Chapter 2 Day 1

When Sakura woke up that morning, she felt like it was going to be worst day of her life. She dreaded going to school. But she knew that it was what she needed to do. Life still goes on even if she already knew what she needed to do was going to be almost next to impossible. If she had it her way, she wouldn't have gotten out of bed. Her cell phone was already ringing and the name registered it as Shaoran's. She wouldn't pick it up. She knew why he was calling her that early. She knew what was going to happen that morning since yesterday. She didn't need to pick up and let him tell her. She just knew.

How could she not know? She arranged it to happen that way. Sakura knew that Shaoran was happy again as it should be. She was the reason why he was heartbroken in the first place. She had done the right thing. It was her responsibility as his best friend that his happiness was ensured.

Sakura looked at herself at the mirror as she started to brush her hair when she finished putting on her uniform. She couldn't help but sigh. Looking at herself, she couldn't help but think what she had gotten herself into. How could she really pull it off? Was she strong enough? Sakura shook her head. She knew that it was not the way to go. She couldn't afford to falter or turn back now. It would cost Shaoran everything again. She couldn't allow him to suffer because of her. He didn't deserve that. It was the least she could do for everything that he had done for her.

She checked the clock and almost panicked. It wasn't that because she was late but she knew Shaoran. She hadn't answered her phone which could mean that he might just drop by or meet her on the way to school to tell her all about it. Her choices were either to run to school before Shaoran could drop by or present herself late. Sakura thought for a second and decided that she would just have to beat Shaoran to school. She quickly got her school bag and went downstairs.

"Good morning, 'tou-chan, 'nii-chan. I think I'm just going to grab an apple and head to school. I'm running late. See you later."

Sakura said as she quickly got an apple from the table and was about to run to leave when her father said, "Aren't you going to wait for, Shaoran? He said that he couldn't get through to you on your phone so he called and said that he's going to drop by to walk you to school."

Sakura stopped dead on her tracks and turned and forced a smile and said, "I just charged my phone. Thank you, 'tou-chan but I'm really running late. I'm going to hear it from coach. Thank you. Bye." She then quickly ran outside.

She hated lying to her father. She didn't mind lying to her brother but still she hated lying to her family. She started to run towards school. When she was still near from her home, she thought about nothing but to get away. She needed to avoid him. Nearing the school, she sort of felt that it was alright to slow down a bit and started walking again.

Sakura walked the remaining distance to school. Her mind wasn't really minding the things that were happening around her that morning. She was early in school. Sakura met up with Tomoyo and the other girls. She knew that they were one of the early ones, which she was really grateful for.

"Hey Sakura! You're very early. Did something happen?" Chiharu asked.

Sakura smiled and stood in between Tomoyo and Naoko. "Come on you guys. Can't I be early for once? Why does it like there must be something that has happened for me to be very early like this?" The three girls laughed. "Is it that bad that I end up in school this early?" Sakura commented.

Tomoyo then laid a gentle hand on Sakura's shoulder and said, "Not really, Sakura. It's just well really surprising that you came in early especially since we saw you with Li-sempai in line for the concert last night." Sakura seemed dumbfounded.

"So how was the concert? Was it good?" Naoko asked.

"Forget about that. Have you and Li-sempai finally got together?" Chiharu asked.

Sakura felt that they were really closing in on her. She couldn't help but step back. "Take it easy you guys, will you? Chill. We're not together if you must know. We're best friends, that's all. Geez. Besides, Rika-san got back with him so it was just a friend's night out sort of thing."

"What? Wait! Rewind!" Chiharu exclaimed. All three of them felt like the rug had been pulled from under them. They hadn't expected that one. "Li-sempai and Rika-san are back together? When did this happen?" Chiharu added.

"This morning. And if anyone asks, you didn't hear it from me. Let's keep this under wraps for a while. Let them be the one to make the announcement, shall we?" Sakura said.

"Sounds like you're jealous." Naoko teased.

Sakura blushed and said, "What? Don't say such nonsense. Shaoran is my best friend and I'm really happy for him." The three girls just laughed. "I think I should get myself a boy friend or a crush at least maybe by then you'd stop pushing me to Shaoran." Sakura commented sarcastically.

"I don't think you have to wait long." Tomoyo replied.

Sakura turned to her and looked at her all confused. She knew she had said it in a sarcastic way and they all knew that it wasn't to be taken literally. "What are you talking about?" Sakura couldn't help but ask.

"That cute guy has been looking at you and is now walking towards us." Tomoyo said.

All of them turned and saw a handsome young man smiling and walking towards them. They would have squealed but it seemed that they were frozen in place.

Looking at him, he looked like Shinzo Mizuhara. The Shinzo Mizuhara, the latest pop idol that had soared to popularity with the help of his talent and good looks, was walking towards them, smiling and all. But he was wearing glasses. It didn't matter though. All they knew was that he was handsome and coming towards them. They had been so wrapped up in their conversation that they hadn't even noticed. A lot of the students were speechless too.

He walked straight to Sakura. Sakura was a little surprised. She hadn't expected this at all. She even wondered if she was dreaming. "Hey Sakura. A pleasant surprise to see you here."

"Hey. I'm sorry…it's just…hi." Sakura replied, uncertain on what to say. Surprise had crept up to her so fast that she felt so overwhelmed to comprehend everything that was happening at that moment.

Chiharu and the others couldn't help it anymore and ask, "Um, excuse me. Sorry. It seems that you know each other…but…it's just…aren't you Shinzo Mizuhara?"

He smiled and replied, "I get that a lot actually. But no. My name is Hiiragizawa Eriol. It's a pleasure to meet all of you and please pardon my rudeness." He then gave a courteous bow to them. The girls then introduced themselves. They were still a little star-struck even if they believed that he wasn't Shinzo Mizuhara. Sakura wondered why he hadn't acknowledged that he was really Shinzo. It brought this curiosity that draw her to him.

Eriol looked at Sakura and smiled. He knew that she wanted to know why he hadn't told them that he was actually Shinzo. But he was grateful that she had chosen not to say anything in front of her friends. In that way, it made her a more interesting person to him.

"Why didn't you tell me that you transferred to our school?" Sakura asked as she smiled at him.

He smiled and said, "Well, I guess we were both surprised. Besides, it's a little more interesting to me how you know that. It's probably that obvious but still." Sakura just smiled.

"It's my job to know, Eriol. Shall I accompany you to the faculty room now?" Sakura offered.

"No, thank you. I think I can manage that. I don't want to trouble you this early in the morning. Well, if you'll excuse me ladies, I'm off." Eriol said before leaving and heading to the faculty room.

"That was…that was…" Naoko started.

"That was…you're right, Sakura. Forget Li-sempai and go for Eriol. You have my support." Tomoyo commented.

"Wait! How come you never told us that you knew someone as handsome as that, Sakura?" Chiharu started.

Sakura gave them a shaky smile. "I think I prefer the not-being-late issue better than this one." She then started to dash off inside. Her friends looked at each other and started to run after her.

"Hey! You guys wait up!" Tomoyo, Chiharu and Naoko heard someone call out. They turned and saw Shaoran running towards them. They stood there looking at each other. They found it quite odd that he would call out at them for something. Shaoran caught up and started to catch his breath a little.

"Have you guys seen, Sakura? I tried to call her but she wouldn't pick up her phone and I called to say that I'd be picking her up for school but when I came her dad said that she already left, some sort of practice. Have you seen her by chance?" Shaoran said.

Chiharu, Tomoyo and Naoko looked at each other. They knew that there wasn't any practice for cheerleading that morning. They were given the time off. They also weren't aware of things that had to do with the student council. It was odd. Sakura did say that Shaoran and Rika had gotten back together that morning and they knew that the only way she would know that was if Shaoran had told her unless something else happened. Something was not right.

"Ah, Li-sempai, Sakura well she went on ahead. There's a new student who entered the school. Since Sakura was the earliest to arrive among the officers, she was called in." Tomoyo said to cover up.

"Yeah! Yeah, that's right. You just missed her. She was called in not too long ago and just ran inside." Chiharu said.

"Maybe her phone's dead or on silent or something." Naoko commented.

Shaoran looked at them and replied, "Sakura's phone never goes dead. Did she say something or did she seem upset?" The girls looked at each other and quickly shook their heads. Shaoran seemed skeptical but then after a while said, "Alright then. Please tell her that I'm looking for her and that there is something that I need to tell her. Thanks." He then headed inside the school building.

The girls looked at each other. They didn't quite know how to put things together. They were surprised that Shaoran can't seem to find Sakura or that Sakura wouldn't answer his calls on top of she knew the exceedingly kind and handsome new student.

"What was that about?" Chiharu asked.

"I don't know but something tells me that it's really going to be interesting." Tomoyo replied smiling. "I'm sure Sakura will be able to handle it. I'm not worried." She added.

"It's not that, Tomoyo. But I wonder what's happening behind our backs? Those two are tight even if they aren't boyfriend-girlfriend. I hope it isn't another one of Rika-san's escapades. I doubt that she really likes Sakura, though it's hard to think of a reason why she wouldn't like her because Sakura is a very likeable person, everyone likes her." Naoko started to say.

"Listen to you two…Sakura's going to kill you if she hears this. Ok maybe I'm exaggerating but listen let's not start talking about this because Rika-san at three o'clock. I don't know about you two but I'm heading inside. See ya." Chiharu said as she started to run inside.

"Hey! Chiharu!" They called out as they chased after her.

They all headed to their classroom and pretty soon, Sakura joined them. "Hey Sakura, Shaoran was looking for you earlier. He said that he wants to talk to you. He said he couldn't get a hold of you." Tomoyo said when Sakura placed her bag at the side of her desk and sat down.

"Shaoran? Yeah, ok thanks. I'll call him later." Sakura said.

Tomoyo exchanged glances with Chiharu and Naoko. "He also said that your dad told him that you had to rush to school because we had practice. Now, we're your friends, Sakura. Are you having a secret relationship?" Chiharu said.

Sakura's mouth almost dropped. She did a double take. "A secret what?" She asked.

"A secret relationship. You know, probably with the new guy, Hiiragizawa-san. Maybe you two are going out and Li-sempai doesn't approve so you are keeping it secret from him. Or probably you and Li-sempai are really a couple and oh! I know you are pretty and all but dating two guys at once? Gosh Sakura…" Chiharu started to say then leaned closer and added, "You've got to tell me your secret…"

Sakura, Tomoyo and Naoko couldn't stop laughing. "No. I'm not going out with anybody. I'm single…free as a bird and I like it that way, thank you very much. But what girl doesn't want to be swept off her feet and meet prince charming?" Sakura said as she started to waved her arms and embrace herself dreamily.

"We can have that arranged." Some guy suddenly spoke in Sakura's ear.

Sakura was so surprised that she jumped from her seat but tripped and fell on her bottom. She looked up and saw Shaoran. He was grinning down at her. He then offered a hand to her and she took it. So much for avoiding him… Sakura thought to herself.

"Boy, I didn't know you were desperate to have a boy friend." He teased her.

She gave him a look and replied, "Well that's because you are too busy being a jerk and I just had a date with the floor. What are you doing here anyway?"

Shaoran then handed her a letter. "Ryu was about to look for you and give you this letter. He said that you guys have a student council meeting later. With regards to what about, he said read the letter and you will understand. I was about to look for you since you refused to answer my calls so I volunteered to come here myself and bring you the letter." He said.

"Thanks. Tell him I'll be there. Get back already or I'll cite you myself for tardiness." Sakura said.

Shaoran grinned, "Geez, you can be really a pain, you know that. I didn't even have a chance to tell you why I've been trying to get in touch with you with since this morning."

"Yeah well that's for surprising me and letting me hit the floor. Get going before Rika-san gets jealous or something." Sakura said as she was about to open the letter.

"Hey! How did you know?" Shaoran suddenly asked.

Sakura looked up from the letter and said, "Huh?"

He looked at her. Sakura then realized that she had said something that she shouldn't have. "How did you know?" Shaoran asked again.

Sakura thought quickly and smiled and said, "Because I'm psychic now get going before you're marked late. I don't think you can afford that right now, can you?" Shaoran looked at her and nodded and left.

Sakura then proceeded reading the letter as she sat back down at her chair. "You sure can go against, Li-sempai, can you?" Tomoyo commented.

"Well because he knows that he was really being a jerk just now and besides the bell is going to sound soon." Sakura replied, not looking up from the letter. She then folded it again and placed it in her bag.

"I know it's not like Li-sempai to be late. Is he going for a perfect attendance or something?" Chiharu said.

"I think so. Well anyway can we just not talk about him…I'd rather not spoil my day, thank you very much." Sakura said.

The others looked at each other. They were about to ask what it was really about when the bell sounded and their homeroom teacher entered. All stood and greeted Yoshiyuki Terada. They bowed and sat. "Good morning. Well before anything else, we have a new student joining our class." He said and motioned the new student to come in from the door.

When he entered, murmuring started all over the class. Sakura was stunned. Chiharu, Tomoyo and Naoko were just as surprised. He stood beside the teacher and smiled. "My name is Hiiragizawa Eriol. Pleased to meet you." He then bowed at them.

(to be continued…)

Hmm…well I guess that it is worth putting all my effort into finishing. I've decided to continue on with this fic. Thanks to those who had read and reviewed the first chapter. Thanks so much. I didn't expect this to tell you quite frankly. Thanks. Please do review if you're into the storyline so I'd know more or less how to tackle it. Thanks.

Michiko