Hello all! This chapter is gasp! One day late! I guess my prose wasn't so periodic this time around. Sorry… But you'll be glad to know that the extra day was used to touch up this chapter and present you with the best writing my head could come up with! But I digress… onwards for now!
Cagalli strolled down the street, dressed casually in dark blue jean capris and a brown jacket. Taking a right turn, she found herself in a park and in front the bench, where she was supposed to meet her date. Seating herself comfortably in the middle, her thoughts wandered to the events of last night.
After Athrun oh-so-generously shared what happened with his date, they hung out at her apartment for a bit longer. The issue of the bet never came up, until Kira and Lacus stood up to leave.
"We'll see you guys later. Good luck with your date tomorrow Cagalli!" Lacus encouraged.
"Yeah, may you not get a weirdo." Kira joked, patting Athrun on the back. Athrun shot him a glare. About 10 minutes after Kira and Lacus left, Athrun got up as well.
"I should get going too." He said casually. Cagalli nodded.
"Aren't you going to wish me luck?" She grinned.
Athrun looked at her and blinked. "I'm your competitor. I don't want you to do well."
"Well that's true too. All right then, fine." Cagalli laughed happily and shrugged. Athrun smiled at her.
"Yeah. If you had luck... then I'd lose." After a pause, he muttered a few words under his breath. Then gave her a brief wave, and left. Cagalli stood for a moment... stunned. She wasn't exactly sure what he had said... if it was relevant, or if she was supposed to hear it. But she could swear that it sounded something like...
"In more ways then one..."
Athrun woke up to the sun blaring it's light into his bedroom. Rubbing his eyes, he dragged himself into the bathroom and took a shower. Then after getting dressed he wandered into the kitchen, where he found a note written by Kira.
'Gone out with Lacus for the day. See you later.'
Athrun smiled. They certainly were moving fast... then again technically that had known each other for over a year. Remembering the issue of dating, he felt a headache springing on him, a remnant of last night's date with Taylor Taylor Taylor. Groaning, he hurried over to the medicine cabinet, only to find it devoid of any sort of aspirin or pain medication.
"Guess I'll have to buy some." Frowning, he grabbed his jacket and headed out the door. Checking his watch he noted the time in his head. "10:30... Cagalli must be on her date by now... I wonder how it's going."
He left out a slight sigh. After what he said last night, he had been slightly troubled. It had really just popped out of his mouth. After the words sprang forth, he felt mortified, yet somehow relieved?
Lately, aside from the whole bet thing, for some odd reason the idea of Cagalli dating had bothered him a bit. Not that he had a right to. She was his friend for goodness sake. But for the entire time now, that he had known her… well she hadn't dated. So he should be happy for her, if she really does find someone that she...she...
Loves.
Ugh. Stepping out of the building, he drudged down the street and forced such negative thoughts out of his head.
"It's a nice day. Think of nice thoughts... happy thoughts. That tree is nice. Oh and look at that sky! The clouds are so... fluffy. Uh.. yeah. And those daffodils are so...yellow. Like her hair. Oh shit. Uh..."
Cagalli continued contemplating all possible combinations of what Athrun had said. Because what she thought he said... couldn't be what he actually said. Could it?
"In more ways then one...Umm how about 'I hope you have fun!'. No that's stupid. He said that he was my opponent. Why would he want me to have fun?"
"Um, excuse me?"
A polite voice interrupted Cagalli's incoherent mumbling. Looking up sharply, she found herself facing who appeared to be a very nice, honest and friendly guy. He had dark blond hair, that was abundantly streaked with brown, about the same length as Kira's... a bit shorter maybe. And striking dark blue eyes. Interesting color combination, but hell it looked pretty good.
"Ex-Excuse me. Are you Cagalli?" He asked seemingly shakily.
"Mm hm." She nodded and stood up to shake his hand. "And you must be...?"
"Maxwell." He finished politely. "But people just call me Max."
Cagalli regarded him for a moment. "I don't suppose... your last name is Maxwell too?" He blinked at her.
"Um... no. No it isn't." He answered with a slightly bewildered expression on his face.
"Great. It's good to meet you Max." Cagalli smiled brightly and let out a sigh of relief. So far so good. They began walking together, down the cobblestone path. "So what are we going to be doing today?" Cagalli inquired. She looked beside her to find...nothing. "Wha-?"
Looking down she saw a fallen Max, a few steps behind her. "Sorry." He muttered sheepishly. "I'm sort of clumsy. I fall a lot. Sorry."
Cagalli smiled sympathetically. "It's fine. Don't sweat it. I'm pretty clumsy myself sometimes."
Max lifted himself off the ground and brushed off his pants. "Thanks." He mumbled, clearly rather embarrassed. Cagalli smiled.
"He's kinda cute...I guess. The way he smiles remind me of someone…"
"Well to answer your question, we're going roller-skating." He grinned.
Athrun walked into the pharmacy, still looking at random things and complimenting them in his head. After walking over to the aisle where the aspirin was, he picked up a box and began walking towards the counter.
"What a ... nice font the box designers used to print the ingredients for the aspirin. It's awesome-" Suddenly his thoughts were violently interrupted when he collided head first into a worker.
"Ow!" Landing on the floor, she promptly dropped the large box of tissue paper that she was on her way to stock. Athrun stumbled back and blinked.
"Oh Jeebus I'm sorry. Here let me help you with..." He trailed off as she looked up at him.
"Red short hair... and violet eyes? She's pretty cute..."
"It's okay." She accepted his hand and stood back up, reaching for the carton. Athrun turned quickly towards it.
"It's fine. I'll get that." He offered, picking it up.
"Oh. Thank you Mister?..." She inquired subtly. Athrun sighed slightly; remember how Cagalli had also mistaken him for someone considerably older at first.
"Athrun. My first name is Athrun. Last name not needed." He replied with a grin. She blinked at him.
"Okay. I'm Lunamaria. But most people just call me Luna. And I'd shake your hand, but you're carrying my carton." She smiled. "Any way I can repay you for the favor?"
Athrun glanced at her. He was tempted to just ask her out now... she seemed normal enough. And time was running out… two weeks was not a lot of time! Must less for a relationship to develop… But hell, asking now would not only would that be much too forward, but she was just being friendly. Right? So what are the chances?
"Yeah." Athrun nodded. "You can ring up this aspirin for me." He explained, stopping for a moment to steady the carton against a shelf and his knee, so he could hand her the aspirin with one hand and a $10 bill. Luna smiled.
"Sure thing." She walked towards the cash register and returned moments later, after Athrun had placed the box where she had told him to. "Your change, receipt and aspirin are in the bag." she explained sociably, handing it to him.
"All in one package." Athrun grinned. "And I half expected it to be gift-wrapped."
"Maybe next time." Luna grinned, playing along with the joke. "See you later Athrun."
Athrun bid her a brief wave and exited the pharmacy. "So there are more normal people in the world... good to know."
Turning the corner, he began walking towards the park...
Kira sat on Lacus' couch with her staring at her while she read. He legs were propped up on a cushion and he was leaning forward on the couch, with his head turned towards her. Studying her intently, he hadn't moved for a good half hour. Lacus flipped a page on her book, then took a quick glance up.
"Kira... don't tell me you have absolutely nothing to do." She sighed, looking up from the text she has been perusing, finding it extremely difficult to concentrate with him staring at her.
"No, not really." He shrugged.
"Can't you find something to do?" She pleaded light-heartedly.
"Sure." He grinned. "I'm watching you."
She sighed. "Corniest...line...ever."
"Well you can't just invite me over then not give me something to do. You're the host. You're supposed to keep me from getting bored." He joked.
Lacus glanced at the clock. "Cagalli's on her date?"
Kira blinked, and checked his watch. "Yeah I guess."
"Let's go out for some food." Lacus smiled, pulling Kira off the couch.
Cagalli stood beside Max, staring at the roller rink. To her surprise and relief, it wasn't that crowded... on the other hand... looking down she smiled lightly.
Okay technically, she wasn't standing beside Max. Though she had been able to put on her skates and do a few laps without much problem, Max seemed to have a trouble with just... standing. Cagalli began to wonder why he even suggested roller-skating when it was clear that he was more or less completely incapable of doing anything on wheels.
He looked up at her and smiled sheepishly. "I'm so sorry. I mean... I think its just nerves. I'm usually not this bad. Really..."
Cagalli looked at his skeptically. She found it hard to believe that anyone could be this clumsy purely from nerves. He seemed to have a pretty hard time just getting here, without falling every other second. Usually he just fell on his face, but a few times, while reaching out for something to stop his fall, he had grabbed onto her rather suddenly.
Cagalli offered him a hand. "Here. Hold onto me to steady yourself." Max looked up at her and broke into a wide smile.
"Why... thank you very much."
Athrun passed by the roller rink, glancing casually to see who was in there. After leaving the pharmacy, he didn't feel the urge to compliment any object in sight, inanimate or not. Taking a quick glance, his eyes caught view of who appeared to be Cagalli. He smiled and was about to walk over to say hello, when he realized that this meant she was on her... date.
As in confirming his thoughts, he watched her smile gently and offer a hand to a fallen guy beside her, then resume skating around holding hands. A subconscious frown began to creep up on his face. He continued walking hurriedly... then paused at the park entrance.
"I'm just going to... admire the greenery." He insisted, and took a turn into the park.
Lacus and Kira sat down at a café, that was suspiciously near the park, and ordered drinks.
"So.. technically we're not supposed to be doing this right?" Kira clarified. Lacus nodded.
"So we won't tell. Okay?" she answered. He nodded back.
"Yeah…."
Cagalli continued to instruct Max, growing more and more confident in her theory that he had no idea how to skate at all. She was skating backward, so he could move forward and face her at the same time.
"Left... right... left... right..." She repeated rhythmically. He tried to move accordingly, but seemed to have the coordination of a drunken headless chicken.
Suddenly, Cagalli felt a massive shift in weight and felt herself falling back. "No Max! Steady yourself! Steady!"
Too late. She found herself completely tangled with him. Though she wasn't hurt, she found herself in a rather awkward position, and his hands in a place where she certainly did not want them to be. Scrambling up, she tried to shake off her blush and offered him a hand. Laughing, he took it but promptly pulled her back down, once more taking the opportunity to grope her waist.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING YOU BASTARD!" Cagalli protested furiously. "GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!"
"Sorry! I'm clumsy!" He insisted. Cagalli glared furiously at him, barely supressing the urge to kick him in the groin and storm away. But that would count as walking out on a date, which by the rules... wasn't allowed.
"I'm going to get a drink. Practice yourself." She spat out coldly. Seething with rage, she stampeded over to the concession stand where she found...
Athrun watched the scene unfolding before him carefully. It appeared that Cagalli's date was quite a klutz, falling over her every 5 seconds. Worst of all, Cagalli helped him up every time and continued. Did she ENJOY it or something? What the hell was going on? Turning to buy a drink, he happened to miss her ranting and turned around to face a very stunned Cagalli.
"Athrun? What are you doing here?" She asked curiously. He waved the drink in his hand.
"Having fun?" He inquired innocently, with a slight bitter tone that Cagalli did not fail to catch.
"Hell no." She frowned. "This guy's a total creep. He says he's a klutz but he just keeps groping me!"
"Then tell him to stop!" Athrun snapped rather shortly. For some reason watching her little date, had made him much more then a little angry. Cagalli stared at him.
"What the hell is your problem! I haven't even said spoken 2 sentences to you and you're already getting short with me!" She furiously demanded.
"I don't know. I don't know! Okay! But if you're just going to rant about him they just-" He was cut off suddenly when Cagalli turned around and stormed back to Max. He watched her take his hand again and continue skating. Turning, disgustedly, he began to exit the park.
"What the hell is she thinking?" He muttered. "I had to survive Taylor Taylor Taylor, but it's not like-" He froze suddenly and looked back at Cagalli, who was desperately trying to support a tipping Max. Realization hitting him, his eyes widened slightly.
"She...she can't walk out. Those… those DAMN RULES."
Cagalli stormed back, in an even worse mood then before. What the hell was Athrun's problem? Was he still mad about his date yesterday? Taking Max's hand, she began to skate again, yet had barely gone 2 minutes when he tried to topple on top of her again.
In the past, he had reached out and grabbed her arm, her shoulder, her hip, or if they had fallen, his hand might be on her leg. That was bad enough. But suddenly... it looked like he was trying to grab her chest...
Shrieking, she lost control of her barely controlled temper and furiously threw her drink at him, then proceeded to chase him at full speed. Surprisingly, he bolted and begun skating at an alarmingly fast pace.
"I knew he was faking it." She muttered, not letting up, but he was much faster then she had even though: certainly better than average. She saw him turn the corner... about to leave the skate park. Cagalli desperately chased him harder, desperate to get her hands on him... but it looked like he was going to get away.
When suddenly... Cagalli saw a fist come flying out and punch Max firmly in the face, knocking him back and rendering him more or les… unconscious. Shocked, Cagalli forgot to brake and rammed right into...
"Athrun!" She cried out. Regaining her sense and recovering form the shock, she frowned. "What are you doing! You just beat up my date!"
Steadying her, Athrun looked at her and smiled. "I'm sorry... But he just came flying out of absolutely nowhere towards my fist. It was self-defense." He grinned. "And that is called?..."
"The theory of relativity." Cagalli finished, breaking into a grin. Athrun nodded, as if pleased.
"So you do listen to me. And please Cagalli, that guy was a sexual harasser in the making. Better stop him now..." He trailed off.
"Change of heart?" Cagalli inquired, wondering what had caused him 180 degree attitude change.
"Thought I'd help you out... since you can't help yourself. Sorry I forgot about rule 7... but this way you're not walking out. He's just... out." He joked. Cagalli laughed.
"Yeah I WASN'T enjoying that, okay?" She punched his shoulder. Athrun nodded.
"Ice cream?"
"Sounds good." Stepping over the crumpled heap (aka, Max) on the ground, Cagalli removed her skates and put her shoes back on, then followed Athrun out for ice cream.
Kira and Lacus sat in the outdoor cafe, sipping their drinks while chatting lightly, when suddenly Kira caught sight of Athrun, who appeared to be laughing and pleasantly enjoying the company of someone they couldn't make out clearly.
"Hey! Athrun! Over here!" He called out. Athrun turned and began walking towards Kira and Lacus' table. However, Kira and Lacus' were taken aback when they saw who was standing behind Athrun and eating ice cream with him.
"Cagalli?..." Lacus trailed off. "I thought she..."
"Had a date?" Kira finished.
"Think it was Athrun?" Lacus mused.
"No... but something happened." Kira noted.
Cagalli and Athrun sat down next to them. "How's it going guys?" Cagalli started casually.
"Cagalli what happened to your date?" Lacus asked immediately, unable to hide her confusion and curiosity. Cagalli regarded Athrun for a moment and they exchanged a tired look.
"Athrun... aspirin." Cagalli sighed, holding out her left hand, while tilting her head down and covering her eyes with her right. Athrun smiled and reached into his bag, handing her the box. Kira and Lacus stared... still completely bewildered.
"This bet... is really taking its toll on you guys, huh?" Kira grinned. Athrun and Cagalli nodded weakly.
"Cagalli's date habitually groped her." Athrun explained, still chuckling a bit. Kira and Lacus blinking in disbelief.
"Wha-What happened to him?" Lacus questioned.
"He's out..." Athrun grinned. Kira burst out laughing, realizing immediately what had happened. Lacus who took a moment longer, joined in Kira's laughter as soon as it hit her.
Meanwhile, Cagalli tapped Athrun's shoulder. "Athrun... what is this?"
she raised an eyebrow, pointing to the box.
"Aspirin?" Athrun replied slowly, unsure of what she meant. Upon glancing at what Cagalli was pointing to, his eyes widened. On the box, written in neat, but hurried handwriting was a phone number.
"Luna?..." He blinked, studying the number in disbelief.
"Oooohhhh." Cagalli teased. "Luna eh? Next date?" Athrun looked up at her.
"Uh... I guess." He stammered, suppressing a blush.
"There's another gala in a few days." Lacus reminded. "AND, because both Kira and Cagalli are on the Dean's list now," she started, stressing certain words. "Both can come! Why don't you take this girl? Luna?"
Kira looked hesitantly at Lacus, squeezing her hand slightly under the table. Lacus squeezed it back reassuringly. She then gave him a look. Luckily, neither Cagalli nor Athrun noticed, as both seemed lost in thought.
"Sounds fine." Athrun nodded.
So! That's Cagalli's date. As for the outdoor cafe scene, well I'll leave you to decide what Kira and Lacus could be worried about, or what Athrun and Cagalli are thinking about.
Next chapter: Athrun asks Luna out, and Cagalli brings ? to the gala. Here's a hint. I think I'm going to start using actual characters.
I'm not really sure how this came out... ask me in a few days and I'll tell you. Sorry this chapter came a day later then expected, but I've been dreadfully busy the past few days. Originally, ugh you don't even want to KNOW how this chapter looked. I really took this thing to the meat grinder for editing.
Ahem so anyways! I was absolutely ecstatic upon seeing the reviews for the last chapter. A lot of you grew somewhat fond of "Taylor Taylor Taylor."
Unfortunately, Taylor will not be reappearing in the story. Athrun would have a heart attack. The same goes to Max. Both Taylor and Max were created for the sole purpose of scaring the bejeebus out of Athrun and Cagalli on their first dates. And at this point I don't plan on creating any more characters.
Thank you to my reviewers since my last chapter! (Some of you didn't actually review for chapter 7... but much thanks anyways. Heh)
XxBeyndTheCloudSxX, asga, peachy , chidori-san, kura52, Pickles21, Angee, gseedlover, KiraFreedom, mariad, animemistress419, Digital-Dragon-Master, koali alolao, Susan, Tap-chan, ANONYMOUS, Crazy-Destiny, Lacus Clyne, Cutee, Lacus chan, clumsy kelli, im not telling, MyouseiSeed, jenniferseedlover, SAT Y203 Hope Gundam, Guest, Ayome, blackcyra, yin vs yang, Kikgo, KiraTatashi, Michiyo Hikari, Ivory Nightshade, Dark Hurricane, FormerAurora, laku, TwoWing2Fly, tha lil' angel and thunder sister.
All your thoughts and ideas are much appreciated. Until next week!