P.S. Scary stories really aren't my forte.
-x-
Do You Want Me?
By Louann1
Chapter 4: I'll Tell It To You Straight
-x- Things Go Bump In The Night -x-
There's something about special days that seem to change the way that people are. It was autumn, the air was refreshing, the flora around were shades of red, orange and yellow and the sky showed fantastical displays of colourful paintings that changed as the day went on. Orange was the colour of the moment, it was that of the sky, of the atmosphere and of pumpkins.
Sakura didn't want to do anything. She was fine the way she was. She didn't feel like walking down the streets or taking strolls in the park. Syaoran was beginning to worry about his roommate. She had stayed in her room for almost three weeks, only exiting to get something to eat or to go to the library. That wasn't the only thing that worried him. Sakura wouldn't talk. She would only reply to his questions with short sleepy sounding grunts. It wasn't as if she was angry, it was more like she just preferred to stay away from the outside world - like there was something that she would rather avoid.
Once in a while, Syaoran would knock on her door and ask her with a concerned tone if she was alright. There wouldn't be an answer and if there was it was barely distinguishable. He thought that it was 'that time of the month' but when it was rolling into the third week it was becoming worrying. One day he decided that he would most certainly get Sakura to tell him what was on her mind. He knock hesitantly before jumping at the harsh tone that he was subjected to.
" What!"
" Are you hungry?" He braced waiting for her spiteful reply. " Do you want to go out to eat?"
The door creaked open a little beneath his hand and Syaoran looked through the small space between the wall and the door and was shocked to see Sakura's timid expression.
" Okay," She said barely louder than a whisper.
He stood surprised as she exited her room cautiously, locked the doors, shut the windows and turned off all the switches and the stove. As they walked down the street, Syaoran awkwardly started.
" Sakura?"
" Hmm?" She gave him an attentive look.
" Is there something wrong?"
" Wrong? No, why?" She pursed her lips in deep thought.
" There is. I know you enough to tell that. I'm... worried about you." Syaoran had to forced the words out.
" Oh," They continued to walk in silence down the heavily stone built streets.
Each of them had displays in the store windows that suited the special, or in other words, scary time of year. Halloween. The further they travelled the more frightening the window shop displays became. Eventually, they had become too much for Sakura who by that time was practically walking with her eyes shut.
" Can we go somewhere else?" She asked in a small voice.
" Uh.. Is there a problem?" Syaoran stopped and turned back to her.
" Let's just go back, ne?"
" But-"
" We can oder a take-away or something," She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly.
" Okay..."
She quickly paced back up the road with Syaoran lagging a little bit behind her, still confused about what had caused he change in character. Once they reached the main road Sakura slowed down her pace and gave Syaoran a look of relief.
" Will you tell me what's wrong now?" Syaoran gave her an authoritative look.
" I told you! Nothing's wrong!" She replied slightly irritated by his pesterings.
" That just proved there's something I don't know about!" He retorted, he would get something from her one way or another.
" Fine. You want to know? I'll tell you. I hate you! Happy now?" She snapped and yelled back.
" That's not it and you know it!"
" I know it's not," She said much calmer. She gave a deep sigh before explaining her troubles to him in her 'usually' calm tone. " It's that thing we're going to tonight."
" Sakura! Syaoran! I'm glad you could make it. Are you ready for one scary night?" The girl dressed as a witch welcomed them inside where it was heavily decorated with glow-in-the-dark stars and black banners and streamers.
" Heh, something like that," Sakura gave a weak smile before entering the dimly lit place.
There was already a group of strangely dressed people huddled in a circle discussing some between themselves. Sakura and Syaoran joined them waiting to be included.
" Since everyone's here should we begin with the storytelling?" A chorus of yeses followed and a flashlight was brought out of nowhere and handed around the circle to a boy dressed in a white sheet who immediately shone it on his face giving it an eerie glow.
" It was just like any ordinary night. A young girl was busy babysitting a couple of kids whose parents were out. As they watched TV her cell phone rang... She answered it and was shocked to hear the message. ' I'm coming to get you.' The voice said in a coarse angry voice. Thinking that it was just some prank call she ignored it and continued to watch TV with the children. About an hour later she received another call saying ' I'll be there in an hour. You better be ready.' The voice this time was taunting her in a sing-song style. It was beginning to frighten her so she called the police but they paid no notice to her plea. She wasted the hour away frittering about what was to happen. As the clock struck, a loud knocking came at the door. The girl grabbed the children's hands and dragged them up to the attic. It was dark and gloomy. The air was thick and they could hardly see. The banging on the door was faint but it still got louder. Then once more, her phone jingled eerily in the silence. Her hands quaking she pressed the answer button, 'Where are you? I'm waiting! Don't you know it's rude not to greet a guest?' She quickly tossed her cell phone away and cowered in a corner and-"
" Aghh!" The collective screams burst out simultaneously as the dim light from the flashlight disappeared and a cell phone rang.
Sakura reached out into the darkness for anyone. She hated the twilight that had abruptly come. After a while she felt a hand and latched onto it tightly. It was a familiar feeling that she couldn't help but cherish.
" Syaoran?" She whispered into the air.
" Yeah?" Came her much needed reply.
" It's you, right?"
" Yeah, it's me." He replied softly. He had an inkling of how she was feeling. " Are you okay?"
" I don't like it." She half-squealed, half-whispered.
Syaoran squinted, trying to make out her silhouette but it was just too dark. Then he felt something lean against him. He turned and was met by silky hair that smelt of some soapy essence. It was Sakura alright. He could feel her trembling in fear.
" It'll be okay. Don't worry."
" I know," She wrapped her arms around him and noticed the warmth that he radiated. It was slightly calming in the frightening situation she was in. Then came a very unexpected feeling. As an arm wrapped around he she slowly felt the fear rise from her and disperse into her surroundings. Syaoran was nicer than she had expected. For the first time in ages, she didn't feel any resentment towards him and for now, that was enough for her.
-x- All I Want For Christmas -x-
Once again, a public holiday began to bring out excitement and it seemed to be much more for Sakura than Syaoran. In their apartment, Sakura had begun to decorate the place with tinsel and other decorations. She wanted to be able to wake up and feel like the new day would bring her some feeling of happiness. After arranging the tree exactly how she wanted to, she took a step back to admire her work. Just then, Syaoran exited his room to get a glass of water and was greeted with a life-size plastic model of a snowman.
" J-i-n-g-l-e b-e-l-l-s," It's mechanical voice sang tunelessly.
" What the hell is that?" Syaoran was taken back by the sudden appearance of the glowing monstrosity.
" It's a snowman! You like?" Sakura thrusted a miniature battery version on him.
" Santa-Claus-is-coming-to...-town."
" No! They're freaky. Here," He gave it back and continued to get his much needed drink.
" Aww. I worked so hard this morning! Won't you even say it's nice?" Sakura pouted, a little hurt.
" It's nice."
" You didn't mean that!"
" Hey, you never said I had to mean it," He ignored the girl's plea and continued on his intended task.
He promptly exited with a bottle of water (since he couldn't be bothered to get a glass) and lifted it up but even before a drop touched his lips, he saw something that shocked him so much he froze on the spot and found himself unable to avert his gaze.
" Syaoran? What's the matter?" Sakura asked him concerned.
" What...?" He paused and composed himself before replying. " What are you wearing?"
" You mean this?" Sakura gestured to her newly change red and white brimmed outfit. " It's my Christmas outfit! Tomoyo made it for me a few years back."
" So why wear it now?"
" Doesn't it suit me?" Sakura hung her head down and asked a little hurt.
" Even if you replace suit with fit the answer is still no!" Syaoran didn't know where to look.
It wasn't that he wasn't attracted to the short skirted, tightly fitted clothed girl. Syaoran just felt a little bit down. He had always felt a little dispirited at that time of year.
" Hey are you okay?"
" What?" Syaoran snapped out of it. " Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"
" It's just. You don't seem like yourself. You haven't made one single comment that's close to harassment or given me one look that makes me feel like punching you," Sakura noticed that he didn't even bat an eyelid at her usually annoying comments. " Come on Syaoran! It's Christmas Eve! But still... You keep your head down like you've done something wrong. I mean, who did you become, Scrooge?"
With no reply, Sakura thought that maybe she had gone a little too far. It was like there was an eternal cloud hanging over him. It seemed as though there was nothing to lift his spirits and as the day went on she couldn't help but feel responsible for his depressing state. It wasn't until much later when Syaoran appeared from his room once more. Syaoran greeted him with a smile and innocently asked,
" Syaoran? Will you stay with me until tomorrow?"
" Huh?" Syaoran wasn't sure about her request.
" It's my first Christmas away from my family and it feels strange being on my own. Everyone else has gone home. I would go back home but there's no one there. My dad's gone on a dig and my brother's on some soccer trip thing."
" Oh, okay."
They watched TV in silence before Sakura decided to say something that would hopeful bring back Syaoran's more cheerful (but slightly perverted) mood,
" I'm sorry about before. I should've thought-" She began.
" Forget it," He interrupted still focusing on the flashing screen. " It should be me who apologises. It's my fault, I shouldn't have snapped at you the way I did. It's just... This time."
" This time?" Sakura could see him forcing the words out.
" I just don't like it. It's a childhood thing. It's a little bit like you and Halloween."
" I see..."
They continued for a while, side-by-side, although they had been like that many times there was something different about that time. Sakura glanced over at him and watch him as he laughed a little at the lame jokes that were being spouted out between the love struck couple in the film. It was true, he didn't like 'that time'. There was something in his expression that pained her to look at it. She didn't want him to feel like that. For that day at least, she would make it go away. She would wipe away the memory that seemed to consume his happiness.
The film was almost over, it was time for the big romantic ending. Sakura glanced back at the TV; the young woman on the screen was biting her lip and could barely look at the man opposite her. He cared for her, she knew that all he was waiting for was that little something to change their casual flirting into something more serious. Sakura knew what would happen next and a little part of her was curious. She wondered what it would be like if things between she and Syaoran were like that in the film. She daydreamed for a while before being snapped back to reality by Syaoran who was giving her a strange look.
" What are you thinking about?" He raised an eyebrow.
" Eh? Nothing, nothing at all," Sakura replied, taken a back by his suspicious question. " Hey Syaoran? What do you want for Christmas?"
" Hmm..." He had rarely thought about what he wanted for Christmas. " I don't know. I never really got a proper Christmas present so I don't know what to expect. You?"
" It's a secret," She put a finger to her lips and winked.
" Tell me!" Syaoran pleaded. " I would've told you if I actually had anything."
" Nope! If I told you it wouldn't come true," Sakura stated.
" You don't really believe that stuff?" Syaoran questioned her.
" I do! And don't you knock it!"
" Okay, I won't. Y'know, you have some strange things about you that I can't help but like."
" I know."
Sakura closely watched as a small smile crept slowly onto Syaoran's face. There it is, she thought to herself. Without acknowledging it Syaoran had given her the best present she could think of.
Him.
-x- Seeing Things Anew -x-
There was less than twenty minutes left and yet she still couldn't bring herself to stay awake. The clock's ticks and tocks were drowned out by the blaring music from the TV. Even though it was loud, she couldn't feel her sleepiness steadily increasing. She forcibly widened her eyes a little more to look at the person sitting next to her. Unlike her, he was wide awake, eager to greet the new year with high hopes and confidence.
He was no different to how he was as he woke up. He looked away from the TV and flashed her a smile to give her a little bit of happiness. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as she only manages to raise a small smile for him. He noticed that she was beginning to feel fatigue, she had worked so hard during the vacation to make sure that everything was going well with decorations and food and the like. He didn't want to force her into being as chipper as he felt. He turned down the volume a little before changing channels but the only thing he could watch was her.
She had slumped back on the couch and seemed to be quietly speaking. Being he curious her he was, he leaned back next to her and listened to her ramblings. At first, he couldn't quite make out what she was saying. Her words seemed to slip into one another but before long, he managed to scavenge a single sentence.
He thought a while and contemplated on what she had said. He had so many wanderings in his head that he was tempted to wake and ask her if he was right on any account. This time, his judgement overruled and he continued to watch he sleep. The air around them was peaceful and as the countdown began, he finally saw he in a different light.
The moonlight shone through the window and hit her face giving her an ethereal glow and he noticed the way that a small smile curled and uncurled as she breathed. He couldn't help but laugh a little at her strange mannerisms. Then a thought struck him. It was a new year. A new start. If it had been any other night he wouldn't have done what he did. The thought of it wouldn't have even crossed his mind.
Ten, nine, eight...
He contemplated on it a little more. There was something between them and he knew it. He knew that there was a certain park that only happens between people who were made for each other. He never truly felt it so he didn't know what it really felt like but he had heard many people speak of it, trying to explain that magical feeling that people sometimes get.
Seven, six, five...
What would happen if he did the crazy act he was thinking of? Would she take him seriously? Too seriously? Not seriously enough? He felt a little apprehensive, knowing that there were so many outcomes. She could pretend that nothing happened between them and that all she knew him as was Syaoran the room mate. She could hate him. She could think of him as someone she despised as he took advantage of her. Things could go back to the way they were when they first met. She could consider him as that same stranger who sounded like a 'sugar coated stalker'.
Four, three, two...
She could think of him as something more. She might be waiting for him to 'make the first move' so to speak. She might tell him how much things between them had changed and that all she wanted was to go that little bit further. It wasn't like she hated him anymore. It wasn't like she hurt him every time she spoke to him with teases that bruised his emotions.
One...
What was the difference? She wasn't awake. She wouldn't know. She wouldn't have any knowledge of his selfishness to hold her, want her, kiss her. As everything around him blurred, he gentle laid the sleeping Sakura on the couch and as she made no sound or effort to stop him he decided he would do it. He slowly leaned over her, closing his eyes, noticing the quiet sound of her breathing, the sweet scent that only filled the air around her. Closer. Just a little further. It would only be a kiss. Not one of those that he did to annoy her. One that meant something. It would be just enough to fulfil his curiosity. Just enough to put behind the pesterings in his mind.
Zero.
Just enough to make him want her more.
-x- Three Little Words -x-
Valentine's Day. The one day in they year when it's acceptable to go around confessing untold affections for others. But between Sakura and Syaoran, that would never happen. There was no way that he could say what he was feeling. Especially on the day that she seemed to be bombarded with love letters and gifts of chocolates and flowers. If he was going to tell her he would have to tell in some memorable way. In a way that would stand out and make he take notice of his feelings.
Sakura didn't have to exit the apartment in order to receive presents. They were shoved in the letter box and when she was sick of getting them they came through the open windows and even on TV. Although she was flattered by the amount of attention she was getting she couldn't help but feel a little guilty for making Syaoran stay indoors.
" Stay in with me today? I don't want to go out with all this stuff happening."
Syaoran couldn't say no. It was becoming more difficult to refuse her requests. If she said 'Let's go for a walk' he would follow her, if she said 'Let's watch a film' he would rent her favourite. Syaoran found himself doing the strangest things in order to make her happy. That was just the way it was. He had tried to stop. He had tried to be the pervert that she hated. But he couldn't. He couldn't give up the way that things were.
" I'm sorry for causing you trouble," Sakura sat on the couch while snuggling her face in a massive teddy bear.
" Don't worry about it," Syaoran replied while shoving cards back through the letter box. " I didn't have anything else to do."
" Yeah but because of me you have to stay inside instead of getting your valentine a present," She took a deep breath before sorting through the letters that she could be bothered to read.
There came no reply. Syaoran just sat by the door on his knees frozen by the words that she had said. Didn't she know? Didn't she have any idea that it was her who was his valentine.
" Syaoran?"
" It's okay," Syaoran turned to her giving her a half-hearted smile. He felt a little warmer, and thought that it was probably due to all the work that he had been doing.
" Thank you anyway," Sakura took another bite from a big slab of chocolate that barely fit through the door.
Sakura tried to think about what Syaoran was thinking about. He had changed suddenly and she couldn't help but feel responsible. Was it something I said? Did I do something that hurt him? She sighed and continued to go through the depressing poems in the cards.
" What's the matter? I thought that you would be glad getting all these things," Syaoran gave up on the whole 'return to sender' plan as they kept coming back.
" I am glad. It's nice to know that there are lots of people who like me but what's the point if I get a million cards but none of them are from the person I want them to be from," Sakura tossed another card away. " D'you get what I mean?"
" I think so," Syaoran replied taking a piece of chocolate that Sakura offered him.
He wondered if she meant him. 'The person I want'. What if she meant him? Would he do anything then? He would but he didn't know if she was referring to him. A feeling of being light-headed came on him and before he knew it, Sakura was caring for him.
Syaoran slowly opened his eyes and saw that he was lying on the couch under a green blanket. He turned to his side and Sakura kneeling next to him with a worried smile.
" How are you feeling?"
" I'm okay," He replied a little bit confused about what had happened. " What happened?"
" You blacked out," Sakura placed her hand on his head. " I knew something like this would happen. You haven't been eating recently."
" I'm just not hungry," Syaoran could feel himself burning up as soon as her cool hand touched him. He couldn't tell her that it was her fault but that's what love does.
" It doesn't mean that you shouldn't eat," Sakura handed him a steaming cup. " Here's some soup."
" I don't want it."
" Please Syaoran," Sakura begged him. " I'm worried about you."
Syaoran reluctantly took the cup and blew it cool before drinking it. He watched Sakura as her worried expression soon melted into a smile. Syaoran thanked her and continued to watch her watching him as he drank the sweet chicken soup.
" What's the matter? Why are you looking at me like that?"
" Eh? Oh, no. It's nothing. I'm going to get you some medicine so stay here and get better soon okay?" Sakura rose to her feet, kissed his forehead and went on her way.
Once away from Syaoran, Sakura took a deep breath and found herself burning up herself. She knew that it wasn't what Syaoran had, it wasn't something that was caused by a bug, it was Syaoran. She recalled him falling to the floor. At first she thought that he had tripped but when he wouldn't get up she began to worry. She managed to pull him onto the couch and as she did so she could feel her heart racing. It felt nothing like the time that Tomoyo had fainted (she was up late tailoring). There was a feeling at the pit of her stomach that ached when she thought about him.
Sakura quickly returned to Syaoran's side with medicine in hand. When she entered their apartment she immediately saw Syaoran just as she had left him except he was sleeping peacefully with a content expression on his face.
" Y'know Syaoran? I'm gonna tell you something," She spoke to him with a quiet tone. " I haven't been able to tell you before because it's something that I can't exactly say to you."
Syaoran rolled over and gave a little yawn. Sakura smiled and continued talking to him.
" I'm only going to say three words. Just three little words and I'm hoping that you can tell me later when I ask you. Even if you can't that's okay. You might say it later. Syaoran? I want you."
-x- Say It Again -x-
" Hey, Syaoran?" Sakura started. She tilted her head to remove her fringe from her eyes.
" Yes?" Syaoran replied with a smile.
" I just... I want to..."
Sakura sighed and smiled at herself. What was she thinking when she said that to him? The raindrops let up slightly as she turned to him and said,
" I need you to say three words to me. Just three, and right now I really need you to say it. Just tell it to me straight."