Suzaku's POV

Chapter Four: Girlfriend?

I don't remembering registering to attend the same school my best friend, Lelouch, goes to. Hell, I don't even remember going to class.

Oh, yeah. I didn't.

I was angry, sad, a combination of both; I was lonely and hurt. I felt so many things at once. Maybe that's why I was in such a daze the rest of that day. I know I spend the day wandering around town, wondering. I shouldn't feel like this, I thought. I should be happy, right? I finally get to see him after all these years. Now I know he's is alive…and apparently… happy.

"With his girlfriend," I mumbled. "C2…what kind of a name is that anyway?" My stride increased and I knew I was scowling because people were beginning to move out of the way. I must have looked really pissed. "Oh, what happened to my Lulu?" I mimicked her reaction as I carried him into his room. I even copied her ridiculously, girly walk. "Please, tell me he's alright. Ohhh, Lulu!"

Realizing I looked completely foolish, I bolted into the nearest shop.

"This is crazy," I mumbled. "So what if he has a girlfriend. Really, what did I expect? Of course he has on by now. We're both seventeen after all." I sighed. "C2…she's lucky, I'll give her that."

"Hey man, what are you rambling about?"

I jumped, nearly taking out an entire shelf of books. "Huh? What?"

"Whoa, you must be that new guy I heard about. Suzaku Kururugi, right?"

"H-How do you know my name?"

He closed his eyes and smiled. "I was in the office when you were registered. You didn't see me?" He pointed at his face. "I looked right at you."

"No, I'm sorry. I didn't see you. I had…a lot on my mind."

His smile widened and he put his arm around my shoulders. "It's no problem, Suzu!"

"S-Suzu?"

He laughed. "Cute, huh?" He leaned closer. I leaned back. "I think it suits you."

"Who are you anyway?" I easily removed his arm from my shoulder.

"Oh, my bad!" he chuckled. "I never introduced myself." He bowed and smiled. "The name's Rivalz Cardemonde. I hope we'll be the best of friends."

"Uh, yeah, it's to meet you." My eyes darted to the door. "Forgive me, but I have to go now. It was nice meeting you, Rivalz." I walked quickly to the door and made my hasty escape. Ok…that was just strange.

I didn't want to go back to school, but I didn't know what else to do. Reluctantly, I headed back. Passing the dormitory building, I tried not to look, but I did. My eyes scanned the windows, looking for what I thought to be Lelouch's room.

I sighed and kept walking. I reached into my bag and pulled out my schedule and my uniform. Looking up at the clock on the school tower, I knew I was supposed to be in math class by now. I hurried to the locker rooms, changed and tried to find the class room.

An hour later….

"This is hopeless," I groaned. "I can't find anything in this place. There's just so much…" I looked at the schedule again. "They couldn't give a map too?" I sighed. "And math's probably over by now anyway. Maybe I should just head back to the barracks and-"

"Suzaku."

My heart immediately started racing. I knew that voice. I'd know it anywhere, but I couldn't look at him. I just couldn't.

"Hey, Lelouch," I said, trying to look way too interested in my schedule. "What's wrong?"

"We need to talk."

Don't look.

"About what?"

"About what happened earlier…about C2."

Don't look at him.

"No, we don't. Everything's fine. Just forget about it."

"Suzaku, just listen okay? C2 and I are just-"

"LULU!"

We both turned around. A girl with long orange hair ran down the hallway and stopped inches from Lelouch's face. He leaned back slightly.

"S-Shirley? What are you doing?"

"I should be asking you that question, Lulu." She grabbed his hand. "Come on! Madame President is waiting for us. We're already late." She ran, dragging Lelouch behind her.

"Shirley, let go. Wait! S-Suzaku!" He reached out to me again.

Damn. I looked.

I whipped around and darted to the other end of the hallway. I had no clue where I was going. I just had to go somewhere.