Dedicated to Zxoaswtxiaolangoxz. I hope I spelled your name right!
Chapter 14: I Never Really Loved You Anyway
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I never really loved you anyway
No I didn't love you anyway
I never really loved you anyway
I never really loved you anyway
No I didn't love you anyway
Never truly loved you anyway
I'm so happy you're moving away
Yeah I'm delighted you're moving away
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sakura and Syaoran were watching TV in Friday night when Fujitaka came in.
"Yelan just phoned. She wants to take us out to dinner on Sunday. Is that alright?"
"Sure." They said together, turning their attention back to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sakura watched the screen for a few minutes before asking,
"What were you and Eriol talking about?"
"Boy stuff."
"Oh."
"You and Tomoyo?"
"Girl stuff." Sakura giggled. Syaoran smiled. He watched Buffy stake a couple of vampires, then asked,
"What time are you going to Tomoyo's tomorrow?"
"About noon. Coming?"
"Sure."
They fell silent again. Syaoran chewed the inside of his lip.
He hadn't yet told Sakura about his leaving on Friday. He was waiting for the right moment. Unfortunately the right moment didn't seem to exist. Sakura started laughing at the TV, shaking him out of his thoughts. He had already told his mother, and she had booked the tickets for them. They hadn't told Fujitaka yet, either.
Sakura stood up and yawned.
"I'm going to bed. G'night."
"Night." Syaoran muttered. Why couldn't he have a simple life, like everyone else?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sakura and Syaoran went down to breakfast together the next day to find Touya and Fujitaka eating already. Fujitaka handed Sakura her medicine and she swallowed it before slicing some fruit into a bowl of cereal.
"What time will you be back from Tomoyo's?"
"I'm not sure. Why?"
"No reason, I just wanted to know. Be careful, ok?"
"I'm always careful! Well, most of the time." Sakura corrected herself. Fujitaka smiled. Touya drained a cup of coffee.
"I'm going to work. See you later."
"Bye. Say hi to Nakuru for me!"
"Will do." Touya said, leaving. Syaoran munched his toast and looked at his watch.
"We'd better go soon."
"OK. I'm ready to go." Sakura mumbled, stuffing cereal into her mouth. She swallowed and said,
"Dad, I'm going to Karaoke on Wednesday. That OK?"
"Sure. As long as Syaoran goes with you, and you don't get into trouble."
"Would I?" Sakura said, faking shock.
"Now, do you really want me to answer that? I'll see you later."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Eriol and Tomoyo greeted the two of them happily. Syaoran avoided Eriol's accusatory stare and Tomoyo said,
"Sakura, you come with me. Eriol and Syaoran can hang out for a while. The we'll grab something to eat."
Tomoyo dragged Sakura upstairs and into her sewing room.
"Tomoyo, what is it?"
"I made this for you. It's for the dance!" Sakura turned and saw a plastic model with a dress on it. But not just any dress.
It was pale pink, with a long skirt. The top of the dress was covered with a layer of film that was studded with tiny diamonds. The sleeves were long and semi-transparent. There were matching shoes at the base and a row of tiny pink flowers lined the seam where the skirt met the bodice.
Sakura had never seen a more beautiful dress in her life.
Tomoyo giggled at the look on her friend's face.
"Do you like it?"
"It's… wonderful."
"Only the best for my Sakura-Chan! Try it on. I need to adjust the hem." As Tomoyo pinned the hem, Sakura saw herself in the mirror. She couldn't wait until Friday!
Tomoyo stepped back and smiled in satisfaction.
"Syaoran is going to be amazed when he sees you in this!"
"I hope so…" Sakura whispered.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
On Sunday night, Sakura went downstairs in a simple dress, ready for dinner. Yelan was taking them to a slightly lower-key restaurant this time. Sakura smiled at Syaoran, in his plain shirt and trousers. He smiled, uncertainly.
"You look nice."
"Thanks, Syaoran, you too. The peach blossom restaurant was nice, but way over the top."
"Exactly. Still, that's exactly like my mother." Touya came into the front hallway.
"Ready to go?"
"Yeah. Where's Dad?"
"I'm here. I was just finishing some work." Fujitaka said, emerging from his study. There was a knock at the door and Touya opened it. Yelan stepped in, followed by Meilin.
"Ah, good, you're all ready. Shall we be going?"
"Absolutely." Said Fujitaka, bowing to her. As Sakura and Syaoran sat in the large car, Yelan turned around the look at them.
"Promise me that you won't go running off to any funfairs."
"Promise." They both muttered, going red. Meilin stifled her laughter at the look on their faces.
The restaurant was nice enough and Sakura found the food very satisfying. As they were waiting for the desserts to come Syaoran excused himself to go to the bathroom. When he had gone Yelan looked across to Sakura.
"It's such a pity that you turned down Syaoran." Fujitaka nodded.
"Yes, we were disappointed Sakura. But it's your choice." Sakura nodded, wanting to smile. If only they knew! But no. It was going to be a surprise. Meilin was looking very peculiar. Frowning, and staring down at her plate.
But the biggest surprise came in the next sentence.
"But we can understand Syaoran's decision to return to China early." Sakura stared at Yelan, who obliviously continued.
"When he came to me, I was surprised, to say the least. I thought things had been going so well with you two. But if that's your decision, then it can't be changed. Meilin will be going back with Syaoran on Friday too. I'm staying until the end of the month; I have some business to take care of. But I'm sure you can visit us sometimes."
Sakura felt as though her heart had shrivelled up and died. She felt completely numb, staring at Yelan in disbelief.
He was leaving?
Syaoran sat back down at the table smiled.
"What are we talking about?" Sakura turned her gaze on him. He frowned at the look on her face and put his hand over his.
"Sakura, what's wrong?"
She jumped up.
"I have to… be somewhere… else." She muttered, throwing down her napkin. She dashed from the restaurant. Syaoran stared after her, then turned to his mother.
"What did I say?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tomoyo was watching a television programme when she heard a fierce banging on the door.
"Hold on! No need to knock it down!" she called, walking down the hallway. Opening it, she saw Sakura, tears leaking down her cheeks.
"Sakura, what's wrong?"
"He… he…" Words failed her. She simply dissolved into sobs.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
An hour later Syaoran turned up on the doorstep. Tomoyo opened it, and seeing him, gave him a cold look.
"What do you want?"
"Is Sakura here?"
"She's sleeping." Tomoyo made to close the door. Syaoran stuck his foot in the way.
"Let me see her."
"Haven't you done enough?" Syaoran was about to speak but found the door being slammed in his face.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When Syaoran got to school the next day he found Sakura sitting in the back row with Tomoyo. He sat in front of her and turned to face her.
"Sakura, I-"
"Leave me alone." She said. He tried again,
"Just hear me out."
"I don't want to. Just leave me alone." Sakura stood up and walked towards the classroom door. Syaoran stood up and went after her. He caught her before she had left the room.
"Sakura, please!"
"Were you going to tell me? Or were you just going to leave?"
"Of course I was going to tell you! I was just trying to find the right moment, is all."
"The right moment? Well, now's a moment. Please, tell me Syaoran."
" I didn't mean for this to happen. I just… I didn't see a point in me staying here." Syaoran said. Instantly he felt like kicking himself. Sakura gave him a look of contempt.
"No reason to stay? You couldn't think of a single reason to stay here?"
"Well…"
"I've heard enough." Sakura muttered. She turned to open the door and found it opening to reveal Noriko and Leon. She groaned.
"Gee, this day just gets better and better." Leon looked from Sakura's face to Syaoran's.
"What's wrong? Had a lovers tiff?"
"Screw you." Sakura hissed. Syaoran stepped forward and put his hand on Sakura's arm.
"Sakura-"
"Don't touch me!" she said, turning on him. He took a step back. Noriko smirked.
"Aw, poor Sakura's broken up with Syaoran." Sakura pushed her way through them and into the corridor. Syaoran groaned and buried his face in his hands. He turned away and went back to his seat. Tomoyo didn't look at him. He asked her,
"Tomoyo, I don't see why she's so upset. She knew that I was going to leave soon."
"Not this soon. You are completely blind, aren't you? She is completely in love with you."
"Then why-?"
"She doesn't want to get married. It's a big step from starting to trust someone to marriage. A huge step. And one that Sakura's just not ready to take."
Syaoran stared at her for a moment, then groaned.
"She doesn't love me. That's why I'm leaving."
"Syaoran, try and see it from her point of view. Think of what she's gone through in the past two months. That's a hell of a lot to handle for anyone. You can leave if you want to, I don't care. As far as I'm concerned you don't deserve Sakura. But if you can possibly stop thinking about yourself for a minute, maybe then you'll understand." Tomoyo picked up her things and moved to the opposite side of the classroom, taking Sakura's things with her. Syaoran turned to face the front.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sakura decided that she was staying at Tomoyo's house for the next week. Fujitaka decided it was best not to force his daughter to come home. Touya adopted a very frosty air around Syaoran and if Sakura came home it would only make things worse. So he sent her things to Tomoyo's house.
It wasn't until Wednesday that Syaoran got close enough to Sakura to speak to her, and that was at the karaoke. But every time she saw him coming she would suddenly need the toilet, or find some other excuse to avoid him. Some of the people from school, including Noriko and Leon had turned up again. Tomoyo sang a few songs, and then Sakura went to the stage. She spoke into the microphone.
"This is a song by the Corrs. It's for someone in this audience, and I hope that he'll understand what I'm trying to say. It doesn't quite fit the situation, but I think it's pretty obvious." She said, her eyes straying over to Syaoran. He felt his heart lift slightly. Maybe she was going to forgive him…
Sakura started the music and sang fiercely.
You bored me with your stories
I can't believe that I endured you for as long as I did
I'm happy it's over, I'm only sorry
That I didn't make the move before you
And when you go I will remember
To send a thank you note to that girl
I see she's holding you so tender
Well I just wanna say
For some reason Syaoran didn't think that this was a forgiving type of song. Sakura's eyes were narrowed and she glaring at the crowd.
I never really loved you anyway
No I didn't love you anyway
I never really loved you anyway
I'm so glad you're moving away
Valentino I don't think so
You watching MTV while I lie dreaming in an MT bed
And come to think of it
I was misled
My flat my food my everything
And thoughts inside my head
Before you go I must remember
To have a quiet word with that girl
Does she know you're not a spender
Well l just have to say
I never really loved you anyway
No I didn't love you anyway
I never really loved you anyway
I'm so happy you're moving away
And when you go I will remember
I must remember to say...
I never really loved you anyway
No I didn't love you anyway
I never really loved you anyway
I never really loved you anyway
No I didn't love you anyway
Never truly loved you anyway
I'm so happy you're moving away
Yeah I'm delighted you're moving away
Yeah. He definitely had the feeling that he wasn't forgiven. He turned away as the song finished and the applause from the somewhat stunned audience started. As Sakura rejoined Eriol and Tomoyo she saw him leaving the bar.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Syaoran plodded home through the cold air. His heart felt heavy and cold. He knew what he had to do. He had to leave Sakura behind and go back to China. He had to forget about everything that had happened.
THE END
Hee hee, just kidding!
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The end of the chapter! Things have taken a bit of a fall haven't they? They'll be looking up soon, don't worry.
Lotsa luv
Katie