Chapter 4: Dates
R&R
"But I don't care what they say I'm in love with you They try to pull me away But they don't know the truth..."
The princess laid on her grand bed staring into space. The last couple of weeks had her mind and body weak, but she enjoyed the silence she had now. All that could be heard was the light creaking from the cradle, beside her, that she rocked back and forth. In the cradle lay her only happiness, at the moment, her sleeping newborn.
Their peace was interrupted when the door cracked open and in came the man. She didn't bother to hide the disgusted expression on her face, and it did not go unnoticed. The look was reciprocated, causing a grim aura to spread throughout the room.
"Good, that wretched child is asleep," he said.
Something snapped within her. She swiftly sat up and hopped off of the bed. Her feet were sore touching the ground, but she continued to march towards him. Her head was high, her eyes were stern, and her fists were prepared for battle.
"Don't thee ever speaketh of mine child in such a way," her voice was booming.
"Aye, thy child. Thy bastard child by that-"
Her hand clashed with his face. For a moment time stood still. He slowly turned his head to face her, and the princess was faced with venom. The man spat on the ground before wiping the side of his mouth.
"Winch," he said under his breath as he turned toward the door.
With gritted teeth she ripped the silver band off of her finger and tossed it. He stopped as he felt the small object hit the back of his head. All was silent, again, except for the light clank of metal hitting the ground. Without facing her, he left the room.
Textbooks and notebooks were scattered across the table. Athrun sat with his nose in his books, but Dearka couldn't sit still. It had been 20 minutes since he ordered his grilled cheese and tomato soup, and with each passing second his stomach roared louder.
"Ugh…" he tossed and turned in his seat.
Athrun lowered his book.
"Aren't you being just a bit dramatic?" Athrun said.
"Oh come on. Why the hell do all of these people have to be here while I'm dying over here?"
Athrun looked around and for the first time noticed how crowded it was. Every booth was filled, and a few people were lined up at the register. Miriallia was busy taking their orders, while Cagalli, and another employee, was busy serving food and drinks.
"Well I heard that one of the cooks called out sick, so that's most likely the reason why it's so backed up in here."
"Where'd ya hear that?"
"Cagalli told me earlier before we arrived here," Athrun said.
Dearka just stared at him. For a moment, Athrun felt awkward in the silence...and the staring, but that all disappeared when Dearka graced him with his usual taunting grin.
"Say...you wouldn't just so happen to have her cell phone number…"
"Dearka…"
"And you wouldn't just so happen to have texted her…"
A loud smack could be heard as Athrun closed his book.
"Can you cut it out?" Athrun said.
"Oh, what am I doing? I'm just saying that I noticed that you two have been spending some time outside of the cafe lately."
"We're friends," Athrun sipped from his mug, "we hang out. What's the big deal?"
Dearka leaned back in his seat and shrugged.
"You tell me," he said.
And as if on cue Cagalli came speeding by, dropping off Dearka's lunch. Without a second to spare, she rushed back into the kitchen. Though her movements were quick, time seemed to move slowly for Athrun when she came by. Athrun's gaze was still on the swinging kitchen door when he heard snickering. He turned to face his grinning friend.
Dearka leaned closer, his elbow propped on the table as his head rested in his hand.
"Something about her? Yeah, there is, but I'm sure you know that. She is cute...and fiesty. Gotta love that in a girl. They say blondes have more fun too. She seems fun,,."
Athrun furrowed his brows at his friend's words. Dearka noticed immediately and relished in his friend's reaction.
"I don't know what you're talking about Dearka, but please be quiet."
Dearka straightened up. He looked over to the counter and noticed Cagalli was conversing with one of the patrons. He had seen this patron before, and from what he saw, he knew that Cagalli and the patron were acquainted.
"I think you do know, Athrun," he continued. "You hung out with Cagalli a lot this spring break, even though girls were dying to get your attention. If you haven't noticed you're almost as popular as I am with the ladies. Meer, Meyrin, Lunamaria. They all wanted to do something with you. When Meyrin wanted your help studying-"
"I helped her," Athrun interrupted.
"Only to ignore her once Cagalli walked by. Like I was saying, even Meer, who asked you out, you ignored. Meer's hot dude! But you had plans-"
"I did have plans. Cagalli wanted to meet for tea…"
If it was possible, Dearka's smirk covered his entire face.
"I don't see your point," Athrun sipped his tea.
"My point is…"
Dearka was becoming a bit frustrated, and wanted to prove to Athrun what Athrun was too stubborn to see. He glanced back over at Cagalli who was smiling, still conversing with the young man. The young man seemed very much into the conversation. That's when Dearka thought, Bingo.
"Well, Athrun buddy, you may not be the only one who sees something in Cagalli. Seems like that guy does too, considering the fact that he's been even more than you have this week," and then started to devour his soup.
Athrun turned to view Cagalli and the young man Dearka was referring to. They appeared to be having a casual conversation. Nothing wrong with that. But it was the way the guy looked at Cagalli that caused Athrun's stomach to turn. The young man looked too cheerful, too relaxed. He was too interested in what Cagalli was saying. She had his complete attention, and Athrun didn't like that.
After a couple of hours the cafe had finally calmed down. Cagalli was wiping down the counter when she noticed that Athrun and Dearka, who was drooling and snoring on the table, was still there. She wrapped up what she was doing and made a cup of tea. Kira was still at the counter top and watched her with worried eyes as she made her way to Athrun.
"Here you go," she said as she sat the cup down.
He was silent. Coldness was in the air as he kept his eyes on his book. Cagalli stood there for a moment hoping to receive some type of response, but none came. She turned around and he heard her sigh. Looking up from his book, he saw her walk away. She was walking back over to that boy. Dearka's words ran through his head and for the first time, when it came to Cagalli, he felt fear.
"Cagalli, wait," he said.
'Oh so now you'll speak," her arms were folded.
"Sorry about that," he said, "but…, the room suddenly became hot, "uh...what are you doing Friday?"
"I will be off by 12, but I didn't have anything else planned."
"I was wondering if you wanted to do something with me?"
"So, you're sorta in foster care?" Cagalli threw crumbled bread at the ducks that were surrounding them; they would quack now and again for more.
Kira and Cagalli were seated on a bench by a lake in the park. It was a nice afternoon. It was still brisk, but the weather was warmer than usual and the sky was clear.
"I'm actually in a facility for children without families. They agreed to keep me up until I turn 19," Kira said.
"And they're only keeping you because of that small child? You said she's your family, right?"
Kira nodded.
"But my birthday is in two months, and if I don't find her parents by then she'll be taken away."
Cagalli watched as Kira's usual cheerful expression faded, replaced by a more depressed one. His balled up hands clenched in and out.
"Where are her parents? Your family?"
"I told you," he said, "we're not from around here. I'm from somewhere far away and I came here looking for my family."
"What makes you so sure they're here?"
"Trust me, I know they are," he said.
His eyes were sincere, but she was used to that. Never did she see malice in his gaze. He believed wholeheartedly that his family was in Orb, she could tell, and she believed him.
Cagalli jumped a little when a duck pecked her leg. A few of them were lined up in front of her. She grunted as she threw bread at them.
"God, they're annoying," she huffed.
"You said you were family-less too," Kira said. "As that friend of yours, Athrun."
"Yes, but we don't know who our family is, unlike you. We don't know anything from our past."
Cagalli felt weird telling Kira her odd story. Only a few knew, and that consisted of Athrun, Dearka, and Miriallia, but she felt comfortable around Kira, she couldn't explain it, but she did. It was sad, but nice to know that she wasn't completely alone in her situation. There was someone else like her.
"Do you think that you and this Athrun both lost your memories the same way? From what you told me, the two of your stories seem similar."
"It may seem crazy, but I feel-everytime I'm around him-I feel like we must've known each other before. We had to. I feel it. I just don't know when or how," she blushed.
"Maybe you should tell him," Kira suggested.
"No!" she threw her hands up, and bread crumbs flew everywhere. "Everything is already weird. I really don't want to make things even more complicated. Especially since we have becoming closer and closer with each day."
Kira smirked. "Seems like you fancy this young man," his eyes were narrow, and for the first time Cagalli saw mischief within him. Was he teasing her?
"We're just friends!"
Kira started to laugh-hysterically.
"What's so funny?" she was fuming.
"You," he pointed to her face. "You look like a tomato." he continued to laugh.
"Shut up," she playfully smacked his arm.
The hit caused a piece of bread to slide off of her lap. She leaned over to pick it up, causing her shirt to rise. Kira looked down and immediately Cagalli noticed him staring. Quickly she pulled down her shirt.
"Quit staring," she said.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean harm. I just happened to notice-"
"Don't say anything. I hate my sides."
"Why?
"Those stupid marks. I don't know where they came from, another mystery about myself to solve, and Miriallia won't tell me what they are. Was I burned? Cut? I don't freggin know!"
Kira was silent for a minute, contemplating. He opened his mouth then closed it again. He bit his lip and looked away.
"What's up?" she raised her brow.
"Well it's just that those are...how do they say it here...um...stretch marks."
Cagalli sat there silent, blinking.
"Stretch marks? Was my skin stretched before?" she put her hand to her chin. "I don't understand."
Then she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to Kira and his eyes were sad, though he was trying to keep a straight face.
"I woman usually has those marks from giving birth."
"My heart's crippled by the vein That I keep on closing You cut me open and I...Keep bleeding..."
Sorry that it was a such a short chapter, but I still hoped you all were entertained. SHOUT OUT TO MY REVIEWERS!
