**Morning before the Dance

It was still early before the school bell would ring to signify the start of classes but Ryota eagerly climbed the stairs of Shohoku Building, not because he wanted to be early for class, Heck! He did not even want to learn one bit of his sensei's boring lectures but he was early for one reason, Aya-chan. He was determined to make amends with her, to be friends with her the very least. Or just maybe, if he really was lucky today and the Gods was with him, maybe, he'll be able to win her back. He adjusted his backpack carefully. Inside his backpack was a teddy bear holding a heart saying "Sorry". He knew how Aya-chan always loved Teddy Bears because he knew everything there is to know about her. Ayako might not look like a girl who would love Teddy bears nor flowers cause she seemed like a tough lady  but deep inside, she really was this soft, sensitive girl, he wanted to take care of all his life the moment he saw her. But he blew that chance. Big Time.

As he reached the second floor, it seemed the students were abuzzed. He saw some girls giggling, whispering to each other. Some were blushing. It was obvious that some gossip was fast making rounds among the students.  Ryota thought. They better not be talking about the incident that happened yesterday morning about him and the Rukawa Shinetai. Ryota was so desperate to find who she was that he was willing to grab the chance of knowing her without even thinking. K'so! Baka of me to think that one of them could be my mystery girl.   If that was what all the people were talking about, he would just right there and there, die of embarrassment, if that was even possible. What Ryota did not know was that it could be worse than that…

"Oi Ryochin" Sakuragi called out loud.

Ryota turned his head towards Sakuragi. He would know anywhere that the voice belonged to him. Who but only Sakuragi could have the nerve and the attitude to shout like that and step on the floor of the higher students? But he's got to admire the guy for his guts and cheeky ways, after all, he was able to make Haruko go out with him to the dance. A wannabe Tensai but sure is a lucky wannabe Tensai.

            "Nani Hanamichi? So early in the morning, and so full of energy" But he knew why Hanamichi was there. Hmp! Maybe to brag about Haruko and further slap me in the face about me still being the dateless point guard in Kaganawa. "Go ahead, fine, brag…" Ryota waited for Hanamichi to launch into a detailed speech on how he now has Haruko but was surprised to find him being serious.

"Ryochin, did you hear that Michael asked Ayako-san yesterday?"

Who's Michael? Ryota thought. He knew ever since he stopped spending time with Aya-chan, boys were eager to shower her with attention. He was even keeping a tab on who's who were pining over Aya-chan, but he did not know any Michael. Must be a freshman, since he would know anyone from second or third year. But he knew one Michael, that's for sure. Michael of Ryofuku High. Nope. That's impossible. He's now in America. Who could forget him? Thinking about him made Ryota fuming mad. He remembered how he first saw him, showing off his basketball skills. But what made him even madder was his constant flirting with Aya-chan. Her Aya-chan. So okay, she was not his, but couldn't Michael show a little respect. He was touching Aya-chan's shoulders in front of him, in his own Basketball court, I mean, the teams' court. Good thing he was now in America. Nope, not that Michael, Hanamichi was talking about.

Sakuragi seemed to sense Ryota's confusion. "You know Michael. We played against their team. Michael from Ryofuku High"

"Nnnnoooooo…." That was all Ryota could say. Not that Michael.

"I guess from the look of your face that answers my question that you did not know. Everyone was talking about it yesterday, even today. Michael came back from America a week ago, and I guess, he still has a crush on Ayako-san because when he heard we were having a dance, he asked her about it. Every girl was gushing about him. And I don't know why. Sure he has that golden locks, but it's not even that great compared to my red locks. Ne Ryochin?" Sakuragi kidded him, but Ryota seemed to still be in his own world of thoughts.

"Ryochin.." Sakuragi waved his hands in front of Ryota and this seemed to put him out of his thoughts. He could not blame Ryota for acting like that. He understood him. After all, wasn't he like that whenever he thought that Haruko would still have great feelings for Rukawa. Ryota's a good friend and he knew how much love he had for Ayako though till now he did not know what went wrong. But still, he wanted them to be together. They belong together. Just like Haruko and him. He was smiling just thinking about it but snapped back when he saw Ryota. He was now doing okay in the love department, now he has got to help his friend.

"Ryochin, you've got to make a move. Show her how much she means to you. Don't give up. It's you and Ayako-san that should be dancing hand in hand at the dance, and not that Michael. It's not too late. From what I've heard, Ayako-san has not given her final answer. Listen. You belong together. Don't let someone come in your way"

Don't let someone come in your way. That was what Hanamichi said. But I did. I let someone get in our way.  Ryota said sadly. If only he was not willing

to find who that mystery girl and letting his ego take over him, then none of this would have happened. He would still have Aya-chan. He pictured himself dancing with her. Her head lying on his shoulders, his hands wrapped on her waist, dancing slowly to a romantic song. But the image changed when instead of finding him, his face was replaced by Michael's face. That Beach blonde. Stealing his girl from him. Who was he anyway?

Ryota began comparing himself to Michael. Sure he has that blonde hair, but Aya-chan said he looked cute with his curly hair. Yosh!! 1 pt for me. I've got a pierced earring that Aya-chan said looked cool. Michael does NOT have a pierced earring. HA! 2 pts for me. Ryota thought some more, but he could not think of many, but instead… He's taller, and I'm shorter. That's 2-1. He's got blue eyes while I've got these boring brown eyes. Okay, so it's a tie. Ryota thought some more. Michael's a great basketball player, Michael's trained in America, he's rich, and darn, in the opinion of most girls, he's what you call a dream. H e was slowly being overwhelmed by his insecurities. Ryota did not dare count how far Michaels' points were. He just simply was not up for the competition. He knew he would lose. He was losing.

Sakuragi saw the sad look in Ryota's eyes but he knew that by telling him about Michael, it was the least he could do. Who was he for Ayako-san to listen to? He would not even dare. He could not afford to be hit by the fan of hers and get a big red mark on his face during the dance. He was interrupted by the image of showing up at the dance with a bandage on his head when the school bell rang. He was about to say good bye to Ryota when he noticed Ryota's big bag. Maybe they had Basketball practice today and the bag was stuffed with his basketball clothes. But he had to make sure, after all, a tensai never misses a practice…to show off his skills.

            "Ryochin?  Do we have Basketball practice today? I thought Gori cancelled it because of the dance. What's with the big bag?"

Ryota remembered his gift for Aya-chan. His peace offering to her. So much for this Teddy bear. The moment Ryota saw the teddy bear, he knew how Aya-chan would love it. It was almost the same stuff toy that Sakuragi was proudly showing off to the team that he was giving it to Haruko. Ayako was constantly saying how cute the teddy bear was. Unfortunately, when he saw the bear in the store, another guy wanted the same bear, and it was the only one left. The guy was threatening him but just one show of his fighting form and the guy immediately scurried away. But who cares. Even if he really fought for that teddy bear. It was nothing. Between Michael and him, he knew who would win. So much for this Teddy bear.

"I said, what's in the bag? " Sakuragi asked him again

"Nothing… nothing…" Ryota said quietly as he bid farewell to Sakuragi. And before entering his classroom, he stopped in front of a trash can and threw away the teddy bear.

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**The Big Night

            "Ryota, I thought you were going to a dance tonight?" Ryota's mom asked. She knew months before how much his son was so excited about the dance, telling her how much he wanted to ask this girl he was talking about. If she remembered correctly, the name was Ayako. Now, she was surprised to see him, on his bed, pretending to read a book. Reading a book! Now she knew something was up.

            "Umm, I decided not to go. Lots of quizzes" Ryota simply stated. He did not want tell her more, for she might find out how baka her son was.

            "Okay… if you say so. You know where to find me" His mom hesitantly said. She wanted to probe more but she knew it was the best thing to do. His son was growing up now. I am sure, He can take care of himself.

            When her mom closed the door, Ryota put down his book. Who was he joking? He would never read a book, much less study for a quiz. No wonder I always fail, good thing Aya-chan's there. Remembering this made him more miserable than he ever was. He looked at his watch and he knew the dance was already starting. He was already prepared and willing to go. Take one last chance but when he looked at the mirror, again his insecurities surfaced. He decided not to go anymore for he did not want to torture himself anymore. He pictured Michael and Aya-chan so close together, dancing, looking into each others eyes.

            "Stop it, Ryota!" He tried to tell himself. He got up from his bed and switched on the radio. Maybe this would help him take Aya-chan off his mind. His lost her. Lost her for good.

Back to you

It always comes around

Back to you

Tried to forget you

I tried to stay away

But it's too late

Over you

I'm never over you

There's something about you

It's just the way you move

The way you move me

            Ryota stopped and stared at the radio. The lyrics were hitting him straight into the heart.

Leave the light on

I'll never give up on you

Leave the light on for me too.

            Who was he kidding? He has loved Aya-chan all this time, and he can't let another person get in the way again. Not this time. Not anymore. He fixed himself up till he was decent looking. [*Don't worry, Ryota, you look cool no matter what ;) * ]  He looked at himself and took a deep breath. And went out to his room. He hoped it was not too late. He was not about to give up Aya-chan that easily.

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** Inside the Gym

            When Ryota got to the gym where the school dance was held, the dance was in full swing. At first, he was not able to recognize the gym for it was transformed into a beautiful, romantic place. He could see some couples dancing to a slow song. He surveyed the whole room eager to find Aya-chan. And when he finally saw her, he had to hold his breath for her presence was breath-taking. She was so stunning in a pretty light pink dress dress, but it was her face that was prettier than ever. She was smiling and that made her even more beautiful. And when Ryota saw the source of why she was smiling, he was taken aback.

            It was Kogure—and he and Ayako were dancing together.  In fact, they looked good together, but what was worse was that, not far behind him, was seemed like a hundred guys in line, waiting to dance with Ayako. K'so, Aya-chan won't notice me now especially now that she has a hundred guys eager to dance with her. He was about to leave the room when "You belong together"  that was what Hanamichi said. And he believed him with his whole heart. He believed those words long before ever since he first saw her. He mustered up all his courage and walked towards Ayako and Kogure.. He did not care what that two-faced, four eyed  vice-captain and  the other boys would say, what was important for him was what SHE had to say. He prepared for the worse.

            He made his way through all the boys in line, not minding all the angry words and stares thrown at him for cutting in the line and for not waiting for his turn. Who cares? All I care about now is Ayako.

            He patted the back of Kogure. He expected to meet the angry eyes of Kogure but to his surprise, he saw the look in his eyes that said, I understand. What took you so long?

Ryota now stood in front of Ayako, and looked deep into her eyes.

"May I have this dance?"

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Ryota and Ayako! Kawai!!! Hehe :)

Sorry if I kind of let you hanging and if this chapter is long. It's not because I wanted to, but actually, it's because I can't think of a good ending. :) But don't worry one last chapter and this story is done. I'll be waiting for your reviews to give me inspiration. [Hint! hint! :)] Again, thank you for reading this story and this chapter. Really means a lot to me.

Thank you to those who have reviewed this story. Am really grateful for it. :) Hope to read your reviews soon. Until then…