Chapter 14: The Missing Link

Amu-chan smiled when she got to the podium to receive her degree. Her parents were at the back cheering, which made her blush of embarrassment, but all of her friends did too. They all did for each other. Tadase, Nagihiko, Rima with their character guardians in their own seats, and behind Yaya...and actually Kukai came with Utau. She was surprised Utau showed up!

...Utau showed up but Ikuto didn't. She had officially messed up big time.

"Amu darling we're so proud!" Her parents started to cry.

"Thanks but it's no biggie."

"She's so cool and spicy!" Her parents left star struck about their child.

"Hey Amu-chan!"

She turned to see Kukai smiling at her beside a rather neutral Utau.

"Hello Kukai! Utau I didn't know you were coming today?"

"Either did I...Kukai said he'd buy me dinner if we went."

"Can't you buy your own dinner?" Rima came over, not understanding how Utau couldn't afford her own.

"Heh, heh, It's fine! I don't mind!" Kukai tried to relieve any tension.

"Heard my brother was in town for a while...funny he didn't come visit me." Utau looked at Amu-chan with a lingering glare.

Yaya, Nagihiko and Rima looked at Amu with large eyes, Tadase just lowered his.

"I..I...Uh..." Amu stuttered.

"He left before I could even say hello to my own brother." Utau complained.

"Well you have me now." Kukai pecked Utau's cheek. She softened a bit.

So Ikuto did leave...Amu-chan's stomach dropped.

"Well why don't we start to decorate and get ready for tonight?" Tadase tried to change the topic.

"...get dressed?" Amu repeated.

"Yea we're all getting ready here so that we could prepare for tonight. We are the Guardians but also the student body you know." Nagihiko reminded.

"I...uh left mine at home...and my stuff..." Amu said sheepishly.

"But I wanted Amu-chan to decorate with us!" Yaya persisted.

"Don't worry about it Amu, why don't you get ready at home, and we'll get everything ready...relax a bit before tonight." Tadase said with caring eyes.

Relax a bit? Did he understand that she was stressed about Ikuto's departure...plus her love problems. "Oh...Okay." She smiled.

"I better see you tonight wearing that awesome dress I bought for you." Rima scolded.

"Don't worry I'll see you guys there." Amu-chan smiled and left. She decided to walk home since she had the time anyway...her parents might be a little over-the top at the moment.

She plopped onto her bed, after receiving a large scare opening the doors to balloons and cake from her parents...it wasn't that she just wasn't appreciative...she just wasn't in the mood. She'd faked the smile all the way through a small piece of cake and her parent's congratulatory doting and hugs.

Ikuto hadn't magically appeared in her room. Tadase was still somewhat distant from her, though kind. Rima and the others were trying to help her knowing as little as they did...but nothing was turning out.

"What's wrong Amu-chan?" Ran asked.

"Nothing..." She put a pillow over her face.

"You were acting strange at school today!" Su said frowning.

"Amu-chan!" Ran whined.

"Alright...Ikuto wasn't here last night...he didn't show up at the grad...instead Utau was there...and he probably left for Europe again...and..."

"Why does it bug you Amu-chan?" Miki asked.

"Because I LIKE HIM!" She yelled the last part before she realized the words came out of her mouth. Her eyes opened wide. She said it. She felt tears boil up in her eyes. The bottled up frustration that he'd left and she'd caused it made her pop.

"What's wrong Amu-chan?" Ran asked worriedly.

She didn't know what to say. Ikuto...the broken one...the one who she'd ignored for years now and had walked away...was the answer. Ikuto...Ikuto. Maybe all his flirting and teasing really got to her. Still...

"It's okay Amu-chan. You've found the light in your heart...be strong. Believe that your heart is making the right decision and it will all work out." Dia suddenly appeared by them.

Amu wanted to believe Dia...Dia was always right about these kind of things, but...how could she stop Ikuto from leaving...and now she had to face Tadase again...

"Amu-chan honey, you ready to go to your grad party?!" Her mother yelled form downstairs.

Amu woke up with a start. Did she really fall asleep again!? She looked at the clock. It was 6:15...the party started at 7! She needed to get ready!

"WHY DIDN'T ANY OF YOU WAKE ME UP!?" Amu yelled to her shugo chara.

"We fell asleep too..." Ran said guiltily as Su yawned.

She ran into the bathroom and took out her hair elastic and started to put her hair back up in two side ponytails leaving her hair down and poofed the front. She decided to wear the black heart in one. She owed Tadase as much. She put a black chain choker on and slipped Ikuto's necklace on her wrist. She wasn't normally one for makeup but her aunt had given her a pink lipgloss...she'd always mistaken her style for girly...but hey it kind of matched the bright pink of the sparkle dress.

She left the bathroom and looked at her dress...why was she even trying? Why? ...Because her friends were there waiting and everyone had dealt with all of her emotional crap all week. She needed to go for them...even if Ikuto didn't show up. She took down her dress and started to get ready.

"OH YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL!" Her parents cried with tears in her eyes.

"Uhm thanks."

"She's so edgy sheek." Her parents cried.

"Can I get a ride there?" She asked, sighing.

"Sure Amu-chan does it start at 8?" Her father asked.

"...7." She said.

"Well its 7 right now hunny, I think you better hurry."

"WHAT?" Amu ran outside, nearly tripping on her small black heals...which she had actually had from a funeral..morbidly...and sat in the car. Ikuto wasn't here and she could finally admit her feelings...or at least she could to herself...in the privacy of her room..., she was late for her graduation party and nothing...nothing was working out at all. She felt a sniff come to he nose and she suppressed her tear as her eager and excited father drove her...praying something...something would work out tonight.