Only You

Chapter 5. An Unforgettable Outing

Right after the game had finished……

"Eiko, would you like to accompany me walking around Lindblum?" Gary quickly asked before Eiko was about to stand up and leave politely.

She stared at him, confused.

"I'd love to, I guess." She muttered gravely, Gary frowned.

"I won't force you to Eiko, I can go alone…" He replied, bowed and started getting off the seats.

"No! Hold on!" Eiko suddenly shouted so Gary could hear, making him stop and turn around to face her.

"I'd love to go with you, I need the exercise anyway."

Gary smiled as she joined him at the bottom of the steps of the watching seats. She smiled at him; she showed no sign at all that she disliked him. They started walking off towards the exit of the squareball court.

At the quiet end of a park in Lindblum town……

This is soooo weird……..

He's pushing me on the swing……..

What's weird about that?

Nothing!

But, maybe… It's the part that he's doing it that creeps me out….

But if dad set this up, he's is sooo going down! (Not literally,)

But, I'm confused…..

Why is Gary doing this?

Eiko sat there while Gary gently pushed her on the swing, to and fro. She gazed out into the lonely park; there was no one to be seen. She felt unsure…… She sighed calmly, brushing her lovely wavy purple hair back behind her shoulders. Gary stopped swinging her; and knelt down before her on both knees, Eiko sat there surprised.

"Yes?" She tried to point out that he was holding her hand tightly while looking down away from her, sweat on his forehead.

He looked up at her, smiling kindly. This confused her even more.

What's going on?

What he doing?

"Eiko, I," He started, looking nervous again while Eiko got even more puzzled.

"Your father told me, about your private school grades, and, he said it doesn't look very good."

Eiko looked a little taken back.

"If you want, I help you with your studies and homework."

Suddenly Eiko's face lit up.

"Could you? Oh, thanks Gary!" She praised, smiling ever so brightly.

She was swinging herself so vigorously that she fell over; luckily Gary caught her in his arms in time. She was startled; she stared disturbingly into Gary's amused face.

"Uh," Eiko muttered, Gary stopped staring at her and sat her back down on the swing, and it went quiet, furiously blushing.

They went quiet.

But little did they know, that someone was watching them…………….

At Dirk's house…..

"What happened? Huh? I was really worried! I asked Cid where you were after finishing my homework and he said you went off with Gary Celesi!" Dirk scolded, like Eiko was a child.

"Dirk! I'm perfectly capable to take care of myself thank you!" Eiko retorted, frowning as she stared at her best friend appalled.

"Don't say that! I saw you!" Dirk informed her, Eiko gasped, even more shocked.

"You followed me?" She demanded furiously, Dirk blushed and looked away.

"I, I didn't know you were at the park! So, when I saw you, I, I just got angry." Dirk answered softly, Eiko was furious.

"I can't believe it! You're my best friend, and you're just like everybody else! I trusted you! You're my friend, not my bodyguard! I'm not to be protected!" Eiko shouted angrily, clenching her fists tightly.

"I'm, sorry Eiko. I'm sorry Eiko." Dirk apologized sadly, feeling bad for shouting at her like that.

"Why were you angry then!" Eiko demanded, sitting back down on the sofa.

"I….I…." Dirk stuttered softly, flushing red in the face.

"You?" Eiko eyed him furiously, letting her angry gaze pierce guilt into Dirk's eyes.

He looked away and sighed.

"I'm just…worried about you…" He muttered, but really wanted to say he loved her.

"I'm…sorry Eiko…please….don't hate me…"

Unexpectedly he sharply turned around to face her and held her hands tightly in his. Eiko was surprised and looked up into his eyes and got more of a surprise. His eyes were signs of regret and he looked like he badly wanted to apologize.

Eiko didn't get it. In the past, they had their fights. And never, not once did Dirk ever seem so sorry in his life.

"Its okay Dirk, I'll forgive you…" She wasn't sure of how the words escaped her mouth with such softness and forgivingness but was glad they did because Dirk started to relax slowly.

"Thank you Eiko." He murmured gently, giving her a small smile and yet, still a bit forced.

"I think I'll go now Dirk. I'm sorry, again. I'll see you tomorrow okay?" Eiko offered, patting her friend on the back reassuringly and left.