Only You

Chapter 4. Sneaking out of the castle

At 10:00a.m, in Eiko's bedroom…….

"Right." Eiko muttered quietly, peeking outside her room and into the main hallway.

There were no guards to be seen at all, and it was dark. She beamed secretly to herself as she closed the door, walking over to her cupboard and opening it, looking inside it curiously.

"Hmm. What should I wear?" She asked herself, taking out two different coloured summer tops.

"Nah."

She placed them back, and then she spotted her warm cozy sweater. She took it out, with a pair of dark brown pants with its matching decorative belt connected to it. She quickly slipped them on, looking at herself in the mirror with pleasure. Happy with her outfit, she tied up her hair in a pony tail and put on an additional lighter brown jacket with a cute teddy bear on its side. She then walked over to her bedroom window where she was planning to sneak out; there she had placed her shiny black high heels with silver buckles as decorations on its sides. She slipped them on and started to get out of the window.

She held onto the edging of the building, moving slowly down to the ground as she saw her two friends walk up to her with smiles on their faces.

"Hi Eiko!" Lani greeted happily, she was wearing a pretty tank top and a denim skirt, more like summer wear at the moment, with sweet pink hair clips in her hair.

"Hey Eiko." Dirk just plainly greeted, smiling slightly, he was wearing a white T-shirt and plain black pants, blending well with his plain complexion.

"Did anyone see you?"

"Not that I know of." She replied, smiling.

"So, where are we going?"

Dirk smiled cheekily at her as Lani glazed at her painted fingernails again.

"The Business District, we're gonna go watch Kupo Kupo 3!" Dirk replied his hands in his pockets as they started walking to the air cab station.

But, little did they know, that Eiko the regent's loved daughter could never ever be alone.

They arrived at the theater, walking to the ticket booth to get tickets for the theater, lining up in a small line. Finally, a few minutes later, they got into the theater room, finding three rows of unoccupied seats. They got to them immediately, Eiko sitting in the middle next to Lani and Dirk, who were holding the popcorn and drinks.

In front of them, was a big stage with red curtains at the back and a few steps at the side of it. Soon, the play started.

After the theater had ended….

"It wasn't that good, I liked Kupo Kupo! Best!" Dirk commented as they walked to the New Lindblum Mall.

"Hmm, it was kinda funny!" Lani joked, Eiko stared at her.

"It's okay, but I'd prefer the theaters at the castle." Eiko judged to herself as they entered the huge building, walking over to an open café.

They all found a table and sat down, all except Lani who went over to the counter and ordered the drinks while Dirk and Eiko sat next to each other. It was, uncomfortable somehow, it seemed, like Dirk was trying to tell her something, but was too ashamed to say. After a few awkward silence moments, Lani came back with three strawberry smoothies.

"So, I saw Gary today!" Lani started the conversation while they all sipped the foamy sweet shakes.

"And?" Eiko asked, trying to get her to the point.

"And I found he is such a hottie!" Lani finished beaming; Eiko and Dirk had already sighed and shook their heads in disgust.

"Lani; you've already said that more than 50 boys are hot!" Eiko retorted playfully, stirring the pink foamy remains of the milkshake.

"So? This one I'm certain, for sure! Haven't you seen him! He is SOOOOOOOOO CUTE!" Lani exclaimed like it was the most obvious thing in the world, Eiko and Dirk just shook their heads again.

Eiko sighed, looking away at the people walking past the café, then, suddenly, she spotted something. She gasped, the ever so annoying but cute Gary Celesi popped out of his hiding place and confronted Eiko and her friends.

"Hello Puppet." He greeted slyly and charmingly, Eiko stared him in the eyes furiously.

"Hiya Gary!" Lani charmed, battering her eyelashes to him being flirty which made Eiko dread the moment even more.

"You were following me!" Eiko protested angrily, standing up and staring into Gary's somehow amused eyes furiously.

"I am sorry for interrupting dear Eiko, I'm also sorry for calling you puppet." He apologized bowing and walked away, leaving Eiko quite stunned.

She hesitated; but then ran after Gary who was walking towards the exit door. She reached out form his arm and got a hold of it, stopping him as she stood in front him. She remained calm, even though he looked a little sorry, as she took a deep breath and relaxed again.

"No, it was my fault; I shouldn't have sneaked out in the first place." Eiko confessed, ashamed.

"No. I shouldn't have followed you. If you want, I can tell Cid that you we're just sleeping in your room, for a cover, if you want." Gary surprisingly kindly offered, Eiko's face lit up happily.

"Oh, if you can! Please? That would be, wonderful! Thank you!" She praised, only realizing what she had done until afterwards, he was smiling kindly.

"I would be fine Eiko. Just, try not to sneak out at night with your friends anymore." He warned gently, watching Eiko beam happily.

"I think I'll go home now, but remember, you should head home soon."

He gave her one last warm kind smile, and then walked away back towards the castle. Eiko stood there for a few moments, quite paralyzed. Soon after, Lani and Dirk walked over to her, wondering why she seemed, entranced by something.

"Eiko? What's wrong? What did you talk about?" Dirk asked concerned, waving a hand in front of her eyes, Eiko winced and blinked her eyes blankly.

"Gary, was nice to me." She suddenly spoke; her face a dazzled look.

"So?" Lani asked, frustrated because Eiko made him go away.

"That's just so," Eiko muttered softly, she seemed to be smiling pleasantly as she tilted her head slightly to the side.

"Nice."

Dirk and Lani just stared. They decided, secretly, that they should get Eiko back to the castle.

The next morning….

Eiko flicked open her eyes, she stared out into her lonely room, yawning as she got out of bed. She washed her face in the washroom quickly and had a shower to wake herself up even more. She slipped out of the shower and put on a light blue flowery dress, her favourite since she felt bright that morning. She quietly walked out into her small balcony, admiring the lovely view of dear Lindblum, the streets and buildings already were bathed in the lovely golden sunlight. Eiko sighed, wondering what she would do that day. The sky was clear and a light shade of soft blue, with a few soft white clouds floating in it. It would be a good day.

Eiko wandered back into her room then stopped surprised, to find, Gary Celesi was sleeping on her large red armchair in the corner of the room.

"Gary? What are you doing in my room?" Eiko asked confused, Gary woke up with a start as he heard Eiko speak.

"Uh, I was making sure you were safely in bed, since your friends said that you were acting funny. So, when you went to bed, I decided to sleep here, to make sure you were okay." Gary explained softly, standing up and bowing politely.

Eiko sighed, smiling, he was being nice again.

"Well, thank you, I guess." She thanked shortly, then walked out the room, beaming.

Later that day….

Why, is he kind to me?

Why?

He was just plain annoying before, and now, he all respectful.

Odd.

Very odd.

All well,

Eiko was sitting out near the squareball court (Yes, I made it up!) watching a match excitingly, Hilda and Cid sitting near her on another platform, all the other watchers sat around the court watching eagerly. Eiko was wearing a lovely pink floral tank top and white pants, on her head was a white and pink sun hat matching well with her cute silver butterfly earrings. She was very beautiful and dressed up. (Squareball is soccer! I just needed another name for it! P.S, I also don't own soccer…and I don't want to)

Dirk and Lani were in town while Eiko kept on thinking; about that morning….

It's all very strange…..

Maybe it's a trick…..

Probably is…..

And I thought he was being a gentleman……

I thought he was really being nice…

So much of that.

Eiko was so into her thoughts; that she didn't realize that Gary had walked over to her and sat next to her.

"How are you dear Eiko?" He gently asked, Eiko was startled and gasped.

"Gary!" She exclaimed surprised, he was wearing a dark brown suit and smiled at her charmingly.

"I didn't know you were here!"

She grinned at him, he went quiet, and put his attention on the game, at the moment; it looked like the navy blue team was winning by 2 goals.

She turned her eyes back to the game, wondering what her friends were doing right now….

Suddenly, something warm touched her hand, she looked down at it; it was Gary's hand she was holding right now. She was amazed and looked up at him, he grinned kindly.

What a change of personality…..

Why is he holding my hand?

What's going on?

Aww... He's just sooo cute! Oh my god! I'm starting to sound like Lani! But, actually he IS kinda cute….

Eiko stared at Gary for a moment, enjoying feeling his warmth of his hand wrapped around her's.