AN: Ok...Look, I'm sorry. I have been half extremely uninspired and half busy with school that I have not even looked at fanfiction in months (obviously). But, new chapter! I had this second chapter started already but it got deleted because of the time thing so I had to start all the way over. I'm also working on 'Five Days Older' so on top of still being busy, I have another story. I am trying not to entirely abandoned this story. Also, sorry if the writing is not as creative. I have to get back into the right mind set.
If there are any grammatical problems and tense changes, I'm sorry. I did my best to proofread.
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2
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The sun was beaming down to the point I had to use my hand to sheild my eyes. I took the opportunity to look over any changes Tsubasa had since I last saw him.
He looked taller.
Or I just felt smaller. That was hard to believe, looking down at the mound under my dress.
I stood, staring back into Tsubasa's navy eyes. He seemed to be scanning me for changes too. Besides the chocolate highlights in my auburn hair I wasn't much different. I laughed when he pulled my hair and asked if it was a wig.
"No you jerk," I blushed smacking his hand away. "You know I change my hair a lot."
Tsubasa burst into a hearty laugh, bringing me into a head lock.
It was nice that we could be normal. I hoped for it when I thought about this day, this moment. I wanted it to be just like any other summer we visited. I had only wished I could've looked sexier. Whenever it was time to visit the Bay I always did a little something to show my maturation. Hence the highlights. I couldn't shake the feeling of being nothing but a little school girl when he ruffled my curls though.
"Alright!" Tsubasa called out, releasing me back on the gravel. "Let's get moving, we gotta get down to Greens."
I rose a brow, watching him walk over and grab one of the suitcases.
I figured Kaoru would keep us hostage for a while before we could even visit town. Let alone the diner she hated us going to. We had a series of what we call mischievous events happen at Greens. They had decent food for a 24 hour joint and was the best place to run off to at random hours in the morning.
"Why do we need to go there?"
I trailed behind him inside the house. It was bright with all the windows open and smelled of vanilla and the water. We went into the living room where he dropped the bags. I was sure we weren't sleeping there tonight, so I figured Tsubasa would move them later.
"He's got a job. Working there for the summer."
My heart skipped over the mention of Kaoru's other boy. "Oh."
Tsubasa threw a warm hand on my shoulder and messed my hair up again. I looked up at his reassuring eyes and cracked a hesistant smile.
"That's cool," My voice hardly convincing. "Let's go then."
We shouted a quick good-bye to mom and Kaoru before hopping in the jeep out front. I opted to sit in the back so I could strap up safetly in the middle seat. As fun as these trucks looked, having a seatbelt be the barrier between my body and the street wasn't reassuring.
The jeep engine revvied up and Tsubasa made no haste to back out of the driveway and zoom down the street.
My eyes hopped over the many faces of college kids home for break walking down the sidewalks. I settled my hand over my chest and tried to breathe. They all looked so carefree. Basking in the enjoyment of no responsibilities for three whole months. I almost felt like I could be like that too, but I would be dealing with a huge responsibility in a few months.
A feeling of guilt temporarily washed over me. Thinking of the boys being in college, and never home, I would be bringing another load of stress on both of them. Even if the baby is just one of theirs, it was going to be in everyone's space.
Oddly enough, the wind racing in and out of the door-less opennings was consoling my nervous sweats. I suppose it was the heat making me so fretful, but the air was refreshing and fanning my worries.
Koko and Tsubasa were cracking jokes in the front when the jeep came to a harsh stop. My hand left my chest to brace myself on the seat. I frowned at their scoffs.
Ignoring the taunting snickers, I unclicked my seatbelt out the latch, letting it slowly retreat back into place by the door. Heat was radiating off the asphalt when I swung my legs over the seat. My sandal pecked the ground and I let the rest of my shoe follow. My feet didn't remember to walk until Koko slinked an arm around me and pulled me towards the restaurant. He gave me the same sympathetic smirk that said he was just there for support.
As we got closer to the door I felt my heart beating and my legs wobble awkwardly. I just hoped I didn't tripped and face plant. I was good about embarrassing not just me but other people too.
Tsubasa pulled at the handle and held the door open. A cool breeze met my face when I stepped in.
Greens was never too busy but there was a bit of a crowd today. The tables and chairs that had been deteriorating last summer were replaced with retro sets. I looked over to some girls seated at the renovated counter. They both looked tall. One had a tan with long red hair and the other was brown skinned with a short bob. The image of one of the boys doing some chick in that jeep snuck back in my mind when I noticed their bikini tops and capris.
"Mikan."
A voice rang up from behind me. Koko was motioning towards a table on the opposite sit of the restaurant from the girls.
I turned my eyes away from them and waved the boys off. "I'm going to the restroom," I told them, walking off towards the back. I kept my eyes on the checkered floor so I wouldn't have to see those girls up close. I knew they would be even more gorgeous and me more jealous. They were talking gleefully and giggling like no tomorrow.
I wished I could call my neigh of a laugh a giggle.
I found the bathroom with the red 'occupied' tag on the door. I sighed, leaning against the wall.
My head pressed against the wall. I let my lids shut and took in the sounds around me. There was laughing coming from the kitchen with dishes clicking together in the background. From all the bustle of senior year and baby stuff, it was calming to be able to look at darkness and not worry. Any second to relax and listen to the world was a vacation.
Senior teachers were a constantly bother when college entrance exams rolled around. Badgering with study tips and overbearing questions on what university you plan on applying for. Every night spent passing out infront of a book, but then again, your life depends on passing that exam. Also, the thought relaxing would be an even heavier load of guilt weighing down the idea of taking a break.
I wasn't even sure if I was going to take my exam, let alone go to university. Mom and I had talked it over a few days after she snooped my test out of the trash. She had sat at the dining table for hours waiting for me to get home from classes just to burst into tears as soon as I sat down. I cried too. We both stayed there and cried until Koko hushed us into explaining what was going on. He was surprised after I told him, but I loved him for lightening the mood and threatening to murder the guy. At first, there was no way I could confess who I had gotten into this mess with. I figured both Mom and Koko somehow knew it had to have been one of Kaoru's boys. I had had a crush on both of them since grade school. So, it was no surprise when Mom ask which one of them it was. I was so humiliated to reveal my idiotic mistake. At the same time, I felt like that night brought us closer together.
"Natsume!"
My heart clenched, nearly jumping out of my sandals when I heard Kaoru's younger son being called.
The 'employees only' door cracked open before I heard him respond, and mass of dark hair appeared through the door window. I unconsciously ducked down, even though I guessed he couldn't see me.
I debated on queitly walking away or staying put. Looking to the still occupied bathroom, I decided to wait. I slid closer to the corner when they started talking again.
"Hey man, you going to Nina's tonight?" A raspy voice asked from the other side of the door.
"Not tonight man. I'm busy." Natsume's voice sounded deeper. If that was possible. My nerves flared up when the door almost touched my arm. Thankfully the guy continued and Natsume lifted his weight off the door enough for me to fix my arm closer to my side and keep listening.
The raspy voice chucked, "You're busy or getting busy?"
I cringed. A picture of him with one of the girls from the bar instantly popped into my head.
Natsume laughed. As disappointed as that comment made me, I couldn't help but feel happy to hear that laugh. I was even more relieved when Natsume told the guy some family was coming into town. Although, I now had the feeling both he and Tsubasa looked at me as a little sister. Even though I was bringing a new addition to this "family".
"Whatever man. Just thought you would be sowing your royal oats with her tonight."
My heart dropped when Natsume laughed. "Again, not tonight."
The door openned wider as they parted ways. I kept my eyes on the back of Natsume's head, lips tight, readying myself to get caught. The door neared my face before Natsume stepped out and started down the hall. The three hours we spent in the car wasn't enough time to prepare me for this reunion. Not even the heavy breathing Mom and I had practiced at breakfast the day before.
I stared at him walking away. His hair had grown a little and he was as lean and sleek as in December. The bathroom door openning startled me into reality. I attempted to act normal when a middle aged women with platinum blond hair stepped out. She cocked an eyebrow at me and her violet eyes went to my belly. She shook her head and continued down the hall in the direction Natsume went.
I was used to looks like that from people back home. Just walking down the halls at school teachers would give me this look of disappointment. It was like stage lights were set up waiting to belittle me wherever I went. The trip to the Bay was long overdue to help me escape. At least arguing with Koko and Tsubasa pulling me into that tight hug felt familiar enough to make me comfortable.
My legs pushed off the floor, nearly throwing me off balance. I steadied myself and walked away from the bathroom. I never really needed to go anyway. It was more a reason to get some time to prepare myself. To soak in the fact that we were finally at the Bay and I was going to see him.
Exhaustion hit me lately like nobody's business. My feet were barely lifting off the floor when I ambled down the narrow hall. I wanted to make it to wherever Koko and Tsubasa were before I would need to catch my breath.
I sighed and the room suddenly went into a blur. Feeling myself falling backwards, the sea foam walls shifted into a view of a popcorned ceiling then metal shelves.
I nearly squealed when I felt a hand cover my eyes. My breathing slowed and I prayed this wasn't going to be some hold up where my sucky fate made me the bait hostage.
"It's not cool to eavesdrop." My panic attack ceased when Natsume's playful remark rang in my ears.
Without taking his hands off my face, Natsume asked, "How's my baby?"
I threw his hands off me and moved them to push him towards the wall. "Your baby?"
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