JC: Thanks for the reviews… Here's chapter 10. Please read and I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed.

I don't have anything so say just… Please read.

High School Life

Phase 10: Truth

After the harsh conversation with Fllay, Lacus went straight home. She cried in her bedroom for minutes as she remembered what Fllay told her. Fllay wanted Lacus to stay away from Kira but how can she. Lacus loves Kira so much and she always wants to be with him. She didn't know what to do. If she didn't do what Fllay told her then she'll be a nuisance for her whole high school life. She looked out the window, admiring the scenery of her flower garden. She clasped her hands together and sighed.

"What should I do? I'm so lost." Lacus muttered.

Her phone rang. Lacus immediately picked it up. She held the phone by her ear. A smile came to her face as she heard Cagalli's voice from the phone. Tears fell from her crystal blue eyes while Cagalli talked about her hard training from practice. She felt so uplifted just by the sound of her best friend's voice. No matter how big her problem was, Cagalli always managed to cheer her up. So without hesitation she told Cagalli about her meeting with Fllay Alster. A loud shrieked from Cagalli could be heard after Lacus explained the details. Cagalli was freaking mad at Fllay for what she did to her pink haired friend. Lacus told her to calm down but as usual Cagalli didn't listen.

"I'm going to give that Alster girl a piece of my mind." Cagalli said. "She can't do that to you! I won't let her get away with it, Lacus."

"Cagalli please I don't want any trouble." Lacus told her.

"NO! I'm going to deal with Alster first thing in the morning!" Cagalli meant it. "I'm going to your house right away to see if you're fine."

"You don't have to do that. I'm perfectly fine." Lacus lied.

"Lacus, you're really bad at lying and I can tell." Cagalli said.

"But Cagalli please…"

"No I'm coming over. I'm worried about you."

Cagalli hanged up the phone. Lacus sighed and placed the phone back to its rightful place. She rested in bed with her face buried in one of her soft pillows. She rolled a bit to the side. She took a picture out of her drawer near the bed. It was a picture of a young Lacus and Cagalli in middle school uniform. Lacus smiled…

"Cagalli… You're always there when I need you." Lacus thought. "How can you be so strong all the time? I wish I was more like you."

Not another minute too soon, Cagalli arrived at the Clyne Mansion. She looked so exhausted since she ran the whole way from home. It was a pretty fair distance but she didn't care as long as she would see Lacus. Cagalli entered Lacus' room and quickly ran towards her. She immediately hugged Lacus so tightly in her arms. Lacus started crying again. Seeing Cagalli cared for her like this made her heart melt, the emotions inside of her just flew out. Cagalli gently pushed her back to face her. She could very well see the tears flowing out of her eyes.

"You're crying… Lacus… I was right coming here." Cagalli said.

"I'm so grateful to have you as a friend Cagalli. Thank you." Lacus told.

"Lacus… Wait for me Fllay… You're going to pay for hurting my best friend." Cagalli thought.

Minerva High, Hallways (Lockers)

Kira and Cagalli arrived at the same time in school the next morning. Cagalli opened her locker and placed some books in. Kira noticed a picture stuck at the side of the locker. He couldn't quite see it since it was hidden. Suddenly Fllay Alster arrived and gave Kira a nice and warm embrace. Cagalli groaned and glared at her. Her heart kept telling her to pull her hair, make her regret, fight with her but since Kira was there she tried to be patient. Fllay ran her hand through Kira's brown hair as she smiled widely at him. To think that would make Kira happy, instead it was making him annoyed. He wanted to tell Fllay "hey can you um stop that?" but because of his shyness towards girl well he's a pretty damn gentleman. Okay, Cagalli was just about to explode observing Fllay ahem seducing Kira like that. She immediately pulled Fllay and dragged her outside. Of course she told Kira to wait for her by the locker since she has business with Fllay to take care off.

"Hey let me go you bitch!" Fllay yelled at Cagalli.

Cagalli released her hand at the same time as giving a hard slap on Fllay's face. Fllay paused as she viewed Cagalli in horror. She held her swollen cheek which was bright red now. She looked at the blonde's eyes and noticed that it was full of rage and anger towards her.

"So Lacus told you… I can't believe that she's such a…" Fllay got cut off.

"I won't let you talk trash about my best friend Fllay Alster." Cagalli told her.

"What did you say? You stay out of this." Fllay said.

She reached her critical limit. She showed Fllay nothing but maximum rage. She grabbed Fllay and slammed her to the wall.

"I want you to apologize to Lacus." Cagalli demanded. "And another thing don't ever bother her or Kira again… They're having a good relationship thank you very much."

"What! You mean to tell me that Clyne and Kira are…" Fllay said.

"Yes." Cagalli replied.

She gasped or more like shrieked in despair. Fllay quickly pushed Cagalli aside and ran away. Her thoughts were on Kira. She wasn't just going to accept it. Fllay doesn't like losing especially not to Lacus Clyne. So she had one last resort left… She was going to tell the whole school about Athrun and Lacus' engagement.

Kira peeked into Cagalli locker, looking for the picture he saw a while ago. He spotted it and took it out from the locker. He stared at the picture of a mother holding twin babies in her arms. Somehow he felt that the picture was special and familiar to him. It's like he has seen it before but he couldn't quite remember.

"This picture… I wonder…" Kira thought.

Cagalli came back from her fight with Fllay. She saw Kira holding the picture. She quickly swiped it away from Kira.

"Who told you to get this without my permission?" Cagalli said.

"I'm sorry I got nosy." Kira replied.

"Anyway it's a picture of my real mom and the twins. The blonde hair baby is me and the brown hair baby is my twin brother that I've never seen before."

"Where is he?"

"I dunno… But my foster mother told me that he got adopted by another family."

"I see…"

Dominion High

One of the members of the judo club challenged Shinn to a fight. Of course Shinn accepted the challenge since he had so much Pride inside his head. The judo member grabbed him and slammed him on the matt. Shinn kicked his leg and moved away from him. He stood and released a punch but the guy dodged it. The guy gripped Shinn's arm and twisted it but not too much. Shinn felt pain as if his muscles were going to tear apart. Even though being in that predicament, Shinn managed to kick the guy's ahem… You know that… the guy shrieked in pain as he jumped up and down. Shinn put on a sly smile on his face, assured that victory was his for the taking.

"You're no match for me." Shinn boasted.

Shinn pinned the guy down to the floor and gave him a hard punch on the stomach. The guy was knocked out unconscious. The other judo members were amazed by his strength and skills. They did just plan to observe how he fights but they would have never guessed that Shinn could show them serious moves.

"If you guys want to challenge me make sure you sent out strong guys next time." Shinn said.

Shinn stepped out of the Judo Club room. He got a bit of surprise to see Stellar standing right in front of him. It seemed that Stellar waited for him. She smiled, feeling relief to see Shinn okay.

"I got worried. I thought you were hurt." Stellar told him.

"I'm strong Stellar. I don't get hurt easily." Shinn said.

"Wouldn't it be better if you stop being this tough guy?"

"Huh? I can't. I'm already used to this."

I see… Then I can't force you…"

Shinn thought about his sweet dream again. It felt similar but not totally. His stomach growled which made Stellar laughed. Shinn blushed in embarrassment. Stellar held Shinn's arm. Okay now he was blushing because of Stellar.

"I made you lunch Shinn. I hope you'll like my cooking." Stellar said.

"Um… Thanks." Shinn answered.

From a certain distance, two curious boys watched Shinn and Stellar. Actually one of them was the curious one which was Kai and the other one was Rey. Rey didn't want to spy on his friends by Kai dragged him into it.

"Kai, it's not right to spy on them like this." Rey told Kai.

"Shut up Rey… I wanna see how our man Shinn will move on Stellar." Kai said.

Rey sighed and crossed his arms. He leaned against the wall. He was really getting bored just standing there watching Kai watching Shinn and Stellar. To end his nosiness, Rey suddenly pushed Kai revealing him to the soon to be couple. Kai landed flat on the floor on his face.

"I think you'll survive." Rey said.

Shinn and Stellar approached the fallen Kai. Stellar helped Kai up and noticed that his nose was bleeding. Kai assured her that it was nothing to be worry about. He pulled out his hanky and wiped off the blood.

"Did you trip on something Kai?" Stellar asked.

"Well apparently someone pushed me…" Kai glared at Rey. "And I was so busy spying on you two…"

"What did you say!" Shinn asked.

Kai just spilled the beans. One thing that Shinn hated the most was spies and Kai was the number one spy around the campus. Shinn clasped his fist as his eyes narrowed at Kai. Kai backed away a few steps and he turned to Rey.

"Should I be running now?" Kai asked Rey.

"Um… I would say… Yes." Rey answered.

Kai immediately run away and Shinn followed him. Stellar couldn't find the right word to say at the moment. She was so surprised yet happy.

"Those two are really good friends." Stellar said.

"You really think so? I would have to say that they're a cat and a mouse." Rey sarcastically said.

Minerva High

Classes were about to start so all of the students head back to their respective classrooms except for one student, Fllay Alster. She was in the control room, preparing to make an announcement to the whole school. She was seated in a chair with head phones over her head and a microphone in front of her. As soon as the bell rings she'll speak out.

Jean noticed that Fllay was missing from the classroom. She thought Fllay would be coming late but she knew that Fllay was always the early bird. Her heart told her that something was up. She didn't know why but she had a strange feeling that something bad will happen. One of Fllay's friends Mica was seated near her, even though she hated talking to her she still asked her about Fllay.

"Fllay is in the control room. She's going to make an announcement about a very important secret." Mica said.

"What! Secret! Don't tell it's…" Jean thought.

She stood from her seat and ran out of the room. The bell rang and Fllay turned the speaker on. Fllay started with a friendly greeting and talked about certain things. Jean was nearing the desired room hoping that she could get there in time.

"I want to make an announcement about Lacus Clyne…" Fllay said.

Jean gasped at the sound of Lacus' name. She picked up the speed and finally arrived.

"Lacus Clyne is engage to Athrun Zala…" Fllay finished.

But as she glanced at the controls, the lights were off. She tapped the microphone and there was no sound. She stood from her chair and reached for the on-switch when suddenly Jean grabbed her hand.

"Corda! What the hell are you doing here?" Fllay asked.

"Looks like your plan failed." Jean said.

"So you? How dare you?" Fllay shrieked.

"I won't let you ruin Lacus. She's my friend." Jean said. "If you try pulling this stunt again then I'll go tell you on Yamato."

"I'm not going to let you get away with this." Fllay told her.

Instantly Fllay burst out of the room and went straight to the classroom. Jean sighed in relief since she managed to make it in time. Fllay was dumb enough to try it but Jean promised to help Lacus so help she will.

Room 1-D

"Wonder what Alster wanted to say about you?" Cagalli asked Lacus.

"I don't know but I'm glad she didn't continue." Lacus replied.

Of course Athrun and Lacus knew what Fllay would announce to the school. It was about their engagement. But both of them wondered why Fllay didn't continue, in any case they felt glad. If their secret was out then they would have no idea how to live with it. Lacus glanced at Athrun with a concern look on her face. Athrun sighed and faintly smiled back at her. He got out a piece of paper and wrote something on it. After writing he handed the paper to Lacus and she read it silently.

I think it's time that Kira and Cagalli learned about the truth. I feel bad keeping this from them. They're our friends after all.

Lacus glanced at Athrun and nodded her head. It was decided, after class they would tell their best friends about the secret.

After School, roof top

Lacus, Kira, Athrun and Cagalli gathered at the rooftop. Lacus has yet to tell them since she was waiting for someone. Cagalli has grown impatient with all the silence around them.

"Okay what are we doing here if we're just going to stare at each other's face?" Cagalli said.

"Please be patient Cagalli… at least until Jean arrives." Lacus told her.

"All right… But I'm getting really bored." Cagalli said.

After a few minutes, Jean arrived. She bowed her head at the same time apologizing for being late. Lacus told Jean that it was all right. Lacus clasped her hands, feeling a bit shaky. She was afraid of what might Cagalli and Kira will think. Jean placed a hand on her shoulder. She faced Jean's kind face that told her that it will be alright. She turned to Cagalli and Kira who were waiting anxiously. She took a deep breathe and started talking.

"Kira, Cagalli, I'm engage to be married to Athrun." Lacus said.

"What!" Cagalli and Kira gasped.

"It's true. It was our father's idea. They forced us." Athrun added.

"Why didn't you tell us before?" Cagalli asked.

"We were afraid…" Lacus answered. "I hope you're not mad."

"No… But I'm a bit depressed." Cagalli said.

"Me too… Still I'm glad that you told us." Kira said.

Kira pulled Lacus towards him. His hands made its way around her chest, tightening his grip around her. Lacus felt like crying but tried hr best to hold it. Kira wasn't a bit angry at all this but somewhere in his heart felt pain. Who wouldn't be hurt if you knew your best friend was engage to the one you love? Kira kept that painful emotion inside and showed kindness towards Lacus.

"Kira… I'm really sorry about this." Lacus said.

"No need to apologize Lacus." Kira replied.

Athrun thought that it was best to leave the couple alone so he grabbed Cagalli and Jean and dragged them downstairs.

"What are you going to do?" Cagalli asked Athrun.

"I don't want to go through this either. Lacus is my friend and she loves Kira. If only our fathers could realize how wrong they are." Athrun explained.

"I bet talking with them won't solve things either." Jean said.

"Yes… There must be some way." Athrun replied.

Cagalli crossed her arms in front of her chest as she stared down at the floor. She sensed an unwanted feeling in her heart. The thought of Lacus being engage to Athrun troubled her. She couldn't explain if that feeling is depression or jealousy. Jealousy? She thought… She shook her head rapidly trying to rid the uneasiness in her mind. While Cagalli was deep in thought, Athrun's eyes were on her. He wondered that now she knew about it what she will think about him. The thing was that Athrun loves her but the fact that he was engaged frightened him.

"Cagalli…" Athrun spoke after minutes of silence.

"Huh? What!" Cagalli asked.

"Even though Lacus and I are betrothed, I only consider her a friend and nothing more." Athrun replied.

"Of course I know that… Why are you telling me this?" Cagalli said.

Jean noticed something strange about Athrun. It was like that Athrun was trying to assure Cagalli that he doesn't love Lacus. She figured that he may love Cagalli. A smile came to her face with an overwhelming excitement in her heart. She was sure of it that Athrun had deep feelings for Cagalli based on her observations. She could really tell just by looking at a person's eyes and actions just like she guessed about Kira and Lacus.

"Maybe there's a way after all…" Jean thought.

Kira and Cagalli walked home together. Cagalli noticed how quiet Kira was. Normally he would talk about so many interesting things but now his mouth was shut tight. She knew that Kira was thinking about Lacus. Feeling the urge to cheer him up, Cagalli decided to tell a joke.

"Here's a joke… Why shouldn't you tell a joke while ice skating?" Cagalli asked.

"Huh? Um… Why?" Kira replied.

"Because the ice might crack up get it?' Cagalli laughed.

Kira didn't laugh just yet but he smiled. Cagalli kept on telling jokes until Kira burst in laughter. She felt relief to see Kira in his happy self. Kira thanked Cagalli for cheering him up.

"No problem!" Cagalli told him.

A lady about in the mid-20 happened to pass by. She accidentally dropped her pocket book while reaching for her glasses in her bag. Cagalli quickly picked up it up and handed it back to the lady.

"Thank you very much." The lady said.

"No big." Cagalli replied.

The lady glanced at Kira and Cagalli for a while.

"Oh my you two must be twins since you look alike." The lady told them and walked away.

Cagalli raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. She faced Kira and stared at him carefully. She admitted that the lady was right which made her wonder. She pulled the picture of the mother and twins from her pocket. Her eyes viewed the little baby boy. The boy's hair color matched Kira's hair perfectly.

"It might be just a coincidence but my twin's hair is exactly like yours." Cagalli said.

"You're thinking that I may be your brother?" Kira asked.

"Heck no… What I know is that my real mother also gave him a pendant like this only his was blue." Cagalli showed Kira the pendant.

"Huh? That? Cagalli…" Kira said.

"Look at the time… Gotta run! See you tomorrow Kira!" Cagalli said.

Cagalli took off in a hurry leaving Kira in a state of shock. When Cagalli showed in that pink pendant something just came up in his mind. The picture was familiar to him but the pendant he has seen it before. Upon reaching his home, he scavenged around his mother's things. He found a small box and opened it.

"I don't believe it." Kira murmured.

To be continued…

JC: End of chapter 10… Please don't forget to review and no flames.

Kai invites Cagalli to go out with him… What will Athrun do?

Jean will talk to Luna and Meyrin….