Chapter 12: Drowning In A Wishing Well

Same Night – 12:00 AM

Thankfully, today was the last day for school for this week, so the three of us were able to stay up a little later than normal. Rei was back to normal more or less, though she still wanted to sleep in my bed instead of being alone. Of course, this got some mocking points in for Asuka, but Rei came back with a witty 'At least I have one'. By now, Rei was fast asleep, facing away from me. I'm beginning to truly believe that my mind is the only one that tends to wander at night…

"Ikari," I hear a very slight whisper through the door, "You still awake?" carefully getting up to avoid waking Rei, I open the door to see Asuka standing in her typical night clothes, "Would you mind coming out to the living room for a little bit?" the tone in her voice was extremely out of character, so this was nothing that I could ignore. Closing the door behind me, I follow the sixteen year old girl out into the small living room.

"What's wrong?"

"Why does something have to be wrong? I can't talk to a friend just because?" did she just call me a friend?!

"Uh… y-yeah…" I take a seat on the sofa and she lays down on the rug, facing the ceiling.

"Did you find out what was wrong with Rei? She told me that you were in Gendo's office for a little while alone," so that's what all this is about.

"Sorry Asuka, but I don't really feel comfortable telling you something that's not even my business," expecting to be yelled at, instead I was met with about thirty seconds of silence.

"I gotta say," her stare continues to be set at a random spot on the ceiling, "You proved me wrong. I always thought that you'd be done with Rei in no time, but it turns out you actually do love her."

"Thanks… I think," that was an insult and a compliment in the same sentence, "Asuka? Do you mind if I ask you a question?" she sits up and rests her hands on her knees with a typical 'sure', "You told me awhile ago that you never knew your father because you were a test tube baby, but not once have I heard you talk about your mother. Why not?" her head turns, now facing front, and a look of despair crosses her face.

"I really am surprised that you haven't found this out yet, your father being in charge and everything… I lost my mother when I was about five. She was put into an asylum shortly after I was born, and she killed herself a few years later. Haven't you ever wondered why I act the way I do? After she left me – which is exactly what she did – I refused to let myself get close to anyone, hence my attitude," she once again looks over at me with a weak smile, "Okay, now you owe me a question. What is your freaking deal with Gendo?" reverting back to the normal Asuka, her voice becomes sarcastic, "You act like you want to be close to him, yet you curse him every chance you get. What's the deal with that?"

"I guess it's sort of similar to you and your mother… I felt like he left me when I was younger after my mom died. See, the weird thing is that he didn't used to be like this; before I went to my uncle's, we were the typical family… then one day when I came home from school, the house was packed up and I couldn't find mom. Without even saying goodbye, he sent me to my uncle's because 'children are not allowed on the base'… you see what total crap that was now. I still don't know what happened to her; every time I bring it up to him, he refuses to talk about it."

"I think I just figured out why we were chosen to be pilots…"

"Why?"

"We all have seriously f-ed up childhoods," I couldn't help but chuckle slightly at her, "And they didn't exactly help the situation, did they? I still have nightmares about that friggen dance outfit Misato made us wear…"

"Don't remind me…" oddly enough, we were up most of the night talking like normal human beings. There was no tension between us for once, and I actually got the feeling that we were bonding like we never have before. Just as we got up to go to bed for good this time, she stops me in the hallway.

"Listen, we should have a party tomorrow, I think it would help Rei relax a little, you know? Are you up to that?" I don't see anything wrong with it.

"Sure, why not. I'll call everyone tomorrow," with a small wave, we both disappear behind our doors. I saw that Rei was still fast asleep, spooning a pillow… MY pillow, "Great…" I can feel my neck stiffening up already. By the time I finally DID get to sleep, it was about seven in the morning… and of course, Rei gets up at that time. I was asleep on the chair, but apparently she decided to just let me sleep. By around twelve, I was awaken by the smell of burnt food… Asuka's cooking. I stumble out into the kitchen, still rubbing my eyes and yawning, to see a very confused looking red-headed girl staring at a frozen meal's box as whatever on the stove turns blacker.

"Need some help there?" she turns and gives me an embarrassed smile.

"I was just trying to make some bacon…" she really would starve without me, wouldn't she? I take over and within a few minutes I solve the mess she created, along with fixing a few more sides, "I would have gotten it eventually you know…" with her normal snub look, she takes the first bite of food.

"I'm sure you would have," I take my seat across from Asuka as something hits me, "Hey, where's Rei?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. She's in the shower, I'm taking her out to get some decent clothes to wear for the party – her wardrobe needs to get out of the 90's. You just wait here, I'll take care of her," out of the corner of my eye, I see Rei dressed in a towel heading across the hall into her room, "Trust me on this one, by the time she gets back, you won't be able to recognize her."

"Well don't go overboard, okay?" last thing I need is for her to attract the attention of MORE guys…

A/N – For the majority of this chapter, I will be writing in Asuka's POV.

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" I give the boy a hint of warning in my stare; I knew exactly what he was thinking. As if I would slut her up like that! "Forget it, I'm going to take a shower," I left my dishes behind, knowing that he would get them for me. Honestly, at this point it's only habit to have him clean up after everyone – not like he ever objects to it.

I really do feel bad for Shinji. If he doesn't change something soon, this whole 'I love you' crap won't be coming from Rei much longer. She's getting bored with him, and it's obvious to everyone around – that idiot is just plain oblivious to his surroundings. Hasn't he noticed her change of mood towards him? I think all that time away from each other did some serious harm to the two… not that the outcome would be an entirely bad thing… then Ikari would be open…

"Hm…" I wonder if… "Don't even finish that fucking thought Soryu… you have higher standards than that," Jesus, this damned country has turned me soft. I was up all night talking to a boy – which is exactly what he is – who I wouldn't have even given a second glance at before. Hikari, Rei, Ikari, Misato, and even freaking Toji… I consider them all my friends… I didn't even HAVE a friend before I moved here, and that's the way I preferred it. Of course, I haven't opened up to anyone like I did to Shinji ever… maybe he would make a- "You're not going to do that!" I scream into my washcloth, sending a muffled, high pitched tone through the small room.

"Did you say something Asuka?" Shinji knocks on the door… great.

"No, and don't you dare open that door!" the glass on the shower door hasn't fogged up yet – he would have seen everything! Jesus Asuka, you're going insane… trying to hurry up and get out of the shower, I finish up and get dressed in the clothes I laid out. Apparently I tend I to think too deeply in the shower… almost immediately after walking out I see Rei eating a freshly made meal from Shinji, "Isn't this supposed to be the other way around?"

"You say that, but if I was cooking you would call Shinji a sexist, isn't that right?" eh, she's got a point.

"Whatever, let's get going, I'm antsy," I grab Rei by the wrist and basically drag her out of the house with a piece of toast still in her mouth.

"I wasn't done you know," as if it had anything to do with her – I needed to get away from Shinji! "Why are we even going out? I have plenty of decent clothing," Jesus, she reverted back to the old Rei!

"Okay, let's take a look here," I stop us in the middle of the apartment walkway as I look at her body, "You're wearing a black tank top and jeans. Could you get a little more redneck for me Rei? No offence, but you really have no style when it comes to clothing. Now look at me – a blouse that's kind of dressy, but shows just enough to be called casual. My clothing speaks to men by saying 'Be nice to me and you might get something, even though you know it won't happen' and takes charge of other girls by saying 'I'm better than you'. Listen Rei, you have the goods, you just need to learn to use them!" she simply gives me a dumbfounded look.

"I… don't follow," and here I was calling Shinji oblivious… I simply let out a sigh as we begin to walk again.

"Do you even own something that would show off ANYTHING?"

"Oh, that's what you mean. Why would I do that? I don't see the need to 'show off' something that is private," says the girl that had sex on a beach.

"I know that, but… gah, you just don't get it… just trust me, okay? I'll make you drive Shinji mad!" feeling a little uncomfortable, Rei hangs her head. I put my hand on her shoulder and take on a more serious tone, "Is… everything okay with you two?"

"No, everything's fine, but…"

"I know, you don't have to say it. Listen, I was speaking with him awhile last night, he really does love you Rei, so if that's the issue, then forget about it," even I didn't know what the deal was with her, "Damn it Rei! How is it that you're able to turn a perfectly normal moment into THIS?"

"Sorry… so where are we headed?"

"That's more like it… we're going to the Tokugawa mall. Kaji's going to give us a ride," it's still almost embarrassing to be around him after how I used to act towards him… damned school girl crushes… after about half an hour of walking, we finally come to rest at a bench where Kaji told me to meet him. Of course, being the man he is, he was ten minutes late.

"Sorry girls, had to pick up a pack," holding a carton of cigarettes between his fingers, he gives a wink. As we climb in, I kick the back of his seat.

"Those things'll kill you, and you know it. Didn't you promise me you'd stop?"

"I don't recall that… I think you're pulling my leg girlie!" … girlie…?

"I know your Pin number, you do realize that, right?" he just sends a soft 'pfft' to the rear-view mirror, "Seven five one five," and with that he threw the small white box out the window, "That's what I thought. Thanks for giving us a ride."

"Oh, no problem. Can't have two young girls wandering the streets, now can we?" the painfully dull small talk ensued for the rest of the ride, which lasted almost half an hour. The thought of having to do that again literally makes me cringe… with a parting wave, Kaji drives away in a more reckless style than Misato.

"Now for you!" I guide her into the mall as she lets out a soft, annoyed sounding sigh. Why is she so upset? I'm the one helping her! Really, no one appreciates good deeds anymore! "We only have until four, that's when everyone is showing up, so we don't have long. We're looking for something that you're able to wear to a party and just casually… that doesn't involve a tank top," finally, we come across a store that catches my eye. Almost immediately I see something that would suit her, "How about this?"

A/N – I'll bear you the strain of reading what everything she finds looks like… unless I have to.

"It seems… like something you'd wear," and what is that supposed to mean?! I'm not the one with an outfit that could be found in the lost a found bin! "What about this?" her first choice was an obvious effort to pick something different, but still not too great. After a little over an hour in the same store, she finally got the hang of what I was trying to teach her. In the end, she picked out – that's right, SHE picked it out – this paper-white blouse that I was lecturing her about on the way here. Even though I improved her style, I couldn't for the life of me get her away from the damned black and white… maybe at a later date. I convinced her to change into the new clothes, and oddly enough, her personality seemed to change right away. She was much more open, she was starting to laugh more, and she was once again acting like a normal human being… damn I'm good! We decided to grab something to drink before we went home, so we took a seat in the food court – which was oddly empty – and began talking casually. Of course, we eventually drifted to this:

"Okay Rei, I'm not stupid, I know that something is going on with you and Shinji. What's the deal? You were absolutely crazy about him before you left!" holding the drink in both hands, she begins to fiddle with the plastic lid.

"Well, I love him, but.."

"Romance is gone?" come to think of it – have they even kissed since she got back?!

"Eh… sort of… I…" I really hate these delays! I take a drink of my soda just as she was finishing, "Think I'm gay," and that same drink ended up all over the table, "Sorry, that sounded more subtle in my head."

"Rei! You're not gay!" she continues to fiddle with the lid, not making eye contact with me, "… you're not joking, are you?! You DO realize that you had sex with Ikari, right? Right?!"

"I know that, but when I was away I was with another girl," my jaw drops to the table, "Not WITH, I mean dating. Jesus Asuka, can we stay out of the gutter for a few minutes? I'm being serious here," can't get more serious than this… "Shinji's just…"

"A guy?" I wasn't trying to be sarcastic, it just came out!

"No, not just Shinji, all guys are just too one-minded. Shinji's about the smartest guy I've ever met, and I can't even have an intellectual conversation with him!"

"Rei, I think you're confusing close friends for love…" why did she have to tell ME this?!

"I… highly doubt that Asuka…"

"Then why have you been playing Shinji along ever since you got back?!" was Rei actually… being mean?! Wow… didn't think that was possible.

"I don't want to hurt his feelings… that and it's embarrassing as hell! I mean look at how you dealt with it! Asuka, I'm sure about this, it's not one of those experimental things… I really like-"

"Don't even say it…" I rest my forehead on my hand, "I believe you, it's just… I don't get it… okay then, do you want me to tell him?"

"No… it's okay, you're a little too… let's say blunt. I'll tell him after the party I guess," you just gotta love how calm she is about all this! I mean really, she turns gay after sleeping with a guy she's been dating for over a year, and she acts like this is no big deal. I'm still not too sure if she's not just going through a phase, but even if she is… that's quite a big phase! I just don't know what to think about this, "Asuka, come on no, you've never had these feelings before?"

"NO! I've never looked at a girl and went 'well that's just not too bad', NEVER!" I put my head down on the table, embarrassed as all hell, "And here we are trying to get guys to notice you… as if you needed clothes…"

---

4:00 PM – Apartment

We were just now walking into the house to see Shinji still on the phone, apparently with Kaji. Unable to look at the poor fool, I go straight into my room and proceed to scream into the pillow… this seems to be a fairly effective stress reliever for me! Honestly, what is Rei thinking? You can't break up with a guy that you've slept with because you could be gay! I guess all the signs were there though… it's always the quiet ones…

"Wow Rei, you look great!" yeah, keep on looking lover boy…

"Um… thanks…" nice acting there First. I once again get up and head into the kitchen… I think I'm beginning to see why Misato drank. Honestly, if there was a beer in the fridge, I really would have grabbed one… water will do for now.

"The crap I go through for people…" just as I take a drink, the door bell rings, causing me to jump and choke on the liquid.

"Whoa Asuka, calm down," Rei peeks around the corner at me and I give her a glare of which this earth has never seen… since last time I was mad.

"I'm a little on edge, okay?! Get off me!" I really shouldn't use that expression anymore, should I? I walk back around the corner to see Gendo at the door holding a plastic bag of a few food products, "Oh, hi Comm… GENDO?!" Shinji seemed to be as surprised as me.

"Shinji, you didn't invite your own father," letting himself in, he sets the bag on the sofa, "I'm really hurt," using his typical monotone voice, he mocks his son, "Dr. Akagi will be arriving soon," even at a party, he still wears his NERV uniform… creepy old man.

"U-Uh… thanks… for coming," Shinji was pale as a ghost, and frankly, for once in my life, so was I.

"I didn't come for you, I came for the free food," now it makes sense! "That and you honestly believe that I'm going to have all of you here without proper adult supervision? Misato was pushing it, but it seems as if I'm the only TRUE adult left to watch over you three – which apparently you need, judging by your actions on the island," I really don't think that will be a problem anymore… before the door was even closed, Toji and Hikari walk in, both holding a plastic bag.

"Yo Shinji, where do ya want the grub?" ah, nice one; tell everyone else to bring food! And Shinji thinks he doesn't take after his father! I snatch the bag from Toji, giving him the only face he's ever seen on me; the one that screams 'you're an idiot'.

"Who says 'grub' anymore? Stooge…" unfortunately, those three were the only ones that came early, so the awkward silence between father and son lasted for a good ten minutes before Gendo finally broke it.

"How… enthusiastic… is this how your little get togethers always occur?" now I see where Rei picked up her style of speech.

"Yeah? And what exactly do you propose with only six people?" of course, I was the first one to speak up against him. Hell, I don't have to ass-kiss anymore, I'm not piloting. He was obviously surprised by my comment – he's never heard me talk like that before. I would always put on the 'good girl' act when around him. After about a minute of silence, he speaks up.

"You all are sixteen, correct?" we all nod, "And none of you picked up any habits from Misato?" we all shake our head, completely oblivious to what he was talking about, "I see…" he got up, went over the to bag he brought, and pulled out a six pack of beer in the plastic holder so famous for killing sea animals, "I'm no longer commander, which means I no longer need to watch out for my pilots," he broke each of the cans off and threw one to everyone across the room… what the hell?!

"Shinji, why ya always complainin about your father? This guy is awesome!" this is going to be a long night, isn't it? Just then, Ritsuko opens the door, once again with a bag, which soon ended up on the floor to seeing all of us with the beverage. In the silence of her staring at us, her mouth gaping wide, the sound of Gendo's can being popped could be heard.

"Commander! This is completely inappropriate!"

"One; not a commander anymore. Two; they're all of legal drinking age, nothing here is wrong," Rei and Hikari, being the good girls they are, set the can on the table to set a point… screw that, I need this!

"Even if they are, they're just children!"

"Lighten up Rits," Kaji squeezes in past the blonde woman with that normal cool-guy smile on his face, "Gendo does have a point," Akagi gives Kaji a disgusted look that would match even mine.

"You've already had a few, haven't you?"

"Only two or seven!" for the first time in my life, I actually heard Gendo let out a small laugh! "Oh, what's this I hear? Ikari having FUN? Maybe losing that job was the best thing to happen, huh?"

"Spending my night with a group of under-aged children isn't exactly my idea of a good time… hence the alcohol."

"I must say Mr. Ikari, I don't really approve of this. Dr. Akagi can back me up when I say that alcohol is the worst thing a child can-"

"Oh shut up Brian, have some fun," they all just stare at me lankly, not getting my reference in the least, "Breakfast Club?" they continue to stare, "1985?" they once again continue to stare, "The damn movie made over sixty million dollars!" uncultured pricks!

"A naked woman walks in a bar with a sausage under one arm and a poodle under the other – don't insult me Asuka," there we go!

"At least there's one smart person in here, Jesus!" I take a fairly large drink of the bitter liquid. What? I'm German, I'm supposed to drink until I can't feel things… "Who else did you invite Shinji?"

"Just Kensuke, but he said that he'd be bringing a friend, so there's two more people," good, so everyone important is here.

That night was absolutely full of firsts; my first drink, my first buzz, the first time I ever saw Gendo laugh, let alone have a good time, and above all, the first time I saw Kaji completely shit-faced. Now I see why Misato would date him; he was a worse drunk than she was! One thing that I was oddly happy to see was Shinji actually bonding with his father. Akagi was the first to leave, saying something about disassembling the MAGI, then went Kagi – Gendo had to call a cab for him – and the rest stayed quite awhile afterwards. It was about one in the morning by the time the last person left, which was Toji. I have to admit, I haven't had that much fun in quite awhile… though something had been haunting me all night… as Shinji closed the door behind Toji, I look over at Rei, who was sitting next to me, and whisper to her.

"Tell him now, you promised."

"I promised nothing."

"You tell him or I do – it's your choice," to prove a point, she folds her arms and raises an eyebrow, "Okay then…" I stand up and begin to walk to my room, "Rei's a lesbian now. Have fun you two!" I'm gonna sleep good tonight!

A/N – It's three in the morning and I'm tired, so I'm going to leave it at that. Night all; catch the next chapter, Adam.

A/A/N – Let me show you a sweet little piece of fan mail I got today… written by Mason Totaro.

"seriously wtf is that... sorry but it is complete crap..., you fucked with all the characters way to much, i dont care why you did it, its still crap... and having shinji fuck his half sister who isnt even really human is just disgusting; if you havent noticed yet rei is possible the worst character in eva, except for mabey maya... dont bother responding, their is no excuss for writing something like his, its even worse than your other stories..."

I have to thank you, I did have a fairly good laugh – you could blame it on the lack of sleep, or you could blame it on my wandering mind during my Trig class. The only thing I find odd is that he read a little under 60 pages of text; it took him quite awhile to realize this story 'sucks', didn't it? Oh, and great idea putting your real name on the e-mail.