Hiyas! Glad you're still reading this thing... y'know, if you weren't you wouldn't be reading this! ... Bad joke... anyway...Yeah, so Read and Review Please:) that would make me very happy.

Also! I finally got the Tomodachi Manga going! that's the address, so go check it out! And also, email me about it!

Oh yeah, and I don't know about a sequel anymore... I've been focusing on the Manga these days... if there is a sequel, It's gonna be called "Meiyo" ... I don't really remember what it means anymore though... XD

. Wednesday – 11:45 am – Lunch Hour .-

"There she is!"

"Who?"

"Ikenara!"

"The phony?"

"Yeah!"

A girl walked down the hall, her spirit, absolutely crushed. Rumors flew about her throughout the halls as she headed for the cafeteria. She still looked like a gangster, but inside, Shakon was a destroyed soul.

She sped up to the Cafeteria as she felt the eyes of almost every teen in the hallway on her. Dang, I can't wait to eat. She thought, walking into the Cafeteria.

"Hi Shakon." Rei greeted, as she walked over to them cautiously. This was only her 2nd day eating with the group, so she was still quite cautious around them, as they were with her.

"Hello." She answered, taking a place next to him on the end.

"So, what's up?" Rei asked, genuinely interested in how her day was going.

She shrugged. "Nothing." She said, starting to get the lunch she had bought earlier. "Unless you count the 10 new rumors that've been flying around since 2nd period." She added with emotion void in her voice.

Rei watched the girl sadly. She's certainly got a new reputation around here… he thought, going back to his own lunch.

"Well, if it isn't the slut!" A voice called out from behind the table.

The teens at the table turned to see Linea, Kimihiro, and Terrance standing behind Shakon.

"Go away." Shakon demanded with a sigh.

Linea laughed. "As you wish, skank, but I just thought I'd remind you of your stupidity."

"What more could you possibly do?" Shakon said, a small hint of dread in her voice. This made Linea laugh.

"Ooh, the girl's scared!" She taunted.

"Bug off, Linea." Rei said, trying to get her to go away. "You've got no good reason to be here, so go away."

Linea looked at him, appearing impressed. "Wow, a knight in shining armor!" She taunted. "You standing up for the slut-faced punk wannabe?"

Shakon turned back to her lunch. She couldn't look at the girls who completely destroyed her reputation and dignity. It was all she could do to hold back the tears, let alone stop herself from shaking so much.

Linea laughed as she saw Shakon feeling so weak. "Pathetic, Sha. Crying in public. Remember, it shows how weak you really are." She said, as she turned her back to leave.

Shakon couldn't stand the pressure of everyone watching her much longer. She stood up quickly, and ran out the door.

Rei glanced at the rest of the group before running after her. After 10 minutes of looking, he finally found her under the cherry blossom tree in the back. She was sitting, knees bent, and her head in her arms.

He kneeled beside her and saw she was crying. "Shakon?" he asked, almost silently. "Are you gonna be alright?"

She looked up at him, tears staining her beautiful face. She hadn't been putting as much make-up on the past few days, but there was still some.

She shook her head sadly. "I don't think I'll ever be alright again, Rei." She said, her voice reflecting her sadness.

Rei took her in his arms to hug her, whom she embraced, and sobbed, into his chest. Rei whispered to the girl, trying to soother her. He was succeeding as she was starting to calm down.

After a little while, she stopped crying completely.

"You know what you have to do before Friday, don't you?" Rei asked her.

She looked up at him, a little confused. She shook her head. "What?" She asked.

Rei smiled. "On Friday, everyone's gonna be at that club to see you for themselves." He stated. "Before then, you should show everyone that you do dance there, and you're not ashamed of that… You're not, are you?"

Shakon was thoughtful. She hadn't' thought of the possibility that the kids were going to be at that club on Friday. "No, I'm not ashamed." She said softly. "But… how could I possibly let them know without making a fool of myself?" Sha asked.

Her friend chuckled. "Don't worry about making a fool of yourself… Linea's already done a pretty good job of that. Just go do it now in the cafeteria." He urged the girl.

Sha sat there a moment. "I don't think I want to…" She said after a while. "I don't have the courage to do that right now, Rei… I think… It would be better if I just don't dance on Friday."

"Why?" Rei asked, a little shocked. "You love to do it, and it helps you feel better, doesn't it?"

"Yeah…" Shakon admitted. "But … Right now it's more hurting me than helping me."

Rei sighed sadly, when he realized he was still holding the girl. He took in how close she was to him. In any other circumstances, I would probably start romancing her…He thought. But she doesn't need that crap now.

Shakon was also realizing their closeness. She was enjoying it, but she knew that she didn't really know Rei enough to like him, never mind love him.

But still…She thought. I feel like I've known him all my life. If only that were true… Wait I don't like Rei, do I? I barely know him! She dismissed the thought of liking Rei immediatelyand sat up, distancing herself from the boy. Rei smiled outwardly, but on the inside, though understanding, was disappointed.

"We should head back." Rei said. "We shouldn't keep the guys waiting."

Shakon nodded as she got to her feet. The two started walking back to the cafeteria together.