Chapter 2: Black and White
Lulu was walking through the hallways in their school. It was the second day of the year. It was her lunch period right now, and most of the hallways were empty. But it was a very large school, so if one place was completely deserted, chances were that another area was heavily populated. But she liked being alone, at least that's what she liked to think. The only person she wanted to be with, ever, was her boyfriend, Chappu.
Lulu was well known as the school goth. She wore a black leather dress that stopped above her breasts with nothing covering the top part of her chest. The cuffs of the sleeves were covered with a soft white coeurl fur, as was the bottom of her dress and the top of it. The middle front of her dress was cut open, but covered by many brown leather belts. Her hair was braided, and a very natural black color. Her red eyes were something to be noticed by all of the school.
She approached Chappu who was at his locker, going through his things, trying to find some equipment for his next class after lunch.
"What're you doing?" Lulu asked.
"Oh, hi, Lulu," Chappu said, closing his locker.
"What class do you have next?" she asked him as they began to walk through the halls, side by side.
"Um, I think I have, no not that one, the other one, ummm. . ." Chappu couldn't seem to remember anything lately. "Oh yeah, I have Blade Techniques class next. What about you?"
"Black Magic," she said. This was the class she excelled in the most, and she had always been told by her teachers that she was one of the most promising students they'd ever had. "It's becoming boring. I already know most of what we're doing, and what we're going to be doing."
"At least you'll get another hundred," Chappu said.
"Another hundred or not," she said, "it's still not fun anymore."
"Maybe you should talk to the school councellor and get a schedule change?" Chappu said. "Something you haven't really tried before. Like. . . why not try White Magic class? I know you don't practice that."
"White Magic. . ." she said. "That's just so not who I am."
"That doesn't matter," he said. "As long as you don't come out of it with a white dress, then I think we're both fine."
The thing Chappu had always loved about Lulu was her gothic style, and that she didn't care about what anyone thought of it. He, however, was nowhere near the gothic style. But what Lulu admired most about him was that although he was into Blitzball, he wasn't a big jock and didn't even like any of the other jocks. But he still admired his older brother.
"A white dress. . ." Lulu said. She shivered. "We'll never see that day come, don't worry."
"Good," Chappu smiled. "So are you going to join?"
"I guess. . ." her and Chappu continued walking down the hallway.
***
The next morning at school, Lulu went into the guidance councellor's room.
"Mr.Auron?" Lulu asked as she entered.
"Yes, Lulu. Please, sit down." he said.
"Thank you," she said while sitting.
"I understand you're wanting a course change?" Auron asked. "May I ask what?"
"I want to start taking White Magic," Lulu said a little embarassed.
"White Magic?" Auron was surprised. "That's not like you, Lulu. What brought upon this decision?"
Auron's voice was so calm, but it was a bit threatening too. Lulu knew at times that Auron could seem very frightening in anyone's eyes. He's one of the oldest members of the staff at Luca High, and has been there for longer than many of the current faculty.
"Black Magic isn't challenging anymore," Lulu explained.
"So you wish to switch Black Magic class to White Magic class?" Auron asked, trying to get all of the details.
"No," she said. "I want to fill my extra period with that class is all."
"And you're fine with that decision?" Auron asked.
"Yes," Lulu said.
"Okay," Auron said.
He pulled out a form from his desk and began to fill it out. It would explain to Lulu's new teacher that she was to be joining the class. As well, he needed to fill out another sheet that would explain to the principal and vice principals that should was making a change to her schedule. He gave her the sheet, completely filled out.
"Here," Auron said, handing her the sheet, "give this to Ms.Belgemine. If it's in your schedule, and the period has not already passed, you can start today."
Lulu accepted the sheet from Auron and stood up. "Thank you," she said.
***
Lulu decided to start her class today. It was her last class of the day.
She entered a pure white room. The walls and floors, and almost everything in the room looked like they were made from ivory. Everything was so smooth and flawless. It was completely different than any other room in the school. She seated herself in the back of the room. She had apparently been the first one to arrive, even before the teacher.
Her dress made her stand out in the classroom, at least at the moment. The white walls would probably make anyone stand out.
The teacher, Ms.Belgemine, then entered the room. She immediately noticed Lulu sitting in the back of the classroom. She'd seen Lulu around before, and had heard about her from other teachers, so she was confused as to why Lulu was in her classroom.
"Can I help you?" she asked Lulu.
"I've joined this class," Lulu said. She stood up and walked over to her then handed her the form that explained everything. Ms.Belgemine read it over then signed it and gave it back to Lulu.
"Welcome to White Magic Studies, Lulu," Ms.Belgemine said. "Feel free to sit where you please."
Other students had already begun to fill the classroom before she'd returned to her seat. Most of them were girls. They were the girls that Lulu thought of as the "goodie goodies". The ones all of the teachers loved. What had she gotten herself into?
"We have a new member of the class," Ms.Belgemine said as soon as everyone arrived. "Welcome Lulu."
All of the girls turned to look at Lulu sitting in the back of the classroom with slightly shocked expressions on their faces. Lulu returned their shocked expressions with a cold glare.
Everyone said in shakey and unsynchronized voices, "Welcome, Lulu."
"Now where did we leave off yesterday? Does anyone remember?" Ms.Belgemine asked.
"We were studying basic healing spells," a brown-haired girl said. It was Yuna, perhaps one of the most known students in the entire school. One who was either hated or loved. Lulu was well aware of who Yuna was. Not only did she constantly have to hear about her, but they were both best friends before high school. But Lulu was sure that Yuna didn't care, or even remember.
"Thank you, Yuna," Ms.Belgemine said. "Can anyone tell me anyone about what we learned yesterday?"
"That no matter how difficult or simple the spell, the same amount of concentration is required," Seymour Guado said. Yet another well known student. But it was hard for him not to be known, being the son of Jyscal Guado, one of the vice principals, and the boyfriend of Yuna.
"Good, Seymour," Ms.Belgemine said. "Can anyone tell me anything else?"
A few more questions were answered before the lesson of the day actually began. Lulu just sat back and listened to it all. Most of the stuff was the same as what she'd learned in Black Magic Studies. However, there was one thing that Lulu wasn't sure if she was going to be able to overcome when it came time to actual cast a spell. The ability to care, and to actually want to help.
Lulu was off in her own mind, thinking about anything other than this. This was the challenge she had wanted though. Unfortunately, the challenge didn't interest her enough to want to commit to it.
***
Lulu was relieved when the bell rang. School was over and she could go home. Unfortunately, she was going to have this class first thing tomorrow morning. But at least she wouldn't have it any other time of the day.
She exited the school through the large crowd of students, carrying her books in her arm. She saw Chappu waiting near some benches in the courtyard. She walked over to him.
"How was the class?" Chappu asked.
"It was horrible," Lulu said. "It's just not me to be there. . ."
"Well, hang in there," Chappu said. "I'm sure it'll get better eventually. Just give it time."
"I guess. . ." Lulu said.
They began walking together, hand in hand. Their homes were in the same direction, so they could walk together for a little while. Lulu didn't really want to go home. She would have preferred being with Chappu, anywhere else other than school or home. She just wanted to be with him.
When they reached Chappu's home, they parted and she began walking home alone. She was crossing a bridge, looking over the edge at the water. She just stopped and started at the water, letting time pass her by. It wasn't like she was in a hurry to get home. She leaned further over, looking in. The Lucan waters were beautiful. So clean, so clear.
She was hit in the head, from behind. She didn't know what it was. Her feet slipped off of the ground and she fell forward into the water, screaming only a little. The splash against the water was hard and it weakened her greatly. Her dress began to drag her deeper down into the water, and she found it hard to move with it on. But she didn't want to take it off. If she were to get out of the water without a dress, she'd be completely naked. She would've preferred to be found dead. The light began to grow darker as she sank. She was beginning to panic and didn't know what to do. She couldn't hold her breath any longer.
She thought she heard another heavy splash, but all sound and sight began to escape her. Everything was turning black. . .
Lulu was walking through the hallways in their school. It was the second day of the year. It was her lunch period right now, and most of the hallways were empty. But it was a very large school, so if one place was completely deserted, chances were that another area was heavily populated. But she liked being alone, at least that's what she liked to think. The only person she wanted to be with, ever, was her boyfriend, Chappu.
Lulu was well known as the school goth. She wore a black leather dress that stopped above her breasts with nothing covering the top part of her chest. The cuffs of the sleeves were covered with a soft white coeurl fur, as was the bottom of her dress and the top of it. The middle front of her dress was cut open, but covered by many brown leather belts. Her hair was braided, and a very natural black color. Her red eyes were something to be noticed by all of the school.
She approached Chappu who was at his locker, going through his things, trying to find some equipment for his next class after lunch.
"What're you doing?" Lulu asked.
"Oh, hi, Lulu," Chappu said, closing his locker.
"What class do you have next?" she asked him as they began to walk through the halls, side by side.
"Um, I think I have, no not that one, the other one, ummm. . ." Chappu couldn't seem to remember anything lately. "Oh yeah, I have Blade Techniques class next. What about you?"
"Black Magic," she said. This was the class she excelled in the most, and she had always been told by her teachers that she was one of the most promising students they'd ever had. "It's becoming boring. I already know most of what we're doing, and what we're going to be doing."
"At least you'll get another hundred," Chappu said.
"Another hundred or not," she said, "it's still not fun anymore."
"Maybe you should talk to the school councellor and get a schedule change?" Chappu said. "Something you haven't really tried before. Like. . . why not try White Magic class? I know you don't practice that."
"White Magic. . ." she said. "That's just so not who I am."
"That doesn't matter," he said. "As long as you don't come out of it with a white dress, then I think we're both fine."
The thing Chappu had always loved about Lulu was her gothic style, and that she didn't care about what anyone thought of it. He, however, was nowhere near the gothic style. But what Lulu admired most about him was that although he was into Blitzball, he wasn't a big jock and didn't even like any of the other jocks. But he still admired his older brother.
"A white dress. . ." Lulu said. She shivered. "We'll never see that day come, don't worry."
"Good," Chappu smiled. "So are you going to join?"
"I guess. . ." her and Chappu continued walking down the hallway.
***
The next morning at school, Lulu went into the guidance councellor's room.
"Mr.Auron?" Lulu asked as she entered.
"Yes, Lulu. Please, sit down." he said.
"Thank you," she said while sitting.
"I understand you're wanting a course change?" Auron asked. "May I ask what?"
"I want to start taking White Magic," Lulu said a little embarassed.
"White Magic?" Auron was surprised. "That's not like you, Lulu. What brought upon this decision?"
Auron's voice was so calm, but it was a bit threatening too. Lulu knew at times that Auron could seem very frightening in anyone's eyes. He's one of the oldest members of the staff at Luca High, and has been there for longer than many of the current faculty.
"Black Magic isn't challenging anymore," Lulu explained.
"So you wish to switch Black Magic class to White Magic class?" Auron asked, trying to get all of the details.
"No," she said. "I want to fill my extra period with that class is all."
"And you're fine with that decision?" Auron asked.
"Yes," Lulu said.
"Okay," Auron said.
He pulled out a form from his desk and began to fill it out. It would explain to Lulu's new teacher that she was to be joining the class. As well, he needed to fill out another sheet that would explain to the principal and vice principals that should was making a change to her schedule. He gave her the sheet, completely filled out.
"Here," Auron said, handing her the sheet, "give this to Ms.Belgemine. If it's in your schedule, and the period has not already passed, you can start today."
Lulu accepted the sheet from Auron and stood up. "Thank you," she said.
***
Lulu decided to start her class today. It was her last class of the day.
She entered a pure white room. The walls and floors, and almost everything in the room looked like they were made from ivory. Everything was so smooth and flawless. It was completely different than any other room in the school. She seated herself in the back of the room. She had apparently been the first one to arrive, even before the teacher.
Her dress made her stand out in the classroom, at least at the moment. The white walls would probably make anyone stand out.
The teacher, Ms.Belgemine, then entered the room. She immediately noticed Lulu sitting in the back of the classroom. She'd seen Lulu around before, and had heard about her from other teachers, so she was confused as to why Lulu was in her classroom.
"Can I help you?" she asked Lulu.
"I've joined this class," Lulu said. She stood up and walked over to her then handed her the form that explained everything. Ms.Belgemine read it over then signed it and gave it back to Lulu.
"Welcome to White Magic Studies, Lulu," Ms.Belgemine said. "Feel free to sit where you please."
Other students had already begun to fill the classroom before she'd returned to her seat. Most of them were girls. They were the girls that Lulu thought of as the "goodie goodies". The ones all of the teachers loved. What had she gotten herself into?
"We have a new member of the class," Ms.Belgemine said as soon as everyone arrived. "Welcome Lulu."
All of the girls turned to look at Lulu sitting in the back of the classroom with slightly shocked expressions on their faces. Lulu returned their shocked expressions with a cold glare.
Everyone said in shakey and unsynchronized voices, "Welcome, Lulu."
"Now where did we leave off yesterday? Does anyone remember?" Ms.Belgemine asked.
"We were studying basic healing spells," a brown-haired girl said. It was Yuna, perhaps one of the most known students in the entire school. One who was either hated or loved. Lulu was well aware of who Yuna was. Not only did she constantly have to hear about her, but they were both best friends before high school. But Lulu was sure that Yuna didn't care, or even remember.
"Thank you, Yuna," Ms.Belgemine said. "Can anyone tell me anyone about what we learned yesterday?"
"That no matter how difficult or simple the spell, the same amount of concentration is required," Seymour Guado said. Yet another well known student. But it was hard for him not to be known, being the son of Jyscal Guado, one of the vice principals, and the boyfriend of Yuna.
"Good, Seymour," Ms.Belgemine said. "Can anyone tell me anything else?"
A few more questions were answered before the lesson of the day actually began. Lulu just sat back and listened to it all. Most of the stuff was the same as what she'd learned in Black Magic Studies. However, there was one thing that Lulu wasn't sure if she was going to be able to overcome when it came time to actual cast a spell. The ability to care, and to actually want to help.
Lulu was off in her own mind, thinking about anything other than this. This was the challenge she had wanted though. Unfortunately, the challenge didn't interest her enough to want to commit to it.
***
Lulu was relieved when the bell rang. School was over and she could go home. Unfortunately, she was going to have this class first thing tomorrow morning. But at least she wouldn't have it any other time of the day.
She exited the school through the large crowd of students, carrying her books in her arm. She saw Chappu waiting near some benches in the courtyard. She walked over to him.
"How was the class?" Chappu asked.
"It was horrible," Lulu said. "It's just not me to be there. . ."
"Well, hang in there," Chappu said. "I'm sure it'll get better eventually. Just give it time."
"I guess. . ." Lulu said.
They began walking together, hand in hand. Their homes were in the same direction, so they could walk together for a little while. Lulu didn't really want to go home. She would have preferred being with Chappu, anywhere else other than school or home. She just wanted to be with him.
When they reached Chappu's home, they parted and she began walking home alone. She was crossing a bridge, looking over the edge at the water. She just stopped and started at the water, letting time pass her by. It wasn't like she was in a hurry to get home. She leaned further over, looking in. The Lucan waters were beautiful. So clean, so clear.
She was hit in the head, from behind. She didn't know what it was. Her feet slipped off of the ground and she fell forward into the water, screaming only a little. The splash against the water was hard and it weakened her greatly. Her dress began to drag her deeper down into the water, and she found it hard to move with it on. But she didn't want to take it off. If she were to get out of the water without a dress, she'd be completely naked. She would've preferred to be found dead. The light began to grow darker as she sank. She was beginning to panic and didn't know what to do. She couldn't hold her breath any longer.
She thought she heard another heavy splash, but all sound and sight began to escape her. Everything was turning black. . .