Hibisha: I'm baaaaaaaaaack!

Burn (tonelessly) : yahoo.

Hibisha: Where are the god-damned others?

Burn: Not a clue. Meanwhile, I'll do the disclaimer. Hibisha doesn't own Inazuma Eleven.

Hibisha: I'm depressed...

Burn: Cheer up! This is your 9th story that's going on the net.

Hibisha: I'm still depressed...

Burn (sweat dropped) : On with the fic...


"Partnered Up!"

Heather walked across the campus to her class. Out of the corner pf her eyes, she saw Atsuya and Shirou laughing. She lowered her eyes. It had been three months since Shirou had betrayed her trust. Three months since the time when Shirou had appeared outside her dorm room and she had slammed the door on his face. She hadn't even thought of boys from then onwards. Heather was now the no. 1 boy hater of the country. She had even started taking guitar lessons, singing lessons and even according lessons to preoccupy herself. Her abilities in the music department were better than what she expected.

Although...I won't be able to avoid them forever. she thought darkly. She sat down next to her best friend Elena, and took out a black spiral note-book with flames on it. Elena smiled at her.

"HI!" she said cheerfully, "Guess what? We're going on a nature hike this evening...Isn't that cool?"

"Sure." Heather said dully. She wasn't exactly out-doorsy type these days. The proof was that her never fading tan had almost disappeared. Elena shook her head.

"Anyways, we're gonna get partners and then we have to search for some sort of plants...its for biology. Maybe, if I'm lucky I'll get paired up with Atsuya!" Elena said. His name made Heather clutch her pink glitter pencil in a death grip. Her friend was obviously, not a tactful person. Heather scowled.

"Elena...would you mind shutting up for five seconds?" she snapped.

"Not at all." Elena said, her smile fading, "You know Heather, if you only talked to him, maybe this mess will get clear-"

"I am not talking to him." Heather said firmly and that the end of their diccussion.

X-X-X

"Ok class, here are the partners for the trip. I have a hat here and Heather, will you be kind enough to lend me your cap so that I can distribute the names." Mr. Drew said. Heather nodded and handed over her cap. Out of the corner of her eye, Heather saw Shirou close his eyes and chant something in a small voice. Heather rolled her eyes. How childish...wishing to get paired up with someone. That was so immature and stupid.

"Ok, first up is..." Mr. drew put his hand into one hat which contained the names, " Is Elena Carter. And her partner is..." Mr. Drew reached for the second cap.

"Atsuya Fubuki. Atsuya Fubuki. Atsuya Fubuki." Elena chanted, eyes closed and hands clasped together. Heather shook her head. Idiot...

"Atsuya Fubuki!" Mr. Drew anounced.

"YES!" Elena shouted. the whole class turned towards her.

"Ms. Carter? Do you have a problem?"

"It's my fault..." Heather quickly butt in, trying to spare her friends from total humiliation, "I told her that there was going to be a sale in Paris and she couldn't contain herself...sorry..." she added sheepishly. Mr. Drew shook his head.

"Girls...You and you're clothes!" he muttered darkly. Heather rolled her eyes at her friend who gave her a grateful look.

"Ok, next up is...Hiroto Kiyama. And your partner is...Rani Nagini." Rani and Hiroto were dating and gave each other a sloppy smile while Heather mimicked barfing to Elena, who began giggling.

"Kazemaru...and Haruna!" Mr. drew exclaimed. Heather wondered if it was a set-up. There was no way that every single couple would be paired up just by luck, right?

"Suzuno and Nagumo!" Mr. D said. Heather smirked. There was no way that would be pulled off. They would be too busy fighting to look for plants...

"Endou and Aki." Heather shook her head...seriously? Was she missing something? Was it valentine's day? In this way almost the whole class was done. Almost. About 12 students were left and Heather was getting impatient. The fact that Shirou wasn't chosen till then was unnerving as well. heather tapped her pencil against the table. tap. tap. tap. hmmm...she should take drum lessons as well. She had rhythm.

"Next is Heather," Mr. Drew said. Finally she thought. She sat up, hoping it was a girl...

"Shirou Fubuki!" Mr. Drew announced. The whole class hushed up. Heather felt stiff. Shirou? Really? Out of all the 60 students in the class, you pair me up with him?" she mentally shrieked at Mr. Drew. She felt Elena squeeze her hand underneath the table. I hate my life. she said to herself, That's it! I'm pretending to be sick and ditching this whole thing.

"This counts as half of your final grade." Mr. Drew added. What is up with this guy! Is he trying to ruin my life? she thought furiously. She slid down in her seat and didn't even pay attention during the lecture. As soon as class was over, she grabbed Elena's hand an dragged her into a corner.

"A partner switch." she declared, "You can be my partner and Atsuya can be partnered up with his twin."

"Great..." Elena said. Heather saw her friend's eyes go dull. She really wants to be with Atsuya. Heather thought. Then she sighed.

"Forget it...you can stay partnered with Atsuya."

"Really?" Elena's eyes brightened. Before Heather could respond, Madison rushed up. She had Chemistry and had missed the whole incident.

"Is it true?" she demanded. Heather didn't have to be physic to figure out what her cousin was talking about. She leaned against the wall and nodded miserably.

"Its true." she said, depressed, "I had successfully avoided him for 3 months and now Mr. Drew blows it." Madison gave her a sympathetic look.

"That's so sad." she said.

"Hey Heather." the voice pierced her heart like a shard of ice. Shirou stood there, leaned against the wall. Elena and Madison muttered excuses of being late for class and rushed away. Gits... heather thought darkly.

"So we're partners." Shirou said. It wasn't a question but she nodded anyways. He nodded at her and began walking away. Heather sighed. This is gonna be a long day... she thought.


Hibisha: Ok! the others better come by 5 or I won't allow them inside!

Burn: Yeah! That's exactly what you should do.

Hibisha: Anyways, plz review...

Burn: And please (can't believe I'm saying this)...no flares. Hibisha is depressed enough as it is.