Siopao: (07/06/2013) I don't even want to think about how long I left this story hanging... I'm a bad, bad person. I know there's no excuse, but I was in a dark place for a bit and just recently became active again here on FF.N. No one probably reads this anymore but I hate dropping stories. I had to re-read this story of mine because I left it hanging for so long. Forgive me. -bows-
Disclaimer: I don't own PPGZ or its characters.
Love Chronicles
Part VI - Promise
By: Screaming Siopao
Brick felt a damp towel being placed on his forehead. He tried opening his eyes but the light from a lamp made him cringe and he immediately shut them at once. He could hear thunder rolling in the distance. From a nearby window, he listened to the raindrops collide onto the glass violently.
"Eh?" A girl's voice sounded surprised that he had moved. "You're up?"
"Urgh," Brick groaned, for that was the only thing that was able to escape his lips. He gave another attempt at opening his eyes, this time winning against the light of the lamp. He turned to his side, causing the damp rag to fall off his forehead. He saw a big bundle of orange hair adorned by a big, red bow. "I'd know that getup anywhere..."
"How are you—"
"Where the hell am I?" he interjected. Momoko pouted at his rudeness.
"In my room."
"What?" he asked as if he was appalled. He jolted himself up, despite the huge pang in his head. The walls were pink and there were at least a dozen or so posters of her male idols plastered onto it. It took all of Brick's might not to hurl all over her sheets. "Why would you take me here?"
"You passed out as it was starting to rain."
Brick recalled feeling unwell and remembered his last words before he blacked out: "help me."
"Ugh, did I really say that? I didn't actually think she would."
"Um," Momoko looked away, blushing. "Your clothes were soaked, so they're drying now... I gave you some of my pop's old clothes."
Brick looked down and, indeed, he was wearing different clothing from before. He smirked devilishly.
"Liked what you saw, eh?"
She took one of her pillows and hit him, the blush still evident on her face.
"Hey, is that any way you should be treating a guest who just passed out?" He shielded himself with his arms. "Why did you take me here, anyway?"
Momoko paused. Had he really just asked her why?
"You... You got sick and fainted. Did you expect me to leave you?" she questioned while raising an eyebrow.
"Well... yes," Brick bluntly replied. "It's what any one else would have done." He paused for a few seconds. "It's what everyone else has done."
The red-haired girl felt a tug at her heart.
"Is... Is that the reason why you're like that?" she asked, eyes downcast.
"Huh?" he asked, creasing his eyebrows in confusion. "Like what?"
"So... blunt and cold."
There was silence. An uncomfortable atmosphere filled Momoko's room as she sat there beside Brick, gripping tightly at the edge of her shirt. She was about to stand up in order to leave, but then she heard a low chuckle come from Brick's throat.
"It's just who I am now." He paused. "It's because I'm so alone now. Not even my brothers are around."
Momoko looked at the boy before her— the boy who she had believed to be a major brat, an immature child, and a cold jerk. Yet, what he wasn't was a waste of her time.
"Brick is really struggling. He can't handle being alone, even though he tries so hard to be strong." Though she believed that she hated him, the thought broke her heart. No one deserved to feel that lonely.
She put her hand to his forehead which, earlier that evening, was majorly burning up. He flinched at her touch.
"What are you—"
"Don't push yourself. You've cooled down a bit but you still have a slight fever."
Brick scoffed.
"I'm not a child. I'm leaving."
"I don't think so."
"I am. Where's my skateboard?"
"I hid it. You won't get it back until you've healed."
"What? You're insane."
"No, I'm not."
"Why are you doing this to me?"
Momoko stared at him, her face firm and her eyes solid with determination. There was no way she was going to let him go out there and risk hurting himself during the midst of a storm.
"Because I care."
Brick's eyes widened, just a bit. He tried masking his emotions right away but Momoko could tell that her words had an impact on him. Had he never heard such words before? Were they so foreign to him? She wanted to let him hear these words. She didn't want him to feel alone anymore.
"You... care." A pause. He creased his eyebrows yet again, but this time in deep thought. He scoffed in self pity. "No one's ever said that to me before."
"Well, I mean it." Brick looked on at her and noticed a twinge of scarlet on her fair cheeks.
"Damn. She can be kind of cute sometimes, for someone who is normally pretty annoying." He quickly shook the strange thoughts from his head.
Momoko then stood up from her seat and began walking towards the exit. Brick didn't know why, but he suddenly felt a sense of panic as soon as she was starting to leave.
"Wait—" The word just automatically slipped out, with him having no control. He immediately shut his mouth and looked down to hide his embarrassment. "What's gotten into me?"
"What is it?" Momoko spun around and stared at the flustered-looking boy on her bed.
"W- Where are you going?" he whispered.
"I'm going to get you some food," she stated. "I'll be right back."
Brick looked up at her with the softest eyes that Momoko had ever seen. The usual hardness of his masculine face was gone. All of his bitterness was washed away. He looked sincere and even... scared.
"Promise?" he asked softly. She couldn't help but smile at this side of Brick that she wasn't so used to seeing. If she could get a glimpse at this part of him, even if it were only to be once in a while, then she actually wouldn't mind being with him like this more often.
"Promise."
Love Chronicles
Part VI - Promise: End.
Siopao: Gahhh I know it's short. But I have to head to work now and I REALLY wanted to upload this chapter. Again, please forgive me. Please review, if you think this sorry soul is worthy of it!