A Semester of Deceit and Love
Chapter 7: A Separation
"Wasn't that a great concert?" Chiharu asked.
"I agree. I hope they come back again soon," Tomoyo said.
"If they do, we should all go together again," Rika suggested. The others nodded in agreement.
"Did you know that the concert as we know it was begun in 1672 in London?" Yamazaki informed.
"In London?" Sakura asked.
"Yup, I promise that's the truth," Yamazaki told her. The others sweatdropped. Chiharu groaned.
"Well anyway," Eriol began, "should we start heading out?"
"Sure. Is it okay with everyone if we all go out to eat before we go back?" Tomoyo asked. "I think it would be fun."
The others quickly agreed with her as they began making their way out of the area.
"Hey, Sakura-san," Ryan said, pulling her back behind the group a little. "How about you and I go eat on our own?" Syaoran, who had been only a few feet away, suddenly tensed as he heard the request.
Sakura looked up at Ryan surprised. "But we can't just leave everyone. We were all going to go together."
"We can do that another time, can't we?" Ryan asked. "I'm sure they wouldn't mind."
Sakura hesitated. "But it'll be a while before I see Chiharu-san and Yamazaki-kun. And Eriol-kun came all the way from England to visit us."
Ryan smiled. "But it seems Eriol-san has only been paying attention to your friend Tomoyo-san. I doubt that he would mind."
"But…" Sakura started, then stopped.
"Please?" Ryan pleaded. He could tell Sakura was weakening. Syaoran could as well.
He quickly turned back toward them, taking Sakura suddenly by the hand, and attempted to pull the surprised girl away.
"What are you doing?" Sakura asked.
Syaoran sighed. "Don't go with him."
Sakura's eyes widened.
Ryan groaned. "What's your problem?" he asked Syaoran. "It's not like you're her father, you know."
Syaoran just glared at him momentarily before turning back to Sakura. "I just don't think it would be a good idea to go off with him alone."
"Why?" Sakura asked, looking confused.
"Because he…" Syaoran hesitated. She would never believe me… "It might be better not to say."
Sakura's expression hardened. "It's not like you to be so rude to someone and not have a good reason for it. You should apologize to Ryan-san if that's the case."
Syaoran remained stubborn, looking down at the ground.
Sakura sighed. "I guess you have changed since you went back to Hong Kong. Is that why you came back? To make sure that I really wouldn't ever be happy?" she said sadly. "And don't worry, I can take care of myself." With that, she turned to Ryan, who quickly led her away from the group, but only after sending a smug look in Syaoran's direction.
The others had stopped during the conversation and had been listening. Now, all they could do was watch as Sakura was led away. Tomoyo looked worriedly at Syaoran, who was tightly clenching his fists. This is certainly not good. Li-kun should have said something. I don't trust that guy completely either, but...I don't know.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Syaoran apparently came to some kind of conclusion, told the others to go on without him, and then sped off in the direction Sakura and Ryan had gone.
The others exchanged glances, totally confused as to what was happening. Tomoyo sighed.
***
"So, where are we going to go?" Sakura asked Ryan after they had exited the concert area and made their way to his car.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked her, smiling. "I think you know this area better than I do."
"Well…" Sakura began, unsure.
"How about somewhere we can get some quick food?" he suggested.
"Sure," Sakura agreed. Why did I say all that to Syaoran-kun? I think maybe it was too much…even if he's acting so weird…and so horrible to Ryan. I've never seen him that upset. I wish he could have just talked to me. She looked over at Ryan. He's very handsome…but every time I'm alone with him I do feel kind of uncomfortable…but he's been so nice…
"Sakura-san?" Ryan asked.
Sakura jumped slightly, turning toward him. "Yes?"
Ryan smiled. "I was asking if pizza was okay with you."
Sakura blushed. "I'm sorry, I was thinking about something. And sure, pizza is great."
"Well then, we're almost there," Ryan told her.
"That was quick," Sakura said.
"It wasn't too far from the concert venue," he explained.
"Oh," Sakura muttered. I feel bad about leaving everyone like I did too…I didn't even tell them about it. I wonder where they went to eat… I guess I'll call her after we eat, and then maybe Ryan could drive us to meet up with them.
He quickly got out of the truck, headed over to her side, and opened the door for her. Sakura smiled sweetly at him. "Thank you."
He grinned back at her. "It's my pleasure," he said, taking her gently by the hand and leading her into the small restaurant.
Sakura sighed. What was Syaoran's problem? This guy is perfectly nice.
In only a few minutes they had already been seated and served. "This place has some great service," Sakura commented.
"I'm glad you like it," Ryan told her. She looks so beautiful…maybe tonight I'll convince her to be with me…
They ate slowly, chatting quietly over the past day and the past few weeks of school. In what seemed only a short time, they had finished their meal, and began heading out.
"Do you mind if I call Tomoyo-chan to see where they are? We could meet up with them," Sakura asked him.
Ryan's face fell, but almost imperceptibly. "Tired of me already?"
Sakura's eyes widened. "Of course not. I just feel kind of bad about leaving them when we had already planned to go out together as a group."
Ryan sighed and smiled at her. "That's fine then. Sorry, I didn't mean to break up your group."
Sakura smiled at him. "It's okay. It was fun coming out like this with you. I'm glad you asked."
Ryan watched her as she quickly called Tomoyo on her cell phone. No way am I giving up this chance. I can't…I might not ever get to be alone like this with her again…at least not if that Syaoran guy has anything to say about it…
"Tomoyo-chan said that they were still at the Italian restaurant close to where the concert was. Do you think you can find it?" Sakura asked as she hung up her phone.
"Yeah, I think I know the one she's talking about," Ryan told her. Yeah right…
They quickly climbed back into his truck, heading back toward the concert venue. Ryan kept his eye fastened on the pretty girl beside him. He smirked as he realized she didn't doubt that he would take her back to the others.
"I'll guess we'll just eat dessert there if Tomoyo-chan and the others are still eating," Sakura said.
"Sounds good to me," Ryan muttered.
He made a sharp turn into a dark side street, seemingly cut off from the rest of the city.
"Is the restaurant down this way?" Sakura asked innocently. "It doesn't seem like there would be anything down here."
"It's just a little bit further," Ryan lied. Sakura looked over at him and smiled. He smiled back. She really doesn't suspect a thing. This girl is too naïve…but at least that makes it easier for me…
He suddenly stopped the truck, jerking Sakura roughly against her seatbelt. She looked up at him surprised. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Can we talk?"
She just looked at him and nodded.
***
End of Chapter 7
Hehe…sorry about the weird ending of this chapter…I just kept writing and it got longer and longer and longer…I needed to cut it off somewhere. But I do have chapter 8 written, just not edited. ^_^ So it will be coming soon!
Anyway, thanks for reading and please review!!