I Think I'm In Love with My Bestfriend's Boyfriend

Author's Notes: Hmm, I wonder if people aren't interested anymore…Oh well. I am, and I'm determined till the end!

Ingredients for A Brew of Trouble:

- Hints

- Wondering and Pondering

- Secret Doubts

- Outings in the Park

PLUS: Someone else keeps a diary. Who is it!

I am in need of (an) adviser/s & beta-reader/s, in order to help me sort out my stories. If ever you are interested, kindly review and leave your email address. A good thing: you'll be the first ever to see a chapter!

Disclaimer: All characters and places are property of the manga-ka CLAMP and companies related to it. Only the plot and story is my intellectual product.

Chapter Twelve: A Brew of Trouble

January 29 (Sunday)

Dear Diary,

Like I expected, today was so great! Everyone was really happy, and we all think that things are already a 'happily ever after'.

We're a little shy though, which is reasonable. Besides, it was only yesterday that our inner fairytales came true.

After our picnic, we went straight to Tomoyo's house. She surprised us with so many different costumes that she had made over the past month! Surely she'll be the best fashion designer in her batch, if not the country. And she's so humble. "I have my doubts…" she said to me in a whisper. Hm. Maybe it's because of that one time when my sleeve fell off during a school play.

Poor Tomoyo-chan was so embarrassed.

It turns out that Eriol didn't know about her love of designing. He was really shocked, but proud of her at the same time. Syaoran was aware of that, but he said that he'd never seen so much outfits before. Heh.

Till tomorrow, when we go out to the lake! I love my vacation!

P.S. Tomoyo's room's view of the city is fantastic! Too bad that Tomoyo's camcorder dropped from the window pane though. But it was good that she knew how to fix it (even after a fall like that!).

…………………………………………………………

Sakura yawned, ready to go to bed. All that running around in the park and Tomoyo's house had worn her out. Trying out the many costumes was even more tiring.

She just had enough energy to close the notebook, cap the pen, set them aside and turn off the light. It was barely past nine o'clock now, and Sakura was the first among the four to fall asleep that night.

…………………………………………………………

Somewhere else, in a lavish mansion, a certain person was kept awake by the same thoughts as the night before, as well as discomfort.

I don't like the way things are unfolding at all.

Yet Sakura…I care for her, and she's content. More than content. Head-over-heels happy. Do I have the courage to break the four of us apart?

I'm not quite sure.

These questions ran like gazelles across the person's mind…overtaking thoughts of picnics, costumes, and all that nonsense. Seeing the window still open, the individual stood up, and closed the troublesome glass. It had caused enough problems already.

…………………………………………………………

The same bright greetings were exchanged.

All except for Eriol's. Noticing this, Syaoran approached him and kindly inquired why.

Smiling, Eriol replied, "I just got a bit of a cold, that's all." Syaoran was happy. "I almost did so too. The air is still chilly this time of the year. My house was like on ice."

They continued on, catching up with the two girls who had went ahead.

…………………………………………………………

If one managed to forget the disturbing wind, the lake and everything around it was on the verge of summer. Apparently it was undisturbed by the lengthy winter that was just melting away, and it was the only place where all the snow had melted and the sun was shining just enough.

Good enough for them, the cold air diminished as they went towards the body of water. The current was surprisingly warm, and there were a number of children playing in the sand strip on the other bank.

Eriol brought his tennis racquet set.

Sakura took along her miniature sail boat fleet.

Tomoyo had her camera ready.

Syaoran was prepared to launch his kite.

Everyone stocked up with food.

Everything was going to be perfect.

…………………………………………………………

Sakura admired the delicate and unique Chinese craftsmanship of the flying bird-kite. It soared above the highest trees in the park, as lofty as any proud flock of birds.

Syaoran seemed skilled enough with his little heirloom.

Never having seen a kite in that way, Eriol was slightly amazed. The conditions where he lived in England were too damp and gusty for such a light craft.

Tomoyo had her newly-repaired video camera on hand and on Record.

The Chinese-national was only too happy to share his skills with others.

…………………………………………………………

The warm-ups from the kite-handling had prepared everyone for a two versus two tennis match. The best of the game was Eriol, followed by Tomoyo. Sakura wasn't too good at the game, and Syaoran was even more so.

Luckily, the draw-lots result had ended up great. Sakura was to be teamed up with Tomoyo, and Eriol with Syaoran.

At first it was a tame, easy-going game, but after the tenth point the competition started to rise. Soon, there were only two players on the court: Eriol and Tomoyo. Syaoran and Sakura had inevitably been pushed out, and they were mesmerized at the skill of their counterparts.

Finally, the game ended. The winner?

Here's the answer: The ball fell into the lake.

…………………………………………………………

After all that physical activity, it was a welcome rest to sit down by the lake shore, partake in snacks, and observe the lines of small boats that they had released.

"I didn't know that you and Eriol were so good in tennis, Tomoyo-chan." Sakura commented, acknowledging Eriol as well.

They both smiled, knowing fully the extent of their racquet-handling prowess. "They taught it at Tokyo." Replied Tomoyo, reminiscing her short but memorable days at the city school. Eriol nodded.

Syaoran was the next to speak. "Maybe I could bring four bird-kites the next time we go to the park. I'm not sure if I-"

Tomoyo interrupted. "You're never sure." She said playfully. Sakura laughed for a couple of moments. Eriol didn't know about it.

"-would be able to find them in the attic." He continued, chuckling slightly at his own expense. He didn't mind; Tomoyo knew a lot about him, so she knew about his indecisiveness.

Eriol felt a surge of excitement for that. He was fascinated with Chinese kites now. "Sakura-chan and Syaoran-kun should learn how to bounce a tennis ball."

Tomoyo laughed, and the other two had sheepish looks.

…………………………………………………………

Today's after-outing destination was their beloved Sakura-chan's place.

Although it was the single house that contrasted with all the others, what with the lack of size and luxury. But that was what made it special, and what made Sakura proud of her home.

Everyone loved the simplicity that they found in her residence. Tomoyo, Syaoran and Eriol were fond of the coziness that was unique to Sakura's abode.

Sakura served them something special: a platter of animal-shaped crackers and milk for each one. She was aware that they sometimes were weary of fine dining.

Munching on the crackers, everyone was content.

…………………………………………………………

January 30 (Monday)

Dear Diary,

Today was our day at the lake. We flew kites, played tennis (Eriol and Tomoyo are great at it!) and launched my sailboat set. It was so great. They even picked my house today.

I asked them to keep their own diaries too. They weren't too enthusiastic, but I hope they will. I love to write in my diary, and it helps me remember everything.

They didn't want to tell me where we were going tomorrow. They just said to be ready by 8:00. I guess it's a secret then!

…………………………………………………………

Monday, Jan. 30

This is my very first journal, so I don't have too much of an idea on how to use it. According to Sakura's advice, I should write everything I feel.

Then I will.

I love Sakura so much. I've gone through so much, and even so, I feel for her. It's so wrong to me (like it was in the beginning), yet so right. Sakura deserves happiness, and I can give it to her. If she wants kites, I'll give her a festival. If she wants cake, I'll give her a bakery shop. If she wants costumes, I'll make them myself. She's my best friend ever: no one else was this close to me.

We might be really close already, but that doesn't assure anything.

Come tomorrow…I'll make my first move.

…………………………………………………………

Tomorrow came. 6:53 AM.

Sakura was innocently finishing her jam-covered pancakes when the door burst open. Dropping her fork in surprise, she quickly ducked behind the counter to hide. In the dim light of early morning, she couldn't see who exactly it was, but it was certainly -

"Good morning, Sakura-chan."

Syaoran.

Giving her a hand up, he motioned for her to come outside. She saw that in his other hand was a trio of roses, and he presented them to her before placing them in a conveniently-close vase.

As she stepped outside, she saw no one. Morning fog still drifted in the streets, and the rays of the sun were only just beginning to penetrate them. It was awfully quiet…

…till Syaoran suddenly turned her around to face him…

…and -

"Surprise!" Eriol and Tomoyo had suddenly popped out of the bushes, yelling loud enough for the neighbors to complain. Fortunately they didn't. "Pretty sneaky of us, don't you think?" Syaoran said to her, smug. They certainly got her.

Happy about the pleasant event, Sakura excused herself to change into day-attire when Tomoyo laid a hand on her shoulder. "I made a casual piece for you a few nights ago. Would you like to try it?"

Nodding, Sakura smiled. Today had been great from the very beginning.

Eriol volunteered to close the door to her house. Tomoyo's limo had been waiting around the corner. The driver? Tomoyo, of course.

"You have a driver's license!" Syaoran exclaimed, clearly shocked. He didn't expect that. "Of course, what do you think?" She responded calmly, inwardly beaming with pride. "I wanted to take the car out for a drive today. Eriol and I parked it here earlier."

"Shall we?" Eriol asked, climbing in after assisting a still-slightly-sleepy-Sakura and Syaoran into the vehicle. "I'm so excited." Sakura said. Everyone was happy with their surprise.

Syaoran was surprised in a different way.

"You never told me that you drove! And I had to walk all the way here!" he commented, slightly annoyed. Their dear Tomoyo-chan seemed to be talented in almost everything, from cooking, to sewing, to designing, then music, and now -- driving?

She just giggled.

What they didn't know was that pleasant surprises weren't all that were to come.