CHAPTER 5

Athrun was puzzled the moment he stepped into the spacious classroom.

Where is everyone?

The cream classroom was empty, not a single soul was present. The scene in front of him was identical to one during a lunch break. The blue-haired boy knew he was a bit late, well, very late, however he knew perfectly well that it was still way too early for a lunch break.

Athrun walked to the chalk board, hoping to find a note on his classmates' whereabouts'. However, he found none, only a childish scribbling of 'Dearka loves Miriallia' in a big heart.

Athrun smiled.

His blonde friend seemed to have no problem telling the whole earth and PLANT that he was head over heels for the auburn Natural girl.

Athrun sighed.

Note to self : Remind Dearka if he had all the time in the world to let the whole population of the school to know his never-ending-love for Miriallia, at least have the courtesy to leave a message whenever I'm not in class.

Athrun walked to his seat, put down his bag, and took out a semi-torn maroon hardcover notebook. He flipped the pages, and only slowing down at the image of a mechanical bird, Tori, and a sphere mechanical thingy called Haro.

Athrun continued flipping the pages until he found a blank page. Athrun started to sketch, intentionally, he wanted to sketch a new design of Haro, however, his skillful hands seemed to have their own mind and will.

After 5 minutes, Athrun was staring at a perfect sketch of a girl. To be more accurate, the sketch of the blonde girl he met earlier.

What was I doing?

His long fingers traced the outline of the mysterious girl.

How did I manage to capture her features so perfectly? I was never good at sketching a living thing, more over a female.

Athrun continued to study his artwork. He did a very good job.

God, what's gotten into me?

The sounds of footsteps caught Athrun attention. He stuffed his precious notebook in his bag, and took out a copy of the TIMES. After a few nanoseconds, the back door of the classroom slipped open. The blue-haired prince didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Dearka.

Years of intensive military training at ZAFT Military Academy earned Athrun useful skills that he practiced regularly, and sensing his comrade presence from their footsteps was one of them. Athrun Zala did not graduate top of his class for nothing.

Dearka Elthman slapped Athrun's back without notice, not that Athrun wasn't expecting that.

"Hey Athrun, what are you doing here all alone?" he asked playfully.

"What were you doing NOT in here?" Athrun asked casually..

The tall and blonde Coordinator laughed at Athrun's questions, knowing exactly what he meant.

"At least you could leave a message," Athrun muttered.

"Well, I thought you were not planning to come to class today, you know, with all those gorgeous girls practically throwing themselves at you." Dearka teased.

"You are one lucky guy Athrun. I hope I have dozens of girls following ME around," Dearka continued.

Athrun smirked, "Remind me to tell Miriallia about what you said just now," Athrun replied calmly.

Dearka's face turned pale.

"Athrun, I was just kidding. You know me….right?"

"I'll think about it," Athrun replied nonchalantly.

Deraka laughed nervously.

"You can't blame him Zala," a voice interrupted from behind.

"You were pretty 'busy' back then. I can't blame you if you decided to ditch class. Any normal 17 year old guywill be 'busy' with all those girls." The newcomer continued.

"As if," Athrun muttered under his breath.

"Unless-" the platinum blonde haired guy suddenly added.

This made Dearka interested, "Unless?"

"Unless, Athrun is not 'normal'," the platinum blonde haired boy smirked triumphantly.

This made Dearka laughed mercilessly, "Good one Yzak!" he said between laughs.

"Get a life Yzak," Athrun said calmly, not a trace of anger or annoyance detected in his tone.

This made Yzak's blood boiled, his fists clenched and his usually azure eyes darken.

"Care to repeat that Zala?" he said between gritted teeth.

Athrun smirked, "I never knew you had hearing problems,"

Everyone knows Yzak Jule was never a patient person. Nobody dared to mess with him and nobody even dared to make him angry, well nobody beside Athrun Zala that is. Hearing his self-proclaimed rival mocked him; Yzak was ready pounce on him and put him in the hospital for a good week or two.

Dearka stopped laughing.

The tan Coordinator, being the 'Peacemaker' whenever his two friends were prepared to kill each other, or rather, whenever Yzak was ready to strangle the non-responsive Athrun, stood between his two dear friends.

"Now now, I think that's enough action for today," Dearka said.

"Stay out of this if you know what's best for you Deraka." Yzak warned.

This made Dearka twitched, and he was just retreating, when the classroom door suddenly slid open, revealing a gentle-featured boy with green locks.

"Eh? What's happening in here?" he asked.

The green-haired boy looked questioningly at his three friends, and the sight of the fuming Yzak explained all his questions.

It was a rather normal interaction between Yzak and Athrun.

Yzak provoked Athrun, Athrun ignored Yzak, and Yzak goes into berserk mode.

Typical indeed.

"Nicol, some help here would be appreciated," Deraka said, gesturing at the flushed Yzak, who was trying to reach for Athrun's neck.

Dearka gave him the usual pleading look, and Athrun smiled apologetically at him.

Even with three ZAFT elites, calming an angry Yzak Jule was never a simple job. Fighting in a battlefield is a piece of cake, compared to facing the wrath of Yzak Jule in his I-Will-Kill-That-Damn-Zala mode.

Only one way out of this, Nicol thought.

Nicol gave Dearka 'The Look' and dragged Yzak who was yelling something about letting him go on top of his lungs, out of the class.

"Come Yzak, time to ring you mother," Nicol said.

"Yeah Yzak, Aunt Ezaria must be worried sick by now. Last time you called her was 24 hours ago," Dearka continued.

The mentioning of his mother's name made Yzak features softens a bit.

"We'll settle this later Zala," Yzak hissed.

The students of class 3-A began to pour in, and they gave Athrun and Yzak a weird look.

As Yzak was officially out of the class, Athrun heard himself muttering, "I can't wait."

Ten minutes later, the classroom was bustling with life. Not a single soul cared less that Mrs Flaga, or Murrue-sensei, as she preferred to be addressed, was still not present.

Athrun glanced around the class to observe the amusing scene in the packed classroom.

Deraka was gazing dreamily at Miriallia, who was chatting happily with Lacus at the back of the class, completely oblivious that Dearka was eyeing on her. Shiho was also chatting with Lacus and Miriallia.

Athrun then glanced to the opposite side of the classroom where Yzak was typing something in his laptop. Nicol, on the other hand, was busy going through a series of music notes.

By the way, where is Kira?

Athrun suddenly realized that he hadn't seen his best friend since last week, and he certainly was not in class now. However, Lacus had confirmed earlier that Kira was present.

Maybe he's at the washroom.

Athrun again concentrated on his latest issue of TIMES, when suddenly a soft tap on his shoulder made him look up.

"Kira!"

Kira gave Athrun a weary smile, and he has a concerned expression plastered on his face.

"Kira? Is anything wrong?" Athrun asked.

Kira shook his head and put his bag down.

"I haven't seen you in a while. Is everything going on well at home?"

Kira smiled apologetically, "Sorry about that. I had a few family matters that kept me busy."

Family matters?

Athrun arched his eyebrow questioningly. Kira smiled, "It's a long and kind of complex story. I'll brief you all about it after school."

Kira then glanced around the classroom worriedly.

What is he so concerned about?

"Kira? Are you alright?"

Before Kira had the oppoturnity to answer his best friend's question, Miguel's voice filled the classroom.

'Murrue-sensei's presence detected! Subject will arrive in approximately sixty seconds!"

The students who earlier was scattered around the class, rushed to their respective seats.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

The classroom door slid open, revealing a stunningly beautiful woman with long brown locks cascading down her shoulders. This was Murrue-sensei, their class teacher.

She entered the class, smiling warmly to her students. After taking the usual attendants, Murrue-sensei straightens up and smiled.

"I have a surprise for all of you," she began.

Groans were heard from most of the students, and Murrue-sensei laughed at her dear students' reaction.

Usually, Murrue-sensei's surprise means an Einstein level pop-quiz, or amind-blowing test, literally.

"It's not the usual surprise, I assure you," she continued.

The students began to cheer up.

"I'm sure you'll find this surprise really pleasant. Anyone care to guess what the surprise is?"

The classroom was filled with whispering of students, speculating what the surprise was.

To Athrun surprise, Kira stood up and answered confidently, "We are going to have a new student in this class."

It was more a statement than a question.

"Absolutely correct Kira-kun."

Gaps and whispers filled the class again.

"I'm sure all of you are familiar with her," Murrue-sensei said, and gestured to the figure standing outside to enter.

Athrun emerald eyes glint with amusement upon seeing the new student.

Well, well, if it isn't the poor I'm-Lost-But-I-Won't-Admit-It girl I met earlier.

The whole class was staring wide-eyed at the persona standing in front of them. She was standing with both of her hand behind her, and she emitted a regal aura subconsciously.

Her gentle features smiled confidently and her gaze appeared fixed on the 19 students in front of her.

The whole class was in awe, totally captivated by her.

"I'm Cagalli Yula Attha. It's a pleasure meeting all of you."

Cagalli stood nervously in front of the whole class. It seems like they were all staring at her.

Cagalli eyes gaze at the back of the class. From the other students point of view, she may appear fixing her gaze at the students; however, the truth was far from that.

It's normal to be nervous.

Perfectly normal. However, Cagalli would never reveal her weakness to anyone, especially not in front of the whole class.

Do not look at the students.

Do not even try to peek where Kira is.

DO NOT LOOK AT THE 19 PAIR OF EYES STARING AT YOU.

The best solution? Pretend to be full of confidence even though your heart is beating furiously.

Athrun eyed Cagalli with amusement in his eyes, and he was somehow smirking.

It looks like our Princess here is nervous, but as usual, would not admit it.

Athrun studied Cagalli carefully.

She sure does a good job pretending, he smiled.

"Miss Attha, your seat will be the one beside Lacus Clyne. I presume you know Lacus Clyne?"

Cagalli nodded and smiled.

"Very well then, please take your seat." Murrue-sensei instructed.

Murrue-sensei then turned facing the chalk board and began to write something, "Well, what are you waiting for? Take out your textbooks and turn to page 149."

The whole class groaned and took out the textbook.

Cagalli, who was seating happily beside THE Lacus Clyne was beaming happily.

Wow! I never imagined seating beside a celebrity before.

Cagalli turned to Lacus, who was also glancing at her, and smile gently to Cagalli.

She seemed so nice. Totally unlike other famous figures I've known before. And she's totally different from her wannabe.

The first few hours in class made Cagalli's brain between Murrue-sensei's explanation on the child Pharaoh Tutankhamen, Cagalli was busy muttering under her breath which made Lacus Clyne giggled silently.

Why must this textbook be so boring?

Why can't they put more pictures in this damn book?

Why do I even bother to learn about a child who was dead for aeons?

When is the lunch break?

After an eternity, it was finally lunch break time.

Cagalli let out a sigh of relief and stretched her hands. Her unprincessy actions made a few female students who were still in class gasped in horror.

Unknown to Cagalli, a pair of emerald orbs were eyeing her with amusement.

"Kira, I have to meet Mr Bartfeld to discuss something about the student council meeting next week. I'll meet you in the cafeteria, the usual place." Athrun said.

Kira nodded and walked out of the classroom with Athrun, before going into the opposite direction of the hallway.

How horrible.

So unladylike.

Is she really a princess?

Cagalli ignored the remarks and slumped in her chair.

The pink-haired songstress giggled seeing Cagalli's childish reaction and this made Cagalli turned looking at her new friend.

"Cagalli-hime.." Lacus started but was caught off immediately by Cagalli.

"Please Miss Lacus, Cagalli is just fine."

Lacus smiled.

"Well then Cagalli, it seems that we haven't been introduced formally, I'm Lacus Clyne." Lacus said, holding out a hand.

Cagalli shook her hand, "Nice meeting you Miss Cly-"

"Just Lacus," Lacus suddenly added.

Cagalli smiled.

"Nice meeting you Lacus."

Lacus stood up suddenly and smiled, "Let's go the cafeteria together then."

END CHAPTER 5

Thank you for all the reviews! And I'm really sorry for the late update. Lately I've been busy with…um….stuff.

Hope you liked this chapter!

Please review!