A.N. hahahahah, I am writing this so late at night right now. So sorry if my grammar is horrible xP.
Chapter 17: A Heartfelt ApologyChristmas crept past the students at Hong Kong University quickly as ever. The glittering snow of the winter has melted into the first fresh green leaves of spring, and bright smiling faces of glorious young futures walked through the campus cheerfully, chattering gossip, and exchanging rumors.
The general atmosphere was a happy one. All throughout Hong Kong one cannot find a sad or gloomy face. Only if you know where to look.
For, under that palest oak tree whose leave buds had not sprouted, there stand a chestnut-hair boy who always seemed to look down on his feet, and sighing with discontent.
Eriol and Tomoyo were there with the apprehensive boy deep in thought, but neither of them could say or do anything. They are not gods or mystical fairies, for they have not the power to flip back the sand of that cruel and devilish hourglass.
"Sakura must be having fun in Tokyo right about… now," the chestnut haired boy finally decided to speak, but with a very low voice.
"Dear, dear friend," said Eriol sarcastically, "please forget about that girl. It's time you start examining other beauties."
Syaoran glared at his friend. "Uhh…" he started indecisively, "why are you quoting Benvolio's lines from 'Romeo and Juliet'?"
Eriol blushed. He stroked Tomoyo's arm, who nodded, and they both strode away. Syaoran sighed, watching the two happy birds deeply sunken in love. Ohh… how he wished dreadfully for that to be him and Sakura…
Life goes on. In fact, life goes on and on and on. It never stops. Some people might say that we are born to die, but that's not true. Life goes on. Because for every person that fades away in the darkness, another person is brought into the light.
"Life is so much fun!" squealed Sakura happily as she gave her hand in Josh's at a dance studio in Japan.
"Really? I thought you'd like this," Josh smiled brightly as he whirled her around, and then placed his other hand around her waist.
"And I do!" Sakura said excitingly. "You are the bestest Josh," she smiled, and kissed him on the cheek.
Josh's eyes popped as the famous princess did this, but when she removed her lips away from his face, he leaned his own to hers.
CLICKK! The sounds of cameras rushed at this famous moment when the prime minister's son kissed the princess of Japan. Though embarrassed at this, Sakura did not displace herself away from his touch, instead she kissed him back.
How warm his lips are! Sakura thought happily. And, oh, how nice it is to forget that little monster!
Freedom is slavery. That is the universal law that we, as humans, must live by. Sure, Syaoran's free from any kinds of relationship right now, but he is slowly caging himself, blinded by the golden arrows of Adam Cupid, and made a slave for the playful god of love.
They say that Jove laughs at lovers' commitments. Oh, how hard, how harsh, how… heartfelt his laugh was!
The handsome boy with the messy chestnut hair still stood under the palest oak tree. Days passed, but one could not tell from the oak tree because the boy was always there, in the same position, always sighing, always motionless, always… pensive.
Girls and boys have passed him several times now, but Syaoran paid no attention. In his hand he clutched a magazine, Teen Idol, and on the cover of that magazine was the beautiful and elegant princess, Sakura Kinomoto.
Kissing Joshua Koizumi.
One could not always tell a person's feelings by looking at the outside shell of them, but could always by looking at their eyes. Those miserable, tearful eyes! Awkwardly the magazine slipped out of Syaoran's hands, but the boy could care less, for all he could do right now, all he could think of right now, is to cry.
--Is, is to cry his hardest, darkest feeling out. But he can't. He's a man, he's used to getting his heart broken up… wait. Is this how it feels like? How it feels to be dumped, to be used, and yet…
To be loved?
All those good times that he and Sakura spent together, were they real? Or were they just… memories that will soon fade away? "Love hurts," Syaoran moaned sadly. He felt his heart flip inside out. For the second time in his life since when he was eight, he felt tortured. He felt that he was played by the cruel hands of Fate, by the tangled threads of Destiny, and by, by…
Oh who was he kidding? It is better to have loved than never. It is better to have been loved than never.
Life goes on, Syaoran, life goes on.
The poor boy started to run; he started to try to forget what he saw, and then made across the campus. He dashed on to the busy streets of Japan, ducking the honking of several impatient cars, only to find himself in a little park, one of the fewer places in Hong Kong that is unpolluted, and the only sanctuary of his heart.
Sitting on a bench with his head between his legs, and his hands covering his face and his front bangs, Syaoran grunted. He twitched uncomfortably, but soon calmed down. Things are definitely moving too fast for him. It is only January, almost 15 days since Sakura had been gone… but she's moving on so swiftly, so fast, so… cold. How could she forget what they had? How could she forget their 15 years of acquaintance, and most of all, how could she forget him?
And their love?
Is there hope in their love? Was there ever?
Freedom is slavery.
Syaoran had just fallen into a fitful sleep when, out of his expectations, a tapping came knocking on his head. Glaring his amber eyes to the person who tapped him, his eyes bulged.
"Meiling…" Syaoran moaned sadly. "What are you doing here?"
Meiling stood motionlessly, though tears are gathering up in her eyes. There was an awkward silence, but she finally chose to speak. "Syaoran… I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything that I have ever done to you."
Syaoran looked away.
"Look, I know that you can't possibly forgive me, but I just want you to know, I have always loved you." Meiling confessed.
Syaoran gave no answer.
At this, Meiling dashed forward and placed her arms around Syaoran's freezing body. "Oh Syaoran! Why don't you like me?" she sobbed, hugging him around the neck, her crystal tears drowning his head.
Syaoran moved his arms, and placed them around Meiling's. Meiling chuckled softly, broke free from his touch, and then turned his face to hers.
"Syaoran, I know that all my efforts to attract you are futile. There is a primeval saying… 'If you truly love someone, set them free'. I will set you free today, but I will continue to love you, and maybe I'm an idiot for doing so, but I happen to find that idiots are the happiest people on earth." Meiling smiled, and so did Syaoran.
"I'll do anything for you Li," she grinned, then walked away.
What does snow melt into?
Spring.
That spring, hope sprung from its dead seeds, and landed on Syaoran's hands.
If you truly love someone, set them free. If they come back, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were…
A.N. sorry for not updating for so longg... sophomore years been really hardd :( i'm just hanging on by the thin thread. but i hope this chappie didnt disappoint no one huh:D love you all! i guessss this is a belated merry christmas / happy new year prezzie huh? heheheh enjoy and loveee you allll! (;
(EDIT) OMG IM SO SORRY! I didn't look at this chappie at all and then I remembered I forgot to put the horizontal lines! Those decide what country they're in. and also, yes this is still a SK SL fic, but she "falling in love" with josh is just an illusion. She's not really "in love" with him. I guess shes just using him to forget Syaoran? Hahahah you guess!
