Chapter 17: Somewhere

It's lunchtime and Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo and Eriol were again under the tree. Each one of them seems involved in their own activity. Sakura usually uses the free time to do her math homework, Syaoran sends emails to his sisters and Meilin, Eriol reads the newest John Grisham and Tomoyo, as she put it herself, is sketching 'the cutest dress ever for Sakura-chan'.

If one would take the time to observe, it does not seem they are doing what they are supposed to. Tomoyo looks up from her drawing and just stares at Sakura, smiling. She does not seem to notice that the blue-eyed boy sitting across from her is also doing some staring, not at Sakura but at her. And if one looked closely, the tiniest hint of a smile can be seen. Apparently, this does not escape Syaoran who has been glaring at Eriol over his laptop. Every once in a while, he opens his mouth as if about to say something but changing his mind about it. Meanwhile, Sakura keeps sneaking glances to her boyfriend, she is really tempted to ask for help with her math homework but remembering that he have explained it already to her a dozen times before.

Sakura, feeling that she needed a rest, breaks the silence. She asked, "Have the two of you decided on the song?" This effectively broke the staring contest that has been going for a while.

Tomoyo was the first to recover, "Not yet Sakura. We just can't seem to think what song will be perfect for Mother's birthday."

"What are you talking about? What song? And who's we?" Syaoran demanded.

Sakura turned to her boyfriend and as if talking to a child, spoke slowly, "Syaoran, Tomoyo will sing for Aunt Sonomi on her birthday party. Eriol will play the piano for her."

"Whose idea was it?" Syaoran asked, almost angrily. He glanced at Eriol suspiciously.

"It was mine, if you must know. No need to be upset about it," Sakura answered, confused about the way her boyfriend is reacting.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted them, "Hi Eriol! Can you check my English paper for any errors?" The four of them looked up and saw Riyo Mori smiling sweetly at Eriol. Without waiting for his answer, she grabbed Eriol's arm and practically dragged him away.

"What was that?" Sakura said, taken aback at what happened. "She just ignored us. It's kind of rude."

"He is such a bloody wimp," Syaoran said, disgusted. Sakura proceeded then to berate her boyfriend for such choice of words. Tomoyo, was throughout silent, but couldn't help agreeing with what just Syaoran has said.

"What's taking them so long?" Syaoran asked, unbelieving. They have been waiting for almost half an hour for Sakura and Tomoyo to emerge from the girls' locker room. It was just after cheerleading and basketball practice.

"Gossip," was the short reply from Eriol.

Syaoran turned to the boy beside him, turning serious, "You should tell her how you really feel."

"It's still not the right time," Eriol replied, he need not ask who Syaoran was talking about. He feels like as if they always have this conversation every other day.

"When is the right time? It wasn't the right time three years ago. I could understand that, Tomoyo thought she was in love with Sakura then. But now? What's stopping you?" Syaoran asked, frustrated.

"We're just becoming really good friends."

"Is that it? You're afraid that it might ruin your friendship? I used to have the same problem with Sakura but look at how everything turned out."

"Your problem with Sakura was you're afraid that she didn't feel the same way you did," Eriol pointed out.

"Are you afraid that she doesn't feel the same way? You might be surprised," Syaoran said.

"Li, I never knew that you were an expert in the matter of the heart," Eriol said, a bit sarcastically.

"There are only two things that you can't hide, one, that you are drunk and two, that you are in love. I may not have your keen perception about others feelings but I do know care about my friends."

"Didn't know you consider me as one of your friends," Eriol observed.

"Hiiragizawa, tell her, before it's too late," Li advised.

"Too late?"

"Before she thought that you are in love with someone else," Li glanced at Riyo coming their way, "or before she fall in love with someone else," at this he nodded at Mito Dojima who has been also waiting outside the locker rooms.

Riyo paused when she saw Mito but greeted him, "Hi Dojima!" she said haughtily.

"Hello Riyo! As usual, it's very pleasant to see you," Mito said, turning on the charm.

"That wouldn't work at me. Not after what you did," Riyo said bitterly.

"You know you also wanted it," Mito said coldly.

Before Riyo could reply, several girls emerged from the locker room. Eriol glanced at Syaoran for what's with Riyo and Mito but he just shrugged. Tomoyo and Sakura came up to them and apologized for making them wait.

At this, Riyo saw Eriol and walked to him, now all smiles. "Walk me home Eriol?" she asked.

Mito, on the other hand, sauntered to Tomoyo and asked, "Hi Tomoyo! Can I drive you home?"

Eriol glanced at Syaoran before answering, "Sorry," he started.

Tomoyo said, "Sorry but.."

"Tomoyo's coming over at my house," Eriol explained.

"I'm coming over to Eriol's house," Tomoyo explained.

"It's just very important," they both concluded.

Neither of them noticed the ugly expression on Mito and Riyo's faces nor the smiles of their friends.

"Would you like a cup of tea?" Eriol asked Tomoyo.

"No."

"Orange juice? No, probably not... something else cold? Coke? Water? Some disgusting sugary drink pretending to have something to do with fruits of the forest?"

"No."

"Do you... always say no to everything?"

"No."

At this, Tomoyo and Eriol laughed at the silliness of their conversation.

"Coffee will be fine," Tomoyo said.

"Coffee with one teaspoon of sugar, no cream?"

"Yes, please. How did you know?" Tomoyo asked curious.

Eriol shrugged, "I just noticed." Tomoyo smiled at this. Trust Eriol to notice small things like that. She smiled remembering Sakura complaining that Syaoran never seems to remember that she likes her coffee with lots of sugar and cream.

"Would you like something to eat? Something to nibble? Apricots, soaked in honey? Quite why, no one knows, because it stops them tasting like apricots and makes them taste like honey... and if you wanted honey, you could just... buy honey. Instead of apricots. But nevertheless they're yours if you want them," Eriol said, mostly to himself.

Again, Tomoyo laughed, "Coffee's fine, really." As Eriol left the room, she found herself alone. Eriol mentioned earlier that Spinel was with Kero at Sakura's house and Nakuru still has classes and is not expected until dinner time.

She saw the piano and before she could stop herself, she tentatively put her fingers across the keys. It's been such a long time. For a while, she just sat there, not playing. Then, seeming not aware of what she's doing she played the first notes of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

She didn't notice that Eriol came back or the tears running down her face.

"I didn't know you know how to play the piano," Eriol said.

Suddenly aware of what she's doing, she jerked her away from the piano, as if burned. "Um, I don't. It's such a long time ago. I already forgot about it."

Eriol moved towards her, placed her fingers at the keyboard, covered her hands with his and began to play. "No one forgets how to play the piano," he said simply.

He played, his fingers guiding her, his chest pressed to her back, she could feel his breath against her hair. She couldn't understand any of the things that she's feeling. Her heart is beating so loudly that she was sure that Eriol could hear it. She was suddenly very aware of Eriol. His nearness, his arms around her, his scent. But in spite of this, or because of this, she feels something, tugging at her heart. After this song, she knew that she would never look at Eriol the same way again.

After they finished the song, Eriol slowly removed his hands from hers and walked away from her, putting distance between them. In a very soft voice, he asked, "Why are you crying earlier?"

"My father taught me to play 'Somewhere over the Rainbow'. I never played the piano again, since he died." She walked closer to Eriol. "Because of you, I can now play again." She couldn't quite meet his eyes but still she moved closer to him.

Leaning to Eriol to kiss him on the cheek, she murmured, "Thank you," at this, Eriol turned to her and somehow her innocent kiss landed on his lips. A kiss, my first real kiss, was Tomoyo's last thought before she fully closed her eyes to the kiss.

She was right, when she looked at Eriol again, nothing will be the same ever again.

Thanks to everyone who help me reached 100 reviews, you know who you are. Love you guys. I can't thank you enough. Especially those who always review each chapter.

The part where Eriol was offering Tomoyo tea and apricots, it's a line from Notting Hill.

Hope you like this chapter. Let me know what you think. Tomoyo and Eriol kiss, finally. Even if it's accidental. swoon