A/N: Hmm, it's been a while since I've updated, hasn't it? Well, without further ado...
Disclaimer: I don't own Card Captors.
Chapter 12: F Is For Friends... and Foes
So here I was, so engrossed in the happenings of my oh-so-wonderful life and all the little things in it, that I left Sakura and Syaoran quite alone in their own little world back at the café.
Normal POV
Sakura Kinomoto considered herself a reasonably levelheaded and sensible person.
For example, say, if she had a boyfriend (which she doesn't) and she'd caught a girl trying to win him over (and failing miserably, of course), she wouldn't confront the girl and give her a sound slap that would most likely put her back in her senses. No, no. That wouldn't be just at all.
It was much too lenient.
She would beat the hell out of the slut, hand her over to the merciless clutches of her brother's hunting dogs (which he most likely didn't have, but that wasn't the point), then slap her around for good measure. Then she'd use her special magical abilities to give the girl some hell (such as Illusion, Shadowy, a little bit of the basic elements, and a dash of Thunder). After that she would tell the girl firmly never to speak, touch, look, or think about her boyfriend ever again. And if necessary, she'd stress blackmail a bit more.
But of course, this was only an example.
She'd do far worse than that.
Sakura was normally a sweet, kind, and loving person that could see no wrong in any person (unless they were to provoke her). However, she had a fierce attachment to those she loved, and if anybody were to hurt them, she would not hesitate as to punish them by her own means. The same goes to people who betray her trust, intentionally hurt her, and/or for some reason caused her to just not like them.
But, with a few of these exceptions, Sakura considered herself a reasonably levelheaded and sensible person.
If that's the case, she thought pleasantly, then why do I feel like punching the lights out of the next chit that tries to make eyes at him?
She was sitting in the café across from Syaoran Li, her "boyfriend", and wondering why in the world the stupid ILS club had to come NOW of all times. Up until half an hour ago everything was going well, and she and Syaoran were even having a decent conversation (if it was called one)! A conversation! That meant no arguing, cursing and glaring for more than one whole sentence! It was a once in a lifetime in happening. And the ILS club had to ruin it.
The brown-haired guy was fiddling with something around his wrist as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Sakura refrained from sighing in frustration. Things were not going according as planned. Syaoran was supposed to be acting like her "boyfriend". Not some nervous guy who was on his first date. Which was exactly how he was acting. It was not the right picture Sakura wanted to give the ILS club.
Some of the ILS members on the next table were ordering their third coffee: the others were simply glaring/staring at Sakura and Syaoran.
Syaoran glanced nervously at the fan club and then at the honey-haired girl before him, and touched his wrist again. The honey-haired girl glared at his wrist, daring him to touch it again.
He shifted and touched his wrist. Again.
That was it. Enough is enough.
Sakura, gritting her teeth, caught his eye and said loudly, "Let's go out." Loud enough for the ILS club to hear. Loud enough for the entire café to hear. He looked at her, blinked, and then nodded hastily. He seemed eager to be getting out of the awkward situation, as she did. I wonder where Eriol went, she wondered briefly as they got up. She decided to think about it later, when her own problems were taken care of. When she got out her wallet to pay for her food, a large hand plucked the wallet out of her hands.
She blinked and looked up to see Syaoran pointedly raising an eyebrow at her. She blinked again and frowned. What was he up to? He got out his own wallet and left a generous sum of money in the check (she was certain he gave a little more than necessary). When he handed her wallet back, she took it, but raised her eyes again when he didn't let go of it.
His chocolate eyes startled her slightly by their seriousness. "I'll be paying tonight," he told her. Sakura was surprised, but opened her mouth to protest. "No," he said quite firmly. "I asked you out, and you agreed. It's a privilege for me to pay for everything you want. Got it?"
This time Sakura didn't protest, but could only nod dumbly. He let her take the wallet, but she barely noticed anything until they walked out of the café. They stood in front of the café and an awkward silence came upon them. Crowding just behind the doors, the ILS girls were angrily and curiously staring at them, wondering what they were going to do.
"Um..." Syaoran said, breaking the silence. "So what do you want to do?" Sakura was stilldazed from her shock, but quickly composed her thoughts.
"Oh... um... uh..." was her intelligent reply. She mentally searched her brain for some inspiration and brightened. "Oh! We can watch movie!" She glanced at her watch furtively was relieved to find it was still early before her brother's set curfew for her. She looked at Syaoran, who was looking at her before he quickly looked away. "Well?" she prompted. "Do you want to?"
He nodded. "Sure. Let's go."
Then there was another awkward silence. Only this time, it was because of embarrassment. Sakura blushed because she knew there was something they had to do now (well, pretty soon) and she was turning red at the very thought of it. Syaoran was very red because he knew what they were supposed to do and the thought that he really wanted to do it made him blush.
"We should, um, hold each other's, er, hands..." Sakura tried to say calmly. "That way it looks like we're actually going out... you know, since the ILS club is trailing us." That seemed to clear away most of the awkwardness. Syaoran slowly took her outstretched hand, swallowing. Sakura cleared her throat and nodded. "Okay. Let's go." And they went.
Hand in hand.
Hmmm... your hand is warm.
Sakura let her lips curve into a reluctant smile. Maybe... maybe things would turn out right after all.
Tomoyo's POV
There are times when you look at yourself and suddenly realize that you're real. Really real. As in, alive-and-breathing real.
And then there are times when you really wish you weren't.
"...Tomoyo, I love ice cream."
These are one of those times.
"Well, Tomoyo, what do you prefer? I go more for the brighter ones. You know, the ones that almost seem to shine and emanate with a natural aura. They have that sort of lure that just makes you want to get it. You know what I mean?" Eriol Sir Talk-A-Lot Hiiragizawa shot a charming grin at me. I noticed he was still wearing his cap, which looked odd with his black dress shirt and designer jeans. I momentarily reflected on my own outfit, which made me look horribly like a woman in her mid-fifties with no fashion sense whatsoever. Oh well. It's not as if I always have to dress nicely. Because I've got my bag full of normal clothes right...
Shoot. I left it at the café. I'm doomed to wear atrocious clothes the whole evening.
"Hey. Tomoyo?" Eriol gave me a questioning look.
I refrained from sighing and looked at him. He looked like he didn't really care whether I was here or in la la land. "What?" I replied dully.
He smiled brightly. "You know what I mean, right?"
I returned his smile with a dull, impassive face and raised an eyebrow. "No, I don't know, Eriol." He only half-smiled and nodded sagely.
"Yes, yes, well, most people aren't able to catch the essence of what it truly means to know exactly what beckons you—what calls you. It's a primal instinct, almost, which, of course, not many people possess, but..."
Do you see what I mean? I'm sinking in the clutches of Eriol's "friendly" treatment. Yeah, that's right. Friendly. Eriol Hiiragizawa, King of All That's Important In High School, is being friendly with me, Tomoyo Daidouji, Lord of the Dorks. There's something not very right going on here. I mean, after all the arguing, hating, betting, double-crossing, humiliating, and just not happy stuff we've been doing, it just doesn't seem psychologically right for us to suddenly become friends.
Yes. That is correct. I am friends with Eriol Hiiragizawa.
Where has this world come to?
It happened like this. Eriol (because now that we're friends he insists on us calling each other by our first names... like friends) asked me to be his friend. I, being struck speechless, couldn't answer right away. When he asked me again, I said yes and then BAM we were fast friends. Just like that.
But I wasn't fooled. There had to be a catch. I mean, one cannot become friends with a former enemy all in the place of five seconds. It's just... not possible. At least, not in the world I know. It wasn't right. It was way too easy. If making friends were that easy, nobody in the world would be friendless. It was just the way it is. The way of life, you know.
How could I be Eriol Hiiragizawa's friend?
Well, it's not really that I hate him like I used to. In fact, I might not have hated him even before all this craziness. He's a decent sort of guy... when he's not being arrogant and mean. He never cheated on any of his girlfriends (at least, I think he didn't). He's best friends with Syaoran Li—and Syaoran hated his guts back when they were kids! If his own best friend hated him before becoming friends, then I guess that says... a lot about being friends with Eriol. And Syaoran Li was going to be Sakura's husband, which meant he'll be my cousin-in-law, which also means I'll be close to Eriol... But not that close! He wasn't even related to me! No! Of course not!
...And why was I thinking about this? It wasn't like we were best friends. I was only stating some pros of being his friend. Yeah. Just a list...
Oh my goodness, I'm making a list of reasons why I should/shouldn't be his freaking friend? How pathetic was that? (Apparently very)
But I need the list, damn it.
Okay, continuing with the list. He's good looking. Whoa, where did that come from? Okay, so maybe he is very good looking. And he's funny, witty, charming, and very nice when he wants to be. And... he called off the bet at his own accord! Right! That was a very good pro. Hmm... and he seemed to want to get Syaoran and Sakura together. That was a definite plus.
All right. He makes a good friend. I made the right decision in becoming his friend. I was totally right. And besides, he saved my life not too long ago.
Yup. Positively "good friend" material we got here. I was all in for it.
"...should have seen it! It was the best tasting mozzarella cheese I'd ever tasted in my entire life. Mhmm. Scrumptious! Oh! And they served the best ice cream. It was cold and satisfying and just..."
Yes, I was glad that we were friends now. Except, it would be really nice if said friend didn't keep talking my ears off so I could probably die of boredom.
"...couldn't believe how delicious it was—Tomoyo!"
Eriol was suddenly looking at me with intense azure eyes and a serious expression on his face. I blinked and stared at him. What was wrong with him?
"Yes?" I said, giving him my undivided attention. He was still looking intently at me, and it was starting to get a little uncomfortable (even though he was my friend).
"Tomoyo," he said again, and he stepped forward... towards the useless-locked door. "I... have the sudden urge to... eat ice cream," he said with deliberate preciseness, his eyes still on me. I had the sudden urge to bang my head on the wall (behind me, not the one covered with old tools).
I sighed and tried to seek the heavens as I looked up, only to see the moldy, mossy ceiling of the prison we were currently in. I said patiently, "Eriol, there's a reason why we're in this old, moldy, dirty place. It's because—"
"I was rescuing you from those nice FBI-agent looking guys that weren't really nice?" he interrupted pleasantly.
"—the very old door was locked and the handle is broken," I continued without a beat. "So basically we're locked in. That means—"
"I can unlock the door and get us out," he interjected smartly.
"—you can't go out to get your ice cream," I finished edgily, slightly glaring at him. Great, five minutes as friends and I'm already getting mad at him. Aren't we off to a great and promising start? And I don't even know why I'm getting pissed at him. But the way he was just... acting so carefree about this whole situation was starting to annoy me.
He only smiled casually at me, which deepened my glare. He shrugged and stated with a cheery tone, "I said I could get us out of here, but then, if you don't want to go home, then I suppose there's nothing I can do about it."
Urgh. He's really bugging me. Just why was he so giddy? "Well then," I said sweetly, beaming widely at him, "why didn't you unlock the door before?" I leaned forward. "You know. When the door kind of broke five minutes ago?" I dropped all pretence of my smile and returned to glaring at him.
Of course, he only smiled at me, or at my antics. "The FBI agent-looking guys might have still been out there looking for you," he answered smoothly. Oooh. Touché. I knew he had a point there. He spread his arms wide and smiled disarmingly. "Can you blame me for wanting to be as careful as possible, my friend?"
Ugh. Why did he have to go and use that innocent tone of his? It wasn't fooling anybody from what I could see (because I was the only one he wasn't fooling!) and it was really, really annoying me.
He began to hum an unrecognizable tune.
Like I said. Really, reeeally annoying.
I crossed my arms and gritted out, "Fine. By now they must be gone. Unlock the door." Now.
He chuckled deeply, making him seem undeniably attractive (but I was unmoved by such acts) and shook his head slightly. "Tomoyo, my friend, you just said I couldn't get out. What makes you think I could possibly unlock the door now?" He was smooth. He was undeniably smooth as well as attractive with that deep chuckle of his and suave comebacks. But I was not impressed. Not at all.
I scowled. "I was wrong. Open the door!"
"Nah ah ah," he said with a half-smirk, which made me want to tear off his face and break his nose. (Just a tad violent moment there). "You should be a little nicer to your friend, Tomoyo," he admonished gently. He smirked. Obviously somebody knows they're winning. Winning exactly what I'm not very sure, but all I knew was that I was losing and he was happy.
I glared at him and said reluctantly, "I was wrong, Eriol... and I'm sorry. Please open the door." So that I can finally get a peace of mind, I added mentally.
He seemed to know what I was thinking, because he looked terribly amused. But never the less, he finally said, "Whatever you say, Tomoyo." And suddenly, he was opening the door, which looked as if it was never jammed or locked in the first place. Blinking, I stepped out and marveled at the fact that I was actually outside, breathing in fresh air instead of the musty stale scent of the tool house. It felt good to be free from those four, small, confined, claustrophobic walls.
Eriol stood in front of me, blocking my path. My short-lived joy slowly sank as I eyed him warily. "Come, Tomoyo. As a friend you should come with me to eat ice cream. After all, you owe me quite a bit." With this he directed a charismatic smile at me, and before I could do or say anything, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me after him. Of course, since he was stronger than me, I didn't bother to struggle. So I settled for just glaring confusedly at his back. I didn't even notice that we were out of the park and walking along the town street because he was talking the whole entire time.
I didn't say a word when we reached a small ice cream shop at the corner of a block and entered, the small bell above us ringing cheerfully. I was feeling anything but cheerful. And I bet I looked just as I felt.
I looked down at my wrist, where Eriol's hand was still wrapped around. For a moment I considered my options. I could either stay with Eriol and eat ice cream and possibly have a headache from listening to his incessant chatter in the morning, or I could wrench my arm away from his loose grip and make a break for it, running towards freedom and sanity. Hmm, decisions, decisions. Well, I'm think I'm going to have to go with the latter. A tough decision, I know, of course, but I quite wanted to go home at this point.
Before I could go through with my new course of action, Eriol's hand tightened and he tugged, causing me to step forward. Rats. I swear he's reading my mind or something. He grinned brightly at me (See? He's reading my mind, that creep!) and waved at the rows of ice cream cartons in the long container. "What would you like? Choose any flavor you like, Tomoyo," he said grandly. I sighed quietly at this, but seeing as I didn't have much of a choice, I stepped forward to look at the different ice cream flavors before me.
When I looked down at the varieties of ice cream cartons, it struck me suddenly that I hadn't had ice cream in a very long time. The last time I'd had one was during the early summer, when Sakura bought me a vanilla cone. But I didn't like vanilla very much. Or at least that particular one; I thought it tasted a little like metal. My eyes scanned over the labels of the ice cream. Dark chocolate, double fudge, icy mint, rainbow, rocky road, thunder and lightning, strawberry, mocha almond fudge... I halted. Mocha almond fudge. I briefly remembered the first time I had it a few years ago when there was a sale at the grocery. It was cheaper than the ice cream here, and in it's own little carton, but it was so good. I could already taste it... the sweet, yet dark aroma and the sensational aura that seemed to surround it like a glow... its natural glow, of course...
Wait. Did I just say that? I sounded like Eriol for a moment back there. Huh, he must be rubbing off me. Is it because of this 'friends' thing?
"Hey," Eriol's voice suddenly interrupted my thoughts. He looked a little amused as he said, "Did you pick one? What is it? Is it really good? It must be, since you're about to drool." I immediately shut my mouth (which was actually salivating much to my embarrassment) and nodded jerkily. A quirk lifted the corner of his mouth. "Well... what is it?" he prompted when I didn't say anything.
I hastily told him my choice. After he paid for the ice cream (he got a weird looking ice cream that I don't think I'll comment on) he looked at my own ice cream, frowned slightly as if judging whether it was good or bad, and then finally nodded in approval. I actually felt a little glad. It sounds silly to think that his approval of my choice in an ice cream flavor would affect me... but it did. It really did. And I didn't feel silly at all.
There's a reason why I'm called Lord of the Dorks.
Ice cream really is very yummy.
"So, Tomoyo," Eriol presently said after we'd eaten half our cones. We were walking back to my house, because I decided that it was time for me to get home before anybody noticed. It was a good thing for me that my mother wasn't home. We decided not to check up on Sakura and Syaoran at the café because Eriol was pretty sure they wouldn't be there. I had a good feeling they weren't either. Oooh... lovey dovey things I think they are doing, yes I do. "How do you feel about the upcoming Festival?" he asked, taking a bite of his weird, unmentionable ice cream.
I nearly choked on my sugar cone. I'd completely forgotten about the Winter Festival. And Drama. Oh my goodness, the Drama play! How could I forget? I was going to be in the freaking play! All this came rushing back to me in an alarming rate, making me dizzy. There was a drama meeting tomorrow after school. That much I remembered. I silently breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness I'd been reminded before tomorrow. Then my eyes narrowed. I remembered Eriol being in the play as well. In fact, we would be working together.
I slowly turned to look at the blue-eyed guy, who was currently inhaling his last bite of cone. He saw me looking at him and raised his eyebrows. After swallowing unhurriedly he half-smiled. "Yes?" he asked me. I continued to look at him, trying to judge whether he was trustworthy or not. I don't know why I'm suddenly having doubts about him. I mean, well, it wasn't that long ago when he gave that little speech about how great he was (when he really isn't) and how happy I should be to be able to work beside him. Yeah, not very encouraging memories, especially if he's supposed to be my friend now.
"Tomoyo."
I looked up at him. There was something in his eyes that told me he knew exactly what I was thinking about. Actually, maybe he really did know what I was thinking about. Huh, talk about creepy. He held my eyes a bit longer, and when I thought he wasn't going to say anything, he stepped toward me. We weren't that far apart in the first place, so that step took him a bit much into my personal space. So I stepped a little back.
I heard him sigh a little. What was he trying to do anyways? Was he intimidating me by stepping toward me? But why would he need to do that? And... he was saying something. "...be of inconvenience," he finished, avoiding my eyes for what seemed like the first time tonight. I blinked.
"Um, Eriol?" I said sheepishly, "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. What did you say?" He gave me a slightly surprised look, but then blinked and flashed me a smile.
He took in a breath before saying, "I know I haven't been the nicest guy to you in the past, and you probably don't even like me that much right now, but I can't get into my house tonight and I need a place to stay. Would you be so kind as to invite me to your house? I can sleep in your living room...?" he trailed off, looking at me with a slightly hopeful expression.
I was so close to gasping in astonishment I was surprised I didn't make any sound at all. Eriol Hiiragizawa was actually asking me if he could come over to my house. Was he really the same Eriol I knew? Was he the same guy that had goaded me into making a bet with him in the beginning of the year? Was he really, really Eriol Hiiragizawa—the Eriol Hiiragizawa, Evil Magician and Bastard Extraordinaire?
I looked at him again and saw the deep, azure orbs gazing back.
Yup. He was the same Eriol Hiiragizawa all right. The windows to his soul could not lie to me. I was all seeing... and all intelligent... and all smart. Or not.
Leave me alone. I've had a hard night. And day. And come to think of it, I've had it hard this whole week.
Heh. Why stop at the week? I had a hard life.
Oh, wait. Eriol. I've got to answer his question. I sighed a bit before replying, "Yes, I guess you can come over. But..." I tried to think of a way to say "you aren't really going to score any points with me just because I invited you over to my house because I still don't trust you completely and I'm not sure I want to yet" without being a little rude. But Eriol beat me to it.
"If I'm being too much of an inconvenience," he said seriously, albeit a little amusedly, "you can kick me into the garage." I blinked.
I was not going to tell him that we didn't have a garage.
"Okay," I agreed, nodding slowly. "So..." I smiled at him brightly just as he'd done to me. "Let's get going." He nodded and let me lead him to the way to my house. He seemed to think that me letting him come to my house was a sign of great sacrifice (because believe me, it was) because he didn't say a single word the entire way there. For some reason, I felt gratified to be Eriol Hiiragizawa's friend for the first time this evening.
…
...Eriol Hiiragizawa is sleeping over my house. This is surreal. He's actually coming over to my house. I bet no girl in the entire school had Eriol Hiiragizawa over at her house. I bet I'm the first. This was the first time any guy's slept over my house. Oh my goodness. He's going to spend the night at MY house.
I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.
What have I gotten myself into?
"This is the bathroom," I motioned as Eriol trailed silently behind me. I was leading him to a guest room on the second floor, which happened to be in the complete opposite direction from my own room (ironically). It was kind of weird showing him the way around my house because, well, it was the first time I'd done that with any guy. Of course, Syaoran doesn't count because he was going to be Sakura's future husband, so I didn't mind telling him where my bedroom was or where the mini kitchen was. But Eriol... well, let's just say that I wasn't as "buddy-buddy" with him as I was with Syaoran. I just didn't know him very well, to be honest.
And besides, he didn't say a single word the entire time from when I led him into the house until now. How can I be the slightest bit comfortable, never less "buddy-buddy", with a guy that I barely knew (as a friend) and didn't even bother to speak up? Therefore, it was a bit discouraging to be very friendly.
Okay, maybe I'm being hypocritical. I'm happy if he doesn't talk, and I say I feel uncomfortable when he isn't talking. I'm being unfair.
I'd reached the guest room by now. Oh good. Now I can just walk away, get a good night's sleep and never wake up until he leaves in the morning... and then maybe I'll have a better idea of what's going on. Yeah, I'll just go to sleep and everything will be all right in the morning.
"Tomoyo..." I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't hear him say anything as I turned to go to my room. He suddenly took hold of my elbow, and at the shock of his touch I spun around so quickly his hold almost dislodged (and I almost fell flat on my face). The hall was semi-dark so it was hard to see his face. A déjà vu from the tool house flashed in my mind, and I subconsciously edged back a bit. No unpleasant memories for me, thank you very much.
"I was wondering," he said after a moment, and releasing his hold on me. "At the basketball tournament, when you were playing... I noticed you were wearing a necklace." He paused, and I blinked, trying to catch on to what he was talking about. "I believe," he continued, "it was a butterfly pendant. Unless my memory is incorrect, the details of the pendant were very expensive and possibly priceless." I stared up at his general direction, wondering why he was so interested in that.
"What does my necklace have anything to do with you?" I asked him a little suspiciously. I think he smiled a little, which frustrated me unreasonably. Because we all know what Eriol's smile does to me. And no, nothing like that. Sickos.
"Well, the properties of the pendant seemed to tell me that it contained some very old and ancient magic," he informed me matter-of-factly. He tilted his head as I opened my mouth to say something. "Being a magician... or ex-magician, lets you know these kinds of things," he mused, answering my almost-question. I nodded in comprehension. Of course. He was a magician. How could I forget? After all, the things he did with his magic was not very hard to remember (something that included rubber duckies, the principal at Tomoeda Middle School, and a whole lot of water...)
A short silence stretched between us. I suddenly wondered whether the maids were awake. Would any of them be eavesdropping on us right now? I glanced surreptitiously at the dark corners of the hallway. It felt suddenly uncomfortable, standing in that dim hallway with only Eriol. I felt I needed an escape. "Um," I said, and Eriol looked at me. "Well, I guess I'll just... let you sleep." I rocked back on my heels slowly, and smiled at nothing in particular. "Good night," I finally said. I turned and stepped quickly down the hall. I didn't stop or slow down until I reached my bedroom suite. When I reached the door to my room, I released a sigh of relief to relieve the slight tension that had gathered during those awkward moments with Eriol. Now I could just rest and forget about all this stress...
"Tomoyo."
I was about to shriek but a hand clamped over my mouth and I felt an all-too familiar presence directly behind me. And who else could it be but Eriol? Of course. Wherever there's Tomoyo in the creepy dark, there's Eriol to come to her rescue. (Or is it rescue...?) I felt his warm breath grazing my left ear and swallowed. I had the sudden urge to turn around with his arms around me and do something unimaginable. But I fought down that urge until I couldn't feel it anymore. It was nothing. My hormones were just reacting to his close (but unwanted) proximity. That was all. Nothing more. Really.
He dropped his hand from my mouth and waited until I turned around to face him to speak. Of course, it was still dark so I couldn't see his facial expression. But I could hear the ever-present amusement in his voice. "Well, well, you're the jumpy one, aren't you?" I bit back a retort. He was one to say that. After all, it was because of him that I was so paranoid. He cocked his head. "Paranoid?" Oops. I actually said that out loud? "No, I wouldn't call you that. Because you aren't so uneasy around Syaoran or Yamazaki, or even Kei." He leaned slightly forward and half-whispered, "I'd say... you were more of nervous. And, I'm afraid, you're nervous only around me." I held my breath when he leaned forward even more, almost a few inches away from my face. "Now why is that?" he asked softly.
I swallowed. I didn't know what he was talking about (not exactly) and I couldn't see why he had to get so close to make his point in whatever he was talking about because I was extremely overwhelmed. Perhaps it was because I wasn't used to any guy getting so close to my face with me having to hurt them. Or maybe it was because of his scent...? It was that unique aroma that filled my noise right before he rescued me back in the woods. A mix of fresh shampoo, some cologne, and that one smell I couldn't quite put my finger on... It was something I smelled almost every day of my entire life. And yet I never knew it to be on a person before... I couldn't figure out what it was.
And it was driving me crazy.
No, not in the "love" driving-me-crazy-kind-of-way. It was... really, honest-to-goodness, mentally-going-crazy kind of crazy. He was confusing my mind so much that I didn't know what to think.
Wait. Why is he doing this? It's almost like he's trying to do something... Well, no duh he's trying to do something, Tomoyo. I mean, come on. Then... what is he doing? He was my friend, it wasn't like he was... oh... wait, no... oh no...
Eriol wasn't trying to seduce me, was he?
...heh. Eh heh. Haha. Ahahaha! Oh, good one, Tomoyo! That was great. Eriol trying to seduce me...Hah!Ah, how rich. I'm a comedian, really. I mean, who else could be so funny as to say something as funny as that...?
Heh... Eriol seducing me. Pha ha! Hhm, yes, very funny. Very hilarious, indeed.
Or was it? (Why do I keep asking myself questions?) I looked up at him, trying to see his eyes. What was he thinking right now? Would I even want to know what went on in his head?
...Um, actually, I wouldn't.
I heard him sigh a little, which confused me even more. Why did he sigh? Was he done seducing me? (AHAHAHA!) Was he getting tired of my muteness? Or maybe he was tired himself. I know. That happens to me a lot. "Hey, Tomoyo, I want to ask you a question. Other than the one I just asked," he began calmly. I, on the other hand, wasn't very calm.
I forced myself to ask calmly, "What is it?"
"How did you learn how to play basketball?"
I blinked. "What?" I choked out. That was it? That was the reason why he was acting so abnormally weird around me? To ask how I learned to play basketball?
He shifted. "At the tournament, you played much better than I'd expected," he explained. "So I was curious to know how you knew how to play." I think I could sense him shrug. It suddenly occurred to me that I didn't even bother turning on the lights and made everything so much simpler. I was so dumb. I was about to move towards the hallway light switch, when he spoke. "As a boy's varsity basketball team captain, it's a little embarrassing to be shown up by a mere girl who has no athletic history whatsoever." There was a hint of dryness in his tone that I found a little funny. But then, it shouldn't have been funny because he insulted me. No matter if it's true. I had to take offence in what little dignity I had left.
I lifted my chin and said haughtily, "Just because you happen to be the team captain of the varsity team doesn't mean you're better than everybody. In fact," I went on with more vehemence as I saw a corner of his mouth lift, "I bet I can show you up again." Yeah, buster, that's right! AGAIN. I was so caught up in my energy that I didn't hear the amused chuckle he gave. But I did hear him snort with derision. I think I blushed a little. For the first time I was glad it was still dark. And then I wondered again why the hell I didn't turn on the stinking lights. Why wasn't I doing anything right?
"Well, Tomoyo, my friend," he drawled, "I accept your challenge. Though," he added as an afterthought, "I never knew I'd live to see the day Tomoyo Daidouji actually willingly made a bet with me, Eriol Hiiragizawa." Oh ho ho.
I rolled my eyes even though he couldn't see it. "I never did either, Eriol." I sighed and turned around to open my door. "Wait here. I'm going to dress," I told him over my shoulder. Then, just as I entered my room, I remembered something. I turned around and saw Eriol inconspicuously glancing into my room. "Hey," I said, drawing his attention to me. "Um... Are you going to be playing in that?" I pointed to his Abercrombie outfit.
He looked down at himself and looked back up at me with a questioning look. "Yeah, I guess I will be." Then his expression turned into a half smirk and he added suggestively, "Unless, you don't want me to wear them..." He wiggled his eyebrows. I was torn between being outraged and amused. Of course, being me, I decided to be both.
I rolled my eyes, this time so he could see me. "Fine." Just as I was about to turn, I saw his slightly wistful expression and halted. I couldn't just leave him out here in the dark hallway. That would be just plain rude. No matter that he was Eriol Hiiragizawa. He was a guest in my house, and my manners were a lot better at home than anywhere else. I sighed a little and told him, "I supposed you can come in if you want..." I saw him perk up a little at this and added warningly, "But don't touch, don't look, and don't think about anything in here, got it? I've got security cameras." Even after the warning he didn't seem fazed at all. He only nodded, smilingly, and followed me into the room.
After making sure he was not going to look or touch anything, I left the sitting room and went into my private bedroom, which had all of my clothes. I locked the door (just a precaution, you know) and began searching for appropriate clothes to play basketball in. It was actually quite silly. The basketball "challenge", not the searching for appropriate clothes thing. It was a little stupid on my part to have challenged him to a game of basketball, which happened to be one of the sports he excelled at the most (note, he's the captain of it). And it was very, very stupid on his part to have accepted my stupid challenge. After all this time I'm surprised we didn't learn a little from making/accepting bets.
Ah well. It's all good. As long as it's defending my pride and dignity... I'm all for it. I've got to be enthusiastic. I have to have energy! After all, I'm the one who started it.
I was beginning to feel a little anxious. What were the consequences of losing against him? It would be impossible to win, seeing as I didn't know how to play as well as he did (no matter how much I pretended). Did he take the bet seriously? Oh no... what if he did? What have I gotten myself in to?
I rushed into the sitting room five minutes later, wearing black basketball shorts, a plain white t-shirt, and black and white gym shoes (matching, eh? That's me, being a fashion designer). I was putting my long hair into a ponytail as I entered the room. Eriol was sitting on the sofa (with his cap off), as quiet and well behaved, as I never thought he would. Well, it wasn't like I was expecting him to open drawers and all that... actually, I kind of did, but that's not really the point. The point is... that he's staring at me as if I'd just grown three heads or something. Or maybe he's just losing his sanity. I'd understand that. (It happens all the time with me)
Unsurely, I waved a hand in front of his face. He blinked and shook his head slightly. To my confusion, he muttered things silently under his breath as he stood up quickly. What the heck was up with him? Was the lack of sleep getting to him? Actually, I didn't know if he wasn't getting any sleep or not. But I sometimes looked like he was right now when I didn't get any sleep. "Hey, um, we can go down to the gym," I said uncertainly, his manner still baffling me. His eyes finally seemed to focus and he flashed a quick smile at me.
"Of course, Tomoyo," he said grandly. I blinked at his reaction. Oookay. So much for lack of sleep. Maybe he was just going through some weird phase. Goodness knows I go through that a lot. "Well," he said, motioning to the door, "lead the way, my lady." He bowed slightly, a quirk on his lips. I got over my confusion and quickly stepped toward the door, not wanting him to see just how confused he'd made me.
Because he certainly didn't need any more advantage over me. I was already uncomfortable as it was.
"Here we are," I said simply as we entered through the gym doors. Eriol looked around the large gym carefully, his dark blue eyes observing every detail. I watched him closely to see if there was any sign of approval or disapproval, but I couldn't tell what he was thinking from his expression, so I gave up. Walking over to the storage room, I looked over the basketball hoop to make sure it was up all the way and that the lights were all on. When I came back with a couple of basketballs, Eriol was rolling up his sleeves and unbuttoning his shirt slightly. I averted my eyes. When he was finished I tossed him a ball, and began warming up.
I realized he'd left his cap back in my room. Hmm, smart choice. Never mind that he could have been at a slight disadvantage with the hat on than without it against me, and I would have had a fair chance.
"So, what are the rules?" he said after we'd dribbled for a while. I considered my chances against him and what were the best ways I could win (I never said I was honorable: dignified and prideful, yes, but never honorable). Since he did ask me what the terms were, it wasn't exactly unfair, but more of his fault. Yes, honorable is definitely not one of my few virtues.
Finally, I decided on what terms the game would be.
"We'll play up to twenty points. There will be no penalties, or fouls, but check on the other person if you step over the boundary line or travel." I paused and tried to find any loopholes or misinterpretations in my terms, and was satisfied. I nodded at him. "Agreed?" I asked him. In my mind, I was saying that it didn't matter what he thought. But of course, I'm a nice person when I want to be, so I let him have his choice.
He gazed at me in silence, his eyes fixed on mine, and I grew extremely uncomfortable. He looked like he was thinking hard about what I'd said, but with Eriol, I really couldn't tell. And it was kind of freaking me out. That's why when he barely nodded I hastily exclaimed, "Okay, let's play!" I glanced at his ball and then at mine, which looked worse (mine). "We'll use yours," I said when he glanced questioningly at me.
I tossed my ball on to the ground, and just as I turned to get into position, Eriol blurred past me and before I could even blink, scored an easy two-pointer.
...That was the cheapest trick if I ever saw one. Eriol Hiiragizawa actually blatantly and deliberately cheated. In front of ME. Well. Fine. If he wanted to play that way, then I was totally for it. Tomoyo Daidouji NEVER backs down. EVER.
He gave me a mischievous smirk as he checked me. I barely gave him time to move when I darted past him and shot a lovely three-pointer. Boo-yah. Eat that, sucker. I returned his slightly incredulous expression with my own smirk, throwing him the ball. If he could be cheap, then damn it, so could I. Just watch me.
The heat of competition was already rising, and the game's just started.
Five minutes later
I watched open-mouthed as Eriol shot the ball from the middle of the court. It went in. That made Eriol the winner, 20-18. I lost. I'd actually lost. And that shocked me because for a moment back there I really thought I was going to win this. I actually believed that. But look what happened. Eriol won. I lost.
Ah. Failure is a disappointment that I'd rather not experience again, no matter what those morals say. Who cares about whether losing means I gain... something or other... I don't care! I just wanted to win! I want to win! Win! WIN! And what sucked was that he'd cheated less than I did. Ah.
I shot Eriol a dirty look while his back was turned. When he turned with the ball in his hand, my glare wiped off and I looked passively at nothing in particular. No need for him to know that I was a (very much) sore loser. I was still a bit out-of-breath, and more than a little sticky with sweat, so I went over to the wall and sat on the ground, cradling a water bottle. Eriol, who was sweating also, I noted with satisfaction (though not as much as me), walked towards me, holding his bottle. I didn't bother to look at him as he sat down against the wall a few feet away from me, sighing. We sat there in silence for a couple of minutes.
Suddenly, he asked out of the blue, "Do you love Len Muraki?"
It took me a couple seconds to register what he'd said, and another few seconds to realize what he'd said, and another several seconds to get over the shock of realizing what he'd said. "Wh-what?" I stuttered intelligently, staring at him with my mouth slightly open. I could barely comprehend what he'd said (even after all those seconds).
He looked straight ahead as he repeated, "Do you love Len Muraki?"
I blushed. "I know what you said, it's just... I didn't really... get it," I muttered, taking my eyes off him. Wait. Why in the world was he asking me that? I mean, that was a totally random thing to say... wasn't it? I thought maybe he'd be in a really good mood to mock my basketball skills and how much better than me he was. But, no. Instead, he had to ask me... about something very out-of-subject and kind of personal. I looked at him again, this time with more focus (instead of the fish-mouthed gaze), "Why do you want to know?" I asked slowly, watching his side profile closely.
He merely smiled a little, still not moving his gaze from the wall ahead of him. "You said he was your boyfriend," he explained with a slight shrug, "so it's possible that you might love him." I frowned a little. He still remembered Len and the little boyfriend thing back at the café? Hmm, I'd almost forgotten... Oh my. I'd almost forgotten about Len! Wh-How—that's terrible of me! I mean, he's the best guy/potential boyfriend that I know and I forgot about him for half a day. I should be daydreaming about him and smiling at all the things he said to me. But instead...
I'm here with Eriol, who's spending the night over at my house. Am I being unfaithful to Len? He did say he was my boyfriend... and he kissed my hand. And yet... I forgot about him the whole afternoon and most of the night because of... Eriol. How ironic was that?
Okay, wait. I keep forgetting (I'm forgetting a lot, aren't I?) that Eriol and I are friends. I've got to keep that in mind. I've got to remember that he's my friend and he wouldn't want to do anything to harm me, or jeopardize our friendship (which would happen if he harmed me). And besides, there was no way he could harm me right now.
I tilted my head back and let the cool bottle rest on my forehead. After a moment I answered carefully, "Yes, I said that. And yeah... um, he is my boyfriend..." I paused. "But I don't exactly love him. At least, I don't think I do." At my uncertainty Eriol raise an eyebrow. I hurriedly explained, "Because, you know, I don't think I know what love is. Well, it sounds cliché, but I really don't think I'm at that stage where I know what true love is and what it means to be in love." I smiled a little and went on a little amusedly, "I don't even think I'll ever be in love until I'm married." And maybe even after that. I dropped my bottle and sighed. "So, yeah. No, Eriol, I don't love him." There. As a friend should, I told him more than I ever meant to. That's perfect. Way to go, Tomoyo.
He was looking at me while I said my little speech about love, but went back to staring at the wall when I turned to look at him. I wanted to know why he wanted to know whether I loved Len or not. Which is, of course, natural for me to feel. I mean, I should be curious. I have the right to know what Eriol's thinking... right? As a friend, that is.
I'm beginning to think being Eriol's friend is a lot more complicated than being his enemy.
"Hey, Eriol," I said after we didn't say anything for a few moments. He inclined his head slightly toward me. Fine then. Don't look at me. Stare at the wall. I pursed my lips and asked him, "Do you live by yourself?"
I saw him blink and turn his head to look at me. Ah. Finally. His voice seemed a little surprised as he responded, "What?"
Oooh. Did I make Eriol speechless? I actually caught the great King of calmness and unperturbed-ness off-guard? Go me! But I didn't revel in my success too long. "I meant, where's your family? You must have lived with them before you moved here, right?" I told him reasonably. His expression gradually turned from surprised to comprehension and then finally something between passive and... sadness? My chest lurched with... guilt? Or something like that. What if his family was a personal issue with him? I mean, sure, he may have asked me a personal question, but it wasn't anything near family problems. I could have hit a sore spot in him or brought up something traumatic from the past. I could have... oh, gosh, Tomoyo you're an idiot (no surprise there, actually). I could have at least thought before I asked such a question. Jeez, I am such a great friend.
I watched him in half earnest, half apprehension, as he thought about what to say. It was nothing short of frustrating. He looked down at the ground, rolling the basketball slowly. Then he looked back at the wall before him and frowned. Then he glanced at me and sighed. But just as he opened his mouth to say something, I cut in, "No, wait." He looked at me again, his eyes questioning. I took a deep breath, saying softly, "You don't have to tell me. It was wrong of me to just ask. I don't—have the right to know about... any of your personal life." I fixed my eyes on my legs and waited for his reaction.
I didn't look at him even as he released a breath. Was he sighing of relief? Was he glad that I didn't further question him? Or maybe... I don't know. I'm too worn out by my thoughts. It wasn't until I heard movement did I look over at him. He was sitting up now, his back away from the wall and his head fully turned toward me. I saw something in his eyes that made me sit up as well. It was a look that I hadn't seen on him before. It was as if his eyes were trying to tell me something... but I wasn't getting it. Then, before I could examine it any further, it was gone, and he was smiling.
"Tomoyo," he said gently, his eyes amused, "I think you can ask me anything." I was about to say something, but he continued, "After all, we're friends, aren't we?" He gave me a smile that was very contagious, and soon I was smiling back.
But I still protested. "Still, it was wrong of me to just ask you a question like that. I mean, it's none of my business—"
"Neither was my asking you whether you loved your boyfriend or not," he interjected smoothly. I had nothing to say to that. He smiled kindly, "It's okay, Tomoyo, really. I understand your intent. After all, you wouldn't deliberately harm me in any kind of way." The last part he said it in a kind of teasing way. I blushed a little and smiled, trying not to let the irony of his words show in my face. Heh. Yeah, I wouldn't harm him. (Maybe)
"Well," I sighed, getting ready to stand, "we better go—WHA!" A sudden weight pulling my arm and on my stomach pushed me back down. It was Eriol. He had grabbed my arm and pulled me down and laid his head on my stomach.
I turned redder than Rudolph's bright, red nose. Seriously. I was major blushing. And well I should be. HE WAS TOUCHING ME IN A VERY INTIMATE KIND OF WAY! How in the world could I not be blushing? I was barely even breathing! "E-Er... uh, Eriol, wh-what in the world are you—" I stammered.
"I'm tired," was his reply. I gaped at his face, which was only a foot away from mine. He had his eyes closed, and with his glasses off he looked really different. Especially with that stupid half-smile on his face. I suddenly glared at him for putting me in such an awkward position.
"Eriol, my friend, please get off of me," I gritted out as politely as I could. "Before I do something drastic." I tried to shove his head away. All that succeeded in doing was getting him a little displeased. When I began to move my own body away, he threw back his arm across my chest and shoulders so that I was forced to lean back. I nearly laughed at the incredulity of the situation I was in. I was more than embarrassed by now. And it didn't help that he actually had the nerve to shift his head more comfortably on my stomach.
Before I could really do something drastic, he murmured, "But Tomoyo, I won our little match, don't you remember? You owe me something." I stared down at his oh-so-peaceful face and that amused smile of his and snorted in disbelief. I wanted to whine and cry and punch his lights out. I wanted to slap him and verbally abuse him for being such a bastard. He was such a jerk! But I knew he was absolutely right, and that made me want to hurt him even more. 'I won't harm him'. Hah. Yeah right.
He peeked out of one eye, and at my stormy and pouty look, he laughed. I bristled, crossing my arms the best I could, and pointedly didn't look at him. He opened both eyes and smiled. "Really, Tomoyo, I'm grateful to you. You gave me a place to stay at night when you probably don't even trust me. And I'm grateful for that." At my look he hastily added, "Not that I'm grateful that you don't trust me. No. But I know that after some time, you'll be able to trust me as I already do you, right? Because we're friends." I gazed at him for a while as he smiled a little spacey. "We're friends," he repeated, a little softer. I frowned mentally. Why did he keep saying that?
But his speech won out my better mood and I forgave him. "All right, Eriol, I'll let you... borrow my stomach for only five minutes," I told him sternly, ignoring the smile that widened on his face. Silently, I huffed. Goodness, why was I being so nice to him? He wasn't exactly worth all this trouble I gave him. Or, at least not for tonight. I'd already had enough on my plate as it is. And I didn't even know why on earth Eriol would want to lay on my stomach. It confused me to no end, like he usually did.
Stupid Eriol.
After a moment, he said quietly, "But Tomoyo, I actually want to tell you. I want to answer your question." I blinked, and immediately knew what question he was referring to.
"Wait," I said with misgiving, "don't answer if you feel obliged to as my friend. I don't want to know anything you're not... willing to tell me." Yeah. Even though I'm not honorable, I do have some compassion and a sense of empathy.
However, he just smiled. "Thank you, Tomoyo, but I don't feel obliged to tell you anything because you're just my friend. So don't worry." I sighed and nodded. If he wanted to tell me, I was all for it. It was his choice, after all. He moved his head a little, and on reflex, my stomach muscles tightened. "Relax," he ordered gently, "you're too hard to be comfortable on if you keep getting nervous." I immediately relaxed, but only because I didn't want him making a big deal out of it. I was still embarrassed. "Well, let's see," he breathed, his eyes closed. "You asked me whether I lived alone or with my family." I nodded nervously. He smiled a little. "I live with Nakuru and Spinnel, as you already know."
I was feeling a little tense with nervousness now. "Oh, yeah, that's right, so you don't live by yourself, okay, thanks for telling me," I rattled breathlessly. I didn't really want him to go on, because part of me felt uneasy about knowing something so private about a guy I was still uneasy with. "Yeah, um, I should have known, you know, since before when you moved here the first time... and the incident with the cards and Nakuru—"
"Tomoyo," Eriol broke in calmly.
"Yes?" I said a little high-pitched.
"Hush, and let me finish, okay?"
"Okay." I let out a breath and forced my self to calm down a little. Eriol smiled at me, and I felt strangely comforted.
"Right," he said, picking up from where I interrupted him. "I used to live with my family in England, before I moved here. I had a mother and father that worked in companies, and no siblings." He laughed a little, but I could sense a little emptiness in his laugh. "Even back then I was a lonely soul. And... I didn't know that they weren't my real family. Oh, I knew I was the reincarnation of Clow Reed, and that I was a magician. I knew more than anybody else. I knew more than my parents. Or so I thought." He paused, as if taking a moment to reflect back on his memories. "They were my foster parents. They didn't know where I came from, but they found me a few months after they'd married. And they decided to keep me. There wasn't even any adoption forms or registration papers that they'd found a child." He stopped and swallowed. I wanted to do something to comfort him. I wanted him to stop talking. Anything to stop him from feeling any emotional pain. I felt as if it was my fault for making him so... emotional. But I didn't do anything. I could only watch and listen as he kept talking.
"I believed that every person, no matter who they were, had an identity. I believed... that every single person in this world has a family from which they're born in, and that every person... belonged somewhere." He smiled a little, and even I could see that it was mirthless. "But not anymore. I don't belong to any family, and I don't have an identity. I have no place in life. And so... I guess I'm just excluded from that... that way of life. It doesn't apply to me. Because I'm not like other people. I'm different. I'm so different that I wonder how I was born into this kind of world." He fell silent and didn't say anymore. I looked at his closed eyes and thought about his words.
"But... but you're human, aren't you?" I said in a small voice. At this, he opened his eyes and look at me. I continued with more purpose, "You have feelings. And you get hurt... just like humans do. So you should... you belong in this world. I believe you belong here. Just like me." His eyes stayed on mine steadily as I spoke, never faltering. Even after I finished speaking he kept his gaze on me. I looked straight back, determined to show that I was telling the truth.
Finally, he smiled a little. "Thank you, Tomoyo," he said gratefully.
I observed him a little longer, and then nodded. "That's what friends are for," I told him smilingly. He smiled wider.
Tomoyo, I think you've just succeeded in cheering up your new friend.
I grinned. Oh yeah.
Eriol sighed a little and stood up. The sudden loss of weight and warmth on my stomach made my mind unbalance a little. The blue-eyed guy beamed casually at me as he rolled down his sleeves, "You've been a remarkable host, Tomoyo, and I can't thank you enough for it. So, thank you for letting me stay here. But I've got to go now." He merely smiled at my shocked expression and handed me back the basketball, which I took numbly. "Maybe soon I can pay you back for your kindness. Well, goodbye," he waved, and then strolled out of the gym.
I stared open-mouth at the door that Eriol just exited, my eyes the size of saucers. Wh… Wh-what in heaven's name did Eriol just do? Did he… say what I thought I heard him say? Did he just walk out on me? No, wait, that wasn't right. He couldn't have walked out on me. He... left my house when he was the one that asked for shelter in it. He was leaving his home for the night.
Was I missing something here?
In my confusion, I blindly left the gym and made my way up to my room (how in the world I managed it I have no idea). Not until I entered my room and closed the door did I snap out of my daze. What was Eriol thinking? He'd been deliberately leading me on! I actually believed he wanted to stay at my house for the night, when he was really testing to see if I'd actually allow him to! Hah! That cheap stake! And the basketball game... Was the game a scam as well? Was he testing to see how comfortable I was in my own home?
Oh my holy moly jalapenos. He saw my pictures. I went over to the photos on the table in my sitting room and growled. He could have opened any of my desk drawers and saw my personal stuff! He could have usedthat stuff for blackmail! ARGH! FRIEND MY PETUNIA! What a cad! He was a jerk! A dishonorable jerk! That's right, he was even more dishonorable than I, Tomoyo. And all those words he said...
Well, he did tell me about... his family. He really did open up to me, even though he didn't need to. And I guess... okay, he probably didn't touch any of my stuff. Besides, he acted pretty decently tonight. Oh... All right, all right. Maybe I'm just overreacting. Just a little. But...
Wait. I spotted something unusual out of the corner of my eye. I frowned and went around to the couch, where a cap was sitting. Eriol's hat. I picked up the article to examine it closer, but then something white fluttered out of it. I bent down and picked it up. It was a folded piece of paper. I opened it and blinked at the familiar handwriting.
Tomoyo,
Will you meet me after Drama practice tomorrow? I want to thank you properly for your kindness.
Love, your friend,
Eriol
Well. I was supposed to meet Eriol after the Drama practice. Tomorrow. And he was going to thank me. Again.
I can't say I was looking forward to it. But I was curious. And besides... "We're friends," I told myself softly. It was the kind of thing friends would do. I looked down at the cap and smiled ruefully at it.
Normal POV
Eriol stood on the dark sidewalk, his hands in his pockets as he looked up at the large mansion, where a single window was lighted. His blue eyes blended in with the dark as he gazed into that window. He smiled slightly and let out a sigh that showed in the cold, crisp night.
"Right. We're friends."
A/N: YES! Done with this chapter! I'm sorry if it's a little overdue. And if it's awkward (because it probably really is). I tried. I really tried. But I've got a cold, and that's that. Oh well, at least it's winter break! Now I get to update faster! Hopefully. Well, thank you for reading the twelfth chapter of "Special Deals". Until the next chapter.
