And now that It's over
I think we should go back with our regular lives
Hey we both got what we wanted
Didn't we, Tomoyo-chan?
Tomoyo stood staring in blankness grasping onto a glass picture frame. Her memories were always really dear to her, but for once, she wished she forgotten some, at least one particular one.
"Tomoyo? Are you there?" Eriol said shaking her shoulder, "Are you alright?"
"Huh? Uh-h Hai." She said snapping back into reality, "Gomen-nasai, Eriol-san." Without shifting her gaze, she sat down on the carpeted floor, "I'm ok, don't worry about it."
Eriol nodded as he began to hang the curtains, "Everyone has a past Tomoyo, you have to learn to live with it and not regret it," he said tip-toeing to reach the rod, "Not a single life is perfect, and not everything will go as expected."
With those words Tomoyo dropped the frame she grasped. It bounced on the carpeted floor and laid face down untouched. "W-What do you know?" Tomoyo trembled slowly as she knelt herself to the floor. Her memories flashed before her mind and before she knew it, tears fell from her face once more.
Eriol ran to her, "Tomoyo, I'm so-"
"N-No. S-t-top." Tomoyo said as more pain fell. She shut her eyes tightly. "I'm sorry. I'll be fine. Just leave me al-"
Before she could finish Eriol picked her up. He carried her to the bathroom and turned on the faucet for cold water. "Don't cry." he said softly, "You're gonna get sick of it, really. I would know." he said handing her a towel, "Really I do."
Tomoyo looked up to his warm smiling face. "Thanks." She drenched her face in water and dried it with the soft cotton towel. "Sorry for putting you into a situation like that." she said bowing to him, "I'm sorry if I was annoying you."
Turning away Eriol moved towards her white leather couch. "Is it alright if I asked what happened?" he said sitting down, "You don't need to tell me if you don't want to."
Tomoyo followed, "No. It's alright," she looked to her feet, "You helped me. I think you deserve to know." Tomoyo grabbed a heart shaped pillow from the couch and held it tightly, "It started about a year ago. I was working for my mother's company while doing freelance designing as a side job. Everything was going alright I guess, but then, a friend of mine asked me for a favor."
"A favor?"
"His name was Akito. I met him in college and he works in his family's business too. He's a good person, really he is, but I think his mind just got the best of him." Tomoyo shut her eyes for a minute, "Well, one day he gave me a call and told me to meet him at the park that we used to visit. He said it was something really important." She paused, "He wanted me to go out with him, so he'd get promoted."
"What? Is that even possible?" Eriol asked in disbelief
"In this case I guess it did. He said he's been working so hard and yet no one took the time to notice him. And he said that if we started going out, there would be some publicity into it and he would likelier get a promotion."
"Oddly enough, you're Tomoyo Daidouji, daughter of Sonomi Daidouji aren't you? And Akito is the grandson of the CEO of the Maze Corporation isn't he?" Eriol asked
"Yes. So I guess you've heard of it?" she sighed, "I guess it really did work."
"I heard about it before I got here, I'm not sure if others in this town know. But not even counting this, why did you agree to it?"
"I really wanted to help him. Throughout college, he did help me a lot and I wanted to repay him. I didn't think it would be so blown up."
Eriol stared at the regret on Tomoyo's face. He knew that expression much too well. "You ended up falling in love with him didn't you?"
Tomoyo nodded slowly as she hugged the pillow tighter, "But all he thought it was, was a deal, and nothing more."
Eriol looked up to the checkered ceiling thinking of what to say. He adjusted the rims of his glasses then smoothed the side of his hair, after a slight pause he looked back at her. "For all it's worth, it wasn't your fault. It truly wasn't. You couldn't say no to your friend and the realism of the relationship got the best of you. And no one can control their emotions." Eriol stood up and moved in front of Tomoyo, "At least you learned from it didn't you? And now you have to learn to forget it and become a little stronger. Plus, you know it wasn't meant to be right?"
Tomoyo smiled, "Right." She got up and hugged Eriol causing him to step back, but soon he embraced her too. "You're welcome," he said, "You can come to me with your problems alright?"
Tomoyo nodded as she let go, "I think we should go to the bar now," she picked up her bag, "Let's go!"
"Wow you get better quickly, Tomoyo." he said following her out. "Very quickly." Within minutes they got to a corner street and made a left. They walked some more until they saw a metal railing on the sidewalk. They walked down the staircases and knocked on the door, "Rob! We're here!" Eriol shouted. "Open the door!"
"Coming!" the voice called, with a small click the black door opened revealing their green haired friend, "You guys took long enough." he smiled, "Alright, I open in an hour so I have to get this over with quick. My bartender just decided to go back to school in the city so I can't do anything about it, are you ready Tomoyo?"
"Sure." she smiled as she went to the back of the counter. "What do you want me to make?"
"One lime margarita, a Manhattan Original, a Long Island Iced Tea, and a Midori Sour." he said putting his elbow up on the counter.
"Check!" Tomoyo said as she began picking up bottles. One by one she threw them in the air and began catching and pouring them into different iced shakers. When the bottles were caught she quickly put them back in their places and shook each shaker one by one by her ear. With a spin she opened each and poured them into their rightful glasses. Then with a smile she garnished each and moved them towards the awed Rob. "Enjoy."
"WOW. Where'd you learn to do that?" He asked taking the margarita, "Mmm, perfect." he said motioning Eriol and two other workers to take a cup.
"You ARE good," one of the workers, Maria said smiling, "And I loved the way you spun and displayed everything!"
"Really," Eriol said putting down his drink, "Where did you learn all that?"
"I watched Coyote Ugly." Tomoyo said laughing to herself, "Well I used to bartend at some of my mother's parties and I did some during college I guess," she admitted, "It's fun!"
Everyone laughed, "Alright, unanimously agreed, you're hired Tomoyo, can you start in half an hour?" Rob said sticking his hand out
"With pleasure." Tomoyo said shaking his hand, "Where's my uniform?"
Half an hour later the bar became more crowded, the DJ spun some high trance and many people were dancing. Others were sitting around the round tables having small talk or at the bartender's to watch Tomoyo spin bottles.
"Damn, that girl can make a nice Margarita!" a customer said taking down the liquor, "What's your name sweetie?" he said
"Tomoyo." she said shaking another concoction up, "Yours?"
"Will," he answered, "I'm a musician here, oddly enough."
Tomoyo laughed, "That's not odd, it's cool, in need of inspiration right?"
Will nodded as Rob came into sight. His face was red and his hair was a little wet, you could he was in the heat of the dance floor, ALRIGHT EVERYONE!" he shouted as the music paused, "I'd like to take this time to introduce our new hot bartender, Tomoyo!" Everyone cheered, "She makes a seriously nice margarita so I urge you all to come and try it, now let's get the music back on!" Another cheer came on as Rob neared Tomoyo, "Hey, come out on the dance floor with me!"
"I'm working remember!?" Tomoyo said pouring more drinks out
"Don't worry about it, Tim can sub, he's getting bored," Rob said
"Then sure." Tomoyo handed the shakers to Tim as she went out with Rob, "Wow this small town can party," she said as they neared the dance floor, "I know, it's great." Rob said starting to dance.
Tomoyo flung her arms in the air and began to move with the music. She always loved dancing. She could tango, waltz, and even do the Macarena, but it was in rare occasion that she would go to club or bar, so she seized the opportunity. "Hey! There's Eriol!" she said as she grabbed Eriol's hand. "Dance with us!" she shouted for him to hear. At first he shook his head, but with some persuasion he finally did. The three of them formed a circle and moved to the music until they found that they were the center of attention. Soon Sue came and it became the four of them in the middle.
Each of them had their solos in their circle while the other's cheered for each of them, "Alright," Tomoyo said, "I should get back to the bar, see you guys later!" she said walking back to the counter. "Thanks Tim!" she said walking behind it, "What'd you like?"
"A trinity!" Tim sat down on a seat to the side and watched as Tomoyo twirled and shook, and not soon after was he able to taste the bliss in the glass, "You're good." he said then turning to the girl beside him and began small talk.
At around 3 in the morning the crowds of people left and the only ones left were the workers, Rob, Eriol and Sue. "Good job Tomoyo," Rob said with agreement of the rest of the crew. "Everyone seemed to like your drinks and your attitude."
"Thanks," she said rubbing her arm, "It was fun, I didn't know how well a small town like this could party."
Everyone laughed, "Yeah. But people from other towns come too, this is the closet bar/club for a distance. It got great reviews too, so it's always crowded." Eriol said stretching his arms, "It's always fun down here."
"Thanks guys!" Rob said, "I know I'm so good at running my bar and club. Alright, let's lock up and go home." Rob took the keys out of his pocket and locked the door as everyone left. Walking home, the four of them, Eriol, Rob, Sue, and Tomoyo began discussing their plans for the next day.
"Life here is simple. I don't have to worry about numbers dropping or promotions or anything. I think I'll stay here for now, it's peaceful, and I got friends." Tomoyo thought as they continued walking, Simple.
Alrightys! YAY! Done with chapter 2! WOOHOO! I hope everyone is liking the story so far. =) Sorry for the OOCness! But I promise their characteristics will be back in order soon! hehe anywhos please drop a review!