Chapter 4
"Hey Haruka!"
Haruka turned around to find her best friend, Matt, running towards her with a basketball in his hand. On the way, he gave a few good looking girls a wink and his little flirtatious smile. The girls had to giggle and sigh dreamily. After all, Matt was definitely good looking with his sharp blue eyes, spiky brown hair, and a strong jaw. Haruka had to roll her eyes at the scene.
"Wsup Matt?"
Matt grinned and ran his hand through the blonde's hair. Haruka may have been tall, standing at about 6'2 but Matt was a good three inches taller, which annoyed the tomboy to no end, especially when he would silently rub it in by messing up her hair.
"Where ya going, buddy?"
"Home."
Matt frowned as he looked at his watch. The two friends began heading towards the football field. "Why? You still have like, two classes left."
"Japanese and history. I could care less about both. Besides, I'm not in the mood. I just wanna go home," Haruka muttered. Her eyes landed on Michael, who was on the field, playing football as usual. She silently wished for the football to knock him on the head, giving him a concussion.
Matt followed his best friend's gaze and chuckled. "Problems with Michiru again?"
Haruka merely growled.
Matt shook his head. "Dude, you've been crushing on her for years. Don't you think it's time to move on? Look, you're obviously a huge hit with the ladies. Why not just settle for someone else instead of always getting your heart tugged by the same girl who's been tugging at it for all these years?"
Haruka looked at Matt like he was the dumbest idiot on the face of this planet. "Because nobody can replace Michiru."
Matt sighed. "I know that. Michiru's one of a kind. But it doesn't mean you can't try to like somebody else. Face it, dude. She's gonna be stuck to Michael forever. They've been at it for 2 years. It may not be the best relationship, but if it's what she wants, then fine. If you really love her, then just let it go."
Haruka sighed. "It's hard …"
Matt slung his arm around her shoulders and patted her on the head sympathetically. "I know buddy … I know. But hey, guess what? My cousin's coming to town tomorrow. Her name's Cassie. You can pair up with her. She's hot, single, and has this thing for tomboys like you."
"I don't know …"
"C'mon man! You've dated other chicks before! It'll be the same with Cassie."
"That was before I realized how much I really loved Michiru."
"Look man, I'm telling you; give it one last try. Maybe you'll like Cassie. She's sweet, smart, kind, caring, the whole package. And if things really are meant to be with you and Michiru, then things will happen. But that doesn't mean you can't live your life for a bit. You've only got one life. Live it to the fullest."
Haruka stared at her best friend for a moment. "Live life to the fullest?"
"Yup!"
There was a moment's pause before the track star sighed and nodded. "Fine. Where should I meet this cousin of yours?"
--
Michiru was heading towards the football field when she spotted Haruka and Matt, talking quite seriously. She paused, wondering if she should interrupt them.
At that moment, Matt's eyes landed on her and he smiled. "Hey Michiru!"
Haruka turned around and her eyes widened slightly when she saw the swimmer.
Michiru smiled nervously at the tomboy. Was she still angry?
"Hello, Matt," she greeted.
"Wsup? Me and Haruka just finished talking so that's okay. I'll leave you two alone." Matt lightly punched Haruka in the shoulder. "Later buddy! See ya tomorrow at 3!" And he left, leaving Haruka and Michiru in an awkward silence.
"Umm …" Michiru couldn't look at Haruka in the eyes, partly because she was afraid to see the same anger in them.
"Look … sorry about today …" Haruka mumbled.
At that, Michiru found enough courage to look up and see the apologetic look in her best friend's eyes. "It's okay …"
Haruka smiled a small smile. "I promise I won't explode like that again … okay?"
"Okay…"
Haruka nodded. "So …"
"Haruka?"
"Hmm?"
"Can you smile for me?"
Haruka blinked, confused at the strange request. "Smile?"
The violinist nodded. "Yeah … smile for me … please?"
Haruka stared at her before giving her the world's biggest smile. "How's that?"
Michiru giggled and flung her arms around the tomboy. "I don't like seeing you so mad … it hurts …"
Stunned, Haruka hugged her back and felt her heart beating painfully. You're not making this any easier for me Michi …
Michiru pulled away and smiled. "So what are you doing with Matt tomorrow?"
"Oh, nothing. Just some video games and stuff … he's trying to set me up with his cousin," Haruka shrugged.
Michiru was confused to why she felt her stomach dropping at the news. "H-his cousin?"
Haruka shrugged again. "Yeah. Maybe it'll be fun. I haven't gone out with anybody for a while … always turning down those girls and stuff …"
"But .. I liked it better when you were like that!" Michiru blurted out.
Haruka raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
Michiru felt flustered.What did she mean by that? Why did those words stumble out?"I meant … that … umm … you weren't off breaking another girl's heart … I feel kind of sorry for them y'know?" she stammered.
Haruka nodded slowly. "Right … well, maybe Cassie's gonna be different."
"Cassie?"
"Matt's cousin. Who knows? Maybe I need to settle down with a real girlfriend, sort of like how you are with Michael …" Haruka turned away as she said this.
Michiru frowned. "You settling down with another girl?" She couldn't explain why but, she didn't like it. Haruka with another girl in a real relationship? She didn't like it one bit.
Haruka shrugged. "Yeah. Anyways, I gotta get home. I'm kinda tired. I'll see you later, alright?" She quickly kissed Michiru on the forehead and walked away, the tears in her eyes threatening to fall.
It's for the best … maybe Matt's right … I should move on …
Michiru stared after the tomboy, sad, hurt, and confused at the same time.
Haruka and Cassie …?
--
Yeah, I know, this chapter seems pretty short but I have a lot of regents coming up and stuff. But I promise, I'll post up a lengthy chapter right after I'm done with them! Thanks for all your wonderful comments!