Chapter 60:
Graduation:
WonderMart
Friday,
Duo stifles
a yawn beside me as I quicken my steps. The phone call had sounded urgent and
it was unlike Mr. Hart to send for me like this even though I put in my
resignation weeks ago. I approach the blue and white sprawling building with
slight trepidation, and Duo’s grumbling isn’t helping much.
“Why do I
have to come with you?” he protests. “I was enjoying a nice nap.”
“You’ve
been playing video games for almost six hours straight, Duo,” I snap impatiently.
“You need the fresh air.”
He mumbles
something like ‘I need a break’, but I ignore him and step into the familiar
cool confines of my workplace for the past two years. The store is closed for
the day, but Tommy (who is just about to shut the doors) acknowledges and lets
me in. I head for the customer desk recognizing who’s working it today.
“Hey,
Brooke.”
She grins
and stops counting receipts. “Hey, Heero. I guess you’re looking for Mr. Hart?”
At my nod, she motions towards his office. “In there.”
“Thanks.” I
make my way to the back of the store, unable to stop my eyes from staring at
all the shelves and items I’ve helped stack many, many times before. I can
rattle off locations of items without even thinking, and tell you the cost of
just about everything. Hell, WonderMart had been my home away from home. A wave
of nostalgia hits me as I remember the first time I walked in here to apply for
the job and how fast Jeff had been quick to introduce me to my love for ‘Gundam Forever’. Good times.
“Mr. Hart?”
I knock on the door quietly. “It’s Heero Yuy.”
For a
moment, I hear a slight scuffle behind the door – several footsteps and hurried
whispers? – before I hear his voice. “You can enter, Yuy.”
Now more
than bemused at what could be happening, I turn the knob and step in, only to
be showered by a flurry of confetti, balloons, streamers and silly string.
What the hell….?!
“Congratulations,
Heero!” several voices scream at once, and before I can get my bearings, I’m
getting pats on the backs from several of my fellow male co-workers and hugs
from the females. Mr. Hart’s usually bland (but large) office has been
transformed into a party room, complete with a large banner with my name on it
and graduation décor all over the place. I notice Duo’s already chatting up
with Jeff, just as Mr. Hart pulls me aside, grinning like a proud father. I
blush, not quite sure of what to say or make of the surprise party.
“Wow,” I
finally manage. “This is…incredible.”
“You bet it
is!” Hart says and pats my shoulder gently. “Graduation is a big deal, son and
you’ve been one of our loyal associates. It’s only fitting that we send you off
like this.”
“Yes,
especially since you’ll be traveling for a while,” Mrs. Hart chimes in with a
warm smile. She’s a portly, amiable woman with a cheery disposition. I’ve only
seen her a few times, but what was that about me traveling? I don’t remember
telling anyone about it.
“Your
friend there,” Hart explains as if reading my thoughts. “Let us know.”
I glance at
Duo, who raises his plastic cup and winks at me. The sneaky…! When had he
planned all this?!
“Here,”
Mrs. Hart says thrusting a plate of something orange and gooey in my face. “Try
some of my famous peach cobbler. You’ll love it. Everyone does!”
“Thank...”
I barely
get the plate when I’m tugged way by Jeff. “So you’re leaving us for the great
world beyond, huh?”
I blink in
confusion. “What?”
“Traveling?”
“Oh, that.
Well…”
“Shame,
Yuy. You should have told me. I wouldn’t have gotten the tickets for the next
Anime Convention then. I was going to dress as Seiji this time around.”
Despite the
bizarreness of this conversation in the middle of a party, I’m intrigued all
the same. “Really? That’s cool. I would have loved to see you in that costume.”
Jeff looks
smug and quite proud of himself. “I worked hours on it. It’s almost complete.
Maybe I’ll take a picture and send it to your cell phone or email, if you
want.”
“I’d like
that. Thanks.” I put down the plate of food and pat my jacket pockets for
something to write with, but like a magician, Jeff produces his cell phone (the
latest one that has all the more complicated techno gadgets. Awesome!) and
smiles. “Just tell me the number and your email address and I’ll get it all in
here.” Information exchanged, he grabs my hand for a firm handshake.
“Don’t be a
stranger, Yuy,” he says. “I might not be working here when you come back. A
buddy of mine and I are setting up a new small business for techies like us.
We’re even going to produce our first video game.”
I shake my
head in disbelief. “That’s…fantastic, Jeff. Really! I hope things work out for
you.”
He has the
grace to blush and nods. “Thanks.” He pauses, eyes the room and then looks back
at me. “You were my best buddy in this place, Yuy. The only one who could talk
to me without thinking I was a freak. The girls…they like the face and all, but
when I open my mouth, they run away.”
I laugh.
“You just have to stop speaking techno-babble to them, that’s all.”
“Yeah…maybe.”
He smiles and shakes my hand again before moving away to blend with the shadows.
I’ll miss him that’s for sure.
The rest of
the evening goes in a blur. I talk to several other friends I’ve worked with
and Wufei manages to show up late, explaining that he had gone to Dorothy’s
house to try to speak to her and almost died since she set her dogs out to
attack him.
“I’m not
even going to bother anymore,” he grumbles as he helps Duo and I carry the few
gifts I received. “What’s the point? Want a ride home?”
“Please,”
Duo says quickly as he all but jumps into Wufei’s car with relief. “We’re so
going car hunting tomorrow, Heero.”
“I like the
bus,” I mumble. “And besides, I’ve got a speech to prepare for.”
I notice
Duo and Wufei share a knowing look and I roll my eyes. “It’s not easy preparing
a valedictorian speech, you wet ends! I’ve got to make it right.”
“Here’s a
speech for you,” Wufei says with a smirk. “Thanks for four years of crap. I’m
out, suckers!”
“Amen!” Duo
hoots and gives Wufei a high five in commendation. Their laughter masks my
chuckle as I look out the window, still smiling as I think of the events of the
past week. I still have to show up in school almost every day even though I
don’t have to wear the school uniform anymore. There are yearbooks to sign, our
graduation gowns to pick up and of course my goddamn speech to prepare for.
Just where the hell do I even begin? Now that I’m done with exams, I’m stressed
over finding the right words to address my graduating classmates, parents and
faculty. It just never ends.
“…planning,
Wufei?”
Duo’s
question jerks me back to reality. What’s he talking about?
“Well, my
dad wants me to travel back to
“That
sounds cool,” Duo enthuses. “We might stop by and say howdy if we stop over
there that is.”
Wufei
laughs. “So where will you guys be going to exactly?”
Duo and I
exchange a quick look. We haven’t exactly mapped out our destinations and he
shrugs. “Hell, wherever the fucking plane takes us,” he finally says.
“You’re not
using a commercial flight, are you? That’s going to be one hella expensive
trip,” Wufei asks and Duo shakes his head.
“Nope, no
commercial flight. I supposedly own a jet plane.” He looks embarrassed as he
says it, and again I have to remind myself that this unassuming teen is loaded
enough to get himself several jet planes if he wants. It’s almost surreal.
Wufei
whistles in appreciation and hopes that Duo will invite him to join us, just as
he pulls up to the apartment building. “So, I’ll see you guys at the festival?”
“Sure
thing,” I reply with a grin. “Oh, before I forget, you think the Buzzard will
ever recover and get back to school before the year’s over?”
Wufei and
Duo break into guffaws as we remember the way we had all but desecrated the
asshole’s previous convertible. Apparently we weren’t the only ones who hated
the man, since his car already had the lovely message ‘YOU SUCK!!’ written in
white spray paint along its sides. Duo and I had slashed the tires, while Trowa
and Wufei had knocked out the headlights and scratched some obscene words on
both sides of the car. The moron hadn’t set his alarm on, so we were able to
work quickly and leave with hardly a trace. Quatre had been on the lookout.
“Serves him
right,” Wufei said with a grim smile. “Hopefully, he’ll think twice before
fucking around with the students next year. Anyhoo, gotta run! See ya on
Friday.”
We wave
until he disappears around the corner, before making our way into our quiet
apartment.
Duo
immediately tears into my gifts like a kid in a candy store. “Boo,” he
complains as he stares at the hand crocheted shawl from Mrs. Hart. “What the
fuck?”
“It’s nice
and thoughtful,” I say with a laugh while caressing the warm cloth. “Maybe she
figures it will come in handy when we get to the cold places.”
“I’m all
the blanket you need, Heero,” Duo teases as he opens another box. This time
from Mr. Hart. It’s a heavy chestnut box (about medium size) which Duo opens to
reveal a traveler’s treasure trove. A map of the world, a compass, a stop
watch, a telescope, a silver whistle, a magnifying glass and a journal and pen
that looks like something out of the nineteenth century.
“Nice,” Duo
whistles in appreciation.
“Indeed.”
It is pretty cool and I know it’s something to keep and not actually use...I
mean where the heck would I use them anyway.
The rest
are small gifts from co-workers – some music CDs and DVDs, a ginomous ‘We’ll
Miss You’ card with everyone’s signatures on it and from Jeff – I can’t help
grinning – a signed poster of Pilot 01 from my favorite seiyuu in the world.
Duo frowns in envy. He continues to grumble about my good fortune as we pack
away the gifts in a cardboard box, which reminds me that I’ll eventually have
to start making plans to end my lease here. Duo and I have agreed to move to
the country home in
“So when
are your parents coming?” Duo mumbles against my bare chest later that night.
I caress
his sweat-slicked shoulder with my fingertips. “They’ll come a day before
graduation…stay at a hotel nearby. We’ll have dinner with them that night, is
that okay?”
He nods
softly against me and I know he must be thinking about his mother. Eleanor
would have been excited to be a part of Duo’s special day, but it’s apparently not
meant to be. “She’ll be watching you,” I whisper softly. “She and your Dad will
have the best seat in the house.”
Duo says
nothing, but if his tightened grip around my waist is any indication, he
understands and appreciates my words. Pity I feel as if they still aren’t
enough.
__
Our Apartment
Saturday
There’s an
incessant pounding in my head…no, not my head…
“Geerrooff…”
Duo mumbles in his sleep and throws his leg over my waist. I try to will myself
back to la-la-land, but the pounding continues…and then the chime of the
doorbell.
Fucking
hell! Can’t I get some rest?
“Duo,” I
groan and push his leg off me before stumbling to my feet and searching for my
sweatpants to slip into. The pounding continues again and now it’s beginning to
piss me off.
“Hold your
water,” I grumble and open the locks, ready to give whoever it is a piece of my
mind.
“Heero Yuy
or Duo Maxwell?” says the man in brown with a tip of his hat. “Sorry to bother
you this morning, but could you please sign this for me?”
I blink to
clear off the last remnants of sleep, staring at the familiar postal delivery service
and then trying to glance behind him to see what package I might have
received…and from who?
“Heero Yuy.
Who’s this from?” I ask as I sign quickly.
“It’s on
the package, sir. Downstairs.” He winks and then tips his hat again. Now more
than curious, I wear my slippers quickly and all but run down the stairs after
him. There’s a small crowd…okay, just Mrs. Aizawa (the landlady) and Mr.
Masataka who has been walking his dog and two other kids from the neighborhood
I’ve seen playing around on most days…but sitting in the middle of the usually
empty yard is something covered in a cream-colored tarp with a big red bow on
the top. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know what’s hidden beneath With trembling legs, I pluck the card that’s
stuck within the gigantic bow and see a single word on it.
CONGRATULATIONS.
Opening it
quickly, I read the rest of the message.
Just a little present
from my father and I. You both did it and we’re proud of you!
Enjoy your trip around
the world and we wish you both the best for the future.
Harold and Archibald
Winters.
“Open it
already!” one of the children cries out and trying to glare at him, although it
doesn’t work since I’m now smiling like an idiot, I grab the end of the tarp
and begin to pull it away with one fierce yank.
“Wow!”
Duo’s cry ricochets from our floor as he looks down – half-naked or completely
naked for all I know – the boy has no shame sometimes. “A car!! And not just
any car!! It’s a fucking Ferrari!!”
He bounds
down (thank goodness he had the time to wear his shorts) bare feet, and all but
pounces on the car. “Holy Shit! Just what I wanted!”
“You told
them to buy it?” I ask, my fingers already tracing the contours of the sleek,
fire-red convertible with black streaks on its hood. The trademark insignia of
the black horse adorns the driver’s side like a beacon. I can just about smell
the rich leather.
“No way,”
Duo protests and steals the keys from me. “I just mentioned it in passing to
Harold that I needed to find a car for us, but had no idea he’d actually go out
of his way to buy it.” He slips behind the steering wheel and all but purrs in
delight. “You should come inside, Heero. This is fantastic!”
He’s not
kidding. As I settle in the passenger side, I eye all the added features with
undisguised awe and delight. It’s the latest model – a 510hp with a 4.3-Liter
V8 Engine. Sweet! I caress the leather dashboard and nearly salivate at the
thought of being behind the wheels of this baby.
“Let’s take
it for a test drive. You do it,” Duo suddenly says and tosses the keys to me. I
blink at the invitation. I can’t remember the last time I actually drove
something even though I can. Duo’s bike doesn’t count.
“Can we at
least change first?” I ask, laughing to hide my nervousness.
“Sure,
sure!” Duo’s already out of the car and dashing up the steps to get ready. I
sit in the solitude of the 430 brand and stare at the admiring looks from more
of our neighbors as they wake up to the sight of the powerful machine. It’s all
I can do not to gloat. But first…I notice the piece of paper sticking out of
the visor and pull it down. For a moment my mind doesn’t quite register what
it’s seeing, but after rubbing my eyes just to be sure, it’s still as clear as
day. The car’s title is under my name…MY name, which means that I’m the actual owner.
“Duo…” I
shake my head in disbelief, realizing that he had actually planned this from
the beginning. To pretend as if it was a gift for both of us when he had meant
it for me – perhaps not wanting to assume that he was doing it out of pity.
It’s with horror that I discover my cheeks are wet and I wipe the tears away
quickly, taking a deep breath to gather control of my emotions.
Keep spoiling me, you bastard. Don’t
you know just having you is more than enough?
“Heero!
What the hell’s keeping you?!”
“All right,
already! I’m coming!”
I
reluctantly leave the car….with a glare at anyone who dares to touch it…and jog
up the stairs to get ready for the day. It’s going to be a glorious Saturday. I
just know it!
But first to
thank Duo properly…
__
Trowa’s (Sister’s) House
“You
drove?” comes the incredulous statement from my friend, after spending almost
half-an-hour admiring the convertible.
“Yes, I
drove. Geez. What the hell’s wrong with everyone?” I scowl as Duo cracks up in
merriment.
“He was
extra careful though. Made sure he obeyed all the signs and signals and…hey!”
I try to
grab him in a headlock, but he’s quick to make his escape and hides behind
Trowa, sticking his tongue out at me like a child.
“Where’s your
sister?” I ask as we walk into the cozy home. It smells like fresh bread and
cookies – Catherine is a stickler for baking – Duo’s nearly drooling as he
makes a beeline for the kitchen.
“Went to
her dance class,” Trowa replies. He ushers us - well me since Duo’s currently
rummaging and banging things around in their kitchen - into his bedroom and I
notice his graduation gown hanging against his closet wall. He gives a small
smile. “We waited four years for this, didn’t we?” he says quietly and I nod –
realizing with a pang that the next few days and weeks might be the last time I
see him in a long while.
“What will
you do after graduation?” I ask as I sit on his neat bed. There’s a clarinet, a
trombone and a flute arranged neatly before the TV and his desk only has a
laptop and a novel (in Russian) upon it. He sits on the chair beside the desk
and places his hands behind his head, lips pursed in thought.
“Quatre
wants me to join his father’s business…the engineering side of things.”
“That’s great!
Will you take it?”
“Dunno. I
do want to go to college first. I know Quatre’s not. His dad wants him in the
family business ASAP.”
“How does
he feel about it?”
“Bummed
out.” He picks up the flute and fondles it gently. “But what other choice does
he have? He was raised to be an heir or whatever.”
He shrugs
and then smiles. “Check this out. I just composed this last night. Want to
listen?”
With a warm
smile, I nod in agreement. “Sure. Why not?”
He seems to
blush (a rarity in itself) and taking a deep breath, begins to play something
sweet and almost sorrowful just as Duo walks in to join us with a cookie stuck
between his teeth. I pat the space beside me and we both lie on the narrow
bed, close our eyes and listen to Trowa’s
final serenade to us.
It’s a tune
I’ll never forget for as long as I live.
__
Friday,
The Festival
Kamui has
all but stolen Duo away from me for tonight, and seems determined to keep him
by his side for as long as he can. I tug the belt of my black and white yukata
tightly and sigh with a mixture of weariness and exhaustion. By this time next
week, I’ll be seeing Fujisaki for the last time. I think I have my speech
ready. I’ve run it by Duo a few times in the past week – run them so much that
he’s sick of hearing it actually and stuffs his ears with cotton whenever I
begin. However, the final speech is bound to be completely different and I
can’t tell him that yet.
I walk by
students I’ve known for all four years and those just budding – their faces
alight with excitement for what the future holds for them. I almost envy the
freshmen, remembering my entrance to this school and how I was bullied because
I chose to be quiet. Duo says I had shielded myself in a cocoon and he’s right.
I had to. It was the only way to protect myself most of the time. I had to do a
lot of growing up in four years, allow myself to give way a little and become
friends with Wufei, Trowa, Quatre and Relena. Duo’s arrival was the straw that
broke the camel’s back. He made me seem more human…at least to others. To show
that I too could bleed and hurt like everyone else.
“Yo,
Heero!”
“Hey,
Heero.”
“G’d
evening, sempai.”
Salutations
and greetings hail me as I walk from stall to stall, stopping every now and then
to admire what the Karate Club has done (they are in charge of fireworks again,
but also the bob-for-apples games), and the Debate Club with their
‘catch-a-goldfish’ game or the Dance club who is putting on a great dance
competition at the moment, and the Music Club, where the seniors are being
honored with a recital. There’s the Drama Club with their puppet show and the
Arts Club with their crafts for sale. There’s the History Club, which has a
haunted horror house where couples go in and come out looking scared shitless.
Maybe I can drag Duo in there once Kamui releases him. The Science Club has
done a great job with their rocket launchers game – lots of guys are hanging
out there, no surprise. The Press Club has the most active tents – with lots of
interactive games and arcades. The Anime/Manga Club are not to be left out as
well. They’re currently selling doujinshis and doing caricatures of students
who want them. All in all, I have to admit that Akira has outdone himself.
“Sempai,”
he pants breathlessly as he runs up to me with a big grin on his face. He’s
dressed in a short blue print hakama jacket and shorts and is all but hopping
from one foot to another in excitement. “What do you think?”
I’m tempted
to say something scathing, to bring him down from his high, but it’s too good a
night to rain on his parade. “It’s…amazing,” I finally admit with a smile. “You
did a great job getting everything ready.”
He blushes
and lowers his gaze. “You helped too, sempai.”
I shrug. “I
didn’t do much. All the praise goes to you.”
“But I…”
His words are interrupted as another student (I recognize him as the
vice-president) runs up to whisper something in his ear. Akira nods and then
grins at me again.
“Will you
watch the fireworks, sempai?”
“Won’t miss
it for the world.”
“Great!
Excuse me, sempai. I just need to check out a few things.”
For a
second, I find myself taking a step forward, my lips forming to say ‘I’ll take
care of things’, but I stop myself in time, blushing at the realization that I
no longer have any power to do much. My time has come and gone and it’s all up
to the boy walking away with confident strides as the students all watch him in
slight awe. Had they once looked at me like that?
“There he
is!” Someone cries and soon enough, Relena drapes her arms around my shoulder
and plants a kiss on my cheek. “We’ve been looking all over for you.”
I stare at
my grinning friends in bemusement. Trowa, Quatre, Hilde, Wufei…with Dorothy
standing as far away from him as possible…and Duo with Kamui in tow. “What’s
happening?”
“We were
told to move towards the pavilion,” Duo says with a shrug and a lollipop stuck
in his mouth. “So let’s head off.”
At the
pavilion, there are more seniors everywhere, all looking to the sky with looks
of confusion or anticipation, I can’t be sure. Suddenly…
FLASH!
CRACKLE! BANG!!
And a
collective cry of ‘Ooooh!’ escapes our lips as a kaleidoscope of colors
brighten the night sky. I feel a familiar figure beside me and lean into Duo as
he wraps his arms around my waist. Thank goodness Kamui’s left him alone for
now.
Just when I
think the spectacular show is over, the sky lights up again but this time,
words form in its place:
GOODBYE CLASS OF
2006!!
THANKS FOR THE
MEMORIES!!
The seniors
laugh and applaud at the sight, and even I can’t help being impressed at what
our juniors have done. But wait…there’s one more….
THANK YOU, HEERO
SEMPAI!!
THE BEST PRESIDENT
EVER!!
“Awwwww,”
several people say at the same time before breaking out into much louder
applause as they all turn to look at me. I’m still staring at the sky and at my
name that’s beginning to fade out, unable to stop the well of tears that form
in my eyes at the sentiment. Duo hugs me tighter and kisses me gently, but I
can barely feel a thing. I’m too numb and shocked and thrilled and…
“To the
bestest president ever!” Relena cries out. “Hip, hip…”
“HOOOORAY!!!”
Duo, yells
(and almost makes me go deaf), “HIP, HIP….”
“HOOOOOOOORAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!!”
“You guys…”
I choke out through my blurred vision, finally giving in and allowing Duo to
cradle me within his arms. It’s easily the best gift they could have ever given
me and knowing that even the great Zechs Merquise hadn’t gotten this kind of
send-off, makes me feel so much more grateful.
“See?” Duo
whispers in my ear, before pulling back to caress my wet cheeks gently. “You
don’t need any shield to make them love you, Heero. They all do. We all do. I
do…more than anything else in the world.”
Duo…
When he
kisses me, it completes a night of wonder and magic. I hold on to him for dear
life, almost afraid that I’ll be forced to wake up from this dream. I hope it
never ends. Not now, not ever.
__
Saturday,
“Smile,
Heero! Duo!”
FLASH!
I swear I’m
half-blind now, my jaw is aching from smiling so much and I must have posed
with just about every teacher (even with the Buzzard who looked humbled enough
tonight) and senior (or should I say ex-senior) student of Fujisaki for
photographs. A few ‘daring’ juniors and other students who had come for the event
have even asked me to take a few pictures and a wary side of me wonders how
many albums and scrapbooks will have my face plastered on them without my
knowledge.
My mother’s
arms wrap around me in a bear hug, her perfume smothering me as my father continues
to record the momentous occasion. You should have seen him in the auditorium
when my name was called. He was the first to rise to his feet and applaud (even
my mother was stunned at my stoic father’s enthusiastic display) and for the
first time, I didn’t have the urge to want the earth to swallow me whole in
embarrassment. They are well aware of Eleanor’s passing, and when Duo’s name
was called to the podium to accept his diploma, they stood up too, cheering the
loudest and trying to outdo the entire senior class that seemed to rise for Duo
at the same time. It didn’t help that Duo accepted his diploma with a humongous
grin, flashed a peace sign and then (I swear this really happened) somersaulted
into the air in celebration and down the stairs. It was the coolest thing and
had everyone roaring in delight. Even the principal couldn’t do much but gawk
and try to look upset. I could tell he was itching to expel someone, but
realized how foolhardy that would be.
But I guess
it was my speech – which believe me was one of the hardest things I had to do –
that was the highlight of the evening. The auditorium was dead silent as they
allowed me to speak. It wasn’t a long, drawn out thing, but it was worth seeing
the shock and surprise on Duo’s face when I was done and the thunderous
applause that soon followed. I couldn’t have written it any better if I do say
so myself and I’m really proud of the way it all turned out.
“All right,
boys and girls,” my father’s saying as he motions for all of us to come together.
“This is a video dairy and recording of your final farewells to Fujisaki.
Beginning with you, Quatre, and go!”
Quatre
looks flustered, waving quickly to his bevy of sisters and beaming parents who
stand by the sidelines and watch our little group before the large statue of
one of the founding fathers of the school. Quatre straightens his black graduation
hat and flowing black gown, and coughs lightly.
“Uumm…well….shut
up, Duo!” he hisses with a blush before turning to the camera again. “Well,
it’s been a great…fine, fine, not so great all the time, four years here. I was
quiet and shy when I came to Fujisaki, but I managed to make some great friends
especially…”
“Trowa!”
someone yells behind him and he turns a bright beet red, waving his hands before
his face and yelling ‘Cut! Cut!’ as we all laugh at his discomfort.
“Fine, yes,
so I met and fell for Trowa, what’s the big deal!” He tries to look as
dignified as possible. “Anyway, I also met all these losers behind me and…well,
I’m going to miss all of them. Knowing I won’t have to wake up on Monday
morning, wondering what uniform I’m going to wear or talking to any of them in
the hallways…it’s going to be tough. I’ll miss you, guys.”
We all go
‘awwwww!’ and try to pat his head, but he ducks and tries to punch us in the
face. My father laughs and motions for Trowa to move forward.
Smiling, he
takes off his hat and holds it before his chest as if about to recite an
anthem. “I don’t have much to add. I think Heero’s speech in the auditorium and
Quatre’s thoughts just about sum it up. But I will leave a message for Duo and
Heero in case this is for them – enjoy your vacation around the world, don’t
forget us and write often….and I wish you the best for the future. All of you.
You were my best friends and I’ll never forget you.”
He gets a
round of applause for that, none louder from his sister who runs over to plant
a big wet one on his lips much to his embarrassment.
“All right,
Wufei, it’s your turn next.”
Wufei looks
flustered as well, steals a quick glance at his mother and father standing by
the side lines…and then at Dorothy who (and I swear I’m not imagining things)
smiles at him a little. An actual smile. Maybe things are looking up for the
two.
“I’ll be
frank,” he begins, now looking almost sternly at the camera and managing to
flip a bird (discreetly) behind his back to us as we snicker at his attempt to
look serious. He’s the most mischievous of the group besides Duo and you
wouldn’t know with how tidy, uptight and proper he looks. “When I came to Fujisaki,
I never wanted to make friends with these people – certainly not with him!” He
points to me and I attempt to look hurt. How could he?! “Anyway, getting to
know Heero Yuy was the first step to a new and improved…me I guess. Despite his
standoffishness, he’s a pretty cool guy to know and Duo, you’re one lucky assho…person
to be with him, so make sure you keep him in check, okay? Enjoy your trip to
wherever you go and try not to pis…upset the natives. Good Bye!”
We applaud
and he bows to snickers and laughter. It’s Relena’s turn next.
Blushing
and waving to the camera, and to her proud parents standing by the side lines
as well as a smug-looking Zechs Merquise (who I’m secretly thrilled he showed
up to watch my graduation) nods in approval, she takes a deep breath and
launches into a speech that I’ll try my best to paraphrase.
“…gave up
my dream to marry Heero since he obviously has eyes for his boyfriend.” This elicits mock cries of
‘oooooooh!’ from the group and even Duo has to flush as they all burst out
laughing. “Anyway, here are my best friends in the whole world…” She motions
towards the other girls and all but drags Hilde and Dorothy into the shot,
whispering fiercely for them to introduce themselves.
“I’m
Hilde,” Hilde says with a mock curtsey. Her grandparents (like Duo she too is
an orphan, although you’d never know with the way she acts) wave enthusiastically
while taking as many pictures as their archaic camera can allow.
“And I’m
Dorothy,” Dorothy says as she gives a short wave. Dorothy’s elegant mother –
who can’t seem to smile and seems dressed for an evening at the Ritz - and her
current boyfriend (a guy who looks much younger than she does) watch the events
with looks of boredom on their features. She crushes out her cigarette under
sleek black pumps and pats her well-coiffed blond locks with a light yawn. With
parents like that, no wonder the girl has a twisted sense of sanity.
“We’ve all
been together since the first day,” Relena gushes. “And needless to say, I hope
we can continue to be friends long after we leave Fujisaki. The guys were all
right, although they were such big babies sometimes. Hilde…?”
“I’ll miss
everyone,” comes the reply as Hilde waves, “but first I want to do something
I’ve always wanted to do for a long time.”
“Wha…eek!!”
Before any
of us can blink an eye, Hilde’s grabs Duo’s cheeks and begins to kiss the
living daylights out of him. I’m too stunned to think as people laugh around us
with Duo flailing his arms like a windmill, nearly sending them tumbling to the
ground with his shocked cry. When Hilde finally lets him go, he gasps for
breath, while she grins and bows to the round of applause from the gathering
audience around us.
“I’m going
to die,” Duo pants and tries to gulp precious air into his lungs. “Die…air…need
air…”
“Well, that
was entertaining,” Zechs pipes up with a mischievous glint in his eye. “If
there’s a line for things we really want to do…”
“Duo’s turn
next!” I wave towards the camera as I realize what Zechs might say. Damn him!
“Why’re you
blushing?” Duo asks with a pout.
“I’m not.”
“There is
something I’d like to do to Duo as well,” Zechs, ever persistent, continues
with a growing smirk. The parents look clueless, Relena flushes and runs over
to shut up her brother, while the guys all turn crimson.
“Well, it’s
Duo’s turn,” my father finally says to break the tension. “Why don’t you say
something to the camera.”
Duo smiles
and scratches the tip of his nose gently. He clears his throat and glances at
me with a wink. Damn if that doesn’t get me all hot and bothered.
“Well, what
to say, really….hmm….everyone else has some great speech and I’ve got nothing.”
“Come on,
Duo, say something, say something!” Our friends begin to chant.
He pretends
to snort in derision and then straightens up a little. “Well, I know all of
you…known all of you for just two years, but I’ve got to say that it feels like
I’ve known you all my life.” He blushes and looks directly at each of us. Gone
is the snickering and laughter. We realize how important this is, not just for
Duo, but also for all of us. “I didn’t have many friends growing up. I met so
many people who just flashed in and out of my life, but for almost two years,
you’ve been a constant – faces I can rely on when I need you the most. That
means…” He bites his lower lip and looks away for a moment, takes a deep breath
and then continues in a much stronger tone. “That means a lot. Really. It’s
been a tough year, as you all know…and I wish my mom could have been here…hell
even my dad…but as someone told me…they’ve already got the best seat in the
house and knowing my mom…she’s probably getting my dad drunk in heaven or
something.”
We all
laugh a little and it looks like several of the women/girls are dabbing their
eyes.
“Anyway!”
Duo claps his hands as if realizing the air’s turned a little somber. “I’m
glad, happy, thrilled, and really thankful for all of you and I’m gonna miss
you when we do say goodbye. We’ll write, take tons of pictures…good pictures
and no naughty ones, I promise.” This elicits several shocked gasps from the
parents and loud laughter from the rest of us as Duo winks in mischief. He
turns to my parents and smiles almost shyly at them. “I’ve got to thank you
both for allowing me to be with your son…and sorta adopting me in the process.
Thanks, Mom and Dad!”
Much to my
father’s chagrin and great discomfort (although he does smile at our applause),
Duo envelopes them in a bear hug and pretends to blow his nose loudly at the
emotion of it all.
“And now
for Heero!” Someone says and a collective groan goes up.
”Not again!”
“We already
heard him speak!”
“What the
fuc…hell! Sorry, Mom.”
Well, good
grief. It’s nice to know I have a whole bunch of fans around here.
“Ah, don’t
mind them sweetheart,” my mother says as she plants a soft kiss on my cheek and
ruffles my hair. I blush darkly as someone taunts me as a ‘Momma’s Boy’, but
motion for my father to start recording as I cough and take a deep breath.
“My name is
Heero Yuy…”
“We know
who you are!”
I swear I’m going to….!
“Go on,
son,” my father says with an encouraging smile. “Don’t listen to them. Any
words for Fujisaki and your friends before you go your separate ways?”
“Yes, I
do.” I decide to address each person directly. I look into Wufei’s amused black
eyes and smile. “To my first real friend. Thanks for not giving up on me and for
making me aware of what I could become.” He blushes and gives me a mock salute.
I turn to Quatre and Trowa, always a pair, always together. I have no doubt if
I visited them fifty years from now, they’d still be together, hand-in-hand and
content with whatever life throws at them. “Quatre and Trowa…you two gave me a
chance and allowed me into your fold. For that, I thank you. You’re the best
darn musicians this side of the country.” They smile and nod in unison. Turning
to Relena, I smile warmly as she blushes and lowers her lashes. “To the girl I
would have probably ended up hanging out with and marrying, who knows? Thank
you for still being a friend despite everything. You’ve been there for me and…”
Damn, I’m getting choked up again. “…well…just thanks for everything, you know
what.”
“Oh,
Heero,” she sobs and leans close to place a gentle warm kiss on my forehead and
cheeks before hugging me tightly against her warmth. I squeeze my eyes tightly
to hold back the tears, no use breaking down before them. We finally break
apart and smile shyly at each other, and I realize how breathtaking she’s going
to be when she’s much older. I do hope the sap that gets her as a bride treats
her right or he’ll answer to me.
“Hilde…Dorothy,”
I turn to the two girls who smile back at
me. “I might not have known you as intimately as the others, but you
were a part of us…me and Fujisaki wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
“Thanks,
Heero,” Hilde whispers and hugs me as well, followed (shockingly!) by Dorothy,
although it’s brief. “Take care, Heero,” she says and pulls away.
“Zechs...”
My former
sempai looks a bit shocked that I actually acknowledged him and a part of me is
smug at that knowledge, but it dies quickly as I realize I’m getting emotional
again. The words I want to say seemed lodged in my throat and he seems to
understand, for he walks up to me and taps my head gently with his fan (that
darn fan of his!)
“You did
all right, Yuy,” he says with a smile that fills my heart with warmth. It
reminds me of how much I craved his praises when he was still a senior, of how
much I wanted to be like him in a way, to emulate that air of charisma and
nonchalance, of confidence and invulnerability. In a way, I did love Zechs
Merquise and I’ll never forget him and all he’s done for me for as long as I
live.
“Thank
you...sempai.”
Hell, he’ll
always be that to me.
The hug is
brief but hard and strong. He almost seems to push me away from him quickly
before turning away, pretending to be transfixed on a group of giggling senior
girls taking pictures at the other end of the garden. I pretend not to notice
the shimmer in his eyes. He isn’t all completely heartless after all.
“All right
everyone, let’s gather round for the final pictures,” Catherine says as she motions
for the seven of us to stand before the towering bronze statue. “Arms around
shoulders now.”
Duo pulls
me by his side, whispering a few words in my ear that have my eyes widening in
shock and pleasure. Who says I don’t have a pervert for a boyfriend? Just
thinking of tossing Duo to the floor and feeling up beneath his robes…
“Stop
drooling, Yuy and focus!” comes the jab from Wufei as he nudges me with a
smirk.
The girls
are in the middle with me on Relena’s left. Wufei’s beside Dorothy, Trowa and
Quatre are on Duo’s left. We huddle close together and pretend we’re freezing
cold as flashbulbs from our parents and a few (ex)students go off. Silly poses
seem to rule until Duo lifts his hat and yells out a cheer we’re only too eager
to repeat.
“Awwww
right! Senior Class of Fujisaki 2006!! Hip, hip….!!”
“HOOOORAY!!!”
Our hats
fly off into the air and mingle – some becoming dots as they have been thrown
too high. I watch mine with a smile of relief on my features, knowing now that
nothing stands between my future and me.
Goodbye Fujisaki.
Thank you.
Thank you for the memories.
__
Our Apartment
Saturday,
THREE WEEKS LATER:
“That the
last one?” Duo grunts as he shoves the last cardboard box full of textbooks out
the door.
“I think
so.” I wipe my sweaty forehead and stare at the empty apartment, now completely
bare besides a few bits of plaster on the floor we have to tidy up. Or rather
the cleaning crew will have to deal with.
“Thank
God,” Duo pants and falls to the floor in exhaustion. We’ve long given up
caring for how dirty we might be. We’ve been working hard all morning and are
ready to call it quits. Muscles I didn’t know existed are aching like crazy. I
collapse beside him, trying to catch my breath.
We can hear
the movers lifting the box and then,
“We’re on
our way, sir.”
I barely
turn around to look at one of the moving crew. “Sure. Thanks a lot, Pedro.”
“No
problem. We drive to
Duo and I
must have mumbled something in return because we soon hear the click of the
door and we’re left in merciful silence.
After what
seems like eons, I finally whisper more to myself than to Duo, “I was so happy
when I found this place…seems like just yesterday I walked up to my mom and dad
and said ‘look, I want to move out on my own…earn my own money, pay my own
rent….be a man.” I chuckle weakly and throw an arm across my forehead, staring
at the familiar white patterns on the ceiling. “It was freedom…away from the
shackles of my parents and a place to call my own. I thought I had it made,
Duo. I never knew how empty it really was until…until I met you at that darn bus
stop.” I swallow the stubborn lump in my throat and allow my gaze to roam
around the cream-colored walls I’ve called home for almost four years. “I’m going to miss this place.”
I can
‘hear’ Duo smile beside me. “I know. I’ll miss it too, Heero.” We fall silent
again and let the memories take over until he nudges my shin with his foot. “…look…that’s
where you punched the wall after I pissed you off that time, remember?”
I stare at
the hole I had always planned to repair and never got around to doing, snicker
and point towards another dent. “I wonder who’s responsible for that one. You
have any idea how much the lease is gonna cost me with all the damage we did?”
He nudges
me with a giggle. “It’s been paid for, asshole.”
“Right.
Right.” I nudge him back and he snuggles against me. I wrap my arms around him
and stare into his eyes, a hand reaching up to brush away the bangs from his
forehead.
“You
driving?” I murmur.
“Too tired.
You do the first hour and I’ll do the next.”
“Fine, lazy
bones.”
We smile
and rest our foreheads against each other’s, content to remain like this for as
long as we can in the silence and emptiness – allowing the faint but recognizable
sounds of this building and its environs to envelope me in its memories and
warmth.
“Did you
say goodbye to everyone?” Duo asks softly.
I nod and
brush my lips against his forehead. “Yeah, Mr. Mastaka was cool enough to give
me one of his favorite literature books – The Catcher in the
“Sentimental
value?”
“Mmmhmm.”
“Heard from
the others?”
“Wufei’s
gone…Trowa’s gone to visit an uncle in the Corps…Relena and Hilde are gone
too…vacation somewhere on the
“….gone,”
Duo whispers thickly and I can only nod, realizing how lonely that word really
is. I already miss them so much it hurts.
“We should
get going too, Duo,” I finally say, sitting up with a small smile and helping
him up. He pouts and I can’t resist stealing a quick kiss. “We have a long
drive ahead.”
He blushes
and gets to his feet. “Carry me to the car?”
“Are you
crazy?” I gasp in disbelief, even though laughter wells up within me. “I’m not
carrying your heavy…DUO!! GET OFF ME!!”
“Go,
Heero!” He cries as he jumps behind me, wraps his arms around my neck and his
legs around my waist, before burying his face against my neck. I have to steady
him…or his ass really and snicker as I begin to walk towards the door.
“Gawd, you’re
so hot and manly and strong,” he murmurs against my neck, giggling as I blush
hotly and step outside and to the waiting Ferrari. “You know how much I love
you, don’t you, Heero Yuy?”
“Not as
much as I do, Duo Maxwell,” I reply, stopping to accept his querying lips in a
slow, tender, and oh-so-heavenly-sweet kiss of pleasure.
By tomorrow
morning, we’d be in our new home…in a few days…off to our first stop,
It almost
seems too perfect to be true, but I can’t deny that Duo and I deserve this
after all that life’s thrown at us so far. The world is now our oyster and I
plan to savor it with the man I love, for as long as it is offered.
For the
rest of our lives…
~End Period Sixty~