Chapter 4: Knowing
What happened to me? Where am I? I thought as I was surrounded by a world of darkness.I tried to recall what was happening to me to before I came to this dark place. Hey that's right! Meer that evil witch! I knew that I should never have trusted her, but I guess that I wasn't really feeling myself... thought out loud to myself as I floated around, without any directions. As I wandered around, I could hear faint voices in the blackness of the area I was in. I listened intently while moving towards the sound, trying to make out what they were saying as the faint voices grew louder and clearer. “Do you think she's okay?” a familar male voice asked with concern.
“I think so.. though she has many cuts and she banged her head quite hard,” said a female, that was unfamilar.
A small sound erupted through my mouth as I felt the darkness fade away and I was back into the night. “Cagalli!” my eyes snapped open at the mention of my name.
My gaze was unfocused at first but the first thing that my eyes landed on was a pair of emerald orbs. “W-wha..?” I said as I blinked several times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.
Two other faces peered down at me and my eyes widened. I recognised Kira's translucent form, but there was a young girl about my age who was there also. “Kira!” I called out as I sat up in alert.
Kira gave me a small smile at my consciousness. “Hey.. how are you feeling?” he asked gently.
I looked at him through wide eyes. “B-but... you- a-and them!” I stammered, pointed to Athrun and the unnamed girl who looked at me understandingly.
Kira rolled his eyes in a playful manner as he sat on the bed that I was laying in and I then realised that this wasn't my bed. Then my eyes travelled around the room. Nor my room for that matter either. “It's okay, Cags... you're safe; Athrun saved you from that group of Meer's just after you lost consciousness,” said Kira as he nodded towards the spoke boy.
I blinked as my eyes travelled to the midnight haired boy. He still didn't say anything as he avoided my gaze. “B-but why-no.. h-how did you meet?” I questionned as my mind was still clouded with confusion.
“Kira and Athrun met earlier when Kira sneaked out of the house a few days ago, but then they didn't really know each other, actually they just acknowledged that the other could see them and communicate with the other,” explained the girl with translucent pink wavy hair. “And Kira and I met the other day. Today, when he sensed you were in danger, he rushed off without warning, with me following behind,”
I looked at her. “You're...a ghost as well?” I said dumbly as my senses were begining to work again.
The girl nodded. “My name is Lacus Clyne, an aquaintance with Athrun here like how you and Kira are friends. Pleased to meet you, Miss Cagalli,” she said in that melodic tone of hers.
I nodded slowly as my brain began to take on what was happening around me. Lacus looked to Kira and gave a small smile. “Let's leave them alone for a moment, to talk,” she said softly while Kira, as if in a trance nodded in agreement.
As soon as the two floated outside, there was silence between the two of us was a big as the room itself as I glanced at my savior. Then I looked down as I sat up in bed. A moment of panic hit me as I realised that I wasn't wearing my usual clothes. “Lacus changed you; your clothes were all muddy and torn at some parts that we went to get them fixed up,” said a voice that surprised me.
My mouth went dry as his gaze looked into mine. I swallowed, ignoring his statement thought couldn't help but see a very faint tint of blush across his face. “Why did you save me? After what I did to you?” I asked softly as I felt my courage abandon me.
I was sure that he didn't hear me because he didn't say anything at first. His gaze was still as sharp as ever. “I can't just walk away when someone is in trouble,” he said as he turned his face to the window.
I lowered my gaze to the blankets. So it wasn't me that he wanted to save; it would've been anyone who was in trouble. I didn't know why, but I felt a small pang in my heart when he said those words. “But... I can't let you get kicked around like that,” he said as his face became gentler.
I stared at him as he turned his face away from the windows and walked up to the bed. He sat down on the side. “Those who dwell on their mistakes in the past can never move forward, so it is best to forgive all actions caused... I think you should know that better than anyone,” Athrun said softly, the softest that I've ever heard.
I blinked as I realised that he meant that I was forgiven for slapping him earlier. I lowered my gaze as I replayed his words in my head. Somehow, it seemed that this arrogant play boy had a different side to him as well as the bad one. Then Athrun smirked. “That slap across the face was the first time anyone really struck me and I felt it good,” he added.
I raised an eyebrow. “Well, hey, that was your fault in the first place,” I said.
Athrun shrugged. “Maybe... but the Zala charm is supposed to work on everyone... strange it doesn't work on you,” he grinned.
I stood up and pointed at him. “You got that right! I'm not the type who kisses your every step AND I'm definitely not one who'd fall for you either, Zala!” I declared loudly.
Athrun looked shocked for a moment before bursting into laughter. I lowered my arm as I looked at him in surprise. His laughter filled the room with life and it was a joyful sound as it rung through my ears. “You just never give up! But you never know... you might just in the end,” he smirked as he got up.
I frowned as I threw a pillow at him, who dodged it easily. “I doubt it!” I said as I got off the bed as well.
Athrun only shrugged as he turned to me. “Anyway, it's time to bring you home before your parents start to worry about your disappearance,” he said as he exited the room.
He drove me home with my directions with his black Lamborghini and then took me up to the door steps. “So you're feeling okay?” he asked in reasurance.
I nodded. “Yeah...,” I said. “Thanks to you,” I added.
Athrun flashed me a smile, a real smile, not his usual smirk as he went down the steps back to his car. “See you tomorrow at school, Athha,” he said.
“Cagalli,” I called after him.
He turned with surprise. “Call me Cagalli,” I repeated as a slight red tinted my cheeks with embarassment
Athrun smirked. “Okay Cagalli, since you let me call you by your name, you may call me by Athrun,” he said before getting back into his car and driving off.
I watched him leave as I repeated his name silently in my mind. It was an uncommon name, but somehow it suited him perfectly. His personality, (make that a muliti-personality!), and his mysteriousity. A lot of questions started to fill my head as I started to wonder how he met Lacus. Was it the same way that fate brought Kira to me? That same tragic past? If so... how long had it been for him? It was 10 years for me.
I stepped inside my warm cozy house and as soon as I got in, my mother rushed up to me and gave me a tight hug. “Cagalli! Where have you been?!” she demanded, with obvious concern.
“I-i... fainted...” were the words that came through my dry mouth as I tried to think of an excuse.
It wasn't a total lie and my mother could see that from the cuts and bruises all over my face. “What happened, Cagalli?” I heard my father speak as he also stepped into view.
I was wordless at the moment as my mind was racing with excuses to say. I guess almost telling the truth would be best, so I told them most of what had happened. Only that, I changed the parts where I was attacked by that Meer Freak and her group, being saved by Athrun, talking to Athrun, and getting back on terms with Athrun. Actually, I kept most of the story from them. But before they could ask anymore questions, I told them that I was really tired and that it had been a long day. And fortuantely, they agreed to talk in the morning.
I dragged my heavy feet up stairs and fell onto my bed, back first. “Jeez... this day has been a long one...” I groaned.
Kira floated into the room. “No kidding! It's not everyday that Cagalli falls unconscious,” he said, with agreement.
I sat up and threw a pillow at him, which whacked him in the face. “H-hey! It's true!” he whined.
I rolled my eyes as I fell back down. “Besides... that was a heart-warming conversation you had with Athrun before coming in, right?” Kira smirked.
I stared at him as he started to mimic our voices. “Yeah... I'm alright.. thanks to you... Athrun! And do please call me by my first name,” Kira said in a voice that was supposed to copy mine.
I scowled in disgust. “One, it didn't happen that way, and two your voice sucks,” I said.
Kira shrugged with a smug look on his face as he sat down on the edge of the bed. “So.. anyway, what did you and Athrun talk about back there at Athrun's mansion?” he asked.
I looked at him through narrowed eyes. “I'm not telling you considering what you were doing just a second ago and besides, nothing that was important anyway,” I said as I raised my arm to cover my eyes from the bedroom light.
Then my eyes drifted towards the translucent ghost. “So, as Lacus said, you sneaked out of the house without my knowing and followed me to school?” I accused.
Kira sweat-dropped. “Eh...hehe.. I couldn't help myself... Besides, if I hadn't and didn't meet Athrun, I wouldn't have been able to stay with you while you were unconscious,” he said with an excuse.
I rolled to my side and thought it over. “Maybe... I guess you're lucky this time.. but don't think you're going to get away with it next time you try that,” I said.
Kira's nervousness faded as he pulled up a grin. “Yeah yeah whatever,” he said in a bored tone.
I had a smirk as a thought crossed my face. “What about this Lacus girl?” I asked.
Kira looked surprised at my question as he nearly fell off the side of the bed. “W-what about her?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Well... I don't know.. you like her or something? 'Cause when she beckoned you outside in Athrun's Mansion, you looked as if you were in a trance or something and agreed immediately,” I said.
Kira shook his head nervously. “W-well.. I think it's her voice and personality... I've never met someone like her. In the time I've known her, she's been very kind to me and cheered me up when I was feeling sad,” he admitted. “Besides... sometimes being an adolescent ghost isn't such a great thing, since most of the ghosts wandering around town are either too old or too young.. so it's the first I got to meet someone that was the same age as I was,” he added sadly.
I remained silent as I thought about his explanation over. It was true... it was a bit lonesome being a ghost sometimes. And I wasn't always there since I had to get on with my busy schedules and stuff. “You're right.. I apologize for poking into your business,” I said meekly.
Kira shrugged as he gave me a small smile. “Don't worry about it... we can talk more tomorrow since it's getting late,” he said.
I nodded as I looked at the clock. I got out of bed and turned off the lights with a swift move. “Goodnight Kira,” I said as I crawled back onto bed.
Kira, who was now sitting on the window sill looked back at me and replied, “See you in the morning,” and with that, I fell asleep immediately.
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The next day arrived quickly and I went to classes as usual. During lunch, Mirillia had told me that she had to go to her photography club meeting and told me that she wasn't going to join me for lunch today. I also noticed that Meer's group ignored me as I walked by as if I was invisible. Athrun must have done something to them... thought as I felt no sympathy for them.I sighed as I walked around in the cafeteria. It seemed that almost every seat was filled up and I couldn't find any of my friends either. “Well, might as well go someplace else,” I said as I felt that I was no longer hungry.
I climbed the stairs past the 3rd year's level and continued on climbing up to the rooftop. As I opened the door, a gentle breeze brushed by my face. I liked going up to the rooftop. One, it had a spectacular view and two, it was so peaceful, you could collect your thoughts. I walked over to the side where it was fenced off and laid my hands on the railing and looked at the scenery before me. I thought about everything that happened for the past few days. Meeting Athrun for the first time and feeling a jolt of electricity between us. By now, I knew that jolt of electricity must have been the connecting between us and our ghostly friends... though I still felt it was very awkward, since usually the ghosts I see and meet are without regular people like me. “What are you doing up here alone?” asked a familar voice.
I fell out of my thoughts and saw a shadow hovering above me. I looked up to meet emerald orbs. “A-athrun?” I spoke in surprise.
Athrun grinned as he stood next to me. “That's the first time I've heard you call me by my name...I like it, Cagalli,” he said devilishly.
I glared at him. “Whatever, like I said before, I'm not interested in you,” I said as I turned back to look at the front..
Athrun shrugged but kept that stupid smirk of his. “Maybe... maybe not.. we'll see in the future. So.. which reminds me, you still haven't answered my question,” he said.
I rolled my eyes. “I can't find either of my friends, since they're all busy. Besides, I like going up here, it's peaceful,” I said.
Athrun was silent for a moment before asking, “Is Kira with you today?” he asked suddenly.
I nodded. “Yeah, but unlike before, he doesn't stay with me during classes. I guess he must find it boring since I can't really talk to him or else everyone will think I'm a nutcase who's talking to no one that they can see,” I said.
Athrun gave a smirk. “Well you are a nutcase,” he said as I punched him lightly in the shoulder for making that comment.
“But then again, so am I, since I can also see ghosts,” he added and I slowly dropped my fist as I looked at him in wonder.
“Lacus wanted to tag along again today, probably so that she would be able to talk with Kira, which I don't mind. She's usually cooped up at home anyway, so a little fresh air would do her some good,” Athrun spoke.
My mouth formed a small 'O'. Seems that Athrun was nicer to his ghost than I was to Kira. “Yes, Kira was also very excited that he got a chance to meet a ghost his age, so he really was floating if you know what I mean,” I said.
Athrun nodded as the bell rang, ending our conversation. “Anyway, I'll see you in class..,” he said as he headed towards the door but turned his head so he still looked back at me. “It was nice, y'know.. being able to finally talk to someone who actually knows,” he added before leaving.
I nodded as I realized that I was also happy to know someone else. I left the railing with a smile on my face and resumed my classes for that day.
