Chapter 27: Sad Eyes

Cagalli was leaning against the wall in the hall as she wrote down a to-do list for the weekend in one of her notebooks. When she looked up, she noticed Athrun standing across from her, staring at her with sad eyes. It seemed every time he looked at her— ever since she told him and Kira about her father— his eyes were sad. And, whenever she looked at him, her brow also creased and her lips also pouted because all she could think about was how Lacus started looking at Kira.

I wonder if he's noticed.

Athrun started to walk over to her, still with those eyes. Cagalli looked away, afraid to meet his gaze, to be sucked up by them.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey."

"What are you up to?" he spoke carefully— gently— as if his words could break her. Another habit he had picked up since her confession.

"Nothing really...study hall for me. Did you just leave the military program?" she said.

He nodded. Still...those eyes.

"How was it?"

"I got a perfect score on our self defense demonstrations."

Cagalli smiled. "I hear from other students about your skills. Nicol praised you. He informed me that you were the best commander in ZAFT." she said.

"I wouldn't say I was the best commander," his face was tinted. "Dearka and Yzak wouldn't say so."

"Dearka was in the program?"

Athrun nodded. Cagalli's mouth dropped. Due to Dearka's laid back attitude and the fact that he eats and breathes basketball, Cagalli wouldn't have guessed.

"I think his dad made him join."

That makes more sense.

"Well they are a grade higher than us, probably didn't like being under their junior."

"I suppose…" Athrun's gaze drifted.

Then silence fell between them. A silence that didn't sit well with Cagalli. She stared at him, but he did not stare back. He didn't dare to. Even though he always had those eyes when he looked at her, he equally started avoiding her gaze whenever he could. The eyes, the way he talked, the stiffness in his body. He became too cautious around her, and it secretly was driving Cagalli crazy.

She took hold of his sleeve, giving it a gentle pull. His head snapped in her direction, shock written on his face. Her eyes were pleading, her mouth parted, but she could not bring herself to say what she wanted to say.

"Cagalli?"

"Athrun, I…" she bit her bottom lip. "Would you—"

She was interrupted by his arms suddenly wrapping around her, squeezing her tight. The notebook and pen she held had fallen to the ground.

"Athrun, what are you doing?" she tried to wiggle free, but his arms held hers down. He enveloped her entirely.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Cagalli's face was hot and her heartbeat was rapid.

"What for?"

His face fell in the crook of her neck. The warmth of his breath sent tingles all over her body. Her temperature rose. She noticed a few students watching them, as they passed by, with curious eyes.

"Nothing," he whispered. "Sorry if—"

"You don't have to apologize," she said. "But, people are watching and we won't want them to get the wrong idea."

Athrun pulled back and stared at her with a raised brow.

"Rumors. Ya know, like the one about Kira and me," she said. "Wouldn't want to cause a scandal for you and Lacus." her eyes dropped.

"Oh," he said, releasing her.

"I'm not trying to offend you, Athrun, but she is your fiance and if—"

Athrun chuckled. "I believe my father might be changing his mind soon on that," he looked down.

"What do you mean?"

"He and Governor Clyne don't seem to be getting along. To quote my father, 'he's interfering on matters of Junius that don't concern him. I have sole rights and controls over certain policies.' and so on and so on. Looks like he's rethinking our engagement."

Cagalli stared at Athrun and could not get a read on him. There was a hint of surprise (and maybe disappointment), but he was stoic for the most part. How does he feel about the prospect of no longer having a fiance?

"Are you okay with that?" Cagalli asked.

Athrun made a face that read confusion and surprise, as if he never have been asked the question before. And Cagalli assumed that he had not, because she knew that no one had asked her when it came to Yuna Roma Seiran.

"We've been engaged for so long now...I never thought about it. I accepted it because it is my duty to marry her. I do care about her—"

"But what does your heart want, Athrun?"

Again, he was taken aback. Cagalli took a step back. Her heart was racing again, and they were silent again. Suddenly, she did not want to know his answer.

"I forgot that I need to meet Miriallia for something," she said. "I'll catch you later." Quickly, she picked up her notebook and pen, and ran down the hall without looking back.

Sorry for making ya'll wait again.