A/N: This is by far the LONGEST chapter I've written and probably the most depressing! Judging from the title, what could HAPPEN! I'm sorry for the lazy updates, and my shining light of reviewers, thank you SO MUCH for putting up with this lazy bum!
Disclaimer: I... have a confession to make... I DON'T OWN SEED OR ANYTHING THAT SOUNDS EVEN REMOTELY FAMILIAR! I, howeverm PROUDLY OWN THE PLOT! MUAHAHAH! Me, a broke authoress, actually OWNS something... I'll go now...
Day 7 – For Valentine Blues and Heartbreak, Please Dial 1-800-HEARTBREAK
Stellar opened her locker and placed her bag in it, humming a song happily. Birds chirped merrily outside and the hallways were deserted so early in the morning. Teachers bustled about, photocopying things and carrying a haphazardly made cup of take-out coffee from random fast food places. As she shut her locker door, and turned sideways, she was startled to find Lunamaria Hawke behind the door, smiling.
"Lunamaria!" Stellar greeted, smiling.
"Hey, Stellar," Lunamaria smiled, and shifted her bag. "How's it going?"
"Good, you?" Stellar asked.
Lunamaria was a good friend, having attended half of elementary school together with Stellar and Shinn. Although Luna hung out with different crowds, they still managed to keep a close friendship.
"Other than being pounded every day by homework, I think my life's golden," Lunamaria answered thoughtfully.
"Stellar! Lunamaria! WAIT!" a shrill voice called from a little ways down the hall.
Confused, both turned as Kiki Johnson skidded to a stop in front of them, breathing heavily.
"Hello, Kiki," Lunamaria greeted, wondering what the girl could want. Neither of them had spoken to Kiki extensively before. Sure, a hello here and there, but Kiki seemed world apart from Luna and Stellar, and neither party found reason to talk to one another. So what would Kiki want…?
Kiki glanced up, smiling, eyes filled with hopefulness. "You guys know Shinn Yamato, right?" she asked, hands clasped and looking from Lunamaria to Stellar.
"Well of course," Lunamaria laughed.
Stellar nodded slowly. "Yes… why do you ask?" she inquired.
Kiki blushed bright red. "Well, you see, I have this huge crush on him, and I wanted to ask him to the Valentine Dance," she blurted out, wringing her hands. "He's so sweet, isn't he? A bit on the clumsy side, but that's just adorable! I even pretended I was dumb in Math so I could get him to tutor me! And he draws really nice pictures!" she ranted.
Sure… you say you pretended to be dumb… Stellar thought sarcastically.
"Then why don't you just ask?" Lunamaria demanded bluntly.
"Because," Kiki began, as if that had been the dumbest question in the world. "I was hoping that maybe you guys could help me! You have no idea ho many girls want to ask him out!"
"Are you sure you're not talking about Athrun-chan?" Stellar and Lunamaria blurted out, holding in laughter.
Shinn… and girls wanting to ask him out… No, Lunamaria decided. Not until people can be born with their genes altered and pilot weird huge ass robots.
"No! Shinn Yamato," Kiki declared dreamily. "So? Do you know if he's already planning to go with anyone?"
"Stellar?" Lunamaria asked.
Stellar hesitated. Even if Shinn weren't going with anyone (which she was pretty sure he wasn't. Yet) she was absolutely sure, Kiki wasn't his type. At all. And it was kind of an unspoken treaty: every school outing there was that required an escort, they went together.
"Uh… I don't think he's asked anyone yet… but-"Stellar was cut off as Kiki let out a loud squeal of joy.
"Really? YAY! I'll ask him this afternoon! Thanks, you guys!" Kiki exclaimed, skipping off. "Wait 'till my friends hear this!"
Lunamaria rolled her eyes. "Obsessive stalker," she muttered under her breath as Kiki rounded the corner. "Don't you guys always go together?"
"That's what I was trying to say," Stellar shrugged. "But she just ran off on me."
Lunamaria chuckled. "Her loss," she stated. "Now, can we pass by La Flaga-san's room? I seriously need to get my average up to at least a B!"
"What do you have now?" Stellar asked.
"A C," Lunamaria sighed. "If I want to go to that dance, I need to score an A on that test coming up!"
"I'm sure you'll do fine," Stellar said encouragingly.
-
Murrue took the freshly baked cake out of the oven and began the life-threatening task of decorating it, making sure no one, especially Mwu could see or smell it. This was for a special someone, which meant NO ONE, could come near it and harm it. Covering the chocolate cake in pale pink icing, she glanced at the watch. She had plenty of time to ice the cake, decorate it, take it to the secret freezer in the science room, and write a card all before school started.
"And red lettering," Murrue mumbled to herself, writing, From a Secret Admirer on the top and decorating the edges of the cake with red icing also. After sprinkling little edible hearts all over it, she smiled in satisfaction. "Beautiful."
Cautiously sliding the cake into a prepared red box with a big pink bow on top, she snuck out of the cooking room, casually making her way toward her own classroom.
"Ramius-san!" Lacus Clyne's voice called.
Turning around she waited for the pink-haired girl to catch up. "Hello, Lacus, what are you doing so early in the morning?" she asked.
"Miriallia's in the Dance Committee. She asked me to help with the decorations," Lacus answered, smiling.
Murrue nodded slowly, and remembered the little scene in the hallway the other day. "Will you be going with Kira, lacus? Or someone else?" she asked curiously.
Lacus' face fell. "I'll… probably go with someone else, Ramius-san. Since it looks like Kira will go with Flay after all…"
Unlocking the classroom door, Murrue walked in, Lacus following. She slid the cake into the secret freezer and leaned against it. "Lacus is everything alright?" she asked gently.
Lacus stopped fussing with her backpack and bit her lip. Crystal tears welled up in her eyes and she choked back a sob, clutching her bag tightly. "I-I…" she sputtered.
Walking over, Murrue laid a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Lacus, I know from experience you don't have to pretend everything's alright when it isn't. Is everything alright?" she repeated in a motherly tone.
Lacus glanced up with tear-filled eyes. Slowly, she shook her head. "No, everything isn't… alright," she answered.
Setting Lacus down on a stool, she locked the doors before coming back to the distressed teen. "Is it the fact that you aren't going to the dance with someone that you truly love that's bothering you?" she asked.
Lacus glanced up in shock. "H-h-how…?"
Murrue smiled softly and shrugged. "I've been down that road before enough to know exactly what you're going through, Lacus. It wasn't easy at all," she paused, remembering the emotions she had to face in high school and even through college. "Especially, if you don't have a Mother to tell all those things to,"
"It's so hard!" Lacus blurted out, burying her face in her hands. "I-I… I l-l-l-love him, yet, I… I k-k-know it's h-h-hopeless!"
Murrue put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "The best ones always come that way. I loved him; hell, I still do," she chuckled wryly. "Yet, I never found the courage to tell him. It was always, 'This isn't the right time', 'What chance do I have', 'What if…' It… hurt, because he always seemed to be around.
"I had over thirteen years to tell him, yet I didn't," Murrue sighed. "Even if I tell him now, it might be too late. Because, at my age, some things, once broken, can never be fixed. If he were to reject me, the trust and friendship we've had, would take a lifetime to fix. And I wouldn't be able to bear that."
"Ramius-san, what if…" Lacus trailed off as Murrue gave her a reassuring smile.
"Lacus, I've realized too late that you only have one shot at true love. Once it disappears, it's hard to get back. Because that special feeling only comes once," she explained. "You're still young, and I think, you won't ever find out how Kira feels if you don't tell him first."
Wiping her tears, Lacus let out a small, genuine smile. "Thank you," she said.
"Anything for my favorite student," Murrue winked. "And…chocolate cake is still his favorite, right?"
Lacus nodded, eyes twinkling.
-
Kira and Mwu stood outside, ears glued to Murrue's classroom door, listening intently to what the occupants inside were saying. Students or teachers passing by threw odd looks at the pair whom were crouched down. As silence reigned in the room for more than a minute, Kira let the two women's speech sink fully into his mind, and Mwu took the time to dissect Murrue's speech into its proper meaning.
The one that holds Lacus' heart…Kira thought, rendered speechless. Is…me…?
The teen thought back on all their time alone together. All the time Lacus smiled at him, laughed with him, sang for him… he could see it now. That extra twinkle in her eyes when she was with him, that melodious note her laugh would take on when he said something exceptionally funny, the emotions she held in her voice when he asked her to sing… all the extra attention she gave him… it suddenly made sense. All those years she had been in love with him, and he hadn't… noticed…
And now… he wondered why he hadn't seen it. And now… he had made her cry. Because of him, Lacus Clyne was crying. Because of Kira Yamato, her heart was… breaking… Because she thought she didn't hold that special place in his heart… Because she thought only Flay could be that one who could be in that space…
"Excuse me," he muttered. Hell with school today! His emotions were like a tornado whirling around in his mind, and he needed to think. To decide whether to keep Lacus' heart, or break it.
However, the adult seemed to be completely unaware of Kira's leaving as he stared blankly at the red-painted wooden door in front of him. For him, it was an entirely different reason. Had Murrue really said that she loved…somebody else?
-
"I got it!" Shinn yelled, running backwards, gloved hand outstretched. As the baseball landed squarely in his hand, he grinned triumphantly. "You're out, Neider!"
"Yamato! Watch out behind ya!" the aforementioned Auel Neider called out, ruffling his light blue hair.
"Eh? WHOA!" Shinn tripped over someone and landed flat on his back, the baseball flying to whack some poor soul on the head. Quickly dusting himself off, he apologized. "I'm sorry! I didn't watch where I was going!"
Kiki smiled, blushing. "I-It's OK, Shinn! That was some awesome catch you made, by the way!" she complimented, hands clasped.
"Uh… thanks… I guess," Shinn chuckled nervously. Dammit, Shinn! What was her name? Stellar mentioned her before… you know it! He thought frantically.
Kiki blushed even more and let out a small squeal. "Y-You're absolutely welcome! And Shinn? I was wondering if-"
"Oy! Stellar! I'm sorry! Did I hit you with that thing?" Shinn called out as he spotted Stellar holding her head a few feet away.
"Hey! Yamato! Hurry up!" Youlan Kent called, waving. "We haven't got all day!"
"Right! Sorry guys!" Shinn said sheepishly. He turned to Kiki. "I'm sorry, but I've got to go, but uh I'll see you in Stellar's art class or something…"
"Stellar! STELLAR!" Kiki seethed, stomping her feet. "B-B-But… I'M RIGHT HERE!"
Shinn knelt by Stellar, smiling apologetically. "Sorry, Stellar. I tripped over that girl in your art class or something, and the ball went sorta flying outta my hand," he explained.
"Oh, it's really alright," Stellar said, getting up and handing Shinn the baseball. "That was a nice catch."
Blushing, Shinn adjusted his red cap. "Thanks! Hey, do you want to maybe go to a movie after school?" he asked, hoping with all his strength he was smiling casually.
"YAMATO!" Auel Neider's impatient voice called out.
"Sure!" Stellar answered, smiling.
Grinning widely, Shinn began his trek back to the baseball diamond. "OK, then! See you at the cinemas at seven!" he called back before tripping again.
Giggling, Stellar went to join Lunamaria, and Meyrin Hawke, whom were waiting for her, tennis rackets in hand.
-
"Smooth moves, Romeo," Youlan teased as Shinn came jogging back, with the baseball.
Snickering, Auel twiddled the baseball bat and leaned against it. "Did you see the look that girl gave you, Yamato?" he mimicked Kiki's voice. "Shinn I want to marry you and ride off into the sunset! And make sure Stellar is out of the picture!"
"I didn't even know her name!" Shinn said defensively. "Besides, I don't like her,"
"Oh right, you like Stellar," Youlan rolled his eyes.
"Yamato, there isn't a law saying you can't have fun, even if your feelings are stuck on one girl," Auel said matter-of-factly, nodding wisely. "In fact, you have to have fun to get the attention of the one you really want!"
"What?" Shinn asked. "No one ever told me that!"
"Well, you just heard it," Youlan slapped Shinn's back.
"So, what am I supposed to do?" Shinn asked. "I've already asked Stellar to the movies,"
"Oh you fool!" Youlan cried, slapping his forehead. "Blow it off, blow it off!"
"But why!" Shinn demanded, arching his eyebrow.
"Because," Auel began. "If you blow her off and go with that other chick, then Stellar will get jealous, Yamato. That's what you want!"
"But why do I want to get her jealous!" Shinn inquired, aggravated. What were his friends getting at!
Youlan sighed heavily. "Shinn, buddy, look. You have two girls, both of whom are apparently in love with you. But one doesn't know that! And that one just happens to be the one you like!" he explained, using wild gestures.
Shinn nodded.
Auel continued. "So, we're saying, if you blow Stellar off for that other chick, she'll realize you were her Romeo and come asking you to that Valentine Dance! Can you imagine how jealous Stellar will be if she realizes her Prince Charming is off with some other girl that doesn't even come close to how cute she is?" he demanded.
"I think I'm starting to get it," Shinn said slowly. "But-"
"Then go ask that other girl to the date and tell Stellar you can't make it!" Youlan and Auel said simultaneously, pushing Shinn toward the other side of the field.
"H-Hey! Guys!" Shinn protested.
"The result is worth it, Yamato, trust us," Auel muttered.
"Remember, don't tell what we've told you," Youlan reminded the teen as he and Auel gave Shinn one last push sending him crashing into Kiki and making a run for it.
"Hey, what do you think the money La Flaga-san and Le Creuset-san paid us will get?" Auel asked wheels in his head turning.
"That new computer system for me," Youlan sighed dreamily. "Do you realize how amazing that'd be?"
"Oh yeah, I'll be able to afford Halo 2 on my own now!" Auel laughed.
"We did what both of them asked… sorta," Youlan shrugged as Rau called some random kid up to bat.
"We interfered, but then, we both know it'll work out in the end," Auel shrugged. "Mission accomplished,"
"Neider, you're batting!" Rau called.
-
Lunch
"Hey! Cagalli!" Athrun called, running quickly to catch up with the blonde.
"Athrun!" Cagalli turned around, surprised. "Where's that pink disease?"
"I lost her, thankfully," Athrun shuddered. "I lost all feeling in my arm from her gripping it so hard."
"Poor baby," Cagalli rolled her eyes. "Why don't you just tell her to get lost or something? Or are you too much of a sissy to do that?"
"Don't you think I would, if I could?" Athrun asked. "But she won't stop talking! It's like she's a robot, programmed to talk about herself 24/7!" he mimicked Mia's voice. "Athrun do you think I sound like Lacus? Athrun can you eat lunch with me? Athrun did you now my favorite color is pink? My birthday is on the twenty ninth of June"
Cagalli removed her hands from her ears. "Please, Athrun, do not do that again, or I will be forced to hurt you badly!" she chuckled. "Poor Lacus. It must be a nightmare to have a poser like that looking like her."
"And that song! She's completely ruined it! I can't stop singing it in my head!" Athrun complained, hitting his head. "Sure it's catchy, but it's still horrid when she sings it! These are the times I wish Lacus wasn't so famous. The original is so much better."
"I'm glad I'm not you, Zala," Cagalli said happily. "I don't have annoying fan girls coming after me 24/7!"
"But you have Yuuna Seyman after you 24/7, and that's death unto itself," Athrun reminded her, grinning. "I'd take a pit full of thousands of fan girls over Seyman any day."
Cagalli shuddered. "Can you believe he just demanded I go to the dance with him?" she demanded heatedly. "The NERVE of that bastard! And the Secret Admirer thing I told about on MSN! Can you believe Carys and Mir actually thought it was HIM!"
Athrun paled. "You don't think he is, do you?" he asked.
"Of course not!" Cagalli rolled her eyes. "That's the dumbest question you've ever asked, Athrun! Yuuna doesn't have the generosity to send me these nice gifts that look like they cost tons!"
"Very true," Athrun nodded, sighing in relief.
"Even if a kid was starving to death in front of him, I doubt Seyman would be 'kind' enough to give the poor child some food in fear of germs and cooties," Cagalli said icily.
"Also very true," Athrun agreed.
"ATHRUN"
"Dammit, no," Athrun mumbled, dragging a hand down his face. "Go away, Mia, please… drop off the face of the Earth and die…"
"THERE YOU ARE I was LOOKING ALL OVER for you! You said you only needed to see La Flaga-san for two minutes!" Mia whined, latching herself onto Athrun's arm.
"Please unlatch yourself from my arm," Athrun begged meekly.
"Oh, get off you whore," Cagalli snapped, eyes flaring. "Or I'll pry you off with a crowbar myself."
"Who are you? Oh, I'm Mia Campbell by the way. Don't I look just like Lacus? I even dyed my blue hair pink!" Mia quipped.
Cagalli glared daggers and flaming arrows and extremely sharp axes at her. "I. Don't. Give. A. Shit. You don't LOOK or ACT like Lacus! You look like the biology teacher, Murata! Now get off Athrun!" she snapped, fists flexing.
"I'd do that if I were you," Athrun warned. "It'd be in your best interests, Mia,"
"I'd listen to the wuss," Cagalli smirked, cracking her knuckles. "I can punch pretty hard. And Athrun would know that best!"
"I'm no wuss!" Athrun protested. "But you do punch extremely hard!"
"But Cagalli-san, we should all just be like Lacus! You shouldn't go out of your way to punch people, and peace is extremely important in schools! Do you know how threatened you're making other students feel and-"Mia began.
"Shut up," Cagalli, muttered, dragging the look-alike forcefully away from Athrun and into the biology classroom. Throwing her in, Cagalli shut the door on the girl's face. "Have fun! Don't come near Athrun again!" she yelled, twitching.
"Oh thank you! I owe you my damn life," Athrun sighed. "Shall we take the lady to lunch?"
"Flatter me, good sir and honor me to lunch," Cagalli said with mock accent and flourish.
"Please, milady," Linking his arm through Cagalli's, the two strolled down the hall, toward the cafeteria.
-
"Carys-chan!" Stellar jogged to catch up with the girl, who was just loading her soccer gear, a towel slung around her neck.
"Oy, Stellar!" Carys greeted, shoulder the duffel bag. "What's gotten you so happy and on cloud nine?" she asked curiously.
Stellar smiled widely. "Shinn asked me out to the movies!" she declared excitedly, letting out a little squeal. "During Gym today!"
Carys smirked. "That's lovely, Stellar. When is it?" she asked.
"Tonight at seven," Stellar confessed. "He asked me out! There's Lacus-chan! Come on, Carys-chan! I have to tell Lacus-chan too! Lacus-chan! Lacus-chan!" she raced on ahead, obviously itching to tell everyone they both knew.
Carys sighed and unwillingly admitted to herself that she was envious of Stellar. At least she had someone to be with on this depressing holiday… Even if the guy happens to be some klutzy artist… Carys thought to herself wryly. Though she wouldn't tell anyone, she wanted someone to be with on this Valentine's at least. She could only imagine how she'd be at the dance: alone, obviously, by the wall, probably at a dark corner, feeling extremely miserable.
Heaving a loud sigh, she lazily glanced up. "Bah… stupid Valentine's… comes around every year to remind me I'm hated," she muttered.
"Aw… poor Walker! Valentine's too inferior for you?" Yzak Joule's unmistakably arrogant voice taunted.
"Shut it, Joule, I don't have the energy to carry on a fight with you today," Carys grumbled. "Go find Elthmann or something to torture."
"Can't. He and Miriallia went for a little picnic and ditched school," Yzak shrugged.
Carys arched her eyebrows. "Miriallia Haww?" she demanded. "Miriallia Haww skipped school?"
"That is what I said, you deaf idiot," Yzak rolled his eyes.
"Well, go kiss your reflection or something, Joule. I seriously don't want to see your face right now," Carys repeated, stopping by her locker and twirling the combination.
"Is Valentine's too much for the great Carys Walker?" Yzak mocked once again.
"I don't see you with anyone either, Joule. Or maybe it's that you're gay, hmm?" Carys shot back, glaring.
Yzak scowled. "You're just like my mother," he muttered under his breath.
Carys put her hand to her ear. "What was that Joule? Did you just say you shower with your Mother?"
"NO! What is wrong with that perverted mind of yours, Walker?" Yzak snapped, eyes flashing. "That is just so revolting I won't SAY anything!"
"Good," Carys shrugged, smirking. "I like it better when you shut up."
"Then I must exert my beautiful voice just so I can honor you with its presence," Yzak said dramatically, smirking. "Because I know just how much you love hearing me talk!"
"No, Joule, I'd rather kiss the wall," Carys said wryly. "Because I find that the wall provides more intelligent conversation than you, a human being. Then again, maybe I'm giving you too much credit."
"What's so great about, about a wall? It's flat and drab and ugly!" Yzak sputtered, crossing his arms.
"It doesn't talk, for one, it may be flat but it isn't stuck up, and you're just as drab and ugly as that wall," Carys replied monotonously.
"Somebody's PMS'ing," Yzak mumbled.
"What was that, Joule?" Carys demanded dangerously. "Should it come down to it, I WILL beat your sorry ass back to Hell,"
"As if you could beat me," Yzak rolled his eyes. "You seem extra annoyed today! Someone beat you at soccer?"
"You would be too if you were me and you heard yourself talking, fool," Carys grumbled. "Seriously, Joule, you have insulted me ever since I ran over your stupid sand castle in kindergarten! A person who holds a grudge over something that dumb and pointless does NOT make for good conversation!"
"Bah! I can carry on a better conversation with a frog than I can with you!" Yzak countered. "You're just impossible to talk to! And bitchy and irritable to boot! That's why the only guy that comes around to even insult you is me, and that's why your Mother walked out on you!"
Carys froze on the spot, hair covering her face and fists clenched tightly. Her nails dug into her skin and blood seeped out, trickling down. And Yzak knew he had gone too far with what he had said. The girl whipped around, glaring the deadliest glare Yzak had received from her so far. Unshed tears were brimming around her eyes, and Yzak knew if Carys didn't do it now, he'd get killed later, with extremely painful methods. Carys Walker never cried once in her life, except when her mother left. And as much as Yzak loathed her, he knew never to cross that line…
"Mention her again, Yzak Joule, and I will kill you and feed you to hungry sharks, bastard," Carys hissed, storming off toward the nearest exit. You bastard… you're always the only one to mentally torture me, aren't you?
Yzak mentally beat himself up over and over again. "Dammit… dammit… there goes my damn driver's license… there goes my damn car and my damn home theatre system… DAMMIT!" he yelled, aggravated. "Dammit all! I hate Valentine's Day…"
Flashback to Joules' dinner table the day before…
"Oh, Yzak," Ezaria said pleasantly. TOO pleasantly.
Yzak glanced up, spoon in mid-air, frightened. What was his mother planning again? Wasn't forcing him into that dance enough for her? WHAT MORE COULD SHE WANT FROM HER ONLY CHILD!
"Y-Y-Yes, Mother?" Yzak gulped.
Smiling sickly sweetly, his mother began talking. "Well, darling, I had afternoon tea with Lenore Zala today, and we came up with a brilliant idea!" she quipped perkily.
Yzak took this moment to mentally pray for his life.
"Who better than to take to the dance, than your own friend?" Ezaria continued happily, oblivious to her son's frequent twitching and mumbling of prayers. "And Lenore mentioned Carys Walker! So why not take that lovely young lady to the dance instead of wasting your energy finding someone to go with you?"
Yzak nearly choked on his own spit. Had he heard right? Had he really heard the name Carys Walker from his Mother's mouth? In her voice? Had his Mother gone insane? Didn't she know they HATED each other? What was happening?
"M-M-M-Mother," Yzak began.
"I think it's a grand idea, and you'll do it. Why? Because I'm your mother and I have the authority to threaten and boss you around," Ezaria said smugly. "So, my dear son, you will go to that dance, with Carys Walker!"
"But Mother," Yzak protested, regaining his voice. "Why not Lacus? Or Attha? Or even Stellar!" he demanded meekly.
"Because, Yzak, Cagalli is going with Athrun, and Lacus obviously is taken with that Yamato boy. Same with Stellar!" Ezaria frowned. "And Carys is a nice girl, and you're going with her. I want no arguments or I evoke al your video game and pool privileges."
Flashback to present Yzak
He had obviously gotten off on the wrong foot, hadn't he?
-
"Hey, Kira!" Shinn greeted, looking up at the low tree branch Kira was perched on. "What are you doing in a tree?"
"Thinking," Kira replied distantly.
Shinn plopped down on the ground and whipped out his sketch book, and began to finish the sketching he had been working on for quite a while. "Uh huh," he nodded, taking a bite out of his apple. "What about?"
"Did you know Lacus Clyne was in love with me?" Kira asked suddenly.
Shinn nodded. "You finally figured it out. Congrats, bro. Who'll be your best man? Me or Athrun? I keep telling him that it'd be me not him!" he chuckled.
Kira sat up jerkily. "You mean, everyone else already knew!" he demanded.
Shinn moved onto his pop, taking a gulp and nodded distractedly. "Well… duh. It was kind of obvious, you know," he answered. "Even Yzak and Carys agreed on that fact."
Kira's face was blank. "So I was the only one who didn't know?" he questioned.
His brother nodded. "Yup. Wondered when you were gonna figure it out," he replied, gently sketching in the outline for the background.
"How long have you guys known?" Kira inquired bluntly.
Shinn frowned thoughtfully. "Uh… well… about four or five years maybe? I'm really not sure. Why do you ask?" he turned around to face his brother.
"So you guys have known for that much and it never occurred to you that you should tell me?" Kira asked slowly.
"Well, Cagalli once came up with the idea of bashing that little fact into your head and Athrun suggested that he lock you two in a closet until Lacus confessed," Shinn shrugged. "But those are all impractical, so we just decided to wait it out see when you'll realize it."
"I've got to go. Good luck," Kira mumbled before dashing off into the school, head down.
-
Mwu miserably sat down in his beloved 'thinking' chair, throwing down various Math tests and worksheets onto the desk. The drab room seemed even more drab than usual, and the clock ticked irritably loudly, and the clock hand seemed to be broken. The usually hyper teacher was unusually depressed, and it didn't go unnoticed by his fellow chums of high school, college and work. Even Murrue couldn't figure out why he was so depressed.
Only if she knew…
"I had thirteen years to tell him…"
"You only have one chance at true love,"
"…you'll never get it back…"
"I love him,"
"I love him,"
"I love him…"
"GAH!" Mwu sat up dejectedly his ruffled his hair. Why were those words bothering him so damn much! Oh wait, he KNEW why. He knew perfectly why Murrue's words were mentally beating him into a pulp. It's because he loved her. It was because he loved her that those words were tearing him apart. It's because he loved her that the concept of her loving another killed him. Because he had to pretend that Murrue La Flaga didn't sound better than to whoever she was in love with.
"You only have one chance at true love,"
How true was it really…? Mwu knew he had PLENTY of time to tell her. In fact, THIRTEEN whole years to ride off into the sunset. But no… he hadn't, and now he was paying for it dearly. He had his chance at true love, and he had obviously blown it.
No… he could still make this right. Mwu clenched his fists tightly. He could still tell her, right? Even if she would reject him, and their friendship would go down in flames, he could live in peace knowing he had told her and live with the heartbreak…
Yes, he decided, he'd tell Murrue Ramius. Even if he would lose, Mwu La Flaga would die fighting !
"What's the use," he mumbled to himself after a moment of optimistic and sunny thinking. He sank back in his swivel chair and sighed. "She's already said she's loved him for thirteen years… what's my confession gonna change anything?"
The framed picture of he and Murrue at the senior prom all those years ago and seeing her smiling face brought new pain to his broken heart. Love… sucked.
-
Carys leaned against the lone, lean stone, biting her lower lip, gaze lowered. Her back faced the breezy cliff overlooking the sparkling ocean, and her black ponytail swished gently against the wind. Her car was parked little ways away beneath the shade of a sloping tree, glinting in the sunlight.
"Dammit, Carys… you promised not to cry," Carys mumbled to herself, tears falling down despite her words and arms wrapped around herself. "You promised… Mom…"
The memories of her Mother flooded her mind and the pain grew even worse, if possible. How her Mother smiled at her, hugged her, showered her with affections. Her mind was too young to comprehend back then that something was wrong. That beneath the sunny smiles and delicious desserts, her Mother hadn't been well at all.
Her Mother had wanted a boy and a girl, and Carys did have a brother, that had died right after he was born. It was then her Mother began to act eccentric. Often times Carys would have heard broken glass clattering around on the floor and her Mother's maniacal laughing, and she never knew why.
And after a few months, she found her Mother in her room, a good two feet off the floor, and hanging by her would-be-son's blankets tied together. Everyone had told her she had walked away and she was never coming back.
However, deep inside, Carys had blamed herself, and still did for her Mother's suicide, thinking that had she been the one that had died, her Mother would still be alive and everybody would be happy. She made a promise not to cry and vowed to always be better than all the boys, so maybe, just maybe, her Mother would come back…
"You should've been the one that died," Carys muttered to herself, shaking. "Then Mom would still be alive! And I wouldn't have to feel so jealous of all the other kids with their mothers!"
Truth be told, she was angry. Angry at her Mother, and most of all, herself. She had never had anyone to share her day with; her father was always gone on business trips or passed out on the couch from exhaustion, and all of her birthdays and Valentines, and just about any other holidays had been cold and lonely. Sure, her friends had always congratulated her, but the cold truth was she had always been lonely. She wanted someone for herself that she could relate to, talk to, compete with, and maybe even hug; kiss… all the things that had never been given to her…
"Mom… why did you…" Carys gripped her arms tightly, eyes squeezed shut. "I'm sorry I wasn't him… why'd you have to die… everyone else would've been so happy…" she took a shuddering breath, "Why couldn't you tell anyone? Why couldn't you bear it? How come… how come… you were willing to die for him and not willing to stick around for me…? Is Joule right? Am I that impossible? Was I really that bad, Mom? Answer me please…" her tears flowed freely and she was now facing the gravestone, gripping the framed picture of her mother placed in front of the stone. "It's not fair… how come… how come… I'm… always so… alone?"
Yzak looked around cautiously from the tree trunk, looking at the side of Carys Walker he had never seen before. This couldn't possibly the same girl that he traded in insults with like some trading card game, and he loved to poke fun at? This possibly couldn't be the girl that amused him with her fiery comebacks and one hell of a punch? Yzak thought he had known Carys Walker… as much as he had taken his time to loath her, doing so, he had gotten to know her better than anyone else… but this girl in front of that tombstone…
She was sad, lonely, lost and confused and above all… heartbroken.
-
After School; Clyne Residence
Stellar joyously shut her bathroom door, humming to herself as she scurried about trying to find clothes she thought Shinn would like. Holding up a blue dress, she contemplated it for a while before throwing it on her bed as a possibility. Turning, she picked up a white and light blue dress, inspecting it closely. It looked nice…
"What are you doing?" Lacus asked from the doorway, smiling. Although she was smiling, her eyes held traces of envy and sadness.
"Which do you think Shinn will prefer?" Stellar asked, holding up the two dresses. "I want to look my best."
Lacus strolled over and inspected the two garments, deep in thought. "The blue one looks better. Besides, it's quite chilly outside and I do believe there's rain outside right now," she declared, carefully hanging the other dress in the closet. "Make sure you wear a jacket and take an umbrella with you, OK?"
Stellar nodded and raced off into the walk-in closet and emerged not more than ten seconds later, fully changed. "What are you going to be doing, Lacus-chan?" she asked, concerned.
"I have some homework I want to finish, and maybe I'll practice my singing. It's been a while," Lacus shrugged, putting on a spectacular smile. "You go ahead and have fun. Just bring me back some cotton candy or something."
"Why don't you and Kira-chan have a movie night?" Stellar suggested, brushing her hair. "It might not be as lonely, right?"
Lacus shook her head, eyes downcast. "I… I think he's been avoiding me, so I don't want to pressure him," she replied. After a pause, she resumed speaking. "I guess… he really does prefer Flay… after all…"
"Lacus-chan…" Stellar began. Walking over, she gave her older sister a hug.
"I wish I could tell him, yet I can't," Lacus said sadly, a bitter smile on her face. As she glanced at the clock, she ushered Stellar toward the main staircase. "Come on now, Stellar. You don't want to keep Shinn waiting, right?"
Stellar nodded. "Just please try to have fun, Lacus-chan, OK?" she asked, rushing out the door hastily pulling on a jacket one of the maids offered her.
-
Miriallia laughed and buried her face in the crook of Dearka's neck. "This is probably the best day I've ever had in my life," she whispered.
"That's great," Dearka answered, flicking her nose. "I'm surprised you actually agreed to skip school, Miss Haww. That wouldn't look too good on you reputation as an impeccably perfect student body president," he teased.
"Oh be quiet, Dearka. You know you had a field day when I agreed to skip school and spend the day with you," Miriallia rolled her eyes and fixed her eyes on the movie screen again. "Maybe we should actually try watching the movie?"
"Aww… come on! This is total chick flick!" Dearka complained, pouting. "I can't watch this! It's an insult to my masculinity!"
"Not really… your Mother showed me pictures of you sleeping with a teddy bear still," Miriallia said wryly. "We had a good laugh over that."
"How could she do that to her own son?" Dearka gasped, scowling. "Some Mother she is!"
"But it was cute," Miriallia insisted. "And I don't like all macho guys anyway," she added thoughtfully.
Dearka perked up. "Really?" he asked.
Miriallia nodded, eyes fixed on a black-haired boy a few rows in front of her. "Dearka isn't that Shinn over there?" she asked, pointing.
Dearka frowned and leaned forward. "I can't really see in the dark, but it sure looks like it. Who's the chick beside him though?" he wondered aloud.
Miriallia glared at him. "Don't get any ideas, Dearka. It doesn't look like Stellar. I heard from Lacus today he asked her out," she commented, frowning. "Maybe they cancelled?"
Dearka crossed his arms. "Can we please go somewhere else, Milly? I seriously don't want to sit through some cliché chick flick," he begged.
Miriallia sighed, nodding. "Oh, alright. Can we go to the mall then? I have to rent a movie to watch for the weekend, anyway," she grabbed her jacket and headed for the exit. She debated on whether or not to tell Dearka that her parents really wanted to meet him. They wanted to meet the man that finally brought her out of what they called the 'Tolle-blues' and got their daughter out and about the world once more. She had to say, so far, she couldn't disagree with her parent's happiness. The first day with Dearka had been a blast, what with driving out to the racetrack and all… He was so different from Tolle, yet completely the same… It seemed to Miriallia that Dearka genuinely cared about her and she didn't regret her decision one bit. Well… not yet anyway.
"Anything other than that dumb chick flick," Dearka nodded, jogging out the door enthusiastically. "Man, this town's sure getting into the Valentine spirit, huh?"
Miriallia nodded. "Even the teachers are, I think. Maybe La Flaga-san and Ramius-san will finally hook up," she said with hope evident in her tone. "And Kira and Lacus will start going out."
"I don't think that's possible, Mir! The guy's blind," Dearka snickered but quieted down as Miriallia gave him a deadly glare. "Well, you know, maybe, there's always that one last shining ray of hope even in the truly romantically hopeless, right?" he added hastily.
"Kira's not blind, he's just a little bit… challenged in seeing Lacus' feelings for him," Miriallia said slowly, sounding unsure. "He just needs a little nudge in the right direction."
"No, he probably needs to be pushed off a cliff and have the words flashing right in front of him as he dies to finally see the light at the end of that big, black tunnel we call his brain," Dearka rolled his eyes. "I believe he's emotionally incompetent to comprehend Lacus' feelings."
"Wow, Dearka! You actually sounded like you have a brain in that big head of yours," Miriallia winked, tapping Dearka's head to emphasize her point. "Maybe there's hope for you after all!"
"Hey! That's not very nice!" Dearka whined, rubbing his head. "Be nice to your boyfriend, Miss Haww! He happens to have a very fragile head!"
"Oh, put a cork in it," Miriallia muttered, sliding into the seat as Dearka held the door open for her. "It's really coming down, isn't it?"
Dearka slid in and nodded. "Too much for my liking. It's like freaking hell out here!"
"Well, Elsmere is known for its screwed up weather patterns," Miriallia shrugged, buckling her seat belt as Dearka tore out of the parking lot. "Slow down!" she cried, gripping the armrest for dear life. "We're not down at the racetrack anymore!"
"Oh come on! I can't drive like an old woman and you know it," Dearka rolled his eyes. "Besides, you were laughing at the racetrack when I was driving!"
"Yes, that was at the racetrack, where it was OK for us to drive at the speed of freaking light and there was no traffic light and no pedestrians!" Miriallia giggled as she stepped out. "But don't do that when we're out on the road. People could get killed."
"If it bothers you that much, then fine… I'll just drive like a turtle around town and be unable to show off my unique handsomeness to the ladies while driving in my convertible," Dearka replied dramatically, sniffling.
Miriallia hit his arm playfully. "Shut up. If you lay your eyes on any other girl, I'll personally make sure you're put in a wheelchair and unable to drive," she declaimed.
Dearka gasped. "Then how ever will I take you for a ride on my motorcycle!" he demanded. "I was planning for that ride so long I could probably drive while I'm sleeping!"
"I'm touched," Miriallia laughed. "Can we hurry? I want to take you for a dinner at my parents' restaurant before it closes."
"Good! I'm pretty hungry right now!" Dearka nodded.
So Miriallia hastily picked a movie and paid for it at Dearka's incessant whines of starvation, and both were driving much, much slower toward her parents' restaurant when Miriallia noticed something peculiar.
"Hey, Dearka, stop. Wasn't that Stellar out there?" she demanded, peering at the rearview mirror. "Dammit… I can't see anything!"
Dearka stopped. "Let's go see," he shrugged, getting out of the car.
Miriallia followed suit, instantly getting soaked to the bone with rain. "Stellar?" she called out, squinting at the blurry blue figure. "Is that you?"
The girl stopped and gazed up slowly.
"Stellar!" Dearka and Miriallia cried out in alarm as the said girl fell to the ground.
"Is she OK?" Miriallia asked, panicking.
"No, Milly. Perfectly OK people just drop unconscious onto the sidewalk for no reason at all," Dearka said sarcastically, picking Stellar up and jogging back to the car. "She's burning up."
Holding the front door open and adjusting the seat so Dearka could place the younger girl in the back seat, Miriallia bit her lip. "We'll go to the hospital and then we'll call Lacus," she said.
"Sounds rational and good," Dearka agreed, slamming his foot down on the gas pedal as the car flew from its original spot, tires squealing. This time, however, Miriallia made no objections.
-
Shinn squirmed in his seat uncomfortably. He didn't want to be here. Well, at least not with Kiki Johnson. All through the movie the girl had been shamelessly flirting with him, and jabbering about some weird, never-heard-of-before cosmetic products and other crap Shinn could NOT understand. He was supposed to be here with Stellar! He sighed in frustration as he remembered how he had been stuck here in the first place.
Flashback to when Shinn was cruelly dragged into the movies by Kiki
Shinn waited in front of the theatre, nervous. He had been pacing back and forth the entrance, and by now, people were watching him, intrigued. At the last minute, he had decided to forgo Auel and Youlan's bizarre theory and just go ahead with his original plan. However, the clumsy boy had accidentally forgotten to cancel it with Kiki.
So as far as Kiki knew, Shinn was head over heels for her, not Stellar, and he had asked her out on a date to the movies.
"I wonder if she'll like it…" Shinn wondered aloud, holding up a silver chain necklace with a rose charm. "I did spend my lifetime allowance on it…"
"Oh my! Is that for me!" Kiki's shocked and obviously pleased voice cried out.
"Eh? Uh, hi… um…" Shinn trailed off, turning around. What was her name again? He thought, racking his brain for the girl's name.
Kiki snatched the necklace from his hand. "It's so pretty! You didn't have to get me this on our first date!" she exclaimed, smiling widely. "Do you like the shirt? I wore it especially for you!"
"Um… it looks great, but uh… the necklace-"Shinn was interrupted as Kiki began dragging him toward the entrance. "And you even got us tickets already! You're so sweet, Shinn! And even to The Notebook! I've always wanted to see it!" she babbled.
"But it's for Stellar!" Shinn protested. It was truly saddening that his protests fell on deaf ears. "She'll be here any minute now-"
Flashback to present where Shinn is still in the theatre, forming an escape
And from then on, everything had gone downhill. Kiki had dragged him to the movies, and she even had the nerve to completely use up all the minutes he had left on his cell phone, so he couldn't even call Stellar to tell her he couldn't make it, and Kiki had refused to let him out of his seat!
So, here he was, without any means of escape. His brother couldn't play hero since he had left after school to who-knows-where, and Shinn hoped with what little pride he had left that Stellar had left when she realized he wouldn't be there. Or maybe she forgot? She did that sometimes!
Suddenly, an idea struck him. "Kiki, what time is it?" he asked.
"It's nine, why?" she asked curiously.
"I'm so sorry, but I completely forgot I had to be home to watch football with my Dad and my brother. Can't miss a guy's night, you know?" Shinn said hastily. "And could I have the necklace back?"
"Huh? It's only one night," Kiki complained. "And why do you want it back?" she demanded.
"Because it wasn't for you anyway," Shinn mumbled under his breath. Raising his voice, he said, "Because, I don't think the color suits you?" That wasn't a complete lie! It was actually pretty true…
"Aww… really! You're the best!" Kiki immediately took off the necklace and handed I to him. "Have fun watching football!"
'Thanks," Shinn rushed out, pocketing the necklace safely without a backwards glance. Walking to the main entrance, he realized it was pouring in torrents outside. "Damn! This sucks!" he mumbled, ruffling his hair. He vaguely wondered if Stellar had waited for him in the rain. I hope she didn't do that… he thought worriedly.
-
"Shinn Asuka Yamato… if you don't answer your damn freaking phone right now, I'll rip you to pieces," Kira muttered to himself, punching in Shinn's cell phone number for the fiftieth time. "You idiot…"
"I'm sorry, but either the customer is out of the area, or their battery is dead. Please try later," the same mechanical tone droned.
"GAH! Never mind," Kira muttered, throwing the cordless phone down on the floor and grabbing his jacket. "I'll get the idiot myself!"
He jerked his car door open and opened the garage, impatiently flooring the gas as soon as the doors were open. I probably should have left a note, he realized. Mom will kill me…
After about ten minutes and fifteen ignored traffic signs and three nearly run-over pedestrians later, the cinema came into view and Kira screeched to a halt right in front of it, relieved to see his brother by the pay phones.
"SHINN!" he yelled out the window. "GET IN HERE NOW!"
That had gained the boy's attention pretty quickly and he was in the car in a flash.
"Thanks so much, bro! Did Stellar call by any chance? I seriously hope she didn't wait for me out in the rain," Shinn commented.
I wonder whether Shinn knows what he's saying half the time… Kira thought, eyebrow arched. "Yeah… about that, little brother," he began.
-
Stellar gazed out the window, the rain pitter-pattering against the glassy surface repeatedly and aimlessly. Her back was turned toward the door to the hospital room, and she hugged herself tightly, tears threatening to spill.
How… how could he… she thought, the disappointment and tears flooding back. She had waited for nameless minutes in that downpour hurricane they called rain, across the street from the cinema, with a flimsy bald tree as an umbrella. She had cried after the first thirty minutes, but no one could really tell, since she was soaked through. And after that, all she could think of was her growing pain, emotionally and physically. She really had thought…
It doesn't matter what I think anymore… Stellar thought bitterly. …he obviously doesn't care…
"Stellar?" Lacus' quiet voice asked. She was the only one Stellar could bear to face without going berserk and crying her heart out. Her sister always understood. "Shinn's here to see you… should I let him in?"
Stellar hugged herself tighter and shut her eyes, shaking her head furiously. "I don't want to talk to him," she said quietly. The mention of his name sent the waves of pain she felt to shoot upward.
It was odd how even now Shinn dictated what she felt. Her heart was aching for him and it… hurt deeply.
A/N: Well! Who could be this 'Mystery Man' that Murrue was in love with for THIRTEEN years!Tsk tsk... Mwu is jumpingto conclusions!How will Kira react? How is Yzak fairing with this new and shocking information of Carys Walker? Will Miriallia ever regret her decision to give Dearka a chance? Will Athrun and Cagalli have a happy ending? What will happen to Shinn! Hopefully this lazy authoress can write fast enough! (nervous laughter)
Reviewer's Corner for Chapter 10
Here, I get to thank my wonderful reviewers! This is new, and I will start putting them in for every second chapter and mention the reviewers for that respective chapter. But don't think that I'm not honoring and thanking and worshipping all the other wonderful reviewers! YOU ARE ALL IN MY HEART!
thousandbirds- Thank you very much for the encouraging comment! And I will try my best to update quick and fast!
silverwingedalchemist- I'm glad you think so! And there will be more Milly and Dearka drama in the later chapters. For them, I have it all planned out! It's the Shinn/Stellar and Yzak/Carys pairing I'm having a bit of trouble with.
Mademoiselle- I wouldn't DARE think of giving up on it after all the positive reviews I've been getting!
White Silk Ribbon- YES! WE ROCK! I will listen to that after I've updated! Where do you live? Maybe we even LIVE IN THE SAME CITY! Have you ever heard of that song Because I'm a Woman by Kiss!
swoDieXeQtion- Thank you! I was hit by a wave of hyperness when I wrote that scene. I could just suddenly picture Athrun in a salesman pitch doing that sorta commercial!
MegDeity- LoL! Merci beaucoup! I hope you aren't hospitalized though!
SRSWSSS- Thank you for your review, and I will try to update as fast as I can!
anon- Yes, yes! I thought, OK, so Yuki Sohma from Bruits Basket and Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho have fan clubs, so why not Athrun? And even though the Valentine spirit has long gone, I can't give up on the story just yet!
Unknown- Yes, I will keep at this! It's amazing because I have a nasty habit of starting a story and NEVER finishing it. But this story seems to be different! Maybe it's all the wonderful readers out there just like you!
MissKT- Aww…. Thank you very much! I adore your story the Things You Do for Love and its pairings! I have the ending for Cagalli and Athrun planned out as well, and I'll be using my English assignment for that!
Jesse.the.girl- I will try to speed my lazy updates up! I can't disappoint my reviewers!
Lords of swords and waffles- Thank you! I'm so happy to see that my story is attracting new readers every time! I did realize that I didn't have Kira's Life Goals, so I have added the Kira's Day in a Nut Shell! But sadly, he won't kill Flay, but he will do something else hint, hint, nudge, nudge
rexbandit- Yes, I thought the Elder Zala needed a bit of a makeover! I can't have him be all mean and evil on Athrun! LoL! Here's a little spoiler though: to make up for the lack of interaction between Athrun and Cagalli: their ending is probably the most romantic and maybe the most dramatic!
Za Burruel- Thank you very much! I hope you'll continue to read even if you don't review!
Jays Arravan- I'm glad my comedy is still satisfactory! It was odd, because I thought this story wasn't funny at all when I started writing, but then in almost every review I have gotten comments saying this is hilarious! So I'm happy I haven't dried out yet! And as for Kira/Lacus, they will be focused on Day 9!
Angel of Dreams- Thank you for your reviews! Miriallia has finally given him a chance, and it seems she doesn't regret it, but I have plans for them! But don't worry! They'll all have a happy ending! I have no death wishes after all! And since Yzak is a sworn rival of Athrun in the show, I thought him wanting to overrule Zala would be good for his life goals!
bee bee- If you're not the bee bee from e-fic, then you can ignore this, but whether you're that authoress or not, I still value your reviews and I thank them! Anyway, if you ARE the on that I'm thinking of, please update your stories on e-fic soon!
Ihateallofyoupeople- I wrote that part when I was hyper, but when I actually uploaded it, I was like, "Uh… I wonder what the readers will make of that!" But as for the secret admirer thing, I would imagine Cagalli would throw all that out, but then again, maybe not!
asga- They will definitely progress during the next chapters, and there will likely be Mia bashing as well… so any Mia fans reading this, that was a heads-up. I have their ending planned out; I just have to fill the space in-between!
Akirou- YES! To me, Kira is definitely classified as man-beautiful, and DEFINITELY Athrun who is shining with it! Anyway, thank you for the review, and you will just have to wait and see what our Zala will do to woo Cagalli!
tennisprincess15- Thank you for the lovely review! In my next story, Flay will be loveable, and she won't be bashed at all, at least, in my thoughts anyway! But Kira and Lacus WILL live happily ever after, just now… now! LoL! I hope you'll keep reading!
Chibi Fyrefly- Glad I kept you laughing all the way through! It's always better than a frown any day! Yes, hopefully, in the later chapters this evil authoress will make them interact more!
xxravenwingxx- Thank you very much! I'm glad I have kept you laughing and to know that my sense of humor isn't as crappy and dry as I thought! WHOOT!
stuntsheep- Your review is always valued, and this chapter there is actual conversation between them, although I highly doubt it's enough to satisfy fans! But don't fret! There will be more interaction between them!
psychedelic aya- Thank you, and Athrun not in the shower is man-beautiful, but Athrun in the shower is BLINDING! Doesn't he look sexy in his new flight suit and when he's shooting down all those EA MS things? Anyways, I hope you review for this chapter as well! Hope your stomach is better by now!
aris2- Oh yes! I thought hey; why not use all that military pep talk on his son, only not so military-like? Shinn is a major screw-up in this chapter, and hopefully Kira can whip him into shape! And well, as for Kira… only a miracle could make him see the light, and since this story DOES have Kira/Lacus in it, that miracle WILL happen!
POed- I will keep writing if you keep reviewing! LoL! Thank you so much!
sailor-z-360- Thank you (this line is getting old… my brain has to come up with something else! LoL)! Anyway, I'm happy that you think that the OOC-ness is cute rather than annoying! I know definitely that Patrick Zala was OOC! I hope you keep reviewing!
Oh wow! Thank you so much for these showers of incredible reviews each chapter! I love each and every one of you and I thank you for those who have continuously reviewed (you know who you are! ) and stuck to the story! These brighten up my days!