Reality's Dream
Chapter 3: Wishing for a Sugar Induced Coma
"Gah! What is Mr. Douran trying to do? Make my brain explode? That quiz was abominable!" Sakura grumbled as she sat down at the cafeteria table across from Syaoran and Tomoyo as Chelsea and Takashi sat alongside her. The recent storm had broken leaving crisp blue skies and weak sunlight that filtered through the windows. "Of course I bet you had no troubles 'Mr. I am a Math Whiz." Sakura directed toward Syaoran who took no notice. At the moment he was gazing at Tomoyo who then shyly looked his way. Their eyes met and little smiles appeared on their faces before they looked away a faint red painted on their cheeks.
Sakura meekly tried again, "Tomoyo how about you?"
Tomoyo shook herself slightly before responding, "About what?" Then she snuck another little glance at the person beside her. Repeating the met gazes and bashful aversion.
"Never mind," Sakura said her voice drained as she pushed herself away from the table. "I'm gonna go get some soda or something," Leaving behind a perplexed table.
Sakura didn't want to be so rude but she had a feeling what the rest of lunch was going to be like and witnessing the budding romance was not on her list of must sees. At the vending machines she turned back to watch her abandoned group, sighing at the sight of Syaoran and Tomoyo flirting even if it wasn't obviously, she knew both too well recognizing every little sign they gave of attraction. How she was going to survive when their relationship grew was a mystery considering how hard it was at this moment. What would she do if they started to hold hands or call each all those lovey dovey nicknames or even god forbid started kissing in front of her?
"It's hard isn't it?" A soothing voice whispered.
Sakura jumped slightly at finding the tall teen beside her. Eriol Hiiragizawa had dark hair that reflected midnight blue in certain lights along with piercing cerulean eyes that had a mischievous twinkle lurking in the corner. "What's hard?" Sakura asked eyes still on the couple in the distance.
"Watching the one you love be with someone else." Eriol stated simply.
Sakura gasped slightly as her eyes snapped to his searching but unsure of what she saw. "You know." She smirked slightly. Did everyone know her feelings except the one who deserved to know?
Eriol merely placed his hand on her shoulder giving it a friendly squeeze.
"Must be tough for you too." Sakura said remembering, "I mean with Tomoyo and all."
"Actually not so much anymore." This surprised Sakura, sparking curiosity. "I had it bad for Tomoyo. But when it became clear she was interested in someone else I kinda gave up on being with her. I grew to accept that it was not meant to be and moved on"
"You must think I'm pretty dumb don't you?" Sakura asked smiling wryly thinking of how long she had harbored these feelings for one who had no idea.
"Not at all." Eriol smiled back. "Actually I quite admire your strength at holding onto hope. Even though the future looks bleak you still keep faith that things could change."
Sakura looked closer at Eriol surprised at his words yet again as they sparked memories of Yelan's words from the previous night. He had been in her life since freshman year, a middle school friend of Syaoran, but somehow he had always faded into the background as her entire vision was engulfed by Syaoran. But now Sakura could see the warm and thoughtful young man and his kind supportive words. How she ached for comfort, for someone to ease the pain. And here was someone, a friend, who understood her situation.
They stood there, smiling in silence as if both realizing in that moment that their lost loves were going to bring them closer, a friendship growing from a common suffering. A promise rose in Sakura's mind, "Eriol I have a favor to ask and I would completely understand if you say no but could you…" She wavered unsure of whether or not to continue.
"If I would come with you to help Syaoran in his little romantic escapades?" Eriol asked as if reading her mind.
"How did you know?" Sakura stuttered absolutely flabbergasted.
"I'm psychic of course." Eriol stated proudly. Sakura gave him a side long glance raising an eyebrow. "Okay," He conceded. "I just know Syaoran. He always turns to you for help. And considering how this is his first date ever he's gonna need all the help he can get." Sakura gave him another glance still not convinced. "Alright. Alright. I may have stupidly suggested he bring along a wing man but I had meant me. But being the idiot I am I forgot how completely he relies on his best friend. For that I am sorry."
"It's not your fault. You were just trying to help a friend. Besides maybe it will help me to realize that there's no hope. And," She paused before continuing. "Maybe it will help to have a friend there to support me." Sakura looked hopefully at Eriol and was glad to find his comforting blue eyes looking down at her promising to be there for her.
After a moment Eriol suggested, "So are you ready to face the awkward lovebirds yet?"
"Sure. But let me get a soda first. And maybe a chocolate bar. Maybe if I consume enough sugar I can slip into a coma." The two chuckled simply at the idea knowing Sakura could consume massive amounts of sugar and it wouldn't even faze her. 'Laughter helps to lighten a load.' The phrase bounced around Sakura's mind. "Damn," She cursed when the vending machine ate her dollar but did not relinquish the metallic can filled with liquid sweetness.
"Here." Eriol then delivered a swift kick to the machine and several cans rattled to the opening. Bent down and retrieved them offering to Sakura, "Milady, your beverage."
Sakura giggled and thanked Eriol as they headed back to finish off the lunch, Sakura feeling more prepared then she had since the moment she had realized Syaoran wanted Tomoyo.