Chapter 48: Why not me, Hiromi?

~I've been so scared of getting hurt that I crave nothing but loneliness.

…

"Dance with me." He softly whispered. She couldn't help but blush and he smirked seeing her face. So sweet of that… blush?

She nodded looking at him gently, mixing her gaze in his.

Escaping nights without you with shadows on the wall
My mind is running wild tryin' hard not to fall

He twirled her and she rolled softly, getting the pre-warmth of their dance. His fingers gently tapped starting from her shoulder to wrist, while they continued beating softly their feet on the floor. She felt embarrassed when she mistakenly hit his right foot. He was for a second taken aback but immediately smirked.

You told me that you love me but say I'm just a friend
My heart is broken up into pieces

He was picking the beat perfectly. He wanted to sing the song so bad. While she wasn't able to distinguish his tune with the real one, she absolutely adored his expressions as he chorused the lyrics. She received an expecting euphoria, as she swiftly twirled twice with her index finger held in his hand. She was grateful she had abandoned skirts for two years back. He pulled her suddenly giving a casual turn and twists across her shoulders.

'Cause I know I'll never free my soul
It's trapped between true love and being alone

She was surprised as he recited that line feeling his anguish for a few past days when she had abandoned him. She felt slight remorse take her over thinking about it again. She rolled along the length of his arm backwards and then towards him. She was lost in him, watching him intensely over and over. No matter how many times she had to stare him, it never seemed enough, she always wanted more. The very next time when she rolled back, again, she didn't move when his chin rested on her shoulder singing softly.

When my eyes are closed the greatest story told
I woke and my dreams are shattered here on the floor.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she envisaged them getting a heated kiss like before. She florid flustered at the thought but cooled down when she realized that he was suddenly Backleading her. That's considered as a bad habit, Tyson. She fastened, and regained her composure matching with him. He only gave a brief nod before continuing.

Why oh why tell me why not me
Why oh why we were meant to be

At this, he was mumbling the rhythm a little sadder, not really seeing her, rather she was studying him as subtly as she could. Before she could comprehend what move he was about to pull up, she heard him:

Baby I know I could be all you need

I wanna love you
If you only knew how much I love you
So why not me

He bent forward catching her in a sweet contra body movement balancing her waist with his strong wrists. He leaned a little, giving a small smiling and returning to ther previous postions. She only gave an admirable smile in return and he smirked back.

The day after tomorrow I'll still be around
To catch you when you fall and ever let you down
You say that we're forever our love will never end
I've tried to come up but it's drowning me to know

The way he sang those lines made her heart both jolt and flutter. She reasoned why she without any hesitation agreed to his generous offer for a few things. Like staying in his room, accepting his dance offers for twice, leaving the very first one. Maybe that was because of his never faltering loyalty. Was it? She wondered about it till a few minutes before their little tryst dance ceased and he gently left her hands. Suddenly they were involved in an uncomfortable silence and rubbed her fingers against each other.

"Uhm Tyson?"

He responded looking at her.

"Thanks…I guess, that was a sweet little dance."

"Ahha," he shrugged in defiance, "Thanks to you Hil. So did you enjoyed? I mean, I thought you might enjoy this on your birthday."

"Yeah I did. I really couldn't forget any of our dances. I'll always treasure them Tyson." She said chirpily.

"Good!" he chuckled a little before lifting her wrist, "Let me check what the time is?"

"Hahha."

"Not so funny. I mean, you'd always keep it wearing."

"Sure. C'mon let's move down. Others might be wondering about us?"

"Why? Are you feeling claustrophobic in my room?" He smirked.

"Cut the crap." She scowled.

He grinned to himself and walked out. It was the nicest day. The sky wasn't grey, the breezes were hot and nothing was really beautiful.

It was silent downstairs. As she walked downstairs watching Tyson's happy beaming quiet face, she realized something beautiful. All of her worries seemed faded, every part of her soul smiled.

'Cause you found me

And I found you

And when you're next to me, I never wanna move.

Was I supposed to know that I needed you the most?

Tyson's self couldn't be more proud than this that he had made up with her. This time, which was the toughest? Having her by his side was all that was enough for him, right now. Having her smile for him, care for him, having her being happy cause of him was that entire he had got more than he craved.

And I know that I'm gonna be alright

"Cause I've you by my side.

And 'cause you really smile

Knowing that I'm alright

It's just all I wanna have,

And I know I won't be sad

And that's how things were supposed to run, soft and smooth, and surprisingly it did happen. They were no longer turmoil by emotional feelings tested upon her. She wouldn't contemplate for it; she would more focus on her studies and was getting better over life. They didn't question if she left, didn't appear for a few days; probably they thought she would periodically need her pace and that breaks would keep her keep going. Likewise, her cooking got better day by day.

She had become close to Kai than before, they would talk, never about the things that would make her nervous, but of future plans, her ambition and what countries she would like to go. As far as blading was concerned, she had admitted to the dual haired, that she had planned initially to give it a try but since she's not sure she'd be having time to pursue it, she has given up. Moreover, she was actually a nervous wreck when it came down to learning it, sensing the taunts and the shouting she would be facing. To quote her exact words,

"You think that idiot would shout on you?"

"Ha, not really, he really wouldn't even cast a glance of anger on me. I know that, and even I know you can train me better than him, seriously." Hilary proudly said to Kai.

He quirked an eyebrow to judge if she was serious.

"Don't look at me that way, I'm serious, but just don't bring it to him. That idiot is stills naïve, though he doesn't show." She gave an unsure smile, "He just pretends that he is okay."

"I know."

…

Max was never more than friends with Miriam, their relation was mystery to everyone. Though he liked her company, he wasn't just ready for a relationship yet. He preferred to be with his team and strengthen their friendship more. He still felt the absence of honesty and more facades, less trust and weakening of true bonds. As for him, his true buddy still remained the blunette.

Ray had moved on and smiled more frequently. He had met Mariah once, but it was just too formal and nothing had affected him. He just knew t too well that for whatever had happened, it was his fault, not Mariah's that she left him. When Salima said it, he definitely believed it.

He declared he would move on, and that simply suggested, he would no longer stay with them. He wanted to move and identify the true purpose of his life, which means he won't be there for any upcoming tournaments and matches. When requested by Tyson and Max, he said he would always come back whenever they needed him but he didn't change his mind.

Again coming back to Hilary, her relationship at least with Kai was much defined and had demarcated boundaries and she was comfortable with it, knowing that there was no compulsion on her. Many of the times, she just wished if her heart would fall for him, she would never has to see that pain she has caused him through the year since that day, but finding no change in her feelings for him, she remained neutral. No matter how she was, how much she cared for anyone, Kai would be always be there for her even when she doesn't know if she needed him. He would be a good company, a good friend, a comforter a person to confide in.

Unlike him, her feelings for Tyson had multiplied as the time progressed, which had no boundaries and limit. She just failed every time to define and shape it. It was vast and endless and included everything. She found it hard to even talk to him, it just seemed so right to be with him to the closest distance and a little separation would hurt her. She never felt this for anyone else and she knew that she had started developing feelings for him since long back and realized recently. However unsure of Tyson's feelings, she backed her thoughts, she knew he cared for her endless, was her best friend, but she wasn't sure if he felt the same way the way she did. After what all he had done, she still thought those acts as signs of deep friendship. Time came when she found hard to stay away from him even for few hours. If anyway, he skipped the college, she would feel extremely restless and wait ardently for the day to end up. When she said to Margot that perhaps she has feelings for him, Margot only advised her to consider her decision wisely once more and do whatever she want with careful steps and not to break either of their hearts and hers.

Since then, she had been holding on hard for her feelings, not wanting any more heart breaks. Their finals were arriving and after they were done, she had planned to move onto another city. She assumed her feelings and memories to last till these critical years of teenage and if she holds back from taking any decision now, many heart breaks will be avoided. She hasn't declared it but had planned it since then- She would move to another city after their exams.

It became harder and harder for her to each day watching him, seeing him smile to her, comb her hairs when she would be tired, making her hot soup when she caught cold, smelling him all through his room when he wasn't there; she just felt she would explode one day her feelings.

She knew that her little admission of her feelings would cause lots of havoc, and she didn't want to destroy the prevailing peace. No longer she felt insecure around him but missed him when he was away.

Very soon, their finals came with the commence of autumn and they had studied together day and night, helping each other This included every one of them and they usually slept in the hall itself. One part of the hall was transformed to study room, where small benches were brought and the other was free- containing folded sheets and pillows in one corner. It gave her mentally, a break from thinking too much of Tyson.

On the other hand, the blunette never knew if she felt for him. He just stated quiet like everyone else did. He had confined his feelings deep inside and from outside, they were just best friends.

During their exams, they studied aloof, trying their best not to disturb each other and praying hard for good results. That's all how the final month of their high school ended.

"These exams were best of my whole life and I doubt if ever I'll study this hard next time." Tyson said on the last day of the exams.

"Maybe you won't." The brunette said back.

Who will be there for you to keep on shouting and telling you to study after I'm gone…?

There was still a weak for their results and that kept Hilary with them still, together. It all went good until one day when everything seemed irreparable.

A/N: I was actually thinking to add quotes in the beginning of each chapter but that depended always on my mood. This was my status a few days back and I really meant it. So how was the quote, or say, most importantly, how was the chapter? I know, it was little faster in comparison with past chapters but I needed to do that. So we have just four more chapters? Anyone crying out there? Or excited? xD Thank you so much for all of your reviews and your support and reviews through these final chapters and it means a lot. We will have an Interview session after this story ends and sadly it will be on for the authors who are logged in with FC because I will be sending you questions and there will be our three protagonists there. It will mostly be by the end of 2K18!

I'm sorry that I'm not quite active on FC these days but life changed, life really changed and I've been exposed to a complete opposite and insecure ambience like I've never been before so it took time for me adjust me feelings and me and that was huge change in this innocent life that was always tedious, busy and studious. If I've not read your stories yet, it's because of my busy schedule and not getting time to open up phone for reading stories. But I WILL read your stories and very soon, hopefully. I'm sorry if anyone is hurt or felt disinclined by my not reading your stories or brief reviews, not replying to PMs or anything. I love you all, my friends and authors here and you mean a lot to me. :D

Just to end up this note, I would share this self-composed quote, "In this serious and profound moment of infatuation, I've been losing myself but my persistence of bearing this hurt and patience have saved me from probably ever-lasting regrets."

REvIEw!