Run(A)Way

By: Tainted Fire

-Chapter One-

"Rika? Could I speak with you for a moment?" Ms. Takenouchi asked as the rest of the students filed out the classroom.

"Yeah. What is it?" Rika replied shortly.

"Well, I'm just trying to give you a fair warning. The other teachers might not appreciate your outbursts when they are giving class. I realize that in this different setting you'll be experiencing some difficult times, but please understand it's not everyday when one meets a celebrity."

"Thanks for the advice, I'll keep it in mind," she returned sarcastically. The calculus teacher frowned slightly, but said nothing.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow, Rika. Good-bye now! And you too, Mr. Taichi!"

Taichi grinned and pulled off his sunglasses. He took Sora's hand, kissing it briefly. "A pleasure meeting you Sora, and just call me Tai." He winked and joined Rika, who was impatiently waiting by the door.

Once out in the hall, Rika exclaimed, "What was all that about?"

"What are you talking about? Ms. Takenouchi or the bathroom?"

"BOTH! Are you here to completely ruin my life worse than it already is? I can't stand this for much longer!"

"C'mon Rika! You know I have to do my job. And I promise not to embarrass you in front of your classmates, okay? Can't a guy flirt a little?" All the response he got was assorted grumbles. "Well, what class is next?"

"English in room 362." The pair walked down the hallway full of jittery, chatting teenagers not communicating for several moments.

"So do you still have to go to the bathroom?"

Rika sent a cool glance his way before running into someone's back. Coincidentally, it was Ryo from her first period class. He spun around and smirked. "Looks like you're a bit more graceful on the runway, Ice Princess."

"Well if there weren't idiots like you standing in the middle of the hallway, I wouldn't have bumped into you!" Rika growled.

"Oh don't mind Ryo," a girl said dismissing the good-looking boy. "Hi, my name's Jeri! You must be Rika, right?" The teen in question shook her head affirmatively. "Welcome to our school! Are you having trouble finding your way?"

Now that she thought about it, Rika had no clue as to where her next class was. "A little," she admitted uncomfortably.

"Well, let's see what your next class is" Jeri stood next to Rika to look at her schedule. "We've got next hour together! If you walk with us, we'll be heading that way too."

"Okay, thanks," Rika said awkwardly. She expected Jeri to ask a question to the extent as So what's it like being a super-model?' but it never came.

"Oh, by the way, this is Takato," a boy with messy light-brown hair and goggles waved cheerfully, "and this is Henry," a small, reserved smile came from the navy-haired boy, "and Kenta and Kazu they never stop playing card games," she ended with a sigh.

The two last mentioned were arguing about a particular card. "No way! I wouldn't trade a pathetic Renamon for a Stingmon any day!" the one with a visor on his head exclaimed.

"Renamon is worth it! Please, Kazu?" Kenta whined.

"No way, dude! That card doesn't even evolve to anything!"

"Well, I've had enough of this. Let's get to class before we're late!" Jeri suggested. The small group made their way to the classroom with Jeri and Rika in front, Jeri talking nonstop and flanked by Taichi (whom Kenta and Kazu seemed to admire goofishly).

"And don't try any of the taco salad, it might look good, but last month Shin got food poisoning from it!" Jeri went on.

Rika laughed to herself and smiled outwardly. She's so happy. How can anyone be that happy? Rika thought incredulously.

Tai bit back a smile; he was having entirely too much fun seeing Rika with this girl. Who knows, she might be good influence on Rika

Once they reached the English room, the teacher stopped Rika and handed her some papers. "I'd like you to get these signed by your parent or guardian. Get them back by tomorrow. Sit in the first desk in the front that is empty."

Rika knew from the demands of the teacher, he wasn't going to be one to look forward to. She handed the papers to Taichi, who proceeded to fill them out. Mrs. Nonaka had Taichi and Rika's grandmother as her guardians ("just in case mom kicks the bucket" Rika overheard once).

"If you remember from our last discussion, we would be working on poetry. For the warm-up today, write a free-style poem."

After some time, the male teacher stopped everyone. "Let's read our poems aloud. How about we hear one from our new celebrity, Ms. Nonaka?"

Rika grit her teeth and stood up in front of the students.

"We are the scrapped generation,

Forgotten, despised, and forlorn.

Our parents took pills not to have us;

A third of us never got born.

Don't ask why we're sullen or angry;

You never could handle the truth.

Just ask what you've done

To your daughter or son.

Just ask what you've done to your youth."

[AN: I found this poem in the book Firestar by Michael Flynn.]

Ryo studied the girl in the front of the class, sitting down from her stunned audience. Maybe there's more to her then I thought maybe she's just alone? He ran a hand through his chestnut colored hair and thought he should apologize. She probably is trying to live like a normal teenager I really was too rough on her, I should say I'm sorry. Besides, Jeri likes her well enough.

Nothing eventful happened during Rika's next to periods, but she was becoming sleepy by her lunch period. She found an empty table to sit at and Taichi sat across from her.

"I'm going to get some food, do you want anything while I'm up?" Tai asked.

"I don't want anything, not that hungry. But I'll go and get a coke for myself."

"Okay, but don't go wandering off without me," he scolded mockingly.

Rika rolled her eyes and took out her wallet. She walked over to the vending machine and read the label saying: Takes coins, 1s, and 5s.

Oh spare me! I don't have any pocket change! She glanced down at the credit cards and fifty-dollar bills.

"You need help?" a voice asked her. She turned her head to see Ryo, who was grinning playfully.

"No, for your information, I rather die of thirst."

"Listen Rika, I just want to say I'm sorry for this morning. Okay?"

"Okay, whatever"

"Here," he handed her two quarters, "you owe me tomorrow." He smiled at her once more and walked back to his group of friends.

Rika rolled her eyes and pushed the coins in the slot. Wow. My first money-borrowing transaction. Woo-pee, she thought sarcastically. She headed back to the table with her coke and Taichi sat back down with a tray full of food. Rika stuffed her wallet back in her bag and pulled out two piles of Digimon cards.

"Aw Rika! Right now? Isn't that kind of embarrassing?"

"No."

"Can't you find someone else to play with?"

"You're the only one I've ever battled Tai, get over it. I don't think Ms. Takenouchi has this lunch anyway," she teased lightly.

"Okay," he sighed in defeat, picking up his card deck. They each shuffled their decks and drew cards.

By now, a few kids began gathering around the two and some (namely Kenta and Kazu) taking bets on the winner.

"Ha! You're in for it now!" Taichi declared putting down an Agumon card. Rika rolled her eyes and put down her trademark card, Renamon.

"Going for trademarks? I might as well too," the strawberry-haired girl said airily.

[10 minutes later]

(Because TF doesn't know how to play the game ,)

"Holy crap! He evolved the Agumon to Metalgreymon!" Kenta exclaimed in disbelief.

"Yeah, that puny Renamon doesn't stand a chance," Kazu added.

"I don't know guys she might have something up her sleeve," Ryo commented.

Rika drew a card and smirked. "You're finished."

Rika put down a biomerge digivolution card, turning her Renamon card into a higher level than the Metalgreymon of Tai's.

Kazu looked astonished and nearly screamed, "That card is like so rare!"

"I win, Tai." Taichi hung his head in mock defeat, then gathered his cards in a pile.

Rika pulled all her cards together and soon noticed the particularly large crowd around her and Taichi.

"Wow! That was amazing!" Kazu exclaimed. "I bet you could even beat Ryo!"

The strawberry-haired girl flushed from puzzlement and continued gathering her cards. It's only digimon I've never gotten attention from just playing cards something I actually enjoy, she thought suddenly.

"Nah, even with those cards, I could still beat her," Ryo claimed offhandedly.

A new voice scoffed, "Don't you think playing cards is so childish?" A girl with long sky-blue hair and stunning emerald colored eyes pushed her way through the crowd with three other girls at her side. "Oh, my gosh! Rika Nonaka, the super-model is playing with digimon cards! You're so like, weird in person."

"And who the hell are you?" Rika demanded.

"I am the daughter of Sugiki Harfon, multi-millionaire," she stressed.

"Like money has anything to do with anyone."

Ignoring Rika's comment about money, she continued, "I am the heiress to his fortune, I am Winona Harfon."

"Big frickin deal, so you have money. Nobody cares about your opinion," Rika scowled.

"You should care about my opinion, my father could buy you and sell—"

"Excuse me? Who exactly do you think you're talking to?"

"Some pathetic model wanting to lead a "normal life" you're insane, most people would kill to be a model. Not like you who has to go off from the perfect life—"

At about this time, Rika had heard enough from Winona. She leapt from her seat and punched the girl in the face. Winona flew back from the unexpected force and landed on her side. Rika was about to go through with a follow-up kick, but someone held her back.

"Let me go!" Rika struggled under the other person's stronger grip. She flung her head back to see Ryo as her captor and Taichi standing on the sidelines unsure of what to do. "Get off of me!"

"Calm down, Rika!" Ryo whispered frantically to her. "You don't want to get in trouble, do you?"

"I don't care! Taichi, get him off me!"

But before Tai could do anything, some of the teachers began breaking up the crowd. That, however, did not stop Winona from lunging at Rika, attempting to claw at her. She managed to scrap Rika on her cheek, drawing blood, but Taichi had that covered, and grabbed the enraged teen before she could inflict any more damage.

The principle strut briskly into the cafeteria and observed the scene before her. "Winona, Rika, Ryo, to my office. Now!"

Ryo released Rika, as Taichi released Winona and all four followed the normally calm instructor to her office.

"I don't have to hear anything from any of you, all three will have a weeks worth of detentions starting today after school. If anything else like this happens, the consequences will be more severe."

Ryo began to protest, "But I—"

"I don't want to hear it. My decision is final."

"Ma'am, maybe you should really listen to the boy, he didn't have anything to do with this," Taichi explained.

"Really! A professional like yourself, Mr. Kamiya?" the principle sound aghast. "How dare you tell me how to run my school? I do believe you should not be taking sides in this matter, even if it is against your own protectee."

Ryo shot a look of gratitude towards Taichi, even though he didn't change the matter.

"Now then, you are dismissed."

Winona shot Rika a venomous glare before heading out the door quickly.

Stupid Missy Rich Bitch I'll get her back.

Once outside the office, Rika yelled at Ryo, "Why did you hold me back, jerk?"

Ryo raised an eyebrow and asked, "I assumed you wanted to make a good first impression, didn't you?"

"Listen pal, don't ever assume anything about me ever again. Got that?"

"Well, I was only trying to help" the brunette trailed off.

"I don't need your help," she shot back.

"Come on Taichi, let's go."

"Go where?" Taichi asked confusedly.

"To my next class, stupid!"

"Which is?"

"It's history in room 564."

"Hey," Ryo said cheerfully, "that's my next class too!"

"Oh brother" Rika muttered.

"I'll show you where it is," he offered.

"I told you already, I don't need your help!"

"Maybe we should follow him" Tai murmured.

"Fine," she growled warningly, "but don't think I couldn't have gotten there on my own."

"Come on, it's this way." Ryo started down a hallway with Rika and Taichi trailing him. "So Rika" the teen boy began. "Where did you learn to punch like that? That was pretty amazing for a girl, and considering your background"

"I have to defend myself sometimes," Rika replied dryly. "It's not all make-overs and dresses for models."

"Oh I see. I enjoyed watching you and your bodyguard's digimon battle. That was some strategy." He received no reply. "Say do you think we might be able to get together and play digimon cards some time? It might be fun."

"No, I don't think so."

"Okay, well you're probably busy and all, so I understand. Here we are! Mrs. Koli's world history class. She's a lot of fun, you'll probably enjoy it."

"Don't assume anything," Rika grumbled while passing Ryo through the doorway.

"Oh hello there! You're my new student, aren't you? Well have a seat next to Ryo, since you're both late. Which is there a reason for?"

"Yeah, we were in the principal's office," Ryo explained wearily.

"Oh my, whatever for?"

"That's not really any of your business," Rika said quietly as she sat down next to the happy-go-lucky boy who seemed too perfect.

Why am I already stuck with him on the first day in this hellhole? Rika thought frustratingly.

"Now, as I was saying, for the next month, each one of you is going to work with a partner to do an economics assessment. You'll plan out a shop or a similar work area and "run" it, pay "taxes", and will be graded by your success and shop detail. There are things you must research and buy, which are listed on the sheet on your desk. Now you can find a partner by yourselves, but choose carefully! Sometimes you won't work well with your friends. Okay, go!"

People scrambled around, wanting to get to their friends first.

Ryo flashed Rika a dazzling smile. "See? Told you this class was fun."

"Whatever"

Taichi leaned down and whispered in Rika's ear, "You should get a partner before you're forced to be with someone."

"I'll be forced to be with someone whether I choose or it's the leftover," Rika sighed in annoyance.

"Okay, does everyone have a partner?" Mrs. Koli asked.

"No," came from Rika and another girl. She wasn't very good-looking and she had no fashion sense whatsoever (not that Rika cared anyway).

"Well there you go! Maki and Rika can be partners."

Involuntarily, Rika stole a glance over at Ryo for some reason and he gave her a grin and a thumbs-up.

An odd place to stop, but hey

Koji Imate: Thanks!
19rika: Will do.
Ruki Kamiya: Glad you like it!
Baby Angel Wings: Lol, some demands, eh? I'll go check out your fics, kay? ^_^
Arabella Silverbell: Thanks!
Sonydjsnmix: Thanks! Glad you're enjoying it. ^_^

Well, I have a cello thingy tonight, but I'll be working on this fic tomorrow... so tell me what you think!
~TF tainted_fire@hotmail.com
AIM: taintedfire11

*waves to Junbug* ^^