New Semester of Love
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Chapter 10: A Realization
Only two nights later, Sakura was released from the hospital. With her arm in a cast, her ankle in a brace, and her head still often causing some serious pain, she was put into a wheel chair. Her father and brother had both arrived in Tokyo that same Friday night and had stayed with her constantly, as did Syaoran, the entire weekend. Upon her release, her professors and dean of her college were immediately contacted, and they soon had arranged for Sakura to rest at home for one week to return to take make up exams the following week. Syaoran also put in a plea to his professors to take all his finals early, and in doing so, joined Sakura at home only two days later.
Eriol and Tomoyo both decided to stay with their normal final schedules and soon, Thursday arrived. Both had their last final that Thursday, Eriol's ending not too long after noon and Tomoyo's ending around three. He was waiting for her outside her door when she returned to her room.
Tomoyo smiled at him as she approached him. Since Sakura had fallen, he had always been at her side. They ate together and they had studied together; they had grown much more comfortable with each other.
"Are you completely packed?" Eriol asked as Tomoyo opened her door and led him into the room. There was a large collection of bags and a few suitcases in the middle of the room, holding only the things she would need during the winter holidays.
"Yes, I think everything is ready," Tomoyo replied. "Are you ready to go?"
Eriol nodded.
"My mother has sent a car to pick us up. It's already outside."
Eriol smiled. "Let's go then."
It took them less than thirty minutes to get their few belongs to the car. They sat quietly in the back seat together as they left, both anxious to go back to Tomoeda to make sure things were okay with Sakura.
As they neared Tomoeda, Tomoyo instructed the driver to take them to Sakura's house, taking their things to their respective houses. She would call from there if she needed a ride home. Not long after, they pulled up in front of Sakura's house. Tomoyo and Eriol both quickly got out of the car and walked up to the door, rang the bell, and eagerly waited for the door to open.
Touya opened the door, Fujitaka not too far behind him. Both looked as if they were about to leave.
"Hi. Is Sakura-chan here?" Tomoyo asked.
Touya smiled kindly at his sister's best friend and nodded, opening the door wide to allow the two visitors to walk in. They greeted Fujitaka as he happily welcomed them.
"We were just about to go out," he told them. "I'm glad you both have come to keep Sakura-san and Li-kun company."
"Oh, Li-kun is here too?" Tomoyo asked.
Touya glared slightly in the direction of the living room. "Yeah he's here. He's always here." The rest of them smiled at Touya's expression.
They waved as the two older men left and then made their way into the living room to find Sakura and Syaoran sitting together on the couch, their hands clasped between them.
Sakura smiled up at them as they walked in. "Hi!" she exclaimed, beginning to stand up. Syaoran pulled her down, glancing at her injured foot. Her ankle had almost completely healed. She could walk now, although with a limp, but the wheelchair was no longer needed. "My foot's fine," she muttered, but didn't resist his efforts to keep her sitting there.
Tomoyo leaned over and gave her best friend a tight hug, being careful of Sakura's broken arm. "How are you?"
Sakura smiled at her as she hugged her back. "I'm doing good. How were finals?"
Tomoyo shrugged her shoulders. "They were fine I suppose. I was just wanting to come back here to make sure you were okay."
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Sakura said, as both Tomoyo and Eriol looked worriedly at her.
"Is she really okay?" Tomoyo asked, looking at Syaoran. Sakura sighed.
"She's doing a lot better than before. At least her ankle's getting better and she hasn't been having so many bad headaches," he replied.
"So, how have you been this past week, Eriol-kun?" Sakura asked. The others looked at her as she obviously tried to change the subject.
Eriol smiled. "I've been doing okay."
"That's good to hear," Sakura said, smiling. "Are any of you thirsty or anything? I bet you are. I'll go make us some tea." Sakura quickly got up with Syaoran's help and started heading off to the kitchen, Syaoran following close behind her.
Tomoyo turned and smiled at Eriol as the two left the room. "It's wonderful to see Sakura-chan doing so well after that crazy fall."
Eriol smiled. "I agree. I was worried about her too."
The group chatted some more as Sakura and Syaoran returned about the past week, about their families, about everything. A couple hours passed as they leisurely talked, the sun beginning to set before Sakura finally got up, realizing that dinner needed to be made.
"All of you will stay for dinner, right?" Sakura asked, looking around at them.
"Sounds good to me," Eriol responded, smiling at the card mistress.
Tomoyo nodded her head in agreement. "Let me help you cook."
Sakura motioned for her to stay where she was. "It's okay. I can do it on my own. You must be tired from you finals."
Syaoran stood. "I'll help you."
"No, no it's okay. You've been helping all week."
"That's okay though," he said leading her out of the room.
Sakura looked back before she exited the living room. "You two can just talk or whatever…or you could put in that movie on the tv. Syaoran-kun and I watched it yesterday. It was good."
"Alright," Tomoyo said.
"Oh, and if you want more tea or anything, just come tell me."
Eriol and Tomoyo both smiled at her as she finally left the room, then turned to look at each other.
"So, do you want to watch the movie?
Tomoyo sighed as Eriol got up to slide the movie into the dvd player and begin to play the movie. Sakura has really never needed me for anything…not even to help her cook…it's always Li-kun…always…
Eriol glanced at Tomoyo's expression as he returned to sit beside her, quickly looking away to hide the worry he knew had jumped into his own expression. I bet that was a fake smile I just saw…I wonder why no one else seems to realize it when she's not as happy as she pretends to be...
They sat quietly together, eyes glued to the TV, their minds totally not involved in the scenes playing before them. Eriol hadn't even looked at the title of the movie before he had taken it out of its case and slipped in to watch. He still didn't know. Tomoyo hadn't noticed either.
Tomoyo's attention kept being pulled to the little sounds coming from the kitchen, of a knife hitting a keyboard, of something frying, of the rice cooker beeping. I wish someone could really want me…really need me…
Eriol's kept stealing glances at the downhearted Tomoyo, a small smile still plastered on her delicate face. He sighed inwardly as he noticed her continuously looking toward the kitchen. It's almost as if she's just waiting for Sakura to call her in there to help…
The movie kept playing, the sounds from the kitchen lessened a little, and Tomoyo began to realize the many looks that Eriol kept giving her. He always seems to be looking at me…he seems worried. He always seems to be worried…but he always acts so cheerful. I want to know how he's really feeling… Tomoyo's eyes widened slightly as the last thought passed through her mind, her fingers reaching up to her lips, remembering. He hasn't said anything about that night…I don't think I really minded it at all…I was just so surprised…and he's been so wonderful to me since then…he's always been so wonderful. I wonder how he really feels about me…
Her attention finally away from the sounds from the kitchen, she now gazed openly at Eriol, who immediately noticed her watching him and blushed, keeping his head straight forward looking toward the TV still playing the neglected movie.
Tomoyo kept watching his as his blush deepened under her gaze. He's always been there for me…ever since I've met him…if I've ever been left alone he's always been there. When Sakura didn't need me, he was always there. I can't believe I never realized how wonderful he's always been to me. I always only noticed how he acted toward Sakura and toward Li-kun…never toward me. I've been so blind…
"Eriol-kun…" Tomoyo started, her voice shaking just a little.
He finally turned to meet her eyes in the dim room, the overhead lights off because the movie was still playing, very much unnoticed by them both.
"Umm…about that night…that night we watched the sunset," she stopped as she watched his eyes widen, surprised.
"I'm so sorry…" he began, but he stopped as she held up her hand.
"Just listen for now," she said quietly, finally looking away, down at her feet, nervously. She took a deep breath, and began.
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End of Chapter 10
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And now for a special thank you to all who have reviewed! ^_^
Sakura Sage: Thank you so much for all your wonderful reviews!!! And thank you so much for continuously encouraging me to write. This story is for you. And thanks for being there to find my typos too. Hehe. ^_^ You are definitely awesome.
SakuraandLiforever: Your reviews are so sweet and totally cute! Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review my story. I'm glad you think it's kawaii. =^-^=
Meilin Baby 13: Thank you for reading this story and the prequel to it! I'm glad you liked the previous one and that you're liking this one too. And I'm glad you like how I (usually) update quite quickly. I find that I lose interest in many stories that aren't updated so often…or I just forget to keep checking back, so I try not to do that with my stories.
Sakura Potato: I'm glad you stuck around to read this new story of mine. I remember you from when you were reading A Semester of Deceit and Love. Thanks for all your kind reviews!
Angelkiss1719: Awww…your reviews are always so cute. I really appreciate you taking the time to read. Thanks! ^_^
xsexylilbabygrlx19: Thanks for reviewing. I really hope you're enjoying the story and that you like this chapter too and the last one…which is coming next. ^_^
Heart of Night: Hehe…I'm glad you don't think it's boring no matter what I think about it. Hehe. Thank you very much for reading, and I hope you like the ending!
not applicable: Thanks for the review. Hehe…and I do agree that I make Tomoyo blush too much. I have a habit of doing that, which isn't too good, but hopefully I can work on controlling that. Thanks. ^_^
Yue's Lady: Thanks for the review. I really appreciate it.
Winkie: I hope you're enjoying the story! Thank you so much for the review. And your screen name is cute by the way. hehe
kawaii berry: I really liked your very nice review. Thank you!
AznDevilGurl: Thank you for your review! I really appreciate it, especially considering your review was one of the first. ^_^ I hope you enjoy the story.