5

Mei Lin is my longest-time friend, which makes all sense in the world. If we had met each other just one year ago, there would be no way for us to become friends. She's the type of girl that drinks, smokes, goes partying with guys she barely knows, and has a lot of problems at school and at home. Still, ages ago, when we were in sixth grade, Mei Lin liked sleepover parties, playing with Barbies, and rom coms, just like me.

Rika doesn't like her since she thinks Mei Lin is a rebel without a cause, and thus is a bad influence for me and Misaki. But it doesn't matter what Rika says, Mei Lin and I cannot simply stop being friends. Actually, I think I'm a positive influence that helps Mei Lin to calm down when things get too chaotic. And Mei Lin helps me with my self-confidence. I'm too of an introvert and her extrovert personality helps me to open up to the world around me.

This afternoon, Mei Lin gives me a phone call to tell me to meet her up at Penguin Park. She just bought herself a leather jacket, and its uttermost important for me to see it today. I asked her to describe it during our call, or to send me a photo, but she simply said no. I must see it personally so I can fully admire it and tell her she found an amazing deal, did an amazing purchase, and her fashion sense is incredible.

Going out of the house will make me feel good. Penguin Park is not that far away, and I can get there walking, so I can distract myself with the scenery as I walk; this way I can stop torturing myself with this silent and empty house.

As dad and Misaki are not at home right now (dad's working, and Misaki went to a friend's house to eat crepes), I write a note on our chores board, lock the doors, and walk out. Since I'm quite sure we'll spend the whole afternoon at the park, and that Mei Lin will be so busy eyeing the guys, I decided to take a book with me. A new romantic novel I found at the local library. I have my book under my arm, and walk lightly, as I admire the cherry blossom trees that bloomed during spring and now are quietly waiting for next year. That makes me think that since I'm heading towards Penguin Park, I can buy myself a cherry blossom ice cream.

My feet keep moving lightly, actually I'm not even conscious of where am I going. I've just followed this route towards the park so many times, I don't require to see the road, since I have it memorized. That's why I can walk as my head's on the clouds. Thinking about my romantic novel, that maybe I should keep working on the scrapbook I left forgotten when summer began, about that cherry blossom ice cream I'm going to eat, and Mei Lin's leather jacket, that I actually don't notice when I finally make it to the park.

My feet move on their own. One ahead of the other. They walk along the orange brick road that crosses the whole park, in a zigzag motion. I'm now thinking about a coat of this same orange that Rika has in her closet (and she didn't take with her), that I could now take to school, that I don't notice when I finally reached the tiny bridge that connects the two sides of the river. I also don't notice I'm not the only one that's about to cross it.

I don't see him. Actually, I feel him before seeing anything. Probably he was in a hurry, since he hits me so hard it even makes me fall.

"Kya!" It's the only thing I get to say, as I fall flat on my ass and it starts hurting right away.

"Sorry!" The boyish voice replies. "Let me help you."

I'm still rubbing my ass, trying to calm this sting, when I open one eye and see a hand that waits patiently in front of me. The hand of a boy. I then look a little bit higher up, in order to see this person's face, and I can't help but be shocked.

It's Li Syaoran.

"Kinomoto Sakura?" He asks, as if he couldn't believe it's me. "Are you okay?"

I nod, and hurry to take his hand. I'm still rubbing my ass, but Li doesn't notice since he's now busy picking up my book… and his phone.

My stomach drops. Please, don't let it have a cracked screen. I'm quite sure his phone is very expensive, and I don't have any money to get it fixed.

Li looks at his phone, it seems everything is alright, and I finally can catch my breath again. He looks at it, satisfied, and so he remembers he still has my book in his other hand, and so he hurries to give it back, as he smiles at me. This feels so weird; as if time had never happened.

"This is what I get for texting as I walk." He says in that happy tone. "At least it didn't fell to the river."

I don't know if I should giggle, but it seems there's no need for me to do anything, since his phone rings, and he hurries to look at it.

"Gotta go."

"Where are you going?" I ask, unable to contain myself. Is not like I care, but…

"Tomoyo's place."

"Ah…" It's the only thing I can say. "Then… See you around."

He frowns. I think he's got the idea I'm kicking him away. He takes a step back, ready to leave, but then turns to see me, and points me with a finger.

"You're okay, right? So is your book?"

"Yes, thank you." I say. "For helping me to get up, and picking up my book. It's in pristine condition. See?" I say, as I shake it right in front of his face. "It's been very nice of you."

He smiles, widely, and that brings me back memories. I had already forgotten how much he likes positive reinforcement.

He then does a sign with his hand, I replicate it (although clumsy) and that's it. He's gone.

I see him walk away, until I remember Mei Lin is waiting for me, and so I hurry to finish crossing the bridge. And so, I forget about the encounter with Li Syaoran.

Yes, Genevieve is gonna be Tomoyo.

It will work out, trust me (?

Ribo~