Under the Weather

They decided to spend the day at the mall to watch a movie, and then shop (at least for Cagalli's part).

They were having coffee at Figaro. He loves espresso while she goes for cappuccino.

The weather was unpredictable in those times. It would be very hot in the morning and then the rain would start to pour in the afternoon.

Umbrella is a must.

She forgot to bring some. He didn't have any (always lost it somewhere).

"Hey… would you like to play a game?" she asked him. Her eyes were glistening for something he never knew.

"Game? What kind of game?"

He was enjoying the view of her golden brown eyes as it glowed.

"It's called – pretend-you-don't-know-me."

"Pretend…?" He started to laugh. He got the message.

"If you can't stand it… you could always talk to me… but you lose," she said to him.

" What would happen if I win?" he asked.

" Well if I win, then you're going to pay for my credit card bills…"she said with a laugh.

"And if I win?" he countered.

"You could make me do whatever you want…I guess," she said.

The game started.

They finished their coffee without speaking.

Went separate ways after.

She went to the boutique where she usually buys her clothes. He went to the stall just in front of the place where she headed to… and got hooked on the latest models of camera and other gadgets.

She looked outside… at him, while she picks out her preference among the garments before her.

He pretended not to notice, but soon as she turns away… he looked at the same direction… towards her.

She went out with a couple of shopping bags.

He walked behind her, holding nothing.

She headed for the ice cream booth.

He went there too.

She ordered cookies in cream… he chose rocky road.

They ate side by side without talking. They did have coffee earlier, and then they dug for ice cream.

The weather is indeed unpredictable.

He finished first… went for the men's restroom.

She immediately finished hers… and went to the women's.

Then… off to the movie house.

They went to the same movie. He paid for her ticket.

He said to the personnel, " Give this to the girl with a blue dress. Tell her she doesn't have to buy her ticket." Then he went inside.

The person relayed the message to Cagalli. She smiled, and followed him.

She sat right next to him.

Still- no talking.

The movie was about war, and a boy who was caught between protecting his loved one, and saving his country.

The movie ended. She was in tears. Wiping herself with a handkerchief, she looked at him. He was looking at her. She gave him a pout while sniffing.

He caught back his laughter.

So sentimental- he thought.

The war ended, but the protagonist's love interest died when they were reunited… because of some sickness.

The sky was beginning to look dim. Clouds were gathering and people began scrambling for shelter as the rain started to invade the busy streets.

She was hungry. She went to have some pizza and he followed.

They were seated separately… right in front of each other.

-Ordered the same kind of pizza. She added some carbonara to be different.

But he ordered spaghetti with meatballs.

It still the same- both were pasta.

Since she was already starving, she finishes first.

She left and headed towards the jewelry shop.

Found a really beautiful and expensive ring. She was about to tell him that this is what she wants when he proposes to her, but as she looked behind, he wasn't there.

Holding the ring, she started to search around. He wasn't everywhere.

Walking alone, she began to feel restless… worried… empty.

"No. I will not lose this game," she said.

Thirty minutes past… she wasn't able to enjoy herself anymore. She went to all the places she thinks he might have gone to, but he wasn't there.

He didn't follow her.

Rain was starting to get on everyone's sleeves. She went outside the mall… started to look for a cab-without an umbrella.

She was beginning to get drenched under this stormy weather, when someone made the rain stop. He was behind her, with an umbrella in his hand, stretched out to shelter her body.

She held her breath… and cried softly.

"I thought… you… left. Stupid me," she said.

" So it seems that I won…" he replied.

She nodded. " What would you want me do?" she asked.

He stretched his hand to grab her waist… and pulled her towards him. His breath was warm, as she leaned herself at him.

" Don't ever do this again," he finished as he kisses her temple.

I like to make the chapters short and stand for themselves, because I'm running out of ideas if things are to be "hanged"… well thanks for reading.