Hey there! Here's chapter 6. I really hope you're liking the story so far. I never really thought how hard it is to write something in between fiction and reality.
Anyway, I sense that you are curious on what's going to happen next. So I won't make you wait much longer. Here's chapter 6.
Chapter 6 New Year
Just before the New Year came rolling by, Folken and Van left home to get ready for school.
It was really hard for them to go away.
But with heavy hearts, they left.
It was the day before New Year's Eve when they arrived.
It would be their first New Year without their mother.
They weren't really looking forward to it.
When Hitomi, Yukari and Allen had gotten word that they had returned, they visited the two in their home.
When they arrived…
"You guys alright?" Allen asked.
Both just nodded and forced a small smile.
Hitomi knew what exactly they were going through.
It was really hard to lose someone you love.
Hitomi, Yukari and Allen all didn't want to start a conversation in fear that they might say something that wouldn't be that nice.
"Hey, come on guys. Don't be so glum. We're doing much better." Folken said.
Hitomi looked at both Yukari and Allen.
They exchanged looks at her too.
"Folken's right. We're doing much better." Van said.
"So, what's up?" Folken asked.
"Oh nothing much. We were planning to go to the plaza tomorrow night to welcome the New Year." Yukari said.
"The plaza? Why? What's going to happen?" Folken asked.
"Well, there's going to be a program there with fireworks and stuff. My parents won't make it from England and my sister is with her friends so I asked Yukari and Allen to come with me. They said they don't have plans so they decided to come. Why don't you guys come too?" Hitomi said.
"That sounds like fun. What do you think Folken?" Van said.
"I'm up for it too. Count us in." Folken answered.
"Great!" Hitomi said.
"So, what do you guys want to do now?" Allen questioned.
Suddenly, Yukari's phone rang.
She excused herself for a minute to answer the call.
"Do you want to go out somewhere for a while?" Folken asked.
Hitomi agreed and so did Allen.
Yukari then came back.
"We're going out for a while. Want to come?" Folken asked.
"Sure. But I won't be with you guys long. My mom and aunt are going out for a while and I have to baby sit my two cousins." Yukari said.
They then headed to the door.
"So, where do you want to go?" Hitomi asked.
"Do you guys want to check out that fair by the park? I think today is its last day." Yukari suggested.
"Sure. I've been there yesterday. It's quite fun and there a lot of rides as well." Allen commented.
"What were you doing there?" Folken asked.
"Yeah. You didn't even bother to ask us." Yukari teased.
"Well, if you must know. A friend asked me to meet her there. You know…to catch up since we haven't seen each other since we were about five years old." Allen replied.
"Oh, a girl. Is she your girl friend? Because it's funny how you could remember a girl from way back when if she's not that important." Yukari teased.
"I already told you. She's a friend. Besides, she already has a boy friend back at France. She's only visiting here because her grandparents asked them to visit. They're heading back this evening." Allen explained.
"Geez, you don't have to be so defensive." Yukari said.
It was true that Allen met up a friend there but the fact that she was from France was a lie.
In fact the friend Allen was talking about was not a girl but a man.
It was his mentor.
He was sent to get a report from Allen and deliver a message from the king.
As Allen, Yukari and Folken were walking ahead, Hitomi accompanied Van a little behind.
Van then said, "Hitomi, I now know what you went through when your brother died."
Hitomi turned to him and smiled.
She then said, "I know the pain only too well. If there is ever anything I could do to help, give me a call."
Van then smiled.
"Thanks Hitomi. But can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"I just want to know…how did you handle the loss? I mean, when the pain is so great, what made you fight it?"
"You. It's because of you, Folken, Yukari, Allen…everybody. Grieving is a natural reaction and I can understand what you are going through. You may not know it but you have a choice. You can just sit around and let time pass hoping it will take away the pain or go out into the world and look at the bright side while letting time, friends and family heal the wounds. I chose to be happy because of what you had told me before. Now it is your turn to choose." Hitomi replied.
Van smiled.
"Van, what ever may happen from now on, it won't really erase the pain. It will always be there. It is just the matter of facing it head on. Just don't let fear pull you into something that you might regret later on. I had made that mistake before and I don't to see you make that mistake too." Hitomi added.
"Don't worry. I feel much better now. Thanks a lot for understanding Hitomi. I'll keep in mind all the things you had just said. You really are a great friend." Van replied.
"Well, you didn't have to say that but now that you have…well...it's my pleasure to help." Hitomi said.
She smiled at him.
Van smiled back.
"Looks like you two are getting more intimate judging by your expressions now." They heard Yukari say.
They stopped and saw that Yukari, Folken and Allen were looking at them.
Folken, Yukari and Allen were grinning.
"What?" Hitomi said.
"We are all friends here. You guys could tell us anything." Yukari teased.
Hitomi then stepped forward towards Yukari.
"Yukari, can I talk to you now." Hitomi said as she grabbed Yukari's arm and lead her away.
After they were far from the guys, Hitomi let go of Yukari's hand.
She turned to her.
"What?" Yukari asked.
"I should ask you that. Yukari, what are you up to this time?"
"What makes you think that I'm up to something?"
"Yukari, we have been best friends for a long time. More or less I know when you are up to something or not."
"Nothing is up, Hitomi."
"Yukari."
"What! You don't believe me anymore?"
"Yukari!"
"Ok…ok…look, you don't have to believe me if you don't want but I'm telling you…nothing is up." Yukari persisted.
"Fine. I won't force you to tell me something you don't want to. But for the record, we are not getting more intimate. I'm just helping a friend heal the wounds caused by death." Hitomi replied.
"Alright. If that is the case, you don't have to be so defensive about it."
"Yukari, knowing you...you will exaggerate it if I don't say 'for the record'. Let's just start the New Year with something without exaggeration." Hitomi said.
"Ok. It's like I have a choice." Yukari replied.
Hitomi then smiled at her.
She then placed an arm around her best friend's shoulder.
She then said, "Before you try to fix me up with somebody, fix yours first. If you don't tell Folken now, you might never get the chance again. He might get taken you know. We both know that Folken is a very popular guy especially with the ladies. Better start moving before someone takes the position."
"I know but I just can't."
"Can't or won't? I can assure you they are both very different things."
"You sound like an expert."
"I am an expert…an expert friend."
They both laughed.
"That could be my New Year's resolution." Yukari commented.
"You got that right." Hitomi replied.
"No wonder we are best friends. We are both so strong-headed and ready to tease each other."
"You better believe it Yukari. You better believe it. Now, we better get back to the guys before they think we stood them up."
Meanwhile…
After the girls left…
"I can see that there is something blooming this New Year." Allen commented.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Van asked.
"Oh nothing." Folken replied.
Van just shook his head.
"Anyway, are you guys looking forward to the incoming year?" Allen asked to change the subject.
"Yes. I'm actually looking forward to it." Folken said.
"I suppose I feel that way too." Van said.
"Me, I'm really looking forward to it also. This summer I will attend a summer camp for basketball. I'd like to sharpen my skills there. You guys interested?" Allen commented.
"I'm in." Folken replied.
"How about you, Van? Interested?" Allen asked.
"Yeah but I was thinking of learning something new like kendo. A classmate of ours asked me a few weeks ago if I was interested because he was going to continue it this summer." Van answered.
"Kendo huh? Sounds interesting." Folken commented.
"Well, it's your choice." Allen said.
"We better follow the girls. They might have forgotten about us." Folken then said.
The guys then started to follow the girls' tracks.
Soon enough, they met up with them.
"Still up for the fair?" Folken asked.
The girls nodded.
They then made their way to the fair.
Once there, they decided to split up and meet each other in about an hour at the same spot where they had split up.
Folken, Allen and Yukari insisted that Van and Hitomi go together.
Both were hesitant but later accepted.
When they left, Allen forced Yukari and Folken to go together.
Their reaction was the same as those of Van and Hitomi but they knew Allen wouldn't give in so they accepted as well.
Allen guaranteed them that he was going to meet a friend so it would all right for them to leave him.
"So, where do you want to go first?" Van asked.
"I'm not sure yet. How about you?" Hitomi said.
"Same here. To tell you the truth, this is the first time I've ever been to a fair."
"Really? Well then, let's go to that booth first…the Mirror House."
"The Mirror House?"
"Yeah. It was the first thing I went to when I first came to a fair." Hitomi said as she took Van's hand and led him there.
When they entered, "My grandmother said that every time you enter the Mirror house, there is always something new you would discover. She also said that you won't be entering the same old Mirror house every time. I still don't understand but it never fails to fascinate me." Hitomi said.
"I can see why. Even though you see yourself in the mirrors, you see something new. It will make you look fat, thinner, taller, shorter and more." Van replied.
Hitomi smiled.
"You know what I believe?" She said.
Van turned to her and asked what.
"I believe that a mirror has two faces." She replied.
"What do you mean?"
Hitomi then took a step forward to a mirror and touched it.
She then answered, "When you look into a mirror, it's either you see what you want to see or the things that you have thought that was there."
Van took a step closer.
"Do you know what I see?" He asked.
Hitomi turned to him.
He then smiled and said, "I see the past, the present and the future."
Hitomi smiled.
"I'm glad that you are really feeling better Van. I don't think it will feel right to start the New Year with a heavy heart."
"I know. Anyway, where do you want to go now?"
"I'll let you decided since this is your first time to go to a fair."
"Ok then. Are you up to visiting the wax museum?"
"Sure. I think they had put up new wax statues but I'm not sure what."
"Then let's find out." Van said.
"Ok but first let's find our way out of this mirror maze." Hitomi said.
Yukari was a little quiet since she was alone with Folken.
"Yukari, how come you're not your usual self?" Folken suddenly commented.
"Excuse me what?" Yukari asked as she was snapped back to reality.
"I said how come you're not your usual self?"
"Oh."
Yukari told herself to think about something fast because she didn't want to show him that she was in dreamland because she had finally had the chance to be alone with Folken.
"Well." Folken said.
"Well, I was just wondering how Van and Hitomi are doing."
"Hmm."
'I hope he buys it. I hope he buys it.' Yukari silently pleaded.
"You know what." Folken started to say.
'Oh no here it comes.' Yukari said to herself.
"Me too."
"What?"
"Is it quite a shock that I was thinking the same thing?"
"Well...yeah..."
Folken couldn't help but laugh a little.
"Anyway, let's check out that wax museum over there. We both should know that we have to wait things out and let them figure it out for themselves." Folken suggested.
"You're right. It will take them longer if we force them. Besides, I think Hitomi is already suspecting something."
"Really?"
"Yeah. She confronted me before we got here. You know…the time she dragged me away. I lied and I feel that she didn't quite buy it." Yukari said.
"Then that's our cue. If Hitomi really is suspecting something, then my brother is too as well. He's just now telling any of us...especially me." Folken replied.
"So what do you propose we do now?" Yukari asked.
"We'll have to talk to Allen too. Right now…let's just enjoy ourselves and hope that maybe we could get a glimpse of what's really going on between the two of them." Folken replied.
"That's sounds like a good idea to me." Yukari answered as they entered the wax museum.
"They are so life-like." Van commented as they viewed the first wax statues.
"Yeah...I know." Hitomi replied.
Van then realized that Hitomi was a little scared.
"What's wrong Hitomi?" He asked.
"N…nothing Van. What makes you think that there is something wrong?" She replied.
"Come on Hitomi. You do know that you can be a very bad liar if your actions speak otherwise." Van commented.
"Ok. Well...wax museums spook me a little."
"Why didn't you tell me? We could have gone somewhere else."
"No Van. I could see that you are interested in finding what's inside here. Besides, it's kind of silly. You see my elder cousin scared me when we first came here. I never entered another wax museum ever since." Hitomi explained.
Van smiled.
"Are you sure you want to go on? We could go out now you know."
"Yeah. It's better to face my fears right?"
"Yeah that's true. If you're sure..."
"Yes. Yes I'm sure." Hitomi persisted.
"Ok. Just tell me if you want to go alright?" Van said.
Hitomi just nodded.
As they got further, they saw that there were two paths to choose from.
Since the other lead to sculptures of famous horror icons, Van knew that he didn't have to choose.
He led Hitomi to the less scary one...to the path that lead to the statues to historical figures.
As they made their way, Folken then pulled Yukari from sight when he spotted both Van and Hitomi.
He covered her mouth so that she won't be heard.
"What's the matter with you?" Yukari asked.
"Shhh! Quiet...Van and Hitomi are here." He whispered.
"What? Where?" Yukari whispered back.
Folken then pointed to their direction.
"What are you planning to do?" Yukari asked.
"Giving them a little more push." Folken whispered.
"But I thought we just agreed-"
"I know but this is much too good of an opportunity to pass out. I promise this will be the last one." Folken said.
"Ok. But next time, I won't be the one who's going to explain."
"Yeah. I'll do it. Listen…here is what we're going to do..." Folken then whispered his plan.
As Hitomi and Van kept on walking slowly, Folken and Yukari started their plan.
"Are you sure Hitomi is afraid of the wax museum?" Folken whispered.
"Yeah. I'm her best friend remember? I should know these things. Folken, are you sure this will work?" Yukari whispered back.
"If she's afraid as you say, this will work. Now be quiet or they will find us." Folken said.
As they continued further, Hitomi suddenly stopped and turned around.
'That's funny. I thought I felt someone following us.' Hitomi said to herself.
Van noticed so he stopped too and turned to her.
"Anything wrong?" He asked.
Hitomi then turned to him and smiled.
"No Van. It's nothing." She replied.
But Van wasn't so sure.
"I'm alright. Come on." Hitomi persisted.
As they went on…
Hitomi couldn't shake the feeling that someone was definitely following them.
She stopped again.
She then said, "Van, I think someone is following us."
Van then approached her and whispered, "I know. I could feel it too. Just stay close to me. Ok?"
Hitomi just nodded.
They then started walking again, not really looking at the wax statues any more but paying attention to who was following them.
But as they walked, Folken and Yukari started to make noises.
Hitomi stepped closer to Van.
"Van, I don't like this at all. Let's get out of here." Hitomi said.
But Folken and Yukari had gone far of changing some signs that pointed the directions.
"Um, Hitomi, I think that's a good idea but."
"But what?"
"If we find the exit then great but right now I think we're lost."
"What?"
"Don't worry. We'll get out of here. I promise." Van said to reassure her.
Hitomi just nodded.
But Van could see that she was definitely nervous.
He then held her hand.
She looked at him.
He just looked back and gave a nod.
She smiled and off they ventured again.
But Folken and Yukari kept on continuing what they were doing...trying to scare Hitomi more.
At one point…
"Van, I can't take this any more. Let's do something to figure out who's doing this." Hitomi whispered.
"You're right. We won't be able to get out of here so might as well do something else." Van whispered back.
"Just keep moving. Let's not lead them on to anything." Hitomi whispered as they continued to walk.
After a few steps, Van started to run.
He pulled Hitomi with him.
As he expected, those who were following them started to run too.
When Van spotted a corner, he suddenly pulled Hitomi to the side and both of them were out of view.
Soon, they could hear the footsteps grow slower.
Eventually, Folken and Yukari were close enough for Van and Hitomi to hear their conversations.
"Where did they go?" Yukari asked.
"Well, it looks like they out-smarted us." Folken replied.
"Do you think they know that we were responsible for it?" Yukari said.
That was when Hitomi and Van stepped forward.
"May we answer that?" Hitomi said as she crossed her arms.
"What are you guys doing here?" Van asked.
Yukari turned to Folken.
Folken started to think of an excuse.
"Well, you see…um."
"Well?" Hitomi said.
"Let's go find the exit shall we?" Folken said as he started to walk.
"Not so fast." Van said as he blocked Folken.
"It's just a coincidence that we happen to come across you guys when we decided to go to this wax museum. We're lost too and we saw you guys so we decided to follow." Yukari quickly saved.
Hitomi looked at her.
"That's true you know." Folken defended because he knew that both Van and Hitomi were hesitant in buying the story.
"Well, that was a mean joke you guys. Anyway, let's just forget about it and get out of here." Hitomi said.
The next day…
They met by the plaza at ten that night.
Hitomi was running a little late.
"Hitomi is still not here?" Allen asked as he joined Folken, Van and Yukari.
"No. Yukari, did you happen to talk to her?" Folken said.
Yukari shook her head.
"Maybe we shouldn't have played that trick on them yesterday." Yukari commented.
"Then you guys admit that it was your fault regarding the incident yesterday?" Van commented.
Folken and Yukari looked at each other.
"We're sorry. We just…" Yukari replied.
"Forget about it alright? Let's not start the New Year with a fight." Folken said as he continued to search the crowd for a sign of Hitomi.
"Wait what incident? What trick? Did something happen that I don't know about?" Allen said.
No one wanted to admit anything.
Folken then whispered to him, "I'll tell you all about it later. Now is not the good time."
Allen just nodded.
Before long, the program by the plaza was starting.
"Where could she be?" Yukari said.
"I have no idea." Folken replied.
Hitomi was still no where at sight.
The clock the struck eleven.
The program was going on.
The dances were lively and exciting.
The songs and games were non-stop.
Time flew and it was it was quarter to twelve but still there was no sign of her.
They were getting worried that something might have happened to Hitomi.
Just two minutes before twelve, Yukari's phone rang.
"Hello?" Yukari answered.
"Yukari! Hey it's Hitomi!"
"Hitomi! Where are you?" Yukari answered worriedly.
"Closer than you thought."
"Stop joking."
"Who said I was? I can see you but still you don't notice me. Try turning."
Yukari then turned and saw her.
Hitomi smiled and approached them with a companion they failed to recognize because of the hat.
"What's up with you? We were worried sick. You didn't even bother to call until a minute ago." Folken said.
"Sorry but something came up. My sister's friend got sick so she couldn't go there. I had to make some arrangements so that I could come here. I couldn't call because my battery went dead so I left it with my sister at our grandmother's. On the way here, I met someone." Hitomi explained and then turned to her companion.
Folken and the others had no idea who the person was.
Hitomi was not introducing him to them.
"Hi. You are?" Yukari said hesitantly.
"I'm surprised that you guys don't know me any more. I've only been gone a few months and you guys have forgotten all about me." The person said.
He then took off his baseball cap.
They were all surprised to see who it was.
(To be continued…)
Well what do you think? Please review. I know that the story is not much but please be gentle. I hope to hear from you soon. See ya!
Michiko