I told you all that this drabble story would have a long chapter or two, well, here it is! I hope you all enjoy. Please leave any comments or critiques you may have.

Chapter 14: The Party

Dearka Elsman was a senior at Onogoro Academy, a previous Zodiac Alliance student, and the son of one of the Northern Regions Representatives. Many out-of-town students received off-campus student housing in order to attend the school, but Dearka's parents entrusted him with his very own two-bedroom house, on the outskirts of Orb, that he shared with his friend Yzak. On Saturday October 19th, he threw a party.

Cagalli could hardly hear her own thoughts over the booming music and chit chat. The entire downstairs, of the house, was flooded with dancing and mingling Juniors and Seniors from her school. She glanced over to the kitchen and noticed two guys chugging beer bottles as a few other guys cheered them on; one of the instigators was the host of the evening. Cagalli rolled her eyes.

Cagalli leaned against the wall between the kitchen and the dining room (which was missing its usual table and chairs in order to serve as the dancefloor for the night), sipping grape soda out of a red, plastic cup, while watching a few people dance wildly in front of her. She tapped her foot to the fast-paced rhythm of the electronic beat. A part of her wanted to go on the floor herself—with the dance lessons she took as a child, she was an acceptable dancer—but another part felt nervous. She had yet to reveal such a side to her classmates, she still carried a slight guard when it came to parts of herself. But she was at a party now, so why not? She had sneaked into random parties a few times before. She pushed herself off the wall but, ready to swing her hips to the changing beat, but stopped in the middle of the room as, interrupted by a thought.

No, not right now. I have to stay focused on…

Cagalli began to look around. Still no sign of Kira. She sighed. He was a big part of the reason she came. Her other friends were reasons as well, especially Ahmed, who seemed to really want to make more friends and thought he'd score cool points by going to a party with so many "important kids," as he liked to call them. A smaller reason was that she thought she deserved to have some fun. All week she felt miserable.

"It's Lacus!" she heard a girl scream.

Cagalli turned her attention to the living room. Lacus and Athrun, the reason for her misery, were walking into the house. The sight of those two together made Cagalli's stomach wrench; just knowing they were to be married made her want to punch a wall. She didn't think that they would show up. For the time she has known Athrun, he didn't seem like the party type. He was so quiet and reserved. She had only met Lacus a few days ago, but the singer seemed too sweet and innocent to be at a high school, house party.

Cagalli headed toward the kitchen, hoping they—he—wouldn't notice her. The kitchen counter was covered with dozens of red cups, alcohol bottles, and soda bottles. Cagalli picked up a bottle of Patrón. She stared at it for a moment before grabbing a cup to pour its contents into. She was interrupted when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to see Kira smiling at her.

"Kira!" the alcohol was instantly forgotten.

"Hey, Cagalli."

"What took you so long?"

"I had to finish drafting my history paper."

"Doing homework on a Saturday? Nerd," she smirked.

They laughed.

"What do you got there?" Kira asked.

He motioned towards the bottle and cup that was behind her. Cagalli looked at the items. She turned back to Kira with a sheepish look on her face.

"You shouldn't drink that stuff," he said.

"It's a party," she shrugged.

"So, let's party." he smirked and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back into the dining room.

They began to dance with the other teens who were already on the "dancefloor." Though the faces were familiar, Cagalli never officially met all of them. Even so, that didn't stop her, or Kira, from spinning, twirling and shaking their groove things with them. Their bodies moved rapidly to the fast beats. Their feet tapped, their arms flailed, and their hips swayed. Time vanished. They were in a euphoric daze, lost to the drums and guitars blasting from the stereo.

Laughing uncontrollably as a boy spun her under his arm, Cagalli's hip accidently bumped someone. Still laughing, she turned around to apologize.

"I'm so-"

It was Lacus.

"Sorry," Cagalli's laughter had stopped.

Lacus' initial look of shock turned into a bright smile when she noticed that the person who had bumped her was a familiar face. Cagalli glanced her over. Lacus was clad in a knee-length dress, the skirt being a sky blue, with frills at the hem, while the top-the bosom area-was white. A frilly dress seemed to be the usual for her. Her look was a contrast to Cagalli's, who wore black leather boots, bleach washed skinny jeans, a white tank top, and a black, leather jacket. Rebel meets princess.

Who wouldn't want the pretty, pink princess? Cagalli thought, bitterly.

She shook her head, mentally slapping herself for thinking such a thing. She should not care.

"Hey, Lacus."

Cagalli turned to see Kira by her side.

"Oh, so you know her, too..." it came out sour. Another mental slap.

"Kira!" Lacus said in that high-pitched, cheerful voice. "It is nice seeing you again."

"Likewise," he said, yelling over the crowd. "Have you met my friend Cagalli?"

Hearing Kira call her friend made Cagalli smile. She knew that they were, but the confirmation coming from him brought a warmth she didn't know she needed.

"Yes, we have class together," Lacus said.

"Cool, which class?"

"Lit," Cagalli says. "So...how long have you two known each other?" Her question comes out dry.

"Not very long," Kira said. "Me and Athrun recently reunited, remember? He introduced me to her earlier in the week. We also have a class together."

"That's right," Lacus nodded.

"Where is Athrun?" Kira asked. "He's here, right?"

"Excuse me."

Cagalli didn't bother to hear Lacus' answer before walking through the crowd of the living room. She didn't want to hear anything about Athrun. Her goal was to avoid him for the night. And Lacus, but that shipped sailed. She made her way up the stairs, walking over a few people making out, two being Miriallia and Tolle. She gagged at that.

She searched the hall, looking to be alone for just a moment, and found herself entering one of the two bedrooms. The room was quiet and dark. She shut the door behind her, and began feeling the wall for a light switch. Once illuminated, Cagalli was greeted by a simple, boyish room: a single dresser, plaid curtains on the two windows, a few posters of cars, bikini models and guitarists, a twin bed, and a guy sitting on it. Cagalli nearly screamed at the sight of someone else in the room.

They both stared at each other with frightened looks on their faces. The boy's expression softened when he realized who she was.

"I didn't know anyone was in here," Cagalli said. She hurriedly turned around, fumbling to get the doorknob to turn the right way.

"You don't have to go," he said, making his way towards her.

"I know, but I just-"

He was standing right behind her. Her heart was ready to leap out of her chest. She turned to face him. Beautiful, worried, emerald eyes stared into hers.

"Is everything alright?" he asked.

"Why wouldn't it be?" she looked down.

"You're acting strange. Come on, let's sit. You came in here to escape, right?" he grabbed her arm and gently began guiding her to the bed. She pulled away.

He looked at her, stunned. Cagalli leaned against the wall, avoiding eye contact with him. Guilt surged through her.

"Are you sure everything is okay? If something is wrong, I want you to talk to me."

Cagalli's knees buckled. His tone, the way he talked to her, and the way he treated her, all of it was too much for him to be engaged. How could she enjoy any of it when he was promised to someone else? It wasn't right. It wasn't fair.

"Cagalli?"

"I'm fine, Athrun," she feigned a smile. "I just wanted to be alone for a moment. Sorry if I bothered you."

"You're not a bother. I wanted to get some peace from the party. Dearka said I could come in here. I don't mind you being here. It was getting lonely anyway," he chuckled.

She wanted to chuckle, too, but instead she pursed her lips together.

"I wouldn't mind your company," he continued. "You were distant this week. I was worried, and it sucked not getting to hang with you."

She frowned.

"It wasn't a good week."

"Want to talk about it?"

She sighed. "Not really."

He made his way back to the bed, but continued to watch her with a concerned look on his face. Cagalli looked at everything but him. A pregnant awkwardness hung in the air. It was suffocating them.

"I'll go, if you want." Athrun stood up, sounding nearly winded as he spoke.

"Oh no! You don't have—"

"I'm getting the sense that you don't want to be around me."

Cagalli bit her bottom lip.

I just can't bear to face you right now, she thought.

She wondered if she should tell him that. Would it make a difference? Would he understand? If she expressed how she was feeling, would she be crossing a line?

"I—" her mouth hung open.

Athrun waited for her to say something, his eyes giving off pleas and confusion.

"It's just been a long week," she smiled again.

Athrun's shoulders slumped. He gave her a crooked smile, but she could tell that, like her, he was faking it.

Suddenly, he door opened and Dearka popped his head in.

"Hey, Athrun—" he stopped mid-sentence upon noticing Cagalli. "Am I interrupting something?" he carried a sly grin.

"Not at all," Cagalli said, abruptly. She noticed Athrun's brows furrow. "Sorry for being in your room."

Dearka stepped in. He surveyed Cagalli. The two had seen each other in the halls and in the cafeteria, but didn't have a single class together. Nor have they really had a conversation before. Cagalli watched him watching her.

"Never a problem having a cute girl in my room." He finally said, with a wink.

Cagalli's face instantly became red, and she had to touch her cheek to see if it was as hot as it felt. Much older people had called her lovely at a political event, or two, when she had to wear those insufferable dresses. And she was sure that she was called adorable when she was a small child, but a boy never called her cute before. The dark cloud that she felt hovering over her, just a moment ago, was replaced by a beaming sun.

"Uh…thanks?" she said.

"The pleasure was all mine," he said in a tone that made Cagalli's heart skip a beat. "You guys gonna come back downstairs or what? We're about to play a game."

Dearka guided them to the living room. Most of the party goers had formed a circle around the couch and TV. They game had already begun.

"Truth or Dare?" a young man had said to Ahmed, as Dearka, Athrun and Cagalli made their way into the circle (Dearka eventually plopping on the couch).

Ahmed looked as if he had been caught red handed. This made Cagalli chuckle.

"Uh…" he said. "Truth?"

The other young man, a ginger boy, pouted. "Fine," he said as put his finger to his chin, thinking for a moment before saying: "Do you have a crush on anyone at school?"

The whole room instantly filled with murmurs and laughter. Ahmed, cheeks redder that a tomato, looked around nervously. All eyes were on him.

"Well?"

"I…uh…yeah." He looked down defeatedly.

"Oooo," everyone said in unison. Everyone except Cagalli and Athrun. Cagalli was shocked. She had no idea that Ahmed liked someone, and part of her was curious to know who. Upon looking up, Ahmed had noticed that she joined them. Cagalli waved and smiled, but he nearly jumped out of his skin before giving her an awkward wave back.

Aw, she frowned. He's embarrassed.

"Alright, Flay, I pick you," the ginger boy said.

Flay stood on the opposite side of the couch by Kira, Miriallia and Tolle. She looked around the room, taking slow sips from her red cup. A few people watched her nervously, while others watched with eagerness. She smirked at them, relishing in the suspense that hung in the air. She looked around once more, her gaze landing on as many individuals as possible. She noticed Cagalli. Venom seeped from her gaze. This did not go unnoticed by Cagalli. Then Flay's eyes twinkled with a mischievous spark that caused a lump to form in Cagalli's throat.

"Cagalli," Flay said.

Cagalli drew in a long breath.

"Truth or Dare?"

She had nothing against Flay, but she knew Flay wasn't too fond of her, and Flay knew the one thing about her that she didn't want anyone to know, so she didn't trust her. If she were to choose 'truth' then Flay may make her confess the very thing she feared—her identity. But, if she chose "dare" then Flay would surely embarrass her…and in front of Athrun and Kira!

That can't happen.

"Truth."

The look on Flay's face made Cagalli nervous. She was smirking, smirking as if she had won. Cagalli immediately regretted her decision.

"You have feelings for Kira." It was more of a statement than a question.

Heads turned back and forth between Cagalli and Kira. The two of them carried stunned looks on their faces. Cagalli's heart jumped out of her chest and had left the building. Everyone was looking at her, looking at her with assuming eyes.

"No!" she shouted. "Why would you say that? I mean I like him, but as a friend."

Flay wasn't convinced. Cagalli looked around. Other's weren't convinced as well. She looked at Athrun, he looked as stunned as she felt. She could feel the color draining from her face.

"Cagalli's right, Flay," Kira said.

"Exactly."

"Yeah right," Flay snorted. "You're always around him, wanting to be around him. It's written all over your face!"

Flay was right. She tried to be around Kira as much as possible, but not for the reason that was floating through everyone's minds.

"He's my friend," Cagalli growled. "And that's that!"

"I think that's enough, Flay," Kira said. "You got it all wrong." He glanced at Cagalli, as if he was searching for confirmation. Cagalli was baffled. By now, she assumed, that she was red from top to bottom, and that everyone noticed.

"Is that so…" Flay moved closer to Kira until she was directly beside him, leaving little to no space between them. "In that case"—she shot a quick glare at Cagalli—"you wouldn't mind going to next month's dance with me."

The room gasped. Many people looked Cagalli's way. It only deepened her angry and embarrassment. Even though she had no romantic feelings for Kira whatsoever, the thought of him going to the dance with Flay made her stomach turn. It was clear that Flay was doing it out of spite because she seemed convinced that Cagalli had a crush on him. Kira did not deserve to be used like that.

"Well?"

Kira flushed face showed that he was uncomfortable. This relieved Cagalli.

"What about Sai?" Kira said.

Flay frowned deeply. "What about him?" she spat.

"I just thought—"

"I have no interest in Sai, so, Kira, would you go to the dance with me?"

Miriallia and Tolle exchanged worried glances. They watched Kira with a look of urgency painted on their faces.

"Uh…sure," Kira said, his face flushed completely now.

Cagalli sighed. She wanted to protest, but she didn't want to further anyone's suspicions on her feelings toward Kira. All she could do was watch as Flay batted her eyes and squeeze Kira's arm, flirtatiously. Cagalli felt sick.

"I need a drink," she whispered.

As she headed to the kitchen, she heard Flay say, "I choose Miriallia."

Cagalli landed in front of the counter that was covered in bottles and cups; the same counter she was at earlier before dancing with Kira. She sighed again. This time he wasn't there to stop her from pouring the clear liquor into a cup. Someone else had his attention. She gulped down the substance. Her face twisted as the alcohol burned the back of her throat.

"Don't do it so fast."

Cagalli turned to see Dearka leaning on the wall with his arms folded.

"Why? Afraid I'll get drunk?" she said.

"I'm not afraid, but you will if you keep chugging like that." He walked over to her and gently removed the cup from her hand.

"I don't care," she said.

"Looks like you care a lot."

"What do you know," she snatched the cup back and took another swig from it. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

Dearka shrugged and poured himself a cup as well. He held it up to Cagalli, and the two toasted.

"What are you doing in here anyway?" she asked.

"You looked upset in there," he said. "So, I came to check on you."

Cagalli's face twisted with disappointment, and Dearka noticed.

"Don't worry, he was concerned."

"Who?"

"Athrun," Dearka said matter-of-factly.

"Oh," Cagalli blushed.

Yet, he's not the one here.

"He has to be the one you really like," Dearka said. "I sensed it when I walked into my room. Or, maybe I am imagining things."

"You're imaging things!" she hastily turned her back to him.

Dearka smirked and placed a hand to her shoulder. He leaned down, whispering in her ear: "Why don't you prove it?" he breath was warm against her neck. A shiver went up her spine.

"H-how?" she said, still not facing him.

Her heart was pounding loudly in her ears. He was so close. The warmth of his breath, the smoothness of his tone…it both frightened and excited her. He didn't say anything for a while, and it was driving Cagalli crazy. His warmth disappeared. Cagalli quickly turned around.

He smiled. "Go on a date with me."

A/N: Next chapter will be back to the drabble/flash fiction length