Ughhh!!! First day of school was such a b***h, lesson learned: never enroll in a high school with sadistic intentions in destroying long summers. I mean really, if the water pipes hadn't been broken last week in our school, we would have had our first day then. THANK GOD FOR IMPERFECT WATER PIPES!!!! Anycase, for those who still have vacation time, enjoy… while I'm here suffering *bawls and cries*.
Anyway, before I get any further in explaining the intricacies of why my school's a definite sadist, here's the next chapter, you'll get to know more of Zoe and I'm adding the new character Reena, which is one of the main characters in my fic Kismet (check it out).
ENTER: REENA
©©©ZOE©©©
Dreaming, running, breathing, panting…
NO! I woke up with a start. I felt myself gasping at what my dream had been. Dream? More of a nightmare. I've been dreaming of that day again.
I shook my head. Trying to exorcise the demons that keep swirling in my mind.
Where am I? Then I remembered… the rooftop. I looked around, wondering if anyone noticed me. But no one, save Rukawa, was here. I looked at him; he still seemed to be sleeping. I wonder how it will be at the basketball practice?
THE PRACTICE! I looked at my watch and saw that I had at least ½ an hour. Ayako said that I should come. Unky Nicky'll be there. I suppose I should. I can't let the self-pity come yet. Self-pity comes easy right now. But I can't not when…
My eyes fell on the person sitting by my right. He's tall and he has the perfect body for basketball. And those eyes… you can get intimidated by them easily enough… he can use it to his advantage… and they were beautiful, not like my boring black ones.
"I won't disappear even if you keep staring at me like that," Oops…
A felt a flush warming straight into my cheeks. He was using my earlier words… I was just assessing his physical features because of basketball, why should I feel so guilty? But I never back down, so I looked straight in his now open eyes.
"One can hope as much." I retorted, then stood up.
"I'm not going to vanish." He just replied.
"Well I'm going to pull a little disappearing act right now. And if I were you, I wouldn't sleep anymore, practice is almost in 30 minutes."
"I always go." He silently declared. He's a man of few words, I'd say as much.
I suddenly reached for my bag and pulled out something he'd probably use, "Well since you have at least 30 minutes of sleeping, try to use this will yah…" I stood up and passed the pillow at him.
I didn't know why I'm being nice to him. After all he did make me 'fly'. Maybe, it's because he's a fellow player. Or maybe he reminds me somehow of my brothers, mostly Ady. Or maybe… I don't know, I've never made an enemy out of a person I barely know, and the pressures climbing with all these things going on around me that I know, I don't need another enemy. After all, I have too much in mind already. And a little warmth to others might put some back on my own. It sounds bleak, but that's the story of my life for the past year and a half.
He looked surprised as he reached for the pillow.
I'd be surprised too, we were trading blows this morning and now this!
I walked toward the door that led inside the building. Thoughts spinning in my head. I shouldn't be too nice to him for another reason. Given past experiences, I shouldn't even like him or talk to him. I may fall, not what happened this morning, but fall hard for his 'type', an actor and now a basketball player—hell no, and he did call me an idiot. But still, most of the anger I lavished on him was supposed to be directed towards another person, not him. As I neared the door I looked back, he was watching me, "Gomenasai." And walked out the door.
©©©RUKAWA©©©
She said sorry.
For what exactly? And I actually talked to her. I looked at the pillow that she lent me. It was pink with little hearts and bears printed all over it. It looked like her, sweet… But I'm not supposed to imagine her sweet, should I?
I looked at it, and what is that? I held it closer to my face and caught a whiff of something that fragrance of cinnamon. Spicy. Just like what mama bakes.
Damn! That's going nowhere, I better get to practice early.
I felt something in me lighten as I thought of practice. It may be hard and constantly overbearing, but it's something to do, something I enjoy. Maybe I've just realized I've made more than just acquaintances of people to play basketball with. They're, a team. Damn!
I shook my head intending to get these sentiments out of my head. It's one thing to have team camaraderie. Don't get emotional Kaede.
The chance of winning this year's championship is going to be hard though. Without Akagi and Mitsui, it's going to be a large gap to fill, especially without Akagi-sempai. Considering Miyagi and Sakuragi are the only players up to par right now… well Miyagi maybe, but Sakuragi has still a lot to learn, most of it: attitude adjustment. Even though he learns quickly enough, he can be dissuaded easily in some matters.
Such an idiot!
But--he's good for the team, I'll grudgingly admit that. He cheers people up by not really meaning to, and in a case, maybe I admire him for that. Though, mind you, not that much.
I stayed sitting here just a few more minutes, not really wanting to uproot myself from the feeling of relaxation, but, then again--I stood up, isn't it also as relaxing to play basketball?
I walked down the stairs and walked towards the locker room to get changed. I took my black shirt and then my shorts put on a white jersey and headed out, looked at the pillow in my grasp, and gently put in a plastic bag, wrapped it and stuffed it in my bag. I walked out the locker room and I stopped to Coach's office. I heard voices coming from there.
Suddenly I heard some sob then cried out in uneven tones "…I'm sorry, Unky Nicky… mama… Ady, Apples, Andrew and Angel… now Akira… my fault.."
I didn't know the subject they were talking about, but that voice… it's Trouvel's!
Why is she crying? Ugh, and why the heck did my heart ache at the thought of her crying? I shouldn't really care for the girl, not really.
My best bet that within the coach's office are she and the coach. What's she doing with Anzai-sensei? And still, why the hell is she crying? My heart is aching at the thought, and I don't know why, but maybe…
I closed in on the door. I'm not really eavesdropping…am I? It's, uhm, professional curiosity. I mean why is she with Coach? Is it about the team? I'm not eavesdropping!! I'm just… listening in…you know…
"There, there. No need to pick on yourself…"
But then again, what the hell is happening?
jjjHARUKOjjj
Classes are over and we were heading towards the court for the team's basketball practice.
I tilted my face to look at Sakuragi. He wore a similar blush that he had when I found him and Trouvel holding hands. Well at least he looks better now.
He still wore a slight tan, and the blush… the blush was becoming on him, and with his now long hair… Haruko, what the heck are you thinking about?
Flushing, I asked "Sakuragi-kun, do you like Trouvel". Odd, I really don't want to hear his answer.
His answer came in an off-hand manner, "She's a good person," he then stopped looked up as if lost in thought. He then stopped looked at me and grinned "You'd like her Haruko-san. She's a graceful basketball player… At least I think so. She made a perfect free-throw shot that I could've done, except that no one taught me yet. But I'll learn by my own, I'm a genius after all!"
I had to laugh, he was still an ego-maniac in his skills.
"She's probably a good friend too if given the chance that someone would pay attention to her…" he said, and what I thought of it was a little…well… maudlin.
"People pay lots of attention to her—especially the guys at our class" I said. Oh my, I wanted to just make that as a statement… instead the words came out as if I was—resentful of her. I gather that she was pretty, but why did Sakuragi have to go all the way just to be, loyal or… I don't know. And why did she choose him?
He laughed, "They just stare at her as if they're in love with her, but it's not that, it's her exquisiteness and prettiness that make them stare" I held my breath, did he find her lovely enough to like her not as a friend, but more than that? Foolish! You shouldn't be asking yourself that!
"Befriend her Haruko-chan, you'll find her charming." He said.
I looked at him as we resumed our walk to class. It bothered me to hear another girl being Sakuragi's friend other than Ayako and I.
Yes, friend. I never realized that I valued him as my dear friend, other than Matsui and Fujii, but I know that in my heart that he's going to be a my friend for a very long time. But still, maybe it's just that I was the one who introduced him to basketball, and I won't like it if she replaced me in that importance, in that sport. I stopped my train of thought: Am I making any sense?
We passed the hallway that was leading to the coach's office. My heart stopped, Rukawa-kun was leaning close to the door.
He was eavesdropping!
jjj SAKURAGI jjj
Why is Haruko asking so many things about Trouvel? Is she jealous of her or something… God I can't think about that now… Umi, why did you come?
Haruko stopped. What the, we're not near the changing rooms…
Nanni? Why is Rukawa leaning close to the old man's door? Is he spying?
Suddenly as if sensing our presence he looked up. He looked a little bit startled which is to say that he's really startled since he doesn't show emotion at all. And he also looked guilty…
"SHE SHOULDN"T HAVE MARRIED SO SOON!!!! SHE SHOULDN'T BE MARRIED AT ALL!!" A female voice shouted. It came from the coach's office and the voice, I recognized as Trouvel's.
I looked at Haruko. She was about to say something, when I put a finger to my lips and whispered to her. "We're going to be spies…" and grinned at her.
She looked confused at what I said, but I didn't bother to tell her more. I looked at Rukawa and nodded to him, as if saying we should continue on listening in on Anzai-sensei and his grandniece. He also looked confused for the moment, and so was I. Eavesdropping is okay as long as it's on those pompous coaches, but not at Trouvel.
Though, right now, I felt compelled to do it.
As Haruko and I neared the door, I leaned my ear to the smoked glass paneling, trying to hear more. I felt that I needed to know more about Trouvel, to help her, to actually let her eyes smile and not just the fake one she gives with her mouth.
I saw that Haruko and Rukawa were leaning in too. The voices were a little bit muffled and I couldn't here a thing, or rather I couldn't understand a thing. I leaned in closer and I felt Haruko and Rukawa become more silent. I still couldn't hear much. I felt that we three were more quiet than a grave. I still couldn't hear… but our movements were quite sound, our breathing was barely audible, you couldn't hear a peep from us. I heard some noises inside, barely audible…
"BOO!"
"Arrrrrrggggggghhhhhh"
§§§MIYAGI§§§
I silently laughed at Rukawa, Sakuragi and Haruko's faces. Each of them mutely screamed when I sneaked up on them.
It was a prize to see Sakuragi leaning against the wall clutching his chest as if he'd have a heart attack.
All of their faces first turned ashen and are now reddening… They should be embarrassed. After all they were listening in on Anzai-sensei's conversation.
"Ryo-chin, you scared me witless…" Sakuragi whispered.
"I think that that job has been done for you a long time ago" heheheh
I watched as he finally realized what I meant. I started to run but suddenly Rukawa spoke, "Oi, do you want to listen with us?" he asked.
Hmmm… "Why were the three of you exactly listening, huh?" Interesting they wanted to eavesdrop… I don't think so "Nuh-uh, you just don't want me to squeal on the lot of you." I smirked as I saw for the very first time, Rukawa's cheeks were tinged pink. Suddenly, Sakuragi dragged my arm away. "Hey!" I shouted in protest.
"Shhhhhh…"
"Why should I?" I asked a little bit annoyed.
"Miyagi…" Sakuragi looked at me squarely in the eye. I didn't know what he was up to but that look in his eye…
"Alright" I grudgingly replied. But before we could close in on the door I felt a small tingling at the base of my neck. It's the feeling I always get when I know that Ayako is within the perimeter. I looked around to see Ayako holding her very, very, very large—and right now, very very scary looking paper fan, she was holding it while her arms were akimbo. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her, bad Miyagi. She's going to clobber us.
Uh-oh
©©©Zoe©©©
"Zoe…" I heard the calm voice of my great uncle say.
I couldn't look him in the eye. It was all my fault! All of it!
I can't seem to stop the teardrops fall. I felt my day has gone bleak. Nobody cares anyway.
"Zoe." My uncle's tone of voice seemed firmer now, I couldn't help it, but I looked at him. "This is no one's fault. What your brothers did was an act of selfishness on their part, and what you did was an act of selflessness…"
If only it were true.
As I told him every detail what happened, except what happened with Raphael, I felt the weight on what has happened come upon my shoulders, and crushing my whole body. Who was he kidding? I'm not really needed here…
Ady used to say that I always put off problems--that I wait until the problem gets so heavy that I'd have to ask for help. I didn't like the way he said it. It made me feel so weak and helpless, like I couldn't take care of myself. But now I know it's true. I push problems at the back of my mind until there is the real need to solve them, which I really don't like. It hurts too much.
NO!! I can't let myself do this, not yet…
"Zoe?"
I tried to put on a brave face, I even tried to smile.
IT was a lost battle.
"Yes?" I said silently.
"Clean yourself up in the sink and I'll introduce you to my best players…" he said in his calm voice.
"Okay"
Along the office was a private bathroom meant for Unky Nicky, I was here only once, a few years back, when the girl's bathroom was locked.
I saw my face in the mirror, my eyes wore red and swollen, my cheeks a little bit grubby with all my crying, my nose was dripping like a faucet. Over all, I looked like sh…—dung.
I opened the metal faucet and leaned in on the lavatory. I took the water in my hands and splashed it all over my face. Where are my brothers when I needed them now? A mocking voice inside myself answered for me, They're not your brothers now remember? Because you were a stupid sentimental fool. You weren't loyal!
I felt a fresh river of tears stream down my face and a new wave of guilt and anger. I washed my face faster and I felt my head blur. I can't do this, not now.
Remembering the relaxation technique grand-père taught me, breathe in, Breath out… Imagine yourself in a place of pure joy and without the lingering troubles in mind. What do you see?
I see the cerulean blue of the sea, grand-père, like when we were in Jamaica, its color is so much like somebody's eyes. I can't remember…
Rukawa!
My eyes snapped into focus, troubles buried at the very back of my mind. A place of pure joy, grand-père … why did I think of Rukawa?
I shook my head, intending to rid myself of my thoughts.
"Zoe"
"Uh, Yeah.." I couldn't help it, my voice cracked a bit.
I entered the room. I didn't know what to expect but when I crossed the threshold, I first saw Sakuragi, looking around, Ayako, Haruko, Miyagi Ryouta and Rukawa were here.
When I looked at their faces, I couldn't help but wonder. They, save Ayako, were wearing blushes on their faces. All varying in degrees… Sakuragi's blush was milder than what I had seen before, having tinged his cheeks a slight red hue. I glanced at Miyagi, he wore a ruddy color, and his eyes were erraticly flitting to Ayako.
Stare at Ayako… look down… **blink**blink**… Stare at Ayako… look down… **blink**blink**, blush some more… Stare at Ayako… look down… **blink**blink**… Stare at Ayako… look down… **blink**blink**…
I finally got tired of Miyagi's jumping eyes, and looked down on my feet.
Well, I guess Sakuragi's right about his crush. Next, I looked at Haruko, her high color was almost the same with Sakuragi's, for some reason, the three of them looked embarrassed enough to fill the whole room with emotions of humiliation. Unexpectedly, my gaze fell on Rukawa. He was wearing a blush, but not of humiliation, but of defiance mixed with humiliation. And unlike the others who blushed beet red, his was a pink color, only slightly painting his cheeks.
I couldn't help but admire his features, the cold façade he put while we were at the rooftop was slightly melting with his blush. He looked much more… human. I suppose. I'm not saying that I have a crush on him or anything, I'm barely noticing his features! I'm not noticing his bow shaped mouth, his straight slightly aquiline to the left nose. His eyes… cerulean blue and…
"Zoe" Oh no.
I suddenly felt myself blushing as I thought of what I had done. My uncle called me but all I did was stare at Rukawa's face.
"Yes…" I said. I lifted my gaze and put it to my uncle's tranquil face.
"Have you met them?"
"Some…"
"Our captain, Ryouta Miyagi" my uncle called.
"Hai" The guy with the pierced ear stepped forward.
"Sakuragi Hanamichi." My uncle said. I looked at Sakuragi, and he blushed even more. He made a feeble gesture and raised his hand slightly to gesture hello. He looked adorable. It was as if he was shy about something. I looked him in the face and smiled a bit, but I couldn't feel myself really smiling. He smiled back.
"Rukawa Kaede"
Kaede… so that's his name. I scrutinized him rather thoroughly. In answer to that, he looked at me with the same contempt he did before, chilling… brrrr. Weird enough, I wasn't intimidated.
"Zoe… take note."
Huh? Why'd Unky Nicky say that? But rather than ask, I let him continue.
"This year, Zoe, I'd like to enlist your expertise. Antoinne's one of my star, maybe even the best of other pupils before, and I know that he'd pass that on you."
Uh oh… What's this leading to? Ok, I know about Ayako's joke of assitant, but it's not true… is it?
Unky looked me straight in the eye. Oh no… I'm in it, for sure…
"Uh, Anzai-sensei, may I ask what we're discussing right now?"
I turned my head. It was Haruko speaking. I might've asked that myself, but I can't really speak right now, my throat hurts too much, probably from voicing out some… ah… matters to Unky.
"Well Ayako…" then he turned and looked at Haruko "and Haruko, how would you like to have another team manager and assistant coach coming aboard?"
©©©RUKAWA ©©©
"Unky Nicky, it sounds flattering but, NO!"
I jumped a little at the sound of her voice. It wasn't loud enough to be a yell, but then again, it wasn't a whisper.
I looked around and saw that everyone was startled too at what Trouvel said, everyone that is but the Coach, "Why not?" he said in his usual calm matter?
Why not? I'm increasingly becoming annoyed. Did Anzai sensei think us weaklings that we'd need help from a woman as small and as delicate looking as her?
"Yeah, Trouvel, why not?" I looked at my side and saw that Sakuragi was actually asking her. Doesn't he have pride as a basketball player? He always knew that he could do a certain task alone, why not now?
"Yeah, Trouvel. We lost two really good mainstays, we might need your help."
Oh no! Not Miyagi too…
Unexpectedly (well at least to me), everyone's eyes focused on me, as if they want a similar reaction to the one's given by those fools.
"I beg to differ." I simply replied.
§§§MIYAGI§§§
I did my part to make her feel welcome. WHY THE HELL DID RUKAWA DISAGREE!!
I felt my hand scratch the back of my head inconspicuously. I touched the two bumps that Aya-chan gave me with her paper fan. The others only got one but I got two, 'for not knowing any better' I asked why the second 'for not being a captain, baka' she said. I grimaced at the earlier sight of Aya-chan catching us listening in on Anzai-sensei's discussion.
"Rukawa, why not?" the calm voice of Anzai-sensei penetrated through me.
"She may not be skilled enough." Rukawa coldly replied.
It always amazes me that such spirited plays came from such a cold person. I hesitantly looked at Trouvel. If her temper is always as heated as it was earlier on in the morning, I'd be hearing a lot of yells right now.
But as I caught a glimpse of Trouvel, she looked a calm and composed, and… GOOD GRIEF! She's actually smiling.
"BAKA KITSUNE!! She IS skilled enough, I saw her throw a shot from the free throw line, she has a good form" I snapped my head to follow the source of that defensive comment. I saw Sakuragi, in his usual way, when he was defending himself as a tensai. But right now, he wasn't defending himself, he was defending Trouvel. Makes me wonder…
"One free throw shot doesn't make a player." Rukawa said directly, raised a brow and then looked at Sakuragi , cold as ever, "As you may know."
I had to smile at their banter. It felt home at last to hear them banter. It was never serious, not really. Aside from the cuts and bruises each of them received from their fights, it was all good. It took a while for the insult to register in Sakuragi's brain but it did. Here we go again.
"KITSUNE!!!"
"DO'AHO."
Even though both of them seemingly hate each other, I know that Sakuragi liked this banter. It was a way for him to vent of steam without seriously hurting anyone—or rather, anyone else other than Rukawa.
"May I ask again Rukawa, why so?" Anzai-sensei said.
Even in the thickest of battles, I always marvel at Anzai-sensei's tranquil state. Even if everything's gone awry, I'd never imagine him strict or overbearing. But right now, I want to fulfill Ayako's wish to make Trouvel welcome. I can't think much for Anzai-sensei, but it would be a great idea if she became part of the team. Given her lineage and her acquired family, she definitely has the skill that it takes to be a good player.
"Rukawa, why don't you let the girl speak for herself. Anyway, you don't even know if she is or isn't a good player. Why make a judgment?" I tried to sound reasonable with my words. After all, I'm a fairly reasonable guy :-)-- given the situation.
"She's small, curvy and feminine. She does not have the body type—not even for a point guard."
Ah, ever faithful Rukawa—speaking so little and saying so much—a little too much.
"So you think I'm curvy?" piped in a surprisingly sweet voice, or more precisely, Trouvel's voice.
Everyone stared at her—including me.
It was a surprise to me that even though what Rukawa said was an insult—hell I would've punched him myself if he was talking like that about me, but then again, I'd really be mad if a guy like me was described as curvy—she picked it on as a compliment.
As usual, Rukawa just stared—cold indifference. Did this guy ever laugh or smile or just show the slightest tiny tiniest bit of emotion—I looked at him, stone face—guess not.
I looked at where Ayako and Haruko were standing. Aya-chan, as usual, is taking it all in stride. She looked mildly amused at the conversation that was going on. She looked like she was inclined to laugh. I had to smile. She finds unusual situations funny. Like right now with Rukawa speaking! Man this is a fist day to be reckoned with!
Then, my gaze slid from Aya-chan's lovely face, to Haruko's red one. Damn, she must be mad. Always the Rukawa fanatic in a case. Looking at Haruko, I shifted my gaze to Sakuragi, who as always noticed Haruko's 'state'. He looked aloof right now, but I know that he's heartbroken inside, takes one to know one—I guess.
"Z-chan, don't you let some snot nosed guy tell you your skills!"
A melodious voice shot out of the blue.
Huh? I turned to look at the door. I saw her face, the braid, brown-black hair with the brown and blond highlights, the green eyes, the glasses, the BRAVADO. Her face was familiar and her boasting even more so…
Reena-chan!
jjjSAKURAGIjjj
What the? Who was that?
"Reena-chan…" I heard Zoe, Miyagi and Ayako say in unison. Who is she?
I turned and looked at Trouvel, her eyes were wide, and I could see that she was having a hard time looking at her. Her is a girl, about 5'10 in height, tall considering Miyagi's a little smaller than her. Her brown-black hair that seemed to be braided at the back, her bangs reached past her be- spectacled green eyes. She was leaning against the doorway wearing as silly grin on her face.
I never even saw her come in Anzai-sensei's office.
"Well, chief, nice to know you've missed me." She said, and I presumed she said that to Zoe.
Zoe, looking a little shocked, with her jaw hanging wide open, suddenly seemed to come to her senses. I can't help but still asking myself, who was this girl anyway?
I gazed at Trouvel, still wondering, but I know that this must be some one she knows.
She looked upset and maybe she was. She was biting her somewhat trembling lip. Her hand raking her hair, and her eyes, sadness, confusion and dread mixed into one.
I suddenly realized what Yohei said. I look like her or rather I looked like her, in a way… in the past. Her face unguarded, she looked pained and disconcerted, I felt her emotions as if I were she.
I can't explain how, but I felt that something unequivocally upsetting happened to her that made her who she is now.
Then suddenly as if realizing who the girl is, Trouvel moved past us to her and hugged her. I could see from my vantage point that Trouvel was crying. My heart wrenched at the sight of her tears.
Before, when we talked, she didn't tell me a thing. Something was there, something was brewing in the surface. And now… now it's as if it's unleashed, by her, by that girl, Reena.
This must be her friend…
Note: First of if you have any comments, suggestions… any violent reactions perhaps? Don't hesitate to email me, celeste@wildside.ph.
Anyway moving on, there's going to be a lot of new characters going to play along in this fic. Hope you don't mind. Reena is one big part of it, check out KISMET, a story also by me, where you'll get a glimpse of what Zoe's life in another's voice.