We're both looking for something, we've been afraid to find
It's easier to be broken, it's easier to hide,
Looking at you, holding my breath,
For once in my life I'm scared to death
I'm taking a chance, letting you inside...
- First Time, Lifehouse
Party Entrance, Shinjuku City District, 9:19 PM
Excitement flooded through the awaiting crowd as the guests began to arrive.
A famous actress waved to the crowd as she exited out of the car with her new husband. Nearby, a TV host made a sarcastic comment on the nature of her marriage, fuelling rumours. Over to the side, an idol greeted his fans, signing autographs and shaking hands.
Rika grimaced as the car pulled up to the entrance.
"Remember to smile." Her mother winked, before stepping out on to the red carpet.
"Right." Rika muttered before taking a deep breath, bracing herself.
It was a nightmare.
At the sight of Ruki Makino or rather Rika Nonaka, the red-hot teenage sensation and Rumiko Nonaka, the former supermodel, the paparazzi flew into a frenzy.
"Don't worry, they only need a few shots." Her mother winked, posing for the cameras effortlessly.
"I know, I know..." Somehow it didn't seem likely. The continuous flashing of the light and the constant sound of the cameras clicking was beginning to irritate her.
"Rika, look over here! Beautiful!"
"Rika! Are the rumors true? Are you the new face for Chanel?"
Click. Flash.
Her smile brightened as she thought, rather sadistically, of all the photographers developing finger cramps. Or dropping dead. She didn't mind either.
"Rika! Are you single? Did you bring a date tonight? Your fans would love to know!"
The interviewer froze, sensing he had asked the wrong question. Her smile was brilliant, but her eyes were cold. He shivered.
As Rika turned to go, she wondered if it was appropriate if she gave him the finger.
Probably not. Damnit.
"We're almost there. Looks like there's quite a crowd."
Ryo peered outside the tainted window, noticing the flickers of white light and the distant feel of the reverberation from the music's bass.
"How were we invited to something like this?" He asked.
"I have a few friends in the industry and they happened to be hosting this party. I figured I'd bring you along, it's more your crowd than mine. Maybe you'll pick up a model." His dad gave him a knowing wink and for a second Ryo was speechless. Did his dad know...? He shook the thought away, he was only being paranoid.
"Who are they expecting?" Ryo asked incredulously, looking towards the photographers. His dad chuckled.
"What happened to that overbearing confidence of yours?"
"I'm just saying." Ryo shrugged. "I didn't think it would be such a high-profile event."
"Are you worried you'll be out of place here?"
"Of course not, I'm-"
"Ryo Akiyama!"
"I didn't think the heir to the Akiyama group would show up!"
"Ryo! Over here!"
"It's him! The captain of Shinjuku High and high school heartthrob! Our readers will love this!"
"Ryo, smile for us!"
Mr. Akiyama watched his son photographed in both amusement and in surprise. Clearly he had underestimated the extent of his son's popularity. While the deafening screams from the mass of fan girls wasn't anything new, he didn't think the media would recognize him.
"Ryo, let's head in." He called. "There's a few people I want you to meet."
The party was indeed of the upper-class, Ryo thought to himself as he glanced around. Champagne flutes floated through the room on trays, served by waiters dress impeccably in their white uniforms. A renowned DJ was spinning the latests hits by the dance floor. Even the venue itself was elaborate with marble counters, crystal chandeliers and chic furniture.
The diversity of people working in the industry was incredible. Quirky stylists, high-strung editors, pokerfaced executives... He had been introduced to at least one from each category. He still didn't understand how his dad knew these people, but the man had stayed to socialize in the lounge, filled with cigar smoke and vintage wine. How typical.
A few models approached him as he cut through the packed room, but he politely rejected them all. They were very attractive, but he wasn't interested. He almost laughed, imagining what Kazu would say in disbelief if he knew.
Ryo took a breathe of fresh air as he stepped outside from the back entrance. What was wrong with him?
To his surprise, he noticed he wasn't alone. Another figure stood in the shadows. Ryo smiled at the thought.
A kindred spirit.
Allowing his curiosity to get the better of him, he made his way towards the person. Strangely, the silhouette looked familiar.
It was a girl. A girl with distinctive red hair.
Jeri?" She turned around, startled. "Sorry, I thought you were someone I kn-Rika?!"
His heart skipped a beat.
"Akiyama?" Rika stared. It was bad enough she had to face him at school, but to meet him here? She wondered if fate was playing with her.
"I don't believe this." Ryo said under his breath. It wasn't surprising, she was a model after all, but somehow the thought of her here tonight never occurred to him.
"I could say the same thing." Rika shot him a dirty look. "What are you doing here?"
"I was invited, obviously."
"This is a fashion party." Rika stated plainly.
"I think I know that, Wildcat." Ryo grinned, wondering if he should be thanking his luck as she stood in front of him.
"Why aren't you inside dancing and drinking?"
"I'm not in the mood." Ryo shrugged. "Why aren't you? This is your scene, isn't it."
"I guess I'm not in the mood either." Rika replied in a mocking voice.
"Well, that's one thing we both agree on." Ryo smiled and the intense mood seemed to lighten as the two smirked first to themselves and then to each other, both acknowledging the rarity.
"Us agreeing on something? What a first." Rika laughed despite herself. She was outside at a party, having a semi-normal conversation with Ryo Akyiama of all people. The world never ceased to amaze her. She glanced over, as if to make sure it was really him.
"What? Is there something on my face?"
He was staring at her, looking at her with an intensity that unnerved her.
Silence fell through.
"No. Just that...you look nice."
That had to be the understatement of the year...or the biggest lie he ever told.
He knew he was staring, but he couldn't help it. He was drawn to her. It was more than the dress, the fact that she was here with him. It was how in that moment, when she laughed...
She was just...wow.
Rika blinked, unsure how to respond. He sounded sincere...Maybe she missed the edge of sarcasm.
"Stop staring at me." She snapped, feeling more irritated. She felt self-conscious and the feeling didn't suit her. The fact she felt uneasy due to him only infuriated her even more.
"Why? Am I making you feel uncomfortable?" He teased, finding the thought entertaining. Somehow he didn't think Rika could ever feel embarrassed
"Actually, you make me sick."
"You're just happy to be in my presence again aren't you?"
"In your dreams." She snorted.
"That may be." He smiled ruefully. "Tell me something Rika, why do you hate me so much?"
"What?"
"It's a simple question." Ryo chuckled, enjoying the bewilderment expression on her face. "I simply asked why you hate me."
He knew it probably wasn't the right question to ask, not here, not now,
but he did know this was probably the only opportunity he was going to get, the only chance where it. He had to know.
"Do I need a reason?" Her tone took on a sharp edge, but he didn't miss the slight falter. Maybe there was a chance after all, he thought, maybe she didn't hate him as much as she said she did.
"I'd like to know if you have one."
Rika's eyes narrowed. He was earnest. Genuine curiosity was written all over his face.
"Why?"
It puzzled her. It was disconcerting. The usual assertiveness he possessed was gone.
"So I know the reason." He answered vaguely.
He had always wanted to know. At first he believed it was his attitude, that his actions were what offended her, but he realized over time it went beyond that. It seemed his existence irked her, his very essence.
Without knowing, he found himself doing the impossible. He began to hope.
"Are you serious?" She glowered.
"I wouldn't be asking if I didn't."
She stared at him. She hated him for his arrogance, his assumed superiority, the influence he had over the student body because of his charisma, the effect he had on all the girls…
But as she found herself listing all the qualities she despised, she knew she sounded ridiculous. Those weren't proper reasons for an emotion as strong, as intense as hate.
She did hate him...his mere presence vexed her! How could she not? Still, she was somehow at a loss for words, she didn't know how to, she simply couldn't explain it.
"Why do you even care?" She snarled, her own frustration getting the better of her.
"Because..." He stopped and for a second, a look of helplessness flitted across his face.
"What?"
He tried to look away, to stop himself, but he couldn't take his eyes off of her. Not when she was looking at him so intently...
God, she was beautiful. Every expression on her face was exquisite, even when she was angry. He loved her eyes; jewel-like in colour, betraying her every emotion by its intensity and light.
She was saying something, her mouth twisting-probably a snide retort-but he wasn't listening. He wasn't even thinking properly. God, she was really close.
"What is your problem? Are you even listening to me?" Rika snapped, stepping forward in irritation. Without warning, Ryo leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against hers. She stiffened in shock.
"The hell?" She yelped, jumping back.
Oh. Shit. Ryo winced inwardly as his brain finally registered what he had just done.
"Wh-..." She stared at him, completely off her guard. Her eyes were wide in surprise and completely confused.
"I'm sorry. Shit. I didn't m-mean-" Ryo stammered, trying to form the right words but it was useless. The look she had thrown him before taking off was one of total and outright loathing.
He had just completely and utterly screwed this up.
He wanted to punch himself, he wanted to cry, but most of all he wanted to chase after her to apologize, to explain, but what good would that do? All he would get in return was a beating, one which he would gladly take on if she could forgive him, but this was Rika he was talking about.
Ryo sank down on to the ground dejectedly, his head buried in his arms, consumed with regret. What was wrong with him? He knew he shouldn't have done it, he should have known better, he should have stopped himself.
For once he had found himself followed his heart, instead of his mind and it had betrayed him.
She ran.
In the fight or flight response, she had somehow chosen to run.
Why was she wearing these ridiculously stiletto heels anyway? She would have laughed at how that her first comprehensible thought, but the humor was lost. Her heart was stammering, beating in that uncontrollable way she hated.
He, he had-
Stop it. Rika commanded to herself, her mind pushing back what had just happened moments before.
It felt as if her lips had been burned, she could still feel his touch, the smell of his cologne, she could still imagine him standing in front of her…his face, those eyes.
She wished the image away, trying desperately to get a grip on herself.
Why?
He knew full well that she hated him. Didn't he hate her? None of this made sense to her, how could he not?
Except tonight, he had been different.
Why had he done it?
He had been uncharacteristically sombre, unsure of himself.
Did he like her? This time she did almost laugh.
It was a side to him she never seen before.
That was impossible, unthinkable and absolutely out of the question.
He was the heartthrob, the most popular person in school and admired by all. She was the ice queen, cold, heartless and feared.
They were incompatible. He couldn't possibly like her. The thought seemed to reassure her. There was nothing to figure out.
She needed to stop thinking about him.
Heading inside where the party was in full swing, she grabbed the first drink she was offered and downed it. Her purpose was to forget.
