Rival Chatter
Chapter Three: Duo POV:
Morning dawned bright and early but to me, I really didn't want to wake up. I slowly cracked open one eye as I felt a soft touch on my shoulder. Normally, I'd ignore it and go right back to sleep. Yet I had really important tests this week and so I had to get up with the chickens in order to make it to my classes. Sighing I slowly sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
"Come on Duo, you promised to take me to school today so I wouldn't have to walk," Sasuke's voice slowly entered my brain, registering about as quickly as a snowball rolls uphill, which wasn't very quickly.
"Yeah, yeah. I know. Just give me a minute, will ya?" I asked, throwing off my blankets and slowly standing up. I wavered tiredly on my feet but managed to stay upright. Sasuke handed me a pair of black jeans and a black shirt. I pulled them on automatically, feeling like I was on auto-pilot. I then put on deodorant and brushed my teeth. Finally, I got around to my hair. Instead of bothering to take the time to un-braid it, brush it out, and re-braid it, I simply un-did the braid, brushed it out, and finally tied it at the nape of my neck.
"Whoa, looking sharp, Duo," Clarissa remarked as she stopped at my door. She was the fifth and final Remainder. Out of the five of us, I'd been here the longest, followed closely by Clarissa. She was a rather bright young woman. She was only fifteen, but she was already a senior at a private all girls school. Father Maxwell had always tried to give us a choice about where we wanted to go to school. If we wore the Maxwell name, then we got to choose, just like any child would be able to do. Clarissa had been abused by her father when she had been six. That episode had caused her to hate all men. Only Mark, Sasuke, Father Maxwell, and myself were an exception to her men-hater attitude. That's why she went to an all-girl's school instead of to A.E.S.H. with Sasuke and me.
Mark, being only in fifth grade, went to school at S.J. Elementary and Junior High. No one knew what S.J. stood for, but it wasn't like anyone really cared. As for Reno, well she was home schooled. Because of her unique problem, she couldn't be in class with her peers. Seeing as she was obviously older externally than internally, her fellow students would make fun of her. Sister Helen was in charge of taking care of those children who are too special to be in school with the rest of us. She was pretty much the mother of our little band while Father Maxwell was our father figure.
"Thanks, Clarissa. I thought I'd try something new," I remarked, looking into her vibrant blue-gray eyes. Her platinum blonde hair was really short, almost like a crew cut short, but on her, it looked good. She snorted at that comment, placing a hand on her hip. She didn't have a very womanly figure, or at least, that's how it looked. She always wore such baggy clothes that it was usually too hard to tell. She wanted no man to look at her, so she did many unflattering, manly things to herself. Yet to me, she was a very pretty young woman.
"Yeah, and I'm the Queen of England. You stayed up late when you knew you had to go to school the next day and this is the end result." I chuckled softly at that comment. She was a very smart girl, but then again, the fact she was a senior when she should be a freshman, said it all.
"All right smart ass, I suppose you know this because. . ."
"I stayed up until you went to sleep," she finished, not bothering to deny what I had already figured. One thing about us Remainders, we never lied. At least, not to each other. The only one of us who used that in the real world, was me. No matter what I was, I never lied. My mother thought poorly of liars and she would be upset with me if I ever lied. So I didn't lie, not ever.
"How are you so wide awake, then?" I asked, one eyebrow raised in question.
"I take naps during the day." I shook my head, not even bothering to make a comment about that. She always had a come back so it was almost impossible to bother her.
"Fine, someone grab me an orange so I can finish getting dressed. I've got to make certain I've got my homework or I'll get into trouble." Clarissa and Sasuke looked at each other before turning to rush out the door.
"I've got it!" Sasuke shouted.
"Oh no you don't, boy. I've got it!" Clarissa hollered back. I chuckled and shook my head. Sometimes those two were more a like than they ever wanted to admit. I made certain I had my sketch book as well as my homework folder. Because of the fact I have a tendency of not going to school unless there was a test, the teachers and I had a system. They let me know when I had a test to come in for and I made certain I had all of my homework done each week. They actually thought my way of going to classes was easier on them. I never bothered them for help and they, in turn, usually got papers and homework that was done with little to no mistakes. I took pride in my knowledge, but I didn't flaunt it. I simply did my best so I could earn a scholarship and get into the local college so I could take psychology so that I could then donate most of my time to the orphanage for those kids who couldn't handle what their new life brought their way.
Once I was done, I headed downstairs and leaned against the doorway. Clarissa was peeling one orange while Sasuke was already separating another one. I shook my head with a soft laugh and looked away. "Ya know, I don't think I can manage to eat both of those."
"Oh, stuff it. I know you can do it, Duo. You eat like an army of five." I smirked at them, knowing Clarissa could be just as bad.
"Fine. Hurry it up, Sasuke and I have to get a move on."
"Here," Sasuke said, handing me half of what he had already finished. I ate it while he ate the other half. I knew there was a reason behind what he had been doing. Once I was done, Clarissa handed me half of the one she had been working on and ate the other half for herself. I laughed, as they both laughed with me.
"You do realize you won't be able to be so rude today, don't you?" Clarissa asked. I nodded, yawning once again, even though I knew I shouldn't be. I'd gone to bed late because I was helping a friend get his creative writing class project in order. I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't see him again now that he had everything he'd needed help on. It was just a shame I would never get to read what he wrote, and from the style of his typing, I knew I would have loved it. Oh well, nothing lasted forever. I knew that one way too well.
"I think some my CLASSMATES will appreciate that fact," I muttered, recalling my late night call from Trowa. I was going to be helping one of the Regal Three in learning how to say no. Now, granted I couldn't stand rich people, but I also couldn't stand to see people get walked all over. Rich or not, that wasn't something that should happen.
"I'm ready whenever you are, Duo," Sasuke said, having finished cleaning up the kitchen counter. I nodded and pulled on my backpack.
"All right, then lets get going. We can't stay here forever, unfortunately," I grumbled, heading out the door with Sasuke right behind me. Together, we pulled on helmets and left for school. If I could have my way, I'd be home schooled, just like Heero had suggested yesterday. Yet Sister Helen refused to let me ruin my life that badly. Sighing and accepting my fate, I got us to school in record time.
"Nice to see you again, Duo. I wasn't expecting you two days in a row," my English teacher, Ms. Claudia (She hated being called Ms. Ellison because she said it made her feel old) said. I gave her a tired smile, a small yawn escaping my lips.
"Don't get too used to it. It's all because of those tests all this week that I'm even here at all." She laughed and handed me my test packet.
"Be that as it may, it's nice to actually see you for a change. Don't open that until I say so." I nodded and took a seat near the back of the room. Sitting back there already was Heero and Wufei. I looked away, refusing to want to start anything this day. Especially when I really wasn't capable of being very come-back ready at the moment. Luckily, class started soon enough and I was well on my way to working on the essay that was required for this test, as well as explaining nouns, pronouns, adverbs, and the like. I loved English. It was my best subject. This time, instead of Heero being the first one done, I was. As surprising as it was, I knew this was one subject I could excel at if I just applied myself to it.
"Here you go, Ms. Claudia." She smiled up at me, her long hair up in a bun at the nape of her neck.
"Thank you, Duo. I look foreword to reading your essay, as well as the short story you had chosen for you homework assignment for the week." I blushed softly.
"It's nothing special Ms. Claudia. I'm certain there are much better students in this class." She shook her head and looked toward Heero, who had also come up to hand in his test.
"Actually, Heero and you are both tied for first in this class. From what I've heard from several of your other teachers, it's showing up in a couple of other classes you two share." I blinked in surprise, glancing toward Heero. It was obvious from the look on his face that he hadn't heard of this either.
"I know we have Science, English, and History together. But that's only half of our classes. I've also got Art, Physical Education, Algebra II, and Choir. Last I knew, he was higher up in math than I am. He's not in my PE class or art class. Lastly, I've never seen him in my choir class either." Ms. Claudia laughed.
"Seems you pay attention to which classes you share with him, Duo. Yet you forgot your Drama class." I blinked. It was true I came to classes for my art, choir, and drama electives, but I never had seen Heero in my drama class either, and believe me, I would have noticed. I have a huge attraction to Heero and every time he was in the same room as me, I'd find myself daydreaming of being with him. Yet his money always kept me from telling him that, not to mention I wasn't straight as an arrow and it seemed like he was. Too bad.
"You have drama?" I asked, surprise crossing my face. I could feel myself becoming embarrassed for knowing all of this and my teacher pointing it out. He didn't need to realize I noticed him more than normal. Too many people at our school would bad mouth Heero and I if I ever admitted to being gay. That wasn't something I wanted to happen to Heero. As for myself, I could care less. Insults never bothered me.
"Yeah, but I'm usually working the backstage factor of it, not on stage," Heero answered. I could tell he was as surprised as I was that he had answered my comment. It was scary.
"Well, seeing as you two are done already, I'll send you to the library. There you can study for your next exam." I sighed. Sometimes this just became too annoying for words.
"As you say, Ms. Claudia." She nodded and wrote out a pass for the two of us and then waved as Heero and I left. I walked silently, not really in the mood to talk this time around. After going about halfway there, Heero spoke up, obviously uncomfortable with my silence.
"No comment about this situation?" he asked. I blinked and looked over at him a moment, placing my bag over my shoulder.
"No, not really," I answered, my voice husky from lack of sleep. I cleared my throat before speaking once again. "Did you want me to insult you?" Heero blinked, taken aback.
"N. . .no, not really." I laughed softly, nodding in agreement.
"Good, because I really don't want to make fun of you." Once again he was knocked off balance but I just left it at that. That was what I had wanted to do. I didn't want to annoy him, so I at least kept him off kilter.
Once inside the library we were once again shown into the conference room. Taking a seat, I laid my head down on the table and yawned once again. I could hear Heero once again open his folder. It was obvious he was working on something for one of his classes and it was important for him. Today, I was just going to bask in his company. After talking with my new internet friend, I had come to realize that I couldn't generalize all rich people from the two who had most significantly touched my life. Besides, I wanted to see how much I could annoy Heero. He was handsome, it's true, but he was down right lethal when he was railed up. I found myself enjoying making him look flushed. Knowing I couldn't fall asleep in his presence, I then pulled out my sketch book and set myself to sketching.
"What are you doing?" Heero's monotone voice suddenly sounded from beside me. I jumped slightly and looked over my shoulder. Sure enough, Heero was standing behind me, his eyes on my sketch pad. I looked down and saw that I had sketched out Heero as he had looked while he was working on his school work. A slight flush crossed my cheeks, heating them up. I froze and looked toward the other side of the room, refusing to look at either Heero. I really didn't want to get caught with my drawings. I wasn't the best, and usually I was really embarrassed to show them to anyone. Only Trowa had ever gotten to see most of them, and even then, he had practically pestered me until I had given in.
"Sketching. . ." I said, softly and slowly. He looked at the picture a bit longer before looking right back at me.
"You're really good," he said quietly. I blinked and felt my cheeks heat even more. By now I was majorly blushing and there was no way he could miss it. Thanks to Trowa, I was used to hearing that I was gifted. Yet hearing it from someone I was actually interested in, well that made a world of difference to me.
"Not really. I just enjoy doodling. Sometimes I can't help but focus on what ever is close to me." Heero slowly traced the outline of his own jaw on the paper, his Prussian blue eyes focused on the picture.
"Do I really look that serious when I'm working?" he questioned, looking at the page. I smiled and nodded my head.
"Yeah, you seem like you'd kill anyone who would dare to disturb you." He smiled in return, causing a hitch in my breath. Whoa, maybe Heero with a smile was something even more fatal than when he was riled up. I was going to have to be very careful or else I'd fall for him badly and then be stuck with another reason to hate the rich, although I truly doubt I could ever hate Heero. Just then, the bell rang. I stopped before I said anything else and got to putting my stuff away. "I suppose I've met my limit of being kind, for today. I'm just too tired and out of it for today. So consider this a special occasion." Heero looked at me for a long moment.
"Then thank-you." I blinked, off guard. What was he thanking me for? I certainly didn't know. I held my sketch book and soon tore out the page with his picture. I then handed it to him.
"Here, keep your thanks. Just don't tell everyone where you got it from. I'm not a very open person with my work. Again, it's only because I'm tired that you got to see anything at all." Heero nodded.
"Understood." I nodded in return and rushed off, wanting to get as far away as I could before I did something else way out of character. Something I knew I'd regret.
"Hey Duo, you're late. I was beginning to believe you'd chickened out on us," Trowa said as I came into the library at lunch, my lunch bag in my hands. The librarian that worked lunch duty thought I was a sweetheart and therefore allowed to eat in here as long as I kept it in the conference room. I yawned once more and nodded in agreement.
"I almost did," I admitted. I took in the blonde beside Trowa and I laughed softly. "How do you do, Quatre? You don't mind me calling you Quatre, do you?" He shook his head.
"No. Would calling you Duo be all right?" I blinked. Was this boy for real. I glanced at Trowa who also appeared as surprised as I was.
"Sure. I've never been one for formalities. That would be Sasuke, in my family. He's a big stickler for that kind of thing." Quatre looked at Trowa. I placed my bags down on the table, I didn't plan to stay long, but I didn't need to hold them forever.
"He's the one I met at the circus the other night, isn't he?" Quatre asked. Trowa nodded.
"Duo and Sasuke are related, somewhat."
"How?" Quatre asked, genuinely curious. Trowa looked nervous but I smiled at his comment.
"We're both orphans, so we live at the Maxwell Church Orphanage. He's one of the lucky ones who can remember their actual last name, though, so he kept it. Many of us who are there for a longer period of time take on the last name of Maxwell, like myself." Quatre's eyes showed sympathy for a moment before he hid it away. Good, I didn't want pity. Not from him or anyone else.
"So, how do I say no?" I laughed while Trowa raised an eyebrow.
"The simplest way is to just say no when asked to do something you don't want to do." I watched Quatre frown. It was true, he did have feminine looks, but underneath he had a manly attitude. For people like us, we knew there was other things we had to help us say no.
"If that worked, I wouldn't be here." I laughed as Trowa seemed a little crestfallen by that. Seems Trowa had taken a bit of a shine to the boy. I couldn't blame him. He was a cutie. Yet I had my own troubles where men were concerned and I wasn't about to add more trouble onto myself.
"Then you do what every other cute boy with soft looks like yours would do." Quatre glared at me.
"What? Tell them I'm a woman?" I could sense some hostility from the smaller boy and I couldn't believe what he had said. Obviously, his looks were a sore spot. That's all right. I could begin to be friends with a rich boy with a chip on his shoulder about his looks. After all, I was a very girlish looking boy myself. I knew how much I could manage as long as I put my looks and brains to use.
"No, nothing that bad, Quat. Growing up in a place where there was usually more girls than boys and always being asked to do things for them, I know exactly how to get them to leave ya alone when ya say no. Ya simply give them the kind of look they give you when asking you to do something, and then they can do nothing less than give in." Quatre seemed stunned.
"That's it?" he asked, surprise in his expressive eyes. Trowa laughed.
"Yep. Duo's the master at getting out of things he doesn't want to do. It's how he got the teachers to agree to allow him to not come to school as long as he kept his grades up and was there for tests. He charmed them into it." I hissed a warning at Trowa.
"Shhhhh, don't tell anyone that. They must never know that." Quatre laughed at that as well, his smile relaxed now that he realized I wasn't going to be rude or condescending. At least, not today, I wasn't.
"Did you call me Quat?" he asked, suddenly realizing I had shortened his name. Trowa smiled.
"You'll get used to it. Duo does that to everyone's name. You should hear what he calls Heero when we're alone." I turned red. Oh please, don't ask!
"What?" Quatre asked, curious.
"Hee-chan," Trowa answered. Quatre began laughing while Trowa went on to embarrass me further. "He also calls Wufei, Wuffles." Quatre doubled over with laughter and I couldn't help but smile. I really did love that nickname for him. Yet Trowa was having too much fun at my expense. It was time to even things out.
"Chill, Tro-man! He doesn't need to die from laughter." Quatre giggled some more before looking at me.
"I think everyone's got you all wrong, Duo. You're a pretty nice person." I shrugged.
"I avoid school, work where I live, and rarely go places unless Trowa drags me off. What's there to misunderstand. I'm just not a people person when it comes to others my own age." Quatre looked away. I could tell he wanted to know what made me anti-social, but in all honesty, I wasn't. I just hadn't found anyone I really wanted to go out and do things with. Trowa was a cool guy and all, but he wasn't someone I'd date. I mean, I wasn't really all that happy with the way people tended to act around me. Once they found out I was an orphan, they treated me as I'd break if they said the wrong things. That was about as far from accurate as it could get.
"I suppose you're used to hearing bad things," Quatre said softly, suddenly getting that sad look on his face again. Trowa swallowed while I felt my eyes narrow.
"Not really. That would almost be like saying you're used to hearing everyone you meet ask you for money and treating you with the utmost respect. It doesn't always happen." His eyes became shadowed.
"It happens more than I'd like it to." I sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder. He jumped at the feeling but didn't move.
"Then whenever you need someone who won't ask you for money or treat you like royalty, then give me or Trowa a call. I'm a rude bastard and Trowa hasn't been overly polite a day in his life." I then picked up my book bag, as well as my lunch bag and turned toward the door. "Anyway, I've got a lot to do and very little time to do it. Just remember to give them the sad, puppy dog look and they'll have to allow you to say no. If that doesn't work, try Trowa's method."
"Which is?"
"Get all angry looking and start playing with a knife or two. It makes them too afraid to ask anything of you." We all laughed, even though Trowa seemed a bit embarrassed by that comment.
"I'll keep that in mind. Bye Duo, it was nice talking with you." I nodded.
"Same here Q-bean. Later Tro-man." I left, watching Quatre sputter in surprise at the new nickname. I laughed as I left, knowing I had to finish school as quickly as possible before I passed out from lack of sleep. Besides, I wanted to be online, tonight. Just in case, of course. Yet right now, I could really use an unbiased opinion. I only hoped he wouldn't mind a talk like that.
Logging in as AngelofDeathShinigami.
Logged on.
I waited for my friends list to load, seeing as it always did take a little bit of time to load. Yet once it was done I saw that both Trowa and my new friend was online. I quickly typed a message to Trowa.
Deathscythe: Hey, Tro-man, I'm gonna be busy for a bit. I'll IM you once I'm finished.
NoName: That's all right. I've got my own stuff to deal with before I can chat normally with you.,
Deathscythe: Cool. Then we can talk about your little blond angel once I'm done.
NoName:flushes: He's not mine.
Deathscythe: Not for lack of dreaming, right?
NoName: Stop it. Don't make me retaliate.
Deathscythe: All right, I'll stop. Chat with you in a little while.
NoName: Later.
I smiled, knowing I'd hit something serious with Trowa. Yet in all honesty, I don't know what he could have retaliated with. I yawned softly, knowing I was tired. Yet I wanted to see if my new friend would talk to me. Before I could IM him though, I got one from him.
Wing: How are you this day?
Deathscythe: Hey! I was just going to IM you.
Wing: I was hesitant to IM you when I saw you come OL and you didn't IM me first.
Deathscythe: In all honesty, I had worried about IMing you myself. I figured that since I had helped you with your story, I didn't know if you wanted to talk to me again.
Wing: Why not? I enjoy talking with you.
Deathscythe: Um, perhaps I should say something. I am gay. I very much like the boys. Sometimes I have many people who don't like talking to me once they learn that factor. Yet I've never wanted to lie to anyone, wither OL or offline, so I'm not gonna start now.
There was a bit of a pause. Through it, I bit my lip. Had I went and opened my big mouth before I should have? That wouldn't have been a first. At least I would have had two really wonderful chats under my belt with him before he never talked to me again.
Wing: So am I, silly. That's why I was in a chat room called Coming Out of the Closet.
Deathscythe:blushes: I was just stupid, wasn't I? I knew I should have taken a nap before I had come OL. This is what happens when I'm tired.
Wing:concerned: I kept you up too late last night, didn't I. I'm sorry.
Deathscythe:waves it off: Don't worry about it. I wanted to talk to you. If I'm honest, I kind of enjoy talking to you. I don't have to hold my thoughts in check.
Wing: I enjoy talking with you as well. I've never been able to talk like this with anyone else. It's almost as if you can understand me without making me worry about saying something stupid. After all, you don't expect me to be perfect.
Deathscythe: Hell no! No one is ever perfect. Not in this world, anyway.
Wing:laughs softly: I like that thought.
Deathscythe:nods: So do I.
Wing:blushes softly: I know this will seem sudden, but I feel really close to you and it's not just because you helped me with my creative writing project.
Deathscythe: I feel the same way. I was actually thinking you wouldn't need to talk to me because of the fact I was done helping you with it. I know better now.
Wing: Would it be wrong of me to ask if we could meet?
I blinked in surprise, staring at the screen in mild shock. I couldn't believe it. He wanted to meet me? Me, the very person who had gotten into a really big discussion about the rich last night with him before we got to work? Then again, the only other person I was interested in wasn't interested in me, so why shouldn't I meet him.
Wing: Sorry, I suppose I'm rushing things.
Deathscythe: NO! I'd love to meet you. I've just got tests tomorrow and for the rest of the week.
Wing: So do I. So how about we get together on Saturday?
Deathscythe: That's fine. Where should we meet?
Wing: The Golden Dragon? It's right across from Albert Einstein Senior High. Do you know it?
Deathscythe: Know it? I love it. It's right across from my school.
Wing: You go to A.E.S.H. too?
Deathscythe: Too? You mean you go to it as well?
Wing: Yeah.
Deathscythe: Whoa, this is a very small world. Perhaps we already know each other and just haven't learned who the other is.
Wing: Perhaps. Yet how about we make this a really big surprise and wait until we meet before we exchange names.
Deathscythe: Cool. I'd love that. I'll even treat you to dinner. It's the least I can do for you even wanting to meet me.
Wing: Are you certain? I can handle the bill.
Deathscythe:laughs, shaking his head: Not at all. I've got it covered. Besides, I'm really anal about having someone else buy things for me. So just let me do this out of the goodness of my heart.
Wing:laughs: Deal. :thinks for a moment: So how will I know you?
Deathscythe: I'll be wearing a red silk dress shirt and black slacks. As well as a black leather jacket. Does that help?
Wing: Of course. I don't think too may people from our school would dress like that.
Deathscythe: Well, just call me the odd man out.
Wing:laughs: I'll let you go early tonight. You obviously need some sleep.
Deathscythe: I do :yawns: not. :laughs: Well maybe I do. Until tomorrow night?
Wing: Of course. Good night.
Deathscythe: Night.
I stared at the screen for the longest time. I had a date. Oh my god, I had a date! I had to tell Trowa. Pulling up his IM I quickly typed my good news to him.
Deathscythe: I HAVE A DATE!
NoName: Really?
Deathscythe: Yeah, a blind date.
NoName: Let me guess, with your new friend.
Deathscythe: Yeah.
NoName: Congratulations.
Deathscythe: Thanks. How's things going with your blonde angel?
NoName: Oh, stop it. He's not my anything.
Deathscythe: If it makes you feel better, he's not yours. We can talk more tomorrow night. I'm really tired and I need to get some sleep before I kill myself from stupidity.
NoName: All right. Take care of yourself, Duo.
Deathscythe: Night Tro-man.
I logged off and shut down my computer. I then drew a deep breath and looked toward my bed. Two more nights of sleep and then I'd be meeting my online friend. From the sound of it, it might not be just a friend too much longer. In all honesty, I was excited and nervous at the same time. Was I doing the right thing? If so, then why was it a part of me wished it was Heero I would be meeting?
