GOLDEN_GIRL2002 ~ Woot! You got it right! *claps and cheers* I probably
should have come up with someone more original, but I figured Domon holds
the biggest grudge against Michelo in the show so... yeah. ^_^
ANIME_EAGLE ~ I love getting positive reviews! Here's the chapter you were anxiously awaiting! ^_~
CHAOSBRINGER1 ~ Wow, thank you so much for the encouraging words. I very much appreciate the review. And yes, you were the first one to bring me joy so thank you! And no, you're not stupid for not figuring it out... I think it was just to obvious! ^_^;;
Gotta love these things ---- (Disclaimer: Of course, I don't own G Gundam)
§~The Best Years of Your Life~§
By: Rayne Rhiana
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chapter Three: I Finally Saw You
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
With a look of pure venom in his eyes, Domon got out of the booth, clenching his fists. "Michelo Chariot..." he muttered, gazing at the person standing behind Rain. She turned around and saw the school's biggest alcoholic/stoner standing there, grinning.
"Domon Kasshu. I'm surprised to see you here with such a low-class date. Dipping into the reject pool to find someone that'll have you? 'Bout time you found a girlfriend, you haven't had one since Allenby -"
At the mention of that name, Domon snapped, lashing out with his fists at Michelo. There was a reason Domon was quarterback of the Federation football team. He had strong arms. His fist connected with the side of his rival's face and Michelo's head snapped back. Kids from school started chanting "Fight! Fight! Fight!" while the workers at the resturaunt tried to separate the guys.
Michelo managed to get in a lucky uppercut and Domon fell back a step. One swift crack across the jaw sent Michelo to the ground. Domon stood over the fallen guy, ready to destroy his face with his shoe when he felt a gentle hand on his arm. He'd forgotten Rain Mikamura was even there. "You beat him. Now let it go. We should leave before the cops come. Come on."
Reluctantly, Domon let Rain lead him out the door. They walked to the sportscar, not caring if they were getting wet. Domon unlocked the doors and Rain slipped inside, shivering. He turned on the heat full-blast after starting the car, but didn't make a move to go anywhere. They sat in silence for a few minutes, until Rain looked at Domon. "Are you okay? Oh my gosh, you're bleeding. Here, hold still." He muttered a few half-hearted protests as she pulled a Kleenex from the box she found on the floor of his car. There was a shallow cut across his jawline that she wiped the blood from. Then she applied pressure to stop the bleeding, which was easily accomplished. Domon gazed at her in wonder when she was done.
"You studying to be a doctor or something?" he asked, sounding something other than mad for the first time in a while. Rain nodded and then looked at the floor.
"It's my dream to be able to help people," she told him. "And I've always admired my father."
Domon nodded. "Guess I lucked out." Gingerly, he touched the cut. "Thanks."
"For cleaning you up? That was nothing..."
"No..." He finally pressed down on the accelerator, backed up, and pulled out of the parking lot. "For taking me out of that fight. Michelo isn't worth getting suspended over. But, man... I was ready to kill him."
Rain fell silent for the next few blocks, but then felt the need to speak. "Domon..."
"Mmm?"
"Am I really low-class like Michelo said?" she inquired, straining to keep back the tears. "Is that how popular people at school classify me, just because I'm not popular and I get good grades? Am I just some stupid nobody?"
"Rain, Michelo is in no way popular. He's just some pothead loser that wants to be popular. And as for the low-class thing, he was just looking to hurt you. And maybe to put a dent in my relationships. Somewhere in the jock's code of honor, it's written that you're supposed to only be friends with other jocks and date cheerleaders. But I never liked codes and rules." He shook his head. "No... Rain, trust me. You're of a higher class than a lot of people I know."
The compliment touched her and she could no longer restrain the tears. They served to horribly embarrass her, but when Domon looked over and noticed them, he pulled into a vacant lot. "Are you okay?" he asked, concerned. "Did I say something?"
"Yes..." she replied. "Yes, you did, and it's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."
Domon couldn't believe it. He was simply amazed. He was falling for Rain! The brainy girl he'd known his whole life that he'd never truly seen until today. She'd served to completely surprise him throughout the entire day, but how could this be? Domon Kasshu had only been in love once, and it certainly hadn't been with someone like Rain Mikamura. But he couldn't deny it, no matter how much he tried. So, instead of trying, he unhooked his seat belt, leaned over the center console, and wrapped his arms around Rain, bringing her closer to him. "It's okay..." he whispered. "It's okay... you're fine... don't worry about a thing..."
Rain buried her face in his shoulder and tried to believe his words. But everyone knew the truth about her. It was hard not to. Her father and her lived a low-class life, as he was a reclusive doctor that hardly worked anymore. Her mother had left a long time ago, disgusted, and hadn't bothered to take Rain with her. The only reason she tried so hard in school was so she could get a good job that would support both her father and her.
'She should be the pride and joy of her family', Domon thought. 'Instead, she's her father's only hope. It's not fair.'
When Rain finally opened her eyes, she realized it was dark. She pulled away slowly, sad to leave his embrace. "I think I should be getting home. It's getting kind of late."
Domon nodded. It wasn't late by his standards - he was practically nocturnal - but it occured to him that not everyone was like him. Rehooking his seatbelt, he started up the car again and drove towards Rain's.
When they got there, she smiled and gathered up her stuff. "I'm sorry for going to pieces like that. I must look like such an idiot."
"Not at all. You have plenty of reasons to cry, Rain." Domon picked up her backpack and textbooks, leaving her with the coat. "How do you keep such a strong front?"
"I don't know. I really don't."
She stepped out into her falling namesake and sighed. Then she felt Domon's presence behind her and turned. He was standing there, looking so handsome. And she wanted nothing more than to feel his arms around her again.
He seemed to be willing to comply. Wrapping his arms her once more, he pulled her closer. His mind was spiralling completely out of control with all these new things happening to his head and heart, but at that moment he didn't care. When he finally let her go, he smiled down at her. This girl... she'd managed to completely control his heart in one night. And trusted him enough to pour her soul out to him after knowing him (on friendly terms) for only a short time.
"Thank you, Domon," she said before turning to leave. Just as she went inside, she caught his farewell and felt herself smile.
"Good night, Rain."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The next morning was the football game. Rain awoke in her nice, warm, safe bed and recalled instantly the events of the day before. Domon... she had no idea what to do about him. She liked him, she really did. But were his feelings sincere? Or was she just being used by a popular jock? She really hoped for the first option, but the second seemed more probable.
Instead of contemplating it herself, Rain called one person she knew would understand.
"Marie Louise? I need to talk to you."
She explained everything that happened the previous night. When she'd finished, Marie Louise asked, "Rain? Do you believe in love at first sight?"
"I don't know. But I -do- know that doesn't apply to Domon and me. We've known each other casually for years and I've never felt this way."
Marie Louise sighed, as though disgusted with her. "Until yesterday, you never truly -saw- him."
"Huh?"
"Never mind. What I mean is, you and Domon didn't really notice each other until yesterday, and that's when the 'first sight' thing happened. It's so perfect, it's like fate. You and Domon are destined to be together."
"You read too many love stories."
"Come on, Rain. You have to admit... you feel something for him. Or you wouldn't have poured your heart out to him. I know you better than that."
Rain laid back on her bed and sighed. "I'm going to go to the football game. If he's willing to approach me in front of the school, I'll know he's sincere. Otherwise, forget it. Guys like that aren't worth my time."
After Marie Louise hung up her phone, she stared at it forlornly for a moment. "Yeah, Rain, but it sounds like maybe you think he's worth your whole life."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That night, Marie Louise swung by Rain's to pick her up. She looked stunningly pretty, way out of her usual style. She was wearing a nice soft brown leather jacket over a pair of dark blue jeans. Her hair was nicely styled as well, and she smelled nice. Marie Louise never knew Rain owned perfume.
When they got there, the parking lot was already packed. Shirley and Nastasha, who had both also hitched rides from Marie Louise, jumped out along with Rain while the last girl parked her car. The three others headed for the entrance, school IDs ready.
They got to the ticket taking station and Rain handed her ID to a Chemistry teacher running the station. He ran it through the computer and it beeped its response.
"Rain Mikamura. Senior. Registered Federation student. Cleared." It spit Rain's ID back out and the teacher handed it back to her. Then he took Shirley's, and then Nastasha's. The latter's was so trashed it took three tries for it to go through the machine and then the teacher told Nastasha she'd need to get a new ID.
When they got inside, the stadium was packed with thousands upon thousands of people. Students, parents, teachers, and community members had all turned out to watch this game. If Federation beat Association High School, they'd be qualified for the regionals, which were coincidentally happening during homecoming. Regionals would be a nice homecoming game to participate in.
Rain, Shirley, and Nastasha met up with Janet, Bunny, and Kat by the food court as planned. Marie Louise came in soon afterwards and the seven of them went to find seats.
They found Cecile, Sai Saici, and George sitting in one of the best rows, right in the middle. Once they got done with greetings, Marie Louise attached herself to her boyfriend and the other girls sat around their two junior friends. Sai Saici turned around to face Rain.
"Hey, I know you. Rain Mikamura, right? You tutored me when I was a freshman. In Earth Science, remember?"
"Oh, yes! I remember you! I can't believe it didn't hit me until now! Hi!" Rain, Sai Saici, and Cecile laughed.
"So... like, are you and Domon going out now? I heard you were on a date last night. Friend of mine, Jason, said he saw you two at the burger joint. He also said Domon got into a fight with Michelo Chariot."
"The fight part is true, but we weren't on a date." Rain could feel herself blushing. "And he hasn't asked me out, so we're obviously not going out."
"It had to have been a date! Didn't you know the burger joint is notorious for dates? -Nobody- goes there unless they're on a date or family or something like that!" Sai Saici said this like it should be common knowledge. Cecile looked over at him.
"I never knew that," she told him.
"Neither did I," Rain added.
Sai shook his head like they were both dense. "All the guys tell me this stuff. Hey, George!" His friend looked up from Marie Louise. "Where do people go on dates and stuff, when they're serious?"
"The burger joint," George replied without a second thought before turning back to his girlfriend.
"Told you," Sai Saici said, looking quite smug. "Domon himself taught me that rule. He said his older brother Kyoji started the burger joint date thing with his girlfriend and passed it down to Domon. They're a coupla trend-setters."
Rain, by now, wasn't even listening. She was thinking about what Sai had said. If everything was true, that meant that Domon had possibly used her inexperience to trick her into going on a date with him! Or did he do it accidentally? Impossible, right, if he was the one whose brother made the whole thing up in the first place? Rain's head was spinning and she sighed. After the game, she'd talk to Domon himself.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
~Hmmm... wonder how the game's going to go. And how that talk Rain's planning on having with Domon's going to turn out. So many unanswered questions! But at least it's not some big, huge, terrible cliffhanger. I'll do those later. ^_~
By the way, I have absolutely no idea if I'm misspelling names. I tried out eighty different variations on Michelo's name and decided this looked best. Thought I'd clarify that in case I did spell it wrong...
Anyway, review, it only takes a couple seconds and you make my day a lot better with nice ones. Trust me, I go around all day happy. ^_^;;; Aaaaanyway.
Rayne~
ANIME_EAGLE ~ I love getting positive reviews! Here's the chapter you were anxiously awaiting! ^_~
CHAOSBRINGER1 ~ Wow, thank you so much for the encouraging words. I very much appreciate the review. And yes, you were the first one to bring me joy so thank you! And no, you're not stupid for not figuring it out... I think it was just to obvious! ^_^;;
Gotta love these things ---- (Disclaimer: Of course, I don't own G Gundam)
§~The Best Years of Your Life~§
By: Rayne Rhiana
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chapter Three: I Finally Saw You
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
With a look of pure venom in his eyes, Domon got out of the booth, clenching his fists. "Michelo Chariot..." he muttered, gazing at the person standing behind Rain. She turned around and saw the school's biggest alcoholic/stoner standing there, grinning.
"Domon Kasshu. I'm surprised to see you here with such a low-class date. Dipping into the reject pool to find someone that'll have you? 'Bout time you found a girlfriend, you haven't had one since Allenby -"
At the mention of that name, Domon snapped, lashing out with his fists at Michelo. There was a reason Domon was quarterback of the Federation football team. He had strong arms. His fist connected with the side of his rival's face and Michelo's head snapped back. Kids from school started chanting "Fight! Fight! Fight!" while the workers at the resturaunt tried to separate the guys.
Michelo managed to get in a lucky uppercut and Domon fell back a step. One swift crack across the jaw sent Michelo to the ground. Domon stood over the fallen guy, ready to destroy his face with his shoe when he felt a gentle hand on his arm. He'd forgotten Rain Mikamura was even there. "You beat him. Now let it go. We should leave before the cops come. Come on."
Reluctantly, Domon let Rain lead him out the door. They walked to the sportscar, not caring if they were getting wet. Domon unlocked the doors and Rain slipped inside, shivering. He turned on the heat full-blast after starting the car, but didn't make a move to go anywhere. They sat in silence for a few minutes, until Rain looked at Domon. "Are you okay? Oh my gosh, you're bleeding. Here, hold still." He muttered a few half-hearted protests as she pulled a Kleenex from the box she found on the floor of his car. There was a shallow cut across his jawline that she wiped the blood from. Then she applied pressure to stop the bleeding, which was easily accomplished. Domon gazed at her in wonder when she was done.
"You studying to be a doctor or something?" he asked, sounding something other than mad for the first time in a while. Rain nodded and then looked at the floor.
"It's my dream to be able to help people," she told him. "And I've always admired my father."
Domon nodded. "Guess I lucked out." Gingerly, he touched the cut. "Thanks."
"For cleaning you up? That was nothing..."
"No..." He finally pressed down on the accelerator, backed up, and pulled out of the parking lot. "For taking me out of that fight. Michelo isn't worth getting suspended over. But, man... I was ready to kill him."
Rain fell silent for the next few blocks, but then felt the need to speak. "Domon..."
"Mmm?"
"Am I really low-class like Michelo said?" she inquired, straining to keep back the tears. "Is that how popular people at school classify me, just because I'm not popular and I get good grades? Am I just some stupid nobody?"
"Rain, Michelo is in no way popular. He's just some pothead loser that wants to be popular. And as for the low-class thing, he was just looking to hurt you. And maybe to put a dent in my relationships. Somewhere in the jock's code of honor, it's written that you're supposed to only be friends with other jocks and date cheerleaders. But I never liked codes and rules." He shook his head. "No... Rain, trust me. You're of a higher class than a lot of people I know."
The compliment touched her and she could no longer restrain the tears. They served to horribly embarrass her, but when Domon looked over and noticed them, he pulled into a vacant lot. "Are you okay?" he asked, concerned. "Did I say something?"
"Yes..." she replied. "Yes, you did, and it's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."
Domon couldn't believe it. He was simply amazed. He was falling for Rain! The brainy girl he'd known his whole life that he'd never truly seen until today. She'd served to completely surprise him throughout the entire day, but how could this be? Domon Kasshu had only been in love once, and it certainly hadn't been with someone like Rain Mikamura. But he couldn't deny it, no matter how much he tried. So, instead of trying, he unhooked his seat belt, leaned over the center console, and wrapped his arms around Rain, bringing her closer to him. "It's okay..." he whispered. "It's okay... you're fine... don't worry about a thing..."
Rain buried her face in his shoulder and tried to believe his words. But everyone knew the truth about her. It was hard not to. Her father and her lived a low-class life, as he was a reclusive doctor that hardly worked anymore. Her mother had left a long time ago, disgusted, and hadn't bothered to take Rain with her. The only reason she tried so hard in school was so she could get a good job that would support both her father and her.
'She should be the pride and joy of her family', Domon thought. 'Instead, she's her father's only hope. It's not fair.'
When Rain finally opened her eyes, she realized it was dark. She pulled away slowly, sad to leave his embrace. "I think I should be getting home. It's getting kind of late."
Domon nodded. It wasn't late by his standards - he was practically nocturnal - but it occured to him that not everyone was like him. Rehooking his seatbelt, he started up the car again and drove towards Rain's.
When they got there, she smiled and gathered up her stuff. "I'm sorry for going to pieces like that. I must look like such an idiot."
"Not at all. You have plenty of reasons to cry, Rain." Domon picked up her backpack and textbooks, leaving her with the coat. "How do you keep such a strong front?"
"I don't know. I really don't."
She stepped out into her falling namesake and sighed. Then she felt Domon's presence behind her and turned. He was standing there, looking so handsome. And she wanted nothing more than to feel his arms around her again.
He seemed to be willing to comply. Wrapping his arms her once more, he pulled her closer. His mind was spiralling completely out of control with all these new things happening to his head and heart, but at that moment he didn't care. When he finally let her go, he smiled down at her. This girl... she'd managed to completely control his heart in one night. And trusted him enough to pour her soul out to him after knowing him (on friendly terms) for only a short time.
"Thank you, Domon," she said before turning to leave. Just as she went inside, she caught his farewell and felt herself smile.
"Good night, Rain."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The next morning was the football game. Rain awoke in her nice, warm, safe bed and recalled instantly the events of the day before. Domon... she had no idea what to do about him. She liked him, she really did. But were his feelings sincere? Or was she just being used by a popular jock? She really hoped for the first option, but the second seemed more probable.
Instead of contemplating it herself, Rain called one person she knew would understand.
"Marie Louise? I need to talk to you."
She explained everything that happened the previous night. When she'd finished, Marie Louise asked, "Rain? Do you believe in love at first sight?"
"I don't know. But I -do- know that doesn't apply to Domon and me. We've known each other casually for years and I've never felt this way."
Marie Louise sighed, as though disgusted with her. "Until yesterday, you never truly -saw- him."
"Huh?"
"Never mind. What I mean is, you and Domon didn't really notice each other until yesterday, and that's when the 'first sight' thing happened. It's so perfect, it's like fate. You and Domon are destined to be together."
"You read too many love stories."
"Come on, Rain. You have to admit... you feel something for him. Or you wouldn't have poured your heart out to him. I know you better than that."
Rain laid back on her bed and sighed. "I'm going to go to the football game. If he's willing to approach me in front of the school, I'll know he's sincere. Otherwise, forget it. Guys like that aren't worth my time."
After Marie Louise hung up her phone, she stared at it forlornly for a moment. "Yeah, Rain, but it sounds like maybe you think he's worth your whole life."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That night, Marie Louise swung by Rain's to pick her up. She looked stunningly pretty, way out of her usual style. She was wearing a nice soft brown leather jacket over a pair of dark blue jeans. Her hair was nicely styled as well, and she smelled nice. Marie Louise never knew Rain owned perfume.
When they got there, the parking lot was already packed. Shirley and Nastasha, who had both also hitched rides from Marie Louise, jumped out along with Rain while the last girl parked her car. The three others headed for the entrance, school IDs ready.
They got to the ticket taking station and Rain handed her ID to a Chemistry teacher running the station. He ran it through the computer and it beeped its response.
"Rain Mikamura. Senior. Registered Federation student. Cleared." It spit Rain's ID back out and the teacher handed it back to her. Then he took Shirley's, and then Nastasha's. The latter's was so trashed it took three tries for it to go through the machine and then the teacher told Nastasha she'd need to get a new ID.
When they got inside, the stadium was packed with thousands upon thousands of people. Students, parents, teachers, and community members had all turned out to watch this game. If Federation beat Association High School, they'd be qualified for the regionals, which were coincidentally happening during homecoming. Regionals would be a nice homecoming game to participate in.
Rain, Shirley, and Nastasha met up with Janet, Bunny, and Kat by the food court as planned. Marie Louise came in soon afterwards and the seven of them went to find seats.
They found Cecile, Sai Saici, and George sitting in one of the best rows, right in the middle. Once they got done with greetings, Marie Louise attached herself to her boyfriend and the other girls sat around their two junior friends. Sai Saici turned around to face Rain.
"Hey, I know you. Rain Mikamura, right? You tutored me when I was a freshman. In Earth Science, remember?"
"Oh, yes! I remember you! I can't believe it didn't hit me until now! Hi!" Rain, Sai Saici, and Cecile laughed.
"So... like, are you and Domon going out now? I heard you were on a date last night. Friend of mine, Jason, said he saw you two at the burger joint. He also said Domon got into a fight with Michelo Chariot."
"The fight part is true, but we weren't on a date." Rain could feel herself blushing. "And he hasn't asked me out, so we're obviously not going out."
"It had to have been a date! Didn't you know the burger joint is notorious for dates? -Nobody- goes there unless they're on a date or family or something like that!" Sai Saici said this like it should be common knowledge. Cecile looked over at him.
"I never knew that," she told him.
"Neither did I," Rain added.
Sai shook his head like they were both dense. "All the guys tell me this stuff. Hey, George!" His friend looked up from Marie Louise. "Where do people go on dates and stuff, when they're serious?"
"The burger joint," George replied without a second thought before turning back to his girlfriend.
"Told you," Sai Saici said, looking quite smug. "Domon himself taught me that rule. He said his older brother Kyoji started the burger joint date thing with his girlfriend and passed it down to Domon. They're a coupla trend-setters."
Rain, by now, wasn't even listening. She was thinking about what Sai had said. If everything was true, that meant that Domon had possibly used her inexperience to trick her into going on a date with him! Or did he do it accidentally? Impossible, right, if he was the one whose brother made the whole thing up in the first place? Rain's head was spinning and she sighed. After the game, she'd talk to Domon himself.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
~Hmmm... wonder how the game's going to go. And how that talk Rain's planning on having with Domon's going to turn out. So many unanswered questions! But at least it's not some big, huge, terrible cliffhanger. I'll do those later. ^_~
By the way, I have absolutely no idea if I'm misspelling names. I tried out eighty different variations on Michelo's name and decided this looked best. Thought I'd clarify that in case I did spell it wrong...
Anyway, review, it only takes a couple seconds and you make my day a lot better with nice ones. Trust me, I go around all day happy. ^_^;;; Aaaaanyway.
Rayne~