Chapter 20

`Lavi

Another knock came at the door. It was Auntie Tricia.

"There's a call for you, Lavi. He says his name is Allen."

"Ok."

I got up from my chair and left the books on the table. I went downstairs and took it.

Don't tell me he's going to ask like the others did.

I listened and it turns out he didn't.

He made an excuse that it was club related. I don't believe him entirely though.

I was about to disagree but then Uncle Sheryl who happened to hear the conversation said why don't I join them.

I agreed. I just hope that it wasn't some sort of plan but I'm guessing it is.

I'll just leave if it really is. There's no harm done in going.

I can always leave.

I walked to school like always and acted as if nothing happened. Kanda seemed grumpier than usual though and I saw him arguing with Allen.

School ended quickly. The classes were really boring. The only thing interesting that happened was Kanda's usual taunts that seems to have been worse today.

I walked with Allen going to his uncle's place. It was at the second floor of a restaurant where he works part time at that his uncle also owns. His name is Neah Walker and somehow real kind. I asked if I could also get a job out of the blue.

It would be good to be able to help financially by spending my own money on needs in school or personal ones. I'm sure I can make Uncle Sheryl agree by saying that it is way to bond with friends too.

Allen's uncle seemed fine with me working part time during Fridays and Saturdays. He needed extra help lately since he recently lost an employee. All I have to do is tell Uncle Sheryl when I arrive home.

Allen and I were hanging out in the living room.

A knock on the door came.

"Lenalee and Kanda are here," said Neah. "Do you need anything?"

"Everything's fine uncle. You can leave us here."

"Okay."

He left.

Meeting Kanda, I normally would have greeted him with a cheerful smile then tease him but things somehow turned out differently when Lenalee came as expected.

I still did smile but it wasn't really that convincing. I got up saying that I have to leave.

"Lavi, wait. Please listen," Lenalee asked in a pleading voice.

"I-"

"Just listen, baka usagi," said Kanda with his usual glare.

"Kanda, why'd you call him that?" asked Lenalee.

"Che."

"I'm going downstairs to help out Uncle. I'll be back later," said Allen as he suddenly left the room.

Kanda walked upstairs abruptly. He went into a room and closed the door. I guess he knows this place already. He is Allen's friend despite their bickering.

I'm the only one really out of place here. I really should just leave.

I got up once more but Lenalee stopped me.

"P-please don't leave yet, Lavi. Will you please listen just this once?" Her voice was shaking. She is shaking.

I didn't really want to but I did. I wouldn't really want to but I can't always avoid her like this forever. She is friends with my friends. I can't just avoid them because of this so I sat down and waited for her to continue speaking.

It wouldn't do to continue acting childishly and immature so I listened.

"I'm really sorry for saying such words. I regret the cruel ways I treated you. I'm sorry. I know it's late but I'm asking you to please forgive me. I-I want to be friends with you again. Can we start over?"

I didn't answer at once. What should I do? Should I forgive her?

It will be too immature of me if I stayed getting angry at her. Well, I'm not actually angry at her. Is this what they call pride?

Would be I fine being friends with her again? Lavi's character might have been fine with it. He's outgoing and cheerful. I guess the past Lavi is still alive.

No, it isn't really him. It's me. I'm the one with the problem. I have a right enough reason to act this way but she apologized. It wouldn't be really right to just let things remain as they are.

I guess I'll try reconciling with her but I'm not sure if I can get along with her quickly.

"Lavi?"

It seems I haven't been answering for a long time already.

"I guess it will be fine. I forgive you but I'm not really sure if things can go on like before."

"I'm fine with that. T-thank you, Lavi," she said while smiling. Tears were falling down her face though.

"Hey, I didn't say that to make you cry. Please don't. Yuu-chan will get angry at me," I said playfully.

She laughed.

"None of you ever told me. How do you and Kanda know each other?" she asked out of curiosity as the tears stopped.

"Yuu-chan? We're seatmates. He really gets attention that he hates with that scowl."

"You're in the same class?"

"Yeah."

"But Kanda is older than me by two years. I thought we were about the same age."

"We are. I guess you can say that I've somehow accelerated."

"Really? That's so cool."

"Anyway, how have you been, Lenalee? I didn't expect that you'd be friends with Allen and Yuu-chan."

"I didn't either but they are true friends like I was with you. I'm really sorry about before."

"I thought we already settled it."

"I-"

"What did you do, baka usagi?" asked Kanda who suddenly appeared. It seems he was questioning the tears on Lenalee's face.

"It was nothing, Kanda. I'm just happy."

He remained silent but gave a look which made me laugh.

A knock came on the door and came in Allen with a few trays.

"Is everything alright now?"

"Yeah."

"Then let's eat. I'm sure you guys are hungry."

He handed out each a plate. The rest was for himself. He gobbled it all up like the usual.

It made us both laugh. Kanda was the only one who didn't.

I guess I won't be regretting doing that. I'm happy being with them like this.

I think this time, I can trust them.

`littlebunny1412: Thanks for reading.

And thanks to 'In a silent night', 'yami no hikarii', 'You Still Love Me' and 'lal' for reviewing ^_^

11/11/2011