Alright, here we go, chapter 2, I hope you guys like it, sorry it took so long to get this up, I had one insanely busy week last week and even busier weekend, so yeah things are a lot better now and so hopefully I should be able to update consistently. Anyhow, please review, thanks!
Chapter 2: "Just leave the talking to me"
Amu sighed with exhaustion and collapsed backwards onto the big white fluffy bed. "I'm completely wore out, who would've ever thought that stagehanding could be so much work."
"You?" Ikuto asked falling down besides her, "I'm the one who had it hard, try getting hit with a wooden sword about fifty times while you have to run the same boring scene over and over and over again?"
"Yeah well I had to pretend like I knew what all the props were and who they went to and had to constantly run back and forth giving them to different people. Not to mention that guy you were working with kept yelling at me every time I was late or had the wrong prop." She frowned.
Ikuto just rolled his eyes and decided to change the subject, "Anyway we need to make our escape tonight."
She sat up suddenly and looked at him with determination in her eyes "right." The sooner I get out of here the sooner I'll get back to my prince! "So what do you suggest?" she asked
He shrugged, "I haven't really had a chance to explore this place…I know there's a large window above the stage. I'm sure I could get up there and go out that way but…" he bit his lip and looked at her.
"What?" she asked in bewilderment.
"Well…its just I'm not so sure you could make it….you're not exactly the most graceful."
Her eyes widened and she punched him "IKUTO!"
He chuckled, "regardless, I don't want to risk it.
"Why not just try going out the back door and see what happens, I mean, its not like these people expect us to stay here twenty four seven. Lets just say we're going out for some fresh air or something." Amu suggested.
He shrugged, "It wouldn't hurt I guess. Lets go." He stood from the bed and taking her hand in his marched towards the door.
Once they were through the door they peered cautiously around the corner. They weren't exactly expecting resistance but even so, it would be much better if no one were to see them. It was well into the night and they had woken fairly early so thankfully most people were in bed. They made their way down several hallways without anything happening. Finally they saw the door at the end of one last hallway. Hope swelled within Amu's heart, they were actually going to make it.
She spoke too soon. They reached the end of the hallway and Ikuto's hand was stretched out; almost on the door knob.
"WHAT DO YOU TWO THINK YOUR DOING?"
Amu spun around in alarm at the voice. She breathed a sigh of relief when she found out it was only Mrs. Walker. She stifled a giggle, the woman had been getting ready for bed and was in a floral night gown and green facial mask.
"Well???" she asked tapping her foot.
Oh, that's right…she's waiting for an explanation. Amu panicked, Oh no! What should I say????
She opened her mouth and nothing came out. Her eyes widened and she was even more freaked out then before. Thankfully she was saved by Ikuto.
"Oh, hi Mrs. Walker," he said pleasantly, "We were just heading out for a quick stroll before heading to bed, that's all."
She shook her head and was no less upset "You guys know the rules, no going out after dark, we can't have you losing sleep and having it affect your performance!"
"I know, I know," he replied, "But come on, we've both been working hard all day, we deserve a little break. Besides, it was just going to be a real short walk, not long enough to effect us tomorrow, I promise."
She remained indignant, "I don't care, those are the rules, now git to bed you two!" she told them pointing back down the hallway.
The two sighed in defeat and slowly went back the way they had come. All of Amu's hope was completely gone. She glanced behind, Mrs. Walker was following them back to her room. She frowned, there was definitely no chance of escape now. I hope Tadese-kun will wait for me….
A few minutes later and they were back in the room.
Amu let out a sigh of relief, "That was really close."
Ikuto rolled his eyes, "Hey Amu?"
"Yeah?"
"Next time we're in a situation like that, don't even try to talk, just leave it to me."
"Why not?" she asked,
"Cause one, it makes you look like an idiot, and two even if you could manage to say something it probably would just end up making no sense what-so-ever or be really obvious that you're lying. Trust me, I'm used to having to do this kind of stuff, so just let me handle it."
At first she was filled with resentment when he said she looked like an idiot but then she head him say something and the anger quickly disappeared. 'I'm used to doing this kind of stuff.' She frowned and her heart fell. He shouldn't have to be used to it.
"Anyway…" he said moving towards the bed, "There's nothing we can do for tonight so, let's just get some sleep."
She nodded in agreement, "Okay. Hey! What are you doing on the bed?!" she cried as he laid down and pulled the covers over himself. He gave her a bored look, "I'm going to sleep, something wrong with that?"
"Yes! I'm sleeping in the bed."
"Fine then, there's plenty of room."
"No way Ikuto, I'm not sleeping in the same bed as you!"
He grinned, "Why not? Don't you like cuddling with me? I mean remember how you leaned against me after practice?"
Her face was turning red, "Th-th-that was j,just a one ti-time thing okay! I was just glad to be with someone who didn't think my name was Rosie and that I was a stage hand th-that's all! I didn't mean anything by it!" she stuttered out angrily.
He chuckled, "Of course it didn't mean anything, that's why you're getting so upset over it."
Amu grabbed a pillow suddenly and whacked Ikuto in the face. "Aww…Amu that wasn't very nice."
"I WASN'T TRYING TO BE NICE!"
He put a finger to his mouth, "Shhh, you'll wake every one up."
She folded her arms in front of her "I don't care."
He sighed and rolled his eyes, "What a baby…" he muttered under his breathe. "Alright alright, just settle down now," he told her gently, "I'll just sleep on the floor if that's what you really want."
She brightened and the storm clouds dissipated. "Thank you." She waited till Ikuto was off of the bed before hopping into it and getting comfortable.
"I guess this is what I deserve after all…." He said suddenly.
She rolled over and looked at him, "What do you mean?"
"Well seeing as how I did take a considerable amount of abuse during rehearsal today, and how I totally saved our skin out there, it makes perfect sense that I would be the one stuck on the floor."
She sighed, he was trying to guilt trip her, and the horrible part was it was actually working. "Okay, okay…" She muttered, "You can sleep up here."
He smirked and stood crawling into the bed next to her.
She rolled the other way, "I'll sleep on the floor tonight, but tomorrow I get the bed oka-" she was cut off when suddenly a pair of strong arms enveloped her, preventing her from leaving the bed.
"I-Ikuto, wh-what are you doing?!"
"I'm not letting you sleep on the floor Amu, it just not right for a girl to have to sleep on the floor."
She struggled in his grasp and he suddenly pulled her close to him and she felt the warmth of his body and the sweet smell of his cologne. He whispered into her ear, "I'm trying to be nice Amu, please don't fight me about this, I'm determined, so please just close your eyes and go to sleep. I promise you, I won't do anything weird or perverted to you while you sleep."
She exhaled slowly and thought about it, she didn't know if she should trust him or not, after all this was Ikuto they were talking about, but then again she knew better then to think she could escape the firm hold he had on her and she might regret making him mad when trying to break free. So then really her only option was to go willingly. She relaxed herself, "Alright…" she told him. "Good."He smiled and she felt him loosen his grip on her, he still had his arms wrapped around her waist but it was a much gentler and more comfortable hold then before. Amu closed her eyes she could feel Ikuto's chest moving rhythmically as he breathed. She focused on that and matched her breathing with his. In….out…..In……out…..In…..out….In……………… before she knew it, she was fast asleep, in the safety of Ikuto's arms.
Amu came awake slowly she yawned and stretched only to suddenly stop. Something was holding her back, she looked down to find two arms around her waist. Her eyes widened with panic for a moment and then she remembered, Ikuto. She breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced to her left, Ikuto was still fast asleep, she decided to take the opportunity to wiggle her way out, she was halfway there when suddenly his grip tightened. He pulled her against his body like a teddy bear and rolled over in his sleep taking her with him.
"Ikuto! Wake up!" she cried after she the bed had stopped rocking from the sudden movement.
"Just a little longer…" he murmured without opening his eyes.
"Ikuto!" she cried once more. He didn't respond so she did the only thing she could think of she pulled one arm free and then reached down and pinched his arm.
His eyes shot open and he looked at her sleepily, "Amu…?" he asked.
She breathed a sigh of relief, he was awake now, good. "Yes, now will you please let me go…do you have any idea what it'll look like if someone se--"
The door swung open on the hinges and Amu felt like cursing. Why did she have to go and open her big fat mouth, her worst fear had just come true. There was Mrs. Walker standing in the threshold and here she was with Ikuto, not only in the same bad but the way he was holding her…well, it could definitely give off the wrong impression. She opened her mouth just like last night but once again nothing came out. She just stared at the woman with a horrified look in her eyes. Suddenly though the woman smiled warmly, "I see you're taking practice for that love scene pretty seriously Jake. And how nice of you Rose to help him out with it, though you might want to work on your facial expression hun, I know you're not an actress, but even so, you look more frightened then like someone in love." Both Amu and Ikuto stared at the woman in wonder, yep, she definitely had a few loose screws.
"Anyhow, you too better get a move on, you've already missed breakfast!"
"R, right," Amu said sliding Ikuto arms over her head and getting off the bed.
Ikuto smiled at the woman, "Thank you so much for coming and letting us know, I tend to lose track of time when I'm practicing for a scene."
She grinned "I know how it is dear, well, I better get to cleaning the kitchen, see you around."
"Bye." Ikuto waved and the woman shut the door.
Amu let out another sigh of relief.
"Amu….what did I say last night?" Ikuto asked her.
"A lot of things why?"
"I said to leave the talking to me remember?"
"Oh…that, yeah sorry."
"Its fine for now, but soon as we come up against someone normal we'll be in trouble, so please try to hold it in."
She nodded, "Anyway, I gotta run, I don't want to get yelled at for being late."
He agreed, "Alright, see you during break."
With that Amu hurriedly exited and made her way backstage. She found Ryan waiting just like yesterday only today he had a bouquet of pink roses in hand.
Her eyes sparkled and she rushed over smelling them, "Oh their sooooo pretty! Who are they for?!"
He chuckled, "Nice try hun, you know they're for you!" he held the roses out to her.
"What? Why would you do something like that?"
He shook his head, "I knew you were forgetful but even so, I thought you'd remember something like our anniversary!"
"A-A-Anniversary!" she cried.
He grinned, "Yep, as of today, we've been together a whole year!"
"EH!!!!" Amu shouted in shock as her world started spinning, "You mean…we…I….you, and…we, and I, you m-mean you're m—my BOYFRIEND!"