Chapter 14

"So where are we going? The park?"

The two boys made their way through the busy playground; passing the occupied swings, sandbox, slide and monkey bars. The air was warm, the sun illuminating the clear sky, with a gentle breeze passing here and there. Kira looked up and smiled.

"I'm excited for you to meet my sister," Kira said. "I've told her about you, but she doesn't know that you'll be staying over today."

"Is that why we're going to meet her now?"

Kira nodded. "Yeah, I don't want her to be too surprised. She tends to...well you'll see during your stay."

"I thought you said she would be at the park," the other boy said, "but we've walked through it and you haven't pointed her out."

Kira stopped, holding a confused expression for a moment before breaking out into laughter. His friend stared at him with a quizzical look on his face.

"I'm sorry, Athrun," Kira said. "But I meant the skatepark."

Athrun held his quizzical expression, expecting to meet Kira's sister at the playground playing hopscotch or jump rope, but not at a skatepark. He wondered what she could possibly doing there. Surely she wasn't skateboarding. To him, it didn't seem fitting of the president's daughter.

"What would she be doing there?" Athrun asked.

Kira raised his eyebrow.

"Well what else would she be doing at a skatepark?"

"Oh...I'm sorry, but I did not expect your sister—-"

"It's cool," Kira started walking again. "Once you get to know her, you'll find this not so surprising. Though, my father thinks this—-stuff like skateboarding and dirt bikes—-is just a phase. But, my twin has always been a rebel of his expectations."

It wasn't much longer until they reached the skatepark. Athrun—-shocking to himself—-was in awe. He'd never seen such a place. It was huge. Hills on top of mountains, and valleys, of concrete stretching out for yards. There were metal railings everywhere. Some that were straight, as the ones on stair cases, and some were wavy. People of all different ages were there. Some in skating gear, and some who weren't. Either way, for a moment, Athrun wished he was amongst either one of the crowds.

Kira stood beside him, scanning the area for his sister. Once his eyes landed on her, he grabbed Athrun by his sleeve and pulled him forward.

"Cagalli!" Kira called.

A short haired blonde, clad in skating gear, glided towards them on a pink skateboard. Athrun stared at this newcomer. Was this really Kira's sister? Her face was twisted into a mean expression, her hair was messy (under a helmet) and strands were sticking out every which way. The clothes she wore were baggy, covering up her figure entirely. If she wasn't so close, Athrun wouldn't have known that she was a girl.

"Don't tell me Father wants me home already," she spat.

"Well...yes, but only because we'll be having dinner with this nice young man," Kira flashed a grin as he pointed to Athrun. "Cagalli this is Athrun, Athrun this is Cagalli."

Athrun smiled and brought his hand up to wave. And for the first time, since they have arrived, Cagalli acknowledged him. Her gaze shifted to Athrun, first in a confused stare. Her eyes began to look him up and down. She took him in—-his neatly brushed hair, his yellow turtleneck, tan slacks, sweater, and his poise. Her cheeks puffed up for a moment before she let out a loud chuckle.

Athrun stood, baffled. This girl looked at him as if he was a joke. Kira did nothing, but blink as she laughed.

"Kira, what were you thinking when you decided to bring someone like him to a place like this?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Athrun furrowed his brows.

Kira quickly stood between them, his hands up in defense.

"Come on guys...Athrun, she doesn't mean anything by it." Kira looked around. "This just isn't your usual crowd."

Athrun looked around as well, taking in the environment once more, and soon understood what they were talking about. Cagalli smirked and without a word, skated away.

I am standing in the hallway. My back is against the cold wall, and I feel numb. Well...except for the small inkling of pain within. Moments ago, I had visited my father in his office. I came to tell him the news of Cagalli's pregnancy—-I thought it was only right—-before he would have found out about it from another source, if he hadn't already. I didn't expect my father to congratulate me, nor did I expect him to be proud. Cagalli and I are young, and with all that is going on, I was prepared to be scolded somehow for my irresponsibility. Even so, I thought he would be more supportive and understanding to the fact that I will—-hopefully—-soon be a father. Yet, what I received was nothing but coldness.

He yelled. He told me that I was irresponsible—-an irresponsible fool, as he put it. To him, I've been nothing but a delinquent ever since I have been spending more time with Cagalli: leaving school before I even really started, never being home, hardly visiting. He said if I visited home more maybe my mother wouldn't have been attacked. I "shouldn't have involved myself with these Atha kids' lives."

"You're a disappointment. Get out of my office, I don't want to see your face." Is what he said. So, here I am...outside of his office. I have been standing here for a few minutes now. I lost my mother, my best friend, my old friend and now my father is slipping away. All I have left now is Cagalli.

How could he say such things about Cagalli as if she's a problem when she had done nothing but been there for me! Throughout all of the losses and hardships that had happened these several months, she was there. It was Cagalli who remained by my side in the quest to help Kira. She was there for me when Lacus changed; she saved me from Lacus. And she was by my side when I lost my mother. She was there even though pain dwelled in her heart. Instead of standing here, feeling lost and alone, I should be with her. Though things haven't been that great with us lately, I don't want to be anywhere else but beside her.

I barely talked to her since the other night, aside from a few text messages checking in on her. I know she's still mad, and I know I'm still hurt, but I want to fix that. We've been so worried about helping others that we ourselves been falling apart. I need to see her.

I reach in my pocket, pull out my phone and dial her number.

My back is against the brick wall as I look up at the clear, bright sky. It's a bit on the chilly side today, and I could go inside, considering that I have a key, but I rather meet him out here. I haven't seen him in a couple of days, and honestly I am tired of giving him the cold shoulder. It drains my soul and aches my heart not being in his presence. He had texted me that he was on his way, but that seems like it was hours ago.

I begin to pace back and forth. I let out a hefty sigh, as I continue to watch the spinning sky. There's extreme pressure on my bladder, causing me to reconsider standing out here. I am about to reach for the door knob when I hear approaching footsteps. Quickly, I turn around grin bearing, only to have my momentary sunshine dimmed by the appearance of Meer.

I can see flames in her eyes as she stares at me. Moments are passing and she says nothing, neither do I. Yet a burning is forming in my chest. What is she doing here? Is all I wonder, and the longer she stays, the stronger the burn.

She laughs. "I knew I'd run into you here," she says. "Actually, I was hoping I would."

"Why would you want to see me," I say.

"To talk," she says it so nonchalantly.

"What could you possibly want to talk about, Meer?" I say. "You and I never been friends, nor have we got along, so what could you possibly want?" She opens her mouth, but I quickly cut her off. "Let me guess, does it have anything to do with Athrun? Are you upset about me and him? Actually, I want to talk to you! Why in the hell have you been spending time with my boyfriend?"

Her eye twitches. "That's right," I continue, "Athrun is my—-"

"Shut the hell up!" Her voice booms.

She swiftly goes into her pocket and whips out a pistol. My body freezes. Her eyes are glued to me. The pistol is gripped in between both of her hands, aimed straight at my head.

"You want to know something? Athrun was at my home the night after the club. He was in my bed, but that is not why I'm here...you want to know something else? I know that you killed Lacus."

My body feels drained. "I...Meer," I can't conjure up anything to say. All of the guilt I've felt before comes flooding back. "I'm…"

"Save it," she says. "This is for Lacus."

That's when the booming shot rings through the air. My eyes are shut tight, but I feel nothing. There isn't pain anywhere, but in my heart. The air is silent, and I am afraid to open my eyes, but when I do I see Athrun, back turned, in front of me. He is in front of Meer, holding down her arms..

"Athrun," I am relieved to see him, but my heart thumps harder and louder when I notice blood dripping onto the ground.