This Saturday I saw Mamma Mia at the National Arts Centre. It was really good! I wanna see it again...
If you've read my bio recently, you will know I'm planning a sequel to Lethe...
ariotlatio- Muhahaha! Suffer...I know what you mean. To think this used to be a small five chapter scribble...-sniff-
K'onix- Wow...did you cry?
Inoure- Umm...Michelle?
Jello-Is-Evil- Yess...Tala very bad...
FieryEyes- Sorry! Me too, Imean,they're both so cool!
NorthernSky- Thank you! I definitely will!
windstar- Ooh...journalist...
Glimmern-glitas- -evil eyes- You shall see...
Torri-Chiobie- That's okay. Have fun on your holiday?
Melitot Proud Eye- Wow...what a long review...I loved it! Here we pronounce Kai like keh-aye, but really fast so it's one syllable. I know Tala as Tala...I think it's because Yuri is too much of an ethic name for Canada...just like Malik...Thank you for your compliments. -bow-
wind- Are you the same as windstar?
Enjoy!
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Aya slowly tipped a few capsules of cold medicine into her hand, reaching for a cup of water with the other. Brooklyn had wanted to take her to his house to make sure she was okay, but she had refused. She needed to be alone and to think things through.
She had gone home and taken a much-needed bath. After she had some medicine for her cold, she was going to sleep. Maybe that would help her headache.
Aya downed her pills, and then put the empty cup in the sink. She slowly made her way upstairs, still feeling very detached about the whole affair. Her mind wandered as she slipped into bed, pulling the warm covers to her chin.
She shouldn't have kissed Brooklyn. It was taking advantage of him, and was definitely leading him on. Yet…she couldn't help to think that if she had to do it over, she still would've kissed him. He had been there, a strong figure in her time of despair, and she had wanted, needed some love.
Aya's eyelids drooped sleepily. There would be time for contemplation tomorrow. For now, she could rest…
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The next morning, Aya's headache had doubled, and the room spun a little in her vision. Still, she got out of bed, sneezing, and put on the warmest clothes she could find. She was going to school today, if it killed her. Not going would've meant giving in to Tala.
In Aira's art class, Aya was quiet, keeping her eyes down and only making noise when she sneezed or coughed. She didn't dare glance at Tala, for fear of seeing mockery on his face.
Her fingers trembled as she picked up her pencil. Despite the thick clothes she wore, she was still freezing. She was starting to wish she had stayed in bed.
" Aya. Here." A soft voice interrupted her self-pitying thoughts. Brooklyn's warm smile and concerned eyes beamed at her, radiating as much warmth as he had yesterday. Aya felt him wrap his own white jacket about her. He must have noticed her shivers.
" Thank you." Aya's fingers tugged the jacket around her shoulders, a small spark travelling up her body when she touched Brooklyn's hands.
" Aya!" He admonished quietly, grasping her fingers in his hands. " You're ice-cold! You shouldn't have come to school today."
" I'm fine." Aya insisted, but she made no effort to tug her fingers free. Brooklyn's hands were very warm.
" Aya." Brooklyn gave her a look. He sighed and moved his chair right next to hers. Catching Aya by surprise, he slipped his arm around her waist, drawing her close.
" Brooklyn!" She hissed, wriggling in her seat.
Brooklyn raised an eyebrow. " Calm down. You need the body heat. No," he shook his head firmly, " I don't want to hear another word. Now, get back to work."
Aya shook her head, but smiled in defeat. " Alright." She picked up her pencil and looked at her paper, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She had to admit; Brooklyn was warming her up better than her heavy sweater could.
Brooklyn stared at her fondly for a moment, before turning to his own work.
At the end of the class, Aira called Aya to the front desk.
" Yeah?" She smiled brightly, trying to ignore the giant doing a tap dance on her brain.
" I was wondering whether you'd like to visit Kirei today." Aira's smile was even brighter than Aya's. " He's improved so much!"
" Really? Wow! That's wonderful. I'll go right after school." Aya was delighted, and a little guilty. She had hardly given Kirei any thought these past few weeks.
" Great. Kirei will be looking forward to that." Aira beamed, satisfied. But then his sharp eyes noticed Aya's flushed cheeks and too-bright eyes, and how her smile had a bit of a grimace in it. " Are you okay? You were quiet in class."
" Oh! I'm fine! I thought you'd be glad that I'm quiet!" Aya replied a bit too quickly. " I just have a bit of a cold, nothing really."
" Uh-huh…" Aira raised an eyebrow, not convinced. " Well, take care of yourself."
" I will! See you later." Aya bounced out of the classroom. Outside, she leaned against the wall, massaging her temples. Her head throbbed like crazy. It was hard to act so cheerful when she felt like she was going to be sick at any moment. And the nausea was not just because of the cold she had.
Across the hall, Tala was all over a pretty blonde cheerleader. The noises they were making were audible even over the hallway chatter. Aya couldn't look at them; the pain she felt was finally rising up, choking her.
She looked up, and saw Tala's hands roaming all over the cheerleader. She spun around, forcing back tears. She ran into the nearest girls' washroom, heading straight for the sink. She clutched the counter, tears pouring down her face. The sounds of choked hiccups echoed in the washroom.
After a few minutes, Aya calmed herself. She shouldn't be so worked up. He didn't love her. He'd proved that last night. She turned on the tap, washing her face. She suddenly got déjà vu. The last time she was here had been because of Tala too.
Maybe she just wasn't good enough for him. The cheerleader, Kelli, was certainly prettier than she was. Kelli's skin was creamy with a golden sheen; her own skin was so pale she could've been dead. Kelli's hair was straight and the colour of gold; Aya's wasn't really straight, but not wavy either. And the colour made her look albino. Aya's eyes were pale, and too large for her face while Kelli's were a stunning emerald. And there was no point comparing their figures.
Aya sighed, shaking her head. Well, she wasn't going to think about this any longer! She was almost late for class, just because she was hung up over some guy! She'd promised herself not to let anything get in the way of her education. Her mother, Tian Mei Lin, had drilled into her the Chinese priorities of life, and education was right on top of that list.
Aya power-walked to her history class, a little disgusted with her own behaviour.
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" Hi, Kirei. How are you feeling?" Aya smiled at the man softly. He was sitting, propped up by a tower of pillows. In his hands were a pencil and a sketchbook.
" Aya, is it you?" Kirei squinted, bringing her into focus. " Hey. I'm glad you came. And you brought your friend!"
Aya glanced at Brooklyn, who stood next to her. He had insisted on accompanying her to the hospital.
" Yeah, this is Brooklyn." She introduced, walking over and sitting in the chair next to the bed. " So, how are you?'
" Hello Brooklyn. And as to my welfare, well, I'm feeling much better, but I'm still pretty sore." Kirei sighed, setting down his book. Aya caught a glimpse of sketched coats and dresses.
" And your eyes?" Aya inquired anxiously.
" Much better. Right now, you're a blur of white and black, but the doctors say it'll clear up even more. But it'll never be as good as it used to be. Still, I'm lucky." Kirei's lips curved in a slightly bittersweet smile.
" I'm glad it's getting better." Aya said honestly, placing a hand on his arm.
" What's that?" She pointed to the sketchpad.
" Oh." Kirei laughed. " Just me being silly." He picked up the pad, and flipped through it. There were women clad in fabulous suits and creative gowns and men in dashing jackets and sweats.
" Those are really good, Kirei!" Aya's eyes followed the drawings in awe.
" Yes, but I have no output." Kirei shrugged. Aya knew he was talking about his lack of a job. Aya frowned and opened her mouth, but Kirei must have seen her expression and swiftly changed topics.
" But what about you?" He cried, dramatically plucking her sleeve. " If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a pretty young woman dressed like a crone."
Aya laughed, her good humour restored. " I have a bit of a cold…"
" One must never advertise their difficulties. Keep a proud face and strut like a peacock, even if you may feel like a sparrow. It will not do for you to display everything so openly." Kirei patted her cheek. Aya nodded. She knew Kirei only meant her cold, but what he said was surprisingly good advice for dealing with Tala. What he must have thought today, with her wearing such drab wools.
" You're right, Kirei." Aya agreed wholeheartedly, her eyes lighting up.
" Of course I am." His eyes twinkled as he turned to Brooklyn. " I love your sense of style…"
The rest of the visit was filled with laughter and excited chatter, and the two visitors were genuinely disappointed to leave.
Aya's spirits had been brightened considerably, and she left skipping, arm in arm with Brooklyn. She had shoved her pain into a dark corner and was now concentrating on completely enjoying life. She'd show Tala! She didn't need him!
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The high-pitched strains of 'Carmen' sounded shrilly from Aira's bag. He pulled his cell phone out, eyes still on the road. He stopped the car at a red light and answered the call.
" Yes?"
" Aira. How nice of you to answer." A mocking voice spoke.
Aira's hands tightened, one on the phone and one on the steering wheel. His silver eyes hardened like diamonds.
" Kei."
" Yes, c'est moi. So, how is dear Kirei?" The caller laughed.
" How dare you speak to me of Kirei? How dare you, you sick, twisted little freak?" Aira snarled, furious. He had to dig his nails into his skin to hold his anger at bay. It wouldn't do to accidentally drive off a cliff in blind rage.
" How dare I? Twisted and sick, am I? You have become rebellious in my absence. Perhaps I should come and…visit."
Fear penetrated Aira's anger, but then he thought of what Kei had done to Kirei.
" Visit, then. You might find more than you bargained for."
" Is that a threat?" Kei sounded amused.
" Yes. I'll be waiting." Aira said coldly. He snapped his cell phone shut, ending the conversation.
Kei would pay.
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