Chapter 103

Luka.

I took a shower and wrapped a towel around my figure swiftly, pulling the hairdryer out of my closet and plugging it into an outlet by my bed. I sat down and sighed, turning the appliance on. Warm air gusted, sweeping through my pink hair as I dried it, humming to myself and thinking about Gakupo.

Right there, in the middle of the hall, I had yelled out my feelings, I had let it all out. Did I really love him? I used to hate him so much, but now, I was feeling completely different. Just thinking about him made my heart beat faster and faster.

Once my hair was dry, I stood up and walked over to the window, sweeping aside the blinds and peering through at the darkening sky. I glanced back at the digital clock on my bedside table, its green digits glowing, making me smile.

It was nearly eight. I pulled my arm away from the window and walked over to my closet, pulling a black shirt and dark blue skirt out. I let my towel drop to the floor before changing into my clothes.

Once I was done, I sat down at the dressing table and put a little bit of makeup on. Too much wasn't a good idea, I decided, because I never wore makeup at school, and that was where Gakupo had first seen me, years ago. I sighed, looking at my reflection with a weak smile. It seemed so long ago, and it was, but everything had changed over the course of a month.

I was about to get up when my phone rang, startling me. I picked it up and quickly put it against my ear.

"Hello?" I said.

"Luka, it's me," Gakupo's voice made me grin uncontrollably. I was completely under his spell, "Are you ready?"

"Just about," I said, "Come on over. I'll be ready in a few minutes."

"Actually, I'm already here," he said with a soft chuckle. I gasped and hung up, dashing down the stairs and throwing open the entrance door.

He was standing right there, on the steps, only inches away from me. I exhaled, a little out of breath from my mad dash, pulling back slowly, my fingers curled around the edges of the doorframe.

"Hey," Gakupo smiled. I blushed and nodded, smiling just at the sight of him.

"Come on in," I said, moving aside and letting him in. He nodded and stepped into my home.

"I'm sorry," he shook his head, "I'm earlier than we planned."

"No, no," I assured, walking past him and grabbing my purse off of the dining table. I looked down at my feet. My socks had little kitty faces on them.

"Those are cute," Gakupo's eyes followed my gaze and my head snapped back up, "Your socks, I mean."

"T-Thank you," I nodded, "Just let me get my shoes on."

My face and figure felt hot and prickly as I walked past the Gakupo and stuffed my feet into my shoes. They weren't even going in, probably because I was so nervous.

"Here, let me help," Gakupo crouched down by my feet and pulled the flats onto them, one hand gently pressed against my heel, pushing my foot forward. Some part of my mind flashed a picture of Cinderella and her prince, making me blush even more. I lost my balance and fell back.

"I told you I'd catch you," Gakupo smiled, looking down at me. He had caught me in his arms, just an inch or so away from the caramel coloured carpet. He helped me up and I smiled.

"Thank you," I beamed, "I'm sorry, my face is so red..."

"No, it's fine," Gakupo said softly. I could barely see him, the way my bangs fell over my face. Suddenly, his hand cut through my hair and stroked it gently, pushing it over behind one ear, "Better than fine. It's...cute."

"Gakupo," I whispered. He grinned and took my hand in his, "You're just making me redder..."

"Don't stress out so much, Luka," he nodded, opening the passenger door of his car and ushering me in, "Everything about tonight is perfect."

He got into the driver's seat and drummed his fingers against the wheel. My eyes fell, across his pale purple dress shirt and black tie. He had a black coat pulled over it and matching pants underneath. His dark purple eyes sparkled in with the soft glow of the street lamps looming over the vehicle.

"Something wrong?" He asked quietly, turning to look at me as he started the car. I blushed again, shaking my head.

"Nothing, it's just..."

"Did you really mean it when you said you loved me, Luka?" He asked suddenly, his gaze burning into mine. I turned away and nodded slowly.

"I did," I whispered, "I love you, Gakupo. I never thought...you seemed like the last person I'd fall for, but...love works in strange ways."

He nodded, driving along the street slowly. "I've always liked you, Luka," he said, "But it was more of a crush than anything else."

My heart started to hurt. So he never liked me the way I was starting to like him?

"I don't know when it happened...maybe it was after you helped me with Meringue," he mused, "After that, my crush became love. I was in deep, you know. I still am. I wanted to see you everyday, but I didn't want to bug you or annoy you. I didn't want to be a...a jerk."

"You're not annoying," I said as he stopped at a red light. Slowly, I lifted a hand and pressed it against the side of his face, "There was something about you that I never saw until that day, that fateful day you lost your kitten. It was always inside you. I was just too blind to see it."

"Blind?" Gakupo looked at me, "Luka, you have the most beautiful eyes that I've ever seen. The way they sparkle when you're happy, and burn when you're furious...I love that."

I pulled my arm away and pressed my hands into my lap, fidgeting nervously. He loved my eyes? He really loved me? Hearing that made me feel anxious and wonderful at the same time. I wanted to hear more, but I wasn't sure if I could take it.

"And your hair falls so perfectly over your forehead," Gakupo smiled and went on as he drove down the road, "The way it cascades down your shoulders when you leave it loose, and how it seems so disciplined when it's tied...you haunt my dreams, Luka, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

"You're kidding," I said under my breath, trying to look at anything but him. He shook his head.

"Luka, I love you," he smiled, "When you asked me out for dinner, I was thrilled. When you asked, you were adorable. I wanted to jump up and down out of happiness, but I played it cool, because I didn't want you to change your mind."

"I wouldn't have," I answered honestly, "The way you act when you're happy...it really intrigues me. I used to think it was strange, but now I've found it more and more charming."

He smirked. "Really?"

I nodded, "Really. Now, where are we going to eat?"

Len.

"Oof!" I fell to the floor and rubbed my head, groaning and looking around the place with weary eyes. Where was I?

"Finally!" A girl exclaimed. I yelped as two hands latched onto my ankles and dragged me across the marble floor, "Wake up, sleepyhead!"

"Huh?" I looked up to see Gumi smiling down at me. Yuma looked down with a deadpan expression before bonking my head with his fist. I cried out and sat up straight.

"We almost thought you were dead, you know," Neru mumbled, standing a few feet away with her arms crossed. Oliver stood beside her, elbowing her in the gut and making her groan and roll her eyes.

"Almost," she emphasized. Oliver yawned.

"You were out like a light," Yuma helped me up and I put a hand in my hair, looking around. Rin was fast asleep on the couch, poor thing. I walked up to her and pried her coat out from under her figure, tossing it over her like a blanket.

"It's getting late," Yuma said, "Do you want to show her the...you know, the performance?"

I paused. Rin seemed so tired, but I had to do this. I knew that she would want to see it. She would have fun.

"Yeah," I nodded, "Is everything set?"

"Yup," Yuma replied, "Do you want to bring her over?"

I looked back at Rin's sleeping figure, gently heaving up and down with each breath. "Sure," I said.

"We'll leave you two lovebirds alone, then!" Gumi winked at me and Yuma rolled his eyes before hauling her away. I chuckled and walked up to my sleeping Rin.

It was this first time I had ever seen her sleeping. I slowly pulled the coat off of her face and looked down at her closed eyes and the blond locks that fell over her pale skin. She looked like an angel. I smiled at the thought, gently stroking her hair before whispering her name.

"Rin," I said softly, my mouth hovering over her ear, "Rin..."

"Mm," she turned from her side onto her back, groaning and stirring just a little. I pressed my mouth against her forehead, unable to help myself. She was just so beautiful.

"Len...?" Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at me, "What time is it?"

"It's not so late," I smiled, helping her sit up, "We fell asleep."

"T-Together?" She blushed, "We..."

"Well, on opposite ends of the sofa, and everyone was still hanging around, but...," I grinned sheepishly as my cheeks became as red as hers, "Come on, I want to show you something."

She nodded and got up, taking my hand in hers. I led her across the living room as she yawned, her head resting on my shoulder.

"It's nearly eight," Rin looked up at the wall clock, "Is everyone still here?"

I nodded, smiling slightly. "Look," I said, taking her into the ballroom where all the instruments were set up, along with a few tables and chairs where everyone was seated. I pulled her over towards a table and we sat down.

Miku looked at me and I met her gaze. She nodded and got to her feet, clapping her hands together.

"Okay, you guys!" She announced, "Let's get this concert started!"

"Concert?" Rin looked at me, confused.

"It's for you," I smiled, "And it's sort of a practice for the concert. We practiced at Miku's place every day while you were away, and really, we've gotten pretty good!"

"I wasn't expecting this!" Rin beamed, "So, who's going first?"

"Meiko's first, then me and Kaito, then Yuma, and finally...," Miku paused and smiled at me, "Len."

"Right," I nodded as Meiko walked up to the front. Mikuo was seated by a stereo which was connected to the speakers that were around the area.

"This song is an old song of mine," Meiko grinned and put her hands on her hips, "Last week, I decided to sing it as part of the concert. What's it called? Well, I call it...Food Eater."

"That's because you're such a damn freeloader!" Oliver yelled from the audience and Mikuo shot him a death glare, which made the blond boy shut up.

"Hey, it's a good song, okay, Olive-Head?" Meiko stuck her tongue out at him as Mikuo turned on the instrumental.

"I've heard her sing this one before," Rin leaned towards me and whispered before Meiko began, "She's really good. Her voice is strong."

I nodded, looking back at Oliver, who was quietly sneaking away to go and get the cake from the kitchen.

"Say, Len...," Rin pressed her forehead against mine as she spoke, "What're you going to sing?"

I wanted to tell her, but I couldn't. It would spoil the surprise. Meiko started to sing and I brushed my nose against Rin's.

"You'll see," I answered.

This chapter is dull, compared to the last one...