Love, War and Friendship

*.* = thoughts

//.// = flashbacks or visions

// "Lily? Pretty."

" Thank you." she remained quiet.

The boy smiled as they walked down the street.

"I'm Nuriko."//

**flash**

The bell rang. Lily jumped. She was dreaming again. She growled, gathered her things and got up.

" Damn! I gotta get more sleep. All this studying for the exams is absolutely insane!" She started down the hall. Her day not going well.//She was late to class, after she missed the bus to school. But that was after she spilt her vanilla coffee drink all over her skirt at home and had to change. Then she couldn't find a matching skirt, and had to change her whole outfit, which she was very fond of and was looking forward to showing it off to Nuriko. Then while she wa changing, she saw the bus at the street corner. She cursed and ran downstairs. But the bus left without her. She wanted to scream. But she didn't, and asked for a ride form her mother. Then, when she finally, GOT to school, Nuriko was no where to be found, and the bell was about to ring and start the day.

It was then she remembered about the test she had due today. In third period she went to the bathroom to cry. She hated life then, and wanted to kill everyone..

After taking out her wrath on the paper towels and toilet paper, she returned to class. Maybe the rest of the day would be better."//

Well, it wasn't. She was now in her last class of the day, and still wanted to die. She had thought about skipping and going home, but wouldn't allow herself to do that, so she sat, as the Biology teacher started to talk about genetic engineering Lily sighed, and took her notes solemnly, trying not to get too upset. And the class dragged on.

The bell rang again. Finally it was over. She could finally climb out of the hell hole of a day she'd had, and escape to her bed to sleep the rest of her miserable day off.

As she was walking down the hall, giving people ugly faces if they walked too close to her. She looked down to her books, and a few seconds later, rammed right into someone. She jumped back.. She glared to the floor, not wanting to make eye contact.

" Hm, sorry."

" It's ok, we see to run into each other literally don't we?"

" Huh? " Lily looked up. She instantly winced. "Nuriko."

" Hey. Not in a good mood?"

" Lil scowled.

" Not at ALL!"

Nuriko gave Lily that kind, happy "cheer up" smile.

Lily sighed.

" Listen, I got to go." Nuriko blinked at her sentence. Then smiled.

" I'll go with you."

" Oh, ok." she didn't admit that was what she had been hoping he'd do. Nuriko walked with her to her locker, and helped her pack. Then they went outside to the line of buses. Nuriko turned to Lily.

" Listen Lily, I'm sorry I couldn't meet with you this morning. I had to make up something."

" I'm not mad at you. It's ok."

" Well, if you're sure." he reached over and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Hope you cheer up, I'll call you okay?" he smiled and walked to his bus calmly. Lily's late reaction suddenly kicked in. a bright blush covered her face and she touched her cheek.

" Oh." she watched Nuriko's slender form walk off, with is long hair swinging with every step he took. Well, at least she had him.She was soon brought back to life as the roar of the engines started up. She gasped and ran quickly to her bus. Maybe her wasn't all that bad after all.

**************

In complete contrast, Sei's day had been positively excellent. At least five really attractive guys had smiled at her, she had passed all of her tests with flying colors, and she got the last slice of pizza at lunch. It was good. She rarely saw Lily at school though, and hadn't seen her at all that day anyways, so she figured her friend was avoiding her-and probably everyone else as well.

Well, that's was alright. Sometimes you got those moods. She would call later tonight, and offer someone to bitch to.

It was art class now, and Sei was happily enjoying their free sketch Friday; doodles of dragons covered her sketchbook paper, and some had even managed to creep onto the desk, her hand, her table buddies' booksox. Her pencil was worn to a nub. Realizing this, the cheerful blonde stood up and almost skipped to the sharpener, humming a song she heard on the radio in her mothers car.

That was when she saw him. Her pencil clattered to the floor, and twelve pairs of eyes snapped to her in annoyance. But there he was! God. He was gorgeous. No, beyond gorgeous. He was, a god. Someone was waving a hand in front of her face now, but she completely ignored them. Right now, some other interest had her full attention.

He was standing outside, in the very middle of the courtyard, being yelled at by what looked like a science teacher. He was tall, with fiery auburn hair, and quick clever amber eyes that were now half closed with utter boredom. He was wearing a football jersey, a number twenty four, she noted, a quarter back. He also wore a cross-country wrist band, the star runner got those, she remembered excitedly. The boy's arms were crossed across his powerful looking, broad chest, and he was leaning his weight on one foot. One would tell he wanted to be anywhere but where he was.

" I need to, uh, go outside," Sei said hurriedly, casting a pleading look at her teacher, who frowned.

" What? Outside? Why?"

" I really need to sketch those trees out there!" Sei replied, wondering how deaf one had to be not to hear the desperate more in her voice.

" You can sketch them through the window can't you?"

" um, no, I have to see them in person! For the full effect, you know?" this was it! She had her! If she could just keep looking artistic and needy at the same time for just a bit longer, she would be out of there, and with that gorgeous guy.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Sei noticed the student-teacher pair leaving. *"Ahh! Nooo! Wait!!"* the art teacher frowned again, and shook her head.

" don't be silly, Seira, the only thing between you and those trees is a pane of glass. Go back to your seat please."

" Yes ma'am." Sei monotones gloomily, and trudged back to her table, suddenly feeling very mean inside.

*********

" So? Then what?"

Both girls were at Lily's house, sitting on the carpet, and painting their toenails. Lily had asked, waving a fluorescent pink brush around in the air to accentuate her meaning.

" So? Then she told me to sit down." Sei replied grumpily, brushing a nail a bit too erratically and getting polish on her fingers.

" Teachers suck."

" Yeah. So, how are things going for you and Nuriko?"

Lily paused hesitantly, twisting her mouth into a displeased look.

" My parents are witching me about it.they say I should stick to my school work."

" As if you don't already," her friend replied with much sarcasm, re-dipping her brush. Lily laughed.

" Hai. I guess so, but we've only gone out twice, and we've never even kissed."

" No?"

" You know how I am. I get shy about stuff that."

" Oh, hai. But come on! It's Nuriko! What could your parents not like about him?!"

Lily considered this. Well, he was on the debate team, and football team, as well as the bad manager. He was also on the honors society and beta club. The only thing she could think of that her parents would frown upon, was his long hair, and he wore that relatively neatly.

" They're just jealous. Or terrified I'll be abducted. Or that I'd elope with the first guy I meet.I don't ever know if they really mean the grades thing."

Sei smiled, letting Lily rant, but saying nothing. She wasn't one for gossip, really.

The doorbell rang then, and the brunette frowned at her pink toenails.

" They're not even dry yet.Gah. Why does Tasuki always have to show up at the most inopportune moments?!" she snarled, pushing herself up with a hand and stomping all the way downstairs. Curious, Sei followed.

*"Tasuki? Who's that?"*

" Hey, came ta get my jacket, I left it here yesterday." someone was saying, and Lily monotoned something to him in response. There was the soft sound of socked feet padding along on hardwood floor, and then a head poked around the corner, a fair of amber eyes focused on Sei's startling blue ones. The ambers looked surprised, interest piqued.

" I didn't know you had a sister." this 'Tasuki' said, and Sei swallowed, still quite incapable of speech.

" That's my best friend baka. Do we look anything alike?" Lily muttered, appearing in the doorway.

" No, not really. You're much uglier!" he yelled, and Lily whacked him. Sei blushed slightly.

" Sei, this, idiot is Tasuki. Tasuki, Sei. Sei, I tutor this bum in just about every subject."

" That's not true. Just math."

" And English, and science, and Latin-"

" You don't even TAKE Latin!"

" MY POINT EXACTLY!!"

They fell into squabbling like children, until Sei cleared her throat meaningfully.

" Oh. Yes. Jacket-" Tasuki said, and as he walked by Sei, she could have sworn she could hear him say,: "Movies tonight?"

Sei nodded mutely, eyes wide. Because Tasuki happened to be the boy in the courtyard.

*******************

*"Oh. My. God! He was looking at her! Tasuki was looking my best friend over! Arg! I could've slapped him! If he thinks he's going to play Sei for a fool, he had another thing coming! But then I noticed Sei's face. She looked out of it, like she did when she'd seen a really hot guy. Tasuki? He wasn't MY type, but Sei always said she liked guys like him. How confusing. Sei should set her priorities on guys higher. Oh well, I shouldn't nag. If Sei liked Tasuki, then she did. But if he hurt her, there will be consequences!"*

" Sei?"

Sei blinked, snapping back into reality.

" N-nani? Lily?"

Lily gave her a sly look.

" He was looking at you." Sei blushed.

" He, was?"

" Uh-huh? And I saw you looking at him too! You're terrible!"

Sei snorted, recovering.

" Feh! Hey! So what?! I see a hot guy, I'm GOING to stare and flirt!"

Lily sweatdroped and sighed.

" You're hopeless."

Sei beamed.

" But he is SO cute!"

" Whatever."

" Dontcha think so?"

Lily just rolled her eyes.

" No. He's a complete idiot and jerk. Leave him be Sei."

Sei made a stubborn, defiant pout.

" I don't think so! I'm going to try him. He seems nice to me. Plus he's HOT!" Sei squealed, and jumped up and down a few times.

" He. Called. Me. UGLY SEI!"

" Oh, he couldn't have meant it! You're not ugly! At least Nuriko doesn't think so."

Lily say, staring at her nails again. Sei followed.

" Did I tell you I saw him earlier today?"

Lily looked annoyed.

" I guessed that."

" He looked so adorable in that Football jersey! He's a quarter back ya know, and on the track team!"

" Yeah? Well, if his grades don't go up, he'll be kicked off both of those-"

Sei whimpered, her world crushed.

" Li-chan!" she whined, "You're so mean!"

" But it's true! He won't he so hot then will he!?"

" Yes he will!" she smiled.

" Whatever."

Sei sighed.

" He seems an okay guy to me. If he's not, I'll dump him ok?"

**The two friends went to bed, and Sei dreamt about the boy named Tasuki, and hoped he was the one she was looking for.**

The next morning, Lily woke to the sound of her alarm going off on her bedside table. She groaned and slammed the 'off' button, turning the blasted thing off! She sat, rubbing her eyes, and threw the covers off her. She got up and dragged herself to the bathroom, where she showered and got dressed. Running downstairs, she then grabbed a quick breakfast and ran outside to catch the bus.

At school, Lily searched for Nuriko, who usually for her in the courtyard. She was walking into the courtyard, when she was suddenly meeting the ground as someone tackled her. Lily spat, and sat up.

" What the-"

" Oh my GOD Lily!"

" Sei! No BAKA!! Why'd you tackle me!?!"

" Li-chan!!"

" What?!"

" He's so cool!!"

" Who!?" Lily got up, brushing herself off.

" Tasuki, duh!"

" Why is he so 'cool' huh?"

" Well, you know last night when he came over to get his jacket?"

" Hai."

"Well, he walked by me and asked me to go to the movies with him!"

Lily froze.

" He did?" Sei looked too happy.

" Hai!!"

" Sei, you don't even know him!!"

" I do, a bit now though! Wow!"

" Stop freaking out!"

" Okay! But he IS!"

" When did he take you out?"

" Last night after I left your house."

" How'd you get permission?" Sei froze, and hissed, suddenly looking uncomfortable. Lily raise an eyebrow. "Ok Sei, what'd you do."

" I told my mom on my cell, that I was going to stay over a bit longer, and that I'd be dropped off?"

" WHAT?!?"

" Yipe!"

" SEI!! You could've been taken over by him! He could have done something to you!"

" He didn't Lily! He's very nice!"

" He's probably setting you up! Then he'll pounce! Then, you're pregnant! Or hurt! I don't trust him with you!"

" He's not like that!"

" You don't know that!"

Sei was now getting upset.

" You just don't want to give him a chance! You have a boyfriend! So you don't know how I feel!"

" Were you in a car? Does he even have one?!"

" Yes!"

" God, Sei! Did you actually go with him?"

Sei stayed silent. Lily rubbed her temples. "I thought you were smarter than that! Getting in a car with some guy you don't know." she felt like screaming at her blonde friend. Sei clenched her fists.

" I don't need a lecture Lily! I trust him!"

" You don't know him!!!"

" Neither do you!!!"

" I know him well enough to know he's not good for you .Please Sei! I only want to help! I don't want you ending up hurt!"

" I won't! I know how to take care of myself!"

" He could easily over power you! You said he was on the football team!" she was crying now. She turned away. " At least you are ok. You are right?"

" Yes, I'm fine!!"

" Please don't do that again."

When Sei didn't reply, Lily turned back around to face her friend. But she was gone.

" Lily?"

Lily whirled back around.

" Nuriko."

" Hai. Daijobu?" he gently wiped her tears away. "You're upset."

" I don't know Nuriko. I'm worried about Sei."

Nuriko frowned.

" Why? Something wrong?"

" Definitely."

" Nani?"

" I think, Sei's in trouble."