The last day of the retreat came and they were all gathered at the wreck hall for an important announcement. Sakura and Syaoran stood together and waited patiently for the owner of the farm. They haven't said a word to each other when Syaoran spoke about Meilin. Syaoran to look at her eyes to see what she was thinking or feeling but he still felt too scared on what he might find out so he just stood still and waited for the announcement. Sakura tried the same thing but again like Syaoran she was too scared of what she might find out.
I'm going to talk to him after this.
Farmer Jin came out and smiled at all of them. "Thank you everyone for waiting patiently. First of all I would like to thank all of you for coming out to help I am most grateful. All of you have done a tremendous job on the farm." He paused as the clapping started. "All of you might be wondering what the big announcement is about? Well I'm pleased to tell you that you have everything done early so I'm granting all of you a free day on the farm!" The students applauded louder and cheered. "Go and enjoy!" He shouted. The students started filing out of the wreck hall busy chattering was everywhere on what they should do first.
Sakura turned to look for Syaoran but he was gone. She frowned and started to walk to their cabin to see if Syaoran started packing up already. When she reached the cabin she saw no one there. She looked over Syaoran's bunk and his stuff was still there but she noticed something else she saw pink roses on his bed. Sakura climbed up his bed and saw the pink roses two to be precise and beside it were an envelope that said: To Sakura. Sakura opened the envelope and read it aloud quietly to herself: Go to the river where I saw the world through your eyes.
Syaoran…She thought excitedly and took the roses and ran outside to the river. When she reached the exact spot still to fresh in her mind she smiled as she saw a picnic cloth and picnic basket set up beside the spot where they talked that night of the full moon. But she saw no Syaoran. She looked beside the picnic basket and saw another envelope that resting beside it. Sakura opened it eagerly and it said: Look to your right. Sakura looked to her right and saw a cherry blossom tree and then he saw a hand come out with a pink rose in its hands and then al together Syaoran came out. Sakura smiled.
"Syao-kun!"
Syaoran walked up to her and sat beside her on the picnic blanket. "A flower for you." Sakura accepted the flower and held it in her hands.
"Always full of surprises Syaoran." Sakura said.
"Yeah you know me." Syaoran smiled. "Let's eat."
Sakura nodded and Syaoran opened the picnic basket and took out two corns. "Fresh from the patch." Syaoran said. They began to eat their corn. Neither of them said a word for they were just enjoying each other's presence as they ate.
It's like yesterday never happened…Sakura thought. She unconsciously stared at Syaoran as he ate. He felt her melting gaze and turned to her.
"Do I have something on my face?" He asked.
"No." She said.
Syaoran took a piece of the corn and stuck near his mouth. "How about now?"
Sakura pouted and hit his chest again. "Syaoran you weirdo."
Syaoran laughed and continued to eat. Again they shared a silence as they ate and constantly they exchanged looks and smiled. Syaoran took a thermos out of the basket.
"Water?" Syaoran asked.
"Sure." Sakura replied.
Syaoran took out two cups and poured water on both. They took the cups of water and Syaoran held his cup up and said. "To the retreat."
Sakura smiled and held up her cup near his. "To the retreat." And the two toasted and drank their water. Syaoran stood up.
"Want to go horseback riding?" He asked.
Sakura looked up to him. "What about the picnic?"
"We'll return here when lunch comes." Syaoran said.
Sakura stood up. "Let's go then."
Syaoran and Sakura walked to the horse pasture. There were some students they're enjoying their free day. Jin waved at them and Syaoran waved back. The two walked up to the farmer and he smiled.
"Here is the horse you reserved." The farmer said and handed Syaoran the rope to the same black horse he rode yesterday.
"Looks like you had this day planned." Sakura said getting on the horse with Syaoran's help.
"You know it." Syaoran beamed.
When Sakura got on she had to admit that she was nervous on riding a horse but when she felt Syaoran's warm embrace around her all fear of riding the horse was gone.
"Ready?" Syaoran asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Sakura responded.
Syaoran steered the horse to the left and he hit the horse's stomach with both of his feet. The horse started to walk with its four legs slowly around the pasture. Sakura and Syaoran enjoyed riding the horse as they talked about their dreams and past stories. It seemed like forever as they talked about their interests but it was finally lunchtime that stopped them. Syaoran helped Sakura get off the horse and they both thanked farmer and Jin and headed back to their picnic spot. Syaoran however did not sit down on the picnic blanket as Sakura did when they got there instead he went to the river and said. "You have to wash your hands remember your manners Sakura."
Sakura smiled and placed herself beside Syaoran who was washing his hands in the river. An idea popped into Sakura's mind and she smiled slyly.
"Oh Syaoran…" She said.
"Wha-" Syaoran turned around but a splash of water greeted his face.
Sakura laughed and splashed him some more.
Syaoran laughed with her and started splashing her too. "Take that!"
They kept on splashing each other until Syaoran backed away and rolled his pants up and stepped into the water.
"Hey no fair!" Sakura pouted.
"Too bad." Syaoran smiled mysteriously. Without another word Syaoran turned away from her and splashed her with his right feet furiously.
"Ahh!" Sakura said as she raised her hand up to her face. "Ok I give up Syoa-kun you win!"
Syaoran stopped and smiled. "Haha." But Syaoran suddenly slipped from the rock he was standing and he fell into the river water. Sakura laughed at what happened. Syaoran stood up and smiled at her and laughed too. "I guess you win by default. I'm soaked."
"Of course I did."
They returned to their cabin to change because they were both soaking wet. After they changed they sat back down to eat. Syaoran took out two sandwiches and handed one to Sakura.
"Hand made." Syaoran said and took a bite of his sandwich.
"Thanks." Sakura said and started eating hers.
Syaoran just smiled her hair was still wet but she held her beauty.
"What is your number one?" Syaoran asked when they were both finished their lunch.
Sakura realized what he was asking about and said. "To fall in love…"
Syaoran paused as he felt that tug in his heart.
"My number two get out of Tomeda and travel. You already know my number three and finally my number four is too get married." Sakura said.
They shared another moment of silence.
"I guess you've done your number three pretty well." Syaoran said.
Sakura nodded. "Yeah you're my friend now."
I wish it could be more…
Syaoran thought sadly.
Sakura turned to look at Syaoran but was laid down on the picnic with his eyes closed.
He's asleep…Sakura smiled at the sleeping Syaoran.
"Maybe I over did my number three and did number one…" Sakura whispered to the sleeping Syaoran.
"No. I can't I just can't." Sakura tried to hold back the tears is trying to escape her eyes but it was no use.
But I love him… NO Sakura! It is not possible. You love him as a friend and that's it. That's all you guys are… just friends. You can't stay in this retreat forever you have to face reality and it doesn't have you two in mind.
Sakura's efforts were in vain her tears escaped her emerald eyes. A teardrop fell on Syaoran's cheek.
"I can't let him see me like this." Sakura sobbed and ran off to the cabin.
Syaoran opened his eyes slowly and looked at the running Sakura. He placed his hands on his cheek and felt Sakura's tear.
"Sakura…"
Sakura came back as if nothing happened and found Syaoran sleeping. She sat beside him and woke him up gently.
"Syaoran-kun its time to go." Sakura whispered.
Syaoran opened his eyes and sat up. "Al ready?" Trying to hide his sadness.
"Yes. Let's go." Sakura said faking a smile.
They packed their stuff and lined up at the bus that was to take them back to reality. They did not say a word to each other as they got onto the bus. The teacher commanded to sit with their partners. They looked at each other and looked away quickly. Syaoran followed Sakura to a seat and sat down.
Back to reality…
Sakura thought sadly.
Back to Tomeda.
Syaoran thought sadly.
There was a quiet bus home. Everyone was tired and most of them were sleeping. Syaoran looked over his shoulder he wanted to say something to Sakura but she was sleeping. Syaoran sighed and looked away.
I want to tell her that I… love her…
I few minutes' later Sakura's head slowly landed on Syaoran's broad shoulders. Syaoran looked at her again and smiled. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead.
If even if it's just this once. Just this once…
The bus stopped in front of Tomeda High school and Sakura started to stir. Syaoran hastily removed his arms around her. Sakura realized she was leaning on Syaoran and sat up.
"Hey sleepyhead." Syaoran smiled.
"Hey…" Sakura replied.
"Let's go." He said and stood up.
They got their bags and looked at each other.
"This is good-bye then." Sakura said trying to cover her sadness.
"Yeah I guess. Bye then." Syaoran said his eyes tried to gaze into hers but she did not want to.
Sakura walked away and did not look back. She wiped a tear that came down her face and walked faster. Syaoran watched her walk away where her dad was waiting. Syaoran turned around and saw his friends waving at him. He walked up to them sadly wanting to run after Sakura and tell her what his heart shouted.
"Hey Li." Eriol greeted.
"Hey guys." He said.
"How was it?" Takashi asked
"Great."
Takashi gave him a playful punch on the arm. "Loser world must've killed you." Takashi and Eriol laughed.
Syaoran did not say anything.
No. It revived me. It revived me from my dying self.
"Welcome back Li." Meilin said leaning in to kiss him.
Syaoran turned away. "Please Meilin I'm not in the mood."
"Where are my keys Eriol?" He asked.
"Here…" Eriol said and tossed him his keys. Surprised at the way Syaoran acted at Meilin.
"Thanks. I'm going see you guys tomorrow." Syaoran walked away to his car.
I'm going to tell her. I will. For once I'm going to do what my heart told me too…
