I'm sorry this one is so late and so short. I was grounded for most of the week -.- well, I hope you enjoy it. The next one won't take so long.
A month passed after Hatsuharu asked Shizuka to be his girlfriend, and Ayame hadn't called since. "Shizu, I love you," Haru said, lying next to her on the couch. She didn't answer, only smiled. She never answered. She couldn't form the words, no matter if she believed them. "I'm glad you're here, with me now. It's our one month anniversary, remember?" He said. "Yes, of course I remember!" She said, kissing him on the hand. "How could I forget that?" "Ok, ok, i'll give you that." He said laughing. They were very happy together, and spent as much time as possible with each other. He was her first kiss, at least her first serious one. Ayame was actually her first, when she was only 5 and he was 14. But that didn't mean anything, it was more of an 'oh you're so cute' type thing. Haru was very good to her, and she felt good around him. But one thing was missing, and she knew it was Ayame. She hadn't spoken to her best friend in a month, and even though she normally went much longer without talking to him, this was different. She had rejected him, refused to be near him. She was terrified she had hurt him. At first, she wanted him to feel bad about it, but by now she just wanted to hear his voice again.
The phone rang.
It couldn't be him, she decided. Yuki came from the other room and picked it up. He promptly hung up, and left irritably. Maybe it was Ayame. It rang again, and Haru got it this time. "Yeah, she's right here," he said. "for you." He handed Shizuka the phone. "Hello?" she said hopefully. "Shii-chan, what kind of cereal do you want me to buy?" was the response. Shigure. "I don't care anymore, just get whatever you like," she said, sighing. "Ok. Bye!" "Bye..." she said, hanging up sadly. Hatsuharu approached her, a serious look in his eyes. "I know what you were expecting, and I know why you were disappointed," He said. "I-uhh," she said, not knowing what to say. "You don't want to be with me, do you? You want to be with...well, I won't say it aloud, since Yuki's just in that room." "No! That's not true, I-" "Ayame called for you this morning, Shizuka." He handed her the phone. "I know you'll be happier without me, so i'll save you the trouble. It was a good month," Haru said smiling. "I'm sorry," Shizuka said. "Don't be. I knew this would happen, I knew all along. I just hope I made you happy during that time," He left. She stood still for a long time, before dialing Ayame's number. Before she pushed the final button, she hesitated. Could she do this to Hatsuharu? The thought about what he said. He didn't have any regrets. She pressed the 6 key. It rang once. twice. Then "Hello?" "Aaya?"
Mine was at home, eating takeout. She was doing all right with her new job at another tailor's shop. She missed her old boss, her ex-boyfriend. After a month on her own, she still wanted to be with him. She wasn't sure if she could face him though. All the things that she said didn't deserve to be forgiven. After they broke up, she quit her job ther, even though he said she could stay. "Boss, I was so worried while you were gone! Why go to the trouble for a jealous little girl anyway? You're too nice, but I guess that's why I love you." She recalled her words painfully. "Mine, she is my best friend. I messed up our date, and I had to go look for her," Why didn't she stop there? He was so sad, so broken. "Sometimes people need to learn a lesson and get over themselves. You have a girlfriend, and a 16 year old girl should be able to handle that. Don't feel like you were wrong, Ayame, you acted like yourself." Mine hated replaying her own dirty voice through her mind. "Mine, you are wrong, so wrong. She has had to learn many a lesson before she should, and this is the frist time i've seen her in years. This isn't something she should have to handle! Also, I was wrong. I wasn't acting like myself." He paused. "And last but not least, I don't have a girlfriend." That was the worst part. The next day after that, she hadn't shown up for work, just left a note on the door.
Ayame-san;
I know our breaking up does not affect my job, but I am done here.
There is another tailor I can get a job with, so I will be applying there.
I'm sorry for not giving any notice, but it is best if we just don't see each
other's faces anymore. I wish you well
-Mine
After the call from Shizuka, Ayame called Hatori, barely containing his excitement. "TORI-SAN!!!" Click. Ayame called him again. "Tori-san, guess what!?" --------------"Yes, i can stop shouting. I'm sorry."------------"Yes! How did you guess?----------------"Oh...ok. Tell her hi for me then...------------------------Yay! Well, see you in a few seconds.-------Yes, I can see you out the window.-------------No. Mine is not here.---------------I neglected to tell you, but we broke up the same day Shizuka was recovered from the woods.------------------The reason is a tale for another day.----------------Yes I'm feeling just grand, why do you ask?-------------Oh, ok! Neverminding." "Ayame, you can hang up now," Hatori said, annoyed. Ayame hung up the phone, his nose pressed to Hatori's car window. "Well, here she is. Take good care of her this time, Ayame." Ayame frowned. "Now why would you ever have to say something like that? Come on, Shizu-chan, we'll let Ha'ri escape," he said, helping her out of the car. Hatori smiled slightly, but neither Shizuka or Ayame noticed. "Goodbye!" They both said, waving. Shizuka had the most amazing smile on her face. Unlike any he ever saw on her at the main house. She looked...just like Ayame. He waved, and drove off. On the way home, his smile slowly faded. He took the long route back to the Sohma house. He shuddered. Shizuka wanted nothing more than to be with Ayame. Hatori gripped the steering wheel. He hated himself for what he was about to do.