Disclaimer: ...see chapter 1...
Author's note: Thank you everybody who reviewed! You guys rock! And the 60-something people who didn't... -. -.
If James was trying to garner up sympathy for his cause by sitting his mates from college down one by one and spilling out his sob story, he was sorely failing. His current victi- confidant, one decidedly bored Nicolas Aster sitting opposite him, would have left, except that watching Darien choose a tux, or his little fiancée choose the 'perfect dress' was unquestionably much worse. "…and you know what that Z said? That it was good publicity! Good publicity, damn it! It's my reputation we're talking about and he can only think about good publicity?"
Not for the first time that afternoon, Nick heaved a sigh of irritation. "Yay… great, whatever… what's this got to do with me again?"
James ran a hand through his hair. "Aw, come on man! You're a psychologist; don't you have any tips for me?"
His friend eyed him warily. "The only tip I have for you is that you should go to the nearest mental ward now, and stay there."
"Not likely to work. I mean in terms of speech, dress… I don't really look gay, do I?"
He was sure the blonde didn't get that last comment. "People were still convinced you were straight after you played Cinderella in junior high. This is media bullshit. I can't see why you're so worked up about it."
The blonde winced at the unnecessary trip down memory lane. "That was because I was the only blonde in the class! Look, I lost two movies because of this. Two movies! I haven't lost a single movie since Perfectly Clueless!"
Nick buried his face in his hands in exasperation. As close as they were, James' colossal ego had always been hacking at his nerves. Even knowing that this façade was there for the sole purpose of hiding his true, quiet nature didn't make it easier on the ears. "If it'll make you feel any better, just get a girlfriend." He held up a hand to halt the protests. "I know getting a girlfriend won't necessarily dispel the rumours, but it's a start." Secretly, he just wanted the blonde to shut up.
No such luck. "No way! Girls are forever after my cash; I am so sick of it."
The brunet cracked open an eye. "You're just paranoid again, after those series of events with Angie. Come to think of it, I don't think you've ever had a proper relationship after her. Look how Helen turned out."
James sobered, a little too quickly for comfort, and Nick knew he'd struck a nerve. "Look, I know you're still sensitive about her and all, but-"
"No. Please Nick, just stop." This hushed exclamation seemed so much louder than his previous complaints, that the brunet felt guilty for bringing it up. He almost, almost wished for the obnoxious Jadeite, the savvy actor, the smooth-talker, and not the broken child that was James Tristan Curran. Even as a shrink, the psyche of his best friend was still very much a mystery to him, and he wanted to kick himself. The mind was in such a delicate balance, especially for the man sitting mutely opposite him, and he'd abused it in such a thoughtless, careless way. He glanced up slowly, heaving a sigh. He knew the blonde would never begrudge him – he'd always been a 'talk first, think later' sort of guy, but it didn't make him feel any better.
Sitting there in uncomfortable silence, he was certainly glad when Darien's bride-to-be, a tiny wisp of a thing on high heels, stumbled up to them, a grin splitting her face. She must have found that dream dress of hers… "Nick! James!" She peered around them. "No Dar-bear yet? Gosh, he takes longer than me!"
"And that's saying something," came a distant, laboured voice from behind her, and Serena whipped around comically, hands cupped over her mouth in horror. "Rei sweetie- I can't believe I forgot you! Let me help you with that…" And she disappeared again, presumably to help her friend with the products of their shopping.
A low whistle had Nick turning to see that James was once again under the cloak of Jadeite, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he watched the two women round the corner. "Who's the dark-haired little thing? I've never seen her before."
The brunet looked for himself, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "Isn't that Reine? When did she turn up again?"
"You know her? Aw, how come you know all the hot chicks...?"
The tall man settled back into his seat. "She went to high school with us. She was part of Sere's little group."
But he wasn't listening His glance traced appreciatively the rounded, if somewhat slender curves hidden modestly beneath a crimson, three-quarter-length-sleeved blouse and black jeans. His gaze slid further north, to stare suddenly into deep mauve eyes, and he barely stopped himself from sucking in a breath of surprise. Purple eyes, he thought absently, are those contacts? She blinked, and he travelled down her face, her straight, petite nose, her full lips, her smooth, pale complexion. Unknowingly transfixed, he watched those lips quirk at something the blonde whispered, and he wondered what they'd look like smiling, laughing. She turned to present her profile, and he saw that the black, black hair grew almost to her thighs. And he wondered-
"No, James." He blinked as Nick's baritone rang in his ears. "You don't stand a chance with her. She's got her own personal vendetta towards men."
He snorted then, running a finger under his nose and spluttering in self defence, "What makes you think I even want a chance?"
His friend smiled smugly. "Gut feeling. And a psychologist's six year training, naturally."
Reine's heart leapt as she remembered the familiar face. Out of Darien, Kyle, Nicolas and Zach, the only men she'd ever trusted, Nicolas had always been the one she held her debates with during high school – her girl friends were never interested, with the exception of Ami who always overthrew her theories with that extensive knowledge of philosophical debate; and she smiled fondly as she recalled his quick wit and open laughter. She'd missed their arguments.
She noticed another man sitting in the seat shielded by a pot plant, and wondered briefly if he was… Zach? The other genius at the campus who was clearly Ami's counterpart when it came to intelligence. Serena wrenched suddenly at the paper bag they were holding together, compromising the rest of her load, and she moved to regain her balance. Clumsily, they stumbled their way over to the men, before dropping the clothes and shoes into a heap at their feet. The blonde energiser bunny recovered the fastest; she plucked at Nicolas' sleeve. "Nicky, remember Rei? Remember?" She sounded so much like an excited child Reine could only smile.
A smirk quirked at his thin lips as his eyes lighted upon her. "You finally turned up, did you? Where have you been?" He got to his feet, and she realized he now towered over her, even more so than before.
Serena grinned. "I found her at the hosp- I mean, at the shrine," she amended effortlessly, casting a sidelong glance her way. "She's my wedding planner!"
He planted his hands at his hips. "Then we've got a wonderful wedding to look forward to, don't we?" He praised indirectly, and she smiled down at her feet, unused to the attention.
Nick, surprised at her silence, but sensing that she was uncomfortable, decided to introduce the idiot so she could work that fiery tongue of hers back into shape. "Rei let me introduce James Curran. He's a client of Zach's and-"
He was interrupted by a squeal from Serena. "Jaaaaaaaadeite!" She turned back to the psychologist. "Nick, I can't believe you didn't introduce us sooner! He's…"
Reine turned slowly, not really listening. So… that hadn't been Zach… but Jadeite was it…? Is that what Sere meant when she said 'horde of celebrities'? Too bad I'm not really into romantic crime…
The blonde man grinned, a roguish sparkle in his blue eyes. "Nice to meet you too, but you can stop staring at me now."
Snapping out of a trance she didn't know she had fallen into, she felt a frown touching upon her brow. Such a simple phrase, yet it brought back all the memories of those egotistical men she hated. Men who knew they were good-looking, and assumed everyone would think so too and worship them. Men who were charismatic, and used that charisma to their greatest advantage manipulating others. Men like her father.
"As if," she snapped, her eyes narrowing. "I was only thinking about how disappointed I was that it was you here and not Zach."
And she whirled around, catching Serena's hand as she made off to look for Darien, disappearing in a blur of red.
Nick, highly amused and very self-satisfied turned to face James, whose jaw seemed very comfortable resting against the marble tiled floor. Yes, Rei was back with a vengeance.
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