A/N: Hello everyone ~ I recently got inspired by an old article about ShirLulu in NewType about how Shirley's warm heart can surely melt Lelouch's hatred and her pure tears can cleanse his bloodstained hands. This fic will be in an alternative world.

Pairings: Shirley/Lelouch Shirley/Suzaku Rated T+ From Shirley's POV

Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass or anything within it

One late morning, I have been doodling on the corner of my test paper for the past 5 minutes. We were having a history test and I flew by it with ease. From the corner of my eye I can see Lelou and he's gazing outside the window, deep in thought. Honestly, he's got brains, he has a lot of potential but he wastes it and it makes me so frustrated.

"Miss Fenette?" I must have made a sound of exasperation because our teacher, Mrs. Hart, is looking directly at me. I apologized quickly and hid my face behind my hands as snickers from my classmates can be heard. The rest of the class couldn't have gone by quickly enough. As soon as the bell rang for lunch I grabbed my bag and walked to Lelou's and Rivalz table.

"What was up with you during the test, Shirley?" Rivalz asked straightaway. Lelou snapped his attention to me and the corners of his mouth were hinting at a smile.

"Just thinking of different ways for you two to stop skipping to gamble," I replied with my own hint of a smile. We walked out to the courtyard talking about the test and comparing answers we marked down. Rivalz, poor Rivalz, went on panic mode because his answers didn't match up with Lelou's or mines. The rest of the day went by.

During the Student Council meeting after school, Milly was fired up as usual. She told us about a transfer student arriving tomorrow who was an Eleven. I could of sworn she snuck a glance at Lelou while she was announcing that, which made my stomach feel weird. Lelou and I aren't exactly that close, we get along enough due to the fact that we're both on the Student Council and in the same classes. My nickname for him is my attempt to "get closer to him", if you get my meaning. And no, I don't like him that way. He's cold and aloof, but he lets his guard down around us in the Student Council. His fake, guarded smile seem more...well, genuine.

"An Eleven?" That was Rivalz. I didn't notice I was transfixed at Lelou until his eyes met mine. I averted my eyes and pretended I was interested on my pen. All the while, I can feel my cheeks grow hot. I furrowed by brows and put so much effort on being interested that I only heard Milly's response in broken sentences. All I caught was "Britannian Soldier", "1st year", "Few years back" and something about no differences. The conversation topic changed when Nina, a quiet, smart girl in our year reminded us about how the camping trip was coming up. For the next two hours we came up with a list on belongings needed and activities during the trip.

"Meeting adjourned," Milly exclaimed with a smile. I couldn't help but smile back at her enthusiasm. I grabbed my bag to go but Lelou stood in my way with a neutral look in his eyes and asked ever so politely if he can talk to me. Without anything else, he strode outside. I stared after him, and it was only Milly that brought me back to my senses by giving me a determined push. I fidgeted at the keychain on my bag as I followed his way outside. I felt nervous as to why he needed to talk to me, can it be because he caught me looking at him? I mean, I don't mean anything by it! I found him leaning against the wall. He turned and looked at me with the same neutral gaze.

"Shirley," He started with a bored voice. "I would appreciate it if you would stop staring at me." Just like that, straight to the point. I stood there dumbfounded. Sure, I kind of expected that, but I never expected him to be this curt. I recovered and narrowed my eyes slightly.

"Well, I'm sorry, never knew it was a crime, Lelouch," I put more edge in my voice when I said his name, no longer denying my so called crime. Okay, I guess I'm being a little childish now. But, I guess Lelouch suits him better than Lelou, even though I've grown quite accustomed to calling him Lelou. It seems he knew what I was thinking because his pokerface dropped and he grinned. I know he saw the surprised look on my face because his grin grew bigger and he gave a little chuckle.

"I didn't mean to offend you," He said a little more gentler. And with that, he left. And me? I just stood there trying to register my thoughts. Okay, I do not understand him at all. For some reason, maybe that's exactly why I feel this compelling need to understand him.

Later that night in bed, I was thinking about Lelouch. I've only known him for about 3 months since school started. I could still remember the first time I saw him...

It was the Entrance Ceremony of Ashford Academy. All the 1st years were gathered in the gymnasium waiting for the principal to give a speech. Everyone else was either, avoiding people's stares, making small talk to the person next to them, or like me looking around like as if it's so interesting we're finally in high school. But not Lelouch. I didn't know his name back then, I only saw this tall dark haired boy. He stood up straight and looked directly to the front. His eyes...were a beautiful amethyst color. The aura around him, I can sense, were more adult like and the whole 'don't approach me' attached to it. His eyes shifted slightly and met mine. I didn't look away. I couldn't, not yet. The principal's voice boomed through the speakers and broke our gazes. He looked away as if nothing happened and I turned my back to him. And that was certainly made an impression back then, but I refused to believe it. I decided to let that issue go and fell asleep.

The next morning, I saw a boy sitting on the seat next to mine. I've been neighborless for about 3 weeks now, because this girl transferred classes. I sat down and opened a book. I can feel stares at the back of my head and hear hushed whispers. Then I realized, they weren't directed at me. They were directed at the boy next to me. I turned my face slightly towards him and I knew immediately what they were making a fuss about. This boy was Japanese, an Eleven. He also had a book in front of him, clearly ignoring all the glances he's getting. Was this the boy Milly told us yesterday? The boy looked at me. Seriously, I need to learn to be discrete with my stares more...A small smile formed on my mouth. This boy had nice green eyes, kinda like mine but darker. He had nice enough features to be called handsome. He mirrored my smile. He seemed nice, so I held out my hand and introduced myself. He got shy all of a sudden but shook my hand and told me his name. Suzaku Kururugi. This little exchanged brought even more whispers, but I ignored it, and I returned to my book and he to his. Soon enough, the teacher came in and she introduced Suzaku. We didn't talk anymore after that. When the bell rang for lunch later, I turned to him and asked him if he wanted company during lunch. He looked down for a second and nodded. Behind him, Lelouch walked towards us. His pokerface on again. Suzaku turned towards him so I couldn't see his expression but I sure saw Lelouch's. Lelouch smiled and they both did that slap shake guys do. I threw a look at Rivalz but he just shrugged. We soon found enough, they were both old friends, which was what I wasn't expecting. But I realized something about Lelouch. He seemed less aware of his surroundings when he's talking to Suzaku. As if he didn't need to put up a guard. And once either he and Suzaku turned away from each other, he's back to his guarded expression. When I was on my way to the pool area, I saw Lelouch through the windows on the sides of the hallways. He was carrying a duffel bag which seemed to contain quite a lot of things, it looked like. He made a beeline towards entrance to exit the school. I stood there following him with my eyes till he was out of sight. A few seconds later, Suzaku appeared and went for the same direction Lelouch did. Out of the school. I tried to ignore the suspicions arising at the back of my mind. I mean it's normal for them to leave right? What bothered me was the look on Lelouch's face. It was cold, terrifying. Suzaku's was more...panicked. Without any hesitation, I broke into a run past the pool entrance. I needed to follow them, a fear crept at the back of my neck telling me something was wrong and I knew that.

Continued in Chapter 2