Shattered
Chapter 3 - Lost Hope
by Ashley
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The moment they reached the cinema, Recca looked at his watch withan anxious expression on his face.

"Shoot! Look at the time! Yanagi's waiting for me. Why don't the both of you go catch the movie by yourselves? Sorry, but I've really got to rush off now. Ja!"

Before either of them could protest, Recca had run off, leaving the two of them very much alone. Tension hung in the air, yet neither could do anything about it. Trying to get things back to normal, Fuuko cracked a smile, and pulled Domon's hand and led him to the ticket booth. Just like the old times.

"Two please, the comedy."

Fuuko fished around in her pocket for a ten-dollar bill when a large hand reached past her and placed the money on the counter. Somewhat surprised, Fuuko could only gather the tickets and walk towards the theatre. When they had reached the entrance, Fuuko spun round to face Domon.

"Thanks for paying. I'll give you the money you back later."

"Forget it, take it as though I'm treating this time round."

"No thanks, I'm capable of paying for my own movie ticket."

Hesitating, Fuuko moved into the dark theatre and quickly found their seats. She settled down at the corner of her seat furthers away from Domon and perched there. The light flickered across the screen and started to play a picture. However, Fuuko was staring off into space, a thoughtful look on her face. [Was I too harsh on him? Nah, I've always told him off like that. He'll most probably start to bother me again after a while.] Engrossed in her thoughts, Fuuko didn't notice the way Domon was staring at her in the dim light.

[Why must Fuuko be so beautiful? Or so herself? If she wasn't, I would never have fallen for her and I wouldn't have to go through so much pain whenever she rebuffs me.] Each preoccupied with their own thoughts, they both wasted a five-dollar ticket at the same time.

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"Well, it was a nice movie...a show that best friends would watch together..."
 
Fuuko added in. It was best not to let Domon's mind wander to where it shouldn't go too. She distanced herself from him a little too fast. Giving a lame excuse that she had to go home to help her mom with dinner, Fuuko dashed off, but not before she caused another tiny, yet one that hurt so much, crack in Domon's heart. Watching her disappearing back, Domon sat down on one of the nearby benches and sighed. He looked at the flowers waving merrily in their spot in the earth and let out another sigh.

"If only you could talk flower. Maybe you could tell me why Fuuko doesn't accept me as her boyfriend. Or you can tell me why I'm sitting here talking to a flower. Wait a minute, don't girls go gaga over flowers? Hmm...you don't mind me I pick you do you flower? It is for the sake of love right? Thank you flower!" Humming a lively, slighty out-of-tune song, Domon walked home. Sticking a little out of his pocket was a yellowish-red flower, roots and all.

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"Hmm...what's this? A flower? With its roots? To Fuuko, your very secret admirer." Holding the wilted-looking flower between her thumb and index finger, Fuuko peered at the handwriting on the card she had found along with the flower. That messy scawl looked awfully familar...Of course! Who else could it be but Domon? Took her long enough to figure that one out. Fuuko moaned, she didn't want to let Domon down again, espeacially after what happened yesterday. Guess she had to avoid him for the whole of today...if that was possible.

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Unfortunately for her, she was caught at lunch-time. Just as she was entering the cafetria, who else did she knock into but Domon himself. Great, just her luck. Fuuko smiled weakly at him.

"Err...hi Domon. Thanks for the flower."

"It was nothing, just to tell you that everything was still ok between us. We're still friends right?"

"Erm...yup..."

"Want to eat with me?"

"Uh...oh no! Look at the time! I'm going to be late for class!

See you later Domon!"

Dumping her tray into the nearest bin, Fuuko bade him a hasty goodbye and vanished out of the door.

"But Fuuko...how can you be late for class when there's still half-and-hour to spare?" Domon mumbled to himself. He got up and tossed his sandwich into an open bin. He had lost his appetite just as sudden as Fuuko had left.

Why did he even try?
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