[Terribly sorry that this took so long to write. And I mean a REALLY long
time to write. I've been very busy and rather uninspired. This is a short
chapter, so I'm sorry about that too. Please note that I deleted chapters 6-
8. This is the new chapter 6. I felt that I went too fast the first time. I
was losing track of the plot I wanted to develop and having too much fun
writing the fluff. So now, I'm sorry you'll have to wait for that too.
Anyway, if you are still reading this story, then thank you and I'm sorry
again for taking so long.]
Chapter 6: Rival
Tap, tap, tap.
Daaaamn . . . I'm so tired. Who the hell wants to see me when I'm sleeping? I need time to heal, time to rest, time to think . . .
It could be Hitomi . . .
My eyes snap open as the quiet tapping grows more insistent. That's right! It could be her.
"Who is it?"
My voice rasps out. Man, I'm thirsty again! . . . Well if it *is* Hitomi, I can just ask for some more water . . .
A man's voice sounds hollowly through the sliding door. "It's Allen. May I enter?"
Well, so much for Hitomi . . . "Yeah, come on in."
The door slides back, Allen, dressed more casually than usual in a white shirt, and black pants, enters the room. He looks at me questioningly and with a hint of worry. I never knew he cared.
"I'm fine, Allen. I'm just thirsty again. You didn't happen to bring any water with you, did you?"
He smiles slightly at me before shaking his head. " No, but I can get some for you if you'd like."
"I'd be very grateful if you would."
He smiles again before leaving the room. I don't have much time. There is no way I'm going to let Allen help me drink a glass of water. I've got to sit up. Now!
Slowly and carefully, I use the remaining strength in my arms to push my body up, trying to keep from tightening the muscles in my abdomen. I eventually manage a slightly uncomfortable cross-legged position. At least I can drink my own water . . . and just in time too. The door slides back open and Allen is back with a most refreshing looking glass of cold water.
"Here you are." He hands me the glass and then wipes moisture on his hands from the glass onto his pants in a most un-Allen-like gesture. He then proceeds to seat himself calmly across from me, imitating my crossed legs. He leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands. I slowly drink my water and my mouth thanks me happily. So refreshing . . .
"How do you feel towards Hitomi?"
The unexpected and totally serious question takes me completely by surprise. I choke on the water, spluttering into the glass. Allen continues to stare at me calmly.
"What?!" I can only stare at him with incredulous suspicion.
He sighs, smiling and shaking his head slightly at me. "I asked you a simple question, be so kind as to provide a simple and honest answer."
I look wildly around the room, my eyes darting . . . anything to avoid telling him what I have begun to suspect about my feelings for Hitomi . . . anything.
"An answer, Van." Allen's voice has my eyes darting to his face, nervously. An answer . . . he can't be serious about this. Why is he asking me? Why?
Wait.
Of course, he saw everything! Hitomi's and my conversation. The splash of receding yellow and blue. He saw!! Gods, now what do I do?
"Answer, Van." Allen, prompts my response once again, a hint of impatience invading his voice.
"I . . . I don't know. I've never . . . I think I like her. Maybe even . . . I . . ."
I choke off my answer, too tense and anxious to continue. Surely, Allen won't like what I've just told him. Surely Allen will tell me to stay away from *his* Hitomi. But . . . he's just smiling at me. . . . what is going on?
"I could tell. She likes you too you know? Or can't you tell? So young. Very well, Van." He smiles again, then stands and slides back the door, turning one last time to say one last thing. I continue to stare in utter confusion.
"May the best man win."
He leaves, the door sliding swiftly shut. I can only gape at the empty space where he stood moments before. May the best man win?
Chapter 6: Rival
Tap, tap, tap.
Daaaamn . . . I'm so tired. Who the hell wants to see me when I'm sleeping? I need time to heal, time to rest, time to think . . .
It could be Hitomi . . .
My eyes snap open as the quiet tapping grows more insistent. That's right! It could be her.
"Who is it?"
My voice rasps out. Man, I'm thirsty again! . . . Well if it *is* Hitomi, I can just ask for some more water . . .
A man's voice sounds hollowly through the sliding door. "It's Allen. May I enter?"
Well, so much for Hitomi . . . "Yeah, come on in."
The door slides back, Allen, dressed more casually than usual in a white shirt, and black pants, enters the room. He looks at me questioningly and with a hint of worry. I never knew he cared.
"I'm fine, Allen. I'm just thirsty again. You didn't happen to bring any water with you, did you?"
He smiles slightly at me before shaking his head. " No, but I can get some for you if you'd like."
"I'd be very grateful if you would."
He smiles again before leaving the room. I don't have much time. There is no way I'm going to let Allen help me drink a glass of water. I've got to sit up. Now!
Slowly and carefully, I use the remaining strength in my arms to push my body up, trying to keep from tightening the muscles in my abdomen. I eventually manage a slightly uncomfortable cross-legged position. At least I can drink my own water . . . and just in time too. The door slides back open and Allen is back with a most refreshing looking glass of cold water.
"Here you are." He hands me the glass and then wipes moisture on his hands from the glass onto his pants in a most un-Allen-like gesture. He then proceeds to seat himself calmly across from me, imitating my crossed legs. He leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands. I slowly drink my water and my mouth thanks me happily. So refreshing . . .
"How do you feel towards Hitomi?"
The unexpected and totally serious question takes me completely by surprise. I choke on the water, spluttering into the glass. Allen continues to stare at me calmly.
"What?!" I can only stare at him with incredulous suspicion.
He sighs, smiling and shaking his head slightly at me. "I asked you a simple question, be so kind as to provide a simple and honest answer."
I look wildly around the room, my eyes darting . . . anything to avoid telling him what I have begun to suspect about my feelings for Hitomi . . . anything.
"An answer, Van." Allen's voice has my eyes darting to his face, nervously. An answer . . . he can't be serious about this. Why is he asking me? Why?
Wait.
Of course, he saw everything! Hitomi's and my conversation. The splash of receding yellow and blue. He saw!! Gods, now what do I do?
"Answer, Van." Allen, prompts my response once again, a hint of impatience invading his voice.
"I . . . I don't know. I've never . . . I think I like her. Maybe even . . . I . . ."
I choke off my answer, too tense and anxious to continue. Surely, Allen won't like what I've just told him. Surely Allen will tell me to stay away from *his* Hitomi. But . . . he's just smiling at me. . . . what is going on?
"I could tell. She likes you too you know? Or can't you tell? So young. Very well, Van." He smiles again, then stands and slides back the door, turning one last time to say one last thing. I continue to stare in utter confusion.
"May the best man win."
He leaves, the door sliding swiftly shut. I can only gape at the empty space where he stood moments before. May the best man win?