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A Second Chance to Choose

Chapter 3: The Things You Notice the Second Time Around


Okay, so second year. What happened in second year? Ah, yes. I baked him a chocolate cake for Valentine's Day, on February the 14th. But on this very day, I found out that…

Never mind. That is not important. I shook my hair, which is now a bit longer, thank god, trying to get all negative memories out of my head.

I'll just not bake him a cake this year. By the way, what day is it? I glanced at the calendar. February 14th. Obviously.

"Sakura! Someone is on the phone for you." I can hear my dad called. I quickly rushed downstairs, already knowing whom it will be.

"Hello?" I spoke into the phone.

"Hey, Sakura."

"Kari? Wow, what a surprise, and so early in the morning too!" I said, pretending to be shock. Kari Kobayashi is a friend I've met through first year. She's a very soft-spoken girl with the most unique azure eyes…too bad it's hidden behind her thin glasses. But she has the shiniest red hair. I'm quite jealous of her hair colour, to tell the truth. And it's a natural colour too! Why can't I be blessed with such a hair colour? Oh well.

I already know what Kari is calling for.

"Um…I just wanted to ask you for some advice. Today is Valentine's Day, and I'm just wondering if…um…if you have any ideas for me to…um…confess to this boy I um…"

I laughed. "Why don't you make him a card, Kari? You're very artistic." I said.

This was the same advice I gave four years ago, back in second year. Kari ended up not giving the card because she was too shy. But I have to give the same advice, so I don't alter history, too much right? I just need to change my history with Syaoran. No need to interfere with Kari's past.

"That's a great idea, Sakura-chan!" Kari's voice brightened up immediately.

"And why don't you bake him a cake too?" I added. I might as well offer her the idea I had four years ago. Baking a cake to confess your feelings is a very good idea. No need to waste it just because I'm not using it myself this time around.

"That's even better! I can make a card and a cake! And I can bake it in Home Economics today too! You're the greatest, Sakura!"

"No problem." I grinned. Wow, I'm so proud! I helped someone! Hmm…maybe this time I'll give Kari a big push of encouragement. This way, she'll end up with a happy ending, unlike the first time.


As I got to my locker, I kept an eye out for Syaoran. This year, I remembered, his locker is on the third floor. Everyday, he has to past by my locker in order to get to the stairs. Ah, there he is!

He grew taller since first year. He's now approximately 5"6, four inches taller than me. His features seem more mature and his amber eyes glowed more brilliantly today.

"Ohayo, Sakura. I was waiting to walk with you today, but your dad said you left early." Syaoran said as he came up to my locker.

I know you came by, I thought. Four years ago, I had walked to school with him on this very Valentine's Day. I remember I had fun walking and talking with him. A bit too much fun, if you ask me. If I want to prevent myself from falling for him, I must not spend too much time with him.

"Yeah, I came here earlier today. You know, sensei wouldn't like it if I'm always late." I managed a friendly smile.

"Yeah. I got to get going now, see you." And with a wave, he walked towards the staircase.


The rest of the day passed by fairly quickly. I hung around my locker a bit longer than usual, waiting for Kari. Tomoyo-chan left early for piano lessons today.

"Sakura! Let me show you my cake!" Kari rushed up to me. She opened the box to reveal a heart-shaped chocolate cake with vanilla and strawberry icing. Darn, I thought she would put the name of the guy on the cake. I never did find out who was it she liked four years ago. This time, I'm determined to find out. Hey, I'm just a bit curious!

"Did you make the card? Can I see it?" I asked. I know she put his name on the card for sure. I never asked to see it the first time around.

Kari blushed. "Um, maybe later." She politely refused. I frowned. Oh well. No big deal.

"Okay." I smiled brightly. "Are you going to find him now?"

"Yes! I know exactly where he is too!" Kari couldn't keep the excited smile and blush off her face. "Sakura…do you think I should? What if he doesn't feel the same."

"Kari, you are a great person! And if any guy who fails to see that, it's their lost." I gave her an encouraging pat on the back. "I mean, if you don't do it now, he'll never know. You must tell him! At least you'll get an answer for sure. He might feel the same. Go take a chance. It's worth it, especially after all the hard work you've put into the cake and card."

The first time around, I never gave Kari this speech. I had said "Um…I don't know…if you want to, I guess."

I guess that wasn't very encouraging. But not this time! This time, I'm determined to let my friend have her happy ending…the one I never got myself.

"Okay! I'll do it! Thanks, Sakura!" Kari said, her voice full of determination. "I'll come back and tell you what happens."

"I'll be right here waiting for the news."

Then she paused, thinking of something. I know what she's thinking off. She forgot something.

"Oh darn! I think I left my book bag in the Home Ec room!" Kari's eyes widen. "I better go get it before someone steals it!"

Ah, see! I'm right again!

"Okay, but you must go confess to him after you get your bag. Promise me, okay?" I said.

"Okay." Kari gave a determined nod.

And with that, she turned around and walked down hall, towards the Home Ec room.

Wow. I had really change history. Not only did I play cupid with Kari's relationship, but…I never bake a cake for Syaoran. My memories from the first time around came flushing back into my head.

Flashback (what happened the first time around)

"Sakura, do you think I should? What if he doesn't feel the same?"

"Um…I don't know…confess if you really want to, I guess." I said. Oh gosh, I'm such a bad advice giver! But…I can't tell Kari what to do, can I? She has to decide these things for herself.

Kari looked down at her feet. "I wish I am as brave as you are. You're so determined to give the guy of your dreams the cake you baked. Yet, I can't even give him a simple card."

I never told Kari that the object of my affections is Syaoran. I guess this is fair, since I don't know who is Kari's object of affection is either.

I gave a nervous laugh. "I guess I'll go find him now." I know he has soccer practice. It should be just about over.

Kari's eyes widen. "Oh darn! I think I left my book bag in the Home Ec room!" Kari's eyes widen. "I better go get it before someone steals it!"

"Okay. Are you going to find him afterwards?" I asked. Kari looked undecided.

"I'll think about it." She finally answered.

"Okay. Let's meet back here when we're both done and tell each other what happens."

"Deal!"

I ran down the hall and out into the fresh air. I glanced across school grounds to the soccer field. I see a bunch of soccer players coming from the boys' gym. Soccer practice is over. Perfect.

With a smile on my face, I strolled towards him. Syaoran Li. As I got nearer, he and his friends turned a corner. Oh no. I better hurry and catch up.

I slow jogged, careful not to drop the cake. As I reached the corner, I was about to turn. But then, I heard voices from the other side of the corner. I instantly stopped. I don't want to confess in front of his friends. Maybe I better wait until they all leave.

"Hey, Syao! Did you see how she cheered for you today?" Takashi laughed. Huh? Who? I peeked over the corner of the building and saw a few soccer players, talking. I noticed a blush on Syaoran's cheeks.

"Shut up!" he protested.

"We all know you like her. Just admit it. Miyu is a nice girl."

"I don't like her!" he said. Too bad the blush on his cheeks gave him away.

"Then why did you give her a peony flower?" Akito questioned. A peony flower? That's Syaoran's favourite!

"I-I-I gave it to her because…it's a common courtesy of Valentine's Day!" Syaoran blushed. "It doesn't mean that—"

"Hi, Syaoran-kun." Miyu walked by and waved to him.

"H-h-hi, Miyu-chan." Syaoran's blush grew even stronger than before. When Miyu was gone, all of Syaoran's team mates laughed loud and hard.

I feel hot tears threatening to fall. Before I can do anything, the cake in my hands fell to the floor. I quickly turned around and ran.

I ran back into the halls, the tears falling non-stop. I nearly crash into Kari, coming out of the Home Ec room, bag in hand.

"Sakura! What happened? Where's your cake?" Kari asked.

"Kari!" I gave her a hug and cried on her shoulder.

"Sakura, what's wrong?"

"He-he…He likes someone else. He like Miyu-chan!"

Kari was silent.

"Syaoran likes Miyu. He doesn't like me."

"…Syaoran? You like Syaoran?" Kari asked, surprised. I gave a small nod. It doesn't matter if she knows now. Kari will never tell anyways. She can keep a secret.

"I overheard him and his team mates talking. He likes Miyu-chan. He was blushing so hard."

And that day, Kari and I had walked home, with me rambling on and on about how sad and depressed I am. I know Miyu is a very nice girl. But…still. I can't help but feel this stab of pain in my heart.

"Why didn't you give your card?" I asked Kari when we arrived at my house.

"Oh…I…thought about it. And I don't think now is the right time to give it to him." Kari gave me a small smile. "Feel better soon, Sakura."

End of flashback

I leaned back against the cool metal of the locker. I felt a single tear slide down my cheek as the memory came back. I can't believe I'm still crying over this, even if it's the second time around. I quickly wipe away the tear. At least I'm not crying as strongly as before.

I looked at my watch. It's been half an hour since Kari left. What's taking her so long? Suddenly, my eye caught sight of something pretty on the floor. My green eyes widen.

It was Kari's handmade card for the boy she likes! Oh my, gosh! She must have dropped it! I must give it back to her so she can give it to him!

I swiftly pick up the card. Suddenly, a rush of curiosity fills me. It wouldn't hurt to take a peek at the person's name right? I mean, I know Kari will tell me afterwards anyways.

I opened the card gently, careful not to ruin in. I read the contents.

My eyes widen.

I never got past the first sentence in the card.

Why?

Because the card says…

To, Syaoran Li.

…Syaoran Li?

Kari likes Syaoran.

Kari likes Syaoran.

Kari likes Syaoran.

Kari likes Syaoran.

Kari likes Syaoran.

I can't believe this. I would never have guessed. But then again…why shouldn't she like Syaoran? I mean, I did. And Syaoran is a very nice person. I leaned back against the lockers for support.

Oh my, gosh! I'm simply overwhelmed with shock.

So that is why Kari never gave the object of her affections her homemade card four years ago. It was because I told her Syaoran likes Miyu.

Then, my head snapped up.

Oh my, gosh!

Syaoran likes Miyu! And I had encouraged Kari to…to…

"Sakura!" I heard Kari's voice. I turned around to see Kari coming back to me, crying. Oh no…

"Kari?"

"Sakura…he…he…"

"He likes Miyu…" I softly said.

"How…how…?" Kari looked up at me in amazement.

"You left your card on the floor…" I gave her back her card. "I…I already knew Syaoran has feelings for Miyu. It was one of those rumours. But…I just never knew that…you like Syaoran." I said in a stunned voice.

Kari cried on my shoulder as I offered her a hug. "Kari…I'm sorry…it's all my fault…I shouldn't have encouraged you to confess. If I only knew it was Syaoran…I wouldn't have…"

"It's…it's not your fault, Sakura." Kari sobbed.

I know exactly what she is going through.

It's my entire fault.

I altered history.

I'm the real culprit that my friend's heart got broken.

If I had kept my original choices, I would be the one crying. But I know that I'm a stronger person that Kari. Kari is very fragile and…I seriously don't know how long it will take for her to get over this.

"Kari…did you tell him?"

"Yes…and he said…he said…that…he has feelings for Miyu instead."

Perhaps fate had wanted me to be the one with the broken heart. Why? I don't know, but Probably because in my case, I never actually got to the point of confessing to Syaoran. I never got my heart broken as badly as Kari did today. At least Syaoran never told me face to face that he preferred Miyu. I only overheard it. But with Kari…he actually told her the truth…coming directly from him instead of teasing from Takashi.


The next day, I noticed that Kari was avoiding Syaoran, especially in class. Instead of being happy about sitting in front of him, Kari was especially quiet. And after class, she bolted out the door. Usually, she'll stay behind and chat to Syaoran and me. But not today…

I can't believe it. For the first time, I did something right will prevent me from falling for Syaoran Li. And what happens? My good friend got hurt.

If I had bake that cake for him, things will still be the same. At least, Kari wouldn't be in as much pain. I mean, sure, she found out that Syaoran likes Miyu four years ago too. But at least then, it didn't come directly from him. He didn't tell her directly.

I guess my heartbreak wasn't as painful as Kari's.

And to think that I had spent the entire trip home babbling on and on about how hurt I was! Oh gosh, she must have felt awful having to listen to me cry and constantly reminding her how much Syaoran likes Miyu.

I remember four years ago, I had thought about trying out for cheerleading, simply because Miyu is a cheerleader, and I had thought maybe I can spend more time with Syaoran if I'm a cheerleader too.

Then, the second time around, I was positive I wouldn't try out for cheerleading the second time around.

But… after seeing how altering one small thing can create such a big change…should I still alter history again?

I thought back to all the times in high school when I was in cheerleading practice. I had help them won competitions. I was a good contributor to the squad. Without me…what if they don't win as much as the first time around?

No.

I must try out for cheerleading the second time around. The squad needs me. I can't let them down.

I'll just…have to be more careful around Syaoran once I make the squad.

That, and I must be more careful and think of the consequences before I change the past.

Perhaps, some things are not meant to be changed. Perhaps, sometimes, the first choice was good enough.

I must be more careful about what I change.


Sugar Pink: Yay! Third chapter is done! I hope you guys all liked that! Please R/R and tell me if you liked it or not!