A/N: Hi guys! Sorry, it's been so long since I've updated. I had to focus on my school work for a while :( I'll try to update more often from now on! c: Please read and tell me what you think!

Disclaimer: I do not own free! All rights go to its respective owners.

Chapter 4

"A full hour of angles and percentages, Mr Hoshiyma where would I be without you?" Ayame sighed, staring at the numbers and diagrams that were written on the board. She despised maths. It was a subject that would forever find a way to confuse her, and doing it in the lesson just before lunch did not help her mood. Yes, maths was most definitely one of the many banes of her life.

"Ayame, can you tell me the answer to question eighteen?"

Snapping out of her mental subject bashing, she looked up at her teacher's expectant eyes. "U-um" She stuttered, not knowing what to say as she did not know what question he was talking about. But she was sure that if she did know, she would never understand it anyway.

She gulped "Sir, I don't kno-"

"A hundred and twenty degrees" Ayame flinched at the sound of a voice that wasn't hers and turned to look at the person who had saved her from humiliation. James Lathaway sat in his chair two desks behind her, a big content smirk on his face.

'Oh, it was him' Ayame had never really noticed James before, which was quite strange as he held many things about him which stood out. One thing being his bright, blond foreign hair colour and the fact that he transferred to her school a few weeks ago. As Ayame was contemplating over this fact, Mr Hoshiyma was looking at James the way she looked at Pythagoras theorem, annoyingly and full of inconvenience.

"James, tell me is your name Ayame?" A few snickers could be heard from the back of the classroom.

"No sir, It isn't but shouldn't you know that already? I mean, I have been at this school a couple of weeks now."

Mr Hoshiyma looked about ready to explode. "What has gotten into you James? Just last week you were one of my best behaved students."

Ayame wondered the same thing. Why had he answered the question for her, did he think she was dumb? Did he know how utterly terrible she was at maths? Did he pity her because her brain was so incapable of understanding simple things? She mentally slapped herself. She was probably over thinking everything again.

Ayame locked eyes with James. He rubbed his neck nervously. "Well, I just wanted to help Ayame out as she seemed to be struggling."

Mr Hoshiyma nodded his head in defeat, telling him that it was okay to help others but not to do it in a way that would disrupt the class and let him off with a warning.

'Yes, definitely over thinking' Ayame settled with this resolve, deciding that she would thank James later. Thus, she continued with trying to concentrate on the lesson, which was particularly difficult when she could feel someone's gaze penetrating the side of her head.

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Thankfully, maths was now over and Ayame had gone with her lunch, to go meet up with her friends. She roamed the hallways, not exactly sure where they were, but knew that she would bump into them as she always did.

"Ayame, over here!" and as if on cue, they appeared, both heaving and out of breath.

"Where have you guys been?"

Rika scowled in annoyance. "Doing P.E. with the The Lord of Grumps! And now we're in heaps of trouble because little miss princess over here decided to start an argument with him!"

Ayame stifled a laugh behind her hand 'The Lord of Grumps' better known as Mr Yamanaka was one of the teachers, who was known for his fierce passion for sports and, hence the nickname, was also known for being incredibly grumpy if his rules weren't followed.

"Excuse me!?"

Ayame looked up to see her other friend, Kiyomi, glaring intensely at Rika.

"I was not starting an argument with him! I was simply stating that I, being fragile and delicate, could not even think to run around that unholy thing they call a track! I mean, think of what could have happened to me! I could have fallen and broken my leg, a truly enormous disaster!"

Ayame and Rika giggled quietly to themselves as Kiyomi ranted on about, how she shouldn't have been forced to take part in these dangerous activities and that just going outside in the blazing sun would have ruined her skin. After a while, Rika suggested that they go and eat lunch as not eating anything would be bad for their health. They all agreed and set off down the hallway to find a place to sit, and to hide from any passing P.E. teachers.

As they searched for an adequate spot, Ayame took in her friends appearances. Rika, like her, was wearing the school's girl's uniform - A buttoned up white polo shirt, black blazer, blue tie and grey skirt . Her short, brown cut hair ended just above her shoulders and gave her a more boyish look. This suited her very much and Ayame could not imagine her dressing in any other way. Kiyomi, however, wore a variation of the normal attire. Her skirt was fashioned so that it had frills at the end and her polo shirt's buttons were pink, rather than the standard white that they had once been. This matched her pink tie and hair, which fell down her back up to her waist. Ayame frowned as she fingered her own limp, brown hair. It was exactly the same length as Kiyomi's, maybe even longer but she felt as if it had no life to it, no character.

Her own uniform was neat and precise, but what did that show? She just looked like an average, normal student. She looked at her two friends with envy, wishing she had the same air and impression as they did. Maybe she could put a ribbon in her hair tomorrow? 'I'm sure that will be okay, besides I don't want to stand out too much' She wasn't ready to go all out with her a look, just something simple that would make her a bit different from everyone else.

As Ayame was lost in thought, Rika noticed her unusual quietness. Her forehead creased in worry. "Are you okay, Ayame?" When she got no answer, she proceeded with clicking her fingers in front of Ayame's face and after some time finally got a reaction from her.

"What's wrong Rika?"

"You mean what's wrong with you! What were you thinking so hard about?"

"Um...it's nothing" Ayame would feel too ashamed and embarrassed to tell them, how she had thought that her appearance was inferior to theirs.

Kiyomi lifted an eyebrow "You sure, your okay? you're not lying are you?"

"Positive!" Ayame smiled widely and they were finally convinced.

"Well anyway, whatever's bothering you, don't worry about it!" Rika formed her hand into a fist and slammed it against her palm. "We'll give anyone who's picking on you a good talking to."

Kiyomi agreed with her "Yeah! You can ask us for help anytime! unless, you know...it involves running, then your on your own."

Ayame laughed at her friends assumptions and promised that she would tell them if anything was ever wrong.

"Here we are!" Rika stopped in front of a classroom and peered inside "Yep, completely empty, we should eat in here"

"How did you know it was going to be empty?" Kiyomi questioned her.

"Haven't you heard the story?"

"what story?"

Rika looked around her, in worry as all of them entered the classroom. "Long ago..." She spoke in a hushed voice. "there was once a straight A student who went to this school. He got good grades in everything - English, history, even maths..."

Ayame gasped. "Really?" She couldn't even get a passing grade in maths, let alone an 'A'.

"Yes, he was a very smart student, until..." Rika paused for effect. "One day, one of his teacher's decided to give out a surprise quiz. He thought everything would be fine, he'd taken lots of these quiz's before and had always gotten more than an adequate grade. He was sure he would do well. But, when he got his quiz back, what did he see? An 'F' written in big, red ink at the top of his page."

Kiyomi rolled her eyes, opening up her lunch. "Oh, so scary!"

Rika hushed her and turned to Ayame "Well, he obviously wasn't going to stand for this grade, was he?" Ayame shook her head.

"He went back to the teacher countless times but they refused to give him a better grade, so he had to resort to...extreme measures"

Ayame covered her mouth in anxiousness "What did he do!?"

"Yes Rika, please enlighten us" Kiyomi remarked, chewing on a carrot stick.

"Well, one night he stayed in the school till everyone had gone home and waited for his teacher to come in to the classroom, like they always did. Of course, the teacher didn't know he was there or what he was planning. They had simply come back to the room to do some marking. But, imagine their shock and surprise when they found the test papers that they had left on their desk all marked with an 'F' in blood! And not only that, but the whiteboard had a giant 'F' written on it as well!"

Kiyomi scoffed "That has to be the most ridiculous story, I have ever heard in my entire life! You obviously made it up and it is quite lame, might I add"

"I did not! It's a true story passed down through the school. How come people are too scared to come in here then? hmm? It's because they can hear the cries of the boy for his bad grade!"

"What cries? I hear nothing!"

Rika frowned. "Well maybe your just not trying hard enough. Ayame believes me, don't you?" Rika stared at Ayame, her eyes filling up with hope.

"Um... it could be true. I guess?"

Ayame smiled, when Rika fist pumped in triumph. She was usually very calm in most situations, but when it came to telling scary stories she just couldn't control herself.

"Yes, well I still refuse to believe it" Kiyomi sighed and cleared her throat. "Anyway, shouldn't we be discussing our plans for after school?"

Ayame nodded in delight. She had invited her friends around to her house so that she could properly introduce Dylan to them. During the week, while looking after him, she had reminded herself countless times that she mustn't get attached and that her friends were only coming to help her find his owner.

"What time should we come over?"

Ayame thought about this for a while, before answering. "How about this evening, around five?" This was a good time for her, as it would help her to not only get Dylan ready but herself as well.

Rika was practically jumping in her spot " Yeah, that's fine for me. Oh, I can't wait to see him, I bet he's adorable!" Cute things, was also another subject that caused Rika to lose her composure, much like Ayame.

Kiyomi nodded "I can come too, as long as he doesn't scratch my beautiful skin or anything"

"I promise that you won't be disappointed, he is quite and very docile, well...most of the time"

A loud shrill suddenly echoed through out the classroom, signalling the end of lunch. All three girls jumped out of there chairs.

"we'll see you later, Ayame." Rika smiled, while Kiyomi gave her a small wave.

"Bye!"Ayame watched as they turned the corner to their classroom and disappeared, before quickly taking off to her own lesson.

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The front door of Ayame's apartment shut with a resounding bang. "Dylan, I'm home!"

She merely shrugged when she heard no response as this was usual behavior. Her eyes scanned the mail from this morning for a few seconds, checking if there was anything of importance. She sighed, finding nothing that interested her and remembered that she should feed Dylan his evening meal. Picking up a chocolate bar from the kitchen cupboard, she nibbled on it as she started her search for the wandering cat.

She at first, checked the kitchen sink, as this was his favorite place to relax, and she had found him sitting in there engulfed in water on numerous occasions. when she did not see him, she quickly checked the bathroom, this being another place he favored. She peered into the white tub that was located in the middle of the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of his dark,elegant flowing tail.

But alas, she could not find him. She soon began to get increasingly worried. 'Where could he be?' In her panicked state, she ran to her bedroom, hoping that he would be sat inside, minding his own business like always.

She burst through the door.

"Dylan! Are you in her-"

Her breath caught in her throat, the half eaten chocolate bar slipping out of her fingers. She covered her mouth in shock as her eyes took in the sight that was in front of her.

There, sitting on top of her window sill, was a boy.

He was looking up at the sky, in what seemed like a transfixed daze. His face was clear and void of any emotion, yet his eyes held a gentle look.

The two beautiful blue irises were framed with long, thick lashes that seemed to curl perfectly at the ends. His cheeks were slim and defined and his dark blue hair looked smooth to the touch. All this, along with the sun's rays glistening on his skin, giving him an unearthly glow, made Ayame want to faint right then and there.

She stared at the boy in awe taking in his flawless features. It was as if the gods had sculpted him themselves. She quickly shook her head, now was definitely not the time and place to be thinking about these kinds of things.

"H-hey, what are doing in my house!?" She attempted to call out in a brave voice, but got no reply from the stunning looking male.

She tried again. "Y-you better tell me why your here, or I'll call the police!"

At this exclamation, the boy turned his eyes on her. Ayame was suddenly frozen to the spot. The colour was astonishing, but that was not the reason she had stopped. There was something familiar in his gaze, something that she just couldn't put her finger on. Then it hit her. 'Dylan'

"You...!" Her eyes widened "What have you done with Dylan?!"

The boy frowned at her in confusion. His eyes taking in her distressed form.

"I know you have him, don't lie to me!" Ayame was beyond enraged. "If you've hurt him in any way possible, I swear that you will not see the sun rise tomorrow!"

He again did not answer her question and instead, looked generally annoyed.

Ayame gritted her teeth. "Fine, have it your way, I'm calling the police!"

With that, she turned to leave and lock the door but a low, quiet sounding voice stopped her.

"Haruka..."

she looked back at him. "What...?"

The boy sighed, repeating himself. "My name is not Dylan, it's Haruka."

She blinked at him, processing what he just said. Then, without warning, she burst into a fit of laughter.

The boy's frown, if possible, got deeper.

Ayame cleared her throat. "I was not referring to you, Dylan is my cat!" she sighed, why was she having this conversation with someone who had intruded her house? She should have been on the phone by now, explaining the situation to Officer Kaidou.

She again turned to leave but was, this time, stopped by a cool touch on her hand.

The boy, know as 'Haruka', was gripping her wrist in desperation. His face was inexpressive, just like before, but his eyes showed his true emotion. He was scared.

"I am Dylan" He stared at her, willing for her to believe him.

"Okay..." Ayame nodded her head, reaching for the door knob as Haruka let go of her. "Your Dylan..."

Then, with all the might she could muster up, Ayame threw open the door and quickly locked it shut behind her. She placed a hand to her chest, realization dawning upon her.

One, there was a crazy, good-looking psycho in her room, who happened to think he was her cat.

Two, her real cat was missing and she had a fairly good idea of whose fault this was.

Three, her friends were coming over in less than an hour and she was freaking out.

In moments like these, she wished she were sitting in her maths class doing ridiculously hard sums with Mr Hoshiyma.

A/N: So, I finally got to write about Haru! Was the description okay? I don't know about you, but I was fangirling while writing about him! haha he's just so adorable :D Please give me feed back and tell me what you think. Until next time!

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