Too far to turn around,
So I'm gonna stand my ground,
Gimme just a little bit of hope,
With a smile or a glance, gimme one more chance
Hey Juliet, LMNT
Break, 10:20 AM
"I knew this was bound to happen!"
"I didn't!"
"I can't believe this! It's not possible!"
"Wait, so it's true? How!?"
"He did what?"
Jeri skipped down the hall, still exhilarated by the news she had received this morning. By the looks of it, every one in the entire school knew.
"Rika, there you are!"
"Why is everyone staring at me?" Rika scowled. "Do I have something on my face?"
"Well…not exactly. Everyone seems to know about you and…" Judging by the infuriated look on Rika's face, Jeri guessed she already knew.
"I'm going to kill him."
"Rika…you're not-" Jeri frowned worriedly.
"Don't worry." Rika laughed at her expression. "I promise I won't hurt him…that much."
"Really?"
"Akiyama!" Rika called. The whole hall turned silent, but she ignored it.
"Wildcat." He grinned, turning around.
"Don't grin at me."
"I'm just happy to see you."
"Do you see what you've done?" She asked crossly, motioning her head towards everyone staring at them in the hall. They all quickly turned back to what they were doing. Takato whistled nervously from behind Ryo, making Jeri giggle. Henry merely shook his head, laughing silently to himself.
"I couldn't help it." Ryo laughed, almost nervously. He hadn't meant to kiss her on the stairs when she arrived this morning. "They're going to find out sooner or later. So I guess, better sooner than later?"
She glared at him. Silent.
"Bad idea?"
To the surprise of everyone, including Ryo, she shrugged.
"I'll let you off this time." She said. "I have to go to class, are you going to walk me there or not?"
"Of course." Ryo grinned.
"She really does like him." Lina murmured to herself, watching the exchange. A bittersweet smile came across her face.
"Well, if you think about it…" Kazu said, suddenly beside her. "...I'm not surprised. Ryo's charm is irresistible."
"Of course you'd say that." She rolled her eyes.
"What will happen to the fan clubs?" He asked. "They won't be happy."
"No. They won't, but something like this was bound to happen." Lina shrugged. "The girls will get over it."
"Will you?"
"Are you asking out of self-interest or genuine curiosity?" Lina asked, regarding him warily.
"Both? You are the president of Ryo's fan club after all."
"I'm going to resign actually. It's our last year and we've got entrance exams and university applications to worry about."
"I see."
"This won't die down for at least two weeks." Henry sighed, motioning towards the crowds of people staring and whispering.
"It's quite entertaining, isn't it?" Alice smirked.
"Are these girls crying?" Henry asked bewildered, noticing a girl in the corner being comforted by her friends.
"She won't be the only one."
"This feels like one of those high school dramas."
"Their relationship is like one of those high school dramas."
"What? Two former enemies taking the happily-ever-after route?" Henry laughed.
"Happily ever after?" Alice asked, a disbelieving expression on her face. "I wouldn't go that far yet."
"Sometimes I wonder if you're that skeptical about us."
"Who's the pessimist now?"
"Still, they'll get through it." Henry smiled, grabbing Alice's hand. "They've been through a lot already."
"Of course they will. Don't you know how stubborn Rika is?"
"Ryo's the same."
"True. Playing that game with fractured ribs."
"And the time when those girls attacked her."
"Wait, what?" Alice stopped. "What do you mean? How come I didn't know about this?"
"You didn't?" Henry asked, eyes widening. Rika was going to kill him!
Student Lounge, 3:43 PM
"So now we have Alice and Henry, Takato and Jeri, and now Ryo's finally gotten the girl of his whacked dreams-"
"Technically Takato and Jeri aren't together yet and I don't have whacked dreams, thank you very much, but go on."
"Where is your girl?" Kazu asked.
"You shouldn't call her that if she's around." Ryo warned, but the broad smile on his face betrayed him. "She's meeting with our career advisor and being the great boyfriend that I am, I'm waiting for her."
"I suppose if you didn't, she'll kill you?"
"Pretty much." Ryo grinned sheepishly.
"So how's Jason taking the news?"
"Like a bee stuck to his own honey." said Ryo, smugly.
"I'm pretty sure that's not a real idiom." Kenta sighed.
"You know what I mean."
"He was always a poor loser. Serves him right." Kazu scoffed.
"The girls aren't very happy either." Kenta commented. "I saw more than one girl crying this morning."
"Wait, some girls cried?"
"Don't act so surprised. You two getting together is like the event of the century."
"I just didn't think it would be that big of a deal." Ryo sighed.
"What about Lina? Have you talked to her?" Kenta asked.
"Lina?" Ryo smiled, shrugging. "She wants to apologize to Rika when everything blows over."
"I'm sure they'll become best friends forever after that." Kenta muttered.
"Hey, it's worth a shot."
There was a noise of disbelief.
Dinner Table, Akiyama Residence, 7:23 PM
"Winter Break's coming up, do you have any plans?"
"Mm..." Ryo shrugged. "I don't know yet."
"Now that basketball season's over, what are you going to do next?"
"Soccer." Ryo said, grinning. "Takato's captain and I want to prove that I'm just as good, if not better than him."
"Speaking of sports, I have good news! Sports Illustrated sent a letter yesterday, guess who they want to feature?"
"No way!"
"They sent a representative to the game and were impressed you managed to play despite being injured." His dad smiled. "I guess stupidity does pay off sometime."
"Nothing you say can dampen my mood! I can't believe they picked me!"
"Don't let it go to your head."
"Too late!"
"How did your last check up go?" His dad frowned, "What did the doctor say?"
"He says I'm fine. Ribs are healing nicely."
"Good. Let's not have a similar injury again."
"It was just a fight that had gotten out of control."
"Still. Your grandmother is adamant I find out who you were fighting with and expel them."
"You told grandmother?" Ryo groaned.
"I didn't tell her, but she found out anyway. Don't look at me like that, I got a scolding for not telling her."
"I should have known."
"She cares about you, you know."
"Yes, I know."
"And she's visiting."
"She's-WHAT?!" Ryo exclaimed. "Dad!"
"I can't stop the old lady, she's my mother after all. I don't have a choice."
"How long is she staying for?" Ryo asked, sighing.
"I have no idea, until after the holidays I guess."
"I have to spend Christmas with her?"
"Isn't Christmas a family holiday?" Mr. Akiyama grinned, but the smile slid off his face when he saw the expression on his son's face.
"You know, since Christmas is a family holiday…" Ryo said slyly. "…that means I'll need to buy grandmother a present, and you know her tastes..."
His dad groaned, he had walked right into that one. "What do you want?"
"My expenses covered." Ryo smirked.
"Fine. I'll cover your cover card bill this month. Try and stay out of trouble while she's here, if you can.
"I'll try my very best."
Nonaka Residence, Rika's Room
"I can't believe you didn't tell me!"
"You sound like Jeri."
"You lied to me!"
"I did not!"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"So you wouldn't react like this. You guys would have freaked."
"Jeri would, I wouldn't have."
"Fine. Sorry."
"Better." Alice sighed.
"It wasn't a big deal." Rika shrugged. "I've had worse."
"8 against 1?" Alice frowned. "I don't think so."
"I'm going to kill Henry."
"Be my guest." Alice smirked, "I'll kill him first for not telling me about it."
"I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner."
"It must have been hell for you in middle school."
"It wasn't all that bad." Rika smiled reminiscently. "Besides, I don't think it'll happen again."
"What about Lina?"
"What about her?"
"I'm asking you."
"I don't know nor do I really care. Why? What answer do you expect?"
Cafeteria, Thursday, December 5th, 12:05PM
"It's almost the holidays!" Kenta cheered.
"Thank god! Now I'll be able to get away from you two." Rika said, closing her eyes in relief and relishing in the thought of peace.
"Oh no, you won't!" Kazu taunted.
"What!?"
"Ryo wants to get everyone together for Christmas, it's going to be awesome!"
"Does he?" Rika muttered. "He won't when I get through with him."
"Rika!" Jeri pouted. "It'll be fun!"
"Really?" Rika sighed, trying hard to resist Jeri's pleading look.
"Please?"
"Oh, fine."
Jeri squealed in delight.
'What does he have planned anyway?"
"I assume the 'he' you're talking about is me? At least it better be." Ryo smiled as he sat down beside her. Rika flashed him a rare smile.
"No, I was talking about my super-hot, incredibly gorgeous boyfriend who just left." She smirked, all sarcastic.
"Wrong, that would definitely be me." He grinned. All three girls rolled their eyes in response.
"Your looks are overrated." Alice said, informing him like a mother reluctantly telling a child that Santa wasn't real after being caught sneaking presents under the tree.
"Really?" He asked, feigning hurt.
"She's lying." Jeri said. "Don't let it go to your head."
"It wouldn't affect him anyway." Rika added, "Not with that huge ego of his."
"So what are we doing for Christmas?" Henry asked.
"I haven't thought about it."
"As long as it's not anything Disney related, it's fine by me." Henry shrugged. This was met by raised eyebrows and confused expressions. "Sorry, Suzie has a new obsession with the High School Musical movies."
"Oh that! It's like a normal kid thing now, isn't it?" Jeri asked.
"Why not?" Rika shrugged. "Zac Efron's pretty cute." Ryo frowned at this.
"That franchise is so cliché." Alice said, shaking her head. "New girl falls in love with the most popular guy in school. The snobby popular girl is in denial. Of course it's all centred around basketball."
"Wildcats right?" Ryo grinned, looking at his own wildcat.
"Oh no! Do not relate something Disney to me."
"Why not? You could be the Ice Queen in Narnia." He laughed.
"Funny." She shot him a look. "I'll turn Ice Queen on you in a minute!"
"Ice or not, you'll always be my queen." There was a couple of groans and an "aw" from Jeri.
"Then I command you to shut up." Rika said, blushing. Ryo only grinned.
Student Lounge, Friday, December 6th
"So will you be joining us?" Kazu asked. Lina shrugged beside him.
"Do you think it'll be okay?"
"Ryo's approved."
"He's not the only one that's going."
"Are you running away again? He asked, but quickly winced upon seeing the hurt on her face. "Sorry."
"Do you think she'll forgive me?"
"Ryo thinks she could care less..." Kazu said, not really repeating what Rika had actually said. Lina grimaced.
"That's not very encouraging."
"Rika's like that…It'll take time."
"I know…"
"I don't think she holds a grudge against you though. You should come."
"I guess."
"I'll be there for you." He said reassuring. He looked at her with such a protective look in his years, it unnerved her.
"Thanks." She muttered quietly.
The two didn't notice a very amused expression on a very amused person standing by the doorway, who decided it was best he didn't interrupt.
"Why is it that I have to go to class while you have a free period?" Rika grumbled, looking rather annoyed. Her stupid boyfriend laughed beside her.
"It's your fault for taking history." She shot him a look. "You'll be fine. We only have so many classes left until the break."
"That helps." She muttered sarcastically.
"If you make it through class, I'll tell you some interesting news I found."
"If you're going to tell me, just spit it out."
"I think Kazu's going to have a girlfriend soon." Rika laughed at this and Ryo couldn't help but smile. He loved it when she laughed, when he could make her laugh.
"Who's the lucky girl?"
"Lucky?" He raised an eyebrow. "I didn't think you'd call it that." She rolled her eyes and glanced inside the classroom. Luckily the teacher wasn't there yet.
"If you don't tell me-"
"I think he likes Lina." Her amused reaction dropped.
"Really? Poor guy."
"Why?"
"I overheard her talking to some girls, I don't think she likes him."
"Maybe, maybe not." Ryo shrugged. "She's a lot like you."
"What?"
"She hides her feelings."
"You would know." Rika glared at him.
"You're going to be late." Ryo smiled, finding her jealously endearing. "I'll see you after class." He kissed her on the cheek and walked off..
"Stupid, egoistic jerk." She muttered as she went inside and sat down, ignoring the envious looks of the girls around her.
"So..." Ryo said suddenly, coming out of his reverie. "Kazu? When were you going to tell us, if you ever intended to, that you harboured feelings for a particular redhead we all know?"
"What? Kazu likes Rika!?" Takato exclaimed, surprised. "Wouldn't you be beating the-"
"Don't be dense." Kenta said, cutting him off. "Of course it wouldn't be Rika."
"Who else could it be?"
"Lina, of course!"
"What?"
"I don't like her." Kazu stammered, feeling his face go red.
"You're almost as bad as Ryo."
"Hey!" Ryo protested.
"Why?" Kazu asked, "Lina didn't say anything, did she?"
"Nothing." Ryo said, shooting warning looks at Takato and Kenta. "I just had a suspicion."
"I don't like her." Kazu repeated firmly.
"I guess I was wrong." Kenta opened his mouth to protest at this, but Ryo shook his head subtly.
"So what are doing for Christmas this year?" Takato asked, catching on. "Are we having our annual party-celebration thing this year?"
"I haven't thought of it, but why not! It is tradition after all."
"My mom's offering to bake."
"That'd be awesome! It's probably going to turn into a boring formal dinner party this year though." Ryo sighed.
"Why!?"
"My grandmother will be in town. She'll have something planned for Christmas Eve."
There was a couple of groans. For the last three years, they celebrated Christmas together. Last year, the entire basketball team went out for dinner and drinks at The Peninsula, all expenses paid by Ryo of course. The year before, they had rented a suite at Shangri-La and gotten wasted despite being underaged.
"Won't you want to spend Christmas Eve with Rika?" Takato asked. Sure they'd all dated before, but this year was the first where three of the five were in serious relationships.
"What about the time between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?" Kazu asked, giving Ryo a suggestive look. A shoe came flying at him along with a death-threatening glare.
"I'm sure Henry would want to spend time with Alice too." Kenta cut in quickly.
"And you'd love to take Jeri out?" Ryo grinned. Takato flushed red.
"That's no fun then!" Kazu complained. "What about us?"
"We'll still do something. I'll ask my dad if he knows what grandmother's plans are."