The morning became difficult for me. I couldn't get the feeling of Allen's lips on mine out of my head. The heat and sensitivity of the moment wouldn't leave me alone. Allen's seductive eyes were burned into my brain, and I didn't know what I would do if I saw him in during the day. He'd either expound on our little 'discussion' or pretend it never happened. Either way I'd be at his mercy. My words of friendly proclamation ran through my head, the source of our awkward conversation leading into our kiss. If I wasn't careful, I'd explode.
I had to distract myself.
The Science Division became my new best friends. I was more than happy to assist them with whatever they needed, mainly physical labor. I spent most of the day using my Innocence to move everything from boxes of paperwork to heavy machinery. Later, I was sent with Johnny to deliver boxes of papers to Kamui. I was thankful that I had associated with the young man a couple of times. He was nice, innocent, and honest; a rare breed.
We wandered around the Order, occasionally gathering more things to deliver to Kamui. Poor Johnny was having trouble by the time we had been stopped for the fifth time.
"Do you need help, Johnny," I asked softly.
"B-But your arms are full, Sara," he stumbled over his words. "I wouldn't want to bother you."
I smiled at him; he was so sweet, someone who doesn't treat me like I'm a disease.
"I could carry a few using my Innocence," I replied.
With a whisk of my finger, a couple of boxes flew out of Johnny's hands and hovered above my arms. The lad stared at me in amazement.
"You're amazing, Sara," he cheered.
"What, moving that huge machinery around wasn't impressive enough," I chuckled.
"I just think it's so cool that you can use your Innocence for something else besides fighting akuma," he said.
I sighed.
"Well, my Innocence is a part of me," I retorted. "I might as well find other purposes for it."
"Hey, look," Johnny suddenly shouted. "It's Allen!"
I thought my heart was going to freeze in my chest. There he stood on the other end of the hall in his usual formal attire. I sorely wished he wouldn't notice us; however, he had already spotted Johnny waving at him like a maniac. Allen made his way over to us, smiling warmly.
"Hello, Allen," Johnny grinned.
"Hello, Johnny," Allen said warmly. His eyes met mine, and I could feel the heat rushing to my face. "Hello, Sara."
I shifted nervously, trying to focus on not dropping the boxes.
"Hello," I managed to sputter.
His blue orbs refused to leave my face.
"What are you two up to," he asked politely.
"We're delivering this paperwork to Kamui," Johnny beamed. "Sara volunteered to help out at the Science Division."
"I was just on my way there," Allen said. "I don't suppose there's anything left for me to do, is there?"
Johnny gestured at me with a jerk of his head.
"Sara did a lot of the big stuff," he praised. "This is the last of it and then she's free to go."
"Didn't have anything better to do today," Allen teased.
I avoided his gaze, knowing that I'd only get trapped in them again.
"I get restless when I have things on my mind," I admitted softly.
Allen smile shifted slightly, appearing more alluring than ever. Enough to capture my attention and to make me drop a couple boxes. The exorcist caught them easily before flashing me another grin.
"I'll give you hand," he promised.
I felt like dying. We moved fairly quickly towards Kamui's office, which he once again was avoiding. I insisted on stacking the boxes by myself, but Allen wouldn't hear of it. It only took us a few minutes to unload the collection of packages. Satisfied with my work, I said farewell to the young men and left the office. I wandered around the halls of the Order, trying to avoid Allen, who was determined to follow me around.
After managing to ditch Allen in the cafeteria, I decided to head back to my room. I passed by a couple of exorcists but magically none of them I recognized. As I strolled along I spotted a figure waiting outside of my door. I could spot that long black hair and scowling face anywhere. It was Kanda.
"I was wondering if you were going to come back," the samurai groaned.
I snorted and continued towards the door.
"Buzz off," I hissed as he blocked my entrance.
"I came here to see how you were doing," Kanda admitted coldly.
"I'm still mad at you," I grunted. "I wouldn't push your luck."
Kanda's eyes narrowed, defiantly.
"I'm not here to pick a fight," he said slowly.
"Certainly looks like it," I snapped.
Kanda took a step forward, and I held up my arm, the pale designs beginning to glow.
"I just wanted to apologize," Kanda said steadily.
I didn't move, trying to appear calm and cool.
"I got caught up in the moment," the swordsman continued on. "And before I knew it, I was giving into selfish desires."
I folded my arms over my chest, my Innocence deactivating. However, the tension didn't die completely.
"I have things to do," I said finally, pushing past him. "You can talk to me later."
I spent the rest of the evening holed up in my room, levitating random object in my room to entertain myself.
The next day consisted of avoiding both Allen and Kanda. I didn't want to see them, talk to them, or even be in the same room. No matter where I hid or occupied myself, one of them always found.
Allen made an effort to point out how much we had in common or how I always let my guard down around him. Occasionally he'd try to hold my hand, and managed to capture it for a few minutes. It always took a long while to get away from him.
However after I'd escape from Allen, I'd stumble into Kanda. He'd attempt to appeal to me or compliment me, which only irritated me, and we'd fight. The punk knew better than to physically fight with me, but was all too eager to bark at me. Needless to say, I ended many of the squabbles with threatening to start a brawl, and we'd split.
I hopped from one man to the other the entire day, nearly loosing myself each round. I was going to go insane from all the attention I was getting. I ended up retiring to bed early as I did the day , I ended many of the squabbles with threatening to start a brawl, and we'eager to bark at me. needless
Unfortunately for me, it was the exactly the same Friday morning. I couldn't get a second to myself between Allen and Kanda clawing at me for attention. I quickly ran away to Kamui for a long overdue checkup on my Innocence. Kamui was obviously worried about my eagerness to see him.
"I would appear that Allen and Kanda can't leave you alone," he observed after having to hide me when the two men raging with testosterone came in looking me.
"And to think that this started just because of that stupid ball," I hissed.
Kamui raised an eyebrow as he examined my pale markings.
"It would pass if you'd pick one of them already," he commented.
I shook my head.
"I don't even want to go," I said sharply. "They both think that they can convince me to go with them."
"Are you really against going with one of them," Kamui asked, moving to my Innocence covered back.
"I don't know," I grumbled. "I just think they're too serious about it."
"Ever think that they both actually like you, Sara?"
The question caught me off guard. like you, Sara,"
ngs.
ball,"
"No," I answered honestly.
"Why not," he asked, observing my left arm.
"I never have been popular when it came to guys," I admitted.
"It certainly looks like you're popular," Kamui continued on.
"You're not helping," I snorted.
Kamui retreated, scribbling notes down on a clipboard. After he was finished, he looked up at me.
"Sara," he said softly. "Ever since you first came here, you've separated yourself from the other exorcists. You ignore social events and reject everyone that is remotely interested in being near you."
He put a sure hand on the exorcist's shoulder.
"Not all people think badly of you," he confirmed. "As far as I can see, Allen and Kanda both like you very much. Won't you open your heart up to your friends just a little bit?"
I nodded solemnly, letting his words sink in.
I was excused and headed back towards my room, taking my time to maul over Kamui's thoughts in my head. Something black caught my attention; Kanda's head. Instead of hanging outside of my door, he was waiting by the bottom of the stairs. It was somewhat of an improvement.
"Are you part of the welcoming committee," I jeered.
Kanda frowned.
"I figured you'd come this way to avoid Beansprout," he snorted. "And honestly I don't want to see him either."
I floated over to him. It wasn't bad to make small talk with him. Besides if he pissed me off, I could just throw him into the opposing wall.
"You two fighting again," I moaned. "Sometimes I think I'd be better if I just kick the fight out of both of you to save us all from your havoc."
Kanda rolled his eyes.
"I'm not that violent," he hissed.
I shot him a sarcastic look.
"You're not that hard to rile up," I sneered. "Allen's way too laid back."
"You pick fights just as much as he does," Kanda groaned. "You're both annoying."
"If I'm annoying then why can you leave me alone," I replied.
That shut him up. The samurai glared at me, the edges of his cheeks turning pink.
"It's nothing," he threw at me.
"You follow me everywhere," I continued on. "I've caught you staring across the room to make sure I was still there. I'm pretty sure that's call stalking."
"I can't help it if my eyes wander over to you," Kanda huffed.
"Sure you're not trying to get on my good side," I teased smugly.
Kanda's face burned a fiery red. I grinned triumphantly. Spotting my smirk, Kanda retaliated immediately.
"Who'd want to be on your 'good side'," he barked.
"Apparently you and Beansprout," I countered.
"I want nothing to do with someone like you," he snapped.
I felt the sting on that one. I frowned.
"Well, I don't know why someone would want to hang out with you," I leered at him. "You're nothing but a creepy stalker carrying a flashy sword."
"What did you say?!"
"You heard me!"
Kanda's complexion was now beet red. My face was warm too, but I wasn't embarrassed.
I was mad.
"If that's how you feel then go hang out with the Beansprout," he roared.
"You wouldn't be able to stop me anyway," I snarled. "You big coward!"
Before he could rebound, I spun on my heels and marched off toward my room. I could hear Kanda's angry footsteps behind me.
"Hey, get back here," he demanded. "We're not done!"
I jerked my door open and threw the exorcist a malicious glare.
"Believe me, we are," I growled and slammed the door in his face.
I tore my clothes off and yanked on a pair of pajamas. What a jerk! How could he do that!? Act like a love struck puppy and follow me everywhere, demand countless hours of my time, and for what? To scream and yell in my face! The next time I'd see that low life, I promised myself, I would send him all the way through the wall!
My irritation and anger drained me during the time I prepared for bed. Before I could think of anymore insults for Kanda Yu, I was out like a light.