(D2 Entry) Pretty Baby (7)
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2003 4:54 pm
Title: Pretty Baby (Chapter 7 out of 7)
Penname: J Alberghini
E-mail: JAlberghini2@aol.com
Categories: Best Series/Multi-part, Best Romance
Warnings:Censored language, 3+4 implications
Disclaimer: Not mine. Nor are any of the other songs featured in this chapter.
Pretty Baby
Chapter Seven
"So having your love makes me better"
Bang. Bang. BANG. I wake up to what feels like an earthquake, about an eight or nine on the Richter scale, and sounds like a giant is walking on the floor above me. My room is empty again, which I'm glad of. I can finally get some peace and quiet. Don't get me wrong, I love those girls, but they never shut up. And I need my beauty sleep (no comments please). But now someone (most likely multiple someones) is intent on breaking my door down. Or destroying my eardrums, or both.
"Come in, come in. It's open," I moan. Bad thing to say. Now a herd of elephants are stampeding through my room. Elephants wearing funny hats and with noisemaker trunks that is.
"Happy birthday!" my friends chorus. They burst into song. Oh dear. The least they can do is remove the hats (except for my brother and Wufei, who are the only ones with enough dignity not to put up with it). I hope nobody saw them (oh well, at least they're not making me wear one). After they finish, they crack up. By now, my eyes have cleared, and I can see them better. Most of them are carrying boxes, except for Noin, Hilde and Pagan. These three are carrying trays of food, which consist of eggs, bacon (that part I could do without) and Pagan's homemade waffles. Yum! I think if the noise hadn't woken me, the smell surely would have.
"Breakfast for the birthday girl," Hilde says, setting the tray down on my lap. Two more follow.
"And presents," Duo adds gleefully. He vaults onto my bed, nearly spilling a cup of hot tea all over me.
My eyes feel all misty and not just because a few droplets had sprinkled onto my arm. "Aw, guys!" I cry. I reach out and hug each one of them as best as I can. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble."
"It was nothing. We wanted to do it," Quatre tells me.
"You deserve it," Sally puts in. All of the others nod in agreement, even Wufei.
"Aw, shucks. You people are making me so freaking sappy," I say, tears streaming down my cheeks. I reach for a tissue, then realize I'd run out after my own little rainstorm, and wipe my eyes on Duo's sleeve instead. He grins good-naturedly and slings his arm around my shoulders.
"Open ours first," he demands.
Hilde takes the present from him and places it on my lap, rolling her eyes. "You didn't even help pick it out, Duo. You were gone so long; I bought it without you. You just said you had something to do to get out of shopping with us."
"That's not true," he protests. They have another one of those secret eye discussions. I feel as lost as I would if I were in a foreign country. Sigh. I wish that Heero and I could be like that one day. Dream on.
Hilde was frowning, but accepted whatever he was saying without another word. The others didn't think anything of their exchange. But then, some of them probably have a similar language of their own.
"What are you waiting for?" Hilde prompts me. I push away my thoughts and do as I was told. Immediately, snakes pop out at me. No, just kidding (though I wouldn't have been that surprised if they had). Actually, it's a crystal statue: a beautiful girl in a long dress with wings. "It's an angel," she says unnecessarily. "I hope you like it. It made me think of you for some reason," Hilde explains. Looking at it, I realize why. The way her wings are positioned, she reminds of Wing Zero. I remember seeing a photo somewhere (don't ask me how anyone got it) in that exact same position. It's probably just an odd coincidence, I tell myself. I doubt she ever saw that. A few tears leak out again and I don't know what to say. I simply hug both of them tightly. But I think Duo understood. Though Hilde might not have seen it, there was a good chance that he had.
"Me next," Quatre says, before anyone else can. His gift was an expensive looking music box, with a dove on the cover and a winged angel rotating around inside it as an almost familiar melody played. Common theme this year. And so the opening continued. There were a lot of fun presents as well. My beloved brother and Noin ("It was all my idea," she said) got me an X-box. When I'll have the spare time to use it, heaven only knows, but I love video games (the limited violence ones). Dorothy gave me DDR pads and the game, plus a new CD for it because, apparently, I suck. And plenty of other cool stuff, mostly given in pairs. I love my friends. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing with my new toys. Time sure flies when you're having fun. And now it's time for my next birthday treat (Yea!).
"We had a bunch of ideas of stuff to do," Sally, who was the event coordinator apparently, begins. "So we decided to do things fairly and flip a coin. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it."
"Maxwell cheated," Wufei grumbles.
"Who me?" Duo says innocently. "My idea's better than yours anyway. What did you want, a museum? Puh-lease. Boring."
"A little culture wouldn't kill you," he retorts. "Besides, I thought she might like it."
I put a hand on his shoulder, making him flinch. Seventeen years old (I think), yet he still thinks girls have the cooties (Unless of course, he is afraid I'd kick him again, which is more understandable. It was unpredictable the first time, so he could be being cautious.). "Thank you, Wufei," I say, trying to sound enthusiastic. Not that I don't like museums, but it's not exactly my idea of a wild party. And I have low standards. "I'm sure I'll like whatever you guys have picked."
"You will, because I won," Duo boasts (as if I hadn't figured it out already). "We're going to this karaoke place I found."
"Duo!" Cathy exclaims. "It was supposed to be a surprise!"
Hilde makes a face. "Duo can't keep a secret for long," she tells the angry knife thrower.
"Not true!" he whines. "I can too keep a secret! In fact? never mind." He clamps his mouth closed.
"Exactly," Wufei says. "You never know when to keep your mouth shut." He edges away from me and retreats behind Sally. Silly boy.
"Oh yeah?" Duo challenges. Before more words can be exchanged (meaning before Wufei can chop his head off), Trowa and Quatre step in between them.
"Guys, don't start a fight," Quatre says wearily (He'd been doing this often lately.) "Let's act like civilized human beings tonight, please."
"Yeah," Trowa adds unnecessarily. The girls stifle giggles. The boys just stare at them, confused.
"Ahem! Your limo awaits." Pagan is standing in the doorway, holding the door open for us.
"We're coming, Pagan," I reply. "Be there in a minute. Just let me get my purse."
"We'll wait outside," my brother says. Again, they go out two by two, Quatre and Trowa walking together and Cathy and Dorothy, the only other singles (though I doubt that they have any trouble getting boyfriends), as a pair. I take my pocket book off the fireplace and head out the door alone.
* * * * * *
"I got you, babe. I gooottt youu, babbbbbeee." Two Asian men, brothers I think, finish their Cher song with a flourish (Oy vey).
"Thank you very much," says the exhausted owner, rubbing his head as he shoos them offstage. The Singing Bird isn't so much a karaoke bar (at least in comparison to the one I was in) as a nice Japanese restaurant, complete with a Japanese garden and fishpond. Apparently, there are a lot of regulars, who think they could sing. Emphasis on the word "think". "Let's see, who's next?" He fumbles for his glasses and puts them on, then takes out a crumpled sheet of paper that people filled out at the door. "And next are? huh? Oops, I have it upside down. Sorry. Next are George and Tara singing "In the End" by Linkin Park." We clap politely as the couple stands up from their table near the door. Looking there, I drop my California roll when I see who has just walked in.
"Oh my God! Dorothy! Dorothy!" I kick my friend under the table.
"Ow! What are you screaming in my ear for?" she asks.
"Look!" I turn her head toward the direction I'm pointing to.
"Oh s**t! What the hell is he doing here?"
"Who?" Duo, whose ears are possibly bigger than his eyes and stomach, looks up from his bowl of soup (which he practically had his head in). "Oh, yeah, he told me he was coming," he says casually.
"What? You knew he was here! You knew Heero was coming and didn't even tell me?" I glare at him fiercely
"Yeah, so? What's your point?" He tries to sound calm, but he looks guilty and I realize what his "big errand" was. I nearly forget my pacifist ideals and strangle him right there.
"He's coming!" Hilde hisses excitedly. She's more enthusiastic than I am. I contemplate running out, but decide against it. Instead, I just smooth down my hair (Not that I'm trying to look nice for him!) and try to look the other way as Heero approaches our table.
"Hey," he says. He looks as uncomfortable as I feel, and that's saying something. "Happy birthday, Relena." He leans over and kisses me on the cheek awkwardly. I don't do anything, but I'm pretty sure my face is red, partly from embarrassment, partly from anger. How dares he, after what he did? That's what I should say to him. But you know me. Except for my brother, who is glaring at him from across the table, my friends are all exchanging secret smirks and glances. Traitors.
"Won't you sit down?" Quatre says sweetly. He points to a chair, which has somehow magically appeared between us, and inches closer to Trowa. Now I'm glaring at him. Heero sits down with a nod of thanks. I busy myself by going to pick up the sushi I'd dropped. Seeing what I'm doing, he bends down to help.
"Ouch!" I cry as our heads collide.
"Sorry. You okay?" he asks. He moves my bangs away from my forehead, checking for injuries, I suppose. We're inches apart. I push his hand away and sit on my heels to get myself as far away from him as possible.
"Yeah, I'm fine. You?" (Relena, stop worrying about the health of the man who broke your heart!)
"Yeah, I have a hard head," he says semi-seriously. Huh, maybe I wasn't far from wrong. No, that was thick. (Stop making excuses for him!) He attempts to smile, unsuccessfully. We get up off the floor and sit back down. I move my chair as close to Dorothy as I can. My friends are all frowning at me, especially Duo. He is so going to pay for this.
I sip my seltzer, wishing I were 21 today and could order wine or maybe something stronger. This is the second time he's making me want to drink. Fortunately, my friends and ex-friend know better than to let me in this condition, which, at this moment, I'm not very grateful for, but probably will be later. No drunk Heero has to protect me from tonight, though, so maybe not. But then, I don?t think I'll be able to handle a hangover.
Those people are giving me a migraine. I wince as they attempt to hit a high note. Their singing vaguely reminds me of nails scratching a chalkboard. Oh, good, now they're done.
The owner comes back to the mike, clapping politely but openly grimacing. I don't pay much attention to him as he tries to put his glasses on, then drops them, then puts them on again and drops his list. I'm too busy trying not to look at Heero. So much so that I nearly miss him say, "And now Relena will be singing, "Pretty Baby," by Vanessa Carlton."
"Huh? What?" I look up abruptly. My now ex-friends start clapping and cheering loudly.
"Come on, Lena," Hilde urges. I'd forgotten that they'd forced me to sign up, despite the fact that it's my party; and they shouldn't make me do anything I don't want to do (although that policy changed a long time ago, apparently). There better not be any paparazzi around to get a picture of this. Alone in the shower or my room is one thing, but not in front of anyone else. Anyone conscious anyway. I walk slowly up to the stage and sit on the stool, closing my eyes as the music begins (I don't need the lyrics. I already know they song by heart.). "You light me up and then I fall for you," I sing. It's a coincidence that it's the same song I'd sung to Heero the other night. It seems like ages ago.
"I'll be the embrace that keeps you warm, you're the sun that breaks the storm?" I finally dare to look at the crowd. Heero's staring. Does he remember? He looks like he might. But it could be my imagination. I shut my eyes again, pretending that I'm in my room and it's just the two of us, instead of my friends and about twenty strangers. I become so caught up in the song; I do start to forget.
"Can you?hold me? And never let go. When you? touch me? It is me that you own? Pretty baby. Oh, the place that you hold," I open my eyes for the next line for a peek at his reaction to it. "In? my? heart. Would you break it? apart? again?"
I hear more applause, this time from the whole restaurant, as I finish the song. Not to brag, but now I know how real musicians feel. My friends are screaming now. Only Heero is quiet, but he's clapping as loudly as the rest of them are. Possibly more so. A look of confusion is on his face. I can only imagine why.
I step off the stage and head back to our table as the clapping dies down. But instead of sitting, I tap Heero on the shoulder. "We need to talk," I say quietly. He nods and follows me outside into the garden. It looks beautiful, even though it's in the middle of a city. You don't see places this, for lack of a better word, authentic. It looks like an old Japanese style house with an old style garden. Even in former Japan, one doesn?t see that very often. The Earth is all modernized now, almost as artificial as the colonies themselves. But here, even the fish in the pond are has happy as sand crabs. The only other place I've found that's still this pretty nowadays is the beach, which is ignored and abandoned by everyone. Except for us, that is.
And just like I was there, I'm not dressed warmly enough, in my sleeveless yellow birthday dress. It's almost a repeat of the scene, as Heero slips his jacket around my shoulders. I nearly gasp, but don't. This is not the time for me to get flustered because of him.
"Thanks," I tell him softly.
"No problem. I don't need it," he replies with a shrug.
I shake my head. "It's not about that. I mean, that too, but I meant, thank you for coming, Heero." I nearly launch myself in the pond for that one. Shouldn't I be telling him off? Instead I'm thanking him. I swear, you'd think I hadn't learned anything. Come on, Lena, you can do this, I try to encourage myself. I clear my throat. "Well?"
He looks at me. "Well what?" And here's the car scene. I giggle nervously. Heero's staring again, probably thinks I'm losing it. Oh dear, so far, this isn't going very well.
"So? I doubt you wanted to come out here to freeze," he says after a minute of silence.
"Yeah, I mean no, I mean, Heero? I? Ugh!" What has happened to my voice? Better yet, what happened to my brain? I swear there's a fried egg sliding around. This is your brain. This is your brain when you're with Heero. Where, oh, where is a feminist when you need her? Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, someone that has to do with girl power. (Spice Girls? Nope, wrong singers. Is Vanessa Carlton a feminist?). I swear, whatever this boy does to me can't be legal.
Heero puts his hands on my shoulders and shakes me gently. "Take a deep breath. Calm down."
"I, uh? forgot what I was going to say," I tell him embarrassed. (Idiot!) "I guess we can go back inside then." I turn to leave, but he grabs me tightly around the waist (Bar scene). That boy can be pretty possessive when he wants to be. It makes me nervous, but more a surprised nervous, than a scared nervous. It's so? unexpected, so? out of character. So dreamy (Bad girl!). Heero spins me around toward him so quickly that I fall into his arms. I've been doing that way too much lately. I almost open my mouth to mention that, but his lips cover mine, preventing me from speaking. I let myself indulge for a while, then push him away. The words I'd meant to say before spill out now as if they have a life of their own.
"No! I'm not letting you control me like this. Don't think that you can just kiss me and I'll forget what you've done. I have something to say, and I'll be damned if you don't let me say it. So just sit down, shut up and stay put for a change. And keep your hands, lips and anything else to yourself until I say it's okay. Capice?" He nods dumbly. He looked partly frightened, partly amused. He points out a bench near the pond and mimes sitting down. I agree and we do.
"Good. Now listen. I've been waiting for, oh, two years now, for you to stop running away. From me, from us, from every possibility for a relationship we may have. I'm not saying that I wanted you to propose to me the night we met, no. But you won't even except my friendship, let alone anything else. And frankly, I'm sick of it. I know you've had a hard life and need time to get yourself together. I can understand that. But ask, no, don't even ask, just tell me, let me know. If you care about me at all," I add (A little guilt always helps).
"May I speak now?" he interrupts. I give him a look. "Never mind."
"You never say goodbye, tell me where you're going; for awhile, I almost thought you were dead. I care about you and I can't help but worry. But let me. And it's not just me, Heero; the others do, too, especially Duo. You have to accept that there are people who love you and who care about what happens to you. And if there is anything between us at all, you have to keep your promises to me. I want to trust you, but it's hard to when you don't." I sigh. "All right, you may speak now."
"Thank you," he says solemnly. He pauses.
"I'm waiting," I tell him. Am I being a bitch? I don't want to be. But it's the only way I can say how I feel without interruption (and the only way to get him to say how he feels, apparently).
"I'm? sorry," he says. Then he closes his mouth again.
I frown. "Is that all you have to say? You're sorry? That's it?"
"I really don't know what else to say. I wish I could take it back, but I can't. I didn't want to leave you. Don't ever think that I did." He takes my hands in his. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, but I thought it was for the best if we were apart. I was afraid I would hurt you. Turns out I did anyway. But I really didn't want to. Believe me, I never, ever wanted to make you sad." Apparently he did know what else to say. Wow, a long speech from Heero Yuy and in complete sentences too. Maybe he should go into politics, although his present sincerity could work against him.
I smile unintentionally. I'm trying to resist forgiving him right away, but it doesn't work. Oh well. "Yeah, I know. My brother told me. He wrote to me before he left for Mars, explaining what had happened to him, and he mentioned that you said that. No matter how much he pretends he hates you, he really doesn't. He's just a little, well, very, overprotective."
Heero smirks. "Good to know. I'll be sure to use that against him in the future."
I giggle and it turns into a yawn. Being assertive takes a lot of energy. So does trying to keep myself from getting too sentimental (and I've been doing that all day). "Let's go look at the fish," I suggest. I step onto the little bridge across the pond. This time, I'm doing the pulling. I lean on the railing, far enough that I don't fall in but close enough to see the cute little fishies. At first, all I see is our reflections. Then a pair of golden shapes splashes them away.
"Wow, that's weird. I've never seen them swimming together before like that," I laugh. "I guess maybe they're a couple."
"Hn. I guess it's that kind of night," Heero says. He puts his arm around me. I get that dreamy feeling again. But it's not a dream; it's reality. Grant it, the fish are smaller and the water is too, and our feet aren't full of sand, but it's nice anyway. And so far, he hasn't disappeared. That's always good.
"Do you think fish went on the ark?" I wonder, thinking of my earlier observations.
Heero shrugs. "I wouldn't know, but probably not. I don't think flooding the Earth would affect them. But then, there's always a chance that they used to live on land. Maybe that's how they became fish."
Now it's my turn to shrug. "I don't know. Possibly, but isn't there a theory that all land creatures came from the sea? Didn't they say that in biology?"
"I'm not sure. I should be; I just took a test on it last week. But a few days away from school knocks all that stuff out of your head."
"Yeah, no kidding." I stare at the reflection of the full moon in the water. "I guess there are different theories. We're here somehow and that's the end of it. May as well just accept it and hope for the best." I sigh. "But it's good to know that even the fish have company."
"You know what's strange?" Heero says softly. "You know the Japanese word for carp?"
"Yeah, I know Japanese. I'm speaking it to you right now. It's a fish."
"Obviously," he replies. "I was just thinking, isn't it weird that the word for carp is also a word for love? That's strange, don't you think?"
I consider it for a moment. I have actually wondered about that before, but didn't give it that much thought. Still, it's an interesting concept. "I guess. But it makes an odd sort of sense, now that I think about it. I mean, in Japan fish were an important source of food and other stuff for a long time. Maybe people couldn't live without it. Like human beings can't live without love. I mean, they can, but it's an awful sort of existence." I bite my tongue after I say that, realizing Heero's childhood was like that, all alone. He doesn't seem to mind though.
"I see," he says thoughtfully. "I guess I haven't been alive until the past couple years then."
I blush, hoping he's implying what I think he's implying. But I don't press him about it; it's too soon for that. I can wait. He doesn't need to tell me now. We still have our whole lives ahead of us. He was right to stop me before. "Well, it's a stretch. I'm not certain. I just made it up now."
"True. But it gives you something to think about. Could explain why we always wind up at the beach." I laugh, but nod in agreement.
"I wish I could stay longer," he says, so quietly, I can barely hear him. I still do though.
I jerk my head toward him in horror. "What? You're leaving?"
He nods. "I have to. I've missed enough school. Don't worry, I'll come back on vacation."
"Promise?" I ask, holding out my pinkie. He takes it with his own.
"Promise," he agrees.
"Swear on Duo's life?" I continue. Heero thinks about this for a moment.
"Better make it yours. Especially since I nearly strangled him yesterday."
"Me, too. Well, today, anyway." I giggle. "All right. Mine then."
"Fine. Yours. I'll keep my promise, don't worry. And I'll say goodbye, too," he adds, before I can ask him. "In fact?" He kisses me swiftly. "In case I forget," he explains.
I touch my lips. I think I've died and gone to heaven. "That wasn't quite what I had in mind when I said?" Then I shrug. "But whatever works." I turn around to hide my red cheeks. We say nothing for a few minutes, but it's a comfortable silence.
"Relena?" he says suddenly. I look up at him. There's a rectangular box wrapped in silver paper in his hand. He offers it to me. "Happy birthday."
"Oh, thank you." I stifle a giggle. He looks so nervous, shy even, different from his normally confident self. It's so cute. What can I say? The many faces of Heero Yuy. I kiss his cheek gratefully.
He fidgets impatiently. "Open it." I shake it curiously, no sound. "Just open it please," Heero pleads.
"All right. Keep your shorts on [Actually, he's wearing nice pants today. And a dress shirt and tie, and looking quite good, I might add (okay, that's an understatement, he looks very good)]." I deliberately unwrap it slowly, making him sweat a little. I'm not mad anymore; it's just fun watching him squirm. One doesn't see Heero doing that very often. Now the paper is off and a white box is revealed. With assistance from Heero to take off the vast amounts of tape that sealed it (he can't blame me this time), I take out a bubble-wrapped package (I love that stuff) and begin opening that. Heero starts tapping his foot anxiously. Finally, it's open. I hold it up to the light, swinging it back and forth. It jingles. Wind chimes. Actually, only one chime. The others are stars hanging from a winged (like I said, common theme this year) teddy bear, which is holding another star in its paws.
"Aw, it's so cute!" I squeal. I kiss him again.
"You really like it? He says worriedly.
I nod vigorously. "Yep. I love it. Thank you!"
"Good." He puts his arm around my waist, and I lean my head on his shoulder. It's getting chilly again. The night breeze makes me shiver and causes the chimes to sway, making a pretty sound.
"Do you want to go back inside?" he asks.
I shake my head. "In a little while," I reply. I don't mind the cold. As long as Heero's here, I'm nice and comfy. I snuggle closer to him, partly for warmth, partly to assure myself that this is real. But he's here, flesh and blood, tangible, touchable. Yet it still seems like a dream.
"Hey, what's that?" Heero asks. I look up in time to see a burst of light jet through the sky.
"A shooting star? How appropriate," I say.
He grunts in agreement and holds me tighter, mumbling something into my hair.
"Huh? I can't understand you."
"Make a wish," he says more clearly. It takes me a moment before I understand what on Earth and in Outer Space he's talking about. I almost laugh when I realize it. But Heero's here. I don't need wishes anymore. I have what I want.
"Oh!" I smile and kiss him. I'm feeling especially bold tonight.
Heero almost blushes. "What was that for?" he asks. (As if I need an excuse. He doesn't seem to, why should I?)
"For granting my wish," I reply. "You must be psychic."
"What? But I didn't? oh, yeah. I guess." He smiles sheepishly.
I grin. "You should do that more often," I tell him. "You look nice when you smile."
"Are you saying, I look ugly when I don't?" he says, pretending to be offended.
"No, not at all. It's just a step up from your death glare. You look friendlier. Happier too."
"I am happy," Heero says. Then he looks confused. "Am I? I mean, I think I am. I guess I am."
"I can check," I say, as a slightly mischievous idea occurs to me (What in the world has gotten into me this week? First I go to a bar, now this, next thing you know, I'll be getting my belly button pierced.). I kiss him briefly. His face breaks into a wide grin. A real smile, not an embarrassed one, or a smirk, or a glare. Ladies and gentlemen, Relena Darlian has done the impossible. "I'll ask again. Are you happy?"
He pretends to look like he's thinking hard. "I'm still not sure," he says in his usual monotone, trying to seem serious. "You might want to check again. And longer this time, I think-" Now it's my turn to shut him up.
The fish splash the water loudly. It's not exactly the ocean, but it's good enough for me. The night is clear and I can see all the stars, not that I'm really looking. I know it's not a dream now. I know he cares for me, without a doubt. Maybe I have seen a different Heero than everyone else has. But he's also seen a different me. It's our secret. Now I?m glad I came. Even if Heero's leaving, I'm happy, because I know I'll see him again. That's enough for now. I promised I'd wait for him before. And I intend to keep that promise, just as he'll keep his. As I once told him, I'd be happy if he would come visit once in awhile, so I can have the strength to go on. I still believe that.
Another meteor appears. It's odd, no shower was predicted for tonight. It's like magic. I can almost imagine that we're on our beach, all alone, instead of behind a restaurant with all our friends inside. But I'll take what I can get. It's no illusion that we're together. And wherever we are, I'm finally safe in Heero's arms where I belong.
"I'll be all right and I'll sleep sound
As long as you keep coming round"
Penname: J Alberghini
E-mail: JAlberghini2@aol.com
Categories: Best Series/Multi-part, Best Romance
Warnings:Censored language, 3+4 implications
Disclaimer: Not mine. Nor are any of the other songs featured in this chapter.
Pretty Baby
Chapter Seven
"So having your love makes me better"
Bang. Bang. BANG. I wake up to what feels like an earthquake, about an eight or nine on the Richter scale, and sounds like a giant is walking on the floor above me. My room is empty again, which I'm glad of. I can finally get some peace and quiet. Don't get me wrong, I love those girls, but they never shut up. And I need my beauty sleep (no comments please). But now someone (most likely multiple someones) is intent on breaking my door down. Or destroying my eardrums, or both.
"Come in, come in. It's open," I moan. Bad thing to say. Now a herd of elephants are stampeding through my room. Elephants wearing funny hats and with noisemaker trunks that is.
"Happy birthday!" my friends chorus. They burst into song. Oh dear. The least they can do is remove the hats (except for my brother and Wufei, who are the only ones with enough dignity not to put up with it). I hope nobody saw them (oh well, at least they're not making me wear one). After they finish, they crack up. By now, my eyes have cleared, and I can see them better. Most of them are carrying boxes, except for Noin, Hilde and Pagan. These three are carrying trays of food, which consist of eggs, bacon (that part I could do without) and Pagan's homemade waffles. Yum! I think if the noise hadn't woken me, the smell surely would have.
"Breakfast for the birthday girl," Hilde says, setting the tray down on my lap. Two more follow.
"And presents," Duo adds gleefully. He vaults onto my bed, nearly spilling a cup of hot tea all over me.
My eyes feel all misty and not just because a few droplets had sprinkled onto my arm. "Aw, guys!" I cry. I reach out and hug each one of them as best as I can. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble."
"It was nothing. We wanted to do it," Quatre tells me.
"You deserve it," Sally puts in. All of the others nod in agreement, even Wufei.
"Aw, shucks. You people are making me so freaking sappy," I say, tears streaming down my cheeks. I reach for a tissue, then realize I'd run out after my own little rainstorm, and wipe my eyes on Duo's sleeve instead. He grins good-naturedly and slings his arm around my shoulders.
"Open ours first," he demands.
Hilde takes the present from him and places it on my lap, rolling her eyes. "You didn't even help pick it out, Duo. You were gone so long; I bought it without you. You just said you had something to do to get out of shopping with us."
"That's not true," he protests. They have another one of those secret eye discussions. I feel as lost as I would if I were in a foreign country. Sigh. I wish that Heero and I could be like that one day. Dream on.
Hilde was frowning, but accepted whatever he was saying without another word. The others didn't think anything of their exchange. But then, some of them probably have a similar language of their own.
"What are you waiting for?" Hilde prompts me. I push away my thoughts and do as I was told. Immediately, snakes pop out at me. No, just kidding (though I wouldn't have been that surprised if they had). Actually, it's a crystal statue: a beautiful girl in a long dress with wings. "It's an angel," she says unnecessarily. "I hope you like it. It made me think of you for some reason," Hilde explains. Looking at it, I realize why. The way her wings are positioned, she reminds of Wing Zero. I remember seeing a photo somewhere (don't ask me how anyone got it) in that exact same position. It's probably just an odd coincidence, I tell myself. I doubt she ever saw that. A few tears leak out again and I don't know what to say. I simply hug both of them tightly. But I think Duo understood. Though Hilde might not have seen it, there was a good chance that he had.
"Me next," Quatre says, before anyone else can. His gift was an expensive looking music box, with a dove on the cover and a winged angel rotating around inside it as an almost familiar melody played. Common theme this year. And so the opening continued. There were a lot of fun presents as well. My beloved brother and Noin ("It was all my idea," she said) got me an X-box. When I'll have the spare time to use it, heaven only knows, but I love video games (the limited violence ones). Dorothy gave me DDR pads and the game, plus a new CD for it because, apparently, I suck. And plenty of other cool stuff, mostly given in pairs. I love my friends. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing with my new toys. Time sure flies when you're having fun. And now it's time for my next birthday treat (Yea!).
"We had a bunch of ideas of stuff to do," Sally, who was the event coordinator apparently, begins. "So we decided to do things fairly and flip a coin. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it."
"Maxwell cheated," Wufei grumbles.
"Who me?" Duo says innocently. "My idea's better than yours anyway. What did you want, a museum? Puh-lease. Boring."
"A little culture wouldn't kill you," he retorts. "Besides, I thought she might like it."
I put a hand on his shoulder, making him flinch. Seventeen years old (I think), yet he still thinks girls have the cooties (Unless of course, he is afraid I'd kick him again, which is more understandable. It was unpredictable the first time, so he could be being cautious.). "Thank you, Wufei," I say, trying to sound enthusiastic. Not that I don't like museums, but it's not exactly my idea of a wild party. And I have low standards. "I'm sure I'll like whatever you guys have picked."
"You will, because I won," Duo boasts (as if I hadn't figured it out already). "We're going to this karaoke place I found."
"Duo!" Cathy exclaims. "It was supposed to be a surprise!"
Hilde makes a face. "Duo can't keep a secret for long," she tells the angry knife thrower.
"Not true!" he whines. "I can too keep a secret! In fact? never mind." He clamps his mouth closed.
"Exactly," Wufei says. "You never know when to keep your mouth shut." He edges away from me and retreats behind Sally. Silly boy.
"Oh yeah?" Duo challenges. Before more words can be exchanged (meaning before Wufei can chop his head off), Trowa and Quatre step in between them.
"Guys, don't start a fight," Quatre says wearily (He'd been doing this often lately.) "Let's act like civilized human beings tonight, please."
"Yeah," Trowa adds unnecessarily. The girls stifle giggles. The boys just stare at them, confused.
"Ahem! Your limo awaits." Pagan is standing in the doorway, holding the door open for us.
"We're coming, Pagan," I reply. "Be there in a minute. Just let me get my purse."
"We'll wait outside," my brother says. Again, they go out two by two, Quatre and Trowa walking together and Cathy and Dorothy, the only other singles (though I doubt that they have any trouble getting boyfriends), as a pair. I take my pocket book off the fireplace and head out the door alone.
* * * * * *
"I got you, babe. I gooottt youu, babbbbbeee." Two Asian men, brothers I think, finish their Cher song with a flourish (Oy vey).
"Thank you very much," says the exhausted owner, rubbing his head as he shoos them offstage. The Singing Bird isn't so much a karaoke bar (at least in comparison to the one I was in) as a nice Japanese restaurant, complete with a Japanese garden and fishpond. Apparently, there are a lot of regulars, who think they could sing. Emphasis on the word "think". "Let's see, who's next?" He fumbles for his glasses and puts them on, then takes out a crumpled sheet of paper that people filled out at the door. "And next are? huh? Oops, I have it upside down. Sorry. Next are George and Tara singing "In the End" by Linkin Park." We clap politely as the couple stands up from their table near the door. Looking there, I drop my California roll when I see who has just walked in.
"Oh my God! Dorothy! Dorothy!" I kick my friend under the table.
"Ow! What are you screaming in my ear for?" she asks.
"Look!" I turn her head toward the direction I'm pointing to.
"Oh s**t! What the hell is he doing here?"
"Who?" Duo, whose ears are possibly bigger than his eyes and stomach, looks up from his bowl of soup (which he practically had his head in). "Oh, yeah, he told me he was coming," he says casually.
"What? You knew he was here! You knew Heero was coming and didn't even tell me?" I glare at him fiercely
"Yeah, so? What's your point?" He tries to sound calm, but he looks guilty and I realize what his "big errand" was. I nearly forget my pacifist ideals and strangle him right there.
"He's coming!" Hilde hisses excitedly. She's more enthusiastic than I am. I contemplate running out, but decide against it. Instead, I just smooth down my hair (Not that I'm trying to look nice for him!) and try to look the other way as Heero approaches our table.
"Hey," he says. He looks as uncomfortable as I feel, and that's saying something. "Happy birthday, Relena." He leans over and kisses me on the cheek awkwardly. I don't do anything, but I'm pretty sure my face is red, partly from embarrassment, partly from anger. How dares he, after what he did? That's what I should say to him. But you know me. Except for my brother, who is glaring at him from across the table, my friends are all exchanging secret smirks and glances. Traitors.
"Won't you sit down?" Quatre says sweetly. He points to a chair, which has somehow magically appeared between us, and inches closer to Trowa. Now I'm glaring at him. Heero sits down with a nod of thanks. I busy myself by going to pick up the sushi I'd dropped. Seeing what I'm doing, he bends down to help.
"Ouch!" I cry as our heads collide.
"Sorry. You okay?" he asks. He moves my bangs away from my forehead, checking for injuries, I suppose. We're inches apart. I push his hand away and sit on my heels to get myself as far away from him as possible.
"Yeah, I'm fine. You?" (Relena, stop worrying about the health of the man who broke your heart!)
"Yeah, I have a hard head," he says semi-seriously. Huh, maybe I wasn't far from wrong. No, that was thick. (Stop making excuses for him!) He attempts to smile, unsuccessfully. We get up off the floor and sit back down. I move my chair as close to Dorothy as I can. My friends are all frowning at me, especially Duo. He is so going to pay for this.
I sip my seltzer, wishing I were 21 today and could order wine or maybe something stronger. This is the second time he's making me want to drink. Fortunately, my friends and ex-friend know better than to let me in this condition, which, at this moment, I'm not very grateful for, but probably will be later. No drunk Heero has to protect me from tonight, though, so maybe not. But then, I don?t think I'll be able to handle a hangover.
Those people are giving me a migraine. I wince as they attempt to hit a high note. Their singing vaguely reminds me of nails scratching a chalkboard. Oh, good, now they're done.
The owner comes back to the mike, clapping politely but openly grimacing. I don't pay much attention to him as he tries to put his glasses on, then drops them, then puts them on again and drops his list. I'm too busy trying not to look at Heero. So much so that I nearly miss him say, "And now Relena will be singing, "Pretty Baby," by Vanessa Carlton."
"Huh? What?" I look up abruptly. My now ex-friends start clapping and cheering loudly.
"Come on, Lena," Hilde urges. I'd forgotten that they'd forced me to sign up, despite the fact that it's my party; and they shouldn't make me do anything I don't want to do (although that policy changed a long time ago, apparently). There better not be any paparazzi around to get a picture of this. Alone in the shower or my room is one thing, but not in front of anyone else. Anyone conscious anyway. I walk slowly up to the stage and sit on the stool, closing my eyes as the music begins (I don't need the lyrics. I already know they song by heart.). "You light me up and then I fall for you," I sing. It's a coincidence that it's the same song I'd sung to Heero the other night. It seems like ages ago.
"I'll be the embrace that keeps you warm, you're the sun that breaks the storm?" I finally dare to look at the crowd. Heero's staring. Does he remember? He looks like he might. But it could be my imagination. I shut my eyes again, pretending that I'm in my room and it's just the two of us, instead of my friends and about twenty strangers. I become so caught up in the song; I do start to forget.
"Can you?hold me? And never let go. When you? touch me? It is me that you own? Pretty baby. Oh, the place that you hold," I open my eyes for the next line for a peek at his reaction to it. "In? my? heart. Would you break it? apart? again?"
I hear more applause, this time from the whole restaurant, as I finish the song. Not to brag, but now I know how real musicians feel. My friends are screaming now. Only Heero is quiet, but he's clapping as loudly as the rest of them are. Possibly more so. A look of confusion is on his face. I can only imagine why.
I step off the stage and head back to our table as the clapping dies down. But instead of sitting, I tap Heero on the shoulder. "We need to talk," I say quietly. He nods and follows me outside into the garden. It looks beautiful, even though it's in the middle of a city. You don't see places this, for lack of a better word, authentic. It looks like an old Japanese style house with an old style garden. Even in former Japan, one doesn?t see that very often. The Earth is all modernized now, almost as artificial as the colonies themselves. But here, even the fish in the pond are has happy as sand crabs. The only other place I've found that's still this pretty nowadays is the beach, which is ignored and abandoned by everyone. Except for us, that is.
And just like I was there, I'm not dressed warmly enough, in my sleeveless yellow birthday dress. It's almost a repeat of the scene, as Heero slips his jacket around my shoulders. I nearly gasp, but don't. This is not the time for me to get flustered because of him.
"Thanks," I tell him softly.
"No problem. I don't need it," he replies with a shrug.
I shake my head. "It's not about that. I mean, that too, but I meant, thank you for coming, Heero." I nearly launch myself in the pond for that one. Shouldn't I be telling him off? Instead I'm thanking him. I swear, you'd think I hadn't learned anything. Come on, Lena, you can do this, I try to encourage myself. I clear my throat. "Well?"
He looks at me. "Well what?" And here's the car scene. I giggle nervously. Heero's staring again, probably thinks I'm losing it. Oh dear, so far, this isn't going very well.
"So? I doubt you wanted to come out here to freeze," he says after a minute of silence.
"Yeah, I mean no, I mean, Heero? I? Ugh!" What has happened to my voice? Better yet, what happened to my brain? I swear there's a fried egg sliding around. This is your brain. This is your brain when you're with Heero. Where, oh, where is a feminist when you need her? Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, someone that has to do with girl power. (Spice Girls? Nope, wrong singers. Is Vanessa Carlton a feminist?). I swear, whatever this boy does to me can't be legal.
Heero puts his hands on my shoulders and shakes me gently. "Take a deep breath. Calm down."
"I, uh? forgot what I was going to say," I tell him embarrassed. (Idiot!) "I guess we can go back inside then." I turn to leave, but he grabs me tightly around the waist (Bar scene). That boy can be pretty possessive when he wants to be. It makes me nervous, but more a surprised nervous, than a scared nervous. It's so? unexpected, so? out of character. So dreamy (Bad girl!). Heero spins me around toward him so quickly that I fall into his arms. I've been doing that way too much lately. I almost open my mouth to mention that, but his lips cover mine, preventing me from speaking. I let myself indulge for a while, then push him away. The words I'd meant to say before spill out now as if they have a life of their own.
"No! I'm not letting you control me like this. Don't think that you can just kiss me and I'll forget what you've done. I have something to say, and I'll be damned if you don't let me say it. So just sit down, shut up and stay put for a change. And keep your hands, lips and anything else to yourself until I say it's okay. Capice?" He nods dumbly. He looked partly frightened, partly amused. He points out a bench near the pond and mimes sitting down. I agree and we do.
"Good. Now listen. I've been waiting for, oh, two years now, for you to stop running away. From me, from us, from every possibility for a relationship we may have. I'm not saying that I wanted you to propose to me the night we met, no. But you won't even except my friendship, let alone anything else. And frankly, I'm sick of it. I know you've had a hard life and need time to get yourself together. I can understand that. But ask, no, don't even ask, just tell me, let me know. If you care about me at all," I add (A little guilt always helps).
"May I speak now?" he interrupts. I give him a look. "Never mind."
"You never say goodbye, tell me where you're going; for awhile, I almost thought you were dead. I care about you and I can't help but worry. But let me. And it's not just me, Heero; the others do, too, especially Duo. You have to accept that there are people who love you and who care about what happens to you. And if there is anything between us at all, you have to keep your promises to me. I want to trust you, but it's hard to when you don't." I sigh. "All right, you may speak now."
"Thank you," he says solemnly. He pauses.
"I'm waiting," I tell him. Am I being a bitch? I don't want to be. But it's the only way I can say how I feel without interruption (and the only way to get him to say how he feels, apparently).
"I'm? sorry," he says. Then he closes his mouth again.
I frown. "Is that all you have to say? You're sorry? That's it?"
"I really don't know what else to say. I wish I could take it back, but I can't. I didn't want to leave you. Don't ever think that I did." He takes my hands in his. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, but I thought it was for the best if we were apart. I was afraid I would hurt you. Turns out I did anyway. But I really didn't want to. Believe me, I never, ever wanted to make you sad." Apparently he did know what else to say. Wow, a long speech from Heero Yuy and in complete sentences too. Maybe he should go into politics, although his present sincerity could work against him.
I smile unintentionally. I'm trying to resist forgiving him right away, but it doesn't work. Oh well. "Yeah, I know. My brother told me. He wrote to me before he left for Mars, explaining what had happened to him, and he mentioned that you said that. No matter how much he pretends he hates you, he really doesn't. He's just a little, well, very, overprotective."
Heero smirks. "Good to know. I'll be sure to use that against him in the future."
I giggle and it turns into a yawn. Being assertive takes a lot of energy. So does trying to keep myself from getting too sentimental (and I've been doing that all day). "Let's go look at the fish," I suggest. I step onto the little bridge across the pond. This time, I'm doing the pulling. I lean on the railing, far enough that I don't fall in but close enough to see the cute little fishies. At first, all I see is our reflections. Then a pair of golden shapes splashes them away.
"Wow, that's weird. I've never seen them swimming together before like that," I laugh. "I guess maybe they're a couple."
"Hn. I guess it's that kind of night," Heero says. He puts his arm around me. I get that dreamy feeling again. But it's not a dream; it's reality. Grant it, the fish are smaller and the water is too, and our feet aren't full of sand, but it's nice anyway. And so far, he hasn't disappeared. That's always good.
"Do you think fish went on the ark?" I wonder, thinking of my earlier observations.
Heero shrugs. "I wouldn't know, but probably not. I don't think flooding the Earth would affect them. But then, there's always a chance that they used to live on land. Maybe that's how they became fish."
Now it's my turn to shrug. "I don't know. Possibly, but isn't there a theory that all land creatures came from the sea? Didn't they say that in biology?"
"I'm not sure. I should be; I just took a test on it last week. But a few days away from school knocks all that stuff out of your head."
"Yeah, no kidding." I stare at the reflection of the full moon in the water. "I guess there are different theories. We're here somehow and that's the end of it. May as well just accept it and hope for the best." I sigh. "But it's good to know that even the fish have company."
"You know what's strange?" Heero says softly. "You know the Japanese word for carp?"
"Yeah, I know Japanese. I'm speaking it to you right now. It's a fish."
"Obviously," he replies. "I was just thinking, isn't it weird that the word for carp is also a word for love? That's strange, don't you think?"
I consider it for a moment. I have actually wondered about that before, but didn't give it that much thought. Still, it's an interesting concept. "I guess. But it makes an odd sort of sense, now that I think about it. I mean, in Japan fish were an important source of food and other stuff for a long time. Maybe people couldn't live without it. Like human beings can't live without love. I mean, they can, but it's an awful sort of existence." I bite my tongue after I say that, realizing Heero's childhood was like that, all alone. He doesn't seem to mind though.
"I see," he says thoughtfully. "I guess I haven't been alive until the past couple years then."
I blush, hoping he's implying what I think he's implying. But I don't press him about it; it's too soon for that. I can wait. He doesn't need to tell me now. We still have our whole lives ahead of us. He was right to stop me before. "Well, it's a stretch. I'm not certain. I just made it up now."
"True. But it gives you something to think about. Could explain why we always wind up at the beach." I laugh, but nod in agreement.
"I wish I could stay longer," he says, so quietly, I can barely hear him. I still do though.
I jerk my head toward him in horror. "What? You're leaving?"
He nods. "I have to. I've missed enough school. Don't worry, I'll come back on vacation."
"Promise?" I ask, holding out my pinkie. He takes it with his own.
"Promise," he agrees.
"Swear on Duo's life?" I continue. Heero thinks about this for a moment.
"Better make it yours. Especially since I nearly strangled him yesterday."
"Me, too. Well, today, anyway." I giggle. "All right. Mine then."
"Fine. Yours. I'll keep my promise, don't worry. And I'll say goodbye, too," he adds, before I can ask him. "In fact?" He kisses me swiftly. "In case I forget," he explains.
I touch my lips. I think I've died and gone to heaven. "That wasn't quite what I had in mind when I said?" Then I shrug. "But whatever works." I turn around to hide my red cheeks. We say nothing for a few minutes, but it's a comfortable silence.
"Relena?" he says suddenly. I look up at him. There's a rectangular box wrapped in silver paper in his hand. He offers it to me. "Happy birthday."
"Oh, thank you." I stifle a giggle. He looks so nervous, shy even, different from his normally confident self. It's so cute. What can I say? The many faces of Heero Yuy. I kiss his cheek gratefully.
He fidgets impatiently. "Open it." I shake it curiously, no sound. "Just open it please," Heero pleads.
"All right. Keep your shorts on [Actually, he's wearing nice pants today. And a dress shirt and tie, and looking quite good, I might add (okay, that's an understatement, he looks very good)]." I deliberately unwrap it slowly, making him sweat a little. I'm not mad anymore; it's just fun watching him squirm. One doesn't see Heero doing that very often. Now the paper is off and a white box is revealed. With assistance from Heero to take off the vast amounts of tape that sealed it (he can't blame me this time), I take out a bubble-wrapped package (I love that stuff) and begin opening that. Heero starts tapping his foot anxiously. Finally, it's open. I hold it up to the light, swinging it back and forth. It jingles. Wind chimes. Actually, only one chime. The others are stars hanging from a winged (like I said, common theme this year) teddy bear, which is holding another star in its paws.
"Aw, it's so cute!" I squeal. I kiss him again.
"You really like it? He says worriedly.
I nod vigorously. "Yep. I love it. Thank you!"
"Good." He puts his arm around my waist, and I lean my head on his shoulder. It's getting chilly again. The night breeze makes me shiver and causes the chimes to sway, making a pretty sound.
"Do you want to go back inside?" he asks.
I shake my head. "In a little while," I reply. I don't mind the cold. As long as Heero's here, I'm nice and comfy. I snuggle closer to him, partly for warmth, partly to assure myself that this is real. But he's here, flesh and blood, tangible, touchable. Yet it still seems like a dream.
"Hey, what's that?" Heero asks. I look up in time to see a burst of light jet through the sky.
"A shooting star? How appropriate," I say.
He grunts in agreement and holds me tighter, mumbling something into my hair.
"Huh? I can't understand you."
"Make a wish," he says more clearly. It takes me a moment before I understand what on Earth and in Outer Space he's talking about. I almost laugh when I realize it. But Heero's here. I don't need wishes anymore. I have what I want.
"Oh!" I smile and kiss him. I'm feeling especially bold tonight.
Heero almost blushes. "What was that for?" he asks. (As if I need an excuse. He doesn't seem to, why should I?)
"For granting my wish," I reply. "You must be psychic."
"What? But I didn't? oh, yeah. I guess." He smiles sheepishly.
I grin. "You should do that more often," I tell him. "You look nice when you smile."
"Are you saying, I look ugly when I don't?" he says, pretending to be offended.
"No, not at all. It's just a step up from your death glare. You look friendlier. Happier too."
"I am happy," Heero says. Then he looks confused. "Am I? I mean, I think I am. I guess I am."
"I can check," I say, as a slightly mischievous idea occurs to me (What in the world has gotten into me this week? First I go to a bar, now this, next thing you know, I'll be getting my belly button pierced.). I kiss him briefly. His face breaks into a wide grin. A real smile, not an embarrassed one, or a smirk, or a glare. Ladies and gentlemen, Relena Darlian has done the impossible. "I'll ask again. Are you happy?"
He pretends to look like he's thinking hard. "I'm still not sure," he says in his usual monotone, trying to seem serious. "You might want to check again. And longer this time, I think-" Now it's my turn to shut him up.
The fish splash the water loudly. It's not exactly the ocean, but it's good enough for me. The night is clear and I can see all the stars, not that I'm really looking. I know it's not a dream now. I know he cares for me, without a doubt. Maybe I have seen a different Heero than everyone else has. But he's also seen a different me. It's our secret. Now I?m glad I came. Even if Heero's leaving, I'm happy, because I know I'll see him again. That's enough for now. I promised I'd wait for him before. And I intend to keep that promise, just as he'll keep his. As I once told him, I'd be happy if he would come visit once in awhile, so I can have the strength to go on. I still believe that.
Another meteor appears. It's odd, no shower was predicted for tonight. It's like magic. I can almost imagine that we're on our beach, all alone, instead of behind a restaurant with all our friends inside. But I'll take what I can get. It's no illusion that we're together. And wherever we are, I'm finally safe in Heero's arms where I belong.
"I'll be all right and I'll sleep sound
As long as you keep coming round"
Very well done!!!