If you don't like it, just simply ignore it. Thank you I guess
Three days had passed and Takuya hadn't still got to talk with Zoe. Whenever he tried a conversation her, she simply shove him out of her way and walked out on him.
They had a tour at the Temples, they had an adventure in Dreamland and yesterday they had shopping, Thai Massage and Facial Wash.
Takuya returned to the front room, a little ashamed of his behavior. He hoped he hadn't offended either of his friends, which they would know how grateful he was for the sacrifices they were making on his account.
Koichi was talking as rapidly as ever, but what caught Takuya's attention was that, for the first time, Shinya was not in the room. Takuya looked at clock—it was six thirty in the afternoon. It's was their rest day. And tomorrow will be the day they will be leaving.
"My face is smooth," Koichi told Shinya. "I didn't know shopping could feel so good."
"Where's Shinya?" Takuya questioned.
"He went to check out Zoe," Koji answered.
"Yeah. You were sleeping like a day," Koichi commented.
"How am I going to convinced Zoe to forgive me?"
His stomach twisted uneasily at his question.
Shinya opened the door open, distracting Takuya. Shinya looked surprised, but he was already walking forward to Takuya.
"Hello?" Takuya asked. "What's the news?" he snapped. Good or bad, he mouthed.
"She finally agrees to talk to you," Shinya jumped happily.
Takuya sighed. He'd been expecting this though he'd tried to make his message simple as possible.
"Dinner at the lobby at seven o'clock," Shinya said in his most soothing voice, walking slowly away from Takuya.
"Everything is fine, now, Takuya," Koji said.
"You can explain to her everything," Koichi patted Takuya's back.
Takuya paused, surprised.
"Takuya?" Koji called.
"Be very careful not to say anything stupid," Koichi reminded in a tenor voice, a very pleasant, generic voice. He spoke very quickly. "Now, you don't need to argue anymore, so please do not screw this up, and you guys will be fine." He paused for a minute while he listened to Takuya's train of thought.
Shinya threw Takuya a pillow, breaking his silence. "That's very good," he congratulated. "I can see this is going to be difficult." Shinya's voice was amused, still light and friendly.
"Why don't you walk into another room now so you can go change? There's no more reason for you to suffer anymore," Koji pushed Takuya to the bedroom and shut the door.
"Nervous," Shinya's voice said.
Takuya walked very slowly to the bathroom. He left the door open behind him, trying to think clearly through the luck that gripped his brain.
He looked at himself with the mirror. "There now, she's giving you a chance," he told himself. "All right then," the agreeable voice continued. "Gotta get ready."
La Bella Italia (near the lobby)
Takuya walked to the door of the restaurant. The scanned the crowded restaurant—Zoe was sitting at a partition to a small ring of booths. Zoe caught his eye and Takuya blazed her luminous smile.
Takuya sat.
Just when Takuya was about to say something, their server arrived, her face expectant.
"Good evening Ma'am, good evening sir," she greeted. "What can I get I get you to drink?"
Takuya looked at Zoe.
"I'll have Coke."
"Two Cokes it is," he said.
The server smiled with another superfluous smile. But he didn't notice it. He was studying Zoe.
"Is there something wrong with me?" she asked when the server's gone.
His eyes never left her face. "We're on a restaurant…we're going to eat dinner…this is a date?"
"No," she replied, stunned. "We're only eating dinner, and then we're going to talk."
"Am I forgiven…?"
"Should you be forgiven?"
He chuckled at her bewildered tone.
"Well, I'm actually waiting for you to say that." He grinned mysteriously.
"I don't think you changed." She breathed. "Still trying hard I see."
"You're not the same Zoe I knew, but I still feel better when you have me on a dinner with you."
Right on cue, the waitress appeared with their drinks and basket of napkins.
"May I take your order?" she asked Takuya.
"Zoe?" he asked. She turned toward Zoe.
"Um…I'll have the spaghetti meat balls."
"How about you sir?" she turned back to him.
"Long Fusili with Chanterelles," he said.
"Excellent choice." He wasn't looking at her, and she left.
"Are you gonna drink?" he questioned.
Zoe sipped at her soda rebelliously, and then drank more deeply, surprised by she had a brain-freeze. She squeezed her eyes closed.
"Brain-freeze?" Takuya muttered.
"I'm fine," she said. "So, where were we?"
"Maybe later," he said.
After they had dinner, they sat quietly for seconds.
"Are you ready to talk?" Zoe asked.
"Wanna go for a walk?" he asked.
The waitress appeared after Takuya called her.
"Check, please," Zoe said.
The waitress pulled a leather folder and handed it to Takuya.
"No, its okay, I can pay it for you," Zoe insisted. There was a bill in his hand already. He handed it right back to the waitress.
"No need." He answered Zoe. "No change." He turned to the waitress.
"Have a nice evening." She walked back to the counter.
At the park
Zoe sat at the swing, chilling back and forth while Takuya sat at the big rock near the swing.
They waited for each other.
"I'm going to listen very carefully, don't worry," Zoe broke the silence as she join Takuya sitting on the rock.
"I'm sorry for troubling you. I was hoping you would give me second chance," Takuya finally said.
Somehow, there had to be a way. She remembered that they were going to the airport tomorrow morning.
Zoe shivered the cold air whooshed around them.
Takuya shrugged out of his jacket. Zoe noticed he was wearing a black t-shirt. He handed her the jacket.
"Thanks," she muttered, sliding her arms into his jacket. It was hot—she didn't shiver anymore. The sleeves were much too long—she shoved them back so she could free her hands.
"Do you still remember this moment?" he asked, remembering their first dinner.
"Um…no." it sounded like a question more than an answer.
"I can't believe you've forgotten," Takuya snorted. "It was the same; we hang out at the park that night. You were shivering to death. You told me you've forgotten your jacket so I let you borrow my jacket. It was the same jacket you're wearing now."
Takuya brought Zoe to the park. Zoe sat at the swing. Shivered.
"Are you cold?" Zoe hasn't given him an answer and Takuya was shrugging out of his jacket. He was removing a light red leather jacket now; underneath he wore an ivory turtleneck sweater. It fit him snugly, emphasizing how muscular his chest was.
He handed her the jacket.
"Thanks" she said, sliding her arms into his jacket. It was hot—she stopped shivering. It smelled amazing. She inhaled, trying to identify the delicious scent. The sleeves were much too long; she shoved it back so she could free her hands.
"That color red looks lovely with your skin, he said, as he sat at the swing, watching her. She was surprised; she looked down.
"Why'd you brought me here?" Zoe asked.
"I love parks."
"So am I. I hang out here every time there are no classes. I especially love swinging!" As she moved back and forth on the swing.
"I'm sorry...and thank you very much."
"For what?"
"I'm sorry because I acted like you never existed from the first time I saw you. And thank you, for everything."
"I haven't given you anything yet."
"For still being my friend even though I've been rude around ya since the day we've met."
Zoe didn't reply instead she smiled. She looked up at the sky. Both of them watching the stars shining.
"That was our first date," Takuya and Zoe smiled widely to each other. Takuya crushed Zoe's hand, not even trying to stop him. Takuya tried pulling his face to Zoe. For the shortest second, Zoe pulled away before Takuya's lips crashed against hers.
"To be honest, I feel better. I'm sure this won't be easy, but if I get the slightest hint that your friends are spying on us, well, that would be very bad for you," Zoe's friendly voice promised, changing the subject. "You must know enough about us by now to realize how quickly I would know if you tried to bring anyone alone with you. And how little time we would need this if that was the case. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Takuya's voice broke.
"Very good, Takuya. Now continue."
"After you broke up with me, Zoe, is it really possible you've forgotten your feelings with me?"
"Everything's possible," she said politely.
"I'm sorry that I betrayed you, I realized that I deserve this but I still love you, you know that."
"Is that what you think?" she asked tersely. "I've never stopped thinking about you, Takuya. The day I saw you with another girl, I wanted to forget you. Every night I keep praying to God I wanna forget you. The day you apologized to me, I've forgiven you."
"Then why did you lie to me?"
"I thought that would make you give up; I thought that would make you hate me so you can forget about it." Takuya waited. "You may be the one I want, but you're not the one I need." Takuya smirked to himself when he remembered those words when he told them to Zoe, You may be the one I want, but Lilith is the one I need. "It's time for us to move on. It's time for us to let go."
The tears were coming. They tried to fight them back.
"You know, if I could undo one thing, I would stop myself for being a jerk to you," Takuya said.
"Past is past, Takuya. Sometimes we have to accept our mistakes."
Takuya sniffed. "I understand."
Zoe stood, smiling. "What do you say, Takuya? Are we friend or what?" She showed her hand.
Takuya grinned widely, crushing her in a bear hug that about to break her ribs.
"Can't—breathe!" she gasped.
He dropped her once, keeping one hand at her waist so she didn't fall over.
"I love you, Zoe." Takuya's voice was thick. "As a friend," he joked.
Zoe chuckled quietly.
"Now we can rest in peace," Zoe stretched.
At the hotel
"Goodnight, Zoe. I look forward to seeing you again." Takuya walked her to her room.
"Sleep tight," Zoe replied. She shut the door. Her joints were frozen with happiness—she couldn't bend her fingers to drop.
She knew she had to think, but her head was filled with the sound of Takuya's voice. Seconds ticked by while she fought for control.
Slowly, slowly, her thoughts started to break past that brick wall of pain. It's over. For she had made a choice: to stay friends with Takuya. She had no guarantees, nothing to give to keep their friendship. She could only hope that Takuya would be satisfied with having a draw, that being friends with her would be enough. Despair gripped her; there was no way to bargain, nothing she could offer or withhold that she could influence him. She made a choice. She tried.
She pushed the pain back as well as she could. She choked back the dread, the anxiety, tried to stifle it. She didn't know if she wants this or need this.
She knew Takuya's friends were in the room, listening to Takuya's story.
Takuya and his friends' Room
But Takuya had to deal with one more things in private, before they come back at Shibuya.
He had to accept that he and Zoe wouldn't be more than friends anymore. He let the waves of bright side wash over him; have their way for a time. Then he pushed them back, too, and went to face his friends.
The only expression he could manage was curious look. He saw them alarm and he didn't wait for their ask. He had just one script and he'd never manage improvisation now.
"I'm forgiven, we stayed as friend for now. But its okay, at least I didn't lose her." His voice was lifeless.
"You don't sound fine, big brother," Shinya worried.
Takuya turned away; he could let them see his face.
"Guys," he said slowly, without turning, keeping his voice level. "I'm sure I'm fine."
"Sure, Takuya." Koichi's voice was careful. He could see Takuya coming apart at the seams Takuya had to keep his emotions under better control.
Takuya went into the bedroom again, and shoved himself on the bed.
Seven-thirty in morning
It had taken much less time that Takuya had thought—all the pain, the despair, the shattering of his heart. The minutes were ticking by more slowly than usual. Takuya had comeback to Zoe's room. He was afraid to be in the same room with her, afraid that she would guess…and afraid to hide from her for the same reason.
Takuya would have thought he was far beyond the ability to be surprised, his thoughts tortured and unstable, but he was surprised when he saw Zoe bent over the desk, gripping the edge with two hands.
"Zoe?"
She didn't react when he called her name, but her head was slowly rocking side to side, and he saw her face. Her eyes were full, happy…reaching out automatically to touch his hand.
"I bought a souvenir," Takuya pulled a bolt from his pocket.
"Ha!" Zoe's voice whipped, and then Takuya was right behind her, his hands curling over Zoe's, loosening the lock into her hand. "What is this?" she demanded, chuckling,
He turned his face away from Zoe, then back to hers and grabbed the lock. "I want it to make it simple so here it is," he introduced. "This is where our happy, sad and embarrassing moments locked."
Zoe giggled as she pulled back the lock from him. "You are full of crazy ideas."
He pulled another things from his pocket. This time, it was a key. "This is a key to our world. Only you and I can use this." Takuya turned to open the window and threw the key out of the window.
"What the heck was that for?" Zoe's head twisted around, her eyes locking on the outside, her expression confused. She realized at once that he's really ready.
"What did you see?" Takuya said—and there was no question in his flat, uncaring voice.
Zoe looked at him sharply. He kept his expression vacant and waited. Her eyes confused as she flickered swiftly between their faces, feeling the chaos…for she could guess what Takuya's been doing.
He felt a tranquil atmosphere settle around him. He welcomed it, using it to keep his emotions disciplined, under control.
Zoe, too, recovered herself.
"You gave me a lock and threw the key away," she answered finally, her voice remarkably calm and convincing.
"If we ever find the key, it means we're meant for each other."
They looked at each other, her expression smooth and withdrawn. "I'll be waiting for that."
Zoe squeezed the lock in her hand and Takuya and Zoe hugged at each other. They didn't notice that they were hugging romantically.
"This isn't friendship anymore." Zoe quickly said.
Takuya pulled away from the hug and agreed. "Hand shake's still cooler," and they shook hands laughing. "Did you want breakfast?"
"No, I'll eat at the airport." And then Takuya left. Zoe was very calm, too. She went to the bathroom to shower. She could feel Takuya's wild—though well-concealed—desperation to have her out of the room, to be alone with him. So she could tell him that they were doing something wrong, that they were going to be free…
She got ready methodically, concentrating on each little task. She left her hair down, swirling around her, covering her face. The peaceful mood she created worked its way through her and helped her think clearly. She dug through her bag until she found her sock full of money. She emptied it into her pocket.
She was anxious to get to the airport, and glad when they left by nine. She sat alone this time, her face toward Koji, but, behind her sunglasses, shooting glances in her direction ever seconds. Takuya and the others were buying themselves some snacks.
"Koji?" she asked indifferently.
"He was wary. "Yes?"
"Does people change?" she stared outside the windows of the airport while waiting for their plane. Her voice sounded bored. "There's always something…things happen for a reason…" it was harder than she would have thought.
"Yes, people change…," he murmured—hopefully, she thought. "Some people are more certain than others…like weather. People are harder. We sometimes see what we only see from other people. We change our minds—we make decisions, no matter how small—we are. Bad and good people changes especially."
Zoe nodded thoughtfully. "So what we see, what we hear, we gotta keep it real."
"Yes," he agreed, wary again.
And she tried not to think about what else she might have seen. They stopped watching Zoe twice as careful now, anyway, after she had forgiven Takuya. This was going to be easy now.
Zoe yawned, covering her mouth. "You look sleepy?" Takuya asked.
"I just didn't have a good night sleep last night," she told him while she put her gray cloak. Inside the gray cloak, she was warm and comfortable. More than comfortable.
"You can sleep at the plane, Zoe," Koichi murmured.
Zoe had to swallow hard before hard before she could answer.
"I don't want to sleep. I'm not tired." Just the second part was a lie. She wasn't about to close her eyes.
"But you said—"
"That I'm not tired nor sleep," Zoe interrupted Shinya.
"At least try to sleep at the plane," Takuya encouraged. "You looking not cheerful makes me worried."
Zoe shook her head.
Koji sighed. "You're still just as stubborn."
She was stubborn; she fought with her heavy lids, and she won.
The plane trip to Shibuya was so long so Zoe asked the flight attendant if she could have Coke.
"Zoe," Koji said approvingly. "Takuya, informed me to have you sleep."
Takuya and the others were at the back. Koji and Zoe could hear Takuya, Koichi and Shinya murmuring.
"I don't want to sleep," she reminded him. She gave him an excuse that was believable it was true. "If my close my eyes now, I'll see things I don't want to see. I'll have nightmares."
He didn't argue with her after that.
It would have been very good time to talk, to get the answers she needed—needed but not really wanted; she was already despairing at the thought of what she might hear. They had an uninterrupted block of time ahead of them, and he couldn't escape her on an airplane—well, not easily, at least. No one would hear them; it was late, and most of the passengers were turning of flights and asking for pillows in muted voices. Talk would help her fight off the exhaustion.
But, perversely, she bit her tongue against the flood of questions. Her reasoning was probably flawed by exhaustion, but she hoped that by postponing the discussion eh could buy a few more hours with him at some later time—spin this out for another night, Scheherazade-style.
So she kept drinking soda, and resisting even urge to blink. Koji seemed perfectly content to relax on his sit. She'd lived through a lot that should have finished her in the last few days, but it didn't make her feel strong. Instead, she felt horribly fragile, like one word could shatter her.
Koji didn't speak. Maybe he was hoping she would sleep. Maybe he had nothing to say.
She won the fight against her heavy lids. She was awake when they reached the airport in Shibuya, and she even watched the sun beginning to set over the cloud cover before Koji slid the window open. She was proud of herself. She hadn't missed one minute.
Neither Takuya nor his friends was surprised by the reception that waited for them at the airport, but it caught Zoe off guard. JP was the first one they saw—he seemed to see Zoe the last. Koichi and Shinya went quickly to his side; they embraced like they're brothers. JP and Zoe only stared into each other's faces, yet, somehow.
"Aw, Takuya and Zoe are okay now?" JP muttered.
"We're just friends now," Takuya explained.
"Anybody wants to hang out for a while?" Shinya announced.
The sleepless night was suddenly overpowering. Zoe's head felt disconnected from her body. "I'm dead on my feet," Zoe mumbled Shinya. "I gotta go home. See you when I see ya."
"Do you want me to go home with you?" Takuya asked.
"No need. Have fun what you're gonna do," she answered quickly as she walked away.
Not sure if home was what she wanted at this point, she stumbled, half-blind, through the airport, dragging herself out of the airport. She didn't know if Takuya and the others were behind her to not, and she was too exhausted to look.
She thinks she was mostly asleep, though she was still walking, when she reached a Taxi. She sighed, and towed her toward the Taxi.
She told him their home address. She knew she wasn't going to be able to fight her eyelids anymore, and she laid her head against the chest of the chair in defeat, letting them close. She felt the car roar to life.
It was quiet then, except for the gentle thrum of the engine. She must have fallen asleep, because it seemed like seconds later when the driver spoke. Her eyelids fluttered open in shock, then close again. Her eyes wouldn't open. At first she thought she was still at the airport.
And then she heard Nathan. Nathan opened the door and he was trying her from the car.
"Go back to sleep," he muttered.
"Dad," she mumbled, trying to shake off the stupor.
"Shh," Nathan whispered. "It's okay; you're home and I've already paid the Taxi. Just sleep."
"I can't believe you have the nerve to carry me." Zoe said, it just sounded like a garbled sigh. "Stop it, Dad," she groaned. He didn't hear her.
"You're just very tired, Zoe," he assured her quietly. "I'll let you rest when I get you to your bed."
"I know what to do," she muttered. "I can walk."
"You can't even open your eyes."
Zoe clung to him with locked, tenacious fingers.
"Cut it out, Dad," she said. She managed to drag her lids open to stare at Nathan.
They were in front of their house. The front door was standing open. The cloud cover overhead was too thick to guess at a time of day.
"'Kay. Let me down," she sighed.
"You bet I will when you're on your bed," Nathan promised.
"Dad," she groaned one more time.
"Fine."
Nathan set her on her feet. She could see that she was upright, but she couldn't feel her legs. She trudged forward anyway, until the sidewalk swirled up toward her face. Nathan's arms caught her before she hit the concrete.
"Just let me get you upstairs," Nathan said.
"No," she cried.
She didn't hear Nathan's answer, but he headed into the house. Her open eyes only made it till the stairs. The last thing she felt was Nathan's hands prying her fingers loose from his shirt.
I really don't mind if you dislike it =((