Chapter 6: Locker Error

Cagalli watched, with a raised brow, as the green haired, young man struggled with the combination of the locker—her locker. He had been at it for a few minutes, and Cagalli could tell he was starting to get frustrated, with him mumbling under his breath and stomping his foot. She chuckled. Was he trying to break in, or was he mistaken? It was amusing either way—since he struggled—but Cagalli assumed it must've been the latter. It was only the second week of the school year, and she barely knew anyone, so she doubted anyone would want to break into her locker?

She walked closer to him, tapped his shoulder. He jumped. Cagalli let out another laugh.

"Uh…Oh…Sorry, you gave me a scare," he said, mildly winded.

"I see," she looked at her lock, which was in the young man's grasp. "Can I help you with something?"

He looked at her perplexed.

"This is my locker."

He looked at the lock and then back at Cagalli. She carried a bemused smile. His eyes widened and he pulled a small, ripped piece of paper from his pants pocket.

"But it says here that his locker is locker 5563…Isn't this…"

Cagalli pointed to the number that was engraved on the top of locker door. It read 5562. The young man looked at Cagalli and blushed.

"I'm really sorry," he said.

"It's alright," she said. "your locker is the one next to mine. It's an easy mistake."

He moved over, so that Cagalli could open her locker. He began to open the other.

"It actually isn't mine," he said. "my friend needed me to drop off his things while he ran back to his last class to grab something."

"Oh…" she said, grabbing her jacket.

"Nicol!" they heard someone say

The green haired boy turned to greet another young man who approached him from the side.

"I'm glad you found my locker. Could you put this folder in there?"

"I actually didn't," Nicol blushed again. "I accidently mistaken her locker for your locker." He pointed to Cagalli.

The other young man looked at Cagalli. She felt frozen under his gaze, and she didn't understand it. His green eyes peered into hers, but in the softest way…and yet, she felt nervous.

"I'm sorry about that," the young man smiled, apologetically.

She shrugged. "It's fine."

"By the way," Nicol intruded, "what is your name? I'm Nicol," he stuck his hand out, "and this is Athrun."

That name sounds familiar, she thought.

"Cagalli," she took both of their hands. "Are you guys just starting?"

"Yes," Nicol said.

Cagalli needn't asked, by their red jackets, she could tell they were students from Zaft.

"Welcome."

"Thanks," Athrun smiled.

"I'm hoping we all can adjust. This school is in a different neighborhood than we're used to."

"Well," Cagalli said, "everyone is new to this school, and besides, you have people from your old school attending, so at least you aren't alone."

"Anyone here from your old school?" Athrun asked her.

For a split second, Cagalli frowned and stared at the ground. She shook her head. "I was homeschooled," she said.

For a moment, there was silence.

As if reading her thoughts, Nicol said, "You're not alone either."

Cagalli looked at him.

"You met us."

As always R&R