Revised, July 29, 2004

A/N: I'M ALIVE!

Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

For Apple-chan and da-mouse. I still luuuuuuv you guys! D

It's a Prom Thing

Chapter 5

Anna splashed water on her face and turned the tap off. She stared at herself in the mirror, running a hand through her hair. I wish I could be anywhere but here, she thought grimly, moving toward the paper towels to dry her hands and face.

As soon as they went inside the fast food joint, Anna made a beeline for the restroom, leaving Yoh to stand in line for their order. Now that she was inside the restroom, she never wanted to leave. She found herself staring at the windowsill, wondering whether she could break the glass and escape.

She shook her head violently. "Get a grip," she muttered. She was Anna Kyouyama. There is nothing that she can't handle. She will NOT wimp out. She can DO this. And…she needs a plan.

Anna hoisted herself onto the long marble sink, swinging her feet as she thought. She HAD noticed Yoh getting a little too cocky these days, just because she couldn't help but stutter and blush whenever she saw him. THAT is going to change. An evil grin spread across her face as she jumped down. Operation Make Yoh Asakura Squirm and Eventually Drive Him Away has now begun.

She pushed the door open, almost humming a happy tune as she looked for Yoh in the lines. She spotted him just as he was about to make an order.

"Uh…Two Cokes, I guess—" she heard him say.

"Regular or large, sir?" the lady behind the counter asked.

Anna stomped over to them and slammed her hand on the counter, making the people nearby jump in surprise. "Do you want to get hurt?" she asked Yoh calmly.

"EH!" Yoh's mouth had dropped open.

"You said you were taking me out for coffee and then you go off ordering COKE? COKE!" she hissed.

"Ah…"

"I WANT COFFEE, YOU HEAR?" she yelled. Turning to the counter girl, she smiled sweetly and said, "Change the order to two coffees, please."

The girl nodded dumbly, staring at her wide-eyed as if Anna had grown fangs.

"Pay for it," she called over her shoulder to Yoh, who seemed immobilized, as she flounced off to find them seats.

As she sat down, Anna sighed almost happily. Yep, the plan was off to a great start.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my little sister."

Anna looked up and found Hao grinning cheekily at her. He was with one of the more popular girls in their school, who was currently looking at Anna like she was an insignificant bug. But Anna refused to let them ruin her current mood so instead she replied, with mock cheerfulness, "Hello, Hao."

Hao raised his eyebrows. "My, aren't we in a good mood today. Out on a date with my little brother?" he asked slyly.

Suddenly the wheels in Anna's head began to turn. What if she changed Operation Make Yoh Asakura Squirm into Operation Make Everyone Squirm? Might as well have fun with them all.

After all, she wouldn't have to do much to freak them out, since she already does anyway.

"And what if I am?" she demanded. "Do you have a problem with that?"

Hao, himself a master in Making People Squirm (not to mention Making People Especially Girls Fall Over His Feet, Worshipping Him), was taken aback, but maintained a neutral facial expression. "Why, no, of course not—"

"Well, I'VE got a problem with YOUR date," Anna continued, crossing her arms. The girl gasped indignantly.

Hao's mouth twitched upwards just barely. "Really? And what may that be?" he asked, glancing sideways at his date, who was now glaring at him.

Anna looked the girl up and down. "Too much makeup…plus foundation too thick, wrong shade of lipstick…what is it with that black bra and nail polish? And that pantyhose…" she shook her head, sighing. "Are you a hooker? Either you're that or a pop star…which I definitely don't think you are…"

"YOU BIATCH!" the girl screamed, jumping forward with every intention of pulling Anna's hair or possibly scratching her eyes out. Hao caught the girl just in time, pulling her away from the table. His shoulders, Anna noticed, were shaking with suppressed laughter.

She smiled lazily as Hao drag his murderous date away. "We say it 'bitch' the normal way, honey," she called after them.

"AAAAAAARRRRRGHHHHHH!" the girl continued screaming as Hao now carried her away.

He tried to pacify her. "Calm down, sweetie—OUCH!"

Since she hadn't been able to pull Anna's hair, the girl pulled Hao's long, shiny, silky, luxurious locks instead.

"OKAY, THAT'S IT!" Hao promptly deposited his date on the floor. His face looked positively murderous now. "NOBODY. MESSES. UP. MY." He took a deep breath before bellowing out the last word: "HAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIR!"

Anna watched with enjoyment as Pop Star/Hooker Girl run outside the joint while still screaming her head off, a furious Hao at her heels.

Yoh arrived at their table, bearing a tray with two Styrofoam cups of coffee. "Er…was that my brother?"

"Yep," Anna answered as she turned around to follow the chase, watching them disappear around a corner.

Yoh placed their coffee on the table and put the tray on another table before sitting down. He scratched the back of his neck nervously. "So…"

"So? What?" Anna reached over and started putting sugar and cream in her coffee. She stirred it and held the cup close to her face, closing her eyes as she savored the warmth it gave.

Yoh stared at her intently, a confused expression on his face. She looked…peaceful. What was THAT all about just a while ago? Is this one of those girl mood swings Hao lectured him on one time? Perhaps Anna's having her…what was it called? Period or something—but somehow Yoh wisely thought she wouldn't be too happy with him if he asked her that.

"YOH!"

He started so bad that he almost spilled his coffee. "What?"

"What is it?" Anna growled. He sighed inwardly. Yep, he definitely thinks Anna's having her period-whatsits right now.

"What is what?" Yoh asked as he blew on his coffee to make it cool. He actually liked drinking coffee when it's ice cold…but the way Anna yelled a while back…maybe next time. If there WILL be a next time.

She sighed impatiently. "You were the one who asked me out, right?" He nodded. "SO, you obviously have something to say to me. Whatever it is, just say it, I don't have all day."

"Well…um…" Stalling, Yoh reached for his packets of sugar and cream. His hand nearly brushed Anna's instead. Huh?

And he watched as Anna poured HIS sugar and cream in HER cup. Sighing, he contented himself with drinking his still black coffee. He took a sip and grimaced.

Anna was watching him. She rolled her eyes and stood up. He followed her with his eyes, the confused expression back on his face.

A moment later she returned. She handed him packets of sugar and cream before sitting down again.

"Does it taste alright now?" she asked, after Yoh poured the sugar and cream in his coffee and stirred it.

He took a huge gulp. "Yup!" He grinned at her, his confused mood gone, replaced by his usual cheerful one. Anna felt her resolve melting. Damn that smile of his…

"So, talk," she commanded.

Yoh shrugged. "I just wanted to ask you if you were okay."

"Oh, I'm just peachy."

He looked at her in the eye, his expression becoming serious all at once. "No, I meant…well, I really wanted to ask you how you've been for the past—" he paused, counting on his fingers, "ten years. It's been ten years, isn't it?"

"Yes," she answered curtly. This is it. THIS IS IT. She just KNEW he'd want to talk about THIS.

"Yeah, so…" he shrugged again. "It's been a long time since you moved away and left—" he stopped himself before he could say 'and left me'. "—and left with your aunt. I didn't know how you were doing because you never wrote—"

"Stop." Her fingers were clutching the edges of the table so hard, her knuckles were turning white.

"Anna—"

"Do you want to know why I never wrote?" she asked, her voice trembling a little.

"Why?"

"BECAUSE YOU NEVER WROTE EITHER!" she yelled.

"WHAT!" People were starting to stare at them, again, but they both ignored them. "That's not true! I wrote to you EVERYDAY! You can ask Hao if you want to!"

"Well, that's funny, because I never RECEIVED even one of your so-called letters," she said spitefully.

"Really?" He stopped. How strange. He DID send a lot of letters, but she didn't receive them. How did that happen? "Maybe I was writing down the wrong address after all?"

She rolled her eyes. "Idiot."

They both fell silent, staring at the remaining coffee in their cups.

"I wrote too, you know," she said so quietly he had to lean forward to hear her. "Everyday," she added after a slight pause. "But you never wrote back. So I got mad, and I stopped writing…"

She trailed off. Yoh stared at the table, his brows furrowed. Something feels wrong. He wrote, and she wrote, but…neither of them had received the other's letters. How can that be?

And he was sure he wrote her addresses right. He was POSITIVE about that. He knew she changed addresses often, what with their moving around and all. After all, that's what she said in the few letters he received from her…oh right. Stupid. He HAD received some letters. Each letter had a new address. It was kind of confusing, he could admit now. Maybe he mixed up all her addresses?

Anna stood up abruptly, making the table shake. "I'm going home," she announced.

He stood up as well. "I'm coming with you."

"NO." She slammed her hand on the table, making the people nearby wince.

"Why!" he demanded.

"Because I don't want you to! Don't you EVER go to my house—"

"I don't even know where you live right now!"

"And don't you EVER call me on the phone—"

"I don't even know your number!" he said exasperatedly.

"Well, GOOD!" she shot back. "Finally, DON'T talk to me at school unless I speak to you."

"Anna!"

She grabbed his school necktie and pulled him across the table. "Do you want to DIE?"

A few people were already scurrying for cover and leaving their tables. Yoh could only make gagging sounds in reply, as Anna was choking him by pulling his necktie.

She released her hold on him and he slumped back on his chair, gasping for breath. "See you tomorrow, then." She gave him a sharp slap on the back before leaving.

"You are in deep shit, little brother," a voice behind Yoh piped up cheerily.

Hao grinned widely as he stood over his brother. He had returned to the fast food joint after taking care of his date and was listening to the entire exchange the whole time.

Yoh groaned, and he slid further into his seat.

To be continued

Reen's ramblings: BWAHAHAHA! I finally updated! I'm so happy! I actually finished writing this chapter today when I'm supposed to be studying for a long exam bwahahahaha! But whatever. I'm getting tired of studying about physical geography and the weather and climate and pressure systems and topographical maps…why did I take that stupid elective anyway! WHY! –bangs head on the wall-
1) I was rereading everything I wrote before, and to my immense horror, I discovered…a PLOT HOLE! Actually, several plot holes! GAAAAAAAH! Hope you guys don't notice them hehehe ;) I'm planning to rewrite bits of this story to make everything fall into place. 2) This chapter is shorter than the one before it, I know. I decided not to include the others for this chapter, because…I haven't written that part yet nihihihihi 3) No offense to those who actually dress like Hao's date in this chapter. That was Anna talking, not me. ;p 4) Please don't ask me to update soon, because…well, I know I can't. That's just the way it is!