*Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed/Gundam Seed Destiny

Chapter 3

After the swimming incident with Lacus, Kira persuaded her to visit the clinic, well knowing my brother he wouldn't probably stop bothering her until she would agree, and of course after countless attempts she finally gave in. Poor Lacus. That's why I'm going to go with Athrun after school today.

Flasback

"Cagalli, you better go home with Athrun today, I'm going to bring Lacus to the school clinic after school, so you guys go ahead of us. Tell Athrun not to worry cause I'll make sure that Lacus will be alright afterall, I'm going to make sure she'll go home fine. Oh, if ever they find something weird in Lacus I'll bring her to hospital and I'll immediately contact you guys." Kira told me after our biology class with Mr. Le Cruset.

"Sure, but Kira I think you're exaggerating about Lacus, I honestly think she's fine but you are right about brining her in clinic, but I don't think it would be something big that she needs to go to the hospital. I'll tell Athrun later, he's helping with returning equipments." I replied. We dissected a frog for class, and it was done by pairs, and it should be boys and girls together. It was actually funny cause I found it cute that Athrun was afraid of frogs, well not rally afraid but really disgusted of the creatures, that's why throughout the whole experiment, I was the one doing everything, and he was just assisting by giving me the tools needed and telling me what to do. I found it cute, that a guy like him to be like that, at least he has imperfections. When I was looking around the room I saw that almost in all pairs it's the guy who does the experiment, cause most girls can't stand even the though of being near frogs, though the most funniest pair I found was Kira and Lacus, well because both of them hate frogs. They had a hard time doing the experiment cause both can barely touch the frog, that I found it cute, that a guy like him to be like that, at least he has imperfections. When I was looking around the room I saw that almost in all pairs it's the guy who does the experiment, cause most girls can't stand even the though of being near frogs, Kira and Lacus, I really think they shouldn't have paired up in this experiment. They had a hard time doing the experiment cause both can barely touch the frog, that they even ask for my help, well they barely did the experiment cause they kept on bothering me, Kira is such a cybaby, he can't even act cool infront of Lacus, at least pretend to. That's why Athrun and Lacus suggested they both do the cleaning of equipments and returning, but because the equipments were heavy it was Athrun who did the returning of both materials.

End of flashback

...

I told Athrun that both Kira and Lacus won't go home with us today, and he just nodded. We were walking towards the station, it was just a short 15 minute walk from school to the station. Athrun wasn't talking nor speaking at all, he wasn't even looking back at me, he was just walking forward ahead of me, he was like that ever since he saved Lacus. All I can see from my view is his back, he's so distant but near. As we were walking, there was somehow a bazaar happening in the market near the station, I want to look around it seems fun. I better tell Athrun to go ahead of me, so I could still look around.

"Hey!" I called his attention, it took awhile before he responded, it's like he's not here but here, well his mind isn't.

"Huh?" He said

"Go ahead of me I'll just text Kira that you went ahead, I'm just gonna look around in the market there seems to be some kind of bazaar." I told him

"I'll go with you." He told me

"It's fine you seem out of it anyways, so just go home and rest." I replied

"No, I'll come, anyways if I leave you, you might get lost and Kira might kill me for leaving you behind." He explained

"Urgh, okay if it's okay with you. And you got a point my brother will go berserk if you told him that." I giggled

"Though who would've thought that you like this kinds of events." He smirked

"You got a problem with that?" I pouted

"No, it's just unexpected, you don't seem to be the kind of girl who likes this kinds of things, but don't of it as a bad thing I think its cute." He commented

I suddenly blushed, it's because of these kinds of things that women fall for you, idiot. Though he finally seemed to be back to the normal Athrun I know.

So, we went to the market, it had lots of stalls, some were clothes, foods, toys and a whole lot more, there were lots of people, there was even a live band. We, kept on walking for hours, there's so much to choose from, grrr...if I had known I should've saved more money, or at least ask my dad for an extra today, especially cause it's just a one day event. There were booths that have games, I saw I huge panda bear stuff toy, I love pandas they're so adorable.

"Athrun, wait!" I called his attention, he stopped and asked why.

"I wanna try my luck in getting that panda." I pointed in one of the booths

He just nodded, and we went to the booth.

It was a shooting game, we just basically have to shoot l targets and we win the panda. I should try this, I mean I'm good at this kinds of games in arcades. There are 20 targets, and the higher the number the harder shooting the target.

The man in the booth gave me a pistol gun, it's fake by the way.

"Okay, let's do this I feel so pumped up!" I cheered myself

"Goodluck." Athrun cheered me

He even gave me advice to keep my eye on the target and when the target is already in range, that's when I shoot. How does he know this kinds of stuff? Oh well, if ever I get the price I'm gonna treat him, as thanks.

So, when the first 6 targets came it was still easy, but starting from seven it was getting harder. The targets move around too much, that's its hard to focus. The first try I only made it up to level ten, I tried again for five times, I didn't want to give up easily without even trying. Crap, I don't have enough money. I want to ask Athrun. He must've noticed so he said

"Let, me try." He got the gun and paid the guy on the booth 50 bucks

"Are you sure?" I asked

"Just watch me." He said confidently

He shot the first target, without a sweat. He, shoots good. It's as if he's used to using guns. He, got pass level 10, I barely passed that, my highest was 15. He, then got pass 15, then 16. Until the last one. People where staring at him, well mostly women. He looked really cool while using the gun, wait why am I staring at him again? But he really is good. He got the beat level 20!

"Congratulations, mister! Can I know your name?" The man asked

"Uhm, it's Athrun." He replied shyly

The man gave him the big panda, and said "Here is your prize are gonna give this to your girlfriend?"

Athrun blushed, "Uhm, were not like that." I said while blushing

"But you guys totally looked like a couple, I mean the guy looked determined to really get the prize." He told me

"She's not my girlfriend, were not anything like that, were just friends." Athrun denied

Heartbeat

Ouch, it hurt again. It happened again after he said that why? Athrun approached me, and gave the stuff toy, "Here, you can have it, you wanted it anyways."

"Thanks." It suddenly stopped hurting after he gave me the toy, I smiled at him, he was blushing and can't look at me directly. He looks cute embarrassed.I giggled, at his gesture.

"So, want to eat something before going home?" He asked

I looked around and saw a store that sells crepes, "How about crepes my treat." I said

"No, it's not proper that a girl will pay for a guy, and you don't have enoug money right?" He refused my treat

"But...I want to thank you for the panda." I said

"No, plus that toy is nothing, think of my treat as my way of thanks for biology class awhile ago. You did all the work, while I practically did nothing." He insisted

"Okay, I give up, sure but because you keep on insisting I'll buy the most expensive one." I teased him

"Sure." He suddenly pinched both of my cheeks

"Hey! That hurt!" I complained

He just patted my hair, "Sorry, so what do you want?"

"How, about mango cheesecake." I answered

"So you like that one too?" He told me

"Yeah, whenever we eat crepes and they have that one on the menu I choose that flavor." I said

"Same, I also like that one, but Lacus likes the strawberry craze one, she likes everything pink." He said

You, talked about Lacus again "You really know what Lacus likes, you guys have known each other since right?"

"Yeah, we've been together since we we're young, well our parents know each other ever since we were born, they even thought of marrying us when we grow up." He said while smiling

Do you always smile whenever it involves Lacus? Pang, it hurts again.

"So why didn't you?" I suddenly blurted out

"I'm gonna order now,so we can go home earlier it's getting late and I'm sure Kira is worried about you." He suddenly ran off, escaping the question again. Whenever it comes to stuff like these you always escape the question, just like that time on the train.

After a few minutes, Athrun returned having two crepes in his hands.

"Here, which one would want?" He asked

"Uhm, either of the two, it's the same flavor anyways." I replied

"Here, this has a bigger scoop of ice cream. Is there a problem? You look sad?" He asked with concerned eyes

"It's nothing I'm okay. Thanks by the way" I replied with a fake smile

We then sat down in a bench, and ate our crepes silently no one talking. Why did it become silent and awkward all of a sudden is it because I asked that stupid question?! I should a conversation, Cagalli think, oh yeah the gun!

"Hey, Athrun, you were really good with handling the gun awhile, it's like you're a pro at it." I blurted out

"Oh, well it's because ever since I was 13 my dad started teaching me how to use guns, he said it's for self-defense purposes, thats why ever since, once in while we would go play paintball. So, that my shooting skills would be trained." He shared

"Oh, that's cool. Why does your dad want you to learn how to shoot? Are planning to join the military or something?" I asked curiously

"Well, it's not that I plan to join military or something but if I do my dad would be happy. It's because my dad is in the military, he's a general there." He told me

"Wow, I never knew that? So does he train you like a soldier or something?" I asked again

"Well, at times yes, he we do morning training when he's home. He's very strict at exercises. Though even when he's not around I still do morning jogs and sit-ups, just so I can maintain a healthy lifestyle." He said

"So, that's why no wonder you have such a well-built body, it's toned and you have abs. Now, I know why your fangirls at class kept on staring at you, wanting to pounce any second during P.E. class." I teased him

He just blushed "They were?!" looking so shocked

"You're so naive, I'm pretty sure if I hadn't told you that you would still be clueless and so defenseless, that any minute now they might have raped you. Poor little Athrun." I was teasing him again sticking my tongue out

He just pinched my cheeks again, "This suits you better." He was teasing me

"Stop it Athrun!" I commanded him

He just laughed, then let go of my cheeks. "What's so funny?" I asked

"You, you're funny" He told me

"Then..." I suddenly pinched his cheeks back, but harder "Look, you're smiling I wonder how your fans will react when they see this."

He was pinching my cheeks again, we were both pinching each other, then broke up the fight by laughing at other. The awkwardness and silence finally disappeared. He, finally smiled. It suits him better smiling rather than that pained face he has.

...

After eating crepes we went home, it was bad timing cause we were caught up in th evening rush hour, just like in the morning. We were stuck in the hot, sweaty and smelly sea of people, inside of the train. It's like were canned sardines. We were once again of close proximity to each other, just like before, being crushed by people, though the only thing the separates me from him, is this huge panda bear, I was holding it while Athrun shielding me from perverts.

"Are you alright?" I asked

"Yeah." He said with a reassuring smile

Whenever I'm with him I feel safe, and it's so comfortable, it's like I can tell him anything.

We reached home at around 7:35 pm. As usual he walked me home, he insisted in holding the bear, it was really huge that the whole walk home, people kept on staring him, no not because of his looks but this time its because while he was walking it looks like a giant teddy bear walking. It was so funny, I can see him blush red, that I can see it evident in his ears. Though I kept on saying I could just carry it, he kept on refusing and saying it's a guys job to hold such things. I'm pretty sure that to whoever the girl who gets his heart I'm sure she would be very lucky, to have a guy like him. Though I probably guess who holds it, I know he would want to do it, to do it for her but because there's someone else in her life to do it for her. It must hurt to control it. I was looking at him, thinking such thoughts.

We were already in the gates in my house when...

"Here we are." He said

"Hey, Athrun can I ask you something?" I sudden thought came to me

"What is it?" He turned to face me

"What do you think of Lacus?" I asked him looking at his eyes intently, I don't know why I asked this question but I just did

He was shocked by the question, he became silent for a while. "What, do you mean?" he said

"I mean what do you see her as?" I explained

I can see that he wanted to escape the question, to beat around the bush. "Well, uhm I see her as a sister that I have to protect." He told me. I know that he was lying, I can feel that it wasn't his honest answer, how do I know, it's because he can't look at me directly while he said it.

"Liar" I whispered softly to myself

"Did you say something?" He asked

"No, nothing well I better go! See you on Monday!" I suddenly ran off

"But..." He was about to say something but because I hurriely, went inside I wasn't able to hear it.

I hurriedly went inside and slammed the door hard "Idiot." I said to myself

I placed my shoes in the rack and shouted I'm home, then hurriedly the three ran infront of me.

My mom suddenly hugged me "Uhm, Hi?" I said

"Cagalli we were worried, we thought something happened to you." My mom cried

"Did you know what time it is now, young lady?!" My dad was angry

"Cagalli, what happened? I was about to call the police, and have a police search already." Kira said in a panic

"I'm fine guys, geez Kira seriously a police search!" I said to him

So, I explained to them that I was with Athrun all along, that we went to the bazaar, and we lost track of time, then on our way home, we were caught up with the big wave of people, cause it was the rush hour already. Then, they finally calmed down.

"You should've texted me." Kira said

"I was about to but I forgot, cause I was enjoying the bazaar." I explained

"Then you should've at least replied back to our messages and answered back our calls. You almost gave us a heart attack from worry and panic." My mom told me

I checked my phone and found 10 missed calls and 50 messages in my inbox from my parents and mostly from Kira. "I'm sorry I promise it won't happen again." I apologized

"Well, at least you learned your lesson. Have you eaten?" My dad asked

I just nodded, "Then just rest, I bet you're tired from your journey." My mom suggested

"Where did you get that panda anyway?" Kira asked

"Oh, that Athrun won it in a shooting game." I answered

My cooed me and said "So, is Athrun your boyfriend now?" she asked

"Mom! We're nothing like that! Besides..." Oopps that was close

"Besides what?" Kira looked curiously, I escaped the question and left the room and hurriedly went upstairs in my room with the panda, took a quick bath and then changed into my pajamas. I lie down my bed, looking up the ceiling, I placed the panda near the window. I walked to the panda. "I'm gonna call you Athrun."

I'm gonna use this panda to vent my frustation, I punched the panda slightly and said idiot while sticking my tongue out.

"You, know I know you might like Lacus, so why haven't you manned up all this years and say your feelings. Now you're an idiot, hurting clueless women, but most of all hurting yourself by not being honest." I suddenly felt sad, what am I doing talking to a stuffed toy, it's not gonna respond anyways. Why do people who like or love someone sometimes end up hurting someone or end up hurting themselves. Just like those in manga and books I've read that are romantic. Is love really that complex? Maybe I can't answer that right now cause I have never personally experienced it first hand, but maybe in the future I might. After that I fell asleep.

The me at that time didn't know that I will experience it soon. And all along I thougt people who are in love are idiots, but who knew I would be one of them a fool in love.

A/N: Thanks to those who gave a review in the previous chapter. I hope you guys liked this chapter please do look forward for the next chapters.