It was the winter of my first year at Fuuka and the temperature had dropped significantly. I have a dislike of the cold weather, so I dressed in layers upon layers of clothing. Natsuki wore barely a jacket, she loved the cold. She always said it made her feel refreshed, I always told her that she was crazy.

I remember that season well because at the start of it I took very ill and had to miss class for a week. On my return I climbed the ascent and was accosted by well-wishers. Apparently I had become quite popular during the fall and many people were asking after my health including a dark haired prince. "Shizuru, it's good to see you back."

The look of relief in his eyes was startling from one who was usually so composed. I didn't know what to say to him. "I'm fine, just caught the flu. I hate cold weather."

"I can see that, it looks like you bought a department store out of jackets."

We laughed together on the way to our homeroom, where Haruka was waiting for me. "There you are, Viola, I was wondering if you hadn't died."

"Don't show too much concern, Haruka, you might get wrinkles."

"You first, old woman. Reito here was chomping at the bit while you were gone. He was all, 'Oh I hope she's okay', and, 'I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't come back'."

Reito blushed openly, "It was nothing like that, Haruka. Stop filling her head with lies." He turned to me with a warm smile. "I am glad you're feeling better, Shizuru."

Several more well-wishers approached as I sat at my desk followed by Ms. Sanada with a large stack of make-up work. "It's good to see you well Ms. Viola. Here is what you missed while you were out. It's due tomorrow." I hung my head, so much for an easy day.

-IPR-

I sat at the lunch table with Reito, Haruka and Yukino. Reito and Haruka were arguing as usual while Yukino sat and ate quietly. Somehow the topic of a coming school dance came up and Haruka asked Reito who he wanted to take. "Well, I was looking at this girl in our class, but I don't know if she'll say yes."

I was working on some of the papers Ms. Sanada had given me when I caught a flash of emerald watching me from the doorway. I motioned for her to join me but she walked away, I excused myself to follow her.

We met up in the same bathroom that I had followed her into before. "Hi."

"Hi. I haven't seen you for a week, where have you been?"

"Did you miss me?"

Natsuki smiled her lady-killer smile and my heart fluttered. "Maybe. Were you out sick?"

"Yes, the cold weather doesn't agree with me. So..." I tapped my foot, "There's a dance coming up?"

"It's all anyone is talking about. Did someone ask to take you?"

I smiled sheepishly, "No, but I'm hoping that someone special will ask me."

Natsuki put a hand on my shoulder, "Don't worry, you're a beautiful girl. I'm sure someone will ask you." She left and my heart sank, I remember thinking how stupid she was for not noticing that I meant her. I hadn't thought about it from her perspective.

I made my way back to the cafeteria and sat back down next to Reito, working on my papers until the bell rang for the next class. I gathered my things and Reito offered to walk with me. As we walked he grew more nervous until I asked, "What is it, Reito?"

"I was wondering if you would go with me to the winter dance next week?"

"You want to go with me?"

"Absolutely, you're one of the prettiest girls here and we always seem to connect. So, what do you say?"

I don't remember what went through my head, that Natsuki was never going to ask me and I might as well go with a friend. Whatever I thought at the time, I still answered, "Yes, I will go with you."

His face lit up, "Really? I promise to show you the time of your life." In the back of my mind I knew that going to the dance with Reito would make him happy, but I secretly wished Natsuki had asked me.

He was jovial as we entered our next class, Haruka approached while he took his seat. "Did Reito ask you to the dance?" I nodded, "Did you say yes?" I nodded again, "You don't seem very enthusiastic."

I whispered to her, "I really wanted to go with Natsuki, but she didn't ask me."

"She was right not to ask you. It's a public event, Shizuru, and like it or not there is a lot of prejudice here. If you went with her you would both be ostracized. I think she's looking out for you."

I hadn't thought about it like that. "She could have said that, at least, instead of ignoring me."

I must have been pouting because Haruka started laughing. "You really shouldn't pout, you don't do it well. Come on, class is starting."

I thought about what Haruka had said for the whole day until school let out and I waited by Natsuki's bike for her. When she approached I asked, "Why didn't you ask me out to the dance? Was it to protect me?"

Natsuki didn't smile, she only looked away, "Did someone else ask you? Was it that Kanzaki guy?"

"Yes, Reito asked me and I told him I would go with him."

"I see." I noticed something in her eyes I had never seen before. Hurt. "Then I hope you and the Prince have a good time." She started up her bike and pulled away even before the black car arrived.

I moped back to my friends who waited at the curb, Reito put an arm around me. "Did she say something to you?"

"I think I hurt her." Reito didn't seem to understand, my mom pulled up and I shrugged out of Reito's embrace. I waved to him as we left the driveway and headed home. I must have looked a mess because my mom asked, "Are you feeling okay?"

"Reito Kanzaki asked me to a dance next week and I told him yes."

"Is he that tall, dark-haired boy you hang out with? He seems nice, but why are you sad then?"

"I wanted someone else to ask me, but they didn't and I'm afraid I hurt them by not waiting."

"Shizuru." My mom put on her comforting voice, a voice reserved just for me. "You don't get anywhere in this world by waiting. If you want something you have to grab it before it's taken away. If the other person wanted to go to the dance with you they should have asked, but they didn't."

"But still..."

"That goes for you, too. You could have asked this person to go with you, but you didn't. You made a choice, but have faith, sweetie, everything will work out." That was one thing my mom was really big on, having faith. "When is this dance?"

"Next Friday."

"Then your father will be home and he can drive you, he'll be so happy." That bit of news was a pick me up, my father was rarely home but it always made me happier to see him.

-IPR-

During the week leading up to the dance, I didn't see Natsuki at all. She was actively avoiding me, even going so far as to avoid eye contact with me. A part of me wanted to tell her I was sorry, another that I wasn't sorry and she should have asked me. What I did was nothing, however, and so the day of the dance drew near. I went about my usual school business with a grim determination, I would not let this ruin what was to be a spectacular night for me. When class was over I stood on the curb with Reito, who told me he would pick me up if I needed, but I told him my father would drive me and he relented, gave me a kiss on the cheek and told me he would see me later. I felt nothing from the kiss.

After he left I waited alone. I searched the parking lot for Natsuki's motorcycle but it wasn't there. Perhaps she hadn't gone to school that day. My father drove up in his Lexus and immediately dispelled the cloud that hung over my head. He stood tall, his dark hair combed back into an old hairdo that I never liked, his red eyes were the same color as mine. "Hey, sweetie, are you ready for your first high school dance."

I got in the passenger's seat and he pulled out of the driveway. "Yes, it's really exciting." My eyes found Natsuki's motorcycle parked in the faculty lot, she had her back turned to me but it seemed she was arguing with a teacher I hadn't seen before. A round man with an afro that looked strange on him. I wondered what they argued about.

My father pulled me from my thoughts. "Your mother tells me that a handsome boy asked you to go with him. I'm happy for you, Shizuru."

"At least one of us is." I muttered under my breath as we drove home.

When we got home my mother was waiting for me with a lovely green dress. "Do you like it? I went and bought it today, I thought it would match your eyes."

I ran the fabric through my hands, silk. "It's lovely, but seems expensive. You didn't have to buy this for me."

My father put his arm around me, "It's your first dance, sweetheart, it was no trouble at all. Just be sure to take care of it, because you may want to wear it to the next." His smile warmed me and I ran upstairs to bathe and change for the dance.

When I was ready I walked out to the living room, my father gushed over me. "My daughter, you are the picture of elegance. Any man would be lucky to have you on his arm." He pulled me aside and spoke softly, "And if he lays a hand on you I'll have him killed." He smiled at me and I laughed back, never sure if he would make good on that threat.

My mother pulled out a camera, "You look lovely, Shizuru, stand next to your father."

She took almost a roll of pictures before I stopped her, "Mom, I'm going to be late."

She kissed me on the forehead, "Have a good time, darling. Everything will work out."

More of my mother's prophetic words, my father looked confused as he kissed his wife goodbye and we walked out to the car.

The drive was quiet, neither of us wanting to break the comfortable silence that filled the car. We pulled up to the school and Reito was waiting for me on the curb, his jaw hit the floor when I stepped out of the car. I wore the green silk dress and had let my hair down to flow around my shoulders, a pair of matching heels and a gold necklace of a serpent. "Shizuru, you look beautiful."

I leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "You look handsome as well, Reito." He did look handsome in his black suit and tie with gold trim.

My father stepped out of the car and approached, "You must be the boy who's stolen my dear Shizuru's heart." He offered his hand to Reito, "Masato Viola."

Reito shook his hand, though tremulously, my father was a head taller and a deal wider than him. "Reito Kanzaki."

My father smiled as he clapped him on the arm, "Well met, now you take care of my daughter." He pulled Reito to the side and said something quietly to him. I don't know what he said but Reito came back white as a sheet. My father waved bye as he drove away. I took Reito's arm as we walked into the auditorium where the dance was taking place.

The auditorium was decked out for the dance, chandeliers hung from the ceiling casting a soft light around the large center area that had been cleared for a dance floor. The floor was crowded with students dressed in flowing gowns and suits. Me and Reito received many looks and quickly became the talk of the dance.

We approached the dining table where many foods were laid out and where Haruka stood in a flowing white dress. "You two look good together."

Reito smiled a crooked smile, "Who are you here with, Haruka?"

"I'm here stag, all of these boys are too scared of me to ask me to dance."

Reito rolled his eyes, "My, why would they think that."

Haruka balled her fists, "Maybe I can convince them by beating you up, Kanzaki."

"You look lovely, Haruka." Yukino ran up and cooed over her, wearing a pink dress with a choker. "You're the most beautiful girl here."

Reito cleared his throat, "Yeah, beautiful." He took my hand, "Would you like to dance, Shizuru?" I had taken ballroom dancing when I was younger so we were quickly the center of attention as we twirled and spun on the dance floor. He was good, but I noticed him fall behind a few times. The song ended and I looked around the room hoping to catch a glimpse of emerald.

Before the next song could start the doors to the auditorium flung open and I finally found the eyes I had been searching for. Natsuki walked in wearing a form fitting black dress with a slit that showed plenty of leg, her blue hair hung over her right shoulder, her heels clacked against the hardwood. She strode through the dance floor like a conquerer, the students parted before her like Moses. As she neared I noticed she was wearing make-up and red lipstick.

Everyone around had stopped dancing and all attention was on her as she offered her hand to me. "Shizuru Viola, may I have this dance?"

Reito's hand tried to find mine but couldn't, so he settled for an angry glare. I was stunned. "She's here with me, Kuga."

I thought of my mother's words. If you want something you have to grab it before it's taken away. "Yes." I took Natsuki's hand, "Sorry, Reito, I'm sure anyone would be happy to dance with you." A look of disappointment ran across his face before he straightened it. "It's okay, go be happy, Shizuru." He never really forgave me for abandoning him then.

Natsuki led me to the dance floor and the music began again. She moved like water across the dance floor, she was grace personified. I found myself hard pressed to keep up with her. She pressed against me and something instinctual took over. I turned my head slightly and our lips met, a deep, sensual kiss that set my heart and body on fire. All attention was on us as our lips parted and I melted into her arms. Several of the students around us shot dirty looks but I didn't care, everything had worked out.

The song changed to a slow one and we held each other close. "What made you want to come, Natsuki?"

"I wanted to ask you, but Kanzaki beat me to the punch. I was furious with myself, I broke all the mirrors in my apartment. One of the teachers here convinced me to give it a shot. I'm glad I did."

I kissed her on the cheek, "Do you like me, Natsuki?"

My hand slipped and grazed her bare thigh, I felt her shiver. "Yes, I do."

"Good, because I like you, too."

-IPR-

The dance was over and I waited for dad to come pick me up, it was cold but Natsuki had taken some boy's jacket off the back of a chair and put it around me. We stood close, my hand found hers and closed around it. She returned the hold. My father pulled up and she let me go. She stood awkwardly away from me, "I'll see you in class next week."

"Bye."

Natsuki almost ran to her motorcycle when my father stepped out of the car. "Hey, sweetheart, where's Reito?"

I couldn't think of anything. "He had to leave early, something to do with his mother."

"I see, are you ready to go home?"

The sound of Natsuki's motorcycle thrummed across the parking lot as she pulled out onto the street and drove away. My eyes stayed with her until she was a speck on the horizon. A yawn escaped my lips, "I'm pretty tired. Don't be angry if I fall asleep on the way."

My father smiled, "I couldn't be angry with you."

-IPR-

The school was abuzz with talk of my and Natsuki's kiss the next Monday. I couldn't walk down the hall without getting stares and whispers behind my back. It started to weigh on me as I approached my home room and found Natsuki waiting for me. Her smile took all of the trepidation away. "Hi."

"Hi, bella. Did you have fun on Friday?"

"Yes, my feet still hurt." It was no lie, my feet were killing me. "If you hadn't run off last night you could have met my dad."

Natsuki looked at the ground and tapped her feet nervously. "I don't think we're there yet." The bell rang and I gave Natsuki a quick kiss on the cheek, "See you at lunch, and you are going to eat lunch with me. Non-negotiable." Her sigh said Okay, Shizuru and I smiled the whole way to my desk where Reito said a dull hello to me. It was a while after that before we were friends again.

-IPR-

"So you faced a lot of prejudice?"

"It was mostly just looks, Natsuki had somewhat of a bad reputation so no one would dare say anything to her or me." Shizuru laughs, "Now my father, that was a different story."

This would be a much smoother process if I could just upload from my iPod.