By: Fire's Tempest
Author's Note—I have taken my original story and completely rewritten it, keeping the main plot line though…Just for those who think this story sounds familiar—but I did change some of the plot and OC's past around a bit.
Disclaimers—Gundam Wing does not belong to me nor has it ever. The characters, in part, are only being used for non-profitable purposes.
Staring up at the building, the girl couldn't help but wonder why she had chosen such a drab place to be. The stones on the side of the building were cracking and weather stained, though all in all, the building was uniform. In the middle of the area stood the main school, while at either side were two smaller buildings, obviously the dorms.
Letting out a sigh, she shook her head as strands of silver hair fell in her face. Not wasting any more time, she decided to enter and take on, in her opinion, one of the most menial tasks known—attending high school.
Once inside, she cast a glance around, though nothing in particular caught her eye as she moved on. Her stance was very relaxed; her head slightly bowed forward, her eyes trained on the floor in front of her and her pace relatively quick. Moving right along, her eyes caught sight of others staring at her, though she paid them little mind, keeping her head down.
Picking up on the sound of quickened footsteps, she instinctively tensed, in a way, bracing herself for anything that was to happen. Just at that moment, she was thrown forward with a rough shove from behind, throwing her off balance. However, she caught herself on the wall next to her. Quickly turning her eyes upward, she caught sight of a frantic looking teenager turning the next corner.
He had a chestnut braid trailing behind him as he sprinted the other way, not even casting a glance to the girl he ran into. His brilliant violet eyes had been trained forward like hers were just moments before. Seeming to be struggling with his small stack of books and disorganized papers, he moved on at his hasty pace.
Her eyes had been fixed to where he was, having a cold glaze about them. After a moment or two, she pushed herself from the wall and continued on her walk to the office, going to get signed in and get put in her class.
* * * *
Duo shifted uncomfortably in his seat, he just now catching his breath. Apparently, his watch was wrong, he having thought he was going to be late—again. Giving an agitated sigh, he pulled at the collar of the tight uniform, his eyes fixed to the front of the room as he waited impatiently for class to begin.
He felt like such a jerk. Fidgeting with the end of his braid, he couldn't help but think of the girl he ran into before, never even thinking to stop and apologize. A grin spread over his lips as he decided to forget about it as he turned to his fellow comrade, thinking he should take his mind off earlier.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Heero cast him a death glare, his arms folded in their usual way across his chest. The words died even before they could be thought up as he turned back to the front of the class, giving a child-like pout. His eyes never left the teacher's desk as he began to tap his foot anxiously, wanting class to start and be over with.
After a few more minutes, the door swung open as an elderly woman walked in with a half-hearted smile across her face. Old age was apparent on the woman, though her eyes were still a warm, kind brown. A beautiful girl, looking to be no older than Duo or Heero, had followed her to the center of the room. Her long, silver hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail and her deep, sapphire eyes calm and collected. Hands clasped behind her back, she moved forward, slowly turning to look over the rest of the class. There was something about her that made the girl uniform just not suit her. Eyes moving over the faces of the students, they fell upon a dumbfounded Duo staring at her from the top row. She held her gaze to him for a long while before looking around once more before the teacher finally spoke.
"Students, I would like you all to meet our newest addition to the class room." Turning towards the girl again, the teacher gave her a warm smile and signal for her to introduce herself.
She didn't hesitate at all, seeming to keep herself composed the entire time as she said, her voice firm, yet not boisterous, "My name is Heather Gracin. It's a pleasure to be here." The teacher nodded with another smile before pointing up towards the seat in front of Duo.
"There Miss Gracin. Take your seat in front of Mr. Duo Maxwell. I'm sure he'll be happy to help you in any way that he can." Giving a graceful bow, Heather walked up to take her seat, not throwing but a glance to Duo.
She folded her hands on her desk, looking forward as the teacher began to start on the lesson. Only listening with half an ear, she couldn't help but be slightly distracted by the eyes burning into her back. However, she brushed it off as she endured the class. From time to time, she'd be pulled out of her reverie of thought as the teacher asked her to read from the text book or answer a question, though she never seemed to have a problem keeping up, though her mind seemed elsewhere.
* * * *
As the class was dismissed, Duo ran after the girl, grabbing her by her shoulder and turning her so she was facing him. She regarded him silently, her eyes cold and uncaring. He sputtered for a moment before composing himself slowly. Taking a deep breath, he looked right at her, saying, though his words were a bit rushed, "Listen. I'm really sorry about this morning, but I thought I was late and I didn't need another tardy for class. I would have turned around and apologized, but my watch was wrong ya' see? I mean…I'm just sorry for running into you this morning." He took another breath before pulling himself together slowly.
All the while, she stood there, silently nodding to his words as though they meant something to her. She said rather casually, her voice calm and unwavering, "It's alright. Don't worry about it." With that, she collected her things and moved on, silently regarding him again before walking towards her next class.
Standing with another astonished look upon his face, Duo looked after her, without any words to speak for once. He took a moment before shaking it off. Something odd hit him, causing him to feel as though he knew her from somewhere. Once again, he took a moment to ponder, only to be pulled from his thoughts by a rough tug at his arm. Heero had obviously been watching his thoughtful trance, deciding it best that they aren't late for their next classes.
~*~
Fire's Tempest: So—what did you think so far? Please review…I would really appreciate it.