Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. It belongs to Tite Kubo.

Title: Box of Chocolates

Pairing: Ichihime

Inspiration: Heartbreak.

She was right all along. He never loved her.

Ichigo tried talking to her, but after several failed attempts, and to her relief, he gave up. But she did miss finding the numerous notes and flowers in her locker during homeroom.

A month passed after the incident, and she and Ichigo hardly made any form of contact. They still saw each other in the hallways during passing period, and they were still in the same lunch period and classes, but it wasn't the same. She sometimes caught him looking at her with heartbroken eyes, and she ducked her head and tried not to listen to the small voice in the back of her head that told her to reconcile with him.

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Mondays after school were always the same. Since there was no swim practice that day, Orihime opted to stay back and clean out her art portfolio. The art room was all the way in the D building and her last class was in the B building. Orihime would have to take the long way if she wanted to stay safe from the chilling winds of November.

When she reached the art room, it was vacated. Orihime sighed and went to the drawers in the back by the kiln room to get her large folder. She found her name on her designated drawer and slid the wood compartment out. Orihime picked up her heavy folder and set it on a table. She started flipping through her drawings and paintings, looking at which ones to keep for the art show and which ones to take home.

She was so caught up with her organization that she didn't notice him until he spoke up.

"H-hey."

She looked up sharply and shock filled her heart. It was Ichigo.

He had changed out of his school uniform and was in his lacrosse uniform. He had his backpack with him and he was on his way to the F building for practice.

"Ichigo." Orihime drew out, unsure of what to say.

Ichigo stepped inside the art room, her only sanctuary to escape from him.

"Ichigo," Orihime started, already backing away and waving her hands to say stop.

"I'm just here to talk." He told her as he edged closer to her.

So Orihime put her guard down and let him come in. "Okay, shoot."

"Rukia and I broke up about a week ago." Ichigo informed her.

They… broke up? But why would they break up? They seemed like such a happy couple, always smiling and holding hands.

"But why?" Orihime backed up as he crept closer, and nearly knocked over a couple of racks.

"I realized that I was in love with you, Orihime. Ever since that night, I had a feeling that Rukia wasn't right for me." He stressed his words by putting his hands on Orihime's waist.

"Seriously, Ichigo…" Orihime sighed, but then she noticed that his hands were sliding to her hips.

"I'm not lying," He tried to reassure her, smiling.

"And I'm not calling you a liar, but that's not a good enough reason." Orihime tried to squirm out of his grasp.

"Come on, Hime." Ichigo lingered on his reasoning. His grip on Orihime tightened to a very uncomfortable hold.

"Stop it!" She yelped, slapping his hands away. She made an escape and flitted out of his reach.

"Orihime, please listen to me," Ichigo lifted his hands, pleading.

"Why are you doing this?" Orihime suddenly cried out.

"Doing what?" Ichigo shook his head.

"Why are you playing games with me? I don't have the time to do this with you. I don't want anything to do with you. Just please leave me alone. You won't bother me, and I won't bother you," Orihime started to gather her things. She shoved her drawings that she was to take home in her backpack.

"But don't you want to be with me? After all, aren't you supposed to be in love with me?" Ichigo had done the unspeakable. He had brought up her past feelings about him, the very ones that she had tried so hard to let go.

"Don't ever bring that up." Orihime turned around to face him, her gray eyes stormy.

"Hime, I didn't mean to, I," Ichigo rushed in to apologize, but it was too late.

"And stop calling me Hime. I'm not some stupid dog that you can pet and play 'fetch' with." She asserted. Then she pushed past the boy she had been in love with since she was a little girl, and tried to forget him as she made her way back home.

I finally updated after being on hiatus for a few months! This story is no longer on hiatus, but I might end it soon. Do you think Orihime will end up with Ichigo? Enjoy this chapter! ~A