Chapter 11: Playback's A Bitch
My reflection in the window is rigid, but my body feels limp as I sit with my legs crossed outside of the circle formed by Yumi, Takako, Haru-kun, Shimizu-sensei, and the rest of the Music Club. Inutaisho-sensei is sitting at his desk speaking quietly with Yuzuki-sama. Every so often he glances up at me for a moment.
"For the Cultural Festival we should do something similar to what we did last year, Yumi-senpai," Haru-kun states excitedly. "It was so much fun, and an honor, to perform with Shikon Academy's Alumni."
"Oh, please! Pretty please!" a first year begs with her hands clamped together. "I want to be on stage with the legendary Gal Trio!"
I wince at her last plea, but no one notices. I feel a searing headache rip through my brain as memories fight the myosotine; hacking away at lobes as it forces itself to play. The discussion before me becomes background music as I place my palm against my forehead to help sooth the pain. A division of the medicine finally falls, and pictures play in my mind.
The three of us—Yumi, Takako, and myself—stand in the middle of a dance room facing a wall of mirrors. Along the bottom of the mirrors sit several other students watching us as we practice a dance to an upbeat and poppy song. It begins with me sitting at a piano, playing the keys as I sing a solo. At the end of the verse the music picks up, I get up and head to the center to stand between Yumi and Takako. The three of us sing in unison and slightly dance along with a several people around us. We each have our own solo, and after the last chorus is finished our performance ends. Our spectators erupt in applause as we all bow down hand-in-hand. My reflection in the mirror holds a wide grin looking purely happy. Our kohai along the mirror chant our nickname as a cheer, "Gal Trio! Gal Trio!" We bow once more then swap places with some who were sitting down. We smile on as our peers begin their own rehearsal.
As the memory comes to a close, my headache subsides. I remove my palm and look up to see Takako eyeing me with concern. I shake my head and unscrew the cap of my water bottle. I wave goodbye to Yuzuki-sama as she leaves; wondering in the back of my head what her and Inutaisho-sensei talked about.
"We got a lot done to today!" Haru-kun exclaims.
"An entire outline of our section at the Cultural Festival. Finished!" a first year adds on.
"Next meeting we just have to fine tune the details," says a second year with a familiar face.
"Perfect," Yumi says. "So tomorrow discuss amongst yourselves what needs to be worked on. Takako and I will see all of you on Friday."
"Do you two have the time to do so? What about your classes at the University?" Shimizu-sensei asks.
"We have plenty of time to help out," says Takako reassuringly. "Besides, we have even more motivation now…"
I fiddle with my water bottle as the Music Club exits the room. Yumi and Takako stay behind and move into desks closer to me.
"Sakura, how are you holding up?" Yumi asks placing her hand over mine. "You don't look well."
"I'm fine," I look up at both of them. "It's just going to take some time adjusting."
"Would you like to join us for dinner at the restaurant we use to go to?" Takako asks me.
"No," I shake my head and ignore another searing headache. "I'm sorry. I just want to go home and lay down."
They nod in understanding and stand up. I decline their offer to walk with me to the train station, and I remain seated as they leave the classroom. I let out an exasperated sigh while burying my head within my arms on the desk. I let the memory of us at the restaurant play in my head and watch in anticipation of what will unfold.
The three of us are seated at a corner booth in the restaurant awaiting the arrival of someone special. It is strange not envisioning my leather clad gang, but I am curious to see what the bubbly group is up to. The girls laugh as we scroll through pictures in a digital camera of a school trip.
"Remember to send those to me, Sakura!" Yumi says before taking a sip of her milkshake.
"I want copies, too!" Takako says.
Before I can respond the door to the restaurant opens and two figures stroll in, a man and a woman. They make their way to the table and I feel my heart wrench as I make out their faces.
I bolt upright from having my head on the desk and quickly forage for the orange bottle in my bag. Once my fingertips circle the plastic, I yank it out and quickly pop off the cap. I throw one pill in my mouth and chomp down on it with hope that breaking it down with my teeth first will make it work faster. My face twists with pain from the memory and disgust from the vile taste of the pill. I gulp water until the bottle is empty. The bottle drops to the floor and my hands clamp around my head. I try my hardest to keep the sobs that threaten to rack my body at bay until the medicine kicks in. Just as I begin to hyperventilate I hear the screech of a chair being dragged to my left. Strong arms encircle my body and pull me against an equally strong chest. I feel fingertips stroke my back as the arm around my waist holds me tighter. The pleasant smell of Chrome fills my nose once my breathing calms down, and I look up to see Inutaisho-sensei.
His face is blank, emotionless, but when I look directly into his eyes I can see hints of compassion. In this instant, I feel comfort that I have not felt in a long time. I feel like I am not alone anymore. I feel warm. My head tilts down as I nuzzle into his chest. He does not pull away—like I thought he would—instead he places a hand on my head to hold me close. Somewhere along this event, a memory that threatened to tear me apart halts its playback. Maybe it plays in the back of my mind, but I am too distracted to pay attention. I am too busy reveling in Sesshomaru's embrace and breathing in his heady scent. His essence fills my lungs and warms my heart. I feel like a piece of him comes inside me with each breath, and it fills the empty holes that painfully ache to cave in.
I grimace when the pleasant feelings fade away as the myosotine kicks in. I press into his chest some more in hopes that I could chase back those feelings. They are out of reach when the drugs take full affect. I pull away letting out a defeated sigh, and I wish that I could feel the delight surface when his arms resist letting me go.
"Are you well now?" his calm voice asks me.
"Yeah, the medicine kicked in. I'm okay. What did you and Yuzuki-sama talk about?"
"That is a conversation for another time. I'll drive you home."
Hey guys!
Sorry this chapter is short. I just wanted to put something out since it's been over a week since my last update. I was hit on the head by a Writer's Block, so this is what little juice I managed to squeeze out...
But here's a soundtrack for the story! Please accept my peace offering :3
1. Never Get To Heaven - Sarah Blaine
2. Brick By Boring Brick - Paramore
3. Punching In A Dream - The Naked and Famous
4. Young Blood - The Naked and Famous
5. Toes - Lights
6. She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
7. State of Mind - Merril Bainbridge
8. Counting Stars - One Republic
9. Let Go - Frou Frou
10. Sirens - Cher Lloyd