A/N: Thank you for the wait :) I will also be planning on uploading a chapter around once every week.
Pretty Little Lady with your swollen eyes, would you show them to me? (A/N: Hell yeah, Of Mice & Men!)
I woke up incredibly early for the very first time of my life: 10:48a.m. I have never been so ecstatic in my life that I woke up this early.
I went to Kao's bed and propped my knee on the bed to hold my weight. Fuck, she is so pretty. Hell, when I sleep (I know this because Rin took a picture of me asleep as a prank), my hair attacks my face and I'm basically drowning in my own pool of saliva. I'm so elegant. "Dude, wake up." I greeted Sleeping Beauty with a light shake. She groaned and turned away. I slightly frowned and went to Yuki and Saeki's room (Kao and I share one, Saeki and Yuki share one as well, while Tatsuya sleeps by himself because it's his own house. Plus, no one wants to sleep with the tyrant…he gets mad easily.)
I remembered shaking Yuki wouldn't work because he was a really heavy sleeper. I chuckled, ran backwards to get some speed, and jumped onto the sleeping Yuki. It's fine, he's my best friend and if he hits me, I will call childcare. He made a low grunt but didn't move an inch. Seriously what the heck is wrong with this guy? If a madman entered and started shooting everyone, he'd still be asleep. Selfish bitch. "Yuki, dude, wake up. The concert starts at five." I nudged him; nothing.
"What the hell are you doing, Mao." It was a statement not a question. I turned and saw the recently-awoken Saeki sitting upright on his bed, rubbing his eyes. Crap. That deep, sleepy voice. That rustled bed hair. Those muscl—good God he isn't wearing a shirt. How can he eat a lot and have abs? Witchcraft, I say.
"The concert starts at five; we should…get ready." I sat frozen on Yuki's bed and fixed my gaze somewhere else so that Saeki's stare wouldn't distract me.
"Hnn." Was all he said. "Yuki and Kao aren't going to the concert anymore since they have to go meet some important person, I don't know they didn't say mu—"
I snapped my head, "what?" I asked softly with misery. I've been waiting for this concert for two months… I looked down. No, this can't be happening.
"You mean they didn't tell you?" Saeki's voice softened. I shook my head. There was a pause. "The change was sudden, two days ago I think. Don't blame Kao or Yuki; it's not their fault. They have to go even if they wanted to or not." I wanted to cry. "If—if you want I can go with you." He suggested. I slowly looked up to finally face Saeki again. "I mean, I know you badly want to go to this concert." I felt myself tear up a bit.
"Don't you have a date?" I was glad my voice didn't break.
He scoffed gently, "it's not that important." Lie. He had been waiting to take this girl for a week. He got up from his bed and stretched, giving me the perfect view on his well-defined body. He was only wearing boxers and I felt myself redden. "Come on, let's go. After all, it does start at five." He winked and showed me the same charming smile that made me fall in love with him four years ago.
"Ready?" Saeki asked as he sat down on the driver's seat and put his seatbelt on. I nodded and put mine. Before leaving, I talked to Kao and Yuki about the issue and they explained it to me. I wanted to cry…how could I have been so selfish? Turns out they were meeting an important someone for the sake of the team's future matches and publicity. I tried to shake the negative thought off.
After the ride, we got off and entered the stadium. Luckily, we got the VIP seats because of Saeki (he's actually rich, even richer than Tatsuya) so we didn't have to fall in line. I then remembered something; Akito and his text. Weren't we supposed to meet? I looked at the time from my phone: 4:48. Maybe I should call him? No, no. That will make me seem clingy and annoying. "Come." Saeki said and guided me through the passages.
We got to the VIP area and I looked around; there weren't that many people yet. Out of a sudden, through the vastness of dark-colored-haired people, a blonde blob caught my attention. I squinted my eyes—it was Kazu. I tapped Saeki, "hey, there's Ikki's team." I said and pointed at their direction. He looked and then turned back to me.
"Let's go sit there, then!" He said as he moved further; I followed.
"Hey," Saeki greeted them. I then realized that there were only Kazu, Akito, and Onigiri. Ikki and Buccha were missing. They greeted back. "Mind if we stay here?" Saeki asked.
"No, not at all!" Onigiri chortled. Saeki smiled.
"Oh hang on Mao, I'll be right back. I have to go to the bathroom." Saeki said and I nodded.
"Hang on, I'll come with." Kazu said. And then there were two. From the corner of my eye, I could see Onigiri stroll closer to me. I mentally prayed he wouldn't come closer. I have personal space issues. I leaned farther away, which caused me to lean slightly on Akito's side. Onigiri leaned in even more which then further caused my arm to slightly graze against Akito.
"Oh, sorr—!"
Akito glowered down at me with absolute disgust on his face. My stomach dropped. It was Agito.
After the exhilarating four-hour concert, we were all beat. It was 9:41 until we got out of the stadium and we said our goodbyes. Saeki offered everyone a ride home, but Agito refused and I didn't go since I had to go buy something and I did not want to buy…my 'girl' products in front of three guys. Definitely not when Horny is around.
"If you're not going to come, at least ask Agito to come with you. It's almost 9:50 and it's not a great idea…having a 17 year old girl walk by herself." Saeki informed.
"Err, no thank you." Have Agito come with me to go buy my stuff? That's even much worse.
"Agito, be a gentleman and help Mao. I'm sure it won't trouble you." Kazu reassured.
"Just help her out, man." Onigiri added. I turned to Agito slightly but he was facing the other way around so I couldn't see his expression.
I heard him grumble a low, 'fuck my life' as he started walking, hands in his pockets. "You better not drag me down or else I'll leave you." He menaced, not looking back at me. It's not like I wanted your help, you butt. Well, I kinda did. I didn't want to get kidnapped and sold to slavery, forced to work profusely my entire life and fed only bread. I don't like bread. I turned quickly to the three and gave a quick smile before turning and catching up to Agito.
We walked to the nearest convenient store in the park, only to find it closed. It was only 10:08. He grunted again, probably because I just wasted his time. "Sorry." I apologized in defeat and tiredness.
"Great, this is just what I fucking needed." Immense sarcasm and irritation in his hard voice.
I felt myself snap. "Look, I'm sorry to be a bitch but I don't really need this right now. I didn't ask for the store to be closed. I didn't ask for your help. And I really don't need your shitty attitude right now." I breathed heavily, staring at him hard in the eye to tell him that I was dead serious. I never told anyone this (not even Yuki who is my best friend), but my life has been pure agony lately. It's not easy pretending you're perfectly okay and then have someone you already don't like shoot you down even more. I don't talk to anyone about my problems because I feel like I'm bothering and annoying them but the stress, topped with fatigue, were causing me to have a mental breakdown. The truth is—no. I'd rather not talk about it. He stayed quiet for a while, probably surprised about my sudden outburst.
I slumped down on the bench that was just outside the convenience store and rested my head on my hands. I rubbed my hands on my face on the attempt to get myself together. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." My fingers started to shake and my breathing was becoming uneven. "I'm so sorry you have to see me like this and I know you're just a stranger so you probably don't care at all." I felt a burning sensation in my nose. God, no. Get back in there, you stupid forming tears! I can't cry. I don't cry.
I heard him heave a sigh, "if you have a problem with people, just tell them straight out. Don't be a fucking wimp." He groaned. I felt myself chuckle a bit. He was rude, but he was correct. "Now, can you stop with this emotional shit?" He said in an even more annoyed tone.
"I'm never usually like this, sorry." I still couldn't look at him in the eye. My tears were beginning to subside.
"Stop saying 'sorry' it's pissing me off."
"Sorry." I blurted unconsciously.
"Are you just fucking with me now?" He glared at me with a hard look and furrowed eyebrows. I burst out laughing from his serious demeanor. He gave me a judgmental look, probably thinking I was crazy. I breathed, feeling much better. It felt as if some stress had suddenly vanished.
"You're so uptight." I commented.
He still stood on the same place for around five minutes now with his arms crossed. "Can you get up now, I want to go home. Go call a cab." He replied in a tired tone. "Plus, I'm not, you are." He is as defensive as a little kid.
I shrugged, "later, later. Are you saying I should let loose?" I raised my eyebrow.
"Whatever, do what you want and just fucking hurry up, I want to go home."
"Okay." I stood up, picked up a rock, and threw it near the shady guy who was sitting down and sniffing something, probably drugs. He glared and then charged at us with such surprising speed. I felt my chest tighten as my heart began to race and my knees ran for their lives, "RUN!" I screamed in exhilaration at Agito.
We stopped in a dark alley, breathing heavily. "What...the fuck was…that?" he puffed.
"You told me to let loose." I laughed nervously but due to my uneven breathing, my laugh turned into a loud snort. Agito gave me a weird look. So what if I snort when I laugh? I'm sorry I'm not the perfect girl with the cute and high-pitched, adorable laugh.
"I didn't say anything, dumbass." Agito stretched his back and shook his head in disapproval, but at the same time…I could see the concealed, mild amusement playing on his slender lips.
I pulled out something from my pocket and offered it to him; it was a The Gazette bracelet that I got signed earlier from Kai and Aoi. It was the only thing I got from the concert.
He looked at my hand, "no, it's fine I don't want it."
"No, I want you to have it." I grabbed his arm and placed the bracelet on his palm. "It's a thank-you gift, for everything. If you really don't want it, throw it away." I turned my heel and walked away.
"Aren't you gonna keep this?" I heard him call.
I twirled around and shook my head, "no. I found something much more important." I smiled at him. It was the blossoming of a new, unexpected friendship.
A/N: I am thinking of making them all go to the beach next chapter :D Romance will surely (and truly) ensue.
Aya Kruez: Oh, what a shame! I really want to read some of your stories :) Aww, thank you so much, I'm glad you really like her character and my story! :O Really? Maybe I should include more gay moments hahaha~ Do you think I should? :\
: Thank you much! I thought chapter 8 was really boring and I just really wanted you guys to know more about Mao's personality :)