AN: yet another chapter…lol. This one's got dilly in it….kind of obvious…I just had to put him in here. For one, he's just so hilarious and two….he's my all time favourite villain. However, in this fic I'm not gonna make him the villain…maybe a bad ass but not an evil badass.
Dilandau thrummed his fingers rhythmically against his desk. Usually he skipped morning classes but today was sort of a special occasion. Reaching into his pocket, he flicked out his lighter and began playing with it to ease his boredom.
"Hey, boss!" Viole hissed Dilandau's nickname.
"Quiet, Viole. Can't you see I'm busy right now?" One of his silver eyebrows twitched with annoyance.
"But you-"
"Quiet!"
"But you told-"
"Shut up!"
"But you told me to-"
"Yeah, I told you to be quiet! So, SHUT UP!" He turned his back on the frustrated Viole and continued to occupy himself with the wavering flame.
Gathering up all his courage, Viole took one last chance to tell him. "But Dilandau….Hitomi…" He whispered.
Her name caught his ear. He shot up out of his desk, lighter in hand. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" He exclaimed, raising his hands up. Turning around his freakishly red eyes met a pair of surprised green ones.
"Hitomi! Hi!" He radiated cheerfulness. Sly as a fox, he ran his nimble fingers through his pale locks.
"Ummmm hi…" She said shyly, slightly caught off guard. Since when am I on speaking terms with him? She shrugged it off and went to take her assigned seat.
"Wait, Hitomi! Come sit by me." He smiled eagerly and being the gentleman he was, pulled the chair next to him out. Hitomi looked around nervously.
"Me?" She gulped, pointing to herself.
"Yeah you. Come have a seat." Dilandau sat down, patted the chair next to him, and gave her his most winning smile. Hitomi's eyes searched around for an excuse not to sit down.
"Ummmm isn't that Gatty's seat? I don't want to intrude or anything." She took a step backwards towards her normal seat.
"Oh, don't worry about Gatty." He rolled his eyes. "He'll understand. Well, aren't you going to sit down?" Reluctantly, she did.
The bell rang causing a flood of students to trickle into the classroom. The room filled with mindless chatter as people began to take their seats.
"Hey Dilandau, what gives? Where am I supposed to sit?" Gatty glanced at Hitomi sitting in his seat, his mouth curving into an "O" in realisation. "Ah, never mind. I'll go sit at the back or somethin'."Winking at Hitomi, he marched to the back of the room. Hitomi was hoping that he would tell her to move. Feeling out of place, she bunched her hands into a tight ball in her lap. Everyone was giving her these odd glances. Dilandau made it worse by moving his desk in right beside hers. The grinding of metal legs against the floorboards made everyone's head to turn towards them.
Great…She sighed.
"Okay class, I know you just had a test yesterday, so today we'll just be watching a movie. No complaints, I hope." The teacher informed them, pleasant as always. The class beamed with relief. As the teacher was popping the movie in, Dilandau wrapped a confident arm around Hitomi's chair.
"So, Hitomi….What are you up to tonight?" Behind them, a few girls succumbed to a fit of light giggles. Dilandau looked a bit taken back when she shot him a death glare.
"Why?" She asked in a cut-dry tone. Obviously, she was far from amused.
"Whoa, I was just curious." Hitomi continued to glare at him. "What?" He smirked.
"I'm busy. In fact, I'll be busy until further notice. Thank you for asking." Reaching into her bag, she brought out her binder and steadily began on her math homework.
Stubborn…Dilandau smiled. "Well, you're not busy during lunch right?"
Hitomi squared her shoulders and looked him in the eyes. "Actually I am."
"Oh really? Doing what?" He arched an eyebrow at her.
"None of your business, Dilandau." She dove back into her math homework, determined on finishing it.
He snorted. "Well then, I'll just have to make it my business to know or to find out."
She shrugged. "You do that…"
Dilandau chuckled to himself and leaned back into his chair. "We're going to get along just fine." He murmured, barely audible even to himself.
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Van felt his eyelids droop with sleepiness. He had gotten up way too early and the science teacher droning on about protons, neutrons, and electrons wasn't helping one bit. It was lecture time and everyone knew what that meant. A dark room, a bright overhead note-taking, and the odd nap. Every so often student's heads bobbed with exhaustion. Van was about to do just that when the teacher called upon him to answer a question.
"Okay Van, is it possible for an electron to attract another electron?" He said in a dull voice, adjusting his glasses.
Van jolted up straight, eyes wide. He looked somewhat awake but his mind was drawing a blank.
"Ummmm I don't know sir."
The teacher sighed, smacking his forehead. "Just guess then please."
"…No?" Van answered hopefully.
The teacher smiled. "Very good guess, Van." He said with sincerity. "Next time pay more attention to the lecture."
"Huh? Oh, right. Yeah…Sorry." Van rubbed his weary eyes. The teacher continued on with the lecture. Van tried to pay attention but he felt his consciousness slipping. Fortunately, Gaddess was beside him to poke him awake.
"Wake up Van. If I have to endure this so do you." He mumbled. Van opened his eyes and yawned.
"Doing my best." Lazily, he covered his gaping mouth. His eyes wandered to the clock. 11:30, almost lunch.
"Hey look, Van. There's Allen and Dryden." Gaddess whispered, staring at the door. "I wonder what they're doing out of class." He shrugged.
"Seniors…" Van mumbled in a low growl. He kept his eyes fixed on Allen as he walked by.
"So, what's the matter now?" Van overheard Dryden talking to Allen. He jolted awake with sudden interest. What wouldn't I do to hear that conversation?… A light bulb went off in his head and his hand shot up into the air.
"Yes, Van?" The teacher, annoyed.
"Can I go to the washroom?" He pleaded.
"I don't know…Can you?" A smirk spread across the teacher's mouth.
"May I go to the washroom?" He asked again. Van hated it when teachers corrected his grammar especially over something so trivial.
"Fine, hurry though because class will be over soon and I still have to hand out worksheets." He warned.
Oh goodie, worksheets…Van thanked him and quickly dashed out of the classroom. The teacher blinked in surprise.
"Wow, he must have had to go badly." Soft laughter filled the room. The only chuckle they'd ever get in this science class.
Once outside the classroom, Van pursued Allen and Dryden with caution.
"Good luck with that." Dryden said, about to burst into laugher. "I don't think any self-respecting girl would want to go with you to that party. I mean really, I don't even think I want to be seen around you wearing that nurse costume."
Allen sighed. "Laugh all you want. It was stupid of me to challenge Gaddess to that bet."
Dryden stopped to open his locker, Allen stopping too. "You think?" He began spinning in his locker combo using the dial. "So, did you ask that Hitomi girl out yet?" Dryden asked.
Allen sighed. "She really is something isn't she? Unfortunately, no I haven't asked her. I stopped by her house on the weekend but she wasn't home. It was funny though because Van answered the door."
"That freshman kid? No way!" Dryden commented.
"Yes way. After telling me that she wasn't home, he told me to stay away from her. Maybe they are dating after all…" Allen's face became sulky.
"What! They're dating? When did this happen? Just last week I saw them arguing about something in the halls. You would of swore they hated each other." Astonishment covered Dryden's face.
"It's gotta be true. Why else would he tell me to stay away from her?" Allen looked as unhappy as ever. "Now who will I take to the dance?"
Dryden rolled his eyes. "Aww, poor muffin. Get a grip, Allen. Loads of girls out there would be begging to date you…"
Allen huffed indignantly. "Yeah, but by the end of the day every girl will know about the little bet I made and the nurse costume that's attached to it!" He hissed.
Dryden pondered this for a moment, fingering his chin.. "Guess you're right. Allen…you're screwed." He roared with laughter as he slammed his locker shut.
Van was beginning to feel a string of mixed emotions. He felt worried, surprised, happy, and afraid. Afraid because if Hitomi found out Allen stopped by her house, she'd have his head on a platter. I can't believe that Allen thinks we're dating…idiot. This could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. Allen will leave Hitomi alone if he thinks she's taken but false rumours will start about us dating. That wouldn't be too good…If people start asking questions they'll find out the truth and Allen might start sniffing around again. Bastard… Van bit his lower lip. I should get back to class… With that, he trudged back down the hall towards the science room. When he reached the classroom door, his lips twitched into a lopsided smile. Heh, heh…At least Allen has to wear a nurse costume. How embarrassing to be him. Ha, he deserves it.
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Hitomi quickly scurried out of the classroom with Dilandau hot on her heels. She was practically jogging, anything to get away from him.
"Hitomi! Wait up! Where are you going in such a hurry?" He eventually caught up to her, smile on his face.
Her face became brighter when she saw the washroom doors. "Washrooms, Dilandau. Do you mind?" She stated gruffly.
Dilandau rubbed the back of his head. "Okay, I'll wait outside for you then. After how about I buy you lunch?" He asked politely…very politely.
"I'm not too sure about that…" She trailed off. Why me? Dilandau just kept on smiling.
"Awe, please? Who can resist free food?" His eyes seemingly bigger, begging her to accept.
"Okay, but just this once." She gave in.
"Sure." He winked and she bolted off into the washroom.
Locking herself into a stall, she paused to take several deep calming breaths. No. this can't be happing to me! Dilandau, the grade ten bad boy is coming onto me. Hitomi felt like screaming. Yukari was right about him… Okay, calm down. I'll go down to the cafeteria with him with him and as soon as I see Yukari. I'll just let him down gently and go have lunch with her instead. Opening the stall door, she smiled. Here goes nothing… Walking tall, she marched out of the bathroom.
"Hey Hitomi, let's go." He tried slinging his arm around her shoulders but she smacked it away.
"Hands off." She said in a sickly sweet voice, baring her teeth.
Dilandau looked at his arm and then back at Hitomi again. "Wow…violent." He smirked as she frowned at him. "You're awesome." He breathed.
Hitomi refrained from gagging. She couldn't believe this guy. She smacks his arm away from her and he thinks it makes her awesome and violent? Odd guy…
"Hey Hitomi, you're going to that party on the 31st right?…. I was thinking…maybe we could go together? What do ya say?" Grinning , he stepped closer to her, being careful not to touch her.
Hitomi gasped, trying to think of something to say. "I'm so sorry Dilandau……it's just that I …I-"
"You're already seeing someone else? Oh well, that's too bad. For me, I guess." He looked kinda disappointed , still keeping a smile on his face.
"Yeah, something like that…" She muttered
"Lucky bastard." He rubbed his neck. "You still want to get a bit to eat?".
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Dilandau bought Hitomi some chicken fingers and a salad for lunch as he bought himself the usual bag of chips and pop. Hitomi felt kinda bad for lying to him. He'd laughed when she agreed to have lunch with him, saying how maybe she might dump that boyfriend of hers and date him instead. She was beginning to find him…Dare she say it? Nice. Maybe it's true what they say "Don't judge a book by it's cover".
"So, who's the lucky guy?" Dilandau opened his bag of chips with a loud pop.
"Well….You'll meet him at the party if you go." It was a complete bluff but she would have a date by then, wouldn't she?
Dilandau looked captivated. "You're so mysterious." His eyes glistened with silent laughter.
"Hardly. No offence or anything but you don't know anything about me."
"Oh yeah? Well I do know that you participate in track but I guess you're right." He admitted. "Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself then?"
Hitomi barked a laugh. "Why are you so interested about me anyways?"
He leaned across the table, stopping a few inches away from her face and stared deeply into her forest hued eyes. "If you really want to know, I find you very unique. You're not like the other girls. Ever since I saw you fighting with that Van guy last week, I've been dying to get to know you better."
Hitomi felt like his gaze was going to put a hole through her. "You're quite the character yourself." Her voice remained cool and calm. When he didn't back away, she pressed a hand to his porcelain forehead and pushed him gently back.
"So…Are you going to tell me about yourself or not?" He sounded almost impatient.
"I will, but only if you do the same." She had a few questions of her own to ask him as well.
"Deal." He said quickly, not even pausing to think.
"Well, I don't know if we'll have enough time…" She said, checking her watch simultaneously. "The bell is going to ring soon."
Dilandau looked very disappointed. "Oh okay, call me after-school then. I'll give you my number."
Hitomi sighed. "Fine."
Grinning like a happy child, Dilandau retrieved a pen from his bag and scribbled his number onto her hand. "Friends then?" He asked hopefully.
Hitomi smiled. "Friends." She confirmed.
"Great, so I'll see ya around then?"
"Sure." Just then, she noticed that Yukari hadn't shown up at the cafeteria like she normally did. Surprisingly, she didn't really seem to mind at all.
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Hitomi found herself thinking about Dilandau during P.E class. She found him really odd because he'd been so straightforward with her. Not to mention confident too. He seemed nice but he was the leader of that gang. It made her very unsure and worried.
"Nice ass." Gaddess teased her, pretending to check her out. Behind him, Van pleaded him to be quiet.
Her nose wrinkled with annoyance. She thought about throwing the hockey stick she was carrying at him but didn't. That didn't mean she didn't want to. "Ha ha, very funny."
Van looked about ready to die when Gaddess chuckled. "Right. Sure."
Her whole entire class had roared with laughter when Van "accidentally" sprayed water at her behind, using his water bottle when she was doing stretches. She was in mid motion of touching her toes when the cold blast hit her. Her face immediately went red for two reasons. One the shorts she had on were white, the second reason was that she was wearing red underwear. Not a good combination. Everyone could see her underwear through her shorts. Cursing Van, she high-tailed it to the girl's change room.
Well as expected, Van got his comeuppance. In the hallways, Hitomi illustrated her displeasure by screaming at him and actually throwing her binder at him. It was quite the display. He had tried telling her that he had no idea that she had been wearing red underwear and how sorry he was…but she wouldn't hear anything of it.
"Just when I thought people were getting over that…" She rolled her eyes.
"Heh heh…yeah…" Van looked at the ceiling, feigning innocence.
"Wow, I didn't know the roof was so interesting." Hitomi commented, leaning on her hockey stick. Her eyes twinkled with laughter. Van looked at her with dead silence "Oh I know what this is about. You still think I'm mad about that." She walked forward with a dangerous grin on her face.
"What makes you think that." Van nervously laughed. He eyed her hockey stick with caution.
"Oh I don't know…Was it the fearful expression or the ceiling gazing that gave it away?" She laughed. "Don't worry about it." She smiled to reassure him.
"Easy for you to say. You weren't the one who had the binder thrown at you. That hurt you know…" He rubbed the side of his head in painful remembrance.
Hitomi grinned cheekily. "I guess it must have…"
It was Van's turn to roll his eyes " I saw Amano walking with Yukari during lunch. I couldn't help but notice you weren't there. So, where were you all lunch?"
"Cafeteria." She said simply. "Like always."
"Must have been boring for you. How come you didn't give us a holler?" Gaddess added in.
"It was far from boring." She laughed teasingly. "I made a new friend, see?" Hitomi held up her hand to show them Dilandau's number. Of course, they didn't know who's it was though.
They both gave her strange stares. Van grabbed her hand to get a better look at the number scrawled on it. "Who?" He questioned.
Snatching her hand away, she smiled sweetly. "Oh, no one you know personally…"
"Not that I'm interested or anything…but could you tell me who?" Van asked again. Internally the suspense was killing him.
"You are so interested! I can't believe you…For that, I'm not gonna tell you." Hitomi stuck out her tongue, effectively taunting him. Van tried playing it cool but Hitomi could see right through his little charade.
"Fine, don't tell me." He folded his arms defiantly.
"Fine." She grinned.
They stood there for a moment, Hitomi grinning and Van looking cross. Gaddess could only shake his head and sigh. Mentally he counted down from ten. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5,4... He didn't even reach three. He never did.
Van broke into a mischievous grin and said. "Hitomi, don't make me do this…" He wiggled all ten fingers at her in warning. Being dramatic, he took three lumbering steps towards her.
"Do what?" The smile vanished from her features. Hitomi began to slowly back away. He pounced towards her like a lion and she shrieked in her high pitched voice. She knew exactly what he was going to do. "STOP VAN! ANYTHING BUT THAT!" She dropped her hockey stick in shock.
Hitomi tried dodging him, but it was too late. He caught her despite the struggle she put up. Calmly but gently so he didn't hurt her, Van picked her up and plopped her onto the gym floor. Then he began to relentlessly tickle her. Hitomi didn't have a chance. Water began to leak from her emerald eyes as she laughed helplessly. "Had enough yet?" He asked, a cheeky grin glued to his face. He stopped his tickling for a moment to let her answer.
"I'm not telling you!" She laughed as she tried to wriggle away.
"Oh no you don't." He picked her up, swinging her over his shoulder like a small child. Hitomi was light, making her a small burden.
"Van Fanel, let me down!" She hissed, well more like shrieked.
"Never!" He threw his head back in evil laugher. Hitomi folded her arms, half draped over his back and blew a sandy lock of hair out of her face. Gaddess by now, had left to let them quarrel alone.
"Hitomi!" He whined. "Why won't you just tell me already? Please?" Van's bottom lip produced a small pout, not that she could see it or anything.
"No." She grumbled, content on waiting this out.
Van snickered. "Oh, I get it…your new friend is a guy, no?" Van smiled wickedly when he felt her gasp sharply.
"So…So what if he is?" She stumbled.
"Well, my dear." Van said, patting her behind much to her embarrassment. "I'm not going to let you down until you tell me who he is."
"But I have to change!" She reminded him quickly.
"So, I'll just wait outside. Just for you." He chimed merrily, briskly walking about the gym with her causing much giggling from the peanut gallery.
That should prove interesting…Hitomi smirked to herself, a plan circulating through her head.
AN: Wow, that was a long chapter…I'll end it there for now. I wrote this while camping…Can u believe that? Camping. I know, I'm kinda odd. I typed it up as soon as I got home. i should update Bitter Blissfulness soon...