Envy and Love Chapter Ch.2
By Ayame

Even though the walk was only fifteen minutes away, the silence seemed like eternity.

(What should I talk to him about? He's so quiet! It feels like we don't even know each other..Ryu...why do I feel this way about you?) Chun Li wondered along the walk.

Sometimes, Ryu would steal glances at her when she's looking at the traffic lights or when she looks around the surroundings. But Chun Li catches him from time to time too, and then Ryu would look away in embarrassment. She is like a magnet to his eyes..his heart. Her hair flows so gracefully in the wind, her body shifts so flawlessly against the earth, and it was just breathtaking for him.

When Chun Li caught him one more time, she wanted to build up her courage to ask him why he was staring at her. She checked her shirt..nothing. She check her hair..nothing, and her face..nothing?? (There has to be something on my face!!) Without hesitating, Chun Li looked back at him. "Do I have something on my face, Ryu?" She asked him naively.

Ryu jumped in surprised when she talked to him after getting caught, again. "Uh..no!" He shook his head.

(Then why are you staring at me like that? It can't be because you have feelings for me? Could it possibly be that..) Chun Li stopped walking. Ryu stopped when she stopped. And then she turned around abruptly.

"Ryu, do you.."

Ryu looked intensely in her eyes, his eyes were hidden beneath his long bangs..Chun Li just wanted to brush it away!

(You're so obvious Ryu!) He thought.

Chun Li began to feel numb. Her knees grew weak, and her heart danced like crazy. His eyes were just so..SO..!!!

(Grr..!! Forget it!! I don't want to know the answer!!! I don't want to know why you were staring!!) Her mind screamed.

Suddenly, she didn't feel like going to the park. "..do you want to go ice-skating before we play basketball?" She asked. Playing basketball wasn't what she felt like doing now, especially in her state of feelings, she'd see him too much when playing. But when she's ice skating, she won't have to see him much..she wanted to skate..skate her feelings away.

(Oh..you meant that..) He was relieved and disappointed at the same time. For a minute he thought she was going to ask him something very...personal.

"Okay." Ryu shrugged.

She smiled back at him. " 'Kay, thanks!"

At the ice-skating rink, the couple sat down putting down their skates. When Chun Li got out of her shoes, she placed them on the floor. Ryu took off his shoes and placed them on the floor as well. He noticed how small her shoes were compared to his. It felt weird to him..maybe because he just realized that woman generally have smaller feet, hands, etc. (Man..I'm really out of it..)

Chun Li got up after she put her shoes in the locker. "Ryu, I'm going to meet you at the rink okay?"

Ryu nodded and continued to concentrate on tying his shoelaces without looking at Chun Li.

(Last glance..won't hurt..right?) Chun Li gulped.

His bangs blowing, has highlighted his features. His eyes so deep..so capable..of possibly..loving, caring for someone..his jaw was so defined..

Ryu looked at Chun Li, having the feeling that she was staring at him.

By shock, Chun Li dropped her ice-skate covers..

(He saw me..stupidstupidstupid!!!)

When she bent down to pick it up, Ryu handed her one of them which was underneath the bench he was sitting on. She didn't dare look at him.

"Thanks." She took it from him and left for the rink.

In the beginning, she was skating extremely fast. She couldn't skate so well, but the feelings buried deep beneath her were chasing her. She felt like skating even faster..

(He noticed!! Omigawd!! That is sooo embarrassing! Why did he have to see me??)

After a couple of laps, she slowed down and took a deep breath.

The thoughts kept on returning and she could hear a voice inside her head telling her negative thoughts about her and Ryu..which made her fear they would end in failure.

(GO AWAAAAYY!!!!) She covered her ears, not wanting to hear anymore. She also closed her eyes so the voice will go away faster, and stopped skating, allowing her skates to move themselves from the speed they had gotten previously.

Without noticing until it was too late, she bumped into Ryu. They almost fell but he took a grasp of her hand.

"GO AWAAAAYY!!!" She cried, still w/ her eyes closed and ears covered. She didn't know it was Ryu, until he stopped skating and gently pulled her hands out of her ears.

His touch was so intriguing and so warm..

Chun Li had opened her eyes.

"What's wrong, Chun?" He asked her in his most softest and sympathetic voice.

"Ryu..I..I.." Chun Li stammered.

Their eye contact didn't help her express her feelings at all, but she felt more calm.

She took a deep breath. "I think I need a drink.."

(Snap out it!!! It's so stupid to get depressed over nothing!!!)

Chun Li skated to the exit, but Ryu stopped her."

"Wait..I'll go for you."

"It's okay..I can get it.."

"It's ok! Just stay here." He assured her and smiled.

She returned the smile weakly and nodded. "Thanks, you're so sweet."

A minute later, a song appeared and it kept Chun Li's energy high.

*All these mixed emotions... we keep locked away like stolen pearls..*

"Chun Li, here I got you some iced tea."

"Ryu.." Chun Li looked deep into his eyes. "I.."

*Stolen pearl devotions... we keep locked away all from the world*

"..thank you."

"Your welcome. I'm going to sit down for awhile."

"Are you tired? I'm sorry, I didn't know the store was that far.."

"No, it's not that. I just want to watch how people skate..I'm having a difficult time just standing!"

"Ryu! If you can't learn basketball by watching, ice-skating is just the same! Come one! I'll show you!" Chun Li grabbed his hand and led him back to the rink.

(Holding his hand, feels so right..why? Oh..I don't want to let go..!)