By Empyreal Melody
Chapter 4: Don't Get Involved
It seems that word spread throughout the entire school that Sana had met the famous Akito Hayama; and Sana was confused more than ever. It was absolutely crazy! By the end of the day, all of the girls crowded around Sana's desk, repeating the same things over and over again: "Oh my god! You really met Akito Hayama?" "Does he look as hot in real life as he does on TV?" "Did you get an autograph?" "Did you drool?" "When are you going to meet him again?"
She shook her head. "No, I didn't get an autograph. Actually, I don't think I want anything that has to do with him. He doesn't seem all that great anyway."
All the girls gasped in surprise, unable to believe Sana would say such a thing. "But, Sana," one of the girls stammered, "you don't really mean that do you?"
She told them all what happened, how he didn't say hi, didn't smile, and didn't even introduce himself. "He was downright rude! I don't get what you guys see in him," she breathed.
The other girls stayed quiet for a while, pondering whether Sana was telling the truth or not; but knowing Sana, it didn't seem worth arguing about. She was surrounded by celebrities everyday, so it wasn't a surprise for her not to be interested in any of them.
"I always thought Akito was cool," said a girl. "Are you sure you aren't just over exaggerating?"
"Mami, I know I'm not exaggerating. It's the full truth that he was rude. There's no other word to use."
The girls sighed with disappointment and eventually left, leaving just Sana, Aya, and Fuka. Everyone expects celebrities to be great at everything and that they're always cool. Well that's not true! Her eyes narrowed down as the image of Akito Hayama kept on popping up in her head. All of a sudden she stood up and started whining. "Waah! Leave me alone Hayama!"
"Gee Sana… it doesn't sound as though things went that well. Are you still doing the movie?" Fuka asked.
She sighed, placing her hand over her forehead. "He makes me not want to do it anymore, but I think I'm still gonna do it."
She put a finger out as though she were going to give a lecture. "Just because he was acting like a jerk doesn't mean I'm going to give it up. Besides," she now had a hand on her hip and a hand out as though she were giving a lecture explanation, "that was just the first day. There were a lot of nice people there! And Asako's in it too!"
Fuka smiled. "I'm happy for you. Get me an autograph will ya?"
Sana's eyes dulled as they narrowed down. "Of who? Hayama?" That guy was like a wolf! A lone wolf that would just bite anyone's head off the moment he had the chance.
Fuka's smile faltered as she waved her hands in front of her as if she were invisibly pushing Sana away from her. "No, no! I didn't mean him! I meant Asako." She calmed down as Sana let out a sigh of relief. She didn't understand this whole Hayama problem that was going on, but decided that some things should just be left alone.
Sana, after a moment of silence, had an idea. "You know what? Let's go shopping!"
"What? On a Monday? People have homework to do-"
"Actually, I think that's a great idea. It'd help get our mind out of… all… this…," Aya, who was quiet the entire time, interrupted. "Besides, not many people go to the mall on Mondays. So we'll probably get it all to ourselves."
Fuka then sighed in agreement. "All right, but if you aren't able to finish your homework don't ask me for any help-"
"Okay then!" Sana exclaimed. "To the mall it is!"
- - - - - - -
"Aww! That's so cute!" Sana pointed to the small stuffed animal that sat in front the store window. "You know, I think Maro would like it. It's a squirrel, and he could use some company." And with that, the beginning of their shopping spree started. They all laughed as they wondered how it came to be that a squirrel was living in Mariko's hair, not knowing that it was Sana's idea in the first place. "I always ask my mom why there's a squirrel in her hair and she just sighs and walks away."
While exiting, they saw a small boy trying to drag his dad over to a Discovery Channel store.
"Wow! Look Daddy! Look! Is this place new?"
Curious as to what was in it; they decided to check it out. Walking in, they noticed that it had many neat things. There were sparkling yo-yos, light-up pens, glow in the dark stars, and a couple animal videos.
"Hey check it out. They have that squishy stuff!" Fuka laughed.
"Ooh! I love those!" Sana responded.
"And look at that stuffed dolphin! I always wanted one of those!" Aya said.
"Daddy, I want that dinosaur."
Sana turned her head and saw the same little boy from earlier pick up a dinosaur. With a fatherly smile, his dad went to the register to buy it for him. When he got it back, the kid hugged the bag tight and smiled up at his him. "Thanks Daddy!" he said as they left the store, his father's hand on his back leading him out.
She smiled for them both, noting how cute it was. It's too bad I don't remember anything like that with my dad. She didn't notice how spaced out she was until Fuka interrupted her reverie.
"Yo! Earth to Sana!" Fuka waved her hand in front of her face before snapping her fingers.
"What? Oh! Hey guys. Sorry, I must've spaced out there," she said, putting her hand behind her head.
Aya laughed. "Well I don't think there's much point in just standing here when we can go buy more things. We just got here half an hour ago."
"Aya's right. I didn't agree to come here for nothing. It's time to stop playing around and get some serious shopping!"
Sana walked away from the store with her friends, glancing back one more time at the other dinosaur that now stood by itself.
- - - - - - -
After getting their fill of a whole new wardrobe, the girls carried all their bags over to food court.
Sana felt her stomach growl with a loudness that matched the end of the world. "Wow! I'm starving! I feel like I can eat a cow!"
"That's what beef is for," Fuka joked.
"I'm serious! Look at all what we've bought." She genuflected toward the 15 gigantic bags that surrounded them. "People can't go home from shopping without eating. It's just not normal."
"Sana," Aya said, "you're not normal."
"Hey!" she defended as the other two laughed at her.
While this was going on, Sana spotted a short person with medium brown hair and glasses walk by. Moving her head a bit forward to fully recognize who it was she jumped out of her seat and shouted across the mall.
"Hey you! Stop!"
Luckily, there weren't that many people shopping that day so she easily attracted his attention.
Unsure whether she was referring to him or not, the figure turned around anyway. He blinked a couple times, before realizing that it was Sana. He waved with a shy smile as she approached him. "Hi Sana. I didn't expect to see you here."
"Yeah, it was sort of one of those 'spur of the moment' kind of things. I'm here with a couple friends of mine. Do you want to sit with us?" she invited him.
They made their way over to the table where she introduced them. "This is Fuka and Aya. Guys, meet Tsuyoshi."
"It's nice to meet you," he said with a little bow.
They both smiled at him and made tiny waves.
"So Tsuyoshi, what are you doing here?" Sana asked. Then, looking around, she added, "Did you come here with anyone?"
He laughed to himself as he put a hand behind his head. "Akito said he needed to get some things and I volunteered to come with him."
The moment that named came out from his mouth Sana automatically froze with indicated resentment. "Oh, were you going to meet up with him or something?"
"Yeah. We were supposed to meet up at the fountain right here in the food court. I hope he gets here soon. I'm really getting hungry."
"Oh hey! We were getting hungry too. How about we all eat together?" Aya asked, unaware of the SOS signs Sana was waving from behind. When Fuka nudged her to look at Sana, she was confused as to what that meant. "Or… maybe not?"
"Actually I don't mind at all. The more the merrier!" Tsuyoshi said happily, completely oblivious to the manner Sana was pulling her hair.
"Um, well, okay then," Aya said hesitantly, giving the best smile she could manage as Sana then started shaking her head wildly at her.
No! I don't want to see him! She looked at Fuka, who was slowly shaking her head at her as if there was nothing she could do.
Oh well, what's done is done, she sighed, shoulders slightly slumped forward.The thought of seeing Akito again wasn't good, but she figured that if he was going to be her co-star that she might as well try to get along with him. Maybe this day was a sign for them to get to know each other better. Even if he is a jerk.
So the group waited at the fountain with idle chatter, laughing and joking.
Sana was listening to one of Fuka's stories when she spotted Akito coming toward them. He was listening to his cd player with several bags in hand. Noticing his friend had company, he stopped walking. He locked eyes with Sana's, wary ones matched with void ones. Then he looked away, walking forward as though he didn't notice her at all.
"Hey Akito. Did you get everything you needed? I ran into a couple friends on the way over," Tsuyoshi said when he realized he was there.
They watched as Akito took an uninterested glance at the girls, not bothering to take the head phones off. With a 'hmph' he looked away, provoking a gasp from Aya and Fuka. Now they see the Akito that I had deal with, Sana thought, angry that Akito was not only rude to her but to her friends as well. Still, she attempted to be nice to him.
"Hi Akito." She paused to see if Akito would say anything at all, forcing herself to smile. "What a coincidence running into each other here, especially when we just met the other day." She gave up looking happy when she still received no answer and instead openly frowned. I swear this is like a replay scene. Not wanting to deal with him any longer she decided to ignore him. If he wants to be rude to me, then I'll be rude to him. What goes around comes around Hayama.
"Well, now that Akito's here, why don't we all go get that food we've been waiting for!" Tsuyoshi said, breaking the ice.
"Yeah, it's about time!" Sana smiled as though nothing was wrong and the other three shrugged and followed suit.
- - - - - - -
They all watched Sana ravish her hamburger, fries, onion rings, buffalo wings, chips, salad, and ice cream with an unleashed appetite.
"Sana… how is it that you're able to eat that much?" Tsuyoshi asked, amazed at her fill.
"To tell you the truth," Fuka answered, "we don't even know that ourselves. She's just been that way for who knows how long."
"Oh, I see." Of course he didn't really, but would know a sane answer to that?
Sana gulped down her last bite. "Well, when people work a lot the chances are they're either tired or hungry. For me, I'm just always hungry." She popped a fry in her mouth. "This food is really good! You guys want some?" When they shook their heads she just shrugged. "Okay then. Just tell me if you change your mind."
"Sana." Aya had another light smile as she started laughing. "You're too much."
Akito sat in silence as he took a glance at Sana every now and then. This is the famous Sana Kurata I'm supposed to work with? The girl was strange, that's for sure, but it wasn't as though he had a choice in choosing another co-star. This sucks.
"So, Sana, Akito, how do you guys feel working together?" Tsuyoshi asked, snapping Akito out of his thoughts.
"Well we haven't started filming so I can't really say," she said, avoiding the real answer. I hate it, Sana thought. But it's not like I'm really going to say that.
Aya and Fuka looked at each other, knowing the truth behind those words. Both of them glad that she didn't explode with the truth right in front of him, they sighed with relief.
Even though Akito wasn't looking directly at them, he saw the look the two of them had. Hm, wonder what that could mean… He looked at Sana who was just smiling, but it looked somewhat fake.
Tsuyoshi just nodded his head. "True."
"You know what? I think I'm getting thirsty. Do you guys want something to drink?" Sana asked, getting up from her seat. "I mean, the smoothie stand is just behind us so it's not like it's a long way to go," she laughed.
Three of them gave her an order. When Akito didn't say anything, she just pretended that his no- opinion didn't matter. "Okay, that's a coke, an ice tea, and a strawberry smoothie? Gotcha."
It didn't slip by them the way Sana didn't ask Akito if he wanted anything. As little as it was, it still stung. I wouldn't want to be in his position. Hmph, Piggy Hayama.
"Akito, you're really quiet. Don't you ever talk?" Fuka asked, not ashamed to ask any upfront question.
Akito glared at her but refused to say anything.
Fuka felt offended as she narrowed her eyes at him. She was about to say something else when Tsuyoshi spoke.
"Um, Akito just doesn't like to talk that much," Tsuyoshi said, his hand behind his head. "He's a lot nicer than he looks. Right Akito?" He wasn't really expecting an answer, but when Akito got up from his seat Tsuyoshi knew that it was time to leave.
"Uh, I think we better get going now. It was nice meeting you. Bye Sana, thanks for the drink. See you soon all right?" After giving a couple apologies he followed after Akito's leave.
The girls were quiet for awhile.
"Well," Aya started, "I have to say this went by pretty quickly."
"No kidding. I can understand why you hated him Sana. The guy was a total jerk," Fuka flipped. "Who does he think he is, glaring at me like that? It was just a simple question!"
"But Tsuyoshi seemed really nice. Do you think we'll be able to hang out like this again?"
Fuka gave her a look that went along the lines of 'don't tell me'. "Aya, you don't… like him do you?"
"What? Of course not."
"Sure Aya," she said, rolling her eyes. "I believe you."
"I don't! I just said he was nice. What's wrong with that?" By now her face was red as she held her hands up to her chest.
"You're face, that's what."
As Fuka joked around and Aya helplessly defended herself, Sana sat deeply in thought. She felt bad for somewhat ignoring him like she did, but she wasn't one to mess with. It was that whole Code of Hammurabi thing: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Akito, hopefully we'll learn how to get along. But until then, I'm not going to stop being rude until you do. She sighed. Stubbornness wins.
- - - - - - -
"So, that was fun wasn't it?" Tsuyoshi asked Akito.
"What was?"
"You know, hanging out with Sana and her friends."
"Hm."
Tsuyoshi stopped walking. "Come on Akito! You haven't hung out in a group in a long time. Of course it was fun."
Akito stopped walking after he said that, his hands in pockets, head still facing forward. "If you call being openly ignored as fun, you've got the wrong idea."
Tsuyoshi regretted having spoken when he heard Akito's response. Maybe I shouldn't have agreed to Aya's invitation, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. When he looked up Akito had already walked on. He ran to catch up with him, jogging up at his side to keep up with his pace.
"Akito, sorry, but I'm sure Sana didn't mean anything by it."
"It's nothing." He spoke with the same monotone voice while his eyes flashed with the same creepiness equivalent to the evil of the devil.
"Maybe, it's because you weren't… open with her the first time you met."
Akito recalled the first time he spoke to her. I don't need to answer to you. Somewhere in him knew that those words probably did hurt her, but seriously, did he even care?
"I don't want to deal with her. Everything is strictly business, nothing more." He paused. "I don't care what she does as long as she leaves me alone."
Tsuyoshi was then left behind, watching as his friend walked away into the night.
A/N: I'd just like to make a quick note. Someone asked what year they were in. Even though I said they were in freshmen year, I would like to change that to their junior year in high school. It makes things easier for the story if they're older. So they're 16. I'm also currently working on the 5th chapter. I was going to wait until I was done with that before posting this one up, but you guys are awesome reviewers!
Much love to those who reviewed and haven't given up on this story. And special shout-outs to Moonjava, and Tonim for reviewing even after it's been a year since my last update. Miki, you especially. It seems as though you're reviewing everyday. -happy face- I'm really grateful! Luv you all!