Hiya, thank you for those of you that read the first chapter and thank you Cagalli Yula Athha for reviewing and giving me something to munch on. Yum!
Chapter rated T.
DISCLAIMER: I am nothing more than a wanna-be authoress that is borrowing elements from Gundam SEED/DESTINY and using various stuff to torture the beloved cast, they belong to Bandai. I do not make money off of this, so there's no point in suing.
Chapter Two: Encounters
Lacus was born with the gift of song. If she had wished, she could've gone platinum by the age of fourteen. Various agents came flattering her, trying to feed her fat with all the wonderful fame her talent could bring. She turned down each and every one of them. She didn't want fame, she just wanted to sing.
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, her hands graze the scars that lingered on her throat. It'll come back eventually, the doctors kept saying, it's only been four months after all.
Today is the first of September, her first day as a junior at the Minerva Academy. The Minerva Academy is the top-rated school at Plant, a school which Lacus attended since Pre-K. After dressing herself in the high school girl's uniform which consists of a red skirt, white dress-shirt, and an all-yellow tie with the school symbol, she lightly walked down the grand staircase, like a princess making her grand entrance to the ball. Instead of taking the limousine that was offered, she chose walked. It wasn't terribly far, and it was hard to resist the crisp air and beaming sun.
Fortunately for Lacus, her mansion was very close to Minerva Academy, twenty minutes at the most. She didn't need to rent a dorm to go to school there, unlike some of her classmates. At 7'o'clock, thirty-five minutes before the first period, Lacus entered the grand grounds of the Minerva Academy. Past the gates and sentries, a long pavement road weaved its way to the entrance of the South block where limousines could drop their occupants off at. The grounds were a magnificent site; beautifully kept gardens, freshly trimmed bushes, and newly mowed law could keep any beholder mesmerized. A building hidden near the back, the East block, held the dormitories for the boys and girls. That's where Lacus headed toward.
Both the girl's and boy's dormitories had six floors with about five units per floor, so thirty units in all. The building was fatter than it was tall, making the dorms very spacious inside. Usually it is two to a dorm, but one to a dorm isn't impossible, as long as the right sum of money is paid. The front entrance to the boy's dorm was big enough to fit probably two hummers side to side and the hallways would probably allow the said vehicles to drive comfortably around. The elevator wasn't any less amazing; located near the end, one of the elevator walls allowed a spectacular view of the Minerva grounds as it slid its way up and down the building.
After boarding the elevator, Lacus pushed the button for the fifth floor, and gained a bird's eye-view of the Minerva campus. A few limousines could be spotted on the road to the main building, and a few students could be seen scattered about, chattering with their fellow classmates or just walking around. When the elevator reached its destination, Lacus exited and went in search for dorm twenty-three. When she stood in front of dorm twenty-three's door, she knocked gently and waited for a reply. A loud thud followed by a curse could be heard on the other side and Lacus giggled. Much scrambling but only to be beaten by his roommate, who opened the door and greeted their early visitor.
"Good morning Shinn." Lacus said, giving a melting smile as she entered through the open door
.
Various words flitted through Cagalli's head about the Minerva campus as she tried to find her first period classroom. None of the description was very flattering to whoever built and names the various buildings. Feeling slightly panicked, she began to run although not exactly sure where to. As she sprinted through the hallways, she found her hate for skirts increase. Stupid people, she thought, why the hell couldn't she wear pants!
After realizing that she ran herself full circle, she stopped to catch her breath and fumed. Could this school be anymore complicated? There were three main blocks in the campus, she learned, each block was named after a corresponding direction. The dorms where the East block, the academic block was South, and the block that taught classes like Physical Education, or Art, where in the North building. The confusing part was how they decided to name the buildings part of each block. There was the South South building, the North South building, South North building, South East building, and on and on it went.
Cagalli came to Minerva an hour early just to make sure she knew where all her classes where that day. She was only able to find three classes in total. The bell already rang, and she forgot where the blasted room in which first period would be held. Cagalli cursed in frustration, the last hour was a waste if she couldn't even remember what little she learned.
"Umm, are you okay?"
Cagalli blinked, she was so consumed in her thoughts that she didn't realized she started banging her heads against the hall walls. Blushing furiously at the thought of how stupid she must've looked, she straightened up considerably and said, "Ah, yeah." while stilling trying to look dignified.
The other student just smiled and asked, "Do you need help?" Cagalli still furious at herself at not being able to find the room, nodded her head reluctantly. "Yeah...I'm lost." After being handed over her schedule, her helper led her off to the direction of the South South building, or was it North South?
"These buildings are like mazes, but you'll get used to them. Not very many people get lost, so I guess you're new?" The green haired student said, trying sincerely to get to know her. Cagalli gave an empty-minded nod, she was busy trying to remember whether or not she recognized the hallways; she didn't.
"Wow, we don't get many new students here, most of us been here since Pre-K."
For a while, they walked in silence, and teachers could be heard through the doors they passed, giving lectures on the subjects they teach. When they reached the room, which Cagalli finally recognized, she put her hand on the handle and paused before opening. " Thanks, I'm Cagalli by the way, and you?"
"Nicol." The person identified as Nicol smiled. "Umm, Cagalli, you might want to open the door, or we'll be later than what's good for us." Before Cagalli could say anything, Nicol continued. "We're in most of the same class, including this one."
Cagalli nodded dumbly and opened the door, walking into a sea of surprised stares. A woman stood at the front of the classroom, paused in her speech when Cagalli and Nicol opened the door. When both bodies where in and the door closed, the woman, unmistakably the teacher, gave a fierce glare and said, "Tardiness is not tolerated in this class, but since this is the first day, I'll allow one slip. However next time you decide to walk in late, I shall give detentions, Mr. Amarfi, and Ms.--"
"Cagalli Yula."
"--Ms. Yula. With that understood, please take a seat." The teacher with short black hair, continued off on her lesson again as though she was never interrupted, and gave out the year's first assignment, while Nicol and Cagalli found two empty seats. Cagalli, looking at her schedule, saw that the teacher's name was Natarle Badgiruel, too bad that under the name it didn't warn, 'Extremely Scary Teacher.' Cagalli sighed, she took out a floppy labeled 'Stupid Math' and inserted it into the computer that occupied every desk, and typed in the assignment. What else did she expect? She was after all, at the number one school in Plant.
After over an hour of scary looks and fast explanations, the bell brought much anticipated relief. Throwing her supplies back into her messenger bag, Cagalli stood up and found herself face to face with Nicol. "We have next period together, wanna go with me?" Nicol offered, knowing most likely that the blonde would get lost again. Cagalli was also aware of that fact and took up the offer, walking with him out of the classroom and into the crowded hallway.
Sitting in a classroom full of super smart aces, made Cagalli finally realize how inept she really was. The teacher, a handsome blue-eyed blonde, explained various events in history, barely pausing as the students typed notes furiously. Cagalli couldn't keep up. She could almost hear her brain cells fizzing in her overloaded brain. Nicol was not in this class so she, the new kid, sat alienated with no one to hopefully copy notes from later.
"Okay everyone, by the end of the class period, I would like an eight-hundred word essay on whether or not the civil war had justified causes, and why. Easy, right?"
Everyone complied by taking out another floppy and inserting it into a second slot on the personalized computer stationed at every desk, the floppy would be later on given to the teacher to grade. Everyone started to type extraordinary fast, pausing only for a little while to brainstorm. Cagalli didn't have such speed. She sat, staring at a blank screen, trying to recall some details of the war. If only Kira was here...being the same grade as she and a computer genius, he could probably hack into the system and send grade-saving messages to her. Cagalli slumped at the memory of him. Geez, how can someone with so much brain be so...so...
"Having trouble missy?" Cagalli jerked her head up and saw her teacher standing over her, smiling at the blank screen.
"I have a name, it's Cagalli." She retorted.
"Sorry." The teacher said apologetically while being pinned by Cagalli's fierce glare. "Anyways, looks like you're having trouble, need help? Ms. Ca-ga-lli." Instead of nodding her head in acceptance, Cagalli continued to stare down the teacher. She was hard-headed and knew it too; it had gotten her into troubles many times before. The teacher wore a lopsided grin and raised his hands palm open, as though stating he meant no harm. Cagalli knew she was being mocked and raised slightly, ready to mouth off. She was cut short when the teacher, who probably smelt the danger signs, said, "The pink princess is done. Ahh, why don't we have her help you?" He added the 'Ahh' for good measures, reinstating he was only trying to do his job.
The teacher turned his head to look over Cagalli's and gave a small wave at the student that occupied the seat just behind her. Smiling gently, the girl that the teacher focused on softly said, "Do you need something, Mr. Fllaga?"
Cagalli turned around and saw a pink hair girl sitting at the desk just behind her with her head poked out from behind her computer screen. "If Cagalli needs help, I wouldn't mind helping." The pink haired girl said her voice sweet and soft. Standing up, she shifted slightly so she could walk up next to Cagalli's computer. The movement caught many looks; some annoyed ("sheesh I'm trying to work here), some admirably ("she's so beautiful") and some weird ("-censored-").
"I'm Lacus, nice to meet you." Lacus greeted and Cagalli felt herself being pulled by Lacus's charm, unknowingly of course.
"Well then, I'll leave you two be, and go up to my lonely desk and work for my money." Mr. Fllaga winked before he sauntered up to his desk at the back of the room, and popped in a floppy disk, grading the first of the essays and most likely Lacus's.
"Cagalli, what do you need help with?" Cagalli blushed slightly. She released a sheepish laugh and helped Lacus who started moving the two desks in positions that'll allow communication between the two easier when seated.
"Okay, now let's see..."
"Hell yeah! Lunch time!" Cagalli let out loud yell that got her many weird looks, but she didn't see them; it was lunch. No time for weird looks of misplaced judgment, the only thing that mattered was what went into her stomach. Finding the Cafeteria quite easily (like a dog, she followed her nose,) she searched through her messenger bag to pull out some money to pay for the school lunch. She will gripe and whine about how lighter her wallet felt later, food is the only thing that mattered now. After paying for her meal, she went and found an almost empty table and sat. Wasting no time, she shoved the food into her mouth, almost forgetting to chew before she swallowed. Half of her meal was gone when out of habit, she turned to her left.
"Kiiiiraaa, do you want your---"
She stopped mid-sentence as she realized that she was being stared at not by Kira, but by some guy she had never seen in her life before. Suddenly, the food didn't taste so good; suddenly she wanted to throw up. Standing up abruptly, she brought her half finished food to the trash empty-mindedly and chucked it in. She clenched her fist and closed her eyes, she began to count backwards. 100, 99, 98, 97---
"Move outta the way!" Cagalli's eyes snapped open and found a pair of red eyes glaring at her. If one were to look at the situation, it would be obvious that Cagalli should step aside and that she should apologize, but it was also obvious that one should never, EVER, talk rudely, if at all, to a girl who looked like a PMSing warrior with her fist clenched. Especially with her fist clenched.
Before Shinn realized it, he found himself being assaulted verbally with an occasional threat using a fist or two; he warded those off with his hand. But the verbal assault continued. He found himself being called names he wasn't quite fond of and in his surprised mind, concluded that he was actually backing away from the girl, as if scared. Taking up his manly pride, he took a step forward and fought in his own defense.
There was quite a stir and the students weren't really sure how to take this. Half of them stared, a quarter of them ignored it, and the other quartered took up constant chanting of "FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!" Before an ambulance would have a reason to come, a female staff member, probably in her late twenties, took up the role of separating the two. Another teacher decided to help and about ten minutes later, the two students found themselves sitting just outside of the principal's office waiting for their sentence.
Cagalli felt relieved. Letting out a relaxing sigh, she smiled. She has never felt any better. Of course she realized that she was in front of the principal's office but they didn't exchange blows, so it should be safe. Her counterpart on the other hand, fumed. He started cursing out with every known word he knew and even making up new ones. He grew angrier when he saw her smile. Great, he thought, I'm in trouble with a psycho manic.
"Mr. Asuka, Ms. Yula, please come in." A male with long black hair ushered, stepping aside to let them into the office. Cagalli noticed, after he took a seat behind a grand wooden desk across from them, that he had sharp golden eyes like a snake. He folded his hands neatly on top of his polished wooden desk that at one corner had a glass chess board with glass pieces resting peacefully, waiting to be played. On the edge toward Cagalli and Shinn, there was a gold name plate; engraved was the name, Gilbert Dullindal. After studying the pair for a while, he said, "Care to explain?"
"She--"
"Sorry."
Shinn opened his eyes in disbelief and stared openly at the blonde next to him. Okay, psycho and dumb.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go off on him, I was in a bad mood and I guess he was a convenient way to blow off some steam. It's my fault but I didn't mean anything I said, I don't even know him. I'm really sorry." Cagalli said matter-factly, staring blandly into the principal's face. "We didn't actually hit each other...so it should be fine, all we really did was yell our lungs off, right?" Cagalli turned towards Shinn, wanting back up. Shinn nodded in agreement, he wasn't really up for suspension. "Yeah, no hits."
Dullindal remained silent for a moment, studying them further to decide their punishment. He knew what they said were correct, even Talia said so, but they did need to get some form of punishment. After a moment of silence, the principal said, "It is unfortunate that such a big disturbance was cause and especially on the first day of the new school year, that is why I shall assign you cleaning duties. Please report to Ms. Gladys's office after school today promptly, is there any questions?"
Shinn shook his head, having gone here for at least two years gave him enough information on how things functioned, however that was a different case for Cagalli.
"Who?" Dullindal's lip perked up at the corners, shattering the image of cold and distant adult. "Sorry, I forgot that you are new here. We usually don't get new enrollments; most students are here since Pre-K."
"Yeah, I've been told...so...um...whose Ms. Gladys and where's her office?" Cagalli ventured. At the moment, her principal didn't seem too intimidating and actually seemed friendly, something every teacher and principal should be. Did they actually enjoy scaring their students? "Ah, yes. Ms. Gladys is the assistance principal and..." Dullindal began explaining what building her office was located while Shinn sat idly, staring off into the ceiling.
After about ten minutes of explanation and many questions from Cagalli, the pair walked out of the office and was given passes to their next class. Both felt relieved that they didn't gain more than cleaning for one day only. Without saying another word to each other, they both separated and went to their respectable class, one of them however, had more trouble doing so and wounded up wondering the halls for quite a while, before a teacher kindly pointed her in the right direction.
"Shinn did you really knock her out?"
"What? I heard he got whooped!"
"Didn't you also get bitch-slapped?"
Ever since the bell rang, he had been drilled constantly by his classmates on his little 'fight'. Feeling a vein pop in his forehead at the term 'bitch-slap', Shinn turned around to face his two gossiping friends, Vino and Youlan.
"What the hell do you mean 'bitch-slapped'? As if! And shut up already, you guys sound like a bunch of gossiping pussies!" Shinn stepped up his pace and left the two "gossiping pussies" behind. Completely lost in his anger at his 'friends', he collided into a blonde, but caught her before she kissed concrete.
She had the strangest eyes he'd ever seen, a color he couldn't quite place, shallow but yet deep, sharing her soul but hidding secrets. Weird.
"Are you okay?" No reply. After a few moments, the blonde shoved him away, showing surprising strength for a petite body, and ran off..
"You touched her boobs, didn't you?" Shinn jumped at the comment and found Vino staring slyly at him, wearing a grin that suggested more than one thing. "Lucky pervert." Vino walked off with a laughing Youlan trailing behind. Shoving his hands into his pockets, Shinn felt his face heat up as he cursed his lucks with blondes and stalked off to his next period.
The fic is starting off slow, but if I can steer everything on course, things should be picking up in the next three chapters (kicks the Plot Mobile.) However I tend to get lost (like Cagalli) so I might need a few pointers to get everything on track.
Sorry if the characters are out of character, or if there is something horribly wrong with my pacing. Send me a review and tell me what you think.
How about a little preview?
Next Chapter: Lookie, someone's doing the Angst (CoughAthrunCough) and guess what? There's hell to pay for tackling our favorite blonde. Shinn and Auel meets while Toad…Foe…umm...Tolle! and Miriallia makes an entrance.
I have the munchies so please send me some food!