A/N: Gosh, I'm very very very sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up. ;; I've just been so busy, with SAT's and AP testing and finals and theatre... I humbly apologize. it'll never happen again. : (resolved face) In fact, i solemnly promise to get the next chapter posted within three weeks. X.X Well, enough of my whining. What are we waiting for? Here you go!

The Dance Chapter 5

by chibi-hikaru

Touya came into school Monday morning like nothing had happened. That's what hurt the worst of all. Even worse than the rejection, was his utter lack of recognition of how significant that kiss had been for me. I guess that at first he was just feeling embarrassed or awkward, because he's acting perfectly normal now. But now it's worse. If I know Touya, he's pretending to take it in stride while pondering it all beneath the surface. That is my Touya. And I wouldn't change him for anything.

Well, maybe just one thing. If I could, I might make it so that he would love me. No, not order or force him to. I would make it... possible. I would make there a small tiny chance, I would make him have the ability to love me like this, like the way I love him and so desperately need him to love me. He has to want to love me; no he has to choose to love me. That's what love is after all, a choice, not a feeling. Sure, the feeling is there too, but you have to accept it and choose to love someone even when they're not being the most loveable person. I'm not saying that you can choose who you fall in love with; otherwise, why would I be in my current situation?!? What I am saying is that it's more than just a fleeting desire, there has to be dedication too. You have to choose to love in spite of the other person's flaws. In spite of the hurt and pain. In the end, I know for myself at least that I must choose love.

Will Touya? Does he even know he's being asked to make a choice? Or rather, that he was asked to three days ago out in the sweet December cold. Many people would call it the bitter cold, but so many amazing and beautiful things happened there that I could never say a negative thing about it. I wonder what he really feels deep down, where I know he's been thinking about it hard. Could he possibly accept me, and my feelings for him? I'm sure he won't get upset over it, or leave me forever, but... could he return them? I doubt it, as far as I can tell he's straight as your average ruler, but you never know... I know there are many people who'd never guess that I was attracted to males. Sure, girls are pretty, I really think so, but I just don't feel the same connection as I do with guys. And no girl could ever make me feel the way I do whenever I'm with Touya...

I want to call him up right now, just pick up the phone and ask him if he feels the same way. But I know I have to give him some more time to think about it all. And I know it's a lot to think about. I mean, I had to think about it for over six years, and I still sometimes do. When I'm not thinking about Touya. Oh, Touya, Touya, Touya... ring ...Touya, Touya... Ring Tooouyaaa... RIIIIING!

"Touya!" I jump up to get the phone. Sure enough, as soon as I pick up the reciever, I hear my love's voice.

"Yuki?" Aaaaaah, that voice...

"This is he." Why is he calling?

"Hey." They say men never call unless they like you.

"Hello." Yes!

"What's up?" No.

"Not much." Why call now, at almost eleven o'clock at night?

"Um... Yeah. I just wanted to know if we could, I dunno, hang out tomorrow after school. To talk." Talk, huh? That's what they call it now.

"Oh, sure. I have nothing going on." What is this?!?! He's figured it all out already?

"'Kay. Good. Swirly's Ice Cream Parlor? It's on me." Apparently.

"I love ice cream!" The quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

"I know." He's seducing me with food.

"I can't wait!" Yeah, I have to know what you think. It's killing me. Even if you can never like me the same way... at least I'll know.

"Cool." So verbose, isn't he?

"Well, I'll see you tommorrow, then." Gulp.

"See ya." Click.

Oh, the joys of modern technology. My koi just asked me on our second date in two weeks! At least, I can delude myself...