I'd like to thank those people like Risensoldier who gave me advice on how to improve, and encouragement to try this kind of writing for the first time. I'll try and improve as I go along!

Chapter 4 – School Day

Okay Steve, here it is, your first day of class in your new school, Aoba High. Oh My God. As I walked down the sidewalk heading to the school grounds, my nerves were getting the better of me. The book bag hanging from my shoulder wasn't nearly as heavy as the thought of walking into a new, strange school for the first time. As I walked along the street, I couldn't help but notice the cracks in the sidewalk and how they spread out from the edge of the street. It sure seemed like my shoes made a lot of noise as I walked, and this jacket collar sure felt scratchy. I wished that my palms would stop sweating as I wiped them on my slacks again. I feel so nervous and I haven't even gotten there yet! I know a few kids here, so I do have a few friends but everyone else is going to be complete strangers to me.

Getting to the main entrance I turned and walked through the gate onto the school grounds. A new school to get used to and new classmates to meet, I hope I can get along okay and make some friends here. I entered the school building and headed down the main hallway going to the lockers to change shoes. As I come up to several rows of lockers I realized that I wasn't too sure where I was. I turned my head back and forth trying to get my bearings. Hmm, what aisle is my locker in, this one or the next one? God, you're lost already. No, wait it's that next one. Walking up to my locker I changed my shoes and walked back down the hall to get to class C.

Also heading towards Aoba High School, Suzuka and Yamato walked along the sidewalk on their way to school when she looked up and saw her friend Miki approaching from the other way. Miki waved her hand in greetings "Suzuka, good morning! It's beautiful out today, isn't it?"

Suzuka reached her hands up to the sky and smiled back. "Yah, sure I guess so Miki." Looking up at the sky she added "There isn't a cloud in the sky this morning"

Leaves swirled around them, blown by the wind as the two girls met at the entrance. Stopping for a second or two, Miki leaned forward looking at Suzuka, "So how nervous do you think Riley-kun is this morning?" Miki gave a mischievous laugh and said "I'll bet he didn't get too much sleep last night, what do you think?"

Suzuka shrugged "I don't know, he probably is nervous since it is his first day here. I guess I wouldn't blame him for that. We'll see him pretty soon."

Holding my book bag at my side as I approached my classroom I turned to look around for a familiar face. Where is Suzuka or Yamato? I don't see anyone I recognize although several people seem to be watching me as I go by for a few seconds before they look away. I really feel conspicuous being the only white kid here but no one is staring at me or making any comments so I guess its okay. Everyone here seems to already know each other and has friends. Everyone but me that is.

Standing by the school entrance, Miki looked over at Yamato who had been standing next to Suzuka this whole time "Good morning Akitsuki, so what do you think about it? Nothing to say?"

Yamato, who had been silently listening to the girls with a bored expression on his face, said "I think we better get moving or we're all going to be late for class. C'mon lets go."

Yamato took Suzuka by the upper arm and walked forward pulling her toward the school gates.

As the two girls moved with him Suzuka turned her head to look at Yamato and with a frown forming on her face shrugged off his hand from her arm "Geez Yamato, I get it okay, so let go of me. "

Yamato sighed and let go of her arm stepping back beside her. "Sorry, but let's go already before we're late."

The three of them approached the school building in silence for a minute or so before Suzuka looked over at Miki quietly for a second or two. "So Miki, what did you think of Riley-kun? What was your first impression?"

Miki turned her head looking at Suzuka thinking carefully before she answered "He seems like a pretty nice guy, I guess. He's polite and seems friendly for sure. He's really open about his feelings, but I guess that's a good thing.

Still looking down at the ground, Suzuka replied to her friend, "Yah, I guess so." Turning her head to look over at Miki "So does that mean you like him?"

Miki laughed and continued her thoughts about her new friend. "He's got pretty eyes, don't you think? They're so blue. "Reaching over and shoving Yamato's arm, Miki said " Besides, how can you not like a guy with such excellent taste in girls? Right Akitsuki?"

Yamato looked startled for a second when he realized Miki was asking him something. He thought for a second and shoved his hands into his pockets before answering "Sure Hashiba, I guess so. He seems like he's okay to me.

Chuckling, Yamato then added "So Hashiba, are you going to go out with him, you know, on a date if he asks you?"

Miki's grin faded as she thought about the question Yamato had just asked her. She looked over at both Suzuka and Yamato "Yah, if he asks me on a date, I guess I'll go out with him. I guess I want to see what he's like when it's just the two of us together, you know?"

As Suzuka and Yamato absorbed this, Miki thought to herself about how she really felt. I guess I want to see how he would handle himself when we were alone. Would he be as nice as he seemed when I first met him at Suzuka's place? He seemed like the kind and thoughtful type, but you never can tell.

Miki looked up interrupting her own thoughts and glanced over at Yamato. "Akitsuki, has Riley-kun said anything to you, you know, about me? You guys all talk to each other about this kind of stuff, don't you?"

Yamato immediately started to fidget nervously realizing what Miki had just asked him. He reached up and put his hand on the back of his head as he stammered "Well, you know Hashiba, I mean…"

"I can answer that for you, Yamato" Suzuka interrupted. "Miki, of course he's going to ask you out. Let me tell you he has about driven me crazy with his questions about you."

Miki clapped her hands together with a laugh and said to Suzuka "Oh my God, really that's so funny, but I'm glad to hear it."

Fixing Miki with a frown, Suzuka added, "He asks about what you like, what you don't like, what hobbies and interests you have. I don't think he has much self confidence and he's trying to build up his nerve to ask you."

As the three friends walked into the school building together and headed for the lockers, each of them was lost in his or her own thoughts about school and their new friend.

Miki glanced over at Suzuka without saying anything but she thought about Suzuka's last words. I think your wrong about Steve, Suzuka. He might be a little shy, but I don't think your being fair to him. At least he doesn't think he's some kind of ladysman like Hattori does. Rolling my eyes as I thought of Mister Gods - gift - to - women, I remembered how Steve had acted in Suzuka's apartment when we surprised him. It was so cute watching him. He was embarrassed but he didn't back off and pretend he didn't know what we were talking about. When he realized Suzuka told me about his feelings for me he up and admitted that it was true.

Miki took her shoes out of the locker and put them on. What if this works out? I couldn't help but laugh. This is so funny; Suzuka and I could go out on a double date with our boyfriends. Maybe then Hattori will stop teasing about me still being interested in Akitsuki. Finally. That dork can really get under my skin, I can feel a frown coming over my face just thinking about all the times he's teased me about Akitsuki.

I looked over and saw that Suzuka was ready as well to head to class. She broke the silence before I could say anything.

"I can tell you that he really wasn't kidding around about how he feels about you, Miki. I get the feeling he practically worships the ground you walk on.

"Well, Suzuka, I don't know about that. Worship is pretty strong don't you think?"

"Don't get me wrong Miki, I like Steve, I really do. I just don't know if it's good to be that passionate about someone you've just met, you know?"

"I think that maybe he just has strong feelings for Miki, he likes her, you know?" Yamato laughed and added "That's not a bad thing, is it?"

"What are you trying to say Yamato? Do you really know what you're saying?" Suzuka put her hands on her hips as she launched into challenging her boyfriend. "What do you mean by saying that?"

Hands flying up to ward off this onslaught from Suzuka, "No, nothing I guess Asahina. Just forget it okay, gee whiz." Suzuka's tone completely defeating Yamato. "Oh, look, here's home room already, how about that?"

"I just think he's moving awful fast Miki, that's all" Suzuka said, lowered her voice.

Miki shook her head as she heard this from her friend. "Suzuka…." I think you're wrong Suzuka, just because Steve fell for me so fast doesn't make it a bad thing. Yamato fell for you in just the same way and look how devoted he is to you. When I let him know I had a crush on him, he didn't even give me the time of day. Yamato loves you more now than ever. I looked over at Yamato who was now busy defending himself from Suzuka's comments and I wondered. Would Steve be like you, Yamato? Would he be a loyal boyfriend and stay loyal to me alone?

I realized I only wanted to get involved with somebody if I knew that I could count on him. If I could trust him. I don't want a broken heart anymore than anyone else.

I laughed as I thought to myself, "For God's sakes Miki, he wasn't even asked you out on a date yet and you're already worrying about him cheating on you. I shook my head and went into the classroom.