Why We Broke Up
Chapter One: Reunion
by tyrantsandcreampuffs

Everyone knew who Lacus Clyne was. She was the daughter of one of the most politically powerful men in PLANT. She was a star ever since she was a child—if you'd look at a dictionary, her name would be synonymous with famous. She was easily the most popular girl in school—or anywhere, for that matter. She was…

Right in front of me.

"Hello!" It wasn't that I hated her voice, but I had always found it too high-pitched; but maybe that was because I was used to hearing my own gruff voice all the time. "Cagalli Yula Athha! What a coincidence for you to be in the same café as I!"

I cringed. Lacus was wearing a short light-blue wig as a disguise—still, while people didn't recognize her with the wig and the glasses, people stared because of the big burly man standing behind her.

"I would hardly call it a coincidence, Lacus," I tried to respond as politely as possible. We weren't the best of friends, but we were still on good terms, as far as I remember. I gestured to the area around me and to my attire and pointed out, "I work here."

"So I see!" she chirped, looking at the cakes beside the register before turning back to me. "Is your manager here?"

"Actually, I own this café."

"Ah, well it seems that my sources were wrong, then," she muttered, scrunching her perfectly shaped brows. I didn't bother to ask why in the world she had sources about what I've been up to. She was always weird like that, saying things to herself. Yet despite that one quirk, people adored her. I could even recall my own half-brother taking a particular liking to her back when we were in university. "In any case, Cagalli," she said, perking up. "I missed you!"

When Lacus Clyne smiles, the whole world falls in love. I mean, my half-brother did—and I didn't think that this was the right moment to ask how they were working out. And there was one other guy I knew who definitely loved Lacus.

"I've missed you, too, Lacus," I answered back, giving her a small smile. "How long has it been since we last saw each other? Seven, eight months?"

But Lacus didn't even regard my question. Instead, she was looking down at her diamond-studded watch and tapping her right foot to a certain beat. I suddenly expected her to start singing or something—which she often did back then—but she didn't.

"She should be here by now," she said softly, glancing at the door before looking at me again. "I'm sorry to be taking up your time like this, Cagalli."

"No, not at all," I answered mindlessly, also gazing at the door in wonder. I was genuinely curious now as to what in the world Lacus was doing in my café, of all places, talking directly to me—and from the looks of it, it was very important because Lacus was ever patient, and for her to be impatient like this now meant that what she was doing actually mattered to her.

"Is there someone who can take over the register for you?" she asked, still smiling. "I hope I don't sound too demanding, but I'd really like to speak with you, if you wouldn't mind."

If there was one thing I learned from being Lacus's friend, it's that one doesn't simply say no to her.

"I suppose I do." I called out to one of my staff to take over and then placed my apron on a wall hook before going under the counter to get to the other side of the register. "But it's store policy that you can't loiter or chat here if you haven't ordered anything."

"Yes, of course!" Lacus said ecstatically, turning to the register once more. "I'd like to order one whole cheesecake, one whole strawberry shortcake, and one whole carrot cake. And a pot of earl grey tea, please." She turned to me. "Coffee?"

"Just water." I winced. Hadn't she ordered too much? Was she expecting ten more people to arrive?

"Then a pitcher of water, too!" She left her card on the counter and signaled for her escort to hold it for her afterwards. Then, she proceeded to drag me to the empty booth at the far end of the shop. "You know, for a second there, I thought you would say no to my invitation."

My smile was lopsided, I could tell; Lacus seemed distressed that I was obviously uncomfortable with her sudden appearance and impromptu invitation to sit and talk over three whole cakes.

"If it makes you feel better," she added, chirping. "We won't be alone! I invited another person to come and chat as well."

No, the thought of having to deal with another person didn't make me feel better. It didn't sit well with me at all. I still had no idea what was going on; why in the world Lacus Clyne was here and was actually talking to me.

"Is this," I couldn't help myself from asking. "About Kira?"

Lacus giggled—she giggled. I internally shuddered at the thought of my half-brother making the worlds-famous songstress giddy.

"No, dear heavens; but we're doing well, if you wanted to know."

I nodded; that seemed just about right. Kira had messaged me three months ago that he had bumped into Lacus again after all this years and that they had immediately hit it off. I thought they fit each other well because of their generally calm demeanor and when I was still in university, I had caught them looking at one another longingly—but of course, nothing could have happened between them back then.

Because back then Lacus Clyne was Athrun Zala's fiancée; and Athrun Zala was Kira Yamato's best friend.

Oh god. So if this wasn't about Kira, then could this be about—

The small bell chimed, signifying the entry of another person into my café. I was too afraid to look at who Lacus could have invited, afraid that my worst nightmare would be coming true. Lacus waved, her light-blue bob bouncing as she stood.

"Meyrin!"

I froze in my seat. Through my peripheral vision, I could see bright red hair making its way to this booth. And in just a few seconds, Meyrin was standing beside the table.

"Hello!" the redhead greeted back cheerily. "I'm sorry that I'm late. Have you guys been waiting long?"

"No, we were just catching up a bit," Lacus replied, looking at me before smiling at Meyrin. "Come, sit beside me."

"Thanks." Meyrin placed her bag on her lap—from the looks of it, she had just gotten out of work herself. It had been more than a year since I had last heard from Meyrin personally, but I had always wondered how Meyrin could pull off corporate wear so well. She always looked convincing in her pencil skirt and heels, but she still kept an air of demureness around her. "Did you order without me?"

"Yes, in fact I ordered three cakes," Lacus said, clapping her hands excitedly. Right on cue, one of my employees arrived before us with a tray full of cakes and Lacus's pot of tea. She looked at me curiously while I answered by shrugging my shoulders. She placed Lacus's orders on the table and laid down three small plates and forks as well. "They look delectable. You baked them yourself, didn't you, Cagalli?"

I nodded. I was far from comfortable—especially with these two women sitting in front of me. I had never ever thought that I'd be in this situation, where the past would catch up to me like this.

"Aw, look at us!" Meyrin started, and I knew exactly what she was going to say. In my head, I kept chanting please don't say it, please don't say it, please don't—

"All three of Athrun's exes, together!"

Note: I'm trying to write in first person! *cringes at own effort* I'm so sorry, I'm terrible at it, I know—but that's exactly why I'm practicing here. I started this for the Asucaga Valentine's Day Parade 2015, but then this can't really stand as a one-shot, so woops. Hopefully I can continue this in between everything else, haha. The first chapter is short, but the next ones will hopefully have more content.

Disclaimer: The title is borrowed from the novel by Daniel Handler/Lemony Snicket, the man behind a portion of my childhood. The plot is loosely based on another story, My Imaginary Ex. The characters of Gundam Seed belong to Sunrise. My soul is owned by my cat. I have nothing to my name.