All in the Game of Love

Hihi! I found time to write this chapter during my preparation-for-exams period! Heehee! I'm so kind, ain't I? *doinkx* Well, anyway, this is the 11th chapter!

*grins*

Oh btw, go download That Thing You Do by the Wonders! Play it before Tomoyo and Eriol do the dance! You'll get into the groove and everything will fall in place even more!

Enjoy

As always

Mysterio000

p.s. the almighty one!

*

"So how was the basketball match?" Tomoyo asked as she grabbed a fruit punch from the stand before turning around to meet Eriol's eyes.

"Well, the score ended with a 78 to 91. Quite a close shot, actually. My favorite team won." When he said that, the smile in his eyes twinkled a little. Tomoyo could tell he was a proud supporter of the team with that look he carried right then.

"Alright, I'm happy for you." She took a sip from the small plastic cup before she adverted her attention to the dance floor. A sparkle glittered in her eyes for a moment before she placed the cup down, encircling her fingers around his.

"What are you--" Before he could querify on whatever she was up to, she was already pulling him to the dance floor. Her eyes lit up as she turned around to meet the pair of surprised blue eyes.

"Dance, of course! Isn't that the reason why I rejected three dozen of boys just to hit the dance floor with my no. 1 boy?" When she said this, a smile played on her lips as the blue-eyed boy gave a sigh. He had no choice to allow himself to be dragged there.

After all, she had waited for him for a long time, hadn't she?

Eriol's eyes widened as he realized she had placed his hands on her waist and her palms had rested on his shoulders.

Now, what kind of situation had he gotten himself in this time?

"Don't panic, alright? Just relax." Tomoyo gave a giggle as she noticed the nervousness he was displaying right then, "You know how to dance, right?"

He cleared his throat, sending a silent prayer that he could still remember the dance steps he learnt from a wedding reception he attended a few months back then, "I hope so."

"Hmm, you're in luck." Tomoyo glanced up as the fast, foxy music had been stopped by the DJ. Another record was coming through and more couples got down to the floor for that track. Those amethyst eyes lit up in recognition, "I like this song a lot."

That Thing You Do, Eriol thought silently as the couples on the dance floor soon caught on to the starting drum beat before the rhythm quickened, the electric guitar playing a few tabs before the vocals came in.

you doin' that thing you do

breaking my heart into a million pieces like you always do

and you don't mean to be cruel

you never even knew about the heartache

I've been going through

Before he knew what was going on, he felt the floor twirling before him as Tomoyo took his hands and led him in the dance steps. She was good, he couldn't deny, as she showed him a few steps before he quickly caught on.

Within a moment's time, more couples were making their way down to the dance floor, unable to resist such a catchy song. The hi-five system blasted its way down to the dance floor as the people did the steps that all were so familiar with that had been shown on the TV more than just a couple of times.

Tomoyo giggled as she watched Eriol did a twirl on his own that she had taught him just a few minutes ago, "You're getting good at this, Eriol." She commented as she took his hands, drowning in with the melody of the song once more.

well I try and try to forget you girl

but it's just so hard to do

every time you do that thing you do

Eriol couldn't help but let out a laugh as the both of them collided into another couple…for the umpteenth time. And like again, Tomoyo stuck out her tongue at the couple that were glaring at them before she beamed at him, taking his hands again.

I know all the games you play

and I'm gonna find a way to let you know that you'll be mine someday

cause we could be happy can't you see

if you'd only let me be the one to hold you

and keep you here with me

"You should learn how to open your eyes when dancing." Eriol said, his eyes showing the first hint of happiness that he was feeling tonight. Tomoyo giggled as the both of them twirled with the music, "You should learn how to pull me out of harm's way, too."

In a distance, a whole bunch of Emma's friends were screaming as a boy band got up on stage. All eyes turned on the stage as the boys got down to their business, amplifiers set aside, electric and bass guitars in their hands.

cause I try and try to forget you girl

but it's just so hard to do

every time you do that thing you do

"Look! Isn't that Emma's boyfriend?" Tomoyo pointed at the stage as the main singer grabbed the microphone off the hook just as the hi-five system had quietened down.

"This song goes out to the love of my life," The man gave a pause for the impact to fall through as the screaming continued wildly, "Emma Burtynes. Happy birthday, my girl." His pair of brown eyes fell on a smiling person standing by the side. Emma was smiling as the drummer raised his sticks and began their song, picking up from the part where the hi-five system left off.

I don't ask a lot girl

but I know one thing's for sure

it's the love I haven't got girl

and I just can't take it anymore

'That Thing You Do' flooded across the dance floor again but it didn't matter. All couples loved that song and were only glad to do it once more.

Tomoyo smiled up at Eriol as the dance continued, "Eriol, will you sing for me one day?"

He pretended to look shock, "Why should I?"

A soft punch came in his ribs, "Eriol! Can't you just do it for me on my birthday or something?" Her lips twisted into a girlish grin as Eriol arched an eyebrow, "Well then, I guess you have to get a bigger ballroom or something because the Shades girls would bring the whole place down if I sing."

'Cause we could be happy can't you see

if you'd only let me be the one to hold you and keep you here with me

cause it hurts me so just to see you go

around with someone new

and if I know you you're doing that thing

every day just doing that thing

I can't take you doing that thing you do

Another playful blow came at his ribs again.

"Eriol!"

*

"Gosh," Emma stared at the couple before her in envy, "The two of you look splendid together." She mocked a sigh as she looked at Eriol, "That was cruel of you to keep your relationship with Tomoyo a secret from me."

"Crue--" Before Eriol could start on the topic of how it happened because of a Truth and Dare game, Tomoyo quickly looped her arm around him, "Well, Emma, you've got a great-going party tonight. We really enjoyed it."

Emma gave a earnest smile, "Thank you." Her eyes wandered off a distance before her lips unconsciously broke into a beam, "Well, Josh's waiting for me. I've got to go. See you around." She gave a wave and walked off.

"Ah, the power of love." Tomoyo mocked a dreamy sigh as she laid her head on Eriol's shoulder.

"What?" He looked down.

"Oh, I'm just jealous my boyfriend doesn't treat me like that." Tomoyo teased as Eriol looked across the ballroom. Josh was holding Emma close as he whispered something into her ears that caused her to smile. Tomoyo lifted up her head as she let out a teasing laugh, "The unromantic Romeo as always."

He shrugged, "What--"

"…ever." She finished the sentence for him before planting her hands on her hips, trying her best to give a mock anguish look, "How many times did I tell you to quit those 'Whatevers'?"

"Whatever!" Eriol took off before Tomoyo could pour the whole cup of fruit punch on him.

"CHILDISH!"

*

Tomoyo looked down before her, her eyes dancing with the unheard rhythm of the wind before her gaze met with the skies painted with glowing stars that twinkled their way through.

"You know, this sight can't be compared with the one at your balcony." She said.

The boy beside her raised an eyebrow, "Is that a compliment?"

"Yes." She answered simply, "You know, although we're the only ones out here to watch the stars, I always feel like we have a whole crowd of people watching with us."

"Yeah…" Eriol mumbled silently as he turned around, knowing fully what she meant by that. Just like he had expected, a small bunch of Shades girls was behind a pillar not too far away, gazing intently at the both of them. His eyes focused on another corner and yet again, there was another group of Shades boys shooting glares at him.

He turned back and couldn't help as a lazy smile tugged at his lips, "So what are you implying?"

"Hmm, I don't know. Want to dance?"

"Again? My legs are beginning to hurt."

She looked up at him, her smile twisted in a soft yet teasing smile, "From the dancing or from the long and hot hours at the basketball court yesterday?"

"…Dancing."

"Liar."

He rolled his eyes. She always had a way with him. But it was true actually, he thought, his legs still hurt from the game yesterday.

"I'm hungry." He muttered, feeling his stomach growling again.

"Again?" Tomoyo gave a horrified look, "You just ate, Eriol! For goodness's sake, are you such a pig?"

"I'm a growing child!" He retorted back.

"Child, alright." She repeated in a sarcastic, singsong way before she led the way back into the ballroom, "Ok, kiddo, we're fulfilling your wish."

"What wish?" Eriol was silently amused by the way she had called him.

"Eating!" She laughed before grabbing his hand, pulling him into the enclosed area once more.

"I never said I wanted to eat."

"You're always a pathetic liar, don't you know, sweetheart?"

Before he could try to ponder on the situation how his brain suddenly stopped working and how his lungs stopped breathing, a voice from behind shook him back to his senses.

"How would you like a picture of the two of you?"

The duo turned around to meet a pair of kind eyes that belonged to a young photographer who had a huge black camera hanging around her neck.

Eriol was about to give a 'no' when Tomoyo stopped him in time, shooting the photographer a quick grin, "We'd loved to." A sigh escaped his lips before he felt the same shove in the ribs.

Dammit.

"Ok, just hold on a moment!" The lady said as she lifted up her camera to her eye, adjusting the lens to suit the background.

Tomoyo looked up at Eriol who was having his hands stuck in his pockets, stiffly looking about. She had to keep herself from groaning, "Come on, Eriol! Why that dull look?"

"What?" He was about to give an irritated look when he felt her fingers touching the corner of his lips, drawing them into a curvey line.

"Keep it that way, alright, Eriol?" She laughed heartily before her fingers reached for his, pulling them out of the pockets, "And you can't hide them forever."

He raised an eyebrow, just as ready to talk back when the lady interrupted them, "Alright, pose for your picture!"

Tomoyo glanced up at Eriol briefly to make sure the smile was still stuck on his face. It wasn't, naturally.

"Eriol! Smile!" She leant in to do the same thing again when he stepped back immediately, "Alright, I give up!" She gave her famous puppy eyes, "Then smile for me, please? I promise we'll go for peppermint ice cream after the bash."

A smile suddenly touched his lips, "You said it."

"I did. Now come on, the lady's getting impatient."

True enough, the photographer was shooting them weird looks and finally heaved a sigh when she saw that they were ready.

"Smile!"

Click!

~

Eriol yawned as he settled into bed, turning off the bed lamp before he stared up at the ceiling. He slowly kicked off the blankets before sitting up, ruffling his hair a little. His lips unconsciously hummed the tune of 'That Thing You Do' as his eyes gazed at the photograph placed on the bedside table.

He leant forward and picked up that piece of picture before a goofy smile took the place of an exhausted frown. He thought back on the ice cream deal he had with her and true to her words, she had offered to pay for his peppermint cone when they stopped by a roadside stall during the drive back home.

Drive.

He remembered how she had looked so amused when he had used his father's car for that night. He had broken a rule and had said it so nonchantly that she couldn't help but went into fits of laughter.

"Good night, Eriol. Thank you for a lovely night."

She had given him a sweet smile before stepping into her house, giving a final last wave.

"The two of us look good in this, don't we, sweetheart?"

His eyebrow twitched involuntarily as his eyes continued scanning the every detail of that picture. He couldn't deny the fact that it was picture perfect. The smiles were there, after having a hard time convincing him to do so and…

He gazed at the spot where her fingers wrapped gently around his.

He let out a sigh, placing the picture back on the table.

I'm sick. I'm totally and completely sick. Oh great. Just let me sleep, God.

He closed his eyes. It didn't work.

Sweetheart, sweetheart, sweetheart…

Those words with just merely two syllables kept whirling through his mind again and again…

He clamped the pillow over his ears.

Oh please do shut up. That thing you do…and say…

You're driving me crazy, Tomoyo…

**

END!!!!!!!!

Bwahaha, I'm shooooo evil! Wah…This is pathetically short. You don't have to tell me..heeX.. My father's gonna kill me! He just saw me sneaking up another chapter! Geex! So I have to make it short! I was beginning to think I suck in English so before I really think so, I have to stop somehow to make sure this chapter still goes somewhere…See? I don't know what I'm talking about already.

Anyway, Eriol is just plain dense. You can just easily say his predecessor is the almighty Snowman from my other fic. Just dense, you know. Btw, That Thing You Do is really a great song! Do go d/l it!!! AH!!! (ears drowned by That Thing You Do)

Well, stay tune. (=^_^=)

As always

Mysterio000

p.s. the almighty one!