Azn Angel Hikari: Alright alright obviously the characters Takeru and Hikari aren't mine! Although the storyline is but I give it over to Takari's Baybee for her story! ^^
Title: Sometimes All You Need is a Little Help from Your Friends
Author: Azn Angel Hikari
~
It was a bright sunny Monday afternoon. Wait no scratch that. It was a bright sunny Dreadful Monday afternoon at Odaiba high. I, 17 year old, Hikari Yagami, was just getting some books from my locker at the end of the day. The day had pretty much gone by slowly as practically every Monday went by. What's worse? I didn't have my best friend in the whole wide world, Takeru in my class. Oh yeah did I mention I have a crush on him? Yeah I know. Majorly. It's weird I know. But how can anybody resist his gorgeous blue ocean eyes? Not to mention his golden blonde hair that's always messy yet always makes him seem that much cuter. Oh yeah and I can't forget that being on the basketball team made his physique so much better that basically every single girl in the school is all over him. In fact I'd be surprised if there was one person that wasn't in love with him.
And that brings me to my problem. Sighing I slammed my rusted old grey locker shut and picked up my navy blue backpack that I swung onto my shoulder. Smiling to a few girls I knew I walked through the halls with my hands in my navy blue jean pockets, and just sighed. Every single girl in the whole of Odaiba high liked Takeru Takaishi. Which means me. Hikari Yagami, best friend extraordinaire had absolutely no chance with the famous basketball star. Not with head cheerleaders and other preppy girls hanging off him, no way. Of course all my friends just HAD to keep on telling me that he liked me but seriously? Was I going to take their word? And if you guessed yes, you were wrong.
Quickly stepping downstairs through the hallways, I came to some big orange doors and then went inside. The gymnasium wasn't full of course. More like about half, and practically all of them were girls. Smiling to a few, I stepped through the bleachers and set my bag down just watching the people on the gym floor.
All of the sweaty teenagers were wearing their jersey's as they ran through the court passing the basketball back and forth, each taking shots trying to get the ball into the net. Staring at the object of my affection, I watched Takeru pass the ball over to one of his teammates. Oh yeah that was another thing. Not only was he the cutest guy in school, he also happened to be the sweetest. Double whammy for me. No matter what, Takeru would always go out of his way to help a friend or even a stranger for that matter! I couldn't believe I came to be so infatuated with him over the years, but I guess that's the way it goes.
*
Smiling as I took the shot and received a couple of congratulations, as the basketball went through the net with a nice clean 'swish!' As we all started to run back to get into our defensive mode, that's when I spotted her. Sitting on the bench with her head in her hands that were propped up on her knees, Hikari Yagami was staring at us. Smiling I waved over a bit and took a look at her. She was so incredibly beautiful it blew my mind away every single time I looked at her. Her chocolate coloured hair went down to her shoulders and framed her face perfectly with two clips up in the upper right corner. Her crimson coloured eyes I could just spend hours gazing into. Her small lips curved just the right way whenever she would give me a special smile and her body was curved in such a fashion that she practically swayed everytime she walked. What can I say? I'm head over heels for the girl I've known since I was 8. She's smart, pretty –or rather gorgeous-, funny, talented… She was just about perfect in every single way that I saw her in. But who am I kidding? Other guys saw it just as clearly as I could. Me. Takeru Takaishi would have no chance with Hikari Yagami. Guys always wanted to be around her for a chance just to see her, to glimpse her and to sometimes flirt with her. Besides what did I have to offer her? All I am to her is a best friend. Nothing more, and nothing less.
Sighing I returned back to the practice. For a good solid hour we practiced hard for the upcoming game against our rival school. Walking over the bench with my fellow teammate and friend, Ryu and I grabbed our water bottles and swung a small white towel over our necks. That's when Hikari walked over to us.
"Hey Hikari what's up? I thought you wouldn't want to be around us smelly guys. You know running around the court can make us awefully hot," I said with a grin looking at her as I took a swig of water.
"Yeah well I think I can handle it. You seem to forget Takaishi that I live with a soccer crazed maniac! I smell his sweaty cleats and socks all the time." Hikari winked and said over the railing as she smiled at both Ryu and I.
"Woah alright let's just end that conversation right there," Ryu said with a disgusted face as both Hikari and I laughed, soon joined in by Ryu himself. Calming down after awhile Ryu turned towards Hikari and said, "Hey… You know the dance that's coming up this Friday? Well… I was wondering if maybe you'd like to go with me?"
I felt my heart go cold. A numb feeling started to arise inside my chest as I watched Hikari smile and say, "Sure." Coughing myself I grabbed my duffle bag and muttered an 'I have to go… I'll see you two later,' And then quickly rushed into the boy's changing room. For the time being, I couldn't bring myself to face any of them.
*
I felt stuck as Ryu asked me to the upcoming dance this Friday. What I really wanted more than anything in the world was to go with TK, but Ryu was my friend… I couldn't say I've ever had feelings for the guy but it would still be rude not to accept. Putting on a fake smile and saying yes in as steady a voice as I could muster, I watched Takeru walk off. Inside my heart was thumping loudly as I felt all hopes of going with Takeru go down the drain. Smiling I said, "Pick me up around seven. But I gotta go for now so I'll see you later!" And then grabbed my backpack and went out the door. Walking hurriedly I didn't think I could confront Takeru in the state I was in. Rushing down the hallways with my face turned to the ground I bumped into someone and muttered a quick, 'Sorry' And then kept on walking to the exit of the school. I never noticed it was one of my friends Miyako that I had bumped into.
I made it home in what seemed like a record time for me. My brother Taichi was sitting on the couch flipping channels on the television as I came into the room. Saying a quick, 'Hello' I opened the door to my room and ducked inside, then shut it before he could even get a word out. In the old days when I was younger, I used to share a bedroom with my brother Taichi, but as we both grew older, he got to get another one, and I got this one all to myself. Dropping my bag on the floor I fell down onto my blue bed and just stared at the ceiling.
*
Tying my running shoes after showering and changing out of my basketball uniform and into a blue t-shirt with a white t-shirt underneath and a pair of forest green cargo pants, I walked out of the changeroom before Ryu could even talk to me. But as I came out of the changeroom I bumped into a lavender haired girl almost knocking her over. Quickly I caught her by the shoulders and smiled, 'Sorry 'bout that,' to my friend and Hikari's friend Miyako.
"That's okay Takeru," Miyako said smiling as she tucked a piece of her lavender coloured hair behind her ear and adjusted her glasses as she smiled up at me.
"Uh so what's up?" I asked not really knowing what to say at the awkward time.
"Umm nothing really…" She said kind of shyly as she took on a sort of timid face. Arching my right eyebrow at her strange reaction she blushed and quickly said, "I was erm… Wondering… Are you taking anyone to the dance yet?"
I opened my mouth just about to reply that I wasn't going, when I looked at her face. It looked like she was longing of hope that I would take her and so I closed my mouth again and scratched my head, "Well no… Uh do you want to go with me?" I asked at last looking down at Miyako. Truthfully I didn't really want to go… Not after Ryu had asked Hikari and most likely I'd just be subjected to watching them dance all night in each others arms, but the look on Miyako's face made me change my mind.
"Sure! Umm could you pick me up at seven then?" Miyako said more excited now as she perked up. I nodded and watched her smile and then run off waving to me. Sighing, I waved back and slumped my shoulders in defeat. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad night right? I mean I could probably occupy my time with something…
Shaking my head I walked home alone since Hikari seemed to be gone. Just my luck too. It had begun to rain.
*
Slamming my rusted grey locker shut I felt an odd sense of déja vu as I slung my backpack over my shoulder and flicked some of my brown hair out of my face. The week had gone by much more rapidly than I had wanted it to, and it was finally the day of the dance. All the girls were giggling over what they would wear and what they would do to their hair as they walked through the hallways on their way home. Sighing I walked to the front of the school where I usually met Takeru to walk home and tried to get the thought of the dance out of my mind so that I could put on a brave and happy face.
A few minutes went by as I looked around and finally saw a lone figure walking towards me a little ways off. With his blonde hair messed up as usual, Takeru had his backpack slung over one shoulder and was walking over to me casually. It looked like something was on his mind, but as he got nearer he put on a smile and stopped as I stepped down the stairs towards him.
"Hey now where's my hug? I haven't gotten one all day!" Takeru laughed and put on a fake crying face as I laughed and rolled my eyes. Opening my arms I hugged the big lug around the chest and smiled.
"There are you satisfied now?" I asked laughing and pushed a strand of my hair out of my face.
"Much," He grinned like a little kid that had just ate a pound of candy. Slowly we started walking in the direction of our houses. Takeru didn't live that far away from me so it had just become our routine to walk together.
For a few minutes we just walked in silence seemingly appearing to enjoy each other's company when I finally couldn't stand it anymore and broke the silence, "So… Are you taking anyone to the dance?" I asked a little quieter than I should have. It wasn't really my favored question but since everybody had been talking about the dance lately that was practically on everyone's minds.
"Oh yeah… I'm taking Miyako," He said as he turned slightly towards me and smiled watching me out of the corner of my eye.
My heart plummeted as he said those words. I mean it's only fair I guess that he should take a date considering how Ryu was taking me… But Miyako?! The girl was practically my best friend other than Takeru! It just hurt so much that she would get to be in his arms instead of me.
Smiling so as not to let him see that I was disappointed I replied, "Oh… That's nice," And we continued walking down the street towards our houses. We didn't really say much else after that which suited me just fine. It was hard enough not to start to cry right then and there let alone talk without letting Takeru know that I was disappointed and upset.
Getting to the apartment that I lived in we both said quick goodbyes and I rushed to get ready for the dance. But mostly I rushed so that I wouldn't have to wait around with Takeru.
*
Walking up to Miyako's apartment door, I hesitated a bit, and then finally knocked on the door. Miyako yelled for me to wait a minute and so I took a step back from the door and waited for her to open it. But when she did I was quite shocked.
Inside the doorway wasn't the same girl that had bumped into me outside the boy's changeroom. It was like a different person. Miyako's lavender coloured hair was curled at the tips and put up into a French twist with hair still runing down the sides of her face. Her ruby pink eyes shone through at me since she had put in contacts instead of her usual glasses that she always wore. Smiling at me with her lips that were tinged with pink and sparkled, Miyako wore a somewhat elegant dress. It was a short purple spaghetti strapped dress that hugged all the right places on her body and was glittered with shimmering sparkles. On her feet were black shoes that wrapped around her ankles and displayed her foot and toes.
Slightly gawking I blinked and then looked back up at Miyako, "Uh sorry… Wow… You like great!" I smiled at her and handed her a small purple flower, which she pinned onto her dress and smiled at me.
"Why thank you. You don't look too bad yourself handsome," She laughed a bit and smiled looking at me. I looked down and laughed a bit at my black dressy pants and a navy blue button up shirt that I had borrowed from my brother Yamato.
Holding my arm out to her, she wrapped her arm around mine and we set out to the school. What an interesting night this would be…
Walking into the gymnasium it was decorated with tons of streamers and balloons that decorated the ceiling. There was a band set up on the stage and tables set out with refreshments such as punch (which no doubt was probably spiked by now) and small things to eat. Tables were situated around the gymnasium as people were already starting to dance with their friends and their boyfriends and girlfriends. Watching Miyako go and talk with some of her friends, I scanned the crowd to see if I could find Hikari anywhere. As I figured… Nowhere to be found. Sighing I heard a girl shriek and saw her point at me as she talked to a couple of her friends and they all started to look as if they were about to melt. As usual, my fanclub just wouldn't stop.
Shaking my head I walked over towards the table where Miyako and some of our friends were hanging out. Some of the players from the basketball team were there with their dates and some of Hikari's and Miyako's friends were there we their dates. Sitting down I engaged in a conversation with them as time started to go on.
Something started to puzzle me though as I looked over at Miyako. She seemed… Edgy… Or something like that anyways. She was constantly trying to scan the crowd discreetly and whenever I tried to call her on it she would just dismiss it and say that she didn't know what I was talking about. Sighing I eventually gave up and figured she'd tell me if anything was really wrong.
After a few songs, Miyako finally got up and asked me if I would dance with her. Nodding my head I got up and went out on to the floor with her. I mean we came to a dance right? I may as well dance with her. Laughing we started to bust out some moves, but just as I looked up I almost froze.
The girl who had just walked through the doorway was wearing a short black spaghetti strapped dress with a red rose type image embroidered at the bottom of it. Her shoes were almost like Miyako's except they were a little lower and her hair was done up in an elaborate bun that still had hair trailing down. Hikari Yagami was the definition of beautiful at that very moment. I tried to hard to take my eyes off her and turn my attention back towards Miyako but it was as if my eyes just wouldn't move. Hikari looked like she was looking around the room as both she and Ryu walked over to the same table that Miyako and I had been sitting at just moments ago.
Lucky for me I finally was able to tear my eyes away and continue the dance with Miyako. However the night soon turned out to be a living hell.
Ryu and Hikari danced a lot and I was forced to watch him with her in his arms. My heart was breaking everytime I watched yet I couldn't, for the life of me, understand why I couldn't tear my eyes away from them. She looked like she was having such a great time and oh how I wished that I could've been the one to give her that time. Luckily I wasn't the only guy staring. Every single guy that had a crush on her since the beginning of time was just staring at her and occasionally getting a hit a bit from their angry dates. Being the girl that Hikari was, she never noticed any of it. She never noticed how much guys liked her let alone how much I liked her.
*
As the night progressed I was having a horrible time. Luckily enough I had almost perfected by now being able to put on a smiling face and not ruin the mood for Ryu. But boy was it hard. Everytime we danced I'd find my thoughts wandering over to Takeru, not to mention my eyes. Most of the time it looked like Miyako wasn't even paying attention to Takeru and I just wanted to be there with him instead of with Ryu. Yet for some strange reason Ryu didn't seem all that pleased that he was with me either. He kept on looking around constantly and didn't really make much conversation.
Sighing for about the millionth time that night, I looked over at Takeru from the corner of my eye. He was sitting down at one of the white table clothed tables looking completely bored. Yet even that made him seem unresistably cute somehow. His shirt and pants were a sharp contrast to his brightly coloured blonde hair yet it just seemed to fit so nicely. I wonder when I'm ever going to get over this crush… If ever.
The night droned on and soon it was down to the final dance of the night. Of course it was the absolute major one. Everyone started to get onto the dance floor as everyone either asked their crushes or their boyfriend or girlfriend to dance. Ryu looked a little cautiously over towards me and then said, "Hey… Would you mind maybe if I danced with Miyako?" He asked as I looked a little stunned. I guess my façade of happiness didn't work as well as I had thought. Nodding a little slowly I watched him smile and walk over to Miyako as she grinned and they started to dance. Leaning against the wall everyone had already started to dance to the slow song.
Looking around bored everyone was dancing except for the occasional few that were sitting down at tables looking at everyone dance. I looked over at Takeru and he was looking slightly confused at Ryu and then looked over at me. Blushing a bit I turned my head away and pretended like I hadn't just been watching him.
Slowly he started to make his way over towards me and smiled, "Hey… How are you?"
"I'm okay… How are you?" I replied smiling a bit at him.
"I'm good… Er… Would you like to dance?" He asked me kind of sheepishly, as my heart started thumping so hard I thought it was going to pop out of my chest.
"I'd love to Takeru," I said as he led me out onto the dance floor and placed his hands on my hips as I wound my arms up around his neck. Slowly the words of the song started to engulf us.
We were strangers starting out on a journey
Never dreaming what we have to go through
Now here we are and I'm suddenly standing at the beginning with you.
No one told me I was going to find you
Unexpected what you did to my heart
When I lost hope you were there to remind me
This is the start
Smiling as I heard the words they just seemed to fit so perfectly. I was dancing with the guy whom I had loved since I first started taking an interest in guys. They seemed to represent everything I was feeling at the time and unknowingly, everything that Takeru felt for me as well.
And life is a road I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep flowing
Life is a road now and forever-wonderful journey
I'll be there when the world stops turning
I'll be there when the storm is through
In the end I want to be standing at the beginning with you
*
Smiling I took a look down at the girl I had loved since practically the beginning of time. Just having her in my arms for one single dance was like pure bliss. Something I wished and hoped I could have for a very long time. The words of the song washed over both of us as we danced and I couldn't help but feel as if it was the perfect song for that moment. It represented everything I felt towards Hikari. Everything I thought that I would ever feel for her. I wanted to tell her everything. I wanted to tell her but something was holding me back. The feeling of rejection. If she had ever rejected me… Things just wouldn't be the same between us anymore. But something. Something in the way she was looking at me as the song progressed told me to go for it. So, breaking the silence I said, "Hikari… I need to tell you something…"
We were strangers on a crazy adventure
Never dreaming how our dreams would come true
Now here we stand
On the fate of the future
At the beginning with you
She nodded giving me a sign that it was okay to go ahead. Taking a deep breath I started to say something that would forever change my life.
"Hikari… We've been best friends for 10 years now, and over the years I've just been beginning to feel as if I wanted something more. When I was younger I didn't understand the longing I had deep down inside of me, but as I grew older I began to think it might be love…" Pausing I looked at her, she seemed to be holding back a smile of some sort. Curious at her stare I continued, "And these past few years… It's just been so unbearable for me. You're so perfect it was almost tearing me apart. When I'm with you I love to just be around you, and when I'm not with you I constantly think about you. I love almost everything about you and it's just been building up inside of me until this very moment…"
And life is road and I want to keep going
And love is a river I want to keep flowing
Life is a road now and forever-wonderful journey
I will be there when the world stops turning
I be there when the storm is through
In the end I want be standing at the beginning with you
Knew there was somebody somewhere
Let me look in the dark
Now I know that dreams with live on
I have been waiting so long
Nothing is going to tear us apart
"Now I know I love you and I always will… With all of my heart. I just… I just wanted to tell you… So you would know… It's okay if you don't like me in return but you should know how I feel… It's better that way for both of us. But no matter what I'll always be there for you in any way I can."
And love…
And life is road and I want to keep going -both singing-
And love is a river I want to keep flowing
Life is a road now and forever-wonderful journey
I be there when the world stops turning
I be there when the storm is through
In the end I want to be standing at the beginning with you
Ahhaa…
I had done it. I had finally said how I felt about Hikari and how I always would. Looking cautiously at her I expected to feel a slap on my cheek or something for the amount of affection that I had just displayed and for the breaking of our friendship. But as I looked at her I saw tears welling up in her eyes. Mentally hitting myself I thought I had hurt her deep down. I started to say, "I'm sorry…" But she cut me off halfway by kissing me on the lips.
To say the kiss was sensational would have been an understatement. Her lips were so soft as they touched mine and I felt as if she was putting in all her emotions that she felt for me into one kiss. I felt like it lasted an eternity as she cupped my face and I held onto her back, but as she pulled away I felt as if it had not lasted long enough.
Life is a road I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep going on
Starting out on a journey
Life is road I want to keep going
Love is a river I want to keep flowing
In the end I want to be standing at the beginning
With you
The song ended as our lips parted and I just stood there gazing into her eyes as everyone started clapping. Miyako and Ryu were actually on stage as they smiled at us and held a microphone in their hands.
"Odaiba High I believe the perfect couple just got together!" Miyako said cheerfully as she held out her hand gesturing over towards Hikari and I. Staring at each other, Hikari and I both blinked as we turned out attention to the stage and Ryu started to speak.
"Sorry you guys but we had to set you up. Both of you wouldn't believe us when we told you that you guys liked each other so we set you up!" He laughed and looked at us as I shook my head and laughed yelling out, "I'll get you for that Yamada!" And everyone started to laugh as they departed from the gymnasium on their way home.
Smiling back at Hikari she smiled and said, "I guess sometimes all you need is a little help from your friends."
~
Felt inspired by this story? Would you like to make a contribution to this growing collection? Write your own Takari story (4000 words or less) and send it to Takari's Baybee's email address. She'll talk with you after that. Lolz.