Fourteenth Gesture:

Reaching out

"There are things which start from the most vaguest and end in the most known to all."

It had been days…days they would casually bump into each other on the corridors, days wherein they would occasionally glance at each other and nod their heads in recognition. It had been like that since they first met.

Lacus found herself browsing by a convenience store for some drinks. She had been there for quite some time and still had yet to select her choice.

"Iced tea…" pointing a finger at the list, she read on, switching her view from the paper to the stocked pile.

"…lemonade…apple juice…"

She swore the list couldn't have gotten any longer. This particular store somehow had a policy on things and was very particular with order. Such detail was observed by using lists and letting its customers and patrons know what items they had in stock. It's supposed to help them in their purchase…well, supposed.

It only however left Lacus with much more difficulty. As her finger went down the list, finally a familiar brand came in view. Having the name and the item number on her mind, she looked back at the array of items before her and searched for her choice.

As her sight shifted upwards, she was having the feeling that her item was, in common terms, beginning to be quite "unreachable". And there it was, looking down at her from the second to the topmost shelf.

Extending her arms to its location, she grabbed hold of the railing just so she could pull herself up. Standing in tip toes and with a hand reaching desperately further to the can, it was then beginning to get obvious that the item really was no near her grasp.

Falling back on the ground, she stared at it with much determination. She glanced at the counter but saw how busied the man behind it was. She looked at other aisles, hoping to find at least someone who could assist her. To her dismay, everyone seemed to be too rushed themselves. Sighing, she looked back at the can.

"I should get it by myself then…" she whispered as she once again attempted to repeat her earlier stunt.

"Almost…" brows now creased and voice a bit strained, she then felt the chill on her fingertips, even at some point touching the smooth surface of the drink.

Just then, a hand from behind grabbed it which led her standing on equal ground again. Looking at the culprit, and feeling a bit disappointed about the sudden action, she turned to her side.

And was she surprised.

He held the can as his eyes never left its label. He was scanning it, she assumed, as he kept on turning it sideways in his grasp. She didn't know how to respond, as she found herself silenced on where she stood.

He then turned and looked at her. His hair falling a bit over his eyes.

"Here you go." Handing her the said drink, she gratuitously accepted it though all she could say was a meek "thank you" as a reply.

She never really had a chance to talk to him these past few days.

Not knowing what else to say, she then excused herself and made her way to the counter. He also did the same, taking a quick grab of a drink and falling in line right behind her.

He was there, she knew. And she didn't know what to do.

Paying for it and getting her rightful change, she immediately proceeded outside the store. The air in the area was suddenly becoming hard to breathe in.

She was then walking on the side street, with her purchase in hand when she heard the light ringing of the bell from the store, signifying the door's opening.

"Lacus,"

His hair was a bit disheveled from the passing breeze as he caught up right next to her.

"…hey." Was all he could say back. She couldn't blame him; he must've been feeling exactly the same thing she was at the moment: nervous.

They then walked side by side. Walking, just that and nothing more.

Lacus would have enjoyed it more if she knew she was by herself but with him tagging along, she found herself at a loss for not only words but expression as well. She looked at the side of his face, thinking what he could possibly be thinking as of the moment. And every time she darted her eyes back on the cemented walkway, he would do the same.

It was like that for the entirety of their walk. And it was intoxicatingly energy-eating. By the time they reached Lacus' hotel, which was interestingly at a walking distance from the store and where she was headed to in the first place, she finally turned towards him and bade her goodbye.

She really didn't bother to ask him of his destination, or what else his reason could be in taking this walk with her. His actions, his gestures - there was something in it that made her wonder. Was he trying to say something to her? A hidden message perhaps to be decoded by observing him more carefully?

As he did the same, she again turned and walked towards the entrance of the building façade. She was meaning to say something more to him, and unfortunately, the situation and the opportunity was lost all the same.

Thinking for a minute and closing his eyes, he gripped both his hands and made a firm decision.

"Lacus!" he called out as he ran after her. Stopping, she turned around, a bit surprised at his actions. Once reaching her, he then spoke.

"I was thinking…" he began as he paused to catch his breath.

"…do you…would you be interested to just sit down and get a glass of…" looking at the plastic bag she held, he then continued. "…coffee, perhaps?"

Not expecting the invitation, she simply smiled and nodded her head.

"I would really love that." She replied.

"Tomorrow then…will it be all right?"

"I don't know. I mean, it's just…"

"Would you come tomorrow...with me?" he repeated, as though her reply wasn't heard. She sensed the persistence in his voice with the way he insisted.

She sighed and thought hard - the voice of her manager playing hard in her ears. He would surely get mad if she decided to break her schedule yet again, for someone add to that. But then, this wasn't just someone who's asking her out. This was Kira - - - her Kira.

"All right." She then answered after much thinking. This was their chance to talk again, to spend some time with each other again. And she's not intent on letting the opportunity just pass her by.

Beaming into a wide smile, he then unconsciously held her hand.

Their sight dropping to the sudden and unexpected contact, he immediately let go as both cheeks' flustered a bit hue of red.

"S-sorry…" he spoke, eyes darted on the ground as hers fixed on anything but him.

"So…tomorrow then. Same place, same time." Managing to get the few lines out, he waved a hand and bade his goodbye, feeling some sort of embarassment welling up.

"Sure. Good evening, Kira." She smiled back.

"Same to you as well."

Then they both parted ways for the night, stealing glances of each other's retreating figure every once a while

"Was this the start of the more pleasant things?" She wondered and hoped it would be.

end

A/N: I wrote this as though I didn't think about writing it. I was actually preparing the chapter 15 for this one, so it tends to have a feeling of lacking something. The details will be explained later on and I do apologize for the long delay in updating. Thanks!