I am so sorry I haven't in so long! School suddenly came up and my computer crashed, so yeah! Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 13: Broken Hearts and Heart Shaped Cookies
Saturday, October 13, 2006, the bus, 10 am
I love fall. The way the leaves get all multi colored because of lack of photosynthesis really gets to me, you know? Like, nature in its prime. And I just love watching them fall down from its home on the branches, making a new home on the ground below.
Anyway, since Saturdays in Japan are half days in school, Miss Kincaid thought it'd be a good idea to go to the Tokyo Memorial Park for a nice picnic lunch. I also thought it'd be a good idea because I could visit my mom's grave while I'm there. Ever since I became student president for our class, I haven't had any time for my mom. Plus all the beyblading practices I had to go to added to my stress.
So, yeah. We're all on the bus, our bags and lunches in tow, ready for a beautiful autumn picnic. Sakura made a lunch for me, which contained these heart shaped cookies I wanted to share with Tyson. He always loved her cooking. And what are fiancees are for? I'm trying my best to be a good fiancee for Tyson, since this engagement probably isn't ending anytime soon.
And, I don't think I want it to end. I like having Tyson as my fiancee, even though I'd never admit it. Call me crazy, but I can see myself with him, for a long, long time.
Speaking of whom, Tyson was at the back of the bus, telling the class how bad I was in beyblading, and how I'm improving because of him teaching me. That is such a lie. Max and Ray told me how good I was when I first launched the thing. And it made me feel real good, even though I still think beyblading is such a waste of studying time. But the extra encouragement really helped my self esteem, and lately I've been doing so well. I feel real good!
OMG we're here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Same day, the memorial park, 12 pm
"Tyson, eat some of my okonomiyaki!"
"No! Eat my home made ramen! I made it just for you!"
Ugh. Every girl in our class is sucking up to Tyson, telling him to eat their food, which is driving me insane! And just look at him, stuffing his face and enjoying all the attention, not even realizing how he'd leading each girl on. What a dolt!. I swear, his head cannot get any bigger.
"Tyson!" yelled Kimiko, strutting over to where he was sitting, "Try some of my cookies!" she handed him a plate of chocolate chip cookies, all in some random chronicle order. He smiled, taking one from the tray, and placing it in his mouth.
"Whoa, dude!" he cried, drooling slightly at the taste, "this is awesome!" he grabbed a handful and shoved some in his mouth.
Kimiko grinned, pleased, not even noticing his disgusting eating habits. "I'm glad you like them!"
I instantly reached in my bag, digging for my own cookie to give to him, taking out a heart shaped one. I looked at it and sighed. I couldn't give it to him. There was no point. He had all these delicious food in front of him, and all I had was some measly cookies (no offense to Sakura; she can cook, but pastries can't compete against ramen to Tyson).
Dejectedly, I shoved it back in my bag, closing the bag. I glanced quickly at Kenny beside me, his eyes staring at me before turning back to his laptop. I guess he knows.
"You know," he started, "might as well give Tyson the lunch you made him. I bet he'd be happy."
I smiled weakly. "Don't try to cheer me up, Kenny. You aren't good at it."
Kenny blinked. "I'm not?" he asked, looking slightly confused. I smiled at him. "Forget about it." I said. I reached into my bag and reached into it, grabbing a handful of heart shaped cookies.
"Want them?" I asked Kenny. His eyes shone happily, taking my cookies and eating them one by one. I smiled; at least someone was enjoying them, I thought, glaring over at Tyson, who was still pigging out. I didn't know how those girls could be near him when he was eating; he had no manners.
"Wow, Hilary!" Kenny exclaimed when he was done, "those were good! Can I have more?" I smiled and peered in my bag, seeing that there was only one more left.
"Um...I wanna save the last one for later." I said, smiling apologetically. Kenny nodded, focusing his attention on his laptop. Its not like I'm lying; I was going to save it for later. If Tyson wants it, maybe...
"Thanks for understanding." I said, standing up. I dusted off all the leaves and dirt off my skirt, picking up my bag after I was done.
"Hey, Hil! Where are you going?" asked Tyson, watching me from his spot under the tree, with Kimiko holding on to his arm affectionately. I quickly look away, before Kimiko got any ideas. My eyes wander over the hill I had to cross to get to the graves.
"None of your business." I said angrily, walking toward the hill. So, now I'm here, lazily looking at my mom's gravestone, wondering if what life would be like if she were here. Well, for starters, I wouldn't be engaged to Tyson, that's for sure. And, I know Sakura would go out and get married, instead of staying with us until Sora's old enough to be the house mom.
I ran my fingers across my mom's grave, and looked to the one beside it. It read: Here lies Kei Matsuro, a father and grandfather. We all love you; may you rest in peace. Matsuro...that name rung a bell. I think it's Ben's last name, but it is common...
Wait a sec...I hear footsteps coming up the hill. Without turning back, I yell: "Tyson, I seriously don't need to talk to you right now, because I swear to god, I'll..."
Same day, the bus, 4 pm
"Hilary, why are you talking to yourself?" I turned around, my face red with anger. But instead of seeing Tyson, I saw Ben's amused face, half smiling, half confused face. My face turned pink with embarrassment, and I quickly look away. Looking back now, I had nothing to be ashamed about, but whatever.
Ben came over to sit beside me, placing his large hand over mine. "What are you doing here?" he asks, his eyes flickering with raw playfulness. Its been a while since I saw him this happy, so I decided to play along.
"I can ask you the same thing." I replied back, smiling teasingly. I notice that beyond the hill, the others are playing tag; Tyson being the main target, while the other guys are waiting around for some girl to tag them.
" I asked first."
"I asked second."
Ben smiled and stood up, stretching his legs. "If you don't want to tell me, its cool, I'll go." he said, turning his back to me and heading to his limo. I panicked then; he couldn't leave! I had to tell him the truth! I cant bear the thought of having such a guilty conscience for another day! Quickly, I hopped to my feet, running over to Ben. "Wait!" I yelled, running as fast as my legs could carry me.
Ben stopped immediately, and I crashed into his back, the impact causing me to fall backward. Ben turned around, muttering a "Whoa!" and catching me with his free hand to the small of my back.
So, basically, it was like we were doing the tango right there on the memorial park. Which wasn't very respectful, considering we were in a graveyard, but there we were. His mischievous green eyes were locked with mine, and it felt as though we were back in the seventh grade, where he could make my heart pound with a single word.
That is, until Tyson came over.
"Hey!" he yelled, causing Ben to drop me out of shock, and me plummeting to the ground, hitting my head on the grass, which still hurts BTW. I groaned slightly, as Ben helped me up to my feet. Kimiko was giggling, all the while being attached Tyson's arm and I glared at her. How Kitty can you get?
"So, what were you guys up to?" asked Kimiko, holding on to Tyson's arm tighter, and looking at me through evil glares. Tyson nodded, adding a "That's what I want to know!"
Ben was about to answer, but I clutched on to his arm, telling him to let me handle it. "Nothing." I simply said, letting go of Ben's arm.
Tyson narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, whatever. Didn't you have something to say to Ben?" he asked, trying to act innocent, which I so didn't fall for.
"Nope." I replied just as innocent.
"Kids!" yelled Miss Kincaid from back at the picnic spot, "time to go!"
"Just a minute!" yelled Kimiko, turning around to face me again. "Shall we go, Tyson honey?"she asked sweetly. I had to force myself not to laugh out loud at the sugar dripping from her voice. Tyson looked over to me, asking me "what about you?" through his eyes, but I turned away and looked back at Ben. "Go ahead," I said, "I'll see you later."
Ben looked at me, and he knew what I was going to do. He always had a talent like that nobody else had. He smiled, kissing me lightly on my forehead. "Yeah, see ya."
Kimiko pulled a gaping Tyson down the hill, with Ben following behind. That was the thing about Ben; he always gave me space. A little too much space, I thought, because now I feel like I'm not loved enough. I walked over to my mom's grave and sat down again, tracing the words on her gravestone with my fingers.
"Hey, Mom," I started, taking a deep breath. "How are you? I hope you didn't have to hear that; I bet you could hear the tension from wherever you are. Dad did the dumbest thing, he engaged me and Tyson. Remember him? You used to say we'd end up together in the end no matter what. How coincidental. Say, did you know about the engagement? I hope it wasn't your idea; I got my brains from you after all." I chuckled slightly.
"I miss you, Mom. I feel as though I wouldn't have to go through all these troubles if you were here. Like last week, I pretended I was some sexy girl named Kitty who dressed like a diva and had the attitude to match. I bet if you were here, I wouldn't be doing any of this. You would tell me what was right and what isn't. But, then I guess that idea would take the fun out of life. Its not that you're not fun or nothing, but..."
I talked with my mom for a big longer before Miss Kincaid called me over to the bus.I ran as fast as I could, and once I boarded the bus, every girl came up to me, questioning me about Ben.
"Who is he?" asked one girl.
"Isn't that Ben! Is he back in Tokyo for good?"
"Whoa, he's a hunk!"
I sighed, squeezing my way to the back of the bus, which was completely quiet. I sighed contently, sitting down at the way back, away from all the noise. I close my eyes, settle in the feeling of tiredness, and was about to go to sleep when...
"Why was Ben holding you like that?" Tyson asked, plopping in the seat in front of me. I groaned and opened my eyes to meet his intense indigo ones.
I blinked, unable to understand what he was saying. Then it hit me. "Long story." I said, closing my eyes again, dismissing the conversation.
But Tyson didnt get the hint. "We have 1 hour and a half to talk. Spill."
I opened my eyes and glared at him. "Why should I? You were the one ignoring me all day! And then, when Ben comes along, you get all jealous!"
Tyson's face flushed. "I am not jealous!"
"Oh yeah?" I asked. "Then why do you care?"
"Because you're my fiancee!"
"That's jealousy!"
"No its not!"
I rubbed my temples tiredly, showing him I'm not in the mood. "Look, Tysom," I said, using my quietest voice, "I made you something, but you were too stupid to realize. All you cared about was all the attention you got, so just bug off, ok?"
Tyson stopped talking for a bit, and I thought he was done. I closed my eyes again, trying tofall asleep, until I heard Tyson mutter something.
"What?" I asked.
"I said, can I have what you made for me?"
I immediately reached in my bag, and took out the heart shaped cookie. It was broken in two pieces, and for a moment I saw Tyson soften his expression.He took it from my hands and put both pieces together.
"There!" he said happily, "All better!:" he took a big bite out of it and chewed, tasting and analyzing the taste. I waited patiently for his reaction, watching his every bite. So this is how Kimiko feels when she feeds Tyson, I had thought, enjoying the feeling of being noticed.
"Hilary," he said after a bit, "its perfect."