What I Like About You
Author: Blossomed X
Summary: "So what if I, Syaoran Li, am in love? Why is it such a big deal!" My friends stared at me as if I was on drugs. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's because you're in love with YOUR BEST FRIEND!"
Chapter 6
Life sucks. It totally, totally does. I plopped myself on my bed and crooned my head to my mirror, glaring at myself with my blood-shot amethyst eyes and tusseled hair. You know, I wouldn't have mind if Mei Lin stole Li away from me. But guess what, they're cousins. Which makes everything worst. And what's even worse than everything is that my ex-best friend, Sakura Kinomoto, stole my boyfriend away from me. He. Was. Mine! She had no right to take him away from me. I despise her so much...everyone already thinks she's perfect...especially my mom and all my former friends. Just because she's innocent and beautiful and smart...not to mention kind...
I 'tsk-ed' when there was a knock on the door, opening it and glaring at the intruder. "What?" I snapped.
"You all right?" I froze; Eriol Hiiragizawa, the eighteen year old teenager who has been with me through all the bullshit that Xiao Lang Li has gave me. I sighed dreadfully, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and placing my palm against my cheek. I began to tear up, and felt him embrace me. Li...has never held me like this. Why can't Li...be like Eriol?
I froze. I sure as hell should not be thinking like that. I stood rigid in his arms, and he seemed to notice.
"Look, Tomoyo, I know this isn't the right time. But I just wanted to ask," he took a deep breath, and I shuddered, just thinking about it, "would you like to go out with me to the Nadeshiko festival?" I blinked. Nadeshiko? Why does that name sound so familiar?
Sakura. Of course! That whore, I seethed. Li will probably be with her. I mean, her mom's name is Nadeshiko. She died when Sakura was just three years old, and that's how she and I met. And how...my mom and her father, Fujitaka, started dating for a few months.
I gritted my teeth. "I'd love to."
Sakura, you'll learn that Karma's a bitch.
--
Sakura's POV
"I don't understand why you have to go out with the twerp," an indignant voice rang, and I sighed, placing the dress that I held against my form aside and placed it back in the closet. I am such an idiot asking my big brother for advice on what to wear to the Nadeshiko festival. All he keeps doing is grunting or teasing me about Syaoran. I pouted, closing the closet and turned my heel, staring at him whilst crossing my arms.
"Touya, you know why," came my terse reply. He stared at me incredulously, then opened his mouth, exasperated, "You liked him since you two met, and he knew it. Even though he liked you longer, he made you suffer and had to go with that Daidouji brat, who is also," my jaw tightened. I haven't told Touya that Tomoyo was very aggressive with me 24/7 and not to mention, frustrated with me at the moment for stealing Syaoran away from her," your best friend. I mean, how does she feel about this?"
I let out a wistful sigh. "Onii-chan," I plopped myself next to him on my small, pink bed, "I know that you're going to tease me for life for saying this, but," I looked him in the eye, his piquant brown eyes staring back at mines, "I love him." My head fell back, softly landing in my feathered pillow. "Now's my chance, Touya. Nothing's in the way between me and Syaoran...nothing." My eyes watered without my permission, and I blinked it away so he wouldn't notice. "I've waited for this moment...for so long."
He scowled irritatingly, running a hand through his hair. He sighed, then murmured, "If he hurts you in any way-"
"I'll let you know," I finished, cheekily, then closed my eyes, exhausted from me and Touya's earlier bickering. He snorted, mumbling a, "sure you will," while tucking me in and then patting me on the head. I smiled at the affection.
"Good night," he said, getting up and straightening out his clothes.
"G'night," I murmured, already feeling drowsy from the sleep seeping in.
"Syaoran, we're together now, right?" I asked, looking up worriedly at him. "Nothing in our way, nothing fighting us, nothing?" He held a hand up to caress my cheek, and my heart thumped wildly against my chest at the way he gazed at me.
"Yes Sakura," he planted a soft kiss on my cheek. "Nothing is in our way."
I sighed, turning over in the soft covers and gazing at the picture of me and Syaoran that was sitting on my cupboard. I was in his arms, but my face was covered grimly.
I'll believe in your words, Syaoran.
And I closed my eyes and fell into a deep slumber.
o0o0o-The next day-o0o0o
Sakura twirled around happily, giggling with a dazed look on her face whilst she gazed adoringly at the Nadeshiko buds that held tiny light bulbs. The festival in front of her were lit with a beautiful pinkish-white glow, and she smiled brightly that everything right in front of her made her feel nostalgic. Okaa-san...
"You can be such a child sometimes, Ying Fa." Sakura turned her head, pouting at the said heir of the Li clan.
"And you can be so mean at times," she said, sticking out her tongue playfully. He chuckled, holding her hand and staring at her lovingly. He noticed her redden, then break away from his gaze to stare at the fluffy stuffed bear behind him. He smiled. The first thing she would always do when they were in a fair was go to the nearest booth and stare at the cutest animal.
Bears. He scoffed. I'm much cuter than that. He blushed, realizing what he had just thought with jealously. And she brought it out, he smiled. He felt her tug his sleeve with her other arm and looked down at her.
"Syaoran?" She asked, cocking her head to the side cutely.
He shook his head, his face returning to its normal color with a slight pink hue. "Come on," he ushered, tugging on her hand towards the shooting booth. Her face reddened when she saw him pay for a chance to shoot the moving ducks. He was trying to win the stuffed bear she was staring at just a few moments ago. No way, she thought, her fingers brushing against her lips. She was utterly speechless.
"S-Syaoran," she whispered, then yelped when she felt a small shove from behind. She tumbled backwards, landing soundly in Syaoran's arms who looked down at her with a concerned expression on his face. They both looked straight ahead to see a seething red Tomoyo, with Eriol paying the man in the booth to shoot as well. Her eyes widened when she saw what Tomoyo was pointing at. The same stuffed bear that Syaoran was striving for.
Eriol and Syaoran smirked, a competition arousing and bystanders peered at them curiously as the two close friends competed against one another. They closed one eye, lifting the plastic shotgun that each held paint balls inside of them, then leaned forward the booth and shooting the ducks, one by one.
Bulls eye. Syaoran grinned boyishly. He has had much experience with long-ranged weapons. Eriol's jaw tightened, sweat breaking in and cursed like mad when he felt Tomoyo whine loudly, pointing towards the direction of a duck he knew he would miss. Not to mention...he was all out of rounds. He sighed while Tomoyo moaned, but Syaoran simply ignored their wails and pointed at the stuffed animal that Sakura desired and simply handed it to her. She shook her head, her auburn tresses flowing wildly with the cool wind.
Tomoyo simply stared, her blood boiling with jealousy and anger.
"Come on, it's a tradition. You love stuffed animals," he persuaded, his amber eyes twinkling.
Sakura squeaked when she noticed that her hands were already reaching out for the bear. "Are you sure?" she asked, apprehensive. Syaoran smirked, then happily placed the animal in her arms. She stared at it. He always did win these games for her, even when he was dating Tomoyo. She side-glanced Tomoyo, a look of disappointment written across the amethyst-eyed beauty. She frowned but snapped out of her stupor when she felt Syaoran place a hand on her shoulder since she was holding the bear protectively in her arms. She gave a cheerful smile, a thankful and delighted look running across her face and she tiptoed to place a soft peck where she could reach the farthest...his jaw.
"Arigatou," she whispered, her face a light scarlet. Syaoran blushed, but smiled nonetheless, pulling her towards a near-by stand.
"Tomoyo?" Eriol murmured. Tomoyo whipped her head from the scene in front of her, her hand trembling white with anger. However, her grip loosened when she saw Eriol. She gasped when she saw what was being held in his arms. It was a cat. She loved cats. She blushed, remembering that she had once said that to him in one of their late-night conversations.
He handed her the cat, which seemed to 'mew' at her. She giggled. "Thank you, Eriol," she said, her face still red. She hugged the small cat, and gave a genuine smile towards him. He gave a Cheshire grin, the same smile that the cat held, and she gasped, shaking her head in disbelief. She glanced at the cat, almost sadly. "Are you hungry?" She nodded, taking his arm while he led her towards a near-by diner.
--
"Sakura, did you hear what I said?" Syaoran asked for the umpteenth time, licking his lips from the moisture of the cookie-n-cream beverage he just ordered then putting it aside. Sakura nodded absent-mindedly, grunting a 'mm' and continued to take small sips of the same beverage whilst stirring the whipped cream. The small stuffed animal was still tucked safely in her arms.
"H-hoe?" She squeaked. When she saw his face shroud with worry, she shook her head furiously. "A-ano, I'm sorry. What were you saying?" she asked, meekly. Syaoran's brows furrowed, struggling to read her thoughts. Had he done something to offend her? Why did she seem...disappointed that she was with him?
"Sakura," he placed his index finger against her chin and lifted it up, their eyes meeting. "What's wrong?" His frown deepened when her eyes glistened, and she hastily wiped a tear away with the back of her hand. He knocked over his chair as he got up and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Ignoring the loud 'clunk' against the wooden clanks, he led Sakura towards the back of the restaurant after placing a ten on the table. When they were in near a grimy, dim alley, he embraced her warmly and placed a large hand on her trembling body.
"T-Tomoyo hates me..." Sakura whimpered, and Syaoran bit back his tongue. Tomoyo? Why does Sakura even care about her? He thought, bitterly.
"Sakura, you shouldn't let her get in the way of your happiness," Syaoran reasoned, pushing aside his thoughts and soothing her by rubbing her back. She was shaking from the cold, and he mentally cursed at how he reacted to her impulsively and dragging her to a chilly alley when she had no jacket on.
"But she's my best friend," she breathed. Syaoran breathed through gritted teeth. Sakura was too caring.
"How is she your best friend after all the pain she's caused?!" Syaoran bellowed angrily, shaking her frantically for an answer. She whimpered.
"S-Syaoran," she opened her eyes, and he froze. He was hurting her. He shouldn't be doing this. God dang it, he was ruining their first date! Even when he wasn't dating Daidouji she was causing pain. He shuddered, thinking of the crap Eriol has gotten himself into.
That's his problem now. He mused.
"I'm sorry, Sakura," he apologized profusedly. She shook her head. She understood his frustration.
"Syaoran?"
"Nani?"
Their eyes met, and Syaoran held his breath when Sakura molded their lips together. She murmured happily when his tongue licked her lower lip, lost in the moment. He pressed his body against hers, both his hands dropping from her shoulders to the brick building behind Sakura whilst pushing her against it, the heat embroidering their bodies. He cursed when he felt the plush toy being pressed against his abdomen, and groaned while his eye brows furrowed deeply. She giggled, her fingers brushing against her lips.
Syaoran let out some words that weren't coherent to Sakura's ears, but it didn't seem to matter at the moment.
She didn't want to think about anything else but him.
--
"Mei Lin! Ryu!" Tomoyo screamed, her arms flailing in the air frantically to gain their attention. Mei Lin sweatdropped at how hyper Tomoyo was, and hesitantly headed towards she and Eriol's table.
"Yo, Eriol!" Ryu said, the two doing their 'secret' handshake. They smirked at each other, a boyish grin breaking from their faces while Mei Lin plopped herself across the amethyst-eyed, hyperactive friend, who, by the way, was freaking her out. She flipped her hair, ordering a root beer float and splitting it with her boyfriend who simply asked for a cherry to be on the top. Mei Lin stared strangely at him.
"So did you guys see Li?" Ryu asked, immediately taking his blue straw and sucking for all he was worth. Mei Lin snorted, taking a spoon and simply eating the left over ice cream while glaring at Ryu.
Eriol nodded, unaware of his date's reaction. "Yeah, he's with Sakura."
"As usual," Tomoyo snorted, choking on her dessert accidentally.
"Didn't you two break up?" Mei Lin asked, quirking a brow and yelped when she recieved a kick in the shin from her bosom buddy. She muttered incoherently, swooping in once more for some ice cream and looked up incredulously at her boyfriend who was patting his stomach, purring happily at his content stomach then burped noisily.
"Pfft. You actually believe that?" Tomoyo said, her right eye twitching. "The only reason why he's with Sakura is because she's smart."
"You have straight A's," Mei Lin retorted.
"Sakura's good in the arts."
"You're the best in the choir," she huffed.
"Shut up, Mei Lin," Tomoyo gruffed, indignantly.
"Gladly."
"Anywho," Eriol cut in, his left eye twitching from their bickering, "we should be looking for them. Let's make today like old times, hn?"
"Yeah, you're right," Mei Lin said, winking at him. Eriol stared at her with aghast.
"I'm not going to buy you another root beer float, Mei Lin." She pouted, getting up and making Ryu pay for the bill and tip. The others pitched in and walked around, looking for their friends. Mei Lin cursed when she got a view of them from her side, then pointed at the cute stuffed animals next to the kabobs. She grinned when their attention was given to the grilled food, giving time for the couple to be alone together.
She remembered how Syaoran was in his room last night: being picky about how his hair should look; messy or not, what his clothes should be, how he should talk while rehearsing in front of the mirror, everything. He really did love her, and he wanted to make their first date absolutely perfect.
She swore to herself to make that happen.
Plus, she never really approved of Tomoyo and Syaoran's relationship.
"Look, there they are!" Mei Lin froze, whipping her head towards the direction where Ryu's stuffed kabob pointed. There they were, indeed, happily in each other's arms in one of the benches and admiring the fireflies that accompanied them. She gasped when she saw Tomoyo tear past them towards the happy couple, and break the two apart by sitting between them. Her gaze slowly wandered to her navy-eyed friend, and frowned. He calmly walked towards the trio, sighing along the way and plopped himself on the armrest.
Syaoran eyed him warily, closing his eyes shut to calm himself down. What are they doing here?!
Sakura meekly leaned forward, staring confusedly at Syaoran's state. She tugged on his sleeve, and he popped on eye open, cocking his head towards her direction. "Yeah?"
She shook her head furiously, reddening by the minute. He looked pissed. Actually, he looked beyond pissed. I wonder what's wrong. "A-ano, guys, look..."
"Let's check out the cotton candy stand!" Mei Lin cut in, dragging Tomoyo out of the bench and eyeing her cousin coolly. He stared at her, his grateful amber eyes bare.
"Thanks." He whispered, and she winked at him.
"No prob," she whispered back, giving off a peace sign while dragging Eriol and Ryu with her so Sakura and Syaoran can be alone in peace.
The two were in silence, and Sakura stared down at the cub, clutching onto it for dear life. She was on a date with the most popular boy in high school! He was the soccer captain, rebellious, smart, charming, everything every girl wanted! But he looked more anxious than she was for some strange reason, and he seemed perhaps...awkward with her?
He broke the silence before she could. "Sakura, look..."
She turned her head towards his direction, and he fidgeted against his jacket. It was nearly ten o'clock. At ten thirty, he promised her father that he would be on the way to drop her off. He wanted this night memorable, not awkward because he was completely flabbergasted at the sight of a beautiful angel before him. He groaned, running a hand through his unkempt hair and sighed deeply.
He wanted to tell her the truth. Start over-a new beginning. "Lets go somewhere private, shall we?" She blinked, nodding slowly. She took his hand that he lend out and followed him to a secluded area.
The truth...that shouldn't be so hard.
--
"Why, oh great one, did you get me out of there?!" Tomoyo asked, shaking her head furiously in disbelief. "Look at her! She's practically leading him to a place to take his virginity, just like how she took many others!"
"Daidouji, that's enough!" Mei Lin barked angrily. Tomoyo's eyes widened, and Eriol and Ryu stopped munching on their treats, listening intently.
"You are so-so..." Mei Lin struggled. Tomoyo was her friend, but she knew where to draw the line. Tomoyo was not a good friend, and she never will be if she keeps being pampered and self-centered. "You are such a jerk!" Tomoyo's jaw dropped. "You never, never, ever, considered anybody's feelings. Sakura has been with you since day one, and all you've done was treat her like dirt! She already feels intimidated by you, so you might as well just drop it!"
--
"Sakura, look," Syaoran said, stopping near a cherry blossom tree in a secluded forest. He turned around, their eyes meeting. "I don't know why you care so much about Daidouji, but you shouldn't. You say you two are like sisters, but honestly, that girl has been a jackass to you since day one, and all you've done was take it!"
Sakura clamped her hand over her mouth, shocked.
--
"Syaoran...Syaoran," Mei Lin shook her head, tears ready to leak. "Syaoran's my cousin, and you're my friend, but Sakura's much more than that! She's like a sister to me! And even though you say that she's your sister, I'm pretty sure a sister wouldn't be treating her own like that!" She didn't pay no heed to Tomoyo's fist tightening. "I-I'm glad that Syaoran broke up with you! Sakura can finally get away from you after all the pain you've caused."
--
"I'm happy that I broke up with Daidouji! Actually, I'm more than happy. I'm thrilled! I can finally be with you. Give you the happiness and love that you deserve!" Syaoran said, grabbing her shoulders. Her chest heaved against his, and she was writhing against his touch. He bit his bottom lip when he saw Sakura's beautiful, verdant eyes glistening with tears.
He shook his head, slapping the bear away from her hands. He grabbed them both, placing them on both sides of his face. "I...I love you, Sakura."
He leaned in, their lips mending together, and Sakura's eyes widened as memories of Tomoyo and Syaoran flooded over her eyes.
Syaoran...
--
"You think you're my friend?!" Tomoyo scoffed. "You're not my friend! You never will be after that speech! You think you can be popular without me?! Well guess what, Li, you can't!" Mei Lin glared at her with her hardened, ruby eyes and Tomoyo glared back with just as much hate. Ryu and Eriol stared at the woman they loved, frozen, and afraid of what to do. Neither had the courage to break the ice.
"Fine," Mei Lin finally said. They whipped their head towards her, amazed at her performance. "Sakura's happiness is all that matters from this point on. Let's go, Ryu," and she turned her heel, walking calmly away from her ex-friend. However, she failed to notice hot, salty tears flowing down her cheek, and she stared at her lover who held her tightly.
"You did the right thing, Mei," he comforted, stroking her hair while whispering gentle words in her ear.
"Xie Xie, Ryu," she said, burying her head deeper to his chest.
Her eyes widened when she heard some footsteps approaching them, and gasped at the disappointing blue eyes staring back at hers. "Eriol?"
He gave a weak smile. "Even though I'm in love with Tomoyo...I won't...I can't accept the way she treats everyone close to her." Mei Lin smiled at his decision, and his eyes sparked with determination.
I just want this drama to end and for everyone to be happy.
Her eyes softened. But I guess...that's too much to ask for.
--
"Syaoran," Sakura whispered, her emerald eyes glistening at the new shed tears. Syaoran's gaze tore away from her; her tears were too much for him to handle. He reached for her hand, holding it, then placed it on his cheek. He sighed as her thumb caressed his face, and he closed his eyes.
"I love you too," she replied, and his eyes fluttered open, slowly and painfully to her eyes.
"Then don't worry about her thoughts. All you'll ever have to worry about," he said, leaning in to place light butterfly kisses on her jaw and collarbone, "is us." She nodded, burying her head in the crook of his neck and let the tears flow while he cradled her, stroking her auburn locks.
"So much drama. It's such a pain," Sakura giggled, and Syaoran broke into laughter along with her. "But we're going to get through it together, right?"
Syaoran smirked, leaning in once more for a kiss, "That's what I like about you. You're always hopeful."
o0o0o0o0o
Me: This is the last chapter! I think...I hope not. If you tell me to update or to continue in your reviews, then of course I'll continue. You guys are the readers after all! :)
I apologize for the drama in this story. Thank you so much for your patience, reading, and reviewing. I would gladly continue, don't worry, just tell me to.
Please review this and my other projects!
By the way, I'm sorry for my rushed work in Better in Time and I gladly accept all of your criticism! I will do my best to improve. Thank you, I think I've become better to start more one-shots and such with much potential. If you have any questions of any of my stories, don't hesitate to ask. I will answer them as soon as I can, no matter how extravagant it is.
Blossomed X is out!