ALLEGED ACCIDENT
She frowned at him. He was marveling at the sight of Earth Valley, which, according to him, looked like some sort of theme park or carnival. Ridley always had a reason to frown at him. At the very start of the Knight Selection Trials, he thought he was going to win. He didn't. He lost to Ridley. He vowed to beat her, to become more famous than she ever will be. He was always late. Childish, at many times. Self-centered. Arrogant. He thinks he could best his father, or anyone else for that matter. But even if that was the case, Ridley couldn't help but feel, just feel, that someday, he'll part from his childish, self-centered ways and actually become useful. And his strong will and belief in himself. That's what Ridley liked about Jack. No matter how life-threatening, he believes that he could take down the enemy. And as much as she hates to admit it, Jack was attractive. She wasn't ready to tell anyone yet, though.
"This is gonna be so cool!" Jack enthusiastically remarked. Ridley scoffed and turned at Clive, from the Olacion Order. "He actually thinks we're on a picnic!"
Clive raised his eyebrows and just nodded. "Yup."
Captain Ganz clapped his hands. "Right! Let's go everyone!" He started moving. Clive and Ridley followed soon after, but Jack hadn't moved an inch. All he thought about was how wonderful and amazing Earth Valley could and will be. As usual, Ridley frowned at this. Seeing that nobody was making an effort to tell him, she felt that it was her responsibility.
"See ya." she said blandly at the brown-haired boy. Jack had moved, but his eyes were still fixed on the site. Soon, his steps were slowing down, slower by the second. He was already trailing far behind when Ridley noticed. Ganz was thinking about the mission, while Clive just followed the blue-clad brigade captain. Neither of them noticed that Jack and Ridley weren't there. Ridley came back for Jack, annoyed at how absentminded he could be.
"Come on, Jack." she said, annoyed as she grabbed Jack's hand and took him back to the other two. Jack was silent, obediently following Ridley's lead. Not one of them noticed that they were still holding hands, Jack being dragged by the girl, who seemed to be making sure that he won't go away so he won't lag the mission. It remained unnoticed, until they had finally climbed down the mountain path that led to Earth Valley.
"Ehem..." he said, trying to make Ridley notice. "Ehem!"
"What?"
He pointed, slightly grinning, at their interlocked fingers. She didn't realize it before. Maybe because she was quite comfortable holding his hand. Maybe she was just occupied of thinking how Jack was extremely idiotic. But whatever the reason, it was embarrassing and somehow just not right. She immediately let go of his hand, blushing, as she walked on.
"You..." he started, but Ridley glared at him intensely.
"No talking about this. Ever." she warned him.
"...Whatever." Jack replied, slowing his walk down a bit. He pondered about what happened, about what Ridley just did. He frowned, and then smiled at the thought. Ridley, on the other hand, silently scolded herself for doing such an idiotic thing. She, together with Ganz and Clive, had stopped in front of the gate. Jack was still walking, absentmindedly. He almost collided with Ridley.
A/N: That idea was in the back of my mind for quite some time. I tried writing it through pen and paper, but I just can't extract the words out of my head. I think I'm more comfortable with the keyboard. Anyways, that's another update. Enjoy and review!