Sakura...Daisuki...
As I sit in class my mind wonders off. I find that all I can think about now is her. I simply write her name over and over again. It's a beautiful name. It suits her. Next week we'll be graduating and she'll be leaving me to go away to college. Although she still doesn't know my feelings for her, I've still never been apart from her before. How can I live apart from her? Perhaps I do love her too much. But she'll never feel the same...
Tomoyo's thoughts were interupted by the last bell going off indicating school was over for the day. A single tear escaped from her eye as she grabbed her books. Sakura looked at her best friend with confusion as she noticed the sadness in her eyes. She chased after Tomoyo and took hold of her arm stopping her.
"Whats going on Tomoyo? Why are you so sad lately?" Sakura asked her friend without hesitation. Tomoyo put forth a smile and denied anything was wrong. She just claimed something was in her eye back in class. Sakura knew better than that but decided not to push it.
"Sakura, did you want to come over for dinner tonight? There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about for quite a while now and haven't had the chance." Tomoyo asked sounding sounding cheerful once again. In reality she had never been so scared in all her life.
"Yeah. I'll be there around six if that's okay. I still have a little packing I'd like to get done at home." Sakura told her best friend. Tomoyo agreed and the two went their seperate way.
The whole way home Tomoyo was in a panic. "Am I really going to tell her tonight? What if she hates me? What have I gotten myself into?" When Tomoyo reached her house the first thing she did was colapse on her bed and ponder how to go about telling Sakura her true feelings.
When six o'clock came she still had no clue what to say to Sakura. She heard the doorbell and jumped off her bed. "Of all the times for her to be on time, why can't she be late like usual?" Tommoyo thought as she went to the front door.
"Konban wa, Tomoyo" Sakura smiled as Tomoyo opened the door for her. As Sakura entered Tomoyo's house Tomoyo led Sakura up to her bedroom. The two sat down at a table in Tomoyo's room and Tomoyo's face became serious.
"Sakura," Tomoyo began to speak trying to get this over with as soon as possible. "When we were little there was something I told you that I'd tell you again when we were older." Tomoyo paused looking at her friend. "Actually, I've told you this a million times, but you've still never gotten the real meaning of it. You see Sakura, I... I love you." Sakura started to say something but Tomoyo stopped her. "Yes, I know you love me too Sakura. You are my best friend. But you see, I'm in love with you." Tomoyo finished trying to hold back the tears that threatened her eyes.
Sakura looked at Tomoyo with wide eyes as her words sunk in. What could she possibly say at a time like this? "I know you probably hate me now Sakura, but I figuered I might as well tell you before you left for college. I hope one day you will forgive me though."
"No, Tomoyo. I don't hate you. You'll always be my best friend forever. Who else will I turn to if not you? I dont share your feelings, I'm sorry. But I always want to be your friend." Sakura hugged her best friend and Tomoyo cried on her shoulder. A few minutes later they broke their embrace and Tomoyo apoligised for crying so much. "Don't worry Tomoyo, I wont ever think any less of you. I just think right now I need to be alone for a while and think about this if you dont mind."
"It's okay for you to leave. I guess I'll just see you at school tommorow then?" Sakura nodded and headed out of Tomoyo's house. As she was walking down the street she looked back at Tomoyo's house. "Gomen ne Tomoyo. I just don't love you like that...Do I?" Sakura thought suddenly not sure of her feelings towards her best friend. "Hoee!!" Sakura exclaimed.
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That night Sakura found it impossible to sleep. She had a million emotions running through her mind. "Tomoyo has always been there for me. She is the one who I've always turned to. I can depend on her for everything. She is beautiful. But is this that kind of love? Can I possibly love her like that?"
Sakura stared at her phone. Her hands unconsciously reached for it and started dialing Tomoyo's number. She had no clue what she was doing but decided not to hang the phone up. When she heard Tomoyo's voice on the other line she became frozen and unable to speak. Finally she snapped out of it. "Gomen Tomoyo. I didn't mean to call so late, but I couldn't sleep."
"Daijoubu Sakura. I couldn't sleep either. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine I guess. Just a little confused. It's weird though. I've always come to you with all my problems, without you who would I have to talk to? But this is something that I can't come to you about. That I need to figure out on my own."
"Figure out?" Tomoyo asked. "I thought you said you were okay with..my feelings," she trailed off scared of what may happen between them.
"I am fine with how you feel. It's just that.." Sakura paused for a moment. She didn't know if she should tell Tomoyo she thought she might be in love with her too. What if she decided she wasn't? That would crush Tomoyo and she never wanted to hurt the girl.
"Just what?" Tomoyo questioned.
"Nevermind," Sakura said trying to laugh it off. "I know it's really late, but can you meet me at the park? This would be easier in person I think."
"Yeah, I'll be there in a half hour." Tomoyo said still confused.
"Arigatou. Ja na." Sakura said hanging up the phone.
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Tomoyo arrived at the park exactly a half hour later and found Sakura sitting near King Penguin. Sakura noticed her and invited her to sit down next to her. "Remember when we were little, how we'd come play here almost every day?" Sakura asked Tomoyo.
"Yeah. It was nice when we were little."
"Have you always been in love with me?" Sakura caught Tomoyo by suprise and Tomoyo didn't quite know what to say.
"Yes. Ever since we were little I have been in love with you. Thats why I always video taped you. I know you thought I was weird following you around all the time with the camera. But I wanted to have as many memories of you as possible. Because I knew someday you'd leave me like you are next week after graduation." Tomoyo stared off into the sky looking at the stars not daring to look at Sakura's face. She knew if she did she'd probably start crying again.
"Have I caused you a lot of hurt?" Sakura stunned Tomoyo again.
"No, you haven't. Sometimes it was frustrating because you didn't understand my feelings but you never hurt me."
"If I never hurt you, why is it so hard for you to keep from crying. I've caused you to cry. I'm sorry." Sakura took Tomoyo's hand into her own causing Tomoyo to finally look at her. "I want to make it up to you."
Tomoyo just gave her friend a confused look. She wasn't quite sure what was going on anymore. Sakura seemed different now. More grown up. "What do you mean?"
"You see. I think, I'm not sure, but I think I'm in love with you too Tomoyo. I'm just not exactly sure yet." Tomoyo was out of words. Never had she expected to hear that she may actually have a chance with Sakura. She dreamed of it plenty, but never thought it was possible. "Can I stay with you tonight? I dont feel like being alone." Tomoyo could only nod at Sakura's request.
As the two started on their way back to Tomoyo's house Sakura once again took hold of Tomoyo's hand. Tomoyo still couldn't believe this was happening and was still speechless. Sakura just looked at her and smiled as the two walked back in silence.
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"Here," Tomoyo said to Sakura finally being able to speak agian. "You can wear this to bed if you like." Sakura took the clothes from her friend and after the two had changed they got into Tomoyo's bed. "I'm going to miss you when you leave Sakura," Tomoyo told her friend suddenly shy about saying such things.
Sakura found Tomoyo's hand underneath the blankets and held onto it again. "Its funny. I've held your hand so many times, but I've never gotten butterflies in my stomach from it. It's never meant as much as it does now. You see, I realized something while I was waiting for you tonight. I love you Tomoyo. I love you the same way you love me. I was just scared to admit it so I didn't say anything. But I want to be with you. That's why I've decided not to go away to college. I'm going to stay here for college so we can be together. That is, if you still want to be with me."
Tomoyo didn't bother to hide her tears this time. This time they were tears of joy. "Are you sure this is what you want?" Tomoyo asked.
Sakura was sure alright. She slowly bent down and brushed her lips against Tomoyo's. Tomoyo wasn't sure if this was for real but when Sakura pressed her lips more firmly against hers she kissed her love back. When the kiss ended Sakura layed down and wrapped her arms around Tomoyo.
"I've dreamed of you holding me like this for so long. Of being able to tell you how much I really love you." Tomoyo confessed as she held tightly onto Sakura.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to realise it. But I love you very much Tomoyo."
"Ai shiteru Sakura."
The two didn't speak after that. They enjoyed the feel of being in each others arms and fell asleep peacfully knowing both their dreams had come true. Tomoyo got the one and only person she would ever love and Sakura found someone who loved her more than anyone else in the world and couldn't wait to spend forever with her.
-End