ACCEPTANCE

1

Me, Ruka, Seiren and Maria sat along Cross Academy's fence in the courtyard. " Kaname-sama is upset over Cross again. " Ruka sneered, saying Cross with hatred.

" Oh, Luca, don't worry about it. " I immitate her by making my eyes wide and clasping my hands together dramatically to say Kanam-

" Touya-san? "

I whip my head back to see Yuuki Cross in her black school uniform. " Speaking of the devil, " Seiren mumbled. " Hi, Cross. "
I sighed heavily. " Yes, Miss Discinplary Commity? " My blue eyes peered through her.

" I just wanted to say . . . Good luck on the test. Bye, now. " She walked away. I blinked, confused. Did that really just happen?

" Well, who suddenly became best friends with ' Miss Discinplary Commity ' ? " Ruka put her hands on her hips.

" Oh, c'mon, Ruka. " I pull myself up on a tree and let my feet dangle off a limb. " We're definately not friends. "

. . . . . .

" Hey, Touya-san! Wait up! " Yuuki ran after me. The final bell to mark the end of the school day for the Day Class had just rang, and I was cutting class, walking to the mall.

" Yes? " I sighed.

" Can I . . . May I come with you? " She asked, her big brown eyes glimmering.

I stared at the human for a moment. She was panting, out of breath, and her hair was all messed up. I wondered how fast she had ran after me. My expression softened, and I found myself giggling a tiny bit. " Don't you have to gaurd the school, Cross-chan? "

" Um, I'm sure Zero can take care of it just this once. " She smiled. I shrugged.

" Okay, you can come, I suppose. " I step in a taxi. Yuuki's face lit up and she automatically climbed in the taxi beside me.

AT THE MALL

Forever 21, one of my favorite places in the mall, was where Yuuki Cross and I were shopping. " Hey, Yuuki, what do you think of this? " I ask her, holding up a shirt that was dark purple with a V-neck and had black lace on it.

" Um, Touya-san, may I tell you something? " Yuuki looked at me almost shyly, running her hand through her brown hair. I blinked.

" What? "

" You dress . . . . a bit too gothic-like. Try some color, something poppy . . . like . . . like THIS! " She held up a T-shirt that was white with pink shimmering crystals and a silver heart on it. I breathed in.

" I don't know. It really doesn't . . . suit me. " I say, glancing at the black skirt I had on and black tank top with black flip-flops. I was too dark for that, but I always wore dark things. It just seemed natural, since I am a vampire and all. Yuuki smiled at me and put the dark shirt I was holding back, pushing this new, "poppy" shirt in my hands.

" No, no, Touya-san. " Yuuki chimed. " Bright colors will look so cute on you! With your blonde hair and blue eyes, you were MEANT to wear bright, cute stuff! And I'm sure Shiki-kun will like it very much on you! " She made me blush. I wondered if this was true, how Shiki would act to see me dress all girly and "cute".

" Help me, Fashion Guuru. " I told Yuuki, a small smile on my lips. I was already having more fun with her than I've ever had with Ruka, and this was my first time hanging out with her!

" My pleasure! " She sing-songed as we walked around. We even got two matching outfits to each other. We got all the jeans in Hollister and Aeropostale, and when we hit Victoria Secret, I was unsure what to do. " This would be perfect against your pale skin! " She held up a pink panty-and-bra set with yellow polka-dots.

" No way! " I said, getting a usual bra that was simple and plain tan color.

" Shiki-kun would surely have a nosebleed if he saw you in this. " She continued. I turned blistering red, the thought of Shiki seeing me in my underwear made me shiver. I was afraid for him to see me like that. What if he laughed?

" Never happening! " I insisted, trying my best to go back to my usual calm state. But, I decided to get the bra-and-panty set . . . . just in case. Even though it will never happen . . . right?

I asked Yuuki if she really thought he would ever see me in my underwear, my face turning bright red once more. I never talked about this sort of thing to anyone, why was I being so open to Yuuki? I could be vulnerable if I don't watch out.

She laughed, wich made me turn red more. Was SHE mocking me now? " Touya-san, he might later on. I think so. But, trust me, " She smiled at me kindly. " He would like it. "

" Yeah, well, " I returned a kind smile to her. " Kaname would like seeing you that way, too! "

This time she was the one whom turned blistering red. I laughed as she smacked my arm playfully and we went to go get some tea.

A FEW HOURS LATER

" Bye, Yuuki. " I say to her in the taxi and wave. Gathering my bags, I turn to walk up the Moon Dorm sidewalk as the taxi drives off, taking Yuuki to the Sun Dorms. I smile to myself, and stick the paper Yuuki gave me with her phone number on it in my pocket, knowing I will definately call her later. I loved hanging out with Cross-chan! Opening the door, I am surprised to hear the Moon Dorm completely quiet. It is eleven P.M., surely everyone would be awake. But the whole place seems empty.

" Hi, Rima. " I hear Ruka's voice. I try to follow her voice to her in the dark. Suddenly the lights turn on. She is sitting in the main room with Maria and Seiren, a scowl on her face. I walk to them, swallowing hard.

" Where is everyone? " I ask, suddenly feeling fear.

" Ruka made all the guys leave. They went out to a resturant to eat. Shiki wanted to stay and wait on you, but . . . Ichijou and Kain dragged him along, anyways. " Maria regaurded me with the same amount of friendship-tones in her voice. Seiren and Ruka's stares were more cold, though.

" Where have you been, Rima? " Ruka asked, her dusky-rose colored eyes turning red slowly. I gulped.

" Just . . . the mall. See? " I showed her my bags as if I had to show her proof, I knew she knew much more than she was leading me on to believe.

" With whom? " She pressed. I remained silent. " Go ahead, Seiren. "

Seiren stepped foward and showed me pictures of me smiling with Yuuki, us laughing, her giving me fashion advice. I felt my stomach turn.

" I can explain, you two. " I knew Seiren and Ruka had a major crush on Kaname-sama, and Maria and I had sworn NEVER to communicate with Yuuki as long as we were their friends. I had broken my promise.

" No need to explain. " Ruka and Seiren murmered at the same time. " But you know what hurts the worst? "

" What? "

They showed a video of Yuuki and I walking out of Victoria Secret, and I turn to Yuuki and say " Yeah, well . . . Kaname would like seeing you that way, too! "

They played it twice. I winced both times, knowing I had made the worst mistake right there when I said that. " You know what this means, right, Rima? " Ruka stepped towards me.

" C'mon, Luca, she's not that bad . . . " I said lowly as Ruka stepped even closer. She was right infront of me, a few inches from my face. She slightly bent down, giving that I am only one inch shorter than her, and leveled her eyes to mine. Then she said it.

" You are just as much trash as she is, now. "

And with that, her and Seiren linked arms and walked off. Maria looked hurt, then flashed me a look of sympathy mixed with sorrow, but walked off with them. She made the right choice.

I stood alone, feeling my heart drop to my knees as tears filled my eyes. I had lost my three best friends all because I went to the mall with Cross Yuuki. When would they ever accept her? Or accept me back into their group?

DISCLAIMER

Vampire Knight belongs to Matsuri Hino. Forever 21, Hollister, Aeropostale, and Victoria Secret all belong to people I do not know, but they do not belong to me.

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