Chapter 13 (Proofread at 3am with my eyes literally falling on me)
NOTE: I decided to post the lemon (if you actually call it lemon) on a separate story. So, if any of you are interested in sinning, stop by my profile to check it out. To those who want to drown in sin, you might be slightly disappointed as it is more romance than erotica, but I already mentioned that back in the privatized Wattpad chapter.
First thing I thought when I was about to wake up was that it was overwhelmingly hot. I was slightly sweating from all the heat that I decided to open my eyes. The heat source happened to be Haru. He had his entire body curled up against my back with his arm over my body, slinging way too close to my chest, and our legs tangled together.
I turned over to face Haru and looked closely at his sleeping face. The last time I saw him like this was when he was having a terrible fever, but now, he looked more relaxed and at peace. I ran the back of my hand against his face, and after being envious over his skin, I landed a kiss on the tip of his nose. Soon enough, I started to feel a bit sappy so I carefully pried his limbs off so I can make my way to the bathroom.
I took a quick shower and put on a loose frilly dress, which really looked more of an oversized t-shirt. It either made you all cool and trendy or you look like a hobo. Thinking I looked like the latter, I still wouldn't change into a pair of jeans because I was currently feeling a bit sore between my legs. I ran a quick brush over my hair before stepping out of the bathroom.
Haru, by then, had rolled over to his side, his arm draped over the pillow that you used. His leg was slinging over the edge of the bed, and the blanket was only covering his waist and everything below. His bare muscular back was truly a sight to lay upon on.
I shook my head when I realised that I've been staring at my sleeping boyfriend for quite a while that it may have been a bit creepy. I can't believe that happened last night. I ran a hand over your damp hair in disbelief. Then I smiled at the memory of being able to be that close with Haru. Feeling the sappiness creep in again, I slapped myself in the forehead.
God, I have it bad for Haru.
"I'm going to miss you," I squeezed my father for one last hug at the entrance by the airport.
"You say that every time even though you'll be back next summer," Dad chuckled. He squeezed back as well into a bear hug. "You call me once you land, okay?" He let go of me and faced Haru who was standing silently behind us. "You take care of my little girl, got it?" he said. "Don't think the hotel manager didn't mention that little sleepover you had last night, and I know both of you weren't braiding each others' hairs."
"Dad!" I exclaimed.
Haru just grabbed my hand and nodded at my father. Dad smiled. He gave me one last hug before ushering us to the entrance where Rin was waiting for us past the security.
"Braiding each others' hair, huh?" Rin teased from the other side of the x-ray scanner.
"Shut up," I flushed, placing my things on a plastic tray before stepping on the metal detector. Once I got past security, I grabbed my backpack and threw it at Rin who kept his smug face on, but he easily caught it and slung it over his shoulder along with his own bag. I rolled my eyes and walked alongside Haru who slipped his hand in mine, sending butterflies in my stomach.
"You guys are disgusting," Rin noted as we took seats on the waiting lounge.
I snorted. "You'll grow up one day, sharkie," I teased. "Anyways, who's Charlotte?"
It was Rin's turn to blush. "No one," he mumbled. "Mind your own business, will 'ya?"
"Must be someone special," I continued. "Even Haru doesn't know her." I glanced at Haru who was trying to hide his curiosity, but his barely noticeable smile gave it away.
"Let's just go check-in," Rin growled, tossing me my backpack before leaving us behind.
About thirteen hours later, Haru, Rin, and I sat at a waiting bench for a bus back to Iwatobi. Rin stretched out his legs and sighed in relief. "Home sweet home," he said.
"We are not exactly back home yet," I pointed out.
"I can't see the sea," Haru agreed, frowning at the sight of lines and lines of Tokyo skyscrapers.
"There's the river right there," Rin pointed with a smirk.
I smacked Rin's hand down and grabbed hold of Haru's jacket. "Don't encourage him," I glared at the redhead.
Hearing distant honking, I looked afar, thinking it might be the bus, but it was a minivan slightly swerving on the road. It stopped right at our waiting bench. Once the doors slid open, Nagisa, leaving the rest of the Iwatobi team inside the van, jumped out and wrapped his arms around the three of us, and while the blonde continued to squeeze the life out of us, the three of us sat stiffly, uncomfortable with the unsolicited contact and his constant whining about how he wanted to tag along over at Australia as well.
"Thanks for the ride, Sasabe-san," I smiled at the man on the driver's seat as he slowed the minivan to a stop by my house gate.
"No problem," he raised his thumb up at me. "I've trained these knuckleheads when they were kids, and never have I thought that Haru would be the first to have a girlfriend." He followed his words with a laugh.
"Why do people keep saying that?" I shook my head with a chuckle. "See you around practice, guys." I waved as they shut the door closed and began to drive away.
Grabbing my trolley and fishing my house keys from my pocket, I entered the empty house. "I'm home!" I called out to the supposedly empty house. However, once I got to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, I let out a shriek of shock when I saw my mother sitting in the dining table with her folded hands on the wooden surface.
"Um, hey, mom," I greeted awkwardly, aware of the tension in the room. "What's up?" As she slowly rose from her seat, I kept my eyes trained on her slowly approaching me. "If this is about Haru showing up in Australia, I swear that I didn't know anything about that."
"It's not," Mom said, "but we will also talk about that." She cleared her throat. "While you were gone, I joined a small reunion with my athlete friends over at Iwatobi High, and I had a very interesting conversation with an old friend... Coach Sasagawa."
My blood ran cold. It was also then that I noticed the clear folder she had in her hand. It read, "Club Withdrawal Form," and it had my name on it. A split second after I glanced at it, those same papers flew over my face as Mom smacked them at me.
"Why didn't you tell me you left the volleyball team?!"
Yeah, yeah. Horrible updating schedule, but in my defense, I have a job right after my trimester in college ended. But at least I have two months off — well, one month remaining now — before I go back to school so I have time to finish this book and proceed to the Rin one before the year ends (hopefully).
Next update (last chapter) will be in a week, followed by an epilogue as well. So hang on to your seats, loves.
Reviews and favorite/follow are greatly appreciated. Seriously, no writer likes a silent reader. Love 'ya!