Right Here Waiting

Chapter 16: Tricks

Sakura was helpless. Utterly, completely, and absolutely helpless.

She had been like this since two days ago, and she could do nothing but to let memories simply drown her. She needed to think, to sort her feelings and her wits. She had not met Syaoran since Meiling’s phone call, nor any other person since she went back from England.

Not wanting to worry her dad or Touya, she decided to skate this morning and ended up at the Penguin Park. So now she sat alone, staring out into space once again.

She remembered the last time she was here, at this swing, it was also morning and the sun was shining brightly. Syaoran was beside her, talking to her, comforting her. He was here, as his best friend and nothing more than that. This time, she would not expect him to come, not until she could understand what she was feeling.

‘If only this was as easy as Yukito have thought me before.’ She told herself, sighing then closing her eyes.

“What’s wrong, Sakura?”

Immediately opening her eyes, she gasped at the male voice. She glanced back, meeting sapphire orbs. “You surprised me. What are you doing here?”

“Just passing by.” Eriol answered then smiled. He walked beside her and sat down the swing next to her. “But to be honest, I was looking for you. I was about to go to your house or Syaoran’s just in case.”

“We are not talking these past few days.” Sakura said, softly, and then sighed. She averted her eyes from Eriol, shifting it to the toddlers arriving at the play sand. She envied them a little, for they need not to set boundaries and whatever. Unlike her, with Syaoran.

Eriol took a deep breath. “Is it because of the past?”

She nodded.

“You must tell him the truth sooner or later, Sakura.” Eriol said.

“I know.” Sakura told him and remembered what Meiling had told her. She knew there was no excuse, there was no use of running away. However, she could not rush, not with feelings involved. “Why are you looking for me?” she said, hoping that Eriol would let her off the hook.

Eriol smiled. “I wanted to ask you if I could borrow the Book of Cards.”

“What?” Sakura shoot him a look, hesitating.

“I need them.” Eriol said calmly, not wanting to threaten her of any sort. “I mean, I want answers too.”

“I’ll help you.” Sakura insisted.

Eriol gave a disapproving look, but tried to shake it off by smiling. “It’s fine. I am still reading the book to understand it better. I just need the cards so I can act on it immediately.”

Sakura stared at him, searching. It was not because she did not trust him, but being a reincarnation of Clow Reed, it puzzled her that he would be asking for her help. He was powerful ever since they were kids, and she knew that there was no way he would stop at that level. He only shared a part of Clow Reed, but like her, he needed to grow magically in a way.

As if reading her thoughts, Eriol turned his smile softer. “Don’t worry, you can go at my house in case you need them.”

With a deep breath, Sakura surrendered. There was no use of arguing anyway. With her and Syaoran out of focus because of their feelings, she knew that Eriol would be the proper person to search for what was really happening. She needed to trust him; he had always been help for her anyway. So she put her hand on her pocket, taking out a deck of cards.

Eriol grinned.

Sakura stared at it for a moment, taking out the Hope card. “I don’t think you could use this one.” She said and finally handed it to him, “Please take care of them. And I hope they will be useful.”