I found myself listening to this song while lying awake in bed and it reminded me of the scene in The Lake House. I desperately wanted to write something about Tomoyo and Eriol slow dancing. If you haven't heard This Never Happened Before by Paul McCartney, I highly recommend that you go find it on youtube and play it while reading. It was on repeat while I was writing. This song makes me melt a little inside, hope this story does the same for you.
xxx
004. Autumn
"Tomoyo? Where are those little desserts? The kitchen should have sent some up by now! The guests need dessert!"
Tomoyo winced a little at her mother's shrill voice, still audible above the music and noise of the party. She turned to face her mother, "I'll go to the kitchen to take a look."
"Thanks darling," Sonomi relaxed visibly, then in a gentler tone of voice, she said as she traced the outline of Tomoyo's cheek, "And hurry back, there are tons of bachelors waiting for you to break their hearts."
Tomoyo rolled her eyes good naturedly, as she headed towards the kitchen, "Oh please mother. No more of your matchmaking schemes."
Sonomi smiled and called out softly to her, "I know, I know. You decided who you wanted a long time ago."
Tomoyo bit her lip and made no further reply. Her mother must think her quite silly, to still be harbouring some old childhood crush on a boy she had spent only a week with. In her defence, it was the most magical week of Tomoyo's young life. And even though they had only both been ten, no other boy in the next ten years could compare.
When questioned why she remained single despite some of the persistent advances of the most popular boys in school, Tomoyo explained frankly that the little boy she met when she was ten was the only boy she could imagine herself with. The reactions of her friends ranged from disbelief ("You were ten Tomoyo! A childhood crush! You can't imagine that he is doing the same for you! You might never see each other again!") to dreamy sighs ("That is so romantic Tomoyo! Imagine when you see each other again! Oh, I would love to be there!").
Sighing gently, she reached the kitchens and the staff assured her dessert would be served shortly. She smiled in thanks and left, making her way slowly back to the ballroom. Deciding to prolong her arrival back to the party, Tomoyo stepped out through the side door into the garden.
The garden was decorated with fairy lights and a few tables and chairs would placed around, for Mother did like to hold outdoor parties, but it seemed the chilly autumn winds had chased most guests back into the warmth of the house. Tomoyo found the garden peacefully and mercifully quiet, with only the soft strains of music floating in from an open window.
I'm very sure,
This never happened to me before
I met you and now I'm sure
This never happened before
Tomoyo lifted her eyes to the giant oak tree, the magnificent centrepiece of their back garden. The leaves were tinted orange, a sure sign of autumn. She smiled, for it was a reminder of her favourite season. It was his favourite season too, she remembered. He had told her that when they took shelter under that oak tree ten years ago. She closed her eyes to try to visualise that day again, she wondered briefly how much taller that oak tree had grown since then. Would he recognise it again?
So come to me,
Now we can be what we wanna be
"A dance?"
Tomoyo's eyes snapped open as she felt someone take her hand and whirled her around into his arms. She stiffened immediately and tried to push away as politely as she could. But the stranger had a gentle yet firm hold on her and she found herself swaying along to the song. The stranger held her so close that she wasn't able to pull back to take a look at his face but strangely, she felt safe and relaxed into his hold as they swayed on the spot.
I love you and now I see,
This is the way it should be
"Do I know you? Sir?" Tomoyo questioned softly. All she could discern from her position was his dark hair and the side of his glasses on his left ear.
"Maybe." His enigmatic reply made Tomoyo all the more curious to take a look at her dance partner.
But, she was feeling rather comfy, and her eyes drooped, almost like she was being lured to sleep from their swaying and rocking. The autumn winds blew up again and she shivered involuntarily. The stranger tightened his embrace, as if he wanted to keep her warm.
"Tomoyo?" The stranger breathed.
She jerked awake on his shoulder, "You know my name?"
This is the way it should be
This is the way it should be
"Tomoyo? Tomoyo? Where are you darling?"
Oh dear, her mother. Tomoyo sighed inwardly, she must have been gone for too long. She turned away from her dance partner to yell out, "I'm coming mother!"
Tomoyo looked back to apologise to her mysterious stranger and to invite him back inside. Only, she found she was quite alone.
It's not so good when you're on your own.
A particularly strong wind blew through the garden, sending the leaves of the oak tree fluttering off the branches. With one last look around, Tomoyo turned on her heel and entered the house again, her arms wrapped around herself.
I'm very sure,
This never happened to me before
I met you and now I'm sure
This never happened before.
xxx
School has been unforgiving lately. There have been honours proposals and essays and final exams and on top of that, I came down with the chicken pox last week (!) so I apologise for the long delay. But with these drabbles, I can only write when inspiration hits, since I don't exactly have a plotline to follow. Hope you guys understand! Please leave a review, I'll be eternally grateful.
