Chapter 4: Sweet Taste of Hate
Meryl walked towards her car and she looked at the ring around her neck. The red stone was the school color, the hawk their mascot and his sport, track. She sighed and leaned against her car.
" Oh, Knives you idiot," she thought
She opened her car door and placed her books in the back. She slid in and started her car, then her car door opened and Wolfwood slid in.
" Nicholas!" she screeched
" Why does everyone call me that?" Wolfwood said
" Cause it's your name dummy," she said, " Get out of my car Nicholas."
" No not until you explain," Wolfwood said
" Explain what?" Meryl questioned
Wolfwood reached over and lifted the ring and said, " This."
Meryl grabbed it and turned away then leaned against her steering wheel. Wolfwood raised eyebrow.
" Explain," Wolfwood said
" Knives and I are dating," Meryl said, " that's all and he gave me his ring."
" It must be serious," Wolfwood said, " A guy wouldn't dare give a girl his ring unless they were really serious."
" We're not serious," Meryl said, " We just started seeing each other two days ago, after the race between him and Vash."
" Meaning Knives found out that Vash had feelings for you and the best way to make him suffer would be take the one thing that Vash really wanted…right Strife?" Wolfwood said
Meryl nodded and opened up her purse and handed Wolfwood something.
" Your buddies with him, be a good holy man and give Vash this," Meryl said
Wolfwood took the piece of paper and unfolded it, seeing her number on it, full name as well. Meryl looked at him and encouraged him to get out of her car.
" So, there's hope?" Wolfwood said
" There's always hope," Meryl said
Wolfwood shut the door and Meryl drove off and Wolfwood watched her go. He smirked and walked off to the back. He leaned against the fence and watched the track team practice. Vash readied himself and took off and ran and jumped hurdles against some of the other team.
" Vash," the coach called after
Vash walked over and grabbed towel and wiped the sweat off his face.
" Yeah coach," Vash said
" I don't want to get you nervous about this, but I want you and Millions to do hurdles for this weeks competition, your doing a little better then Millions," the coach said, " So keep it up you might be our new track star."
Knives narrowed his eyes and threw down the metal rod for the relay.
" Well, I guess we'll work hard," Knives said
" Come on Millions, Vash is one of us," on team said
" He's never going to be one of us, he comes from our run down sister school. Of course he was a track star, he was the only one on the team," Knives said
Knives narrowed his eyes and looked at Vash as he did another lap of hurdles.
" Show off," Knives snarled
After practice, Vash cleaned up and changed into clean clothes. He shut his locker and saw Knives standing there.
" I want to be the first to congratulate you on earning a spot for the hurdles, no one's been good enough to jump those hurdles as good as me," Knives said
" Yeah, is that right," Vash said, " Or have you eliminated those who were better."
" I'm hurt Vash to hear you say that about me your own brother who's congratulating you on your accomplishments," Knives said
" Last thing I checked you haven't been my brother for ten years," Vash said
He grabbed his bag and pushed past Knives.
" If your still mad about Dad leaving Mom I can understand that, but it's not worth losing a brother over it," Knives said
Vash stopped and turned and looked at Knives, there was anger and hate in his eyes. His right hand balled up into a fist and he walked over to Knives. He threw a punch at Knives and Knives dodged it and punch Vash directly in the stomach.
" You were always brains before bronze," Knives said
Vash gasped and fell forward and Knives kneed Vash in the face.
" You listen to me," Knives said grabbing Vash by his neck
" Why should I?" Vash said
" I am your brother if you like it or not, but if you want to play that game than I'll play it," Knives said, " I had no choice in choosing who I was going to live with. Dad just took me, but I'm glad he did cause I wouldn't have hear that bitch cry every night about how father disowned her and how he left her with nothing to take care of her precious little boy. So, don't give me that bullshit about not being brothers."
Vash narrowed his eyes and kneed Knives in the stomach and then punched him in the face. Vash picked up his bag and walked out, but suddenly someone hit him straight on with a weight and knocked him out. Knives looked over and nodded.
" Leave, him here," Knives said, " Bastard."
" Vash, Vash," someone said, " Wake up Vash."
Vash opened his eyes and looked to see one of the coaches and Wolfwood standing there.
" What happened?" Vash said
" Don't worry kid, your ok," the coach said
Wolfwood handed Vash an ice pack as he sat up easily. He looked and saw his bag where he left it before he blacked out.
" Looks like someone may really be after you," Wolfwood said
" I think we better take you to the hospital just incase kid," the coach said
Vash nodded and Wolfwood and the coach got Vash up. Vash touched his head and felt a bandage on his head.
" Do you remember who did this to you?" the coach asked
" Knives was in the locker room just when it happened. I walked out and I saw a big guy just beam a weight at me," Vash said, " That's all."
" Hmm well there are a lot of big guys on the team so, I guess we'll have to pick one of them and presume they did it," the coach said, " Well, thank goodness for Wolfwood here, he came and found you."
Vash nodded as to thank Wolfwood, he wasn't quite sure how, but he was glad he still had a friend that watched out for him. The coach drove Vash to the hospital and Vash called his mother to let her know where he was. Vash was examined and saw it was ok, just a little knock on the head. He was released and he saw his mother standing there talking to his coach. Wolfwood walked over and kind of chuckled.
" Oh, I forgot to tell you Strife gave me this," Wolfwood said pull the paper from his pocket
Vash looked at it as Wolfwood handed him the piece of paper. He unfolded it and there he read Meryl's name and her number. He folded it up then looked up and nodded to Wolfwood.
" Thanks Wolfwood," Vash said, " You just made my day."
Wolfwood nodded and patted Vash on his shoulder.
" It's just away to get Knives back," Wolfwood said with a wink
The next day Vash walked into the school yard and looked seeing Knives with his arms around Meryl. Though it didn't see as though she was to pleased with the gesture. Vash shrugged and walked towards his favorite spot, to see Dominique standing there. He walked slowly towards her and she smiled.
" Good morning Vash," Dominique said
" Good morning," Vash replied
Dominique looked at Vash seeing he had a bandage on his head.
" What happened?" she asked
" I got in a fight," Vash said, " Unfortunately I haven't learned my lesson that there are always two."
" Oh, Vash," she said
She wrapped one arm around his and leaned her head on his shoulder.
" The mid year dance is coming up," Dominique said
" Oh, is it now, I guess I've lost track of dances since I've come to this school," Vash said, " When is it?"
" Well, next Saturday," Dominique said, " It's formal."
Vash sighed and shook his head at the thought then looked at Dominique.
" How'd I get myself into this mess?" Vash thought, " I can't just say no to her. I can, but I have a feeling something's up."
" Saturday huh? Well I have a track meet," Vash said
" I know, but the dance isn't until that evening," Dominique said, " It's a big thing for seniors so, come on Vash."
Vash sighed and looked at Knives as he kissed Meryl's cheek. He was taunting him, trying to make him lose his cool.
" Alright," Vash said
The bell ran and Vash walked off to his first class, there he sat in the back and sighed. He knew Knives was up to something, but he usually did it during track and P.E. He sighed and grabbed his home work and past it up then pulled out his book.
" Attention class, we have a new student in our class," the teacher said
Vash looked up as the new student stood up. He was first a little taken, by her looks, she was pretty. Brown hair that was braided into two pig tails, beautiful green eyes that just shinned, and she was fair skinned. She looked around and folded her arms in front of her and smiled.
" My names Jessica," she said
Vash slightly smiled at the refreshing face that was still so pure.
" Why don't you have a seat right now in the back, where Vash is," the teacher said
Vash was quick to change his facial expression to a more serious note. She walked down the row to where he was in the back. He watched every step she took slightly amused by they way she walked with such grace.
" Are you Vash?" she asked
" Ah…yeah I'm Vash," he said with a slight stutter
She smiled and gave her head a slight tilt. He moved his things from out her way and reached over and pulled her chair out.
" Thank you," she said
Vash smiled and then turned and faced the front. Jessica pulled out her paper with her assigned classes on it.
" Excuse me," she said, " Can you tell me where all my classes are?"
Vash looked over and nodded and she handed him the paper.
" Well, let's see literature is down hall to your left it's the second one," Vash whispered, " Uh…then let's see well we have another class together. That class is going to be down the hall then take a right down another hall. You then go through two double doors which leads to another building. It's the 4th door on your left. You have that at third. Fourth class is just across from it, we also have that class together. Then there's lunch. Finally your fifth class is back in this room for your second language."
" Thank you, your so nice," Jessica said
" I try too," Vash said
" Vash would you like to share with the class what your talking about?" the teacher said
" Sorry, I was just telling the new girl where her classes were," Vash said
" Well, you can do that later, my class is important," the teacher said
Vash sighed and Jessica smiled a little. She then opened her notebook and text book to catch up.
After his first two classes he saw Jessica again and she was introduced by the teacher. She once more found an empty seat by Vash and the teacher asked Vash to share his text book and try to catch her up. Vash agreed to help Jessica and he opened his notes and gave her a brief over look on what they were doing. He then let her pay attention to the new stuff. He sighed and watched the clock as he listened and then answered questions Jessica had. He could answer many of her questions, but some he couldn't because he wasn't taking those courses.
" For a girl your age you sure are taking some hard courses," Vash said
" I'm a senior, I didn't want to insult my intelligent," Jessica said sweetly
" Of course your like me, I don't goof around in school," Vash said
Jessica smiled and chuckled and pointed to his paper with a doodle on it.
" I can tell," Jessica said
Vash looked at it and chuckled and said, " Only when I'm bored."
By the fourth class, he and Jessica walked together. She handed the teacher a piece of paper and then took a seat. Vash looked at Meryl as he walked by, she looked at him and sighed.
" Vash," she said
He sat in the back and looked forward. Meryl looked at him from the corner of her eye and then sighed.
" Meryl Strife," he thought
By the end of class he walked off and Meryl watched him then walked over towards him, when Jessica walked over.
" I'm sorry to bother you again Vash, but can you walk me around the school for find these classes?" Jessica asked
" Sure, I'd be glad too," Vash said
Meryl sighed and walked on to see Knives waiting for her. She took a deep breath and Knives raised an eye brow.
" You ok?" he asked
" I'm fine," she replied, " Can we eat alone today."
" Well, I guess, I'll take you to the track field," Knives said, " That's as alone as we get."
" The coaches won't mind?" Meryl questioned
" Look who your dating, nothing in this school is a problem for a track star," Knives said
Meryl nodded and they walked off to the track field and Vash looked behind him to see so.
" Alright here we are, this is the computer class," Vash said, " All the technology classes are here in this area. Ah, the Chemistry class is just upstairs cause that's where all the chemical labs are."
" Oh, I see ok," Jessica said, " Oh, this is exciting."
Vash looked at her class list seeing she was taking psychology as well. He smirked and sighed seeing that she wasn't in his class. He was interested in finding out how she really thought.
" You sound like you have a lot of hard core classes," Vash said
" Yes, my father always said that it's important to take the most challenge classes, cause easy classes won't do you any good," Jessica said, " So, it's always been like that."
" Wow! Sounds like a pretty high thinking guy," Vash said
Jessica nodded and looked at Vash, then smiled.
" He was a great guy," Jessica said getting serious, " He was the best."
Vash looked at her and questioned, " What happened?"
Jessica shook her head and wiped her eyes.
" He was killed in an accident in his lab. His partner mixed the wrong two chemicals together and they caught fire. The doors locked where he was so they were trapped. He was burned alive," Jessica said, " That was 4 months ago."
Vash placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
" Sorry to hear such a horrible thing," Vash said
The two walked down the hall and walked to the school yard. Wolfwood walked over and looked at Jessica then looked at Vash.
" Who's your friend?" Wolfwood asked
" Oh, Jessica this is Wolfwood," Vash said
" Pleasure to meet you," Jessica said
" What brings you here at mid year?" Wolfwood asked
Jessica sighed and said, " My mother and I moved here because we couldn't afford where we were living."
Wolfwood nodded and put out his hand and Jessica shook his hand.
" You pass," Wolfwood simply said
" Pass, what?" Jessica asked
" He's just messing," Vash said leaning over
" Oh," Jessica said with a smile
By the time lunch was over Vash walked to his final class and saw Meryl standing by his desk. Vash looked at her and she moved seeing he was in no mood to play around.
" What happened?" she asked
" What do you mean?" he replied
" To your head," Meryl said pointing to the bandage
" It's just a minor head injury, I got smacked in the face by a weight that's all," Vash replied
Meryl looked at him and saw his lip had dried blood on it. She knelt down and looked at Vash. Vash looked at the ring that dangled from her silver chain.
" What can I do for you?" he asked
" Could you fill me in the drama of high school," Meryl asked
" Huh?" Vash questioned
" Yes, act 3 scene 6 the brother's quarrel," Meryl said
Vash looked at her and narrowed his eyes and looked down at his text book.
" I don't know that one go get the notes from someone else," Vash said
" Maybe I have it, but just listen," Meryl said, " Two brother's separated at an early age, twins none the less attend different schools most their lives and suddenly it's changed when one of the brothers transfers to his brother's school. To find they are different in so many ways, they challenge each other, get in fights and the richer of the two tries to ruin the other one's life. Seeing that the other one can't ruin his brother's life, he takes something precious from him, a girl who he's asked out for pretty much all three years of school. The other one to get back at his brother takes his brother's woman."
Vash looked at her wide eyed as she recited the whole event in one breath.
" Am I getting close?" Meryl asked
" It's not my play," Vash said
" It could be Vash change it," Meryl said
" No," Vash said, " After all I'm not a writer."
Meryl looked at him and then walked back to her desk and sighed.
" You know she's interested," Legato siad
" Why should I care?" Vash growled
Vash leaned his head against the desk and hit his head a couple of times. Legato kind of gave a blank look at him as he did. The teacher past out test papers and Vash stuffed his in his bag. He sighed and waited for the bell to ring, and as he did he was beginning to think. Vash took down his notes when one of the coaches came in. The teacher looked up and then nodded.
" Vash, out in the hall please," the teacher said
Vash got up and walked into the hall and the coach shut the door.
" What's going on coach?" Vash said
" Well, nothing yet," the coach said as he handed him something
" What's this?" Vash asked
" Well, a little while ago a friend of mine from one of the top universities came to the last competition and he saw you run," the coach said, " He was impressed and asked me to give you this."
Vash opened the envelope and read the letter that was written personally to him.
" The funny thing is out of the three years Millions' was on this team he never once received a letter from one of the top universities to be on their track team," the coach said, " So, do your best in this weeks competition and you'll be on one of the top teams out of this place."
Vash smirked and shook his coaches hand.
" Oh, by the way Vash how's the head?" his coach asked
" Oh, it's a little sore, no biggy," Vash replied
He walked back into the classroom and sat down. Legato looked at the letter he sat on the desk. He raised an eye brow and then smirked a little and Vash focused on his studies.
When the bell rang Vash gathered his things and looked at Meryl as she left. In the hall he saw Knives leaned against the wall waiting.
" I want a written draft of your plays on my desk Monday," he said, " Don't disappoint me."
Vash walked out and walked past Knives and Knives smirked seeing it wasn't Vash's usual face of hope.
" Knives," Meryl said
He looked over and kissed her cheek and they walked off together holding hands.
" What are you going to do your play on?" Wolfwood asked
" I don't know, I have two many ideas," Vash replied
" I'm doing a worthy play on miracles," Wolfwood said
" I'll need one of those miracles to write my first draft," Vash said
Wolfwood chuckled and said, " I got an idea, why don't you base you play on two rivals."
" Two rivals huh?" Vash said
" Yeah," Wolfwood said, " You know making them brothers that are twins or something."
Vash stopped and looked at Wolfwood. He knew something too just like Meryl.
" Brothers," Vash said
" I am your brother if you like it or not, but if you want to play that game than I'll play it," Knives' words growled in his head " I had no choice in choosing who I was going to live with. Dad just took me, but I'm glad he did cause I wouldn't have hear that bitch cry every night about how father disowned her and how he left her with nothing to take care of her precious little boy. So, don't give me that bullshit about not being brothers."
" You ok Vash," Wolfwood said
" Yeah," Vash said
Vash broke off and went to the track field and went to his locker. He changed and then went to warm up. Knives watched him and narrowed his eyes as he ran past them. Knives looked up at Meryl in the stands as she worked on her play.
" Sweet taste of hate," Knives said, " I love it."
Knives got warmed up and so did the other teammates. The coach called them into a group and broke them up into their events. Knives and Vash worked on the hurdles against each other. Each time they tried to out run one another, they only tied with each other.
" They're at it again," the coach said
At the end of the evening Vash washed up and wrapped a towel around his waist. He saw everyone else had left so he felt a little at eased. He grabbed his things and walked to the back when he heard the door open.
" Hello," someone called
Vash slowly walked to the front and then saw Meryl standing there.
" Meryl?" he questioned
Meryl turned around and then just stared at him. She then turned around as though she suddenly wasn't suppose to look.
" I'm sorry," she said, " I was looking for Knives."
" He's left already," Vash replied, " I'm the only one here."
He walked to the back and Meryl waited for him knowing he was changing. He walked out slipping a shirt on.
" What brings you here?" he asked
" Oh, my car broke down and I thought Knives could fix it," Meryl said
" Your kidding me, Knives couldn't fix anything he's such a pretty boy," Vash laughed
" You don't know that," Meryl said
Vash walked to his locker and slipped his other shoes on. He tossed his track uniform into the bin.
" So, are you still on track?" Vash asked
" Yes, in fact I had practice earlier today after P.E class," Meryl said, " That's why you don't see us practice."
" Oh, I thought you just went somewhere else," Vash said
Meryl smiled and Vash packed his gym bag up then walked out. Meryl walked him to her car and he looked at her car.
" Let's see what you have under the hood," he said
He lifted the hood and looked at it. She watched him fix it and then he looked at her.
" Well, it's fixed lets hear it," Vash said
She nodded and started the car and Vash wiped his hands on a towel, he had in his bag.
" Need a ride?" she asked
" Sure, I could use it," Vash replied
He got in and she put the top down and took off. She looked at Vash as he looked out the window. His blonde hair blowing in the wind, giving him a new hair style.
" Did you ever think of growing out your hair?" Meryl asked, " I mean it would really look good on you."
" I don't know," he said
She smiled and looked ahead and Vash looked at her.
" So, what are you going to do your play on?" Vash asked
" I don't know, I might do it on a era piece on someone famous," Meryl said, " What about you?"
" Don't know I got ideas," Vash said, " But I'm not a writer."
" Well, I'm sure you can pull it off," Meryl said
Vash smirked and Meryl droved downtown and pulled up to an apartment complex where Vash had told her. She looked at him as he got out and then grabbed his books.
" Hey Meryl," Vash said
" Yes," she whispered
" Don't tell anyone ok, I don't want more trouble from them," Vash said
Meryl looked at him and said, " Alright, I won't."
Vash nodded and walked off and Meryl looked at him as he entered the building. She sighed and drove off.
" Oh, Vash your so simple hearted," Meryl said