Fan Fiction ❯ Through the Eyes of Sapphire ❯ Wonders of Ancient Science and the Dance on the Deck ( Chapter 6 )

The story continues! I'm glad so many of you are enjoying this story! ..>_<..

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

 

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The sun loomed only inches above the edge of the water. Night was approaching and with it, the long awaited Starlight Dance that marked the half way point to their destination. Many passengers had been preparing for the festivity all day. Girls put on their faces, dressed up in beautiful long dresses. Men pressed their suits and fixed their hair so that they would look perfect for their dates. The crew set up the stage on deck and prepared the bar and drinks. The band warmed up by playing snippets of their songs for the evening. All the cooks were busy making the finishing touches on all the food. Soon, every last detail would be ready for this exciting night.

 

Aoi and Hitomi had been getting ready and were almost finished. Hitomi had found the perfect dress for Aoi that night. It was a beautiful long light pink spaghetti-strap evening gown. It had swirly patterns of darker pink filled in with beads and sparkles. She had a dark pink shaw that she dropped over her arms, a small light pink purse, and clear high-healed shoes to complete the ensemble. Hitomi had taken the pins down from her ears and curled the hair so that it waved down through it's full length. At the top of them, two wavy pink ribbons hung down to the sides of her eyes. She still had a bandage around her left arm from the bullet wound because it hurt too much to take it off.

 

“Aoi! You look beautiful!”

 

“Th…” “Oops!” she thought, “I'm mute!”

 

Aoi looked at her and smiled, “Thank you, Hitomi. Although I wish I could tell you out loud…”

 

Hitomi wore a long solid lavender dress that had small fishnet pink sleeves. Her purse was a darker purple than her dress, but matched beautifully. The bottom of the dress was lined with pink veil material, and her shoes were pink with purple rhinestones.

 

“Now see, wasn't that fun?”

 

Aoi nodded.

 

Hitomi looked Aoi over for a moment. Her face changed from satisfaction to one of deep thought. “There's just one more thing…”

 

Aoi looked at her as to ask “What?”

 

“Well…think your eyes would shine so much brighter if you didn't wear your glasses. I mean, you're still cute and all, but…Your make up and everything would look so much better without them.”

 

Aoi put her hands on her glasses as if to hold them in place. “No, you can't take them off! I'm blind without them. And I would look like such an idiot if I were to walk around bumping into things. I have to leave them on.”

 

“Can you not see without them?”

 

Aoi shook her head.

 

“It's okay! Don't worry, I can fix it!”

 

“??”

 

“Well, it's something I have to do! I can't see without assistance as well. But there is some stuff I have…let me go get it.” Hitomi left the room and went into her bathroom. Aoi listened to her dig around in some of her things. Shortly after, she returned carrying a small bottle.

 

“It's called Liquid Glasses. It's a new invention!”

 

She handed the bottle to Aoi.

 

“You drop three drops in each eye and it completely restores you sight for up to four hours, as long as you don't cry…it works like a miracle! Go on and try it.”

 

Aoi removed her glasses and looked warily at the bottle as she raised it over her head. She carefully squeezed three drops into each eye. She blinked a few times and looked around. It worked! It really did! Aoi smiled as she enjoyed seeing without huge slabs of glass sitting on her face. Hitomi laughed at her amazement.

 

“I told you! Now you're totally ready to go!”

 

Aoi set the bottle down next to her glasses. “Yes. Now I am. This is really exciting…Oh, I hope Midori isn't there. Technology is really advanced…wow! It's almost like we've regressed in the past 900 years. How sad.”

 

“Well, it's 7:45. Are you ready to go on deck?”

 

Aoi nodded.

 

“Great! Come on.” She grabbed Aoi's arm and pulled her out the door. Down the hall, other people emerged from their rooms, all dressed for the gala. Hitomi and Aoi walked proudly, blending in with the others around them. As they approached the deck, the crowds around them got bigger as more people migrated to the dance floor.

 

“My, there are a lot of people on board this trip. The gala is never this full.”

 

Aoi looked around at the mixture of humans and abadoos. Hitomi was right, there were a lot of people. Aoi saw the food bar and suddenly realized that she was starving. Aoi turned to tell Hitomi, but on remembering her “disability” she tapped her shoulder and pointed in the direction of the food.

 

“You're right, Aoi. I'm hungry too, let's go!”

 

They began shoving their way through the throngs of people. Suddenly, Aoi lost Hitomi. She looked frantically around. Then she bumped into to someone.

 

“Oh! I'm sorry!” she blurted without thinking.

 

“All is forgiven, my princess.”

 

She looked up to see Ryoku. “Oh please…that was the cheesiest line I ever heard.”

 

“Hi, Ryoku. How are you?”

 

“I'm glad to see you came, Aoi. You look beautiful.”

 

“Um…thank you. You look nice, too.”

 

“You're not wearing you glasses! You look great!”

 

“Arigato…”

 

“Can I get you a drink?”

 

“Uh-sure,” she said, “That would be nice.”

 

He bowed and walked away.

 

“Okay…now, where's the food?” she asked herself out loud as she began walking through the crowds of people again. Finally, she spotted it and saw Hitomi standing in line.

 

She joined her in line and they got a plate of finger foods. The band had started playing. The music was a big band/swing sound. Many couple started to dance. Others, including Aoi and Hitomi, without partners swung their hips to the beat on the outside of the floor.

 

“Do you know how to dance, Aoi?” Hitomi asked.

 

She kind of nodded, half shrugged. “A little bit…not too well.”

 

She laughed, “Yeah. I can't very good either. It's fun though. I do hope a hot boy comes around and asks me to dance!”

 

Aoi laughed at her friend. She was glad she could laugh, or even had a friend to laugh at. She looked around at the dancing crowd and realized that she was still without a drink. “Where'd Ryoku go?” She stood on her tiptoes and looked around trying to spot him, when she noticed a tall boy approaching them. She poked at Hitomi. The boy came and stood in front of Hitomi.

 

“Would you like to dance?” he asked.

 

“Oh! Sure!” She cheerfully replied, handing her food and drink to Aoi, “I'll be back later!” she whispered.

 

Aoi smiled and watched her friend walk onto the dance floor and start dancing to the beat. Suddenly Aoi felt someone grab her waste. She squealed and spun around, almost falling over. She fell, but into a strong pair of arms. She looked up into Ryoku's face.

 

“Watch yourself!” he said, handing her a drink.

 

“Thank you,” she said as he helped her back to her feet. She sniffed the drink. “Eww…wine. I'll pass.”

 

The band ended the song and the guests raised their applause. Ryoku broke away from Aoi and clapped for a moment. As the band started the next song, he turned back to a suddenly quite and shy Aoi. There was an awkward silence between them for just a moment.

 

“Um…” he started.

 

Aoi broke her gaze from the floor and reverted it to him.

 

“Do you want to dance?”

 

“Oh…” Aoi piped, “I'm afraid I'm not very good at it…”

 

“It's alright! I'll lead, come on.”

 

She smiled, “Well, okay.”

 

He smiled back at her and took her hand. They walked out onto the dance floor together. He began slowly, showing her which way to move her feet. After messing up several times, she finally started to get the hang of it.

 

“See! There ya go!”

 

She giggled at her accomplishment, “Yeah! I did!”

 

Aoi followed the other girls moves and began to get quite good. “This is great!” she thought, “I'm having fun! I'm actually having fun in my absolutely insane situation! And Midori isn't even here to ruin it.”

 

They laughed and enjoyed themselves on the dance floor. And from a distance, in the shadows, he stood watching.

 

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`So, Midori…'

 

`Huh?'

 

`Who are you taking to the school dance?'

 

He laughed.

 

`What? Who are you taking? There's plenty of hot girls at school who wouldn't mind havin' you as a date to the dance…or after the dance! *laugh* If you know what I mean.'

 

`Yeah…don't worry…I got one.'

 

`Well who is it??'

 

`Come on! Tell us!'

 

`Okay, okay! Listen…I have a super plan! *evil laugh* It's hilarious!'

 

`What is it, man!'

 

`I sent her a letter…'

 

`Who's her??'

 

`Motohashi, ya dumb ass!'

 

`WHAT!?!?!?'

 

`Would ya shut up! Let me finish!'

 

`Sure, buddy!' they said, laughing hysterically.

 

`So I put this letter in her locker that was like `I think you're really hot, do you wanna go to the spring dance with me?' and I signed it `Your Secret Admirer…'

 

There was an outpour of laughter from his friends.

 

`So I like gave her all this love letters and stuff and told her I'd be at her house at seven in a limo.'

 

They continued laughing.

 

`So what are you gonna do? Are you gonna stand her up?'

 

`Yeah right! I'll be at her house at 7 in a limo.'

 

`But…you wouldn't actually GO with her, would you?'

 

`Yeah, I mean, c'mon, Midori…she's a loser, man.'

 

`I know…I never said I was picking her up…I'll be there, with my real date.'

 

`So she's gonna get all dressed up and ready…'

 

`Man! That's cruel!'

 

`You bet,' Midori said proudly, `and she'll cry like a baby.'

 

They all laughed.

 

`You're an idiot,” one of his friends said.

 

`What are you talking about?'

 

`Someday, this'll come back and slap you in the face.'

 

`Okay, whatever. As long as I get this joy right now.' He chuckled, “It'd be a lot better if I got to see her bawl her eyes out, though. Oh well, you can't have everything.'

 

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Midori stood alone in the shadows. He thought back on that time. It had been the spring dance their second year of high school. (junior year) He had played a cruel trick. He remembered the shocked/sad/angry/crushed look in her eyes. Even then he could read her. He remembered how much joy he got from that look. He had broken her heart that night…and he had been proud of it.

 

Now, watching Aoi dance around the floor in someone else's arms…he couldn't understand what compelled him to do such a cruel thing to her. Why had something that mean and immature given him a high? He caught himself staring at Aoi's smiling face…he had never seen her smile like that. Not laughing. Not having fun. Her smiles had always been sad, polite, or sarcastic smiles. He realized that he liked this one better. He liked seeing her happy better than seeing her sad or angry. As soon as he realized what he was thinking, he started kicking himself.

 

“Idiot! What are you talking about!”

 

He growled and thought back on times when she had made him mad. All the times she ignored him, or reacted calmly to dirty tricks. GRRR! That made him boil.

 

“That's right. She's done crap to me, too! Stupid girl…”

 

He leaned hard against the wall and pouted.

 

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Aoi and Ryoku danced for a good hour. After the 20th song that night, they walked exhaustedly off the dance floor. Aoi laughed, out of breath.

 

“That…was really…fun!”

 

“Yeah, see…I told you!”

 

“Aoi!!!” a voice called. Aoi spun around and saw Hitomi approaching with a guy. Aoi smiled, reminding herself not to talk. “This'll be hard…”

 

“Hello!” she said, “Are you having fun, Aoi?”

 

She nodded.

 

Ryoku waited for Aoi to introduce him to her friend.

 

Hitomi continued talking, “Are you guys thirsty? Let's go get something.”

 

“Sure,” everyone agreed. They walked toward the bar where the drinks were, and Ryoku waited for an introduction.

 

“How may I help you?” the bartender asked as the group sat down.

 

“Umm…” Hitomi thought, reading the menu. “What do you want?” she asked the guy she was with.

 

Ryoku leaned over to Aoi and said, “Why don't you introduce me to your friend?”

 

Hitomi overheard him, “What are you talking about?”

 

“Well, I just thought since you were my date's friend, it'd be nice if she told me who you were.”

 

“What, are you trying to humiliate her!?!”

 

“Nani?!?”

 

“She's mute, you idiot! How's she supposed to…”

 

“She's not mute!”

 

“Oh, that's right, I'm sorry! She's not mute, she just can't talk!”

 

“She can too! Are you insane?”

 

“Aoi,” Hitomi ordered, “Go one, tell him your mute! … or what ever…”

 

Ryoku looked at Aoi with a strange expression, “You're mute?!?!”

 

“What's going on, Aoi?” Hitomi asked, totally confused.

 

“I…I'm not mute, Hitomi.”

 

“You're not?”

 

“No…”

 

“Then why did…why does everyone think you are?”

 

“Because he told everyone I was,” she replied.

 

“He? He who?”

 

“Midori…the boy I came here with.”

 

“That son-of-a…” Ryoku stopped, remembering Aoi's hate of cursing, “He told everyone you couldn't talk!?!?”

 

“That's right.”

 

“Where is he…I'll…”

 

“No,” Aoi stopped his rampage of anger, “Don't tell him I told you. Just, just drop it.”

 

“Aoi,” Hitomi said, “I don't understand.”

 

“Neither do I.”

 

Hitomi and Ryoku looked at each other, then back at Aoi. She was uncomfortable talking about Midori to them. They could tell, by her sudden change of expression and posture. They wanted to try and think of a way to help her, but then…

 

“Motohashi!”

 

Aoi turned around to see Midori, dressed in his school uniform, standing in a crowd of formals. He had a stern look on his face. Aoi gulped and turned to completely face him. The others got off the bar stools and stood around, looking at Midori. He calmly walked toward the group and reached out to shake Hitomi's hand.

 

“Hello, I don't believe we've met. You must be her friend,” he said. “I'm Midori. Pleased to meet you.”

 

She jerked her hand away from him. “I'm Hitomi.”

 

He smirked. “The little wench has told you about me, I suppose. Don't believe it, it's all lies.”

 

“What is he doing!!” Aoi thought, “Is he TRYING to humiliate me even more than I already am!?! Midori! You're such a jerk!”

 

“Well,” he said to Aoi, “why don't you go ahead and introduce me to all your friends! I mean, that's what someone with a voice would do…”

 

She looked angrily at him, not responding.

 

“No introductions? I guess that means no friends, huh?” he laughed slightly.

 

“Hey, jerk!” Hitomi yelled, “Why don't you leave her alone!”

 

Aoi dropped her head and clenched her fist as they continued arguing.

 

“Shut up, I wasn't even talking to you.”

 

“What's your problem!” Hitomi yelled again, “What's Aoi done to you, anyway! Just stay the hell away from her!”

 

“Not like I got much choice, the wench does sleep in my room…”

 

That was all Aoi could take. She felt the tears start to well in her eyes, and suddenly her vision got blurry. She couldn't see anything. Nonetheless, she turned and darted away from her friends and Midori.

 

“Aoi!” Ryoku yelled, “Come back!”

 

She kept running into the darkness of the bow of the boat. Midori watched her leave and smiled with satisfaction.

 

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Oh! He's so mean!!! okay, well have no fear, the next chapter is coming, I'm nearly done with it already!

 

Next Chapter: Suspicions and Grueling Hate