BACK TO SCHOOL !

Author's Notes

Note that I don't own ANY of the characters throughout the fanfic. * sob *

Don't flame me for any pairings and there's no yaoi for you people out there ! 0_0'

***

Trowa heaved a sigh of relief as he finished typing an email back to Catherine. As he watched the Outbox folder empty, he felt a twinge of guilt as he had left out the issue of the love letter he had received from this particular Kusanagi Yuko in his own class. He hated complicating matters but something was bugging him. He seemed to know that things would blow out of proportion if he did not reveal it but somehow, right now, he wanted nothing to do with it … nor with Catherine.

" Guess I'll just have to take things one at a time. "

He peered at the pastel green envelope again beside his silver laptop and propped his chin on his hand.

[ It never really occurred to me that I'll actually be ' liked ' by another girl … ]

He chuckled quietly to himself as he found the thought amusing before he picked up the envelope and stuffed it into his school case. He would be returning it back to that Yuko and make things clear to her. Although he wasn't sure how he really felt towards Catherine, but he knew the pang of guilt was a cause to be taken seriously.

KNOCK ! KNOCK !

" Come in, the door's not locked. "

There was a slow creak as the visitor carefully opened the door.

" Quatre ? "

" Good evening Trowa, am I disturbing you ? I need to ask you something about work. "

" No, I've just finished in fact. "

" Great ! I was afraid to consult Heero, though he is supposedly good at this. "

" Hmm … mechanics ? "

" Yes. "

" I'll try my best. "

" Thank you Trowa. "

Wufei picked up the receiver and was secretly pleased when a familiar voice greeted him from the other side.

" Wufei ? This is Sally. "

" Hi … "

" How's college life ? "

" A little meaningless I must say, but I would be comfortable in this lifestyle soon. "

" Do you miss the work at the Preventers' HQ ? "

" Just a little bit … "

" Hmmmm … how about ME ? "

Wufei smirked into the phone but he couldn't help but grin. Sally laughed a little, knowing Wufei well enough to expect such a reaction from him. He would never ever admit his feelings to a woman, and more so to the woman he had affections for.

" How are you over there ? Is work stressful ? "

" Well, it's still pretty much the same. I've been allocated a new partner so workload had considerably lessened a lot, thank God … "

[ New partner ?! ]

" Oh … how is she like ? "

" HIS name is Jequés Fernando, from the L2 Colony. He seemed to have moved there not too long ago and was spotted by HQ as a potential teammate. He had been training for the past 2 years before he landed in this position. "

[ It's a HE ?!!! ]

" Is he any good ? "

" Not too bad, though he's still pretty much raw in terms of practicality. Well, rest assured that I'll get him warmed up soon. "

[ Damn, I don't want that ! ]

" Okay … just don't bully the fresher. "

" I won't ! I didn't bully YOU when you were with me. "

" You wouldn't … you're a woman and I was a Gundam pilot to boot. "

Sally laughed again and Wufei suddenly wished he could see her again.

BEEP !

" Oh shoot, I got to go now … you know what the sound means … "

" Yeah, I know … well … be careful and keep me updated. "

" Okay, see you. "

CLICK.

Wufei frowned as he slowly placed the receiver down. He was definitely NOT someone who would easily be jealous but this was a new concept to him. He had been very angry with the arrangements. He knew his own feelings although he kept them closely guarded to himself. Only Sally … only she was the one who could coax him out of his protective shell. He remembered all those times where they had gone on informal dates, having fun at the beach, squabbling over work, throwing abuses at each other, making up after that rather reluctantly, joke with each other again and the cycle just went on. It wasn't exactly a pleasant surprise when he had to accept the new mission a few months ago from Professor J … but circumstances had been suspicious and he was left with no options … as usual …

[ My life has always been this way or this way … there had never been THAT way ]

On an impulse, Wufei angrily pulled the string that held his hair together loose and ignored the long strands floating down to his shoulders. He needed to release his pent-up anger on something. Looking around, he found his old punchbag and his eyes almost glinted in anticipation. As he landed one vicious punch after another, his brain racked for a solution to this new emotion.

Heero loosened his tie as he climbed up the staircase to the 3rd storey. Flinging his school case over his shoulder, he was about to dig into his pocket for his keys when some guys from the 2nd storey stopped him.

" Hey Yuy ! Wanna join us for a pint later tonight ? "

" No, I don't drink. "

" Wow ! That's new ! Want us to teach you a few tricks ? "

" No. "

" Awww … he's so cold … "

" I heard Relena Peacecraft is attending tonight's fortnightly Big Bang Party at the ClubHouse too … wouldn't you be interested to attend ? I'm sure you wanna see her as well … we're all males … "

Heero's eyes clouded in an instance and they became silent for a while, astonished by the sudden change.

" Are you absolutely sure ? "

" Err … yeah … her friends staying with her … they … they are dragging her along this time … "

Heero's cold expression resettled into his features as he nodded curtly and went on his way to the 3rd storey, leaving the group absolutely speechless. As he turned the key in the lock to his room, Quatre stopped him.

" Heero ! Did you hear about Relena going … ? "

" Hai. "

" Oh … erm … then what do you suggest ? "

" I'm going. "

Quatre's eyes almost boggled out while Trowa, who had walked out of his room merely raised an eyebrow. They had been revising through some of the trickier parts of their workshops when they heard some loud conversation between two students standing right below Trowa's room conversing about Relena attending a party tonight.

" Really ? Our Mr No-nonsense Heero Yuy attending a student party tonight ? "

" You know it's business, Maxwell. "

Heero turned around to face Duo who had his face sticking out from his room behind him.

" Well then, I wouldn't miss it for the world ! Need any help in choosing appropriate clothings ? "

" No. "

Heero walked into his room and closed the door softly, wondering why he had made such a decision. He did not like such functions and he knew Relena shouldn't be easily persuaded to attend either. Much as he disliked the prospect, he decided to play along. After all, he wasn't here to study, he was here to carry out his mission.

Wufei humphed softly as he left his room at 8 pm sharp. He was dressed in a short white T-shirt with the logo " Dragon Rulz " in red splattered across his chest. Rummaging through his entire room, he finally settled for his army pants with black boots. For once, he did not tie up his hair so they landed equally across his shoulders. A silver chrome ring glittered on his right forefinger, the only reminder of Sally. They had bought it together at a flea market when they were in the L1 Colony for investigation purposes. Sally wore hers on the left forefinger while he decided to wear his on the right.

" Yo Wu-man ! You look very stylish ! I didn't know you were a fashion-man ! "

" Shut up Maxwell. "

Duo laughed as he locked his door. His long braid seemed to shimmer and Wufei suspected that he had used those shimmering gels they were selling in the school's store. Duo had put on a black collared short-sleeved shirt with no buttons but only a great opening on the front so that it revealed a great deal of his bod. To complete the attire, he had donned a dark tattered blue pair of jeans and Nike black shoes. A faded blue denim jacket was draped over his shoulder as he stuffed the key into his pocket. Duo had a heavily-chained silver bracelet with a name plate engraved Duo on one side and Hilde on the other, dangling on his left wrist. Hilde had a similar one, but on a more feminine-styled bracelet. They had gone to a jeweller to get the pair done, on their 3rd anniversary.

" Hey Maxwell, aren't you a little too casual ? "

" You are casual yourself. Anyway, we're dressed to bring out the uniqueness of each individual … not to merge with the crowd right ? "

Before Wufei could answer, Quatre stepped out and greeted the two cheerfully. He was wearing black tailored pants with a dark magenta long-sleeved shirt. The top 3 buttons were undone and a loose black tie was hanging itself over his neck in a very careless way. The black silk tie had the name " Quatre " initialled at the back with white thread, handmade by Quatre's sister.

Duo whistled appreciatively, causing Quatre to laugh sheepishly. Wufei had approval written over his face but he wasn't going to make any comments until he had seen everyone. Just as Quatre was about to tie his shoelaces, Trowa appeared in a very quiet manner, as though he did not want to arouse anyone's attention.

" Konbanwa Trowa ! "

Quatre called out to him and he turned around.

" Konbanwa Quatre. "

Trowa had a very simple dark grey collared long-sleeved shirt with a small pin in the left side of the collar. It was an item Catherine had found when she was touring in India. Catherine had explained that it meant " safety " in Tamil ( Indian Language ) and so she thought it was more appropriate to give it to him. Trowa never really thanked her for it but Catherine knew his intentions when he wore it unfailingly. Trowa had settled for black-coloured casual pants and black shoes, since it wasn't in his style to dress lavishly. Trowa, like Quatre had the front buttons undone so that it revealed a matching silver necklace to the pin around his collarbone. The dark attire brought out the emerald-green colours in his eyes.

" Wooh … Trowa looks hot too … "

" Duo, you're not too bad yourself. "

" Thanks, I decided to dress down today. My favourite clothes are in the laundry. "

" Yeah Maxwell, you and your MANY excuses. "

" Shut up Wu-man, I'm talking to Trowa. "

" I didn't ask you to respond. "

" Heero … "

Quatre's faltering greeting caught the attention of the bickering guys and there was silence for a while as they saw Heero stride out of his room.

" SCHOOL UNIFORM ?!! "

Duo's agonised cry could almost be heard around the planet that night. Wufei and Quatre couldn't help but grin, knowing that it was the most natural thing to expect from Heero. Trowa merely looked bored, as though he fully expected it from him anyway.

" But … but Heero … "

" I am wearing THIS to the party, Duo. "

" Relena would scream if she sees you. "

" I'm there to protect her, not dance nor talk to her. "

" But in school uniform ?! Seriously, the club authorities won't let you in. "

" He's got a point, Heero. "

The perfect soldier looked at Trowa, taking his words into consideration at once. Duo pouted silently but remained quiet.

" I'll change. "

Heero went in again and closed the door. Almost 15 minutes had passed when he came out again. This time, he had quickly whipped out a white collared long-sleeved shirt, black pants and shoes. A black velvetry sleeveless vest was hurriedly put on over his shirt.

" Heero, now you look like a waiter ! You'll be mistaken for a bouncer ! "

" That's what I wanted. "

As Heero quickly locked his door, it seemed that no one could persuade him to change anymore. Quatre had to admit that Heero still looked good in the classic attire of black and white anyway. As the fivesome made their way to the ClubHouse, they were soon joined by other groups of boisterious students, all looking for a good night-out.

Relena looked at herself in the mirror, wondering for the millionth time why she agreed to come along for the Big Bang Party. She was usually someone who avoided such events. It wasn't because she was too " high and classy " as the other girls had accused her of … but she simply wasn't one who enjoyed such outings. Her character had always been quiet and peaceful, not a night with loud rock music or rowdy crowds and elbowing people. She was perpetually forced to go since she was tired of being accused of haughty and arrogant. She couldn't help it if she had " that look in her eyes " that seemed to make a person feel small. In fact, had Relena noticed, she had the same effect as Heero had on others.

" Relena, are you ready ?? "

" Yes ! I'm coming ! "

As Relena hurriedly bust out of her room, she could feel her flatmates' eyes all trained on her. She hoped silently that she had wisely picked an appropriate attire for such an event. Ballgowns and high heeled shoes were out.

" Wow Relena ! You look smashing ! "

A quiet sigh of relief came from her as she smiled and faced her 4 flatmates, all dressed to rock and roll. She had picked out a royal dark purple blouse with a dull shimmer and a fitting white skirt coming up above her knees with a slit. She decided to wear white 3-inch shoes with knee-high clasps and her hair was tied back in a ponytail held by a matching purple hairband.

" Am I too dressed-up ? "

" Nooo Relena, you look fabulous ! Come on then, we don't want to be late for the opening ! It's a great banging one ! "

Author's Ramblings :

Finally, I got the 4th chapter up ! It had been a real hectic week for me with tutorials, horrible teachers, appointments to attend & all that stuff !

DO READ AND REVIEW OKAY ?

I don't mind even if it's just one line … ^__^ … Yes, I'm THAT desperate !