Reminiscent

Chapter 9

The following Sunday was stormy. After church my father brought me to the nightclub to help him clean. That took up another three hours of my Sunday, but it wasn't like I had any other plans. Heero was gone when I got home from church, being interviewed for a job I think.

On the way home the sky began to pour. I love the rain; it's always calmed me down. The funny thing is it usually is a sign of bad luck for me as well. I don't mind though, because it always soothes me to listen to the patter of rain on the windows afterward. Bad days make me appreciate the rain even more…

"Relena." I smiled up at father and waited for him to continue. "How do you feel about moving to America?"

I made a face and looked straight ahead, watching the dozens of cars in front of us. "I suppose I'd grow to like it, but I think I prefer it here, anyways. Why do you ask?"

"I want to move there this summer."

"Excuse me?"

"I want to move to America this summer. Things with your uncle are working out, and I think we'd have a better business there. I've already set things up, and I'm just waiting for approval for immigration." I whipped my head to stare at him, slack-jawed.

"Why didn't we have a say in this?" I could feel a little twist in my gut, and my voice was trying to rise. I had to choke it back. "Why didn't you ask Milliardo, Zechs, and me?"

"I have my reasons…" I shrugged that part off, since it didn't seem all too important at the moment. "My plan is to move our family a couple at a time. However, the lease on the building only lasts another four years and I don't have the money to support your schooling from afar so you'll have to come with me."

"What? Why not next year?" I could feel myself panicking, but the words came out as calmly as possible.

"They'll charge extra for schooling then; you'll be considered a foreign student." That was ridiculous. But… I wasn't all that educated in foreign policies, so who was I to argue?

Still, I was reasonably upset. I practiced deep breathing to keep my temper in check, and just stared out the window as we drove along. The rest of the ride was in silence.

"Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes you two. Why don't you go rest?" Mother greeted us as soon as we stepped in. Father gladly retired to his room.

"Are you sure? I can still help." I offered the two in the kitchen. I wanted to keep busy…

"No, it's alright." Heero walked up and turned me to face my room. "Rest." He pushed me along, then returned to the kitchen. I stepped into my room, hesitantly, and made my way across, to my bed.

In my head, the conversation in the car churned in my head. I felt a pain in my chest, and in response, snatched Reminiscent before I collapsed into the mess of pillows and blankets. I didn't really matter that I was still wearing the dirtied jacket, or that my ponytail was wedged uncomfortably between my head and the bed. I just curled up in the blankets and cried.

I didn't want to leave my home. I didn't want to leave my friends. It had taken me so long to get where I was… and that still wasn't very far. I didn't want to start all over again! Silent curses streamed out of my mouth, directed mainly at my father, and I could feel a strong heartache coming.

The last time I had felt like this was when Grandmother had died… it was like losing a place I felt like I belonged to all over again. But I shouldn't be selfish…Mia and Sylvia were going home again, weren't they? And Father had family over there, lots. He'd be happier there…

But still…

I cursed and screamed silently. Why the hell couldn't I had grown up to be a normal girl, and be able to be selfish. Even now I was thinking about everyone else too.

"Dinner!" Shit. I was a mess… and there was no way I wanted to be seen like this…

I pretended to be asleep, just to stall time so I could calm down enough to be able to clean up…

"I think she's sleeping." I could hear Zechs saying.

"Well go wake her up. It's dinner time." Mother answered. I heard him running towards my room and sat up so my back was to the door, and stretched.

"Relena?"

"I'm awake…" I yawned and reached to untie my hair. My litter brother ran off and I climbed down from the bed, checking myself in a full body mirror to see what condition I was in. Not good, apparently.

"I'm just gonna go wash up!" I called as I made my way to the washroom. Washing my face vigorously, I hoped it would help the red eyes and running nose… or at least give me an excuse.

Not a chance. I heard Heero politely declining dinner with the family outside the door, and wanting to eat in the garage; he and my father weren't on very good terms.

When he left I figured it was for the better and I walked outside. As I entered the kitchen and took my seat between the two boys, I ignored the looks that were directed first at me then at the other members of my family.

I sat down with my head at an angle so my hair covered most of my face. We ate in silence for a couple of minutes, with a lack of fighting from my brothers. I could tell the focus was on me, so I tried to eat as fast as possible, just to get out of there…

"Geez, a little crybaby." I paused, my stomach went still, and I found the food I had just shoved in my mouth back on my plate. I felt sick and about ready to cry all over again.

Mother sat up a little glared at Father, the one who made the comment. "Relena, why don't you have a shower and you can finish this later." Thank God mother was such a saint.

I tried to smile but ended up turning away. "I'm not hungry… thanks."

I could feel the tension in the room as I left, and hurried into my room to get a change of clothes. A few minutes later I found myself in a warm shower, angrily throwing random bottles and sponges at my feet. I wanted to scream, but that would've worried somebody. The projectiles made little noise as I kicked them before they could do make much sound.

They were clearing the table when I got out. I hurried into my room before anyone noticed I had left the washroom, only to run into Heero.

Shit.

I was still a mess. I had figured I wouldn't be bothered anymore once I got in here, but I suppose I had forgotten about him. He stood up and walked towards me but I backed up a step.

"Relena…" he looked at me for a moment as I desperately tried to hide myself in my closet. Finally, he turned and walked out of my room. Listening to his footsteps fade, I slowly made my way over to my bed and I picked up a handful of pillows and blankets.

Opening the window, clumsily, I managed to throw the bundles into the winter greenhouse outside. A second blanket and pillow followed the others in a couple of seconds. I picked up Reminiscent and climbed out into the structure outside.

The rain pit-pattered quietly against the glass. It soothed me, let me close my eyes calmly, and my chest felt much lighter. The moon peeked through the clouds and I could only call this a magical night.

"Relena?" I pulled the blankets closer around Reminiscent and I, and turned to look at Heero. Sure, I was a mess, but in this environment, I was feeling calm. If I could just not think…

More tears made their way down my cheeks, though. The pain rushed back as I focused on Heero, instead of the calm night.

He hefted himself up and through the window, to sit by me. I turned away, trying to compose myself again. I wished he would just go away, and let me calm down alone…

"Here." Something fell on my lap. I looked down and saw a box of tissue. I looked at him, with his back turned to me. Was he worried? It was definitely weird; I usually kept to myself on days like this.

But it was nice, too. To have someone worrying about me like this.

To think, I was going to have to leave this behind… I choked back tears. I didn't want to have to go. It was like… I had just started living a stable life and then…

I could hear Heero turn as I made to lay down. He moved towards me, and I turned away.

"Relena…" I had to push him away, or it would just be too much when it was time for me to leave…

"Just leave me alone." There was a pause, then the wood beneath us creaked. Just as I thought he was leaving, the was suddenly a rush of cool air against my back. I curled up tightly, around my bear.

Warmth then replaced the cool air. I could feel his shirt against my back. He was laying down with me.

With me. Under the same blanket. What was he thinking!

There was a pause, then I felt him shuffle. He put an arm around me and pulled me closer. Then everything was warm and soft. I could smell my soap on his skin. Heat spread through my body, and I was so surprised I didn't notice when he turned me around and help me close.

"What are you…" He stroked my hair, and held me close to him. My heart was beating so fast… but he calmed me. Loving strokes all along my body, tucking me in to fit against him.

My chest still hurt, but… well, I can't explain the feeling. Just that it felt warm as well. Was he comforting me? Hundreds of thoughts raced through me head, until I just burst. I wrapped my arms around him and started to cry.

Heero held me silently. He rested my head on his neck and rocked me slightly as the moments went by. The moon came and went, and the rain began to pour. Soon, the sky was completely dark, and the lights around us went out one by one.

I don't know when the tears stopped, or when I finally fell asleep, but I know that he was there the whole time. Fully dressed, a little sweaty, but warm, and soft, and soothing.

I don't think I could ever ask for anything more.

Wow. As if that didn't take forever and a half XD; Sorry, like usual… but I really like how this one turned out. I don't have much to say today so… I hope you all enjoyed