A/N:
Hi there, to those still reading this story! Thanks so much by the way. :)
Anyway, I know it's a little fast-paced but well... I'm planning for a lot to happen so I don't want to drag it out too long. for those who leave comments, it helps me get into the writing mood. :)
I love hearing from you guys.
Tata. Have fun. Hope you like it. :)
Disclaimer: I do not own PoT (sucks for me! Haha!) :D
"Nothing safe is worth the drive~" (me, singing)
Chapter Three
Champagne, Kisses and Other Lovely Intoxications.
10 pm.
"When was the first time you tasted champagne?" I asked, still lying on the grass.
"When I went to Europe. This old guy treated us to a fancy dinner. We were served champagne." He said, passing the bottle to me.
"You've been to Europe?!" I sat up in surprise. "My dream is to go to Europe."
"Why?"
"I wanna see the Eiffel Tower. Did you go see it?" I asked with enthusiasm. I was genuinely intrigued.
"Sure."
"What does it look like?" I took a swig and handed the bottle to him.
"It's okay, I guess."
"OKAY?!" I laughed out loud, couldn't believe what I've just heard. "Just OKAY? My dream destination isn't amazing, or beautiful, it's just okay?"
He shrugged – I was amazed by his ability to shrug even when lying down.
"I guess it is pretty from afar. So if you ever go there, look at it from a faraway building. Up close, it's just steel. It's actually ugly up close."
My jaw dropped. "No way!"
"Everything's uglier up close."
I didn't believe in that. Some things are even prettier up close – like his eyes. But of course, I didn't tell him that.
"You're crazy." I shook my head and lay down on my back again. "Where else have you been?'
He thought about it for a minute. Then said, "Australia."
"How about Australia, what's it like?"
"It's okay, I guess." Then he laughed.
"That's it. You're a terrible travel companion."
He laughed harder. Then he stopped and explained,
"I'm not saying they aren't beautiful. 'Cause they are. It's just that… not one is prettier than the other, you know? It's like they're all the same. Same level of beauty."
I still didn't get it so he continued.
"Like when I was walking on the streets of Paris one night, I really thought it was pretty amazing. And then I went back to Japan and was strolling one night and I thought: hey, this place is pretty amazing too. I've just never noticed. It was like Paris. Or Paris is like Tokyo. "
"I still want to go to Paris." I said like it mattered. "And see the Eiffel Tower."
He just smiled.
"Don't you think the Eiffel Tower looks kind of lonely?" I added.
He stopped and thought about it for a second.
"I didn't realize it had the ability to feel." He answered with a chuckle.
"Whatever. It looks pretty lonely to me. That's why I want to go and see it!"
"You're drunk."
11 pm.
"It's almost empty." I complained, giving the bottle to him.
"Don't you think we've had enough?" He asked.
"But it tastes so good. I should have bought two bottles."
"That's it!" He sat up and drank all that was remaining until there was no more.
"You drank it all!" I sat up, incredulous.
"You're drunk."
"No, I'm not." And I wasn't - just a little light-headed, sure, but not drunk.
"It's late. I should take you home."
"You can't seriously be thinking of driving, right?" I raised a brow at him.
He gave me a look that clearly said, 'what are you talking about? I'm not drunk'.
"You may not be drunk but you've still had alcohol!" I pressed.
"Champagne is barely alcohol." He replied.
"That's what all alcoholics say at first."
And we laughed.
Midnight.
"So now what?" He sighed.
We were still sitting there, unable to decide the best way to get home. He was insisting on driving his bike and I was intent on not letting that happen - I still wanted to continue living.
"I swear I can drive you home safely." He stood up, playing with his keys on a finger. He walks in a straight line. "See, I'm not the least bit drunk."
I stood up too but felt woozy. I swayed to one side - surprised and hoping I regain my balance – until he caught my arm and steadied me. He laughed out loud and then shook his head.
"Oops." I smiled at him.
"You. Are. Drunk." He pointed out. I rolled my eyes at him and then suddenly, he kissed me!
It was soft of a fast, gentle kiss. I didn't even think, didn't even realize it until it was over. And then, we stood still and stared at each other, reading each other's expressions, clearly thinking: 'what had just happened?' That's when I suddenly laughed! I laughed out loud and he just stood there, watching me. I didn't know why I giggled like a psycho but I just wanted to laugh - so I did. Maybe I was drunk. But it lessened the tension in the air anyway. He probably found me funny and eventually, he laughed too.
"I told you, you shouldn't drive. You. Are. Drunk!" I told him.
In the end, we decided to take a cab. It will stop at my house first and then, at his. He waved goodbye as I entered the front door. I waved back. We didn't talk about the kiss. I went to my room and collapsed at my bed, realizing I was still wearing his gray hoodie. I told myself I'll figure out everything that has happened in the morning. I dozed off.
But ever since then, every time I'd drink champagne, I'd remember Ryoma and my first kiss - the kiss that tasted as sweet as champagne.
The morning after. It was a Sunday – plenty of time to figure things out without Ryoma around. I woke up around noon and still felt dead tired. The memory of the night before was pretty hazy in my mind. I decided to stay in bed all day, staring at the ceiling, wearing his hoodie.
Twin One: Now what?
Twin Two: What do you mean what?
Twin One: It doesn't mean we're a couple right?
Twin Two: No.
Twin One: So what did the kiss mean?
Twin Two: Nothing, I guess.
Twin One: Nothing?!
Twin Two: Why don't you ask him tomorrow?
Twin One: Yeah. You're right, I will. I'll ask him now! Let's call him!
Twin Two: Uh. You don't have his number.
Twin One: Oh yeah, that sucks! How come we've kissed and I don't even have his number?!
Eventually, my thirst pulled me out of the bed. I went downstairs, no one was home. Nothing new about that so, I went to the kitchen and drank water and ate cereal. I forced myself not to think about anything, specifically the kiss, because I figured it'd drive me nuts. I washed up, got dressed, watched a senseless cartoon, and just tried not to think. But I couldn't get it out of my head! My mind would eventually drift back to what happened.
Twin One: Maybe it was nothing. Just an impulsive kiss.
Twin Two: Then, why does that make you feel sad?
I wasn't even vaguely aware of the doorbell ringing until the fourth buzz. I wanted to just ignore it because I was in a sulking mood but I forced myself to get up and open it.
"Hey." Ryoma smiled, standing by the gate. "What took you so long?"
And suddenly, I wasn't ready to see him. My stomach felt weird with nervousness and I could only imagine how flushed my face looked like. Thank God, I washed up. I forced a smile and walked up to the gate. I told myself that just the night before, I was confident and calm around him. I forced myself to think of happy thoughts but all I could think of was the kiss.
"Why are you-" I started.
"Visiting." He answered my unfinished question, still smiling. He was still bruised-faced but still awfully cute too. And he was using the Band-Aid I bought for him! I figured that maybe he hadn't had the time to buy a new box of Band-Aids yet.
He's in a good mood, I thought. And I just stood there, thinking if I was imagining that he was there after all. After a while, he said,
"So," he looked at me funny. "can I come in?"
My senses woke up. "Uh. Yeah." I said and opened the gate. I lead him inside the house.
"Where's everyone?" he asked.
"No one's home but me." I shrugged. "My parents are both at work."
"On a Sunday?" He asked, taking off his sneakers.
"Yep." I answered, getting used to his presence already.
"And here I was ready to meet them and be at my best behavior."
He sat by the sofa and smiled at what I was watching – the senseless cartoon. I was so embarrassed I cursed myself for not changing the darn channel.
"What do you want to drink?" I asked, already by the kitchen. To my surprise, he got up and followed me to the kitchen.
"Anything." He held up a grocery bag, "I bought snacks."
I handed him a bowl for the chips and a plate for the moon cakes.
As I was making orange juice, I kept thinking how weird it was with him around the house, helping me around in the kitchen. I couldn't help but smile to myself.
Twin One: Maybe it wasn't nothing after all.
Twin Two: Nah, maybe he just came here to put you to place and tell you it was nothing and that he's sorry.
Twin One: I'm gonna strangle you.
We brought the food back to the living room and placed it by the center table. I sat on the floor as I was always used to doing and he did too. I focused my eyes on the classic cartoon about a cat and a mouse and quietly drank juice. They did something funny and I couldn't help but laugh. Ryoma laughed beside me too. And just like that I felt comfortable around him again.
"That's so stupid!" I exclaimed, talking about the scene and laughing at the same time.
I looked at him, he was still laughing, his head thrown back.
"When is this cat going to catch this mouse? I've spent my whole childhood waiting for that to happen." He said after a while.
"Oh really, you used to watch this? Me too!"
"I think every kid watched this." He said, biting a moon cake.
"I didn't think you were that type of kid – the one who watched cartoons." I admitted.
"Really? Why?" He asked, genuinely curious.
"I thought you'd be out playing tennis all of the time."
"Nah, I was a kid. I wasn't that passionate about tennis back then. I'd rather lie around and watch cartoons all day."
"Then, how'd you get good at tennis?"
"My old man would ask me to play with him." He started to explain, "I was a kid so naturally I'd want to spend time with my dad, right? And that was what we always did – play tennis. He didn't tell me he wanted me to get serious about tennis or anything, he'd make it seem like we were just playing. It was just a game." He shrugged.
"Your parents really are pretty clever." I commented, thinking about the genius of it all.
"I used to play tennis." I blurted out.
"Really?" He asked, surprised.
"Yeah. In grade school. I hated it."
We laughed.
"I'd rather read a book you know, I'm pretty lazy." I explained.
"You do look like the type." He admitted. I punched his arm.
"My dad really wanted me to get into sports. And I was pretty eager on not letting that happen. Maybe I would've liked it if he were actually there to play with me – like your dad was."
He didn't say anything, just continued eating moon cake, and I quickly added,
"Not that I have a problem with him or anything."
Because I really didn't. My dad was just like that: always busy, always away for work. I've learned to accept him a long time ago.
"What about your mom?" he inquired. "What's she like?"
"She's okay. She helps dad around so she's often with him but when she's around, she's pretty mom-like."
He nodded. There was a sudden lull in the conversation, which he didn't seem to mind. We watched the cartoon and ate.
"Hey, Ryoma-kun?"
"Hm?"
"What's your favorite color?" I asked just to keep him talking.
"I really don't have one."
"You're boring." I scowled.
"What about you? Do you have a favorite color?"
"Of course, but it keeps on changing from time to time."
"What about right now? What's your favorite color?"
"Green." I answered without thinking.
"Why?" he asked.
I wanted to say, because it's the color of the bottle of champagne, but I didn't. Instead, I said,
"No reason. I just like green right now."
"What about me, do you like me right now?" And he moved to face me like he was really curious to hear the answer. I hate it when he does that – he puts me on the spot and gives me this innocent look. It irritates me all the time.
Why is it like this with him? I thought. One moment he's really adorable and the next moment, I really hate him.
"Why'd you kiss me?" I snapped.
"Hmm." He answered safely. Definitely not the answer I wanted to hear.
"Fine. Maybe it was just the alcohol taking over." I replied. And suddenly, the getting drunk bit which was so funny to us the previous night, didn't seem funny at all.
"Are you upset?" He asked, surprised.
I sighed and lied, "No."
"Then, why are you doing that? Huffing and puffing?" He innocently pointed out.
"Because I can't figure you out!" I snapped back.
He went quiet but he was still watching me. I watched TV. The silence was deafening.
"Ryoma-kun, why are you really here?" I sighed.
"Hmm." He replied safely yet again. And just like that, my temper rose again.
"Why are you like that?" I snapped and faced him forcefully.
"What? I'm thinking!" He explained.
"You can't not have a clear reason!"
"Why not?! Maybe it's just like why you like the color Green. Maybe I just like doing things for no reason." And now, he was really irritated at me. And vice versa.
I wanted to tell him, but there is a reason! I just didn't want to admit it to you! when I figured that maybe, he had his reasons to - that he just didn't want to tell me.I wished he would though.
"Fine." I huffed.
"Fine." He turned away and focused on the TV.
I stuffed a moon cake defiantly in my mouth.
"That's it?" He asked after a while, still a bit irate.
"What do you mean?" I replied with the same level of irritability.
"I asked you if you like me."
"Yes, I like you, what about it?"
"Aren't you going to ask the obvious question?" He turned to me, all serious.
"What obvious question?" I temporarily forgot that I was pissed off at him because I was wondering what the heck he was talking about.
"You're asking me all these questions, looking for so many reasons - all the why's. Why did I kiss you? Why am I here? But aren't you going to ask me if I like you back?" He finished, scowling, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Wha-"
"I asked you if you like me. Why couldn't you just have asked me the same question - the question I have a clear answer to." He retorted, clearly ticked, stuffing his mouth defiantly with a moon cake just like I did.
"Okay, so do you like me back?" I asked in a teensy-tiny voice and with an idiotic smile plastered in my face.
"Yes! Isn't that all that matters?!" He rolled his eyes.
And like I always do around him, I laughed. I laughed until I had tears in my eyes. He just looked at me, clearly still irritated. But I found it all so amusing. I wished he'd laugh with me.
He sighed. "What's so-"
"I can't believe you're confessing to me angrily? Isn't that weird? You're telling me you like me while you're pissed at me?"
He thought about that and then rolled his eyes, but at least he was smiling.
"I can't figure you out." He admitted, shaking his head and hanging it in a defeated way.
I patted him on the back, "That's the whole point." I joked. And then added nonchalantly,
"So we like each other? Does that mean we're a couple now?"
He shrugged and said, "Hmm." And then he laughed, remembering that answer was the reason we fought in the first place. I pouted at him.
"What do you think?" he offered. "Are you not tired of fighting with me yet?"
"No." I beamed.
"Okay then." He shrugged and ate another piece of moon cake.
And just like that we became a couple. We watched TV and bickered about petty things like which channel to tune in to, or who should get up and serve more juice. And then, we'd laugh at each other. We didn't kiss or hold hands or did anything sweet, we just sat there and let the day pass until he said goodbye at around 7 pm and patted me on the head like I was a pet. But it didn't matter. There were plenty of time for romance, it was only the beginning. I felt so giddy and happy for the rest of the day. And this time I made sure I had his number.
Monday morning, something peculiar happened – I got to school early! I took my time in front on my locker – something I could never afford to do whenever I'm running late – and wondered if Ryoma had already arrived and was comfortably yawning on his seat upstairs. It seemed like that wasn't the case because when I caught a glimpse outside, there he was, yawning and strolling towards the entrance. Our eyes met. I smiled. He smiled back and made his way towards his locker. I thought, Now what? Since I have never had a boyfriend before, I didn't know what to do next. Should I go over his locker and wait for him? Or should we do what we always do and go separately?
I was still in the middle of deciding when he pops up beside my locker. I jumped a bit, startled.
"Ohayou, Toru-chan." He said cheerfully. I noted the cute Band-Aid on his cheek, it seemed like he decided it'd be a waste not to use it after all.
"Uh, Hi." I smiled and waved and started to arrange notebooks inside my locker by height – something I have never bothered to do.
"You're early, which is weird. I wonder why." He leaned sideways against the locker besides mine.
"I decided to organize my locker." I lied.
"Interesting." He replied, obviously not buying it.
A minute passed by with him just leaning there watching me and me arranging things randomly inside my locker. He sighed loudly afterwards. I stopped and looked at him.
"What?" I asked him.
"I'm already bored."
"And?"
"Organizing your locker is taking an awfully long time." He pointed out.
"So?"
"Do you plan on making me stand here, waiting for you, forever? We're going to be late." He said, already turning towards the stairs.
I laughed, cursing myself for not realizing he came over to wait for me. I slammed my locker shut and ran to him.
"Hold on!" I said, catching up to him, a goofy smile plastered on my face.
"I'm never waiting for you whenever you decide to organize your locker again." He teased, rolling his eyes at me and smiling that smile I liked the most. I just shrugged and gave him a big smile myself.
And then, in a whim, he took my hand and laced his fingers with mine like it was already a habit of his - like he had been holding my hand for years. And as we walked towards the classroom, I wished for each corridor to be a mile longer. Holding hands feels as good as kissing is what I've learned that day.
Despite my whole-hearted wishing, we eventually arrived at the classroom, and I swear there was a collective gasp that Ryoma didn't appear to have heard. Once again, I felt conscious as we crossed the room and walked towards our seats with our classmates' heads turning and eyes watching us. We took our seats. He let go of my hand and stretched, oblivious to the eyes still watching us.
And now, it's official. I thought to myself, thinking how there was no better way of announcing ourselves being a couple to everyone besides that. Oddly, I felt an overwhelming feeling - I guess you can call it pressure. I felt like I had to prove to everyone why I deserved to be there, on that spot beside him. Why I deserved to be his girlfriend. It was so overwhelming, I almost hyperventilated. Almost.
"Don't think too much." Ryoma said suddenly, like he knew how weird I was feeling.
I smiled shyly, almost apologetically, at him and he gently tapped my head once. I wondered if I already seemed transparent to him – if whenever he looks at me he already sees what goes on inside my head. And then, I remembered him saying how he couldn't figure me out.
I looked at Tomo-chan's seat first, she gave me a smile which seemed to say well, if you can't help it and then, she gave me a little wave. I flashed her a big smile, thankful for her approval. The Ryoma Echizen's fan club president is my friend, that should gain some points right? And then, I looked over at Sakuno's seat, she saw me and smiled shyly, probably still remembering the fight between my boyfriend and hers. But it didn't matter, I wanted to tell her. So I smiled what I hoped was a reassuring smile. I remembered her hugging me and telling me that I could make Ryoma happy. I wished she was right. And I was also wishing for the two of them – okay, and maybe Momo-senpai too – to be okay. I already didn't care at how things played out between the three of them. I wasn't there; I didn't have the right to judge or to conclude. I just wished for everything to be okay so I can be Ryoma's girlfriend and Sakuno's friend at the same time.
It seemed like I was suddenly having more and more wishes with each passing minute!
"Ne, Ryoma-kun" I poked his arm and he turned his head in my direction.
"What?"
I went ahead and just asked it, "Does it bother you that Sakuno-chan is my friend?"
He looked caught off-guard at first but he quickly recovered.
"Hmm." He looked up, thinking. I pouted at him and that made him smile.
"Why is that important?" He asked too innocently.
"It's important for me to know."
And then, he turned serious. "Why? What will happen if ever I tell you that it does bother me?"
I thought about it. What would I do about it if he does say that?
"I don't know. I'd probably still be her friend."
"Then it doesn't matter what I think right?" He concluded. But he had this unfathomable expression which had me guessing if he was upset or if he was okay. I really hate it when he does that.
"I still want to know." I pressed on.
"Let me think about it." He answered which I knew meant he'd dodge the question as long as he could.
I smiled almost too sweetly and said, "Fine. We'll talk about it later." Determined to keep pestering him about it until he provides an answer.
Sensei arrived. He seemed surprised to see me on time for a change because he smiled brightly at my direction. He probably thought the reason for my change was an interest on his subject which was Literature and even though I've always loved Literature, sadly, that wasn't the case. But he didn't know that, so at least I've made him happy. He asked everyone to settle down.
Sensei seemed excited to tell us something that morning. As soon as the class settled down, he threw his arms opened and announced loudly and joyfully to the class.
"Play Month!"
Which was met by groans and sighs. I looked around to see sagging faces. I turned to Ryoma and whispered,
"Play Month? Do we get to play the whole month? Isn't that a good thing?"
Even Ryoma looked like this information got him in a bad mood.
"He does this every year." He told me, shaking his head. "He'd make all the classes he teach stage a play and ask the whole school to watch."
"What!?" Oh no, I hate spotlights.
"Yeah, last year it was Romeo and Juliet. It was horrible." He shuddered.
I laughed silently. "I bet you were Romeo." It was obvious. Make the most popular person star on the play and it'll surely be watched by everyone.
"No." He poked his tongue at me and I was surprised that my suspicions were wrong. But then he admitted,
"I backed out early on, telling him I had an important tennis match. I tell him that lie every year just to get out of it. He always tries to push me into a role."
"But of course." I told him, giggling.
"Well, it's never going to happen."
Sensei clapped his hands to get everyone's attention again. He was unfazed by the uproar.
He cleared his throat and continued, "This year, we'd go for a crowd favorite. An English classic! Any idea what I have in mind?" He asked enthusiastically.
"Alice In Wonderland. Seniors always do Alice in Wonderland." Tomoka answered dryly, like everyone knew exactly what it was.
Sensei beamed and said, "Yes! Correct! Now we'll start casting!" Everyone groaned again, knowing they wouldn't be able to stop this. Sensei looked around,
"Echizen! What about playing the Cheshire cat?" He asked Ryoma, who gave me a look that seemed to say 'See what I mean?' I had to suppress a laugh.
"I'd love to, Sensei!" Ryoma quickly responded with a smile almost too kind to be real, "But I have this important match coming. I'd be busy with training."
Everyone laughed quietly, like they've seen this rally between these two happen too many times.
Sensei sighed but he still had a smile. He's an interesting teacher, I thought.
"Oh well, it can't be helped then." Sensei shrugged.
"I'll help with the props, Sensei. That doesn't take too much time." Ryoma offered.
Sensei smiled at him genuinely, "Sure, Echizen. I'm glad you still want to be part of this even with your busy schedule."
"Of course, Sensei."
And the matter was settled.
"Happens all the time." Ryoma told me.
"You're such a cheater! Props? That's the easiest job! And you made it appear like you were doing Sensei a favor." I accused him.
"Hey, it's not that easy. I've been doing it for years." He retorted with a laugh.
"Poor Sensei." I pouted at him.
He shrugged and said, "Hey, I feel bad for Sensei but not bad enough to dress up as a cat in front of everyone."
I laughed and realized that this was one of the perks Ryoma gets for being a popular athlete. He can claim he's always busy when he doesn't want to do stuff and no one counters him.
"Anyway," Sensei continued. "Let's focus on the lead role - Alice. Who wants to play the role of Alice?"
Nobody answered. Sensei was unfazed, and suddenly he looked at me and I knew I was in trouble.
Oh no! I heard myself thinking as Sensei opened his mouth. I knew right then it was a mistake to come to class early that day.
"How about Toru-san? It fits perfectly, don't you think?" He beamed and I blamed my parents for naming me Alice. Every eye was on me.
"Uh." I said, stalling for time. I gave Ryoma a look which said 'Help!' and he gave me this look which said 'Just do what I did.' But I couldn't because I was a terrible liar, especially if everyone was watching. And I hated letting people down, specially as I already felt bad for Sensei. But I also hated spotlights. That's why I never joined a school production! I hated attention. I have a severe case of stage fright.
"I don't think I can do it, Sensei." I admitted.
"Of course you can, we'll all help you!" He proudly said and everyone looked away. The message was clear – I'd be on my own here.
"It'd really make me happy." Sensei remarked whole-heartedly and I couldn't get myself to lie to him.
"Uh." Was all I could say.
"It's settled then!" Sensei beamed and wrote my name on the board in big bold letters.
I looked at Ryoma, he was suppressing a laugh. I slapped his arm and glared at him.
He let out the laughter he'd been holding back and afterwards sighed,
"You're too kind, Alice-chan." He said, slowly shaking his head.
I covered my face with my hands in dismay. I had just been given the scariest news I've had in my life and my boyfriend was finding it very funny. Sigh. I wanted to jump into down a rabbit-hole to a different world - away from SeiGaku – just like what happened to my namesake and her stupid wonderland.