It took a few days, but thankfully she was able to go through each class without awkwardly pausing in the doorway as everyone filed into the room. It was getting easier and easier to ignore those and just think of them as normal classmates. She was finding it simpler to not let herself worry what those around her thought. All she had to do was remind herself that these people didn't know her, she wasn't staying longer than half a year, and she had Kevin...she didn't need anyone else.

A small smile graced her lips. They were closer than she and Willow would ever be...this was just how she wanted a loving sibling relationship. But he wasn't her brother; he was her mother's brother's son. Her cousin, and only her cousin.

She was grateful to have Kevin in her life, irregardless of what he might think. She didn't know how she'd be able to survive going to each new school - minus the language barrier - if he wasn't with her. Or home each night to speak with about the horrors and harshness of homework...or to know what she went through everyday. Flittering around the world so much, far too much to be considered normal, and going to so many new schools was intimidating. She learned early on that letting Kevin take the reigns with his cool, polite attitude while she sat back and attended, was the way to go. She would do the homework as she was able and let him translate into whatever language she didn't know as necessary.

Yes...she WAS grateful. It was a thankful miracle he stuck around. She knew they fought maybe a dozen times a month, mostly about the same topic. He didn't have to put up with her if he didn't want to. He had a loving family to go back to, a school and studies of his OWN to work through. But he stuck around, knowing she needed it the most.

She felt tears come to her eyes and blinked them back. She was in school for heaven's sake! Her face quickly lowered to allow her bangs and shoulder-length hair to flow around her face. She would NOT cry...she would not allow ANYONE to see her cry! She learned early on that crying was useless and tried to stop herself whenever possible now. There was rarely a moment when she had a true and lengthy cry over the situation in her life. Nowadays, she only managed a few dozen tears before forcing herself to get over it.

Her head shook as she forced attention back to the English paper she was copying down from Japanese. It had to be in her writing, as stipulated from the teacher, so Kevin copied her writing into the needed language, and she was copying it in back into her own. It was SO annoying, but the teacher argued that there'd be no way to tell whose paper was whose. And as long as she went to this school, she would apply the rules and abide by them. So...the long way it was then... Eyes darkened as she bent down and continued on, trying to forget the outside world and concentrate.

There was so much on her mind anymore, more than she could block out. The worse was those five that kept sitting with her at lunch every day, like there was an invitation. She didn't WANT them sitting near her and Kevin. They made her uncomfortable, since they knew she was able to speak to them and understand. The three knew she spoke English, and visa versa. So now, it wasn't as easy to pretend she didn't understand. Now, she was labeled more a snob than a foreigner.

Her eyes quickly shot up to the aisle next to the window...where one of those five sat. Thankfully, they were no longer sitting next to each other in the middle of English class. At least the teacher wasn't strict enough to keep her from sitting in the back... She gave the back of his bent head a narrowed, confused look before turning to her paper. She didn't understand him...didn't understand ANY of them really. She knew the other three were simply offended that she ignored them like they were the plague. It was easy to keep THEM away. The blonde didn't even bother to introduce himself.

Her jaw minutely clenched as she remembered the look in his eyes her first day at lunch. Completely indifferent, if not a little curious at her being here. She knew there was no point in trying to feel anything toward his behavior, but now...unlike that day...it wasn't so easy. It wasn't easy to not notice those five...especially when the only one who bothered to introduce himself AND offer to see them home still smiled and waved at her on occasion. That Kento Rei Faun was too cheerful to turn away from and she found her resistance wearing down. He just seemed too cheerful to her for her not to like.

~*~*~

Gym thankfully passed without any embarrassing moments. They changed games to open gym since Friday, something she quickly found out. It was nice to know, and she finally got to do something SHE wanted to do for once. She shut her locker door in the girl's dressing room and blankly stared at it. God forgive her at those looks she got...

Walking with Kevin in that totally uncomfortable uniform to the normal lineup, she eyed those three already in line and quickly averted her eyes. She wasn't going to look at them...it would make her situation less uncomfortable. She knew the two were angered at her behavior, but she wasn't going to explain herself for them. It would take hours to explain every detail that was pertinent to her story, and she wasn't going to give them the privilege of listening to her pour her heart out. If they even bothered.

But, as she stood and started stretching with the others, it was hard to NOT feel a little guilty, or feel one set of those eyes drilling into her back. Their eyes...so intense for a simple teenager...

The raven boy had such unique, beautiful eyes. She wasn't going to doubt and lie to herself on that obvious fact. The only problem was, right now, they were scornful toward her.

That visible violet of the unnamed blonde...HIGHLY interesting. It was so strange to see someone of native Japan with his looks. Many she came across in this school held black hair and black or brown eyes. He and the other four seemed to be marked in that aspect.

The last one in her class...the one who'd been slightly friendly no matter what she did. His eyes were trustworthy and open, with barely a hint of insult. He was such a kind soul, she wondered why he didn't give up with her already. Everyone else in this school did, as part of her mind planned.

After stretching was done, Kevin whispered today was free gym...and they'd be okay as long as they did something. She blinked and stared as some gave a few happy cries before the few dozen broke into smaller groups and headed for the supply closet. As it slowly sunk in that she could do anything relative to gym, as long as she was doing something, a slow smile appeared.

Yes! After the morning she had, unable to get through math or any English work done, that was just what she wanted to hear!

After telling Kevin what she wanted to do, getting a smirk, she looked around for a non-crowded spot. There didn't seem to be too many, and she headed for the teacher with hope. After she finished dragging Kevin with her and told him what she wanted and he translated, there was a simple nod from the teacher, if not a little slow to agree. She grinned, unable to contain her excitement. With another question translated to Japanese, they were directed from the gym and to another room directly across the hall. So great was her exuberance, that she didn't even pay the wondering looks any mind.

The room was for martial arts, and in that respect, it was thinly padded on every inch of the floor. She walked in and blinked in glee, looking for the radio. There was none. Her shoulders slumped a little from getting her hopes up too high, but she turned. With another translation to the teacher, the woman was thoughtful for a second before giving a short nod. She said something to Kevin, who reported that she had a small cd player in her office for classes.

She grinned and seconds later, the teacher left to go fetch it. That done, she started removing her slippers, leaving her in white socks on the mats.

Seconds later, the teacher deposited the cd player next to the wall and Kevin plugged it in for her. He thanked the teacher and reported that she'd check in on them later to make sure they were behaving. She, in the meantime, was already on the floor, doing leg stretches.

He flipped through the stations but, being all Japanese, gave up and left it on an upbeat song. She looked up with a smile when he sat down directly in front. She knew what he was going to help with. Swinging both legs out as wide as they would go, she held hands out for him to take. His feet, thankfully without slippers, pressed against her calves as he leaned back, feet pushing her legs apart even more. It was designed to help her get a better butterfly stretch, and she was weary to find she wasn't able to fully do the splits anymore.

After ten minutes of Kevin helping her with various stretches, and along with a few warm-up moves, he flipped around the stations again to find her a song to dance to. Throughout her middle school year, she was knowledgeable in dance squad back in her country, and many of the others. She was unable to practice due to her busy schedule with looking after Willow...so this was a rare treat she was NOT going to pass up.

As she stood waiting while a string of commercials finished up and the D.J. finish talking, she tried to think of the best dance to do. There were many she had to learn since she started, and still remembered most of them. There was just so many to choose from...

The talking stopped and the high tech staccato beat of an electronic keyboard started, giving her the rhythm and the instinct. The dance sequence came to her without thought. As soon as the beat came from the music, she just did. It was easy to do and easy to get caught up in. It didn't look right with her being the only person doing the moves, but she was able to overlook that while doing something she loved. Hand moves, dips, leg twists, an occasional complicated movement...they were all easy to get lost in.

She had a passion for music, but not all music. Musically, she was language biased to most of it, since she couldn't understand it. There was no point in listening to something she couldn't understand, and probably never would. But the stopping point was instrumental and choir. Music that didn't have lyrics were her favorite. It was universal that way, and her passion.

It was hard to stop when the song did, though she didn't want to continue without a catalyst. An entirely different song popped up and ruined the moment. She stopped in one of the ending moves, figuring that was good enough, and tried to catch her breath. It was sad...not only could she not do the splits anymore...she couldn't even do one routine without her old stamina!

After moving somewhat sweaty bangs from her eyes, she looked to Kevin for his approval and froze...eyes widening. One drawback at getting into the dance zone...she didn't know anyone else existed. At least half a dozen pairs of eyes crowded the open door, instructed by the teacher to be kept open, and stared. Watched her performance.

A fierce blush covered her face, heating ears and neck. She knew she looked horrible, even redder from the exertion. What an embarrassment! Not only were there people she didn't know, but two pairs blue crowded the doorway...a pair of intense violet spotted over someone's head against the other wall. The strangest thing was...the blue sets didn't look as irate or offended for some reason...more amused and interested...

She startled from a hand on her shoulder. Jumping with a small cry, she whirled around and gasped upon finding Kevin standing behind her. "Kevin?!" She cried, quickly covering her mouth. "¡¿Qué está HACIENDO aquí?!" What are you DOING here?! This was the girls' LOCKER room! He KNEW that!

"Everyone's gone for lunch." Kevin muttered. A wry smile graced his face. "The place's empty...so get those thoughts outa your head." That hand still on her shoulder, he directed her to the main doors. "You were spacing out and the teacher knew I'd be waiting directly outside so she let me come in."

She deeply blushed again and kept her gaze to the floor. She was not going to tell him what she was just thinking about! She was already mortified ENOUGH! She kept quiet as he tugged her around the crowds and to the table they started claiming as theirs. In such close vicinity to the café, it was easy to get to it...even if she did space out and cost them five minutes. They got there before almost everyone else did and claimed it for themselves. Save for the five...

She harshly swallowed and set her bag on the table with a thud. It was like she suddenly lost her grip. Ignoring Kevin's look, she reached in for her lunch and sat down. Not even a minute later, people poured through the doors like water from a glass and claimed a seat.

She idly chewed on an apple and stared at a Hispanic novel...one of her favorites. She found out early on that the best way to keep ignoring those five, without making them any angrier than they already were, was to make it look like she was engrossed in something. Simple...if her mind wan't preoccupied so much to get past the second sentence.

What was she going to do when those eyes directed her way again?? It was liable that all would look at her today, knowing one of her deep secrets; her love for dancing. That was NOT something she wanted to share...but she let her mind be too easily clouded and not think of every contingency that would keep her from being watched. She was now thankful for being so able to get in the 'zone' as she had. If she noticed the group, who probably wondered about her even more, in the beginning...she would've screwed up and slipped. Embarrassing herself was going to be custom around here it seemed, but she wanted to keep it MINIMAL.

~*~*~

Before she knew it, fifth period biology ended and she thankfully escaped with Kevin from class. Though she didn't hate science as she did math, she just wanted the day over with. One last period before the two could leave early for home...

She smiled and clutched the book bag strap, her steps a little lighter. General art, something else she was good at. Art in all forms was easy, considering it didn't require language. She was fine with whatever topic as long as no language was involved. The smile turned grim as she stared at the linoleum underneath. Many would consider her a mute if - what Kevin reported from the murmurs at lunch - word around school was that she was a rich foreign girl.

The only thing she could attribute the rich comment was from Kevin mentioning to the three about their living arrangement. But they didn't look like the type to blab secrets to anyone, so she assumed it was from Kevin's fancy clothes. She fought not to roll her eyes as she stole a subtle look at another suit he wore once again. One of these days, she was going to hide all of those stupid suits!

She stopped just outside the doorway when her eye caught some display art behind glass. She was instantly captivated by the ingenuity of some students and after pulling away from Kevin's tug, telling him to get to their seats and she'd be there shortly. She HAD to see the latest art!

Her eyes drank up chalk pastels, ink drawings, a few abstract sculptures, and watercolor paintings. She shifted and kneeled on the ground to see the bottom half. Everything was so beautifully done...she had to give credit to those that did this, even if they did go to this school!

After a quick check to her watch, also that instinct whispering she'd better get going, she gave a small sigh in the almost empty hallway and stood. With a last, longing look to the watercolors, she gave a brief smile and turned...right into a brick wall.

She stumbled backward, a little stunned at actually hitting something than from pain. It effectively off balanced her and arms flailed. No good...the weight of her backpack and the foot in the air didn't allow her to stand. Unable to get her balance as she tilted backward to the glass cases, she noticed a school uniform as a hand shot out and grabbed her arm. Her mind was surprised to find the grip wasn't Kevin's, who she figured would come out and pull her inside. She quickly looked to the person, into two visible eyes, knowing this was JUST not her day!

When he let go, a hand went to her nose, where she bumped it on what she assumed his chest. She looked up at him, hating to be so short. Yup...she stood and smashed right into him alright! How embarrassing! Suddenly she felt shorter than her five foot five. She wanted to crawl into her backpack and hide when she realized he was one of the five at their table.

She looked up to his face, seeing that blonde hair, and eyes locked with his. She blinked at being able to see both, until he fixed his hair from the scuffle. She couldn't help but stare. He had such gorgeous eyes! She'd never SEEN violet before! Now she knew what the romance novels said when they stated 'eyes a person could lose themselves in'.

It was a tense moment. But what could she do? She felt like a fool and two inches tall at this moment. She looked down and bit her lip. Still...she DID bump into HIM. "Lo siento." When he just stared at her, a brow twitching, she knew she'd have to repeat it. "Gomen nasai..." I'm sorry.

She was sorry such an awkward occurrence ever happened. He didn't look as happy it happened as she did. It was also the first apology she gave to anyone in this school.

If he was going to say something, the bell drowned out his words, startling them both. She looked into the classroom, gave him an even look, and started heading in. Just inside the threshold, thankful the hall in front led to the classroom and not too many people saw what happened, a voice stopped her. "It's okay."

She stopped and looked over her shoulder, eyes a little wide. Did he know she spoke English?? The only ones to've told him were the three that already knew... Was it possible they said something? If the five were friends, that was possible...

She just stared at him, giving off the impression she didn't understand. Maybe it was true...there was a cool expression in his eyes - if not uncomfortable - that she didn't know was there. As if he weren't troubled about her in the slightest...like he didn't care.

"Epi! Come ON! The bell rang. Are you DEAF??"

Her head whipped around to find Kevin nearly stomping over and stopped upon seeing her look. He looked behind her and eyed the reason for her still being in the hall, and looked back, eyes questioning and curious.

Knowing she was caught, since her 'interpreter' wouldn't use any language she didn't know, she glared. Even if the violet-eyed guy didn't know she spoke English...he did NOW. What was the point in pretending anymore?? They probably ALL knew! She nearly stomped to Kevin and stopped inches from his face.

"DROP it." She lowly growled, almost hoping the boy behind her didn't hear. There was still a pretense he was just naïve enough for Kevin to know so many languages he hadn't switched in time for her to understand. But that was taking it JUST a little far. She pushed past him and dropped her bag on the table before nearly stalking to her desk.