Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Growing Up Mini-Series ❯ Try, Try, Try ( Chapter 5 )

Title: Try, Try, Try

Author: hostilecrayon

Pairing: 1+2

Warnings: Angst

Disclaimer: I own Gundam Wing about as much as I own Gackt. Damn, I wish I owned Gackt. *Drool*

Word Count: 500!

Notes: Influenced by Try, Try, Try - Smashing Pumpkins. Part V of the Growing Up Mini-Series. Written for the GW500 Surrender challenge.

 

Try, Try, Try

 

“Hey Yuy! Baseball game at Kebo's tonight. You going?”

 

“Who's buying?”

 

“I think it's Tom's turn. I'll check.”

 

I smiled. “Sure.”

 

He chuckled. “Always so thrifty, Yuy. See you at eight!”

 

Ray continued on his way as I turned back to my report.

 

Things had changed quite a bit since Duo's impromptu visit. I thought about what he said for a long time, and I finally drew the same conclusion he had. I had resigned myself to knowing that I'd lost my chance with Duo, but knowing he didn't love me, unfortunately, didn't make me love him any less.

 

I just wanted to try again.

 

Maybe, if I could be what he wanted me to be, I could at least salvage our friendship. Nevermind it wasn't what I really wanted. Nevermind that it would never be enough. I just wanted to hold on to him. I couldn't forget him; I'd tried damn hard and had no success.

 

So I changed. I started going out with the guys from work to a little hole in the wall called Kebo's, where the beer was cheap and the pizza was hot. I made a point of making small talk with anyone and everyone. So far, I'd been getting a lot of praise for my recent shift in behavior, but there was only one person's opinion I wanted, and I wasn't quite sure how to get a hold of him.

 

But then, my transformation wasn't complete yet. I'd start my search after it was.

 

The day moved by quickly, and before I knew it, I was sitting around a table with four other guys and two girls, eating pizza, drinking beer and watching a baseball game that I didn't care about. Jane sat directly across from me, smiling shyly. The girl sitting next to me was much more blunt.

 

“So, when are you going to get yourself a girlfriend?”

 

I almost choked on my pizza. I hid it with a long swig of my beer.

 

“Or a boyfriend for that matter. I heard something about you waiting for some guy who doesn't love you. Well, a gorgeous thing like you shouldn't have to wait. You could have anyone in the department, present company not excluded!” Beverly laughed at her own joke, and I smiled softly, shaking my head at how fast gossip moved.

 

“I don't want anyone in the department.” I want Duo.

 

“Well, don't go waiting forever, honey.” She punched me on the shoulder. “The rest of us would like a chance too, you know?”

 

I snorted. “If I gave everyone a chance who wanted one, I'd be a slut.”

 

“Better a slut than a frigid old hag!” I laughed loudly at that, almost drowning out the sound of my cell phone.

 

I dug my phone out of my pocket and, still smiling and shaking my head, answered. “Yuy.”

 

“Heero…” I stopped cold.

 

Beverly put a hand on my arm. “Hon, are you alright?”

 

My voice came out as barely a whisper. “Duo…”