I was determined to fight to this thing, for all it's worth. The reason was simple, even though it took me half the day to reach it. it had given me no rest.
It went like this……See, as long as I could remember, I'd been stuck with this naïve, fairy tale notion (that just refuses to go away) of some superhero (yeah, I know, 'superhero?') saving me, and……and….us riding off in the sunset. Happily ever after, and all that good stuff.
It's my own fantasy . And when somebody has saved me, and instantly start to obsess about them, like I've been programmed to, or something. This had happened before with another guy and when I'd finally got up the courage to ask him for a date---
"I think we should stay friends, Tea."
---let's say it didn't turned out well, hm? (actually, we did end up staying friends.) Anyway, one can see why I'm deciding to fight this infatuation of mine. But that didn't mean you I couldn't wonder about him…..
What about that girl in the restaurant with him? Why did he save me? Could that mean he's actually a good guy? A human? Not a robot with artificial intelligence like the school (heck, he's world famous for it!) believes? Including me? I chewed on a baby carrot thoughtfully and slowly, gazing off in the distance in the cafeteria, my friends close around me. I was so far gone, it was ten minutes before I realized Yami was trying to get my attention.
"Tea? Earth to Tea?" he waved one bangled arm in fromt of me.
"Hm? Oh sorry." I said sheepishly. "I was thinking about……something….." I avoided his eyes, pretending to concentrate on opening my sandwich. His big, cat-like eyes surveyed me with deep concern, clear violet. Three guesses as to who my previous crush was…..
"I'm sorry….i didn't want to lead you on." He said, cleverly keeping his voice low so the others wouldn't hear, sincere and charmingly awkward. Half the girls were in love with him. They could have him. Really.
"You didn't," I smiled brightly, opening my milk. Some splashed on the wooden grain. He was looking at me with a bit of pity now, something I've grown to hate being looked at lately. "We're friendsss." I said the word like a snake might; hissing the syllable s.
Getting it, he changed the subject. (Phew!) "So, any plans for your birthday? It's coming up, right?"
"No." I made a sulky face at the table. "I got grounded. What are you up to today?"
"Hm. Well, the usual: Kaiba's invited me to duel a few rounds with him…..i don't know if I will…."
"Oh, can I go with?" I sat up a bit straighter.
He arched an eyebrow. "I thought you were grounded……? No friends?"
"Oh, it's okay," I said airily, with a wave of my hand. "don't worry." He nodded and starting speaking with someone else.
Besides, Dad had said, 'No friends,' but we weren't 'friends', we were 'friendssssss……'
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Before we went, at the end of the school day, I went inside the girls' room, and fixed myself up. "What's wrong with looking nice?" I asked my reflection. Luckily, no one was in the bathroom at the time, or else they'd think I was insane. I was starting to have doubts, myself.
Saying a cheerful goodbye to Serenity, who was just coming in, I went outside with my schoolbag, full of books. Graduation was coming up, and that meant exams. Dance meets, trials…… and no social life. Thanks to Kaiba. ……Thanks to Kaiba…..I chanted mentally in my head, walking along the hallway. This end of the year was going to be torture!
Mr. CEO didn't seem pleased to see me there later that afternoon, but then again, he never seemed pleased to see anyone there. "What's with the girl?"
Yami shrugged, unmounting his helmet. "She wanted to watch."
I cocked my head, hands on hips; attitude out. "You have a problem with a girl here?"
"Yes I do. And before Your Nosiness asks, I'll tell you why. Because girls are airheaded nitwits who only care about the way they look," he said shortly, picking up a card with long fingered grip. "One card. Facedown!"
"Why you sexist pig." I shouted, waving my fist. "Are you saying girls are the only ones who care about their looks?!" It seemed like we were the only ones there.
"Why should you care?" he said meaningfully. "Whoever said you were a girl?" And then, under his breath, "Tomboy. Anyways. The last turn……"
I stooped hearing because I turned and stalked off outside then, seething. I wasn't going to say anything unless I was sure this time, but it was obivous he had no attraction to me whatsoever. He'd said that I wasn't a girl or girl enough. And I wasn't going to breathe a word of my feelings unless I was sure. Definetely not. Last time was bad enough........!
Mission accomplished. So why did I feel so....so angry at myself? So.....sulky? So....unlike me?! I lingered outside, moodily kicked a yellow flier.
Well. I'm glad that's over. Lesson learned: I can count on is his obnoxiousness to bring back my common sense. Now I could focus on other things. Who needs him? Wow, the moon was nearly up........ I stood and stared up at it, an inscribed white disc on a navy blue background. It looked unrealingly large, like as if were stalking me home.
Some minutes passed, and I heard Yami call goodbye, and head off in the opposite way. Must've thought I already went home.......... I chewed my fingernail, with lost and unfocused expression. "Stopping to howl at the moon, she-wolf?" A dry voice said to my right.
I shivered. Hopefully, to look like I was suppresing a shudder. "You're a big jerk-off........" I began, then he turned as if to give me a view of his profile.
"Here. Happy birthday. Use it well." Something glinted through the air and I caught it right before it hit the ground, teetering rather inelegantly. I shot a glance up susipicously but he was gone, a faint wave of a long black coat disappearing.
"Probably a frog to scare me," I murmured to myself, opening the silver little box. I threw aside thin tissue impaitiently, to remove larger tissue. No, a handkerchief. With my intials? Soft. Linen. White? I snorted. What sort of present was this? There was a square note in big block letters.
WIPE YOUR CHEEK OFF GARDENER. THERE'S A SMUDGE. FYI: YOU DON'T NEED MAKEUP ANYWAY. -K.C.KC?! I walked home, bumping into things. Sheesh doesn't even use his own intials to sign something........! 'KC' must mean KaibaCorp..........what antisocial nerd! I tripped over a garbage can, cursing. The shiny top reflected that there was a smudge. So? And what did he mean, 'you don't need makeup.' That I'm too stupid to put it on? Probably. Most likely......
Or........Could it....? I stopped. Nah. Meant as a compliment..............imagine! Idiot--I stepped with my left foot. --boys! With my right. Idiot-..... -Dolt!. Businessmen who were walking behind me threw me dirty looks, for stopping while crossing. Cars screeching, I stared down and walked slowly. And cursed him aloud and using all the mental power I had.
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I sat with a notepad, writing a letter in my big loopy handwriting. I signed with a flourish, "Love, Tea. XOXOXOXOX." Smiled with satisfication.
He sat down on the our sofa next to me, leaning back yet reading over my shoulder at what I'd written. " 'XOXOX' What are those for.........some kind of code."
"Yeah," I said, turning, silently wondering how he could sit with that flappy trench coat on, but he sure did manage! "Didn't you know that, dummy?" I mocked from him calling all girls nitwits.
"What in the world for." he said irritably glaring at me with his blue-eyed gaze. "Well" he asked when I didn't respond right away.
"What am I, your soldier to order around? I guess I'll tell you," I said generously. "They stand for 'kisses' and 'hugs.' When you want to send them? X stands for kiss and O for a hug." "Stupid." he scoffed. "Why"
"Why what?"
"Why would an 'O' stand for a hug." he said boredly, studying his forefinger and thumb..
" 'Cause that's what shape your arms are when you hug somebody." I demonstrated, holding my arms out and touching my fingertips together in the air. "See, I told you so, sheesh!"
"And X."
"It stands for kiss 'cause when you pucker up, the creases make an X."
"I doubt it."
"Well it does!" I argued. "See?"
"And a hug." he questioned and I held him aobut the chest. I could see the shadows cast from the chestnut colored fringe that fell partways and heard him inhale, sharply. Stiff as a statue. With a weird, twisted smile of the lips, and he asked, "And a kiss?"
I puckered to show him the "X" made.......... and he leaned in slowly...........
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Beeeeeeeeeeep My alarm rang; disoriented, I picked up my head and spat out strands of hair that had gotten in my mouth. The silver glinted at me like a greeting from the box, the present box, half opened on the night table. The sun hadn't even risen yet. Groaning, I slipped up and stopped the alarm. It was going to be a long day......
......of wondering about that dream....... I fell back on the mattress.
Evidently I wasn't over him yet.......
......but I was determined to be.......! Weakly, I pounded my bed, guraranteeing it.
TBC
Urk. Well. This is my first try at something.....new! X_X tea: you made me have a sexy dream about him?!?!?! -_-##### *seething* me: well nothing graphic or anything...gulp. anyway R&R I'll write more......if you say so.