Chapter 18:
Squiggly streaks of light dance all around the net until he is no longer squirming or screeching. He is still on the asphalt. I watch, with a growing heart rate, as he is pulled towards the vehicle. The engine sounds again, and our view of the vehicle slowly becomes diminished. We watch intently—motionless—until it, and my brother, disappears.
Cagalli was seated on her carpeted, bedroom floor when Kira peeked his head in. Her gaze went from the books and papers, that were splayed in front of her, to him, and by her raised brow and clenched jaw, he could tell the conversation would not go as casually as he hoped. He stepped inside anyway.
Kira stuffed his hands into his jean pockets and grinned.
"What do you want?" she said, averting her attention back to her notebook.
"Well," he started, "there's a party starting soon, and I wanted to know if you wanted to come?"
She continued to write in her book.
"So…"
"I'm busy," she said.
"Come on, Cagalli, you're always talking about relaxation and fun being important for our health and all, and now you're telling me you don't want to go out and have fun on this beautiful Friday night."
"I have placement exams coming up, and if I want to get into the best classes I have to study."
"I understand, but you can do that some other time. It's Friday and we're finally done school. It's time to enjoy it before we're college students..." he laughed, "I'm really sounding like you."
She couldn't help but laugh as well.
"That party is in some suburb, right?"
Kira nodded.
"It's just outside west of here, so it won't be a long drive."
"Yeah, but I don't know whose party it is," her brow furrowed. I think I'll just stay home, Kira…sorry."
Cagalli picked up a textbook, sat it on her lap, and began to read. With a sigh, Kira turned toward the door, but, with a lightbulb going off over his head, faced her once more.
"Athrun will be there," he smirked.
Cautiously, she raised her head.
She took a breath in, "So, what does that have to do with anything?" she asked.
Kira shrugged.
"I thought you'd change your mind if you knew that someone you know will be there."
"I don't see it helping me—"
Kira became invisible once Athrun walked up and leaned against her doorframe. It was a rarity that she saw him so casual. Usually he would be dressed in some clean-cut button down, or polo shirt, even a turtle neck, with slacks and shoes. Yet, there he was, arms folded over a white, short sleeved top, unbuttoned at the chest. He had on ripped, stained jeans. He even had on a chain belt…and he was wearing black sneakers! Cagalli suddenly felt hot.
Kira watched as his sister became victim to his friend. It was as if Athrun was Medusa, turning Cagalli into a wide-eyed statue.
"Are you guys coming?" Athrun asked.
"Yes," Cagalli said, standing up.
Kira raised a brow.
"I got to get dressed."
She began to nudge Kira out of her room. Once out, he turned to her with a smirk.
"Shut up," she said before slamming the door.
I told her to forget everything. Don't think about any of her troubles. I told her to not worry about the baby, Kira, her father, or Yuna. Today is all about her. For once (I think) she listened to me.
"I'm just a better driver," I chuckle as I remove my helmet.
She is still seated in her go-kart. She removes her helmet, revealing a pouty face. I extend my arm to help her up, but she smacks it away. I watch, amused, as she stands up, cheeks puffed and arms folded.
"I only lost because I have to be careful," she says.
With a smirk, I shrug.
"I could beat you any day."
She raises a brow.
"Is that a fact?"
I nod.
"Well, once I this bun is out of the oven, you're on," her finger is poking my chest.
I shrug and chuckle once more.
She smiles at me. We return our helmets.
"So what next?" I say, as we walk out of the racing area.
With a concentrated expression, her eyes search the area. She looks to the left, where the indoor arcade is, we already spent almost an hour in there, then to the right is where the rides are. Earlier she insisted that we get on the coaster, but, considering her condition, I persuade her against it. I ended up feeling guilty. I want her to be able to do whatever she wants…though not at the expense of our child.
"How about that?"
She points to a row of arcade basketball hoops.
"I'm just better at sports," she triumphantly says, sticking her tongue out.
"Maybe," I grin.
When she giggles, my heart leaps.
"I know, Athrun, "she moves closer to me. "you're not use to losing." She turns away with a shrug.
"Thanks for this," she's looking at me.
I lower my hot dog from my mouth, and stare at her. She looks happy, but at the same time sad.
"Today has been wonderful," she continues, "despite everything—despite what transpired a couple of days ago. You're really a light in this dark tunnel."
She looks down sheepishly, stuffing her face with a fry. I can't take my eyes away. I watch as she continuously stuffs French fry after French fry in her mouth. I smile. In front of me is someone who I want to protect with my life. I'd gladly stop a bullet, or train, for her. We're only sitting at a picnic table, eating, but, at the moment, I want it to last. I want to stay here, in this park, just the two of us…away from everything else.
Her eyes carefully look up, and, when they meet mine, her face becomes crimson. Joy feels my heart to the point where it feels as if it will burst. And I'd burst a million times over if it means continuously feeling this warmth again and again. She makes my mind foggy, she makes my stomach flutter, she makes my cheeks hurt by the constant smiles she causes. Even now, I feel all of this, and all I'm doing is looking at her.
"Athrun?"
I come to.
"Are you okay?" she says.
"Perfect."
A tender smile forms on her face, but it doesn't last. With a mischievous, she reaches over the table and bites a hunk out of my hotdog. My mouth hangs open. She shrugs innocently.
"You snooze you lose?" she says with a full mouth.
I laugh and take a few of her fries.
"Hey!"
"You snooze you lose, right?" I lean forward.
"But not if it's your birthday."
"I beg to differ," I take another fry.
She frowns.
"So much for a nice birthday," she says, folding her arms.
"Because I took some of your food?"
She nods confidently.
"Well maybe this can salvage it."
Cagalli watches intently as I reach into my pants pocket. Slowly, I pull out what appears to be a small, purple cube, no bigger than a quarter. I place it on the table. She looks at it and then at me. I press my index finger on top of it.
The cube unfolds into several flat pieces. My eyes linger to Cagalli, who watches with much concentration. The object rises a few inches from the table. The pieces spin apart, until coming back together in the form of a small butterfly. It flies to Cagalli and lands on her nose.
Her eyes cross, as she watches it flap its miniature wings.
"I made more, but you'll learn that later," I say.
"You made this," her eyes never move, "for me?" she sounds confused.
"Yes," I avert my gaze to the table. "I was up last night making a bunch. Some for you and…" I stare at her midriff, "and her…"
She puts her hand out, and the butterfly flies into her palm.
"They are active with motion," I continue, "They will respond to your body movement. If you press the top of its head, it will go back to being a box."
She eyes me with much admiration painted on her face that I feel my heart skip. No one has ever looked at me this way.
"You're so amazing," it's so sincere.
I feel my face heat up, and, instantly, I look to my left.
"It's nothing," I whisper.
"No really," she's leaning forward. "Birdie, the Haro for Lacus…you always impress me. I wish I could do what you can."
I glance at her, and she continues to stare at me with those big, awe filled eyes. We are without jackets as the sun sits above us. Chatter and laughter surrounds us, and we contribute to the delightful sounds. It may be her birthday, but it feels special for me too.
I stare at the star studded, midnight blue sky in awe. I never seen so many stars, not even in that third world village. Athrun said his mother would take him here when he was small. They would roast marshmallows over a small fire, and talk about any and everything. It was their summer ritual.
Laying on the hood of his car, I sit up. I take in the view. We're parked on a grassy cliff, behind is a trail surrounded by bushes and trees. Below are hundreds of more trees. The trail we took to get up here disappears under the leafy bundles. Small lights, from buildings, shine in the distance…so far that it makes Junius look like a city for ants. The air is cooler than when we were at the amusement park, but still warm. Aside from the chirping crickets, all is silent.
Athrun comes out of the car with two paper cups in hand. He hands me one.
"Tea for the princess," he says with a chuckle.
I frown before taking a sip.
He sits next to me, and, for a while, we sit in silence.
"I hope I can make your birthday as great as you made mine," I say.
"As long as you're there, I'm sure it will be."
My cheeks feel warm.
"I might not be alone," I look away, sheepishly.
"That's even better," he says.
I turn to him. His eyes are fixated on the sky. I watch him.
"It's almost summer," I say.
"Yes," his eyes stay on the sky.
"What are we going to do?"
He turns to me now.
"Shouldn't we think about our future now? Especially since we'll be parents."
His expression turns gloomy and his gaze drifts from me yet again.
"Your future may be secure. You'll probably be married and stable."
His words are like needles to my heart. He still thinks that it's possible that I'll marry Yuna. It was possible, just to please my father. With Yuna I would have stability, and be able to go to school, and so would Athrun. I could continue being related to politicians, and continue to reach my goal in becoming one. I never once wanted to be with Yuna, but I would be lying If I said I never thought about his offer.
I get why my father is so for the marriage, hell, he's been for years, but there's one thing he's forgetting. There is one thing that Yuna cannot provide, the most important thing: happiness.
"I don't want him, Athrun."
Athrun smiles at me, it's a sad smile. He doesn't say anything, but stares in the night instead. I'm waiting, hoping he'll say something. I don't even know what I want him to say, but this silence is loud.
I sigh.
"I am not accepting his offer."
"Yet," he responds too quickly.
"I won't!"
"Can we discuss something else?"
My cheeks puff, and my shoulders rise. The urge to yell at him, to get this through his thick skull, is strong, but then I think of all he has done today. My shoulders relax, and I lay back down.
"Athrun…"
"Hmm?"
"My father has Kira."
He faces me, his eyes wide.
"What do you mean?"
I sit up again.
"It was the government that captured Kira the other night. My father, and other officials, made the order. I don't know where exactly, but they have him locked away somewhere. Where ever he is, that's where my father will perform the sacrifice," I pause. "The day is coming."
Let me know if you're still with me! I'm hoping to end this story. Til next time...