DISCLAIMER: I Don't own Gundam Seed/Gundam Seed Destiny
Chapter 8
AN: Sorry for the really late updates. I'm really busy with research papers. So here is chapter 8.
…
Crap Athrun is here what is he doing here? While I was looking over my shoulder, Athrun hurriedly went back. I hope he didn't hear Ahmed's confession, well not that it matters though. I guess I'm just overreacting. Probably sure even if he heard it, he'd be glad, not like he likes me too right?
"Cagalli?" Ahmed was looking at me, while I was in daze and talking to myself.
"Cagalli!" He called my attention, while waving his hand on my face.
"Huh? Oh. Sorry I was just thinking about stuff." I responded
"So… what were you gonna say?" He asked
"Uhm…" I can't seem to find the right words to say. I don't want to reject Ahmed, but it would be worse to give him false hope. I'm not used to this kinds of situations, how should I respond, just as I was about to respond to Ahmed's confession. "Ahmed… the truth is that…"
"Cagalli!" Kira called me
Both Ahmed and I looked around. "We're about to finish packing are you guys finished?" Kira shouted
Seriously Kira could be obnoxious sometimes, can't he read the situation. He could've waited until we were finish at least.
"Be right there!" I shouted back
"Well it seems you guys have to go. How long does the ride to the city take?" He asked while scratching the back of his head looking down.
"An hour and 40 minutes." I told him
"Well I guess you better prepare. I better go it's nice to see you again. Hope you could visit again, soon." He told me, he was about to walk pass by me when I suddenly shouted "WAIT!"
Ahmed stopped.
"I'm sorry!" I told him " Listen, I don't want to give you false hopes or any of that sort. So I didn't say I need time to think, so rejecting you right now is probably the best option right now. I would rather hurt you now, than to let you be hurt for a longer time by waiting for so long. So, I would understand if this could possible ruin our friendship, because to be honest with you I couldn't see you more than just a friend."
Ahmed gave off a sigh of relief. "I thought you were going to say something really serious, but don't worry we're still friends. Plus I sort of already expected you'd reject me. It was really a huge relief I can finally let it all out. I've been hiding it for so long, that it's like a huge weight was taken out of my chest. Thank you for being honest."
I smiled, seriously this isn't the usual me. It was a nice experience being confessed by someone. It's a weird feeling, but at least the first guy who has ever confessed to me. This is the first time a guy and not a girl confessed. I remember in my old school I get lots of letters from fans and being called out but this one is different because it's from a guy I actually know so I'm not used to it. It's different because it's not a stranger. There's a relationship that could be ruined if I answered wrong. I'm glad we could still be friends but it'll probably be more awkward.
"So, is he the reason why you rejected me?" Ahmed asked
I was startled by the question, acting innocent pretending to not know he was referring to I asked back "Who is he?"
"You know, the blue haired guy." He replied
"You mean Athrun?" I said
He nodded.
"No! He isn't kind of. I mean I'm not sure about what I feel about him just yet. I don't want to jump to conclusions, plus he only sees me as a friend or worse his best friend's twin sister." I replied, my cheeks starting to blush.
"Well anyways, if you ever change your mind about him just text, call or email me. Okay? Tell me what's happening there and if I have time I'll make sure to visit you there." He reassured me
I smiled back, but before we went our separate ways I gave him a friendly hug. "Keep safe." I whispered.
"You too" He whispered back
…I was inside my room packing up my things. I think I forgot something. What was it again? Huh! I forgot to buy souvenirs for Milli, Shiho, and the Hawke sisters. So I scurried out of the room and down stairs, where I bumped into someone.
"Ouch! Dammit that hurts!" I started swearing cause my swollen foot hurts.
"Hey, are you okay?" He asked
It was Athrun, I just nodded.
"Does your foot hurt?" He looked concerned
"Yeah it still stings at times." I told him
"What's with the sudden hurry?" He asked
"Well I forgot to buy souvenirs for my friends so I was in a hurry cause we're gonna go in an hour or so." I said
"Then do you mind if I accompany you?" He offered
"Aren't you still packing your stuff?"
"I'm done." He smiled
"Okay but we have to tell Aunt Caridad first, they might get worried." I said
So we asked their permission, and they allowed me to buy as long as I'm not alone because I just got out of the hospital. They also said to go back before 3'o clock in the afternoon.
….
So we went to the central plaza, I was leading the way in the street as I was the more familiar one between the two of us. There were lots of shops, and boutiques that you can visit. What kind of souvenirs would those girls like? I'm not used to giving gifts to girls, because in my old school I was always the one receiving gifts from both friends and fans. What do girls like? Food, keychains or mugs? This is really getting depressing.
I kept on going in and out of different stores, I saw lots of possible souvenirs but I'm not sure if they'll like it. Athrun was always walking behind me.
"Aren't you planning to buy anything?" I asked him
He just shook his head no.
"Can I just ask you a question?" I said
"You are already asking me a question though." He teased
"Urgh! Idiot I was asking you permission." I explained
"I know just chill. What is it?"
"What kind of souvenirs would you give to friends who are girls?" I asked
He was rubbing his chin looking up. "I guess anything."
"More specific please." I told him
"To be honest if I was the one receiving a gift from someone I'd be happy no matter what it was. So just buy them what you think, they'd like." He suggested
And so with that I continued my search for souvenirs. Crap my foot is killing me. We've been walking for a while now an hour or more I guess. We have to go back soon, so I need to find gifts. Thankfully there weren't many people shopping so, we don't have to be extra cautious of our surroundings. The streets are wonderful it looked like a place in Europe. There are fruit stands in the sides, cafes, restaurants, and many people but not so crowded, just the right amount. There were people who sell jewelry on the sidewalk.
As I continued walking, finally I saw the perfect souvenirs. So I hurriedly entered a store. It was a store that sells all kinds of stuffed toys. The inside was pink, it was really cute, like a place that came out of some kind of Disney fairytale it was very magical inside. You can buy teddy bears, pigs, ducks, pandas and a whole lot more. I saw a huge penguin stuffed toy, that was probably 6 ft. tall, and really wide. It was so cute, it was larger than me. I wasn't gonna buy it, but I would've liked buying it. Maybe the next time, if I have money though hopefully it would still be available. How much is it though? So I asked one of the workers.
"Uhm excuse me Miss?" I approached her
She was wearing a pink striped pink maid French maid outfit. Her hair was in twin tails, and her hair color is reddish brown. She had a petite built and looks like she 5'4 in height.
"Yes? How can I help you?" She asked with a smile
"I just wanted to inquire how much this is. There seems to be no price tag." I was pointing at the penguin
"Oh that one, it costs 25,000 yen." She answered
"Oh thanks" I said
"Is that all Miss? Are planning to ask your handsome boyfriend to buy it for you as a gift?" She giggled
"Oh no!" I shouted "We're not like that, we're just friends. He was just helping me find souvenirs for my friends in the city." I explained
"Oh...I'm sorry for the misunderstanding Sir and Ma'am." She apologized
"It's okay, we're just looking around. Can I ask what would you suggest as a good souvenir for girls?" I asked
"Well I suggest…" She went to get something in one of the shelves. "This Ma'am." She held out a keychain. There was a miniature white bear wearing a shirt saying "Welcome to Fluffy Hugs."
"How much is it?" I asked
"500 yen Ma'am." She smiled
"I'll get four. Do you have any other designs or colors of this?" I inquired
"Yes we have different colors, and designs such as a panda version, monkey version, penguin version, duck version and dog version." She answered
"I'll get four different animals." So we proceeded in the cashier.
So after buying we were already on our way back and just have enough time before 3'o clock. As we were passing buy, I saw a bakeshop it was my favorite store to buy bread from. So I told Athrun.
"Athrun wait right here." I told him. So he waited outside as I bought my favorite custard bread. It had a sweet custard filling inside it was really sweet and good. I bought 5 pieces, and two bottles of water.
"Here, my treat." I offered a piece of custard bread and a bottle of water. As I was about to step near Athrun. My swollen foot hurt. "Ouch!" I Bent down, to look at it. It was looking bad. Athrun hurriedly went by my side.
"Does your foot hurt?" He looked concerned
"Yeah a lot, probably because we were walking around too much" I said
"It hasn't fully healed yet we walked so much. Let's rest first while eating. Can you walk properly or do you need my aid?" He offered
"Sure. There's a bench there. I think I can manage to walk properly from here to there, it's just a short distance anyways."
"Just to be sure, give me your arm." Athrun placed my left arm around his neck, he also carried the things I bought on the other hand. I was limping my way to the bench because I don't want to further damage my foot.
So once we reached the benches he carefully placed me down to sit.
"Let's eat first. Does your foot still hurt?" He asked
"Yeah a bit." I replied
"Let me take a look." So he bent down in front of me, while I showed my foot, it was looking really bad I pressured it too much that it's already purple.
"It's looking bad. Let me massage it. It will help soothe the pain a bit." He told me
"Are you nuts?! We're in a public place!" I shouted
"I don't care if were in public, I am more concerned about your foot than what other people think!" Athrun said in a stern voice. He was serious I could tell, he was.
"Whatever idiot! Do what suits you then." I pouted, I then took a bite of custard bread in my mouth. Athrun started massaging my foot.
I missed eating this. I used to always buy this whenever I have time after school before going home. I started groaning from pain, wincing even. It was hurting so bad.
"Does it hurt?" He asked while massaging
"Yeah but just keep doing it. It does help, sorry for being such a baby." I said
"Sorry too, I just wanted to help alleviate than pain of your foot. I'm almost done, just bear for a while more." He reassured me with a smile
I started to blush a bit a tint of red could be seen from my cheeks. Stop smiling with that sweet smile of yours. Any girl would fall for a guy like Athrun, he was nice, caring and all around perfect. Though why hasn't he gotten a girlfriend yet? I'm sure he had received thousands of confessions from girls, not to mention some were really pretty and popular. He's like a prince at school. Whoever the girl he will like or likes is really lucky. Whenever I ask why he would always beat around the bush, and change the topic. I guess that's one of the likeable traits he has, that he is mysterious. He also has his cute side, I like it when he blushes from embarrassment. I started to chuckle because I remembered the cute red embarrassed face of Athrun.
"What are you laughing about?" Athrun asked
"Nothing." I responded
"I'm done now." He gently placed my foot down and placed my sandal back. He then sat beside me, and got himself a piece of bread.
"This is really yummy. What's it called again?" He complimented
"It is right I like it, this bread is called custard bread, because of the custard filling inside. This reminds me of the past. I used to always buy this whenever I have time after school. It's not that expensive, but it taste like it is one." I shared "I also bought one for both Kira and Lacus, two for me and one for you."
"Glutton." He teased
"Hey! I am not, I just eat a lot but I'm not a glutton you jerk!" I glared at him
"I was joking, I like it when girls eat a lot." He said
I started to blush. "I bet you tell that to all the ladies, to swoon them."
"I only compliment girls who are special." He said
Crap I'm blushing again, but this time so hard. When Athrun saw my face he said.
"I meant by special only to girls who are my close friends you know." He said with a blush
"Oh." I was a bit saddened when I heard friend, crap Cagalli get ahold of yourself of course you guys are just friends, nothing more than that. Well at least we are friends.
"Of course I know what that meant, idiot." I started to laugh awkwardly.
It suddenly became silent. No one was talking, we were just silently eating bread, and drinking water, were both staring into space.
After we both finished. I initiated the talk. "So uhm, we better go they'll start to worry, if we go back any later it's already 2:45, so…"
"Yeah, we better. Can you stand?"
I tried to stand, it was hard I was bit shaky. It's hard standing with one leg.
"I can't, well I can but I don't want to further pressure my foot. Ugh! This is so depressing." I was pissed
"Hey, don't force yourself if you can't." He said.
"But if I don't walk how can we go back?" I asked
"Hmmm…", then he suddenly squat down. "Here I'll give you a piggyback then." He suggested
"What! That's so embarrassing. Much more than the massage! Dude stand up!" I commanded
"Cagalli I'm fine. Anyways this is the only way we could go back without you forcing yourself to walk."
"B-but…still NO!" I was starting to get pissed. Dammit stop blushing!
"Stop being stubborn Cagalli, we can't go back except we do this. Unless you want me to princess carry you." He smirked
"Urgh! This is so frustrating, okay. Okay, I'll ride on your back. God! You always get your way! A piggyback ride is better than a princess carry." I gave up "But don't blame me if your back hurts afterwards. I'm gonna warn you I'm pretty heavy." I warned him
"I'm okay, plus I'm probably sure having my back hurt, would be better than you having to suffer." He told
…
We were walking along the sidewalk. I can see people looking at us. I knew this was embarrassing. Geez, thank goodness no one I know is here, also it's good he can't see my face because it is red as an apple. My face feels so hot, my heart can't stop beating so fast, it's beating so loud, what if he hears it? I hope he doesn't though.
While being carried by Athrun I was clutching his shoulders to prevent not to fall. No one was talking.
"Hey are okay? Can you still carry me? I'm heavy right?" I asked
"No, you're not. In the contrary you're light as a pillow." He playfully teased
"Athrun can you stop that!" I said
"Stop what?" He was dumbfounded
"You know, you complimenting me. You know if you say those kinds of words to other girls. They would misunderstand." I explained
"But, I told you I only compliment my friends." He reminded
"But still…ugh I give up there's no use." I said
"Hey, what did you and Ahmed talked about?" He asked
"Huh?" I pretended not to know
"He called you out right?" He was referring to the confession
"He confessed" I answered directly
"Oh." He didn't seem so surprised
"Why don't you seem to be so surprised?" I asked curiously
"Cagalli, it was really obvious even without telling." He said in a Mr. Know it all tone
"Sorry for being dense then." I pouted
"So are guys dating now?" He asked
"I rejected him." I told him. I then explained my reasons, as to why I rejected Ahmed. After that no one talked once again.
So we continued walking back, I'm tired. So rested my head in Athrun's back for a while. I can smell his shirt, it was a comforting kind of smell, and I sneakily sniffed his hair. It smells like lemon and a bit of sweat probably because we are walking, and he's carrying me, under the blazing sun. I suddenly felt dizzy.
"Your hair smells like…lemons" I fell asleep afterwards
…
When I woke up, I was shocked.
"Mmm…" I yawned
"Sis you awake?" It was Kira
I just nodded, my vision was a bit blurry. So I didn't know where we were.
"Where are we?" I said with a yawn
"Were inside Uncle's car." He answered
"What? How?" I was talking silly
"Cagalli you fell asleep while you were being carried by Athrun." Lacus giggled
I can hear Lacus' voice. Where is she? I looked around. Oh there she bent a little. Oh so there she was beside Kira. We were hitting the road already. Uncle's car was a six seater car. Uncle was driving, my Aunt was seating beside the driver's seat. The four of us were at the back, I was sitting near the window in the left side, Kira was seating beside me, Lacus beside Kira, and Athrun at the other end. I'm probably sure the reason he seated beside me was so I won't be near Athrun just like what happened inside the bus.
The ride was smooth so in just an hour we were back in the city. Thankfully there weren't many cars so there was no traffic. Plus we rode the expressway. Along the way we made a few stops, for fuel and bathroom breaks. I also gave Kira and Lacus the custard bread I bought and the two were both delighted.
Two days after the trip with much rest my right foot was completely healed
.…...
The rest of summer I spent it mostly at home. Athrun and Lacus would sometimes visit, but mostly Athrun, he and Kira would usually hang out by playing video games, I join them sometimes and beat them most of the time. I sometimes invite the girls over to hang out and do stuff. Sometimes we have sleepovers. I go to their houses, we go to the mall. The usual normal teenage stuff.
On the last week of summer Miri texted me:
Have you finished your summer assignment?
I texted her back "Yeah, I'm done I finished it all last week."
She then called me afterwards.
"Hello Miri."
"Hey, Cags I just wanted to ask you to help me with my assignments. I haven't finished yet."
"Sure, but no cheating, I'll just help you out. How about tomorrow at our house? I'll also ask Kira for help." I explained
"That's great. Can I bring a couple of friends over there tomorrow?" She asked
"Okay, sure why not. It's just a few right?" I asked just to make sure
"Yeah it's just a few I promise." She swore
…
The next day
Mom and Dad were out. Dad went to work as usual, while mom was invited by a friend to go out and have some fun. So it was only me and Kira at home.
While I was surfing the net on my laptop, doing the usual, blogging, reading manga online and reading some books I have, when Kira knocked the door.
"Sis, open the door!" He was calling me
"Just wait!" I replied
So I stood up my from bed, and opened the door. "What's up?" I greeted
"Cags, is it okay if I leave the house to you?" He asked
"Why?" I had an arched eyebrow
"Just for a bit, I'm just going to pick up Lacus, and bring her here." He explained
"Okay. That all?"
"Oh are your friends coming over too?" He asked
I just nodded.
"Well Athrun will also come by later. So just tell him I went to pick up Lacus. I asked him to go buy snacks before coming here so. Just tell him to wait or stuff." He instructed
"Okay." I replied
After a few minutes after Kira went out, someone rang the doorbell. So I ran down stairs to see who it is. Whoever it was they're annoying they kept on ringing the doorbell.
"Okay I'm coming just wait!" I shouted getting annoyed
I opened to see who it was. It was Miri.
"Hey Cags." She greeted
"Hey!" I greeted back
She hugged me warmly.
"Come in." I invited her over.
"Guys come inside!" She shouted
It were Dearka, Shiho, Yzak, Luna, Shinn, Meyrin and Vino? Wait why is Vino here? Was he always part of the circle? Or I just never noticed. I had an eyebrow arched. Nevermind that. So I led them to the living room.
"So guys suit yourself. Sit wherever. I'm just gonna make some juice and bring down some snacks." I offered them
"Let me assist you." Shiho offered her help
So we went to the kitchen. I opened the cabinets to find snacks. All we had were chips and biscuits. So I get it all, and placed it all on a tray. I then opened the fridge to find anything that's healthier. I found some pieces of ham, cheese, tomatoes and lettuce. And seeing we still have two loaves of bread I decided to make sandwiches.
"Shiho can help me prepare sandwiches?" I asked her help
"Sure" She replied
So we both started making sandwiches. I first spread some mayo on one slice of bread, placed the cheese, then a piece of ham, a slice of tomato, lettuce, and the other slice of bread. I made five more so it was six all in all. Shiho made five pieces too. So after preparing we sliced the sandwiches in half in a triangular shape, so that there would be more and it would be in smaller pieces. I also made fresh squeezed lemonade from scratch, I filled up two pitchers of lemonade, the other one was left to be chilled in the freezer in case we need more. So, we served the chips, biscuits, and sandwiches with lemonade. We then started studying afterwards.
During the study session, Yzak was helping Shiho, other than me there was another person who was already finished with his homework, it was Yzak. Yzak was also one of the top students in class. So, I helped with history which is my specialty other than science, and math. I was teaching both Miri and Meyrin.
Because me and Yzak, can't help everyone at the same time, what we did, is everyone would help, by teaching others their specialty or what subjects they're good at. So while I was helping them with history, there was someone who rang the doorbell. So, I opened the door to see who it was.
It was Athrun. Oh yeah, I forgot Kira did mention Athrun would also drop by. He was holding in his left hand a plastic full of snacks.
"Hi, is Kira there?" He asked
"No he's still not here, he went to pick up Lacus from school." I told him
"Are you alone or do you have guest?" He asked
"Yeah, Miri and the gang are here. Come in and just join the rest of the group, we have a group study right now if you'd like you can help them." I suggested
"Them? You done?"
"Yeah, I finished everything last week. Miri called me yesterday for help, so yeah." I told him
"Well I'm also done, but I didn't bring mine, if I had known I would've brought it, so I can consult from you guys about the answers." He said
"Well you can ask me some you remember." I suggested
So, Athrun joined in, and after 30 minutes, Lacus and Kira arrived together. They bought cake, so now we have lots of food to eat. Rather than studying it seems more of like a party everyone was giggling, chatting and catching up asking what everyone did during summer.
Shiho told us that she and Yzak along with her family went on vacation abroad. Miri and Dearka went to go to an overnight hot spring. The Hawke sisters, went to their grandparents house in the mountains, during vacation. Shinn went snorkeling with his family, and Vino said he had a summer job, in a family restaurant, as a waiter.
Though the most shocking and interesting story, is that Vino and Meyrin are now a couple. They announced while we were studying, so that's why Vino was invited. Meyrin told us that Vino confessed to her before summer vacation started. At first she was surprised by the sudden action, even I was surprised because he wasn't giving hints about his feelings to her. She agreed to date him two weeks after while she was in the mountains. He was courting her via email, texts, chats, and calls.
Vino on the other hand told us how it all began and how he started to have feelings for her. He shared that is started when they still in middle school. It started when they were buying bread. When Meyrin lent her hand when he fell when someone accidentally pushed him, he said it was love at first sight. It was only until recently did he have the courage the man-up and have the courage to confess, and luckily he was successful.
After 4 hours of studying, eating, and all sorts of activities, at 5:00 P.M., everyone was finished with their assignments. It was more a group date, because everyone was coupled up except me and Athrun. That's why they were teasing us, saying we should just be together so that the next time it would really be a group date. But we both kept denying, saying we're just friends.
…
At last, it was finally the start of a new semester. Everyone was back, everything was gonna go back to normal. There were those who seem to have gotten a tan, there were some who changed their hairstyles, some guys got muscular and buff, and some girls either got thinner because of diet and exercise or fatter because of no exercise, and I was one of them.
After 30 minutes, Mr. La Flaga went inside the room.
"Welcome back you brats!" He greeted us
Sir La Flaga looked tanner and his hair got longer.
"So to start of the new school term, I would like to make an important announcement, because it is now the start of the second semester, we would have a change of seats, afterwards so say goodbye to your soon to be previous seatmates and hello to your new ones. This would be good because you guys will have a chance to meet and interact with others. The seat plan will be random, we will have raffle draw so that you will know your seat according to the number you had drawn. Other than that, I will also have an unexpected announcement. Today we have a transfer student. I would like you guys to meet…"
And just like that without us knowing, a storm was about to begin.
…
A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter like I said I'm sorry for having updates only once after a few months. I will try to update as soon as possible and if I can. Please do leave your comments and suggestion, by leaving reviews. And if you like it please follow and fave it. Thanks :).