Something I forgot to add last time when I was explaining a little about the film was that the character Relena is based on (Amanda Jones) isn't actually that bad. I guess you'd have to see the film for yourselves, but she really doesn't seem to mean some of the things she does. All I will say is, she redeems herself in the end but doesn't end up with Heero!
Stay lucky - Swordy.
Some Kind of Wonderful - Part 8
There were no traces of winter in the air, indeed, autumn seemed to be leaning into summer rather than looking towards the colder months. The leaves were starting to lose their colour before they finally embraced death and floated towards the ground. The bell to signify the start of the day's classes had sounded a good five minutes before Relena and Dorothy pulled into Seventh Street's car park in the wealthy blonde's 4x4. The two girls were fully aware of their lateness, and by way of apology they tottered as fast as their heeled feet would carry them towards the girls' changing rooms. As they rounded the corner, Relena was greeted with the unwelcome sight of Treize waiting by the main doors. Determined not to make eye contact, she tried to step past him as Dorothy had done but she found an arm blocking her path.
"Hi," he said, giving her no choice but to acknowledge his presence.
"Get lost, Treize," she growled, shooting him a furious glare.
The football captain's face was a picture of innocence as he shook his head in disbelief. "You're still mad at me?" he said, sounding surprised, "Can we talk? Please?"
"No," she snapped as she ducked under his arm and disappeared into the building.
Undeterred by the fact that Relena had entered a female only changing room, Treize followed her through the throngs of semi-naked girls into the locker room.
"Oh this is cute," she muttered under her breath as she heard his footsteps behind her.
"I want to talk to you," he said more forcefully this time.
"Too late," was the angry reply.
"I've been in agony over this!"
"I doubt it," Relena retorted as she spun around to face him.
"What do I have to do to convince you that I love you?"
Relena glanced up and down the room to check there were no teachers about before she hissed: "You can start by leaving me alone. I'm late."
Ignoring the curious looks from the girls around him, Treize continued pleading his case. "You're going out with a low-life just to hurt me," he complained, "And you know what? It's working, it hurts, okay?"
Clearly unmoved by his speech, Relena looked up to stare at him straight in the eye.
"Is that why you have all your friends trying to convince me to go to your house so you can prove what a stud you are… by beating him up?"
"Where'd you hear that?" he said incredulously, as if this was the most scandalously unlikely thing he had ever heard.
"Give me a little credit why don't you?"
"True I invited him… but not to beat him up! To show you what a good loser I am!"
"You're not a good loser, you're just a loser period."
Treize opened his mouth to speak but the words were halted by the sharp blast from a whistle. Relena's heart sank a little more when Miss Anders rounded the corner; her lips pinched tightly which was always a bad sign.
"What is this?" Miss Anders asked, barely able to believe her eyes. "WHAT IS THIS?"
Before Relena could respond, Treize had turned on the teacher, angry at being interrupted. "I am talking to Relena, could I please have two minutes to finish, thank you", he snapped arrogantly before turning his back on the furious educator.
"What is your name?" the gym mistress demanded, clearly not used to being talked to in this way. Around the room, people were stopping what they were doing to watch this interesting confrontation.
"Do you mind?" he spat, "There is nothing here that I have not seen before, okay? Relena, can I please drive you home?"
"WHAT IS YOUR NAME?"
"Treize Khushrenada, with two aitches, all right?" he snapped, thrusting two fingers into her face.
"All right that's it. Get out," she roared as she grabbed him by the lapels and began to manhandle him out of the door. "Get out!"
Furious at this less than dignified treatment, Treize pushed the gym mistress's hands away before straightening his crumpled jacket. "I really appreciate this, lady, be a bitch why don't you?" he growled, glaring at her coldly.
"Look, consider yourself reported now GET OUT!"
But Treize stood firm, instead turning his attentions to a gloomy looking Relena, who was still leaning against her locker miserably.
"Relena, your reputation's hanging in the balance here. If you play me around, you're gonna have a real lonely year."
"So I hear," she snapped, removing the signet ring he had given her and throwing it at him.
"Just get out of here!" Miss Anders yelled as Treize stooped to retrieve the discarded trinket.
With a final push, Treize disappeared from sight, quickly followed by Miss Anders who was keen to see that that arrogant young man was not planning on returning. Sighing wearily, Relena let her head rest against the locker. Her eyes had just closed when Miss Anders reappeared, hands on hips and clearly unimpressed by the little scene she had just witnessed.
"Relena, may I see you for a minute please?"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Later on that same day, Quatre Raberba Winner sat in a corner booth at Oz's, sipping on a vanilla milkshake as he waited for his beloved to arrive. Oz's was an upmarket diner inside the local mall and a popular hangout with the more affluent pupils at Seventh Street. He therefore wasn't surprised to see Treize Khushrenada and his friends sat on a table near the counter talking animatedly about football.
Quatre rarely had anything to do with Treize, but the Winner heir's wealth and family status had ensured that he and a guest of his choice had been invited to the Khushrenada residence that Saturday. He had been set to refuse the invitation until Duo had gloomily announced that Heero was taking Relena and would Quatre report back to him about how the date had gone. Quatre would of course be accompanied by his handsome boyfriend, which would no doubt raise a few eyebrows, but he had grown used to the stares and whispers. Indeed lately he had almost begun to enjoy the controversy his choice of partner caused. 'The Winner Hellraiser' was what Trowa teasingly called him.
Speaking of Trowa, the dark haired boy was late according the Quatre's watch. They had arranged to meet at Oz's after school but unusually he hadn't been there when Quatre had arrived. The small blonde had ordered himself a drink, expecting Trowa to show up before he had taken the first sip but as he reached the dregs of the shake, his beloved still hadn't appeared. As he reached for his cell phone he jumped as it started to ring in his hand.
"Trowa!" he said, identifying the caller from the display, "Where are you?"
"I'm sorry, love," came the soothing reply, "I got collared by the coach on the way out for an extra gymnastics practise and I didn't get chance to ring."
"Hmph," Quatre pouted, pretending to sound cross, "Trowa Barton, sometimes I think you love gymnastics more than me!"
He heard Trowa laugh quietly at the other end of the phone.
"Ha! So you don't deny it!" the Arabian said, also laughing as he fingered the straw in the now empty glass. "Listen, do you want me to come pick you up?"
"That would be good," Trowa replied. "Drive safe, love."
"I will," Quatre promised, "See you in ten."
Quatre ended the call and looked around for a waitress so he could pay his bill. Seeing none that weren't rushing about laden with glasses, he made his way over to the counter to pay. He came to stand near Treize and his group but the football captain didn't notice him or if he did, he certainly didn't recognise the Winner heir. Waiting patiently to be served, Quatre couldn't help but tune into the nearby conversation. He expected it to be about football judging by the way the boys were huddled around listening intently to their leader, but he was shocked to discover that it contained no such topic.
"Relena has to bring him, what else can she do?" Treize announced confidently.
"Not bring him," came the reply from the smartly dressed blonde to his right.
Treize shook his head dismissively.
"She can't take the pressure, she'll bring him. All right," he said, indicating for them to listen carefully, "so the party'll go down as expected okay? Relena will blow in with her guy… and we'll nail him and we'll go back to business as usual. It's real simple."
It took Quatre several moments to realise that a girl had now appeared behind the counter and was ready to serve him. He paid for his drink quickly before racing to his car, the conversation he had just overheard replaying in his mind. It was a trap – and Heero was in trouble.
TBC…