A/N: It's so nice out in MD right now, I can't even explain. I've moved my writing location from my pig-sty of a room to right by a window in the living room and I just feel my creative urges taking over as I look outside. If only there was an outlet outside somewhere so I could sit out there and write. Sigh…
With that said, I give you chapter 3!
P.S. ArtGrrl, I totally agree with you. This story is totally awesome and deserves more reviews. Hahahaha jk. I don't think it's exciting enough yet for me to say that and really mean it. But either way, thanks once again to everyone who reviewed, and to all the new readers!
After her second class, Amu walked into the lunchroom ready to tell Rima about her shitty first day so far. Math hadn't been too terrible but for some reason, Rima had decided not to show up. She knew her best friend hated math, but it wasn't like they did anything the first day anyway. She'd have to ask her about that once she finished talking to her about Ikuto. And Amu was so in the mood to rant.
Once she'd gotten her food from the lunch line, she walked over to their normal eating place, scanning the area for Rima. Her eyes fell on that long blond hair she knew all too well and she took a seat next to her friend.
"Rima, you will never believe what happened to—"
Amu froze as Rima turned to look at her. You would've guessed someone must have made a really bad joke. No, scratch that. Several bad jokes. Rima looked absolutely furious. It was as if a dark black aura was emanating from her. Amu giggled nervously and scooted a few inches away from the girl.
"Umm…Is-Is everything o-okay, Rima?"
She was actually afraid to ask, but she didn't know what else to say. And then Rima let it all out.
"Do you remember that ASSHOLE last year who totally GROPED me after I fell down the staircase?!"
"Uhh…"
"You know, the kinda tall guy with the long purple hair? And those ugly, perverted yellow eyes?!"
"…"
"DO YOU REMEMBER?"
Rima had obviously forgotten that Amu also had yellow eyes and it had completely escaped her notice that she had just insulted her best friend. Amu sighed. Rima was overreacting again.
"You mean the guy who was nice enough to catch you after you almost fell down an entire flight of stairs?"
"His hands grabbed me. RIGHT. HERE." Rima placed a hand on each side of her chest to emphasize the last two words.
"Whatever Rima. Anyway, yes I remember him. What about it?"
Rima tossed another fiery glare in her direction before continuing.
"HE is my cooking partner!"
"Well ask to switch with someone."
"I did! Why do you think I didn't make it to Math? I spent the whole time arguing with the teacher but she insisted that I give it more time. Like that's going to change anything."
"Wow…I'm so sorry for you," Amu feigned sympathy. "Honestly, Rima. If I remember, that guy apologized to you after the incident and, even after all this time, you're still ignoring the fact that he saved you a few broken bones and a trip to the hospital."
"I can't believe you are taking his side. This is terrible. I have to deal with him for an entire term. That's one third of the year, Amu! One third! That's like…50 days or something."
"It's 120 days, Rima."
"Shut up. I do not need you to make fun of my math right now."
"Well, do you want to hear about the guy I have to deal with for one third of the year?"
Rima perked up immediately.
"There's a new guy in your life?"
"Umm…I guess. But he's a total asshole, Rima. I don't even know how to explain it."
"Is he cute?"
"What? Are you listening to me? ASS. HOLE."
"Yes I am listening to you. And that's not what I asked. Just because he's an asshole doesn't make him ugly. So spill. What's he look like?"
The image of Ikuto's face inches away from hers popped into her mind again. Well he does have nice eyes…. Amu forced the image away. What are you talking about, Amu? You're supposed to be explaining why he's such a douche bag.
Rima raised an eyebrow at her and Amu found herself wondering exactly how long she'd been picturing his face just now.
"Nothing special. He's average. Almost too skinny. But anyway, the point is…." Amu gave Rima all the details of her first gym class, but the whole time Rima just acted like it was no big deal.
"So you're telling me all the girls are in love with him, and therefore hate you?"
"Yes and—"
"And he's just average? Sounds like someone is in denial."
"Excuse me?!"
"A cute guy. A cute senior guy is paying attention to you, and you are tossing the opportunity down the drain for Tadase, who you can't even say a full sentence to."
"Like you're one to talk! If I remember correctly, that purple haired guy was pretty good-looking and is also a senior! And I can totally say a full sentence to Tadase!"
"Oh yeah?" Rima responded, ignoring the first comeback.
As if on cue, the blond boy in question walked by their table carrying his lunch tray. She wouldn't dare.
"Oh hey, Tadase."
He stopped and turned to look at them. Amu blushed immediately.
"Hello Rima, Amu."
"We were just talking about how great it was that we were all in the same class again. Isn't that right, Amu?"
Rima turned to Amu and flashed her an evil grin. Behind her, Tadase stared curiously at Amu with those big pink eyes, waiting for her to answer. She opened her mouth to say something, but instantly thought of what Ikuto said and slammed her mouth shut again. She looked down at her food. That bastard has totally gotten into my head already!
"Y-yes." She managed to choke out.
Tadase smiled. "Yes it is nice."
Amu's blush deepened and she smiled up at him.
"Well, see you in class after lunch then." Rima said, ending the conversation.
Tadase walked away and Amu let out a huge sigh.
"You're right. I can totally see things working out for you two at this rate. You said a whole entire word that time, and almost stutter free!"
"Shut up. I just wasn't mentally prepared for it is all."
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize you needed hours to come up with a full sentence to say to him. I swear, you better confess to him soon because I'm not sure I can take much more of your pining. What made you choke anyway? You looked like you had something to say for a minute there."
"I was just thinking about what Ikuto said about me keeping my mouth open all the time and I lost my nerve."
"Ikuto? You mean that average guy from your gym class?" Rima said with that evil grin again.
I'm going to kick her ass.
Ikuto sat down next to Nagihiko at lunch. His best friend had his head down on the table, face pressed against the surface. He raised an eyebrow wondering what could've possibly put Nagi in this state.
"You okay, man?"
Nagihiko simply waved his hand at Ikuto as if to say it was nothing of importance. Right. His fingers curled around a clump of purple hair and he gave it a sharp pull.
"Ow!" Nagihiko shot up. "That was completely uncalled for."
"Sorry, but you were acting stupid. Now tell me what happened. Did some guy try and hit on you again because he thought you were a chick?"
"No, ass. At school, it's pretty obvious that I'm a boy considering I'm wearing the black uniform. Besides that was a long time ago."
Ikuto laughed. At least that got Nagi acting like himself again.
"So what gives?"
Nagihiko sighed.
"You remember that girl that fell down the steps last year?"
"The cute little blond one that you felt up?"
Ikuto felt a pang in his side as his best friend's fist slammed into him full force. Apparently he wasn't in the mood for jokes.
"Ow. Geeze. I was just kidding."
"It's not like I was focused on where my hands were. I was just trying to stop the girl from slamming into the wall. Had I known how she was going to react, I would have focused more on it."
"What? You mean a slap in the face and a cold shoulder wasn't enough thanks for you?"
Nagihiko shot him an evil glare.
"Don't push it."
"Sorry…. Anyway, so what does that girl have to do with this?"
"Well she's my partner in cooking class."
"No way! That must've been awkward."
"I would've preferred awkward. You should've seen the look she gave me when the teacher called my name after hers. I've never felt so hated in my life."
"Can't you just ask to switch?"
"It's not that. Besides, she already tried. The teacher isn't having any of it. And I…I like her."
"What?" Ikuto stared blankly at his friend.
"I mean…I've always noticed her, even before she fell. I can't explain it."
"Well…can't you apologize or something."
"I tried. She totally ignored me like I wasn't even—"
After realizing that his friend wasn't going to finish his sentence, Ikuto looked up from his food to see Nagihiko staring off somewhere with a blush on his face.
"Uhh…Nagi?"
"She's sitting like right across from us two tables away. That's Rima. Talking to some blond kid."
Ikuto tried to follow Nagi's gaze until his eyes found the blond girl. And the blond guy.
"Hey that's the guy who has the locker right next to mine. He's not bad—"
Ikuto's jaw dropped as he noticed the pink-haired girl sitting next to the blond one. Amu? He closed his mouth immediately once he realized what he was doing. Thank god she didn't see that. I'd never hear the end of it. Wait, what the hell am I talking about? We just met.
"Ikuto?"
Ikuto jumped at the sound. "Huh? What?"
Nagihiko raised an eyebrow at him. "You okay?"
"Yeah. It's just that the pink-haired girl next to her is my gym partner. Amu. The one I was telling you about last class."
"Wait, what? Rima's best friend is your gym partner?!"
"Yeah. Small world huh?"
"Ikuto, this is perfect. You can talk me up!"
"What?"
"You know, put in a few good words about me. Ask her about Rima."
"Um, no."
"Pleeeeease!" Nagihiko looked at him with his sad puppy face.
Ikuto sighed. Nagi had been his best friend for almost ten years. He'd been there with him through a lot of shit and aside from some occasional school help, he'd never really asked Ikuto for anything in return. But this….ugh.
"Please, Ikuto. I'm desperate."
"Please don't say that. Or at least use a different word. It sounds too much like pathetic."
"What are you talking about? They don't sound alike at—"
"Fine, I'll see what I can do. But I'm not making any promises."
Nagihiko smiled at him and Ikuto couldn't help but smile back. Nagi regained his composure.
"Thanks man."
"Don't even try to sound manly after that."
"Whatever, you know you can't resist my puppy face."
Ikuto just laughed and took a long sip of his drink. He was going to have to ask for help from Hinamori Amu. And if there was anything he knew about her, which wasn't much at this point, it was that she would absolutely love to have some kind of control over their situation. And he didn't think he'd enjoy that too much.
A/N: Woo, long chappie! Well, I mean, word count wise, it's not that long, but there was a lot of dialogue. Hope you guys liked it. Things are about to get interestiiiiing. I'm excited. In fact, I'm so excited, I might write the next chapter tomorrow and have it up by tomorrow night. Kind of like the way I did with this one come to think of it…hmm….but that was because I was so happy with all the reviews and favorites and alerts that lit up my email. So you'll do again right? Right?
I'm so totally right.
