Shout out to my reviewers and new followers. As long as you like, I'll write. R&R
Chapter 3:
"Okay...okay," she was out of breath. "I'm calm now," she said as she slowly sat down on the desk chair across from her brother's bed (where he sat), keeping her eyes on him.
His gaze, however, remained on the red carpet. He breathed in and out, slowly, contemplating it all. How could this happen? he thought, I should've stayed inside.
"Kira…" his sister's voice freed him from his trance.
He stared at her, into her eyes, and was sad. Her eyes big, frowning-shining with concern. Her mouth slightly open as if she wants to speak but is afraid to, and then she'd bite her lip with uncertainty. He hated when she looked at him that way. But usually he could make it better, but not this time. This was unfixable.
"I'm sorry…" he said.
"Are you sure?" she responded abruptly.
He furrowed his brow, and pinched the bridge of his nose. Exhaling he said "yes."
She stands up and gets closer to him.
"It could've hit someone else first!" she said.
His gaze returns to the carpet, and there is silence between them. Silence that seemed to last a long long time.
"I felt like weeping. I think I did. When it hit me...it's like I saw my fate...right there as if I was already dying, and that I deserved it."
"Don't talk like that!"
"We knew this, Cagalli. It's revenge. As descendents someone has to suffer-."
"Fuck her!"
There is silence again. Cagalli walked over to her brother, and as soon as her bottom hit the mattress, she wrapped her arms around him, and buried her face into his shoulder.
"I won't tell," she said.
"I'll tell Athrun, and maybe Lacus...I don't want to tell her," he patted her head.
"Let that be all. If father knows then someone will find out, and well...ya know...nothing good."
"I know," he said, "I know."
…
It's been a week since we left that village and now I'm back at my father's mansion. I am pissed. We tried contacting the hospital in Heliopolis to visit the old lady. We went there and we were rejected. Since we have no relation we are not authorized to see her. We were informed that five days ago, and now we wait to hear back from the man-what ever his name is. Maybe if that village had a different mailing system, and weren't stuck in the stone ages we could email him, or call him or something for crying out loud! But no. I'm stuck here laying in my waiting for a letter, of good news, from that man.
I sit up, supporting myself on my elbows, and sigh. She doesn't even know us. She knew of our coming, but she never knew who was coming. And I want it that way, so does Athrun.
If anyone knew that the President's daughter was seeking information about the legend, and that the Mayor of Junius Seven son (who's best friends with the President's son) was also seeking that same information there will be a social uproar. Everyone would know who to look for, who to watch out for, and who to target, especially since it has been three weeks since Kira has been spotted by the public (I hope).
We never were the type to be in the media. Father kept his personal life private, and we'd often refuse to attend any formal dinners or parties. We've been his children for thirteen years, and he's been president for five, marking the end of his first term. In Seed Republic each president gets three terms, if the majority agrees to it.
My father wants me to be the next chosen. Ever since I was fifteen I've been getting lessons in politics, law, civics...you name it. And I want to-be the next president-because I love this nation, and I want to make it better, and make my father proud. Secretly I want to find a way to rid my people of this curse...somehow.
I was suppose to start at Heliopolis University ( for political science) but I withdrew as soon as I found out what happened to kira. Same thing can be said about Athrun; he was enrolled at Orb University for Science and Technology. We had a silent agreement. We came to each other and knew immediately what the other needed.
"You idiot!" she snatched the pistol out of his hands, quickly turned the safety on and threw it across the room.
Already on his knees, he bent forward and started to cry. She stood over him fuming. Mad at him, and mad that she didn't intrude sooner. He was below her. His body quivered with each breath and tear. It was pitiful. Enough to attract a stranger, and cause them to comfort someone they didn't know as if that person was their child.
"I don't want to become that thing," he choked. "I can't...there's no other way to stop it."
"We'll find a way!" She didn't comfort him. Her voice was passionate, but her mind was doubtful.
She walked over to the gun, picked it up and head towards his bedroom door. He looked at her back. He saw her body tremble.
"I would never forgive you if you'd done that." She didn't turn around.
"I can't stay here," she didn't hear him, "I can't stay here."
I get up from my bed, stretch, and walk over to my walk in closet. I strip myself of my pajama shorts and tank top, and switch it out for a red tee, khaki pants, and black combat boots. I walk over to my dresser and look into my mirror to see if I'm decent. I decide to brush my hair. Athrun got in from visiting his father this morning and I'm suppose to meet him, at his apartment, in a bit.
….
I took a cab to Athrun's apartment, trying to be discreet. I knock on his door and within seconds he's standing in the doorway wearing his leather jacket and sunglasses. I hope the burning in my cheeks isn't as obvious to him as it is to me. I hate how I get around him. With him, I can feel as if I'm 'bout to take the SATs or like a kid on Christmas day.
"Hey, Cagalli," he motions for me to come in. "Anything?"
I shake my head. Athrun's apartment is plain. It's a one bedroom with simple decor. A single gray couch against the wall with one end table and a TV. His kitchen is separated by a counter that is accompanied by two stools. In the corner, by the hall, is his desk area, which he walks over to. He sits and opens his laptop.
"Look at this," he says.
I come over and lean closer. There's an article on the screen, and in the corner is a picture of familiar red eyes. I skim the article.
"It's not Kira," he says.
He's right. He clicks on another tab-a news site-and there's more pictures. His eyes are zoomed in on most of them. I know who it is.
"I know him," we say simultaneously.
We look at each other shocked.
"How…"
"He went to my school before I graduated," I say. "How…"
"He's a Senior at my high school now.
I turn and look at the wall clock. 1:00 p.m.. Athrun went to Clyne High. I know that school, Lacus went there too. If I'm correct they should be letting out at three.
"We need to talk to him."
Athrun stands up. "Are you sure?" he says.
"Yes! Someone's been posting these pictures of him-framing him. He's not it. He could be in danger."
…
We've been waiting for five minutes. Many kids passed us, but none were him. I was becoming frustrated. Athrun tried reassuring me that we'll see him, but by the look on his face I see he's just as impatient as I am. His look changes, and I see surprise in his eyes. I turn to where he's looking, and I spot the target.
He's with two giggling, red headed girls. We go unnoticed as we approach them. He notices us first, stops, and immediately frowns. First the girls look surprised, but it's soon erased, and replaced with glee.
"Athrun!" They both say.
Who the hell are they and why are they coming over here...grabbing his arm...the one with the short hair his holding his arm. And pigtails has the nerve to be blushing. I decide to move closer to Athrun; unnecessarily close. They both stare at me, and the girl quickly lets go.
"Uh, hey Luna, and Meyrin."
"What are you two doing here? I didn't know you knew each other."
"We came to speak to you," I say, walking over to him.
He folds his arms, looks me up and down. His nose flares as he gives a disgusting snort. He turns his head slightly to spit all the while keeping his eyes on me.
"To what do I owe the unpleasant visit," he grumbles.
Before I can blink, Athrun is in front of me, blocking my view of Shinn. He has one hand on my arm, as if he's protecting me.
"We are not here to start anything Shinn," Athrun says. "We just want to ask you something."
He unfolds his arms. The girls are quiet behind us. Aside from a handful of people leaving the school building, we're the only ones around.
"Speak."
"Are you aware that there's pictures of you spreading around the media? That people speculate that you're the cursed one?"
"Oh that…" he snickers. "It was just a joke. Me and a couple of guys took those."
I push Athrun out of my way and face Shinn. "You what?" I get closer to him, but he steps back. "What the hell is wrong with you? You can put yourself in danger."
"Look, we removed most of it."
"Yeah, he just wanted to see people' reactions," the short haired one speaks.
I glare at her before turning my gaze back to Shinn. "Take them all done. On whatever websites you put them on. Do it."
He frowns, and now he's in my face. "Fuck what you say, I can do what I want."
I hear Athrun come closer, "Shinn…"
We're chest to chest, nose to nose. My hands are balled up and I notice his are too.
"You're a fucking idiot, you know that."
"What the hell do you care! Huh, princess."
My heart drops. I always hated when he called me that. I cock my arm back, above my head, and...Athrun grabs my wrist. I hear the girls gasp. Athrun pulls me back, but never takes his hand off my wrist. He looks at me the way my father often did when ever I was in trouble at school. I snatch my arm away.
"Yeah keep the princess under control."
"That's enough Shinn!" Athrun shouts.
Shinn is fuming and he gets closer to Athrun. "Or what? I don't know why you two, out of all people, are here trying to tell me what to do."
The short hair girls walks over to Shinn, and places a hand on his shoulder. "Let's just go," she says, but he shrugs her off.
"No," he says, "I want them to tell me."
Athrun sighs. I look up, and notice the setting sun. It frightens me. I know it's still early in the year, but the night frightens me now. I grab Athrun's sleeve. He turns to me and I'm pleading to leave. My heart starts beating fast, and I worry he'll come out, wherever he is, and people will see.
"We'll go soon," he whispers to me, and quickly smiles. He turns to Shinn. "If you watched the news you would know that a couple of groups are forming. You're smart enough to figure out what kind of groups, and it won't be pretty."
I gasp. He didn't tell me that earlier. My heart beats faster than I thought possible.
"Nobody's really going to believe I'm cursed, so just mind your own business."
He pauses, and I see him staring at me. I stare back. He smirks, and walks over. Athrun blocks him.
"What's the matter?" he says over Athrun's shoulder. "Afraid someone you know will get hurt?"
I don't like the tone of his voice. "Get hurt for all I care." I sound pitiful.
He laughs, and begins to walk away. "Don't worry princess, I won't tell."
"I won't tell,"
"Hey wait up," the girls run after him.
"Nice seeing you again, Athrun," Pigtails says.
"You too, Meyrin."
I look at the concrete. I can't take my eyes off of it. I'm afraid if I look up I'll see Shinn smirking behind me. The smirk of someone who just uncovered a dirty secret. A smirk of someone who found gold. But what will he do with that gold?
"Cagalli," I look at Athrun; into his eyes. I feel safe there. "Did he know Kira?"
I nod.
"He's not that bad, Cagalli."
But Athrun doesn't know that Shinn sole reason for not liking me is because his dad died protecting mine. It's not my fault. His dad was a bodyguard, and officer. But because of that Shinn knows my my status, knows Kira's, and he never seen me without my brother until today.
"He won't take the pictures down," I tell Athrun.
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