Chapter Two

Discoveries

Tai couldn't study any more that night. His brain was fried. He'd been studying hard all week, all Saturday morning. Now he could do it no longer. The only depressing thing was Huy was still out with Kieko—hopefully not making an idiot of himself. He supposed he could call up a friend, he and Huy had made a couple good friends, but it was getting late and he didn't think any of them would appreciate him calling this late. And what would they do anyway? Play video games? Tai had been getting pretty good at a couple RPG's and especially first-person shooters.

He shook off the idea and turned to the computer in the middle of the desk. It was handy rooming with your brother—you could share everything. He signed onto an on-line messenger and saw his father's name pop up. Ryuzou usually wasn't on-line, but tonight he was. Tai hadn't spoken with his father for a couple months.

Suicideboy80: Hey. What's up?

Mrhappyface: Nothing. What are you doing home on a Saturday night?

Suicideboy80: Homework. And Huy's off proposing.

Mrhappyface: It's about time. I've been tempted to light a fire under that boy's rear.

Tai chuckled to himself.

Suicideboy80: How'd the presentation at work go? Mom mentioned it to me.

Mrhappyface: About as well as it could go for talking to a bunch of old geezers with too much time and money and not enough brain cells left to use them properly. I don't think that they'll listen to me. Morons.

Suicideboy80: ehthat's sadly pretty typical. I about killed my neuro professor today. A royal pain—tried to rip my paper apart but later I brought the book by Dr. Fletcher to him to save my grade. I can handle someone misunderstanding me, but if my grade's on the line, I've got to do something about it.

After writing that Tai realized that it may not have been the brightest thing to say that he'd almost killed his professor, considering his past. But Ryuzou answered pretty promptly so Tai didn't think he was worried.

Mrhappyface: That's too bad. But normal. I remember how college was. It doesn't get any better though, sorry to tell you.

Suicideboy80: I know.

Mrhappyface: Well, how is everythingelse?

Sucideboy80: I had another dream the other night. First one in about a year that I've had.

Mrhappyface: can you think of any reason why you'd start having them again?

Suicideboy80: I can't exactly say they are starting up again. I've only had one. But it's still worrisome. I can't think of any particular reason for me to be having them. This week hasn't been any special week, if you catch my drift.

Mrhappyface: Yah, I got you.

Suicideboy80: I've been thinking about that incident a lot. I just think I'm going to randomly think about it from time to time. It'll never completely go away. Everyone has things that will never go away.

Mrhappyface: That's not completely true. Some things you do eventually grow out of. Depression, for example. You usually grow out of it when you hit your thirty's. But that might only be true for the milder cases, not the extreme ones.

Suicideboy80: Oh that's encouraging.

Mrhappyface: hehehehehe

Suicideboy80: how's mom?

Mrhappyface: currently pretending to be asleep and glaring at me when I'm not looking. I'm not being in bed yet and apparently that's offensive in some way.

Suicideboy80: Do you need to go?

Mrhappyface: Nah. I'd rather talk to my kid. ^_~ Bed time's not as exciting when you're old folks like us.

Tai almost choked on that. He could not believe his father had just made such a joke. Sometimes his parents really surprised him. Most of the time they were normal, calm, cool, and collected. But every now and then The scariest was once when Tai and Huy had walked in on them making out. It had surprised Tai but it had horrified Huy, having lived with them his entire life and that being the first time he'd ever seen them kiss, much less really kissing. Tai, on the other hand, had only been with them a couple years at that point.

Suicideboy80: Sheeshdon't do that too often. You might disturb your poor kid with all that talk of the unmentionable subject.

Mrhappyface: hehehehe.sorry. couldn't resist. Your mom was reading over my shoulder so I thought I'd get her back.

Mrhappyface: she just smacked me upside the head.

Mrhappyface: she just did it again

Suicideboy80: I think you better stop before she kills you.

Mrhappyface: she might just call you to say I'm a lecherous old man.

Suicideboy80: *snort* riiiiiiiiight

Mrhappyface: *winks*

Mrhappyface: So Huy's finally proposing how was he doing before he left?

Suicideboy80: Horrible. I had to walk him over there and make sure that Kieko would drive them around. He just about walked out of here in his boxers, and he forgot he even had a ring.

Mrhappyface: hehehepoor kid. But I can sympathize. When you get to the point where you can't imagine life without a person, and you feel happy for it, you know she's the one. But then you worry if she thinks you're the one for her. And when you care THAT much about a person, and they reject you, you just can't imagine the pain. It's terrifying.

Suicideboy80: Were you that scared with mom then?

Mrhappyface: Worse. I proposed twice. She said "no," the first time.

Suicideboy80: REALLY?!?!? Did she ever tell you why?

Mrhappyface: Her family didn't like me so she said as an answer, "Maybe we should just continue dating." She did like me but her family still had so much influence over her that even though she felt it was right, because they said the sky was purple, she thought, heck, it's purple. You know what I mean? Mild brainwashing mixed in with deep respect

Suicideboy80: Yah.

Mrhappyface: but I gave her some timea lot of timeand she eventually grew up and out of the "nest" a little more and decided that her family was full of it and she'd give me a chance. And I've spent my life proving them wrong.

Suicideboy80: What did they have against you?

Mrhappyface: I was young and unsure of my future. I had no idea at that point what I wanted to do with my life. And your mother was very young too, younger than me. The first time I proposed she was only 19. 20 is still very young, but at least she wasn't a teenager then.

Suicideboy80: so what? Did you just decide on a career, get a good job and get their trust?

Mrhappyface: something like that. I think they were still pretty angry at me for a while, but when we had to live with them for about six months, I started to grow on them a little. I think they thought I was playing father/husband role well.

Suicideboy80: when did you live with Grandma and Grandpa?

Mrhappyface: right after we lost you. We left that colony and lived with them till I found this job that I still have now. Ai was really upset then, as was I, but I guess they felt I handled it well and could see that I was looking long and hard for a good job. So I earned their respect.

Suicideboy80: were things really that bad?

Mrhappyface: you know your mother, she's never upset long. She's a human rubber band, but that time, I didn't think she'd stretch back. She loves you kids. It almost killed her. But that doesn't matter now. =)

Suicideboy80: yahI guess not.

Mrhappyface: but what about you? You seen any nice girls this semester?

Suicideboy80: Nope. I really don't notice girls though. I'm too busy. And if I'm going to med school, what's the point? I don't want to drag someone through that with me.

Mrhappyface: or maybe she could help you through it. It's funny, but you get to a point where you don't really care about friends anymore. You want something more serious.

Suicideboy80: Well, if I meet someone that I'd like to have that with, I'll let you guys know. I just don't see it happening.

Mrhappyface: ever? Or just not for a long time?

Suicideboy80: ever, or rather, never.

Mrhappyface: I'm sure you'll change your mind.

Suicideboy80: I don't think it's a matter of me changing my mind. It's morefinding someone who can tolerate mytrials.

Mrhappyface: hmmdo you mean about the war?

Suicideboy80: Yah. It's such a big part of me. Anyone who doesn't understand war can't understand me and therefore, it would be a bad marriage. And most people who do know about the war are working somewhere to prevent another one, not at college. It's incredible. As widespread as it was, so many people were not involved and escaped unscathed.

Mrhappyface: I don't know. I think there must be some around. Besides, who says that you'll meet your wife at college? I didn't.

Suicideboy80: Yah, you cradle robber

Mrhappyface: HEY—I'm only ONE year older than your mother. Don't make me sound evil here.

Suicideboy80: but had you been older you still would have gone after her.

Mrhappyface: well, who could resist such a lovely, wonderful person?

Suicideboy80: she's reading over your shoulder again, isn't she?

Mrhappyface: maybe

Mrhappyface: I just got smacked againI think it's past your mother's bedtime. We'll talk some more about this later kiddo. Oyasumi.

Suicideboy80: Oyasumi.

Tai clicked off the screen and looked at the blank computer. I better go to sleep before I start thinking too hard

But sleep didn't come for a while. Tai tossed and turned for an hour. It was one of those times when so many thoughts are running through your head that it's quieter outside your head than in. And you can't turn your brain off. He didn't even know what he was thinking about.

Finally at about three he dozed off into a light sleep.

Tai woke but didn't open his eyes. He was exhausted. He guessed that it was sill pretty early in the morning because he didn't feel rested at allbut apparently someone had had all he could take of Tai sleeping.

Huy was sitting on the end of Tai's bed swinging his legs out very quickly making the entire bed shake, and humming various cartoon theme songs.

"Huy?" Tai asked, again without opening his eyes.

"Yes?"

"What the heck are you doing?"

"Oh, come on. It's already six! Besides, you weren't out all night so you got lots of sleep. You should be up by now!!" Huy explained.

Tai groaned. "I take it she said yes," Tai said as he swung himself out of bed. He had learned a long time ago that if Huy wanted something, he was insanely annoying until he got it. And he had an incredible amount of endurance. So Tai just gave up now. It was the most painless way to handle the situation.

"Yup!" Huy beamed as Tai sat up in bed beside him. "Now I'm going to call mom and dad!"

"I talked to dad on Instant Messenger last night while you were gone. So he already knows."

"Oh" Huy looked slightly disappointed. "But they don't know she said yes yet!" and he continued on with his jovial little mood.

"So it went alright?"

"Basically. I was afraid she'd say no' there for a minute and we ended up screaming at each other for a little bit, but it was okay in the end."

Tai rolled his eyes. Only his brother could turn a screaming match into a proposal. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know the gruesome details.

"But now we are going to tell the world that I'm getting married to the love of my life!!" Huy yelled.

"We?"

"Yup."

Tai shook his head and got up to put some pants and shoes and a shirt on. Maybe he could get Huy to sit down long enough to eat breakfast.

"Oh come on Tai, don't be such a prickly pear!"

"I'm not being pricklyI just don't want to go out with Kieko's roommate! And just because you found a purpose for your silly life in that apartment doesn't mean that I will! So just drop it!"

"But she thinks you're cute"

"Huy, did Kieko recount this conversation to you?"

"Yes."

"And it didn't bother her that her roommate basically told her that she liked HER fiancée?"

Huy looked thoughtful for a minute. "You don't think Kieko made that part up? Surely not. But it would be awfully weird to have your roommate to comment on your fiancée's twin" Huy wondered aloud.

"Kieko and Julie are up ahead," Tai said quietly, and the conversation stopped quickly.

"Hey babe, what's up?" Huy yelled out happily as he walked toward Kieko.

"I said don't call me babe" she wasn't very happy. But Huy didn't look bothered in the least. He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead.

"Let's go get some lunch. I'm starving!" he decided for everyone.

Tai and Julie, Kieko's roommate, quietly followed in their wake.

"Sohow's everything?" Julie started timidly.

There was really nothing wrong with Julie. Tai liked her. But not like that. She was just nice, and Tai felt nothing more for her than platonic friendship. "As well as things can be going when you live with an immature doofus permanently on a sugar high. How about you?"

"Okay. I kind of miss just having Kieko to myself. We've roomed together for quite a few years now. But that's life. I bet it's nothing compared to how you feel about giving up Huy."

"I'm dealing. He's happy, so I'm happy."

"You are such a kind person Tai"

The conversation ended there as they reached the cafeteria line. But Tai continued to think about that. He couldn't understand why everyone always told him that. He always thought he was pretty standoffish and cold, but the most common compliment he received was, "you're so kind." What was kind anyway? Tai always figured it was a selfless person who always patiently listened and helped his friends and even people he didn't like. That wasn't Tai. He was never very good at talking. He was more of the type to do things with people or run away and leave them alone, and a fat lot of help that was. When people are upset they usually want to talk about it and not leave their room. But whatever "kind" was, he was pretty sure he wasn't it. That was someone more like Relena

"So I was thinking maybe we should rent a good movie this weekend," Kieko began the conversation, looking at Tai, not Huy.

"Oohand have lots of junk food!" Huy chimed in.

"Don't you guys think that'd be fun?" Kieko asked pointedly.

Tai narrowed his eyes at them. He knew exactly what they were trying to do. But not this time. "But Huy, don't you have to leave tomorrow for another scrimmage? You won't even be back till late Sunday."

"Aw crap," Huy slapped his forehead. "I totally forgot about that!"

"Wellit would be kind of odd to have a three-some, so why don't you two do something?" Kieko batted her eyes innocently. Tai glared at her again.

"I don't think I could anyway, Kieko. I've got a research paper due next week that I better work on," Julie said quietly. Tai could've hugged her, but Kieko gave her the "don't you see I'm trying to help you" look.

"Well maybe Tai could help you. He helps Huy a lot!"

Huy seemed to see where Kieko was going because he quickly agreed. "That's right. I always have Tai read my papers and he rips them to shreds, so then I fix them and get A's. It's great!" Huy added. They both were looking hopefully at their roommates. Apparently officially having a counterpart gave them the right to match everyone else up, or so they thought.

Tai's mind was turning quickly. On one hand it would be nice to have something to do with someone so he wouldn't be alone all weekend again, but on the other hand, this girl had a crush on him and the couple was hoping to spark romance between them which would not be happening.

Julie was looking down at her shoes and Tai felt a pang. Poor girl. She must think I hate her.

Tai shrugged. "Do you think you'll need any help Julie?"

Julie continued to look at her shoes, and Tai suspected she was blushing madly. "I'm not sure. I've been looking at my notes so much, my paper could be a total mess but I wouldn't notice. It would be helpful" her voice trailed off but then she added quickly, "but of course if you're busy with stuff of your own, getting ready for medical school and all, I understand." But Tai could see she looked hopeful.

Tai shrugged again. "Sure." Kieko and Huy looked triumphant, as if a romance had been instantly established. Tai felt like a creep. He was not interested at all, and she was practically falling over him, and he was going to be over at her apartment helping her. And of course, Kieko would conveniently not be home. What was he getting himself into?

Deirdre was doing her "cool-down" in the aerobics room when Pablo walked in. She rested her head on her leg to hide her groan of dread. He was a nice boy. He was smart, friendly, and not bad looking.

But then she stopped herself from lying anymore. Who was she kiddinghe annoyed her to no end. Always bragging about some new job offer that had come in, or the game he had just won for the school. Of course, men's soccer wasn't in season right now and scrimmages didn't start till spring so she had been spared that for a little while. But he could not take no for an answer and would not leave her alone. And now she had missed her gym class so she had to make it up since they took role and docked points for lack of attendance, and she was not going to get a B in a weeny class like this. But unfortunately it gave a certain person a perfect opportunity to talk to her alone. And so "Mister Perfect" had come in. Could it get any worse?

Suddenly the air smelled strongly of rose and she heard something fall softly by her head. Yup, it could get worse. He had come armed with flowers this time.

Sitting up to face him, she jumped when she found herself looking straight into his eyes. "Don't do that! You scared me!"

"Exercising does give you such a pleasant flush"

"Pablo"

"Yes?"

"No. No, no, and no. I went out with you once, okay?! I'm not going again. I'm sorry that you like me so much, but I'm afraid that I can't go with you again. You are a nice person, but no." Deirdre had been saying this to the mirror for a couple days. It was hard to be mean to people like that. Usually she just meekly tried to distract him and run, or not answer him clearly, or just plain make up an excuse. But she knew that she had to be honest and give him the truth. She had never thought of the saying "Truth hurts" as being applicable to the truth-teller, but she'd been learning that a lot lately.

Pablo looked a little startled. Deirdre had never said something like that to him before. "Are you interested in someone else?"

Deirdre sighed and looked down at her windbreaker pants. Deirdre was not the most popular girl. She was average looking and nice to people and fairly friendly, but she was no beauty and she didn't have a million boys running after her all the time. She'd dated a little, but not every weekend or anything. She figured if she had her natural blond hair and blue eye's she'd look nicer and maybe catch a little more attention, but she didn't want attention. And there was sort of someone else, if a dead guy counted

"No Pablo, there isn't anyone else. I'm just not interested in" she was about to say "a relationship" but that was a lie. She wasn't interested in him. "I'm just not interested, okay? Please don't push me."

Pablo fidgeted and stared at the floor for a minute while trying to decide what to say. "Is there anything that I did?" he asked.

Deirdre shook her head. "No. I'm just not interested. You are a nice boy, but you would be much better for someone else. Please just leave it at that." She started to feel like she was almost begging.

But it seemed that Pablo wasn't finished. As Deirdre got up to leave, he called after her, "You'll never get a better offer, you know!"

She paused, looked back, and said calmly, "You are talented and affectionate, but what good does that do me if I can't reciprocate? I'm sorry." And she walked off.

She felt surprisingly calm as she strolled home that night. She'd been worrying about that for some time and now it was over and she could go home, enjoy her weekend, and never have to worry about him calling. He was too insulted.

It probably wasn't the kindest parting note she could have given him, but he didn't take subtlety so she had to spell it out for him. She had to make him understand and quit hoping for something that would never happen. Deirdre had a policy that she would never say no to a first date but was very selective about second dates. In fact, she had never gone on a second date with anyone, at least that she could think of at the moment. But some boys just could not take no for an answer.

As she walked into her apartment, she could smell burning meat and a wave of smoke poured out of the door. Amada was cooking again.

Deirdre coughed loudly as she passed the kitchen and Amada, decked out in her apron, glared at her as she scraped out the contents of a blackened frying pan. "That's not funny, Deir!"

But she didn't argue with Amada. She just went to dump her stuff in her room. As she opened the door her roommate Kiki snapped, "Don't go making a ton of noise. I've got to study for this final!"

"I won't," Deirdre said patiently. She was used to Kiki now. They had been rooming for a couple months and Deirdre knew that Kiki wasn't mad at her per se, just the world and everyone in it. But that was actually easier to handle than other types, she had realized last week.

After a near nervous breakdown and a somewhat tearful email to her sister-in-law (She'd never email Zechs about these problems. She wanted him to think she was perfectly happy), Noin very rightly pointed out that Deirdre had been dealing with people like this her entire life. Everyone around her seemed to be angry and upset at the world. Several of the Gundam Pilots and most of the soldiers and Politicians she had worked with were like that. So she just needed to treat her roommate as she did all of them. This wasn't anything Deirdre hadn't been through before.

And since then, things had been so much easier. When Kiki snapped at her, she just ignored it and went on her way. If she was especially bad, Deirdre went to the library or called a friend and stayed out of her way. She just wished that she could help her roommate. Despite everything, she really cared about Kiki.

Deirdre put her bag carefully on her bed so that Kiki couldn't complain about her taking up her side of the room and pulled out a change of clothes. She was all sweaty from aerobics.

"Ug. You smell like a dog," Kiki said wrinkling her nose.

"I know, that's why I'm taking a shower," Deirdre said good-naturedly and went off to the bathroom.

The hot shower felt wonderful. She didn't have to worry about Pablo. She had just taken her last mid-term. Noin had helped her learn how to deal with Kiki. Everything was good again. And to think, last week she had nearly given up! Now she was in complete control again and felt fine. She was proud of herself.

After her shower she headed for the kitchen, where Ianthe was chasing after Maryanne, Amada was attempting to cook again, and Celes was at the table with large eyes eating her fat-free yogurt. Everything was normal and in it's place again.

She grabbed her loaf of bread from the fridge and some cheese, sugar, and cinnamon to make her dinner--two pieces of bread, one with melted cheese on it, the other with sugar and cinnamon. As she turned on the oven, a newspaper went flying over her head. Deirdre quickly slimmed herself against the cupboards as Ianthe went flying after Maryanne.

"You get back here you scrawny little rat!!" Ianthe was screaming.

Maryanne giggled and held onto the newspaper harder. "Nanny-nanny boo boo, you can't catch me!"

"What's so important about the paper?" Deirdre asked Amada as she turned the heat down for Amada's soup and gave it a stir so it didn't scald on the bottom. Amada had even burned soup before.

Amada shrugged. "I think it has a funny picture of Ianthe from her last scrimmage in it."

"She was slam-dunking and her face is all scrunched up. Maryanne wants to scan it and post it on the school website," Celes filled in for the girls as she came in to throw her empty yogurt container away. "Well, I'm full! That was good. I need to go do my nails now" she said as she hummed her way to her bedroom.

Amada snorted.

"What's so funny?" Deirdre asked.

"I just don't get how someone can get full off of a container of yogurt."

Deirdre just shrugged. "Well, we'll just be healthy sized girls together," and she winked.

Amada smiled.

"Arggerroff!!"

"Notgive meTHAT PAPER!!" Ianthe had Maryanne in a headlock in the living room.

"Oh, oh! I'll help!" Amada yelled as she sprang into the room and started tickling Maryanne's ribs.

"Okay! OKAY!! I'll give you the dumb paper!" Maryanne sat up, panting heavily, and handed the paper to Ianthe, who promptly folded it under her arm.

"Thank you."

Maryanne sighed, and fell onto her back on the carpet. "I'm pooped. Do I have to go to that game with you now?"

"Yes."

"What game?" Deirdre asked from the kitchen.

"We have a basket ball scrimmage with that big-shot school in the western colony—Swinson. We played earlier today, and won, I might add," she smirked at Amada who was always saying no one could win with a big oaf like Ianthe on the team. "Boys are playing tonight. Maryanne and Amada wanted to go, but Celes has a date and Kiki just insulted me, so they aren't going. But we got a ticket for you, figured you'd want to come."

"Okay. That'll be fun," Deirdre smiled. "What time is it?"

"Um, I don't remember"

"I'll go get the tickets!" Amada yelled as she scampered off to their room. The apartment had three bedrooms, each with two girls in it. Deirdre and Kiki in one, Amada and Ianthe in the next, and Maryanne and Celes were in the third. Maryanne and Deirdre had been in the same apartment since their freshman year, but both agreed that they couldn't stand to share a room. Maryanne was way too messy and stayed up at all hours of the night and Deirdre was way too clean and liked to get to bed early and get up early. It just didn't work. They met Ianthe and Amada, childhood friends, their sophomore year and all four agreed to room together the next year. They had been in this apartment since then, about a year and a half now. Celes and Kiki were random girls who moved in with them just this semester. But they all got along fairly well, except Kiki that is.

Amada came back with the tickets. "It's at 7:30! You coming?"

"Sure."

"Um guys" Maryanne piped up again.

"Huh?" the other three asked.

"It's seven right now."

"Eek!" and in a whirl wind three of the girls sprinted to their rooms, threw on clothes, fixed make-up, and grabbed purses.

Deirdre calmly dried her hair as she watched the others primp. "What on earth are you guys doing that for? It's just a ball game."

"Yah, but we set each other up on blind dates. The guys should be here at 7:20," Amada told her.

"Oh," she said and went back to drying. Then she froze, turned and glared at Amada. "You didn't set ME up with anyone, did you?" she asked dangerously.

"Heehee" Amada laughed nervously.

"Why you." And Amada took off running for her bedroom while Deirdre came after her with a round brush.

Amada beat Deirdre to her room and tried to slam the door, but Deirdre got there in time to push on it, and a little tug-o-war began.

"AmadaI just barely got rid of Pablo! Arg!!"

"But he's nice and funny andNORMAL! You'll like him!" Amada was slipping a little. Deirdre was a lot stronger now because of her gym classes that she'd been taking.

"That's not the point. Boys are complicated. My life is complicated. Therefore, I don't want a boy to make it even more complicated!! Arg!!!" she yelled as she shoved it open and pounded on Amada with her brush.

"Leggo!!!"

"Not till you say I'm sorry, I'll never set you up without your permission again!!'" Deirdre said as she held her roommate by the hair, brush poised to inflict great pain upon her scalp.

"Gee, I didn't think that I'd be that repulsive to you Deirdre," a very male voice said behind her.

Okay, so Deirdre had never said yes to a second date except one, but then he'd gone off to work on Earth for a while and she'd tried to forget about him. Call it a school girl crush, call it silly, but he was just one of those boys she couldn't NOT like. Drat him.

She turned and looked up at him and laughed uneasily. "Ahehi. How was Earth?"

He grabbed her hand and pulled her off Amada. "Beautiful, but I still missed the coloniesand the people on them." He paused and smiled at her thus ensuring that she did not misunderstand his indirect compliment. "I guess you've been doing some working out," he said motioning to Amada laying on the floor with large, blank, almost "swirly" eyes.

Deirdre blushed a little standing there under the gaze of the older, tall, dark, Latin boy. "Umnot really." For some reason this boy made her feel like a blushing thirteen-year old again. Not a good feeling. "I'm gonna finish getting ready. I'll be back." And she fled to her room.

What was she thinking, that Amada! Why didn't she tell me that Marcus was back! ARG!! She knows that I like him. Not fair!! And he looks even better than before! I just hope he doesn't recognize me. The one boy who had a father in the committees who I've even had meetings with, the one boy who's been running for public offices and is very active in political spheres, and I have to have a crush on him! Arg! I thought I was rid of him a year ago when he graduated! What is he doing back here?

Her mind was turning a mile a minute as she threw on clothes and shook out her hair. "Will you quit tromping around like an elephant. Some people actually WORK at college, instead of gallivanting off with people."

Deirdre's nerves were shot, but she held them in check before blowing up. "Well, I hope you get the good grades you deserve. Call us on Ianthe's cell phone if you get lonely and we'll come get you!" she said cheerfully and walked out.

The other girls were chatting nervously with their not-so-blind-dates. This was a totally planned/canned excursion, Deirdre realized. Marcus had probably emailed Maryanne and told her he was coming. Deirdre had changed her email since then so he wouldn't have been able to contact her.

"You look wonderful, Deirdre," Marcus smiled at her.

"Uh" she glowered internally. Why did she have to be such a ditz around him?

"Well, let's go!" Ianthe said happily hanging onto her date's hand. She'd been chasing him for the past six months.

Marcus was definitely a politician, Deirdre decided. He was smooth, well-dressed, charismatic, and could carry a one-sided conversation without even seeming to notice. But Deirdre was content to listen to him. This way, she found out what was going on in the political world besides what her brother and Noin thought of things and besides what was in the papers. It would be useful to store all that information away for when she entered the political world again. And it was her major anyway, so he wouldn't be suspicious that that's what she wanted to hear about.

The basketball arena was only a fifteen-minute walk from the girl's apartment and that way they were only about five minutes late. No big deal for a basketball game.

Marcus was a perfect gentleman. He opened all doors for her and hung on her every word. She just wished she could get him out of her head.

It took a little doing, but they found their seats in the mass of screaming fans and settled in, all eight of them. That's when Deirdre saw him.

He was right there, on the court. Playing. Playing for the other side, no less. He was quite a bit shorter than everyone else and he had the definite Japanese look and messy dark hair. His deep dark eyes were scrunched in concentration as he stole a rebound and sprinted across the court. He was fast. Agile. And totally Heero.

Suddenly, Marcus was the furthest thing from her mind.

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A/N Thanks for all the reviews guys!! I'm so glad that you are still checking and reading(purrs of contentment). And to Cynthiait's just because you're that smart! ^_~ Thanks for reading!! Toodles, Tygerlilee =^;^=