..::You Were But That Doesn't Matter Now::..+
The sky was clear and the weather was warm, a perfect day for the start of a new school year, well that's what I think... I just moved to Earth after colony 196, my parents were killed in the last war and I was sent to live with my Grandmother. Just when I arrived to Earth my Grandmother passed away and then I was moved again to the last remained relative I had and that was my Grandfather who divorced my Grandmother so many years before. My Grandfather is a tough cookie but he's still nice once and a while but I still don't want to live with him...I would rather be with my parents...Well I cannot change the past after it's been done...
My Grandfather drove me to the new boarding school I would be attending, this boarding school was high class and the first school that was private and the only one where I had to wear a uniform in. I didn't mind it being a private school but the uniform was just too much. My Grandfather told me that I was supposed to be on my best behavior and not be rude to anyone here since they were all important people or rich snobs, my Grandfather was wealthy and praised by many but he was not too snobby like the people he was telling me about. I guess I would have to get used to the wealthy life for now on...
My hand touched his wrinkled pale hand that was upon the gear shift, "Don't worry about me Grandfather, I'll be just fine alright? And I'll make sure that I'm the best little girl they seen" I said jokingly on the last statement and smiled. His heavy eyes looked at me and he let out a small chuckle, I giggled myself seeing those dark eyes pull out a sparkle.
"I know, I know you will Annette but I just fear the worse. You know how old people are" he chuckled once again and his hand moved out from under mine and he placed it upon my hand and looked forward. My hand turned and grabbed his, "Oh dear Annette it seems the mothers and fathers have come to see their children into school, how childish. Well I may as well do the same if you won't mind?" he said as he pulled into a parking space.
I shook my head, "Not at all Grandfather I would rather have you be there for a little bit." I let go of his hand and opened my door; I closed it and rushed around to help my Grandfather who was heading on to 80 out. He thanked me and I helped him get out my bag from the back of the car. "All right Grandfather I'm ready..." I said with a cheerful tone but I hid the intensity away; I walked my Grandfather towards the front where a gathering of people were. I listened to the sounds and blinked. "Is there a party going on?"
My Grandfather chuckled. "Yes there is, a engagement for the students to meet new or see old. An engagement for the parents to view the school or just to have fun. Something 'we' rich people do" he chuckled once again and walked up the stairs and I helped him. "Annette how about you go ahead and see your school while I'll meet with your teachers hm?" I looked at him with a sort of surprised look. "You seem as if I'll drop dead, ha ha. Annette go on, please." I nodded my head and let my arm slip out from under his and walked forward.
I knew he was going to tell my teachers that my parents died and he was going to tell them that he was on the verge of death and that I had no where else to go. Something he would do. He wanted the teachers to pity me and give me the best years of my life...man how I hated to be living with my Grandfather. I didn't want any pity and I don't need any, all I need is a normal life since I found out that-'Oh forget it...there is nothing in my power that I could do...'
As I pondered within myself I didn't realize I was walking about in oblivion. I raised my head letting my eyes fall forward on the path in front of me, I found myself in the courtyard that was in the center of the school, it was so beautiful. The wind was blowing the leaves off from the tree and the clouds slowly covered the sun. There was that peaceful moment when everything stopped; I looked up to the sky, there was no city above or heavy clouds controlled by a center, it was all natural. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in of the almost fresh air and smiled. I opened my eyes slowly to see the students had ruined the moment by walking into the courtyard. I thought for a moment, I also ruined the peaceful courtyard upon my arrival, I ruined it for someone who watched it as I did...
"Hey did you hear about the party in the back?"
"No, is it better than last year's?"
"They said it is, come on let's check it out!"
I over heard two girls that ran past me, my eyes followed them as they entered into the building at the side. "A party hm?" I followed their path and made my way to the back, what I found was no party as I thought it was but it was more like royal ball sort of thing. 'This is better? I can't imagine last year's at all..' I thought to myself with a small grim face forming on my mouth without knowing it. I shrugged my shoulders, 'Taking a peek wouldn't hurt, right?' I moved into the gathering looking about the people and the activities they had. I didn't find anything that I was taking an interest too, I only found boys and girls following their mother and father's footsteps. I walked over to the juice table and looked at the wine glasses, 'Wine?!' I poured myself a cup and sniffed it carefully. 'Doesn't smell like wine nor does it have any scent of narcotic in it...' I sipped the liquid slowly and found out it was just cranberry juice.
"I should've known..." I whispered to myself and walked away with my glass in my hand. My eyes switched about seeing new faces and new ways of living, the ways I didn't approve of. I took another sip and walked to the back of the party. I really didn't want to be part of this school nor to be around these types of people but I couldn't argue with my elder...I did say before that he was a tough cookie. I closed my eyes and leaned back on the concrete wall at that surrounded the school, I didn't know why they had a wall, maybe for ditching? 'Nah these kids are too weak to ditch' I thought.
"Well, well, not a party-goer I presume?"
I blinked my eyes open to find a rather odd looking fellow standing before me. I pulled off from the wall and smiled. "Do forgive me on-"
"Forgive you? For what?"
I blinked in surprised.
"I don't enjoy this "little" gathering either...load of crap that's what I think it is. Just something that people can waste their times with..."
I couldn't help but giggle, "I-I'm sorry?"
"Ha, there's a true smile in this faking crowd. I'm Duo Maxwell at your service for being the almost normal guy here. And you are?"
I giggled once again, "Rather interseting name, 'two' in Latin? I'm sorry, I'm Annette Charleston, please to meet you Duo Maxwell."
"Hey now that's rude...Nah just kidding...I don't even know where I got that name from, just came to me...So, Annette Charleston, are you new to the St. Gabriel Academy?" Duo asked, he got closer and cornered me back on to the wall, his hand planted next to my face and his actions made me become flustered for a bit.
"A-yes, I am...I just moved here from Colony 196..." I whispered softly, I didn't know why I did but I just-I felt the harsh pain that was brought upon me when my parents died. The horrid memory burned my mind and it's fire was inflaming my thoughts at the moment and I could not break free...I was lost and scared in the sea of darkness that wrapped my mind. This was not the peaceful moment but it did seem as if time stopped all at once.
"I see..." Duo's voice broke the darkness and there I saw him standing before me smiling. "What are you?"
"W-What am I?" I asked in confusion, I didn't understand the meaning of the question nor did I want to answer it. It seemed so rude, so undefined, something that I didn't expect from a school like this.
"Oh nevermind." He looked around for bit, I saw his eyes glancing at the students, he pulled off from the wall and smirked. "Hey Annette do you wanna ditch this party? I have a couple of friends who are a little funner than these bags of money" he chuckled. I nodded and giggled. "All right!" he shouted over the loud music that suddenly came on, "I think they'll be happy to meet you...well at least that I hope they will." He pulled me along with his hand gripped around my wrist.
I followed not thinking of what the consequences or the aftermath; I didn't care, he seemed really nice and I felt something good about him within my stomach. I knew he wasn't faking anything and what he was saying was coming from his heart, now that I know that everything he'll say would be coming straight from the heart...no doubt. I giggled as he tugged me into the second building and we raced up the stairs to the second floor.
"Hurry it up!"
"Alright, alright!"
He turned the corner swiftly almost knocking me out of his hand but I was able to grab on to his arm and keep running. He looked over his shoulder laughing, I could only laugh myself. We ran down the quiet hallway to the last door, he stopped to catch his breath and I did the same. He looked at me then opened the last door, "365 A" he said as he pushed it all the way open. "Yo guys!" I heard him cry out into the room, he tugged me in without warning.
I found myself in front of four other boys who also looked "different" from the rest. I blushed lightly, "Oh, excuse me...I'm Annette Cha-"
"Cut the polite crap already, just to warn you we 'guys' can't stand it" Duo cut me off with an annoyed tone and stepped forward. "Guys this is Annette Charleston," he turned to me. "Annette these are my buddies, Heero Yuy, Trowa Barton, Quatre Raberba Winner, and Chang Wu Fei." He listed them in the order they sat; Heero and Trowa were looking at some sort of map together while Quatre sat next to Trowa reading a novel, and Wu fei was on a desk reading through a history book. "Say hi guys!" Duo glared at them.
Heero gave me a glare which I really didn't approve of but if I had a friend like Duo maybe I would've done the same...
Trowa looked at me and his face remained emotionless, I blinked as his mono-look burned me.
"Hello Annette," a soft voice broke off the chills and sort of enlightened the mood until the last one spoke.
"Duo don't bring annoying students to us...I suggesting Heero and Trowa are having the same thought" the Wu Fei's eyes didn't not leave the book that was on his lap.
Quatre gasped, "Wu Fei, please, be nice..." he whispered.
"Yeah come on Wu Fei, don't judge things, she's really cool and different from the others" he stuck his nose into the air.
"I-If you wish for me not to be here then I'll be on my way" I bowed to them. "Thank you for letting me meet you" I turned to Duo and bowed to him. "Thank you for showing me around" I turned away hiding the fact that I was angry and sadden by these four guys...Duo said himself that they would be happy to meet me...maybe I was wrong about the 'heart' thing...
"Hey wait! Don't go" Duo grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from the door softly. "Listen, these guys, not including Quatre, are jerks. They're like this until you get to know them, please don't leave" he whined with a small pouty face. I giggled softly at his expression and shook my head, I opened my mouth to speak but someone cut me off.
"Where did you come from...?"
I turned to see Heero standing up, I blinked and looked away for a moment then my eyes shot back to Heero. "I-I come from Colony 196..." I said with blank and rather confused expression; the thought of my parents didn't come since I was too busy thinking why Heero was asking me some question that was pointless.
"196..." he repeated and stepped forward. "Annette Charleston, the daughter of Aldric Charleston?" he asked with a cold look in his eyes.
I completely lost my control of my body and what I saw next was darkness, black, caliginosity...I remembered...I remembered...the horrid past of my parents burned my mind once again. Oh how it hurt...complete silence...in twilight. I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry, I wanted, I wanted, I wanted to-I wanted it to-
"Annette! Annette!" something hard shook my body. My eyes fluttered open, slowly, the beaming sunshine burned the eyes that were used to the darkness. "Annette!" the shadow figure's voice perked up as my eyes opened. I fluttered my eyes for another moment trying to let my vision to be regained. "You scared us" he whispered and sat me up. His arm propped my body up since my body was still numb to me.
"Is she okay?" I heard Quatre ask from behind me.
"Yeah, I guess so, no thanks to Heero" Duo snapped.
"I wasn't my fault the girl passed out..."
"You shouldn't go on beginning people's pasts up...wait...how did you know Annette?"
"That is for you to find out...how is she?"
I felt Duo flinch and myself, I was shocked. I finally came back into my body and sat up straighter, Duo watched me, I could feel his eyes upon my body. "I-I'm alright...thank you for worrying..." I whispered and helped myself up to my feet, Duo helped me. I looked to him and smiled, "Thank you Duo..." I said.
"Do you need to go to the informatory?" I heard Trowa ask, I turned to the four guys to find myself in awe. They were also in awe and that's what frightened me...I shook my head and smiled. "Alright, if you feel dizzy again please inform us as soon as possible" his voice was in concern, what was that made these four in a change of heart? Did Duo say something to them or is it just them?
"You should stay here until school starts" Quatre said with a smile but his eyes were worried.
"That's sounds like a great idea Quatre!" Duo chirped.
"Oh no I can't, my Grandfather will be looking for me and I wish not to worry him" I said.
"Can you even walk?" Wu Fei asked with a mild annoyed voice.
"Do you need us to walk you?"
I was about to speak up and tell them to stop their worries but they wouldn't quit...why?
"We'll accompany you" Heero stated and walked forward to me.
"That sounds even better" Duo hummed.
"Good idea Heero, now that if she faints again we'll be there to catch her" Quarte stood up and walked to me.
I blushed a little by the fact of a guy catching me...
"Right, Wu Fei are you coming?" Trowa stood up and walked forward but stopped when he noticed Wu Fei didn't move.
"Yeah..." Wu Fei placed aside the book and walked towards me and his friends.
"T-thank you very much but I can't..." I smiled and spoke softly.
"Don't be like that Annie, come on let us walk you."
"Annie?!" I freaked out by the awkward nickname.
"Yeah I like that, come Annie" Duo chuckled and dragged me along.
I found myself being walked to the front where I supposed my Grandfather would be waiting for me, by five guys! I was blushing the whole time not knowing what to think of the odd scene that people would be seeing. As we walked I heard a lot of girls coo out the guy's names...why? They didn't seem popular or was it their personality that caught these lovely ladies' attention?
"We're here...do you see your Grandfather?" Trowa asked as his eyes drifted to me.
I looked about and searched at the heads to see an almost blad man but sadly there were many people like that. I shook my head and went forward into the crowd to find my Grandfather but something or actually 'someone' grabbed my arm and pulled me back. I turned my head to see Duo stepping forward, "No need for that" he chuckled. I heard Quatre saying about 'not' and 'doing' but I couldn't make it out by Duo's scream. "YO! THE GRANDPA OF ANNETTE CHARLESTON WILL YOU PLEASE GET OUT OF THE FUC-!" he was cut off by Quarte covering his mouth.
"Excuse us.." Quatre nervously laughed and pulled the wild boy back from the staring crowd.
In a few moments my Grandfather stepped out from the crowd in confusion. "Ah Grandfather!" I chirped and ran to his aid and helped him walk to the five guys I made friends with. "Who are these boys? They're loud and annoying!" I Grandfather blurted out, his 'tough cookie' side came out. The five guys blinked at the old man who stood before him. "Annette! What are these boys doing here?!"
"W-What?" I didn't understand...'What the heck is up with all these confusing questions?!'
Heero turned away, "Leave now..." he told his friends and they took no hesitation to follow his orders.
"What? Wait!" I cried out and stepped forward but my Grandfather grabbed my arm and jerked me back. I gasped and looked at my Grandfather's eyes... they were filled with hate and angst...why? I tried to pull away from his grip as my eyes stayed focused upon the five leaving men. "Wait! Duo!" I saw his turn his head slightly to look at me, I stared...'Why?!' "Please wait!" My Grandfather's grip was too tight and I could not push him away...no he was my elder...
"I don't want you around those boys ever again Annette. Do you hear me?!" My Grandfather's booming voice shook my eardrums, it shook everyone else's and forced them to turn and look at us. "Do not be around them!" I saw them walk further away, no one looked back and Duo...that was his only time he turned to look.
"Don't g-!"
I fell forward within another faint. The past memories rushed to my mind. Those haunting nightmares burned my body, mind, and soul. I could feel everything that I felt when my parents died and when the war spurred come back. I wanted to break free and get my questions answered but I could not wake nor could I reach the light. Why was I being pulled into this vertex of anamnesis? Why was I being pulled back down to the dark fire that burned my feared soul? Why was it...? Why did it all come back when Duo and his...? Why did when Grandfather told me...?
'Who are you...?'
It finally came clear...I remember now. Those five guys...they...they...they started the war. Are they the cause of my parent's death? Why?!