SourPop1004: This is one of those rare occasions that I actually write an a/n at the top. Cause I usually say I'll see you at the bottom. Anyway, just wanted to get the basic a/n out of the way from the top here.
Person who said my a/n's are too long. Well, don't worry. I'm not offended or anything, but I just thought you guys would like to know what's going on and stuff. I mean, if you want to be left in the dark, be my guest. The element of surprise is good.
The Salsa Dancer
By: Moody Me!
The streets of New York City were dark and damp. Cold water ran down sides of tall run down buildings and dripped from rusting fire escapes. The sky was dark from night and clearly showed of remains of rain. The sidewalk was empty just like the road. Dark muddy water splashed up every time a car passed by and some stayed smeared across them. The bright street lamps poured down a hazy white light to the streets bellow. The shadowed buildings stood tall above the city.
Sakura stood in her balcony high above the cold surroundings. The sharp icy wind flew by attacking anything in its way. The feeling of icicles piercing her bare shoulders and arms crept over her smooth skin. The balcony she stood in was wet from the recent rain. Clear drops ran down the metal railing bordering the small balcony on the fiftieth floor of the Merduce Hotel; a massive elegant structure in the middle of New York City. Sakura slowly looked down at herself and saw a thin white dress soaked and fluttering freely in the wind. Her feet were bare and standing in the cold cement. She fingered her long auburn hair and found it wet. She smoothed back the bangs that were plastered against her forehead and looked to the dark starless sky with her arms open wide as if expecting to fly away. Little drops of rain started to fall on her bright face. Her emerald eyes sparkled but soon morphed into dark lakes. The color in her cheeks drained when she found the rain that was drenching her once more turned red, blood red. Blood ran down her face and stained her dress scarlet. Terror leapt in her heart but she didn't seem to care. When she turned away from the city and looked towards the glass door that led to her room, a silvery metal glittered as it glided through the air. It pierced her heart and threw her back a few steps. Her hair flew wildly as she stumbled back and fell over the railing. Before she plunged down towards the streets, she saw someone emerge from the shadows with a gun. The last image Sakura's deep green eyes saw before the heavens was herself, standing with a pained face, holding the gun that had ended her life.
Sakura bolted up from her sleep. Her eyes wide and gasping for air. The room seemed to lack its supply of oxygen. She clutched her heart and tried to calm herself. When her breathing evened, she looked around her surroundings to find that she was in Syaoran's guestroom. Sakura wiped the cold sweat that had trickled down to her eyes. This meant the peak of events was drawing near. She never dreamed, let alone such a prophetically clear one, when everything was ok. She knew something was coming her way even though it sickened her. It wasn't like her to get worked up about anything, but things were getting tense as the days passed.
Is that how my life will end?
Sakura couldn't help but wonder. Feeling her throat dry, she got up and decided to get something to drink. She pondered if she'd bump into Syaoran like last time since they seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. Brushing the thought away, she hopped off the bed and went out the door.
After getting a drink of water, she made her way up the stairs and was about to go back into her room when she looked to one of the doors next to her room. There was a crack of open space in the doorway so she decided to look if Syaoran was sleeping or not. Wondering, she peeked in.
Syaoran sat in a single couch next to his bed. The lights were out and the large clear window showed of the neighborhood and the dark navy-black sky. He had his head resting back with his eyes closed. Sakura watched his chest rise and fall from his meditative breathing. She figured he was thinking about the rescue mission and what not. Sakura jumped a bit when she heard him speak to her.
"You can stand there if you'd like or you can come in." His words were low and even.
Sakura opened the door and stepped into the doorway, leaning against the frame. She watched Syaoran open his eyes and look at her, then lean back again. His amber eyes seemed to pierce her.
"I know what you're thinking about." Sakura stated trying to read Syaroan's face.
"Do you?" He sounded blank and emotionless. "I'm sure you do." He paused before continuing. "You know, I find myself saying this many times. The lives we chose, sometimes, actually many times, I feel it was the wrong one. Have you ever wondered what life would be like if we hadn't chosen to do the things we do?"
"I couldn't exactly choose whether my father died or not." Sakura answered in bitter thought.
"I know. But if fate had taken a different course, haven't you ever wondered? What if?" Syaoran asked again.
"Yes. Sadly enough, I have wondered many times. And it's strange. I've never even come close to thinking such things until I met you. You questioned everything I was trained to do. You questioned every motive I held. You questioned my life." Sakura paused. "And I'm glad you did. Because if you didn't, I'd be screwed." Sakura laughed lightly. She watched Syaoran sit still.
Syaoran was quiet for a moment then spoke again. "Let's just come back in one piece. I have a feeling New York's gonna bring lot of things."
Sakura nodded. She turned to leave. "Good night, Syaoran." Sakura went out the door. Syaoran just sat there and let out a heavy sigh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, their bags were packed and neatly sitting on the floor next to the door. Syaoran was dressed in his regular jeans, a dark green T-shirt, and a jeans jacket. He had a stern face as he was talking into his cell phone. Dressed in the similar sort, low-rise jeans, army-green shirt with the word 'Killer' across the chest, Adidas, and her many earrings, Sakura just watched him as she sat on a large suitcase. The two of them were waiting for Tano to come pick them up. Syaoran had his team assembled within a day since the team consisted of only eight more people. Tano and two other agents were coming to their house, while Eriol and Touya were meeting them in New York. The last five CIA agents were coming in on different flights and times so it didn't look suspicious.
As Sakura looked through their plan, her thoughts came to Tomoyo. What would happen to her? And Tomoyo already knew of New York since she had told them in the car two days ago. She figured Syaoran told that bit of info before Tomoyo reached Yoritomo. Sakura looked up when Syaoran held out the phone to her.
"It's Tomoyo. I'm assuming you know what you're going to talk about." He asked. "Also, there's a flight arranged for her to return to LA."
Sakura took the phone. "Tomoyo?"
"Sakura? Is everything ok there? I heard you're going to New York with-" Tomoyo was cut off by Sakura.
"Yes, I am. And you're not coming with us. There's a flight for you to LA. You'll be staying at base." Sakura's voice was desperately trying not to sound too bitter.
"But why? I want to help you guys."
"Tomoyo, you know well why. I can't believe you've been contacting Yoritomo behind our backs. And as for the Eriol issue, throw it out the window. It's not what you think."
"I know. I'm sorry, but I didn't know what to do. I mean, I have obligations. I have a job." Tomoyo tried to defend herself but she knew it wasn't right.
"Well, so do we. And if you can't respect what we're doing, then I don't see the point in you staying longer. It doesn't matter now since you'll be coming to LA." Sakura's tone was turning icier by the minute.
"I'm sorry. When I made that mistake of calling…it was stupid. I know. It was." Tomoyo's voice was failing her.
Sakura expression softened a bit. "I know. It's ok. We make mistakes. But as of this mission, you're out. Just stay in LA and we'll send you word. OK? Good bye, Tomoyo." Sakura slapped the phone shut. She looked up at Syaoran and handed it back. He only nodded in approval and pocketed the phone.
~~~~~~~~~~
It was the third time that week they were on a plane. Sakura looked out the small window without much interest. She was back to playing her little games since she 'couldn't speak English'. Sakura attention turned to Tano who was sitting next to Syaoran, who was sitting next to her. The other two agents were an aisle and seven seats away.
"Did you hear what happened yesterday? Some people found Ren in the bathroom with a huge bruise on her face." Tano stated animatedly. (I don't think I ever named the woman, so I'll just call her Ren. But if I did give her a name, please tell me. Thank you. Hehe…)
Sakura figured it was the woman she had punched. She smiled at the thought. When Sakura glanced at Syaoran, he caught her smile and gave her a look that accused her of doing something. Sakura just looked back with innocent eyes.
"That's strange." Syaoran answered, still eyeing Sakura who was back to looking out the window. Her numerous studs and loops in her ear flashed in the bright light that poured through the square window.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Surprisingly, and thankfully, New York City wasn't too dreary like her dream. It was night when the plane landed but the city was lit with streetlights and high skyscrapers.
Sakura, Syaoran, Tano, and the other two men were staying over at a cheap motel downtown called The Sunrise, so they wouldn't seem too suspicious as much. Eriol, Touya, and the remaining five men would be coming in the next day, all at scattered times.
Being the only woman, Sakura got her own room while the rest were paired off and sharing rooms. Sakura sat on her bed, which creaked and made ugly noses every time she moved. The room was small. It was covered in stained, yellowed wallpapers with matching curtains that needed serious cleaning. She couldn't believe the lack of taste the owners had. As she looked on around the room, she found a single lamp, which was on as of this moment, and a patio chair and table set. A small doorway to a small bathroom was off to the side. Her eyes were done scanning the dull distasteful room, but she ended up looking down at the bed with a frown. She'd definitely be sleeping in a chair tonight. She didn't have an ounce of curiosity as to what exactly were on the sheets. Sakura hopped up off the bed and walked over to the small window with the curtains. The view outside was decent. It showed the city and the tall skyscrapers in the distance. They were for sure off towards the more 'less elegant' part of the city. She had noticed on the drive here that the buildings seemed to get dirtier and more run-down as the cab approached this end of the city. Maybe it was her constant habit of always get the best room in the best hotels that made her nose wrinkle at the mere thought of places such as these. She did not know, and didn't want to know.
Breaking from her thoughts, Sakura looked towards the door when there was a knock. She went to the door and opened the old wooden trash of a door. Syaoran stepped in.
"What is it?" Sakura asked in Chinese. She had to keep up with the charade for now.
"If you want to change, you know, back to yourself, you can." Syaoran stated.
"How? Wait, I forgot to ask you yesterday, how'd you get a team assembled and get the info across to Yoritomo without him sending the whole department over?" Sakura questioned as she shut the door and turned to face him.
He was quiet for a little bit. "Let's just say if I screw up, I don't have a job."
"You gave up your job?!" Sakura looked incredulous.
"Not technically, but I was threatened to lose my job if this mission failed. I kinda demanded a lot of things at the meeting yesterday. I think I pissed Yoritomo off. Who knows." Syaoran shrugged as she looked around the room.
"And what were those 'demands'?" Sakura had her arms crossed in front of her chest and gave him a look.
"The main one being that no one would question my decisions and things." Syoaran answered with a bored look on his face. "So you're free to reveal yourself, I guess you could say. You'll have to let everyone know what's going on tomorrow anyway. I have things to explain to Tano and the other agents."
"I see. Well, good, I don't have to stick with this wig any longer." Sakura pointed to her head.
"How can you take a shower with a wig on?" Syaoran asked amazed. (Thank you to Natalie who pointed that out on a review. You asked me about it. I didn't even realize. Haha…)
"It has a thin plastic-rubber scalp with tiny holes. It feels like real hair cause it fits so perfectly." Sakura replied.
Silence took hold of the room. Sakura just looked at the floor while Syaoran looked off towards the window. Syaoran coughed a bit.
"I think I should get going."
"Yeah…"
"Oh yeah." Syaoran checked his watch. "It's 9:15 right now. Come to my room at 9:45. We're having a meeting to go over what's going to happen."
"Ok." Sakura opened the door for Syaoran, who walked out. "I'll see you then." She quietly shut the door.
Sakura walked over to her two suitcases and opened one. She took out various hair-care products and went over to the bathroom to get started on her hair.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was 9:43 when she finished cleaning her hair. Her hair was back to its original state. The long wavy golden brown hair fell down her back. She ran her fingers through the wet hair smiling. She had taken her wig off and had taken a shower to thoroughly clean her hair. She had also taken out the earrings that had decorated her ears and erased the black nail polish from her fingers. Sakura checked her watch and decided to go over to Syaoran's room.
"Syaoran, I know we're not to question you, but I don't know why the hell you brought your cousin along. Isn't that a bit risky?" A man named Jon asked as the other man and Tano nodded too.
Just then the door opened and Sakura walked in. She had heard part of the conversation when she was at the doorway.
"Risky wouldn't be the word I'd choose. Cause if I didn't come, let's face it, you'd all be running amuck as if your heads were chopped off." Sakura spoke in English. It felt good to speak freely. "Sorry to burst your egos, but the CIA knows squat." Sakura shut the door behind her and looked around the room. Tano sat on the bed while the other two were sitting in chairs. Syaoran was leaning against an old dresser. Seeing no place to sit, Sakura just sat down on top of Syaoran's suitcase. The room looked dumb-found.
"Syaoran, who is this?" Jon asked.
"That'd be Kinomoto Sakura." He replied.
The three were about to burst out with disapproval when Sakura interrupted.
"I know. Ex-terrorists aren't fun to play with. But as of right now, you're just going to have to. Lets just leave it that I had issues. So get over it." Sakura smiled brightly at the men.
Syaoran spoke up. "That's Tano over there, you know that." Syaoran pointed to a man with light brown hair. "That's Agent Jon White." He then pointed to the man next to Jon, a well-built man with light blonde hair. "And that's Agent Chris Graw."
"Hello there, I'm sure you know me." Sakura crossed her right leg over her left and neatly folded her hands on top and sat politely.
"Ok, enough with intros. This is the plan so far." Syaoran began. "We know who's invited and that it's here. But the only problems we face right now is: Where specifically and how to get in?"
"I don't know exactly where the party's being held but I know that it's a family thing. I know…inviting your family along to deal black market stuff…queer. Anyhow, the families won't do anything, they'll just think it's a party to enjoy. And the only reason Fang bothers with the family is if the dealings don't go as planned, he can use his persuasive personality to convince them. In other words, black mail." Sakura stated. "Well, the only way to find out where the party is and to get in is through an invitation." She finished.
"How do you know all this? Unless you're still working for Fang." Chris pointed out suspiciously.
"Ok, last time I'm going to say this. Let's leave it as I had issues ok. If I were to still be working for Fang, wouldn't it be a smarter move to convince Syaoran here to bring the whole department, so Fang can wipe them out all at once? Anyway, I'm not, so get over it." Sakura answered irritated.
"Well, the party's going to take place in two weeks so we have till then to get an invitation. And I have thought of a way." Syaoran walked over to a briefcase next to a suitcase. He opened it and pulled out a folder. He opened it and brought out a picture of a boy around 17 or 18. His eyes were blue as the sky and his blonde hair was spiked up. He had an arrogant smirk on his pretty face. "This is Thomas Brinksby. Currently a senior at John F. Kennedy High. His father, Jeremy Brinksby is owner of a shipping port in Switzerland and New York. He also owns the company Brinksby Co., which exports and imports international cargo. I'm pretty sure his son will be attending the party."
"You're suggesting what I think you are, aren't you?" Sakura asked with a frown.
"Yeah. I have a list of all the girls he went out. Basically, look pretty and you're in." Syaoran answered smiling.
"Ugh… every stinking time. I swear…" Sakura grumbled.
"Yeah… well, you start school tomorrow morning there at 7:15. Your alias will be Grace Lang, daughter of Ming-tai Lang, who happens to own a huge shipping port in various parts of the world. You have two weeks." Syaoran finished.
"Right." Sakura just sighed. The next fourteen days were going to be… interesting. Who would have thought she'd be trying to seduce a seventeen-year-old? Talk about being pedophilic. (17 and 24. Would that be considered pedophilic as in legal terms?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The gray sun rose over the city. The clock next to Sakura flashed 6:00 A.M. It was way too early, but having to go to school, she had no choice. She lazily got out off the plastic chair she had slept in and sauntered to the bathroom. She tried to stretch her back in an attempt to crack them. Hearing a satisfying crack, she stretched down to touch her toes. Feeling a bit more refreshed, Sakura decided to take a shower.
Ten minutes later, Sakura stepped out of the shower and tightly wrapped a bathrobe she had brought around herself and put on her slippers. She dragged her feet out of her room and to the room next to hers, which were Syaoran and Tano's. She knocked on the door and waited with her hands on her hips. After the fourth time of knocking impatiently, Syaoran opened the door. He rubbed his eyes and ran his hand through his messy brown hair. He blinked a couple of times trying to focus on Sakura. Before he could ask what was up, she pushed through him and went into the room. She plopped down onto a plastic chair. Tano was just waking from the noise. His dirty blonde hair was ruffled and he was wearing only his boxers and a T-shirt. When he realized Sakura was in the room, he jumped up to grab his pants but Sakura just smiled.
"It's ok. No need to freak. I'm just here to ask something." Sakura turned to Syaoran who was wearing a T-shirt and forest green pajama pants. "Ok, what am I playing here. Ditsy? Sophisticated? Brainy? Nerd? Punker? Gangster?" Sakura waved her hand around in an airy gesture.
"I wouldn't say ditzy, but every girl he seems to pick up seem to be." Syaoran went back to his cot and sat down as it creaked.
"Fine. I'll just roll with the crowd." Sakura got up to leave but stopped. "Oh yeah, am I gonna get some wheels to go with this alias or do I get a limo with a hot driver?" Sakura asked with mock-smile.
"Oh yeah…" Syaoran blinked. "I forgot. Umm… take a cab. I brought some money. One more thing, I'll come pick you up after school. So don't leave." Syaoran answered with his eyes daring to shut on him.
"Ok. Whatever. See ya people." Sakura left the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Sakura stepped out of the cab she had taken. The weather was crisp. She had watched the buildings pass by as the cab drove on. She liked New York City, but not that much. She paid the driver and the yellow car left to drone on with the rest of traffic. Sakura stood in front of John F. Kennedy High and stared through the front gate as kids milled through for another day of school.
Taking off her Gucci sunglasses and putting them away in her beige Coach back. She checked herself for the last time in her pocket mirror from her bag. Her lips were a perfect shade of pink. Her cheeks were rosy and her emerald eyes sparkled brightly. Her hair was down in a flowing cascade. She was wearing a silvery silk Calvin Klein quarter-sleeve designer shirt with a pair of faded Hollister jeans, which hugged her tightly and exposed a bit of her toned midsection. She shut the mirror in satisfaction and took a step towards the school in her Steve Madden sandals. (My usual. Haha… dude, the Calvin Klein shirt has LOTS of adjs. Haha…)
Sakura found that there was a small opening in the center of the school and the classrooms surrounded the courtyard. The gym and field were off to the right side of the school. Sakura went to the office to get her schedule first. Syaoran had told her last night that he had Eriol mess around with the computer systems in the school so that it randomly chose Sakura into Thomas's classes. Sakura talked a bit with the secretary and smiled a lot, flashing her brilliant white teeth. She thanked them and left the office to find her room. The homeroom bell already rang but it didn't matter since the office gave her a note.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sakura opened the door and entered her homeroom, Mr. Gesh. The room was loud and people were throwing airplanes around when she came in. Her eyes quickly scanned the room and found where the 'rich, popular' kids sat. Luckily, there was seat open. The teacher silenced the class to introduce Sakura.
"Settle down kids. We have a new student at this school. I hope you guys all can lend a helping hand and show her what a joy it is to attend John F. Kennedy High. This is Grace Lang." Mr. Gesh smiled and applauded as the rest of the students. There were catcalls, many actually, and some glaring from the girl population. Mr. Gesh looked around to find where to put Sakura. He looked at the empty seat in the back where Thomas and some people were sitting. "There, Miss Lang. Have a seat behind Thomas." He pointed and Sakura thanked him. She walked down the row of desks towards her seat. Guys stared and looked up at her. She just glanced at them briefly then kept on walking.
When she reached her seat, she sat down. She plopped her expensive bag carelessly on the desk and looked out the window with a bored expression. A red-haired girl in front of her turned around and looked at the bag.
"Like oh my gosh! This is so the purse I wanted!" The girl ogled at the bag.
"Hmm?" Sakura turned to the girl in front of her.
"That's the brand new one! That is such an adorable bag!" She beamed. Her hair was flipped out and her lips were a glassy red. "Hi there. I'm Mindy Richards." She waved and smiled brightly.
"Hi." Sakura drawled without much taste. "I'm Grace Lang." She was contemplating whether to sound snobby or not. What the heck? She wasn't going to see them ever again. "And yes, this is the latest bag from the Coach fall line." The girl was about to say something when the teacher told her to quiet down.
Another girl that was sitting next to Sakura spoke up. Her hair was light blonde and it came with an attitude.
"Don't talk to her that way. When Mr. Gesh placed you here to sit with us, it was a big mistake. He obviously doesn't see that someone like you doesn't fit with people like us. Some expensive bag isn't going to get you anywhere." The girl sneered. "The name's Lacey Griffith. I don't know where you're from but just remember my name. You'll be hearing it, idling it, and worshipping it, so get used to it." The girl's light blue eyes flickered dangerously. She was obviously the bitchy queen of them all. Oh high school was a bundle of joy.
"Well Lacey, as you've heard. The name's Grace Lang. You'll be hearing more of me soon enough. And as for this bag, I don't only have the bag to get me anywhere, I got the whole outfit." Sakura snapped. She turned away from the girl and returned to looking out the window. By now, the whole ditsy thing was completely shoved out the door. This meant war. And the only way to win was to match fire with fire.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Her next three classes rolled by without much-event. She still didn't get to talk to Thomas but she tried to find a common ground to speak on. He was, as of this moment, considered way above her social stature, but she was breaking ground. She had won over many of the girls including Mindy and three others who seemed a bit air-headed. Lacey was another issue. Sakura knew Lacey was not a conquest to win over. She didn't need Lacey. She just needed to move onto the guys now, seeing that she had dominated over the majority of the popular group.
Lunchtime came and she had made two more friends, Jack and Drew, both shamelessly handsome jocks on the football team. Mindy, Linda, and the other girl, Tracey led Sakura over to where they usually sat during lunch. Mindy smiled and introduced Sakura to the rest of the gang and Sakura just dished out cocky smiles after another. After everyone sat down and were talking about this and that, Lacey came along. She was waving at everyone and smiling but it soon flipped when she saw Sakura sitting between Mindy and Jack.
"Lacey Griffith. Nice to see you again." Sakura's lips drew out a slow deadly smile. The way she said the other girl's name was natural and even toned, but Lacey didn't like it. She knew Sakura was mocking her.
Lacey glared with fire. "Yes, Lang. I do believe we had the pleasure of meeting earlier." She took a seat next Tracey who was across from Sakura.
The table full of kids eating and chatting were all laughing and talking about random things when a tall, slim but well-toned boy walked their way. Sakura figured it was Thomas since the boy seemed to be dressed so well with a nice watch, nice shoes, nicely faded jeans, nicely highlighted hair, etc. He was definitely fine for sure. He gave a nice white smile at the table then his gaze fell on Sakura.
"Hey. Aren't you in my homeroom?" He asked as he took a seat on the long bench as kids scooted over.
Only your homeroom? Oooh, I see how this is gonna be. We've got a tough customer… well unlucky for you boy, I've seen too many men play this card.
"Yeah I think so. Not sure though." Sakura replied. "I'm Grace Lang." Sakura smiled.
"Thomas Brinksby." He replied and returned the smile. He was sensing this girl was already playing hard to get.
Soon the group started talking again and Sakura found that she was quite amused by the topic discussions of the group. High school was indeed a murderous game: the gossips, the rumors, the back stabbing, and the conniving. Especially in this type of crowd.
The whole lunch, Sakura and Thomas glanced at each other like timid little kids. He gave her a smirk while Sakura just threw one back. All the while Lacey threw glares.
So the game's begun…
Sakura thought to herself with a satisfied look in her eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Her last class of the day was PE. She found that the course for this quarter was track and field. The girls had all changed into their gym clothes and were already down on the track when the boys showed up, Thomas being one of them.
Sakura was wearing a pair of navy blue shorts and a white T-shirt with the letters JFK High on the back in navy blue letters, and her long hair was up in a ponytail high on top of her head. She turned her attention to the teacher who was bellowing out instructions.
"Ok. Today, we'll be doing a continuation of yesterday. You'll split back into half and continue the one-lap races. At the end of class, we'll have one boy and girl to race together. OK? Split up into boys and girls." The teacher shouted as kids mingled around to finally split into boys and girls.
Sakura looked around to see Mindy and the rest unfamiliar faces. She then saw Lacey come down the bleachers towards the group. She handed the teacher a note and came to stand with the girls.
"Lang." She simply spoke.
"Griffith." Sakura answered back with the same distaste.
"Just wanted to let you know ahead, I look forward to beating you. If you haven't heard, I'm the fastest runner at John F. Well, for the girls anyway." She stated proudly.
"We'll see, Griffith." Sakura just smiled and watched groups of five go to their starting positions to race.
Sakura, Lacey, and three other girls were the last to go. By now, the boys had finished their races and were watching the girls'. Mindy was cheering for Lacey and Sakura. Sakura figured Mindy was on the cheerleading team. The five girls took their places on the starting blocks and waited for the teacher to say go.
"On your marks. Get set. GO!" The teacher shouted and started the stopwatches.
Sakura sprang forward with great reflexes. Just from the start, Sakura was ahead a few steps. She had to admit though that Lacey was good. She wasn't far behind on the start. Sakura started to run slowly. But that was good enough to beat the other three, but she soon saw Lacey sprint up from the corner of her eyes.
Not bad… not bad at all.
Sakura, not wanting to even give her a chance, sped up. Living a life where she was constantly dodging bullets and running blocks at a time really did do wonders for her physique. Sakura decided to run a well-paced race and kept at a constant speed. The finish line was nearing and Sakura could see at a glance that Lacey was about a little less than a quarter of the way behind. Sakura glided across the finish line and people cheered loudly. They all clapped and awed at how fast she had run. Sakura simply smiled and walked over to where Mindy was. Her breathing wasn't uneven and heavy like most people after a run. Over the years, she had learned to control her breathing and running such a small race wasn't considered something breathing heavily about.
"Lang! You should go out for the school track team." The teacher beamed as he made his way over to Sakura with a stopwatch.
"Running races against pitiful contestants isn't exactly my idea or a good time." Sakura answered sarcastically. The teacher was about to say something back when Lacey came through the finished line with a red face. Her eyes were ablaze with anger. Sakura walked over to Lacey who was trying to keep her breathing down to show that she wasn't tired at all.
"How does second place feel?" Sakura whispered with a rude smile. Lacey was going to blow over the top when the teacher cleared her throat.
"Ok. Seeing the times listed here, the best time was Grace Lang and… Thomas Brinksby. Come on you two. Get to the starting blocks."
Sakura gave one last look at Lacey and walked over to the starting point. Thomas was next to her adjusting his blocks. Sakura finished adjusting hers and was getting set. Without looking over at Thomas, Sakura spoke.
"Just cause you're a pretty boy doesn't mean I'll go easy on ya." Sakura stated with a cocky grin.
"Don't worry. I won't let you." He answered back flirtatiously.
The teacher shouted go and the two jumped out of their blocks. Sakura started off a bit faster but Thomas was a good runner. A very good one at that. Sakura set herself at the speed she had run when racing Lacey, but that proved to be a failing speed. Thomas was a couple of steps ahead of her. Sakura was trying to decide whether to beat him or not. She was pondering which approach would have the best result. She decided to just lose by a split second. Thomas ran through the finish line being followed by less than a second. He took deep breaths that were even and controlled as he turned around to meet Sakura.
"Nice race. Never had a girl that close behind." He stated smiling.
"Yes, well, maybe I should take some pointers from you." Sakura smiled back. "But I still think you are a pretty boy." Sakura added mischievously.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sakura had just taken a shower after gym and was now neatly dressed in her clothes waiting for Syaoran. She was in front of the gates where students were filing out either on bikes, on foot, or in cars. Lacey and Mindy walked up to her.
"So. Waiting for you daddy to pick you up? Where's your car?" Lacey taunted menacingly.
"I'm having someone pick me up in my car." Sakura replied.
Syaoran, I swear, if you bring a jacked up car, I will so kill you. Sakura thought.
Just then, there was a honk. A silver BMW convertible pulled up in front of them in the driveway in front of the school. Syaoran was in the driver's seat wearing jeans and the whole works looking incredibly attractive. (Muahaha…) Mindy looked at Syaoran.
"Whoa! Who's that?" Mindy asked not being able to take her eyes off him.
"That'd be my father's friend's son. He's visiting us from LA." Sakura answered briskly. "Well, I'll see you guys tomorrow." Sakura added before walking towards Syaoran.
Syaoran smiled and said hi.
"Jake, get out of my car." Sakura demanded playfully. Syaoran gave her a look before getting out and moving to the passenger's seat. Sakura got in and floored the pedal. The car accelerated with such speed that when she swerved out of the driveway, the car screeched.
"Jeez! Take it easy!" Syaoran stated buckling his seatbelt.
"Hey, I'm a bratty 17 year old. I have to drive like this." Sakura answered smiling.
Syaoran laughed. "So, how was ditsy Grace today?"
"Well, I didn't exactly go with that image. I went with the new-bitchy-rich-kid-slash-temptress-trying-to-overthrow-the-bitchy-queen-and-seduce-everything-that-crosses-her-path attitude. That about sums up my day. Be mean, be arrogant, be bratty, blah blah. How was your day?" Sakura asked yielding with the traffic. New York City traffic was a total killer.
"Slept, woke up, did some research on the people involved with Fang, and that was basically it. Oh yeah, and I got this car. Nice don't you think?" Syaoran looked around the packed street.
"Well, it is nice. But I personally would have gone with a candy apple red car."
"So, who were those two standing with you?"
"That'd be Lacey Griffith, the blonde, and the red-head would be Mindy Richards. Lacey's the evil queen of them all. We didn't exactly get off to a nice start. Anyway, that Mindy girl's not that bad. A little ditsy here and there, but who's perfect? I met some other people too along with Brinksby. I personally don't go for younger guys but he is hot. Not a bad runner either." Sakura commented thoughtfully.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Just keep your head straight please." Syaoran yawned.
"So what are we doing today?" Sakura asked excitedly.
"Don't you have homework or something?" Syaoran asked.
"What?! Ugh… I didn't think I actually HAD TO do the damn thing." Sakura shouted out in exasperation.
Syaoran laughed as he gave her a sideways glance. "That reminds me. How the heck did you get through school without a backpack?"
Sakura thought for a second before replying. "I have no clue. I actually don't even remember the lessons and stuff since I was so busy trying to put on an act and attract the stupid kids. Thus, no homework. Not as far as I'm concerned anyway." Sakura happily replied.
"You're grades are going to suffer if you don't keep up in school." Syaoran scolded in a playfully serious tone.
"I swear… you're such a grandpa!" Sakura slapped his arm
The traffic slowly moved inch by inch. Sakura just sat there in her convertible with Syaoran, talking as if there was nothing wrong with the world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coming back to a shabby motel after acting arrogant and too rich for everyone seemed a bit ironic to Sakura. Syaoran and Sakura had parked the car in a public parking building since they couldn't have the car in the motel parking lot. When they got back, they found that three more agents had arrived in various disguises. Sakura was quickly introduced to them and vise versus. Sakura could tell they all looked at her disapprovingly cause of the double-cross, but it didn't matter. She'd be making it up to them.
SourPop1004: Hei there! Ok, that was just the start of my 'longer' chapters. Actually, this chapter was about half times more than my usual chapters. Anyway, I want to deeply apologize for my very late update. But just keep in mind, from now on, my chapters will be longer and will be posted more than two weeks at a time. It's cause of school and everything. Just so much stuff to do. Ack… anyhow, I'm so sorry people and I just want to thank those for sticking by me. We only have 3 more chapters to go. I want to make them the best I can. So, thanks for hanging in there with me for three chapters of blank and only drama. Remember to review! I'll see you guys in a couple of weeks at chapter 18.
Ja ne.