My Future

Finding My Way

A.N. This book will pick up where the manga leaves off before Takemichi returns to the past.

October 8, 2006

I sat at the corner cafe waiting for the waitress to bring me my order. I came here every single day after school to talk to Draken. She brought me my latte and I started drinking it. My phone rang and without even looking I quickly picked it up. "Hey Draken!" Silence. "This isn't Draken." My heart started beating out of my chest. That voice. "Mikey?" He hummed on the other line. "I guess it's true. You left Japan? Good for you! You wouldn't have been happy here anyway." Anger boiled in my veins. "Mikey I don't know what the hell your trying to pull but stop, okay? You broke me the day you left. You have absolutely no right to say weather or not I would be happy." A loud groan rang in my ear. "You don't think I know that?! I...I just wanted to say. Happy birthday Ari." Before I could even respond the line clicked off. I couldn't believe it. Who the hell did he think he was?

The bell over the door dinged signaling that someone had walked into the cafe. I nearly bashed my head into the table thinking about what I just experienced. I heard the footsteps of the person who had just walked in and suddenly felt two large hands over my eyes. I panicked and went to grab the persons hands when I heard their voice. "Guess who?" I would recognize that tenor voice anywhere. I turned around in my chair and was met with Draken's smiling face. "Draken?!" I threw my arms around his shoulders. "I don't understand. What are you doing here?" He then pulled a box off of the table behind him. "Well, someone special to me happens to be turning 16 today. I couldn't miss her birthday. It's not much but here." My eyes began to water as he handed me the small box. I slowly opened it up to see a beautiful silver bracelet in it. Dangled from its center was a pink rhinestone. I nearly burst with happiness. "Oh my gosh, Draken! It's beautiful!!! Thank you so much!"

I jumped off the chair and gave him a huge hug. We pulled away from each other and he took a lock of my hair in his hand. "Your hair has grown quite a bit." His eyes then met mine. "You been doing okay?" I nodded as I pulled the bracelet from the box. "Here, let me help you." Draken took the bracelet from my hand and snapped it on my wrist. I looked down at it and nearly cried. "It's amazing Draken. Really. Wanna go for a walk?" He nodded and I threw some money down on the table before grabbing my things and walking out. "You look good Adriana. I haven't seen a smile that bright since before all that shit went down." Anytime I thought of those times I wanted to cry. But this time it just gave me a bitter smile. "Honestly, Draken I am. Coming back here gave me the perfect chance to clear my head. It was definitely what I needed. Hey! There is the Santa Monica Pier! Can we go? Pretty please?"
I turned to him with bright eyes and he just laughed. "It's your birthday! We can do whatever you want."

I drug Draken along for everything. The teacup ride, the prize games, you name it I strung him right along behind me. It was dark now and the only thing we hadn't done was the ferris wheel. The conductor settled us on and fastened the latch. "You know what Draken? Emma would really love this place." Draken smiled softly before taking in the ocean view as we rose. "Adriana...Emma wants me to be happy right?" I quickly smacked him on the arm. He rubbed it hurtingly and just looked at me. "You idiot of course she does. Listen." I turned to look out at the ocean. "Emma loved you until the day she died but she told Mikey right at the end that all she wished for was your happiness. So yes, she would want you to be happy." I turned to him and smiled. "My question is. Who's the lucky girl?!" We jerked suddenly as the wheel stopped with us at the top. "Sorry folks!! It's stalled! We should have it fixed momentarily!" I widened my eyes and went to look over my feet only to have Draken put his hand in front of my eyes. "Don't look down you idiot. Look up." He moved his hand and I looked at all the shining lights around us.

"Draken... I deserve happiness too, right? I didn't do anything to make Mikey leave did I?" I felt tears begin to sting my eyes. Draken turned to me as best he could and brought me into his chest. "Don't say things like that Adriana. Mikey left of  his own accord. It had nothing to do with you." He pulled back from me and placed both hands on my shoulders. "Listen to me Adriana. You don't just deserve happiness. You deserve the world." I smiled and turned back straight. "Thanks Draken. Really. Whoever you've got your eyes on is one hell of a lucky girl." I felt his hand cup my cheek as he turned me to face him once more. "The girl I like? She's sitting right next to me." Time stopped. I felt like my heart was gonna beat right out of my chest. 'Draken... has feelings for me?' His words just kept echoing in my head. I searched his face for any signs that he might be joking around and I found none.

He smiled softly at me. The two of us slowly leaned towards each other until our lips met in a sweet kiss. Draken helped keep me sane while my heart broke. He...he helped me heal. This tightening feeling in my chest. I first got it when I talked to him on his birthday. Hearing the joy in his voice gave me butterflies. I was too blind to see it, but while Draken helped me heal my heart I began to fall for him. This was completely different than my feelings for Mikey. With Mikey it was sudden and constantly felt like I was on a rollercoaster. But Draken made me feel different. He made me feel secure and warm. "Got it!" We pulled apart as the ride began to go again. We stopped at the bottom and got off.

"Where to now?" He took my hand in his sending butterflies to my stomach. "Well. I kinda wanna get a tattoo." I turned to him to see a wicked grin on his face. "Oh yeah? Well then let's go!" He led the way to a tattoo parlor that was just down the road from my house. We walked in and got some odd looks from the men there. I took out my phone and showed the artist what I wanted and he went to work. I was surprise and I think Draken was too. I didn't think it hurt at all. I looked at it in the mirror and smiled. "I absolutely love it." Draken put his hand on my shoulder. "It suits you!"

Pic for reference. I actually have this tattoo.

I smiled as the two of us walked to my house knowing that this was by far the best birthday I've ever had. "Well this is it!" Draken looked at the building in disbelief. "This place is huge!" We walked inside and I sat my bag and keys by the door. "This is only one of the four properties my father left me." I sat down on the couch and he sat down next to me. I leaned on his arm and he pulled me close. "I think I'm ready, Draken. I think I'm ready to go home." I looked up to him and he flashed a crooked grin. "It's about damn time." I laughed as he leaned into kiss me. The same butterflies from before invaded my stomach and I felt nearly weightless. We pulled away from each other and he brought me into his chest. "Adriana? I believe Emma would be happy. She would be alright knowing it was you." I smiled and laid my ear against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "You know what? I think your right. She would be happy." Draken pulled me into his lap and it was in his arms I fell asleep.