I'm going to try to update once a week from now on. Many thanks to my single reviewer, Hazey Rine, and any of you that might've read. ^^

Enjoy! :)

The class turned to look at Rima as she dropped her textbook, bewildered by the shocked expression on her face.

She mumbled a quick apology, bending down to pick it up and set it on her desk. A flustered Rima was a rare sight, and the Sensei had to call out to her class a few times to get them to turn back to the front of the room and the new student.

Nadeshiko, Rima thought, dazed as she avoided her old friend's gaze that was undoubtedly trained on her. She could only nod faintly at Amu's whispers of, 'That's her, Rima! The Queen of the Guardians before you came along'.

And she wasn't the only one whispering. It seemed like every student had something to say about Nadeshiko, whether they knew her from elementary or had just laid eyes on her moments ago.

The Sensei addressed Nadeshiko with a warm smile, pointing toward the back of the room. "Your seat will be next to Hinamori-san." She turned to Amu, then, who appeared to be ecstatic. "Will you please raise your hand, Hinamori-san?"

Amu dropped the excited expression as the class turned to her, replacing it with one of boredom and resting her cheek against her hand. She lifted her arm, giving Nadeshiko a casual wave, though a hint of a smile was just barely visible on her features.

Nadeshiko thanked the Sensei before heading to the back of the room, sparing Rima a brief glance as she sat next to Amu. It wasn't long before the two launched into conversation, Nadeshiko speaking of her time abroad in Europe and Amu of everything that had changed since the former Queen had left.

Rima tried her hardest to ignore it despite her curiosity, instead focusing on the board and what the teacher was saying. She took notes absently, still somewhat dazed. She didn't want to talk to Nadeshiko. She couldn't face her, not after all these years, but... she still wanted answers. And an explanation for everything that had happened.

Her gaze trailed down to her right foot and she shuddered, bad memories threatening to consume her.

. ~*~.

Nagihiko couldn't deny the fact that it was nice to talk with Amu again. It had been years since they had last seen each other, and they had both been too busy to stay in contact.

She hadn't changed much. She still tried to keep up her 'cool and spicy' attitude on the outside, masking the happily oblivious and sweet personality that she reserved for few. It was relieving to know that time hadn't changed their relationship.

He wished that he could say the same for the girl sitting a few seats behind him, glaring daggers at his back.

Rima-chan.

It was clear that she wanted nothing to do with him at this point, and although he understood why, he couldn't bring himself to accept it. They had been too close for things to end up like this.

She may have looked the same - a petite frame, golden eyes, and long, butterscotch curls - but he couldn't shake the feeling that something about her presence was different.

He wanted to talk to her again. He had never been able to guess what she was thinking, and now was no exception.

But what was he supposed to say?

I'm sorry that I pushed you out of my life all those years ago because of a secret about me that you couldn't know and almost discovered?

Yeah. Because that would turn out well.

Nagihiko suppressed the urge to sigh, plastering a fake smile on his features as he listened to Amu's stories and the scribbling of Rima's pen on her paper behind him.

Maybe transferring back hadn't been such a good idea after all.

.~*~.

Class ended about a half-hour later, the students who were eager to get out of the classroom practically running out through the door as soon as the bell rang.

Rima put her books away with a practiced air of quietude, her expression indicative of the fact that she was not in the mood to chat.

Amu seemed oblivious to her non-verbal warning, as she dragged Nadeshiko over a few moments later for introductions. "Rima?" she asked pleasantly.

She sighed and tried to tone down her expression, to little avail. "Yes?"

"I wanted to personally introduce you to Nadeshiko. She was the Queen before you, and my first real friend when I transferred to Seiyo Elementary. So," she paused, pushing Nadeshiko in front of her with a faint smile, "here she is."

Nadeshiko looked over at Amu wearily. "You know, Amu-chan, she and I already-"

"It's nice to meet you, Nadeshiko. I'm Mashiro Rima." She extended her hand for Nadeshiko to shake, her eyes making it very clear that Amu was to know nothing of their past relationship.

Slightly bewildered, Nadeshiko shook her hand. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Rima-chan."

They let their hands fall back their sides, though Rima's was clenched in a tight fist. "Call me Mashiro-san, if you don't mind."

"...Right," she murmured. "Sorry."

The silence that ensued for the next few minutes was nothing short of extremely awkward.

Amu frowned as Rima jumped on the opportunity to leave, already halfway to the door. "Aren't you going to eat lunch with us today, Rima?"

"No," she called over her shoulder, "I feel like eating by myself today. Maybe some other time."

She slid the door shut behind her, an angry blush creeping onto her cheeks as she headed for her locker. Who did Nadeshiko think she was, coming back after all this time and acting as if nothing had happened between them? She thought that she could show up whenever she felt like it and act just as familiarly as she had in the past?

When would she understand that Rima wasn't ready to forgive her for what she had done?

Rima stopped in front of her locker, exhaling a shaky breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding. It took a few moments of resting her head against the cool metal to regain her composure before she could start fiddling with the lock.

There was a satisfying click as she entered her combination and opened up the locker door, putting her books away and grabbing her lunch. She locked her locker up and started toward the empty dance room on the second floor once she was sure no one else was around. It had become a sort of hideout for her when she wanted to be by herself, or blow off some steam.

She needed the solace that dancing by herself brought. It made her remember the feeling that no matter what happened, everything would work itself out in the end.

It brought the sweeter memories of her past to the forefront of her mind.

Things had been so much simpler then.

This chapter seemed like a filler to me, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Let me know what you guys think. (I'm hoping that the chapters will start to get longer as I get more into the plot.)

-Elliot