Hear the beating
Author: Nekocin
Genres: Romance, General, Angst
Warnings: Out of Character-ness (I apologize for that), (some) clichés
Additional notes: Hetero, 1st person PoV (gah! This is really not my usual style), too much dialogue
Disclaimer: Gundam SEED doesn't belong to me. Mentioned game doesn't belong to me.
Side note: my computer is currently acting very 'sick'. I keep getting error messages while it's not even an Internet connection! So please forgive me for this inconvenience.
3.
Lacus gave me one of her best smiles and introduced the other, "And this is Miriallia,"
Miriallia stared at me with her foggy, azure eyes and then abruptly turned her eyes away when her eyes met mine.
Watery azure eyes—
Puffy-red eyes—
I realized she was the same girl I'd scared off at the bus stop the other night. But unlike that time, she looked a bit cheered up at the moment—not counting her watery eyes. Hint the 'watery' comment. Maybe it's because of that small secret smile, which threatened to pull at her lips.
"Nice to meet you," she mumbled shyly and ducked her head out of embarrassment.
I felt the corners of my lips twitching into an equally awkward smile. "Likewise,"
She probably thought of me as 'that crazy guy from the other night'.
"So… Lacus, what do you and your dates want to have?" I turned my attention to Miss Clyne.
"The Thursday Special, you know the ice cream with the white chocolate chips inside," She answered readily, smiling sweetly at both Kira and Miriallia before nudging their ribs. "Hey, what do you guys want?"
Miriallia peered nervously over at the ice cream on display, biting her under lip. "U-uhm—I'll try the—Raisin' Rum—please,"
Kira looked worried for some reason and started fidgeting with the collar of his jacket. "U-uhm,"
Lacus gave him a sweet, innocent pleading look.
"-ah, that one!" He pointed awkwardly at one of the ice cream on the small advertising board attached to the registry counter—which I 'sadly' couldn't see.
I took a wild guess. "Comet Spiral? The one in a cone with chocolate-vanilla-mocha mix spiral foam on top?"
Kira nodded. "Uhm—yeah, the Comet-something please,"
"Okay, Thursday special—the Dame Blanche—, Raisin' Rum and Comet Spiral," I entered the ice cream product codes in the registry machine and totaled the orders.
Lacus offered to pay, receiving protests from both her dates. One saying because he's a guy, he's supposed to pay for the ladies, while the other said it's all because of her that they were in Flavorite in the first place (Kira, Miriallia respectively). Neither of the three paid any attention to the poor registry boy (Me) who was already at the verge of tearing the hair out of his head, as they argued who should pay.
Finally, there was a moment of indecision where they started to mumble nonsensical things under their breaths, until Lacus determinedly slapped the money on the counter.
I winced.
"You're both my guests! What kind of host would I be if I let you two pay for all three?" Lacus pointed out, using a strange commanding tone, which I'd never gotten the privilege to hear firsthand in the months she'd become one of the Flavorite's regular costumers. She usually used her soft-spoken voice, politely or impolitely—so it was a surprise to hear her that commanding.
It seemed like both Kira and Miriallia were about to argue with her again—when something told me that it would be another endless debate. I decided to step in, "I don't want to be rude, but—a lot of people behind you are getting impatient here,"
I gestured to the costumers standing behind them. Amusingly, as if on cue, said costumers shot glares at them at the precise moment when the trio had turned to look over their shoulders.
Both Kira and Miriallia sighed in defeat. They were probably very good friends to be able to synchronize with each other's movements. It's funny to see them have the same expressions.
After finishing with their order, I put on a ready smile for my next costumer, "Good afternoon, can I take your order?" and simply realized yet again, my heart had been thumping very harshly against my ribcage the whole time. Which was within the time range of—I looked down at my wristwatch—30 minutes.
Oh. Wow.
This time the pounding hadn't really hurt that much. Could this get any weirder?
(("--and now ladies and gentlemen please listen to an intermezzo played by one of our talented youngsters. The piece is called 'Moment'. Enjoy!"))
A soft and mellowed prelude did the opening sequence.
Caught off guard, I looked over my shoulder--at the old radio that was being cradled in the arms of my (love-sick-fool-of-a) boss. Boss looked like he was dancing on the clouds with that oh-so-happy face.
"Music will set you free. It is a passion. It is love. It will heal,"
I frowned at boss' ridiculous speech and turned back to my next costumer with an apologetic smile on my face.
No one would have guessed—or more like—no one would have even dreamed that my boss, Andrew Waltfeld, was a Classical music FAN (caps all intended). It just—didn't fit with boss' commanding image and yet--it did. I'd once commented about how he ended with this choice of music style. Boss had the most peaceful look on his face as he told me that his girlfriend was the one who introduced the Classical Music to him.
Girlfriend, huh? I still wonder if boss shouldn't be a married man right at the moment.
I could hear boss hum along with the violin -or is it a guitar?- interval in the background as I took the orders of the last costumer in the row. No one seemed bothered with Boss Waltfeld's loud humming, not even the costumers. And besides that, I was afraid he would sing off-key (if the musical ever got some lyrics to go with) or hum, in this case. Surprisingly, he was very good at reaching the right high tunes. Never knew he had the singing talent.
I watched him do a waltz on his own in the middle of the working area behind me. It seemed like he was off in his own world...
"It used to be a hit song, you know?" Someone, most likely a new costumer, had commented.
"Really?"
"Yes. Sadly, the vocalist who'd made this song a hit, has already passed away. Her husband turned it into a classical piece in honor to her memories," the new costumer continued.
I nodded,"I see—," and turned to look at whoever was informing me about such unnecessary information. And I was definitely not surprised to find Nicol smiling politely at me.
There's this lively spark within those eyes of his—perhaps because he was able to pass some interesting news to me with such eagerness. How did he know such things? Most likely due to 4 years of attending extra music classes in the afternoon.
"Hey," I grinned in greeting. "What are you doing here? You're not cutting your music classes, are you?"
Nicol shook his head, "No, I just felt a sudden craving for ice cream, even in this cold weather,"
"Cold?"
He gestured to look outside and I did. Outside, it was raining like cats and dogs. The reason why I didn't hear the rain crashing down like a waterfall was because of groaning noises the Flavorite's air conditioning made.
It's then I realized Nicol looked slightly drenched...
"Ah, don't worry about me. I'll be fine," Nicol smiled politely as if having read my mind and then leaned forward, cupping one hand over the side of his mouth. "Table near the coconut plant. Is that who I think it is?"
"Coconut plant?" I glanced over his shoulder, looking for -what-looked-like- a coconut plant. Yet again, it was no surprise for me to see who's actually sitting near the so-called coco-plant; a certain smiling Lacus and her two dates.
"Yeah, it is. I suppose Athrun has talked to you about this whole deal, didn't he?"
"Mhm, and want to shake some sense into you," Nicol grinned impishly at me and pulled away.
"Why?" I wondered blankly.
"Because you're the closest to her now,"
I stared. "What?"
"Lacus comes here most of her free time. Her love for ice cream gives you opportunities to change her mind," Nicol pointed out and then added as an afterthought, "A vanilla cone, please,"
I stared again, automatically entering the vanilla ice cream product code in the registry. "That sounds very strange coming from you, Nicol"
"What's strange? Me ordering vanilla ice cream? It's quite normal, if I would say so myself," Nicol opened out his wallet and paid for his order.
"No, I meant the thing you said before the ice cream,"
Nicol chuckled. "Ah, that—those were Athrun's exact words,"
"And you're quoting him? I can't believe Athrun could be so desperate—Do you want it in a cone or a cup?" I grumbled.
"It couldn't be helped. In this world he would be taken advantage of his wealth and if not, his looks. And Lacus being Lacus, she's his safest choice to love—cone, please," Nicol pointed out reasonably.
"Hey, new guy—I mean, Clotho, one vanilla cone!" I called over my shoulder ("Hai!") and then turned to look at Lacus' table. She was busy coaxing Miriallia into something, while Kira watched on with a worried face.
"I guess I hadn't thought about that—but even so—I don't think Lacus likes to be seen as 'a choice to love'. She's the kind of girl who wants to love someone -anyone- truly without having someone to cut down her potential love life," sighing, I leaned on my elbows on the counter.
"I know—same with Athrun,"
The new guy, Clothes-something, gave Nicol his ice cream cone and scurried away to do whatever he was supposed to do.
"So is that guy the one she likes?"
"No idea. It could be the other girl's boyfriend,"
"Ah well, I just came down here to tell you that you should try to convince Lacus otherwise,"
Hmph. "Why me? Why doesn't he do it himself?"
"One, he's helping out with the family business—it's hectic this time of season. Two, he believes Lacus is in love with that best friend of his, who rescued him when he got lost in the forest during a family camp out,"
Oh. Wow. "Oh...what's that friend's name again?" I prodded in curiosity.
"Yamato Kira—okay, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye,"
I blinked at Nicol's back as he made his way out of Flavorite, taking an umbrella with him. He's finished his ice cream that fast? Even while chatting with me?
Wow.
Piano tunes faded away at last and the boss had stopped humming.
(("And that was 'Moment' played by the talented Nicol Amalfi. Some background information regarding the song--about 7 years ago or so, before I became a Radio Presenter, 'Moment' had been a hit pop song. A beautiful, young lady--Aisha Waltfeld, had sung it. Her voice had been the most angelic one in my world. May her soul rest in pe-"))
The radio was abruptly switched off and left behind in one of the drawers of the cupboard nearby. Looking over my shoulder, I was only able to catch a glimpse of boss' shoe before he went at the back of the parlor—sending off frustration vibes.
Aisha Waltfeld?
One of the costumers suddenly pushed back the plastic chair harshly, making a loud screeching noise by doing so and catching everyone's attention, including mine.
"Stop it, you two!" It was Miriallia—and she was both crying and shouting. "Stop pretending in front of me!"
I swallowed as if having been stabbed in the chest.
"I can take care of myself quite fine! I don't need anyone giving me those pitying looks! I see them every day when I look into the mirror! And Kira, you shouldn't be talking!"
"Miria-," Kira tried, lightly tugging her wrist. "Calm down-,"
"Let go!" She pulled her wrist loose, more tears running down her cheeks.
"I hate this! You don't understand how I feel!" she creamed at last and ran out of the parlor into the heavy-pouring rain.
"Miriallia!" Kira immediately ran after her, leaving Lacus looking lost and depressed.
"Please forgive us for this disturbance. We'll settle this soon. Enjoy your ice," She smiled weakly as if feeling thoroughly drained and looked down at her Dame Blanche. Guilt was written all over her face.
What was that all about?
Before I could blink Lacus had already stood up and went out into the rain, probably following the first two.
They had seemed to fine a moment ago. So what's with the whole drama?
Sighing, I went round the counter and collected their forgotten ice cream and Lacus' purse.
They would come back—I hope. I prepared some dry towels just in case.
They never did come back that night when Flavorite had closed up.
Wrapping my jacket tightly around myself, I hurried to the bus stop and took cover under the roof built over the bench, like the other night. I took off my jacket, shook it a great deal even when the jacket wouldn't dry so easily, and wrapped it over my shoulder like a quilt.
The rain has yet to let up.
I sighed, crossed my arms in boredom and hunched in my seat. It was raining like the other night -misty and cold- only this time I was sitting alone. That's when I heard the patter -unlike rain crashing down to the ground-, patter of running footsteps.
I turned around...
I told Yzak about my encounter with Nicol when he came over to play 'Flame of Prince', a new Play Station game I'd bought the previous day. It's a new game in the market and it's a sports game. Muwahahaha. Though Yzak didn't know that—I had hid the review box under my bed and put the 'Flame of Prince' disc in the disc player before Yzak had arrived.
"You do realize this whole business is getting out of hand, don't you Dearka?" Yzak plopped down on the carpet and grabbed one of the game controllers.
"Maybe—It's complicated to tell," I put on the game screen before grabbing the last controller and dropping down next to Yzak on the carpet.
"So will you do it?"
A series of opening scenes appeared on screen—the name of the game, the opening menu and then one of us pressed the 'start' button located on the controller.
"I don't know. Maybe," I shrugged.
Tennis balls were suddenly flying everywhere on screen.
"ARGH! Another sports game!" Yzak exclaimed, shaking a fist at me.
Now it's my turn to smirk. "Yep!"
I chose the mysterious smiling Fuji Syusuke while Yzak hesitated between choosing the scary Akutsu Jin and the smirking Oshitari Yuushi. Making up his mind, he chose for the smirking one.
"Guys with glasses are usually geniuses," I heard Yzak mutter under his breath--and I was laughing my head off in my mind.
Has he never seen 'Prince of Tennis', the series?
Fuji Syusuke -is the- genius or better known as Seigaku's tensai with the most undefined tennis moves in the series—okay, maybe not 'the most' he's, after all, a human being.
The first set started. Within a 30 minutes I'd wrestled the first match in my favor—not every easy though. I'd forgotten that the smirking four-eyes guy (Oshitari Yuushi) has most of the same moves as Fuji.
(("Game won by Fuji"))
"Dearka!" Mother called from downstairs.
I hit pause immediately. "Yes, mother?"
"Someone has called for you!"
"Who is it from?" I scrambled back on my feet ("Don't you dare move, Yzak!"), and exited my bedroom, descending down the stairs quickly.
"She didn't give me a name so I assumed it's from one of your classmates,"
"She?" I wondered. I don't remember giving my number out to girls in my class...
Mother passed me the telephone, smirked at me -her eyes sparkling for no reason I could think of-, and headed back into the living-room to watch her late-at-night TV soap. Raising my eyebrows, I pressed my ear against the horn, "Uhm-hello? Good evening. Dearka speaking."
I heard some grumbling and growling noises. Is this a joke?
I frowned. "Hello, anyone there? Hello?"
The strange grumbling had stopped, leaving only some harsh breathing for me to hear.
"-Dearka-,"
The hairs on the back of my neck and my arms instantly shot up, as if I was electrocuted. I shivered unconsciously. My name was quite creepily said... Hehehe.
"Y-yes?" Dammit! My voice's shaking.
"-tell your mom that-,"
I nodded quickly but then I remembered the person who's calling me couldn't see me so I let out, "Uh-huh,"
"-I am NOT a GIRL!"
"Yep, got it—Nicol," And I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I realized why mother had looked at me with those twinkling eyes. Poor Nicol.
Nicol grumbled again.
"Are you quite finished?"
"Yes--I am," No, actually I wasn't. My lips were trembling, fighting to keep the rumble of laughter, which threatened to escape again, inside. But alas—I just love laughing. "S-sorry -hahaha- mother was just -hahahaha- teasing you –hahaha-, ahum! So -hehehehe- what's wrong? Did you forget to add something, courtesy from Athrun? -gheghegheghe-,"
"Ah, no. I just came to inform you that Lacus had called me to call you. She had forgotten her purse at Flavorite and would really appreciate it if you bring it back to her tomorrow. There are some important stuff in there, you know—girl stuff?" Funny that a moment ago Nicol had used his scary voice on me—and was talking to me as if nothing of that sort had happened.
"What makes you think I have her purse with me?"
Nicol chuckled. "You're that kind of guy, Dearka. Always looking out for everyone,"
And then I recalled my wet night coming home...
XXXX
I turned around... and saw a hazy figure coming towards the bus stop next to, which I was waiting.
It was Miriallia. She looked thoroughly drenched like a drowned cat, and looked both physically and emotionally drained. I assumed both Kira and Lacus couldn't find her.
"Hey!" I'd greeted. It's only polite to do so, because, after all, I knew her face and her name. And Lacus knew her.
She, however, did not greet back and sat down on the other end of the bench without a word—much in the same way she'd chosen to sit like the other night. She did not even grant me a look.
Feeling quite ruffled, I'd turned away and stared at the direction where the late night bus would come, ignoring her in the process. I don't understand why girls have to be so impolite when guys greet them nicely or even politely. It's not like I have ulterior motives while greeting her. ARGH! (grumble, grumble)
" -'chie!" Miriallia had sneezed suddenly, again and again.
...oh boy.
Without much thought I'd handed over my jacket, at arms-length. She looked at me inquiringly. Still without even much a polite 'sorry for not greeting you' or something like that.
"Better take it—I don't want Lacus coming after my behind for not taking care of you," was my excuse. Yeah, right. Lacus probably wouldn't. She's a peace-loving girl. But her friend Kira probably would—he seemed like the kind of guy who would beat anyone into a bloody pulp for not being as gentlemanly as he himself.
For a moment I felt I was just making a fool out of myself when the girl didn't move an inch to accept the jacket and dropped the fabric next to her, before turning my head away.
Geez. I don't understand why girls don't accept a guy's once-in-a-blue-moon generosity.
A faint rumble of car engines reached my ears and I turned expectantly to the direction where the 10 o'clock late night bus would come.
Miriallia was the first to step in like last time, ... and wearing my jacket. "Thank you," she'd whispered as she passed me without looking up and chose the same empty solitary seat at the back of the bus like the other night.
And my heart had leapt a thousand miles faster than before.
XXXX
"Hello, Dearka? Are you okay?" Nicol's voice broke my thoughts.
I blinked, feeling disoriented as I shook my head a few times to get back to my senses, and mumbled, "Nothing, nothing. I'm okay. Anything else, Nicol?"
I could feel Nicol's smile tugging in my mind's eye. "That's all for now. I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Good night," And he hung up after I'd bid him the same.
My hand slowly found its way up to the part where I'd been operated upon... it's still beating a thousand miles faster than before. I swallowed and put the horn back on the cradle, and headed back to my room where Yzak was impatiently waiting for my return.
He gave me an annoyed look, "What took you so long!"
And then he smirked, showing me the review box, which I'd hid beforehand. "I've found it at last, Elthman! You cannot hide a thing from Yzak Joule, you hear me? I'll beat you in the next set!"
I dropped down next to him, automatically taking the game controller from the carpet and pushed the 'Resume' button. Yzak's searching eyes penetrated the pores of my skin like sharp needles, looking worried. "What's wrong?"
I ignored him and give him one of my best smirks. "Let's continue where we've left off, oh great Yzak Joule,"
In the end... my heart still leapt a thousand miles faster than before.
– END 3 –
- tensai -- genius
TheNekoTalks:
1) I can't say much about Nicol. He seems to be the kind of guy every mother would love to have (think perfect son)—and he somehow keeps reminding me of Quatre from GW (perhaps, voice-wise seeing as both their seiyuu are female). Admittedly, I really mistook Nicol for a girl the first time I saw him (the name, the voice, the appearance—hehehe) n.n;; :gets trampled by Nicol-fans:
2) Andrew Waltfeld (or however his name is spelled) really has a nice voice :knows a lot about seiyuu and stuff: and since one of my favorite seiyuu, Okiayu Ryoutarou is voicing Andrew I wouldn't be surprised if Andrew ever gets an image song that probably most of you would like. Besides that, I like to add that I really like Andrew—I love how he says things logically.
3) Couldn't think of a nice Classical Music piece, so I randomly choose "Moment".
4) The game "Flame of Prince" doesn't belong to me either. It's a real sports' game based on the anime series "Tennis no Oujisama" AKA "Prince of Tennis", although I'm not too sure if it's a PS or just a GameBoy. The character names mentioned in the description are from the abovementioned anime series.
5) And at last, but not least Athrun came out so OoC (even if the guy hadn't even appeared in this chapter). I apologize for that.
I like to thank (and bow down to): Writer of Dreams, An1391, C-town Chica, Orahiko, moi, ailiricxxz, tennisprincess15, sworDieXeQtion and Doctor Kiba. I love replying to reviews, but sadly not in this chapter. I'm afraid it will take a whole section (I tend to babble -write- a lot in my replies) for me to respond to each and every review, so please forgive me for not replying here.
Thank you for reading! I apologize for the long notes!
.:Nekocin:.