Chapter Eight: Lunch, Bio, Lady Une

I sat with Jeff and Brian and their friends at lunch that day. I had gotten myself another peanut butter and jelly sandwich and lemonade for lunch. So far, it looked like PB & J was the only thing the lunch ladies could do right.

Jeff and Brian introduced me to their friends as I sat down. It was a mix of girls and guys, all of whom were dressed in the latest fashions. The girls were wearing shirts that were really tight, but not so tight they looked slutty. The guys were all wearing t-shirts or polo shirts and khakis. I felt kind of out place with my jeans and thrift store denim jacket, but no one seemed to notice really.

"So, Duo, did you play any sports at your old school?" the guy sitting across the table from me, James, asked.

"Not really. Well, I played basketball at one school, and I was pretty good at it, but I left that school part way through the season," I explained, taking a bite of my sandwich.

"Why'd you leave?" James asked.

I shrugged. "It was during the war, and I moved around a lot." I knew a lot of people had moved around a lot as refugees during the war, so I figured that was a safe answer.

"Was that while you were on Earth?" Kristen, the girl sitting next to me asked. I recognized her from my history class.

I nodded. "Yeah."

Kristen laughed. "That was some debate you and Jericho got into today. Most excitement I've ever seen in a history class."

"What debate?" Jeff asked.

James' jaw dropped. "You mean you haven't heard yet? It's all over the school. Duo and Jericho had an all-out argument about the Gundams this morning. They almost killed each other."

"It didn't really get that far," I protested, but no one heard me as Jeff started laughing.

"The Gundams?" Jeff cried. "What does Jericho know about the Gundams?"

"Probably a lot less than Duo," Brian said as the rest of the table chuckled along with Jeff.

"What makes you think I know anything about them to begin with?" I said with a grin, pretending to go along with the joke, even though I didn't know what was so funny.

"Well, you're from the colonies, so you must know something," Kristen said. "And the way you debated today, you sure proved you knew loads more about them than we do. But I guess it's a person's business to know the weapons his side is using in war, at least a little, huh?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right." I decided it was time to change the topic before the conversation went any further. "So, what do you all do around here for fun?" I asked.

"Oh, we go hang out at the mall or go to movies, or go to parties," Brian said. "Sometimes the girls drag us along on shopping trips."

"Speaking of which," Kristen said, eyeing my clothes. "We should probably take you shopping. Get you some new, Earth clothes."

I frowned and looked down my clothes. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Nothing," Kristen said. "But if you want to make it with people around here, you need to dress like they do. It'll make people think you're one of them. Besides, if you dress right, girls will flock to you." She winked at me, and a shiver went up my spine. She was really good looking and I was getting the feeling she thought the same about me.

"I guess we should be glad he's not dressed like a reject from the Catholic Church today," James said, laughing. The rest of the group laughed too.

"Heh," I said, but I found it hard to smile. I was feeling out of place again, and I was thankful when the bell rang a few minutes later.

During Biology, I sat with Brian and Jeff again. We paid more attention than we had the day before, and for the first time in my life I took notes. It wasn't that hard; the notes were on an overhead and we just had to copy them down.

At the end of class, the teacher gave an announcement. "The science fair this year will be in January. I require all of my students to enter an exhibit. I know it's early, but I want to give notice a few months ahead of time so that those of you doing involved projects will have time to complete them. If you plan to work in groups, I need to know those groups tomorrow. Group changes after Monday will not be allowed unless there is a major problem within a group. Any questions?"

No one raised their hand.

"Alright," she said as the bell rang and we got up to leave. "Don't forget your homework! See you tomorrow!"

"Hey, Duo, you wanna work with me and Jeff on the science fair project?"

"Sure," I said with a grin.

"Cool."

When I got home, I took my stuff up to my room and then took Benny for another walk. Once again, Benny took me around the neighborhood and we greeted all of his friends and acquaintances. We didn't stop at the park though. Instead, when we reached the park, we turned around and headed back. Diana was normally home around three, and I didn't want to be gone too long after she got home. I didn't want her to worry.

As Benny and I came through the front door, I heard Diana talking in the kitchen. "…He took the dog for a walk. Oh, wait, I think he just came in the door. Duo, is that you?"

"Yeah," I called back as I kicked my shoes off and unhooked Benny's leash.

"You have a phone call," Diana said, appearing in the kitchen doorway. She was holding her hand over the mouth piece of the phone. "It's a Lady Une. She'd like to talk to you for a minute."

"Okay."

"Here he is," Diana said to the person on the other end, and then she handed me the phone.

I took the phone. "Hello?" I went back into the kitchen and sat on a stool.

"Hello Duo. This is Lady Une. How are you doing?" she sounded genuinely interested in my well being.

"I'm pretty good. How are you? What's up?"

"I'm fine. Are things going all right? How are you enjoying school?"

"About as much as any teenager enjoys school, I guess," I replied, winking at Diana when she smiled.

"That's good. It certainly is much quieter around head quarters without you here," she said, and I had a feeling I had made her smile too.

"That's what Quatre said too," I said. "How are things going with the Preventers anyway?" Diana put the plate of brownies down on the counter in front of me and I took one.

"They are going well, not that that's any of your concern anymore Duo. Actually, that's what I called you about. I don't recall going over this with you before you left, but now that you are a civilian, you are not to talk about the Preventers. Your involvement with the Preventers, like your past as a Gundam pilot, is strictly confidential. You are to assume the role of a normal teenager, understand?"

"Yeah, I get you."

"That means Duo," Lady Une went on, her voice a little more forceful. "That if you come into a situation that should be handled by the police or a rescue team, then you are to let them do their job. You are not to get involved unless you have no choice. Do you understand?"

"Yes," I sighed, rolling my eyes. I didn't know why she was even bothering to tell me this when she knew I wasn't going to comply.

"Good, I wanted to make sure you understood that. Now, I need to get back to work. It was good talking to you, Duo."

"You too, Lady Une. Say hi to Heero and all them for me."

"I will. Good bye."

"Bye," I said, and hung up the phone.

Diana smiled over at me. "What was that about?"

I shrugged. "My former superior officer just told me that another part of my life is to be kept a secret."

"Oh." Diana frowned, and I got the feeling she didn't like secrets. "How was school today?"

"It was pretty good," I replied. "I got into a debate today in History."

"Oh yeah? Over what?" Diana asked. She had put down the dish she had been drying and was giving me her full attention.

"Oh, the war and the Gundams," I replied. "There's this girl in my class that no one likes, and I can see why, I mean, she's really opinionated and stuff. Anyway, she said the Gundams and the colonies' rebellion had been pointless, and I argued with her about it."

"Hn," Diana said. "Sounds exciting. What else did you do? Meet any new people?"

"Yeah, Jeff and Brain introduced me to their friends," I answered, grinning smugly. "One of the girls offered to take me shopping for new clothes."

"New clothes?" Diana asked, cocking her head to the side. "What's wrong with the clothes you have?"

I shrugged. "I was wondering that too, but I guess clothing is really important here on Earth. And my clothing doesn't really fit in with theirs."

Diana chuckled. "Clothing isn't important to everyone. And your clothing is a part of you Duo. You shouldn't go out and buy a new wardrobe just to fit in." She sighed and turned back to drying the dishes. "But if you want to go shopping, I guess there's no harm in it."

"Yeah," I agreed, nodding. I stood and took another brownie from the plate. "I'll be in my room."

I went upstairs to my room and sat down at my computer. Opening my e-mail, I saw that I had no new messages. I clicked on the "Create message" button and typed out an e-mail to all my friends back in the colonies. I told them about my classes and about my friends, and about Diana, Jon, and Benny. I also said that I had yet to figure out Trowa's puzzle box and that I was almost ready to throw in the towel on it. I closed it by telling them that I missed them all, and I couldn't wait till I saw them all again. I sent the e-mail and did my homework.