HitomiFanel: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Zakyra: What's wrong now Hito?
HitomiFanel: I haven't posted in sooooooooo long!!!! Everyone must hate me now!!!!!
Zakyra: Hito, calm down. I'm sure they'll forgive you. Especially since they'll understand that it was school again.
HitomiFanel: Hopefully. (turns towards audience) I HATE SCHOOL!!!!! (calms down then looks at reviews) Wow! I wasn't expecting to get so many reviews so fast. If I get a few more, than this will be my best story. My highest one is "Who's that girl?", a Hey Arnold fanfiction with 43 reviews. I hope I can beat that.
Zakyra: Hitomi would now like to thank the following people for reviewing.
HitomFanel: Longest note ever but I want to thank Nova S. first. You reviewed EVERY single part, even though you barely started reading the fic. Um, there was one comment you made that I need to talk about. When you said that if the annoying repeating thing that I had was the conversations I had with Zakyra, that's wrong. The actual answer is that when I first made this story, someone told me that I made Hitomi run away crying from everything. It was true too. And I think things like that didn't let me win the "Fic of the Year" award. Someone else did.
Zakyra: Wow Hito, your story was nominated?
HitomiFanel: Yup! I have the award on "My Pictures". Even if I didn't win, I'm still proud that I was nominated.
HitomiFanel: Okay, next person is Carrie. She even sent me an e-mail that I really appreciated. I hope she keeps e-mailing!
HitomiFanel: Next is Yukari who included her e-mail. There are two and I want to thank Yukari Kanzaki also but Yukari gave me the names of Hitomi's family which I appreciate!
HitomiFanel: Cade Kar Diabolus, I liked you poem. It was cute! Thanks!
HitomiFanel: Next is Feathers of the Wind. I'm glad you liked the fluff! :)
HitomiFanel: Dilanda, your comment was from a LONG time ago but I thank you now *thumps up back*
HitomiFanel: Finally, I want to thank everyone else who supported me: Magicman, Xeluu, Ashley Chu, Ashley, TA, Ryoki, Marcie, Ah-Young, Au, Hitomi, Hope, Fitz20, Natsuki (and this will probably be the only time I have a story read and done before I post it ^_~), Hitomi Silver Cat (and don't worry. I will continue this fic till the end and not leave you or anyone hanging), Desire6528, snowangel, maniac bubblicous (and I love your story "Meant for Each Other"!! Keep going!!!), Stelmarta (sorry for apologizing :) ), and last but not least sad sad world!!!! Thank you everyone.
Zakyra: NOW you can go ahead and read the story.
HitomiFanel: Enjoy this part!
The New Kid
Disclaimer: The Escaflowne playground belongs to Shoji Kawamori. I'm only playing on the swings. Please don't litter, please don't mess anything up, and please don't feed the unicorns, trolls, fairies, or elves ^_^ (Zakyra: What a funky disclaimer Hito)
(recap)
"What's up with you?" Hitomi asked. She could tell something was bothering Yukari. She didn't usually scream stuff out like that.
'No use in trying to hide it out now' Yukari thought as she looked at Hitomi, who was standing on the porch, searching for answers from her best friend. Or was it EX-best friend? "You want to know what's bothering me Hitomi?! Well I'll tell you."
Hitomi saw the tears begin to form in Yukari's eyes. She waited patiently, though she never would have imagine the next sentence being said to her by her best friend.
"My problem is that you're with the guy I've dreamt of being with!"
Hitomi gasped. She DEFINITELY hadn't expected that. She expected something a little less shocking. "Y-you like Van?" she asked, her hand covering her mouth.
"No, I don't like Van, I love Van!"
Hitomi gasped again, only louder. Yukari ran off crying.
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Hitomi stood, completely shocked by what Yukari said. Had she heard right?
No, I don't like Van, I love Van!
The words kept playing repeatedly in Hitomi's mind. She hadn't expected to hear that from her best friend. Now she seemed to be faced with a difficult decision. She didn't know what to do.
'Poor Yukari' she thought sadly as she continued to walk to school, alone. 'I didn't know she felt that way about Van. Maybe…maybe I should let Yukari have Van. Yukari is my best friend and I don't want to loose her. If she loves Van then I shouldn't interfere.'
She was doing it for her best friend, but did she really want to loose Van?
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"Hitomi! Hi!" an excited Van yelled when he saw her come up. He had been dreaming all day yesterday, not being able to get her out of his head. This was always the case before, but the other time his thoughts were jealous, angry and even hateful. Now they were happy, love-filled, and all those other wonderful things. Now he dreamed everyday with kissing her and holding her in his arms, never to let go again. There was one thing Van knew for sure.
She was the one.
He smiled and began to walk over to her, but he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the look on Hitomi's face. This did not look good. Their relationship had only just begun, but Van felt like their spirits were connected somehow, and that he could feel when she was troubled.
Once they met half way, Van asked, "Hitomi, what's wrong?" He could tell something was wrong. The look on her face told him that, though he didn't like it.
Hitomi was quiet for a long moment. Should she tell him? COULD she tell him? On the other hand, was that totally violating Yukari's own chance at saying it? She looked him dead in the eye and tried to give him a serious "I'm not interested" look, but it only came out pained and hurt. "Van I…I can't see you anymore," Hitomi bluntly replied. Tears were now stinging her eyes. She wiped them away in anger.
Van gasped, his eyes growing large. No. This couldn't be true. Had he even heard right? He definitely hadn't expected her to say this. "Nani?" (That's the VERY first Japanese word I ever learned and when I wrote this, I decided to try it out)
Hitomi looked down at the ground and her tears fell from her face towards the cold cement below her. "I'm sorry" Hitomi replied quietly, yet painfully. She ran off with the tears spilling down her face.
As Hitomi ran, she heard Van yell "Hitomi! Wait!" Hitomi didn't wait. She had to find Yukari and fast. This was it. She had given up love for friendship.
She just hoped she was doing the right thing…
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Hitomi had been running for a while, look for her best friend. Or was it ex? She found her sitting alone on one of the park benches, looking straight ahead as if she were the only person on the world. "Yukari!" Hitomi yelled as she reached were Yukari had been sitting. "We need to talk."
Yukari stood up, looking angry. "There is nothing to talk about Hitomi," she replied icily.
Hitomi was stubborn and Yukari knew it. But the thought didn't make her smile at the thought. Hitomi continued as she fiddled with her fingers. "Yes there is." Pause. "I-I broke up with Van. You're my best friend and I don't want to loose you."
Yukari backed up a little, totally taken aback by what she had said. The third person to think they hadn't heard right. Was Hitomi really giving up Van for her? Was Yukari's friendship really THAT important to her? (don't go thinking Yukari always thought that it wasn't) Yukari decided to forgive her. She had just made the ultimate sacrifice…for her. Yukari was glad she was blessed with such a good friend. She turned around and hugged Hitomi. "Thank you Hitomi!"
Hitomi's face turned sorrowful as Yukari hugged her. 'Well, at least I have Yukari back. We've been friends since grade school and I don't want to loose such a long friendship.' When Yukari pulled away Hitomi made herself smile, though she felt there was nothing to smile about.
Yukari smiled as well and decided to change the subject.
They walked home as best friends again.
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"Hitomi! Dinner time!" Yuri Kanzaki yelled from the kitchen (thanks again Yukari!).
After what happened that day, Hitomi had locked herself in her room and not come out. This worried her mom but she had no idea how much her daughter was suffering. Hitomi herself was left in wonder as she lay there on her bed, her pillow propped up under her head. 'I don't get it' she thought as she looked at the carousel her dad had given her. It always calmed her down. 'Why is this affecting me so much?' She sighed and flipped over on her back, still listening to the music of her carousel.
A voice answered for her.
Because you're in love with him
Hitomi decided not to think anymore. She knew her voice was right but she didn't want to admit it. She got up from her bed and headed downstairs.
Once Hitomi came down to the kitchen, Yuri saw the look on Hitomi's face. Her eyes were blood shot and Yuri could tell she had been crying. What could have happened? Had Van told her? Was this the way she was taking it? Or had they gotten into a fight while he was trying to tell her? Maybe he hadn't told her yet. Didn't the talk she had with Van help? (A talk that never made it in this fic ;) )"Hitomi, what's wrong?"
Yuri's questions were answered immediately, though she seemed to be missing some answers still. "I broke up with Van," Hitomi told her with her head down as she sat down at the table. She didn't really want to talk about this right now. It still hurt.
Her dad, who had been reading the paper during the entire conversation, put it down and looked at her with a funny gaze like he didn't understand. "Broke up with him? Since when were you with him?" This was definitely something he had never heard from her. Not too long ago she couldn't stand the boy, now she comes home with "I broke up with him". When had she actually gotten together with him? Was he so ignoring his family that he didn't realize it?
Hitomi didn't answer. She didn't want to answer. She just looked down at her hands like they were the most interesting thing in the world. What should she tell them? The truth? Would they believe her? Would they understand? How could they when she barely did? She had given up love for friendship. Was it worth it?
Luckily her brother saved the day. "Hey, maybe Hitomi doesn't want to tell us. We should respect her privacy."
That shocked Hitomi. She had never expected him to act this nice. Why did he say "respect her privacy" when he was always trying to read her diary? This was certainly strange. Either way, Hitomi looked at Mamoru and smiled in gratitude. He smiled back with a look of understanding.
Mrs. Kanzaki put the food on the table and just stood there, locking her gaze with her daughter. Poor Hitomi. How much heartbreak she was probably suffering. "Well, I hope you know Hitomi that you can tell us anything."
Hitomi smiled at her mom. "Thanks everybody."
------------
It was hard for Hitomi to go to school the next day. There were too many things waiting for her there. One, Van, and his determination to get an answer out of her. Two, Yukari and the fact that she was going to cling onto Van until she got a date out of him. She tried to beg her mom not to make her go but she had just said that she needed to face her problems one day. That
she would eventually have to face them because they would still be there the next day, and the next. Might as well get them over with.
When she got to school, instead of seeing Van she saw Yukari. Hitomi didn't know if she could stand talking to her. She had give up love for a friendship that SHE felt wasn't there anymore because she was angry. How ironic and weird. She didn't let her anger show however.
"Hey Hitomi!" Yukari greeted as she ran up to Hitomi. Maybe she had the information she needed…
Hitomi was forced to smile to at least show Yukari she wasn't bothered by this. "Hi Yukari. She gulped and forced the next question out of her. It just wouldn't leave her alone. "So, have you talked to Van yet?"
Yukari seemed a bit uncomfortable and worried. "No. Actually, the funny thing is, I haven't seen him. It's like he disappeared."
Hitomi's face grew sad and she directed her gaze towards the floor. 'He probably didn't come because he didn't want to see me.' Could her life possible get any worse? Now Van was avoiding her because of what happened.
Yukari noticed the look on Hitomi's face and decided to question her about it. "Hey, are you okay?"
Hitomi looked up at Yukari and wanted to show anger on her face, but she left it neutral. 'Okay? How dare you ask me that! You should very well know that I'm not okay!' Hitomi wanted to yell out. Instead she smiled her friendly smile, though on the inside it was filled with pain. "I'm okay Yukari. I'll see you later."
Hitomi walked away and she knew that Yukari was staring at her retreating form. Who knows what she was thinking though. 'If only she knew what this was doing to me.'
---------
The day seemed to get worse.
In one of her classes, Hitomi saw Jack in his usual seat. He was sitting there all calmly, like nothing had happened on Saturday. What was embarrassing was when he turned to look at her. Hitomi decided to look away and not let him see her. She didn't care about him anyway (and she never did), though she was grateful to him because if he hadn't kissed that other girlfriend in front of the theater, she never would have gone off running and met up with Van.
And she also wouldn't be feeling this pain…
Once the class was forced to do a class assignment, Hitomi saw Jack get out of his seat and walk up to her desk. He was smiling but Hitomi could tell it was smugly, like he thought she didn't know what he did.
She hated him.
"Hey," Jack greeted.
Hitomi looked up at him without emotion. "Hey."
How much she hated him.
"What happened Saturday? I waited for you for a whole hour."
Hitomi frowned but she didn't show it. She didn't want him to know that she knew. 'I'll bet you did!' She forced herself to smile and say something that didn't sound to angry. It was pretty hard actually but she managed it. "I wasn't feeling well that day. I'm sorry, I should have called."
Jack smiled at her. "It's okay. But hey, maybe this Saturday I could take you out. We could see a movie and actually see it this time."
Hitomi tried to hold it in so she gripped her skirt from under her desk. 'Why, so you can kiss your girlfriend before I arrive?!' Hitomi wanted to yell. This just wasn't Hitomi's day. She seemed to be angry with everybody, even herself. But maybe this was the best thing to do in order to forget about Van. Not that she really wanted to, but if he began to date Yukari, then she would need SOMEONE to get her mind off him. "Sure, I'd love to go."
Jack beamed. "I'll see you at around eight then." He walked over and sat down at his seat.
Hitomi turned towards her classwork and began to work on it in silence. She wrote her math problems mindlessly as she thought. 'I don't think I'll go. I'll just let him be with his girlfriend. Who cares. He definitely wouldn't help me get my mind off Van.'
She sighed and went back to her classwork, this time working at it for real.
--------
The day was just one big snore for Hitomi. She was glad she didn't die of boredom or fall asleep in class. That would have been the most embarrassing thing for her. That would have made her not-so-good day even worse.
Once school was out, Hitomi went home as fast as she could to avoid Yukari and even Van. As she was walking, she heard her name being called into the distance. She knew it wasn't either of the people she was avoiding but it still made her jump, for this person was second-to-worse after Van. Hitomi turned around and sure enough, discovered that it was Merle, Van's little sister.
Hitomi tried to smile. None of her smiles were genuine today. "Hi Merle. I haven't seen you around lately."
Merle spoke bluntly. "Hitomi, I need to talk to you about something." She wanted to get to the point and help her brother in any way she could. Hitomi was the only one with the answers. And she WOULD get the answers out of her, no matter what it took.
Hitomi flinched. She knew what Merle wanted. Maybe she could pretend and avoid the questions. No, she knew by now that Merle was too smart to fall for lies. She knew when someone was lying and when someone was telling the truth.
Merle gave her a piercing gaze as she stood there, her hands limp at her sides. "Van told me about what happened yesterday at school. He couldn't come to school today because he was sick so he sent me to get some answers." Her eyes then became pleading and Hitomi could swear that she was starting to tear up. She really loved her brother liked nobody's business. "What happened? Why did you break up with Van?"
Hitomi didn't know how to answer. How could she just say that she broke up with Van because Yukari was her best friend and she was in love with Van? Wouldn't they think it was a dumb excuse? Would her own sister understand?
When Hitomi didn't answer, Merle changed the subject. Might as well tell her this, even though Van made her swear never to tell Hitomi. She cleared her throat. "Remember when you asked me what Van had said to me about you?"
Hitomi thought back to that day, then nodded.
"Well, all I said was that Van told me that you were only a girl who went to school with him. That was a lie. What Van actually told me was that you were the most incredible girl he had ever met and that he was in love with you. He was in love with you ever since he laid eyes on you."
Hitomi's face saddened. 'No wonder Van was jealous all those times. Like when I asked about Allen or when I said that I had a date with Jack. It was ALL because he was jealous. Poor Van.' This information made her feel worse about everything. To thing that event that day when she got angry with him for distracting her in the race, he was already in love with her.
"So," said Merle, interrupting Hitomi from her thoughts, "why did you break up with him?"
Again Hitomi didn't know how to answer. This was so frustrating!
Just tell the truth.
She decided to listen this time, instead of push the voice away. She sighed and looked down at the floor. "The reason I broke up with him was because Yukari is in love with him. She's my best friend and I didn't want to loose her. I know it's a bad excuse but that's the truth."
Merle only looked at Hitomi. Time suspended in the air before Merle sighed. "I agree with you. That is a dumb excuse. You shouldn't break up with Van just because someone else is in love with him. If you love him then you shouldn't give up on him. If I was in love with someone and that person loved me back but my best friend was also in love with him then I wouldn't break up with him just so my friend could have him."
Hitomi cast her gaze downward and took in all that Merle was saying. 'She does have a point. But she doesn't understand that Yukari will hate me forever if I get back with Van.' Hitomi looked up at her and frowned, for once feeling something other than sadness and guilt (Ack! My other story title!)"Well, that's where we're different. You see, I do value my friends' friendships. I broke up with Van so Yukari could have him and not hate me," Hitomi replied to Merle.
Merle gasped as her faced turned angry. 'She's insulting me!'
Hitomi turned around. "I need to go home. I'll see you later." She ran off toward her house, not once turning to look back or anything.
"Wait!" Merle yelled. "We're not through!"
'Oh, but I am.'
--------
She was plagued. She was cursed with misfortune. Tears began to well up in her emerald eyes as she ran as fast as she could, not caring where she was going. She needed to be alone for a while and forget everything. To think about things and make herself feel better.
She didn't notice it when she bumped into someone…
Hitomi got up and bowed before she even saw who she had bumped into. Just say sorry, then walk away and continue to find a secluded spot where she could think. "I'm sorry. I should have watched where I was going."
"Hitomi…" Hitomi heard a pained voice say. Her heart thumped. She knew that voice! With her heart pounding in her chest and her breathing now irregular, she looked up slowly.
"Van!" Hitomi yelled.
(Dramatic voice) TO BE CONTINUED… ^_~
HitomiFanel: Hehe, what a cool place to leave it.
Zakyra: Dang! Why there!?!?!
HitomiFanel: Calm down Zakyra. Next part will be out soon.
Zakyra: Yeah but WHY THERE!?!?!?! I want to know what happens when they meet! Are they going to get back together?!?!?
HitomiFanel:………. ^_^
Zakyra: HITOMIFANEL!!!!!! TELL ME NOW!!!!!
HitomiFanel (Sweatdrops): Geez, okay. (bends over and whispers in ear for a while) ……..
Zakyra (eyes widening): WWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!
HitomiFanel (laughing): Yup. That's what'll happen. But you can't tell, kay?
Zakyra: Sure. Let them see for themselves. (leaves dancing from happiness)
HitomiFanel: Okay, now is my chance to make an announcement while Zakyra is off celebrating the next part which she'll probably go off and read while I'm not there anyway. Okay, I was writing an e-mail to someone and a thought struck me. I decided to make a sequel to "The New Kid". I need your opinion though, if you want so see more of this fic. Problem is, I don't know what should happen. As an author, I'm prohibited from taking ideas from people. It's a writer's rule that I SERIOUSLY don't want to break. I guess I try to come up with something. Maybe I'll just think up of options and let all of you choose. Actually, I have a few ideas but I can't say which ones until this fic is done. Letting you choose now will ruin the ending.
Zakyra (popping head in room): AND PLEASE REVIEW SO YOU CAN SEE THE AWESOME NEXT PART!!!!!
HitomiFanel (jumps 20 feet in the air): AAAAHHHH!!!
Zakyra (laughing): Whoops! Sorry Hito. ^_^
HitomiFanel: Geez…See ya in part 10. Please tell me what you thought! (runs after Zakyra for scaring her, who dodges and runs away, laughing)
A note from my new fic that I'm working on called "A Regular Day in Fanelia". Just wanted to include it so you could get the end, which I'm now enforcing into my stories.
"HitomiFanel: Geez, I try to sleep, yet I think about the pictures I have of Van and Folken and this idea pops into my head. Why does inspiration always hit while you try to sleep?
Zakyra: Haha Hito. Poor you. Trying to get some rest so you can go to Chemistry the next day yet this happens.
HitomiFanel: Yeah but oh well. Need to write the idea down before I forget.
Zakyra: It's a one-shot. She told me.
HitomiFanel: Yupsters ^_^! Like I was saying before, I was thinking about the Folken and Van pictures and I decided to write this story.
Zakyra: It's about Folken spending the day with 5 year old Van before he goes off to fight the dragon the next day.
HitomiFanel: And don't think this doesn't have romance. Guess who I include in the end? A clue: They're already married and one needs comfort from the other after this.
Zakyra: Can't you ever write a story WITHOUT romance?
HitomiFanel: Nope ^_^! I'll NEVER write a story without romance. It's just not me.
Zakyra: Geez, then you should change your name to "Queen Fluff"
HitomiFanel: Nah. There's already a Queen Fluff. Her name's Personification of Fluff and she has the MOST AWESOME fic called "Last Sight" that I hope has part 14 out soon ^_~! Besides, I'm Hitomi Fanel, Queen of Fanelia, but mostly Vanny-chan's wife! (taken from a fic called "High School Madness" Sorry! I don't remember the author's name but the fic is HILARIOUS!)
Zakyra (sweatdrop): Vanny-chan? You're using that term?
HitomiFanel: Of course. He's my Vanny. I love him sooooo much! ^_^ Why do you think I married him?
Zakyra: Just go read the story before she starts appointing laws in Fanelia.
HitomiFanel: Not a bad idea. From now on, when you, the readers, come into to read my fics, you've entered Fanelia and then been led straight to the library. And my law here is that if you read, you must review...please? ^_^
Zakyra: Just go ahead and read this!
HitomiFanel: Enjoy but please put the book back on the shelf when you're done!
Zakyra: Geez..."
~**~
Zakyra: You shouldn't have shown that note until you posted the fic.
HitomiFanel: Yeah, but like it says, from now on when you enter a fic of mine, you have entered Fanelia's library in the Fanelian castle where me and Van are.
Zakyra: So you're telling me that…
Van: Hey!
HitomiFanel: Vanny-chan! (goes over and hugs him)
Zakyra: Oh god! I thought she was kidding!
HitomiFanel (while still holding onto Vanny-chan): From now on, Vanny-chan is going to be in here with us Zakyra, talking about the fics.
Van: Yeah. And I'll comment too.
Zakyra: Glad you could join us Van. Hope Hito doesn't bother you.
Van: Nah.
HitomiFanel: Okay, ya know the routine…
HitomiFanel, Van, Zakyra: PLEASE REVIEW!!! ^_^ V (HF), ^_~ (Z), :-) (V)
