AN: Lo siento! Je suis désolé! Zannen desu! No matter how I say it, I mean I'm sorry! I have been uber busy with school and activities. I know that's no excuse for not updating in 3 months! But just be thankful that I'm updating amidst all this chaos. I'm reading a fic that hasn't been updating in almost 10 months! Yes, 10 months! Now, I may take a while and not update in 3 months but I most certainly will not take 10 months! Anyways, since school is winding down, I know I'll find more time to update. Thanks for sticking around, and enjoy!
Mr. Moogle: It's about time you updated! My fans haven't heard from me in ages!
Aliasfan: What fans? searches Just kidding!
Mr. Moogle: aliasfan doesn't own DDR. Same old, same old.
Chapter 16: Destiny's Calling
Should I stay or should I go?
Do I follow what I don't know?
My heart wants to tell me but I can't understand
It speaks a different language from another land
The land of love that I can't seem to find
No matter how long I've tried I can't make up my mind
Destiny's calling but I can't hear a word
They both proclaim their love but one must go unheard
What will happen if I stay with Jake?
He says he's being real but Shawn says he's a fake
But what if Shawn's the guy I choose?
In the game of love will I win or lose?
Only two choices but I can't decide
I swim to the shore yet I stray from the tide
I ask these questions but will the answers come?
If my life is mathematics who will be the one?
Kaeli stared at the ink-filled page of the journal in front of her, then looked up at the clock. It read 2:00 a.m. Kaeli was lying flat on her stomach on a bed. The sheets smelled fresh and the comforter was warm and fluffy, yet Kaeli's mind refused to let it soothe her into the sleep she so desired. Despite trying numerous positions, including lying on her back and side, she just couldn't fall asleep. I thought writing my feelings out would help me decide who I wanted to be with. Instead, it's only made me more confused!
The light from the lamp flickered slightly, illuminating the room so that someone had enough light to see, or read in Kaeli's case, yet keeping it dark enough for someone to sleep. I bet Shawn hates me now for making him wait. But what does he expect me to do? Does he want me to make a rushed decision, and in my haste pick Jake over him? Does he want me to choose the wrong guy? Of course not! Kaeli grumbled, her head starting to hurt a little. She slowly closed her journal and put it back in the drawer next to her bed. The drawer also contained some other objects: a few coins, a bracelet, and the DDR elite National Competition program.
"Let's see…" Kaeli said quietly, "Saturday…breakfast starts at 8…" Kaeli looked up at the clock again and sighed. "Only 5 hours and 55 more minutes to go…"
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Shawn lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Usually he'd fall asleep right away, but this night was different. Instead of staying up late worrying about a test or a bully at school, Shawn had bigger things to think about, like love.
2:00? Shawn thought to himself. Who in the world goes to bed at 11 and is still up at 2? Shawn closed his eyes and attempted to go to dreamland, but again his thoughts overcame him. I wonder if Kaeli's decided yet. I mean, how hard can it be? Me or Jake? It's like asking a child what they want for dinner, ice cream or spinach!
Shawn glanced at his arms, the bruises almost gone now. Shawn sighed, climbing out of bed, his room suddenly seeming to close in on him. Shawn felt extremely hot and sweaty even though he was only wearing his boxers. He breathed inwardly and exhaled deeply, trying to relax. Just chill, Shawn. Everything will be okay. Shawn took in a couple more deep breaths, seeming to calm down. He started to walk back to his bed, then stopped and clutched his hair. Oh, but what if everything's not okay! What am I gonna do? Kaeli's the only girl that's ever made me feel this way! If she broke my heart…I…I don't know what I'd do…
Shawn left his bedroom to get a snack, hoping it'd take his mind of things. He walked downstairs, which wasn't as hot as his room was. The cool air felt good against Shawn's skin. He headed into the kitchen, opening up the fridge and the cabinets to see what he had a taste for. Leftover pizza? No. Chips? No. A chocolate shake? Yes-wait-no. Shawn looked all over the kitchen but he still couldn't find something to eat. Suddenly he remembered the freezer. Hmm…let's see what we have here…Shawn scanned the freezer until his eyes rested on a particular dessert. Ice cream? Yah, that's what I'll have! He took it out of the freezer, setting it on the table. You hear that Kaeli? Ice cream's the way to go…
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"Kaeli! Where've you been? I've been looking everywhere for you!" Jake said, running up to Kaeli. It was the morning of the national competition, and after breakfast, Kaeli had seemed to have disappeared.
Kaeli sat at the edge of the hotel pool, feet dangling in the cool, clear water. "I just needed to get away from everyone." She said softly.
"Even me?" Jake asked. He motioned to Kaeli if he could sit down and she nodded.
"No, not you too. It's just that I don't really feel that excited about the competition anymore. It's like, everything's changed now that…" Kaeli trailed off.
"Now that shorty's gone?" Jake asked, though he knew that that was what she was going to say. He took off his shoes, dipping his feet in the water as well. "Listen Kae, I know he was your friend, but he's gone now. We can go to the worldwide competition, but you can't make it there if you give up now." Jake wrapped his arms around Kaeli, causing her to smile.
"You're right. I've made it this far. I have to do this for myself and for Shawn." Kaeli said happily, though her voice still had a hint of sadness in it. I don't feel right talking to Jake like everything's fine. But if I tell him about Shawn, will he be mad at me? Kaeli dangled her feet in the water. "Jake…we need to talk…"
"About what?" Jake asked. He slid his arm off Kaeli's shoulder, running his fingers through his hair. "You okay?"
"Do you love me?" Kaeli asked.
"What?"
"Do you love me?"
Jake seemed a little startled by her sudden question. He sat there silently for a brief moment. "I…I can't say at this moment that I love you, Kae. We are going out, and that means that I like you, a lot. But that doesn't mean I'll never love you. You're an amazing girl, Kaeli, and I know that with time I will fall in love with you."
Kaeli looked up at Jake, her eyes looking deep into his. He sounds truthful, but can I trust his words? The only thing I can do is compare Jake's answers to Shawn's. "I…feel the same way. But Jake…why do you like me, a lot?"
Jake chuckled. "I feel like I'm in the interrogation room! Do I really have to answer?"
"Yes. These questions are important to me." Kaeli said.
"Okay, okay. Let's see…for one, you're beautiful. You're an amazing DDR player, and you've got a kickin' personality."
"Uh, thanks." Kaeli responded.
"Hey Kaeli, we better start getting ready. The first round of the competition starts in a little bit." Jake said, starting to stand up.
"Okay, but, one more question. What makes me different from all the other beautiful, amazing DDR players with kickin' personalities?" Kaeli asked, standing up as well.
"W-what? Um, I guess….er…." Jake stumbled. "You're you. You're not like other girls. You're…different….in a good way."
Kaeli looked at Jake, "Um….okay." she said, starting to walk to the lobby.
"Where are you going, Kaeli? The rooms are this way." Jake said, pointing to the right.
"I know. But I have to make a quick phone call first."
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"The first round starts in an hour?" Shawn asked, gripping the phone tightly. The second he saw that it was Kaeli calling he managed to stub his toe on a table and knock a bowl over trying to get to the phone.
"Yep. I'm kinda nervous about it, but-"
"I know you'll do fine, Kaeli. Just do your best. And when you do, remember that your best is better than mine."
"Well when you say it that way…" Kaeli said, twirling the phone cord around her fingers like a little school girl. "So what have you been doing since you got home?"
"In the morning I think of you, in the afternoon I play DDR and pretend you're playing with me, and at night I dream of you." Shawn said, realizing what he just said. "Uh, I mean, nothing."
Kaeli blushed, though her rosy cheeks would go unseen by Shawn's eyes, for now at least. "Oh Shawn…"
"Oh Shawn…what?" he said softly.
Kaeli giggled slightly. "I…I know that I've been making you wait, but I just want to make the best possible decision, okay?"
"I understand. I couldn't sleep last night, and while I was awake I finally saw things from your point of view. Take all the time you need, Kaeli."
Hey, I couldn't sleep last night either…"Thanks." Kaeli said. "Um, Shawn?"
"What?"
"Do you love me?"
Shawn was surprised at her question but was more than happy to answer. "Kaeli, I know we're friends, and it may be seem a little weird to you, but I've been in love with you for a long time now. People may call me foolish, my parents may say I'm too young, but this feeling inside me is so strong that I know it has to be love."
Kaeli didn't quite know how to respond. "Shawn, I…that was…I mean….thanks."
"No need to say thanks to me, Kaeli, I'm just telling you how I feel."
Kaelis' heart fluttered. She touched her chest where her heart was. Do I really…like Shawn? We're friends…it seems wrong…yet…it seems right…
"Kaeli, you still there?" Shawn asked. Kaeli responded with a 'yes'. "Anything else you want to ask me?"
Kaeli bit her lip. "Actually, two more questions. Sorry for putting you on the spot like this Shawn, but I just need to know some things."
"By all means, go ahead."
"Why are you in love with me?"
"Kaeli, I know I'm in love with you because even just now, just by hearing your voice, my heart beats a million times faster. I know that what I feel is not infatuation because we were friends long before I felt this way. I've grown to love your smile, your eyes, your lips. I know your heart is pure and there is strength and courage in your soul. Everything about you is everything I want." Shawn poured his heart out to Kaeli, continuing, "I love you because I know that you are my soul mate. You're the only one who can make me laugh until my cheeks hurt. You're the only one who can make me cry until my tears run dry. I know I can't live without you. Cupid has struck my heart with an arrow. If you pulled it out it would lead to my death. Only the one I love could do that to me."
Kaeli was on the verge of tears by the time Shawn finished answering. "Shawn, thank you. That was beautiful!"
"It was only beautiful because I was talking about you." Shawn said, realizing his grip on the phone had loosened.
"Shawn…" Kaeli said, her heart beating faster yet seeming to stop at the same time at what she was about to say. "Shawn, I-"
"Kaeli!" Jake yelled from afar, running up to her. "This is the second time I've lost you. C'mon, if you don't get ready now, you're gonna have to dance in those sandals!"
Kaeli sighed. "I'm coming!" she said to Jake, then talked into the receiver. "Look, Shawn, I have to go. Don't forget to watch me on t.v. I'll wink to you. That'll be my hello, okay?"
"Okay. Bye, Kaeli." He was about to get off the phone but stopped. "Wait! What about the third question? Aren't you gonna ask me it?"
Kaeli thought a moment. "I don't need to." Kaeli said, smiling. "Wish me luck! Bye!"
"Wait!" Shawn said again. "I have a question to ask you. Which would you rather have, ice cream or spinach?"
Kaeli laughed then raised an eyebrow. "Ice cream of course! Why?"
"No reason. I'll see you on t.v! Don't forget to wink!"
"I won't." Kaeli said, hanging up the phone. She held the phone to her chest and closed her eyes. "I won't."
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I was debating if I should start the first round of the competition this chappie or not, but I decided to give it its own chappie. I hope you guys liked this. It was shorter than my most recent chappies but I wanted to get it up asap for you guys. It was more emotional this time but the action will be all in the next update (which I hope to have up soon).
Reviews (21):
SukiLovesAnime: Sorry it wasn't a quick update, but I know I won't take as long to get the next one up.
Zanisha: Lol I had ritz crackers for a snack today. I love Spiderman 2! That is one of the best sequels. Yah, I've been bad with updates. –shame-
Pencil3: Thanks for the compliments on the songs and poems used. Yah, the poem I made Kaeli write in her journal is a poem I made up in class. I didn't want to use a song this chappie cause it didn't really fit.
Poigny25 (email review): Thank you for the nice compliments! Yah, I like this fic because it has a good mix of action and romance.
Zer0 Touma: I don't know why you can't read. It's obvious throughout the chappies that Kaeli does play on Heavy mode. It was Singa who had moved on to Standard, not Kaeli. Please do not review my story anymore. Any future reviews made will be ignored.
KrystalGamer: Well, you got more Kaeli and Shawn action in this chappie. Yep, lots o' fluff. And there weren't any songs in it. More writing.
Raven's Wolf: lol You're totally 'exclamation point' hyper! Oh no, now I'm doing it! Thanks for the nice comments! Exclamation point! Lol!
Andrewtabs: What's psmo?
Titanium Gold: Why thank you! I'm glad you like it.
Samantha: Sorry I made you wait –forever- again for me to update. Since school is winding down I promise I'll update quicker. Yah, it's like Shawn had all his feelings bottled up inside and he needed to get them out. It was like a huge relief for him, and now he's not as scared to tell Kaeli how he feels, because he knows he has a chance with her.
Jen (Ch. 1): Thanks.
Axewarrior20: Wow, thanks for the nice comments! I'm glad you like it and hope you keep reading. :)
ZimXGir (Ch. 14): lol I think Shawn's been glomped about a billion times (by me!).
ZimXGir: I know. Stupid Jake. Well, Shawn got a chance to pour more of his heart out to Kaeli. We'll see what happens next!
SaeSawanoguchi: lol Yah, a lot of people (including me) forget that this is a DDR fic and think it's just a story with Jake, Shawn, and Kaeli. The competition will be really exciting, and I hope I can write it well.
Jamie (Ch. 10): I'm glad you like my story and I'm sorry that you were disheartened at first. :(
Jamie (Ch. 11): You don't need to apologize if that's how you feel. But yes, I needed Shawn to have some competition, and Jake was it. Thanks.
Jamie: Yes, I agree. And don't worry, you DDR fanatics will get your excitement next chappie with the National Competition! Can't wait!
Lyphe: Hey Annie! I just have to say again how much I loved your recent chappie for Rollercoaster. I'm always so happy when you update! Yes, Kaeli is smart yet stupid at the same time. Lol
Suits02: -gack- Sorry for another mushy chappie! Well, next chappie will be more action so don't worry!
Sugar Spice and Not So Nice: Okay:)
Thanks for the reviews everyone! -huggles-