"I don't know how to dance." He gulped. Li and Tomoyo had been best friends since middle school. He knew he could ask her for help.
"Is that all you need help with?" Tomoyo asked.
"Yes. That's all. Besides, you owe me."
Tomoyo looked at him questionably. "Owe you? What for?"
"All the times I saved you from the Clow Cards."
"Which times were those might I inquire?" Tomoyo stood up and walked to her CD player and turned off her voice. She started flipping through her collection of discs as she looked back at him for an answer.
"Well, there's the Maze card." He stood up and nodded suggestively.
"But I baked you a cake and helped you with your home Ec. project for that one."
"Well then, what about that time Sakura was in that movie and at the premiere the whole star thing went nuts."
"After that one I got you a date with Sakura."
"True, but what about the time Meiling came back from Hong Kong and the penguins in Penguin Park went crazy?"
"Well, I…I …" Tomoyo popped in a disc as she thought.
Li jumped up and pointed an accusing finger at her. "See! You didn't do anything for that one! Ha! I win!"
Tomoyo turned on the stereo and walked back to the block of empty space on the floor. She motioned for him to join her. He walked on to the rug and stood a good two feet away from her. The music was soft and slow, perfect learning music.
"First you put your left hand on my hip." Tomoyo gently reached forward and placed his warm hand on her bare skin. Li gulped.
"Tomoyo, can I make a request first?" Li asked.
"What is it Li?"
"Could you possibly put some clothes on before we start?" Li was blushing profusely.
Tomoyo walked over to the vanity and put her dress back on, and put her hair back up into a bun. She reached down and picked up the hem of her dress in her left hand, so Li wouldn't step on it. The music still softly playing, she slipped back onto the rug and joined Li.
"Better?" She asked as she put his hand back in place, letting him feel the smooth satin on his fingertips. He nodded and allowed Tomoyo's right hand interlace with his. "The main key to dancing is to keep steady. Keep a steady beat, rhythm, and heart. Then just move."
Li had a habit of picking up things quickly and dancing was no exception. The floated around the room, dancing right in beat with the music. Tomoyo pulled closer to him at the beginning of the next song. Li shuttered for a moment and then wrapped his arm around her waist. Tomoyo began to softly sing the song that filled the room. Tears began to form at the edges of her eyes as she sang and they danced. She squeezed his hand and he responded by gently squeezing back.
"You're going to ask tomorrow aren't you?" She asked, barely a whisper. He could feel her trembling in his sturdy grasp. "Well, can I at least call you Syaoran? Even if we are alone?" She was grateful that he couldn't hear her.
There was a long pause and the two just stood still. Tomoyo buried her face into his shirt and lightly began to cry. "After you two leave, I'll be the only one left. There's no one left for me." She sobbed into his white shirt. He ran a hand up and down her back, trying to comfort her. Over the past couple of weeks, Tomoyo and Li have been ring shopping. They were trying to find the ring that would look perfect on Sakura's hand. Just this last week, Tomoyo had found one that she loved and Sakura would love. It was a white gold band with two hearts, one amethyst and one topaz, intertwined. The jeweler behind the counter said that you could change the stones to whichever ones you would like. Of course, Li choose that ring, replacing the amethyst with emerald.
Li pulled away from her and looked right into her jeweled eyes. He could sense the need for comfort, the need for someone to hold her. He was glad to oblige. Tomoyo was suddenly pulled into his warm arms and there she cried.
"You'll always have me. Start calling me Syaoran. I don't care if we're around other people or not. You were the first person to open up to me and I owe you big time for that."
"Then will you pay me back with a kiss?"
He smiled down at her. She was the only other person that actually saw him smile other than Sakura. He cupped her soft pale cheeks in his hands and looked her in the eyes. He tilted her head up and gently kissed her. The kiss lasted longer than intended and he broke free for a breath.
"Tomoyo, it will all be okay."
"Sure, that's what you say. You aren't the one being left all alone." The music shut off and she pulled away from him.
"Tomoyo, something's wrong. Tell me what it is." Li sat back down on the couch. Tomoyo shut off the stereo and walked into the changing room. She came out five minutes later with her dress in her hand. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a tank top.
"What are you going to wear tomorrow?" Tomoyo switched the subject as she let her hair down to brush it out.
"I'm not sure yet. Are you wearing that dress?"
"Yes. Sakura has one just like it in a different color. She wanted to look extra special for you at this party." She put down the brush and picked up a bottle of lilac lotion. "You don't know how much she likes you." She squirted a little dollop into her palm and began to rub the floral scent over her arms.
"I guess she's excited. What did you end up getting for her?"
"That pair of earrings and necklace that matches the ring. I thought it'd be a nice touch with the dress. You know, she is getting very pretty." She stopped rubbing and walked over to the easy chair sitting beside the couch. She took out a sketch pad and a pencil from the drawer of the end table beside the couch.
"Yeah, I know." He muttered. "But then again, so are you." The phone rang and the shock of that statement hadn't hit her yet.
"Moshi moshi. Tomoyo here." She called in the phone.
"Tomoyo-chan!?" A shocked girl on the other line screamed.
"Yes. How may I help you?"
"Do you have a dress I can borrow for tomorrow?"
"Who is this?"
"Meiling. Couldn't you tell?"
"Of course. Would you like to come over and pick one out?"
"Okay. See you soon." The two hung up and Li looked at her questionably. "Meiling's going to the party and needs a dress."
"Can I leave? Please?" he grumbled.
"Come back in an hour. I still need someone close."
He stood up and grabbed his jacket. She stayed seated, trying to draw out the design for Sakura's wedding dress, but she was shaking too much. She pulled her hands to her eyes and sobbed. He came behind her and gave her a big hug.
"I'll come back with some coffee, cookies, and a set of good ears. I'll never leave you Tomoyo. You should know that." He gave her a small peck on the cheek and then was out the door.
"Just used the staircase by my window when you come back. And, could you possible stay all night with me? I just don't want to be alone." Tomoyo yelled down the hall as he left. He looked back up at her and nodded with a smile.
Tomoyo went back into her room after he left. She was left in the dark depths of loneliness for the next few minutes, until Meiling came in. "Oh, Meiling, I didn't hear the doorbell."
"Spacey as usual, eh?" She giggled. "Sorry to call so urgently, I thought I'd have time to go shopping before the shops closed, but my flight got delayed."
"That's fine Meiling. I was expecting you to call." Tomoyo smiled at the other woman. The two vaguely looked like each other. Meiling had cut her hair up to her shoulders and her eyes were a deep brown. She smiled as she was led to the closet. "Now, let's see your measurements."
"Why measurements?" Meiling questioned.
"Because I may have to alter the dress a little bit for it to fit you right." Tomoyo started measuring and scribbled down notes. "Your measurements are 27-24-28. Mine are 32-24-27." Meiling groaned at the results.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"Absolutely nothing. Those were my measurements from a year ago. Now do you have a color preference?"
"Not really."
"Okay." Tomoyo fingered through a couple dresses and pulled out a baby blue and lilac dress and handed it to Meiling. "There's a changing room over there. Go try this one on and see how you like it."
Meiling disappeared for a few minutes and then came out wearing the lilac side of the dress, smiling. "Can I borrow this one? It's perfect."
"You can keep it. I can't wear it anymore. It's just taking up closet space."
Meiling smiled brightly. "Really?" Her eyes shined with glee. Tomoyo giggled and nodded. Meiling went back to change and came back out with the dress in her arms. "Thanks for the dress. I really appreciate it."
"It's no problem. I never wear them anyway so take this one too." Tomoyo handed a short black dress to Meiling.
"Thanks so much. What did you get for Sakura?"
"A pair of earrings and a necklace. What about you?"
"I got her a gift certificate to some clothes store around here." She grinned as she made her way to the door.
"Meiling, would you like a ride home? It's close to ten and there are some pretty sketchy places around here."
"Nah, I think I can survive two blocks. Thanks anyway."
She left after a couple of more minutes and Tomoyo came into the kitchen downstairs. All the staff left at nine unless told otherwise. Tomoyo sighed into the empty house. She could hear the grandfather clock chime ten. She still had another half an hour until Syaoran came back.
'What am I going to do for thirty minutes? Cookies! I'll bake cookies. This will be a nice surprise.' Tomoyo thought to herself.
'But he said he'd bring cookies. I'll just wait in my room until then.'
She trudged up to her room and pulled out her journal from a desk drawer. She opened it and looked back on a few entries, until she came to a blank page. She picked up a pen and started writing.
March 31, 2001
The day before Sakura's birthday. The day before I fall into oblivion. I don't think anyone realizes how alone I'll be after tomorrow. I know it's selfish and a tad bit childish, but…
She paused as she thought of the right words to put down on paper. Once they were there she couldn't take them back.
…I love them both so much. Eriol doesn't care about anyone but his beloved Kaho. Touya…I don't know much about him, but he and Yukito are moving in together sometime soon. Meiling is too obsessed in Syaoran that she can't seem to think of anyone else. Chiharu, Rika, and Naoko have totally overlooked me for the past five years. The only people that took time to get to know me were Sakura and Syaoran, and both of them are gone and out of my grasp by tomorrow. My own mother didn't even get to know me before she died two years ago. I am living in a life of an unattainable love.
Tears welled out of her eyes, and smudges filled the page as the ink bled.
All I want is someone to love and someone to love me back. For a while, I thought that I'd found him, but it was all an illusion. The candle of love has been blown out in my heart.
She threw the journal across the room and hugged her knees to her chest. She was finally beginning to realize the reality of tomorrow. She stood back up and pulled off her clothes. She changed into a pale pink tank top and short set, both having clouds on them. She crawled into bed and flipped the lights out with the remote by her bed.
'I don't know what to do.' She cried in her head. She grabbed a pillow and cried herself to sleep.
Fifteen minutes later, Syaoran Li cam through her window, carrying a box of cookies, a bag, and two cups of coffee. He set all of his things on the table and walked over to Tomoyo's bed. She was fast asleep with her eyes red and puffy.
"Only you, Tomoyo. Only you." He murmured.
"Aishiteru, Syaoran." She mumbled as she rolled over.
He couldn't help but blush. He shook it off and pulled off his shirt and pants. After finding a good place to settle in the bed, he lay behind her and put an arm around her waist. He spent at least an hour watching her sleep, until her fell into slumber also. His mind filling with dreams of that one girl that was getting the question tomorrow.
"Is that all you need help with?" Tomoyo asked.
"Yes. That's all. Besides, you owe me."
Tomoyo looked at him questionably. "Owe you? What for?"
"All the times I saved you from the Clow Cards."
"Which times were those might I inquire?" Tomoyo stood up and walked to her CD player and turned off her voice. She started flipping through her collection of discs as she looked back at him for an answer.
"Well, there's the Maze card." He stood up and nodded suggestively.
"But I baked you a cake and helped you with your home Ec. project for that one."
"Well then, what about that time Sakura was in that movie and at the premiere the whole star thing went nuts."
"After that one I got you a date with Sakura."
"True, but what about the time Meiling came back from Hong Kong and the penguins in Penguin Park went crazy?"
"Well, I…I …" Tomoyo popped in a disc as she thought.
Li jumped up and pointed an accusing finger at her. "See! You didn't do anything for that one! Ha! I win!"
Tomoyo turned on the stereo and walked back to the block of empty space on the floor. She motioned for him to join her. He walked on to the rug and stood a good two feet away from her. The music was soft and slow, perfect learning music.
"First you put your left hand on my hip." Tomoyo gently reached forward and placed his warm hand on her bare skin. Li gulped.
"Tomoyo, can I make a request first?" Li asked.
"What is it Li?"
"Could you possibly put some clothes on before we start?" Li was blushing profusely.
Tomoyo walked over to the vanity and put her dress back on, and put her hair back up into a bun. She reached down and picked up the hem of her dress in her left hand, so Li wouldn't step on it. The music still softly playing, she slipped back onto the rug and joined Li.
"Better?" She asked as she put his hand back in place, letting him feel the smooth satin on his fingertips. He nodded and allowed Tomoyo's right hand interlace with his. "The main key to dancing is to keep steady. Keep a steady beat, rhythm, and heart. Then just move."
Li had a habit of picking up things quickly and dancing was no exception. The floated around the room, dancing right in beat with the music. Tomoyo pulled closer to him at the beginning of the next song. Li shuttered for a moment and then wrapped his arm around her waist. Tomoyo began to softly sing the song that filled the room. Tears began to form at the edges of her eyes as she sang and they danced. She squeezed his hand and he responded by gently squeezing back.
"You're going to ask tomorrow aren't you?" She asked, barely a whisper. He could feel her trembling in his sturdy grasp. "Well, can I at least call you Syaoran? Even if we are alone?" She was grateful that he couldn't hear her.
There was a long pause and the two just stood still. Tomoyo buried her face into his shirt and lightly began to cry. "After you two leave, I'll be the only one left. There's no one left for me." She sobbed into his white shirt. He ran a hand up and down her back, trying to comfort her. Over the past couple of weeks, Tomoyo and Li have been ring shopping. They were trying to find the ring that would look perfect on Sakura's hand. Just this last week, Tomoyo had found one that she loved and Sakura would love. It was a white gold band with two hearts, one amethyst and one topaz, intertwined. The jeweler behind the counter said that you could change the stones to whichever ones you would like. Of course, Li choose that ring, replacing the amethyst with emerald.
Li pulled away from her and looked right into her jeweled eyes. He could sense the need for comfort, the need for someone to hold her. He was glad to oblige. Tomoyo was suddenly pulled into his warm arms and there she cried.
"You'll always have me. Start calling me Syaoran. I don't care if we're around other people or not. You were the first person to open up to me and I owe you big time for that."
"Then will you pay me back with a kiss?"
He smiled down at her. She was the only other person that actually saw him smile other than Sakura. He cupped her soft pale cheeks in his hands and looked her in the eyes. He tilted her head up and gently kissed her. The kiss lasted longer than intended and he broke free for a breath.
"Tomoyo, it will all be okay."
"Sure, that's what you say. You aren't the one being left all alone." The music shut off and she pulled away from him.
"Tomoyo, something's wrong. Tell me what it is." Li sat back down on the couch. Tomoyo shut off the stereo and walked into the changing room. She came out five minutes later with her dress in her hand. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a tank top.
"What are you going to wear tomorrow?" Tomoyo switched the subject as she let her hair down to brush it out.
"I'm not sure yet. Are you wearing that dress?"
"Yes. Sakura has one just like it in a different color. She wanted to look extra special for you at this party." She put down the brush and picked up a bottle of lilac lotion. "You don't know how much she likes you." She squirted a little dollop into her palm and began to rub the floral scent over her arms.
"I guess she's excited. What did you end up getting for her?"
"That pair of earrings and necklace that matches the ring. I thought it'd be a nice touch with the dress. You know, she is getting very pretty." She stopped rubbing and walked over to the easy chair sitting beside the couch. She took out a sketch pad and a pencil from the drawer of the end table beside the couch.
"Yeah, I know." He muttered. "But then again, so are you." The phone rang and the shock of that statement hadn't hit her yet.
"Moshi moshi. Tomoyo here." She called in the phone.
"Tomoyo-chan!?" A shocked girl on the other line screamed.
"Yes. How may I help you?"
"Do you have a dress I can borrow for tomorrow?"
"Who is this?"
"Meiling. Couldn't you tell?"
"Of course. Would you like to come over and pick one out?"
"Okay. See you soon." The two hung up and Li looked at her questionably. "Meiling's going to the party and needs a dress."
"Can I leave? Please?" he grumbled.
"Come back in an hour. I still need someone close."
He stood up and grabbed his jacket. She stayed seated, trying to draw out the design for Sakura's wedding dress, but she was shaking too much. She pulled her hands to her eyes and sobbed. He came behind her and gave her a big hug.
"I'll come back with some coffee, cookies, and a set of good ears. I'll never leave you Tomoyo. You should know that." He gave her a small peck on the cheek and then was out the door.
"Just used the staircase by my window when you come back. And, could you possible stay all night with me? I just don't want to be alone." Tomoyo yelled down the hall as he left. He looked back up at her and nodded with a smile.
Tomoyo went back into her room after he left. She was left in the dark depths of loneliness for the next few minutes, until Meiling came in. "Oh, Meiling, I didn't hear the doorbell."
"Spacey as usual, eh?" She giggled. "Sorry to call so urgently, I thought I'd have time to go shopping before the shops closed, but my flight got delayed."
"That's fine Meiling. I was expecting you to call." Tomoyo smiled at the other woman. The two vaguely looked like each other. Meiling had cut her hair up to her shoulders and her eyes were a deep brown. She smiled as she was led to the closet. "Now, let's see your measurements."
"Why measurements?" Meiling questioned.
"Because I may have to alter the dress a little bit for it to fit you right." Tomoyo started measuring and scribbled down notes. "Your measurements are 27-24-28. Mine are 32-24-27." Meiling groaned at the results.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"Absolutely nothing. Those were my measurements from a year ago. Now do you have a color preference?"
"Not really."
"Okay." Tomoyo fingered through a couple dresses and pulled out a baby blue and lilac dress and handed it to Meiling. "There's a changing room over there. Go try this one on and see how you like it."
Meiling disappeared for a few minutes and then came out wearing the lilac side of the dress, smiling. "Can I borrow this one? It's perfect."
"You can keep it. I can't wear it anymore. It's just taking up closet space."
Meiling smiled brightly. "Really?" Her eyes shined with glee. Tomoyo giggled and nodded. Meiling went back to change and came back out with the dress in her arms. "Thanks for the dress. I really appreciate it."
"It's no problem. I never wear them anyway so take this one too." Tomoyo handed a short black dress to Meiling.
"Thanks so much. What did you get for Sakura?"
"A pair of earrings and a necklace. What about you?"
"I got her a gift certificate to some clothes store around here." She grinned as she made her way to the door.
"Meiling, would you like a ride home? It's close to ten and there are some pretty sketchy places around here."
"Nah, I think I can survive two blocks. Thanks anyway."
She left after a couple of more minutes and Tomoyo came into the kitchen downstairs. All the staff left at nine unless told otherwise. Tomoyo sighed into the empty house. She could hear the grandfather clock chime ten. She still had another half an hour until Syaoran came back.
'What am I going to do for thirty minutes? Cookies! I'll bake cookies. This will be a nice surprise.' Tomoyo thought to herself.
'But he said he'd bring cookies. I'll just wait in my room until then.'
She trudged up to her room and pulled out her journal from a desk drawer. She opened it and looked back on a few entries, until she came to a blank page. She picked up a pen and started writing.
March 31, 2001
The day before Sakura's birthday. The day before I fall into oblivion. I don't think anyone realizes how alone I'll be after tomorrow. I know it's selfish and a tad bit childish, but…
She paused as she thought of the right words to put down on paper. Once they were there she couldn't take them back.
…I love them both so much. Eriol doesn't care about anyone but his beloved Kaho. Touya…I don't know much about him, but he and Yukito are moving in together sometime soon. Meiling is too obsessed in Syaoran that she can't seem to think of anyone else. Chiharu, Rika, and Naoko have totally overlooked me for the past five years. The only people that took time to get to know me were Sakura and Syaoran, and both of them are gone and out of my grasp by tomorrow. My own mother didn't even get to know me before she died two years ago. I am living in a life of an unattainable love.
Tears welled out of her eyes, and smudges filled the page as the ink bled.
All I want is someone to love and someone to love me back. For a while, I thought that I'd found him, but it was all an illusion. The candle of love has been blown out in my heart.
She threw the journal across the room and hugged her knees to her chest. She was finally beginning to realize the reality of tomorrow. She stood back up and pulled off her clothes. She changed into a pale pink tank top and short set, both having clouds on them. She crawled into bed and flipped the lights out with the remote by her bed.
'I don't know what to do.' She cried in her head. She grabbed a pillow and cried herself to sleep.
Fifteen minutes later, Syaoran Li cam through her window, carrying a box of cookies, a bag, and two cups of coffee. He set all of his things on the table and walked over to Tomoyo's bed. She was fast asleep with her eyes red and puffy.
"Only you, Tomoyo. Only you." He murmured.
"Aishiteru, Syaoran." She mumbled as she rolled over.
He couldn't help but blush. He shook it off and pulled off his shirt and pants. After finding a good place to settle in the bed, he lay behind her and put an arm around her waist. He spent at least an hour watching her sleep, until her fell into slumber also. His mind filling with dreams of that one girl that was getting the question tomorrow.
