Family Affairs
Chapter Nine: Have Courage.
" Haruka would you mind getting that for me? "
The blonde glared at the phone and cringed at its incessant ringing. Why did she have to get it? As much as Haruka didn't want to get up, she finally relented and picked up the phone. " Hello? " There was a moment of silence on the other end; she could tell the caller was surprised that she answered.
" Is this Haruka? "
" No, it's Michiru. " Haruka replied sarcastically. More silence on the other end told Haruka that the caller was a bit slow. " Yes, this is Haruka. Who's this? "
" Makoto. May I speak to Michiru? "
" What if I said no? "
" Haruka, let me speak to Michiru. "
" No can do. I think she went to Canada, you know, for the free health insurance. "
Michiru took the phone from Haruka's hand who only returned a devilishly cute grin. The aqua-haired girl was going to scold him but she found herself smiling instead. " Hey Makoto. "
'Serves her.' Haruka thought. Ever since she saw the two talking in the hallway, she'd noticed that both of them were a lot closer than usual. In fact, closer was an understatement. She turned her back on Michiru while she talked on the phone, pretending not to listen, but her pretending didn't get far and she ended up eavesdropping on the conversation.
" You need tutoring? Well, I suppose I can fit it in. Are you sure Minako isn't available? Okay, then meet here at seven. Sounds good. Good bye. " Michiru spun around, after hanging up the phone, to look at Haruka. " What's with you lately? You've been a little bit rude to everyone. Even Seiya is offended. "
The blonde shrugged. She honestly didn't care about what other people thought. " I'm going running. " Haruka couldn't manage looking Michiru in the eye. In fact, she tried looking away all together. She knew she'd been immature for the past week but her behavior seemed justifiable when she thought of Michiru and Makoto together.
" Haruka. " Michiru grabbed Haruka rather firmly by the arm. " What's going on? "
" I need to run. I'm gaining tons of calories standing here and answering your phone calls all day. " Haruka regretted what she had said before it even came out of her mouth. She knew what she had coming but, to her surprise, she hadn't been reprimanded. Michiru left the room without much else to say. " Great, now I feel guilty. " The blonde whispered to herself as she rolled her eyes. Maybe she did need to run. Maybe running would let out all of her pent up frustration. Or would it? Right about now she didn't care. There were too many things running through her mind that she didn't care to think of.
" Haruka I'm sorry, I -- " Michiru rounded the corner only to hear the front door close. Michiru closed her eyes in frustration. Sometimes it felt like she was fighting a battle with Haruka. He never wanted to talk about things and she knew that something was wrong but he wouldn't budge on the subject. He continued to be stubborn, as usual. The aqua-haired girl sighed and resigned to what she had been doing previously.
It had been at least two hours straight that she was going on. Running never seemed to exhaust her physically but it exhausted her emotionally. Her thoughts seemingly took over her mind and she felt almost helpless as all these ideas passed her by. Haruka found a pier and ran to the end of it. When she reached her destination she stopped running. What was going on with her? She was getting angry all the time. And it wasn't because she was angry. What was it? She only managed to lose her temper when it came to Michiru, that much she figured out, but she knew things were more complicated than she cared to admit. She knew that deep down she developed feelings for Michiru. Since the day she met her, her whole life seemed to flip upside down. Every time she saw Michiru, she would feel butterflies in her stomach. Every time Michiru locked eyes with her, her heart would skip a beat. It was uncomfortably painful for her to see Michiru near Makoto. But it was even more painful to know that Michiru didn't mind the attention that Makoto showered on her. In fact, it almost seemed like…
Like…
What? Haruka shook the thoughts from her head. Why was she getting mad about this?
No. Not mad. Jealous. That's what it was. She wasn't mad, angry or even slightly outraged by these people. Seiya made her jealous, at first. Mamoru made her jealous, second. But worse of all, Makoto made her jealous; by far, Makoto had to be the most competition she'd ever had, especially when it came to a girl.
Haruka sighed. How could she be jealous? She'd never been jealous in her life and now, now she was more jealous than she ever could have imagined. It was burning inside of her. She had her chance. Last week, when Michiru was lying on her, she should have taken her chance. But what if Michiru had declined? What if she pulled away? Then she would not only blow her chance with Michiru but she would lose a friend, no, a stepsister. Haruka sighed again, this time inwardly. Even if Michiru wasn't her stepsister, Michiru didn't know she was a girl. If she found out, well, there wasn't much the blonde could do. She might freak. She might not. Either way, she practically lied to the one person who considers her the best friend in the world.
Haruka punched the air. She swung a few times to let out some extra steam. She had to do something about Michiru. Could she tell her? The blonde bit her lip. She could. She could tell her and then what, kiss her? Was that too rash? ' No. ' Haruka grinned. ' I guess sometimes you just have to take a chance. ' Haruka ran home as fast as she could, not even the wind could've beaten her.
Michiru opened the door, silently hoping it would be Haruka, instead, she found a smiling Makoto on the other end. " Hey. Come in, please. " The brunette stepped in the door. " Go around this corner to the study and we'll get started in there. " Michiru watched the other girl leave her side and placed her head against the door. ' Haruka, come home soon. '
" You're place is just how I remember it. " Makoto took a seat on the couch and took out a book from her bag. " It's very clean. "
" Thanks. Haruka helps me with the chores around the house. It's nice having help. Plus he always makes it fun to clean. " Michiru took a seat next to Makoto and waited patiently for the brunette to get her work set up.
Makoto tried to ignore the comment about Haruka. She absolutely hated him. He was possibly the biggest obstacle in her life at this point and she had to find a way to get around him. " How have you been today? "
" Well and yourself? "
Makoto swallowed hard. This was her best chance, if not now, then she faced having to deal with Haruka. She knew that wouldn't be pretty. " To be honest, I'm not well. You see, I'm sort of confused. I thought about a lot of things. I've come to the realization that I needed to talk to you. I'm sorry, I didn't come here to study. I needed to get a few things out. "
Michiru became uneasy real quick. " Not now, please Makoto. "
" No, now. You always shove me off for a later date. Yet what I find so interesting about you is that you push me away but watch me from afar. If that's not ironic, I don't know what is. You're a mess Michiru. I know what I've done in the past, it was wrong. I've made my decisions, some of them weren't good, some weren't bad. But the decision I have to make tonight, is the only decision that is important anymore. I want you in my life. I want you in my life because I still love you. " Makoto took Michiru's hand into hers.
Michiru had to fight off the mixed emotions she was having. There was a part of her that was completely against this situation. She felt trapped in a way but at the same time, another part of her practically embraced the words Makoto had said. With much effort, Michiru gathered what strength she had to fend off Makoto's words. " I told you that I wasn't interested. If I would've know that's all you came here for, then I wouldn't have invited you over. This is what got you in trouble to begin with - your lies. So for once Makoto, stop lying. Stop lying to me and to anyone else you've hurt. It's not going to get you anywhere. Now, please leave. "
" Is it Haruka? Do you love him? "
The aqua -haired girl almost lost her breath. " Don't be silly. Why would I love Haruka? " Michiru bit her lip. How could she have gotten that idea?
" Because you don't love me. The only person I ever see you with anymore isn't Seiya, your best friend, who bared no threat to me previously; no, the only person I ever see you with is Haruka. I find it hard to believe that he's just an old best friend Michiru. I find it really hard to believe that you hanging off his arm day in and day out is just a friendly way of doing things. Tell me why is it that you're always using him to protect you from me? Are you in love with him? Are you trying to tell me that he's my new replacement? He can't replace me, Michiru. "
Michiru felt the brunette's words seemingly burn a hole in her heart. She wanted her to leave. She wanted the pain to stay away, just as it did for the past couple of months. As much as Makoto meant to her, she caused enough pain in her life to go around. " Makoto, last chance, leave. "
The brunette stood up. She didn't care to fight, that's not what she was here for. She walked towards the door with Michiru trailing behind her. Finally, without much else to say, Makoto turned and pushed Michiru against the wall. " You love me Michiru. "
Tears formed in the aqua haired girl's eyes. She knew the truth. She knew why she stared at Makoto longingly. She knew why she wished she was Minako sometimes. Minako had all the affection that Makoto could give her. She had the love that Michiru desired. " I don't. " Michiru whispered. Who was she kidding? " I don't love you. "
Makoto pressed her lips firmly against Michiru's. The kiss wasn't returned. When the brunette pulled away, she smiled. " Michiru, I'm not going to hurt you again. I would never do that intentionally. I know you love me. Why are you lying? " The brunette held the smaller girl in her arms.
Michiru wanted so bad to push away. She wanted to run. She wanted to … to find Haruka. Yes, Haruka would protect her. Haruka would save her. Haruka would hug her and all of the bad things would go away. Where was Haruka? Not here. What would Haruka do anyways? It wasn't as if Haruka cared about her. Michiru was nothing but an obligation to him. A simple, irrefutable, obligation. Haruka made it clear in more ways than one.
That's all I am. An obligation.
The aqua-haired girl looked into Makoto's eyes for the first time in a long time. " I'm sorry. " She returned the kiss that was earlier given to her, locking them in a passionate kiss that seemed to last for a long time. They wasted no time in getting more intimate. Makoto had Michiru almost on the couch when the door to the house opened. Both of them looked at each other, bewildered.
" Michiru. I'm sorry. I'm home. I want to tell you some-- " Haruka stepped around the corner and then as quick as she came in, she hid herself behind the nearest wall. " I'm sorry. " The blonde said, suddenly feeling an enormous amount of pain in her heart. She placed her head against the wall and regretted ever walking into the house. She regretted just about everything she'd ever done. What she saw was more than enough to let her know that she was simply wrong. And even then, wrong wasn't a strong enough word. Haruka laughed out of the dark humor that began to run through her mind. " You two can get back to what you were doing. Sorry for intruding. " The blonde trudged her way up the stairs and into her room.
How could she have been so stupid? How could she think that Michiru might return her feelings when the signs were all in front of her. Michiru always use to stare at Makoto, not just in any normal way, she stared at her as if she wanted her. Michiru got angry when Haruka didn't let Makoto drive her home, not because she felt like an obligation, but because she wanted to go home with Makoto. The time after practice, Michiru ran to her because she probably couldn't handle Makoto's encounter. Why couldn't she handle Makoto? Because she loved her? Is that was this was all about? Haruka tightened her fist to hold pack the pain. Now everything was making more sense. Michiru loves Makoto and for some reason, refuses to be with her.
" This bites. " She wanted to run again but she didn't want to have to go downstairs. 'Great. Now I'm stuck here, more confused than I was when I first started out, and there's a girl downstairs that I completely hate, seducing the girl that I might have feelings for. Aren't I a mess?' Haruka laughed again at her situation. ' It figures. ' The blonde put a pillow over her head and pretended to sleep. Though she knew sleep would not be a permanent solution, it certainly would help to have a temporary solution.
" Makoto, stop. "
" But, you heard him! He said to continue with what we're doing. I mean, that's not what I expected from him, of all people, but if that's what he wishes, than I will do as he desires. " Makoto had a smug expression plastered all over her face.
" Let's just… not now… okay? "
Makoto stood up. " Okay. If you need some more time, then you have as much as you need. " Michiru could tell that the brunette regretted not taking this opportunity, but she knew that Makoto would come back later if that was the case.
" Thanks. " Michiru showed Makoto out and sat against the front door. Looking straight up, she found the top of the stairs. She glanced at the staircase as if she were afraid of it, but what she was really afraid of was having to confront Haruka. Why did she feel so guilty? This had nothing to do with Haruka and yet, it seemed as if the encounter hurt Haruka. She wouldn't go so far as to saying that it hurt him personally, but maybe he was angry that she lied to him. Maybe he was angry because she didn't tell him the truth. Yes, that had to be it.
Michiru got up and made her way up the stairs, reluctantly. There were so many things running through her mind that she couldn't stop herself from thinking. What if he was disgusted about the fact that she liked girls? What if he told the press about her and ruined her family reputation? Wait, what was she rambling on about? Haruka may be hurt but she was sure he wasn't the sort of guy that she would misjudge, meaning for her, that he wouldn't do anything to hurt her. Right? What if he was jealous? No. He couldn't be jealous. That would require that he have feelings for her and he obviously didn't. He declined moving in on her several times, that much was apparent, so why would he have reason to be jealous? She was sure he wasn't interested in her. So then what made her feel like she hurt him? Michiru shook the thoughts from her head. She was where she headed out to go. She was going to need a lot of courage at this point. More courage than she ever needed in her life. Michiru swallowed hard, placing her hand on his door.' Please don't hate me Haruka. Please.' She turned the knob to his bedroom and stepped inside.
Author's Note: Sorry. Tried to get this one out sooner but I was having problems uploading it to site yesterday. Anyways, here it is.