CHAPTER 2: Rain
I don't own Gundam Seed/Destiny (DISCLAIMER)
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...
"We're only getting older baby, and I've been thinking about you lately. Does it ever drive you crazy, just how fast the night changes…"
Cagalli had her elbows propped on the counter with her chin in the palm of her hands. It was unusually slow for a Saturday afternoon. Cagalli figured it was due to the predicted rainstorm. The day had been cloudy, but it was 5 o'clock and still not a single drop of rain. It was two hours before closing, and she hoped that it would get busier because she couldn't keep her eyes open.
Her leaning head jumped up when she heard the bell. A family of three walked in-a mother, father and a young girl. They were smiling and laughing. Cagalli's eyes followed them as they sat at one of the booths. They continued to chat with smiles on their faces, and Cagalli felt her heart sink. Watching them caused her chest to ache and her eyes to sting with tears. Watching them caused her to wish bad thoughts on them, and to wish them to part ways. She wanted to be like them. She wanted one of them to be like her- alone.
Her gaze was stuck on them. She didn't even turn away when the young girl noticed her staring. It took the feel of something wet and hot sliding down her cheek to snap her into reality. She quickly wiped it away. She stared at her hand and immediately felt embarrassed and ashamed. She was about to excuse herself when she heard the bell again. The pain, the bad thoughts, they had disappeared when she saw Athrun and Dearka walk in. She smiled and was ready to greet them until she saw a young woman behind Athrun wrap her arms around his. The pain, the bad thoughts, they had come back.
"Oh, Athrun, please come with me back to the University's cafe," The girl said trying to pull him to the door.
Dearka turned around. "We like this place, Meyrin," he said irritably. "We're at that cafe when we're on campus."
She pouted. "I just want Athrun to help me study," she said.
"We can study here," Athrun said with a smile.
Meyrin nodded and returned his smile. The three of them made their way to the booth closest to the door. Miriallia stepped out of the kitchen and, as if on cue, Dearka went to the counter to greet her.
"Here again I see," Miriallia said.
"You know I can't stay away from that pretty face for long," he smirked.
Miriallia rolled her eyes. She looked over Dearka's shoulder and noticed Athrun sitting at a booth, reading. A smirk graced her face as she nudged Cagalli with her elbow.
"Guess who's here," she said winking.
"Athrun," Cagalli responded nonchalantly.
"So...you know what to do," Miriallia said.
Cagalli folded her arms and turned away.
"Why do I always have to serve him?" there was an iciness in her voice.
"What…" Miriallia started; then she looked over and noticed Meyrin.
Sensing the reason for her friend's bitterness, Miriallia made two cups of coffee and made her way to Athrun and Meyrin's table.
"Good afternoon," she said, placing the mugs on the wooden table.
"Good afternoon," they said simultaneously.
Athrun frowned a bit when he looked up to see who had greeted them.
"Uhh...where's Cagalli?" Athrun asked.
Upon noticing his expression, Miriallia's eyes twinkled.
"Well...uhh...she was busy at the moment, so I thought I'd assist you."
"Well…" he started.
"So, who's this young lady?" she looked at Meyrin.
"We're in one of my classes together. Meyrin this is Miriallia. She's a friend of Dearka's. Her parent's are the owners of this place."
"Nice to meet you," Meyrin stuck her hand out.
Miriallia hesitated to shake it, but saw nothing wrong with the girl. She seemed kind and polite, but her presence made Cagalli uneasy and Miriallia didn't like that. Once Miriallia took the girl's hand, Meyrin felt tensity between them. The grip, and the shake, was firm as if she were shaking a man's hand. Meyrin quickly withdrew. When she looked up, she saw Miriallia smiling cheerfully at her, but Meyrin couldn't help feeling that the young woman was feigning.
...
The wind blew ferociously outside. Windows shook, trees danced, and little tornadoes of trash swirled on the pavement. It was seven o'clock and Cagalli and Athrun were the only ones left in the cafe. It was Cagalli's turn to close and she was sweeping when she heard the roar of thunder. She turned to look at Athrun who was packing up his belongings.
"I hope you brought an umbrella," she said.
He smiled.
"I think I'll make it before it-"
In an instant it started pouring down. Athrun helplessly dropped his book bag on the floor.
"Do you mind if I stay here until it subsides?" he asked sheepishly.
"I'll make the tea."
...
It had been fifteen minutes and the rain only poured harder. The two sat opposite of one another, at a booth, sipping green tea. Few words were spoken in between and the silence was killing Cagalli.
"You're awfully quiet," Cagalli said.
"Am I?"
"Well you said more to me when I'm actually working…"
"Sorry."
"You don't have to apologize," she sipped her tea, "I'm not going to kill you for it."
Athrun snickered. He then sighed and looked at the mess outside.
"I guess I'm a little stressed," he said.
"Hmm?"
"It's just...well school is a bit harder for me. Everything is new to me and it's college courses. Dearka is a big help, but...sorry I must sound like an idiot."
Cagalli shook her head.
"No need to apologize. Sometimes things are just harder for others. I should know. Is that why you stay so late studying at times?"
He nodded.
"Well, one thing for sure, at least you're taking classes. I get taught by Miriallia, and do most of my learning by reading, but it's not biggie," she shrugs. "There are more important things to me."
Athrun raised an eyebrow. Her last sentence had rubbed him the wrong way. She had sounded sullen. Her head was turned to the window as she stared out of it with a lost look on her face. She didn't notice him staring, and if she did she ignored it. He frowned.
It was her turn to be quiet and it worried him. For the short time that he known her, he never knew her to be the silent type. She would greet him cheerfully- boldly -with her head high. They talked about anything, whenever he visited-the weather, food, college life, Dearka and Miriallia. He noticed that she could catch an attitude in a split second and that she wasn't one to hold her tongue. But he found all of that intriguing and amusing, so seeing her so quiet, so still, so gloomy...it made him sad.
He placed his hand on top of hers. Cagalli looked at him with wide eyes. Athrun stared at her tenderly.
"Whatever is bothering you, well, I'm sure it'll get better soon, and if there's anything you need me to do just know that I'll do it."
She slowly pulled her hand away. She felt something when he touched her. It was electrifying, incomprehensible, frightening. Dozens of images and sounds-loud voices, laughter, people dancing, a beautiful garden, and more-floated through her head in a matter of seconds; none she could recognize.
"Athrun…"
Suddenly the rain stopped.
...
Cagalli was panting as she ran up the hill-the hill she dreaded the most in the world.
"Why couldn't we work somewhere else?" she thought. "And why couldn't Miriallia wake me before she left? I hope I won't be late."
As she continued up the hill she noticed something quickly coming down the hill. The glare from the sun made it hard for her to make it out, but as it got closer she realized what it was. It was a stroller, and not just a stroller, a stroller with a baby in it. Once it came closer she grabbed hold of it. The child inside was smiling- laughing at that -as if there was no danger.
"Oh my gosh...where are your parents? They should be ashamed of themselves."
The baby responded with a clap and a giggle.
Cagalli snorted. "Hey kid it isn't funny. You could've been hurt," she said.
The child continued to giggle. Cagalli sighed. Suddenly she screeched as her neck yanked forward. She looked down and saw the child pulling on her necklace.
"Hey stop that," she said trying to release it from the child's grip. "Little brat, get off!"
"I'm so sorry," she heard someone say.
She looked up to see a young man running towards them. She froze.
"It's you," she said once he stopped in front of them.
His face lit up. "Do you know me?" he asked.
"Yeah, you're the guy who keeps stalking me."
The child had started crying as Cagalli freed her necklace. The young man kneeled before the crying toddler and pulled out a pink, stuffed rabbit. The child snatched it and gave it a squeeze. The young man smiled at the child before his attention turned back to Cagalli.
"I assure you, I mean no harm," he said.
"Right. Of course you would say that. Is this your kid?"
"Well...let's just say I'm responsible for this child."
"Whatever. Stop following me, got that?"
She shoved her way past him and was going to trudge her way up the hill, but then he grabbed her arm. She swiftly turned around with fire burning in her eyes.
"Get the hell off of me," she spat.
"Please believe me when I say I mean no harm. It was mere coincidence that we've crossed paths lately, but I won't lie when I say that you've caught my interest."
He slowly released her.
"I hope to see you again and next time maybe you could get to know me, and not think of me as a stalker."
She glared at him and wondered if his words were true. His eyes were sincere, but she didn't know him and therefore she couldn't trust him. The fact that he was always around gave her the creeps, but it was always harmless. Could it just be a coincidence? She has seen plenty of people more than once, so why should she be freaked by this particular person?
"I…" she looked down at her watch and forgot all she was going to say. "I'm going to be late." She turned on her heel and ran up the hill, leaving the man and the baby without a single goodbye.
"Everything that you've ever dreamed of disappearing when you wake up. But there's nothing to be afraid of, even when the night changes…"
