Chapter 12 (Engagement problems)
Freedom9217: Thanks for the wonderful reviews, although I did think the last chap was quite funny and fast. I read this story over again, and I've realized how many mistakes I've made. Sorry about that. And I'm not really a too good writer so I don't really expect too much from myself. But anyway, I'll try my best to make this story more interesting. After all, it is my first fanfic story. Well, let's get on with it.
It's a sunny Sunday. The wind was blowing gently, the tree branches sway gently up in the sky. Some kids playing near on the swings and chasing each other around. It was nearing winter, but the day doesn't seem to fit in the weather schedule. However, the day doesn't seem to be so kind on Athrun.
"Oh Athrun. Today is such a nice day." Mia said, smiling and dragging Athrun all around.
"Nice day huh? If it's really such a nice day, then I won't be straggled here with you, Damn you, father!" Athrun thought angrily.
He gritted his teeth and a muscle twitched in his neck. Just when Athrun's life is getting interesting, his two very best friends are now in a relationship with the people they love. And yet here's Athrun, straggled with some girl that he got pathetically and confusedly engaged to. It makes Athrun feel so pathetic, he should be with the person he loves, instead of getting engaged by his own father. And yet be powerless to do anything about it. Just when he barely got enough courage to confront his father and break up the engagement, his father threw in another date for them. Weakening his courage, now Athrun wonders if he will ever tell Patrick about his true feelings.
"Hey Athrun, are you okay?" Mia asked, waving her hands in front of the thinking blue haired boy.
The sound of Mia's voice woke Athrun up from his thoughtful discourage thinking.
"Yeah." He answered.
"So what do you want to do now?" Mia asked, hanging on to Athrun's arm.
"I'll go wherever you want to go." Athrun replied.
"Okay, then how about going to the park, I've done enough shopping for the day." Mia told him.
"Of course you're done. We started our day at 10 a.m. and now are already 1:00 in the afternoon; you've been shopping for three whole hours. You might as well do enough shopping for a lifetime. Why do girls always like to shop anyways, it's such a waste of time." Athrun thought.
Then he sat up slowly from the bench that he was sitting on and walked to his car with Mia on his arm and drove off to the nearest park.
On another street
Cagalli was taking her daily walk in the afternoon. She walked peacefully on the sidewalk and stopped at a bench to relax.
She was enjoying the beautiful and peaceful day until she heard a voice from the distance calling her. "Hey, Cagalli." The person said. It's definitely a man's voice, but she can't tell who it is. But there's definitely one thing, the voice sounded all too familiar. With curiosity, she turned around, sight greeting a purple haired man. Her eyes widen in shock as she recognized the person. It is definitely not a good thing.
"Hey Cagalli, it's been a while." The person said running up to her. "I finally found you."
"Yu … nna." Cagalli gasped, not believing her eyes.
"Yap, it's me. I've been looking for you ever since your family moved." Yunna said smiling. "Now we can finally continue our relationship. Oh I'm so glad."
A disgust expression appeared on Cagalli's face. "Listen, Yunna Roma Seiran. We don't have any relationship, I barely even know you, and so would you stop daydreaming and leave me alone. Besides, I already have my eye on someone else." The words left Cagalli's mouth automatically, shocking them both.
"You like someone else? Who is it, who is the person you like?" Yunna asked urgently.
"It doesn't matter, just leave me alone." Cagalli said as she quickly ran away leaving Yunna in shock.
"Oh don't you worry Cagalli, you will be mine, whether you like it or not." an evil smirk appeared on Yunna's face. Then he walked into the opposite direction of Cagalli.
Park
Athrun parked his car and came out with Mia still hanging onto his arm. "Hey, Mia. Could you let go of me now? Please, this is public place." Athrun asked, he sounded like begging. "Why? We're engaged, so it doesn't matter." Mia answered, leaving Athrun disappointing. As much as he want to get rid of her, he can't be rude to a girl, especially one that his father engaged him with.
"So what exactly do you want to do?" Athrun asked.
"Let's just sit down, I want to talk." Mia answered. She smiled sweetly at Athrun and dragged him to a bench.
After they sat down, Mia faced Athrun, face serious. She gave out a weird smile and hugged Athrun tightly. Athrun looked shocked and disgusted. "Mia, what're you doing!" He asked urgently, trying to get Mia off.
Mia came out of the embrace and smiled at Athrun. "Athrun, we're engaged, right?" she asked.
"Hmm, yeah." Athrun answered, painfully letting the words out of his mouth.
"We're gonna be married one day, but I want to know, do you really like me?" Mia asked.
Athrun thought for a minute, of course he didn't like her, he doesn't exactly hate her. But the thought of being with her his whole life sounded disgusting and scary. But he had no choice but to give the answer that everyone wanted, and that only includes Mia and his father. Why is his love life so miserable?
Athrun opened his mouth but no words came out, at the last moment, he changed his mind. He couldn't bare the fact that he is lying to himself, I like Cagalli, not Mia. He reassured himself.
"I don't know Mia. I'm sorry, but I don't really have any unnatural feeling towards you. You're only a friend to me." Athrun replied, speaking the truth.
"But we're engaged, you have to like me." Mia argued.
"I'm sorry; I just don't feel anything towards you. I can't control how I feel." Athrun told her.
Mia gave him an angry look but soon turned to a smiling one. "It's okay, Athrun. I know how we can fix this." Mia said with a laugh. Then she leaned closer to him; and eventually leaning on Athrun. Athrun remained silent, unsure of what she is doing. She leaned even closer, until her head touched Athrun's, and eventually kissing him. Athrun realized what she's doing and quickly got up and moved rudely away. His actions annoyed Mia; Athrun watched as she jumped up and started yelling at him.
"Why did you move away!" Mia shouted.
"You were trying to kiss me!"
"So! We're engaged, it's normal to kiss!"
Athrun looked around; people were beginning to stare at them. Mia's screams are way too loud, Athrun felt his eardrums shattering. He tried to calm her, but she wouldn't listen, she just kept on shouting until Athrun placed his hand on her mouth. "Mia, stop it. People are staring." Athrun told her.
"I don't care!" She said after Athrun took his hands off.
"If you don't kiss me then I'm gonna keep on shouting!" Mia threatened.
"Okay, okay, I'll kiss you, just don't shout again." Athrun said with disgust.
Mia closed her eyes and waited for Athrun's kiss. "Eh, I can't do this." Athrun thought as he stared at Mia. "I can't do this, not even in a hundred years." He tried to make himself move forward and kiss Mia, but his body doesn't seem to be responding. Athrun's instinct to flee kicked in. He knows that he's gonna be scolded by his father if he ever found out, well at least its better then kissing Mia. With that thought, Athrun quickly run as quietly as possible.
Mia waited for her kiss eagerly but it still didn't come. "Athrun, hurry up already." Mia said. She waited patiently but the kiss still didn't come, with anger, she opened her eyes and found Athrun nowhere in sight. She gaped and yelled for Athrun. But no response came; she angrily got up and walked away. Promising herself to tell Athrun's father about this.
Near a lake
Athrun walked slowly on the sidewalk feeling relieved about the incident that just happened. He has no idea how Mia took it, but who cares, he's save now. He let out a sigh and touched his head with his hands, feeling miserable about his life. His feeling soon disappeared after he saw where was heading to; a beautiful lake came in sight. Not just a lake, also a blond hair girl with her back turned to him. "Is that Cagalli?" Athrun thought, looking at the familiar girl standing by the lake. "It is her!" "Hey Cagalli!" Athrun called. The girl whipped around and saw Athrun. She had a surprising look on her face and immediately walked towards him.
"Hi, Athrun." Cagalli greeted.
Athrun smiled happily but soon noticed the frown and disappointed look on Cagalli's face.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing." Cagalli answered, doesn't want Athrun to know about Yunna.
Athrun frowned. He can't stand seeing Cagalli like this. He wanted to see the usual Cagalli, the cheerful, talkative and happy girl. The moment he started liking Cagalli, he has felt this unnatural feeling. He felt that her smile made him smile. Her tears made him mist, her mere presence made him felt secure. He wanted to ask her again about the problem but dared not; she looked close to tears. He just went close to her and hugged her. Cagalli froze, feeling shocked but could not control the tears from streaming down her face. Athrun just held her while she cried, held her when she just needed someone there.
Finally, Cagalli stopped crying and got out of Athrun's embrace, facing him. Athrun smiled and wiped off the remaining tears with his thumb. He couldn't resist anymore, he had to ask Cagalli what's wrong or else he'll go crazy.
"Cagalli." Athrun asked once again. "What's wrong?"
"It's … Yunna." Cagalli answered.
"Yunna?" Athrun thought for a moment then he remembered who that name belongs to.
"You mean that ex-fiancé of yours?" Athrun asked.
"Yah." Cagalli replied.
"What happened?"
"He came back."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't exactly know why, but I just saw him a while ago, he said he wanted to continue our relationship." Cagalli said nervously. "I got mad, and told him that we never had a relationship, and then I just ran."
Athrun stared at Cagalli, disbelieving; the shock paralyzing his mind. He's competition is back, although he's sure that Cagalli doesn't like Yunna. The thought of having someone else going for the girl he likes sucks big time.
Even before when Cagalli mentioned Yunna and her engagement, Athrun felt a plain feeling of hatred for Yunna, though he hasn't even met him. His green eyes blazing, heart pounding hard. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, trying to hide the involuntary shiver as the familiar surge of hatred, now augmented by jealousy, coursed through him like wildfire.
"So what are you gonna do now?" Athrun asked.
"I don't know, maybe I'll just tell my parents about this and never see him again." Cagalli replied.
"Don't worry, either way you will figure out a way to stop this." Athrun comforted her.
Cagalli stared fixedly into the middle distance. What Athrun said made sense. She has past all the difficulties life has gave her so far; and she can past this one as well. Immediately her mood lightened, she felt happy again. In her happy mood, she hugged Athrun tightly, and thanked him for his comforting words. Athrun smiled, now the day is finally getting interesting.
What they don't know is that Mia witnessed all that. Including Cagalli hugged Athrun, and Athrun comforted her. She also saw Athrun's look of jealously when Cagalli mention something about her ex-fiancé. Mia gritted her teeth, "You'll pay for this Cagalli!" she thought merciless.
Zala mansion
Athrun got home from the day which he spend with Cagalli and putted his jacket in the closet and went to the living room normally. To his surprise, his father Patrick Zala is on the sofa with Mia standing beside him. Patrick had an angry look on his face. Immediately Athrun knew what's wrong, its obvious Mia told on him. He sighed and went to his father, pretending like nothing has happened.
"Hi father, Mia." He said.
"Athrun, where did you go today?" Patrick asked.
"I was on a date with Mia." Athrun said. He felt foolish for saying such an obvious lie.
Patrick's face darkened, "Athrun, I shall ask again. Where did you go today?"
"I told you, I was on a da -" Athrun was rudely interrupted by Mia.
"Stop trying to deny it Athrun." Mia said. "I saw everything, you and Cagalli."
"You saw?" Athrun asked.
"Yes, I saw you and her." Mia answered.
"When?"
"After you left me, I went around looking for you. Then I came to the lake and saw you and Cagalli hugging. I couldn't believe my eyes, I thought I was hallucinating but I was not, you really did hug that girl. Why Athrun? Why? Am I not good enough for you?"
"I …" Athrun doesn't know what to say. There's no point in denying it, Mia had seen and probably heard what they said. Though they didn't really do anything beyond hugging, it's still a big deal to his father. Athrun knows that Patrick will never tolerate anything like this happen without his permission.
"Any explanations, Athrun?" Patrick asked. Intrigued by his son's behavior.
"No. But I was only comforting a friend, that's all." Athrun said, trying to explain.
"Alright Athrun. I will forgive you this time, I can understand if you were only trying to comfort a friend. But don't do it again. You're not a kid anymore; you must attend to your responsibilities." Patrick said kindly.
"But father, that's so unfair!" Athrun tried to argue, but met his father's cold eyes. He stopped in an instant.
"Don't argue with me Athrun. I have my reasons for getting you engaged, and I thought you like Mia." Patrick said.
Athrun was about to say no when he saw Mia's face, covered by anger and jealously. And he forced himself to say nothing.
"Alright. Discussion is over. Don't do something like this again, Athrun." Patrick said as he left the room.
Athrun stared at Mia angrily. Face covered with anger and despair. He couldn't force himself to be angry. At least it's over; he doesn't get any punishments, especially when he knows how evil his father can be sometimes.
Monday (School)
The boring lectures of morning classes are finally over and lunch came. Everyone sat around at the same table eating and chatting. Everyone except Mia that is, but no one seems to really mind, no one noticed Mia's absence until she came into the cafeteria.
"Hey, Cagalli." Mia said meanly.
"Yes Mia. Come and sit down, I was wondering where you were." Cagalli said happily.
"No thanks. I just came to tell you to stay from my Athrun." Mia said which made the whole entire table to look up at her.
"What do you mean?" Cagalli asked.
"I saw you guys yesterday, so don't try to lie." Mia shouted.
Cagall's face grow red, she's not comfortable with this, especially not in front of this much people. She looked over to Athrun, who had a rather nervous and angry expression. She wiped off the sweat on her head and replied to Mia. "I don't know what you're saying."
"Shut up liar!" Mia yelled. "And I also know that you're engaged with a guy called Yunna."
Cagalli's face lit up, there's no way she'll sit back and let someone talk about her love life like that. Cagalli shot up, and slapped Mia before she could even stop herself.
Everyone gasped. Kira immediately stood up and grabbed Cagalli before she could do anything else.
"How dare you!" Mia said while holding her cheek.
Cagalli turned around, feeling ashamed and scared. "Don't ever line me and that loser Yunna together." Was all Cagalli could say before Kira dragged her out of the room, followed by the girls.
"Bitch!" Mia called from behind. Then she walked away.
Athrun stood there, not moving a muscle. He never suspected this to happen. He thought yesterday's lecture by his father was the end of this. There aren't any words left to describe how Athrun feels. He just stood there motionless.
After a while, Kira and the guys returned from comforting Cagalli and questioned Athrun about all this. Athrun just realized that Kira doesn't know that he's engaged; then he quickly told the guys about his engagement and all the problems that came with it. He turned even more depressing after he told them, but Kira promised to help him break up the engagement.
Whew, another chapter done, finally. This is the longest chapter I've written so far, guess I just felt like writing this much for this chapter. As you can see, this chapter is mostly about Athrun. I decided to bring Yunna come back. I think it would be more interesting this way. I'll probably be able to update once a week from now on. Since my geography exam is done. I know a week is pretty long, but I still have to do homework and stuff like that. I'll try my best to update more often. Next chapter will come soon.