C – H – A – P – T – E – R
O – N – E
I watched with mild panic as the clock ticked its way toward six am. My single eye began to burn and water as I continued to watch without blinking – three minutes, two, one… I groaned as the clock began to ring, jumping around on three legs, the bells rattling madly trying to get my attention. Why had I thought the old fashion alarm clock was a good idea?
Slowly I rolled over, letting my feet hit the icy wooden floor. Clothes from the past week were scattered around among the masses of stacked books that covered my apartment flat. As I made my way to the bathroom, I had to step over (and on) random junk that had fallen out of my pockets – a pair of keys to the car I never drove, coins, credit cards long expired. I slide open the door, wincing at the harsh light – so unnatural after hours of darkness – those so called eco-friendly lights burning my eye. I caught sight of myself in the mirror – quickly looking away and focusing on the sink instead – I didn't want to see what damage three consecutive sleepless nights had done to my face.
The cold water rushed over my fingers, effectively numbing them before I had time to change it too hot. It took a long time before the water finally heated up – not only was the heating system old in the apartment, but I'd forgotten to pay the bill, resulting in the landlord not being overly pleased with me when I'd turned it in a few days late. At least I hadn't been evicted… I quickly splashed the warm water on my face, blindly reaching for the bar of soap. My fingers found it – knocked into the sink, and I spent a moment trying to re-find it - quickly lathering up my hands before washing my face. I pressed the worn hand towel against my face, straightening up as I dried off. Slowly I let my hands fall, exposing my eye to the callous bathroom light again.
My left eye glittered a bright emerald green, the skin around it pale and bruising slightly from lack of sleep. The right eye was hidden by slightly damp bright red-orange hair (which was sticking out every which direction from all the tossing I'd done trying to find a comfortable spot). The sleepy look I had, had caused countless girls to swoon each morning when I reached the university. Thus I – Lavi Bookman Jr. – had been branded somewhat of a skirt chaser (the way I acted did nothing to disprove it) and in some cases I even had men following me around.
I snorted, tossing the towel to the counter. Who was I kidding? If people really knew what was behind my eye – behind the name Lavi Bookman Junior – who knew what would happen then. Sometimes I didn't even know who I was, I had a name I could barely live up to. I mean, Junior? That was not me, I couldn't live up to that title, because that would mean I was a copy of a man I'd never met.
A buzzer went off farther in the flat – reminding me I couldn't stand all day staring at my reflection. I grabbed the black eye patch from the counter, quickly brushing my hair way from my right eye so I could tie the patch in place. For a brief moment, the horrible scar was exposed, quickly covered by the patch. Girls found the eye patch mysterious, their minds ran wild making up stories about it, while guys thought it was just Lavi trying to be cool. Of course I'd made it a fashion statement, I'd seen people try to copy it before without ever actually pulling it off without looking like an idiot or a pirate-wanna-be.
I hurried out of the bathroom, nearly tripping over a few books, running to get my morning caffeine fix. As I neared the kitchen (really just through the small living room) the heavenly aroma of fresh coffee filled the air. Ah how I loved waking up to this bliss. I grabbed a cup, pouring the black liquid in, while yanking open the refrigerator, not needing to look where the creamer was (it was always in the same spot). The black swirled around, turning a slightly creamy tan with the added hazelnut cream. Just the right blend of black and flavor.
I took the coffee with me to the living room, where I collapsed on the couch, using my feet to knock mail, books, and random junk off the table. Propping my feet up, I dug around the cushions before I found the remote. The (few years old) TV clicked on, images appearing on the screen before the actual sound did. I raised my eyebrows at the choice – Spanish drama. Lenalee must have been the last one to be in control of the remote – she was always watching some romance drama. Thinking of her, I glanced at the small digital clock perched on the TV. I was startled to find I'd fallen behind by a few minutes; if I didn't hurry and find something to eat soon, I was going to be late.
I jumped up, not forgetting to grab my cup of coffee before I headed back to the kitchen. I opened the fridge, my stomach growling in anticipation of food. However, to my dismay, the selection was very limited. Nothing could be considered breakfast food. Really it was my fault, I had forgotten to restock after Allen and Lenalee had been over the other day. What could I say, I was just going to have to eat at the university before class started. I dumped the last remains of my coffee in the sink, heading back into my bedroom to find something suitable (meaning not crumpled and wrinkled) for the day. I settled on a pair ash gray jeans and a slightly v-neck long sleeved sweater shirt the girls absolutely loved. I found my trusty bandana, finger combing my hair before securing it in place.
When I was finally done going through my morning routine, I grabbed my school bag, quickly checking it had my wallet, cell phone (hopefully charged), keys, homework and textbooks before heading out the door, locking the door behind me. I jogged down the concert stairs, glad I'd chosen the long sleeved shirt as I warmed up my hands in the cold morning air. Waving to a neighbor (who did not look pleased to see my over bright smile), I turned onto the side walk, walking a few blocks down to another apartment complex (much more expensive than the one I lived in), where I was to meat Lenalee, Allen, and…Kanda.
I spotted Allen first – his brilliant white hair stood out in the lot – then Lenalee. Finally my eyes settled on Kanda. I stopped walking, taking him in, feeling my heart speed up just a bit. My best friend (even if he was forced into the relationship), stood against his car, glare ever present. He had his arms crossed against the dark navy jacket Lenalee had gotten him for his birthday, fingers tapping in annoyance. Whether it was because I was now 30 seconds late, or because Allen had said something like BaKanda to him, I was about to find out.
"Yu-chan!" I ran over, fixing the goofy smile onto my face, hiding anything I felt for the samurai-look-a-like. "Good morning!"
Kanda's glare darkened, a dark aura building up behind him. "How many times do I have to fucking tell you?! Don't. Call. Me. That!" I yelped, narrowly dodging his sword, instead glomping Allen. Allen laughed nervously, pushing me away slightly.
"Morning Lavi," he said, returning my smile with one of his innocent ones. I quickly read that this one was genuine and dropped bugging him to turn greet Lenalee. She smiled too, tilting her head in that manner many girls had. However hers wasn't flirtatious as theirs were – we'd but that barrier in place a few years ago, we were just friends and nothing more.
"Tch. Let's get going," Kanda opened the driver's door, obviously not willing to waste any more time then he already had. I quickly called shotgun, taking the seat next to Kanda. Allen and Lenalee climbed into the back, Allen complaining that I always got the front.
"Why would you want to sit next to Yu-chan?" I deemed it safe to call Kanda by his first name since he was driving. He swore, taking one hand off the wheel to hit me in the back of the head, causing me to whine and the others to chuckle. Every morning, I always got hit in the head by Kanda for some reason – most the time it was me calling him Yu. "Aw, is Yu grumpy?" I settled back in my seat, grinning like a maniac as I teased him. Kanda glowered, his jaw visibly clenching. I ignored the way my heart slightly tightened at his obvious anger – I knew I could easily make it so that I wasn't at the receiving end of it but...
Kanda made it in record time to the high school both Allen and Lenalee went to – the two of them being seniors this year. He didn't wait to see if they made it through the gate, before peeling off.
"Yu-" I started to say, clutching the side of the seat and door.
"Don't say my name," he snapped, driving the last two blocks to the university. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye.
"Kanda," I watched as his eyes widen slightly. "Slow down." The effect was almost instant. Kanda did indeed slow down, though he gave me an odd look when he thought I wasn't looking. Probably wondering what had possessed me to call him by his last name.
Kanda parked in his customary place – right in front of the university. No one dared touch his spot, the last time someone had, they had to call someone to come pick up their car and tow it away. There were times when just as a joke I wanted to spray paint "Yu Kanda's Spot. DO NOT TOUCH!" but would have to pay fees for defacing school property. Kanda turned off the car, pausing to pinch the bridge of his nose – a sure sign he had a headache coming – before getting out of the car. I frowned, slightly concerned that Kanda had a headache this early in the morning.
"Yu-chan, wait up!" I jogged after Kanda, digging around in my bag for the few painkillers I had for emergencies. I grabbed the bottle of water sticking out of Kanda's gym bag, handing it to him with the small white pill. He glanced at it, taking it and giving me an almost grateful look. And we reached the main doors.
"Lavi!" I winced inwardly, hating the way Kanda instantly melted from my side, heading around the school to get to the gym, going to practice before 2nd period. A few girls followed in a way they thought was slyly, hoping to get pictures of Kanda practicing shirtless. I had to push away the angry feeling I felt – why did he let them watch, but not me?! Wasn't I his best friend?
"Look this way! Lavi!" I fixed a smile onto my face, turning to face the hordes of girls.
"Good morning, good morning. You are all looking beautiful," I said, excepting a coffee from one girl. She practically fainted when I said thank you. Pretending to take a sip – the strong smell of caramel hit my nose - I kept walking, giving wining smiles here and there, excepting small tokens. The way they acted it was as if it was Valentine's Day.
I made up an excuse and managed to escape the girls. I sagged against the brick wall; staring off toward the gym where Kanda was no doubt beating his kahai senseless. Scowling, I let my cheerful happy personality drop. There I was going again back to thinking about Kanda – if Gramps knew he'd most likely kick me to China. Damn it. I tossed the still full coffee in the trash along with all the gifts I'd received. Honestly half the girls probably had boyfriends, and yet here they were trying to win me.
I pushed off, stomping off toward the gym. Whether Kanda liked it or not, I was going to watch. Shoving open the door I blinked, startled to find only Kanda. There wasn't the normal posse of fan girls, nor his club (I'd lost track which one he had on Tuesdays – Dojo?) members. Kanda stood in the middle of the matted gym, his eyes closed as he stood facing the door, sword raised. In one fluid motion he moved, spinning around, his long black hair flowing out in his ponytail. Carefully, as not to make a sound, I closed the gym door, watching him with a slightly awed look. His movements sped up to a point where his sword disappeared and he started to blur. Was it even possible to move that fast?
Suddenly he stopped, his shoulders heaving as he took deep breaths. "Baka usagi, if you are just going to stand there with that stupid look on your face, leave." I blinked, rubbing the back of my head in a sheepish way.
"Ah so you noticed I was watching?"
"Tch, kind of hard not to, you are so damn annoying."
"Aw Yu…" he spun around, a deadly glint to the end of his sword – which I realized was not the practice one – "you don't need to sound so mean!" I quickly made it sound as if I was using the English term, not his name. He lowered his sword, still glaring, then made his customary "che", walking over to where he'd dumped his gear. I followed him, dropping my bag next to his and sinking down onto the floor. Kanda sat down on the opposite side so that our bags were in between us. A comfortable silence settled around us and I started to relax, letting my head drop back against the wall and my eyelid drooped.
"Say, where is everyone?" I asked, turning my head so that I could look at him with my eye.
"Che. Why do you care?" He paused for a moment, taking another sip of his water, "Sensei sent them out to run laps."
I let my mouth form the "Oh" even though I didn't voice it. I settled back again, closing my eye, the coffee beginning to wear off and sleep catching up. Kanda's clothes rustled as he got up, his sword clanging against the wall. A floor board creaked as he stepped off the wood and onto the mats. I cracked my eye, watching as he took up his position in middle of the room. I noted the way his face was almost peaceful – like the times I'd watched him meditate (before he noticed I was watching).
"Usagi?" I stirred, dimly wondering who was calling me. "Oi, Baka Usagi wake up!" I opened my eyes, blinking blearily at Kanda's sideways face. Wait – sideways?!
"Eh, Yu-chan? Why are you sideways?" I asked, reaching out to touch his face, but like always he slapped my hand away.
"Baka, you fell asleep," he grabbed his gym strap, gave one sharp tug. My lumpy pillow was yanked away, sending my head to meet the hard floor.
"Ow! Yu-chan that hurt!" I whined, sitting up and rubbing the side of my head. Kanda's fist flew out, colliding with the other side of my head, giving it a matching bruise.
"Stop calling me that! And stop with the ~chan too!" he swung his bag up onto his shoulder, walking toward the locker room.
"Aw, you know Yu like it!" I called after him, making a bad joke with his name. In return, I got the finger.
My smile faded when the locker door slammed behind him. Sighing, I rubbed my head, feeling the growing lumps. Even though Kanda hadn't hit me as hard as he could it still hurt. I continued to sit on the gym floor, counting the wooden panels, until the bell rang. Slowly, I got to my feet, stretching out my cramped muscles. The 40 minute nap hadn't done much , unless you counted making me even more tired. Maybe I could sleep through some of my classes and lunch…
"Lavi, would you like to grab something to eat with us?" A group of girls stood next to my table in the library – all tugging low cut shirts lower and batting heavily mascara eyelashes. I rubbed the back of my head, wincing as I touched one of the sore spots.
"Sorry ladies, I'd really love to, but I have a report to finish…" I trailed off giving them an apologetic smile, while gathering up my gear. All of them offered to help, but I turned them down, saying I need space and quiet.
They whined, saying they'd would be good help. I just continued to smile, giving a half hearted wave as I walked out of the library. The minute the doors closed behind me I started to run, putting as much distance between me and the library. Once I'd judged that they wouldn't be finding me any time soon, I slowed down and changed direction, heading for the door I used to meet up with Kanda.
I wasn't a bit surprised, to find Kanda already in our meeting place under a large tree. However, seeing him laying down, using his bag as his pillow, and his long dark hair loose from its normal high ponytail was a shock. I stood for a moment, admiring the way his face was smooth and deprived of all its usual anger, how the hair framed his face and cascaded around in a beautiful blend of shimmering dark blues and blacks… No matter how long I looked at him I doubted I could ever truly memorize that expression.
"How long are you going to stand there gapping like a fish, Baka?" Kanda sat up slightly, shading his eyes with one hand. The bracelet he wore slide down disappearing into his dark navy blue coat.
"Eh?" I blinked, realizing indeed I had been standing for awhile staring. "Sorry Yu, I got sidetracked."
"Che." He stood up, picking up his bag. "Where too?"
I jumped down the stairs, stretching my arms up and linking them behind my head. "Dunno." I watched him out of the corner of my eye. "I was thinking about taking off for the rest of the day."
Kanda snorted, rolling his eyes. "And you expect me to drive you around?"
I glomped him, "Yu-chan, pretty please? I know this really good Japanese restaurant we could go to! They serve soba." I poked him in the cheek multiple times 'til he shoved me away.
"Che, stupid usagi. Fine, but it better be good."
"Of course it is!" I threw my hands up, spinning around, before I tripped and landed on the ground with a loud "umpf". Kanda glared down at me, not offering his hand to help me up, instead walking past me toward the schools parking lot. "Wait up Yu, don't leave me!" I got up dusting off my jeans.
Kanda continued to walk on, his long black hair swinging around, catching the late fall sunlight. As if reading my thoughts, he pulled it up, securing it in its usual spot. "Coming, baka usagi?" he called, not once looking over his shoulder.
"Yeah I'm coming!" I took a step forward then paused. My heart throbbed slightly, and I brought a shaking hand to my face. Why did it always feel like I was staring at Kanda's back…? Why did it feel like I was always being left behind? Shaking my head, I sped up, fixing the 'smile' onto my face. "Hold up Yu-chan! If I'm not with you, you won't be getting lunch!"
No I wouldn't think about it now. It didn't matter, it wasn't suppose to hurt. I couldn't care. I shoved the emotions aside, and caught Kanda up in a one arm hug. This is how it was suppose to be – me walking forward with a bright smile on my face. Nothing else mattered.
_ _ _ _ _ _
*Baka: Stupid/Idiot
*Usagi: Rabbit
*Kahai: Underclassman
*Sensei: Teacher
*Chan: A suffix (like Mrs. Mr.) expect used for friends. It's the girl version (example, Sally-chan)
Thank you for reading! ^_^ This is the first fanfiction I've written for this site, so please be kind with your words! I'd appreciate reviews, comments, questions, anything! If you see a mistake please point it out to me so I can fix it! .... And I have no idea what happened in the end, lack of sleep catching up with me too?
Till next time, Blue.