This is the final chapter of my story..
Love 4rm A Game
Chapter 18
Final Days
Recap-Sakura has just arrived to the hotel room.
Sakura spent the rest of the day answering questions, with Asami close by her side.
Hiroshi asked how Sakura knew about him being the model in hiding. Sakura said that Tomoyo had mentioned his name many times and was amazed at the fact that a model would ever want to give up their career.
" That's why he seemed so familiar to me!" Tomoyo blurted.
The one question that everyone had on their minds was: How did Sakura recover so quickly? Sakura lied and told them that she had lots of rest and ate healthy food. They all believe her.
" Can you believe it's almost been a month since we arrived?" Mei Lin asked, leaning against Sanjiro. Everyone nodded and fell quiet.
Suddenly, the door burst open and there stood Susan, Katie and Kaitlyn. " We heard Kinomoto's out of the hosptial," stated Susan.
" What's it to yah?" Sakura replied.
The three broke into smiles and ran for Sakura. They embraced her and pulled her this way and that. " We're sorry we treated you so badly," one said. " To tell the truth, we were kind of jealous," added another.
Sakura nodded and hollered, " That's all good but could yah back off!"
They sat back and the huge group -including the preps- started talking about their plans for the last week in Hawaii. Suggestions were thrown and discarded and after an hour of lingering and many bad suggestions, they all agreed on the events.
For the rest of the week, they were going to relax at the pool and spa at the hotel. Monday, they were all going to the beach. Tuesday, Tomoyo, Mei Lin, Katie, Susan, and Kaitlyn would drag the others to the mall and have dinner at a local restaurant. Wednesday would be Sakura and Syaoran's first official date ( this section will be the longest). The others would do some last minute sight-seeing that day. The girls and boys would separate to have a boys' and girls' day out on Thursday. On Friday, everyone would start to pack everything back into their bags and suitcases. Saturday was the day they were leaving for Japan.
Monday morning came and everyone, including Sakura, was ready to head for the beach. Hiroshi managed to fit everyone into his SUV. When they got to the beach, most everyone ran to the water. Tomoyo, Kaitlyn, Susan and Katie stayed on sand and sunbathed.
Sakura was sitting on Syaoran's shoulders and Mei Lin on Sanjiro's. The couples tried to push the other into the water. (Sakura and Syaoran always won.) Then they started into a game ofwater volleyball, which Tomoyo joined.
They took a break at lunchtime and had sandwiches. After lunch, everyone pitched in to make a huge sandcastle. Asami and Susan had the task of filling buckets with sand. Katie carried water from the ocean to wet the sand. The rest sculpted, shaped and modeled the castle. When they finished the castle two hours later, they agreed on a moat. At the end of the day, their castle was the only one still standing.
Tuesday arrived and Sakura intentionally stayed in bed, in hopes of eluding the trip to the mall, but Tomoyo and Mei Lin managed to pulled her out of bed. They got the boys out of bed as well. Asami assisted in gettting her big brother up. They pulled off his covers and tickled him until he fell off the bed with a loud thump.
" What? What? I'm up!" he groaned, rubbing his head.
The others came without a struggle, knowing they wouldn't succeed anyway. Hiroshi, however, was not able to make it because of work. The boys were envious, all wishing they had something else to do right now.
Syaoran argued: " It's going to be like a girls' day out for you! All we're (the boys and possibly Sakura) going to do is carry your shopping bags!" Sakura and the boys agreed, but it wasn't like they were gonna be heard so they ended up going anyway.
The boys ( and Sakura) were dragged around the mall, forced not only to carry the bags but try on hundreds of clothes as well. By six o'clock, each girl ( not including Sakura) had four bags; Sakura was forced to have one bag; and each boy had two bags. They left the bags at their hotel room and went to David's Grill for dinner.
Syaoran woke up the next day, ready and willing because today was going to be his first official date with Sakura. Sakura, however, wasn't as enthusiastic. She didn't have anything against dates (esp. with Syaoran), but whenever the words 'date' and 'Sakura' are in a sentence, torture ( getting made-up) is involved.
Sakura was pulled out of bed by Tomoyo and Mei Lin. After grooming herself, Sakura gave up all control and turned into a living doll. For the morning and afternoon, Tomoyo put Sakura in a sleeveless, red and gold Chinese styled-top with regular blue jeans. Her hair was put into two sloppy buns.
Syaoran was able to be more relaxed. He wore a forest green, short-sleeved shirt with a dragon on the front and back along with loose fitting, dark blue jeans.
Tomoyo stood them side by side and smiled her huge smile and squealed. " You'd better take care of her, Syaoran, because even though I'm a bookworm/stylist, I can really pack a punch!" She held up a fist to prove her point. " Which reminds me, I've hardly read anything since we got here..I'll have to catch up on my reading," she muttered.
The two headed down the street to a nearby sidewalk cafe and had a small breakfast. They finished at around ten and started to wander around the streets. They stopped and lingered inside a few stores but hardly bought anything. After about half an hour of wandering, Sakura and Syaoran decided to head to the mall. On the way there, Syaoran slowly took a hold of Sakura's hand and squeezed it; she squeezed back and leaned against his shoulder while walking.
He smiled at her and said, " I never would have thought of you as someone who would fall in love."
" After hiding from love for so long, it eventually finds you and changes you, " she answered, without looking up. " And just because I love you, it doesn't mean I won't physically hurt you sometimes. I'm still a tomboy, in love or not."
When they arrived at the mall, the first thing Syaoran wanted to do was take pictures in a photo booth. Sakura was skeptical, she finally gave in. In the first picture, Sakura sat on Syaoran's lap and they stretched their faces out. In the second, they twisted and pulled at each other's faces. Sakura stayed on Syaoran's lap and Syaoran put his arms loving around Sakura-that was their third picture. Their fourth, fifth, sixth pictures had them smiling, laughing and pretending to kiss. The left the booth and wandered aimlessly around the mall.
They went to the electronics store to look at a few MP3 players and stuff but ended up nothing at all. Syaoran pulled Sakura into a department store and forced her to try on clothes.
" But why?" Sakura whined as Syaoran pushed her into the dressing room.
"Because girly clothes look good on you," he replied, closing the door.
He waited in the dressing room hallway. He called for her to come out after about 10 minutes of waiting. Sakura wouldn't budge. It was only when Syaoran started pulling on the door that she came out. When she finally did come out, she was wearing a stunning red gown that criss-crossed on the back and gold embroidering on the hem and waist.
Syaoran could only stare at how beautiful Sakura looked. When she didn't hear anything from him, she asked, " Do I look that bad?"
He shook his head and answered, " No! Of course not! You just look so..beautiful.."
" Really now? Then you should stop drooling or the dress will be ruined." She smiled, turning back into the dressing room to change into more clothes.
They spent the rest on the day wandering in and out of stores trying things on. By the end of the day, Sakura felt like a walking mannequin.
At around 5 o'clock, Sakura decided to go to the movies. Syaoran happily agreed. When they got to the movie theater, Sakura wanted to see Fighting was Never so Graceful; Syaoran wanted to watch Who done it?. After an extensive game of paper, rock, scissors, Sakura won and they bought two tickets to Sakura's movie.
During the movie, Sakura tried very hard to stifle her fits of laughter. It was about a group of martial artists who had to go undercover because of a sensei who had done a crime and they were the only witnesses. As they struggled to learn how to dance, one finds a way to mix martial arts into dancing. While doing an important dance recital, the evil sensei comes on stage and starts to fight them. Of course, they win, though not without difficulties. At the end, there is a big fighting scene against the sensei but since the fighters have been dancing for months, they get thrown about until the very end where they're given an unknown burst of strength and finally defeat the sensei. ( Not a real movie. Funny parts throughout movie. Not described in detail.)
As they left the movie theater, Sakura could only talk about the movie, which kinda bored Syaoran, who was relieved when they got back to the hotel.
Tomoyo and the others were back from sightseeing and she was ready to make Sakura up, which scared the heck out of her. Tomoyo made her put on a black, knee-lenght dress that hugged nicely around her thin waist. Her hair was left loose, though it was kind of wavy because it buns all day. With Mei Lin and Asami holding Sakura still, Tomoyo managed to put a smoky eyeshadow on her and a peachy lip gloss. Because of Sakura's already long eyelashes, no mascara was needed. They slipped some strapped some open-toed heels on her and pushed her out of her room and into Syaoran's arms.
" I've been waiting," he said, grinning. When she looked up, he saw her smoky eyes and glossy lips gulped.
Sakura pushed herself off of him and headed out the door with a quick bye to her friends. Syaoran followed suit.
During the cab ride, Syaoran noticed that Sakura was quiet and kept staring out the window, like she was avoiding him. He tried to hold her hand but as a reflex, Sakura jerked her hand away and slowly turned her head to face Syaoran.
" Sorry. Just a li'l nervous. That's all." She smiled.
Syaoran grabbed her hand and held it tight. " Don't worry. It's only a date," he said, hoping to comfort her.
My first date...Sakura thought, as she nodded.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Syaoran held out his arm for Sakura and led her through the doors. The waiter brought them to a table near the back, close to the dance floor. After finishing dinner, Syaoran stood and asked Sakura for a dance. Though she hesitated, she took his hand and let him lead her onto the dance floor.
He placed his hands on her waist and she carefully let her hands drop on his broad shoulders. The soft music started and the couple swayed with the song.
Dreams- within the still of night
on wings of hope take flight
inside of me..
Where.. upon some distant shore,
we want for nothing more
than what we'll be.
He pulls her closer and she stiffens as a reflex; then she relaxes and stares into his warm eyes as he stares into her emerald orbs.
And you and I,
here we are.
I wonder as we got this far,
if i could only read your mind,
tell me the answer i would find.
Do you dream of me?
And when youre smiling in your sleep ,
beyond the promises we keep,
Do you dream of me?
He thinks: Am I in her dreams? Does she think of me like I do her?
Love.. has found a magic space,
a deep and hidden place,
where time stands still.
Now i hold you in my arms.
You know you hold my heart
and always will.
She lays her head on his should and closes her eyes as she follows his smooth movements. He wraps his arms around her thin waist and pulls her close to him. She hears his heart pound against his chest.
And you and I ,
here we are.
And its a wonder that we got this far..
And after all that we've been through,
you've leaned on me i leaned on you.
Do you dream of me?
and when you're smiling in your sleep
beyond the promises we keep
do you dream of me?...
He gently pulls her up and twirls her around. She's elegant as she goes with the flow of the music. He smiles at her serene face.
If i could only read you mind,
tell me the answers i would find
do you dream of me?
And when youre smiling in your sleep (smiling.)
beyond the promises we keep
Do you dream of me?
and after all that we've been through( been thorugh..)
You've leaned on me
I've leaned on you
Do you dream of me?
The song neared its end and Syaoran pulled Sakura close to him once again. They are the only ones there. He lifts her chin and leans toward her beautiful face.
Do you dream..of me?
Their lips touch and their eyes close. They soon part and look away from each other. Their first true kiss was perfect.
They spent the rest of their date walking in the park under the moonlight.
--------
When they arrived home, everyone was there. Eriol, Tomoyo, Mei Lin, and Sanjiro were on the couch. Asami sat on the floor with Susan, Kaitlyn, and Katie. The conversationing stopped when the couple walked through the door. Heads turned to face them.
Tomoyo was the first one to stand up and rush to Sakura. She pulled Sakura into their bedroom as the rest of the girls followed.
" How was it?"
" Did he kiss you?"
" What did you guys do?"
They asked one question after another without giving time for Sakura to answer. At the end of their interrogation, Sakura told them all about it. She first told them about their date during the day and then followed with their nighttime date.
Meanwhile, Syaoran was also interrogated by Sanjiro and Eriol. They were just as bad as the girls when it came to asking about Syaoran and Sakura's date. Syaoran, too, told them about their day.
" YOU DID WHAT?" both groups asked when they heard about the kiss.
The guys and girls ran out of the rooms and yelled, " It's time to celebrate!"
As much as Sakura and Syaoran wanted to go to their separate rooms and sleep, their friends wouldn't allow, so they ended up celebrating until past midnight.
Sanjiro and the other girls wound up staying the night and Sakura and Syaoran were finally able to go to sleep after they cleaned up the hotel room.
Tomoyo was the first to wake up. She looked around the room and was amazed to see that it was clean. Eriol and the others woke up one by one and went back to their rooms to get ready for their day out.
-------
The girls first stopped at a breakfast bistro and then moved on to the outlet mall. As they lingered here and there, Sakura asked, " Why did we have to celebrate last night?"
" Because, dear Kura," Tomoyo replied, " you two are now officially a couple!"
" And we weren't considered a couple after we confessed our feelings?" Sakura continued.
Tomoyo just shrugged and dragged Sakura into just about every store at the outlet mall, with the help of their big group of girl friends.
-
The guys first stopped at Burger King and had breakfast there. Afterwards, they headed to the guys' clothing department.
Syaoran had his head in the clouds all day, thinking about Sakura. Eriol was preoccupied with looking for the perfect outfit for his 'Carebear'. Sanjiro worried about looking for a gift for Mei Lin (in the men's department?). Hiroshi was bored out of his mind because the guys were only thinking about their girlfriends.
Some guys' day out this is...
-
After having their dinners, the two groups arrived back at the hotel room.
Sakura was exhausted. She headed straight for her bed and flopped herself on the twin sized bed. Relieved to have a break from walking, she began to doze off - that is, until Syaoran threw a pillow on her head.
" Ow," she said, sarcastically. She rolled over and sat up. " Do you really think that a little pillow is gonna hurt-" She was cut off by a pillow hitting her face.
" C' mon, Sakura! It's our last fun day today! I've spent the day without seeing you smile!" exclaimed Syaoran.
" Why you!" Sakura grabbed her pillow and whacking Syaoran over and over. She chased him out into the main room and everyone joined in. All you could see were smiles and all you could here was the laughter coming from the loving teens.
-
Friday, unfortunately came and everyone slept in. Sakura would have slept the whole day but by noon, her stomach was growling to the point were it was unbearable. Soon everyone was awake and getting ready.
No one had any energy today so after a brief lunch, they packed all their clothes. Tomoyo ended up with an extra suitcase; as did Susan, Katie and Kaitlyn.
While cleaning out her purse, Tomoyo pulled out the pictures from the photo shoot Sakura and Syaoran had. She smiled and called Syaoran into her room while Sakura was down in the lobby. She offered him copies and he gladly accepted them.
Everyone finished packing at around four and went out to eat an early supper because they were to wake up the next day at three a.m.
-
3 am-Saturday.
Sakura, Tomoyo, Eriol and Syaoran were up and about, getting ready to leave. A little while after, Mei Lin, Sanjiro, and Asami arrived with packed bags. They didn't see Katie, Kaitlyn, or Susan until they were about to leave the hotel.
On the plane, Sakura sat next to the window and blocked out the noise of different conversations amongst the high schoolers. She stared quietly out the window and watched as the island state grew smaller and farther away..
Good bye, Hawaii..
And that's the end! I can't believe it! What do you think? This was especially long for you guys! The chapter is dedicated to everyone who stayed with me until the very end! YAY!
Reasoning for title---This story is called Love 4rm a Game because had it not been for Tomoyo's game -though evil it may be- Sakura and Syaoran would not have been stuck together doing things they didn't want to do ( like look at each other). Another reason is that I thought it sounded cool )
Thank you again!
--blue-azn-rain--
