To clarify the day: It's Thursday
I can honestly say the separation of me and Kunimitsu has affected the entire school. The fans look at us and are too afraid to approach seeing our expressions. I'm not as nice as I used to be and Kunimitsu, let's just say that he's worse than when I arrived.
My best friend is off gallivanting around the school for some reason or another with a couple of our friends in tow. I wonder what they're up to...never mind I don't want to know. But I get the feeling it has to do with our recent breakup.
Me? I'm doing fine.
Positive.
Really.
Sorta.
Ok, ok! I'm a complete wreck. And when I'm a wreck I don't mean bawling my eyes out and holding my stuffed Elmo.(I hate that red thing! Cookie monster or Oscar are so much more awesome!!) I mean challenging the old man and beating him (physically) to death in his own sport. Hey! It's how I show I'm upset
Today, I find myself walking around the city. Nothing is particularly appealing besides the strawberry cheesecake from Nami's family cafe. It's so good I have about 3 pieces. I wonder why I don't gain weight. Oh well.
I sink into my thoughts absentmindedly sipping on my sprite. My mind begins to drift, obviously to Kunimitsu bringing back all my sorrow. I don't cry, but I really want to. The main reason is the gossip. I hate it because it travels faster than the truth. Although it's been a total of 2 days since the incident and break up, I can feel that I'm losing myself. Losing myself so much I'm spending more time with my dad.
I am brought out of my reverie as my cell phone rings a normal ring tone signifying someone I don't know is calling but I ignore it, by reflex, and pick up.
"Moshi, moshi." I answer in a melancholic tone. The voice on the other end freaks me out to the point where I want to drop the phone but I just settle for a hateful glare.
"Ah, my queen, with beauty that equals my own!"
'Conceited bastard. How'd he get this number?'
"What do you want, Atobe? And how did you get my number?" I ask suspiciously. He chuckles.
"I have my sources." he answers causing my eye to twitch.
"Anyway, I heard about your...disagreement with Tezuka. I always knew he wasn't good enough for you." I raise a brow.
"And you are?" I question.
"Of course! I would treat you like the queen you are. You deserve much more than what Tezuka can give you."
'He's right' I think, really taking in his words.
"Ok, Atobe, I mean Keigo, I'll give you a chance. Since our matches are tomorrow you can pick me up at 10 sharp." I say. The line goes silent. I think he is stuck in awe that I actually agreed to give him a chance. Or the fact that I called him Keigo.
"Keigo?"
"Y-yes! 10 sharp tomorrow morning. See you then, Megumi." he says gaining his confidence back. I sweat drop.
"Ja." I quickly hang up and look at the small cellular device.
'I wonder if I should do this...'
Forcing down the rest of my drink I pay and walk quickly down the street. I try my hardest to get my thoughts together but they keep coming back to the stern buchou with the word 'First Love' hovering over his head. I stop in my tracks letting the word sink in.
'Love.
Ugh,
it sounds weird.'
I sigh shivering before continuing my trek only to bump into someone.
I have half a mind to yell at them but I'm being a bit lazy, so I
just apologize.
"Sumimasen. I wasn't watching where---"
I pause in mid sentence at the sight in front of me. Right then my
heart shattered into microscopic shards.
"Huh? Oh, if it isn't the loser, Kizuka." giggles that airhead bitch Kanna. But that's not the bad part. It's the fact that she is hanging off of Kunimitsu's arm.
"So it is." he mumbles giving his 'I-really-don't-care-and-why-am-I-here?' look. To others it just looks like his normal expressionless self but being with him a few months allows you to pick up the subtle differences in expressions. In other words only I can distinguish them.
"I guess you guys are on date, huh?" I ask, as if I don't care. Really, I don't.
"Yeah!" she answers sighing and resting her head on his arm. At this moment I want nothing more than to rip her head off. I smile maliciously....mentally of course.
"That's nice." I comment with a fake smile. My hands are trembling at my sides in fists but that's hardly noticeable. Kanna gives a triumphant smile.
"Now that me and Tezuka-kun have gotten together, we've become the best power couple." she says adoringly. I scoff mentally as a mortified expression crosses Kunimitsu's face but it only lasts of a split second. I sigh mentally in relief.
'He
doesn't like her at least.'
"So,
Kizuka, I'm sure finding a boyfriend is as easy as pie for you, so
where is he?" Kanna states putting me in the spotlight. My urge
to rip her to shreds has increased but I think fast.
"Oh, I'm sure he's around here somewhere. I told him to meet me at the courts." I say in a kind of rush. I'm not sure if they picked up on it but it at least sounded convincing, right?
"Great! That's on the way! We'll walk you and get to meet this new guy of yours!" she exclaims fakely, dragging both me and my ex-boyfriend in the direction of the city courts. My eyes narrow at her back.
'I
swear she's only trying to break me down more. If I can't find
someone to call a boyfriend at the courts, I'll be humiliated in
front ofhim.'
I sneak a glance at the tall 14 year old male on Kanna's other side to see him having an internal conflict. Again his face is passive but I'm always able to read him.
'I
wonder what he's thinking about.'
Once
we arrive at the city courts there are only about 10 people. A few of
which I am surprised to see. Well, it's my luck really.
"My queen has come." comes an arrogant voice. I flinch but it goes unnoticed. I put on my best fake smile and greet the rich bastard.
"Ato-I mean, Hello, Keigo-kun." he looks ecstatic while Kunimitsu gives him the most deadly glare I have ever seen. This causes me to smirk as I walk up and give Atobe a kiss on the cheek. The glare gains in intensity at the action as Atobe smugly puts an arm around my waist.
"He's your new boyfriend!" They ask mortified. I nod innocently as the cocky bastard looks like he just won the gold medal at the Olympics.
"I knew this day would come. We all knew that Tezuka couldn't fulfill the needs of such a beautiful maiden. Now we don't have to worry about that anymore." He smirks. Kunimitsu's glare doesn't cease and I realize that a fight might actually break out. And not just between those two.
"Um,
so, Keigo-kun why don't you...take me home? It's getting kinda late
and my dad's a worry wart." I lie trying to change the subject
and ease the thick tense at least a bit. He looks down at me.
"Of
course Kizuka, my love." he dramatized kissing the back of my
hand. Ok, not only do I feel dirty, but vandalized. EW!
He guides me pass the opposing couple and into a black limo I didn't even know was there. As he ushers me into the vehicle I sneak one last glance at the pair to see Kunimitsu disregarding Kanna and walking off with the most hurt and angered expression on his face. I feel so guilty right now.
'What have I done?'
-All Regulars: Friday-
They wait for what seems like forever for the girls' captain and Oishi to arrive. Sure, it is a natural occurrence for the Echizen sibling to be late but the youngest is present among the group and Oishi called earlier.
"Ugh! This is ridiculous! Can anyone contact her!" screams Mika. Hazumi whips out her cell and calls up her missing friend. It rings about 3 times before going to voicemail. She hangs up.
"Her phone's off." Ryuzaki sighs and turns her attention to the stoic boy's captain. She was one of the only people who knew about the situation and it is possibly the reason why Kizuka is a no show.
Of course they're ready to play even without the green-haired player, but still...
"Look, Hyoutei's here." points out Momo. They all turn to the opposing team and gasp. There beside Atobe Keigo is Echizen Kizuka.
Tezuka, hidden discreetly in the back, fumes silently with a sudden urge to snatch the girl away from the man whore and punch the living daylights out of him. But sadly he knows he has no right to. That's her new boyfriend and even thought he has hate for the Hyotei senior, he respects and, although he would never admit it to anyone but himself, loves her.
-Kizuka's POV-
It
is not as bad as I thought it would be hanging with Atobe. He is a
complete gentleman but still conceited. He did buy me an Iced Grande
half decaf, caramel drizzle frappacchino. To say the least, he passed
the first test this morning.
Now is the part I've been dreading. Tezuka's reaction to my being with him. Not that I care. I stop drinking my coffee and smile.
"Hey, guys! Ready to play?" I ask playing clueless. Atobe just smirks and kisses my cheek before walking to their area. I inwardly cringe.
Everyone
gives me a weird look before Hazumi, Juni, Nami, Izzy, and Umeko drag
me off in some random direction. I don't protest, I have coffee.
When
they feel they are far enough where no one will interfere, they stop
and give me angry looks. Once again, I have coffee.
"WHAT
THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" yells the purple-haired journalist
really loudly. I'm surprised no one runs over. I shrug to her
question still sipping the half caffeinated drink.
Frustration
setting in she slaps the cup from my hands, now gaining my full
attention.
"What'd you----" I begin but am cut off.
"Just shut up and listen to what we, your friends, have to say!" she shouts.
"Kizuka, please understand we are trying to help you. Ever since you've shown up the school seems...so lively." says Juni softly. The raw emotion in her voice and eyes makes me want to cry.
"Yeah, ever since you walked into our lives we've had the most fun, ever! And we're grateful but lately you just seem..." trails Nami, her usual happy demeanor overshadowed by her concern.
"Out of place, like a lost soul." finishes Izzy. I look at them unable to speak. Am I really that helpless looking. I fall to my knees.
"Kizuka do you love him?" ask Hazumi steppin forward and bending down to my level.
'Love? Do I really....' I don't answer the question but just let my thoughts linger on the subject.
"Kizu-neechan, I know it's hard, especially for someone with your past but give love a chance. You'll find that it leads to something much greater." smiles my childhood friend. I can't take it. The emotion here is getting to me. What are they trying to convince me for? This whole situation has nothing to do with them. It's just another interference.
I stand up my green bangs shielding my eyes from theirs. I can feel my pent up anger and sadness about to lash out. I wish I had more control over my emotions.
"AND
WHAT DO YOU KNOW!? YOU'RE NOT THE ONE SUFFERING!!! YOU'RE NOT THE ONE
CRYING HERSELF TO SLEEP EVERY NIGHT BECAUS THE ASSHOLE YOU CALLEDA
BOYFRIEND RIPPED YOUR HEART OUT BECAUSE HE DIDN'T TRUST YOU!!" I
shout tears of every emotion I felt at the moment trailing down my
face like a stream.
I would have continued had Hazumi not slapped
me. Shock settles in as I look at her with my hand holding my pained
cheek. Her purple hair shielded her eyes, much like mine had before.
Her breathing was ragged and I couldn't tell what she was thinking.
"Damn it, Kizuka, get a grip on yourself." she says glaring harshly.
"You look pitiful right now. I would be ashamed to know you right now if I didn't love you like a sister."
"Ne, Hazumi-san, I think you're going a little overboard." comments Umeko but Hazumi ignores her.
"We only want to help you but it seems you have conflicting feelings. You're not even sure you love him, are you? Why should we waste our time with an undecided person?" The question is rhetorical but still directed towards me.
They stand there for a few seconds more before Hazumi walks away disappointed, the others follow giving unsure looks. I just sit there really thinking over everything. So many questions need to be answered and yet I find the only one who can answer them is myself.
My heart.
