Story of a Girl

by i-love-cardcaptors

She was in love with her best friend, who was right in front of her. But he's leaving ... will it be too late when she tells him how he really feels?

2. Back to School

Chapter 2

Students were starting to go back to school and it was so hot. Some girls at school were having their skirts so high that they looked like slut, but all I could think about was Syaoran . What if I saw him? Or worse what if they were going to be in the same homeroom, I just wished I didn't see him today? As I walked through the school gates, I saw my sister walking with her boyfriend Makoto who was holding hands.

I started walking to my year designated area and I saw some new faces around. Then when I was walking to my friend Takara I bumped on this guy. This was a bad start for my day and I said to him 'Watch it'

The guy smiled at me and said 'Sorry, I'm Ryu Eba. I'm new this year'

'I don't care just move out of my way', though I thought he was pretty cute. I continued to walk to my friend Takara who was sitting with her boyfriend, Yuki. They had been going out for a while now and I thought they looked pretty good together. He was in the basketball team and he met her when she was walking out of his game, he came up to Takara and they talked from there.

Yuki said 'Its good to see you Sakura, but you don't look so happy'

I smiled at Yuki and sat beside Takara who looked so happy 'I'm actually not talking to Syaoran . I think I said something to him that I regret now'

Takara curiously asked 'What did you say to him?'

'I told him how I felt but I think he took it the wrong way', looking around the area, I wanted to see Syaoran to see if he was allright, but instead I saw him walking with Naoko who looked happy. It had been 2 weeks ever since I last talked to him.

Takara looked at Naoko and she said to me 'You know I told you to tell him earlier but I guess you never listen Sakura'

'Its too late now, they're probably going out'

'You still have a chance'

Yuki' friends came over and took him away. But he kissed Takara before leaving, they were such a happy couple, then I asked 'So did anything happen during the holiday?'

'Actually yeah something did', there was something about the way Takara said those words.

I asked 'So what did happen', eager to know what happened, not much happened to me this holidays, just bored sitting around and I got this new game that I couldn't stop playing till I was bored with it.

'Well we went on a road-trip for the weekend and we enjoyed it. He wanted to but I told him that I wanted to wait, and he respected my decision. That same night he also told me he loved me and I told him that', smiling brightly at me, she was so happy.

'I wish I was you. I want to know the feeling of being loved'

'Well its looks like you have a chance, that boy you bumped onto earlier can't stop looking at you since you came here', I looked at what Takara was talking about, and she couldn't help but blush.

'How could I possibly like him, look he's already hanging around the popular people', I looked at Syaoran and Naoko walking around happily. I thought to myself "Why can't I stop thinking of Syaoran ?"

Their Year Co-coordinator settled them into our homerooms and I was in my friend, July's class. I walked to my homeroom and I saw Ryu and I thought to myself "He is pretty cute" Their homeroom teacher this year was Sensei Shina Hiroshi, she was a new teacher this year and she looked like she couldn't control the class. So everything was settled that morning, I was given my timetable and this year I was doing IT and Japanese as side subjects.

I went to my next period I though to myself "This is going to be such a long year". The teacher came in the room and I saw Ryu running into my IT class. He sat next to me and he smiled. He didn't talk to me all lesson which I was pretty happy about, then after that period it was recess and he walked to me after class and said my name 'Sakura'

I stopped and turned to him and asked 'Yes?'

'I wanted to say sorry about earlier'

'You already said that to me earlier if you can't remember', I was acting all snobbish in front of him, and she didn't know why.

'I was wondering, since I'm new; why not show me around the school?'

'I'm busy so sorry'

'You think I'm a dickhead don't you?' I smiled at him, its like he could read my mind.

'Sorry, its just I usually don't talk to guys likes you'

I started walking and he walked beside me, I could smell his spray and it smelt amazing 'Guys like what?'

'Guys like you, that's in the basketball team or something and they're all that and popular'

'How do you know I'm going to be in the basketball team?' he wondered how she knew.

'I've heard about you, how you're good', he smiled at me and I smiled back at him.

'What about if I give you a first good impression again? I'm throwing a party by the beach this weekend; I'd really like it if you come?'

'Don't expect me there; I really don't like parties'

'So do I but please?'

'I'll try?'

'Is that a yes?' looking at me and I couldn't help looking in his green dreamy eyes.

'Yeah, look I have to go. Guess I'll see you around', I looked into his eyes and he bent his head and kissed me in the cheeks.

'Yeah I'll see you around'.

I couldn't believe that just happened and I was so shocked. I mean this gorgeous guy just kissed me when I'm one of those girls that just don't get kissed. I went to my next period and I found Syaoran sitting by himself and the sit next to him would usually be mine, but not today. I don't think I'll ever talk to him, well not for a while anyway. I sat away from him but I could feel his eyes on me, I knew him too well and I expected this kind of behaviour from him. So I got through that period all right, but the problem was after class. Syaoran could out my name 'Sakura!'

I turned around waiting for him to catch up with me 'What?'

'I've been thinking about what you said on the holidays and I understand how you feel'

'No you don't, your just trying to make me feel better but its not going to work this time. I've seen the way you look at Naoko, are you guys going out or something?'

'I would tell you first and no Sakura, we're just friends, I told you that before'

'I don't really want to do this right now Syaoran , I told you I didn't want to talk about this anymore, do I have to explain myself again?'

'No but I just want us to be friends'

'I can't do that'

'Yes you can, just put all this behind us'

'I already told you I can't do that. Look I have to go somewhere... so if you want to say anything else says it to me now'

'Where are you going?'

'I'm trying out for choir'

'You hate singing'

'I guess you just never knew me well'

'Sakura look you don't have to change, I understand your angry at me, but this can't go on'

'You should have thought of that earlier before you said …'

'Exactly I didn't say anything to you, you just expected me to be – don't worry I'll let you go', Syaoran watched me walked away and right there I felt guilty. He was right he didn't say anything, its just I feel awkward around him and I know he feels the same way. I just wished I didn't say anything to him. Only if I could turn back time.

For the next couple of days, it was awkward for me seeing Syaoran around. But I started befriending Ryu, he was actually a really nice guy and I was starting to think about the question he asked me days ago about a party, I might actually come. I could tell by the way he was looking at me yesterday last period in Maths, he looked at me.

After that class, and it was Friday, Ryu went up to me and he smiled at me, 'Hey'

I smiled back at him and said 'Hey'

'I was thinking, uhh… this might sound crazy but I can't stop thinking about you'

'What do you mean?'

'I like you a lot, but I know that your kind of having a situation with your best friend right now and I'll leave you to it, but I just want to ask you a question'

'Go shoot'

'Can I take you out maybe this weekend or I guess anytime that your not busy?'

'What about your party, remember?'

'I would cancel it for you, so will you?'

'I'll think about it'

'Here's my number if you change your mind', writing down his number in a scrap paper.

'Okay, so I'll see you around Ryu', I started walking away smiling to myself. Even though a lot of guys has asked me out before I didn't always say yes.

That night I called Ryu's mobile and he answered it, he said 'Hello?'

'Its me, yeah, I'm saying yes to that date you asked me'

He smiled and said 'Okay so what do you want to do?'

'Anything will be fine, so where will I meet you?'

'I'll be by the Blacktown Station around 9?'

'Yeah that sounds good'

'Look I have to go, so see you tomorrow at 9'

'Bye'

The next morning I woke up so happy and I got changed quickly so that I could meet Ryu on time. But as always I was 10 minutes late because I couldn't find my contacts, so I ran around looking for it. When I found it I quickly put it on and my dad asked me 'Where are you going young lady?'

'I'm going to the library'

'Okay but don't take too long remember we are going somewhere tonight'

I walked to the station and as I got closer I saw him and he was smiling at me, I stood in front of him and he said 'Your not late, don't worry I just got here'

'So where are we going?'

'I don't know, you want to go to the City?'

'Sure I haven't been there for a while', he bought the tickets so that we could get on the train and I sat down first and he sat next to me.

'You look good'

'So do you', I looked out the window and he asked me a question.

'So what actually happened between you and Syaoran ?'

'Well, I really don't like talking about this, but okay I'll tell you …uh it was around New Years and we went out as friends. He told me he met someone over the holidays and I asked him who. I told him how I felt about him but I guess he never felt the same way as me, so I got angry and stopped talking to him'

'Gee that's a bit surprising you don't look like the type that gets angry'

I smiled at him and said 'If your trying to make me feel better its not working'

He smiled at me and he took my hand and he held it , then he asked 'Did you make it in the choir?'

'How do you know about that?'

'Well I was walking to the fields and I saw you in the music room and I thought you tried out?'

'I got in'

'Good', his mobile rang and I wondered who that would be, I waited for the phone call to end.

'Who was that?'

'Just my mum, she's coming in a couple of days because my parents are separated so yeah'

'Does it matter to you?', he looked at me and his eyes were so hypnotizing.

'No not really I'm kind of used to it'

'Ryu I just want you to know that our relationship might be complicated, the girls in our year might make up stories about me because they hate me'

He whispered in my ear 'Don't worry I'll never listen to them'

When we got to the City, they were holding hands and his hand felt so good. The weather was perfect, everything was perfect. He looked at me and asked 'Are you hungry?'

'No not really?'

'You want to watch a movie now?'

'Sure why not?'

'Okay', they walked to a Hoyts Cinema and started looking around wondering what they could watch. I asked him 'What about Match Point?'

'Sure …', he was such a gentlemen and he paid for everything, even down to the popcorn. We tried finding seats that would give them privacy so they went near the back. He looked at me before the room started getting darker and he whispered to me 'I heard this is a good movie'

'Me too'

We enjoyed our time together and he whispered so many cute comments at me, we started playing around and luckily the movie wasn't very long so we still had a lot of time left. When we got out of the cinema I saw a passport photo booth and I wanted to ask him but I didn't want to sound like an idiot, but he could read me so he was the one that asked me 'Sakura do you want to go in there and take some pictures?'

I smiled at him and said 'Of course'

We posed for a couple of shots and we looked so cute. We took about 3 sets and I kept 2 sets and he kept a set. He asked me 'What time do you have to go?'

'Um I'm going to a party tonight, so I would have to be home by 5'

'Okay, come on there's one more place I'd like to show you'

They went to the ferry area, he bought a ticket and he got in the ferry, but I was behind him and he never knew I was scared of ferries. He went back to the land and asked 'Hey what's wrong?'

'I don't like ferries', he smiled at me like he was about to laugh.

'Come on, nothing is going to happen, I'll be here', holding his hand out and waiting for me to take it.

I took a step forward and took his hand and I took a firm grip, I was not in the ferry and I was still so nervous. When the ferry started moving forward I stood next to him and I was scared. He took my hand and hugged me, and whispered to me 'Your safe, just relax', for a moment there I forgot that I was afraid of ferries because I felt so safe in his arms. He also smelt so good, I could smell the aftershave he had on. I turned around and smiled at him and I said 'I don't think I'm scared anymore because you're here with me'

'That's good to know', he took my hand and held it.

We continued talking till we were back in land and we looked at the time. It was around 3.30 and I needed to get back home in time. So I said to him 'I better start going'

'Okay, I'll drop you home'

'Okay', we talked in the train and today were the best day of my life. I don't think I'll ever forget it.

He started walking me home, and I stopped him when it was near my house. I didn't want to get in trouble so I said 'We better stop here, if my dad sees you, he'll go crazy'

'Okay then, I'll call you tonight and I'll see you at school'

'Yeah okay', he kissed me in the cheeks and he started walking away. I walked in the house and my parents were starting to get prepared for the engagement party we were going to tonight for my cousin Sumi. I went upstairs and everything was already ready. I put my handbag down and started putting my lilac dress on, I had to look formal tonight because Sumi was one of those popular cousins that expected a lot. I put mascara on and that was all I put, I hated putting a lot of make up, it just looked disgusting. I heard someone knock on my door and I said 'Come in', it was my mum who came in with a box of jewellery.

'I want you to wear this tonight'

'But I don't want to'

'Come on Sakura be nice', I gave in and took the box and started putting the necklace and the earrings on, then I did my hair again to make it match with the earrings.

We got to the engagement party and when Sumi had a moment with me alone, she asked me 'So where's Syaoran , how come he's not here tonight?'

'I'm actually not talking to him. I mean I want to but its just too complicated now'

'What happened?'

'I don't want to talk about it?'

'Did you eve notice that he might actually like you but he's trying to avoid it'

'What are you talking about?'

'I'm telling you that he likes you, by the way he looks at you'

'Its too late now anyway, I'm going out with a guy now', that caught Sumi's attention.

'Who is it?'

'A guy named Ryu'

'Is he cute?'

'He's hot and he's really nice', I saw her fiancée, Hiroshi who started walking towards Sumi 'I think I should go, your fiancée is coming over here'

'Talk to me later Sumi'

'Okay'

'And wait, I want you to be my maid of honor', I was shocked.

'I thought you were going to ask my sister?'

'No, come to the practice next weekend allright? And bring your friend'

'Okay, I'll try', I hugged Sumi and Hiroshi kissed me in the cheeks before I left.

Later on that night on the way home, my mobile rang. It was Ryu, I couldn't answer my phone right now because everyone would be listening so I ignored it. Aiko said to me 'Why don't you answer your phone?'

'Its nobody', Aiko took my phone and saw Ryu's name and she asked me 'Who's Ryu?'

'No-one give me my phone back'.

'Tell me who he is?', I took my phone from her.

'Mind your own business Aiko, don't you have a boyfriend to talk to?'

'He's away for the weekend'.

When we got home I rushed upstairs and my phone was ringing again and I answered it and he said 'Hey?'

'Sorry I couldn't answer your call just then I was in the car and my parents were around'

'How was it?'

'It was good'

'I was calling wondering if we could go out again, next week, maybe Thursday?'

'I have choir practice and it ends late'

'I have soccer practice too, maybe I'll wait for you then we'll go?'

'Yeah okay, wait I was wondering, my cousin wants to meet you, can you come with me?'

'Are your parents going to be around?'

'No don't worry'

'Okay I'll come then'. We talked all night and he was so interesting to talk to. He told me that he wanted me to meet his parents but I was too nervous about all this.

On Monday, I was dropped off to school by my dad and I went to the sports field and waited for Ryu to finish. I was early to school today and I could see Ryu practicing hard. He got into the soccer team and he was very happy about it. When he was done, he walked over to me, I smiled at him and said 'Hi'.

He kissed me in the cheeks and said 'Hi, I would hug you right now but I'm sweaty'

'Go take a shower, we'll just talk during lunch'

'Allright'

'I'll just go now', he looked at me and he walked off.

During recess, I was in the library doing my homework and Syaoran sat next to me and disturbed me, I asked him 'What are you doing here Syaoran , I told you I don't want to speak to you anymore'

'Sakura why would you risk our whole friendship just because I didn't admit that I had feelings for you', he looked so serious as he said that.

'You had feelings for me?'

'Yeah I did but I know you and you just wouldn't hear me out'

'Its too late now Syaoran , I'm going out with someone else'

'Oh you mean Ryu? You didn't even tell me about him?'

'Its none of your business now'

'Get away from me Syaoran '

'I love you Sakura and deep inside yourself you know that'

'Its way too late now Syaoran , I like Ryu'

'You just like him, you don't love him', Ryu came up behind Sakura and Syaoran looked at him.

'Syaoran what are you doing here, get away from her!'

Syaoran said 'I will, Sakura think about what I said'

Sakura gathered all her things and I ran out of the library with Ryu coming after me, he yelled out 'Sakura stop, I need to talk to you'

I stopped and I turned around and saw the look in Ryu's eyes, a look of jealousy, I asked 'What?'

'I want to know what he said to you'

'He told me he loved me, he was just too scared to what might happen', Ryu hugged me tightly 'I don't love him anymore'

'I know because I love you', I hugged him back tightly and he said 'I need to do this'

'What are you going to do? I wanted to know what he was going to do, I didn't want Ryu getting in trouble because of me'

'I want to settle all this, I don't want him to be near you anymore', I tried stopping him, but he was too strong.

During lunch while I was in choir practice I didn't know that there was a serious fight between Ryu and Syaoran , I didn't know. I only heard of it when my friend Takara came in the music room getting me from there and rushing me over to where the fight was. Both boys got in trouble and the principal also had a word with me, so there was the 3 of us in the principal's office about to get busted. Principal Jenkins said 'I'm ashamed of these, Syaoran , Ryu and especially you Sakura, why did this happen?'

I tried saying that I wasn't even there when all this happened 'Principal Jenkins I was in choir practice I had no idea this was happening'

Ryu said 'Syaoran wouldn't stay away from Sakura'

Jenkins said 'It's a school Ryu, what do you expect, everyone sees each other? This is your last chance, if this happens again, I will have to get you expelled, I've been giving you too many chances. I've read your report Ryu, you haven't been the perfect student not that I expect it. And Syaoran , out of all people, you know what to do, you walk away from this sort of stuff. This time I won't call your parents, but if this all happens again, then you know the consequences. Syaoran , Sakura you can leave, I want a word with you Ryu'

I stood up and so did Syaoran , and I stayed back for Ryu, while Syaoran walked away, I could hear Principal Jenkins yelling and giving Ryu a lecture. When he came out of the office, I asked him 'What happened?'

'I'm getting a months' detention'

'So you can't come this Thursday?'

'No I guess not, sorry about that', holding my hand and he kissed it.

'Don't worry about it'.

I rushed to music class and I couldn't stop thinking about what just happened. Syaoran was never going to talk to me after this incident but the worst thing was, inside I felt guilty. I was confused about this and I was starting to think if I had feelings for Syaoran , but that would be betraying Ryu when they had a good relationship. After school Ryu had to stay back at school and I took the bus home.

When I got home, something was different, the house was quiet and no-one was home. I called out 'Mum', then I looked around starting to panic and there was a message in the fridge saying.

Your father is in the hospital and me and your sister is with him. Don't come to the hospital just stay at home, we'll be fine. Just pray for your dad. There's food in the oven and it'll keep warm, stay safe. Maybe you can invite Syaoran over to keep you company.

Love you,

Mum.

I dropped the message on the floor because I was shocked. I couldn't believe that my dad just had a heart-attack, I called my sisters mobile and she answered it.

'Aiko what's going on with dad?'

'He collapsed this afternoon, I don't know why'

'How is he?'

'He's still in ER, Sakura I'm really scared for him, you can't come here, and someone has to be there tonight'

'Call me if anything big happens'

'Okay, bye take care'

'Bye'.

That night I really wasn't feeling like myself. I couldn't eat. I didn't want to eat. Syaoran called me that night when his parents heard about he news and he wanted to see if I was allright. The doorbell rang and I opened it and Syaoran was there standing in the rain and he asked 'Are you allright?'

'No not really', he came in and he hugged me tightly and I started crying in his arms.

'Its allright, I'll be here for you all night. Have you eaten?'

'No I don't feel like eating', I sat in the dining chair and I looked at him 'Why did you come here even though I said all those things about you?'

'Because we're friends, you were there for me for the worst and I'm going to be here for you?' I smiled warmly at him, he was a true friend.

'What about our feelings for each other we can't just forget about it'

'Just try not to think of it tonight', he sat in front of me and took my hand 'Your cold'

'I know'

'You want me to turn the heaters on?'

'No its allright'

I ate the food he heated up for me and he watched me eat. I was glad he was here tonight, it really helped me through the situation and he stayed all night in my place and when I woke up the next morning in my bed, he wasn't around anymore. I thought to myself 'I guess he went home this morning'. I took a shower and the phone rang, it was my mum. She found out that my dad's situation is really bad, his heart is too weak for the body and he wouldn't be able to move. My mum told me that she was going to stay there all week, and that Aiko should be home around this time because she was going to school.

At school today, I was lifeless. I didn't see Ryu much today because he was always busy, but when he did. He saw me crying by the changing rooms near the pool area. He called out my name 'Sakura!'

I quickly wiped away my tears as he started walking towards me 'Hey'

He looked into my eyes and asked 'Are you allright?', sitting next to me.

'I'm fine', I didn't want him to see me crying, it was a bad sight.

He looked at me and asked 'Sakura come on tell me'

I looked into his eyes and I started crying in his arms 'Its my dad, he's had a heart-attack and my dad is getting worst by the day'

'When did you find out?'

'Yesterday afternoon and Syaoran came over'

'Syaoran came over?', starting to get angry 'I told him not to go near you and he's doing it'

'He knows what I'm feeling Ryu, we were just talking as friends'

'I don't believe you actually let him in'

'I needed someone to talk to'

'You could have called me'

'I guess you don't understand how I'm feeling and even though I wasn't talking to Syaoran it seems like I could confide in him more than you', I was starting to get really angry, and he was taking this all in the wrong way. I stood up and started walking out of the changing rooms and at the corner of my eye I could see Ryu was starting to regret the things he said.

'Look I'm sorry Sakura, I just get overprotective sometimes, but I want you to know when you need me in anything I'm here for you', though I was still angry at him. I was not going to talk to him; I needed a supported boyfriend but Ryu just wasn't it.

'I don't think this is going to work Ryu'

'What do you mean?'

'Ryu we're just too different and even if we haven't been together for long, I could tell that we're both two different people', I touched his hand trying to make him understand.

He stepped towards me trying to do everything he could to make this work, he looked at me and said 'Please, I'll do everything; I just don't want this to end'.

'It's too late now Ryu, I have given you a chance, I'm sorry I even said yes for the date you asked me'

'Sakura', holding my hand one last time but I took it and I started walking away. Though inside I regretted, I knew it was for the best.

Later on that afternoon after school I went to the hospital to visit my weakening dad. When I entered the room I realized that Syaoran was there and he smiled at me and my sister and my mother left he room leaving me and Syaoran alone with my dad. Syaoran looked at me and he said 'I heard about what happened between you and Ryu, I'm sorry if I caused it'

'No it wasn't my fault, he just wasn't there for me you know, and he was all agro about what I told him that you were over last night. He was going crazy'

'Can you ever forgive me?'

'It wasn't your fault Syaoran , I got angry at you and I should have been the one to say sorry', I looked at him and I looked away, my phone rang and it was Ryu. Lately he had been wanting to talk about the situation, but I surely didn't. I was annoyed of this now.

'Its Ryu isn't it?', Syaoran asked me that question when I wasn't answering my mobile 'You should answer, just talk through things with him'

'I don't want to'

He walked over to me and pulled back a strand off my face and he kissed me in the cheeks and said 'Just answer your mobile Sakura', I nodded at him and I walked out of that room. I answered my mobile and I looked at him one last time.

Ryu said 'Sakura can I see you this afternoon, tonight, I need to talk to you about this'

'Its too late now Ryu, besides I have to be here for my dad'

'I promise I won't be long'

'Allright, meet me outside of the hospital, don't be late, at 7.30'

'Okay, I'll be there'. I hanged up the phone and I went back in the room, I talked to my dad silently about all this. So much has changed. My opinion of my dad and I did not realize that I actually cared for him.

When it was around 7.20, I started going downstairs to meet him, but when I got there, I saw Ryu already sitting there and he looked worried. I said his name 'Ryu, why didn't you tell me you were here already?'

'I didn't want to worry you, look Sakura we've got a lot to talk about', I slowly sat next to him and he took my hand and he said 'I don't think we should end this here, please give me one more chance, I promise you I won't disappoint you'

I looked at him trying to read his thoughts but as usual I couldn't read them. I said to him 'I will give you one more chance Ryu but trust me this will be your last'

He smiled at me, he was so happy and he kissed me passionately in the lips for the very first time and his lips felt amazing against mine, he whispered to me 'I won't ever disappoint you'

'Okay', then that night I had dinner with him. Lately I had been eating out because my mum was barely around to cook for dinner. We talked about stuff and I couldn't believe that Ryu couldn't even live without me for a day. This is what I loved about him, he was crazy about me.