Chapter 10: Smile for me
I closed my eyes and waited for the painful sting on my left cheek when nothing happened. Slowly I opened my eyes and saw Li's hand on Meiling's wrist with an angry look on his face. He looks like a different person, it's like he is not the man I met at the park. He is not the man who always gives me a smile during my dark hours and never gave up on me. That thought scares me the most. I wanted to tell him to stop but my mouth wouldn't move an inch. I felt like my body is frozen in time.
"Don't you even dare..." He said quietly. The way he said it can make a strong man tremble in fear but Meiling suddenly smirked taking no heed to his cold voice.
"Why my dear brother? I thought she is just your friend so why do you care about her so much?" she said snidely. Li's eyes widened at her questions. I did not notice the blush that stained his cheeks when Meiling spoke once more.
"If I didn't know better, you like this manipulative freak who is only after your money." Meiling laughed coldly suddenly Li slapped her very hard. "You spoiled brat! How dare you!" Meiling snapped angrily as she clutched her cheek.
His messy bangs covered his eyes so nobody could see his pain and guilt. "You deserve it." He said without feeling.
Why is he standing up for me? Why is he acting like this? I am so confused and scared. I should not have opened my big mouth. I should not have let my pride get the better of me. If it weren't for me none of this would had happened.
"No she deserve it for butting in somebody's business. She doesn't belong to this family so she has no right so open her pretty mouth just to say stupid things." Meiling has a point in there.
"You're right." I said silently. "I don't have any right in meddling at your problems. Just like, you have no right to hurt Syaoran." I did not notice that I said Li's first name in front of them. Li's eyes widened and slowly he smiled at me. He...he just smiled. Could it be that he's back? I looked at him again just to check and yes, he is back. I wanted to smile but I can't because I know I have no right to do that after what I had done to him.
"So what, he deserve it just like you." Meiling smirked at us. "I would like to ask you..." Meiling said to me "Are you that desperate and sick, that you befriend everyone who comes your way?" I already knew that fact but why does it hurt so much. I already know that I don't deserve to be close to someone because I would hurt and leave them in the end but why does it hurt? Why? Is this my fate?
"Meiling stop this!" Li said in a cold and hurt voice. However, Meiling brushed it off as if it was nothing. Li stood in front of me like an angel ready to fight my demons.
"Why can't you answer such a simple question? Why does the truth hurt?" Meiling feigned a shock face and looked at me mockingly. She continued her tirade even if Li is standing in front of her. "Wait...you are a sick manipulative person. Well, the truth is I don't care if you befriend this traitor because he needs it badly. Too bad your going to leave him soon because everyone does."
"You've changed a lot." Li said silently. "I feel like I don't know you anymore, in fact I feel like you are not my sister anymore. My sister is kind and cheerful unlike you. You are just like a stone. Shou-an would be saddened if he could see you now."
Confusion, anger, and regret flashed in her cold face. "Shou-an?" tears began to form in her eyes. "You bastard...go away." She said silently. "I said LEAVE!!!!" she pushed us and shut the door in our faces. Li banged on the door calling Meiling's name.
"Meiling is dead! Don't you ever dare to come back here because I hate you!" Meiling screamed through the door. Li closed his eyes and clenched his fist. I kept on blaming myself at that time. At times like this, I wished that I could disappear but that won't be too long for now. Meiling is a cold-hearted woman. Syaoran put his arm around my shoulders as he led me towards the car. Once I was inside the car, my dam broke out as my tears continued to flow like a river. I just couldn't take it anymore, everything that Meiling said is right. I went off the car and took off running like there's no tomorrow. I am such a fool to believe that there is still hope. I am such a fool to believe that people need friends and family to live and survive. I am such a fool to believe Li. Li must have hate me right now because of the scene I made earlier. I acted like a fool for butting in their business, which is not my problem.
I didn't know where I was. The place is full of people rushing at the street on where I stood. I looked at my watch and saw its 6:00 pm, rush hour. People kept on bumping and pushing me eager to get home early. I lost my footing and fell flat on my face but you know what I don't care. I don't care if there is a scratch on me or if my dress is all muddy. Days, months, or even years from now I will just be a wind that will pass through them, a wind that nobody would notice nor care.
I noticed a hand stretched out to me. I looked up and saw Li's face full of relief and something I couldn't figure out. Would I take it or not? I kept staring at his hand as if I was expecting something to come out. Suddenly I could not control my body as my hand reached out t him. The moment our hands met, I realized how warm his hands are and how small my hands are to his grasp. After that, he pulled me to a warm embrace as if he is scared I would vanish.
"Don't run away from me again. Please." His voice was soft from his pleading and...scared. Why?
"Why?"
"I thought you're going to leave me and I don't want that because...because you mean a lot to me...you're...the only friend I have." If I listened hard, I would hear him stuttering the last phrase. I felt happy and disappointed at the same time.
"I thought you would hate me after what I did earlier. I am so ashamed at myself for acting like a meddlesome person. I didn't know what came over me...I just got mad at her for saying those things at you...I mean at us but...I figured out she was right... I'm a sick..." Great I'm babbling nonsense. However, Li interrupted me by looking at me in the eye.
"Don't you ever believe everything my sister said to you. She is just not her self when she said those things. Besides, I don't think you are that kind of person because you are more to that." What does he mean by that? That question plagued my mind until Li brought me home and left with an unexplained smile.
"I look like a pink hippo in this dress." Tomoyo said smugly in front of her mirror.
"For the sixth time, you look fine." Eriol said.
"I don't know...maybe I should try the purple shirt." Tomoyo said twirling around the mirror checking her out. Tomoyo wore a pink spaghetti strapped dress that hung on her curves. Today she wore her hair in a high ponytail. Eriol sat beside the mirror with a look of controlled blank face. It took all his willpower not to drool in front of her. He wore a green turtle neck shirt with black pants.
"If you do that Syaoran might be running out of ideas on why he brought her there. As far as I know, Syaoran is the worst liar ever to walk in this planet and if Syaoran told her she's meeting you there "unexpectedly"...well...umm...let's just say Syaoran should know how to handle a raging wind." Eriol said in a bored tone. "One more thing, I love the way you look today so don't change it." Tomoyo blushed at his comment.
"Are you feeling fine?" Tomoyo checked his temperature to know if he has fever. "You seem okay...why the sudden change of mood?" Tomoyo asked still blushing. Eriol too is also blushing.
"Well I just feel like it...besides, you always look good in anything you wear." Eriol answered while looking away. "We have to go, Syaoran might be waiting for us." Eriol quickly changed the subject; however, the blush remained on his cheeks. However, Tomoyo stopped Eriol.
"If...if things get ugly and everything doesn't work out, could you stay by my side." Tomoyo said with uncertainty and fear in her eyes.
"I'll always be by your side, even if you still don't need and think of me anymore. That is a promise." Eriol said with a sad smile.
"Tell me again, why are we here?" I asked Syaoran for the third time.
"I want to show you something." Syaoran said mysteriously
"You know what Li, you are the most irritating person I ever knew."
"Syaoran." Syaoran said simply.
"Huh?" I said dumbly.
"Call me Syaoran...Li is too formal." He said while looking behind me. "Besides you've done it before." I felt myself blush at what he said.
"Okay Syaoran, could you please tell me what are we really doing at Penguin Park?" he just smiled sheepishly at me.
"A bird told me I have to take you out from your room because you clearly need a scenery change."
I knew it, he has gone nuts after that work he has done at his office. I got restless for days after he didn't call or show his face after he dropped me off from Meiling's house. I secretly waited for him to arrive and when he does, he looks so tired. The Syaoran in front of me is different from the Syaoran I secretly waited by my window. He looks happy and relaxed.
"Do you want some cola?" he suddenly asked me.
"Sure." Syaoran went off to buy some drinks. I still don't know why Syaoran brought me here. He must have a good reason about it and I am bound to find it out. I sat at the bench and watched the children play. Tomoyo. I felt someone sat beside me. I just ignored her thinking it might be one of the mother who like to watch her child play and have fun.
"My best-friend and I used to play in here. I used to be a crybaby back then but my best-friend always stick by me and offer me her beautiful smile." That voice, I know that voice.
"Tomoyo?" Questions began to run through my mind. Like, why is she here? How did she know I am here? Question like that and more. I just sat there speechless in front of her.
"Well last I checked, that's my name." She said jokingly. Soon enough I found my voice.
"Why?" I asked her and she just shrugged at me. Silence dawned on us. The only sound you can hear are the children's laughing. Tomoyo suddenly sighed and looked at me.
"I came here to tell you I'm sorry." Sorry is not the word I expected to hear from her. "I didn't know that you feel that way. I am so sorry I am so selfish but what can I do you are the first person that treated me like a real person and made me a friend. Eversince, you left I felt like I lost a sister and it's all because of me. I am not expecting you to forgive me but I just wanted you to know that. I wanted to thank you for being a great best-friend and a sister I never knew." Tomoyo stopped for a while to look at me, "Good-bye."
I don't understand...why is she saying all of these things when I should be the one who should be saying those things. I am the one who is selfish not her. I am the one who doesn't understand. I am the wrong one here. I am so angry with myself. How could I think that everyone would be happy if I left?
"I don't understand." I said aloud. Tomoyo stopped to look at me questioningly. "I don't understand why you have to be so naïve and stupid. I should be the one who should say everything you said to me not you. I'm the one who hurt you not the opposite way." I bowed my head unable to look at her anymore. "I just don't understand...but you know what," I gather up my courage to look at her once more, "that is the reason why I chose you to become my best-friend because you're you." Tomoyo rushed to me and hugged me. "I'm so sorry." I said softly. I didn't notice the tears that runs through my face all I know is that I have my best-friend back.
"I'm so glad your back Sakura." Tomoyo said through her tears.
"So do you think they've patch it all up?" Eriol said while sipping coke. They are walking around the park to give Sakura and Tomoyo some space. Syaoran didn't reply to him for he too shared the same feeling as Eriol at that time. "Fine be that way!" Eriol began to sulk then an evil grin came to his face. "Since it's just the two of us, why don't we have a man-to-man talk?"
"No thank you." Syaoran said silently. "Let's go this way." Syaoran points at the other side of the road that leads to the Penguin Park.
"I thought you wouldn't ask." Eriol said with a knowing smile.
"You are so lucky." Tomoyo suddenly said to me.
"Why?"
"Because you have a guardian angel who cares for you even though you didn't know it." An angel...for me? Who could that be? As I sat in there I saw an image of the fields with a man dressed in white who stood beside a large cherry blossom tree. I couldn't see his face but his eyes. His eyes have a wonderful shade of amber just like...Syaoran. Suddenly Tomoyo pulled me out of my reverie.
"Look it's Eriol." I saw Eriol with Syaoran walking straight toward us.
"Sakura I would like you to meet my cousin..." Eriol pointed to Syaoran.
"He's your cousin?"
"I seem to forget to tell her." Syaoran smiled sheepishly. So that explains everything.
"I'm starting to think why am I related to you." Eriol said flatly.
"Don't be like that...you're embarrassing yourself." Syaoran said jokingly. Soon enough, everyone started to laugh except me. I just couldn't get my mind off on what I saw earlier. Syaoran has the same eyes with the guy in my dream. Could it be?
A wind blew at us that brought the petals of cherry blossoms in our view. I slowly smiled while looking at Syaoran. Like magic, he turned to look at me. I wish I had a camera right now and cherish the happiness in Syaoran's face. "At last, you smiled." He said softly to me.
AN:
I AM SO SORRY IF YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE STORY TODAY BUT I WAS RUSHING IT JUST FOR YOU GUYS. MY PROFFESOR REALLY BITES THESE PAST FEW WEEKS, HE KEEPS ON GIVING US QUIZZES, REPORTS, REASEARCH, AND OUT THIS WORLD PROJECTS. THAT IS THE REASON WHY IT TOOK ME SOOOO LONG TO FINISH THIS UP. SORRY...SORRY...SORRY!!!!!
By the way, the thanks for all who reviewed my last chapter.