Rei looked about the room. Everyone was diligently typing away on their school laptops, most of them doing the math homework that had been assigned a few minutes before. A few of the…less motivated girls, however, were busy talking to each other through the school network. It didn't make sense to Rei as to why the school would actually link up all the computers and provide instant messaging software—all it does is preoccupy the students with talking to each other, instead of taking advantage of the free education they were receiving. In a few years, they would have to be paying for their schooling—ridiculous amounts of money—and then there would be no more time for such idle gossiping as was going on now. If the world is still here by the time we're old enough for University, Rei thought bitterly. She was still in a bad mood from what she had seen yesterday.

It was Wednesday, and the day before, she had noticed a startling change in Asuka's attitude. It started in this very class where, surprisingly, she had asked Shinji for help with the homework. Everyone knew that she had already been through college, and this kind of education was just reviewing material she had learned years earlier—why was she asking for help then, and especially from Shinji?

Rei had taken in this new development with subdued worry. She suspected that something had happened between Shinji and Asuka on the weekend, but she didn't know what. Later in the day, during lunch, her suspicions were confirmed.

Shinji hadn't had the time to cook his and Asuka's lunches the previous night—probably because of homework—and when she had found that they were to go hungry that day, she got mad. Obviously this wasn't a deviation from standard procedure, but it was the intensity of the anger that confirmed Rei's fears. Asuka didn't get quite as mad as she would have a week earlier—there was less of "You stupid idiot Shinji!" and more of things like "How could you forget our lunches?"—basically alterations that only one who had paid attention would realize. Rei, being one of these people concerned enough about the Asuka vs. Shinji battle, had realized these changes.

What this meant was that Asuka was lightening up on Shinji, thus becoming nicer, thus getting closer to him. Rei didn't like it, not one bit. She had started liking him before Asuka did—that bitch didn't have any right to take him away from her. Scowling, Rei locked her gaze on Asuka. This should not be happening. Shinji should be with me, not that bitch-skank. She was definitely getting better at this swearing thing, and would have congratulated herself if she wasn't as angry as she was. She'd looked around on the internet, peeking into a few forums here and there, and had gotten a pretty good idea on how to swear correctly. She still mixed up a few words now and then, but usually those insults came out alright, if not a little funnier than she would have wanted.

Brooding like this was getting Rei nowhere, and so she decided to put the whole thing on hold for a bit; this was a time for learning, and she would take full advantage of it. Taking her gaze away from Asuka, she went back to tapping out the equations the class was working on.

The rest of the period went by relatively quickly, as Rei was absorbed with the trigonometry the class was studying. The bell rang, telling the students to pack up their stuff and move to the next class. As she flipped the laptop closed, Rei watched Asuka stand. Her desk was in the row next to Shinji's, and as she walked by him, she brushed her hand across his shoulder. Rei wanted to scream. Son of a bitch! She can't do that kind of thing! She was the only one that noticed what had happened—even Shinji had no idea that Asuka had intentionally touched him.

This was definitely a problem for Rei. She clenched her fists trying to restrain her outrage at what Asuka had done, and was finally able to keep from rushing over and punching the bitch in the face.

As the rest of the class filed out into the hall, Shinji stood, shouldering his backpack. He looked at Rei with an inquisitive twist on his face. "Is something wrong, Ayanami?"

She quickly reverted her face back to its usual look of stoic neutrality. "No, nothing is wrong. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, well you looked kind of angry," he replied. "Is the homework frustrating you?"

Rei stood and picked up the tote bag she kept her books in, taking her eyes off of Shinji. "No. I'm having no problems with it as of yet." She started for the door after gathering her things. She looked at Shinji, still at his desk, as she walked. "You would help me if I did have problems," she said, smiling, "wouldn't you?"

He grinned back, looking embarrassed. "O-of course. Just let me know if you do need help, Ayanami."

She nodded and walked out of the room. As she moved down the somewhat-crowded hall towards her next class, Asuka silently slipped beside her, matching her pace. "You don't seem to realize," she said, "that Shinji is mine. For you own good, stay away from him." Rei looked up at her; it was like looking into the face of a lioness, hungry for something to eat, hungry for the feeling of blood gushing over her muzzle. She looked dangerous. Before Rei could answer, Asuka quietly fell back into the crowd, and headed the opposite direction.

I've been warned, thought Rei. Her brows furrowed as she weighed the meanings of this threat. It seems we're in open warfare, now. A few kids passing by looked askance at her, and quickened their pace, hurrying by the fuming Rei. They saw the look in her eye—the look of one who has gone past the line, gone beyond the limit—and knew that she was ready for a fight. They certainly didn't want to start that fight, so left her alone.

Rei, not realizing it, stomped her way to her next class. Everyone around her could plainly see she was angry, but the surprise of seeing her show emotions outweighed the wonder of why she was angry. She sat down in her desk, and throughout the entire period, stared straight ahead with a scowl that would frighten anyone. The teacher, sensing there was a considerable amount of tension building in her, left her alone; certainly there was no need in annoying her and thus provoking her anger.

The rest of the day passed in this way—Rei scowling like a demon, people shunning away from her, teachers avoiding a potential outburst by not calling on her in class. It was strange, though—when she saw Asuka in the hall, or when she was in the same class as that red-headed wench, she went about like nothing had ever happened between them. To Asuka, the declaration she so vehemently shoved in Rei's unsuspecting face was nothing but a friendly show of respect and a pronouncement of neutrality. Let Shinji pick who he wants, she says, and may the best woman come out on top—let there be no hostilities between us! Damn her, Rei thought. Damn her to the very bowels of Hell where she was spawned.

The final bell rang, urging the restless children to leave the school and go have some fun. Rei gathered the books she needed to take home from her locker, and began the journey home. As she left the school grounds, Shinji called out from behind her.

"Ayanami, wait up!"

She stopped and turned around to see him jogging towards her. "What is it?" she asked, once he got close enough.

"I thought I'd walk you home. Is that alright?" He smiled, flashing his teeth.

Rei smiled back, happy that he would rather walk her home than Asuka. "Of course, that sounds wonderful." She turned back down the path she was taking, now walking with Shinji instead of all by her lonesome.

The two started off, walking in unison in a shared, awkward silence. Rei wanted to tell Shinji about Asuka's threats, and how she deserved to be with him better than the German wench. Shinji wanted to comfort Rei, as he had some kind of notion that she was upset about something. He just couldn't figure out what. Both of them didn't know just how to express what they wanted to say, though, as is common with teenagers their age. Adolescence, like so many things in this world, brings changes that are incomprehensible by such lowly mortals as the human race. These changes bring about confusion—a mix of wanting to say something mature, to express one's "grown up" opinions, but still wanting to be carefree and innocent as a child.

Whilst walking on a lonely, deserted sidewalk, Rei looked over at her companion. He was lost in thought, staring at the concrete that passed beneath him. He looked so concerned, so bothered by something that he could not figure out. Rei slowed to a stop. Shinji snapped out of his trance after walking a few more steps in front of her.

"Anything wrong?" he asked.

"Well," she began, taking small steps toward him, eyes down. "I'd like for you to answer something for me."

"I'll be sure to answer as best I can, Rei."

She took a deep breath. "I know something happened between you and Asuka over the weekend, but I don't know what." She looked up into his eyes, tears forming in her own. "What did you two do?"

Shinji's face turned red, showing he was either embarrassed or ashamed—Rei didn't know. "N-nothing! W-well, nothing too serious…" He took his eyes off of hers, looking at his feet. "I guess we went on a d-date. We got some ice cream, then went to the park, then to the pier to watch the sunset." He could see that Rei was losing control, and was on the verge of crying. Shinji took a step forward, motioning with his hands in an apologetic manner. "But we're not together or anything! We were bored, and thought we'd go have some fun together!" Rei took a deep breath, almost choking on her sadness. Lonely tears rolled down her pale cheeks, leaving trails of shining gloom. Shinji took a hold of her shoulders, making her look up towards him once again. "Rei, I swear we're not together. Can you believe me?"

Rei sniffed, wiping a tear away. "Do you promise?"

"Of course, Rei. I would never lie to you."

The sudden sadness that overtook Rei was soon replaced with hope. If Asuka hadn't asked Shinji out yet, then Rei still had a chance! She laughed in happiness, forgotten tears still lingering in her eyes. "Then how about this," she said, nervously bringing an arm across her chest to put her hand on Shinji's. I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, she repeated in her head. She grabbed the moment, wrestling it to the ground. "Why don't we go on our own 'date' then?"

Shinji's face broke out into a smile, touching both his mouth and his eyes with true joy. "I'd really enjoy that, Rei." He took his hands back from her shoulders, as well as her touch, with a tinge of regret. "Why don't I get you home first, then we can plan it out, 'k?"

Rei nodded, overjoyed that he was finally showing interest in her. This time, I will not fail—I cannot fail. This will be the change of things, this date. He will see that I am better than Asuka, and he will make the right choice to be with me. The two started walking again, the evening sun to their backs. After a time, Rei ventured out with her hand to grasp onto Shinji's. He took hold of it, looking down at her and smiling. They walked the rest of the way to Rei's apartment like this, not bothering to take a train. They took their time to finish the journey to the abode, and disappeared into the dark home to plan.

It's true, Rei—happiness still exists in this fucked up world.