The Deal [Shicca Fanfic]

Chapter 13: Feelings Of The Heart

That night, as Rebecca was editing the videos she had recorded throughout the fair, she couldn't help but smile when she saw all the happy faces of her friends.

Friends... It was amazing how she had gained all of them. Usually, even though she was very famous on school, Rebecca only hanged out with Labilia. They had been friends for years and anyone they met in the years after was always scared to give a first step to talk to them. As if they were on a level of their own.

Rebecca didn't mind. As long as she had someone by her side, she was happy. But now she realized how fun it was to be with other people, to do different things and to talk about other topics. Shiki's friends were so different from her; but that's what made their relationship even better, that gave her a different perspective about things.

She adored Labilia; she couldn't imagine her life without her. But maybe, just maybe, she was in need for other people.

And Shiki had opened that world to her. By meeting him, Rebecca had done more things and meet more people that she had ever done since starting high-school three years before. She was starting to look forward for the next day even more.

A sound of laughter fills her room and her eyes soften upon Shiki's infantile laugh, his face bright with merriment. Whenever he was like this, Rebecca couldn't help but feel fuzzy inside.

She knew what this was. She had read enough books, seen enough movies to understand what she was feeling. She had never had a crush on someone but that didn't mean she couldn't recognize the signs; she wasn't that dense.

I like Shiki.

I like him.

Of course I do.

But it was so gradual that I didn't even realize it.

Rebecca smiles, finally acknowledging her feelings. It felt right to admit them, to be honest with herself. She felt so happy, she could shout it to the world, if she had the courage.

But a single thought managed to slowly vanish the warm feeling.

He doesn't feel that way... He's nice to me but he's nice to everyone. It's just how he is. That's one of the reasons I like him so much...

Rebecca clicks on her screen, and the video of Shiki laughing replays. Once again, Rebecca unconsciously makes a small smile.

Even so, I'm going to enjoy the time I have left with him. I want to be with him as long as I can.

And... I want to see him now.

As if on cue, her laptop starts ringing, the words 'Shiki is calling' appearing on the screen.

*

Shiki was laying on his bed, throwing a volleyball up in the air, catching it, and again throwing up it into the air, lost in his thoughts.

Thoughts about a certain girl.

He thought of her smile, her laugh, the cute expressions she made when she thought no one was looking. But he was; he unconsciously averted his gaze to her, his eyes on her longer than he admitted.

Shiki had never felt this before. And he was shocked with himself; he thought a feeling like this would take longer to develop. Instead, it took 3 weeks for him to starting to develop feelings for Rebecca.

Feelings...

He catches the ball, hugging it to his chest. Of course I would ending up liking her. She's smart and kind and very good at sniping games.

He smiles with the thought, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. She's great. And there's no way she feels the same.

Shiki's smile slowly vanishes as he rolls to his side, eyeing the lit candle next to his laptop. She has never had any experience with dating, so all her reactions are justified by the fact that everything is new to her. It doesn't mean she feels the same. Well, I guess it applies to me too. I never dated anyone before.

Shiki buries his head on the pillow. But damn... I really like her. And I really want to see her right now.

His heart began to pick up speed as images of Rebecca's face formed in his mind. He gets up from his bed, sitting at his desk as he opens his laptop. He clicks on the video chat app, his eyes scanning to the name he was interested in.

It's already 10 pm... Maybe she's asleep.

He clicks on the name, the app starting to call the user.

Maybe's she's still awake.

*

Rebecca's eyes widen when she reads the words on the screen. Just a moment ago she was thinking about Shiki and now he was calling her? Was this fate?

Her hand floated above the rat, about to click to accept the invitation, her heart telling her to do so.

But then her eyes landed on the screen, seeing her own reflection. Her head was tied in a bunny, she was wearing a big and comfortable sweater and her face had no make-up on. She wasn't like she used to be. She was too.. natural. And no one had ever saw like this (besides her parents) for a very long time.

She wasn't ready to let someone see her like this. Even if that person was the same one who had convinced her to eat ice-cream and make a video out of her comfort zone. Even if that person was the one who had made a nest in her heart.

Rebecca pursued her lips, closing her eyes, as the ringing continued to fill her ears.

I want to talk to him. I want to see him. But... I don't him to see me like this. He's gonna hate it.

Finally, the ringing stopped and Rebecca opened her eyes to a now empty screen. She had made her choice, she did what her head told her to.

So why did her heart and head told her it was the wrong one?

*

Shiki stared at the screen, looking a bit disappointed.

He then went to bed, wrapping his warm blankets around him.

She must be asleep.

*

Rebecca sighs as she gets up from the chair, walking to her shelves filled with books and more books of all kinds, every one of them having been read by her.

Her fingers trail her precious possessions as she picks one to get lost into. To immerse into the character's struggles and forget her own.

She then went out of her room to join her parents on the living room, wanting to feel the warmth and comfort of their presence.

Rebecca had her own secrets after all.