Hrrum...this story doesnt seem very popular=/ I was wondering what you guys think of it so far....;_;

The night dragged on, but Club Prism was still dancing with life. Despite the lights in the other skyscrapers turning off, the one Club Prism was located in remained lit.

I stared out at the night sky, where the stars were dimmed out by the glowing city lights. Behind me, laughter was ringing ever on and more, as I heard Asuka scream several lines of profanity before her voice is silenced again….probably by another bottle of beer.

The initial excitement I had when the champagne call started had died out somewhat, probably because of the wine I had drank so much of. I could slightly feel them dimming my senses and calming my nerves; a depressant drug indeed.

Maroon flickered in the glass, and I turned to find Marui, a glass of golden liquid in his hand, and another glass of pink fizzy liquid in his other. This he offered to me.

I looked down at it questioningly, not really adventurous enough to go drink anything people offer me.

"It's champagne, only a different type." Marui provided when he saw that I wasn't going to take it without an explanation.

"Thank you…" I mumbled, taking the glass and sniffing the liquid lightly. Finding the smell that wafted to my nose pleasing, I took a sip.

Marui took a place next to me by the large glass windows and leant against it, taking a drink of his own. The warm liquid disappeared fast from the glass, draining into his throat smoothly and I watched in wonder, not understanding how they could drink so much so fast.

Marui noticed my gaze from the corner of his eye and smirked. "It's tolerance. Our bodies build a tolerance against the alcohol after sometime, so I can take more drinks."

I frowned. "It's not good for your health though…right?"

"Nope, it isn't." He grinned. "Better than tobacco anyways." He nodded in the direction of Niou, who was taking a drag from a cigarette. But Atobe came over not long later, a frown engraved on his smooth features, and Niou sighed dejectedly before snuffing out the stub.

I looked over to Marui for clarification.

"It's against club rules to smoke."

I mouthed an 'O', before returning my gaze to the city. A chuckle beside me caused to me to turn towards the source again.

"Yura just beat Jackal at making drinks." Marui laughed out when he saw my questioning stare, and pointed over to the bar. I looked over my shoulder to find Yura standing next to Jackal at the island counter, several glasses of cocktails laid out in front of her. Jackal, too, had cocktails laid before him, though the number pales in comparison to Yura's. "Seems like Yura-chan has the potential to be a hostess, or a bar maid at least."

I stared at Marui appalled. Sweet Yura a bar maid? A hostess?! Not ever, if I can help it.

Marui noticed my glare and appalled face, then shrugged. I ignored him after that, taking slight insult from his comment about my friend. I didn't know if he was still there beside me or not, but I just continued to stare out the window stiffly, feeling like an outsider in my own birthday party.

It was hard for me to actually mingle with people. I did not have the experience. Aya's previous hurt might have caused a sudden burst in confidence, and the champagne helped. But its not working now anymore. It seemed to be a short-term confidence, unfortunately.

"You don't talk much, do you?" Marui's voice came up from beside me once again.

I glanced at him, then took a sip of my drink. "Don't feel like it."

I could see him roll his eyes from his reflection on the window. :It's your birthday to boot. Don't be such a cold angel." He grinned.

Cold….yea, that's the word that I know best. I'm cold.

I tensed and my voice nearly spat at him, but I held it in, knowing it was not his fault I was some 18-year old going 50 with sticks up my backside.

"Any particular reason why you're giving me the cold shoulder?" His persistent voice came again.

"I'm not."

"Hm, really…" His voice revealed his doubt.

I turned to face him, feeling slightly irritated despite the champagne making my head a little fuzzy. "What do you want?" I demanded, wanting to know why he was being a pesky pretty fly around me, when there were other prettier targets around the room; not including the male gender.

He smiled, and a breathless sound left my throat and lips when his larger, smooth hands took hold of mine. His ever-lavender eyes found my dark brown and I felt that same feeling of captivation. "I'm trying to do my job."

And he pulled me with him, champagne glasses to be left forgotten for the rest of the night on the glass table we passed, out the door and into the elevator.

***

Out of the corner of her eye, Asuka saw Marui leaving the room with Kumiko, and she snorted before taking another large swig of her beer. She heard Niou 'tsk' from somewhere, muttering about her un-ladylike behaviors. But she rolled her eyes, not giving a damn what that silver-head thought about her.

Yura approached from the bar, leaving behind a disappointed Jackal, who was staring forlornly at his hands whilst Yukimura patted him on the shoulders.

"I feel kinda bad now….maybe I shouldn't have taken it too seriously…." Yura confessed guiltily, throwing glances over her shoulder at Jackal. Her family ran a restaurant back in her hometown, and she used to help in making the 'teen' drinks when she was still living there. Teen drinks as in things such as mocktails, special smoothies and snow drinks and the occasional cocktails. Yura's face suddenly took a change, as something slowly sunk in and she looked around the room.

"Where's Kumiko-chan?"

Asuka shrugged again and was about to take another swipe at her beer before a hand gently took it out of her hands. She looked up to see Yura with her beer, shaking her head. "Too much Asuka."

Asuka's shoulders slumped. A smirk suddenly came onto her face. " I wont tell you where Kumiko is then."

"……….."

***

Marui took me up to the roof of the building, and when I stepped out onto the spacious area, a cold rush of wind instantly swept me, blowing my hair back and causing my dress to flutter. I took slow tentative steps forward, wary of the height I'm at, and cautious of the lack of railings which can result in me falling over and splattering like an egg on the ground easily.

I watched as Marui took in a deep breath and stretched, giving a satisfied "Ah~" as he did so. I quirked an eyebrow as he relaxed and turned to look to at me, a cattish grin on his face.

"I feel more relaxed up here. Thought it might work for you too."

I jolted from my slumber as my alarm went off, the imitated sound of a cat meowing emitting from the cat-shaped clock. With a dejected sigh, I turned it off and dragged myself to the bathroom of my small apartment, getting ready for my day ahead.

Its been two days since my 18th birthday, two days since I was taken to Club Prism and introduced to all those gorgeous males; to Marui Bunta.

I didn't understand it, or rather, I didn't want to understand possibly, why I could never forget about his eyes. His glittering lavender eyes full of jovial life.

Its only been two days I know, but the number of times that I thought about him were clearly unhealthy. During breakfast, during lunch, dinner, showers, class, homework etc I kept only seeing those orbs of his behind my eyes!

It was frustrating. Mainly because I never thought about a single male so much before.

Slipping my shirt on, I sifted off my constant thoughts about him to the side (again), and dictated that it was because he paid a lot of attention to me (in my opinion) that night, which caused my constant thoughts about him; because no male paid that much attention to me before.

Next to people like Aya, it was really easy to overlook me. And Aya had been with me for a long time, so I was used to being shadowed. But I never hated or blamed Aya. She deserved all the attention she got. I didn't because I didn't earn or even give myself any.

The day slipped away as I spent my usual hours in class, listening to the teacher drone on about the value of art pieces, wishing that he'd just finish so that I can quell my itching hand by picking up a pencil and letting it fly over the pages of my sketchbook. I shifted in my seat, feeling my back ache from the past 2 hours of sitting, then relaxed and closed my eyes to rest it for a moment.

I saw lavender again before my eyes snapped open, the bell signaling the end of class.

"So I want 3 pieces of work from you when you return from spring break: a photograph, a digital painting, and a canvas painting." The teacher chimed cheerfully, snapping his briefcase close. The class murmured back a "yes" accompanied by moans and groans, before the students started shuffling out in excited whispers of the coming break.

I sighed and took my place by them, eager to get out and start on my work.

I heard my name being called as I shuffled along in the hallway, before a hand tapped my shoulder. I turned to find Rinko, with a bag slung over her shoulders.

"Kumiko-chan, me and some girls are planning to go out tomorrow night to celebrate the start of spring break. You think you can come?" She invited, eyes cheerful and hopeful that I would accept.

I looked at her and thought about my options for a bit. "Where are you guys planning to go?"

"We're heading down to Esplanet Club, just for fun and stuffs."

I knew that club. Nothing harmful really. But the party and mingling atmosphere….just doesn't sit with me. I'd probably end up sitting all alone while they are off with newly picked partners.

I shifted on my foot, shaking my head. "Nah, I'd rather get started on the work tomorrow. I probably wont be much fun at night after working the day off. You guys have fun." I waved my hand airily to show that it didn't matter and I didn't really mind.

Although I DID mind….I wasn't going to be a part of their memories in the future when they think back on their college life; a stage of life where it was all about new things and experiences, new adventures. I wasn't going to be a part of their memories because I was too chicken to hang out, my own insecurities ruling me.

But I didn't mind that much…if that makes sense.

Because I wont be making a fool of myself, I wont have the chance at any given moment; and I wont have the shameful thought of it for my lifetime.

Rinko's smiled turned upside down and she sighed. "Alright then. I really wanted you to come though…"

"I'll call if I reconsider."

She nodded, waving a bye before striking out at another student and inviting them along as well.

I made my way back to my apartment, after spending several hours in the college art storage, and entering the lonely abode. I couldn't be bothered to get the light switch, and instead satisfied myself with the red glow of the setting sun filtering through my windows.

I set my bag down, and took a quick shower before I felt the exhaustion hit me. I plopped onto my bed, feeling the mattress sink beneath me. I turned my face to the side and onto the soft pillows, and stared out the window at the vermillion sky.

But all I see is lavender.

***

Sunlight hits my face, and I automatically roll out of bed and freshen up.

I make myself some simple breakfast, downing it slowly in morbid silence in my empty kitchen alone.

After that, I retreated back into my room and worked on my art pieces….at least, tried to.

I was in a total block. I sat there for hours, nothing coming to mind and not a single drop of inspiration hitting me.

I got up and changed, leaving the apartment and taking a short walk around the area, trying to find a source of inspiration.

I returned to the apartment after that, still inspiration-less. Flipping through the various channels, my mind did not concentrate on the program and when evening rolled around, I made myself dinner before sitting at my desk again for another couple of hours before curling in bed.

This was my routine for the first few days of spring break.

I felt terrible. I felt so lonely. Yet, I didn't want to go to those nasty clubs.

It was 3 days into spring break, and I'm laying in my bed at home again. Aya and the rest are out at another party. I was invited but opted not to go. I wouldn't fit in.

I sat up in my bed, and just sat there, feeling the slightly cooled sunlight hit my skin. The bright scarlet sky had turned into a deeper crimson by the time I decided to get up and change into something presentable yet comfortable.

I grabbed several of my art pencils and my sketch pad and left the apartment.

Down at the pavement, I just walked, without any real destination in mind. My sketch pad was clutched loosely in my hands, my pencils jingling around in the wide front pockets of my skirt (the skirt reminded me of a kangaroo honestly, what with its pouch attached to the front of the skirt).

I didn't know how long I walked, it didn't feel very long honestly, before I heard a voice calling.

I turned to the side and saw a slightly elderly man, standing by his taxi car.

"Can I drive you anywhere…?" He asked. His voice shook and his bleary eyes looked out at me from under his white eyebrows.

I felt sorry for him. He must be pretty desperate for business to ask, since it's usually rude to call for customers. And how cruel can the taxi companies get? Sending out a old senior like him.

I smiled and nodded, not really knowing where I wanted to go as I made my way towards the taxi.

I still hadn't decided where I wanted to be taken when I opened the door and settled in.

The old man looked at me with tired eyes from his rear view mirror, as the engine started up.

I didn't know where I wanted to go, but my mouth spoke on its own accord.

***

I stood below, staring up at the tall skyscraper lighted with bright luminous light.

The taxi car had chugged off before I could turn around and ask him to take me somewhere else.

I didn't want to be here. Or rather, I didn't need to be here.

I sighed, not knowing what to do. I looked around, in hopes of another taxi. It was too far a distance for me to walk back, and it was getting late.

I frowned and checked my watch.

9:30pm.

"A miss like you shouldn't be out alone on the streets at this time." A hand on my shoulder elicited a yelp from me, and I swirled around, hands preparing to whack my sketch pad onto the face of whoever spoke and touched me, hoping to make it a flat surface by the time I was done.

But I stopped, when I saw amused ocean blue eyes staring at me.

"N-Niou-san?!" I breathed out, relieved and shocked at the same time. "W-what are you doing here?"

"I work here. And the question should be directed at you! Not me." Niou replied, starting with an amused voice, which turned serious at the end. His brows turned downwards, awaiting a reason for my being late out here.

"Um…I cant get home?"

Niou cocked an eyebrow. "No taxi I presume?"

I nodded sheepishly. Should have took driving lessons…

Niou sighed. "Well, we certainly cant let anything happen to you either…if you got kidnapped or something around this area, Club Prism will be tarnished."

I sweat dropped. These guys must value their reputation a lot to care about crimes occurring in their area.

Niou shrugged. "Women wouldn't come anymore if there were occasions of women being kidnapped here." He turned and started towards the glass door of the building, hand signaling for me to follow.

I stood still, confused.

Niou rolled his eyes and smirked. "It's free tonight. I'll explain to Atobe the situation. We'll take you back but you'll have to wait until our club closes."

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