Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ In Dreams ❯ A Beautiful Stranger ( Chapter 1 )
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ƒüí!ÝÓK€ (€XKÓÔ€X pXXXÔÔ€X pXXX pÔÝÝÔ_Ôòòòò&ogr ave;òññÓÓññ~***~ó&o acute;óóóóÐ ÜÜ Ðòòòò€Its€weird,€thisS 64;feeling€you€get,€in€the€pit€of€ ;your€stomach,€when€you€see€him.€Its 364;like€everything€else€justÐ ÐÐ Ðsort€of€fades€out,€like€a€movie, 8364;only€everything€has€gone€into€the€ background€except€for€him.€He's€rightÏth ere,€in€the€center€of€the€screen.€ ;And,€its€like€you€want€to€take€y our€eyes€away,€but€you€can't..really,Ïev en€if€you€were€trying€hard,€and€o f€course€I€wasn't.€Gods,€he€was€s o€beautiful.€Beautiful,€god,€I€hopeÏhe's €not€gay...<sigh>€yeah€Ô_Ôyeah&Oc irc;_Ô,€I€remember€Kiel,€too€good€ ;to€be€true,€yet€he€turned€out€ga y.€<frown>ÏWhy€do€all€the€goodS 64;ones€have€to€be€gay?€Is€it€lik e€a€fact€of€life,€where€only€the& #8364;good€ones,€can€be€forÏthe€guys? 364;Do€they€like,€reserve€the€best€ones €for€themselves?€<laughs€Ô_Ôsadly> ;HmmÔ_Ô...its€weird,€EvanÏturned€outS 64;gay€too...although€I€know€Ô_ÔAmano&O circ;_Ô€would€never€admit€it,€beingS 64;Evan's€best€friend€and€all...butÏtherë́ 4;are€just€those€little€signals.€I€thin k€girls€are€overall€just€much€morë́ 4;intelligent€than€guys.ÏHmm...changing€subjectsS 64;again..my€mind€must€be€running€circlesS 64;on€me,€yet€again..This€sucks,€all€th eÏgood€ones€are€either€gay€or€just €a€part€of€my€imagination.€But...Ḯ 4;guess€its€better€to€dream€of€suchS 64;aÏguy,€I€mean,€at€least€in€drea ms,€they€won't€reject€you......óó&oac ute;óÐ ÐññÓÓññòò&ograv e;òòò~***~óóóóó&oac ute;Ð üü ÐÓÓòò€óó"Hey!€&Oc irc;_ÔYukariÔ_Ô!"€Someone€snapped€finge rs€in€front€of€her€eyes.€Ô_Ô ;YukariÔ_Ô€blinked.€Ð ðð Ð"Hmm?"€She€looked€at€Ô_ÔAmano&Ocir c;_Ô,€who€was€trying€to€get€her 8364;attention.€"What?"€She€asked,€irritated€ to€be€interrupted€from€herÏdaydreaming.€ Ô_ÔAmanoÔ_Ô€made€a€face.Ì" What€are€Ô_ÔyaÔ_Ô€thinking?"&Igra ve;Ô_ÔYukariÔ_Ô€shrugged,€Ì"Noth ing€much.€When€do€we€get€out€of 8364;this€class?"€She€groaned,€English€was 364;Ô_ÔsooÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔsooÔ_&Ocir c;€boring.€Ô_ÔAmanoÔ_Ô€lookedS 64;at€his€watch.Ì"Exactly....10€minutes."Ì" Great."€Ô_ÔYukariÔ_Ô€muttered,€fe eling€like€sinking€back€into€her€dreams €again.€Dreams€were€good,€in€dreams, 364;the€problems€alwaysÏwent€away,€and€s ometimes,€just€sometimes,€he€would€be€t here€too.€But€she€never€let€herselfS 64;hope€for€it€too€much,€dreamsÏwereS 64;unpredictable,€what€if€she€never€dreamt 364;about€him€again?€Then,€she'd€be€dev astated.€Ô_ÔYukariÔ_Ô€knew€she 364;was€being€silly,Ïsilly€and€foolish,€ whoever€heart€of€falling€in€love€with 8364;a€figment€of€her€imagination?€Yes,€ ;she€thought,€I€should€just€forgetÏabout €those€silly€dreams€about€him,€I€ should€think€about..........Yet€he€always€pop ped€in€uninvited€anyway.€Him€or€Ô _ÔHitomiÔ_Ô.ÏAnd€she€really€didn't €want€to€think€about€Ô_ÔHitomi&Oc irc;_Ô.€ÌÓÓòòòò ;òò~***~óóóóóóÐ % % ÐÓÓòòòò€Ô_Ô HitomiÔ_Ô..<sigh>€yet€another€topic. 364;At€least€thinking€about€Him€didn't€ hurt.€It€was€so€weird,€yet...Ô_ÔH itomiÔ_ÔÐ '' Ðseemed€so€distant€lately...so€changed.€I €try€talking€to€her,€I€try€tellin g€her€that€whatever€she's€goingÏthrough, €she€can€tell€me,€but€its€like 364;ringing€water€from€a€dry€cloth!€How ever€dumb€that€simile€mayÏsound,€that's& #8364;the€picture€that€flashes€through€myS 64;mind,€every€time€I€speak€to€her!S 64;She's€changed,Ïdefinitely.€One€day,€she's 8364;this€happy€person,€Ô_ÔwhosÔ_Ô ;€always€smiling€and€laughing,€flirting€ ;outrageouslyÏwith€Ô_ÔAmanoÔ_Ô..Shë́ 4;was€always€such€a€Ô_ÔpartyerÔ_& Ocirc;...she'd€be€the€life€of€the€party !€<laughs/laugh€fades>€Now,Ïshe's€soS 64;distant€and€cold,€so€wrapped€up€with in€herself,€so...sad.€I€told€her€that 8364;Ô_ÔAmanoÔ_Ô€might€like€her,& Iuml;and€she€just€shrugged.€Shrugged!€Mÿ́ 4;god,€Ô_ÔHitomiÔ_Ô's€whole€life& #8364;used€to€be€wrapped€up€in€trying 8364;to€getÏthat€guy's€attention!€And€sh e€just€shrugged!!!!€What€possibly€could€ ;have€happened?€The€night€before,Ïshe€sl ept€over,€and€we€giggled€all€night.S 64;At€first,€I€thought€it€was€jusẗ́ 4;a€bad€night€effect,€you€know,Ïmaybe 364;a€hangover€from€that€party€(what€a& #8364;crazy€Ô_ÔassÔ_Ô€party,€it 8364;was€wild€man...oh,€but€off-topicÐ ,2,2& Ðagain)....but€nope,€She€just€never€snapp ed€out€of€it!€Ô_ÔAmanoÔ_Ô 8364;keeps€tellingÏme€that€its€just€some thing€like€mood-swings,€"those€weird€moods 364;you€girls€go€through.."€I€think€was €what€he€said...but€anyway,€IÏdon'ẗ́ 4;think€so.€Ô_ÔHitomiÔ_Ô's€never& #8364;in€a€bad€mood,€not€for€almostS 64;a€month!€Yes,€its€been€a€month€ ;since€She€just€woke€up€one€morningS 64;andÏdecided€that€she'd€be€a€pain̈́ 4;in€the€Ô_ÔassÔ_Ô€to€every one,€as€well€as€to€herself!óó&o acute;óÐ .." ÐÓÓòòòòòò~***~& oacute;óóóóóÐ 00# ÐÓÓòòòò€óó ;óóThe€bell€rang,€shaking€Ô_&Oc irc;YukariÔ_Ô€out€of€her€daydreams.S 64;Finally,€the€end€of€the€day.€Ô _ÔYukariÔ_Ô€headed€to€her€locker, €not€even€noticing€Ô_ÔAmanoÔ_&Oci rc;€beside.€It€was€only€whenÐ 22$ ÐÔ_ÔShe€turned€to€open€her€lo ck,€did€She€realize€Amano€gazing€atS 64;her.€She€looked€at€him.Ì"Hey...I€di dn't'€realize€you€were€here.."ÌAmano€r olled€his€eyes,€hiding€his€hurt.€"Yeah, €Yukari,€you€don't€notice€much€these 364;days."Ì"Geez.."€Yukari€also€rolled€her 8364;eyes.€Why€was€Amano€being€like€thi s€all€of€a€sudden.€Amano€sighed,€ and€slipped€an€arm€around€her,€hugging& #8364;her.€Yukari€restedÏagainst€him€gently,&I grave;"We're€all€worried€about€Hitomi."€He 364;said€softly,€his€breath€in€her€ear. €Yukari€shut€her€eyes.€She€shruggedS 64;his€arm€away.Ì"..I€gotta€go.€I'll 8364;see€ya€tomorrow."€She€hurried€away,̈́ 4;but€not€before€feeling€the€pang€of 364;guilt€that€hit€her€at€the€sightS 64;of€Amano's€hurt€expression.€ButÏreally..wha t€did€he€expect€of€her?€ÌSheS 64;raced€home,€past€the€track.€She€bare ly€glanced€at€it.€She'd€learned€tö́ 4;avoid€that€place...it€held€too€many€m emories.€ÌShe€changed€quickly€out€of 8364;her€school€uniform€when€She€got€ho me.€Sitting€out€on€her€porch€with€ ;an€apple,€Yukari€brushed€her€dark€hair €out€of€her€face.€Sadly,ÏShe€looke d€over€the€city.€She€and€Hitomi€u sed€to€own€this€city...man€oh€man,̈́ 4;all€the€wild€crazy€times.€Getting€up, €Yukari€traced€her€fingertips€over€the& #8364;numberÏpads.€389-2390.€It€was€practicall y€burned€into€her€memory.€SHE€could've& #8364;dialed€that€number€in€her€sleep.€ Picking€up€the€handset,€She€placed€it 8364;to€her€ear,Ïhearing€the€phone€ring& #8364;on€the€other€side.Ì"Hello?"€Hitomi's 8364;voice€sounded€odd€on€the€other€sid e.Ì"Hey!"€Yukari€tried€to€keep€herS 64;voice€neutral.€Hitomi€had€always€hatedS 64;sap.€Hitomi€was€silent,€then€answered.&Igr ave;"Hey..what's€up?"Ì"Not€much,€how€areS 64;you?"Ì"I'm€good."€Hitomi€answered.€Yukari €traced€her€finger€over€the€surfaceS 64;of€the€apple.€It€was€hard.Ì"Oḧ́ 4;yeah."€Awkward€silence.€Ì"So...why€didS 64;you€call?"€Hitomi€asked.€Yukari€wantedS 64;to€scream.€What€the€hell?€She€always €called€Hitomi,€like€everyday!€Well...SheS 64;used€to.€Where€did€thatÏquestion€come €from?€A€wave€of€self-doubt€suddenly 364;washed€over€Yukari.€What€if,€there€ really€wasn't'€anything€wrong€with€Hitomi..wh at€if,€She€just€didn't'€wantÏto€be €friends€with€her€anymore.€Maybe€itS 64;was€just€a€hint,€and€She€just€ wasn't€understanding...it€hurt€to€think€about €it.€Yukari€cleared€her€throat.Ì"Umm.. .uh..well,€you€weren't€at€school€today,€ ;or€yesterday...or€for€the€past€week.€I €just..called€to€see€how€you€were€ ;doing."Ì"I'm€fine."Ì"Hitomi..your€not."Ì" What?"€Hitomi's€voice€registered€surprise.€At €least€it€was€better€than€the€usu al€monotone.€Ì"Hitomi,€you're€my€best& #8364;friend,€I€know€you€like€the€back& #8364;of€my€hand.€Your€not€okay."Ì"So. ..you€know€me€better€than€I€know€ myself?"€Hitomi's€voice€was€accusing.€Yukari& #8364;rolled€her€eyes.Ì"No...I€just...what's€ ;wrong€Hitomi,€why€won't€you€tell€me?"& #8364;Yukari's€voice€sounded€close€to€breakin g.€Ì"I'm€fine,€Yukari,€just..leave€it& #8364;alone!"Ì"Hitomi.."ÌShe€heard€Hitomi€s igh€on€the€other€side.€"Yukari,€I€ ;gotta€go..I'll€see€ya€later."€The€phon e€hung€up.€Yukari€blinked.€She€stared 8364;at€the€phone,€her€last€connectionÐ 22 Ðthe€her€best€friend.€ÌÓÓ& ograve;òòòòò~***~óóó ;óóóÐ ¤¤ ÐÓÓòò€òòDid€you 8364;hear€that?€How€cold€She€was!€Its 8364;like€She€doesn't€even€care€anymore.̈́ 4;Did€our€friendship€not€even€matter?€g od,€I€sound€likeÐ ˜˜ ÐI€just€broke€up€with€a€boyfriend.. ..óóóóÐ ´´ Ðòòòò€but..its€sort€of 364;the€same,€isn't€it?€Like,€a€best 364;friend€and€a€boyfriend....the€same€sort 8364;of.€It€hurts€like€hell€when€you 364;break€up€withÐ ¬¬ Ðeither€of€them.óóóóÐ ÈÈ Ðòòòò€Hmmmm....óó&oacut e;óÐ À
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ÐÌòò~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_ ~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~óóÐ €€ ÐÌòò€óóIt€was€Frid ay€night.€Yukari€lay€dismally€on€her 364;bed,€spending€yet€another€Friday€night 364;at€home.€She€tried€not€to€thinkS 64;about€what€She€would€be€doing€ifS 64;HitomiÐ @@
Ðwould€just€snap€out€of€her€ mood.€Ì"And€its€not€like€no€one& #8364;offered€to€do€something.."€She€muttered ,€to€make€herself€feel€better,€yeẗ́ 4;not€really€succeeding.€Maybe...if€She€fell& #8364;asleep,€She€wouldÏdream€about€that€ ;beautiful€guy€again....ÌÓÓòò ;òòòò~***~óóóó&oacu te;óÐ ØØ ÐòòòòBeautiful€and€guy...doS 64;those€two€words€even€go€together?€Or €should€you€just€replace€that€beautiful €with€gay..hmm..weird€thoughtsÐ ÌÌ Ðeh..Well,€if€someday,€I€ever€do€fi nd€a€wonderful,€'beautiful'€guy,€I'm€no t€gonna€give€a€care€whether€he's€ straight€or€not!<laughs>ÏWell...I€guess€ he€would€care..óóóóÐ Ðòòòòòò~***~óó& oacute;óóóÐ üü ÐÓÓòò€óóHer€phone €rang,€startling€her.€She€picked€up.&ET H; ðð Ð"hello?"Ì"Hey€Yukari!€Its€Agnes!"ÌAgne s€Odylle,€was€sort€of€an€in-betweenS 64;friend.€She€wasn't€really€a€close€fr iend,€actually,€Yukari€often€didn't€even̈́ 4;consider€her€a€friend,€but€She€did 364;hang€outÏwith€her€sometimes€at€schoo l.Ì"Hey€Agnes,€hows€it€going?"Ì"Great !€What€are€ya€up€to?"€ÌYukari 364;frowned,€it€wasn't€often€that€Agnes€ ;would€phone€up€and€wonder€what€Yukari& #8364;was€doing.€Ì"Not€much..you?"Ì"Yeah, 8364;I€just€called€to€see€if€you€ wanted€to€come€with€me€to€that€ne w€club€downtown!"€Agnes€seemed€to€be 364;talking€to€some€other€people.€There€ ;was€a€loudÏbackground€noise€behind€her. €Ì"Uhh..oh€that€new€one?€Whatsitcalled ...uhh..Raxx€Hangar?"Ð 22 Ð"Yeah!€Some€local€band,€but€hey,€i ts€supposed€to€be€good!"€Ì"I€hea rd..umm,€its€18€and€over,€Agnes."€Yukar i€replied€matter-of-factly.€Ì"Yeah,€I€ know."€There€was€an€edge€of€impatience& #8364;in€Agnes'€voice.€"That's€why€I€go t€Kiel€to€get€us€in!€He's€like 364;friends€with€the€manager..you€know,€'frie nds'"ÏShe€giggled.€Yukari€blinked.€Kiel€ McPherson,€he€was€HOT.€Yukari€wouldn't€ have€minded€going€anywhere€with€Kiel.Ì "Kiel's€going€too?"ÌAgnes€laughed.€"Slime 364;chances,€Yukari."ÌYukari€laughed,€for€wh at€seemed€like€the€first€time€in€ ages.€"I€know€eh.€Uh..who€else€is€ ;going?"€Kiel,€as€all€beautiful,€drool-worthy €guys,€was€gay.Ì"Oh,€just€me,€Ev an..you,€if€you€want."Ì"Amano?"Ì"Nope."&Igr ave;"Oh...k.."Ì"In?"€Ì"Umm..sure."€Yukari€w as€tired€of€laying€around,€feeling€depr essed.€I€guess€this€is€what€I€nee d,€She€thought.€She€quickly€got€offS 64;the€phone€with€Agnes.€GettingÏup,€She €stared€at€herself€in€the€mirror.€ ;What€a€horror.€Dressed€in€modrobes€and €a€tanktop,€She€really€wouldn't€have 364;won€for€most€stylish,€even€at€aS 64;grunge€parlor.ÏShe€dug€through€her€cl oset.€ÌAfter€carefully€applying€her€ma ke-up,€Yukari€heard€a€horn€honking€outs ide.€Grumbling,€Yukari€ran€down€the€sta irs€and€opened€the€front€door.€Agnes 364;stood€onÏthe€hood€of€a€blue€sp orts€car.€Evan€sat€in€the€front€s eat.Ì"Yukari!"€Agnes€shouted,€jumping€upS 64;and€down,€making€the€entire€car€boun ce.€Yukari€rolled€her€eyes€and€headed,& #8364;out.ÌThe€entire€car€smelled€of€b eer€and€dope,€Yukari€wrinkled€her€nose. Ì"Whata€you€been€up€to€Agnes?"Ì "Ohh..not€much€Yuki.."€Agnees€was€reducedS 64;to€giggles€as€She€drawled.€Her€breat h€smelt€highly€of€alcohol.€Ì"I€t hink€that's€enough€for€you."€Yukari€gra bbed€the€bottle€out€of€Agnes'€hand.S 64;She€stuck€her€head€tot€he€front.&Igr ave;"Hey€Evan,€you€doped?"€She€asked,€l eaning€closer€to€make€sure€he€was€ ;sober.€He€looked€at€her,€his€pretty 364;grey€eyes€grinning.Ì"Totally,€but€I'm 364;sober."€Ì"You€sure€about€that?"Ì" Pretty€sure.."€He€laughed,€his€eyes€wri nkling.€ÌThey€rode€in€relative€silence €towards€Downtown,€Agnes€yelling€out€on ce€in€a€while€in€drunkenness.€This̈́ 4;wasn't€a€fun€way€to€start€the€n ight.€Yukari€shut€her€eyes,Ïpraying€to 8364;any€god€that€was€out€there,€that 8364;Evan€was€telling€the€truth.€The€ni ght€had€hardly€started,€and€already,€a& #8364;headache€split€her€head.€Grabbing€aS 64;bottle,€SheÏinhaled€the€strong€smell.&Igrav e;"Deciding€to€join€the€fun?"€Evan€aske d,€looking€back.€Yukari€didn't€respond,€ ;instead,€She€just€took€a€long€gulpS 64;of€the€cool,€bitter-sweet€liquid.Ìâ
âÓÓòòòòò&o grave;~***~óóóóóóÐ $1$1 ÐÓÓòòòò€Yes,€yes. ..I€know,€abstinence€is€the€only€way 364;to€go.€And€its€not€like€I'm€a n€alcoholic,€seriously,€I€mean,€I€didn' t€touched€a€beer€at€theÐ ÜÜ Ðâ
âlast€three€parties...well,€H itomi€was€there€then..its€just..its€so€ hard...everything€is€so€hard....<sigh>ó&oacu te;óóÐ øø Ðòòòò€Hitomi€never€drank. .She€was€always€such€a€goody€goody.S 64;But€I€think€I€envy€her€in€that ..I€could€never€do€what€She€does€ and€stillÐ ðð Ðkeep€it€all€together,€god,€I€could n't€even€imagine€it....óóóó&E TH; Ðòòòò€...I€guess..whatever̈́ 4;happened€to€her€had€to€be€like,€ ;the€pits,€cause,€I've€never€seen€her 8364;so...depressed.€Even€when€that€other€guy Ð Ðdumped€her€way€back..that€jerk,€Gavin... €She€bounced€back.€Hmm..maybe€it€was 364;a€guy,€but...would€She€secretly€havë́ 4;a€boyfriend,Ïwithout€telling€me?óó&o acute;óÐ < < ÐÓÓòòòòòò~***~& oacute;óóóóóÐ 44 ÐÓÓòò€óóThe€club& #8364;was€crowded€and€smoky.€They€got€i n€relatively€easily,€as€Agnes€was€dead& #8364;drunk,€baring€most€everything€to€the 364;guard€at€the€door,€and€Evan's€'frie nd'Ð ( ( Ðhelped€them€in€as€well.€Once€insid e,€Yukari€decided€to€leave€Agnes€toS 64;whatever€and€head€off,€perhaps€pickingS 64;a€few€guys€worth€something€as€well.& #8364;ÌShe€sat€by€herself,€sipping€at& #8364;a€cool€alcoholic€drink,€the€band€ pounding€in€the€back.€Her€head€feltS 64;slightly€light,€probably€the€alcohol.€She& #8364;tried€to€keep€theÏnegative€feelings̈́ 4;away,€but€they€washed€over€her€anyway .€Why€would€Hitomi€hate€her€all€o f€a€sudden?€Was€she€not€being€a 8364;good€enough€friend?€And,€all€theseÏ mixed€feelings€for€Amano....Yes,€She€would 364;admit€it,€to€herself€if€to€no€ ;one€else,€she€felt€attracted€to€Amano. €But...he€had€always€been€Hitomi's€guy. €YukariÏseethed,€it€was€so€frustrating.& #8364;ÌShe€suddenly€felt€a€pair€ofS 64;comforting€hands€massaging€her€shoulders.Ì ;"There€there,€hun,€you'll€feel€better."̈́ 4;A€low€voice€whispered€in€her€ear.S 64;Yukari€looked€up,€into€the€large,€cr ystalline€eyes€of€a€young€man.€He€ ;was€handsome,€veryÏhandsome,€with€olive€ ;green€eyes€and€dark€blonde€hair.€His 8364;slender€fingers€massaged€her€shoulders.€ He€grinned€at€her.Ì"Alex€Heath."€He 364;introduced€himself,€his€smile€parting€to& #8364;show€perfect€pearly€whites.€Yukari€grin ned€back.Ì"Yukari."€She€said.€She€lean ed€over€the€table,€feeling€her€headS 64;spin€at€the€sudden€movement.€"Don't€ you€think,"€she€whispered,€"that€this€w orld,€is€crap?"€SheÏburst€into€laughter, €knowing€all€the€he€while€that€sh e€was€as€drunk€as€Agnes€was.€How& #8364;many€drinks€had€she€had?€Alex€gri nned.Ì"Your€not€crap,€baby."€He€glance d€slyly€at€her,€measuring€her€up€ and€down.€Yukari€shifted€in€the€tight 8364;skirt€she€wore.€She€smiled,Ì"Neither 364;are€you."Ì"What€shit€the€world€thr owin€at€ya?"€He€asked,€ordering€more 364;drinks€for€the€both€of€them.€Yukari €sighed€dramatically,€and€looked€at€him .Ì"Well...my€best€friend€hates€me,€and €I'm€in€love€with€a€guy,€but..he& #8364;doesn't€exist,€except€in€my€head!"̈́ 4;She€shouted€almost,€hitting€her€head€ hard.Ì"Awww...well,€you€got€me."€Alex€ grinned.€Yukari€paused,€then€placed€a€h and€on€his€cheek.Ì"Yes,€baby,€I€ do."€ÌAlex€gulped€his€drink€in€o ne€quick€motion,€he€grabbed€her€hands.& #8364;"Come€on,€lets€get€outta€this€joi nt."ÌYukari's€mind€shouted€at€her€to 8364;go,€telling€her€to€stay€and€wait 8364;for€Agnes€or€Evan€to€give€her̈́ 4;a€ride€back,€but€she€found€her€ body€moving€of€its€own€accord.ÌTheS 64;night€air€was€cool€and€comforting€on €her€aching€head.€Yukari€stumbled€aroun d,€finding€that€they€had€exited€theS 64;club€through€a€back€alley.€It€was 364;dark.€AlexÏstood€behind€her,€guiding€ ;her€by€soft€nudges€on€her€back.€ She'd€lean€back€every€so€often,€just 364;to€feel€his€solid€presence€behind€h er.€They€reached€a€dead€end.ÏYukarḯ 4;turned€around,€the€world€was€spinning.&Igra ve;"Ummm....there's€no€place€to€go?"€Shë́ 4;looked€at€Alex.€His€light€hair€glinte d€in€the€dim€light.€He€grinned€at €her.€She€blinked,€trying€to€make€ ;her€vision€stay€still.€Ìâ
&a circ;"Of€course€hun.."€He€suddenly€pushedS 64;her€forward,€plastering€his€lips€against 8364;her.€Yukari€grimaced,€trying€to€turnS 64;her€face€away.Ð 8181 Ð"god..no!€Go€away!"€She€tried€to€p ush€him€off€her,€but€he€was€just& #8364;about€as€drunk€as€she€was.€His 364;body€was€heavy€against€her.Ìâ
â"Get€off€me!"€She€shouted.ÌHe 364;forced€her€against€the€wall,€she€st ruggled€against€him.€She€tried€to€screa m,€but€his€hand€was€forced€againsẗ́ 4;her€mouth.Ì"I'm€gonna€take€you€home, €you€delicious€little€girl"€He€slurred. €Yukari's€mind€cleared€suddenly€of€all& #8364;drunkenness,€everything€suddenly€coming€in 364;sharp.€She€triedÏto€push€him€off, 364;struggling€with€all€her€strength.€ButS 64;even€with€his€slender€form,€he€overp owered€her.€Yukari€shut€her€eyes,€wishi ng€that€she€hadn't€come€,Ïwishing€ that€everything€in€her€life€would€just& #8364;be€okay,€wishing€that€Hitomi€would̈́ 4;just€go€back€to€being€her€bets€ friend,€wishing€that€He€would€show€up.& Igrave;Suddenly,€Alex's€body€was€heavy€agains t€her,€heavy€but€still.€SHE€opened̈́ 4;her€eyes€slowly.€Pushing€him€off€her, €he€landed€with€a€thud€on€theS 64;pavement,€deadÏdrunk.€Yukari€shuddered€as 8364;his€body€hit€the€ground.€For€what& #8364;seemed€like€hours,€she€stood€there,S 64;staring€at€his€body.€Then,€with€a 364;shuddering€sob,€YukariÏcollapsed,€feeling€ the€hard€pavement€hit€her€arm.€Thë́ 4;sobs€racked€her€body,€yet€she€couldn' t€feel€the€tears€on€her€face.€She €felt€numb.€As€she€lay€there,€the Ïpavement€cool€and€damp,€she€closed̈́ 4;her€eyes,€and€shut€herself€off€toS 64;the€pain.€She€closed€her€eyes,€the 8364;tears€leaking€out,€and€everything€went 8364;painlessly€away.ÌÓÓòòò òòò~***~óóóóó&oacut e;Ð ``
ÐÓÓòòòò€WhatS 64;the€hell€am€I€doing?€What€am€I €doing€here?€I'm€not€like€this.....I... .I...never€get€drunk.€What€the€hell..what..go d,€IÐ TT Ðhurt.<groan>Where€are€you,€where€areS 64;you?€Why€can't€you€be€real?€Whÿ́ 4;can't€you€come€to€me?€Why€can't€ ;you€make€her€be€my€bestÏfriend€ag ain?€Why,€gods,€why€is€this€world€ ;so€cruel?€Just€be€real!€Just€comë́ 4;to€me!!!!!óóóóÐ ŒŒ Ðòò~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_ ~_~_~_~_~óóÐ "" ÐÌòò€óóSlowly,€Yukari's& #8364;eyes€fluttered€open.€Everything€seemed€ blurry.€Someone€wiped€her€hot€forehead€ with€a€damp€cloth.€God,€her€head€ hurt.€It€must€be€the€worstÐ DD Ðhangover€of€her€life.€Slowly,€her€ memory€returned.€Agnes'€call,€the€club,€ ;all€that€beer,€Alex€Heath,€the€alley,& #8364;everything€rushed€back€to€haunt€her. 364;Everything€andÏthat€feeling€of€overwhelmin g€pain,€overwhelming€sadness.€Yukari's€body 8364;shook.€Someone€placed€a€cool€hand€ on€her€arm€to€still€her.Ì"Shhh...its 8364;okay,€your€safe€now."€A€low€voice& #8364;said€softly.€Yukari's€vision€cleared,€a nd€she€blinked.€Her€heart€stopped.ÌIt& #8364;was€Him.€ÌÓÓòòò òòò~***~óóóóó&oacut e;Ð ¤¤ ÐÓÓòòòò€Oh€god, 8364;oh€god,€oh€god,€oh€god,€oh€g od....learn€to€breath,€breath..breath....its€Him< ;sigh>€He's€standing€so€close€to€me, €he's€lookingÐ ˜!˜! Ðat€me.€Straight€at€me.€Oh€god,S 64;breath€Yukari,€breath.€Just€breath.€He's 8364;so€beautiful.....just€like€in€the€dreams .€Is€this€a€dream?€No...IÏfeel€awa ke,€I€can€think....I€can€control€myself ...well,€I€think€I€can€anyway<laugh€ nervously>€He's€so€perfect,€definitelyÏdroo l-worthy..oh€godóó.òò€BeautifulS 64;blonde€hair,€amazing€blue€eyes.€He's€ ;so....gallant€looking.€Like€a€knight.€Ḯ 4;know€I'm€blubbering,€IÐ ì$ì$ Ðknow€I'm€infatuated,€this€is€probably 364;another€dream....But..its€so€much€more€re al€than€the€others,€it€feels€so€r eal,€too€real!€Oh€god,€IÏreally€am €going€crazy.€Well...if€it's€a€dream..t hen€at€least€I'll€enjoy€it€before€ ;I€have€to€wake€up......óóó&oa cute;Ð $'$' Ð
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ƒüí!ÝÓK€ (€XKÓÔ€X pXXXÔÔ€X pXXX pÔÝÝÔ_Ôòòòò&ogr ave;òññÓÓññ~***~ó&o acute;óóóóÐ ÜÜ Ðòòòò€Its€weird,€thisS 64;feeling€you€get,€in€the€pit€of€ ;your€stomach,€when€you€see€him.€Its 364;like€everything€else€justÐ ÐÐ Ðsort€of€fades€out,€like€a€movie, 8364;only€everything€has€gone€into€the€ background€except€for€him.€He's€rightÏth ere,€in€the€center€of€the€screen.€ ;And,€its€like€you€want€to€take€y our€eyes€away,€but€you€can't..really,Ïev en€if€you€were€trying€hard,€and€o f€course€I€wasn't.€Gods,€he€was€s o€beautiful.€Beautiful,€god,€I€hopeÏhe's €not€gay...<sigh>€yeah€Ô_Ôyeah&Oc irc;_Ô,€I€remember€Kiel,€too€good€ ;to€be€true,€yet€he€turned€out€ga y.€<frown>ÏWhy€do€all€the€goodS 64;ones€have€to€be€gay?€Is€it€lik e€a€fact€of€life,€where€only€the& #8364;good€ones,€can€be€forÏthe€guys? 364;Do€they€like,€reserve€the€best€ones €for€themselves?€<laughs€Ô_Ôsadly> ;HmmÔ_Ô...its€weird,€EvanÏturned€outS 64;gay€too...although€I€know€Ô_ÔAmano&O circ;_Ô€would€never€admit€it,€beingS 64;Evan's€best€friend€and€all...butÏtherë́ 4;are€just€those€little€signals.€I€thin k€girls€are€overall€just€much€morë́ 4;intelligent€than€guys.ÏHmm...changing€subjectsS 64;again..my€mind€must€be€running€circlesS 64;on€me,€yet€again..This€sucks,€all€th eÏgood€ones€are€either€gay€or€just €a€part€of€my€imagination.€But...Ḯ 4;guess€its€better€to€dream€of€suchS 64;aÏguy,€I€mean,€at€least€in€drea ms,€they€won't€reject€you......óó&oac ute;óÐ ÐññÓÓññòò&ograv e;òòò~***~óóóóó&oac ute;Ð üü ÐÓÓòò€óó"Hey!€&Oc irc;_ÔYukariÔ_Ô!"€Someone€snapped€finge rs€in€front€of€her€eyes.€Ô_Ô ;YukariÔ_Ô€blinked.€Ð ðð Ð"Hmm?"€She€looked€at€Ô_ÔAmano&Ocir c;_Ô,€who€was€trying€to€get€her 8364;attention.€"What?"€She€asked,€irritated€ to€be€interrupted€from€herÏdaydreaming.€ Ô_ÔAmanoÔ_Ô€made€a€face.Ì" What€are€Ô_ÔyaÔ_Ô€thinking?"&Igra ve;Ô_ÔYukariÔ_Ô€shrugged,€Ì"Noth ing€much.€When€do€we€get€out€of 8364;this€class?"€She€groaned,€English€was 364;Ô_ÔsooÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔsooÔ_&Ocir c;€boring.€Ô_ÔAmanoÔ_Ô€lookedS 64;at€his€watch.Ì"Exactly....10€minutes."Ì" Great."€Ô_ÔYukariÔ_Ô€muttered,€fe eling€like€sinking€back€into€her€dreams €again.€Dreams€were€good,€in€dreams, 364;the€problems€alwaysÏwent€away,€and€s ometimes,€just€sometimes,€he€would€be€t here€too.€But€she€never€let€herselfS 64;hope€for€it€too€much,€dreamsÏwereS 64;unpredictable,€what€if€she€never€dreamt 364;about€him€again?€Then,€she'd€be€dev astated.€Ô_ÔYukariÔ_Ô€knew€she 364;was€being€silly,Ïsilly€and€foolish,€ whoever€heart€of€falling€in€love€with 8364;a€figment€of€her€imagination?€Yes,€ ;she€thought,€I€should€just€forgetÏabout €those€silly€dreams€about€him,€I€ should€think€about..........Yet€he€always€pop ped€in€uninvited€anyway.€Him€or€Ô _ÔHitomiÔ_Ô.ÏAnd€she€really€didn't €want€to€think€about€Ô_ÔHitomi&Oc irc;_Ô.€ÌÓÓòòòò ;òò~***~óóóóóóÐ % % ÐÓÓòòòò€Ô_Ô HitomiÔ_Ô..<sigh>€yet€another€topic. 364;At€least€thinking€about€Him€didn't€ hurt.€It€was€so€weird,€yet...Ô_ÔH itomiÔ_ÔÐ '' Ðseemed€so€distant€lately...so€changed.€I €try€talking€to€her,€I€try€tellin g€her€that€whatever€she's€goingÏthrough, €she€can€tell€me,€but€its€like 364;ringing€water€from€a€dry€cloth!€How ever€dumb€that€simile€mayÏsound,€that's& #8364;the€picture€that€flashes€through€myS 64;mind,€every€time€I€speak€to€her!S 64;She's€changed,Ïdefinitely.€One€day,€she's 8364;this€happy€person,€Ô_ÔwhosÔ_Ô ;€always€smiling€and€laughing,€flirting€ ;outrageouslyÏwith€Ô_ÔAmanoÔ_Ô..Shë́ 4;was€always€such€a€Ô_ÔpartyerÔ_& Ocirc;...she'd€be€the€life€of€the€party !€<laughs/laugh€fades>€Now,Ïshe's€soS 64;distant€and€cold,€so€wrapped€up€with in€herself,€so...sad.€I€told€her€that 8364;Ô_ÔAmanoÔ_Ô€might€like€her,& Iuml;and€she€just€shrugged.€Shrugged!€Mÿ́ 4;god,€Ô_ÔHitomiÔ_Ô's€whole€life& #8364;used€to€be€wrapped€up€in€trying 8364;to€getÏthat€guy's€attention!€And€sh e€just€shrugged!!!!€What€possibly€could€ ;have€happened?€The€night€before,Ïshe€sl ept€over,€and€we€giggled€all€night.S 64;At€first,€I€thought€it€was€jusẗ́ 4;a€bad€night€effect,€you€know,Ïmaybe 364;a€hangover€from€that€party€(what€a& #8364;crazy€Ô_ÔassÔ_Ô€party,€it 8364;was€wild€man...oh,€but€off-topicÐ ,2,2& Ðagain)....but€nope,€She€just€never€snapp ed€out€of€it!€Ô_ÔAmanoÔ_Ô 8364;keeps€tellingÏme€that€its€just€some thing€like€mood-swings,€"those€weird€moods 364;you€girls€go€through.."€I€think€was €what€he€said...but€anyway,€IÏdon'ẗ́ 4;think€so.€Ô_ÔHitomiÔ_Ô's€never& #8364;in€a€bad€mood,€not€for€almostS 64;a€month!€Yes,€its€been€a€month€ ;since€She€just€woke€up€one€morningS 64;andÏdecided€that€she'd€be€a€pain̈́ 4;in€the€Ô_ÔassÔ_Ô€to€every one,€as€well€as€to€herself!óó&o acute;óÐ .." ÐÓÓòòòòòò~***~& oacute;óóóóóÐ 00# ÐÓÓòòòò€óó ;óóThe€bell€rang,€shaking€Ô_&Oc irc;YukariÔ_Ô€out€of€her€daydreams.S 64;Finally,€the€end€of€the€day.€Ô _ÔYukariÔ_Ô€headed€to€her€locker, €not€even€noticing€Ô_ÔAmanoÔ_&Oci rc;€beside.€It€was€only€whenÐ 22$ ÐÔ_ÔShe€turned€to€open€her€lo ck,€did€She€realize€Amano€gazing€atS 64;her.€She€looked€at€him.Ì"Hey...I€di dn't'€realize€you€were€here.."ÌAmano€r olled€his€eyes,€hiding€his€hurt.€"Yeah, €Yukari,€you€don't€notice€much€these 364;days."Ì"Geez.."€Yukari€also€rolled€her 8364;eyes.€Why€was€Amano€being€like€thi s€all€of€a€sudden.€Amano€sighed,€ and€slipped€an€arm€around€her,€hugging& #8364;her.€Yukari€restedÏagainst€him€gently,&I grave;"We're€all€worried€about€Hitomi."€He 364;said€softly,€his€breath€in€her€ear. €Yukari€shut€her€eyes.€She€shruggedS 64;his€arm€away.Ì"..I€gotta€go.€I'll 8364;see€ya€tomorrow."€She€hurried€away,̈́ 4;but€not€before€feeling€the€pang€of 364;guilt€that€hit€her€at€the€sightS 64;of€Amano's€hurt€expression.€ButÏreally..wha t€did€he€expect€of€her?€ÌSheS 64;raced€home,€past€the€track.€She€bare ly€glanced€at€it.€She'd€learned€tö́ 4;avoid€that€place...it€held€too€many€m emories.€ÌShe€changed€quickly€out€of 8364;her€school€uniform€when€She€got€ho me.€Sitting€out€on€her€porch€with€ ;an€apple,€Yukari€brushed€her€dark€hair €out€of€her€face.€Sadly,ÏShe€looke d€over€the€city.€She€and€Hitomi€u sed€to€own€this€city...man€oh€man,̈́ 4;all€the€wild€crazy€times.€Getting€up, €Yukari€traced€her€fingertips€over€the& #8364;numberÏpads.€389-2390.€It€was€practicall y€burned€into€her€memory.€SHE€could've& #8364;dialed€that€number€in€her€sleep.€ Picking€up€the€handset,€She€placed€it 8364;to€her€ear,Ïhearing€the€phone€ring& #8364;on€the€other€side.Ì"Hello?"€Hitomi's 8364;voice€sounded€odd€on€the€other€sid e.Ì"Hey!"€Yukari€tried€to€keep€herS 64;voice€neutral.€Hitomi€had€always€hatedS 64;sap.€Hitomi€was€silent,€then€answered.&Igr ave;"Hey..what's€up?"Ì"Not€much,€how€areS 64;you?"Ì"I'm€good."€Hitomi€answered.€Yukari €traced€her€finger€over€the€surfaceS 64;of€the€apple.€It€was€hard.Ì"Oḧ́ 4;yeah."€Awkward€silence.€Ì"So...why€didS 64;you€call?"€Hitomi€asked.€Yukari€wantedS 64;to€scream.€What€the€hell?€She€always €called€Hitomi,€like€everyday!€Well...SheS 64;used€to.€Where€did€thatÏquestion€come €from?€A€wave€of€self-doubt€suddenly 364;washed€over€Yukari.€What€if,€there€ really€wasn't'€anything€wrong€with€Hitomi..wh at€if,€She€just€didn't'€wantÏto€be €friends€with€her€anymore.€Maybe€itS 64;was€just€a€hint,€and€She€just€ wasn't€understanding...it€hurt€to€think€about €it.€Yukari€cleared€her€throat.Ì"Umm.. .uh..well,€you€weren't€at€school€today,€ ;or€yesterday...or€for€the€past€week.€I €just..called€to€see€how€you€were€ ;doing."Ì"I'm€fine."Ì"Hitomi..your€not."Ì" What?"€Hitomi's€voice€registered€surprise.€At €least€it€was€better€than€the€usu al€monotone.€Ì"Hitomi,€you're€my€best& #8364;friend,€I€know€you€like€the€back& #8364;of€my€hand.€Your€not€okay."Ì"So. ..you€know€me€better€than€I€know€ myself?"€Hitomi's€voice€was€accusing.€Yukari& #8364;rolled€her€eyes.Ì"No...I€just...what's€ ;wrong€Hitomi,€why€won't€you€tell€me?"& #8364;Yukari's€voice€sounded€close€to€breakin g.€Ì"I'm€fine,€Yukari,€just..leave€it& #8364;alone!"Ì"Hitomi.."ÌShe€heard€Hitomi€s igh€on€the€other€side.€"Yukari,€I€ ;gotta€go..I'll€see€ya€later."€The€phon e€hung€up.€Yukari€blinked.€She€stared 8364;at€the€phone,€her€last€connectionÐ 22 Ðthe€her€best€friend.€ÌÓÓ& ograve;òòòòò~***~óóó ;óóóÐ ¤¤ ÐÓÓòò€òòDid€you 8364;hear€that?€How€cold€She€was!€Its 8364;like€She€doesn't€even€care€anymore.̈́ 4;Did€our€friendship€not€even€matter?€g od,€I€sound€likeÐ ˜˜ ÐI€just€broke€up€with€a€boyfriend.. ..óóóóÐ ´´ Ðòòòò€but..its€sort€of 364;the€same,€isn't€it?€Like,€a€best 364;friend€and€a€boyfriend....the€same€sort 8364;of.€It€hurts€like€hell€when€you 364;break€up€withÐ ¬¬ Ðeither€of€them.óóóóÐ ÈÈ Ðòòòò€Hmmmm....óó&oacut e;óÐ À
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ÐÌòò~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_ ~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~óóÐ €€ ÐÌòò€óóIt€was€Frid ay€night.€Yukari€lay€dismally€on€her 364;bed,€spending€yet€another€Friday€night 364;at€home.€She€tried€not€to€thinkS 64;about€what€She€would€be€doing€ifS 64;HitomiÐ @@
Ðwould€just€snap€out€of€her€ mood.€Ì"And€its€not€like€no€one& #8364;offered€to€do€something.."€She€muttered ,€to€make€herself€feel€better,€yeẗ́ 4;not€really€succeeding.€Maybe...if€She€fell& #8364;asleep,€She€wouldÏdream€about€that€ ;beautiful€guy€again....ÌÓÓòò ;òòòò~***~óóóó&oacu te;óÐ ØØ ÐòòòòBeautiful€and€guy...doS 64;those€two€words€even€go€together?€Or €should€you€just€replace€that€beautiful €with€gay..hmm..weird€thoughtsÐ ÌÌ Ðeh..Well,€if€someday,€I€ever€do€fi nd€a€wonderful,€'beautiful'€guy,€I'm€no t€gonna€give€a€care€whether€he's€ straight€or€not!<laughs>ÏWell...I€guess€ he€would€care..óóóóÐ Ðòòòòòò~***~óó& oacute;óóóÐ üü ÐÓÓòò€óóHer€phone €rang,€startling€her.€She€picked€up.&ET H; ðð Ð"hello?"Ì"Hey€Yukari!€Its€Agnes!"ÌAgne s€Odylle,€was€sort€of€an€in-betweenS 64;friend.€She€wasn't€really€a€close€fr iend,€actually,€Yukari€often€didn't€even̈́ 4;consider€her€a€friend,€but€She€did 364;hang€outÏwith€her€sometimes€at€schoo l.Ì"Hey€Agnes,€hows€it€going?"Ì"Great !€What€are€ya€up€to?"€ÌYukari 364;frowned,€it€wasn't€often€that€Agnes€ ;would€phone€up€and€wonder€what€Yukari& #8364;was€doing.€Ì"Not€much..you?"Ì"Yeah, 8364;I€just€called€to€see€if€you€ wanted€to€come€with€me€to€that€ne w€club€downtown!"€Agnes€seemed€to€be 364;talking€to€some€other€people.€There€ ;was€a€loudÏbackground€noise€behind€her. €Ì"Uhh..oh€that€new€one?€Whatsitcalled ...uhh..Raxx€Hangar?"Ð 22 Ð"Yeah!€Some€local€band,€but€hey,€i ts€supposed€to€be€good!"€Ì"I€hea rd..umm,€its€18€and€over,€Agnes."€Yukar i€replied€matter-of-factly.€Ì"Yeah,€I€ know."€There€was€an€edge€of€impatience& #8364;in€Agnes'€voice.€"That's€why€I€go t€Kiel€to€get€us€in!€He's€like 364;friends€with€the€manager..you€know,€'frie nds'"ÏShe€giggled.€Yukari€blinked.€Kiel€ McPherson,€he€was€HOT.€Yukari€wouldn't€ have€minded€going€anywhere€with€Kiel.Ì "Kiel's€going€too?"ÌAgnes€laughed.€"Slime 364;chances,€Yukari."ÌYukari€laughed,€for€wh at€seemed€like€the€first€time€in€ ages.€"I€know€eh.€Uh..who€else€is€ ;going?"€Kiel,€as€all€beautiful,€drool-worthy €guys,€was€gay.Ì"Oh,€just€me,€Ev an..you,€if€you€want."Ì"Amano?"Ì"Nope."&Igr ave;"Oh...k.."Ì"In?"€Ì"Umm..sure."€Yukari€w as€tired€of€laying€around,€feeling€depr essed.€I€guess€this€is€what€I€nee d,€She€thought.€She€quickly€got€offS 64;the€phone€with€Agnes.€GettingÏup,€She €stared€at€herself€in€the€mirror.€ ;What€a€horror.€Dressed€in€modrobes€and €a€tanktop,€She€really€wouldn't€have 364;won€for€most€stylish,€even€at€aS 64;grunge€parlor.ÏShe€dug€through€her€cl oset.€ÌAfter€carefully€applying€her€ma ke-up,€Yukari€heard€a€horn€honking€outs ide.€Grumbling,€Yukari€ran€down€the€sta irs€and€opened€the€front€door.€Agnes 364;stood€onÏthe€hood€of€a€blue€sp orts€car.€Evan€sat€in€the€front€s eat.Ì"Yukari!"€Agnes€shouted,€jumping€upS 64;and€down,€making€the€entire€car€boun ce.€Yukari€rolled€her€eyes€and€headed,& #8364;out.ÌThe€entire€car€smelled€of€b eer€and€dope,€Yukari€wrinkled€her€nose. Ì"Whata€you€been€up€to€Agnes?"Ì "Ohh..not€much€Yuki.."€Agnees€was€reducedS 64;to€giggles€as€She€drawled.€Her€breat h€smelt€highly€of€alcohol.€Ì"I€t hink€that's€enough€for€you."€Yukari€gra bbed€the€bottle€out€of€Agnes'€hand.S 64;She€stuck€her€head€tot€he€front.&Igr ave;"Hey€Evan,€you€doped?"€She€asked,€l eaning€closer€to€make€sure€he€was€ ;sober.€He€looked€at€her,€his€pretty 364;grey€eyes€grinning.Ì"Totally,€but€I'm 364;sober."€Ì"You€sure€about€that?"Ì" Pretty€sure.."€He€laughed,€his€eyes€wri nkling.€ÌThey€rode€in€relative€silence €towards€Downtown,€Agnes€yelling€out€on ce€in€a€while€in€drunkenness.€This̈́ 4;wasn't€a€fun€way€to€start€the€n ight.€Yukari€shut€her€eyes,Ïpraying€to 8364;any€god€that€was€out€there,€that 8364;Evan€was€telling€the€truth.€The€ni ght€had€hardly€started,€and€already,€a& #8364;headache€split€her€head.€Grabbing€aS 64;bottle,€SheÏinhaled€the€strong€smell.&Igrav e;"Deciding€to€join€the€fun?"€Evan€aske d,€looking€back.€Yukari€didn't€respond,€ ;instead,€She€just€took€a€long€gulpS 64;of€the€cool,€bitter-sweet€liquid.Ìâ
âÓÓòòòòò&o grave;~***~óóóóóóÐ $1$1 ÐÓÓòòòò€Yes,€yes. ..I€know,€abstinence€is€the€only€way 364;to€go.€And€its€not€like€I'm€a n€alcoholic,€seriously,€I€mean,€I€didn' t€touched€a€beer€at€theÐ ÜÜ Ðâ
âlast€three€parties...well,€H itomi€was€there€then..its€just..its€so€ hard...everything€is€so€hard....<sigh>ó&oacu te;óóÐ øø Ðòòòò€Hitomi€never€drank. .She€was€always€such€a€goody€goody.S 64;But€I€think€I€envy€her€in€that ..I€could€never€do€what€She€does€ and€stillÐ ðð Ðkeep€it€all€together,€god,€I€could n't€even€imagine€it....óóóó&E TH; Ðòòòò€...I€guess..whatever̈́ 4;happened€to€her€had€to€be€like,€ ;the€pits,€cause,€I've€never€seen€her 8364;so...depressed.€Even€when€that€other€guy Ð Ðdumped€her€way€back..that€jerk,€Gavin... €She€bounced€back.€Hmm..maybe€it€was 364;a€guy,€but...would€She€secretly€havë́ 4;a€boyfriend,Ïwithout€telling€me?óó&o acute;óÐ < < ÐÓÓòòòòòò~***~& oacute;óóóóóÐ 44 ÐÓÓòò€óóThe€club& #8364;was€crowded€and€smoky.€They€got€i n€relatively€easily,€as€Agnes€was€dead& #8364;drunk,€baring€most€everything€to€the 364;guard€at€the€door,€and€Evan's€'frie nd'Ð ( ( Ðhelped€them€in€as€well.€Once€insid e,€Yukari€decided€to€leave€Agnes€toS 64;whatever€and€head€off,€perhaps€pickingS 64;a€few€guys€worth€something€as€well.& #8364;ÌShe€sat€by€herself,€sipping€at& #8364;a€cool€alcoholic€drink,€the€band€ pounding€in€the€back.€Her€head€feltS 64;slightly€light,€probably€the€alcohol.€She& #8364;tried€to€keep€theÏnegative€feelings̈́ 4;away,€but€they€washed€over€her€anyway .€Why€would€Hitomi€hate€her€all€o f€a€sudden?€Was€she€not€being€a 8364;good€enough€friend?€And,€all€theseÏ mixed€feelings€for€Amano....Yes,€She€would 364;admit€it,€to€herself€if€to€no€ ;one€else,€she€felt€attracted€to€Amano. €But...he€had€always€been€Hitomi's€guy. €YukariÏseethed,€it€was€so€frustrating.& #8364;ÌShe€suddenly€felt€a€pair€ofS 64;comforting€hands€massaging€her€shoulders.Ì ;"There€there,€hun,€you'll€feel€better."̈́ 4;A€low€voice€whispered€in€her€ear.S 64;Yukari€looked€up,€into€the€large,€cr ystalline€eyes€of€a€young€man.€He€ ;was€handsome,€veryÏhandsome,€with€olive€ ;green€eyes€and€dark€blonde€hair.€His 8364;slender€fingers€massaged€her€shoulders.€ He€grinned€at€her.Ì"Alex€Heath."€He 364;introduced€himself,€his€smile€parting€to& #8364;show€perfect€pearly€whites.€Yukari€grin ned€back.Ì"Yukari."€She€said.€She€lean ed€over€the€table,€feeling€her€headS 64;spin€at€the€sudden€movement.€"Don't€ you€think,"€she€whispered,€"that€this€w orld,€is€crap?"€SheÏburst€into€laughter, €knowing€all€the€he€while€that€sh e€was€as€drunk€as€Agnes€was.€How& #8364;many€drinks€had€she€had?€Alex€gri nned.Ì"Your€not€crap,€baby."€He€glance d€slyly€at€her,€measuring€her€up€ and€down.€Yukari€shifted€in€the€tight 8364;skirt€she€wore.€She€smiled,Ì"Neither 364;are€you."Ì"What€shit€the€world€thr owin€at€ya?"€He€asked,€ordering€more 364;drinks€for€the€both€of€them.€Yukari €sighed€dramatically,€and€looked€at€him .Ì"Well...my€best€friend€hates€me,€and €I'm€in€love€with€a€guy,€but..he& #8364;doesn't€exist,€except€in€my€head!"̈́ 4;She€shouted€almost,€hitting€her€head€ hard.Ì"Awww...well,€you€got€me."€Alex€ grinned.€Yukari€paused,€then€placed€a€h and€on€his€cheek.Ì"Yes,€baby,€I€ do."€ÌAlex€gulped€his€drink€in€o ne€quick€motion,€he€grabbed€her€hands.& #8364;"Come€on,€lets€get€outta€this€joi nt."ÌYukari's€mind€shouted€at€her€to 8364;go,€telling€her€to€stay€and€wait 8364;for€Agnes€or€Evan€to€give€her̈́ 4;a€ride€back,€but€she€found€her€ body€moving€of€its€own€accord.ÌTheS 64;night€air€was€cool€and€comforting€on €her€aching€head.€Yukari€stumbled€aroun d,€finding€that€they€had€exited€theS 64;club€through€a€back€alley.€It€was 364;dark.€AlexÏstood€behind€her,€guiding€ ;her€by€soft€nudges€on€her€back.€ She'd€lean€back€every€so€often,€just 364;to€feel€his€solid€presence€behind€h er.€They€reached€a€dead€end.ÏYukarḯ 4;turned€around,€the€world€was€spinning.&Igra ve;"Ummm....there's€no€place€to€go?"€Shë́ 4;looked€at€Alex.€His€light€hair€glinte d€in€the€dim€light.€He€grinned€at €her.€She€blinked,€trying€to€make€ ;her€vision€stay€still.€Ìâ
&a circ;"Of€course€hun.."€He€suddenly€pushedS 64;her€forward,€plastering€his€lips€against 8364;her.€Yukari€grimaced,€trying€to€turnS 64;her€face€away.Ð 8181 Ð"god..no!€Go€away!"€She€tried€to€p ush€him€off€her,€but€he€was€just& #8364;about€as€drunk€as€she€was.€His 364;body€was€heavy€against€her.Ìâ
â"Get€off€me!"€She€shouted.ÌHe 364;forced€her€against€the€wall,€she€st ruggled€against€him.€She€tried€to€screa m,€but€his€hand€was€forced€againsẗ́ 4;her€mouth.Ì"I'm€gonna€take€you€home, €you€delicious€little€girl"€He€slurred. €Yukari's€mind€cleared€suddenly€of€all& #8364;drunkenness,€everything€suddenly€coming€in 364;sharp.€She€triedÏto€push€him€off, 364;struggling€with€all€her€strength.€ButS 64;even€with€his€slender€form,€he€overp owered€her.€Yukari€shut€her€eyes,€wishi ng€that€she€hadn't€come€,Ïwishing€ that€everything€in€her€life€would€just& #8364;be€okay,€wishing€that€Hitomi€would̈́ 4;just€go€back€to€being€her€bets€ friend,€wishing€that€He€would€show€up.& Igrave;Suddenly,€Alex's€body€was€heavy€agains t€her,€heavy€but€still.€SHE€opened̈́ 4;her€eyes€slowly.€Pushing€him€off€her, €he€landed€with€a€thud€on€theS 64;pavement,€deadÏdrunk.€Yukari€shuddered€as 8364;his€body€hit€the€ground.€For€what& #8364;seemed€like€hours,€she€stood€there,S 64;staring€at€his€body.€Then,€with€a 364;shuddering€sob,€YukariÏcollapsed,€feeling€ the€hard€pavement€hit€her€arm.€Thë́ 4;sobs€racked€her€body,€yet€she€couldn' t€feel€the€tears€on€her€face.€She €felt€numb.€As€she€lay€there,€the Ïpavement€cool€and€damp,€she€closed̈́ 4;her€eyes,€and€shut€herself€off€toS 64;the€pain.€She€closed€her€eyes,€the 8364;tears€leaking€out,€and€everything€went 8364;painlessly€away.ÌÓÓòòò òòò~***~óóóóó&oacut e;Ð ``
ÐÓÓòòòò€WhatS 64;the€hell€am€I€doing?€What€am€I €doing€here?€I'm€not€like€this.....I... .I...never€get€drunk.€What€the€hell..what..go d,€IÐ TT Ðhurt.<groan>Where€are€you,€where€areS 64;you?€Why€can't€you€be€real?€Whÿ́ 4;can't€you€come€to€me?€Why€can't€ ;you€make€her€be€my€bestÏfriend€ag ain?€Why,€gods,€why€is€this€world€ ;so€cruel?€Just€be€real!€Just€comë́ 4;to€me!!!!!óóóóÐ ŒŒ Ðòò~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_ ~_~_~_~_~óóÐ "" ÐÌòò€óóSlowly,€Yukari's& #8364;eyes€fluttered€open.€Everything€seemed€ blurry.€Someone€wiped€her€hot€forehead€ with€a€damp€cloth.€God,€her€head€ hurt.€It€must€be€the€worstÐ DD Ðhangover€of€her€life.€Slowly,€her€ memory€returned.€Agnes'€call,€the€club,€ ;all€that€beer,€Alex€Heath,€the€alley,& #8364;everything€rushed€back€to€haunt€her. 364;Everything€andÏthat€feeling€of€overwhelmin g€pain,€overwhelming€sadness.€Yukari's€body 8364;shook.€Someone€placed€a€cool€hand€ on€her€arm€to€still€her.Ì"Shhh...its 8364;okay,€your€safe€now."€A€low€voice& #8364;said€softly.€Yukari's€vision€cleared,€a nd€she€blinked.€Her€heart€stopped.ÌIt& #8364;was€Him.€ÌÓÓòòò òòò~***~óóóóó&oacut e;Ð ¤¤ ÐÓÓòòòò€Oh€god, 8364;oh€god,€oh€god,€oh€god,€oh€g od....learn€to€breath,€breath..breath....its€Him< ;sigh>€He's€standing€so€close€to€me, €he's€lookingÐ ˜!˜! Ðat€me.€Straight€at€me.€Oh€god,S 64;breath€Yukari,€breath.€Just€breath.€He's 8364;so€beautiful.....just€like€in€the€dreams .€Is€this€a€dream?€No...IÏfeel€awa ke,€I€can€think....I€can€control€myself ...well,€I€think€I€can€anyway<laugh€ nervously>€He's€so€perfect,€definitelyÏdroo l-worthy..oh€godóó.òò€BeautifulS 64;blonde€hair,€amazing€blue€eyes.€He's€ ;so....gallant€looking.€Like€a€knight.€Ḯ 4;know€I'm€blubbering,€IÐ ì$ì$ Ðknow€I'm€infatuated,€this€is€probably 364;another€dream....But..its€so€much€more€re al€than€the€others,€it€feels€so€r eal,€too€real!€Oh€god,€IÏreally€am €going€crazy.€Well...if€it's€a€dream..t hen€at€least€I'll€enjoy€it€before€ ;I€have€to€wake€up......óóó&oa cute;Ð $'$' Ð