Hi everyone!

First, I want to apologize for updating so late. School has just started up and things have been busy. Aside from that, I received a nasty review that honestly made me want to leave this website but I couldn't leave the story unfinished because it wouldn't be fair to those of you who are reading and enjoying it. To you I am truly sorry for taking as long as I did.

One thing I would like to mention though. I love receiving feedback because I always felt it would help me become a better writer. I can take criticism and welcome it. What I don't understand are people who openly attack the author personally by hurling vulgar insults that hold no substance or constructive feedback. Not only is it upsetting but it demonstrates the immaturity level that some readers seem to possess.

If you don't like my story, by all means tell me why so I can improve. Calling me nasty names, however, accomplishes nothing.

Thanks to all of you who were mature and kind enough to leave construct reviews. I loved hearing from you and I hope you can forgive me for taking so long to update.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny

Warnings: Depressing scenes, very angry Cagalli and some Meer-bashing.

Affronted Affections

Chapter #10: Backed into a Corner

A strange feeling washed over Athrun as he sat there in the principal's office alongside Cagalli's father and a teary-eyed Meer. It wasn't fear, it wasn't anger nor was it confusion. It was a mix of all of them. Swirled together into something that he couldn't put into words that sank to the pit of his stomach as he sat across from Ms. Badgiruel.

He could see her lips moving, the scowl that played across her features as her dark eyes bored into him yet her words didn't reach him. His mind was racing in dizzying circles, replaying the events that had transpired and thinking up possible scenarios that could result once his father learned that he was going to be expelled. He would be angry… no, he would be infuriated. He had seen his father when the world seemed to transpire against him and had made a point of avoiding moments like that at all costs.

Suddenly he understood what people meant when they said they wished that the ground would just open up and swallow them whole. That was how he felt at that moment. He desperately wished he could just disappear and escape the nightmare that had befallen him.

Daring a quick glance to his left, he saw Uzumi listening as Ms. Badgiruel continued her rant, explaining how Athrun was going to be 'dealt with' for his 'intolerable behavior.' What surprised him was that he seemed genuinely sad. Searching the old man's face, Athrun found no signs of satisfaction in his expression.

His thoughts drifted to Cagalli – wherever she was. What would she make of all this? His heart ached at the thought that she could possibly believe what had happened. She knew him better than that… didn't she? Dropping his gaze, he didn't know what hurt more. The inevitable confrontation that he would have with his father or leaving Cagalli with the false impressions that were nothing but sickening lies.

"Do you understand me?" Ms. Badgiruel demanded, forcing Athrun to drag his gaze back to the woman glaring at him from the other side of the desk. "Your father shall be informed and as of now, I am withdrawing your right to attend this school. We do not tolerate such primitive and barbaric behavior and no one, not even you will be an exception to that.

Athrun winced as she spat the word you at him as though he were something vile to be loathed and dirty. He really should have been defending himself. He knew he should have been kicking and screaming, pleading his case but the sad truth was that it would have made little difference. The principal had been looking for a reason to expel him and now that she had enough ammunition to do so, she would not let the opportunity slip away.

Still, as futile as he knew it would be, Athrun spoke up. "I didn't do it," He muttered lowly though his words were articulate and clear. "I didn't try to hurt Meer."

Everyone in the office grimaced when Meer released a distressed wail and began to sob harder into a Kleenex that she had picked up upon arrival.

Ms. Badgiruel seemed unmoved. "Well it is pretty clear that Meer is the victim of this and you were found pushing her to the ground with her dress torn. How do you explain that?"

"I was pushing her away," Athrun replied levelly. That's when he realized something. His eyes widened as it suddenly dawned on him. "The victim was me." It sounded strange to his ears but it was the truth. It was he who had been assaulted.

"I'm not interested in your excuses, Athrun," Ms. Badgiruel quickly dismissed his comments as though they were the incoherent ramblings of a child and rose to her feet. "I mean to make an example of you so this type of thing never happens again."

"I figured you would," Athrun muttered under his breath. The words slipped out and he jerked when he realized that what he had been thinking had somehow escaped his lips.

"What was that?" Ms. Badgiruel leaned over her desk so that her face was just inches from the young Coordinator's own. "Would you care to repeat that, Athrun Zala?"

"I said I figured you would," Athrun reiterated. He was already well over his head in trouble so what did it matter if he said what he truly felt? Would it really matter? Make a difference? He seriously doubted it. "You've been looking for a reason to get rid of me ever since I arrived."

Ms. Badgiruel's eyes bulged as she straightened. "You will be escorted to your room where you will pack your things this instant. I shall inform your father of your expulsion and demand that you be picked up first thing tomorrow morning."

Athrun gulped, his nerve endings going numb. His room? He didn't have a room. Oh god… he felt the color drain from his face as he saw his fate secured before his very eyes.

"Well now," Ms. Badgiruel grumped. "What residence are you in?"

Athrun didn't move nor did he speak.

"I asked you a question."

Still, Athrun didn't budge.

"You will answer me, now," The principal sneered and Athrun's shoulders slumped in defeat. He felt all eyes on him now as if curious to hear his answer.

"Well," He swallowed in an attempt to clear his parched throat. "You see, I never really had a residence… there was some confusion and…"

"Where have you been sleeping?" Ms. Badgiruel asked again, obviously disinterested in Athrun's struggle to explain himself.

Athrun bit his bottom lip, desperately wishing that the roof would fall down on him. If he couldn't sink into the floor than maybe lightning could hit the building and force the ceiling down upon them.

"Where!"

"Cagalli's room." His voice was just barely above a whisper. In front of the principal and, perhaps worse, Cagalli's father, he had just admitted to spending three months in the girl's residence. Something that was strictly forbidden.

Ms. Badgiruel's eyes widened in disbelieve while Uzumi simply stared at him, dumbfounded. For a moment that, for Athrun, seemed to last for an eternity, there was complete and utter silence. Nobody knew what to say nor did they know what to do.

"You… you mean to tell me that you have spent the entire semester in the girl's residence?" Ms. Badgiruel finally exploded. Slamming both fists onto her desk, the principal whirled around the desk and snagged Athrun's arm. She gracelessly hulled him up to his feet and half-escorted, half-dragged the Coordinator out of her office by his arm. "Of all the stupid, irresponsible, unforgivable, insolent things I have ever heard of! Only you! Only you could think to do something so… so negligent!"

"I didn't have anywhere else to go!" Athrun shot back, his own temper flaring at the series of insults that were being flung in his direction. "Nobody would help me! What was I supposed to do!"

"Come with me," Ms. Badgiruel growled, her grip around the boy's arm tightening painfully. "We're gathering your things right now from that poor girl's room. You will spend the night in the nurse's room and tomorrow you are out of here!"

As Athrun was hulled out of the office, he threw a pleading look over to Uzumi, begging for some sort of understanding. The man seemed a little put off by the display but he didn't make anymore to leap to his defense. Athrun groaned inwardly. Why should he expect him to? From his point of view, the whole thing probably looked terrible. He'd been seen pushing Meer and now the word of his sharing a room with Cagalli surely must have demonized him in Uzumi's mind.

Athrun shook his head angrily. Damn them! Damn them all!

When the principal stepped out into the main hall, dragging Athrun along behind her, he was disappointed, but not entirely surprised to see the mass of students that had gathered to see what had happened. Whispers and quiet gossip floated in the heavy atmosphere as Ms. Badgiruel pushed her way through the crowds. Athrun felt them closing in around him and again wished that the ground would come up and swallow him.

Uzumi and Meer followed silently in the rear and as the crowd chased after Athrun, Meer took the opportunity to slip away back towards the residences. It had been a long and straining night. The Orb leader gazed hard at the slender figure as the blue-haired boy gradually disappeared from sight. His heart pounded painfully against his chest causing a slight frown to draw across his face. He had been so sure he had done the right thing yet if that was so, then why did he feel so miserable?

Was it the look that Athrun had given him before he'd been escorted away? He had seen it before many times in dealing with Cagalli. The look that begged for consideration and understanding when the world had dealt a cruel blow. The boy's eyes had been clear and kind and somehow he regretted having found Athrun in the park. Or perhaps it was the fact that Cagalli loved the boy so much? Perhaps it was the knowledge that this would undoubtedly hurt her that affected him.

"I wouldn't have figured Zala to the type."

Uzumi caught part of a conversation between two students as they brushed past him and frowned.

"Especially Meer," The other agreed. "I heard he wouldn't go anywhere near her. Strange how things work out."

"Do you think he'll be expelled?"

"Hell yeah!"

"No…"

Uzumi heard a familiar voice whisper the one-syllable word that hung in the tense air. Turning around, he grimaced when he saw Cagalli standing frozen in complete disbelief. Still dressed in her evening-wear, her auburn eyes were wide and her skin had gone pale. Her mouth hung open a little as she shook her head almost mechanically back and forth in the negative.

"Cagalli," Uzumi hurried towards his daughter and quickly grasped her tightly be the shoulders. "Cagalli, I'm sorry. Really, I am very sorry."

"Expelled?" Cagalli almost choked. "What is Athrun getting expelled for? Why!"

"When Athrun left the assembly I followed, wanting to apologize to him. I found him in the park with Meer and," He swallowed. "Her clothes were badly torn and I saw Athrun push her to the ground."

"Wha…" Cagalli's jaw dropped, not wanted to believe it. "That's not possible. Athrun wouldn't do that!"

"I wish I could believe you, Cagalli, but Meer says that he tried to force himself onto her."

"She's lying!" Cagalli declared, tears gathering in her eyes. She tightened her fists in her father's suits as she continued to shake her head violently. "You can't let this happen! Athrun is afraid of Meer! There has to be a reason –"

"You lied to me."

Cagalli looked up, eyes wide with shock as her father's gentle expression turned into a frown. "You've been sharing a room with that boy, haven't you?"

"Father, it's not what you think." Cagalli started but Uzumi just shook his head, silencing her.

"According to you, nothing is as it seems when it comes to you two," Uzumi sighed. This conversation was not meant to take place here and now. He could see the pain in his daughter's tear-stained eyes and forced himself to withhold any sort of anger he was feeling. "It's getting late. I suggest you get some rest."

Cagalli straightened, determination burned into her features as her eyes hardened with rage. "No," She said abruptly. "I'm going to stop this. I'm not going to let Athrun be punished for something he didn't do."

She didn't give her father a chance to speak. Kicking off her heels, she took off towards the nearest exit and sprinted towards the residence. Her arms pumped wildly at her sides as she flew across campus towards the residences. She didn't understand what was going on but she had to find Meer. She had to make Meer confess that Athrun was innocent… he was after all… wasn't he?

No! She refused to let doubt cloud her judgment. She knew him and knew him well. Athrun would never hurt anyone unless pushed and even then it took a lot to get him angry.

It didn't take Cagalli long to reach the residences and as she ran across the courtyard her eyes caught sight of a feminine figure just reaching the gate that lead to the main doors.

The glint of pink in the silver moonlight was all Cagalli needed. Unable to contain herself, she lashed out at the other girl, knowing full well who it was.

There was a gut-wrenching scream as the two girls fell to the ground, wrestling and scratching at one another.

"Liar!" Cagalli shrieked as she fought to maintain the upper-hand. "You liar!"

"Get off of me!" Meer screamed. "Somebody help me!"

WMWMWMWMWMW

In her room, Lacus, as usual, was restless, tossing and turning as she strained to get the sleep that didn't seem to come. With a sigh, Lacus sat up when she heard a thump outside and frowned. It was late and it was common courtesy not to make noise in the residences at this hour. Shaking her head, Lacus yawned as she peered out her bedroom window.

It was Cagalli.

"Cagalli?" She questioned as she watched the blonde run across the yard. What was she doing and more importantly… why was she alone! She knew that Athrun and Cagalli had gone to an assembly of some sort that evening but why wouldn't Athrun escort her back?

What happened next surprised her.

There was a gut-wrenching scream and Lacus felt her entire being shatter as the sound echoed off the walls. Cagalli had just attacked Meer!

Forgetting she was still in her flannel pajamas, she rushed down the stairs and threw the front door open, revealing light to the darkness of the night. Sweat poured from her face as she looked around franticly. "Cagalli? Cagalli!"

Another scream. This time from her left.

Lacus ran over and gasped when her eyes took in both Cagalli and Meer wrestling on the ground, each one trying to get the upper hand. The two off them were now covered in dirt and grass as the rolled around violently clawing at one another.

"Cagalli, no!" She cried and reaching down, pulled her friend off her look-alike. Her eyes widened in concern when she noticed the tear stains that ran down each of Cagalli's rosy cheeks as she struggled to break free.

"Meer you can't do this!" Cagalli screeched and, pointing an enraged finger at her, shook her head. "Athrun is going to be expelled and he didn't do anything wrong! You have to tell the truth!"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Meer sneered as she slowly picked herself up from the ground. "Your stupid boyfriend attacked me. Why should I care what happens to him? He deserves everything he gets!"

Cagalli struggled, fighting against the hands that held her back. Kicking and twisting, she thrashed about, trying to break free. She wanted to make Meer pay and confess and when she saw a small smile split the other girl's lips, it only made Cagalli even angrier.

"You take that back!" She sneered. "Take that back right now!"

"Cagalli stop it!" Lacus scolded as she struggled to hang onto her friend, which was proving to be a challenge. "What is going on?"

"You're the only one that can help Athrun!" Cagalli cried. "Meer, please!"

"Why should I?" Meer demanded before throwing a teasing hand up in the air and waving it in Cagalli's face. "He never paid any attention to me. I tried to get him to notice me but he wouldn't. So now, he is getting exactly what he deserves!"

"Let me go!" Cagalli snarled as her urgency to smash Meer's face in suddenly doubled. Grinding her teeth in frustration, Cagalli flailed desperately in Lacus' grip. Now she understood. This was her revenge. This was Meer getting even with Athrun for ignoring her and there was nothing she could do about it. The other girl held all the cards. "I will beat the truth out of you if I have to!"

"Cagalli!" Lacus barked and dodged as one of her friend's fists came up and nearly caught her in the chin. This was so unlike Cagalli and it frightened her. "Come on, let's go."

Baffled and confused, Lacus didn't wait for an answer and speedily guided Cagalli into the dorm, slamming the door behind her. Rushing, she helped Cagalli to her room, which was two levels above her own and pushed the door open.

She wasn't prepared for Cagalli's reaction. The girl raised her eyes to look at her room and her face seemed to go white as she took in the sight. Athrun's belongings were gone. Everything. The area on the floor where he had always slept was empty. Sobbing and crying, she wouldn't even look at Lacus as the other girl helped her onto the bed.

"Cagalli, what is going on?" She asked, desperately. "What's happening? What has happened to Athrun?"

Shaking her head, Cagalli tensed, drawing deeper into herself. "They are going to expel him!" She blurted out. "I don't know everything but… but Meer somehow made it look like he attacked her and now, they're going to throw him out of school!"

Lacus bit her lower lip, unsure what to say. She hadn't been prepared for this. "Cagalli, please calm down," Lacus tried. "It will be ok. Have you spoken to Athrun?"

Cagalli shook her head. "I don't know where he is."

"We'll find him tomorrow," Lacus told her firmly. "We'll get his side of the story and find a way to get this worked out. Maybe there was a witness who saw them and can prove that Athrun was innocent?"

Cagalli didn't bother responded. Her eyes moved from Lacus and fell onto the small robotic dog that Athrun had given her. Kaoru. There had to be a way… there just had to be.

TBC

Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I had fun writing it. Should I end it with a happy ending or a sad one? I'm struggling with this one. I could end it in the next chapter but I don't think anyone would really like what I have in mind if I did that. Any suggestions? I am having trouble with this story.

Thanks so much and again, I am sorry for the delay in updating.

Until next time,

Krilyn