Chapter 9: Inner Feelings
The next few days were quite wierd for me. For one thing, we had another new transfer student in my class and the glare she gave me when she recognized me as she came in. Any guesses on who she was? “This is Meyrin Hawke. She is younger than all of you by 2 years, but she has passed all of her exams with flying colors, so she is in the same grade as you all,” said Miss Ramius as the pig-tailed girl gave a shy smile to the class.
“I hope we can be friends despite that. Please look after me while I am here,” said Meyrin as many boys cheered.
I scowled. Why did she come to this school? I saw her often enough at work, but now at school as well? So troublesome! That girl hates me for some reason that I don't know about. I mean.. who could hate me? Well, actually, now that I think about it... quite a lot of people.. people like Meer. But then again, she's another story... “Miss Athha!” called a voice as I snapped back to reality.
“Y-yes Ms. Ramius?” I stammered as I looked up.
She gave me a small smile. “If you're not too busy daydreaming over there, would you mind showing Miss Hawke around our school?” she asked.
I gawked at her. Was she asking what I think she was? Was she asking me to show that girl around? I couldn't believe my ears. “You serious?” I asked.
Miss Ramius sighed. “Please don't answer my question with another question. And yes, I am serious,” she replied.
I felt like sighing of my own, but didn't. “Alright,” I said relunctually.
Miss Ramius then gave me a small nod. “Then I'll excuse you for this period,” she then turned to Meyrin. “If you have any questions, please ask her,” she said.
Meyrin nodded and smiled like an angel. “Let's go,” I said indifferently as I headed out of the classroom.
As soon as we were out of the classroom, I faced the girl. “So, what are you doing here?” I asked.
Meyrin raised an eyebrow. “What do you think? I got here because of grades,” she replied stockily.
I narrowed my eyes as I thought about her reply. It could be true... afterall, this school had a pretty good academic record. “Okay, I believe you. Let's go down this hall, and towards the library,” I said as I showed her the way.
Maybe if I be nice to her, she'll be nice in return? The reason why she's always this difficult could be because I'm always 'not exactly' nice either... Oh well, I'll give her one chance.. “So do you have any club activities you think you would like to join?” I asked, trying to make a conversation.
“Not really,” said Meyrin as we rounded the corner.
I narrowed my eyes at the girl. I was trying to make our uncomfortable silence not uncomfortable, but she was not making things any easier. “I see. So, what do you like to do afterschool?” I questionned.
Meyrin stopped walked and turned around to glare at me. “What are you? A stalker?” she demanded.
I stopped and returned her glare as well as my patience finally snapped. “WELL! I was just trying to make a conversation, do you really have to be that difficult?” I countered hotly.
Meyrin and I stood glaring at each other as if in a staring contest before she broke it off. “Whatever, I don't need the likes of you to show me around. I can do well enough,” she said as she continued to walk.
I crossed my arms. “Fine! Be that way! It's a bigger pleasure for me not to have to bring some brat around with me around the school!” I shouted after her, but she rounded the corner and disappeared.
Just WHAT is HER problem? Jeez! I'm never going to try to make friends with her again! I thought furiously as I stormed to the courtyard. I sat down on the bench and looked up at the sky. “Well, at least I'm excused for class...” I muttered as I saw a bird fly overhead.
My anger eventually faded as I thought of my next class, which was cooking. And lucky for me, we were making cookie pizza! Yum my favorite! It was basically like a regular pizza, but instead of tomato sauce, pepperoni and whatnot, all the ingredients were candy. You have milk chocolate sauce as the replacement for the tomato sauce, broken candy cane bits and melted dark chocolate drizzled over teh ingredients! “It's mouth-watering,” I said dreamily as I exited the courtyard and went to the library for the remainder of my free time.
Finally, it was time to make my treats! But my cloud of happiness became a storm cloud as soon as I saw her come in. “Everyone, listen up: This is Meyrin Hawke and she will be joining our class from now on!” announced the Foods Teacher.
I groaned mentally inside. Did she really have to ruin this too? “I really love cooking; it's fun! So please take care of me, everyone!” Meyrin said angelically as she flashed a cute smile.
Everyone smiled back in returned and agreed, everyone except me, who gave her a reluctant crooked smile. We worked quickly in our class, since we only have a little more than an hour before lunch time. Before putting it in the oven, I did well, but as soon as the time was up for the oven, I saw that it had become burnt. “Agh! I really wanted to eat it perfectly,” I moaned as I saw that it was quite browner than usual.
Meyrin walked past me but stopped in mid-step. “Aww, too bad Athha. Seems like you burnt yours. Oh well, better luck next time!” she said as she sneered at me while she took her perfect cookie pizza to get it graded.
I narrowed my eyes at her but sighed sadly as I wrapped up my pizza and stuck it in my bag for lunch. As I exited the room, I saw Athrun and another girl outside, next to the science rooms. “I really like you, Athrun, so why won't you go out with me?” I heard her say.
Athrun gave her an apologetic smile as he turned down her offer. “I'm sorry, but I don't think things will work out for us because I only think of you as my cute junior and nothing more,” he said gently.
The girl sniffled and apologized while running away from him. I held my hands on my hips. “Wow, you must really be used to having people confess to you, because you didn't seem surprised to hear her confess to you,” I said with a raised eyebrow.
Athrun laughed. “Yeah, I am. But then again, I do get confessed to everyday, so it's a regular thing. Anyway, want to eat outside? Even though it's been really cold lately, it's fairly warm today,” he said.
I thought about it for a second before agreeing. “Sure, just wait here while I go buy my lunch,” I said as I ran down to the cafeteria and bought a small box of takoyaki.
As I came upstairs, I saw Athrun was waiting like he promised, but to my dismay, I noticed an overly familar set of pigtails standing next to him. “Um, Athrun.. I made these for you today in Home Ec,” said Meyrin shakily.
Athrun gave her a sad smile. “Thank you, Meyrin. You did a fabulous job, but unfortunately, I don't really like eating sweets,” he rejected her offer.
I saw Meyrin's shoulders drop slightly. “O-oh I see..” she said quietly.
I felt kind of sorry for the girl, even after all the mean things she did to me. Then Athrun looked up as he noticed that I stood close to them. “Oh Cagalli! You're done?” he asked suddenly.
I nodded. “Y-yeah...” I said nervously, feeling awkward that I had chosen to interfere at such a bad moment.
Athrun grinned. “What are you standing there for? Let's go,” he said as he gave a small nod to Meyrin before walking past her.
As the two of us walked outside, I couldn't help but look over my shoulder to see the sad form of Meyrin, as she walked down the hallway. “That was kind of cold of you,” I muttered.
Athrun gave me a surprised look. “What? How was that cold? I was only telling the truth,” he said as he opened the door.
I nodded. “That's true, but she looked like an abandonned puppy!” I argued, as my feelings of hate towards the girl now faded.
Athrun sighed as he sat down on the wooden bench. “Well, not everyone can always get what they want, you know? If I had accepted them but not eaten any, she would have felt even worse wouldn't she?” he said, pausing for a moment as he looked upwards towards the autumn sky.
“It's the same with that other girl earlier. I just thought it would be the best way to turn them down,” Athrun said as he opened his bento.
I sighed and said nothing. What Athrun did say made sense to me, afterall, he must get tons of these everyday. We ate in silence as I thought about a lot of things. Athrun's been nicer since the first time I've met him eh? Kinda strange, but not that surprising I guess. Under that cool and arrogant exterior is a pretty nice guy. I thought to myself as I looked up at the almost clear sky. “Well, the bell is going to ring soon, I'll just be right back,” I said as I got up.
I walked over to the dumpster with the emptied takoyaki box in my hand and threw it in. Then I took the box of ruined cookie pizza. Should I throw this away as well? Or should I eat them? I worked so hard to make it, but in the end, I failed.. I stood there debating with myself when I heard some footsteps behind me and immediately hid the box. “A-athrun? What's up?” I said in surprise.
He gave me a wierd look. “What are you hiding?” he questionned as he stepped forward.
“N-nothing!” I said quickly as I wish I had thrown it away.
Athrun gave me a look of disbelief as he used one of his long arms to reach behind me and grab the small box. “You are such a horrible liar,” he remarked with a small smirk.
“Am no-HEY! Nonono! Don't open...it,” I said as Athrun opened the box with a look of surprise.
I buried my face with one hand as my face burned with embarassment. Agh! He's going to make fun of me! I thought with horror as Athrun stuck one into his mouth.
Immediately I took the box away from him, but unfortunately for me, Athrun had already gotten a slice. And chewed it up thoughtfully. “Were you going to throw those away?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yeah.. I made it in Home Ec, but I burnt them,” I said quietly.
Athrun gave me a grin. “I would have expected that. But I have to say, despite being burnt, they taste not half bad,” he said.
I blinked. “Really? But I overheard you say to Meyrin that you hate sweets,” I asked.
Athrun nodded. “Yeah I do, but this is burnt, so it's not that sweet any longer,” he replied with a small smile.
I raised an eyebrow as I thought over what he said. Was he complimenting me on burning it? Isn't that a bad remark for me? “Hey!” I yelled as I hauled to punch a laughing boy.
Athrun laughed as he dodged my efforts easily. “Oh well, you can do better next time,” he said when he regained his cool exterior and flicked my forehead.
The bell rang as I stood there and I placed my hand over the spot where he flicked me. It was warm. I thought as I ran after him. “Wait up!”
Unknown to the two of us, a small figure slumped down to the ground as she had witnessed all that had gone on.
Afterschool, Athrun and I went to the restaurant to work our shifts. The restaurant seemed quite busy today, but that was not unusual. But to our surprise, it had seemed that Meyrin had already beaten us there. “Hey guys, go get changed quickly, we need an extra pair of hands,” said Chef Murdoch as he greeted us through the small window.
“Yes sir!” we chorused as we left our bags by the counters and then grabbed our uniforms.
I changed quickly as I also tied my hair up and stared at myself in the mirror for a moment. I sighed. This skirt was really a size too small. It was nearly a mini-skirt. “I should really ask Mr. Todaka for a bigger size,” I said to myself as I left the changeroom to be greeted by Athrun.
“C'mon, let's go, the customers are waiting for us,” he said as he flashed a grin while I nodded.
The restaurant was incredibly busy today, more today than the other days. Maybe because today was a pretty nice day despite being near winter? I don't know, but whatever the reason, it kept us occupied. “Table number 5 needs to be served!” called Athrun as he was busy serving other tables.
“Got it!” I called back as I rushed to the waiting table.
We worked quickly and successfully. On one occasion, as I was bringing dishes to a table, and Athrun was bring dishes to the kitchen we bumped into each other. “Sorry,” I muttered.
Athrun gave me a shrug and a small smirk. “S'okay,” he said as he went back to the kitchen.
And even later on, Lunamaria even came to help as she was also hired. “Hey, if you don't remember me, I'm Lunamaria, I'll be working with you guys today,” she said as she stopped and greeted us.
“That's great, there's a lot of people today,” Athrun and I chorused at the same time.
We looked at each other in surprise and then laughed. “You two get along well,” Lunamaria remarked.
I looked at Athrun and then back at her. “Really?” I questionned with a raised eyebrow.
She nodded. Athrun shrugged. “I guess so,” he said, but then was interrupted by Mr. Todaka, “Table six needs more drinks! Get to it!” he ordered.
“Ah! Yeah!” I said as I hurried over to take their orders for drinks.
As I came back from my trip to the kitchen, my tray was full with 4 glasses of grape juice. I hurried over to the table, but as crowded the area was, I felt someone bump into me causing my drinks to spill onto me, staining my uniform with grape juice. “Ah! So sorry! Didn't see you there,” said Meyrin as she pulled on an apologetic look.
I stared at her. SHE DID THAT ON PURPOSE! My mind screamed as every horrible word I wanted to use on her flew through my mind. “What's the matter?!” Mr Todaka demanded as he heard the commotion.
“Oh Mr. Todaka! I didn't mean to! It was just so crowded here! I bumped into her and accidentally caused the drinks to spill onto Cagalli,” Meyrin explained with eyes that were near tears.
I was speechless. How could she lie through her teeth like that? “It is okay, Miss Hawke. No one will blame you for the accident,” Mr Todaka soothed as he then turned to me. “There is another set of clothing in the back room. Please change into them and then throw those into the wash,” he directed.
I nodded and left, but not before I caught Athrun's eyes who gave me a questionning look. I turned my face away as I stormed over to the back room to grab a new uniform. I got changed quickly but grimmanced at the large purple stain on the the upper white part of my uniform. “That is going to be hard to get out,” I mumbled. “Why did she do that? What reason does she have for hating me? And WHY me?” I demanded angrily as I tugged my mini apron into place.
I opened the door and was about to head back into the serving area when I heard suspicious voices going on in the supply room. Curious, I headed over but hid behind the wall, listening in on the voices which sounded that they belonged to Meyrin and her sister Lunamaria. “Mey! Why did you do that? I saw you do that on purpose. Why?” I heard Lunamaria question.
I saw Meyrin shuffle her feet uncomfortably. “It's because of Athha. I don't like her,” she mumbled.
“I know you don't like her, but that's no reason for doing the things you just did!” Lunamaria scolded her.
“I was right to do that because she's getting too close to Athrun!” Meyrin cried as I nearly choked.
“Athrun has never paid much attention to girls, but when that girl came, everything changed! Athrun always smiles warmly to that girl and never to me, no matter how much I try to please him! It's not fair! All I ever wanted is for that guy to like me!” Meyrin sobbed as I decided to step in.
The only reason Meyrin doesn't like me is because she is jealous of my closeness to Athrun? “So, you like Athrun,” I stated.
Lunamaria and Meyrin looked up and stared at me as if I were some alien. “C-cagalli! You heard-?” Lunamaria choked.
I nodded. “Yes, but I just wanted to clear some things you misunderstood,” I said as I noticed Meyrin turn her face away from mine.
“Listen Meyrin, I know you hate me, and I hate you as well, no mistake about that. But the relationship between Athrun and I are only just friends. I don't feel anything for him and I'm sure that he doesn't feel that way for me either. So really, don't start jumping to conclusions until you know all the facts,” I said as I turned to leave.
“W-wait!” I heard Meyrin's voice call after me.
I turned around to see Meyrin standing up, but looking down at the ground. “About earlier... I'm s-so-” she stammered but I cut her off. “What did you do earlier again? I've forgotten,” I said as I gave her a small smile.
Meyrin gave me a hopeful look as she asked, “T-then is it really alright for me to confess to him?” she asked.
It's only right? I mean afterall, Athrun only a friend to me.. I thought to myself as I headed back to the serving area. But somewhere inside me, a voice whispered, You're wrong...
