Prince Of Tennis Fan Fiction ❯ Life's A Stage ❯ Fall To Pieces ( Chapter 7 )

Life's a Stage

 

Chapter 6: Fall to Pieces

 

 

“I just wanna know who you are

Wanna know where to start I

Wanna know want this means…

Wanna know how you feel

Wanna know what is real” ~ Avril Lavigne.

 

000 000 000

 

The shrill song of the bell that denoted morning classes had ended disrupted the serious atmosphere of the classroom. Pens hastily scratched and scribbled out final words as the teacher went down the room collecting the pop quiz sheets. Once the words that granted them temporary liberty left her mouth, there was a flurry of movement and a clatter of chairs, and in moments the classroom was empty.

 

The lunchroom was a buzz of noise as usual, crowded with students from the various levels. Jack sat with some of the tennis team, talking though not on anything specific as they had their meal. Some time during this, Fuji looked up and waved to someone.

 

At six feet, Tezuka stood out in the chaos of the lunchroom, nearly a head taller than many of the boys. He took slow but long strides and stood at the head their table in a matter of seconds.

 

The more enthusiastic greetings from the various team members made his soft but firm “Minna-san” almost inaudible. Many things happened at once. There was a quick scuffle and changing of seats and before the tennis buchou could react, he found himself sitting amongst his friends at the table, and staring at into dark chocolate orbs.

 

Neither of them said anything to the other and no one suspected a thing. Which to him at least, was a good thing. The previous night, he had acted in a way that could only be described as utterly careless, an ironic thing since he was forever reminding his teammates never to their guard down. He could just imagine a certain honey-brown haired tensai smile that knowing smirk of his if others ever got wind of it.

 

The buchou gave a mental groan. He would never be able to say “Yudan seizuni ikou” again without thinking about his own foolish behaviour.

 

“ Tezuka, aren't you eating anything?”

 

Hazel gold eyes broke out of their reverie and fixated calmly at the fukubuchou. “ I already ate earlier, but thanks for your concern.”

 

“ Eheh. No worries Tezuka, just making sure that every one is eating properly. We can't afford to pass out during practices, or even worse, during matches due to hunger.” Oishi grinned.

 

“ Sa… If not for Seigaku's `mother' I'm surely that we'd be much worse off.”

 

Said `mother hen' turned bright red at the remark. “F…Fuji!” He spluttered in both embarrassment and indignation.

 

“ But Oishi, Fujiko is right nyah! Without Oishi our team won't be complete! Oishi is our pillar of support! Just like Ochibi but in a different way nyah!” Eiji exclaimed, latching onto his doubles partner, which made him blush even more.

 

At that last comment, everyone bust out laughing.

 

Jack had been listening to the conversation silently, smiling and nodding at the right moments, although inwardly, she had been filled with a strange sense of anxiety. From the moment a certain tennis buchou had come to sit with them, she had felt nauseous, as if her insides had decided to take a jump and dive off the highest peak. She had been watching him closely, trying to be as inconspicuous as she one could be; although it was not an easy thing to do when the subject you were observing was sitting right opposite you.

 

She had no idea what to make of this whole fiasco she had gotten herself into. Well, it was a fiasco at least to her, as he seemed to be as expressionless and neutral as usual. What he too, thinking of what had happened? Or did he not give a damn about it at all? And if the second were the case, then why was she so distracted by it? It was not like her get so out of grip with her emotions so easily.

 

It's because you're curious. It's because you've seen another side of him. It's because you want see more…

 

And this is all nonsense; it's all in the past now and you're going to be okay in a few days… Look at the confessionals in the women's' magazines! This is not an unusual thing. Many people have gone through this kind of situation and survived. It's just that it's your first time experiencing this… It's going to be fine…

 

“No it's not!” came a stubborn exclamation.

 

Did I just say that out loud? She started to blush when her head registered that the voice did not belong to her.

 

Sighing inwardly in relief, she turned to the commotion at the table. “What is not? Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.”

 

A smiling face beamed at her. “ It's fine. We were just discussing a certain chemistry test. You know the titration one in this week's practical. It so happens that we're divided in the answer. Some Oishi and I came up with a shade of blue, leaning towards green, whereas Eiji had bluish-green. What about you Jackasa?”

 

“ I still say it's bluish-green nyah!” Eiji said stubbornly.

 

Jack couldn't help but smile softly at the situation. “ Ehm, well… sad to say that since my chemistry isn't all that fantastic I am hoping bluish-green would be the right answer since that's what I got too.”

 

“ Nyah! See Fujiko I told you!” Everyone laughed as Eiji playfully stuck out his tongue.

 

“ Hey wait a minute.” Oishi suddenly interrupted. “It means now we're even again. Jackasa's answer makes four.” Eiji made a frustrated noise.

 

“ Oishi, did you have to point that out… oh well, guess we'll have to get another opinion nyah. Hoi! How about Tezuka?”

 

All eyes turned to the bespectacled boy. He simply looked back with an unwavering gaze and stated simply.

 

“ … I haven't done that practical yet.”

 

Before anyone could comment on that, the bell rang and it was time for them to return to class. Tezuka parted from them with a single acknowledging nod. As he was leaving, his eyes locked on hers and she arched an eyebrow in response, as if questioning him.

 

And although there were many things he wanted to do at that moment, his normal façade took over and pretending not to notice, he turned and left.

 

I'm don't want to have to do this… but it'll be for the best. I don't want to place both our reputations at stake. Yudan seizuni ikou.

 

000 000 000

 

 

Throughout the day and week that passed, Tezuka had slapped on his well-developed stoic façade so well it was as if nothing had happened. He neither spoke nor even argued with her. In fact, it was as if she had never step foot in Seishun Gakuen at all. Even home-wise, their communication was slivering down to a near zero. It seemed that Tezuka always stayed out for individual private practice and came home late, only to find dinner left for him in the microwave.

 

At this point in time, Jack simply grew even more confused. What had happened and why was he avoiding her? But how could he… especially after what had happened. Was it because of that? If so, then she had been very wrong about him indeed.

 

Who on earth is that guy?

 

She made a frustrated sound and slammed the locker door shut. The noise echoed through the training hall as she gathered her things and muttered. “ Damn you...”

 

“ Why thanks for the compliment.”

 

She spun around at the unexpected voice, her eyes widened suddenly as she exclaimed. “ What the… Why are you here? This is a girl's changing room!”

 

The intruder gestured around him “ Don't see any other girls besides you around now do you?”

 

“ I know but still…”

 

“ Ne Jackasa, relax. It's not as if I'm going to do anything… unless of course, you want me too.” A smirk and a purposely-suggestive arched eyebrow graced the Atobe Keigo's fair features.

 

“ So not working, considering I know your current preferences.” She retorted, causing the Hyoutei captain to grin widely. “ You're right. I wouldn't want to anyway…” Jack started to reply to that but he continued, “ After all, you are my imouto-kun… but I know others would, why I'm surprised that Tezu…”

 

“ Don't you mention that name to me!”

 

Silence reigned as Atobe, taken back by her sudden outburst, studied her carefully. “ I see…” He began in a calculative tone. “Something has happened.”

 

“ So what?”

 

“ So what? Indeed, it must be such a small matter for you are so upset about it as to go all moody and snarky.”

 

“ Kei… ” she said warningly.

 

“ Jack, you know I'm just concerned. I don't want to see you so affected by whatever it is you're keeping to yourself. What you need right now is to rant it out, which I guess correctly that you haven't done so.”

 

Jack eyed him sarcastically. “ And you're supposed to be who? Dr Phil?”

 

“ Bah, I can do much better than that quack. He's churning out millions just by stating the obvious to defunct delusional souls.” He sat on a bench and gestured to the space next to him. “ Come sit and ore-sama will give you some rare and highly sought after counsel.”

 

“ And I'm afraid I have to decline. Thanks for the offer though” It was not that she did not want to talk to Atobe. It was more like she was embarrassed if she were to tell him about what had happened and that she was scared that if she did she'd end up looking like some sad sobbing mess, something she wanted to avoid. The last thing she needed was to look like some pathetic teenager who had her crush break her heart or something like that.

 

She picked up her bag and started walking, and was passing Atobe, when his voice, calm yet solemn broke the silence.

 

“ You slept with him.”

 

000 000 000

 

Atobe knew that he was taking a very big stab by making such a brash statement. But he also knew that the girl in front of him would not reveal anything she did not want to. That is, unless you discovered which buttons to push. And after four years, he certainly knew which ones did the trick.

 

Although he would have never admitted it in a million years, he had half expected a slap or a sharp retort. Perhaps followed her rolling her eyes, telling him off for suggesting such a thing, or something of the like. Well, at least if that had happened then there would be nothing much to worry about and he could've just dismissed it as her having an exceptionally cranky day.

 

But at his statement, she had done the complete opposite and froze. Her entire body was tensed as she slowly turned towards him. For a moment, she eyed him, chocolate orbs leveling his own gaze, as if daring him to say more.

 

Then, she blinked. And the next time they met his, it was as if she were a different person altogether. Her shoulders were drooped and her façade had completely crumbled. He had never seen her look so lost in a long time. Lost and tired.

 

Her eyes said it all.

 

The Hyoutei captain's eyes softened in concern and he patted the space beside him.

 

“ Talk to me.”

 

This time, she gave a sigh and dropped her bag on the floor before flopping down unceremoniously next to him. “ Where do you want me to start?”

 

000 000 000

 

 

She was hurting.

 

It might not have been an obvious thing but someone who knew everyone's personalities well enough, and who possessed a keen eye would notice. Notice the way her smile would falter ever so slightly whenever he was near. Notice how she occasionally stole glances in his direction when he wasn't looking; giving a sad look and sigh before turning back to laugh at Eiji and the freshmen trio's antics.

 

Just like the one she sought to avoid, she was slowly putting on a mask.

 

This had to be stopped before she went and made the same mistake. It saddened and worried him to see two of his friends distancing themselves further and further from each other. Fuji knew that Tezuka, although the stoic captain would never admit it in a million years, was hurting at some level too. He had seen his long time friend sometimes staring into nothingness when he thought no one was watching, as if contemplating something. The taller boy would be watching her interacting with the others and when Fuji's eyes caught the former's gaze and eyed him speculatively, he would turn and pretend to focus somewhere else.

 

He had never really asked Tezuka what the matter was as it was hard to get the bespectacled buchou to open up, even to his closest friends. Experiences in the past had proven that. Tezuka was the kind to keep his trouble to himself, as he did not want to burden anyone with what he deemed “distracting and trivial matters.” But whatever it was, it must have been pretty serious for the situation between them was certainly not improving at all.

 

Not to mention that whenever he tried to start talking to the other boy about it, Tezuka would suddenly announce he had something of urgency to attend to and leave, or he'd divert the conversation.

 

Cerulean eyes showed themselves briefly for a moment as the tensai watched as Tezuka went into the tennis club's locker rooms. After a moment, he stepped out from his hiding place and headed in that direction as well.

 

His decision was made. Tezuka Kunimitsu…This time I shall not let you go till I know the truth.

 

 

000 000 000

 

 

To say that Jack was nervous was an understatement. It was fortunate she was trained to deal with all sorts of situations otherwise she would have easily gotten an anxiety attack. She had to sit on her hands to prevent them from going back to the old habit of trembling.

 

As she sat in the dark science lab, she wondered if she had chosen to do the right thing. Upon much pondering and pushing by a certain `diva' captain, she had finally gathered up the courage to meet Tezuka, to perhaps talk things over. Although she wondered how much talking they'd do anyway, seeing he was practically oblivious to her existence recently, despite the fact they stayed under the same roof. Many a time she had stood outside his door, ready to confront him about the incident. But her resolve would falter and she'd let the hand that was poised to knock, drop to her side and she'd despondently trudge back to her room. The times she did knock, she had pretty much shied away and fled at the moment she heard him shuffling to the door.

 

Now, ten minutes past the time stated, she wondered if he would actually come. He must think I'm so pathetic. He probably didn't even read the note I left him… I wonder why I even bother… what am I hoping for anyway? To kiss and makeup and live happily ever after? Yeah right… you of all people should know life ain't no fairytale. He's unlikely to show at his rate… he's either punctual to the dot or he doesn't come at all. Who am I kidding? I should just go…

 

“ I believe you wanted to see me…”

 

Jack nearly fell off the lab table in a start at the deep voice. He was actually there, standing in flesh and blood, a few feet away from her. Why didn't she hear him coming in? Oh, that's right… you were too wrapped up in silly fantasies.

 

She did not realize she had been staring at him dumbly till he spoke. “ Hn… I must have been mistaken. Perhaps that note was from someone else. I'll leave…”

 

He turned towards the door and she still sat and stared. She struggled to form a coherent sentence but nothing was coming out. Her mind was screaming… Do something! Say something before he disappears and you may never get a chance like this again!

 

Finally, she abandoned that long `speech' she had originally planned to give him and said the only thing that mattered.

 

“ Why.”

 

000 000 000

 

 

Tezuka froze in his tracks at that single utterance.

 

“ Why.”

 

He turned around slowly, although his eyes did not meet hers. “ It was too risky.” He said as neutrally as possible. “ We have reputations at stake. I did not want to bring you down with me.”

 

She made an unladylike noise that resembled a snort. “ Bullshit.”

 

Indeed it was. He could not agree more but all he had to defend himself were flimsy excuses. Yet he still persisted. “ That night… I wasn't thinking straight. I was selfish and I gave into my desires. I apologise if I have misled you.”

 

“ Well,” she said, throwing her hands dramatically into the air. “ And I suppose that just solves everything. That's just classic you know. Weren't you not the one who said he needed to do some thinking before first? Apparently you didn't think hard enough. How reckless indeed.”

 

There wasn't anything he could say at this point. What else could he say anyway? That he still wanted her? That she occupied his thoughts 24/7? He knew it would come to this. He had come upon Fuji's insistence. The tensai had been having `talks' with him recently and he had come to confess what had happened. Part of him had been reluctant to come. Not because he did not want to, but because he was afraid he might not be able to control himself. What if he hurt her again?

 

Yet there was that other part of him that had won over, the part that wanted to see her again. The part that had held the slightest bit of concern he had been trying so hard to ignore, with a sliver of was he could only describe as hope. But was exactly that hope was for he did not know. Fuji had said she was sad. Apparently she must really hate him now. He had practically used her and then threw her aside without a second thought.

 

Sarcasm dripped heavily from her voice as she continued. “ I must say that I excepted better of you. Looks like I've been blinded along with everyone else. You're no better than the next guy out there, the only difference being you held off your needs longer.”

 

Her voice started to shake and the tone dropped. Her shoulders rose and fell as she took a deep breadth to steady herself. When she spoke next, her voice was barely audible in the silence.

 

“ I should leave… I… I have better things to do… yet,” she gave a choked laugh. “Yet I don't feel like going at all. Tell me… should I go?”

 

For the first time since he had arrived at the science lab, their eyes met. The silent buchou was at a loss for words. He wanted no better than to go up to her and hold her. Hold her like there was no tomorrow. Hold her and forget what had happened. For reasons incomprehensible, he knew that he would forever regret it if he let her walk out like that. Yet as he stood where he was, he found himself unable to move, unable to speak.

 

“ So Tezuka Kunimitsu, should I stay or not?”

 

Silence.

 

Her eyes downcast, she sighed tiredly and hopped off the table. “ I guess I'm the one being foolish and selfish now then. Clearly I've wasted your time…”

 

“ Wait.”

 

Even in dim light that came from the corridor outside, his gold-hazel eyes still glittered behind his glasses.

 

He came to stand behind her. “ I… Don't go.” She looked at the ground sadly.

 

“ I'm afraid that's not good enough.”

 

“ What if I said I didn't want you to go?”

 

“ Na-ah.”

 

“ What if,” he suddenly grabbed her shoulders and spun her around so she was facing him. “ What if I said I didn't want you to go because I didn't want to loose you?”

 

“ I…”

 

“ Wait”, he silenced her, putting a finger on her lips, ignoring her glare of indignation. “ What if, I said that I've been utterly messed up the past week, thinking of what a mess I've made of things; wondering if you'd hate me forever, wondering if you'd smile and laugh for me the way you smile and laugh at the others silly antics, wondering…” he took a breath. “Wondering when I could hold you again.”

 

He ran his hand down her arm, a move that sent a pleasant shudder down her body. “Wondering when I could touch you again.” The finger that was on her mouth gently traced her lip and she trembled. “ Wondering if I should have taken that gamble and done what I wanted.” Tezuka suddenly withdrew his hands and looked away, his voice soft. “ Perhaps then, it could have turned out differently.”

 

000 000 000

 

 

There, he had said it. And while he was glad that he had taken that load off his chest, he was still not fully relieved. He should never have touched her. It was only going to make the parting worse. His heart pounded in his chest wildly. He had never done a confession of such great proportions before.

 

I must sound like a desperate rambling idiot.

 

“ You know…” her voice broke him from the chaos of his mind. “ That was the saddest and most overused speech I've ever heard.”

 

He felt like a ton of bricks had avalanched and buried him under them.

 

“ But you know, I actually bought that.”

 

Wait a minute… what did she just say? His gaze traveled to lock with hers. The small cracked smile on her face was the best thing he had seen in days.

 

He looked at her cautiously, “ You don't hate me.”

 

“ Hate you?” She arched an eyebrow. “ Who said I hated you? How can I? As stiff and annoying as you can be sometimes you're not hopeless or anything you know.”

 

“ Does that mean…” He didn't dare make any assumptions without clarifying them now.

 

“ You said something about taking a gamble and doing what you want. Don't tell me you forgot already. Maybe I should amend that `hopeless' bit. In case memory fails you taking a risk means going for something when opportunity presents itself…mmph!”

 

Her words were cut off when he suddenly reached out and pulled her against him, claiming her lips with his.

 

The kiss was brief but hungry. He wanted to do so much more than kiss her but given where they were it wouldn't be advisable. It was still school time. It was just their luck there wasn't a class needing to use the lab at the moment.

 

When it was over, she asked breathlessly, “what about keeping up appearances Mr. Student President?” she purposely emphasis on his rank.

 

“ Hn…” He pretended to think for a while. “ I guess we will work something around it.”

 

And he kissed her again.

 

000 000 000

 

A/N: Whoo! It's certainly been awhile since I updated this! I thank my supporters/ regular readers for their patience. I was very stumped on how to write this bit for reasons unexplainable. I'll try my best to bring the next chapter faster though and please continue reading! Hope you enjoyed it so far!