GS Note: I'm glad everyone is still with me! I never thought this fic would lift off the ground but it did and flourished beautifully! It is almost over, a mere few chapters left. I will leave you guessing on that. This is another filler chapter that will build more body for the fairy tale and the RL story. Since there has been a demand on the story, I will attempt to include it more! I've gotten such nice reviews! I don't think this story has ever been flamed **sob** I feel special!

Additional: In order to understand the beginning you must realised Trowa's stance in this. He is not, I repeat, NOT, part of the gang yet. He is a person that Duo talks about a lot and one that the gang recognises, but until now has shown no interest in hanging out with them. He is one of those all-around nice guys you team up with on projects of no one else is around, talk too if you meet or call for homework. So far his relationship with everybody is strictly school. Get it, got it, good.

Disclaimer: It has finally come to my attention that this is the first disclaimer I've put up on this story. Just want to cover my ass I suppose! Ok, Gundam characters don't belong to me but if you want to use Mme Goulash or Matt or David or Tom Johnson or Wufei's mom or anyone else that is mine, please ask! But all the assholes of the school, feel free to pose them as OZ soldiers, just make sure to kill them, painfully preferred! But… Silvestro and Duca are really people and are actually quite nice, for ginos. Jingo by Terry Practett is a real books, I don't know if I got the author's last name right. I truly suggest reading it!

Sports Note: As I have been learning more about hockey, I've come to realise something. REFEES ARE BLIND!!!!! They call everything and more for Canadian but blindly let the Americans hook, check and more! Injustice in the sport judging! Anyway, go Team Canada! I want to congratulate the Woman's Hockey Team, Americans fight dirty eh, but not as dirty as us! Though using artificial power plays is down right mean… WE STILL WON GOLD!!! WE GOTS THE BESTEST GOALIE!!! K, I'm done.

Extra Sports Note: Um, the one above is a bit outdated but still accurate. New one to add on, WE WON MENS TOO!!!!!!!!! Canada is finally best in hockey ever!!! Well, for the first time in fifty years! And even then, we got TWO golds this year! Americans played extremely well though, and I commend the goalie there too, he made some incredible saves! (I suppose this is all outdated but so very true. Go America and Canada in the NHL!)

Written For: This author note is getting ridiculous. Oh well, my fic, so yea! This chapter is to my friend Lady Venom, get better soon L-chan! We miss you! This fic is to the men at Good Shepherds in Toronto who I met while volunteering in the line.

Language note: I am far from an expert on Chinese. Any and all Chinese is from my cheaply bought, Chinese in Three Months without the tape, so yea. Don't hold me to anything!

Chapter 12

Fluffy Insides

Duo woke up early, surprisingly. He yawned and stretched, hearing the bones in his arms and back crack. It was a warm and comforting morning, lying here in bed, just coming out of sleep. Duo sighed when he thought about how he knew it wouldn't last forever. He had to go to school. It was hard to think that yesterday had really happened. It felt like a bad dream.

He did start to push down his covers slowly, inch by inch until he was shivering. Giving one last sigh of resentment, he stood up and dressed quickly. Grabbing his bag, he crept quietly out of the door and through the Boy's Dorm until he reached the kitchen. Solo and Matt sat at the small kitchen table there eating a bowl of cereal. Solo looked surprised to see him up so early but didn't say a word.

Duo flashed a grin and went over to one of the various cupboards looking for the bowls. He didn't get up early often.

"Matt, where are the bowls?"

"Fourth on the right from the door," Matt replied as he slowly started to nod off over his bowl. Solo poked him with his spoon and the blonde boy snapped awake. Matt yawned and rested his elbows on the table as he lazily watched Duo's quest to find the spoons.

"So, what are you doing up so early?" Solo asked as he swallowed.

"I don't know," Duo shrugged and laughed in triumph as he found the right drawer. He grabbed a spoon and walked over to the table. He poured himself breakfast before continuing. "I just felt like it."

"Where's Sister Helen?" Matt asked, lifting his almost empty bowl and pouring the rest of the sugary milk into his mouth and swallowed. He started to get himself another.

"Probably watching the sick kids," Duo replied as heartily dug into the meal. "Father took Noel to the hospital last night."

"We can do without her this morning, Matt," Solo reassured the younger boy and started to joke slightly. "We are big kids after all!"

Matt finished his second bowl with more energy and wiped his mouth before looking up at the clock. "Maybe not, the bus is probably outside right now."

"Shit," Solo cursed as the three boys stumbled into their shoes and grabbed their bags. They tumbled out the door to see the bus start to pull out from the stop.

"Wait!" Solo yelled and ran after it. The bus reluctantly braked to a stop to admit the older boy. Duo and Matt ran after him and panting, onto the bus. The driver only grumbled at the tired boys as they took a seat and lurched forward.

Matt took his seat at the front while Duo and Solo claimed theirs at the back. The bus was almost empty in the morning. Duo settled his head against the cold glass and sighed. He pulled his knees up to rest on the seat in front of him. Solo slumped won, his neck dropping to his chest as he fell asleep. It was an uncomfortable position and would wind him up with a sore neck but it was the only other way besides sleeping on Duo's shoulder. Duo suddenly was hit with the reason he never got up at the required 5:30 and dropped off.

He woke up to Solo complaining about his sore neck. The bus was mostly full and he had a new bruise on his head. He rubbed it absently and was reminded that he still had the white bandages on his hand. He frowned, they were probably healed by now. He unwrapped them to see his scabbed but functional hands. He stuffed the white strips into his bag and seeing as they still had about a quarter of an hour before the bus reached the school, he grabbed his notebook. His hands ached a bit but complied as he began to write.

//The next day Duo was woken by a knock on his door. He groggily glared at the wooden door and dragged himself up, putting a black robe on while cursing. He stood off to the side of this door and pulled the bolt back.

"Who is it?"

"Cadet Chang Wufei, sir!"

"Didn't we go over this?" Duo groaned and rubbed his eyes as he unbolted the door and flung it open. "I thought I told you to get that stick out of your ass!"

"I don't know what stick you are talking about, Your Highness," Wufei said politely to all outward appearances. "I have been sent by Head Advisor Marquise to inform you that a new suitor has arrived and to go down to welcome him, Your Highness."

"Was he joking?"

"I don't believe so, Your Highness."

"Damn it Wu! Stop 'Your-Hignessing' thing! I hate that! I get it from everyone and I don't need it from you!"

"Fine, fine," Wufei sighed and dropped his formal stance. "I will not follow the etiquette I have pain-stakingly learned in my classes, even though I could be sent home to my poor family in the country-side for unintentionally insulting the Royal Heir to the throne of my country's newest ally-"

"Stop!" Duo held up a hand. "Ok, ok! I get it! Just don't be so formal when we're alone."

"Very well. I was sent to escort you, so you might want to put some decent clothes on."

"Yea, yea!" Duo shut the door and bolted it. Then, for good measure, he looked out the eyebolt. "And don't you dare peek!" He slammed that shut too. Grumbling, he got dressed, check too make sure his braid was still intact and put on his shoes.

"I'm ready," he yelled through the door before opening it. It was an old habit, the last guard he got had been a regular on the front during the last war and jumped every time someone went through a door unannounced. Wufei just looked at him calmly as Duo gave one quick spin.

"So, am I gorgeous?"

"Of course," Wufei said blankly. "Let's go."

"You'd better not be lying," Duo huffed as he hurried down the stairs after the guard. "Cause if I go in there with dried drool on my face or something-"//

The bus stopped with a jolt that made Duo's pencil go across the page with a glorious trial of lead. Duo looked out the window and saw the school building right in front of him.

"Damn!"

"Oh yea, Duo. We're almost at school."

"Well duh," Duo rolled his eyes at his older friend who was calmly picking up his bag. "I kinda figured. Thanks for the warning!"

"No prob!"

Duo just glared steadily as he scrambled to grab his bag on the floor and stuff his notebook in while twisting in his half of the seat without spilling anything. Wit his bag half close and half on his shoulders, he scrambled after the rest of the students.

The bus driver slammed the door right behind hid bag, barely missing his braid. Duo glared at the driver and grumbled as he walked and settled the bag on his shoulders.

"Stupid, no good, lousy, son of a-"

Duo walked into the stairwell of the school and started to fight his way to his locker. One glance at his watch told him his bus has actually arrived on time today so he had about half an hour to get to his locker instead of two minutes. Leisurely, he picked his way through the standing crowd until he reached his locker, mercifully free of loiterers. He noticed in some part of his mind that the blood on the hall had been clean up. He kept his locker neat as he pulled out his English, science and French books. Slamming it shut then locking it, Duo whistled as the hallway slowly started to trickle out and clear. This was a pure locker hall but most people preferred to hang out near first period classes. Being late had never bothered Duo much.

As he rarely got to school on time or early, Duo had no clue where to find his friends at this time. He still had quite a while until the bell rang. Fortunately, as he stood puzzling over his problem in the hallway, an answer came in the form of a person.

"Duo?" Trowa asked shocked as he popped into a clear pocket near the locker. "What are you doing here so early?"

"I have no clue," Duo grinned. Trowa just looked at him in a slightly shocked way, then shrugged and opened the locker for his own books. Duo stood by waiting for him to finish. Trowa calmly and quickly removed the books he needed and replaced the empty spots with the ones he didn't. He stood up and looked at Duo with surprise again.

"Are you waiting for me?" Trowa asked. Duo grinned, it was hard to bewilder Trowa once in a lifetime but he had managed it twice in the past few minutes.

"Sure!" Duo smiled widely. "Why not? I have no one else to hang out with on this beautiful morning! Why not enjoy it with you, buddy!" Trowa just looked at him with a strange, cautious eye as if he suspected a hidden agenda. "Is that so wrong?"

"I," Trowa paused, "don't do anything interesting in the mornings. You'd be bored."

"No I won't! I'd like to find out what you do on your time off!"

Trowa looked at him again with a very weary eye. Duo was a little curious as to why but kept on looking at him happily. Trowa shrugged again, sighed in defeat and started to walk down the hall with Duo trotting happily at his heels. Duo was a little surprised when Trowa walked into the library with no hesitation.

The two level room was almost empty this early in the morning. A few students were frantically printing and photocopying homework for their earlier classes and the librarian was replacing books on the shelves. Trowa didn't stop as he headed for one section on the fiction area. Duo shook out of his stupor and followed him quickly. He stood behind the taller boy nervously, the library was rarely this quiet on his lunch.

"This is what I came for," Trowa held up a thick novel. It had a shiny cover and the binding looked fresh. "I've been waiting for it to come in these past few weeks."

"What is it?" Duo asked, curiosity over-riding his hesitance.

"Jingo, by Terry Practett," Trowa gave a rare smile as he looked at the jumble design on the cover.

"Is it good?" Duo asked, trying to milk Trowa's talkative mood for all he was worth.

"I haven't read it yet," Trowa said, eyes not leaving the book as he opened it and started walking towards the librarian's desk. Duo followed him curiously.

"Are you taking it out?"

"Yes."

"Even if you haven't read it?"

"I take it out to read it, Duo," Trowa explained easily as he flawlessly stopped in front of the desk without looking up.

The librarian hurried over and smiled at Trowa like an old friend. She signed out the book without even asking for his card and waved them farewell as they left, the book held securely in Trowa's arm.

"We should head to class," Trowa said calmly and Duo had to hurry to keep up with his taller friend.

"What! We have lots of time, like-" the bell rang, "-never mind!"

Fortunately, Trowa knew a short cut to the English classrooms. They got into the class and into their seats well before the second bell. Sally noticed them right away.

"Mr Maxwell, could I see you after class?"

"Yes miss," Duo sighed miserably and his voice dropped. "I think she knows about yesterday."

"I believe most people know about yesterday," Trowa replied quietly as the group of girls in front of them started to talk.

"Poor Gino!" one of the girls wailed in a loud, annoying voice. "You heard what happened to him? He's in the hospital right now with three broken ribs!"

"Of awful!" of the other girls said. Duo couldn't help but notice how tight her shirt was or how much she threw her chest out so it stretched past her nose. "Silvestro too! I heard it was some girl that went bitch on them."

"They were probably trying to help her with her books and she got possessive," another girl sighed. "They're so nice. That's what I hate about this school, no body appreciates people like Gino or Silvestro or Duca! Some girls…"

The second bell rang but the class carried on with its usual chattering.

"Class, please!" Sally yelled over the noise. "Don't make me get Mr Kushrinada!"

That startled the class a little and they went to their seats but the chatter remained at a light buzz. It was enough to hear the announcements.

"Hey guys, it's Friday! It's friiiday, it's friiiday! Please stand for your national anthem," Mike's voice sang badly over the PA. The class stood for the song, then sat in medium silence to hear the announcements.

"All right! Gimme a C, C! Gimmie a H! H! Gimme a-"

"Shut up Mike! Just say the announcement!" Johnny yelled from the background.

"E! E! Another E! and an-"

There was a scuffle and some cursing before Johnny came back over. "That was Mike trying to tell you that Cheerleading is cancelled tonight! Please contact Serena if-"

"Give me back the damn mike!"

"No! You heard what VP Une was going to do to you if-"

The rest was cut off as the mike turned off, leaving the class in a giggling silence. A few seconds later it turned back on.

"Ok, we are back!" Mike said cheerfully. His voice dropped into a deep, vampire accent. "I vant to suck your blood! Come out to the gymnasium, later on to-day to donate your blood. Muhahahahah…"

"My nose," was heard pitifully in the background. Laughter was heard from the other people in the office.

"Have you ever read Fifth Business? Well, if you have, go tell Mr Yang who killed Boy and you win a free Expresso from the café! The first one to tell him wins."

Suddenly the mike was passed off and you hear Mike in the background, "I know that! Be right back!"

"Now you want to give it to me," Johnny said scornfully. "Well anyway, guys I have something important to tell you. You might want to sit for this…Are you sitting? Good, get some tissues, this is big!"

Johnny sounded all choked up. Duo was half-horrified they were going to mention yesterday but have curious.

"Last night, our football team," Duo relaxed, "WON A GAME! 24 TO 10!"

"We won a football game?" some girl was heard in the background. "Really? But our team sucks!"

"I know!" Johnny sounded overjoyed. "We got more points in that game then in all last season put together! Doesn't it make you proud? Ok, maybe not. That's all the announcements from me, handing off to Mr K now."

"Hello," Mr Kushrinada said over the PA. "There was some trouble yesterday in the halls during fifth period involving three boys and another student who still has to come forward. It appears that these boys were smoking in the hallways before the incident and we believe it lead to their injuries. I am reminding you, any smoking is to be done off of school property, that is on Smokers over the chain fence on the West end of the parking lot. Any smoking on school ground will result in suspension or expulsion. Teachers will be patrolling the halls today and next week. Have a nice day."

That little announcement left the class in a shocked sort of silence. Mike broke in with a slightly cheery thought, but it didn't melt the ice in Duo's stomach.

"And now, the Friday thought, with David Relle."

"Hey guys," a deep, calm voice came on, trying to be philosophical. "I was sitting in my house last week when my seven-year-old cousin came up to me and asked, 'Is the equator a real line or any invisible one?' I looked at her, and laughed and laughed, and hoped she would leave before I had to admit I didn't know. Have a nice day everyone."

"Let what Mr Kushrinada said be a lesson to you," she said quietly. "Now, let's get on to the lesson. I want you to start doing these questions and anything you don't finish do at home," she pointed to the board. "Now, Mr Maxwell, can I see you outside now?"

It wasn't a request. Duo gave Trowa a mournful look before standing and following Sally out to the hall. Two girls on first period spare saw them and quickly scatter, leaving them the only ones in the hall. Sally closed the door and they stepped off to the side.

"Duo-" she started, serious.

"Look, I know what you are talking about," Duo sighed and held up his hands to stop her. "It's about those guys yesterday, right?"

"Yes," she confessed. "It's about that. Were you involved?"

"Is this off the record?"

"If you want it to be, yes. I just want to true story. I talked to Silvestro about it and his story sounds very unreasonable."

"I was involved," Duo sighed. He looked at the ground and rubbed his temple. "I just got in school late and I was getting my books. They bugged me and we had a tumble. Nuthin' 'sides that."

Sally just raised an eyebrow sceptically. "Duo. Three boys are in the hospital. That's not nothing."

"Look, they just made me mad, ok?" Duo glared. "That's all there is to it. I didn't mean ta hurt 'em so bad. I'm fine now and they deserved it!"

"Duo, does this have something more to it? Something to do with another problem, a teacher perhaps…?"

"No!" Duo exploded in a panic before he realised what he was doing. Then he paused and composed himself. "Of course not. Now, if you will let me, I would like to get back to the joys of learning."

Duo opened the door to the class again and huffed to his seat, Sally a silent shadow behind him. She gave Trowa a pleading look and disappeared back to her desk. Duo opened his copy of Hamlet and buried his nose in it, reading but not absorbing a thing. Trowa sighed and put down his book, the Hamlet covering the copy of Jingo he borrowed from the library.

"Something wrong?" Trowa barely had to whisper over the general chatter of the class.

"No," Duo replied shortly, turning the page without reading it. "Damn nosy teacher, that's all. I can't believe she's asking questions about my personal life- I mean come on! She's a supply for Christ's sake! Why the hell is she caring about my damn schedule? I swear she's following me! First here, then at history and after school, damn I could almost swear she's stalking me! It's almost as bad as Dekim!"

"Mr Barton," Trowa commented, in a way that didn't expect and answer but asked one anyway.

"Yea him, we call 'im Dekim though. He's an asshole, if ya ever get 'im, switch!"

Trowa nodded in silent agreement but let Duo continue. Both their books were closed by now and while the rest of the class was ignoring them, Sally listened intently.

"He's such a damn pervert! I've tried goin' to the VP but the secretary refused to get me 'n appointment 'cause I have a bad rep."

Trowa merely raised his eyebrow in question. It was enough to get the rest of the story from Duo.

"When I was in elementary, I hung with the wrong crowd. Drugs, theft and stuff, for a few years 'fore Doro got me out. I was arrested a bit in grades six, seven and 'ginning of eight. So anytime I want something, I get denied. Sucks don't it?"

Trowa nodded sympathetically as Duo suddenly realised what he was saying. The braided boy gasped and said quickly, "I didn't say anything! Dear God, you gotta ferget everything I just told you, k? I said nothing!"

Trowa didn't nod but Duo was blushing embarrassed and slumped down in his seat. He grabbed his notebook and hid his face with it as he started to write.

//"You'd better not be lying," Duo huffed as he hurried down the stairs after the guard. "Cause if I go in there with dried drool on my face or something-"

"You don't," Wufei said, rolling his eyes when he was sure Duo wouldn't see him. They quickly made the long walk to the front hall where the new prince was waiting. Wufei paused in front of the hall. "I will announce you."

"I hate formalities," Duo sighed but let the youth go in front of him. Once Wufei had properly announced Duo, the braided prince walked through the door confidently. There was Quatre.

"Prince Duo of Maxwell," Quatre bowed from the waist, letting Duo see the mischief and amusement playing in his eyes. "It is an honour to finally meet you."

Duo merely nodded. "Well met. I hope your late arrive was not due to some family troubles. I'm afraid I have not received much on your profile."

"Not to worry, Prince Duo," the little blonde smiled angelically to the bystanders but evilly to Duo. "After all, this is the land where no one is on time."

"Prince Duo," another figure came through the hallway unanticipated. Wufei almost drew his sword before he saw it was only the cook.

"Prince Duo," she dropped into a quick curtsy, looking a bit funny in her pants. "I'm not certain if you remember me, my name is Noin. Head Advisor Zechs asked for your company immediately. It is urgent."

"Of course," Duo said, surprised. Rarely did Zechs try to talk to him. He turned back to Quatre. "I am afraid the affairs of my father's kingdom are pulling me away from your company. I do hope you a good stay. Please feel free to get acquainted with the other visiting royalty."

"Of course," Quatre bowed again. "May our paths cross again."

Wufei trailed Duo out of the room as the two quickly followed Noin to the Head Advisor's office. She opened the large wood door easily, as if she had done it many times before.

"I brought him Zechs," she said breathlessly and dropped into a chair along the table. Duo almost said something at her unlady-like behaviour but wisely decided against it.

"Excellent," Zechs stood up relieved as he hurried around the long desk. He stopped in front of Duo and said as quickly but as diplomatically as he could," Prince Duo, I have just received some news from the Catolonia Kingdom. Princess Dorothy's uncle, Baron Dekim, is coming to meet with your father. He expressed some concern that his niece is not received the hospitality he requested. He wishes to meet with you too, personally."

"Some wrinkly old man," Duo grimaced. "Can I get out of it?"

"No, I tried to tell him that you were very busy with welcoming the arrivals and choosing your partner but he specifically requested some time to talk with you."

"Well, at least Wufei will be there with me," Duo tried to console himself but was shot down.

"I'm afraid not, Lady Une, the chaperone that was assigned from the Yuy and Catolonia Kingdoms, wants to speak with Cadet Chang to gain a greater sense of our security and she has unfortunately requires his presence at the same time you will be with Baron Dekim."

"Doesn't this just scream suspicious?" Duo asked, angry.

"I know!" Zechs said and started to pace, his hands running through his long hair. Noin looked like she was going to stand up but Zechs just looked at her and she gulped. "I know. I asked Lieutenant Otto and Walker to be present, but I have no power if Baron Dekim sends them out for some reason."

"Our security is shitty," Duo said and threw his hands in the air as he glared at anybody in the room. "You are trying to tell me that there is no means to protect me if our dear Baron tries, to say, murder me? I am the only heir to this freaking throne and not to egotistical or anything, but not many people are there to replace me!"

"I know!" Zechs growled again. "Do I look so stupid to you? I will have guards posted in rooms and you must try to keep your conversations in there. If not, then I must ask you to go armed. Something may come of this and something may not. I ask you to be on your guard."

"Well, duh!"//

"Duo."

The braided boy looked up as his name was said. Trowa was tapping his lightly with his pencil on the shoulder.

"What do you want?" Duo asked, a bit annoyed that he was being interrupted.

"The bell is going to ring in a few minutes, you might want to copy your homework down."

"Oh," Duo said sheepishly and blushed a little as he copied his homework on the margin above his story. As soon as he finished the bell rang and the student quickly stood up to leave. He shoved his book sin his bag and hurried after them. Waving good bye to Trowa, he followed the decided pathways of students in the halls to his Science class. He made it there with a few seconds to spare.

Sliding beside Dorothy he looked up to see that there wasn't a teacher in front of the class. He turned and whispered to his blonde friend, "Dorothy, where's the teachers?"

"I don't know," she said back, not bothering to whisper as she leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms over her head. "And really, I don't care. We might get another spare today-"

The second bell rang and the classroom was still only half full. The door opened and Professor G walked in. He looked around, not even in the door yet and frowned.

"All right, where's the class? I wasn't aware of any retreats or school trips today," he grumbled and walked over to the teacher's desk at the front and pulled out his attendance sheet. He glanced around the room and check off a few of the names before walking over to the phone. He picked it up and the class started to chatter as they waited for him to finish. The ping to warn teachers of incoming announcements came on but the class ignored it.

"Attention students of Period 2, Academic Science with the current teacher of Professor G. I know that you are skipping. I am waiting for you. I am going to callout your names and I will repeat myself unless you decide to show up or an excuse is given. Either way, you are so totally screwed. Starting from the top-"

"He hacked into the PA system," Dorothy said awed as the class grew silent aside from some snickers as Professor G began to read off the attendance list. "I've been trying to do that for months!"

"Why can't I have a normal day?" Duo sighed and plopped his head down on his desk. Professor G finished and went back to his desk looking very smug. He let the class sit and talk for about ten minutes and glared at the students that guiltily trickled in. Fortunately, the rest of the class came in and Professor G didn't have to repeat his list. Once he was satisfied, he stood up to start and teach the class.

"Well, since those last few students so graciously decided to join us, we will now commence the lesson. My dear colleague obviously neglected to do a proper review and as a result, you will walk into this test with little preparation. Congratulations, you will now know how you deal with tests under pressure!"

"Sir! That's not fair!" one of the girls whined from the front of the room. "We weren't allowed to stay in the class yesterday!"

"Due to your own stupidity," Professor G began to pass out the tests. "Now, get cracking. I don't want to hear another peep."

"But sir-"

"Oh stuff it!" at this comment, the class gasped and several of the more sensitive members cringed.

"Sir, that was rude and uncalled for! I demand-" the girl said in a very angry yet haughty voice.

"Oh shove it up your ass! This is my class and if you feel like running back to your little mommies and complaining about how bad Professor G swore in class, I'll have to tell your mommy just how you spend those lunch periods out at Smokers."

Once again, Duo was stuck about how much he just loved this teacher. He put up with nothing yet at the same time was totally fair. The class was shocked into silence but Professor G just continued to pass out tests.

"Remember boys and girls, Jesus came to save the world," he glared at some of the people in the class. "Not Professor G. You can start now." (1)

It turned out to be a fairly easy test and Duo and Dorothy were finished with at least half an hour to spare. Fortunately, they were on the good side of Professor G and got silent permission to read, draw or do other homework before the period ended. Predictably, guess which book Duo pulled out.

//Later, Duo was sitting in his room when there was a knock at the door. It was late and he was about to get ready to sleep so obviously, he was annoyed. He took his customary stance beside the metal eye latch before opening it and asking how it was and what the hell they wanted.

"Cadet Chang Wufei!"

"Damn it Chang! Would you stop announcing yourself like that?" Duo grumbled and began to unbolt the door quickly.

"I apologise, Duo. I bear two guests, Prince Quatre Winner from the Wisha Kingdom to the deep South and Prince Heero Yuy from the Yuy Kingdoms."

"Really?" Duo flung open the door to reveal the young blonde Wish/Prince looking at Wufei's dark complex, Wufei looking highly irritated at the attention and Heero scowling at the wall beside the door. "Well, um, come in!"

The three walked through the door and took various places around the room. Heero took the chair by the desk, Wufei leaned against the wall by the door and Quatre plopped down on the bed, bouncing a few times.

"So," Duo said, still a bit too startled to be diplomatic. "Um, who wants to go first?"

"Well, I'd prefer to speak in private," Quatre said politely. "Prince Heero?"

"Heero," the messy haired youth grunted. He crossed his arms and glared at Duo with piercing eyes that made Duo's heart rate shoot up. "And I only have on question." The Prince leaned forward a little and Wufei leaning in slightly to hear better. "I saw you jump from this tower a while ago."

Duo and Quatre gulped nervously and Wufei looked startled. "You don't appear to be injured in anyway. Why?"

"Yes, Prince Duo if you will forgive my imprudence, but you do not appear to be injured," Wufei said politely but curiously. His eyes watched all people in the room.

"Um," Duo thought quickly for an answer.//

"Times up!" broke through the world Duo had so carefully set up. "Hand in your papers, then you can go," Professor G announced amid the groans, sighs and frantic scribbling. Duo and Dorothy dropped their papers on his desk and both parted to their next classes as the first bell rang. For once, Duo managed to get into the class on time.

Wufei looked at him, a little startled but sat down with a thump and sighed as his head hit the desk. Duo patted him on the back, a bit worried as his usually strong and silent friend groaned as if in pain.

"Are you ok, Wu?" Duo asked as Wufei looked up to watch the door,

"Maybe. Just watch and see if- damn." Wufei slid under his desk as a girl walked into the room. Duo watched as the girl looked around the room eagerly but sighed in disappointment. She turned and left the room, pushing several students in the process.

"Wu?" Duo asked, curiosity and fear in his voice. Curiosity out of who she was and fear that she could scare even Wufei.

"Is she gone?" he whispered, still under the desk.

"Yea-"

"Fantastic!" Wufei climbed out from under the desk and Merian walked in looking puzzled. Duo waited until she sat down on the other side of him before opening his mouth to question Wufei, but Merian beat him too it.

"Who was that red-hair running around the halls calling your name, Wufei?" she asked as the second bell rang but Mme Goulash still wasn't in the room. "She seemed pretty intent on finding you…"

"Her name is Mariemaia," Wufei blushed and slumped in his seat in shame. "She is- is- oh, what is the word? Ai."

"What!?" Merian stood up suddenly and yelled loud enough to silence the room as Mme Goulash made her appearance. "Tell me I just heard that wrong!"

"Shenme?" Wufei looked confused then he looked like he was struck by what he had just said. "Bu shi! Mei fazi! She's just a pengyou! Merian!"

The Chinese girl glared at Wufei and turned on her heel to run out of the room. Wufei looked helplessly at the door then quickly followed her out yelling, "tingting!"

The class watched for a minute before staring at Duo in question. Duo gulped then, laughed nervously, "lover's quarrel?"

"Now that the dramatics are over," Mme Goulash looked sharply at the class before slamming her teacher's manual on her desk to gain attention. "Let us get on with the lesson as we wait for those two to come back. Commencez-vous?"

(1) This scene in Science class is so close to the truth in mine, only mine was a Grade 9 class and a little less harsh! I seriously love this teacher, his name is Mr Tee and that's not an abbreviation. I had some pretty stupid people in my class. My teacher's favourite saying was, "Jesus came to save the world, not Mr Tee," and Professor G just fit so well **smiles**