Silent Whispers (AxC 4 ever) Summary:10 years ago, I witnessed the death of my best friend at a young age. Now, at 16, that very same person, but now as a spirit, has continued to haunt/pester me until I can rid of my guilt and find true happiness
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Chapter 1: Meeting him
I was standing on a field filled with the softest, greenest grass around. It seemed as if it were all a dream. I heard someone call out my name as he stood next to me. “So Cags, what do you think? Do you like my secret place?” he asked.
I nodded as I was very much amazed by my surroundings. It was like stepping into a painting; flower blossoming everywhere, cool blue water flowed peacefully downhill. It was breathtaking. “Yes Kira, it is... amazing,” I replied as the said boy smiled happily.
He had always taken off somewhere without letting anyone know where he was going and I had many times questioned his disappearance, but always, he would reply, “Sometime soon, I'll show you,” and now here I was.
I inhaled the sweet air and closed my eyes until I heard a voice call my name repeatedly.
“Cagalli! Cagalli! Time to go to school! Wake up already!” I felt myself being shaken.
I sleepily reached out my hand and slapped downwards, hitting a solid object. “Hey!” the voice complained, sounding hurt.
I groaned as I sat up and rubbed my eyes to rid of the sleep that was still there. Then, as I opened them, I saw a ghostly figure floating in front of me, holding his cheek, which had a hand mark. “Cagalli! That hurt!” he whined again.
I rolled my eyes but I couldn't hide my grin. “Sorry Kira, didn't mean to have slapped you there but you know how I hate being woken up in the middle of a good dream,” I said with a small shrug.
Kira forgot his pain and looked curiously at me. “So what dream did you have this time?” he asked as he sat down on the floor crossed legged.
I shook my head. “It wasn't much,” I lied. “Y'know, if you're a ghost, isn't my hand supposed to go through you if I try to touch you?” I pointed out.
Kira shrugged as he floated around my room. “I don't know; I didn't make the rules,” he said. “Anyway, you better get dressed quickly since it's going to be your first day at this school,” he added.
I nodded as I headed towards the bathroom. Before I went in, I took another glance at the teenager ghost. “Don't you dare spy on me,” I warned through narrow eyes.
Kira shrugged his translucent shoulders. “It's not like I can go through the door whenever I want; it has to be your will,” he mumbled.
I gave a sastified grin before getting changed. Then I looked in the mirror as I brushed my teeth and began my introduction. I'm Cagalli Yula Athha and it must seem kind of wierd I'm talking to a ghost who floats around my room. The thing is, that ghost boy is my best friend, Kira Yamato, even though at times, I feel like I want to kill him. Actually, it wouldn't be the first time that he would 'die' at my hands. It was 10 years ago when Kira and I were both 6 years old. We were best friends then too, only except the difference between now and then was that then, Kira was still alive. One day, Kira was involved in a serious car accident while walking home with me from school. We took him immediately to the hospital, but no matter what was done to prevent it, Kira didn't make it.
One day while I was lost, I thought I saw Kira. He took my hand and walked me home. At first I thought it was all a dream, but when I woke up, I saw that he was still there, beside my bed. It was then I realised that he was Kira, only that he was in a spirit form. And now... he follows me everywhere due to my annoyance. He says it is because I still felt guilt somewhere in my heart and that I blamed myself for the accident that he couldn't rest in peace. So for that, Kira believes that until I find my true happiness, he'll tag around. “Are you done yet?” a voice outside the bathroom called impatiently.
I spat out the toothpaste and rinsed my mouth. “Yeah!” I yelled back.
I opened the door and the two of us raced downstairs for breakfast. Father looked up from his daily newspaper. “What were you yelling about up there?” he asked as Mother handed me a plate of sausages and cucumber.
I made a face. “Mother, why is it always cucumber? You know I don't like Westernn food,” I said, ignoring my father.
“Because it is good for you, sweetheart. It is good to have a change once in a while,” Mother called back.
I sighed as I turned to face Father. “As for the yelling, aren't you used to it yet? Considering I yell every morning?” I asked back.
Father gave no answer as he finished up his breakfast and then drove off to work. Oh yeah, I also forgot to mention that my parents can't see or hear Kira since they can't see ghosts themselves, so I find it humorous when they walk through him and strangely (in their eyes anyway) feel cold all of a sudden. I sighed again as I played with the sausages for a bit before eyeing the cucumber in distaste. Oh well, its not like I eat it everyday anyway... I took a bite into the slice and it made a sastifying crunch. At the same time, I couldn't help but notice that Kira winced.
I took note of it and took another bite, making Kira use a mortifying expression. A wicked grin crossed my face as I realised what I had found out. I rushed to the fridge, dragging poor Kira along. I searched the veggie section in the fridge and took out more cucumber slices. I gleefully bit into them and Kira yelped for every bite. “Umm... Cagalli?” I turned my head with half a slice of cucumber sticking out of my mouth.
My mother gave me a wierd look and she had a sweat drop. My face quickly turned red with embarassment. “Uh-heheh... this cucumber is uh.. surprisingly good,” I lied. “... I'll just finish this slice,” I finished the last piece and Kira fainted from the taste.
I went back upstairs and grabbed my backpack and was about to head off to school when a sickly-looking Kira complained, “Cagalli! That was mean!”
I couldn't help but snicker. “Sorry Kira, I couldn't help it,” I admitted.
Being my ghost, Kira could taste whatever I eat. For some strange reason, even though Kira is already dead and became a ghost, he was still able to age as well so he didn't look like a 6 year old anymore. With his translucent chocolate brown hair and gentle lavendar eyes, Kira was quite handsome but guilt came upon me as I thought that if Kira had not died, he would probably have gotten a pretty girlfriend by now. Surely, there weren't ghost girlfriends were there? “Eathr to Cagalli... you in there?” a voice spoke as he knocked on my head gently.
I blinked several times. “Wha..? Did you call me?” I asked as I snapped back to reality.
Kira shook his head at me. “What am I going to do with you?” he said exasperatedly as he floated around the room.
“Um Kira?” I called as Kira turned to face me.
“What is it?”
I stopped packing my things and looked down at the ground. “Is there such a thing as a ...g-ghost girlfriend?” I stammered.
Kira looked at me through sympathetic eyes as he floated down next to me. “Truthfully, I don't know a lot about the ghost world,” he admitted. He then raised my chin. “But I do know that dwelling on the past and feeling guilty over it isn't going to make me feel at ease. So you got to feel happier, for my sake as well, okay?” Kira spoke gently.
I nodded as I knew that. “Y'know... you might want to leave the house now if you plan to reach the school on time,” Kira advised. “You have just under 10 minutes,”
I checked my watch and saw that it was ten to eight! “Oh CRAP!” I muttered angrily as I shoved everything in my backpack. “Oh and Kira, stay home for today... if everything is fine, I'll bring you tomorrow,” I said before running to school leaving Kira with a grumble.
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“Today, we have a transfer student with us,” said my teacher, Ms. Ramius.
I looked up from gazing out the window as a tall boy with midnight blue hair walked into the class. His hair was about neck length and he had deep emerald orbs that shone as he spoke, “Hello, I'm Athrun Zala, but you can just call me Athrun. I have been to a lot of places in the world, but it's my first time here in this city. But despite that, I hope we can be friends,” he said.
His voice, I noticed was very rich and deep. And when he smiled, oh my god, every girl (other than me!) was in love. I rolled my eyes. Oh wonderful... another pretty boy! I thought distastefully as he winked.
Meer Campbell is definitely going to get her claws into the guy. I thought pityingly as I saw the spoken girl who sat on the other side of the empty desk that was beside me look as if she had found her new playtoy. Then for just a moment, I realised that the new guy's eyes were on me and as I looked back at him in surprise, I suddenly felt a wierd sensation pass my body. (A/N: Like Le Creuset and La Flaga). I looked out the window immediately as I tried to figure what had just happened to me. There's something particular about that guy.. I thought. But what is it? I've never felt that before which is wierd since I usually sense abnormal things like Kira for example.
By the time I looked back up, the new guy, Athrun had taken his eyes off of me. “Well then, Mr. Zala, you may take the vacant seat next to Ms. Athha and Ms. Campbell,” said the teacher as the new guy nodded.
I swallowed hard as I saw the reflection of Athrun as he walked towards my aisle. Oh great... now he's going to sit next to me! Why on earth did this have to happen?! And then I also noticed he gave Meer a seducive smile which made me want to throw up. Meer of course didn't miss a thing and as soon as the guy sat down, she held his arm and asked, “My my... aren't you handsome?” in an I'm-so-innocent tone.
“Why thank you Ms-?,” I heard him say with his smile never leaving his face.
“Meer Campbell, but for you, call me only Meer,” she purred.
I knew I disliked Meer from the begining but it's offical now; I HATE her! She was supremely annoying, the leader of the cheerleaders, wears extremely skimpy clothing and her attitude is UNBEARABLE! I didn't feel sorry for this guy since I knew he was enjoying it by the way he is looking at her and my dislike for him also grew. But I couldn't help but notice every girl's head turning around, itching to look and talk to him.
I rolled my eyes as Ms Ramius told us to take the first ten minutes to talk about what we did over the summer before getting started with work. Mirillia Hawwe, my good friend came over and chatted with me about what we did but then she was cut off as a swarm of girls bombed the new guy with questions.
“Which countries have you been t-?”
“What's your phone number?”
“Wanna hang out after school with me?”
“Will you go out with m-?”
Their conversations were all in a jumble and I highly doubted that the guy could understand what they were saying to him since they kept cutting each other out. But this Athrun guy flashed a hot smile at the attention and every girl sighed happily. Ok! That's it, I can't take it anymore! “May I direct you all to the nearest HOST CLUB?!” I demanded angrily, not caring if every face was turning to my direction, even the teacher's.
The girls looked at me in surprise. Mirillia's mouth dropped. “Cagalli...” she warned quietly.
I ignored her. “This is a school! I don't care what you do after it's over, but for now, be quiet!” I hissed.
Some of the girls like Meer Campbell shot daggers at me, but I ignored them as well and sat back down. “Okay, time's up! Now... some warmups of what was learned in June,” Ms. Ramius called out.
As she passed out worksheets, I felt someone's eyes focused on me. As I looked at the window with the corner of my eye, I saw a smile on Athrun's face as I saw his reflection. I immediately turned back to my work to avoid looking at him. A moment later, I felt him nudge me. “I don't really understand how to do this, will you help me?” I heard him ask.
Pulling my most annoyed face I turned to him. “Oh really?” I said in disbelief.
Athrun nodded. I was about to refuse when I saw Meer's face turn bitter when she saw him talking me. I pulled a smile and agreed. “Alright, I'll help you.. but only with these. You'll do the rest, okay?” I said.
Athrun flashed me a smile and said, “Thanks,”
The bell rang soon to signal that the first half of the day was finished. As I headed to my locker, I saw an arm on the door. “What do you want?” I demanded as I saw a grin.
“Nothing, I just wanted you to thank you for that 'host club' thing... not many people have the courage to say things out loud like that,” said Athrun as he leaned on the side of the lockers, facing me.
I raised an eyebrow in surprise. I didn't think he would thank me for that. “No problem, now would you please move your arm?” I said as my arms were full of textbooks and binders.
“Ah, yeah okay...” Athrun moved his arm. “I don't know why girls flock to me like that, is it because of my looks or is it maybe something more?” he said outloud to himself.
I quickly threw my stuff in my locker and walked away. “Hey! Where are you going?” I heard him call as I walked faster to get away from the over-confident guy.
“Lunch,” I said as I heard quick footsteps behind me. Indicating that he was running up to me.
“Would you mind if you took me to the cafeteria? I don't know where that is,” Athrun said.
I sighed, but secretly eyed him with the corner of my eye. He really was pretty handsome, but I hated his personality. “Fine, but afterwards, you're on your own,” I muttered with a nodding Athrun beside me.
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Out of the corner, a girl stepped back into the shadows. “ That Athha... she's getting too warm with Athrun! She's walking with him to the cafeteria!” she complained.
“I hated her from the begining.. but now I absolutely loath her.. If there was a way to get her out of the picture,” said another.
The group of girls in the shadows agreed silently. “What do you have in mind, Meer?” a red-head asked.
“Nothing yet, but I suggest that we give Athha one last chance... if she does anything, we'll take action,” said the pink-hair cheerleader as she stepped out of the shadows with a wicked grin across her face.
