7

The sudden news shakes me in such a way, that despite already wearing my pajamas, I cannot longer sleep. I lay in bed, just looking at the ceiling. It's a funny feeling. It's been so long not looking at Li (you know, actually looking at him, talk to him), and this same day he breaks up with Daidouji. But, wasn't him heading towards her house when we clashed at Penguin Park? Could it be he was heading towards her, unknowingly she was about to break up with him?

My thoughts are interrupted when something hits my window. It sounds like a pebble. My stomach shrinks. Could it be…? I get up straight away, and confirm: it's Eriol, standing in front of his bedroom window, throwing pebbles at mine, just like in the old times. When he sees me, he places the pebbles away, and presents me a piece of paper, so I can read it:

"So you're not going to talk to me anymore now that Rika and I broke up?"

I can't help but look at him, surprised. I jump out of bed, run towards my desk, pick up a notebook and a pen, and hurry to write him a message as I walk back towards the window.

"Don't be silly. Of course I'll still talk to you."

I stay there, waiting for Eriol to say something else, but he doesn't write anything. He opens his pen, but closes it again, and does this about three times, before he finally makes up his mind, and writes. And then, he shows me.

"How's everything going at home without Rika?"

"We're doing our best."

Is my answer.

"Breaking up with me was part of a plan?"

I hurry and say no with my head, and also hurry to write down.

"I didn't know anything, Eriol. I swear."

And I present him another piece of paper.

"This time, she hadn't told me anything."

"She might change her mind, right?"

I bit my lip, and look down. I would love to say yes, but I can't cope with the idea that I could be probably lying and giving him false hopes. So, I don't say anything.

When I finally look back up, Eriol has a new piece of paper, waiting for me to read it.

"What time does her flight land?"

"Still four hours."

I write back.

"Will she come back for Bon Festival?"

"Scotland doesn't celebrate Bon Festival; they won't give her vacations." I pass the page. "And it only lasts one day, a 16-hour flight is not worth it."

This time is Eriol who looks down, but when he looks back up at me, I already have another page ready to be read.

"But she'll come for Christmas."

And we both sigh.

"Can I still keep in touch with you guys?"

"Misaki and me?"

"Your dad too."

"We're not going anywhere."

Eriol smiles, relieved.

"I couldn't bear to lose you too."

As soon as I read that note, my heart skips a beat. For a moment, I'm forget how to breathe. But then, just as always, that weird feeling fades away.

A new note.

"What to watch a movie tomorrow night? Misaki can join us."

"What time?"

"Seven."

And I end the conversation with a thumb up.