Hana Kimi Fan Fiction ❯ Common Ground ❯ Part the Fourth ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

COMMON GROUND
A Hana Kimi challenge fanfic

Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess


AUTHOR'S NOTES: Now it's Julia's turn to freak out on a friend! And to find that some things just aren't quite what they seem. What happens when Mizuki tells Julia why she's REALLY there? Told from Julia's point of view. No challenge for this one, although it echoes the week 25 challenge from the last chapter. I'm killing them left and right with this one!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Hana Kimi or the characters in this story. I am simply borrowing them for my own amusement. I do hope Nakajo-sensei will forgive me.


Part the Fourth - Cooling Ardor


"I need to run into town for some grocieries. Wanna come along?"

"Sure."

"Great!"

I needed to get out of that cabin. Sure I managed breakfast okay. Just kept my mouth shut with the exception of eating. The monkey nailed the recipe Mizuki had given him. It was delicious! But the snide, oh-so-pleased look on his face made me...jealous.

Yes, jealous.

I'm jealous of my best friend.

But that's only the beginning.

Thoughts of the night before still burn inside my head. Bad enough I caught a glimpse of that cute ass every chance I could! I can still feel his hands on my back. His lips against mine. I've even got it so bad that my lower body is vibrating for attention. I've got it so bad it's unreal!

Wait...vibrating?!

"Can you answer that, Julia? It's probably Sano."

That's Mizuki's cell phone!

Damn girl! Get a grip!

"We've only been gone ten minutes," I comment before hitting the answer button. "Moshi moshi? Hai. Hai. Ano...hold on a sec. Mizuki? Sano wants us to bring back lunch from town."

"I thought Nakatsu had that taken care of?"

I can't help but smile. I have no idea what happened, but it had to be a doozy for the genius to mess up the kitchen. "Apparently not."

"We'll stop at the noodle house again. Ask him what they want."

I convey the info to Sano, who in turn conveys their order. Not very concise either. "Surprise us," is all he says.

The scenery heading into town is beautiful, especially in springtime. Trees are beginning to fully blossom. The sky is a clear blue with marshmallow clouds. Green grass for as far as the eye can see. A deep breath and you can smell the wildflowers, even with the windows up.

It's a twenty-minute drive into town. Mizuki is a much more cautious driver than I had thought. When she told me she was staying in Japan after graduation to do an internship and go to college, I was floored. Telling me she had passed her driver exam put a dent in an already hardwood floor. It's really only for times like these, when transportation is nil. She enjoys being independent that way.

And it's nicer than walking the 25 miles to and from the cabin.

It's so good to stretch my legs in the parking lot. To feel the breeze against my face as we head into the store to get some groceries. Cool air is just what I need to put a blush on my face that didn't come from remembering last night. It helps me to relax and focus.

Too bad my focus doesn't last too long.

No scenery to distract me. No cool breeze to keep me calm. I begin to imagine what Nakatsu would look like dipped in chocolate with a whipped cream topping. Gah! No ice cream sundaes for me. Vegetables are also out. No fruit or sticky liquids either. Ah...the frozen food section. Thank God!

"Julia, could you grab some fish from the freezer behind you? I'm going to get the tofu."

"All right."

Without looking I pull out the first package of fish I can grab. When I do finally look, it takes all I can muster not to scream at the package staring back at me. Quickly I replace it, grab another and go to find Mizuki. I'm such a city girl.

One of the many reasons why I should give up on Nakatsu. Before I'm too far gone to hurt myself. Or him.

"Julia, should I get this brand...or do you think this one is better?"

I want to talk to Mizuki but I'm afraid of what she'll think of me. Our conversations range from girly gibberish to "oh my god, you did what?!" I suppose growing up will do that.

Lately, I've avoided telling her details of my love life. She's hated my last three boyfriends and Kenny Johnston was just a plain asshole in her opinion. Well, he did dump me only because I wouldn't sleep with him. Actually, all of them dumped me because I wouldn't put out.

Assholes!

I wonder if I should tell the monkey he was my first.

"Get what's cheapest. The Iron Chef can make anything taste good, ne?

I wonder what I should say to Mizuki.

I care about what Mizuki thinks. She's my best friend! But sometimes it really hurts. I'm not as brave as she is. As self-assured. I can't just go after what I really want.

Not all of us can find unrequited love by disguising ourselves as a boy and room with our idle of affection for several years at an all boys school halfway across the globe!

Don't get me wrong. I'm happy for her. Izumi Sano is a great guy. It's obvious how much he cares for her. How much they care about each other. Hell, even the monkey fits into the equation like a strangely, good fitting, third wheel.

And here I am. On the outside. Alone.

I don't like being alone.

My sadness must show because Mizuki asks, "Are you all right?"

My smile is so fake it's laughable. "I'm fine. Let's finish up so we can take the boys their lunch."

Checkout is rather speedy and both of us are laden with bags as we hobble towards the vehicle. Loading the tiny trunk/backseat is like playing Tetris. But once done, we're on our way to the noodle shop. I tell Mizuki to get me whatever she likes. It worked the first night we stayed at the cabin. With a smile she waves to me from the door of the restaurant.

And once again I'm alone.

Thinking about the things I can't have.

I fancy myself a realist. I know a relationship between myself and Nakatsu wouldn't work. So what if he's an emotional guy, a loyal friend? Who cares that he's athletic and loves what he does? So what if he's defensive and protective? The fact that he can cook, doesn't count either. And who gives a damn if he's good in bed?

Figure, I find a good thing and don't know it.

Worse, he happens to be half a world away.

God, I feel like crying.

No, I am crying.

"Julia? Jules, what's wrong?"

There's no time to wipe the tears away. No time to fake a smile. "It's nothing really."

"Liar." She hand me a tissue, arranges herself and the food in the car and closes her door. "What's wrong?"

Suddenly there's a brick in my stomach. I think I might be sick. "Promise...promise me you won't be upset."

"I can't...okay, I won't. Just tell me what's wrong."

"I...I made a mistake. A BIG mistake."

"Like what?"

"Oh God."

"Huh?"

"You are so going to hate me...."

"I promised I wouldn't! Don't --!"

"I slept with Nakatsu!"

There's a moment of silence before she calmly replies, "Really?"

She sounds...happy about it, too.

"What do you mean 'really'? I jumped into bed with a guy I hardly know, both of us under the influence of alcohol, and all you can say is 'really'?!"

"How drunk were you," she asks, feigning concern and hiding a smile. I can tell!

Miserably I sit back against the seat and stare out the window, away from Mizuki. "Not drunk enough to forget it."

"Nakatsu's not so bad," she says, her voice all concerned now.

"No, he's not. It's just...."

"He annoys you?"

"Well, yeah, but that's not--!"

"Gets under your skin?"

"Sort of...."

"Argues with every word you have to say?"

"Mm-hmm."

"So what's the problem?"

Everything! But the only response I can muster is, "He was good."

The smirk on her face doesn't belong there. Not to mention how badly I want to slap her for it. "You're upset because he was good in bed?"

"I'm upset because you're happier about it than I am!" Taking a deep breath I begin to rant. "This isn't something I do on a regular basis, you know. I'm not a whore!"

"I didn't mean...." Mizuki's hurt by my words, but I'm too into my anger to care.

"I've dated a steady number of guys through high school. NONE of which got what they wanted. I needed them to need me for me...not for 30 seconds of fun. Just because I'm blonde and pretty doesn't make me a freaking toy!

"I don't get sloshed and sleep with guys for fun! I go skiing, or hiking, or shopping. I go to the movies or sit at home and read a book. Or listen to cds. Maybe drive around the block or hang out at the park. I don't even drink that much, if at all!"

"Julia...?"

The tears won't stop falling. "Yes the monkey is annoying, blunt and pisses me off without a problem. But he's your friend, Mizuki. He wouldn't BE your friend if he weren't caring, considerate and kind. He wouldn't be in your presence if he weren't loyal and determined. You wouldn't like him if he weren't sweet and thoughtful. And I'm sure you'd be dating him and not Sano if all you wanted was culinary skill.

"I didn't want to ruin your special week, and I've gone and done it anyway." My head tilts back against the seat and I finally dared a look at her. "So why the hell aren't you mad at me?"

A range of emotion runs over her face before she settles on indignation. At least, I think that's it. "First of all, you haven't given me the chance! Secondly...I wanted you here so that you could spend some time with Sano and Nakatsu. They're very important to me, too, and...well.... I wanted you to get to know them better."

An unladylike snort exits my nose. "Well, I think I got to know Nakatsu pretty personally, don't you?" Realization is slow to dawn on me. She's biting her lower lip. Her eyes are the size of tennis balls. And she's worrying with her hands. Worrying? "Wait. Wait. Do you mean...this was a setup?"

Mizuki blushes. "Sort of. I had no idea Sano was going to propose so I thought...."

"You'd set up your poor American friend with a new boyfriend?" I mean it as a joke, but it doesn't sound that way.

"You've had a really bad string of relationships. I was just hoping to help out. If nothing else, I was hoping the two of you would be friends."

"I slept with him. We're beyond that." I sigh. "But it would've been
nice...I guess. To be friends."

"Would have?"

The tears subside now. "After a few deep breaths I continue, It wouldn't work between us. Sure there's a spark but...."

"But?"

"I guess the only good argument I have is the distance thing. He has his plans, Mizuki. They don't include me. And I'm starting at Dartmouth in the fall. My plans couldn't be farther away from his."

"That doesn't mean it wouldn't work."

A noise escapes my throat, something between a cough and a laugh. "Yeah, right."

"Of course I'm right. I mean...If his cooking doesn't persuade you, maybe the sex will."

Where did that come from? You think you know someone.... "Mizuki!"

"Look. I'm sorry I'm not angry with you. Surprised, yes, but not angry. And I'm sorry that this happened so suddenly. But that's how these things work sometimes. Believe me." She pulls a tissue from her pocket and hands it to me. "Just talk to him. Please? And if it's not to be, well, then I can't say I didn't try. Right?"

"I suppose you are."

She hugs me and I return the embrace. She hasn't stopped being my friend and she knows me so well. It's strange, but I'm glad she's thought enough of me to set me up with someone she trusts. I mean, I could do worse.

Correction, I HAVE done worse. Ugh!

"Come on, we need to get lunch home before it gets cold."

I'm not going to know ANYTHING unless I talk to him. Easier said than done, I think. Most of our conversations end in shouting matches. But I suppose I should try. If it's not to be, it's not to be.

No big deal.

Oh, no. I'll just be missing out on the best sex of my life!

And maybe more.


~TO BE CONTINUED~