Akatsuki-hime: I'm finally back with another chapter. I'm really sorry if it took so long. Many things came up and I only had little time to write. Please bear with me.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed.

Destiny High School

Phase 21: What did you just say?

Hallways

"Auel already has someone he likes," Meyrin mumbled under her breathe, while standing idly by the window. She had been thinking about what Auel said and she felt so sad about it. "I'm sure the girl he likes is way cooler and prettier than me. I'm just a simple girl who studies like a nerd." She sighed deeply as she clenched her fists tightly.

"What are you doing here all by yourself?" a familiar voice broke into Meyrin's thoughts. Quickly, she turned to face the person who was none other than Fllay, her cousin.

"Oh… Hi, Fllay…" she greeted limply.

Curious about her tone of voice, Fllay asked, "What's the matter, Meyrin? Are you all right?"

Meyrin immediately pasted a fake smile on her face. "NO!" she exclaimed, shaking her head. "I'm totally fine. Why do you ask?"

But her act didn't fool Fllay for a minute. "Okay, what's going on?" asked Fllay, raising an eyebrow. "I know you're troubled about something."

Meyrin shook her head again, still denying the fact. "I'm fine, Fllay!"

"I don't believe you," Fllay retorted, pointing a finger at her cousin. "You better tell me what's wrong or I'll blackmail you!" She smirked.

Meyrin's eyes grew wide in a split second. She knew Fllay was totally serious about what she just said. "You're scary, Fllay." She clasped her hands together and tried to look innocent. "Do you really have to know?"

Fllay looked at her sternly as she tapped her foot on the floor. "I'm waiting, Meyrin…"

"Well… The truth is… Um…"

"Spit it out!" Fllay was getting impatient.

"I'm in love with this guy but I think this guy is in love with someone else!" Meyrin spoke so fast that her words almost ended up in mumbles. "There I said it! Are you happy now?" She glared at Fllay as she crossed her arms.

Although she expected to see a very shocked Fllay, she saw a smiling one instead. Meyrin had to ask, "What's with you?"

"I can't believe that my little cousin is in love!" Fllay said, giggling like a little girl. "I'm so proud."

"You don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?"

"That I'm totally heartbroken here! Let me remind you that the guy I'm in love with already has a girl in mind!"

"And who is this guy?"

"He's…Um…Well…" Meyrin stuttered as she played with her fingers. "Auel Neider…" Her cheeks burned in deep shades of red.

"You mean that blue-haired guy who is really hot with the girls?"

Meyrin nodded hesitantly.

"Unbelievable!" uttered Fllay, throwing her arms in the air. "You're in love with a great guy like him! That's so cool!" She held Meyrin's hands and smiled. "Want me to set you up on a date with him?" She sounded and looked so excited as if she was the one in love with Auel.

"What!"

"Mey, it would be fun!"

"Fllay, you don't understand." Meyrin pulled her hands away from Fllay and backed off. She faced the window and took a deep breath. "Auel is in love with someone else. I don't have a chance."

"Are you sure?"

"He told me himself."

"He told you?" Fllay started to wonder why Auel would tell something like that. As she thought about, she realized that Meyrin and Auel weren't close friends before. She was going to ask Meyrin about the matter until…

"Auel and I became good friends after he saved me from thugs."

From that point, Fllay understood everything. "So, you and Auel have been hanging out all this time?" She wanted to confirm something before she could jump to conclusions.

"Yes… We're always talking, laughing, and enjoying each other."

Fllay placed her hand on chin, looking knowledgeable, as she silently analyzes the situation. Meyrin says Auel likes another girl. What if that girl is Meyrin? She knitted a smile on her face. "Meyrin, why don't you ask Auel about the girl he likes? It wouldn't hurt to ask."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am!" Fllay sounded demanding.

Voice trembling, Meyrin replied, "Okay, if you say so…" She clasped her hands and closed her eyes. I'm a little afraid, but I'll try to be brave. She faced her cousin seriously but with a smile. "I'll try my best."

"I'm sure you can do it, Mey." Fllay had high hopes about her theory. Still, she wanted to make sure by investigating Auel herself. After all, she has a knack for matchmaking games.

Backyard of the School

After slipping a letter into Lunamaria's locker, Shinn immediately went to the backyard to wait for her. He wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do, but it was the only way he could make Luna understand. Also, he had hoped everything would be fine between them in the end.

"Shinn!" Luna called his name as soon as she saw him. She ran towards him while waving her right hand.

"I'm glad you came, Hawke," he said, looking sharply.

"I received your letter and it says you want to talk to me," Luna muttered, feeling pleased. She had never imagined Shinn giving her a letter. It was so good to be true. "So, have you decided to make me your girlfriend? Did you dump that good-for-nothing blonde?" She was making googly eyes at Shinn, which sent chills into his spine.

And for the insult, he wanted to slap Luna right on the face. But I have to be nice to her. He had to respect her as a girl so she would understand. He had no choice but to be patient. "Hawke, I didn't dump Stellar and she's a not good-for-nothing blonde."

Luna raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you call me?"

"I want…" He bit his lip before continuing, "I want to apologize for what I've done to you in the past." He looked away, his face burning in shame, as he clenched his fists.

Shocked, Luna didn't say a word. Shinn Asuka is apologizing to me? What the hell is going on? It's not like him. She stared at Shinn and wondered if it was really Shinn. She knew what kind of person Shinn was since the first time he met him. And now that same person was apologizing to her! It felt strange yet satisfying.

Shinn noticed her staring at him. "What's with that look?" he grumbled, narrowing his gaze.

"Nothing… It's just that your apology surprised me."

"I wasn't trying to surprise you."

"I know but still…" Luna took a few steps forward until she was just an inch closer to Shinn. "You know, I'm really happy to hear that. It's the nicest thing you ever said to me." She placed a hand on his shoulder, showing her extreme gratitude.

"Yeah… Yeah…" Shinn rolled his eyes away, pretending to be pissed off. "So, am I forgiven?"

"What if I say no?" Luna smirked.

"Then what can I do to make it up to you?" Shinn sounded a bit desperate this time. If he wants to get Luna out of his life, he had to do whatever it takes to fulfill that—even if it means doing whatever Luna asks.

But he didn't expect Luna to say, "I'll only forgive you if you dump Loussier-san for me."

"You must be crazy!" He glared at her intensely. "I love Stellar and I don't want to dump her for some foolish girl like you!"

"Then I'll never forgive you Shinn Asuka!" She rested her two hands on her waists as she grinned mischievously. "In additions to that, I'll make Loussier-san's life a living hell."

"Don't you even dare lay a finger on Stellar!" His temper was in full blast now. His plans of getting Luna to understand went down the drain. Acting nice to her wouldn't get him anywhere, so he had to resort to force.

He dug his nails into her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. He forced her to look into his furious eyes, which scared her half to death. Slowly, he tightened his grip on her shoulders to let her experience a little pain. He knew it was wrong, but she was really getting into his nerves.

"Let go of me, Shinn!" demanded Luna, struggling to break free.

"Promise me, Hawke," he shouted at the top of his lungs, "promise me you won't bother me and Stellar again!" He pushed her backwards, sending her butt to the ground.

"Ouch, that hurts!" Luna rubbed her butt to soothe the pain. She looked back at Shinn, with eyes that wanted to cry. "I can't believe you, Shinn. I love you and yet…"

"Hawke, please understand my feelings. The only girl I love is Stellar and that will never change!" He turned his back at her as he crossed his arms. "I'm really sorry for doing this to you, but you left me with no choice."

"Shinn..." Tears streaming down from her eyes, Luna hugged her legs and sighed. "I'm a total failure when it comes to… everything…" She buried her face in her hands and cried loudly.

"I know you can find somebody more deserving for you." With that, Shinn started walking away from her. Deep within his heart, he felt so ashamed of hurting Luna so many times. He had never reconsidered her feelings before and he regretted that.

Near the Entrance of the Cafeteria

She just did the most wonderful thing ever. It took her a lot of courage and strength to hug the one she loved. She had always dreamt of having such a moment with him. She felt like she was in heaven as she enjoyed the warmth nestling in.

"Clyne-san," he called her name, making her look at him. One look at her crystal blue eyes made Kira rather nervous. "Um… What is this all about?"

"Hibiki-kun, I…" She softly spoke with a smile. "I want to tell you that…" She was stuttering, because her heart was pounding so hard.

"What is it?" Kira had the curiosity in his eyes.

"I love you… I love you with all my heart," Lacus finally said it, closing her eyes, as she leaned her forehead against his chest.

"Clyne-san…"

"Please let me hear your reply…" She trembled a bit, fearing of his rejection. But she felt his arms snaking around her waist, securing her tightly and gently. Her cheeks flushed red as she pasted a faint smile. She raised her head only to see him smiling at her. "Hibiki-kun?" she muttered.

Caressing her cheeks, Kira said, "Is that really you? You're acting a bit aggressive today." He giggled.

"I'm sorry. You must be probably thinking that I'm acting like my sister." Lacus grimaced, turning her head away from him.

Kira nodded slightly. "Well, only a little." Using one hand, he titled her face until his eyes met hers. "But you're still the Lacus I love…" He whispered softly.

"Hibiki-kun…"

"Lacus, call me Kira from now on, okay?"

"All right, Kira…"

Hearts contented, the both of them hugged each other and spoke in words that lovers use.

Cafeteria

"Kira's taking a lot of time," grumbled Cagalli, looking around for Kira. "Where could that brother of mind be?"

"Can I sit here?" Cagalli turned to the person who just asked her. "Athrun?" She gazed at him, feeling a little shy.

"Can I?" Athrun asked her again, hoping she would say yes. He wanted to talk to Cagalli, to clear things up between them. He hated the fact that Cagalli was avoiding him because of what he said.

On the other hand, Cagalli had different thoughts. She felt ashamed for rejecting Athrun, because she still had feelings for her best friend. She also thought of telling Athrun about these feelings, but she knew that it would only hurt him.

Without a word, Cagalli rose from her chair and walked to the exit. But before she could go out, Athrun caught up and grabbed her left arm. "Hey, let me go!" she demanded.

"Cagalli, we need to talk." Athrun sounded concerned.

Cagalli became silent. She lowered her head, letting her bangs cover her eyes, as she focused her sights on the floor. She realized that avoiding Athrun wasn't a solution. And it wasn't really like her to run away from her problems. But she can't find the courage to talk to Athrun. She never felt so confused in her life.

To be continued…

Akatsuki-hime: End of chapter. I'm sorry for the late update again. Oh, I'll probably update after 14 days, because I'm going to be busy with my clubs in school. Please don't forget to review and no flaming.