Karakura University
The air was crisp and the leaves began shift between red, orange and green. It was no doubt that time of the year again; her favorite season. Momo merrily sniffed the air as the wind nipped at her nose. She automatically pulled her jacket closer to her petite frame.
She admired the scenery of the courtyard, illuminated by the vibrant colors of fall. People were scattered about here and there. Playing in the leaves, laughing, enjoying life. Friends, siblings, couples.
She smiled an empty smile. This small gesture didn't mean that she wasn't happy with her life. Far from it actually. She frequently did volunteer work. She was thankful for her handful of quality friends. More than appreciative towards her supportive family. And her puppy Tobiume adored her. To her, all of it seemed to be enough.
However, she could not deny the twinge of pain and envy she felt whenever a happy couple crossed her path. Or being pushed aside when one of her friends had "other plans". Other plans implying spending time with their "significant other." They just preferred not to discuss it in her company.
So what if they did? It wasn't as if she was going to break. She admits to being a sensitive girl but she's not glass: transparent and fragile. She wasn't as weak as people always assumed her to be. The mere thought saddened her. She hunched over and meekly made her way to her dorm.
"Honey, I'm home!"
No answer.
"Rangiku?"
She checked the bathroom. No one. She sighed and shook her head. "Gin"
"Guess I'd better get started on that homework."
She pulled out her Algebra book with the enthusiasm of a snail and laid out on the floor. She yawned.
"9x + 55y - 6" The only equation she managed to write down before sleep over came her.
Hands. She felt hands. Someone was touching her. Someone else was in the room! Momo shot up in fear; tiny limbs flailing about. Then a familiar sensation overwhelmed her.
"Ahhhh hahaha. Stop! Please!"
"Tickle. Tickle. Tickle. Tickle." "Rangiku stop! I can't breath!"
"Maybe next time you won't fall asleep in the middle of the floor."
Momo looked around the dim lighted room as the realization hit her.
"Oh yeah. Sorry."
"Come on. I know math can't be that boring."
"You're not in my math class."
"I'm hardly ever in my own math class." The redhead winked.
"Yeah I know. If you keep that up, Rangiku, you're going to fail."
"Why does everyone keep saying that?"
"Because its true."
Rangiku stuck her tongue out at the brunette. She stood and sashayed her way to their walk in closet and returned in an outfit that made Momo blush.
"What do you think?"
Momo sampled her. "Nah."
Her roommate frowned and retreated to find something more suitable.
"What's the occasion?"
"A party.", came from the closet.
"Another one?"
Why was she even surprised? Rangiku could find a social event quicker than she could solve a math equation. Not that her friend was stupid by any means. She simply didn't apply herself . She was far more preoccupied with her hair, fashion scents and Gin.
"Duh, keep up Momo. The football team is hosting it to celebrate their recent win."
"Oh."
"What about this one?"
The dress she wore hugged her voluptuous body perfectly. It was strapless and pink with a black vertical line going down the middle. Accompanied by sheer stockings and black stiletto heels. Her shimmering hair fell down her back like flames. She truly was drop-dead gorgeous. No other girl at that party stood a chance against her. Momo gave her a thumbs up.
"Great! I've got to call -." She paused and glanced at Momo out of the corner of her eye. "The girls and let them know I'm ready." She changed the subject. "Why aren't you going?"
Momo hadn't even considered it an option. "I've got studying to do."
Rangiku rolled her ocean-blue eyes. "You're always studying." She threw her purse over her shoulder. "Oh well. Your loss."
"Have fun!"
"I will. Oh and say Hey to you're boyfriend for me."
Momo blinked. "Boyfriend?"
"Yeah. Toshiro."
She slammed the door shut before the soaring pillow could reach her. Momo could hear her laughing down the hall.
It was true that she loved her short, silver-haired, workaholic friend. But that's all they were, friends.
They met during their orientation at Karakura U. He was scribbling away frantically in a notebook, desperately clinging to the tour guide's every word in case he missed something. He appeared determined; brows furrowed, teal eyes sharp. He never uttered a word unless directly spoken to. Always so serious.
She stood in the crowd along side a muscular red-head and a composed blond. Renji was constantly trying to get a rise out of Izuru. The two college freshmen participating in the most juvenile behavior Momo had seen since junior high. Kicking, hitting, swearing, all in a discrete undertone.
All of a sudden there was a dull POP that caught her attention. It wasn't loud enough to interrupt the orientation but it was loud enough to capture the attention of everyone who stood in the back. Renji had just smacked the back of Izuru's head. Momo, did her best to stifle the laughter that rumbled her frame.
It was then that Toshiro let a light chuckle escape him. The brown eyes met the teal ones as they laughed in union. They've been inseparable ever since.
The memory made her smile, which turned into a frown once she came back to the present and saw her Algebra book staring her dead in the face. She sighed. It was going to be yet another long, boring night.
