AN: Sorry I haven't updated in ages! I was so busy with West Side Story practices. But we performed last week. It went well, but I'm sad because now it's over. T.T Well, it's a good thing too because now I'll have more time to write in my fics. I wrote almost all of this during school when I wasn't working. Good to know school's good for something. XD
Mr. Moogle: aliasfan doesn't own DDR. She doesn't own any of the songs or products used in this fic either. She also altered some of the lines in the songs so it could fit with the story. .'
BTW: This fic is going to be ending soon. It'll probably only be a couple more chappies. -tear-
Chapter 15: Yes or No?
"So…this is it?" Kaeli asked, her head hung down low. She lifted her eyes to see Shawn put the last piece of luggage into the taxi's trunk.
Shawn wiped his hands on his pants, trying to get rid of all the sweat he had. "I guess so…" Shawn looked into Kaeli's eyes. She seems…sad, upset, maybe a bit scared…but why? I know I'm her friend but…no…she doesn't have feelings for me that way. I just need to accept that and move on with my crummy life. "Why is it so hot outside?" Shawn asked, making an excuse for sweating when it was really because he was nervous. Nervous? Nervous to say…goodbye…Shawn rolled up his sleeves.
"Well, it is summer, ya know!" Kaeli laughed. The cool night air blew lightly as the city lights glimmered.
"You'll call me, right?" Shawn asked, a faint puppy dog look on his face.
"As soon as I get to the hotel." She smiled. "New York, can you believe it! I'm going to New York! And the competition's gonna be shown on t.v., so you can see me win!" Kaeli joked. She stopped laughing when she saw the strange marks and bruises on Shawn's arms. "Hey, what happened to you?"
Kaeli reached for Shawn's arms but he pulled them away, lowering his sleeves to cover them. "Uh…too much roughhousing this morning at the park. You don't know how brutal guys can get to win a basketball game." Shawn chuckled. Hmm…better think of something to change the subject. "I'll be sure to watch you on t.v. I'll be rooting for you of course! Since I'll be gone I just want to make sure you take care of yourself. You never know what could happen. These days…"
"I know, I know. Shawn, I'll be fine. It's you I'm worried about." Kaeli said, concerned.
"Me? Don't worry about me. As long as you're okay," Shawn said softly, "That's all that matters to me." He pulled Kaeli into a tight hug. Kaeli in turn hugged him back.
"Shawn…I'm gonna miss you so much." Kaeli said, tears starting to well up in her eyes.
"It's okay…" Shawn said, coming out of the hug but keeping his arms wrapped around Kaeli. "Being apart will only bring us closer together." He wiped a tear from Kaeli's cheek.
There you see her
Sitting there across the way
She don't got a lot to say
But there's something about her
And you don't know why
But you're dying to try
You wanna kiss the girl
Kaeli's heart began to flutter. What is this…feeling? Could it be that it's for…Shawn?
Yes, you want her
Look at her, you know you do
Possible she wants you too
There is one way to ask her
It don't take a word
Not a single word
Go on and kiss the girl
Shawn couldn't believe it, but all of a sudden he found himself leaning in towards Kaeli. What am I doing! I can't kiss her! She'll just push me away anyways! Stop, stop! Shawn tired to fight it but it was no use, his heart had already made up it's mind that Shawn was going to kiss Kaeli right then and there, whether she wanted it or not.
Sha la la la la la
Don't be scared
You got the mood prepared
Go on and kiss the girl
Sha la la la la la
Don't stop now
Don't try to hide it how
You want to kiss the girl
Shawn was going to cry inside because he knew he'd make a fool of himself, but he saw that Kaeli wasn't backing away.
Sha la la la la
The music play
Do what the music say
You got to kiss the girl
Her bright blue eyes stared deep into Shawn's eyes. Kaeli just couldn't resist his eyes. They seemed to be calling to her, telling her to kiss him. Shawn leaned forward even more, the only sound being her breath, the only people there were him and her…and then…
Go on and kiss the girl
"Hey kid," the taxi driver yelled from the driver's seat. "You ready to go or not?"
Their bodies tensed up at the sound of the man's voice. Shawn turned around and didn't say a word. He just glared at the taxi driver, giving him a look that would make even Hades himself shake in his boots.
He faced Kaeli again, knowing that his chance for a kiss had blown away with the wind. He looked to Kaeli, and she quickly looked away, a slight pink tint growing on her cheeks. Shawn smiled. Deep inside…she does…feel that way…about me…
"I've got to go now…" Shawn said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Good bye." And with that, Shawn got into the taxi. He rolled down the window, smiling at Kaeli. Then he told the driver the street to drive to, and in a matter of moments, he was gone.
Kaeli continued to stand there in a daze, her mind swirling with a million thoughts, her heart swirling with a million emotions. "Bye…"
"Being apart will only bring us closer together."
-
"Can you believe it? We're here…" Kaeli asked, eyes glistening as she took in her surroundings. She had never been to New York, and it took her a while to take in all the sights and sounds.
"Not really. But what I can believe is that I'm here with a girl like you." Jake said, moving closer to Kaeli. He wrapped his arms around her waist and gently kissed her cheek.
And I can't believe I'm not there with a guy like Shawn…Wait, what am I saying? I mean, Jake's great but…I don't know…I still like Jake but now I have these feelings for Shawn…
"Kaeli? Kaeli are you listening to me?"
"Huh?" she said softly, snapping out of her daze.
"Is something wrong? I thought you'd be happy to win the state competition with me." Jake asked, his expression one of concern.
"I am happy. Um…I'm just worried about the next dance off. You heard Rogin, he said we're not going to have anymore fun days. Now it's serious." Kaeli's eyes seemed distant as she stared at the moon and stars in the sky. "The national competition is tomorrow. I have faith in my ability to do well but….how can I expect to be the best DDR player in the United States? It seems so…unreal."
"Well, you better start believing it! The competition is just around the corner!" Jake exclaimed. He could hardly believe it himself, that he could either be the best DDR player in the nation or be going home tomorrow.
"I'm trying not to think about it too much." Kaeli said, pushing her worries away.
"Then what are you thinking about?" Jake asked.
Kaeli turned to Jake, keeping her eyes fixed on him. "It's not what, it's who I'm thinking of…" Shawn…Kaeli smiled, moving in for a kiss. "You…" She stared into his eyes, seeming to look deep into his soul. What am I looking for? What am I trying to find?
"So, what happened!" Singa exclaimed. She jumped on her bed and sat cross-legged, then leaned forward to hear what Shawn had to say. Shawn had gotten home and gave his parents the news, he decided to visit Mrs. Abson and Singa the next day.
"It's a long story." Shawn sighed. He looked around Singa's room, which was clean compared to Kaeli's. Socks weren't in the pencil holder, empty Kool-Aid packages weren't scattered on the floor, and her bed was free of crumbled Doritos. But Shawn actually liked those things about Kaeli. That's what made her who she was.
"I've got all the time in the world…" Singa said, putting her hands behind her head.
Shawn sat in her desk chair. His head hung down low. "I don't know…"
"Aw, c'mon! Dish the dirt!" Singa pulled at Shawn's arm. "I want to know what happened! It doesn't have something to do with you and Kaeli, does it?" Singa asked, her tone of voice changing.
Shawn eyes shifted back and forth. "Uh…no…" Shawn said, fiddling with a pink eraser on Singa's desk.
"I knew it!" Singa said, not believing Shawn's response. "Tell me, did you kiss her? Are you guys, like, boyfriend and girlfriend?"
"Nothing happened." Shawn said.
"Sure…" Singa said sarcastically.
"I'll tell you about everything later, okay? I just need some time before I tell you." Shawn explained, the eraser being ripped into tiny pieces thanks to him.
Singa sighed. "Okay, but don't make me wait long! Hey, and don't get my room dirty! You gotta pick up all those little pieces, and buy me a new eraser."
"Singa!" Mrs. Abson yelled from downstairs. "Kaeli's on the phone, she wants to talk to you!"
"Kaeli?" Shawn asked. At the mention of her name Shawn looked like a dog whose ears lifted up at the sound of 'Do you want a treat?'
Singa laughed out loud. "Slow down lover boy. I'll let you talk to her when I'm through. And maybe I'll find out about you and Kaeli through her!"
"No, don't talk to her about it!" Shawn exclaimed. He ran to Singa's bedroom door and stood in the doorway, blocking her from exiting.
Singa lifted one eyebrow and smirked. "So, something is going on between you two." Shawn gave her a stern look. "Okay, okay, I won't say anything to her."
Shawn let Singa pass. She was headed for the phone when Shawn stopped her. "Wait! A-ask her how she f-feels…about m-me…" Shawn said, slightly blushing.
Singa smiled and shook her head. "You can ask her that yourself."
-
All of the DDR contestants were given a chance to call their families and friends. They didn't have the chance to talk to them since they left for the regional competition.
Kaeli leaned against the booth, payphone in hand. "Man, it's been quite a rollercoaster. It's so much fun though." Kaeli talked into the receiver. "Anything new back home? I talked to mom but she was too busy crying to talk to me."
"That's mom for ya." Singa laughed. She was back on her bed, lying on her back. Shawn was sitting on her floor. He pretended to look at her books, but Singa knew he was really listening in on her conversation with Kaeli. "Well, not that much has happened. I've been playing DDR everyday, and I'm getting a lot better. I moved onto Heavy mode, and I got a 'B' on Abyss."
"Really? That's great progress!"
"So when's your next competition?" Singa asked.
"Tonight, and I'm extremely nervous." Kaeli said.
"Well, I'm sure everyone else is just as nervous as you are, maybe even more."
"Yah, you're right. I'm not the only one who thinks they're going home."
Singa chuckled. "I'm sure you'd be glad to come home, especially right now." Shawn's head popped up from behind a book, confirming what Singa had thought earlier.
"Why?" Kaeli asked. "You got 10 pitchers of Kool-Aid in the fridge?"
"Even better. I've got Shawn!" Singa giggled.
"Huh?"
"Shawn's here. You know…Shawn…"
"Of course I know." Kaeli said, staying silent after that.
Singa got up and went into a sitting position on her bed, feet dangling off the edge. "Well? Don't you wanna talk to him?"
Kaeli thought for a moment. She wanted to talk to him, but her heart was already racing at the mention of his name. Kaeli was scared. I mean, really scared. Shawn was her best friend. She had known him practically forever. And now she has these feelings for him. "Um, sure. Put him on."
"Shawn, phone's for you! It's Kaeli!" Singa said in a sing-song voice. She held the phone to him.
Shawn stared at the phone. It seemed like forever before he finally grabbed it, putting the phone up to his ear. "H-hello?" Singa walked out of the room, respecting his privacy. She was young, but she wasn't a brat (most of the time).
"Yah?" came a shaky voice on the other line.
"Um, how's New York?" Shawn asked.
"Okay." Was Kaeli's short response. She was too nervous to say anything more.
"How are you?"
"Okay."
"Uh, is something wrong? All you're saying is 'Okay'."
"Huh? No, I'm ok- I mean, I'm alright. I just feel-" Kaeli cut herself short, unable to find the words for how she was feeling.
"You just feel…what?" Shawn asked. "You feel happiness? Sadness?" Shawn could hear Kaeli's light breathing on the phone get heavier.
"Both. Happiness…because I'm talking to you…and sadness…because I'm not with you…" Kaeli said softly.
Shawn's head was swirling with happiness, his heart throbbing with emotion. We both like each other. What do we do now? She's still going out with Jake though. Would she dump him for me? "Kaeli?" Shawn whispered. "I…" Shawn wanted to say it so bad, but he couldn't. It was so hard for him to keep it in, yet now he found it hard to get out.
"You what?" Kaeli smiled, using the same phrasing Shawn used on her.
"I…love you." Shawn blurted out. He didn't wait for a response. Everything he had kept bottled up inside wanted to come out. "These feelings that I've had…I'm not exactly sure when they started, but I hope they never end." Shawn said, using all his courage to say it.
Kaeli's thoughts again turned to Shawn being her best friend. It was a little weird hearing him say those things to her. "I-I don't know what to say."
"Say what you feel. I wanna know."
"I don't know…"
"Lemme guess, you still have feelings for Jake." Shawn said plainly.
"Yes…"
"And you can't decide between us?" Shawn asked, doubt rushing through his veins.
"I guess so…" Kaeli agreed, though it made her sound like she was evil.
"Well, when will you decide between us?" Shawn asked, getting a little irritated. "How long will I be kept waiting?"
"I-I'm not sure. I need to sort my feelings out." Kaeli said. "I know it sounds bad but I don't know what to do at the moment."
Girl you gotta make up your mind
'Cause you're running out of time
If we could stop playing games
Then maybe my feelings would change
If that's the way you want it
Then that's how it's gonna be
'Cause I got to keep it movin'
You can't keep confusing me
"I've been kept waiting for years. I can't be satisfied with a 'maybe'."
Is it a yes?
Is it a no?
You are not ready
'Cause a guy like me can't be on hold
"I'm sorry…" Kaeli apologized. "I gotta go…but…I'll call you…and I might have the answer. I know that there's a meeting for all the DDR contestants. They're gonna give us information about what time we'll be on t.v. so you can watch it. Okay?"
Shawn was silent. "…Okay…bye…"
Waiting for you to call
Don't help the situation at all
I know that you got a guy
You say you want me but you don't know why
You say you're gonna shut him out
I think you're just runnin' your mouth
You gotta tell me what you wanna do
'Cause I can't be waiting for you
"Bye…"
click
I can't be satisfied with a maybe. I want a yes or a no.
Is it a yes?
Is it a no?
You are not ready
'Cause a guy like me can't be on hold
Kaeli, for you it's always been a yes, but what about me? Yes or no?
-
Well, what'd you think? This chappie was okay, just a lot of fluff and crazy emotions. Okay, I won't ramble on. XP
Reviews (25):
Zanisha: The first reviewer for Ch. 14! You've given me so many cookies, so I wanted to give something to you. -hands you brownies- I made them myself.
Mr. Moogle: Ew, mine's all burnt.
Aliasfan: T.T
Back to Zanisha: I'm glad you like the whole Kool-Aid thing. I don't know where any of it came from. Don't you love it when good ideas just pop into your head? Witch Hunter Robin is an anime/manga right? Maybe I should check it out.
Pencil3: Heh, I wish I could update every 4 days, but it just isn't possible all the time. I found out that what I should do is write a little bit in my fic everyday, even if it's just a sentence. Then, as the days go by, it accumulates and I update faster.
Randy (Ch.8): Everyone thinks the same way you do! Thanks for the compliment. :)
Hajiki (Ch. 13): Yep, I think he is too!
Anonymous: Gracias para el complimento. (I don't know if that's right) XD
Suits92 (Ch.10): Lol No, it's not too crude for him!
Suits92: It's a very good idea but as you already know one I didn't follow. XP Don't worry, things will work out in the end…or will it? MUAHAHA!
Samantha: Heh, actually I am practically falling asleep at the keyboard. I've been staring at the computer screen forever. All of those questions will be answered in time!
Raven's Wolf: How many times has Jake been killed? XD
SukiLovesAnime: I am continuing this story. Don't worry, I won't abandon it. See, me update (using improper English due to tirededness-oops, there I go again!). XP ZZzzzzz
Trisk (Ch.13): Thanks, I like the poem too. It goes well with the story, and I hope I did this chappie the same justice with that song.
Trisk: Yah, I need to work on the competition scenes. No, Shawn didn't get out because of a last minute decision. I've had this whole story planned out for months now. I have a little outline that I use for each chappie explaining a little bit about what will happen, so when I go to write the chappie I know what's gonna happen. Er…I think I repeated myself in the same sentence or something but oh well. It's almost midnight so I don't blame myself for being tired.
KrystalGamer: Yay, another DDR lover! Thanks for RRing my fic.
Lyphe-takes spit muffin and eats it- Wow, Annie, this is good. Yum! It's so juicy and tasty. XD I know, I know, Shawn lost to Jake, but you never know, things can turn around…-ninja-
Ladybrizz (Ch.2): You're welcome! I enjoy writing them.
Ladybrizz (Ch. 8): Wow, a book. What a compliment! Thank you-hands you one of my brownies- They're not burnt. -glares at Mr. Moogle-
Ladybrizz: I'm glad my writing touched you. -feels special:)
Zer Touma (Ch.1,2,3,4,5,9,10, and 14): I don't know why you're trying to promote that inthegroove thing. It's basically just a rip-off of DDR. It's okay if you don't like DDR, but if you don't, then why are you reading a fanfiction about it? I didn't appreciate some of the comments you made and the language you used. You have a choice not to read fics you don't like, ya know. I know that a lot of the things in this fic aren't accurate-such as scoring, etc. but this is a story. It isn't real life, meaning I write the fic the way I want to, even if it is different from what it's really like. I appreciate your help, but I don't need it. -give you burnt brownie- XP
Thanks for all the reviews (except for a certain someone's)! I hope you enjoyed this chappie.