I'm back! After a nice vacation, I'm fully refreshed and ready to write! I'm thinking that there'll be about 2 chapters left in this story so...the end is coming! Well, enjoy this chapter. I haven't written a decent-lengthed chapter for a while. RR! :)

Chapter 18

Amu's POV:

A few days had passed since me and Ikuto's intense argument. Everything seemed fine now, as if nothing had ever happened in the first place. Couples are like that; having arguments that cause heartbreaks over tiny little stupid misunderstandings. But you know, I'd like to think we're not like that, and hopefully our relationship is steady enough to last an eternity.

Right now, it sure seemed that way. I was walking out of math class, my last class before lunch, and there he was waiting for me. I walked up to him and smiled, getting a smile in return. We didn't say a single word, just held hands and walked to our lockers. It was tough holding all my books in one hand, but I'm not going to complain. I'll endure one side of pain for the other side to have joy.

We reached the fork where we either turn to go to the A-L lockers of M-Z lockers. Ikuto and I usually head to his first since mine is closer to the cafeteria but…

"Ah, Amu, um, let's go to your locker first today, 'kay?"

I raised an eyebrow, unable to figure out why'd he want to take so many extra steps. But…trusting him to have his own weird reason, I shrugged and agreed. As we neared the 'H' section, I bit my lip, wishing I hadn't agreed to Ikuto's request.

"Um…Hold on, I need to go to the bathroom really badly…" And with that, I ran into the bathroom.

Tadase.

Ikuto's POV:

I smiled as Amu ran into the bathroom. It was perfect. I was planning to tell Tadase to meet me after school but I guess it'll be easier than that. I strolled carelessly towards his locker and slowed my pace near his locker.

"What do you want, Tsukiyomi?" he snarled viciously without turning his head.

"Oh! Why, hello, Tadase! Nice to see you! What do I want? Well…I was just walking to lunch…"

"Quit it already."

"Aw," I pouted, "Don't be so rude like that! Ah, but now that you mention it, there is something I remembered I needed to talk to you about…" When I got no reply, I continued on, "Remember that…the bet? The one about…ah…what was it again? Oh! Who Amu will love! Right? And…as I remember correctly the loser…has to back off. Forever. As you said, 'Move elsewhere. Never make contact with her again.' Annnnnnnd, I'm pretty sure you've seen me and Amu together recently…? You know, showing that we're together again? Meaning that you…"

He slammed his locker close and whipped around to glare at me with those scary scary eyes. I had to hold in a small chuckle, he was so affected by my little teasing.

Tadase stomped forward so we were staring eye to eye, except he was shorter. "Listen up, Tsukiyomi. A guy like you doesn't deserve someone like Amu. She'll see that soon and leave you. When that happens let's see if you'll still be laughing."
"Mm…" I mused, "I guess not…but that's never gonna happen so…does it matter?"

"It will if you keep that arrogant attitude of yours." He retorted.

I just smiled, "You have no right to lecture me."

Amu's POV:

Calm…It's just Tadase…Just Tadase…

There is no such thing as 'Just Tadase'. He's been creeping me out, more than usual. It's like he knew something wrong was up with Ikuto and I and took that chance hoping that I'd be desperate enough to get together with him. Which, by the way, won't ever happen. But something seemed different…he seemed more…urgent than usual. As if he'd die soon if he didn't get his way. It scared me a little. I mean, he already scares me half to death without being urgent, so if he's going to become even more pushy…he'll scare me to death.

Flashback:
"Come on, Amu!" Thud "You must be going through so much grief! I know what it's like, to love someone so much. Yet they don't love back the same way."

I sink down with my back to the door, flinching every time a loud thud comes. "No…" I whisper, "He loves me…unlike your story. He loves me. He'll come back for me. I know he will." My voice cracks at the last sentence. Maybe because I don't know if he will and even if he does…will he be the same? Will he still love me the same?

I can just imagine his face outside. Not the kind face that's filled with my sorrow he says he feels. His real face will show his true self. He doesn't care for my problems. He just wants to win. Win me. Win against Ikuto.

"Oh, come on! Why do you think that way? It's his family, Amu. He's going to find his father who he hasn't seen for countless years. They'll have so much to catch up on. He won't come back anytime soon, I can tell you that. He'll probably get carried away with other stuff too like his violin! And then the people back here in Japan will all be forgotten. Like you."

I wanted to cry. He took the words right out of my mouth. The words I've been trying to throw out of my mind. But I couldn't. I believed those words. It hurt me that I did, I thought I'd have more faith in Ikuto, but knowing how important this was…my thoughts were probably going to become reality. I'm not blaming Ikuto. I know if anything happens, he wouldn't mean to intentionally hurt me. I have faith in that much. But that doesn't stop my tears from falling.

I sniffle and small gasps escape my mouth like they always do when I cry. Tadase gasps, but it doesn't sound real, "I'm sorry, Amu. It just slipped. I didn't mean to say that…I'm really sorry…I don't wish to add to your worries. In fact…I came in hopes of cheering you up…! So please…let me in. Let me comfort you."

Thud!

End of Flashback.

I shake my head. That's in the past. And I won't let a past like that affect my future. I stood up, splashed some cold water onto my face and stepped out of the bathroom, gently letting opening and closing the door hoping to not attract any attention. I'm seriously not in a mood to talk to anyone, even Ikuto.

I step out and look at my locker area. Shoot. He's still there. And…talking to Ikuto? When were they so buddy buddy with each other?

(Let's say that there's a small wall in between the lockers and the bathroom door, making Amu have to step out of the bathroom and past the small wall before she can turn to go to her locker. And therefore when she sees the two guys, she can quickly retreat back behind the wall to keep herself out of sight.)

"I told you I would win the bet, Amu's terrified of you. I had no idea how you had the guts to make that bet anyways."

"I did it because you're a cold-hearted heartbreaker. Amu's being too nice. You left her, made her cry, made her suffer. Yet she still accepts you. I just don't get-"

I stepped out of my not so hidden hiding spot with a hard, angry look on my face. Yet my voice still trembled, "Would you care to tell me about this bet you guys made?"