Second Hand

Summary: The Gundam pilots learn a valuable lesson about communication. Can they get their stories straight before people get hurt? 1xR, 2xOC, 3x4

A/N: I have officially decided that I should be a script writer, since the dialogue seems to be my main driving force, which is good for you because I've already completed that chunk of the story. At this rate, we should be done in no time! Yay! Okay, okay, I'll shut up now and let you read.

Chapter Two: A Dateless Duo

Duo kicked a small rock against the stucco wall on the south side of the gym. He'd been in a foul mood all week. No matter how many times he brought it up in conversation, Sexta still refused to discuss the dance with him. He wasn't sure why it bothered him so much, but it was steadily driving him mad. "I can't believe she hasn't asked me yet," he complained as he kicked another rock at the wall even harder. Wufei, who was sitting against the wall, shot him a glare as the rock shot off the wall and into the back of his head. Duo took the hint and squatted down where the cement met the lawn and started uprooting some of the grass. "I mean the dance is tomorrow, for crying out loud. How long does she think I'm gonna keep turning down girls so she can get up the nerve already?"

Quatre gave him a worried glance, hearing past the annoyance in his voice to the dejected sound of someone who was really disappointed. He opened his mouth to say something that would cheer him up, but Trowa, who hadn't even looked up from his chem homework, put a hand on his shoulder, silencing him with a small shake of his head. Wufei simply sighed and stood up. "You truly are an imbecile," he informed the braided boy.

Duo rolled his eyes, looking up and over his shoulder without pausing in his attempts to kill the grass at his feet. "Thanks, 'Fei. Love you too."

"I'd find a date if I were you, Duo," Quatre said quietly, looking to Trowa to make sure he was saying the right thing. "I've heard it's considered socially unacceptable for a guy to show up without one."

Wufei, who was still pissed off about the rock, continued to glare at him. "You'll be the laughing stock of the whole school before the first note is played," he rubbed in.

Duo jumped up, hands balled into fists, but Wufei just folded his arms and snorted. It wasn't worth drawing attention to the group with a fight just because Duo was frustrated with Sexta. He looked up as he put his back to Duo. Speaking of… "Who are we talking about?" their female companion asked as she approached. She thought that Duo looked pissed a moment ago, but when he turned to face her he looked a bit like he'd seen a ghost, which didn't make sense at all.

"Oh, no one in particular, Sexta," said Quatre with a wave and a smile, hoping she'd drop it now that Duo wasn't about to kill Wufei. "I was wondering," he added, changing subjects, "would you help me with my dance attire? I'm afraid it isn't quite up to my expectations, but I'm not sure how to rectify the situation." It wasn't a lie, really, since he really did want her help, but he was glad he could use his request as a distraction.

The topic change wasn't lost on her, but she let it go, trusting Quatre's judgment that she didn't want to know what was being said. She was a little curious, though, at what they would try to keep from her. She glanced at Duo again, noting his uncharacteristic silence. He'd done nothing but talk about the dance when she was around, and now that it was so close, he just stopped? She mentally shrugged to herself. He must have finally found a date then. "Sure Quat," she said, turning back to her Arabian friend. "Did you want to do that now? I have some time before my last class."

Quatre relaxed his shoulders a little. The sooner he got her away from Duo, the less awkward things would be for everyone. "That'd be wonderful, thank you so much." He gathered his text books and waved to everyone as they headed around the gym towards the boys' dorms.

Duo watched them go, hands buried deep in his pockets, and as soon as they rounded the corner, he sighed, leaning back against the wall behind him. He swung his head to the side, appraising his remaining friends. "Do you guys have a date?" he asked, although he was sure he already knew the answers. Trowa might have said yes to a girl to be nice, but there was no way Wufei would even go near the dance.

"I acquired one nearly a week ago," Trowa said, shuffling his papers around and glancing at his open text book.

Wufei colored slightly and he prayed that neither boy noticed. "As did I," he ground out, not looking at either of them.

"What?! Who?" Duo exclaimed, pushing off the wall and staring at each of them in turn. When had this happened? Was he the only one that didn't have a date? Maybe Sexta had found one and that's why she wouldn't ask him. He blanched at that thought. No way.

"That is none of your business, Maxwell," Wufei hissed, willing the heat from his face. This was so embarrassing.

Trowa tapped his paperes against the concrete before stuffing them inside his book. "You'll find out tomorrow evening," he said calmly.

Duo was about ready to tear his braid out. This was unbelievable. "You are the worst friends ever."

Wufei sniffed. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"I have things that need attending to," Trowa said, standing up and tucking his book under his arm.

"Me too," Wufei said quickly, taking off before anyone could stop him. It took every ounce of self restraint to not break out into a run as he crossed the grass back to the main building.

Duo put his arm out, as though trying to stop him, his mouth hanging open in confusion. "Uh, bye," he said, mostly to himself since Wufei was already too far away to hear him.

Trowa shook his head as he watched Duo. He should have asked the obvious question while he still had the chance. He sighed. What was the word Heero was always using for him? "Baka," he accused before turning on his heel and heading back into the gym.

Duo stared after him for a minute in confusion. "What'd I do?!"

A/N: poor Duo, everyone's picking on him. *grins evilly* ah the power! Muahaha! But enough of my rantings, this is the part where you tell me your thoughts by pressing that pretty little button in the middle of your screen down there. Go ahead, it's calling to you!