Title: Listening Within
Author: Peonyqt1004
Chapter Title: Assigning a Duet
A/N: I'm sorry about 'Mercy for teh Damned". It got erased due to a violation, which was merely a small infraction. I posted an announcement as a chapter and they erased it. Sorry. *Sighs* I lost all my reviews... For updates on announcements and etc. Please look at my authors profile... However, I will repost the story up in a few days, when I am once again allowed to post up that story. So please be patient. I hope you enjoy this chapter- and I will update this story quickly just to make up for the loss of the other story. Thanks for reviewing- Please remeber to review after you read!
-Peonyqt1004
[Early Morning...]
"I can go to school." A stubborn voice said angrily.
"But your ankle hasn't mended yet!"
Angry green eyes turned on the woman.
"I know you are worried about me, but I have been out of school for two days! Today is the audition for the solo and I can't lose it!"
Martha Simmons sighed heavily. "Alright then, but please be careful!" Sakura smiled and nodded and turned to Tom and kissed his curly mop of hair. "See you later Tommy." She said playfully as she messed up his hair. Tom stuck out his tongue. "See you later Saku-chan!" Sakura looked up to see two baby blue eyes staring at her. It was Jin, who still didn't trust Sakura.
"Bye Jin." She said softly, waving at him as she limped out of the house with her two crutches.
She really didn't feel like staying at home. More then once, she had caught Mr. Simmons staring at her, and it made her uncomfortable. With a sigh, she turned as she heard Martha Simmons shout.
"Sakura! You forgot your Viola!"
[In School...]
"Are you ok?" Tomoyo asked worriedly as she examined Sakura's ankle.
"I'm fine Tomoyo-." Sakura replied, sitting down in her history class seat. 'I just hope I can survive today.' She thought with a groan. She needed help for practically everything. Mrs. Simmons had to bring her viola to school and drop it off for her in the music room.
"Class! Take out your pens and we are going to start our test today!" He clapped his hands twice. Mr. Rohwer looked positively evil in Sakura's eyes.
"I didn't know we had a test! Aren't you supposed to give me two days to make it all up?"
Mr. Rohwer gave her a stern look of rebuff.
"Ms. Kinomoto." He drawled, "Didn't I tell you about this test beforehand? When you ran out of this room to cry, I told the class about this incoming test."
Sakura felt like she was going to faint.
[After the test... Sakura is walking down the Hallway...]
Sakura felt like she was going to cry. She probably flunked the test horribly.
"Hello Ms. Kinomoto." A serene male voice said smoothly. Sakura blinked as she looked up into the eyes of a tall navy haired boy with a drop dead gorgeous smile.
"H-hi..." Sakura said timidly. "You look like you could use some help." He said softly as he stopped her to take her backpack, which was hanging from her back. Sakura gaped at him. He smiled in response. "I am Eriol. Glad to meet you."
"T-thank you but I can carry that on my own." She persisted. But those laughing navy blue eyes behind the large stylish glasses told her otherwise. "Come Ms. Kinomoto. Isn't your next class math? I believe we have the same class together with Mrs. Rosewell."
[Syaoran...]
Dejectedly. The tall handsome boy with dark brown hair sat down in his seat. His face was etched with pain, and he was surprised no one noticed it, they were either too busy ignoring him, or they were batting their eyelashes at him.
'Stupid girls.' He thought with a growl.
"Syaoran!" A cheerful voice yelled. Syaoran didn't bother turning around, knowing exactly who it was.
"Meiling..."
The tall slender ebony haired girl stopped in front of his desk and peered down at him. "Are you ok? I heard about your father and--." Syaoran glared at her and she stopped talking.
"Listen Meiling- I don't want your sympathy."
Meiling rolled her eyes, "Alright Mr. Xio-lang." She flipped her black ponytails over her shoulders and sat next to him. Syaoran rolled his eyes as well. Then he heard the most annoying voice in the world.
"Right this way Ms. Kinomoto."
His head looked up slowly and caught sight of his nemisis. Eriol. And that was not all, he was guiding about poor limping Sakura Kinomoto as if he was courting her! Syaoran glared at the two, not knowing who he hated more. He noticed that Sakura was dressed rather nicely today. She wore a nice white pleated skirt with a light baby blue t-shirt that had a white collar. To match all that, she tied up the sides of her head with baby blue ribbons. Someone poked his side.
"Xiao-lang- are you staring at her? I thought you didn't like--."
He elbowed Meiling, who let out a yelp.
"Thank you Eriol." He heard her say softly, to his displeasure, Eriol nodded his head and smiled at her.
"My pleasure Sakura."
"You look like you have a thundercloud over your head." Meiling whispered. "If you like that girl Syaoran... I'm going to tell Yel--." Syaoran whirled around to face her.
"Are you over your head?" He hissed. "Me? Like Kinomoto?" His voice rose a little. "The day I like Kinomoto, pigs will start flying and the sky will turn bright green!"
[Sakura...]
Sakura heard the deep husky voice of Syaoran as she opened her math book to the assigned page.
"The day I like Kinomoto, pigs will start flying and the sky will turn bright green!"
She was instantly hurt by his remark. She tried not to show it as she heard giggles around her. She caught the nasty sneer, which radiated from Mariana's face.
She let out a sigh. What a day.
Later, after the tedious math class, Eriol helped Sakura take her belongings and head for the Orchestra room.
"I don't know how to thank you Eriol." Sakura said softly, her green eyes glowing. He raised his eyebrows.
"Actually, my dear Sakura, there IS a way you can return the favor." Sakura stared at him in utter surprise.
"How?"
"Will you go--."
Someone banged into Eriol hard. Eriol had to redouble his steps and straighten himself, and he had to lean over and pick up all the books he had spilled off the floor. Sakura frowned as she saw a familiar boy pass by them with an insolent sneer on his face. Her resolve hardened like a rock.
"That was Syaoran Li!" She said with an enraged gasp.
Eriol sighed and shook his head. "Ah- my nemesis. But I can't understand..." He looked puzzled. "Unless he..." He looked at Sakura with different eyes and grinned slightly. "Now this is going to get interesting..." He said out loud. Sakura perked up. "What is it Eriol? What is about to get interesting? What were you about to ask me as well?" He laughed and patted her head. "Nothing Sakura. I'll ask about it later. Right now, let's get you to class."
Sakura smiled as she spotted Tomoyo. Tomoyo gasped and turned beet red with delight as she saw Eriol next to Sakura.
"Sakura!" Tomoyo hurried over, breathless and her eyes shining as she averted her eyes demurely to look up at Eriol. "Hello Eriol." He nodded to acknowledge her. "Hello Ms. Dajjibou." Sakura stifled laughter as she saw Tomoyo flutter her eyes.
"What is Mr. Eriol doing here?" He smiled, as always. "I am escorting this beautiful young woman to class..." Tomoyo eyes widened slightly and looked at Sakura. Sakura felt the disappointment Tomoyo felt and her heart give a strange twist.
"Oh."
"CLASS! Today is the SOLO auditions! You better hurry up or I'll start without you!"
Sakura gasped. "Oh Eriol, Thanks ever so much- but I really have to-." He nodded, "I understand." With a lopsided grin, he walked away.
"He's so elegant..." Tomoyo sighed, her eyes starry. Sakura sweat dropped and nodded. "I guess he is..." Tomoyo turned on her friend really fast. "You're so lucky Sakura." She said enviously. Sakura felt something tense in the air and gulped as she laughed it off.
One by one, the auditions started. Some people messed up utterly, and others managed to sound decent, and even better! But Sakura was confident. She didn't hear anyone¡¯s soul in the music. She still had a good chance, until Syaoran went up.
He was dressed in a clean white dress shirt and crisp dark black slacks. The top buttons for his shirt were off and he looked drop dead gorgeous. Sakura felt her face heat up as he stepped up. He took in a deep breath as Mrs. Foster looked on expectedly.
Furious music erupted from Syaoran's violin. Sakura was surprised at all the emotions such a stone like person can put into such music.
'Maybe father was wrong.' Sakura thought with surprise. Syaoran stopped and ended with a bittersweet note, which echoed throughout the room. Mrs. Foster looked absolutely excited.
"Excellent Syaoran! As always!" Then it was Sakura's turn, and Sakura didn't know if she's do well. She was shaken as she stupidly walked up towards the front of the room. Syaoran passed her, smirking at her with his dark brown eyes as he passively passed by her. Sakura gritted her teeth as she limped upwards in her crutches. Tomoyo kindly pushed a chair up for Sakura to sit upon.
'This is it...' Sakura thought nervously, looking around.
'I have to play what I have practiced...'
Sakura closed her eyes tightly and said a quick prayer as she took a deep breath to start playing.
'Please father... mother... brother. Be with me as I play this song...'
Then Sakura imagined herself as the maiden saying the prayer through the violin. For her brothers safe return, for her parents soul in heaven, and things to come. The first note was shaky, but it became stronger as it went along. Soon, beautiful music erupted from her viola as she played furiously and emotionally on her viola. Her eyes were closed and on her face was a gentle smile.
'I will show my soul.' Sakura thought softly, 'My longing... my wish...'
Brown eyes widened as he heard her play. He had thought her first note and some notes following them was very shaky, and he had smirked, but it was wiped off when the shaky notes were replaced with notes of utter fire and passion. His breath caught as he watched her move her torso with the music and he heard the utter longing in her music. It sounded like a prayer... He felt utter defeat but was not upset by it. Actually, he felt quite honored to have such a capable opponent.
'I never knew she had it in her.' He thought with a faint grin as he listened to the sweet highs and the tremulous lows of her notes and sighed as he heard the beautiful utter end to the song. The last note echoed in the room, and grudgingly, he clapped.
Sakura felt her eyes opened and she looked around faintly, blinking her eyes. It was so silent. Did she do horribly? Why was Mrs. Foster staring at her that way? Why was Tomoyo staring? Oh... she must've failed and played something wrong. Crestfallen, Sakura managed a small bow as she proceeded to get off stage, and she heard someone clapping. Her eyes slowly went up and saw that Syaoran was clapping, and looking at her with grudging respect. It was the look a fine musician gave to another fine musician and respect. A small smile lit her face as other people started to clap as well. Tears of gratefulness and utter happiness stung her eyes as she limped down. 'Thank you father... mother... brother. It is you who have helped me with today's audition...'
[Syaoran...]
He knew he lost.
He had played his best and now Sakura had the solo.
He felt the deep pain of failure as he watched Mrs. Foster go up to announce the soloist. He heard her clear her throat and stared at his hands. What did he lack that Sakura had?
"I'd like to thank everyone who had tried out for the audition." Mrs. Foster said happily, "The decision that I made surprised me. However, this is no longer a solo, but I've decided to make this little part a duet." Syaoran blinked and stared hard at his teacher in front of him, who looked quite pleased.
"You do know about the upcoming competition between school orchestras this year... do you not?" She asked the class. Everyone nodded, but everyone was puzzled, what was going on?
"I decided to do something different, and it will work. The two best musicians in this room will do this duet." Suddenly there was a hush. Mrs. Foster smiled.
"Ms. Kinomoto, and Mr. Li will share a duet for the upcoming competition."
There was uproar of confusion, and Syaoran couldn¡¯t believe his ears. 'Me? Play a duet with Kinomoto? I never expected Mrs. Foster to do that!"
He turned to look at Sakura, who looked just as surprised as he did. Their eyes met, and held for a long time.
[After Class...]
"I never thought that Mrs. Foster would do that!" Squealed the petite girl with dark black hair that glinted a deep purple in the sunlight. Sakura herself was amazed as well. "I never thought that things would end this way..." Sakura murmured to herself. Tomoyo sighed and took out her video camera to take a good shot of Sakura's face. "Well won't this be nice? I can tape the blossoming love between Sakura and Syaoran!" Sakura face faulted and covered the lens with her hands.
"Tomoyo... I don't care anymore."
Tomoyo rolled her eyes, "Don't care about Syaoran? You're lying!" Sakura shook her head. "How can I like someone as selfish and heartless as him? I think... that maybe... I should start liking Eriol-san."
Tomoyo froze in her tracks, her eyes wide.
"Tomoyo?"
The girl shook her head and laughed nervously. "That's fine Sakura, you can like him. He's a better catch then Syaoran if I might say." Sakura smiled densely, not noticing the smile of pain Tomoyo let out.
[Lunch...]
"So, you have a duet with Syaoran?" Eriol asked with raised eyebrows. Sakura sighed. "Yeah... we have to meet tomorrow and practice." The navy haired boy muttered something under his breath. Sakura looked at him quizzically, her head tilted to the side. Eriol sweat dropped and laughed.
"Sakura, you look so adorable when you are confused."
Sakura turned bright pink when she heard this. "Uh- thank you... i guess... umm..." Eriol let out a quite chuckle and touched her cheek.
"Sakura... about what I wanted to ask you before..."
Green eyes widened as Eriol produced a red rose out of thin air. Sakura quickly looked around, embarrassed and delighted at the same time.
"...Sakura... would you go out with me?"
[Syaoran...]
Syaoran looked at his watch and waited for the final bell to ring before school was out. He had to tell Sakura something before they left.
'Why do I even bother?' He thought gloomily.
He heard her laughter before he actually saw her. What he saw made him see red.
"Hey Kinomoto." He said curtly, walking up to her. Sakura blinked when she turned around, her green eyes wide. "Uh- Hi Li!" Sakura said quickly. "You know, about tomorrow." He said softly, looking at Eriol with narrowed eyes. "What time are you coming over my house?"
Eriol just smiled in return.
"Maybe right after school." Sakura muttered quickly under her breath. Syaoran nodded coldly, looking down at her with obvious contempt. "Meet me at this exact spot right after school, if you're late, I'm leaving without you." He turned to leave.
"By the way Syaoran!" Sakura blurted out, her eyes wide and sincere. "You played really well today, I congratulate you."
There was a long silence.
"Hmph." Syaoran replied before striding away. Sakura looked a bit sad but smiled none the less.
"Come on Eriol, you told me you were treating me for ice cream."
Eriol, looking cool and affable as always nodded. "Of course... but Sakura..." Sakura looked up at him quickly. "You like Syaoran don't you..." Sakura gasped, acting enraged. "Like Syaoran? Pah! Yeah right! I would never treat my worst enemy the way he treated me!" Two spots of angry red colored her cheeks as she stonily looked away from Eriol, who nodded.
[Syaoran...]
Syaoran heard what she said and sighed.
'I did treat her cruelly... but she deserves every bit of it.' He thought to himself spitefully. But then he suddenly felt tired. 'But why in the world am I being so mean to her?'
The words Sakura spoke echoed through his mind.
"I would never treat my worst enemy the way he treated me!"
Suddenly, he was very very tired. When the usual black limo came to pick him up, he was too tired to yell at the driver for being late.
To be continued...
A/N: Sorry- Once again about the other story, btw I will repost it. =) Please remeber to review and Merry Late Christmas to Everyone here! *mwah* Love all of you lots! I can't write anymore previews, I might "violate" another "regulation" again. Sorry. =P
Special Thanks to:
-Emily10. (LOL, you reviews ALOT... but thanks anyways!)
-Emily (Hope you enjoyed this chapter!)
-kikakai (Sorry about Mercy for The Damned being erased... thanks for your reviews!)
-TheQuiet Storm (I hope you keep reading and find that this story goes up to it's potential! Thanks!)
-aLicEdReaMs (Thanks! ^_^ Maybe this story will become as good as one of the korean dramas I watched!)
-ShiintoSakka45 (Thanks for the comment... =) It madde me feel more confidenta bout this story!)
-Vanillamoss4132 (Thanks for the review!)
-svetlaella (Sorry about Mercy for teh Damned being put down... *Sighs* I'll put it up soon- but thanks for the reviews for both that and this story!)
I hope I didn't forget anyone! Thank you and have a good New Years!
REVIEW!
Author: Peonyqt1004
Chapter Title: Assigning a Duet
A/N: I'm sorry about 'Mercy for teh Damned". It got erased due to a violation, which was merely a small infraction. I posted an announcement as a chapter and they erased it. Sorry. *Sighs* I lost all my reviews... For updates on announcements and etc. Please look at my authors profile... However, I will repost the story up in a few days, when I am once again allowed to post up that story. So please be patient. I hope you enjoy this chapter- and I will update this story quickly just to make up for the loss of the other story. Thanks for reviewing- Please remeber to review after you read!
-Peonyqt1004
[Early Morning...]
"I can go to school." A stubborn voice said angrily.
"But your ankle hasn't mended yet!"
Angry green eyes turned on the woman.
"I know you are worried about me, but I have been out of school for two days! Today is the audition for the solo and I can't lose it!"
Martha Simmons sighed heavily. "Alright then, but please be careful!" Sakura smiled and nodded and turned to Tom and kissed his curly mop of hair. "See you later Tommy." She said playfully as she messed up his hair. Tom stuck out his tongue. "See you later Saku-chan!" Sakura looked up to see two baby blue eyes staring at her. It was Jin, who still didn't trust Sakura.
"Bye Jin." She said softly, waving at him as she limped out of the house with her two crutches.
She really didn't feel like staying at home. More then once, she had caught Mr. Simmons staring at her, and it made her uncomfortable. With a sigh, she turned as she heard Martha Simmons shout.
"Sakura! You forgot your Viola!"
[In School...]
"Are you ok?" Tomoyo asked worriedly as she examined Sakura's ankle.
"I'm fine Tomoyo-." Sakura replied, sitting down in her history class seat. 'I just hope I can survive today.' She thought with a groan. She needed help for practically everything. Mrs. Simmons had to bring her viola to school and drop it off for her in the music room.
"Class! Take out your pens and we are going to start our test today!" He clapped his hands twice. Mr. Rohwer looked positively evil in Sakura's eyes.
"I didn't know we had a test! Aren't you supposed to give me two days to make it all up?"
Mr. Rohwer gave her a stern look of rebuff.
"Ms. Kinomoto." He drawled, "Didn't I tell you about this test beforehand? When you ran out of this room to cry, I told the class about this incoming test."
Sakura felt like she was going to faint.
[After the test... Sakura is walking down the Hallway...]
Sakura felt like she was going to cry. She probably flunked the test horribly.
"Hello Ms. Kinomoto." A serene male voice said smoothly. Sakura blinked as she looked up into the eyes of a tall navy haired boy with a drop dead gorgeous smile.
"H-hi..." Sakura said timidly. "You look like you could use some help." He said softly as he stopped her to take her backpack, which was hanging from her back. Sakura gaped at him. He smiled in response. "I am Eriol. Glad to meet you."
"T-thank you but I can carry that on my own." She persisted. But those laughing navy blue eyes behind the large stylish glasses told her otherwise. "Come Ms. Kinomoto. Isn't your next class math? I believe we have the same class together with Mrs. Rosewell."
[Syaoran...]
Dejectedly. The tall handsome boy with dark brown hair sat down in his seat. His face was etched with pain, and he was surprised no one noticed it, they were either too busy ignoring him, or they were batting their eyelashes at him.
'Stupid girls.' He thought with a growl.
"Syaoran!" A cheerful voice yelled. Syaoran didn't bother turning around, knowing exactly who it was.
"Meiling..."
The tall slender ebony haired girl stopped in front of his desk and peered down at him. "Are you ok? I heard about your father and--." Syaoran glared at her and she stopped talking.
"Listen Meiling- I don't want your sympathy."
Meiling rolled her eyes, "Alright Mr. Xio-lang." She flipped her black ponytails over her shoulders and sat next to him. Syaoran rolled his eyes as well. Then he heard the most annoying voice in the world.
"Right this way Ms. Kinomoto."
His head looked up slowly and caught sight of his nemisis. Eriol. And that was not all, he was guiding about poor limping Sakura Kinomoto as if he was courting her! Syaoran glared at the two, not knowing who he hated more. He noticed that Sakura was dressed rather nicely today. She wore a nice white pleated skirt with a light baby blue t-shirt that had a white collar. To match all that, she tied up the sides of her head with baby blue ribbons. Someone poked his side.
"Xiao-lang- are you staring at her? I thought you didn't like--."
He elbowed Meiling, who let out a yelp.
"Thank you Eriol." He heard her say softly, to his displeasure, Eriol nodded his head and smiled at her.
"My pleasure Sakura."
"You look like you have a thundercloud over your head." Meiling whispered. "If you like that girl Syaoran... I'm going to tell Yel--." Syaoran whirled around to face her.
"Are you over your head?" He hissed. "Me? Like Kinomoto?" His voice rose a little. "The day I like Kinomoto, pigs will start flying and the sky will turn bright green!"
[Sakura...]
Sakura heard the deep husky voice of Syaoran as she opened her math book to the assigned page.
"The day I like Kinomoto, pigs will start flying and the sky will turn bright green!"
She was instantly hurt by his remark. She tried not to show it as she heard giggles around her. She caught the nasty sneer, which radiated from Mariana's face.
She let out a sigh. What a day.
Later, after the tedious math class, Eriol helped Sakura take her belongings and head for the Orchestra room.
"I don't know how to thank you Eriol." Sakura said softly, her green eyes glowing. He raised his eyebrows.
"Actually, my dear Sakura, there IS a way you can return the favor." Sakura stared at him in utter surprise.
"How?"
"Will you go--."
Someone banged into Eriol hard. Eriol had to redouble his steps and straighten himself, and he had to lean over and pick up all the books he had spilled off the floor. Sakura frowned as she saw a familiar boy pass by them with an insolent sneer on his face. Her resolve hardened like a rock.
"That was Syaoran Li!" She said with an enraged gasp.
Eriol sighed and shook his head. "Ah- my nemesis. But I can't understand..." He looked puzzled. "Unless he..." He looked at Sakura with different eyes and grinned slightly. "Now this is going to get interesting..." He said out loud. Sakura perked up. "What is it Eriol? What is about to get interesting? What were you about to ask me as well?" He laughed and patted her head. "Nothing Sakura. I'll ask about it later. Right now, let's get you to class."
Sakura smiled as she spotted Tomoyo. Tomoyo gasped and turned beet red with delight as she saw Eriol next to Sakura.
"Sakura!" Tomoyo hurried over, breathless and her eyes shining as she averted her eyes demurely to look up at Eriol. "Hello Eriol." He nodded to acknowledge her. "Hello Ms. Dajjibou." Sakura stifled laughter as she saw Tomoyo flutter her eyes.
"What is Mr. Eriol doing here?" He smiled, as always. "I am escorting this beautiful young woman to class..." Tomoyo eyes widened slightly and looked at Sakura. Sakura felt the disappointment Tomoyo felt and her heart give a strange twist.
"Oh."
"CLASS! Today is the SOLO auditions! You better hurry up or I'll start without you!"
Sakura gasped. "Oh Eriol, Thanks ever so much- but I really have to-." He nodded, "I understand." With a lopsided grin, he walked away.
"He's so elegant..." Tomoyo sighed, her eyes starry. Sakura sweat dropped and nodded. "I guess he is..." Tomoyo turned on her friend really fast. "You're so lucky Sakura." She said enviously. Sakura felt something tense in the air and gulped as she laughed it off.
One by one, the auditions started. Some people messed up utterly, and others managed to sound decent, and even better! But Sakura was confident. She didn't hear anyone¡¯s soul in the music. She still had a good chance, until Syaoran went up.
He was dressed in a clean white dress shirt and crisp dark black slacks. The top buttons for his shirt were off and he looked drop dead gorgeous. Sakura felt her face heat up as he stepped up. He took in a deep breath as Mrs. Foster looked on expectedly.
Furious music erupted from Syaoran's violin. Sakura was surprised at all the emotions such a stone like person can put into such music.
'Maybe father was wrong.' Sakura thought with surprise. Syaoran stopped and ended with a bittersweet note, which echoed throughout the room. Mrs. Foster looked absolutely excited.
"Excellent Syaoran! As always!" Then it was Sakura's turn, and Sakura didn't know if she's do well. She was shaken as she stupidly walked up towards the front of the room. Syaoran passed her, smirking at her with his dark brown eyes as he passively passed by her. Sakura gritted her teeth as she limped upwards in her crutches. Tomoyo kindly pushed a chair up for Sakura to sit upon.
'This is it...' Sakura thought nervously, looking around.
'I have to play what I have practiced...'
Sakura closed her eyes tightly and said a quick prayer as she took a deep breath to start playing.
'Please father... mother... brother. Be with me as I play this song...'
Then Sakura imagined herself as the maiden saying the prayer through the violin. For her brothers safe return, for her parents soul in heaven, and things to come. The first note was shaky, but it became stronger as it went along. Soon, beautiful music erupted from her viola as she played furiously and emotionally on her viola. Her eyes were closed and on her face was a gentle smile.
'I will show my soul.' Sakura thought softly, 'My longing... my wish...'
Brown eyes widened as he heard her play. He had thought her first note and some notes following them was very shaky, and he had smirked, but it was wiped off when the shaky notes were replaced with notes of utter fire and passion. His breath caught as he watched her move her torso with the music and he heard the utter longing in her music. It sounded like a prayer... He felt utter defeat but was not upset by it. Actually, he felt quite honored to have such a capable opponent.
'I never knew she had it in her.' He thought with a faint grin as he listened to the sweet highs and the tremulous lows of her notes and sighed as he heard the beautiful utter end to the song. The last note echoed in the room, and grudgingly, he clapped.
Sakura felt her eyes opened and she looked around faintly, blinking her eyes. It was so silent. Did she do horribly? Why was Mrs. Foster staring at her that way? Why was Tomoyo staring? Oh... she must've failed and played something wrong. Crestfallen, Sakura managed a small bow as she proceeded to get off stage, and she heard someone clapping. Her eyes slowly went up and saw that Syaoran was clapping, and looking at her with grudging respect. It was the look a fine musician gave to another fine musician and respect. A small smile lit her face as other people started to clap as well. Tears of gratefulness and utter happiness stung her eyes as she limped down. 'Thank you father... mother... brother. It is you who have helped me with today's audition...'
[Syaoran...]
He knew he lost.
He had played his best and now Sakura had the solo.
He felt the deep pain of failure as he watched Mrs. Foster go up to announce the soloist. He heard her clear her throat and stared at his hands. What did he lack that Sakura had?
"I'd like to thank everyone who had tried out for the audition." Mrs. Foster said happily, "The decision that I made surprised me. However, this is no longer a solo, but I've decided to make this little part a duet." Syaoran blinked and stared hard at his teacher in front of him, who looked quite pleased.
"You do know about the upcoming competition between school orchestras this year... do you not?" She asked the class. Everyone nodded, but everyone was puzzled, what was going on?
"I decided to do something different, and it will work. The two best musicians in this room will do this duet." Suddenly there was a hush. Mrs. Foster smiled.
"Ms. Kinomoto, and Mr. Li will share a duet for the upcoming competition."
There was uproar of confusion, and Syaoran couldn¡¯t believe his ears. 'Me? Play a duet with Kinomoto? I never expected Mrs. Foster to do that!"
He turned to look at Sakura, who looked just as surprised as he did. Their eyes met, and held for a long time.
[After Class...]
"I never thought that Mrs. Foster would do that!" Squealed the petite girl with dark black hair that glinted a deep purple in the sunlight. Sakura herself was amazed as well. "I never thought that things would end this way..." Sakura murmured to herself. Tomoyo sighed and took out her video camera to take a good shot of Sakura's face. "Well won't this be nice? I can tape the blossoming love between Sakura and Syaoran!" Sakura face faulted and covered the lens with her hands.
"Tomoyo... I don't care anymore."
Tomoyo rolled her eyes, "Don't care about Syaoran? You're lying!" Sakura shook her head. "How can I like someone as selfish and heartless as him? I think... that maybe... I should start liking Eriol-san."
Tomoyo froze in her tracks, her eyes wide.
"Tomoyo?"
The girl shook her head and laughed nervously. "That's fine Sakura, you can like him. He's a better catch then Syaoran if I might say." Sakura smiled densely, not noticing the smile of pain Tomoyo let out.
[Lunch...]
"So, you have a duet with Syaoran?" Eriol asked with raised eyebrows. Sakura sighed. "Yeah... we have to meet tomorrow and practice." The navy haired boy muttered something under his breath. Sakura looked at him quizzically, her head tilted to the side. Eriol sweat dropped and laughed.
"Sakura, you look so adorable when you are confused."
Sakura turned bright pink when she heard this. "Uh- thank you... i guess... umm..." Eriol let out a quite chuckle and touched her cheek.
"Sakura... about what I wanted to ask you before..."
Green eyes widened as Eriol produced a red rose out of thin air. Sakura quickly looked around, embarrassed and delighted at the same time.
"...Sakura... would you go out with me?"
[Syaoran...]
Syaoran looked at his watch and waited for the final bell to ring before school was out. He had to tell Sakura something before they left.
'Why do I even bother?' He thought gloomily.
He heard her laughter before he actually saw her. What he saw made him see red.
"Hey Kinomoto." He said curtly, walking up to her. Sakura blinked when she turned around, her green eyes wide. "Uh- Hi Li!" Sakura said quickly. "You know, about tomorrow." He said softly, looking at Eriol with narrowed eyes. "What time are you coming over my house?"
Eriol just smiled in return.
"Maybe right after school." Sakura muttered quickly under her breath. Syaoran nodded coldly, looking down at her with obvious contempt. "Meet me at this exact spot right after school, if you're late, I'm leaving without you." He turned to leave.
"By the way Syaoran!" Sakura blurted out, her eyes wide and sincere. "You played really well today, I congratulate you."
There was a long silence.
"Hmph." Syaoran replied before striding away. Sakura looked a bit sad but smiled none the less.
"Come on Eriol, you told me you were treating me for ice cream."
Eriol, looking cool and affable as always nodded. "Of course... but Sakura..." Sakura looked up at him quickly. "You like Syaoran don't you..." Sakura gasped, acting enraged. "Like Syaoran? Pah! Yeah right! I would never treat my worst enemy the way he treated me!" Two spots of angry red colored her cheeks as she stonily looked away from Eriol, who nodded.
[Syaoran...]
Syaoran heard what she said and sighed.
'I did treat her cruelly... but she deserves every bit of it.' He thought to himself spitefully. But then he suddenly felt tired. 'But why in the world am I being so mean to her?'
The words Sakura spoke echoed through his mind.
"I would never treat my worst enemy the way he treated me!"
Suddenly, he was very very tired. When the usual black limo came to pick him up, he was too tired to yell at the driver for being late.
To be continued...
A/N: Sorry- Once again about the other story, btw I will repost it. =) Please remeber to review and Merry Late Christmas to Everyone here! *mwah* Love all of you lots! I can't write anymore previews, I might "violate" another "regulation" again. Sorry. =P
Special Thanks to:
-Emily10. (LOL, you reviews ALOT... but thanks anyways!)
-Emily (Hope you enjoyed this chapter!)
-kikakai (Sorry about Mercy for The Damned being erased... thanks for your reviews!)
-TheQuiet Storm (I hope you keep reading and find that this story goes up to it's potential! Thanks!)
-aLicEdReaMs (Thanks! ^_^ Maybe this story will become as good as one of the korean dramas I watched!)
-ShiintoSakka45 (Thanks for the comment... =) It madde me feel more confidenta bout this story!)
-Vanillamoss4132 (Thanks for the review!)
-svetlaella (Sorry about Mercy for teh Damned being put down... *Sighs* I'll put it up soon- but thanks for the reviews for both that and this story!)
I hope I didn't forget anyone! Thank you and have a good New Years!
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