In The End

Things had patched up between Cagalli and I, although not entirely, it was enough to keep me hanging on. Things were almost like the old times when she would laugh at little things like if I forgot to zip up my pants.

We saw each other on a weekly basis, if we were lucky. Sometimes, her schedule was too hectic to allow our little rendezvous.

After our break up, she had not communicated to me for months but now, she gradually began telling me things once more. Sometimes, they were silly like how she tried to escape from her meeting the other day. Other times, she told me about she and Alex had started arguing. First about petty things like where the shampoo went. Then they became serious like where she and Athrun were going every week.

She told me that Alex was going away for two months to work out some businesses in Mexico.

For two months, Cagalli would be alone. Fate had given me my chance and I was going to take it.

Alex left the following week. It was despicable when he left; he had kissed Cagalli on the cheek and then attended to his cellphone.

The first chance I got, I decided to ring Cagalli and ask her if she was doing anything Friday night.

"Hello? Is Cagalli there?"

"Yeah, this is Cagalli speaking. What's up Athrun?"

"Well, I was wondering if you wanted to go out with me on Friday night."

"Go out with you? Like on a date?"

"Hmm…maybe," I said teasingly.

"Well, it depends where. It has to be expensive."

"Of course, anything for you, Princess."

"Shut up, Athrun," she said.

"Do I pick you up at 8?"

"Sure, see you then," she said then she put down the phone.

I grinned to myself. Things just may be looking up.

When Friday night arrived, I was ready for the night which would most likely change my life for the better. Everything went smoothly, I picked up Cagalli at her house and she looked dazzling in a simple blue evening gown. The dinner was scrumptious and Cagalli looked like she was having the night of her life.

When I was driving her home, she had a rather odd request.

"Hey Athrun, can we stop by the beach?"

I was odd because of the fact that the beach was out of the way. As in really Out of the way but I let her anyway, since she seemed to be enjoying herself.

The drive to the beach was silent. The only sound came from the squealing of the tires or the bump and occasional shriek of road kill.

When we arrived, Cagalli asked if I could take a walk with her on the shore.

"What's the matter?" I asked, I had known her long enough to hone my Cagalli-senses finely.

"I don't know, but it seems that things don't feel right with Alex anymore. In fact I'd much rather…be with you."

Yes! I could only do so much to stop myself from jumping around.

"Why don't you take some time to think, Cagalli? History may just repeat itself."

"I know that but I think this time, I'm sure."

Oh my god, I just had to stop from peeing myself.

"Cagalli."

"What's that, Athrun?"

I kissed her. For the first time in ages, I kissed her. It was like the first kiss all over again except this time, I savored it even more.

"So, I'll be seeing you tomorrow?" I asked when we (finally) parted.

"I'll be waiting," she said and we head back to the car so we could go home.

The very next day, I withdrew my savings and went to the jewelry store to buy Cagalli the prettiest, shiniest ring I could afford.

After some quarrels with the saleslady, I had decided upon a lovely emerald ring which was (barely) within my budget.

I decided to propose that very night, I wasn't going to waste my chances now.

As the night loomed nearer, the weather turned more foreboding. Dark clouds had gathered in the otherwise clear sky and it just so happened that my car overheated after last night's excursion.

The night brought about a heavy storm but I decided to just brave it and go anyway. I called Cagalli to tell her of my visit.

"Hey Cagalli."

"Hey Athrun, are you coming tonight?"

"Of course I am, don't think that a storm is going to stop me from going there."

"Alright, I'll be waiting. Just be careful."

"Of course, see you, Cagalli."

I donned all the protection I needed from the rain and slipped the ring into the innermost layer of my clothing.

The rain was pouring down harder than I expected. It was hard to tell the road from the sidewalk and twice had I apologized for bumping into a wall. I had thoughts of going back but the thought of Cagalli waiting for me was all that drove me to keep moving. I was halfway already anyway. If I went back, it would be the same thing if I continued.

When I got to the intersection a couple of kilometers away from her house, the rain seemed to pouring down harder than ever. In fact, it was so hard, I couldn't see the car that was speeding down the intersection. When I saw the headlights, it was only a couple of feet away from me. I guessed it was too late.

A million thoughts ran through my mind as the blackness spread through my vision like a virus. But the thought that first occurred to me was:

"I'm sorry, Cagalli. I don't think I'll be able to make it to your house today."

X

In the end…

Cagalli Yula Attha couldn't help herself as she felt the tears flow down from her face at Athrun Zala's funeral. She wore the ring that they found in his pocket when they found the body at the intersection a few kilometers away from her house. She was sorry, ever so sorry, to have broken his heart. It was almost too late but there was so much time wasted between them. Is this what Fate brought?

…it doesn't really matter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam or with allusion to the title, Linkin Park or any of their songs.

Author's note: