Reality's Dream
Chapter 6: Not So Random Conversations
Tomoyo rushed to her room quickly jumping into bed and grabbing the phone on the bedside table bursting to talk to a friend.
The one called picked up on the third ring with a muffled, "Hello?"
"Sakura, it's Tomoyo."
"Hey," Sakura replied and Tomoyo could have sworn she heard a sniffle.
"Are you feeling alright?" Tomoyo questioned.
"Just a little sleepy," Sakura fibbed. "No worries. So what did you call about?" Though neither really had to guess. Tomoyo was never the one to call in the middle of the night for a random phone conversation. She had something specific on her mind and Sakura had no doubt it concerned a particular brown eyed lover boy. Sakura braced herself for what lay ahead hoping it would not knock her asunder.
"I just cannot believe I went out on a date with him! I mean me of all people!" Tomoyo gushed going all starry eyed at the memory while Sakura puzzled.
"What do you mean 'you of all people'? Who else would it be?" Sakura asked.
Tomoyo quieted down for a moment. "In truth for a while I thought he had a thing for someone else but I turned out to be wrong." Sakura still did not understand what in the world Tomoyo was saying but decided to give up trying. "But Sakura I…well…"
"What?" Sakura asked hearing her friend struggle to say something.
"Well, Syaoran didn't kiss me. Not even goodnight. I mean I was fully prepared. I brushed my teeth and had gum and mints in my purse and nada. He hugged me good night. Do you think he's having second thoughts? Or doesn't really like me? Or? …Sakura are you there?" Tomoyo ceased her rambling realizing Sakura was no longer responding.
Sakura was shaken from her thoughts as she tried to stamp out the little spark of hope Tomoyo's doubt had ignited in her. Taking a deep breath she contemplated the situation before saying, "The thing about Syaoran is when it comes to girls he can be rather shy."
"Shy!" Tomoyo exclaimed. "He's got like a bijillion girls drooling over him and he's shy?"
Sakura was trying to find the nice way to phrase what she was about to say next, "See Syaoran has well never really gone out with any other girl before so he has no real experience."
Tomoyo was dumbfounded. "How is that possible?"
"Well considering he went head over heels for you freshman year he hasn't really paid any heed to any other girls, so this is something completely new to him thus he feels awkward." Sakura finished explaining with a little edge to her voice, she just wanted this conversation to end so could go to bed and escape this nightmare of reality in the dream world
Tomoyo sat in silence for a moment letting this information sink in. She had no idea Syaoran had so little experience or that he would be timid. He always seemed so cool and confident, always sure of himself and his actions. The mere idea of him being self conscious was mind blowing. All Tomoyo could manage was an, "Oh."
"So don't worry. Just let things happen as they may. Syaoran likes you so just have faith in that." Sakura advised wondering how many times she had either been told or told others to have faith. It seemed to be the phrase of the day, or week really.
"You're right, I'm just being silly. Thank you Sakura. You are such a good friend." Tomoyo praised which somehow did not have the effect of lightening Sakura's mood. Would never guess why.
And with that the two girls said good night and hung up. Sakura sighed, no doubt in her mind that she'd probably be having a similar counseling session with Syaoran the next school day. She was just glad she was busy with a Biology project this weekend so she would have an excuse not to face Syaoran until she steadied herself. Being the go-between of the two lovebirds was strenuous. Could they not see how much pain it put her through? But no, for their happiness she would put on a cheery face and urge them to be together. 'What did I do in life to deserve this?' Sakura absently thought as she drifted off to a fitful slumber.
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"So what did I miss?" A brash voice announced her presence to those seated at a cafeteria table.
"Meiling!" Squawked Sakura. "You're back!"
"In the flesh," Meiling teased squeezing in between Sakura and Takashi who currently was orating on the origin of cafeteria mystery meat. Apparently it has been around for eons when Druids used to use it as a scrying device. "Hm, interesting seating arrangement we have going," She murmured.
"Well…yeah…"Syaoran started and then stopped in awkward silence. Usually Syaoran sat next to Sakura and Tomoyo next to Eriol. Meiling noted the blushing mute couple, the withdrawn girl and the boy beside her deep in thought on how to draw her out. 'I leave them for a week and they get themselves into a mess. Figures.' She thought.
"I'm just playin." Meiling said. "Ahhh so good to be free!"
"That's what you get for pants-ing Josh during the assembly. Though I have to admit he deserved a lot worse." Rika commented.
"But a week of lunch duty," Meiling whined. "That was a bit over the top. Ms. Hodds takes discipline to a whole new level. I tell you I've seen things in that kitchen that would make you swear off food for the rest of your life."
"Which would be a very short time considering how we need food to survive." Eriol said making everyone laugh.
"Speaking of sustenance I should go get some. Sakura do you wanna come with me for chips or ice cream?" Meiling asked.
"Nah, I'm good." Sakura declined missing the looks Meiling was trying to send her.
'Oblivious as usual.' "I'm sure there is SOMETHING you need Sakura." Meiling insisted as she pulled a befuddled Sakura away.
"But I don't need any more food," Sakura protested as they moved to the vending machines.
"My cousin's an idiot," Meiling commented as soon as they were out of earshot and began scanning the selection.
"I beg your pardon?" Sakura questioned not sure how to take that statement.
"My cousin is too thick to see what lies in front of him. But that's most males for ya." Meiling then turned back to look at the table. "They're not right together."
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked slightly playing dumb. She could get what Meiling was hinting at but was afraid to jump to conclusions.
"Look at them, the energy is all wrong. There is no fire, no depth. Just to let you know, I don't think they will last very long." Meiling asserted.
"SO what if there is no fire," Sakura protested. "Then they have more chance to thrive because there is no threat of being burned. And depth, that can be fixed over time as they learn to trust one another."
"Syaoran trusts you Sakura," She said simply.
Sakura shook her head trying to fight another sprig of hope. 'Why is it whenever I feel like giving up someone tells me to keep fighting?' she thought before saying, "I realize your trying to cheer me up, I don't even know how you know, but Syaoran and Tomoyo like each other. And that's that. Besides Syaoran would never see me that way." And with that Sakura headed back to the table.
Meiling hated having to push Sakura's buttons but she needed to know that as much as she loved Tomoyo, Sakura belonged with Syaoran. Now if only her blasted moronic cousin could open his damn eyes and see that. But Meiling realized Syaoran probably never would until it was too late. 'He'll never realize the value of what he has until it's taken from him. And by then…who knows.' Meiling just prayed that it turned out all right in the end.
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A/N:Thank you to all who reviewed. Losing over 500 makes you grateful for every kind word.