I sighed. I was walking around the city. I should be happy. Without me, Akiyama never would have pulled that stunt. If I didn't call Alice, then Henry would still be single. I helped Henry and Alice, I should feel happy, right? But one thing was nagging my mind. Stupid Ryo Akiyama. Why does he have to care so much? When I tripped him and snickered he blushed. When Takato said that next Ryo will like someone' he paled. I'm not dumb, I know he likes me. He begged Henry not to tell. I have no idea why I said girls don't make him a dope. He acts like Takato did when Jeri was around him. He then smiled like Davis does when Kari compliments him. And when I told them I had to go, Ryo to the rescue. He automatically asks why. Why does he have to care so much?
Oh god guys are so god damned complicated, someone spoke what I was thinking. I looked around the corner and there was...
Oh, hey Rika, the blonde responded.
What's up? You look down.
I think I made the biggest mistake of my life, she said as she started to walk down the sidewalk. I fell into pace with her.
Rika, do you know how many things can go wrong?
As long as you have fun, what does that matter?
She smiled at me. Ryo will be so lucky once you give in.
Which will never happen, I said even though I know one day, I will give in.
Rika, I admitted to Henry that I like him. If I can do that, you can go down into your heart and find who you love.
I don't like anyone.
Anyway, what are you gonna wear?
She feigned a gasp. Rika the antifeminist is asking about fashion? she put her left hand to her heart and thrust her right hand out before her. I think I'm gonna have a heart attack.
I rolled my eyes. Henry made a good choice.' Do you even know where you two are going?
Well you might want to figure that out.
One, Henry was going nuts, and two, it'll be easier to find something good to wear if you know what type of food you'll be having,
Henry was going nuts? Alice asked suspiciously.
Yea, it was so funny.
He was going nuts over me, she said slowly.
I sighed. Alice, your smart. You should know he really cares for you.
How do I know? Seeing the look on my face she continued. How do I know he truly loves me? How can I be sure this isn't a joke, that he's gonna date me once and then drop me like a hot potato? How can I know if we'll be together for a long time? she asked.
That's the thing Alice. You can never know if it will be tragic or if it will be happily ever after, I said depressed.
Alice stopped and looked at me. So that's why... Rika is just afraid Ryo will hurt her by ending it. She isn't afraid of anything except being hurt...'
Alice? Alice? You who... I said waving my hand in front of her face. I wanted to get her out of her daze, cause I had a feeling she stumbled onto something important. She wasn't saying anything, just staring ahead. I shook her. I yelled.
Rika just doesn't want to get hurt. That's why she's not admitting Ryo likes her. She's afraid that if she confesses to Ryo, that he might say he was teasing her. I whacked Alice across the head. She shook her head out of her daze.
I do not have a crush on Ryo, I said fiercely.
It's that you randomly say that that I begin to think he likes you.
Randomly? You were blabbing on how I don't wanna get hurt--
I said that aloud? she interrupted.
Her cell phone beeped. She read the message: Alice, when will you be back? I have a list of places were you and Henry could go this Friday.
I moved from in front of her to her side so I was reading on her left. At the mention of Henry, I saw her pale out of the corner of my eye.
I asked.
she moaned.
I asked again, wondering what was so bad.
I don't want them to know, she said scarcely above a whisper. She quickly punched numbers, some wrong, so her message was: Snme time with hn the hotr.
After sending the grammatically challenged message, she pocketed her black cell, and started walking quickly.
Whoa, wait up Alice! I yelled.
This is one of those things that can go wrong, she said pale.
I jogged in front of Alice and stopped her. Now, tell me, what is so wrong? I asked exasperated.
She took a deep breath. I don't want things to change at Hypnos. They know I don't have a social life, so they don't ask questions. I like that they don't ask questions. I only like questions about my work. When they ask me about my social life, I feel uncomfortable. So if Riley knows, then she'll tell Yamaki, Dolphin and possibly Janyu. I don't want her telling anybody, except possibly Tally.
Why don't you want them to know?
Yamaki says I'm one of his best employees, and Janyu thinks highly of me, and if they find out, they might rethink me, which I don't want at all.
What's wrong with your dad? I asked, understanding her so far.
Let's say you started dating Ryo. This is just hypothetical, she added quickly, seeing the look on my face. I nodded. Who would you tell?
I looked upwards. Hmm. Probably you, Jeri if she promised to keep it secret though it probably wouldn't happen, and possibly Henry.
Would you tell your mom?
I snapped my head down. Hell no! Would you tell your mom if she was a model?
Why wouldn't you tell her? she asked.
Because she would be in my face, asking a lot of pesky questions, and a lot more annoying stuff.
was her only comment as she brushed past me.
I stood there for a second. Hey Alice, I called.
She turned towards me and opened her mouth with a leave me alone' face on.
I know, I know, I just have one more thing to say and then I leave you alone. Thanks, I said. Seeing her face I added, For giving me some things I need to think about. I quickly left her there, a smile on her face. Maybe I am getting to her...' she thought.
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Henry's POV
I gazed up into the sky. It was around 4:00 o'clock, and the sky was an amazing blue wonder. Like Alice's eyes in the dark... Wow, I'm pathetic aren't I?' I remembered earlier today. Though not as pathetic as Ryo was.' I laughed. Then I thought of something. He helped me and Alice get together, I should try to get him and Rika together. Well.... If I do, I should wait until after after this Friday, I don't wanna go on my first date with a couple broken bones,' I laughed, realizing that Rika would probably do that. Focus Henry Wong!' My mind yelled. You can think about your best friends dating life later, think of your now!'
But I have no idea!' my mind argued.
Bout what?'
I have no idea about anything!'
Then ask your sister!'
I yelled aloud, getting odd stares from other people. I blushed. I am NOT telling any family or adults about this. Not even Yamaki.'
Why not? He is like your second dad. He's the guy you can talk to when you have problems talking to your real dad. So why not?'
Because he might tell dad.'
Oh...'
Okay, now that my mind has cleared somewhat, better start planning. Let's see, there's what to wear, where to go, what time.... uh. Let's see, where to go would be the best to figure out first, because we can figure everything out from there.' I stood up. Okay, I should call Alice about were to go,' I sighed. Okay, first a little walk to calm the nerves,' I thought sheepishly, as I started walking deep in thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alice's POV
I leaned back in my chair. When I reached Hypnos, I didn't go to main office and sign in like I usually did. Riley or Tally might be there. So I just rode the elevator to the ninth floor, entered my office, and used my desk intercom to tell them I had come back. I looked at the clock. It was an hour since Riley texted me, so she would be up here soon. I bit my lip and glued my eyes to the security monitors on either side of the door. Almost immediately my eyes widened. In black and white I saw Riley and Tally step out of the elevator and start talking. That had to be the only time I have ever regretted not putting in a hearing system. But then again, if it wasn't about me, I would have been invading their privacy. Then, suddenly, they were at the doors, but then I realized that in my moment of panic, I forgot my room was 12 ft. from the elevator. They knocked. I pushed the button and the writing spot of my desk flipped over, revealing a keyboard with red buttons at the top. I then lifted a little opening, and pushed a button, making my laptop screen pop up. On the key pad, I pressed the one labeled stereo. On the screen, iTunes popped up. I went to the Michelle Branch folder. I randomly chose a song, and it went straight to 1 minute and thirty seconds, as if I had been listening to it before they came.
I know you had to go away
I died just a little
And I feel it now, your the one I need
I believe that I
Would cry just a little
Just have you back now
Here with me.
On the monitor screen, I saw Tally starting to bang on the door.
I heard Riley yell. Do you want us to tell Dolphin and Janyu?
I froze. Immediately, I froze the song and clicked the button again, making everything go back to normal. C'mon in, I said, trying to sound innocent.
It's locked, Tally yelled.
Really? Whoops! Just a second! I yelled. I clicked the regular button again, so only the key pad came up. I quickly pressed the button at the top called Room Controls'. I typed in unlock and open door.' Because of the sudden movement, Tally jumped back, but Riley, used to it, entered causally. Tally entered and looked at the sides of the doorway she gasped.
I couldn't help but smile. You like my room? I asked.
It's amazing, how'd you do it? she asked in awe.
Riley warned. You can interrogate her later.
She sighed. she said in a mocking voice.
We found something.
Before I could ask why, Tally broke in, Can I use a computer?
I went rigid. Tally asked.
I don't like people using my computers, I said stiffly.
conned Riley. I shook my head, making my blonde pigtails swish around my face.
Aw.... You let Henry use them. Tally said, emphasizing Henry.
Which one of my Hypnos computers?
What's the difference? asked Riley.
I pointed to my left, where a whole wall was covered in three computers with huge servers.
What's that computer then? asked Tally pointing to her left, my right, for they were standing in front of my desk.
That's my personal computer, I said with a tone of a voice that said Ask more about it and I'll kick you out.'
Then what's the computer in your desk? Riley asked.
I was about to tell her when Tally broke in, again. Hey hypocrite, your the one who told me that I could interrogate her later.
Your right, Riley said. So, which computer can we use?
Exhaling deeply, I got out of my chair. I walked over to the southern part of my office where I had my computers I used for working. I pulled out the keyboard and mouse for the middle computer. Where do you need to go?
Riley said as she started typing. She went to the Hypnos home page and went to the staff e-mail section. She entered her e-mail account a opened a letter she sent to herself. It had a list of restaurants open on friday night.
Uh, what, what would I need these for? I asked shakily.
Riley sighed. You know you can't fool us. We know about your date with Henry.
What are you talking about? I tried to ask evenly, but failing.
Don't lie to us. We know how you have a date. 'Bout time too, she added. I looked at her.
Just this other day Yamaki was saying how if you guys didn't ask each other out, then he would work as matchmaker, Riley laughed.
He said that? Tally asked disappointed. Alice, can you call the date off? I wanna see Yamaki be matchmaker.
Tally! Don't tell Alice to call off her date for such a petty reason.
By then I had regained my wits. Don't worry Tally. They looked at me in shock.
Alice, I didn't me-- but I cut her off.
Yamaki will be forced to be matchmaker if Ryo and Rika don't start dating, for I will bug him until he does, I said smiling, for I meant it.
They laughed. You've got a good point, Tally said.
Riley sighed. We should better be going.
Aw... but it's fun... Tally half whined.
We need to give her time to look over her choices.
Oh yea!
Bye Alice, Riley said leaving.
Later! Tell me where you chose later! said Tally as she ran out.
With the two Hypnos workers gone, Alice had a chance to really look at the message. Top 5 different cuisine style restaurants for...... first dates? That's embarrassing,' I thought. Let's see for French there's Rose Rogue De l'Amour. Why does that sound familiar? Anyway the other cuisine's are Italian, Chinese, American, and Japanese. Oh good, they have a top notch Italian restaurant, and a regular Chinese restaurant.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Henry's POV
Yo, Henry my man! came an annoying voice (I wonder who...) bringing me out of reverie. I turned around to see the gang coming towards me. I laughed as I saw that Ryo was lagging. When they reached me, he was the first to ask. Ya decide where to go?
Not yet, I said as The Medallion Calls' broke through the air. I pulled out my cellphone from my pocket. I saw the number and smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ryo's POV
It's Alice, I said definitely. Just look at his smile. They did and Henry nodded at me. He pressed the button to select Accept'. As Henry put the phone to his ear, we went deadly silent.
Hey Alice. Pause. Okay name Longer pause. Say the last two again. Short pause. I like-- but then a fire truck when whizzing down the street, sirens full blast. When they drove away, we turned back to Henry. I'll do them,
Dang it! Kazu yelled quietly. We missed it.
Shh! If you shut up, he'll probably say it again, Rika rebuked.
Are you sure? he asked Alice. He laughed. Good. I don't even know where--
A dog suddenly came ripping through the park, bark loudly and chasing squirrels. A squirrel stopped and picked up an acorn. He threw it like a football, and it hit the yellow lab square between the eyes. The dog started whimpering, and the squirrels chased him away.
By then we all had large sweatdrops on our heads. Love ya. A second pause. He hit the key lock button and put the phone back in his pocket.
Henry looked at us. What's up? he asked referring to annoyed faces.
Where are you going? Jeri asked.
Henry asked. You heard me say it though.
No, we didn't, corrected Rika.
Why not?
Well. First a siren came by when you said I like'. And then when you said you don't know where the place is, a yellow labrador came barking through chasing squirrels. It was funny, cause after a second, the tables turned and the squirrels chased the dog away. It was funny, said Kazu.
Mmm-hmmm. Right......... he said walking away.
Kazu, you idiot! You should have let a serious person tell him. He probably thinks you just made it up to rub in he is going out! Rika yelled at the visor brain.
Yep, you read my mind Rika, Henry called back.
Henry, wait up! Takato called. He smiled and started walking again. Not cool! Takato yelled as we ran after him. As we were nearing him, his pocket beeped. He took his cell out and saw New Text Message' on the screen.
Wow that was fast, he said as he pushed the button to read her message. After skimming the times, he found a good one. Pushing a speed dial button, he put the cream and green electronic to his ear.
Hey Alice. That was really fast you know that?
I hope no dog or anything interrupt this phone call, said Kazu as a bunch of noisy birds flew over head, making them sweat drop.
Kenta hissed.
I like the one at seven. Hearing Henry's voice, we turned back to him. So you can get the reservations. Good. Pause. Uh huh. Short pause. Okay, I'll probably see you tomorrow. Bye. As Henry put his cell phone away, mine rang. Everyone looked at me.
I shrugged. Pulling my cell out, I looked at the number. Having no idea who it was, I pressed the button, making the tone He's a Pirate' stop suddenly. I said slowly. I sighed a breath of relief. Hi Mr. Wong. Pause. Okay, here he is. I handed the phone to Henry. He took it as Kenta said, What is up with Henry and getting phone calls or messages. Our only answer was a shrug.
Okay. See ya later dad, Henry said as he ended the call and threw me back my phone. I gotta go, dad's been trying to reach me for a while. Henry started walking away.
Wait... Where are you going for your date? Takato yelled.
Henry turned around. See you guys later! he yelled as he started running away, laughing.
Jeri yelled disappointed.
I'll find out somehow Wong, just watch me! Rika yelled after the navy haired boy.
Shuichi: *vein above head popping*
LtT: uh oh... that's not a good sign...
S: and this took long to update because.......
LtT: uh..... my LA teacher gave me bad grades on three assignments... and all my confidence left me?
S: *growling*
Jackie: c'mon shui. give her a break. at least she updated.
LtT: BINGO!!!!!!! writing that takari messed up my mind.
S: now that's a good answer.
Chihiro: i don't see why you don't like takari. it's so kawaii...
LtT: *runs to get backpack* DARN IT!!!!!!! i only brought home my science binder and it's puny. your in luck chihiro.
C: *gulps*
J: anyway, thanks to all the reviewers. and for those who pointed out that the grammar--
S: really sucked
LtT: I revised it, cuz, it was bothering me too. hope it's cleaned up.
S: now why don't you do that to your room?
LtT: because.. I don't wanna.......
S: *muttering* no good idiot....
C: wow.... 12 reviews. read and review please!