CHAPTER FOUR: Shadow of the Past
N/A: NG Evangelion is the property of GAINAX, and thankfully they made such a kickass anime, sumthin none of us could ever create so dat's why u see authors putting up these disclaimers… Wonder when ppl will start putting up disclaimers for my work… ^_^
During the afternoon students were starting to avoid Rei after her sudden outburst. Some people said they were afraid that she was mad or something but Rei would bet anything that Asuka told them to stay away from her. This hurt Rei even more but she remained strong on the outside. There were no tears on her face but no one would comfort her if there were any. It seemed as though her spines were growing longer and sharper telling people to leave her to alone.
At gym class people still kept whispering behind Rei's back. Cowards. If they wanted to insult her they might as well do it in front of her face instead of her back. Rei sat on the bleachers around the track as she could hear Asuka's loud remarks about her.
"Ayanami is such a stuck up person! Believe me I knew she'd be trouble for me when I first got here! Don't you agree?" complained Asuka loudly. The girls around her giggled and turned to glare at Rei as if she were a bomb or something. Rei just glared back. She sighed and looked over sitting across from her was Shinji. He was busy listening to his music until he noticed her. He smiled and waved at her while she immediately stared down to the ground blushed.
Shinji noticing how lonely she was, got up and walked over to her and friendly greeted, "Hi Rei. Are you okay now?"
Rei nodded silently. The both of them sat there silently until Asuka made another rude comment about how Rei didn't have a real family. She went on about how her mother was constantly getting drunk. Rei cringed as she heard those words as though each of them were coming at her with a deafening blow.
"Don't listen to them Rei," coaxed Shinji, "Asuka's just like that but you know she's not really that bad if you know her well."
Rei nodded again but his words hurt more than it did comfort her. So he did like her? She hugged her knees and hanged her head.
"I know it must hurt to hear those words so I'll let you borrow this until you feel better," said Shinji as he handed her his S-DAT player, "It's classical music. I know most people are into pop or alternative these days but I find this more comforting. Try track 25, I think you'll like it. It's my favorite one on this tape."
Rei slowly took his player from his hands. She held it for awhile looking at it then looked at Shinji a little confused.
"Just listen to it. It'll block out all the insults you hear. Instead you'll hear the music. Trust me it'll make you feel better," smiled Shinji.
Then Toji and Kensuke called Shinji over. He said goodbye leaving Rei with his S-DAT player. She put on the headphones setting it to track 25 cranking the volume to max and listened to the music surround her. It was so soothing she closed her eyes listening to song. She was so deep into the music that she didn't notice that the rest of the class was already ready. The coach had to shake her to stop listening while the rest of the class laughed at her.
As they ran around the track Rei kept listening to the music thinking back to her past. It sounded just like the music her father used to play on his violin. She loved the sound of that violin. It was so beautiful. Too bad it didn't resemble him Father…
"You worthless excuse for a woman!"
SLAP!
Rei's mother lay on the floor crying hopelessly. The floor beneath was covered in a puddle of blood and tears.
"I've tried! I really have but you don't care! I'm the one who cooks, cleans, and served you like a wife should! I thought we could make this work!" screamed her mother.
"Lilith there is no "we" or "us" anymore!" her father yelled back.
"No…what about Rei?"
"Rei means nothing to me now. She's a mistake created from a accident like you and I'm ashamed that I'm part of her even existence," her father replied coldly.
A mistake. She was just a freak accident like her mother? Traitor. He's a mistake for ever being a father. Why did he have to be in her life? Rei wished she never she never knew such wretched man.
With all these emotions Rei couldn't control herself. She felt weak. It wasn't right that she had to suffer. She tried to fight it, but her memories kept seeping through into her heart. Rei froze and collapsed. Before she faded away she felt herself make contact with the ground with screaming in the distance.