Chapter — 1
Disclaimers—Gundam Wing does not belong to me nor has it ever. The characters, in part, are only being used for non-profitable purposes.
Warnings—some violence and language issues.
Gym—one of the most crucial (though rather ironic) subjects in school. It wasn't one that she had cared much for; she thought it was simple menial tasks over and over again, one person trying to out-do another. It was pointless in her eyes, though she went along with it, deciding it better to just endure.
She looked down at the uniform with slight disgust, though the expression didn't show over her face, leaving her with just a cold and composed stare as she looked over her form. Brushing the disgust from herself, she walked up towards the instructor, just bowing lightly before introducing herself.
Giving a nod, the instructor pointed towards the courtyard. "Well miss, you can show me some of your skills right now. I want you to stand on the end and we'll have a few laps to run. Let's see if you can keep up." Heather just nodded again before walking over towards the track, still ignoring the many stares she seemed to receive from either sex. Pulling another nine students from the group, the instructor lined everyone up before moving off to the sidelines. "Alright—run four laps. The one with the fastest time will be recommended to the track team and receive a bit of extra credit." She raised her hand in the air before promptly bringing it back down, signaling them to start.
Off they ran, Heather and two others in the front of the group. She didn't pay attention to the others around her until the one boy that she was up to speed with got closer towards her. "Hey! You're pretty good, but you'll never beat me!" With that, he sped up, only getting a few feet in front of her. She didn't really care, though wasn't one for letting someone so arrogant go without a dose of humility. Speeding up as well, she quickly passed him, her feet falling lightly against the ground. Feeling that he was falling behind her, she just sped up again, feeling the wind beat against her face. Hearing shouts from behind her, she slowed down again, as though she were curious.
It was the boy again, he struggling to keep up with her. He was yelling curses and proclaiming that there was no way she could be as fast as she was. Her face took on no expression as she just kept going; her mind only focused on getting the task done with. Before she knew what happened, she found herself falling forward, rolling across the ground, dirt in her face. Looking up swiftly, she met the boy's eyes, he smirking at her with a look of achievement. It was only then that she noticed his missed step and how he was off to the side a bit more. He tripped her.
Anger rising, she jolted up and sped up towards the group again, they all on their last lap, a good bit of them out of breath. She didn't show her anger besides the flames rising in her eyes as she caught up with the boy once more. Not even casting a glance towards him, she dropped to the ground, sticking her foot out and tripping him like he did her. Moving swiftly off to the side, she let the others pass her before moving right along and finishing in third. Dusting herself off from her earlier fall, she cast a glance back towards the other, watching as he struggled to get back up. Shaking her head faintly, she heard the gym instructor congratulate the winner as Heather moved off to take a seat. It was apparent that the instructor wasn't watching the runners or she probably would have apprehended Heather for her action.
"That was a pretty good move," came a voice from behind her as she lifted her gaze slightly, sapphire meeting violet. Duo stood behind her, moving up and sitting down close by. "I would have never been able to pull that off without gettin' busted." Heather shook her head faintly as she looked off towards the track again before standing. "Hey, where ya' goin'?" She didn't answer him though as she reached up, clasping the gem around her neck. The rest of the period went by, it seeming as though Heather were purposely avoiding Duo most of all.
* * * * *
Heather stepped into her dorm room, casting a lazy glance about before moving over to sit on the single bed. There were two single beds, two computers and two dressers, and the room was connected to a small bathroom. From the looks of it, Heather figured that she wasn't sharing the room with anyone, the other bed stripped of any sheets and blankets, and the drawers of both dressers completely vacant.
Stepping over towards the one computer, Heather booted it up, slipping a small disk out from in between the pages of a book she had been carrying with her. Waiting for it to load, she absent-mindedly reached up, grasping the gem on her necklace tightly. It was what looked to be sapphire with a black stone in the center, a Celtic cross etched into it. On the side, lay a small hole and when looked at carefully, a barely visible line cutting the gem in half. It hung from a silver chain that held close around her neck.
Her face was blank, her gaze distant as she shifted the gem in between her fingers, only saying in a simple whisper as she seemed to be drifting from consciousness, "Nothing ever lasts." A sharp beep brought her from her thoughts as she turned towards the computer. A scroll of information ran down the screen. At the end were five pictures. Taking a moment to study what she had just read, she looked over the pictures. It wasn't more than five minutes later when all the information was deleted.
Standing from her desk, she grabbed her things, walking to her next class without even casting another glance towards the now blank screen of the computer.
* * * * *
She walked slowly through the halls, which were, by that point, deserted. It was after-hours and she had just been at the library, signing a simple book out from the endless shelves. Her steps almost faltered as she heard someone behind her, though she just kept moving, pushing it to the back of her mind, figuring it wouldn't be a problem.
A hand fell on her shoulder, her footsteps ending as she cast a glance behind her. It was the boy from gym. "Yes?" she asked simply, eyes narrowing to slits as she moved her gaze to the hand that landed on her shoulder.
"What was the idea of making me look like a jack-ass in gym? Hmm?!" His tone rose a bit as he turned her so she was facing him.
"I merely returned the favor."
"Oh, yeah right. I didn't do a damn thing to you."
Her eyes locked onto his, making a chill run down his spine. "I'm afraid a don't give a damn about your problem." With that, she turned heel and started to walk away again.
"Don't you walk away from me!" he yelled before coming up, bringing the back of his hand harshly down to the side of her head. Not having expected it, she stumbled to the side before turning towards him sharply. Despite the angry stare she was giving him, he stood his ground, reaching forward and grabbing her by the top of her uniform. "You owe me an apology!"
Her anger was no longer hidden as she stared at him, only to pull back and spit in his face. He let go out of reflex, letting her crouch down, aiming a kick for the back of his knee, which she landed easily, forcing a pained cry from the boy. Falling forward, he grabbed his leg, which was convulsing with pain. She straightened herself out and started to walk away. However, he soon got up once more, though was a bit off balance. He reached into his pocket before lunging forward towards her. Grabbing her by her hair, he twisted her around so she fell to the floor, pulling her arm behind her. Opening the lighter he pulled from his pocket, he held the lit flame under her wrist, making her cringe. The flesh started to turn black, blood running out over it as she gave an annoyed growl. As she twisted away from him, he grabbed to her wrist, pulling her around only to receive a swift punch to the side of the head, causing him to sputter before crumbling to the floor.
Taking a moment to catch her breath, she twisted her arm around, her wrist badly burnt, a vein having broken as well. Shaking it out, she looked down at the unconscious boy, only to walk away silently, cradling her wounded wrist gently.
~*~
Fire's Tempest: It's getting better right? Please tell me it's getting better. Is it getting better?!
Duo: What's wrong with you?
Fire's Tempest shakes violently before calming herself, mumbling, 'Caffeine, I need more caffeine.'
Duo quirks an eyebrow before slowly backing away and whispering to the reader, "Please review…" He then makes a run for it.