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I exit through the front doors, the sun glaring in my eyes the moment I step outside. The period has ended, and lunch has just begun.

Scattered around, I can see little groups eating, chatting away, sparing not a care in the world to their schoolwork or classes. It's a time to relax, to free the stress that has built up in morning hours. Some may take it for granted, just another part of their day, but me…I see it as a time to spend with cherished friends, and to enjoy their company.

I sometimes look at them with envy, how they can talk so carelessly around their peers…I've never really had that experience.

But maybe that'll change.

Shielding my view, I glance around to see if I can catch a glimpse of the person that I'm supposed to meet. After a brief scan, I frown. I cannot see him.

Maybe I just missed something. I start checking the grounds more thoroughly, watching the masses for a distinct braid and searching for a pair of purple eyes.

And then, I see him.

A small distance away from the crowds, he stands in the shadows, waiting. A good-humored look is cast upon his face, yet… he taps his foot impatiently, as if expecting someone.

He's waiting for me.

I head towards his direction, hoping that he hasn't waited long. I had only just got out of science, held back to listen to my teacher rant on about expectations for our research paper. It proved to be no concern of mine, as I had finished the report yesterday and handed it in that morning.

…Come to think of it, that was probably the reason why he decided to outline it now.

I give an annoyed huff. I was already twenty minutes late. I wonder what Duo's response will be?

Hopefully, he doesn't think too badly of me. It's only been a day since he's been here, and already have I gotten my hopes up, down, and rising. I'm still thinking that Duo will eventually end up as school elite. I'm almost expecting him to come up to me and say, "Sorry Heero, but I found someone else to show me around. Hope it wasn't any trouble!" and just leave. But he seems such a sincere person…I just don't know what to think of him just yet.

I notice that I have stopped, lost in my thinking, and that Duo has sighted me at the foot of the stairs. His eyes light in acknowledgment, and he quickly walks—almost bounces—towards me. I wonder why he is so excited?

Maybe he just hooked himself a date or found himself a crush.

With this revelation, I could feel my stomach sinking. Yet, why? Why do I feel this way? I know next to nothing about him.

Once again, I find myself face-to-face with the palm of a hand. I realize that I have spaced out yet again. Duo grins, having caught me in yet another one of my muses.

"Earth to Heero? I think that you just might need a rope to bring yourself to the ground." He smiles. Suddenly, he grabs my hand, and drags me off into an unknown direction. "You're twenty minutes late, you know that?" He looks back at me, slightly miffed. "I even went through all that trouble to get here early, too!"

"Sorry." I look at the ground. "My teacher kept us late, so I wasn't able to get here on time."

He is quiet for a moment. Then, he speaks, excitement evident in his voice. "It's alright. Now that you're here, you can show me around!" Chatting away, he suddenly starts an almost one-sided conversation with me; something It's a minor thing, and he seems to bear no grudge against me.

We head back into the school, and immediately I start pointing out the important hallways, shortcuts, and places to avoid. Being the person that I am, attention to detail is always key. I know that in the future, he'll be the same; looking for escape routes to freedom. But I know that his desperation will come about through different circumstances.

As I explain to him, he seems as if he's absorbing every detail I give him, hanging to every word I say. He looks at me with enrapture, as if captivated by my words.

But I doubt that what I say could ever be so fascinating. I'm not exactly comfortable with public speaking, and my interpersonal skills are rather lacking. Is he pretending to be listening? He wouldn't be the first to.

I stop and wait for a response. As if on cue, he seems to snap out of his reverie, and blinks.

"Huh? Sorry, I didn't catch the last part." He scratches his head, grinning sheepishly.

"Whatever. It was nothing important." Inside, I'm slightly disappointed, but I'm not surprised. Perhaps I'm of no interest to him.

Instead of heading further down the halls, I decide to head towards one of the side doors. Maybe he'll be more into the outdoor courts.

"Heero? Where are you going?" Duo's voice sounds curious, his form lingering a little behind me. I decide to humour him.

"We're gonna go check out some basketball."