Chapter Thirty-Two

-Luka-

"She won't pick up," Piko sighs, tearing the phone from his ear in frustration. "I've tried three times," he adds. Someone's desperate.

"Alright. You can stop trying for now, but that doesn't mean that you don't have to call her later, too," Miku warns. Piko just lets out yet another sigh.

"You guys… I feel like we've been away far too long," I say, chewing at my bottom lip and brushing my legs up against each other in discomfort. "Don't you have that feeling… like, we're missing something?" I ask.

"Well, I don't see anybody else anywhere," Piko says, smoothing down the tiny strand of hair beginning to rise on the top of his head.

"Where'd they all go?" I demand, my voice rising.

"I…" Miku starts, raising a finger. Her finger makes its way to her lengthy teal hair. "I don't know… Rin and Len… who knows where they are," she says, tossing Piko a look and setting off into giggles.

"What about Gumi? A-And, where's Kaito?" I ask. "The party!" I gasp, "What about the party? We're never going to-"

"I don't know," Miku cuts me off with a sigh, "where they are. I don't think they're even here anymore. You know, we don't even need to celebrate for me. It's okay. Let's just go home. I really don't feel like-"

"But your gift!" I cut her off, holding out a hand purposelessly.

"What about it?" she asks dryly.

"Don't you want it?" I ask, my voice dropping.

"Can't we just go home?" she waves it off. "I… I don't feel good…"

"It's because you have to take my place, isn't it?" I sigh, my shoulders sinking. "Look, Miku, you don't have to do this, okay? I'm sure Gumi would make a great replacement," I tell her. "And if everything goes wrong, we could always use Rin," I mumble under my breath.

"No, I'll do it… just…" Miku stumbles over her foot, though luckily, Piko, who is standing right behind her, is there to catch her dramatically in his arms.

"Woah," he gasps, "You okay there, Miku?" He then turns to me, his bottom eyelids rising, "Hey, I think we should probably get going home." After a heavy sigh and what seems like an eternity of exchanging glances, I finally roll eyes and give into the thought.

"Fine. I guess the others will just call us," I growl. I watch from the corner of my sight as Piko's eyes dart to the left as if they're saying, What's her problem? "Sorry," I add quietly. Gah, I hate apologizing.

"No, it's okay, you're stressed. I get it," Piko says with a shrug and a smile as Miku dizzily regains her posture. Wow… Thanks, Piko. I guess you're really not all that bad. "Miku, can you walk?" he asks.

"Yeah," she breathes, still leaning against Piko for extra support as we cross the shore in the direction of our car. "I-I think… I think I'm sick though," she adds quietly, her words heavy and drained.

"You'll be okay. Just get some rest when we get home," Piko comforts her. "And same for you, Luka. You might want to wait for your leg to heal," he says with a nod of his head, a growing strand of silvery hair bouncing on his head. I don't remember that being there when we got to the beach… "It grows really fast," he chuckles, catching onto my gaze and flicking the ahoge with his finger.

"Oh," I laugh back, pushing my own hair behind my shoulder. As we pass the spot where we laid down our towels, I pick mine up and throw it under my arm along with the others, balancing them all out in my grasp.

"You need any help?" Piko offers. I shake my head. "Alright, suit yourself," he shrugs.

"Miku… a-are you sure you're willing to go through with this, because I-"

"No, Luka, quit worrying. I'm sure I'll be fine by tomorrow. I just need some rest like Piko said," she waves it off, throwing me a light smile.

"You're sure?" I ask.

"Yes," she sighs. Why is that I'm pressing her to change her mind? Do I really feel bad about this? My leg feels fine, and my walking is okay… No, you can't model with cuts and bruises like these. The image of Miku wearing my dress begins to flood my mind- Oh my god, no! No! Poor Miku can't go out wearing the dress that Mr. Kamui designed for me! She'll feel so… violated! And sure, I haven't even really gotten the chance to look at it yet, but I'm sure it's too… Gah!

There has to be some way I can get her out of this! I have to think of a plan, and quick! Maybe the other models can help… But oh! There's no way that she'll get along with Miki!

"Y'know, Miki's a model too," I clear my throat, trying my best to keep my composure.

"She is?" Miku gasps. Suddenly, the look on her face falls. "Oh, that's right. She is, isn't she?" she groans.

"Well…" I start with a raise of my eyebrows.

"Well…?" Miku asks, "What do I say to her?" It doesn't take a genius to pick out the pieces of panic in her voice… possibly even fear.

"She's not a bad person, Miku. I'm sure she'll understand whatever you say to her. Just make sure to come across as friendly, so that… y'know," I start, my darting to Piko. "Do it for Piko's sake," I finish.

"God, you guys really know how to make it sound like I'm a terrible person," Piko chuckles, running a hand over the stubborn strand of silky hair that sprouts from his snowy hair.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Miku whines, placing a hand on Piko's shoulder. His gaze drops, but his smile doesn't.

"What? You don't think I'm picking up onto all of this? You," he starts, waving a finger at Luka, "want her," he points his thumb in my direction, "to act all nice for Miki so that she doesn't think I dumped her for some diva."

"Wh-What's that supposed to mean?" Miku gasps, sliding into her seat of Piko's car. "I'm not a-"

"I wasn't calling you a diva," Piko shakes his head. "Honey," he throws in. Miku rolls her eyes, punching him in the shoulder.

"Don't use pet names with me," she sneers with a giggle.

"Hey, don't make me sound like a dirty cheating player," Piko shrugs.

"But you're not any of those things," Miku pouts, "honey."

"Don't use pet names with me," Piko laughs, raising an eyebrow as he starts the car. I can't help but hide a small laugh behind my fingertips. How is it that both of them ended up with each other? I don't necessarily believe in fate, but this looks pretty destined to me.

"Well, thanks for dropping me off," I smile to Piko once we've pulled up to my driveway. "Oh, and Miku, feel better," I add, pulling my bag out of the trunk and carrying it to the door. I quietly push it open and close it behind me, the refreshing cool air breathing onto my skin.

Before I can even put my bag down, I hear a sound that not only alarms me, but sends racy chills down my spine. Two pairs of lips… locking and unlocking over and over again. And then I swear, I hear Gumi's voice mumbling "Kaito, Kaito," like she's begging for more. Is this what they were doing the entire time we were at the beach? Ditching their friends so that they could make out? Well, at least they're not in a closet or anything.

Quietly, I tiptoe by so that none of them can hear me. My toes only make light contact with the ground as I sneak past the living room entrance. Then, the sound of talking pulls me back.

"Kaito… don't," Gumi murmurs, almost sleepily.

"I'm sorry Gumi, I just…" Kaito sighs. Eavesdropping isn't right…

"It's so cute, the way you get upset," Gumi cuts him off. Wait, what?

"I'm so confused, Gumi," I hear Kaito say, Gumi giggling in follow. You're confused? Why don't you take a look at the girl who just walked in on this? Never mind… don't. "I have no idea what you want anymore…" Kaito trails off.

"Yeah… honestly, Kaito, me neither," Gumi laughs. I crane my neck around the doorway, hoping to get a better view o- "Kaito, did you hear something?" Gumi asks, looking around the room. I quickly duck back around and pin myself to the wall. Crap, they almost caught me.

"Yeah, I actually did," Kaito answers. I feel heat rising up the back of my neck as I quietly try to get away. You know, maybe if you can play this off right… "Is anybody home?" Kaito calls. Here goes nothing.

"I am," I call, walking to the doorway and putting on my best innocent face. "I was just going to get some rest in here, but I didn't know you guys were already, um, here…" I say, waving a finger at the two as they scramble out of their intimate position.

"W-We weren't," Kaito splutters, while Gumi is too busy blushing furiously to really say anything. It takes the whole of me to choke down my laugh.

"Oh. Did you need anything?" I ask.

"No, but… i-is your leg okay?" Kaito asks, doing his best to change the subject.

"Yeah, it's fine," I nod, not looking away. Something in his sharp blue eyes reads fear… is that really an emotion that I can get out of people? "Oh well, I'll just be going then," I hum, "A bruise like this one needs to heal."

"Oh! Wait, one more thing," Kaito interrupts me. I spin around on my heel, my expression open and attentive. "Don't say anything about this to anyone," he glares at me. I just give a small wink and leave the room. I think I got out of that alright.

Then, much to my dismay, the sounds of smooching continue. I roll my eyes, swing my bag over my shoulder and make my way down the hall, only for the playful melody of the phone to blast in my ears. Ugh! What is it this time? I screech to a stop midstride and spin around to see the number. Len, what is it now?

"Yes," I sigh, pressing the phone to my ear as I lean against the wall. Len then mumbles something from the end of the receiver. "Sorry Len, I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER ALL THE KISSING!" I practically shout, rolling my eyes. Then, from the living room, I hear giggles and some light murmurs and then guess what? More frickin' lips.

"I said, Luka, you left your car at the beach, and Piko drove away with his. Now what?" Len asks, raising his voice. I slam my palm to my head.

"Gah! That's right, I totally forgot, I'm so sorry," I groan. "Oh, remember when Rin stole my car keys three months ago?" I ask.

"This isn't the time for jokes! Rin and I need a way to get home! Look outside!" he nearly shouts. Sure enough, the wind has started to pick up and heavy-looking clouds are starting to drift into view.

"I know! Rin still has my keys… for some reason," I mumble. I really need to get those back from her, don't I? "Tell her to drive you home. Or, I don't know. I don't necessarily trust her with my car… can you drive?" I ask.

"Yeah."

"Good. See you guys in ten."

"Okay, bye. And who's making all that noise? Miku and Piko?" Len asks. I can't help but stifle a giggle as I look back into the living room scene. Don't say anything about this to anyone, Kaito's voice rings in my mind.

"Nope," I grin, slamming down the phone.

Haha, I definitely had more fun writing this chapter than you did reading it. I like the person that Luka has turned into. Apparently, her friends are starting to rub off on her. Well, tell me, did you like this chapter? Leave a review! :)

Eating: Jelly-coated blueberry waffles. Try it sometime.
Drinking: Chocolate milk
Doing: Talking to TurtleCat
Homework: Haha, *snickers* yes *cries*
Listening to: The notification sound of a new message
Quote time: "Sorry Len, I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER ALL THE KISSING!" - Luka

Please, leave a review, and like always, thanks for reading! ;)