L-chan's notes: Last night I watched episodes 69 & 70 again, and now I feel so bad about having to break up S&S in my story! Oh, well, I'll just have to deal with my guilt ^.^; Actually, I have no problem with breaking up canon couples, even though many fans are very protective of their favorites. The only ones I'd (probably) never break up are Chiharu and Yamazaki. I mean, really, how could you?
Disclaimer: See Chapter 5.
Take My Advice
Chapter 6—Page Three
"Good morning, Wei," Meiling said cheerfully as she sat down for breakfast.
"Good morning, Meiling-sama," he replied, setting a plate in front of her. "You certainly are full of energy today. And so early, too."
She knew that was his polite way of saying that she was usually grumpy when she had to get up before seven. But today the school paper was coming out. She had to get to school before classes to help distribute them. Last week, she'd dragged herself there, just barely making it in time. This week, however, the paper contained her very first column, and she was so excited that she couldn't sleep.
Meiling dug into her breakfast, devouring half of it before stopping to gulp down some juice. She looked over the rim of her glass at the empty chair across the table. "Doesn't Syaoran have soccer this morning? He's going to be late if he doesn't get up soon."
Wei refilled her juice glass as she attacked the rest of her food. "Syaoran-sama left about twenty minutes ago."
"Oh." I thought we could walk to school together. It seemed like he'd been avoiding her ever since that afternoon on the roof. Does he still feel bad about hurting me? It's all part of the training. I just need to get back in form again.
After she finished eating, she brushed her teeth and tightened the ribbons around her odangos. She grabbed her backpack as she looked at the clock. Oops, is it that late already? "Thanks for breakfast. Gotta go!"
"Have a good day," Wei replied as she rushed out the door.
As always, Meiling was glad that they only lived a few blocks from the school. Even if she was running a little late, she could enjoy the walk without having to hurry. But one of these days I should get some skates or a bicycle. Then I could get a few more minutes of precious sleep. She yawned. Just thinking about sleep made her want to turn back and crawl under the inviting pile of warm blankets. Waking up early was starting to take its toll on her. I don't know how Syaoran can get up so early. Must be all those years of training.
Syaoran. Her thoughts turned to her cousin as she looked up at the cloudless sky. She was almost glad that he'd been avoiding her. Lately she'd become even more confused about her feelings for him. I've always had a little crush on him, but that's just because we're so close. We've been together as long as I can remember, thick as thieves. Of course, I love him. He's my best friend. So why do I sometimes feel like… like… like what?
Like I wish it were more?
She shook her head, her black ponytails whipping around her face, as she approached the school. Ridiculous. I'm just lonely, that's all. She walked into the building and headed for her locker. She took her time as she put her things away. The excitement about her column coming out had turned into nervousness. Most of the letters written to Hope asked for dating advice. What do I even know about it? I guess those who can, do, and those who can't, tell others what to do.
When Meiling finally made it to the newspaper office, she found Tomori already hard at work, as usual. He was going over the calendar of upcoming school events and scribbling notes for those that needed to be covered. "There you are," he said, sensing her presence without looking up. "You're late, Li-san."
She checked the clock. "Ooh, one whole minute. Punish me." She'd meant it as a joke, but she blushed when she realized how it sounded. Syaoran's right. I need to think before I speak.
"Maybe later," was his choked reply. His eyes were still focused on his desk, but she would have sworn he was laughing at her. She blushed again and hoped he wouldn't notice. Maybe if I had more experience with boys, I wouldn't say such stupid things. He glanced at her and pointed to two tall stacks of papers on the worktable next to his desk. "Start counting."
She wanted to search for her column, but he'd just get upset with her for loafing when there was work to be done. She sighed as she picked up the list of homerooms and began sorting the papers for each class. Until I started doing this, I never realized how many students are in this school. Last week, Tomori had taught her that it was easier to count by fives instead of sorting every single paper. She quickly turned the large stacks into several smaller stacks and labeled each one with a room number before twisting a thick rubber band around the pages. "Done," she announced triumphantly.
"Really?" He sounded surprised. Did he think she couldn't do it right?
"No, I just wanted to make you look," she muttered, falling back into her standard sarcastic mode. Some might call it a defense for when she was angry, nervous, or embarrassed, but usually it was just her spunky personality coming through.
He grinned at her. "Nice job." He picked up a box and began tossing in bundles of papers, choosing all those labeled with room numbers ending in "A". "I'll take the east wing if you'll take the west."
"Fine." She was still packing hers up when he headed for the door. She hadn't gotten to ask him about the column yet. She didn't know what he thought of it. When she'd emailed it to him, he'd sent back a brief reply to let her know he'd received it, but he didn't say anything else. Maybe it's not any good. Maybe he decided not to run it. "Tomori-kun?"
He turned around and winked at her. "Page three," was all he said. And then he left.
She never knew what to make of him. I don't guess I'll ever understand boys, she thought as she carried her box out of the room.
***
Meiling sat with Chiharu, Naoko, and Rika during the morning break, each of them holding a copy of the paper. Their homeroom teacher was particularly strict about letting them read the papers in class, because it resulted in so much chattering among the students, so they always saved them for the break.
"Is that new column in there, Chiharu-chan?" Rika asked.
"It should be," Chiharu answered. Naoko opened her mouth to speak, but Chiharu interrupted her before she could say anything. "And, no, I still don't know who's writing it."
"Boy, you sure were quick to say so," Naoko teased. "Maybe you're writing it."
"If I were, do you think I could keep it a secret? I'm a terrible liar!"
"That's why you and Yamazaki-kun make such a great pair," Meiling joked, trying to turn the topic away from Hope's identity. "He lies enough for the both of you."
Chiharu rolled her brown eyes, but she laughed along with everyone else. "Well, let's see what all the fuss is about, shall we?" she said as she looked through the paper. "Here it is. Page three. 'Everyone Needs Hope.'" She read the first letter. "'Dear Hope. I have been dating a very nice boy for almost a month now, but so far, he hasn't tried to kiss me, or even hold my hand! I really like him a lot and want him to kiss me, but maybe he doesn't feel the same way. What should I do? Signed, Waiting.'"
"So? What does Hope say?" Naoko asked.
"'Dear Waiting. In case you haven't noticed, it's a new millennium. Girls don't have to wait for boys to make the first move anymore. He may just be shy or unsure of your feelings. If you like him, show him! But start small, with a peck on the cheek or a little handholding. If you're too aggressive, you may scare him off.'" Chiharu laughed. "That's a pretty good answer. Who wants to read the next one?"
"I will," Meiling said. If I act like I haven't seen it, then they won't suspect that I wrote it. "'Dear Hope. I am fourteen, but my parents won't let me date yet. My friends all have boyfriends, and I feel left out. There's a boy I like, and I think he likes me, too. How can I convince my parents that I'm old enough to date? Signed, Home Alone.'"
"The poor girl," Rika clucked with a sympathetic shake of her dark hair.
Meiling nodded as if she were hearing this problem for the first time. "'Dear Alone. Find other ways to spend time with this boy and get to know him. Work on a school project together, or, if he plays a sport, go to a game and cheer him on. Meanwhile, show your parents how responsible and mature you are, and they may eventually reconsider their rules. Whatever you do, don't whine or beg. If you act like a child, they'll continue to treat you like one.'" Tomori had trimmed her answer, which had been a bit long, but her main points were still there.
Naoko clapped. "I like that. Let me read one now."
While the girls were engrossed in the paper, Syaoran was sitting up in his favorite tree, pretending to read the history assignment. He normally spent breaks with Sakura, but she was off with Tomoyo, working on a sewing project or something. He'd been too distracted to really listen. He just knew that she was too busy to sit with him, and he was… relieved.
He looked across the lawn at Meiling. Ever since that afternoon on the roof, he'd found himself thinking about her. As a result, he'd started avoiding her, and Sakura, too.
He didn't want to think about Meiling, but he couldn't help it. She seemed different, somehow. Sure, she was still stubborn, and bossy, and moody. And loud, and lazy. He shook his head and closed his history book with a sigh. No, she's exactly the same. I'm the one who's different.
Last night during dinner she'd been telling a story about something funny that happened during music class, and when she'd laughed, he'd noticed the way her eyes sparkled like rubies and her smile lit up her whole face. She's really pretty, he'd thought. He'd suddenly wondered what it would be like to kiss her. Then he'd knocked his water glass over as he quickly excused himself from the table and spent the rest of the night hiding in his room.
He leaned back against the sturdy tree trunk as he watched her now. He hated feeling like this. Confused. Maybe it was normal, his teenage hormones making him think about other girls. He'd only dated Sakura, only kissed her. Why shouldn't he be a little curious about other girls?
That must be it, he thought. But he wouldn't admit that he wasn't just idly thinking about "other girls". There was just one "other girl" on his mind.
***
Tomoyo met Meiling at her locker after school. "Would you like to come with me and Sakura-chan to the craft store? We're going to pick up some supplies for our home economics projects."
I haven't even started mine yet. "Yeah, that sounds good. I need to get a few things, too." More like everything. What am I going to make? She did really well with the cooking projects, but she just had no talent when it came to sewing. It's the one thing I can't do.
Tomoyo seemed to read her mind and gave her a little smile. "I'm going to help Sakura-chan with her sewing tomorrow. Do you want to come over, too?"
Meiling clasped her hands together and looked at her friend with round eyes. "Can I? That would be a huge help! Thank you!"
Tomoyo laughed. "We're meeting out front. Are you ready?"
"Go ahead. I'll be along in a minute." She waited until Tomoyo had disappeared before spinning the combination for her locker. She didn't want anyone around in case there was another envelope inside. The lock clicked, and she opened the door. Sure enough, a large envelope was sitting on top of her books.
This time, her name wasn't written across the front. Instead, it simply said, "Open Me." Suddenly, I'm Meiling in Wonderland, she thought as she pulled the smaller envelope out. Will I grow bigger or smaller? She unfolded the single sheet of white paper and read the brief message.
"Dear Hope,
You're a hit. This calls for a
celebration.
Signed,
The One Who Knows"
"Don't you think?"
Meiling jumped in surprise. "Don't do that! My heart almost stopped."
"Sorry," Tomori said with a sheepish grin. "I thought you saw me."
"Last time I checked, I didn't have eyes in the back of my head," she retorted.
"I'll remember that." He gestured toward the letter still in her hand. "So, how does it feel to be a celebrity? Everyone was talking about your column today. People I don't even know were asking me about it."
"Am I really that popular?" She'd heard a lot of girls discussing it, but she still wanted to hear it from him. His opinion was the one that mattered most if she wanted to keep writing. And, she was never one to turn down a compliment, even if she had to fish for it.
"It looks that way. I think we both deserve a hearty congratulations and a special treat for a job well done." He pulled off his glasses and polished the lenses with his shirttail. Anyone who knew him well would say it was a habit he fell into when he was nervous about something. "So, what do you say?" he asked.
If there was a question in there, she missed it. Meiling blinked and tilted her head. "About what?"
He put his glasses back on and looked her straight in the eyes. "Will you go out with me?"
~~-~~
Now, that was just evil of me. ^.~ But seriously, didn't you all see it coming? Thanks so much for reading!