Author's Note: Okay, this chapter will be written a little differently, in Luka's POV after the fight with Meiko the other day. Thank you for reading my stories~
-Northern Rabbits
Chapter 7 - Say Cheese!
Sunlight poured in through the thin, pink velvet curtains draped around my bed. I watched as the branches of the trees scraped across my closed windows and the birds sang their morning songs. Usually, I would sit up and sing along with them, but I had a headache so strong it hurt to blink. I stayed awake all night, trying to think of a way to help Miku and Meiko solve their boy troubles, but all it gave me was a headache and a depressing feeling of worry.
Rubbing my tired eyes I sat up with a slouch and let go a long puff of air. My hair was tattered and tangled more then it usual was in the mornings and my eyes felt heavy. I scratched my back and pushed the curtains open. Once on my feet, I checked my Tuna-shaped alarm clock for the time.
7:00 am
I woke up at the usual time I always do during weekdays, even with a throbbing head I was punctual. Skipping the shower I pulled on my uniform, combed my hair and headed downstairs. I was greeted by multiple servants on my way down, each bowing deeply and calling me "Young Mistress". I tried my best to smile yet I couldn't force it forever. I sat at the long dining table and checked the clock.
8:32 am
The top maid rushed to my side and bowed deeply. "Good morning, Young Mistress! What would you like for breakfast?" Her large brown bun bounced around when she spoke. I remembered, when I was younger, the sight of that large bun was enough to make me happy.
"Toast please, I'm not feeling that hungry.." I watched her bow once more and run off, her brown hair bouncing around.
I sat back in the gold rimmed chair and closed my eyes, remembering the first time I met our head maid. I was outside, playing around by myself as I usually did. My Mother called me, as I ran to the door I tripped over a rock and scrapped my knee pretty badly. I cried and waited for my Mom or Dad to come help me, but they never did. I felt truly alone as blood trickled down my knee, staining my socks along with my childish tears.
~flashback~
"Luka! Luka, are you alright?!"
The headmaid was the first to find me, she ran to me, her long brown hair swaying in the wind. To my young eyes, she was basically a princess- no, a Queen, coming to save me. She lifted me in her slender yet strong arms and cradled me, hugging me tightly. I stopped screaming and let her gently soothe me with her words.
"It's alright now, I've got you... You're not alone.."
I let her look at my knee and watched her put a bandage on it. The bleeding stopped and she placed a kiss on the sore area. I blushed and asked why she did such an odd thing.
"You always kiss a booboo after it's been healed. It helps the pain go away..." Her eyes filled with remorse. "Doesn't your Mother kiss your booboos..?"
My parents worked over-seas most of the time so I barely saw them. I shook my head and hugged her. "T-Thank you" I meant for my voice to come out properly, but only bits and pieces were audible. I bowed respectively and ran off.
"Young Mistress?"
"Luka?"
"Huh?" I snapped back to my senses and watched the Headmaid place a plate with two pieces of toast on the table in front of me. She looked at the clock on the wall, then back at me with a worried expression.
"If you don't hurry, you'll be late!"
I walked the short path to school alone. Over the years, I've learned that being alone could not be helped. I could be friends with every person in the world and yet, still be alone in the end. I half-heartedly expected Meiko to be waiting for me at the gates. I turned the corner and my eyes widened when I saw Meiko propped up on the brick wall near the entrance gates, possibly waiting for me. I ran up to her and fumbled over my words of apology.
"M-Meiko! I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have jumped in your relationship with Miku- I mean! Oh crap, I was just trying to help and I..."
Meiko turned to me, her bangs covering her face as she hung her head low. "It's okay." She mumbled, her arms hanging limply at her sides.
"Meiko-chan..?" I reached my hand out to her only to have her slap it away and flip her hair violently out of her face.
I gasped at the sight in front of me. Her cheek was red and looked sore, the same cheek I had slapped the night before. Under her eyes were dark circles I had never seen her have before and her eyes were bloodshot. She must have suffered the same fate as I and was awake all night thinking about the life we had stumbled into. Her smile looked forced. A wide creepy, toothy smile stretched across her face, from ear to ear. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside the school building. She seemed to float on air as I dragged her down the hall. Every part of me wanted to run away, surely this was all my fault and I couldn't deal with any more stress! But I made a silent promise I wouldn't back down. I threw her into the nearest female bathroom and pushed her up in front of the mirror.
"This is not who you are Meiko! You are a beautiful princess!" I shuffled through my bag and grabbed all the makeup I could find with one hand and began working on Meiko's face. She glumly looked around, occasionally locking eyes with me through the mirror which sent a shiver down my spine but eventually I got used to the stares and applied the cover up. When I was finished, the bell rang and I rushed off to class.
As I ran down the hall, I remembered the first time I met Meiko.
It was in Grade School. Some kids were bullying me, probably out of jealousy that I was more fortunate then them and pushed me down onto the ground. I started crying, wanting someone to come save me. I was a weak child and needed a protector, yet I always ended up alone. That's when I saw it. The long brown hair that bounced when she ran over to me. It was the same colour as the Headmaid's hair. I watched in shock as Meiko lectured the bullies to her best ability before giving them a stink-eye and chasing them off. She turned back to me and looked over my fragile body.
"You're Luka, right? My name's Meiko! Wanna be friends?" That day, she reached her hand out to me and helped wipe my tears. That day, I made a friend for life.
I took my seat and waited for Meiko to enter the door quickly after me, but the late bell rang and she still hadn't walked through the door.
Before I knew it, it was lunch time and Meiko took her normal seat in front of mine. I watched the back of her head stay still for a moment, as if collecting her thoughts, before she flipped around and smiled at me. The makeup gone but her old ways were back.
"What do you have for lunch today, Luka-chan? I forgot to pack mine!"
She was lying, I knew it. She woke up late and didn't bring a lunch, being too depressed to eat. She probably hasn't eaten dinner in a while either. I ignored the truth and gave a casual (fake) smile.
"Tuna, like always."
We chatted on for a moment, talking about the usual stupid things we would never remember later on and laughed loudly as if nothing was wrong. I tangled my finger into my hair and let my gaze wander off to Meiko's cheek.
"You know...the photoshoot is today..." I was expecting her to do a goofy face and say something like 'Oh darn, it is?' But instead, she stopped smiling and placed her chin in her palm.
"I'm not going. Boss won't let me go with this big bruise you gave me." She looked out the window, focusing on a cloud and slowly watching it fade into the sky.
"What do you mean you're not going?! You have to go! It won't be the same without you! If you don't take pictures, you won't be able to sing in the concert!" My voice was filled with more anger then pity.
"So what? Miku's probably going to sing my song in the concert, then Gumi or Rin for the second bit and then everyone will sing the last part together."
My eyes widened with shock.
"You won't even notice I'm gone."
I shot up from my seat, knocking my chair back. "HOW CAN YOU JUST-"
The door shot open, slamming against the wall from the brute force. I turned my head in unison with Meiko to see who interrupted. Miku stood in the doorway, raising her head high and popping her chest out to show off to all the students in the near-empty classroom. Rin squeezed past and greeted her friends properly.
"Hi Luka-Nee! Hello...Meiko." Rin glared at the brunette for a moment before noticing her face. "Eughk! What happened to your face, Meiko?"
Meiko looked away and blushed slightly, trying to hide her swollen cheek with her fingers.
Miku strutted over and peered down at the two. "Hello, Luka-chan~!" I brought my hand to my mouth and tried to hold back my giggles.
"Miku...what are you wearing?!"
Miku was wearing makeup. Lots of makeup. It didn't look bad, just odd considering the fact she almost never wore makeup. She even drew on a mole to add to the effect. Her uniform top was stuffed to look like she had a larger chest and her skirt seemed fairly shorter then it usually was.
"Hmm? What do you mean, Luka-chan?" She batted her eyelashes a few times and I swear, I felt the breeze! "I'm just trying a new style is all!"
Before I could ask another question, a familiar voice filled the room. "Hello!" Kaito entered the room, licking a blue popsicle in unison to his long strides.
Miku quickly turned around to face him and pushed out her chest. "Hi, Shion-senpai!"
Kaito's eyes widened and he blushed a bright hue of pink. He looked over Miku once, as if examining her new look- trying to pick out what was new about her. Then a second time...and a third time...and he looked her over a fourth time, still giving a confused and surprised face. Meiko peered through the corner of her eye and felt her heart sink with the sight of Kaito ogling Miku's new look. The young tealette gyrated her hips and leaned forwards, giving Kaito a flirty wink. The blue-headed teenager finally stood straight and put on a serious face. He took a deep breath and looked Miku over one last time.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?"
Miku froze, not sure what to say now.
"I-It's me! Miku! Miku Hatsune! The idol?" Miku tried to jog his memory by doing her signature idol pose.
"Miku-chan...? No, you can't be Miku! Miku has a flat chest!" Kaito licked his popsicle and giggled childishly.
I watched from behind as Miku panicked and fumbled over her words. Having been shot down in such a casual way must have taken her by surprise. Meiko started giggling and soon burst into abrupt laughter. Using her bangs to cover the dark circles under her eyes.
"If you think stuffing your bra and plastering makeup all over your face is going to get you the guy, you've never been more wrong in your life!" Meiko continued to giggle and laugh loudly and Miku watched in horror. I tried getting Meiko to calm down but it only made her laugh harder. "Just give up already!"
Miku clenched her fists, pushed Kaito out of the way and ran out the door, black tears dripping down her face and smudging her makeup. Everything she was aiming for was ruined. Meiko laughing in her face didn't help either. Rin turned towards Meiko and scowled.
"You know, you turn into a big jerk when you want something!" Rin huffed out her cheeks and put her fists on her hips.
"I'm not being a jerk! I'm just telling her to give up now before she gets hurt! Not my fault she can't handle the truth." Meiko snapped back at Rin. The young blonde flinched and leaned closer towards Meiko, face reddening as the anger welled up inside her.
"What is wrong with you?!" Rin stomped out the door, tears welling in her eyes as she rushed off to find Miku.
The hurt in her voice was audible to even Kaito, who was slouching in guilt at not noticing it was Miku in front of him. He watched as Meiko scoffed cockily and smirked in his direction. She winked quickly and turned her chair back around to face her desk. Kaito had never felt so uncomfortable in his life. He didn't know what to do, so he ran. Just like he was known to do when caught in a pinch. He ran.
Meiko watched him run out the door and squinted softly as if she was expecting this to happen. She sighed in a frustrated manor and bent over her desk.
"Luka...am I turning into a jerk?"
After school, I offered to help Meiko with her makeup before the photoshoot and we walked over to the studio together. Although just a few hours ago we were talking like we normally did, this time it was quiet. I heard a soft vibration sound and watched Meiko flip her phone open and check her messages. She stopped walking and smiled brightly.
"K-Kaito asked me out on a date!" She showed me her phone screen and giggled excitedly. "Kya! He said he wants to ask me something in private!" Her squeals caught the attention of many bystanders walking down the same path.
I wanted to speak up and ask, "Are you really okay with going out with him after what had just happened at lunch?" But I already knew the answer. Meiko was too lovestruck to even worry about Miku- let alone what had happened at lunch. She was always thinking of the present and never of the future. Thinking of the past depressed her and thinking of the future scared her, so all she could do was think of the now. And right now, Kaito had just asked her out on a date while we were on our way to our photoshoot.
That question still remained in my mind. I was too scared to give a proper answer at the time and played it off as a joke. But the serious tone Meiko used will burn in my mind for a long time.
"Luka...am I turning into a jerk?"
