Ch 9: Change of plans
Wow…you guys really liked the verbal fight scene…I got to admit it was the most fun to write! I'm happy you all liked it. Don't worry about the teacher though, she was listening and both Lila and Nathanael got full credit. I feel so giddy right now…Why? Because senpai noticed me! And by Senapi I mean you guys! Omg…I always feel this sort of embarrassed happiness whenever I read your reviews. I don't know how to handle your praise! 0/0
Anyway here's the next update. I Do Not Own Anything…
After a short, comfortable silence fell upon us I decided to be bold and gently took Nathanael's hand in mine, he responded by resting his head on my shoulder and I could feel his long hair tickle my neck. Over the course of the week we had grown accustomed to innocent physical touches. Nathanael merely assumed that, that was how I showed affection, that I was just a physical person, and that was how people in Italy behaved around their friends. That couldn't be further from the truth, well half-truth. Out of all my friends back in Italy I was always the more physically affectionate one. But, best friends don't want to kiss you or want to run their fingers through your hair or want to cuddle innocently and wait for the sun to rise so they could shower you in kisses…normal friends don't do that….I knew I didn't want to just be friends….
But, I kept telling myself I just wanted to be friends and that the only reason why I want to hold him wasn't because he's super cute it was because I just wanted to hug my best friend...But even I knew that was a sorry excuse of a lie…All that love that I had directed onto Adrien I had now shifted over to Nathanael…and I'm not sure that's a good thing. I don't like it when other girls talk to him (though they rarely do) I don't like it when he talks about Ladybug or any other girl really…I also don't like it when boys happen to come by and make remarks of how cute Nathanael would be if he was a girl. I just get this burning feeling in the pit of my stomach…and I know I shouldn't feel jealous….Nathanael isn't mine to begin with…but still the feelings linger…I let out a sigh as I muse over these thoughts…
"You okay?" Nathanael asked, directing his concerned gaze towards my direction.
"Yeah, just tired."
Nathanael's gaze didn't waver….that's another thing…he's been getting better at telling when I'm lying and the thought alone scares me…Lies are the only thing I can hide behind, but Nathanael's piercing blue gaze can see right past almost any barricade of lies I put up. I let out a fake yawn hopping that that would convince Nathanael that I was indeed just tired. His gaze softened.
"Me to, I couldn't sleep, I spent most of the night away on the internet." I let out a sheepish giggle.
"Ditto."
"Are you still up for our trip to the Louvre?" Nathanael asked.
"Yeah, I've been waiting this whole week to go with you." I said enthusiastically unable to hide the happiness I felt whenever I thought of spending quality time with Nathanael.
"You know…we can go somewhere else if you think the Louvre is to boring…" He said meekly.
That was another thing I noticed about Nathanael. He hated being a burden. Whenever he gets too involved or whenever he starts stepping out of his shell he quickly retreats back inwards, refusing to come out unless coaxed.
"I don't think it's boring at all." I reassured him. He looked nervously at me but he let out a sigh of relief and we quickly fell silent again lost in our own separate thoughts. I wonder what he thinks about…
The rest of the day went by uneventfully, boring lectures, boring assignments, and boring teachers. I let out a yawn as I stretched my arms out. School was over and I was tired…Nathanael must have noticed.
"You tired?"
"Yeah, today was pretty boring…." Nathanael looked nervously at the ground and fidgeted with his fingers…."But I'm glad it's over, now we can go the Louvre." I said knowing that that was what he was worrying about.
"The Louvre isn't any less boring…" He mumbled.
"Nathanael…." I said wearily and I let out a sigh and I was about to tell him that I truly wanted to go to the Louvre, but before I had a chance to tell him I heard Kim's voice in the distance. We stopped walking and turned around to see both Kim and Alix running towards us.
"Kim, Alix...what do you need?" Nathanael asked politely.
"Dude, Alix thinks she can beat me at laser tag! There is no way she can do that!" Kim exclaimed. My hand slightly twitched. They're cutting into my private alone time with Nathanael.
"And…What do you want me to do…?" Nathanael asked; confused as to what Kim wanted from him exactly.
"Well….I actually need, Lila."
"Huh?" I exclaimed confused.
"Hey! No way Kim! Lila is on my team. Us girls gotta stick together!" Alix exclaimed.
"Wait…what! I'm confused." I said.
"Look, me and Alix want to have a face off and we each get to pick who we want on our laser tag team, whoever captures the flag and brings it back to their home base or whoever manages to completely wipe out the opposing enemy team wins." Kim explained.
"Oh okay….but you see me and Nathanael already had plans an-."
"No. It's okay; we can go to the Louvre another time. Go hang out with Kim and Alix." Nathanael said…I frowned….
"But…"
"Go on. This is your chance to make new friends." Nathanael insisted. I frowned.
"I'll only go if Nathanael can come to." I stated firmly, Nathanael's eyes widened in surprise.
"Hmm….sure why not, the more the merrier." Kim said.
"Okay then you can have Nathanael and I'll take Lila." Alix said.
"Wait….I was actually hoping me and Nathanael could be on the same team." I admitted sheepishly.
"No way! You two are already monstrous separated, need I remind you of theatre class! It would be fairer if you two were separated."
I flushed slightly at the memory of how both Nathanael and I had managed to tare the classroom in two in the name of our ideals.
"I guess you have a point…." I said
"Then it's settled!"
With that Nathanael and I were dragged into another war, this time as foot soldiers. I mentally pouted sad I wouldn't have my one on one time with Nathanael….I let out a silent sigh…Oh well how bad could this be…
After a quick briefing, where we were taught how to use the laser tag equipment, and the basic rules of the game; which was three strikes, you're out; we were immediately thrusted into the arena. The room was drowned in a dark purple light that was produced by the LED lights hanging overhead and the clouds of fog produced from unseen fog machines wrapped around our ankles like hissing snakes. The theme of the arena was an abandoned downtown London with its bleak brick walls and simple, archaic building structures.
The buildings that provided windows could be accessed through stairs on the left and right sides. These second story buildings were all interconnected and were only there to dress up the second floor were shooters could snipe unsuspecting victims that ran under the two story buildings.
There were two bases on opposite sides and Deadman's land was nestled in-between both bases covered with walls, trashcans, cars, and any other form of shelter or obstacles that protected soldiers from upcoming lasers.
I readied my gun and I could feel the adrenalin course though my body, hands gripping the laser gun tightly in anticipation. I glanced around and surveyed our team. Alix was our leader, charismatic, athletic, and fast. I wasn't as athletic as Alix but I was much more cunning and sneaky, the assassin of the group if you would. Our other teammates where that Marinette girl and her friend Alya; my knowledge on both of them was limited and I didn't know what they're strengths and weakness were yet. But, I knew Marinette was clumsy by nature so she would be a hindrance, Alya runs a Ladybug blog….and though I hate the blog, for obvious reasons, I admired Alya's camera work, her being able to catch the action up close and personal reflected here superior stealth skills well. The teams were four vs four and the countdown would start soon…we needed a strategy.
"What's the plan, Alix?" I inquired.
"Okay team huddle up." Alix said as she motioned us to move into a closed circle. "Okay here's the basic rundown, our best bet for a quick and swift victory is to capture the enemy's flag and bring it back here. No doubt that's what the others are thinking to. So, we need to have two people to stay here and guard the flag while the other two go to retrieve the flag. Our best option is to sneak around and steal the flag; confrontations are to be kept at the minimum because remember three strikes and you're out. Me and Marinette will stay her and guard the flag and its perimeter. Alya, you and Lila will be the main attackers. I don't mind if you land a few shots, but your main mission should be to get the flag and get back. If you're hit lay low and return to the base, we'll switch places so you protect the flag and I try to obtain the enemy's flag. Does everyone understand?" We all nodded solemnly, but there was still one question that lingered in my mind.
"You guys made this a bet right?" Alix nodded. "What did you bet?" I asked. Alix grimaced and solemnly stated.
"If we fail…don't forget how badass I was." I decided not to pry and simply nodded. The countdown started. I readied my gun.
I ran with my back hunched over, hiding behind a bleak wall of fallen architecture. My heart pounded loudly in my chest, I was sure the enemy would be able to hear its irregular beating. I took in a deep breath to calm my nerves. I quickly glanced from behind the wall to make sure the coast was clear. Alya and I had decided to split up. I would take one side and she would take the other effectively creating a circle around were we would sneak up from behind enemy lines.
The coast seemed clear, but just as I was about to run out something caught the corner of my eye. It was red and flashing, but small and hard to see through the misty fog. I looked up towards the second story window and my hunch was correct, a sniper; I silently cursed under my breath. As I quickly reeled my head back against the wall, hoping he hadn't seen me. I tried creating a mental picture of the current lay out.
Currently in front of me is a mini maze filled with corners and protective cover. However, a sniper had the higher ground from the second story building with his gun out and pointed to shoot at anyone who tried to get by. I could try and run through using the covers provided as shields…but the risk was too great. When you're up against a sniper who has higher ground, you know you're at a disadvantage. I would have to abort.
Quickly I ran away from the danger zone….as I was running a plan formed in my mind. I smiled as I found the stairs to the second floor. Quickly running up the stairs I smiled as my plan began to flourish, however this was a slightly risky plan…I located the sniper his back turned. I smiled and shot his back, immediately he tried to retaliate by turning around, but I had already booked it. He was without a doubt trying to chase me down. I couldn't let him catch me.
I saw the opposite set of stairs and as I got closer I quickly turned the corner and hid against the wall in front of the stairs. I remained perfectly still. I waited and I could hear footsteps…They echoed softly and I could see the sniper's bright lights shine against the bleak and dark settings. He ran past me and looked left and right with narrowed eyes. With his back turned I could now identify him; it was Nino, Adrian's best friend.
Before he noticed me behind him I silently backtracked up the stairs and made my way towards the enemy's base from the second floor. So far, so good…From the window I aimed my laser gun towards the enemy base. I waited and soon I saw something that made my heart drop….Adrian….
Look what's this its an update! update! I hope you really like it! don't hate, please rate with constructive criticism. UPDATE! Yeah that's really I had to say...I can't wait for the next few chapters though...fufufufuf...
See you in the next update my sweet senpai!