"Chatmate"
Poshpuppy27: Wow. Last chapter. I'm really…-sniffs-…-dabs eye-…Thanks to all those who reviewed. To PaCT, p3paula, Whispering Lotus, and those others! Sorry if I couldn't put all your names here. I'll put them at the last part. Haha! Thanks for bothering to read such a crappy story. Well, last one. Fluff. I suck at it. Haha! Read and Review! Enjoy!
Die- Normal POV
Die- Thoughts
"Die"-Speaking
Disclaimer: Sheesh, last chappie. Still :), I do not own what's not mine.
"Chatmate"
Chapter 3: Happily Ever After
I'm trying to sleep, but this pain in my chest
It's keeping me awake and every breath I take feels like it's my last
I wanna be fine, I wanna be sure
I want to be a lot of things and they don't include you
I keep telling myself I'm not miserable
I keep telling myself I'm better off without you
(Brilliant Lies-New Year's Day)
---
What did he mean by that? What did he mean by 'I need to cut ties with you' and 'Don't want you to be involved'? Screw HIM! I wish I had never met him! I trusted him and yet…This is how he…Sigh…He didn't even explain…
"MS. ROSETTE CHRISTOPHER!" a hand came down Rosette's desk, and the sudden impact caused the poor desk to break into pieces. Rosette jumped, startled. "Y-yes, Sister Kate?" she ever-so-innocently asked the now nose-flaring, ears-steaming Sister Kate.
"DETENTION!" Rosette's mouth popped open with a surprised gasped. She stomped her feet on the ground like a stubborn child as she asked "But why?!" Her classmates chuckled but then was silenced by the murderous I'll-give-you-detention-if-you-don't-shut-up look of Sister Kate. Sister Kate rubbed her temples and tried to even her breathing before she could have a heart attack.
"Because Ms. Christopher, I was asking you a question based on our Trigonometry lesson yet you didn't answer me. You just stared off into space therefore you are sent to detention" she explained as simply as possible. It should have been that simple.
Too bad it wasn't.
"But I can't go to detention today!" Rosette whined. She was trying to reason out with Sister Kate in her own way. Sister Kate raised an eyebrow in a questioning way and folded her arms across her chest. Usually, by this gesture, other students would think twice before they could give their explanation to Sister Kate. "Why?" she asked in a dangerous low voice.
"Because! Duh?! It's a waste of time!"
The whole class held their breaths. They waited for Sister Kate's reaction.
"MISS ROSETTE CHRISTOPHER!!!"
Needless to say, the result was inevitable and predictable.
---
"Ow! Ow! It was all her fault owie! Who knew, ouch! That a nun like her—aah! Is actually—hmpff! A brutal pro wrestler, OW!" Rosette winced as a certain albino girl dabbed her bruises with some ointment. Azmaria kept on muttering 'sorry' over and over again each time she applied the medicine.
"R-rosette, p-please h-hold st-still…F-for j-just a m-minute l-longer" she stuttered. Rosette put on a brave face as she nodded, depressed. She exhaled softly, not wanting Azmaria to worry about her further. They were alone in the clinic; their nurse was gone to check some records. Suddenly, a rasping sound came from the door, Azmaria shrieked while Rosette jumped in surprise.
"R-ro-ro…se-sette" Azmaria begin to panic. Rosette pressed her index finger to her lips to signal Azmaria to keep quiet. She stood up, cringed from the pain and opened the door slowly. She gave out a startled gasp as a limp body fell into her arms.
"Ch-chrno?!"
---
Azmaria finished patching up Chrno, and then they laid him in the bed of the clinic and waited. "R-rosette, I'll get the nurse" Azmaria suggested. Still not moving from where she sat, Rosette absentmindedly nodded. Rosette's been weird these past few weeks…Joshua's complaining about her too….I wonder why…Is she sick? Or hurt? Oh no! Smile more Rosette! Seeing you this way, affects me more than you.
"Rosette…Are you alright?" Azmaria didn't stutter for once. Sadly, Rosette didn't notice this. She looked at Azmaria as if she remembered she was there and gave her best smile, though it wasn't real. "Yeah! I'm totally fine, a bit sore from the madwoman's clutches, but yep", Azmaria looked at her with concerned but doubtful eyes, nodded, and excused herself.
For the mean time, Rosette's pain and guilt worsened when she saw Chrno's condition. Black and blue bruises scattered all over his body, some scratch marks on his face, a bit of slashes on his arms and wrists, and dried blood on his forehead. No, those weren't painful to look at for Rosette. What was painful for her was the way his eyebrows furrowed, how cold sweat broke down to his face, how his eyes scrunched up in pain, agony, regret, and sorrow, how he bit his trembling lips, and how his body slightly shook.
"Chrno…W-who did this to you? Aion and his gang? I swear…I will make them pay" she vowed through gritted teeth and tightly shut eyes. How could I have been this selfish? I was thinking of my stupid Chatmate, mourning over his sudden loss, sudden disconnection from me. The feeling of abandonment, for the second time, sure it was painful…But…Chrno…He…He's in…much…much more pain than me…Why haven't I seen that?! Why have I been blind for these past few weeks?! Who was I then?! Chrno…I'm so sorry. I'm…so selfish…
Rosette gently placed her hand on top of Chrno's callous and scarred hand. He was a bit cold, and when she touched him, he whimpered a bit. This made her withdraw her hand back, but she placed it again, gentler and slowly. "Chrno" she whispered. She wished for a moment, that those mysterious crimson eyes of his would open up, and he would smile timidly at her. But, no, they remained tightly shut, as if he never wanted to open his eyes again.
"I'm sorry" her voice broke. Tears began to pour from her eyes. She sobbed quietly, biting her lips. "I'm…so…sorry."
"Chrno…Tell me" she hiccupped. She hurt so much, and the more she held his hand, the more pain can she feel flowing from him. It hurt twice as before now.
"How can I make the pain go away?" she asked desperately. She cried more, silently. It was funny, she never cried in front of anyone, yet, she cried in front of someone she hardly knew.
"How…How can I lessen your pain?!" she croaked. She closed her eyes, and lifted his hand and brought it to her cheek; she was gently stroking it with her free hand. She felt his hand touch her cheek, startled; she opened her eyes and saw dull crimson eyes looking back weakly at her. Chrno smiled feebly. This brought more fresh tears to Rosette.
"Don't cry…" he whispered. With all his strength, he held Rosette's hand and went back to sleep, smiling this time. Rosette clenched her teeth and held Chrno's hand tighter.
How ironic, he was in pain, she wasn't, yet he was the one comforting her.
---
Rosette went home at around past 7. She went to her part time job after school, and then she visited her parent's graves in the cemetery. She stood there for half an hour, just staring at their names. She was trying to recall her memories with them, with Joshua as well; she was trying to remember their love, her mother's love and her father's guidance. Unsurprisingly, she couldn't. Why?
Simply because there weren't any of those when they were still alive.
On her way home, she bought strawberry cupcakes which Joshua loved so much. It was a very awkward thing for her to do, to be nice to her brother, but she impulsively bought it. So she shrugged, and just decided to give it to him as quickly as possible.
"I'm home" she cried out as she went inside their 2-story house. Rosette just finished removing her shoes when Joshua charged at her and hugged her tightly at the waist. They both fell down on the floor with Rosette in a sitting position and with Joshua's head buried in her chest.
"J-joshua? What's wrong?" she asked in a calm and cool manner, trying to hide the hysterical fear in her voice. She felt Joshua shook his head and hugged her tighter.
"If nothing's wrong, then why are you hugging me like this?"
No answer. Rosette was just answered by muffled sobs and hiccups. She sighed and patted his head. She rubbed his back in a soothing manner to calm him down. She knew that this could calm down an upset Joshua, and it worked every time. Up until now.
"If nothing's wrong, then why are you crying Joshua?" she asked in a motherly way. Joshua finally replied with a stifled voice. "What?" Rosette asked.
"I'm just glad you're back home!" he sobbed, blushing. Rosette's eyes widened in comprehension and smiled awkwardly at her younger brother. She patted his head as he continued his lecture. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?! I was this close in calling the police!" he hugged his sister tighter, afraid that she might vanish at any given moment.
Rosette just kept on nodding and hugged his brother back. Now, it was Joshua's turn to be dumbfounded. She stood up and gave him the brown paper bag and then she scruffled his hair. "I'm going to rest in my room for a bit. I'm not going to eat dinner, so…Good night" Rosette genuinely smiled at Joshua and proceeded to her room.
She opened her computer and checked her emails, as she did the previous week. No new emails. It didn't surprise her, so with a smile, she decided to send one last email message to him.
To: LoNeLy_CrImsOnXxX (kronos_)
Subject: LAST EMAIL
Message: Hey. I'm sorry for constantly pestering you and stuff. I just can't stand this feeling of abandonment you know. Don't ask why. Ha… It would be just really great to reply back and explain why so I don't have to torture myself over this….
Whatever. I give up.
She clicked "Send" and turned it off. Through the thin wall, she heard Joshua's voice talking with someone on the phone. She guessed that it was Azmaria, and she was right.
"….came home at around 7 pm….A few minutes ago…." She heard Joshua say.
"Well, she looked…so wasted and so…lifeless" Joshua sighed. Rosette sighed as well, ashamed for her actions.
"It was really freaky, she hugged me and she…brought me home some strawberry cupcakes..Very unlike her at all. To top it off, she skipped dinner!"
"Azmaria….I'm worried about her…I wonder…Why has she been acting this way…Last week, she was so happy and so giddy, like a high-school teen who fell in love, but now…It's worse" Joshua spoke anxiously. Rosette didn't want to hear any more of this so she closed her door, and laid down on her bed.
She was a bit happy, because tomorrow, she would forget him. She would start all over again without him. Yes, a fresh new start. With that thought, she closed her eyes and went to sleep.
I'm starting to sleep a little easier now,
Now that I'm over this
And I've made up my mind to never fall in love again
With someone like you, someone so confused
I just wish I would have realized that a long time before I had….
I believed that you meant everything you said
Good bye and thanks for the memories
For the pain and the lies
Every time I had to cry
Good bye and thanks for the memories.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- --- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Part II….
"So! Rosette! Who will be your partner in the upcoming Spring Dance?" Mary, one of her close friends, excitedly asked Rosette. Rosette made a sour face and wolfed down a huge bite of her sandwich. Mary, with sunshine colored hair and calm gentle eyes, laughed softly at the face she made.
"Seriously, Rosette, will you go?" Rosette momentarily stopped eating as if to reconsider her question. She placed a finger under her chin and thought for a short while.
"Me? Going to the Spring Dance? No" she shook her head and resumed eating. Her friend slightly frowned and picked at her food. "Oh…Well…Okay" she said in an inaudible voice. Seeing her friend like that, she would die for her happiness.
"Hmmm…Fine! But I would only come okay? I won't dance" she negotiated. Mary's eyes twinkled with delight and hugged Rosette. "Thank you! Thank you! Really Rosette! Thank you oh so very much! You are an angel!" she kissed Rosette on the right cheek (as a friendly gesture. Not YURI) and ran back to their classroom to tell her other friends. Rosette laughed at the simple happiness she gave her friend. Oddly enough, she felt at ease.
Go to the dance. Eat. Avoid people. Go home. It would have been as simple as that right?
Wrong.
---
"I'm home!" she called out as soon as she got home. Strangely enough, no one answered. Joshua wasn't at home. It was very unusual for her brother. Upon arriving at her secret paradise, also known as the kitchen, a sticky note was posted at their refrigerator.
Rosette. Went shopping with Azzy. Be back at about 8 pm. There are lots of food in our refrigerator and here's the number for pizza delivery: 0-7xx-xxx. Stay out of trouble. Love yah!
Snickering, she grabbed the note and after reading it, threw it away. She grabbed a pint of chocolate ice cream and a soda and dashed back to her room. Bored out of her wits, she decided to do something in the internet. She was very stunned when she saw a new email. I don't want to read this but…I have no choice…So she clicked the message.
To: sMiLe_SunShIneXD (archaic_)
From: LoNeLy_CrImsOnXxX (kronos_)
Subject: RE: LAST EMAIL
I can't stand it. We both go to the same school together right? This spring dance. We have to meet each other. I'll be waiting by the garden near the gym by that event. I'll explain everything.
Rosette couldn't believe it. She read the message for 5 times and shut the computer down. She was just as confused and hurt as before, but, now a ray of hope had appeared.
She looked forward to the Spring Dance.
---
After a few weeks of preparation and decoration, the night of the Spring Dance finally came. At the Christopher household, it was a bit more chaotic and hell reigned over their home. Inside, clothes scattered everywhere, the television was left on, the remainders of their dinner were still left unclean, and voices that were as loud as thunder can be heard.
"DAMMIT JOSHUA! ITS NOT WORN THAT WAY!" Rosette told him for the umpteenth time. Joshua pouted stubbornly and answered back "IT IS!"
"IS NOT!"
"IS TOO!"
"NOT!!!"
"TOO!"
"YOU PIMP SIZED HOMOSEXUAL!"
"OBESSE TOMBOY!" Rosette gasped. Oh things were getting personal. "You. Take. That. Back"
"Make me" he taunted. Rosette tackled him unto the ground where she pulled his necktie so tightly, he could no longer breathe. Joshua waved his white flag and Rosette smirked. "So Joshua, who IS your escort anyway?" she asked, eyes full of mischief. Joshua blushed a bit. He scowled at his sister. "It's none of your business" he mumbled. Rosette mocked surprised him.
"That's too bad then. Tsk. Tsk. That guy sure is lucky to have Azmaria as his escort tonight" Rosette lied, peeking at her brother's reaction. She laughed hard as she stared at him. "B-but…I-I-I th-th-ought…" he stuttered helplessly, he was on the verge of tears. Rosette guffawed and scruffled her brother's hair. "You are such an idiot".
Time passed by quickly, and it was already half past 7.
---
They weren't supposed to attract attention. And they didn't. Their bunch looked formal and elegant for tonight. Joshua was wearing a tux, while Azmaria was wearing a creamy white and rosy pink dressed. They walked together, hand-in and, albeit shyly, and proceeded unto the dance floor. Rosette on the other hand, looked gorgeous in her black and deep scarlet haltered dress. It was matched with black stilettos (much to her dismay).
"R-rosette? A-aren't y-you going t-to d-dance?" Azmaria fussed over Rosette. Joshua gave his sister a concerned glance as well. She chuckled and shook her head. "You know I don't dance Azzy".
"You might as well have some food here and talk to your other classmates Rosette, have fun for once" Joshua suggested. Azmaria nodded in agreement. To their surprise, Rosette shook her head in disappointment.
"Honestly! You two are made for each other because the both of you are worry warts!" she laughed, earning blushes from the young couple. " I think I'm in the age where I'm fine if I decide things for my own. So, don't worry" she smiled as she lightly pushed the both of them unto the dance floor. Automatically, Joshua's hand snaked around Azmaria's waist to keep them both balanced. They reddened.
"So…I think I'll leave the love birds alone" she gave them a wicked grin and began to walk away. Turning her back once more, Rosette saw Joshua and Azmaria dancing with happy and satisfied looks on their faces.
Meanwhile, she had something important to be taken care off.
---
The garden of their school was a beautiful place, and at the very edge of it, was a stone balcony. Over the balcony, one can see the meadow and the vast forest. That's because their garden was placed in the edge of a low hill. This was one of Rosette's favorite places, she saw her favorite flowers: the forget-me-nots, baby's breath, sunflowers, lilies, orchids, etc.
She was frolicking through the flowers, under the moonlight. She touched their petals lightly and marveled at their beauty. She saw a rose bud not open yet. Meanwhile, the other of its kind was fully grown already.
"Ah, a late bloomer" she mused. She neared herself towards the balcony, and she suddenly stopped walking. A lone figure stood under the radiance of the full moon. Her eyes widened at the horrible realization of the identity of her so-called 'Chatmate'.
She gasped and the figure's head jerked towards her direction. His eyes widened too.
She looked at them more closely and she realized they were---Crimson eyes.
"Oh…my…god"
Poshpuppy27: And there you have it! The ending of my first fanfic! –Cries-. I know, it sucks. The ending sucks, and you have a lot of questions about this chapter. SO, as an excuse to post another chapter and to answer all your questions, I will post a SPECIAL CHAPTER after this one. And its kind of a song fic and is really MUSHY. :)) lol. So there you have it, thank you for reading! R & R
Time finished: 12: 35 am
QUOTE FOR THE DAY: I like you just the way you are.
LINE FOR THE DAY: Open your eyes/what do I see? / Tears pouring down/ when you look at me.