Hello, it's Mysteria Pearl again! Here's chapter 2; I had to revise it a couple of times…
Disclaimer: IGPX isn't mine and probably won't be unless I become a producer magically and make a movie from it and make the Jesse x River romance the main plot, but since that probably won't happen, it's not mine. Heheheh.
Chapter 2- Yes, Miss Satomi
Miss Satomi flipped her unruly hair and walked back to where she had seen River exit.
There she found Jesse sitting at the mahogany table near the window with her head in her arms.
"Get up, Jesse." said Miss Satomi as she flicked on the light switch. Jesse sat up with a start, tears overwhelming her eyes. Miss Satomi sat down across from her and Jesse bit her lip.
"You're racing tomorrow." The manager said with a straight face and dull eyes.
Jesse sniffed,
"But… But I can't!! I can't race in an IG1 race! I'm scared! Please," She begged, "Can't you get Takeshi to do it!?"
"No!" Miss Satomi slammed her fist onto the table,
"I'm your boss and your guardian! I found you on the street when the fire destroyed everything you had! I took you in when no one else would! My Grandfather paid for you to go to all the best schools! I gave you a job and a place to live! I've provided for you for eleven years! I've given you everything you need! You are indebted to me! You will do what I say!" She roared. Jesse's shoulders fell as she stared at her hands, clasped in her lap,
"Yes, Miss Satomi." Miss Satomi smiled suddenly taking on a pleasant air again,
"Good girl," she said a bit too sweetly,
"Now, get some rest. Tomorrow morning, we'll have you a run in the simulator and suit you up. Be in my office (She was using another conference room as her current office) at four."
"Yes, Miss Satomi." Jesse whispered
"Now then," Miss Satomi continued,
"I'll leave you for now, so that you can get all the rest you need," Miss Satomi said , motioning to the makeshift cot that sat in the corner of the now fully-lit conference room,
"I'll send someone to check on you tomorrow morning. If you're not up by at least three-thirty, I'll have them wake you." With that, Miss Satomi stood and stepped to the door,
"If you need anything, I'll be across the building."
"Yes, Miss Satomi."
"Oh," Miss Satomi turned back to Jesse, her suited body a silhouette,
"By the way, blondie wanted me to say goodbye to you for him."
"Thank you, Miss Satomi." Jesse said as she stood and bowed.
"Yeah, yeah. Goodnight." Miss Satomi said as she left,
"Yes Miss Satomi."
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"Ow! Hey! Watch the earring!" Once they were outside, Yamma released the pilot's ear,
"You just have to get mixed into everybody's business, don'cha, kid?" Yamma asked as he sat down on a bench .
River stuffed his hands in his pockets and said nothing.
"Look, kid, I know you used to be on Team Satomi, but what I don't get is what the heck is going on."
River sighed and sat down next to Yamma on the bench,
"Well… Takeshi's gone mental and is on a forced absence and since there's nobody else to take his place, Jesse is the default racer…" he trailed off as he ran his hands through his hair.
"That's not all on your mind, huh?" Yamma said as he leaned back and put his hands behind his neck.
"No. . ." River mumbled, "The truth is, she was really upset about it. Satomi's being really mean to her even though she doesn't deserve it…"
"Eh, that's just like Satomi. She always seems to pick on the people who are better than her." Yamma said as he closed his eyes.
"Yeah… but what's weirder is that… I don't know…"
"Wha?" the silver haired pilot asked as he opened his right eye.
"I don't know… I guess I'm just confused because I keep feeling strange around her."
"Around Satomi? Eh, that's just nausea. She does that to everybody, trust me--"
"No, not Satomi, although I do feel nauseous around her… I meant…" he sighed, "I meant… well, I meant Miss Martin."
"Who, Pigtails?"
River rolled his eyes,
"Yeah, pigtails. Well… she's kind… and sweet… and… delicate… and I've liked her for awhile now… but… something feels different… it's not just a physical attraction anymore… it's… it's… Arragh… I don't know." He said defeatedly.
Yamma smiled down at the boy knowingly,
"Well, it's decided then." he said as he stood and began to walk away.
"Wait!" River called as he scrambled to his feet and caught up to the older man,
"What's decided?"
Yamma turned to him and smiled,
"You're going to be the lead pilot."
River stopped in his tracks,
"Woah! Really?" Yamma turned and nodded, "Yep. Timma's been itching to get on the track again, so it'll be you, Dimma and Timma. I trust you. Besides, I'll make sure that neither of them dare touch your girlfriend."
River's face grew red,
"But she's not--"
"And I'll act as manager while you race against your girlfriend."
River looked about nervously to make sure nobody else was in hearing distance,
"Yamma-- she's not my--"
"Anyway, better get back now."
"But she-- hey! Yamma--"
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As Miss Satomi walked out into the hall, she almost ran into Takeshi,
"Well, well, Mr. Jin. You seem to be very underfoot lately, haven't you."
"Yes, Miss Satomi." Takeshi muttered.
"Say…" Miss Satomi said, raising her hand and rubbing her chin,
"How would you like to earn fifty bucks and get to bug Jesse?"
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Well, I hope you enjoyed Chapter 2... It was fun writing it!
Have a nice day and please review!
Mysteria Pearl