Memo: Hi yaz! I'd really like to thank those who have review my story and gave me excellent advice and reveiws. I'm glad that there are people out there who enjoy reading my story and I'm glad to know that my internet is working again and I'll finally be able to put up the next few chapters eventually. Remember that I'm re-editing the chapters.

Chapter Four: Memories

Two days had past since I started practicing learning lines with Tsubame. Let me tell ya, it was a big help. Tsubame was really good with her lines and even helped me out too. It also was a great advantage because we both had the lead roles and I'd rather practice with Tsubame then I would with Busu. Speaking of that hag, she's been bugging me more than usual lately. I swear, as soon as I came home after Tsubame's, she'd ask me what I was doing and if I was with that girl again. If I didn't know any better, she probably has people spying on me during school hours or something. After all, she did that more than once before. Then again, it explains a lot about the teachers eyeing on me. But for once, it wasn't the teachers fault. It was that little brother of mine, Kenji, who said that he saw me going to a girl's house. Kenshin and Kaoru took it lightly though, but they've kept on teasing me about my new girlfriend, no matter how many times I tell them that it's for school.

The guys and I still want to put that festival plan in motion, and the festival just happens to be three days away. Sora and Tidus got it off pretty easily and already have their dates. Riku on the other hand had a little trouble with his date since she's been acting as if he's a criminal or something. Girls, so hard to understand sometimes. Most of the girls would be more than happy to date a guy like Riku, but Yumi was a different story. The girl wouldn't even look at him, let alone talk to him. She only dated him because her friends are dating his friends, at least for the night of the festival. Other than that, they both refuse to even talk to each other. Suddenly, a hand waved in front of my face.

"Helloo...Earth to Myoujin Yahiko. Come in Yahiko..." Tidus said as I looked up at him. A few people glared our direction as the librarian told us to quiet down. Yep, we're at the library. Only because that stupid Literature teacher of mine forces us to read here. But me and the guys weren't even close to reading. Riku had his legs up on the table, winking at some giggly girls nearby, Sora was trying to balance a pencil on his nose, and Tidus was trying to get me out of my daze state. "Dude, what's up? All you've been doing lately was space out."

"That's because he has her in his mind."

I turned to Riku. "Who's her?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about Yahiko. Her..." He jerked his head towards Tsubame, who was reading her book with her legs up on another chair.

"She's not in my mind. I don't even like her. The only thing that's in my mind is that stupid play."

"Riiight...Well, didn't you say that you still need to practice your lines. You know, so that you could learn that new Hiten Mitsurugi move?" Tidus asked.

"Yeah...But I have to do good on the play."

"Ask Tsubame. She's Cinderella. You could use her as a study buddy until the play's done, get the kiss, and all your troubles will be gone. You won't have to deal with her anymore. If you make it through the play, you'll get that Yu-Gi-Oh card, learn two new moves, and you don't have to do house chores for a whole month," Sora suggested as I thought about that idea. It sounded brilliant. I'll win, Riku will lose, and I'll be happy.

"Speaking of Tsubame...Here she comes now..." Tidus whispered as we all looked over her. He was right. She put down her book and was walking towards our table. I quickly opened my book and pretended to read as the others watched with amusement. I could feel their eyes dancing with mischeif.

"Ohayo (Hi/Hello) Yahiko."

"Hey. What are you doing here?" I asked casually. I could hear Sora and Tidus snicker as I mentally glared at their direction.

"Um...So...Are you gonna come over at my house again today?" She asked quietly, brushing her feet against the floor as she looked down. I heard Riku cough to hide his laughter as the table became quiet. Tsubame didn't seem to even notice anyone but me as I sweatdropped.

"Uh...Sure...Why not?" I forced a smile. Either way, I know the guys would make me even if I didn't want to. And trust me, I didn't want to. She nodded and was about to leave when Riku called out her name.

"Hey, wait Tsubame. The guys and I are going to this skating rink. Serina and her crew are gonna be there, but Yahiko doesn't have a date. And you know, since your his girl now..."

She stared at him for a few minutes, her face was expressionless at the sound of Serina's name. "Sure. I'll go."

"Awesome. It'll be on Saturday, after the carnival. Bring your roller skates all right?"

She nodded once again and left without another word. I turned towards Sora, who gave me a huge cocky grin. "I really hate you Riku...I really hate you..."

Great. Aren't you smart Tsubame...You accepted a date with Serina and her crew and you don't even know how to roller skate. And don't forget, Yahiko's gonna be there...Argh... Tsubame sighed and sat down again, putting her legs up on the empty chair. Opening to the page she was previously on, she tried to read the book. But it was no use. She was up to the kissing part of the story and Yahiko filled her mind. When the author described the kiss, it was always her and Yahiko that were the ones that were kissing in her mind. She didn't know why she felt like this, but she just did. That day when Yahiko came over to her house, it was much more than she expected. He was cute when he acted nervous around her, which was probably every time that she was with him, he was really funny and knew the best way to make her laugh, and she hardly laughs as much as she did with Yahiko unless it was someone close to her that made her laugh. In fact, she'd hardly laugh like that when someone she hardly knew was actually in her house. What made Yahiko so different?

When Yahiko talked about his past, she knew that he probably never really talked about it with anyone else before. He almost cried, and she almost cried for him. It's sad to lose someone so young, but he still acted as if he didn't have a single care in the world, despite his past. He's always that trouble making, charming, funny, outgoing guy that she knew since second grade. In fact, she could still remember how she had her first encounter with Yahiko and how they first really met. It seemed funny because after three years, she barely even knew his name since they both were in different classes until fifth grade. That's how it all began. Back when they were only eleven years old...

"No! Busu, let go of me!" a boy cried as a mother dragged him towards the school. Young Tsubame watched as the boy and the mother fought with each other. Who would've known that the great Yahiko would hate school so much? She knew him from one of her guy friends, who was spending his last year here. He and Yahiko would play basketball with each other and hang out. Doing what guys do. She giggled slightly at the sight, but she didn't bother to walk up and say hi to him...At least not yet. It was the first day of school and everyone was busy talking to each other about their summer vacation.

"Now kids. Listen up. You all will be getting a piece of candy from this bag with a person's name in it. And I want you all to get a piece of paper and a pen and write down some things about them. What their favorite sport is, how many siblings they have, what their favorite food is. Those kind of things. When your done, you say your interview in front of the class and give the candy to that person."

Tsubame reached into the plastic bag for the candy and saw the word 'Yahiko' written on it. She looked up at the boy, who's legs were up on the desk and arms were crossed. She had to admit, she thought he was pretty cute, but she didn't crush on him. Though, Misako probably would. Soon, the room scattered as everyone started interviewing with each other. Tsubame sighed, getting ready to stand up when her friend Keiko held her down. "Hold on Tsubame. I have to interview you first..."

After the interview she looked up at Yahiko again. He was sitting near the front, and she was near the back. Deciding to get it over with, she walked up to his desk. "What's your name?" she asked from behind him as he took once glance at her.

"Aw great...You have me..." he groaned as she slanted her eyes slightly as she walked in front of him and used his desk to write while he moved his feet back to the ground. Looks like he isn't as nice as I thought he was... She thought, shaking her head and understanding why people say 'Looks can be Deceiving'. He looked up at her and stared at her for a moment. "You do know my name...Right?"

"Course I do!" she said as she looked down at his nametag. (Evil Shorty: Ha ha. Just like me and my first crush. Lolz. By the way, this part all pretty much happened to me ). She heard Yahiko sigh again as he patiently waited for her to finish. As soon as she finished, he quickly told her the things she needed quickly.

"Hey Yahiko! Yumi got me and I got Yumi! Isn't that funny?" Haru suddenly said as the two both looked up to him. Tsubame smiled at her two friends. Haru was her guy friend for a while and was her only friend when she first came into this school until she met Keiko, Misako, and Yumi. After she met them, she didn't really get to hang out as much with Haru as she use to because he had his own group of friends too.

"Lucky...She got me..." Yahiko pointed towards Tsubame, sounding as if he'd rather be with someone else.

"Really?" Yay Tsubame!" Haru flashed a smile and clapped his hands. Yahiko gave a WTF (What the f...) look as Tsubame blushed slightly. Yahiko looked surprise that his best friend treated a girl he hardly knew so childish. (Evil Shorty: Yep. I have a friend like that name Michael and the guy I liked was Jasper. He and Michael were best friends and I was friends with Michael for a while but then I started hanging out with my friends so I didn't really get to know Jasper. Weird huh?)

"Everyone to your seats!" the teacher suddenly said as Tsubame quickly made the finishing touches. Sprinting over to her seat, she sat down and watched as a few people read their interviews. Then, Keiko and Tsubame stood up as Keiko started reading things about her. When she was done, Yahiko stood by Tsubame's side as she read things about him. When she was done, she turned to give him his candy, but instead of getting a hold on the candy, he grabbed her hand. The whole room seemed to freeze as he held his hand in hers for a couple of seconds before getting the candy. She was surprised on how smooth his hand was in hers for someone so rough and mean. She walked to her seat, trying to get it off her mind. But ever since that day, she knew he was different. He didn't treat her like guys would normally do. Usually, they'd be super nice to her or they wouldn't talk to her at all. But Yahiko would always be the one that made a cruel remark to her face, but never mean enough to make her cry, always tease her around in a playful way, and was the only guy next to Haru who treated her like a friend...In a weird sort of way. Misako always said that it was his way in showing that he likes her and then she knew that looks really can be deceiving...

"Hello? Tsubame? Wake up!" Yumi said, shaking her friend violently. Tsubame rose her head and found herself asleep. She blinked in surprise, focusing her eyes on the room around her. It took a couple of minutes to realize that she actually fell asleep for a few minutes.

"Tsubame, are you okay? You seem pretty tired," Keiko said with concern.

"I'm fine...I'm just a little sleepy...That's it..." she yawned as she turned towards Misako. "Why did you wake me up? Besides the fact that I could get in trouble for sleeping during reading time with the teacher. I mean, you shook me pretty hard..." She rubbed her shoulder.

"I'm sorry. You wouldn't wake up...And I heard Yahiko and his friends talking earlier before you asked Yahiko about practicing lines at your house..."

"Oh...Wait...You were spying on me?"

"No! Tsubame, don't take it like that! You see, I was gonna check out a book and then I heard Yahiko and the guys talking. Yahiko's friends were teasing him because he was spacing out lately and they thought the reason he was doing that was because of you. But then he said that it was the play that was on his mind and he didn't even like you. Then Sora said something like, 'If you practice lines with Tsubame and do good in the play, you'd get the Yu-Gi-Oh card, learn two moves, and don't have to do house chores for a month if she kisses you'. Don't you see Tsubame? They're using you! If you kiss Yahiko and continue to help him, he'll be able to get all those things. He doesn't really like you. He lied to you!"

"He...He wouldn't do that..." Tsubame said, shaking her head. Her voice was filled with pain and she tried to force the tears that were coming out. "He's not like his friends. I don't think he'd go that low..."

"Face it girl. I heard it with my own ears. I'm sorry Tsubame, but it's the truth. Who are you gonna believe anyway? Me, or some jerk that's using you for a play?" Yumi asked as Tsubame's thoughts raced. Yahiko lied to me? After I told him about my past? After I trusted him? He's using me?

She couldn't take it any longer as the tears started to come out. She wiped her eyes, determined not to let anyone else see, but she soon felt Misako put an arm around her friend comfortable and Keiko pat her back. She knew that there was only one thing left to do...She can't let Yahiko kiss her...And she can't fall in love with him...No matter what he does...

Yahiko's Point of View

I knocked on the door to Tsubame's apartment room and waited patiently for her to open. Today it seemed like she was trying to avoid me because every time I try to talk to her, she'd move away and stuff like that. I really wanted to know what was going on with her and then practice lines with her. I held the line sheet in my hand and knocked one last time. After waiting for a couple of minutes, I leaned against the wall and close my eyes. What's taking her so long? She doesn't usually do this...Does she? No...Last time she didn't. Maybe she's not home...

I was ready to leave until I heard the door open. In front of me was Tsubame who stared at me for a couple of seconds before closing the door. "Hey! Tsubame! Let me in! I thought we were gonna practice lines again!" I shouted as I banged on the door. She didn't answer. I sighed and leaned against the door. "Please Tsubame? I need to talk to you..."

After what seemed like hours, Tsubame finally opened the door and let me in. I flashed her a smile as I went over to sit on the couch. It looked exactly how it did a couple of days ago. "So what did you want to talk about?" Tsubame asked quietly and leaned against the kitchen counter. I turned around to face her, surprise that she didn't sit next to me like last time.

"Well, I just wanted to know if you're all right. It looked like something was troubling you."

"And why would you care?"

I stood up. "Tsubame, how could you ask that? You know that I like you. Why wouldn't I?"

"Why do you like me? Please answer that...And be honest..."

"Tsubame, I thought I told you before. You're really pretty...And nice...And...I just do okay?"

"You're not just using me...For the play?"

"What! Who told you that?" I asked, finding myself walking closer to her. I was soon inches away from her, but I didn't move back. I tried to read her expression, but she kept lowered her head to the floor.

"Yumi accidentally overheard you say that you didn't really like me..."

I froze and glared down at her, but my expression quickly changed as I sensed the pain in her heart. I put my hand under her chin and tilted her head towards mine. I can see in her eyes that she was trying to hold back the tears as she looked at me hopefully. Hoping that Yumi was wrong. But I knew that I'd have to lie to her again. But when will these chains of lies end?

"Tsubame...I really do like you...You know that. Yumi probably had a misunderstanding. I'm not that kind of person. Honest," I brought my lips towards hers as my hand slid to the back of her neck. Our lips only brushed once when my cell phone rang. I groaned slightly in annoyance as I saw that it was my dear mother who was calling me.

"What do you want Busu?" I snapped.

"Yahiko! Where are you? You're suppose to come back here for training remember?"

"I'm working on a play you old hag! Call me later!"

And with that, I turned off my phone, making sure she won't call me again. Can't you see how much I love that woman?

Tsubame blinked at me in confusion as I looked over at her and rubbed the back of my neck while flashing a nervous smile. "Sorry. That was my mom. She said I have to go back home for training."

"Training? For what?"

"Swordsmanship. I'm kind of like training to become the assistant master and I kinda help Kaoru teach younger kids during the weekend sometimes. I'm not really an assistant master yet, but Kaoru's teaching me a few advanced moves. That's why she wants me home."

"Oh...Maybe I can watch you someday..." she smiled sweetly.

I grinned back. "Yeah. I'd like that."

My heart lightened up when I saw her smile, which automatically made me smile back. Maybe she wasn't so mad after all. I just need to be careful when I say I don't like her. Isn't it funny how a simple smile could make your day? I think it's funny. Because at that moment, I truly meant what I said to her. I really like her.