Flirting
I watched the hands crawl by at an agonizing pace. My fingers drummed against the desk as I waited for the sound of release. The lesson I read minutes ago had flown out my ear as my eyes focused on the clock above my left.
Three… two… one!
Sweet release! The bell rang as class ended, filling the air and mixing with the sounds of zippers unzipping and papers shuffling into bags. My textbook flew into my own bag, papers following at blinding speed without a second thought. In the next minute I was one of the many students flowing out of class and joining the colossal sea of high schoolers migrating through the halls.
Just one more year of high school. One more year and I'm free.
Vallite High wasn't a terrible school; I was rather fond of it. That being said, the dress code could so with a do-over, or be done away with altogether. Khakis were okay, but whoever thought silver polos were a good idea either wanted our money or wanted to see high schoolers suffer in the hotter parts of the year. Those things soaked up heat like a sponge in the ocean.
I envied anyone who wasn't required to wear a uniform for school.
I departed from the ocean of students as I arrived at my locker; after a moment's notice I unlocked the door.
I glanced at the crowd, scanning the endless shades of hair: brown, blonde, black - bright blue!
"Azura!"
My cousin turned at the sound of her name, eyes falling on me and returning my smile as she hurried over, textbooks clutched tightly against her chest. Her hair fell past her shoulders, which definitely should've violated school standards, but they turned a blind eye on her. Probably because she was on honor roll.
"Hey, Corrin. How was class?"
"Oh you know," I shrugged, "usual business. Two months till summer vacation, then one more year until this" I gestured around, "all ends."
"No kidding," she nodded sagely. Her voice sounded calm and controlled in contrast to my impatient and eager tone. "Then it's a summer job, senior year, graduation and getting into college-"
"Ever the pessimist, aren't you?"
She glared at my remark, though it was good-natured. "I prefer the term 'realist', thank you very much Mr. Happy-go-lucky."
"Bookworm."
"Airhead."
Our playful banter dissolved into lighthearted laughter seconds, and then small talk later on. True, our personalities often clashed when we were younger but we learned to get over it… mostly. Every now and then we'd argue simply for the sake of it or to have fun with each other, but we mostly did this at home. There had been too many incidents of people spreading the idea we were an item.
If she wasn't related to me… yeah, I could see why people would think that. But Azura, pretty as she is, is my cousin. As if that wasn't weird enough I -
The bell interrupted my line of thought, warning the students they had just over a minute to get to class. Azura readjusted the bag on her shoulder and bid me farewell. "I gotta head to dance and make sure Inigo isn't trying to befriend the other girls in my absence."
I frowned in puzzlement rather than anger as my blue-haired cousin left. "I thought his name was Laslow?"
Whether she heard me or not, she didn't reply. I sighed, choosing to leave the worry be and prepare for class. Turning back to my locker, I pulled out the textbooks I needed for Pre-Calculus-
Hmm?
A piece of paper fluttered to the ground as I finished gathering my books. I knelt down to retrieve it and read it after uncrumpling it and smoothing it against the locker's door.
Meet me outside the cafeteria doors, sexy.
-C
I felt my ears burn red as I shoved the note into my pocket, taking a moment to recollect myself before heading to class. This wasn't the first time a note had been left for me; often it was a rose taped to my locker, a small poem complimenting my looks, or a number for me to call. I never replied to them, mostly because they were anonymous and left no names. This one, however, was the first of them all to have an initial. Whoever this secret admirer was had chosen to be bolder than the rest. Do I play along, or ignore them along with the others?
I shrugged, choosing to confront this person - whoever it was - during lunch. After PE and math. If I survived math, that is.
"Brother, you seem distracted."
"Hmm?"
I glanced up to Leo's suspicious expression, eyes flicking between me and my untouched slice of pizza. Ever the modern day Sherlock, my adoptive brother focused on me, stern hazel eyes seeing past the cheerfulness that I put up each day.
"How so? Was it the pizza that gave it away?"
"That, and the giant bruise under your eye."
I winced at the reminder. Dodgeball had not gone in my favor today. My mind was busy elsewhere.
"I thought that you excelled in physical education, Corrin," he paused as he took a bite of his sandwich, "especially playing the games."
"Well today it wasn't really good for me-"
"What's eating you away?"
I flinched at the accusatory tone. I seriously should've expected him to discover this sooner, even though the note was posted on my door hours ago. Before I could reply the seat next to me was taken suddenly, a boy with pale blond hair holding a tray of school food.
"Someone giving Corrin trouble?" Takumi asked, suddenly noticing my eye, "what happened there?"
"I was here first, Hoshidan," Leo's venomous words lashed out to my best friend, making him bristle in response and meet his gaze with steely eyes.
"That's my best friend you're talking to, Nohrian."
"Just because you excel in athletics and physical combat does not make you superior to me, sophomore scum."
"Funny, I was about to say you've got books shoved up your-"
"Guys, guys," I held out my hand to my brother and buddy, praying that their conflict didn't turn into a messy confrontation before school got out. I didn't need to have my favorite families clashing over a petty rivalry. Their gazes softened, muscles lightening up as their hands relaxed. Both of them turned to look at me, nodding at my hopefully peaceful smile.
"Fine," Leo was the first to verbally concede. "You're lucky you ended up with the right… companion."
"I guess it was lucky he ended up with a decent family."
It wasn't a full on compliment, but at least it wasn't a total insult. Sighing in relief I quickly informed Takumi of my ordeal, Leo taking the time to eat his lunch. My friend listened on carefully, giving small nods when I needed to eat. After I finished he asked "What're you going to do?"
"Meet whoever this is."
"Are you sure?" I turned to Leo, his voice not changing but at least showing concern with a raised brow. "There are several hundred students with the surname beginning with 'C', even more have C as the first letter of their first name. They could take you completely by surprise or flat out gross you out. Are you willing to take this chance?"
"It's not like my life is at risk or anything," I said. "It's not like a war between two countries I need to rectify; it's just a note written by someone who's interested in me. If all goes to plan then it's gonna be okay."
"And if it's someone you have no interest in?"
I thought about that. Takumi had a point: what if it was someone I knew or didn't know, but someone I wasn't attracted to?
"I guess… I'll tell them I don't want to hurt their feelings and say I'm not interested right now."
My brother and friend nodded. Mustering the courage I finally stood, "Alright then. Wish me luck."
"Break a leg."
"You won't need it."
I glanced at Leo, prompting his eye roll. "You already have the Devil's luck at your side."
I snorted at his reply and waved as I walked towards the doors. I momentarily squinted at the sunlight which met my eyes as I exited into the spring afternoon-
"Hey Corrin~!"
I froze at the coy call. Oh, no... Please don't be her please don't be her please don't be her-
My pleads went unanswered as I slowly turned round, trying to summon a smile while forcing back the bile in my throat. It wasn't that I hated… what was her name again? Charla? Caroletta? Regardless of her name it wasn't like I hated her, it was just I wanted to be around anyone else than her. The blond girl flashed a smile at me, hands placed behind her back as she leant forward, showing off the tightness of her blouse. I refrained from freezing in place.
"H-hey there," I stammered, prompting her too-girly giggle. She winked at me, causing me to feel as if all the butterflies in the world had migrated into my stomach to die. She came to my side, wrapping her arms around my own and hugging it too tightly. I had fallen into the snake's den.
"Where are you off to, mister?" she asked.
"Meeting someone."
"Who is it?"
"Uh, just someone from my family!"
I made to move away but her arms held me in place. I was liking this less and less by the minute.
"Well if it's the family how about I come along?" Her eyes flashed with something terrible should I follow through. "I bet they'd love to meet me!"
"U-uh, on second thought I think I need to meet with Mr. Gunter-"
My words were cut off as she forced me against the wall, hands gripping my sides; her face no longer resembled the sweet innocent school girl, contorted with malicious glee. Such a sight made me weak in the knees - and that wasn't a good weak.
"Why so scared, handsome? Don't you think I'm pretty-looking?"
"W-yes, sure, but-"
"And what's wrong with a girl like me?"
Other than otherworldly strength and a dual personality?
"Listen, Charla-"
"Charlotte," her eyes narrowed, teeth exposed like some feral wolf. Another reason this girl belonged in an asylum.
"Charlotte, I do think you're pretty, and your note was nice and all, but I don't-"
"Note?" her face lost its pernicious glare, brows knit in confusion. "What note?"
"The note you left in my locker today?" I tried to keep my voice from being excited, a spark of hope prompting the corners of my lips to curve upwards. "The one where you told me to meet you outside?"
"I didn't leave a note for you-"
"I believe that was from me."
The voice that interrupted her sounded serene and collected, yet beneath that facade I picked up the hidden, threatening tone. Her eyes widened as her grip on me released to turn round while I breathed out a sigh of relief. The cavalry had arrived in the form of my sister (again, not my real sister but I wasn't about to complain).
Camilla had her arms folded across her chest which, like Charlotte, fit tightly around her torso. Her skirt reached the height that was acceptable for school standards but still had boys gawking over her shoulder. Her amethyst hair fell over her shoulders and further enhanced her angelic features.
And if the murderous glares of her two colleagues wasn't intimidating enough to make you wet yourself, the look she was sending was enough to make a wolf whimper. Charlotte was no exception, eyes darting between my sister and her two partners, before she did the smart thing: turn tail and get the freak outta there.
"That was anticlimactic."
The redhead switched her gaze at me, meeting my eyes with a glare - though it wasn't as strong as it was when fixed on Charlotte.
"What were you even doing, Corrin?! If we hadn't been here at the right time you would've been dead meat!" I shrugged.
"But you were, so it's okay now."
My response prompted her outraged sputter and Camilla's fond head shake. Such a sight made my knees weaker than with Charlotte - except this time it was a good weak.
"Must you always get yourself into trouble, dear brother?"
"Well, this only happened because of your note. I just happened to be an innocent bystander, scarred for life by Charlotte."
She giggled, and her smile revived the once dead butterflies in my stomach. She waved a hand to her friends, "Would you two mind leaving us?"
"Wha-?!"
"She's capable of being by herself, Selena," came the mutter from the blue-haired teen beside her. "We're just her friends, not like we're her bodyguards or anything."
"Thanks Beruka."
"Quiet, you." I ignored the growl thrown my way. My focus was on the radiant savior before me.
"Beruka, be nicer to Corrin and Selena. Selena, please listen to Beruka and excuse yourselves."
"Yes, milady." I catch Selena's glare out of the corner of my eye and barely heard her mutter to her companion, "You only want to spend time with Leo!"
"Well, that was something."
She fixed her eyes on me, lips smiling in the way that made my heart run marathons. For a moment though my face became hesitant, despite the joyous occasion. Seeing my reluctance she asked, "Something wrong, dear?"
"Are you sure you want this?" I couldn't help but ask the question. "There are a ton of guys at school who look better than me or do better in school; I'm just an average student. And I grew up with you my whole life. People might assume we're siblings and if-"
I'm interrupted as she approaches me and, in one swift motion, pulls me into her embrace, lips meeting mine in rather unexpectedly. And once the shock wears off for me and my arms wrap around her to return the gesture, it's… really nice. I mean, I've been on dates before and had plenty of kisses with other girls but they weren't as memorable as this or as-
"CORRIN!"
We break apart and whip our heads around to see Mr. Gunter staring at us, his face an ugly shade of eggplant. The other students outside had either frozen in place in response to his bellow or fled the scene of crime. Behind him stood the sleazy vice principal that was Iago, grinning smugly at the sight of us wrapped around each other.
Busted. But you know what?
I can live with a week's worth of detention with my girlfriend.
A/N: Geez, a promise to update weekly and barely managing to pull through by the end of the week? Sorry all, just had a busy week prioritizing. Like I said before, school stuff and family will always come first, but I'll always have time to write, before you panic.
Several issues while writing this: 1, I don't like school, middle/high school specifically. Rough years I'm sure plenty of people want to forget, awkward moments and uncomfortable memories. Even writing this brought up unwanted moments of my freshman year - they weren't pretty. 2, I do not ship Corrin and Charlotte. The idea came sorta spur of the moment, filling details in as I went along. The idea of Corrin and Beruka? I could see that, but not enough to make my top 10 favorite ships in Fire Emblem. 3, I'm really, really sorry for being late. I know most of you won't care and are happy to be met with a new chapter, but I felt like I needed to say it.
Anyway, next up in the AU chapters is post-apocalypse. Eager to make up for a nearly broken promise I'll post it rather soon.
Thank you to those who left their feedback kind words - I really appreciate it. If you liked this story, how about leaving a like and/or follow? If you didn't, how about telling me what went wrong? Leave a like and review; both are appreciated.
Have a good one!
