Disclaimer: Don't own anything except this story idea.

Chapter 3

Two weeks. It only took two weeks for Grimmjow to get underneath Ichigo's skin. To say Ichigo was annoyed was a major understatement. Not only did they have share four out of eight periods with each other, but Grimmjow, for some reason, was literally everywhere Ichigo was, almost as if he has been intentionally following him. At first, it was nothing more than the occasional awkward staring during classes. Then, within four days, Rukia had the brilliant idea of asking Grimmjow to eat lunch with them. For some reason, despite having such a bored expression during class, he gave a small grin and gladly accepted her offer, eyes gleaming in Ichigo's direction. What the hell is that about?

The next week, Professor Grantz had made the two become lab partners in their physics class, since he went off the student roster, and J came right before K. Of course, while in the classroom, his bored expression was at its fullest, so you can only imagine how much help Ichigo got in any of his labs that week.

Finally, what took the prize home, was the fact that Grimmjow so happened to live right around the corner from Ichigo. No, literally, right around the corner. And since they shared their last period with each other, and they both went straight home as soon as they were dismissed, Ichigo was never truly alone for his walk home anymore, with Grimmjow always leaving a few feet of distance between them.

Words were rarely exchanged between them, besides the few "hellos" and grunts of acknowledgement. In Ichigo's head, he really had no reason to be bothered by the bluenette, considering that they had barely even spoken to each other in those first two weeks. However, there was something that just made him feel uneasy about Jaegerjaquez; if his weird feeling on the first day of school was any indication of that.

During the weekend, Ichigo spent some time in his thoughts about the matter. He decided, much against his own feelings, that he would stop being so quiet and hostile towards the bluenette, and actually make an effort to befriend him, seeing as he was the only one of his own friends to not fully accept the man's presence. He knew, deep down, that he was just being an immature brat who was judging someone based off an unexplainable feeling. If he wanted to have a great senior year, he would have to make an effort to not make any new enemies.

Starting with the new Monday morning, as Grimmjow was about to take his seat, the redhead next to him suddenly started a conversation with him. He barely had any time to register the fact that he was spoken to. Let alone, by the redhead himself. Coming out of his stupor, he questionably turned his head and stared at him for a good five seconds before asking, "Did you say something to me?"

"I said hey. And I asked if you were free later. There's a small party going on at Orihime's to celebrate her birthday, even though it was last weekend. It's gonna be right after school, so you free?" Wide blue studied the friendly smile of the other who was, apparently, inviting him somewhere. This is completely random. Why the sudden change of demeanor towards me? Realizing he had yet to respond, he slightly turned his gaze away from looking at the other and dejectedly declined.

"Hmph. Sorry, but I gotta be somewhere today." Looking back, he saw that Ichigo's expression had somewhat deflated, almost as if he was disappointed. Disappointed at what? Just 'cause I said no? "Give my regards to Orihime for me, ok?" he quickly added.

Ichigo chuckled in reply. "You'll see her during lunch, you spazz. Remember?"

"Oh yeah, I guess you're right...Wait, who you callin' a spazz?!" He was bewildered when Ichigo let out a full blown laugh. "Tsk." A blush fought its way onto his face, but he quickly hid it with forced annoyance.

Starting the tread to his home from Orihime's, he deeply sighed as he recalled the events from earlier in the day. He tried to get Grimmjow to open up in the morning, but he barely managed to get anywhere. He made a second attempt during their lunch period, hoping the company of more friends around would aid him. Unfortunately, with his friends' recklessness and loud voices, he was barely able to make the bluenette notice him. By the end of the day, he practically gave up for the time being. This is going to be a lot harder than I thought. Not like I was expecting much of a reaction right away, but damn.

Taking the normal route home, he stopped when he reached the side entrance of the park. Smiling, he took in the aura of the memorable place. The place that acts both as a refuge and a solid reminder of darker days. For some reason, if only for a moment, he recalled a memory of a silhouetted figure the size of a boy, with the colors around it swirling a distinct shade of blue. Blue… Composing himself, he looked around and spotted the last person he thought he'd see.

There was Grimmjow, sitting on one of the swings with his head low and his palms on his face. Frowning, the redhead walked towards him and cleared his throat. Grimmjow became tense and hesitantly looked up at the newcomer. With a raised eyebrow, Ichigo asked the first thing that popped into his head. "Are you ok, Grimmjow? Why are you here all alone?"