A/N: Sorry for not updating but due to recent increments of homework and switchin' computers, I haven't had enough time to concentrate on my priorities. For that, I'm sorry. But I promise to update more frequently now that it's all over. In addition, LOVE HINA and FULL METAL PANIC are the two craziest anime in the damn world!!!!


Chapter Four: The Plan


"Can you believe that jerk?! Tryin' to pick me up with his stupid grin most bimbos faint to. Who does he think he is?" asked a livid Allenby.

"Allenby, maybe AJ really does like you. I mean, you've never given him a chance," replied Rain, who had her cheek rested on her palm as she twiddled with her pencil,


"My ass he likes me. No guy in his right mind would like me, let alone the most popular guy in school. It's obvious that he's going to toy with my feelings. AND I'M NOT FALLIN' FOR THAT SAME OLD TRICK AGAIN!!!"


Rain sighed at her friend's lack of self-confidence.


"Allenby, you're a very attractive girl. Everyone knows that. Screw Chibodee, he was just a dumb freshman back then. Why not give AJ a chance?? Who knows, he just might be the one you've always been looking for! Why do you have to be so pessimistic? If you keep this up, you'll die lonely. Give AJ a chance. Not for me. For yourself."


Allenby looked at the ground as if contemplating her friend's words. 'Maybe she's right. I should at least hear AJ out before shuttin' him out completely.'


"All right, you win." Allenby sighed. "But we have to get to school now. It's 7:50."





"Damn, it's as if Master Asia's tryin' to kill us from overwork," AJ grumbled to his best friend. They had both spent the whole afternoon, night, AND early morning training with Master Asia.


Domon agreed. "I know. He didn't even give us any time to finish our goddamn homework. I cant even open my eyes."


AJ groaned as he looked at the time. It was 7:45.


"I'm gonna go take a damn shower," Domon said. AJ rolled his eyes and shrugged.


"Whatever. I'll meet up with you at school, then."


"Late, man."




"Umm. You wanted to see me, Mr. Williams?" Allenby asked uncertainly. The teacher nodded grimly. "I'm afraid that you scored an 89.7 on your last exam, which pulls your standings in this school to fourth place. This could undermine your chances of getting into Columbia."


Allenby's face fell. "WHAT?! NO!!! How could this be??? Is there any way to make it up? I'll do anything!!"


"Well." Mr. Williams rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We do have a nature expedition for extra credit. Hands on experience. That'll get back some of the points you lost. Of course, you might not want to join, considering the dangers and that only four people are admitted."


Allenby was practically jumping up and down. "I'll JOIN!!"


~*~


"Is this about me sleeping through your lectures?" asked a very annoyed AJ as he faced his AP Bio teacher.


"No, no. I'm just asking for a favor."


AJ sighed. "Whew! What is it?"


"Well, I've organized a nature expedition. One week with limited supplies. I need your expertise to guide the group."


AJ rolled his eyes. "I don't want to spend a week with some flunkin' student just to look pretty. Forget it, no way."


Mr. Williams sighed. "Well, okay. Guess I'll have to call it off then. Miss Beardsley will be disappointed."


"That's just too bad isn't it?" AJ snapped but stopped to think. 'Wait. Allenby's going on this trip as well.. And if I go, we'll be miles away from another living soul. then that changes everything.'


"I take it back," AJ said. "I'll go."




::RING::


AJ left his AP Double E class hurriedly to catch up with his friends. They've all decided to rendezvous at the parking lot again, not to leave campus, but to hang out. "Yo!" cried Sai as he spotted AJ rounding up a corner.


"Sup, lil man!" AJ got the short Chinese kid in a headlock and rubbed his knuckles on his head playfully. Chibodee interrupted the two.


"Who's idea was it to meet here?" he asked annoyed that he had to spend yet another lunch without Shirley.


"Domon's," AJ replied simply.


"Well I'm tired of takin' orders from that ungrateful friend," George seethed, not at all his usual noble self.


"Damn straight. I'm with Rose," agreed Chibodee.


George threw his head high up in the sky in an arrogant manner while Chibodee crossed his arms and spat out the tumbleweed in his mouth. AJ looked at the rebellious duo, and then at Sai and Argo, who were silent.


"Then go, ya pathetic losers," came Domon's voice. Heads shot up in every direction. Chibodee was boiling mad, but George was just about ready to explode. "We don't need you," Domon stated matter-of-factly. "This is just between me and AJ so the rest of ya can get on outta here."


When the four guys walked off, Domon yanked on AJ's collar and motioned to follow him. They ducked behind a nearby truck.


"What is it that's so important?" AJ asked exasperately. Domon's eyes glinted with malice.


"I know about your little 'getaway' with Allenby. I also overheard that Rain's goin' to go as well."


"So??"


"So ya better watch yo back cause I'm goin' as well."


With a wink, Domon stalked off with three girls on his trail. AJ shrugged it off and stalked off as well. 'Who said it was goin' ta be easy?' he thought to himself. 'Just be one step ahead of him each time and ya can't lose.'





Domon sat down on a bench near the library. Every once in a while, he glanced at his watch and looked around nervously. Just two days ago he had gone to Williams with the proposition of the nature expedition and it had worked. 'AJ will NEVER get close to Allenby under my watch,' Domon thought menacingly. Right at that moment Rain, with a couple of her girlfriends, walked by. Domon blew a kiss to Rain, who immediately looked away and payed no attention to him.


"What am I doin' wrong??" Domon asked exasperately after the group of girls left. "This is NOT what I'd expected. . ."