Song: Anthem by Story of the Year

Chapter 2

"The Choice"

The stars will cry
The blackest tears tonight
And this is the moment that I live for
I can smell the ocean air

"I had a lovely time tonight Alex," the red hair woman replied politely. "Thank you for inviting me."

Smiling, Alex leaned in and gave his companion a soft kiss on her lips and whispered into her ear, "I'll call you tomorrow Luna, take care."

Watching her date walk away, into the darkness, the woman couldn't help but feel sorrow for him. Through out their date, she couldn't help point out what was wrong. In addition, she felt as if they were being watched.

"Luna?' a voice asked.

Turning around to face the opening door, Luna watched as her sister stepped out. "How was your date?"

"The same old…" she replied sadly.

"Did you find any new information?" Meyrin asked curiously.

"Not tonight," Luna answered. "He…..he wasn't himself….like his mind was here…but.."

"His heart wasn't?" Meyrin finished for her sister.

"Yes," Luna said confidently. "He is hiding something…."

"Maybe his relationship he has with her?" Meyrin said carefully. "After all, your job is to find out what Alex Dino's relationship with her is, remember?"

Watching her younger sister sympathetically, Luna silently disagreed with her. Yet instead of telling her opinion, she simply just said, "Maybe…"

And here I am
Pouring my heart onto these rooftops
Just a ghost to the world

It was well past midnight as the figure made his way down the empty street.

A slight chill was present as he made his way toward his home. The artificial sky was clear with the present of stars scattered through out.

He kept both hands in his pockets.

He thought about his date.

Lunamaria Hawk was a simple and decent girl. Energetic and cute. She didn't ask too many questions, which was a big positive.

Feeling the motion of something vibrating in his coat jacket, the man took out his cell and answered the call.

"Hello?"

"How was your date sweetie?" the female voice asked calmly.

"It was fine," he answered simply.

"I see," she said, then added, "The kiss at the end was sweet I suppose. Yet remember, your mine. So I would advise you to not get too close to her."

"I won't."

"Good, cause you know what will happen if you do? Don't you?" she asked coolly.

"The same thing you did to Brenda Chai."

"I was nice to Brenda….." the woman replied dangerously. "I will not be nice again."

"I'll remember that."

"Good." She paused and then said, "I'll be watching, goodbye."

A moment later, the dial tone echoed.

That's exactly...
Exactly what I need

Walking up to his apartment, the man silently made his way in.

Placing his jacket on the coat hanger, his keys on the kitchen counter, he made his way toward his bedroom.

However was stopped when he took noticed of visitors in his living room.

Raising an eyebrow, he asked, "How did you guys get in here?"

Smiling, the blonde hair man stood and walked over to Alex. "The question better yet is, where have you been?"

Narrowing his eyes, Alex answered, "None of you business."

"She didn't think that…." the blonde replied.

"Dearka…" Alex warned.

"What?" Dearka asked innocently. "I'm just saying."

"Get out now."

"She isn't happy."

Facing away from the blonde to the silver hair man sitting patiently on the arm chair, Alex asked, "Excuse me?"

"You know how jealous she gets," Yzak replied softly. "You are putting your new fling in danger."

"Look I was careless…."

"We know that Athrun….." the green hair man replied sadly, but stopped when he felt his friends piercing emerald eyes look at him angrily.

"My name is Alex….Alex Dino…."


From up here the city lights burn
Like a thousand miles of fire
And I'm here to sing this anthem
Of our dying day

"Understand this!" Yzak shouted as he quickly stood up. "I don't care what you call yourself. However, your little dates our messing up our plan and I will not have it!"

"Excuse me?" the navy hair man asked.

"You know how she wants you to marry her don't you?" Yzak said calmly.

"I know…."

"Yzak, stop." Dearka warned his friend silently. "We can't force him…"

"They are pressuring you Athrun Zala, you got to marry her," Yzak replied coldly. "We got this far and we cannot blow it now."


For a second I wish the tide
Would swallow every inch of this city
As you gasp for air tonight
I'd scream this song right in your face
If you were here

"I'm not marrying her," Athrun answered angrily. "Not now….not ever…."

Laughing slightly, Yzak said, "Don't you realize that she always gets what she wants."

"And she wants you," Nicol replied sadly.

Beginning to feel a little panicky, Athrun asked, "Is there another way?" Watching his friends solemn expressions, he shouted, "There's got to be another way!"

Both Dearka and Nicol silently faced Yzak.

"There is one way…" Yzak said cautiously.

"Yzak?"

"You left behind a wife and a daughter, right? What if we use them to our advantage."


I swear I won't miss a beat
Cause I never
Never have before

A simple framed picture stood along with small digital alarm clock.

A young woman stood, holding a young child who was barely one of age.

Her blondish hair shined against the sun that glared during that one sunny morning.

Her striking golden orbs stood out against her pale skin. Yet life was seen within the orbs.

A smile present as she held the child.


From up here the city lights burn
Like a thousand miles of fire
And I'm here to sing this anthem
Of our dying day

Closing the door after his "friends" left, Athrun silently made his way toward his bedroom.

Turning the light on, he silently stared at the framed picture that stood on his nightstand.

Frowning slightly, he thought about Yzak's comment.

It has been years since he had left.

Would she even remember him?

Walking closer to the picture, he looked at the child in the woman's arms.

The bluish hair and green eyes stood out clearly.

Of our dying day
Of our dying day
Of our dying!

"She always had a reminder of me….." he whispered softly.

"Her child….." he mumbled softly, "Our child…..Estelle."

Smiling softly, he quickly calculated her age. She would be about 17 years of age.

How quickly they grow.

"I wonder if she would remember me?" he asked to himself softly, then smiled as he shook his head in disagreement. "Of course not, she was so young when I left."

Thinking back to the choose Yzak had given him, he frowned sadly.


For a second I wish the tide
Would swallow every inch of this city
And you gasp for air tonight!

Walking back out of the bedroom, he made his way toward the kitchen. Taking a piece of paper and pen, he sat down on the counter and began writing a short, simple letter.

A hour passed, as he concentrated on the correct words.

With a 3 sentences done and written, he quickly overlooked his work, and folded the piece of paper and placed it in a simple white envelope.

Walking to a little drawer in the kitchen, he took a stamp out and place it on the envelope.


From up here the city lights burn
Like a thousand miles of fire
And I'm here to sing this anthem
Of our dying day
From up here the city lights burn
Like a thousand miles of fire
And I'm here to sing this anthem
Of our dying day
From up here the city lights burn
Like a thousand miles of fire
And I'm here to sing this anthem
Of our dying day

Two days, the same simple envelope that carried the three sentences letter, reached it's destination.

The woman stared at it in wonder, as she recognized the name that was placed on the return address.

Athrun Zala

Carefully she opened the letter and read the short context. Narrowing her eyes, she quickly got up and left the room.

Leaving the note behind.

June 3

I have finally decided to return back to my homeland and to take care of business while there. I will be visiting my daughter rather you like it or not, for I am the father and I think I have the choice to see her grow up. If you try to do anything to ruin my visit, I will not tolerate and eliminate our deal.

Athrun Zala

Our dying day
Of our dying!

Sitting down in his assigned seat, he waited for take off.

He know she had received his letter and would try to stop him.

But there is nothing she can do, for it will be too late by the time she has realized what has happened.

Pulling a folded picture out of his packet, he unfolded it and looked down upon the blonde hair and golden eye woman with the blue hair and green eye child.

"I'm coming home," he whispered softly.

………………………………

Next Chapter:

"Welcome to Orb, I hope you flight was decent," the man replied politely to the navy hair man. "I can show you around the city."

Smiling, Athrun declined and called for a taxi to bring him to the center of the city.

…

"Estelle, be home by curfew," Cagalli warned to her daughter on her cell, as she made her way around the streets of Orb.

"Okay, love you," Estelle replied as she hung up on her mother before she could get any other words out.

"Goodbye, love you too," Cagalli replied sarcastically, as she placed her phone back into her purse.

Without looking, she bumped roughly into a stranger.

"Watch it!" she shrieked as she fell down upon the ground.

"Cagalli?" the voice asked hopefully. "Is that you?"

Looking up, her golden orbs flashed as she saw the familiar emerald orbs.

"Athrun…." she breathed speechless.

………………………………

Author's Note:

Chapter two completed. It may seem confusing now, but little by little pieces will come together. I will say, ever since Athrun left, he has been living in the PLANTS with the cover name Alex Dino.

Please comment and I'll try to get the next chapter up soon.