted.
"As if Ore-sama will like a jungle woman, never in million years.." He said
"Monkey king! You are the worst!"
"Yeah, I was wondering what Shiraishi saw with Mayu." Niou teased.
"Haru, I hate you!"
Yukimura chuckled
"Yuushi, thank you for comforting me..." Cassie said, her tears is visible on her face, her eyes red and swollen.
"You know I'm always here for you, " Yuushi said
"I saw them kissed...Atobe and Miharu.." Yuushi's eyes widen, how could Atobe do that to Cassie! "It hurts seeing them it seems like hundreds of thousand of needles piercing my heart and my body is like broken apart.." Cassie said her tears threatening to fall again. Yuushi couldn't take it anymore, he intend to let go of Cassie for Atobe. He knows what the two feel for each other but hearing this and seeing Cassie suffer is enough. He doesn't hate Miharu for all of this. He knows Miharu is innocent but Atobe isn't. He's decided now. This is now or never.
Cassie gasped as Yuushi kissed her... their mouth touch for a second then he withdrew, "Yuushi what did you-" she said her eyes widen.
"I love you Cassie and I'm serious... I love you since we were freshman.." His confession took Cassie by surprise. She don't know how to answer him. His eyes piercing her very soul. What should she say?
Now what?
"So please Cassie..let me be the one to catch you.." they don't know that someone from afar saw them.
It was Aya...who was secretly in love with her Yuushi-senpai.
Please review!