Disclaimers: not mine, no money, don't sue, me is just a poor undergraduate, me owns nothing.
I was inspired by Lorena's fic, Chiaroscuro. But it's not the same thing; I'm just borrowing the idea of the nightmare in studying in a private school (which I'm currently experiencing). ^___^
Warnings: AU, Cross-dressing. Language. Lame, attempt at humor. Lil' bit o' Shounen Ai? By me, 'nuff to scare you? ^___^
Notes: Uhm, this is going to have Shounen Ai in it (it keeps popping out every now and then, you'll see). But that's to be expected since this is taking place in an academy exclusively for boys. So… if you don't like that, there's the back button for you. But it's not really that detailed, just kissing and stuff, it's for the plot. ::grin:: Oh, well. Read at your own risk.
NOTES 2: There's a part that may be a bit boring. It's all dialogue, Relena yakking the night away. Be warned and please don't hate me for the dragging scene. ^_^
NOTES 3: I have a lot of notes, don't I? But please don't kill me just yet. But to those who gave reviews for the past chapters and stuff, I'm addressing some of you at the end of the fic. Just thought I'd let you guys know. So… now, back to your regularly scheduled ficcie…
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Part 5
"You're in shock."
Relena opened her mouth to reply but she succeeded in nothing but doing a very good imitation of a carp. Then cleared her throat. "Oh, God," she said.
"That's the twelfth time you said that," Heero commented, using his arms as a pillow against the grass on the ground. The one lying on the ground next to him snorted.
"Screw you. What do you expect me to say?"
"You've broken the spell at last! Let's just hope it doesn't take you another eleven of that line before you can say something new."
Relena stared at the sky. The dark blue blanket filled with stars was slowly fading away, making way for the brilliant glow of the sun at sunrise. After her shocking discovery, she learned later from Heero that she had passed out. She found herself lying on her back on the grass at the end of the school's immense garden with Heero lying next to her. The air seemed to clear her head and puking had cleared her stomach a bit. Her brain was semi-functional again.
"So do you hate them or something?"
"What?" she asked, eyes narrowing. "Why would I hate them? They're my friends, aren't they?"
"They're gay."
"As if that explains everything," she rolled her eyes. "It doesn't matter if they're gay. Them preferring to love one from the same sex makes no difference to me. It makes them human no less. Do I seem that narrow-minded to you?"
"That's good to hear," Heero smiled. "I've been in this school since I was little so relationships like these are nothing new to me. I accept them. But I can't always say the same for the others. I'm glad to hear you're okay with it."
"Nothing you can do about it, really," Relena shrugged. "No matter how open-minded some people are there are still people who will scorn at gays and lesbians. Anything that's not considered part of the 'norm' is wrong for them. I suppose that's just the way the world works." Then paused. "Though I'm still hoping the one day those who're considered deviant will be accepted by everyone as they are. It would make things easier for all of us, even those who are straight."
"That's good to hear."
"Are you going to start saying that line twelve times before you come up with a new one?" Relena asked, eyes twinkling. She wrinkled her nose. "Even if my head's clear now, I still can't remember much of what happened at the party. I didn't do anything stupid, did I?"
Heero grinned evilly. "I'll let you be the judge of that once you remember."
"Be honest—I didn't frolic around naked, did I?"
"I'm sure it'll come to you once you've rested," Heero replied. "But did I tell you that you suck when it comes to singing?"
Her eyes went wide and she blushed. She covered her face and even her ears were pink. "Oh, God! I SANG?"
"I'm sure they enjoyed the show." Heero chuckled.
She made a face. "You're not helping me feel better," she complained. Then smiled. "Thanks, by the way."
"For what?"
"Like you don't know what I'm talking about! Thanks for coming to my rescue—that much I know. And sorry about the shoes. I'll buy you a new pair if you like."
"No need for that…" He stopped when he came face to face with Relena. The girl had rolled over so that she was hovering above Heero and looking straight into his eyes. He noticed for the first time how beautiful his eyes were. They were a rich shade of purple. And the way he seemed so lithe even while looking down on him was having a strange effect on him.
"Thanks," Relena said softly, smiling as she did. "I know we haven't exactly been the best of friends but still… thank you."
Heero stared into Reynald's eyes before he nodded slightly. "You're welcome…"
~*~*~*~
"Again, why are we so cheery this morning?" Duo greeted her when she sat next to him on the table after breakfast. The meal was over and pretty much everyone has left the room but them so Relena felt it was safe to talk to her friend.
"I'm not too sure myself," she admitted, giggling a bit.
"Oh, no. We have a giggling high school girl here," Duo slapped his forehead exasperatedly. Then grinned. "Does this have anything to do with last night?"
She shrugged. "Not sure... HEY! Speaking of last night, where were you? You left me there all alone. Heero had to rescue me before I lost all my dignity singing drunk in front of all those people."
"So you're Mystery Boy. He refused to tell me where he was and who he was with last night till the wee hours of the morning."
"Yup, I was baptizing his shoes with last night's dinner."
Duo wrinkled his nose. "Gross. Mystery Number Two solved. I was wondering what the smell was. Rey, do us all a favor and do not get drunk at parties again."
She laughed. "You can count on that. I woke up with this terrible hangover. I hope I never get drunk like that again. And I can't remember much details about last night either."
"Nice show last night, Rey!" Someone said when he passed by the two on his way out the dinning hall. "I better invite you next time I throw a party."
Relena nodded, smiling. "Hey, at least I know people enjoy my company," she said to her friend. "So where were you?"
Duo grinned sheepishly. "I ditched the party to have a night out by myself."
"You could've had the decency to give me a warning before you abandoned me with the wolves," she glared at him. Then laughed. "So you were partying on your own, huh? I guess that's okay. It can get a bit dull seeing the same people over and over. I mean, you can actually get sick of their faces, if you haven't already. So what happened to you? Met a cool chick?"
"Nope, though I spotted one. She was with her friends all the time so I didn't have the chance to approach her," he shrugged. "I'm sure she's from the neighboring school, maybe I'll see her around."
"Maybe I can help you," she offered. She wasn't a student council member for nothing. She could actually use her sources to help her friend. She cleared her throat when she saw the skeptic look Duo was giving her. "I know it doesn't look like it but I have friends in CHA. I could ask around for you if you want."
"That would be good," Dou said, grinning at her. "She seemed really cool."
"I'm sure we'll be able to locate her in no time," she said, returning Duo's smile. Then her smile froze. Someone had draped an arm on her shoulders and she had the sinking feeling she knew who it was.
"Great party last night, Rey," James whispered, his breath tickling her ears.
She cleared her throat and removed his arm and placed it where it should, by his side. "Yeah, it was fun. Though I didn't see you. I've gotta be honest with you. I was quite happy you weren't there."
"But I was, Baby, you just didn't see me," James smirked. "I was enjoying the show from the shadows. You sure know how to liven a party."
"Well, that's me. If you'll excuse us," she said, grabbing Duo's arm and walking past the older boy. "We have better things to do."
"But really, Rey. Can I ask for a private show? Just you and me? You seem especially talented in stripping."
Relena froze and Duo's eyes widened. "What did you say?"
"Maybe you've forgotten. But I'm sure almost everyone who wasn't as wasted as you were would remember seeing you sing and strip at the same time," James smirked. "I'll get back to you about that private show some time." Then he sauntered off, leaving Relena breathing heavily and eyes bulging.
"Holy crap, I missed the show!" Duo whistled. "Did you really?"
"I know I sang," she admitted, feeling her cheeks burn. Then sighed. "Heero must've been laughing inside all the time when I asked him what happened."
"Hey, at least now we know you're a talented singer," Duo joked, trying to cheer his friend up.
Relena gave him a small, wry smile. "I'll have to ask for a fee next time."
~*~*~*~
"Are you sure she won't mind?"
The one being directed the question to grinned and shook her head. She pulled on her gray sleeveless shirt and turned to the other one in the room with them. "You know where the dorm is, right?"
"Sure do," the person replied, grinning wickedly. "Boy! Won't she be surprised!"
~*~*~*~
Relena threw herself on the bench, closing her eyes as the other members of the team collapse on the floor nearby. Her one on one with Heero was over and she was finally allowed to stay and practice with the team that afternoon.
And she was starting to doubt herself if it was a good idea. She was sure the other boys were thinking of murder right now as they lie on the floor, panting hard and doing their damnedest to catch their breath.
Heero had worked their ass off the whole afternoon. They were made to run around the whole academy three times. With short breaks of course—Heero was smarter than that—it would've meant a ticket to an early grave if he hadn't allowed that. But the five-minute break every other hour wasn't enough. How could it when you've been running around an entire school? And their Calvary did not stop there. After resting for thirty minutes, Heero made them do stretching exercises.
The young woman was feeling more like Spaghetti Woman rather than Iron Woman (under the pretense it's Iron Man since she's cross-dressing). And the hour's Evil Bastard was standing calmly under the shade of a tree while the young men with her slowly die of exhaustion.
Heero studied the clipboard on his hand before he turned to the team with the same intent look on his face. "You guys are in pretty bad shape," he remarked, writing something on the clipboard, oblivious or plain ignoring the murderous glares sent his way.
"Well excuse us for not being made out of the same shit as you, Mr. Lean Mean Athletic Machine," Jeff remarked irritably from where he was sprawled next to Paul on the grass. "I don't think a little 'good job, you guys. Great workout this afternoon' from you would hurt. I, for one, think we deserve it for the hell you put us through."
There was a ghost of a smile that flashed on Heero's lips before he shrugged. "You guys slacked off while I was training Dorian. It's your fault."
The other members just shook their head, knowing it was no use talking to Heero. He was known for being a slave driver anyway. Him making them this hard was no surprise, they were just a bit out of practice that's why their bodies were unprepared for the sudden torture they were put thorough.
But Relena's body was screaming bloody murder. She was not used to this kind of exercise. She was just starting to recover from the physical onslaught when she heard the Devil's Bells. Heero's whistle signaling them break was over.
She raised her arm and shook her head wildly. "I'm not moving from my spot."
Paul picked himself up from the floor and dusted himself off the dirt. "I'd stand up if I were you, Dorian. Heero will only make you run an extra mile if you don't do as he says."
"There's a thing called democracy existing somewhere in this planet," she retorted, closing her eyes as the sun almost blinded her.
"All right, you can all march to your respective dorms, today's session's over," Heero announced, much to the surprise of the guys. "But Dorian here will stay for another hour."
"Do you know the meaning of despondency?"
"Make that two hours."
Are they sure that Heero's not the devil's spawn? Relena wondered in her head as she trekked the hilly side of the academy. She didn't know the place existed until that afternoon when Heero told her that she's to hike the low hills at the end of the school grounds for her training.
"I'm sure my father's name isn't Satan," Heero said from ahead of her, striding leisurely while she struggled to walk.
Had I spoken that out loud? Maybe, since he answered me. Or reading people's minds comes with the other privileges of being a demonic prince. "Can we…pant...stop and…pant…rest for a while?"
Heero paused mid-stride and shook his head. "Not until I see you roll over this cliff with sheer exhaustion."
"Why don't I strangle you out of sheer frustration?"
Heero's chuckle surprised her. She wasn't expecting that. That deep rich sound coming out of his lips that proved that he was indeed capable of mirth.
It only managed it increase her fury after the initial shock wore off. "Why does making my life hell bring you so much joy? I mean, are you really that deprived of everything in this prison?"
Something flashed in Heero's eyes before he shrugged and the usual hard blue eyes returned. "Yes, I am that deprived. Seeing you labor does bring me pleasure," Heero smirked. "Which reminds me," he took his forgotten clipboard from his little backpack and wrote something. "Tomorrow, you'll be hiking with me to improve on your stamina."
"Sadist," Relena spat out before walking past him in strong powerful strides. Funny how her energy returned the instant he said those words.
~*~*~*~
"This is heaven," Relena breathed, feeling the wind caress her face and body. Her long hair moved freely with the breeze as she allowed the salty humid air surround her. After the torturous afternoon with Heero she snuck out of the dorm as she had always done to seek her little sanctuary.
She stooped and seized the soda can from the ground and took a generous swig. Normally, she stayed away from too much caffeine found in carbonated beverages but tonight was an exception. She deserved it from the hell she received from Yuy.
Speak of the devil, Relena thought as the now-familiar black BMW slowed to a crawl opposite her own car. She was not in the mood to be in the same breathing area as the devil incarnate. The sadistic bastard!
Against the dictate of common sense that she got here first so he should be the one to leave, she gathered her things. She grabbed the unopened cans of coke and bags of chips on the blanket she brought with her.
She was on the process of stuffing everything in the canvas bag she had when Heero made it toward the cliff, looking like the devil himself. His eyes were dark and his features were scowling. He was always scowling and this was nothing new but he was…angrier than usual that night.
He finally noticed that he was not alone when she dropped the can and she hissed an annoyed cursed under her breath. "Oh. Relena. I didn't know you were here," he said, trying to smoothen his features. He forced his lips to moved upwards just a little but she saw the clenching of his fists.
Obviously, he was in a greater state of anger or frustration than she was. And Relena couldn't find it in herself to leave him like this. Forget about the anguish she was put through. She could always go to spas for that. She doubted any spa could help Heero.
"Hey," she said, trying to keep her voice cheerful. "I haven't seen you in a while," she smiled. "Too busy at the academy?"
She realized her mistake. Heero's fists stopped clenching for a moment before it started again and it appeared to her that he was struggling to keep his temper check. She swallowed hard. A voice in her head was arguing he'd best be left alone, to cool his head on his own. She knew that for some people, having people around when their anger mounted only increased their fury. The voice was arguing that Heero was one of those people.
But she ignored the voice. She had this gut feeling that if she left him now, she wouldn't be helping him at all. She had the suspicion it would only agitate him more. Perhaps not physically or in a way that could be seen. But it would only hurt him more inside.
So gingerly she stood next to him near the cliff, praying he wasn't that aggravated that he'd flung her down the ranging seas to displace his fury. Her family wouldn't sit well with the idea of the only daughter finding peace in the ferocious waters of the deep. "It's a beautiful night isn't it?"
"What's beautiful about it? It's just like any other night. Dark and foreboding."
"Is that how you see it?"
"It's how it is."
Relena shook her head. "At the risk of being thrown to the raging seas, may I ask what's up your ass?"
She saw the boy next to her visibly tense and she closed her eyes and started with her litany. She wasn't Christian but she figured she might as well start being one if she didn't want to meet the Red Guy after life.
Heero's low chuckle surprised her for the second time that day. She risked a peek and saw him shaking with uncontrollable mirth. Then frowned. "Hey! Are you laughing at me?" she demanded, hands on her hips.
"How can I not?" he said, still laughing. Then gave her a smile, which warmed her all over. "Damn it, Relena, you certainly know what to say at the right time."
She couldn't help it. She returned his smile and shrugged. "Since I find myself still firmly anchored to the ground and not drowning in the frigid sea, may I be brass enough to ask what's bothering you?"
The darkness returned to his eyes again and her turned away. "It's nothing. Something silly and insignificant for someone like you to bother with."
"Let me be the judge of that," she replied. She handed him a can of soda from her bag and sat down on the blanket. She patted the spot next to her as an invitation, which he accepted.
"Sometimes we have to talk about things that bother us, silly and insignificant as they may seem," she said, looking at him straight in the eye. "I'm here. I'll listen."
"I hate The Prison."
"Almost everybody hates being deposited in dorms," she said. "I'm sure there's a deeper reason for that." When he remained silent, she knew she had to be the first one to open up to him. She has to be the one to make the initiative. She'd have to reveal herself and tell him things she never permitted others to know. "I used to hate my parents when they first told me about it."
"It's different in your case."
"And why the hell would it be different? Because I'm a girl?" she rolled her eyes. "You were right, you know, when you said that I'm the kind of person who knows nothing about life. I used to be like that. But I fancy myself as someone who knows at least a grain of truth about reality. It's not that ugly as some say. It depends on how you look at it.
"I'm a brat, plain and simple," she stated. "But that's how I am. I whine when I don't get what I want, when things don't go my way. I've been sheltered and pampered my whole life, even in the academy where I had been dumped. I'm a great student, straight A's and I'm a member of the student council. And I've never disobeyed my parents and brother in a major way. But you have to understand, being a brat, I tend to do things my and have things my way a lot.
"You might even wonder what the hell I'm complaining for, right?" She gave him a sardonic smile and continued. "I mean, a loving family who gives me everything from material to filial affection, how grand! But with it comes this short leash. I'm not allowed to wander off their sight for long and if I were to, they'd have countless of people looking after me as if I'm some goddamned china doll who'll break the minute she shares the same oxygen with the lowly ones.
"I know they only wants what's good for me but I'm not a dog, nor a doll. I'm a brat who will someday live her life on her own without her influential family making decisions and living her life for her. I'm Relena Darlain, not Wag the Dog!"
She glared at him who seemed to be fighting the laughter in vain. "I'm trying to share a big part of myself here, Yuy, the least you could do is show some sympathy," she said. She sighed and continued. "It seems petty and insignificant compared to other much distressing world problems but I think it makes a difference.
"How the hell am I expected to be good diplomat if I were to live my life as a puppet forever controlled by my parents? Political, social and personal conflicts arise, you see," she said, looking at the dark blue blanket above them. "But you know what? I'll share a little secret with you.
"Over the past days I've known you, I've never felt more free," she smiled at him softly. "It's kind of strange, really. Because I'm letting loose the persona I've been trying to stifle all these years. And I have the feeling this persona is the real me. Or at least an integral part of me, which will somehow mold me into being the kind of person I want to be.
"Though right now, it may seem like it's built on lies and pretense, I think that it's the truest face of Relena Peacecraft. No faking, no editing and omitting of truth, just the real me. And I don't think I would've come out this way had I not been the family baby—or pet, depending on how you look at it."
"Was there supposed to be a moral in this little story?"
"Bitter," she stated. "Bitterness eats us away, slowly gnawing us from inside where things are much harder to heal."
"I think you'll be better off as some sort of preacher," Heero replied, looking away.
"Hammered it home, huh?" she smiled sweetly. "But listen to preacher-in-training Darlain for a while, okay? Don't just hear me out listen to me. Life is what you make out of it. If you take everything that happens to you with nothing but bitterness and contempt then your life will really suck big time. Try to look for the brighter side, because no matter what you say, there is always a bright side." Relena stood up and smiled at him. "I think you need to think about what I said tonight on your own. Return my things to me the next time we see each other. Bye, Heero."
She was starting to walk away when Heero caught her left hand, which caused her to pause. He stood up and pulled her back to him. Relena's eyes widened when she felt his soft lips on hers.
Heero touched her face and tilted it a bit to look directly into her eyes. "You're right. There is always a bright side."
Tbc
Liked it? Hated it? Loved it? Lost your lunch? Gifts? Threats? Praises? Mail me and tell me! ^_^ Send 'em over at kuroi_22@hotmail.com
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THIS IS THE PART WHERE I ADDRESS THOSE WHO WERE NICE ENOUGH TO LEAVE REVIEWS
::gulp:: Let's hope I don't lose whatever little respect I have in their eyes. Btw, I don't want to seem that I'm obnoxious or anything in any way with what I say, ok? I'm just trying to be honest so if I come out as if I'm not that nice or anything… just ignore me. No offense to anyone, ok? ::offers box of chocolate cookies::
EVERYBODY: Thankies to all of you who read and gave feedback. To those who've been reading since Part 1 and everyone else… thankies! ::bows over and over:: The nice comments surely helped push me into writing more. Sorry if it takes me half a century to come up with new installments. Something always comes up whenever I try to sit down and write the fic. But thanks for your patience in still reading. ^_^
Sour Pink Lollipop: Reynald? I don't know, it just kinda popped in my head when I was writing the first part. Hehe. But I don't think I've ever met anyone whose name is Reynald. Rey, maybe but not Reynald… (looks thoughtful)
ying fa wolf: Yup, this is 1+R fic. And I can't answer whether or not it's gonna get more interesting or anything. I'm working for it to be but you'll be the judge of that. ^_^
CowgurlEvee: Relena has her reasons for acting like such a brat at times. (in a weird, raspy voice:) It's all part of the plot… ::chokes:: Ahem… but really, you'll soon find out just why she's like that (as soon as I get over this giant red brick wall called writer's block). ^_^
S. Wing: Thanks for the review… but what did you mean by spacing? ::question marks float around Kuroi's head:: I usually space the way I do for html pages… does it show up weird or something? Or are we talking about a totally different kind of spacing? Enlighten me… ^_^
Death's little side kick: Um, I'm a bit confused with what you said. You didn't like the "gay-part"? Because if you don't, then maybe you wouldn't like the rest too much. My fic's centered on 1+R but Shounen Ai is involved because the setting's in an exclusive academy for boys. Things like that are normal there. But still, thanks for liking the story, even if you were grossed out a bit in some parts. ^^;;
Guys, even if I didn't exactly address each and every reviewer personally, rest assured I treasure each and every one of you. ^_^ Really, I do. Thank you all for the wonderful feedback and I promise to try to come up with more chapters soon. ::bows over and over:: Thankies…