Ready to Fall

Chapter 9 Just so you know

----- # -----

It's getting hard to be around you. There's so much I can't say.

Do you want me to hide the feelings and look the other way?

And I don't know how to be fine when I'm not

'cause I don't know how to make a feeling stop.

Just so you know, this feeling's taking control of me.

And I can't help it. I won't sit around. I can't let him win now.

-'Just so you know' by Jesse McCartney-

----- # -----

________________________________________

One month, two weeks and three days before that cold and empty night…

It was a routine for the animal lover and the genius inventor.

Every morning, James waits for Sarah outside the Middle School Dormitory, and they would make their way to the school building together. She would be riding on her scooter and drive side by side with the walking blonde-boy.

The set-up looks pretty unfair, but James never complains about it. He is happy enough as it is.

"So," Sarah started their usual conversation in the morning. "Are we going to expect any confessions today?"

James shook his head. She has been asking the same question for quite a while now, but his answer has always been the same.

"I didn't think so," she replied knowingly.

James suddenly groaned in frustration, "If only we could tell Daniel that Miki loves him, and vice versa, then this whole thing would be over."

"You know we can't do that," she pointed calmly despite him being rattled. "Besides, they haven't really admitted to us that yet."

"I know," he sighed. "But you should have seen Daniel. He was pacing. He never pace. He's always calm and cool. I also think he's really jealous with Tetsuya."

"Why?" she asked curiously.

"Exactly my point!" he exclaimed. "Maybe it would really help him if he knows that he actually stands a chance. Maybe it would give him the push that he needs to come to his senses."

"Honestly, I don't care much about Hyuuga," she said casually with a shrug. "I'm only in this for Miki. I'm actually having second thoughts now. Your friend is becoming really moody lately. I don't know if I should still encourage Miki on him."

"You're not serious, Sarah, are you?" he asked wide-eyed. "There's a reason for Daniel's behavior lately. It could only be solved if those two come out in the open. We have known for how many years that they belong together, but they just don't see it."

"Maybe that's just it. Maybe they don't really belong together, if it is so hard for them to come clean with their feelings."

Sarah has a point, and James knew it. But he could not help feeling that he should do something. They are their best friends after all.

"How about we change tactic?" he suggested energetically. "Instead of trying to make Daniel admit to Miki, let's do the other way around. Let's make Miki admit to him."

"Seriously?" Sarah stopped her scooter and eyed her boyfriend in disbelief. "Haven't you ever heard of a girl's integrity? Prudishness? Pride?"

"This is the modern world," he reminded pointedly. "Girls should also exert an effort in trying to build a relationship. It should not be solely up to guys when it comes to professing about love. It's not such a bad idea if flowers and chocolates come from the girls sometimes. Or the girls serenading the guys instead of the other way around."