Rini watched Alexis for the whole day. Since the blonde knew what the smaller girl was up to, she didn't get upset with her for appearing to stalk her. She did however have to mention to her a few time that she should be a little more subtle.
Eventually, when lunch time came, Rini got her lunch and sat in her usual spot with her friends. She tried not to stare, but she was painfully aware of every time Syrus smiled at Alexis and every time he gave her an admiring stare. Once again, she missed the conversation directed at her because of it.
"What do you think Rini?"
Rini shook her head and turned to Bastion who was looking at her questioningly. She knew he had most likely asked her something duel-related because he admired er intelligence and had always valued her opinion. But it was impossible to know exactly what question he had asked.
"I'm sorry Bastion, I zoned out again..." She replied sheepishly. "What did you ask?"
Bastion exchanged a quick glance with Alexis, then looked back to Rini.
"I asked wether you think people should be truthfull about their feelings or not."
"Hey, that's not what you- oomph!"
Rini looked at Jaden as Chazz elbowed him sharply in the side. She then turned a nervous look back on Bastion.
"Um... well... It-it depends. I mean.. there are important variables involved. Like-"
"Yes or no Rei." Bastion asked gently but firmly. Rini rang her hands as she looked around at her friends, each one once again starring at her expectantly.
"I-I... I um...." Rini chewed her cheek for a moment, then stood up. "I have to go."
"Rei wait!" Jaden called after her. "You didn't even eat anything!"
"I'm not hungry." She mumbled over her shoulder as she walked away.
"Rini wait!" Bastion called after her. "I'm sorry! Come back and eat something!"
But Rini didn't stop. Instead, she picked up her pace and hurried back to her dorm.
Besides the obvious physical differences, it was hard to notice anything particularly different about Alexis. But upon careful observation, Rini noticed that the blonde was rather snobbish and indifferent when it came to certain people. She was also very bold and forward. Rini had to frown at this.
"I don't like it when she acts like that...." She thought sullenly. "But... if Syrus likes her for it, then I've got to learn to accept it."
Rini sighed, then stood up from her bed, grabbed her things, and headed to her next class.
While she walked, Rini spotted a few of her friends from the Slifer dorms walking towards her. She smiled and opened her mouth to speak to them, but she then saw Jaden and the others walking towards her as well.
"Oh no! Please don't talk to me, please don't talk to me, please don't-"
"Hey Rini!" One of the Slifer boys said. "Crowler again right? I hear he has a really boring lecture planned for our class today. Fun huh?"
Rini swallowed hard and looked past the boy to Jaden and the others, and her eyes fell on Syrus.
"I'm so sorry Jodi.." She thought guiltily. She then turned back to the boy with a snobbish expression.
"Yea, probably. Still, you could probably benefit from it. After all, you're not exactly in Slifer for your smarts are you?"
The boy named Jodi stopped in his tracks with a shocked expression -- along with the rest of the gang.
"Huh? Are you serious Rini?"
"Of coursed I am." Rini replied, though on the inside she felt horrible. "If I wasn't I wouldn't say it."
Rini left the shocked boy behind and proceeded to walk to her class. Before entering the room, she looked at her friends -- who were all starring at her dumbfounded with hanging jaws -- and swallowed her terrible fear.
"I have to be bold and straight forward like Alexis!" She thought confidently. She then looked at Syrus and gave him her most winning smile along with a wink.
"Hey Sy."
Syrus looked a little confused.
"Uh... Hey Rei."
Rini's heart did a back flip.
"He called me Rei!" She thought excitedly. "He used my nickname! My plan is working! He notices me!"
Behind her, Chazz's jaw dropped to the floor.
"Oh my God!" He said in disgust. "She likes-?!"
Rini whirled around just in time to see Alexis clap a hand over Chazz's mouth. She gave the blonde a grateful smile before finally turning and disappearing into the classroom.
After her last class, Rini collected her things. Her head was down, looking at her desk, so she didn't noticed the people approaching her.
"C'mon you guys! Why me?? I don't know what to say! She's your friend too!"
Rini looked up and to her left. Immediately her breath caught in her throat when she saw Syrus approaching her, being pushed from behind by Jaden and Alexis. Chazz and Bastion followed behind.
"Well you've done nothing but ignore her the last few days!" Alexis hissed at him. "The rest of us have done all the work -- except for Chazz -- so now it's your turn!!"
Ignoring Chazz's protests, the friends finally gave Syrus a mighty push, causing him to stumble a few feet and fall on his knees before Rini.
Rini swallowed hard and forced a smile when the small blunette looked up at her.
"Hey Rei." He said a little timidly.
"Hey." Rini replied. Then she laughed a little and held out her hand. "What's with the look Sy? I'm not going to eat you."
Syrus hesitated a moment, then laughed nervously and took her hand, allowing her to help him up. He dusted himself off, then looked up at her and unconsciously rubbed his arm.
"I uh... I wanted to talk to you." He said with a half smile. Rini smiled back.
"OK, I'm listening."
Syrus looked back at the others a ways away and sighed when he saw Alexis mimicking with her fingers someone walking. He sighed and turned back to Rini.
"Um... Will you go for a walk with me?"
Rini's heart did a back flip.
"Sure Sy. Lets go."
Rini walked with Syrus outside and along a path leading to the Slifer dorms.
"So, what did you want to talk about Sy?" Rini asked curiously.
"Well.... I guess I wanted to ask... ya know, if there's something wrong. I mean, you've been acting a little.. strange lately."
'I'm fine Syrus." Rini replied reassuringly. Syrus looked at her.
"You sure? Cause everyone's worried about you."
Rini's heart skipped a beat.
"Everyone?" She asked a little hopefully. "Who's everyone?"
"Well... the others and me." Syrus replied. "We all are."
Rini nearly jumped for joy.
"Really? Huh. Well, there's nothing to worry about, I'm just fine."
Syrus looked uncertain.
"Well OK, if you insist." He replied. "But what's with the new look?"
Rini shrugged and looked forward.
"I decided it was time for a change. Why? Don't you like it?"
Syrus looked away from her and ahead of him as well.
"Yea, sure.. I like it...I guess.." Syrus chewed his cheek for a moment before speaking again. "But... is it really you though? I mean, was something that drastic really necessary?"
Rini frowned.
"Yes, it was."
"Why?"
Rini gave a small start, the one-worded question having caught her off-guard.
"Um... well, because."
"That's not a very good reason." Syrus countered. Rini sighed.
"I know."
There was an awkward silence between the two and they came to a stop. They had stopped by the cliffs outside the Slifer dorms and decided to sit on the edge of the ciffs. It was a long time before anyone spoke again but finally Syrus broke the silence.
"Rini... I'm not sure why you thought you had to do this, but I want you to know.... I think you were fine just the way you were."
Rini was taken aback.
"Really?" She asked in surprise. Syrus looked at her with a smile and nodded.
"Sure."
Rini bit her lip and looked away from him.
"Hey Sy?"
"Yea?
"We're...we're friends, right?"
This time it was Syrus' turn to be surprised.
"Of course we are Rei? What made you think we weren't?"
Rini looked down.
"I don't know... just.. lately..."
Syrus frowned.
"I know what you mean." He said guiltily. "I haven't really been all that friendly towards you lately have I? I'm really sorry about that Rini. I didn't mean to be so distant or anything. I hope you can forgive me. I really do like having you as a friend."
Rini turned back to Syrus. OK so, maybe Syrus didn't quite like her the way she like him just yet, but if she kept playing her cards right, that just might change soon enough.
"Thanks Sy." She said softly.
"No problem." Syrus replied with a smile. Then, to Rini's utter shock and delight, he leaned over and gave her a big hug. Rini's heart soared as she happily hugged him back.
When the two parted, Syrus smiled at Rini again.
"You sure you're OK?"
Rini nodded.
"I'm sure."
"OK. Well I think we should head back with the others now."
Rini smiled and stood up after Syrus.
"Agreed."
Syrus looked up at Rini, not having had to do that when they were sat down. He heaved a heavy sigh and looked forward as he began to walk.
Rini tilted her head to one side in confusion and followed after him.
"What's wrong Sy?" She questioned curiously. Syrus looked at her and forced a smile.?
"Nothing." He said a little convincingly. Rini decided to let it go and looked forward again. If Syrus wanted to tell her, he would.
As the two walked back in a, this time not awkward silence, they were each consumed in their own thoughts. Rini's consisted of a small blunette, her feelings towards him, and the next stage of her plan.