Showered by the Stars

20. It sounds so far-fetched

Bad-ump! Bad-ump! Bad-ump!

My heart kept on thumping madly. I can feel my body getting hot. My face looked really red in the mirror.

What was that about?

‘Time slows down whenever you’re around

I can feel my heart

It’s beating in my chest

Did you feel it?

I can’t put this down

But can you feel this magic in the air?

It must have been the way you kissed me

Fell in love when I saw you standing there

It must have been the way, today was a fairytale

It must have been the way, today was a fairytale’

The song playing on the CD seemed like the background music for what happened back then. It’s like it’s explaining it. It doesn’t make sense. I’ve already heard of this song for like since it was released but this is the first time I ever tried to understand the lyrics. Urk! This feeling, I remember it from before.

I threw myself on the bed, feeling dazed. It’s a good thing Ran and Kana haven’t come back yet. I needed to calm myself down.

I can’t believe I’m in this state again. And just like back then, it was sweet. Looking back to that time, my heart ached. I couldn’t stop myself from shedding tears. Damn! I look so pathetic.

Knock! Knock! Knock! “Mizuki-chan, we’re back!” The door swung open as Kana and Ran entered.

I got up. It looks like I fell asleep for thirty minutes.

I came out of the bedroom wearing my plain white shirt and blue boxer shorts with heart prints. I was too tired to dress-up.

They were at the hotel room’s small living room.

“Shall we have room service or maybe go eat in this hotel’s restaurant?” Ran-chan asked.

“Hmm—how about the latter?” Kana-chan suggested.

“Fine with me.” I said.

“Alright, that’s settled. I’ll just message them.” Ran-chan said.

“Okay, I’ll just go change.” I said, going back to the room to change.

We went downstairs to meet up with them at the restaurant. They were already seated and ready to eat. Huh? There’s someone missing. “Has Ava gotten back yet?” I asked Luke.

“Yeah. She got back awhile ago. She was soaking wet.” Luke said. “She said she won’t be having dinner.”

Huh? What happened?

“Um—excuse me. I’m not hungry yet.” I turned to leave. “Ah—by the way. Where is she right now?”

“In room 309.” Luke said. Ava and Kana were sharing rooms.

“Ah—okay. I’m going to go now.”I said, leaving them and heading to room 309.

I knocked on her door. No one answered. I knocked again. “I’m coming in.”

What startled me was Ava’s sleeping form on the floor. I went to her. Huh? Wait. She hasn’t changed her clothes yet? She might catch a cold. I turned on the lights and found some dry clothes for her. I returned to her and got her out of her wet clothes. I wiped her body dry and started to put the new clothes on her when I noticed that she was breathing heavily. Ack! She’s running a fever.

I carried her to her bed. She was surprisingly light, looks like all those heavy training I went through became useful.

I hurriedly went back downstairs and got out of the hotel to buy some medicine.

They were still in the middle of dinner when I got back. I went to them, panting.

“What’s the matter? Why are you in such a rush?” Ryu-kun asked.

“Ah—it’s because—of Ava.” I said.

“Huh? What do you mean?” he asked.

“She has a fever. She hasn’t changed her clothes when I got to her.” I said, my phone rang. I answered it in haste.

“Hello?” I said.

“Hi! Mizuki! It’s me Alex.” Ah! It’s Alexis Anderson.

“Yeah. Hi Alex. What’s up?” I said.

“Nothing. I just want to hear your voice. Ah—what’s with the ruckus?” he asked.

“Ah—no. I’m just in the hotel’s restaurant.” I said, panting.

“Huh? Did you go running?” he asked.

“Er—yes.I went out to buy some medicine in the pharmacy nearby.” I said.

“Huh? Are you sick?” he asked, sounding worried.

“Er—no. It’s for Ava, she has a fever.”

“Eh? She is?”

“Ah—by the way.  After you left, did you get to talk to her? She left afterwards, you see.” I said. I was really sure that she went to see him, judging by her previous actions.

“Er—we talked for a bit but she was called by some friends from school.” He said.

“Uh-huh. Your friends or hers?” I asked. God! I hope it’s not what I think it is.

“Mine.” Urk! This type of things, it happens at school in Japan.

“Alright. I think I have an idea why she got home soaking wet.” I said.

It’s because I figured that Ava isn’t the type to drown herself because of depression and that she has some sense to not swim with her dress on.

“Huh? What is it? Tell me.” He said.

“Ah—I’ve got to go now. Bye.” I hung up. I sighed. “Um—guys. I’m going to stay with Ava tonight. Kana-chan, can you sleep in my room tonight with Ran-chan? I’ll just see you in the morning.” I told Ran and Kana. They nodded.

“I hope she’ll be alright.” Kana said.

“Do you need help?” Luke asked.

“Although you’re her brother, I think it’s better that I take care of her right now. “ I said, then left.

“Ugh!” Boys are like omens for unfortunate events. Whenever you got close to them, you’ll end up experiencing traumatic situations.

I got her to drink the medicine and wiped her with the towel soaked in tap water.

I stayed with her. I woke her up after six hours and made her drink medicine again. Her fever has gone down a bit. She started to wake up.

“Mmm—“ her eyes half-opened. “Mizzy?”

“Yeah. It’s me. Are you feeling better now?” I asked.

“Uhn. You were taking care of me?” she asked, her voice was still weak.

“Yeah.”

“Thank you.” She said. Afterwards she started to sob.

“What’s wrong?” I said, I held her hand.

“It’s—It’s—Uh—mmm—I’m sorry.” She said, crying.

Ah? What?