Day One

First Meeting And Lavi's Bet

He nibbled on the pen pensively. His right dactylion caressing the green-and-blue spotted plastic cup beside his typewriter. A low meditative hum brushing past his dry lips. The blue-tinted rectangular glasses sliding down his nose bridge. The single inkling of life Tyki witnessed from Allen was the brief blink a second ago. Now he was contemplating surrealistically as he eyed the lined paper in his five subject notebook and the list written on it with black ink.

"Allen?"

"Why are you in my study?" Allen murmured nonchalantly.

What a greeting, don't you think? Tyki shrugged, knowing the unappreciative companion cannot see it. Allen paid no heed to his guest, not one bit. He was more drawn in by paper and pens and accumulating an idea for his new novel that would no doubt become a best seller, as more than half the novels he's the author of are.

"Met a block in the road, eh?" Tyki asked.

"No, not at all." Allen used the bottom of his palm to push his glasses up to their rightful place, finally looking at Tyki. "My agent and publisher think I should erase my alias from my novels."

"So?" Tyki cocked a questioning brow.

"So?" Allen gasped, aghast. "Then people will know who I am, Tyki, and we don't want that."

The eyebrow steadily arched higher. The younger individual sometimes was more confounding than the stories he writes, and his idea that he insists continuously on is true, that Allen will never love anyone outside the family. Allen insists daily he will never be shot by Cupid's arrow. Honestly there was no sense in his idealistic no-love-forever life. Tyki thought Allen would be the first person he knows willing to throw himself to romance state of mind. That there was a wrong drawn conception. It is likely Allen planned to be like his father and his uncle who's never around- walk his life loveless - although the novelist may appreciate that. Neah could be sardonically witty and full of mockery. His Uncle consistently attempts to throw Allen at the ladies whenever possible, wishing for his only real family to fall in love. Then his other uncle... Allen despised Cross.

"Does it really matter?" Tyki drawled dully. "I mean, the world already loves your books. So why hide your identity?"

"I've explain a million if not a billion times! I don't want people to know, let's just keep it as simple as that, since your feeble mind can't seem to process the reasons I give or you're to lazy to even remember what I tell you."

"Did you get any sleep?"

"Not really."

"That explains a lot."

Allen glared at Tyki. The fire in his eyes only went to prove Tyki's point - Allen was cranky due to lack of sleep. Such a ridiculous ferocious look didn't bother Tyki. Altogether, all in all, it was rather amusing on the high scale. Allen is difficult to anger in the slightest, therefore, there was more to the situation than he first thought. No matter, for this isn't what the elder intended to come talk to him about.

"You've been locked up in your house a few days now," Tyki remarked, skimming through a rouge-leathered book.

"And you're distracting." Allen dropped the pen on the notebook carelessly, jerking back his head to stare at the ceiling, cognitive. "May I ask what exactly do you think you're doing here in my home uninvited?"

"Are you busy? No, so don't get so sassy, boy." Tyki smiled as Allen rolled his genuinely soft-stroke gray-blue eyes with a seemly silver tint. "I thought I take you out of the cell and cut those shackles."

A snort. "I'm not leaving."

"Why not?" Well, this was slightly disappointing. Tyki hoped he could spend the day with one of the few people he can tolerate on a daily basis whose almost normal. As far as he's concerned, Allen may be the only 'normal' person he'd ever meet.

"I have a dilemma I need a resolution to," Allen said bittersweetly.

"Then you can talk to me about it once you get out in the sun. No wonder you're so damn pale, locking yourself up inside day in and day out."

"I don't want to go," Allen groaned.

"I'll buy lunch."

Allen smirked, and Tyki might as well shove all his money in Allen's chest, aware the foolish cooing of asserted desperation will leave him broke for the rest of the month. He wondered if it was worth denting his wallet to escape Road and her theatrics. Well, Sheryl certainly was a bonus today if he stayed at the Earl's suburban mansion today, given his brother is off work. So, this absolutely is worth it.

"I promise you your ambligurition on my part for your sake will be significantly appreciated," Allen declared.

His pocket wallowed in misery. Poor pocket. Tyki stared glumly at Allen as he devoured a sub topped with everything but jalepenos. The booth table had no room whatsoever left to spare, leaving Tyki nowhere to sink his head, as he would usually rest his chin in his palm. It's not precise saying he was disturbed by Allen's appetite, though it made him nauseous from time to time, nor would it be accurate that he was upset about the money loss, for he could gamble all of it back in a few days or borrow off his family if it comes down to it, rather, Tyki is severely bored.

"So tell me about this problem you have," Tyki requested for the sheer longing to hear more than Allen's quite revolting slurps and chomps and meat grinding eating noises.

The only bad thing about Jerry's Cafe is it has everything to offer. Everything food wise. If you come in with something you want and it isn't here, Jerry will definitely have it on the menu within a week. Unfortunately that is what Allen loved about Jerry's, hence why they always come here. Too bad half the menu isn't cheap where the other half feels like you're stealing from the cafe.

A black scowl spread across Allen's lips. "You remember my high school friend, Lavi?" Tyki nodded slowly. "He's a college graduate now, and he's returning home, hoping I can help him think of what exact career would be ideal for the twit."

"So the problem?"

"He insists I come to the graduation party for the graduates at his house."

"And?" Tyki pried despite his disinterest.

"Lavi is exclusively irritating," Allen growled, pausing to munch on a few crispy chicken tenders and inhaling his strawberry milkshake. "I said no. Couldn't express my disapproval anymore than I did."

"Blackmail again?" Tyki chuckled heartily.

"No, not blackmail. Lavi has persisted on this for two months ahead of the party date. Every time we talked to each other over the phone or email each the other, he would bring it up. Eventually, he caught me when I was drowsy and desperately needed sleep after pulling an all-nighter two days straight."

The elder deciphered the rest easily. Allen had been tired and accepted Lavi's invitation. That cannot be abnormal, although there's one thing Tyki missed- "Why don't you want to go to the party?"

"Because Kanda will be there," Allen simply said, thinking thoroughly over every detail and every reason why which leads to a perfectly comprehensible and agreeable excuse. "Then Lavi likes spiking the beverages if he doesn't hand out the alcohol itself. I have a new novel due in three weeks, and I also need a new idea for the novel after that."

"Thought you weren't in a road block?" Tyki reminded.

Why must Tyki continue to think Allen has run fresh out of story plots? Allen wrote his first official short story when he was eight, and being a boy, it was damn amazing. Even then, Allen was impossibly fascinated by stories, finding grammatical and spelling mistakes in several types of books - encyclopedia, novels, textbooks - and he divided the characters trait by trait. Allen sought all the clichés and all the common features. All the flaws. Every blah detail about the characters, including the appearances. Perhaps he shouldn't judge appearances, though, with white hair and a pentacle on his face, then his deformity.

Nonetheless, books were his life. The only thing he could possibly love more than reading is writing his own. In total, Allen has written over seven hundred short stories, five books of poetry, and the last three years consisted of making more than fifty best sellers and nothing less. Be it New York Times, national, or international best sellers, they were best sellers, and he guaranteed there be nothing less than the best, and the next book is always better. His novels, though, were mostly for young adults and some depthened to mature only. However, he never wrote a romance novel.

This is where his main conflict begins.

Allen Walker has formed universes of science and horrors of the shadows, teary-eyed tragedies sure to strip your cold heart of ice. Allen built a dimension of lingering spirits and monsters; put shame on the boogie man. The crimes are more notorious and ghastly than Jack The Ripper's, and demons bound off paper. His comedies sent hundreds to the hospitals because of their hysterics took their breath away! Allen is the best novelist throughout the galaxies to this day and age. He rules this writing era. Except romance.

Allen Walker is anything but a romantic, contrary to his being, his very fiber. In fact, he's too much of a pessimist in the romance factor that Allen has never kissed, never dated, and never was interested in any sexual content in any way, shape, or form. To complete this, Allen has never once had a crush on any girl. Being embarrassed to see somebody naked is completely different from being flustered by arousal. Some people don't seem to get that. Though Allen was not easily embarrassed by these things. It was human nature to love or make love, so on, so on, yet nothing of the sort ever intrigued him. Never will either. The daft Skin Bolic is more of a sweet romantic than Allen, to be honest.

That is what makes his dilemma worse.

His publisher, agent, and editor demand a romance novel from him by next month, or he would be looking for new colleagues. Which is rather difficult when Allen Walker is nonexistent to the world. He uses an alias for his novels: Red D. Gray. More than likely, there was a chance of exploiting his identity to the world as Red if he attempted to find a new editor or agent or publisher, but all three? Pft, the secret would be out. Allen isn't ready for that. Tyki is the only one who knows he's Red. Everyone else thinks he's just a big fan of Gray's books. In an ironic way, he is.

"Oi, oi!" Tyki headbutted Allen suddenly, and the younger of the two hissed, holding his aching head.

"What the hell, Tyki!?" Allen growled.

"You were ignoring me," Tyki deadpanned, dismissing the headbutt. "Anyway, you're going?"

"Well, of course. I'm a man of my word." Allen told him matter-of-factly.

"So when is it?"

"Lavi wants me there before the party actually begins. So I have to be there by five since it starts at six."

"That's three hours away. What are you going to do till then?"

Good question. Allen hadn't thought about it. With a dreary sigh, Allen finished his last slice of Hawaiian pizza, completing his new record high stack of dishes. Thankfully waiters and waitresses took care of the dishes here at this café, which might as well be a five-star restaurant. Languidly, Allen stood on his feet and hurriedly headed straight to the door, waving off Tyki.

"I'm going to the bookstore. I've got studying to do." Allen used as an awry farewell.

Closing the novel Lavi bought for her, Lenalee tossed it on her bed, praying some mighty force would disintegrate it to ashes before it plopped on the soft mattress. Was he playing a sick joke on her? He knows very well how much Lenalee infinitely loathed Red D. Gray's preposterous best sellers. Completely and utterly lame in her opinion. Perhaps it is biased, then perhaps not.

Lenalee Lee was a critic from fashion trends straight to the celebrities rocking on T-vo and more. Lenalee unfortunately wasn't a world renowned critic. A mere journalist and recent college graduate of an IQ of 125, in her estimation. Lenalee is gifted but not highly gifted, and she's smart in what interests her most or a little, tiny bit. What she don't like she don't learn about. Common sense, right? After school, at least.

That's far off track, though. The subject is Lenalee dislikes Red D. Gray. Loathes him and his documents with her whole heart which is typically kind, understanding, and vivacious. The plot and ideas, some were alright, some okay, some amazing, original, blah blah blah, but Lenalee saw in every book, every story, a continuous flaw. The characters are forever loveless. Even the married couples! They never seemed to love each other. There is no portrayal of it. Yes, there's friendship love, parent-to-child love, family love. No romance though. Not even a crush. That isn't the only reason why Lenalee couldn't bring herself to find tastes in the books. Damn Sam, she has a whole list. However, she wishes to avoid speaking of Gray as much as possible, or thinking about him.

"Are you settling okay, Lenalady?" Lavi asked, poking his head in with a grin.

"Yeah, I'm settling in perfectly," Lenalee chirped cheerfully. She walked up to her new black ornate vanity, making herself comfortable in the stool and leaning toward the oval mirror; Lenalee applied mascara to her eyelashes. "I can't thank you and Bookman enough for letting me stay with you until I find my own place."

"Komui isn't gonna freak 'bout this, right?" Lavi leaned on the door, scratching his head nervously.

"He trusts Bookman."

"Yeah, I know that. But me..."

"He won't kill you, I promise," Lenalee smiled encouragingly.

The anxiety soon vanished. Komui knows Lenalee is far from Lavi's love interest, and he's nowhere near compatible for her, so Komui might threaten Lavi, but he doubted the big brother would go too far to hurt him or anything... Severely. And with Lenalee's reassuring promise, he could sleep with a peace of mind.

"Random question, but what are you hoping to achieve now, being out of college and all?" Lavi wondered, still uncertain about what he wanted to do.

"Oh, I'm just focusing on getting my own place first. Then I'll worry about a job." Lenalee shrugged, and Lavi wished he could be so carefree about this like she was. Bookman, his stern grandfather, wants Lavi to figure out his life quickly. Lavi has a year to find a job better than a burger flopper at McDonald's or the old panda will shove him into something else he'd resent. The whole conception was complicated, and tonight is supposed to be fun, so no need to tell a sad-glum tale.

"Maybe I can also find a boyfriend now, too," Lenalee said thoughtfully.

Lavi smirked. "You've always said that, Lenalady."

"Yeah, but Komui isn't here to mess it up."

"Girl, girl, you need Komui here first. If they run away immediately the guy ain't worth your precious time."

"Says the guy who ran all the way home sucking his thumb and crying when you first met Komui."

Lavi gaped at her, disbelieving his ears. "You promised to never bring that up again!" He huffed, and Lenalee laughed. "Besides, wasn't trying to be your boyfriend, was I?"

"No, I suppose not."

"C'mon, we gotta finish setting up the party," Lavi said eagerly, jabbing hs thumb downwards to signal the place in which said party will commence.

"We already have balloons and streamers and whatever else your mind came up with, so what else are we missing?" Lenalee asked, following Lavi out of her room and downstairs.

"Simple. The snacks." Lavi said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Lenalee studied the rooms they passed until hey arrived at the kitchen. There wasn't any need for anymore snacks to be put out. Lenalee thought there were too many snacks laying around, but Lavi was the host and he basically makes all the rules and buys the supplies. He chooses what is permitted and what there will be. Lenalee didn't see the point in arguing.

"The Beansprout is here," Kanda grumbled once he saw them enter the kitchen. Clicks soon followed his words, and Lenalee noticed he had his laptop with him, likely booking the first flight out of the country. It wouldn't be all too surprising, since he graduated college with Lavi and Lenalee last week, and has his own apartment on Number 65 Lane, but he probably wants to leave on vacation if not permanently, to escape his foster-father and -brothers, and Lavi.

"Beansprout?" Lenalee repeated, once the nickname finally processed through her brain.

"Really?" Lavi enthusiastically asked. "Where is he?"

"I don't know, don't care," Kanda continued grumbling, scowl deepening. "Why is everything so god damn expensive!?" He slammed his fist on the table. "Or sold out! Dammit!"

"What'cha looking for?" Lavi peeked over Kanda's shoulder, blinking. "Oh, yeah, those books are amazing. Wow, Yuu, you can-" Kanda elbowed the redhead brutally in the midsection, knocking the air out of Lavi.

"Thanks... Yuu... Appreciate the love." Lavi gasped, ducking when Kanda decided to swing at Lavi's jaw this time. "Anyway, I got those books upstairs in the library, and the Old Panda has'em back at the bookstore, too. New ones coming in tomorrow, if ya wanna get your own. But you can borrow mine."

"Tch. If I wanted to borrow the books I would have gotten them off the Sprout." Kanda glared at the screen as the last Witch In The Village book sold out. "Why is it so hard to buy those damn books?"

"What books?" Lenalee asked as she opened the fridge and pulled out a Mountain Dew and gallon of homemade herbal tea. "Seriously, Lavi? Mountain Dew and nothing else?"

"I love the Dew, dudette." Lavi snatched the soda out of her hands and popped the cap off. "Don't matter on the books, though. Believe it, cause Kanda is a major Red D. Gray fan because of yours truly. Snuck him a book and ever since he's been addicted to them. Especially those horrors, tragedies and mysteries. There's even one 'bout a wicked samurai that's like, uh, awesome. Anyway, he's been tryin' to buy 'em, but he's only got 13 of Gray's books."

"You, too, Kanda!?" Lenalee exclaimed.

Kanda slammed the lid of his laptop down, staring at Lenalee, stoic. "The books aren't the worst. Better than most things I've read."

"I bet you only like them because there isn't a sliver of romance," Lenalee scoffed, shutting the fridge in frustration.

"That's the only reason you don't like Red D's novels. Typical romantic-critic." Lavi shrugged, tipping his bottle of soda at Lenalee as he spoke cheerfully. "Don't fret, gal. You still my homegirl despite your foolish disliking toward my favorite novelist of all time. Other than your opinions on Red D. Gray, I respect and value your opinions."

"Thanks," Lenalee muttered, feeling slightly jaded by Kanda's unintentional betrayal, then she couldn't really blame him. Kanda's tastes are a variety collection, which aren't too hard to guess accurately on. "Kanda, you can have all twenty of my Red D. Gray novels. Waste of time and money on my part."

Lenalee sighed. "Guess I stand alone on my views."

Allen furiously shoved the adulterated romance book in the bag. Allen couldn't read it without either feeling bitter and cynical, or just drifting out of the context in sheer boredom. Even an inexperienced pragmatic unromantic individual like himself knows this is purely fiction, and not at all realistic or rational. The absurdity was too ridiculous he couldn't laugh or snort.

Sure, he knows a few people who aren't hopeless romantic and are somewhat looking for relationships, and he's seen different types of relationships, so he knows love develops gradually if at all. Attraction is completely different. A guy might think a woman is exotic and want her purely by their appearance, and vice versa. Ordinarily, a relationship starts from physique attraction than personality, and these books are nothing but based on the physical appearances that win the attraction, then magically develop into love. How surprising - note the sarcasm. Romance novels are just too much of unrealistic, silly, irrational fantasies.

"Why are you tucked away in here, Beansprout?" Lavi questioned, walking up behind the white-haired friend as he entered the library.

"It's Allen!" he screamed in frustration, throwing the bag-wrapped book at his older friend.

"Here! I accidentally bought te wrong book today," Allen lied when Lavi cocked an eyebrow. "I was in a hurry, so I wasn't paying too much attention. Thus I bought the wrong book. Have it."

Lavi tossed the book on the loveseat across the room, clutching Allen's arm and dragging him out of the library. Allen's frown deepened, postulating the outcome of soon-to-be-events because of Lavi's eagerness. "You aren't playing matchmaker again tonight." It was a demand, not a question. "Besides, they're college graduates. Their ages can range from nineteen to fifty-seven."

"What, you think I'm stupid and gonna to hook you up with a pedophile?" Lavi feigned hurt, clutching his chest where the heart pumps beneath. "I'm hurt, Allo, really, I'm hurt."

Allen held a look of indifference. "You've tried it before. Thirteen times to be exact. Four of which were men, need I remind you? And one was my Uncle."

"Technically, Tyki isn't your uncle. Their family accepted your family after they became adults. You just so happen to join that package. Anyway, I don't know your sexuality-"

"Even if I did come to like someone it would be a girl," Allen snapped.

"How do you know that?"

"Lavi!"

"Okay, okay, I'm just teasing," Lavi said, defeated. "'Sides, tonight is for fun. Don't be so... tense. Gee, what's your problem today? You're so grouchy!"

Maybe a little. Then he could easily blame it on distrust and past experiences when Lavi has brought Allen's morals to corruption and his childish innocence vaporized. Befriending Lavi exhilarated and profligate Allen's life, and he could earnestly say Lavi's departure to college hardly bothered Allen or left him lonely. Allen was a loner, so being by himself never mattered.

They entered the crowded parlor and Allen set his eyes on the snack table beside him. Lavi chuckled as Allen started munching down on the nachos and preparing a few slices of cake on his paper plate, though he eyed the punch and lemonade warily, resorting to examining the soda bottles to make sure the caps weren't loose to prove signs of previously being opened.

"I didn't spike the drinks," Lavi enlightened.

"Why am I here then, Lavi?" Allen asked softly, ignoring him, exhaling for a long minute and ultimately releasing all the tension in his body, shoulders sinking.

"'Cause I haven't seen you in a long time, Allo," the redhead clarified simply. "I mean, I've been so busy and you do whatever, whenever, and I never know what you're doing or if you have free time-"

"I normally have free time." Allen meant that. He writes his novels quickly if no one distracts him and he hasn't a job outside his house. Most of the time you can find him in his home, at Jerry's Cafe, bookstores and libraries, and Dream Lake, where nobody goes anymore since the amusement park was built seven years ago and there's closer beaches people prefer to go to. Those be the most common places you'll find Allen, usually away from the crowd.

"Are you sure you're not going to college, Allen?" Lavi approached the subject cautiously. "I mean, you can go to the community college, and not even for the whole day. You don't need a master's degree or anything."

"I'm not going. My life is centered about books, and you don't need a college degree to read or write them, you know." Allen said sternly.

"But what if something happens and you need to earn money, Allen?"

"Gamble." Allen gave Lavi a pointed look, smirking inwardly as his friend shivered.

"Allen, I worry about you."

"Look, if I need a practical job, I can work at a hotel, stores, the amusement park, and other convenient places. So forget it, okay?"

I have enough money to last me years, and a family willing to give me money if I need some.

Although Allen earns a good deal of money, his large appetite thins his own pocket and he does more with his money than most think, and being the modest, humble person he was, Allen never spoke about it to anyone if it ventures beyond bills and food and lending money to Tyki occasionally, etcetera. Allen will splurge on himself, too, when he feels like it. Because he can.

"Aww, look, Yuu's sulking in the corner," Lavi said, a little too cheerfully, as he tugged on Allen's arm while he tried to grab a couple more chips and sandwiches. "C'mon, c'mon, let's go cheer him up.

"Yof mehn eggragfh tiw?" Allen's gulped down his mouthful of chips after chewing, and Lavi shook his head when he quickly stuffed his face with his ham sandwich afterwards, dusting the crumbs off his shirt.

"What'chu say?"

"I said," Allen gulped again, speaking more clearly, "you mean aggravate him?"

"Nah... Oh, look at that!" Lavi randomly pointed, his finger directing Allen's gaze to the painting of blossom flowers surrounded by Chinese scrolls made of glass and symbols Allen couldn't read engraved on there.

"What about them-"

Lavi grinned impishly, spinning his 'homegirl' around, who also seemed lost in the crowd, and pointed her at Allen who had his confused attention elsewhere. "Hi, have you met Allen?" Lavi said, and dashed through the crowd and out of the room before Allen or Lenalee could react.

Allen stared at the girl in front of him blankly, processing her subtle exotic girly-punk-mix look: A dark purple that matched her shining violet eyes, and the sleeves hung low on her shoulder, black denim jeans that faded grayish-white in the front and ripped in a few places along her long legs, three-inch high heels with half-inch thick and wide laces rolling over her feet with silver studs. Looking at her lovely face he saw her eyes stand out beautifully because of her mascara and faint purplish-silver eyeshadow. Her hair, oddly, was simply put up in pigtails, making her punk-look outlandish because of the girly addition, which her hair was actually a wonderful shade of black, by the way.

He mentally admitted this girl was very attractive, taking an interest on her lips that glowed, assuming immediately it was lip gloss. In a way, she reminded him of a rocker.

Then he remembered the celerity runaway, angrily glancing around for the fiery-haired piratical friend playing matchmaker again. This is precisely why I didn't want to come here.

"Hello," she greeted, waving, smiling. "I'm assuming you're the beansprout."

Allen felt a boulder dropped on his head and gaped at her, his upright posture slouching suddenly. "Wha-what!?"

"Sorry, but that's what Kanda and Lavi called their 'little white-haired friend,'" Lenalee said, stifling a giggle, not wanting to further offend him. "I'm Lenalee Lee. Nice to meet you."

"Allen," he murmured dubiously. "Allen Walker."

She snapped her fingers and her eyes lit up in recognition. "Oh, I remember now! Lavi talks about you all the time! I always wanted to meet you."

"Really?" His dubiety bounced off him and she noticed. "What for, may I ask?"

"Oh, nothing, really. Lavi just makes you sound interesting. Didn't he talk to you about me?"

"I don't recall hearing you name."

"He usually calls me Lena or Lenalady."

"Sorry. Doesn't sound familiar."

Lenalee stuck her tongue out slightly, tilting her head to the side pensively as she admired Allen's dull appearance, inspecting every detail. According to the redhead, Allen isn't at all boring, but boy, does he look boring. He wore simple black trousers and a white cotton shirt hidden mostly by an old-fashioned gray Loxley vest. He was the image of a 19th century aristocrat without the cravat and jacket. And how could you miss the gloves? Geez... But he was handsome. Lenalee examined his radiant mercury eyes tentatively. The softness of those eyes gave her goosebumps. He was irritated, yes, yet those eyes were so genuine.

Lenalee wondered if he was boyfriend material. Of course there would be some necessary changes to quirk with...

"So how long have you known Lavi?" Lenalee asked, taking a sip of her punch.

"Since my freshmen year," Allen answered, glancing around the room again. Curse Lavi.

"You guys close?"

"You could say that. He is my best friend."

"And Kanda?"

"We don't get along."

"But you're friends?"

Allen eyed Kanda in the corner, snorting. "Doubt it."

"Lavi says you're friends," Lenalee told him.

"Yes, I reckon he did, but Lavi is an idiot," Allen responded. "Pardon me, but I must leave."

"Why?" Lenalee found his sudden want to leave offending. Maybe he was stereotyping her, then wasn't she basically doing the same? No, not really.

"I... I have to discuss something with Lavi."

"Do you have any idea how explicit you're being?" Lenalee crossed her arms over her chest, obviously expressing offense.

"About what?"

"That you're trying to avoid me for some stupid reason."

Now Allen thought that was a bit rude, however, things like that he is used to. Considering the peculiar and abnormal people in his life that never appeared humane to him most of the time. Lavi won't look humane anymore here soon, when Allen gets his hands on him.

"I wouldn't say it's 'stupid', instead, rational," Allen claimed matter-of-factly.

"Oh?" Lenalee leaned forward, eyebrow arched. "Then please explain."

So straightforward. Allen had a hunch this girl is open and blunt about her opinions.

"If you must know," Allen said evenly, "I have to reprimand him on trying to match me with a girl for love harmony, as he says. I'm not trying to be rude, but..."

"I won't work, is that what you're saying?"

"Not entirely."

Lenalee debated whether to be hurt or angry over that, and resorted to calmly walking away from him. She expected more gentlemanly manners from him. Tch, whether he meant it or not, he came off quite rude and terse, extremely offensive.

Allen found Lavi with Bookman and Tiedoll, Kanda's foster father, and look askance at the redhead as he grinned devilishly - Allen yanked Lavi away from Tiedoll and Bookman. "What the hell was that!?" he demanded.

"You don't like her?" Lavi mumbled, unbelievably disappointed.

"It's a tad hard to be keen on someone being forced upon me, now isn't it?" Allen seethed lowly.

"I didn't force her on you."

"Oh, yes, you did."

"Fine. So what? Lenalee is totally your type."

Allen couldn't stop himself from laughing at the ludicrous remark. "Not likely, Lavi."

"I think she do you some good."

"I think you're mad, you loon!"

"Chill, Allen."

"Not till you promise to quit playing matchmaker!" Allen said furiously. "I won't fall in love, Lavi, I assure you that. Especially not with her."

"What's wrong with Lenalee?" Lavi wanted to know. "I thought you'd at least like her as a friend."

"I wouldn't continue going round assuming you're right all the time."

Lavi stared at Allen long and hard. He was certain Lenalee and Allen were a perfect match. They are both kind-hearted softies with sass hidden behind their cute faces. Lenalee could be verbally abusive when expressing her opinions sometimes if you get her mad. Allen is frightening when he talk or thinks about, or plays, poker and other various gambles. Has a few secrets, and Allen could be mighty cocky when he is infuriated. Both had their quirks and pros and cons... There was more to his logical reasoning...

"I bet you'll fall in love with her in a month," Lavi thought aloud, grinning.

His friend simmered slowly, the idea of a bet crossing his mind. "A bet?" he repeated, tilting his head, a steel challenge in his eyes.

Lavi nodded vigorously. "I bet you will fall in love with Lenalee in a month."

Allen smirked confidently. "You're serious?" he scoffed. "I don't lose bets Lavi. You should know that by now."

"Then you should have no problem accepting this challenge," Lavi said.

"You're right, I don't have a problem. I just want to know what the wager is on."

"I'll wager that if I lose I'll stop tryin' to hook you up with a girl."

"And?"

"And guys."

"And?"

"I'll stop calling you beansprout."

"Such little things you're wagering."

"Yet it's what frustrates you the most," Lavi pointed out, eyeing Lenalee, who was talking to Kanda and some other boys from her science class.

Allen eyed Lenalee as well. "If I lose, which I won't..."

"You get the one ya love. Duh!" Then Lavi remembered the whole ordeal of a bet is to let the winner win something. He would win the satisfaction of simply winning the bet and proving Allen wrong. "Well, you can buy me a new car."

Allen looked at him as if he asked Allen to buy him government rule. "I get you to stop nagging me and you get a car?"

"Okay, okay." Lavi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He couldn't pay off a loan since Lavi received a full college scholarship. "Lemma think 'bout that."

"Lavi!"

"Fine. I want you to worship me for an entire day and be my faithful servant for a day, and you have to stop calling me stupid."

That was a bit over the top, but so was Allen's favor if he won the bet, which he will, since he never loses a bet - never - Lavi would have to stop his annoying antics he finds so fun and enjoyable. If Lavi won, it'd be a day of torture. Even so, it won't happen at all.

"Agreed," Allen said.

"Spectacular."

I have nothing to say except I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing this... Oh, wait, there is something else. This entire story is written throughout ONE month in the plot. Hence the title. So there will be either thirty, thirty one, or twenty-eight or -nine (because of leap years count in the February month span.) I'm hoping to write this entire story between one and two months! So I might need some helpful motivation to write this efficently and to the end! So please review?

I'll answer any question about the characters and plot, personalities, or whatever you didn't understand at first, etcetera. Other than that, I hope I didn't make many mistakes.

PS. My pen name does not mean I like ducks. It means my stories might be a little quacky of an adventure. It's a symbol - if I'm saying this right - of what I hope to achieve in my D. Gray - Man fanfiction.

Peace!