Chapter 12: Bunch of Lilies

-

It was still very early at school. There were only few people walking around. But Tomoyo didn't notice any of them. The whole weekend passed with no word from Eriol. This shouldn't bother me, he was obviously busy. She did not have any say on how he wished to spend his time. She reasoned to herself. Even though he apparently want to spend it with Riyo. Tomoyo thought bitterly.

She was deep in her thoughts that she bumped into something. Or rather someone. Murmuring apologies and bending down to pick up her books scattered to the floor, when suddenly Mito Dojima was there, helping her. Tomoyo held out her hand to retrieve her books from Mito but he wouldn't give it to her.

"I'll bring these for you," he said. Tomoyo knew better than to argue with him. He was walking her to class! She could feel the envious stares of the girls. Thank God it's still early, or I won't make it to the classroom alive.

"I heard what happened to you last Friday. You are fine now, aren't you?" Mito looked at her.

"Yes, I'm fine now. Even though Mother insisted that I should use the limo now. She still doesn't want me walking to and from school. It's a little bit embarrassing with the bodyguards and all."

"Well, I could give you ride home later," Mito offered.

"No, you don't have to do that," Tomoyo said, suddenly feeling very shy.

"It will be my pleasure," Mito insisted.

Tomoyo couldn't find any reason to say no to his offer so she found herself agreeing, "Sure, if it wouldn't be much of a bother."

Standing outside her classroom, he handed her books. She thanked him and as he walked away, he said, "See you later, Tomoyo."

As she entered the classroom, she noticed that Eriol and Syaoran were already there, talking and standing by the window. She could not believe it. But suddenly something in her desk caught her eye. Sitting in her desk was a bunch of lilies. She knew only of one person who will give her lilies.

As she walked to her desk, suddenly Syaoran looked up and saw her. He said something to Eriol, greeted Tomoyo and looked at her then to Eriol, then to the lilies and suddenly announced, "I'm going outside to wait for Sakura."

Left alone in the room with Eriol, she approached him, the lilies in her hand. "Thanks for the flowers."

"It's my way of apologizing to you for not visiting you over the weekend," Eriol said.

"It's no big deal, I just sprained my ankle. I didn't have any terminal disease, you know," Tomoyo said, trying to make light of the situation. Even though you could have called or sent me a note.

Looking down at the flowers, "Why do you always give me lilies Eriol? You never forgot to send me some on my birthdays." Tomoyo asked, suddenly curious.

"I thought they were your favorite," Eriol said as if this very much is obvious.

"Yes they are, but I don't remember.."

"Telling me that?" Eriol continued. "You did. Remember that time at the rooftop?" Eriol asked.

Suddenly, Tomoyo remembered. It was the first time she talked to Eriol.

Sakura was absent from school that day. Tomoyo tried calling at her house and Kero answered, assuring her that Sakura was fine but very tired.

She went up to the rooftop to help clear her mind. She usually went there when she just want to be alone. But now, she doesn't want to be alone. She needed to talk to someone to take her mind off worrying about Sakura.

Suddenly, a voice from startled her.

"Daidouji," Tomoyo turned and saw that their new classmate was sitting in a corner, sketching.

"Hiiragizawa," she greeted him. "What are you drawing?"

Eriol looked down at his sketch and seemed surprise to what he drew, answered, "Nothing important."

Tomoyo, by now, was very curious to what he drew, but she let it passed. After all, everyone is entitled to his or her own privacy. "Am I bothering you? I'll leave you alone now," and she proceeded to leave.

"Don't!"

Tomoyo looked back at him, surprised.

"I noticed that Sakura was absent today. If you want, you could stay here. We could have our lunch here." He even patted the floor beside him motioning for her to sit.

Tomoyo didn't know what drew her to his invitation. She found herself sitting beside their new mysterious classmate.

They ate in silence. But to Tomoyo's surprise, she didn't feel uncomfortable eating with him, even though he was by all accounts still a stranger.

She found herself talking to him about Sakura. The first time they met, how athletic Sakura was, how a good friend Sakura was to everyone.

"Why don't you tell me something about yourself Daidouji," Eriol interrupted.

"Me?" Tomoyo asked.

"Well, you've been going on and on about Sakura but you never actually said anything about yourself."

"I'm a fairly boring person."

"There must be something interesting about you."

"I'm just a simple girl who loves taking videos, lilies, picnics.."

"And Sakura?"

Tomoyo looked at him but somehow she wasn't surprised. She knew he was very perceptive, very little escape those piercing blue gaze.

"Yes," she answered honestly.

"Are you still in love with her?" Eriol quietly asked.

"I love Sakura, but I'm not in love with her. I'm very young then, confused by my very own feelings. I never had any siblings so I didn't know that my feelings for Sakura were how one loves her sister," Tomoyo explained. Until now, she was still surprise that she could talk to Eriol about anything without feeling any censure. He simply understands.

"I see," was all he said. Looking at the grounds, they saw Sakura arrived and kissed Syaoran on the cheek.

Suddenly, the door opened and their classmates entered.

"Tomoyo, you are the last person I will ever thought of to be boring," Eriol smiled at her and before she could reply to that, they were joined by their other classmates.

Fairly boring chapter? I know.. And sorry it took me so long to update.

Please review.. and I'll try to update more often.