A/N: (cricket cricket) Where did everyone go? Show some love—review!

Disclaimer: I do not own DNAngel.

The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows
Book One: The Phantom
Chapter Four: Never Would've Guessed

Riku couldn't deny the late night study session had definitely softened her a bit to the rumored playboy. There seemed to be some sincerity in his voice and she appreciated that. It took a lot to say what he did to a stranger. But the fact that he said is so easily made her a bit wary. Then again, maybe a stranger was just was just what you needed to say something like that.

The day carried on pretty silently for the auburn haired new comer. And despite the effortless day she was weighed heavily with thoughts of Dark. She felt as if she knew his secrets. How do you react after someone surprisingly confides in you? Maybe that was his plan all along; to make her feel obligated to be her friend.

Riku decided to sit alone at lunch because of the load of books she was carrying. She had taken on a few extra courses this year and needed sometime with out Risa's mindless jabbering to cram some of the data into her head. The girls teased her about it but Riku reminded herself that she wasn't here for the social experience. It was important to keep up with the posh for her family's reputation's sake but she seemed to have a hard time balancing it all.

Just as she was half way through her physics assignment she was distracted by some movement out of the corner of her eye. It seemed Dark Mousy had taken the liberty to settle himself in the seat beside her.

Maybe if I ignore him he'll go away, Riku thought as she buried herself in the paper. Dark didn't seem to mind. He watched her with curious eyes and patiently waited for her to acknowledge him.

Silence passed between them for quite sometime and it appeared as if Riku was losing at her own game. She hadn't written a single thing while in his presence. Even though he was doing nothing but sitting there he was the biggest diversion in world.

"Can I help you?" she said into her book, still not ready to face him.

"Hmm," Dark peered over her shoulder at her work. "Nope I'm fine."

Riku's eyes met his for an instant and there it was that arrogant smirk. She sighed realizing that she wasn't going to get any work done with him here and closed her book. Folding her hands across the table she calmly looked to him. She might as well humor him. One of them had to be the adult here.

"It's not good that you're not eating," he frowned pointing to the barren spot in front of her where food should have been.

"I have to study," she gestured obviously to the mountain of books around her. "Besides I'm not hungry."

"You won't retain any of it with out some food in your system," he rose from his seat. "I'll go get you something."

Before Riku could protest he was heading for the fruit line. She smiled inwardly. It had been a long time since anyone paid attention to something as trivial as her eating habits. Normally she would hate the concern, but it was valued in a time of stress.

"Here you go," he said tossing her a glossy red apple. "It's not much but it should be enough to fuel you through the day."

"T-thank you," she twirled the apple in her hands a bit before taking a large bite.

It was so moist and sweet. Her body graciously welcomed it. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until she remembered what it was like to have food her stomach.

Dark watched with a simple, satisfied grin as she devoured the fruit. "Not hungry, huh?"

Riku wasn't sure whether to retort or laugh. She was thankful, but she wouldn't dare say it. Not yet anyway-- he was still too foreign to her, still unanalyzed. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and rolled her eyes. Good choice Riku, good choice.

Dark laughed and pulled out a notepad and began working. Riku watched inquisitively as his hand fluently worked over the paper, fervently filling the white space with words. As she fought against the rude urge to leer over his shoulder and see what he was writing; Riku was suddenly aware of the jealous eyes burning into her back.

"Why is he sitting with her," she heard an under-classman whisper from a table juxtapose to her and Dark.

She examined Dark carefully. Why didn't they think she could get a guy like Dark? She was pretty, smart and popular enough, wasn't she? There didn't seem to be much to Dark that would make him out of her league. What did she have or didn't have that made her unworthy? Oh it didn't matter. It wasn't like she was interested anyway.

"Curious?" Dark asked looking up from his notebook.

"Huh?" she snapped out of her thoughts in surprise.

"About what I am writing," he twirled his pen between his fingers.

"Oh," Riku breathed grasping that it was silly of her to think that he could read her thoughts.

"Well I saw you writing in that notebook during Literature so I thought then that you might be taking notes, but I guess not."

"Well I'm not going to tell you," Dark stuck out his tongue. "It's my secret."

"I don't really care what you write in your diary," she snapped.

"It's not a diary," he pouted.

"Suuuure," she moaned sarcastically.

Before their argument could continue any further a wave of commotion swept through the cafeteria. Dark and Riku's eyes followed the attention of the crowd to the doorway where a young man with pale hair and ice blue eyes was standing.

"Satoshi's back!" an older girl squealed.

"How was your ski trip, Hiwatari?" a group of boys asked.

Riku's eyes studied the young man as he seemingly ignored the raging crowd. He was handsome, tall and slender. He had narrow; piercing blue eyes though they were hidden behind stylish glasses. He was well dressed, his uniform neat and every strand of his light blue hair was carefully and orderly placed. Riku was instantly captivated.

"Who's he?" she asked.

Dark frowned. Satoshi Hiwatari was his only rival for popularity and fame around this place. It was well known fact that Satoshi despised Dark and there had been a heated race between them ever since they were eight. There were several avid Dark and Satoshi fan clubs around the campus between which several arguments over who was better would arise. There was only one difference, Dark actually paid attention and flattered his. Satoshi completely ignored the girls (and two boys). Dark didn't understand why they paid any mind to that jerk.

"You wouldn't like him," Dark quickly filled. "He's a complete tight-ass. Fun is not in his vocabulary. He's a perfectionist with everything he does, grades, appearance…"

Riku turned to Dark with a devilish grin. "Sounds just like my type."

Dark's jaw dropped in amazement. "You're not serious?"

Before Riku could answer the bell rang. Smiling, she shrugged her shoulders and gathered her books. Retreating to her next class she left a stunned Dark sitting motionless at the table in her wake.