Chapter Fifteen:
(Byakuya's POV)
I had been keeping tabs on Heather since the were-cat's last visit. She seemed a little more distant than usual and I was afraid that I had done something wrong. The last thing that I wanted to do was upset her. The question is…what did I do? I kept running through what I could have possibly done wrong but I came to a blank. I finally caught up to her for the first time in a little while. She was sitting in the study, looking at a few books. "Heather?" I called to her from the doorway. Heather looked over in my direction and smiled half-heartedly. "Hey, Bya. What's up?" she asked timidly. "Nothing." I lied as I made my way over to her. I can't believe she had enough nerve to ask that after ditching and avoiding me! Heather gave me a look, whatever she had been thinking just left her thoughts as I approached her. She inquired, "Something on your mind?" I replied with my own request, "Can we just talk? I miss our conversations." What's gotten into her? "Yeah, sure thing." she answered looking guilty and motioned for me to sit.
I sat down on the cushion across from her and felt happy that she was willing to talk to me again. "So what have you been doing the past couple days?" I inquired, wondering what had caught her attention. Heather sighed and hung her head dramatically before chuckling. "Our favorite feline had this crazy idea that I needed to start dating. She dragged me away last night, and by the time I got back, you were asleep. I'm sorry about that, fella'." she apologized sincerely. I felt a little better knowing why she had ditched me and her apology helped too. "So where did you go today?" I questioned her. Heather sighed and admitted, "I tried taking her advice." My stomach dropped. She went on a date! "With who?!" I demanded, blurting out my thoughts. Heather turned to me and gave me a funny look, while asking, "What's gotten into you, Bya? You're never like this." "I just want to know who he is, that's all." I tried to answer her casually but my blood still boiled. When I get my hands on this guy, he's dead! "I know but you don't need to get all upset about it." she explained and questioned, "What's eating at you?"
I was not ready to tell her yet, I thought I had more time to get her to like me. All of the attention I gave her and all the time I spent away from training for this?! "How did it go? You're date?" I inquired, not really interested. I just wanted to get off of the subject as fast as possible. Heather stared at me long and hard. She took a deep breath and replied, "Yoruichi told me that I was too close to a particular subject to see straight." "What does she know?" I snapped, no longer looking in her direction. What the Hell does that were-cat have to do with any of this?! Besides the fact that she was the troublemaker that started this nonsense, she had nothing to do with this conversation. "You know I think the world of you, right Byakuya?" she asked me seriously. I looked at her with confusion, still angry. Heather obviously did not care enough.
"You did your best and taught me how to read and write. We kept each other's company on rainy days. I feel safest in confiding in you more than anyone else." my friend admitted and touched my hand. I wanted to pull away but I did not have the heart to. "So I am going to tell you this and I hope you believe me." Heather remarked genuinely and continued, "I am not the one. There is another person you're going to meet that's going to mean more to you than I do now. She will be the beginning of everything." "That's a bunch of bullshit." I retorted. Who did she think she was trying to fool?! Her face changed completely and she snapped, "Fine, be a stubborn ass! See if I care! Apparently, I'm that heartless to you!" She tossed my hand aside and jumped out of her seat.
"Where do you think you're going?!" I demanded as I followed her out of the room. "Why would you care?!" Heather snapped again and continued, "I'm so God awful to you, you should be happy I'm leaving you alone!" That was the last thing I wanted her to do. "No, wait!" I exclaimed as I grabbed her hand. She questioned angrily, "Why should I? You won't talk to me when it's obvious you're in distress. Instead, you'd rather take it out on me." It's now or never. "Heather, I didn't mean to hurt you." I replied sincerely. Heather's expression changed once more. "Huh?" was the only sound she made after my declaration. "I was acting out of line. I just like you so much that I just don't want to see you get hurt by anyone. I want you to stay with me." I admitted, putting everything on the line.
Heather sighed heavily and shook her head. "Byakuya, I told you already. Even if it was age-appropriate for starters, I can't be with you. I can be there for you but not at your side." she told me firmly. I felt my heart break. I should have seen this coming. I let go of Heather's hand and refused to look her in the eye. "I'm sorry, Bya. I guess you just need some time." she tried to console me. I could hear the sincere tone in her voice as she continued, "I really want and value your friendship, Byakuya. It's going to be weird but do you think we can still keep this friendship going when you feel ready?" I guess that was the best I was going to get. She opened her arms and pulled me against her. I returned her embrace, just enjoying the closeness between the two of us.