I haven't been really inspired lately. Luckily for you guys I was forced to listen to a couple of shallow "friends" of mine going on and on about their boyfriends taking them to the school dance. Each time I rolled my eyes and muttered 'Do they know they're taking you?' under my breath. And then somehow got this idea…
--
"I'm soo glad it's Friday." Haruhiko said, wandering into Akihiko's room. He raised an eyebrow when he saw that his brother was half nude with that stupid kid he was tutoring. Go figure. He smirked at them before saying, "Well, you know what Monday is, don't you?"
"Get out, I'm busy." His brother said as Misaki tried to fight his way out of Akihiko's grip.
"You don't know? It's the day the tickets to the dance go on sale."
"So what?" Akihiko said, not caring.
"Aw, I'm sorry. I forgot, you don't anyone to go with."
"Haruhiko, what do you want?"
"It's just a bet." He said, winking.
"Not interested."
"What if I told you I stole your flash-drive last night?" he threatened suddenly.
"You're bluffing."
"Am I? You better be sure of that." Haruhiko smiled as he watched the fear in Akihiko's eyes. Being evil was great.
Akihiko stood up, letting Misaki go, and began searching his desk. Misaki grabbed his shirt and rushed out of the room, blushing the whole way.
"Where the hell is it?!" Akihiko yelled, gripping Haruhiko's neck as if he'd strangle him.
"Let me go and we can discuss this."
Akihiko let him go, begrudgingly. "What's the bet?"
"That you can't get that cutie to go to the dance with you."
"What kind of bet is that?"
"One that's going to give this stupid story and story-line for these last 2 chapters!"
"Fine,"
--
Hiroki waited in front of Starbucks. He ordered a couple of Café Mochas to go before wondering what Nowaki liked to drink. Nowaki showed up only five minutes early, whereas Hiroki had come ten minutes early.
"I got you a drink. Mine's still warm, so it should be okay." Hiroki said, handing over his drink.
Nowaki smiled at him and took a sip. He winced, but still swallowed it.
"I can get you something else if you don't like it."
"No, I just wasn't expecting it to be that bitter. It's okay." Nowaki said, taking another sip. Then he smiled at Hiroki and said, "It tastes like you, Hiro-san."
Hiroki slapped him, "Don't say stuff like that!"
"It's true. You must go to Starbucks a lot more than I thought." Nowaki was still grinning like an idiot when Hiroki hit him again. Then he said, "Come on, let's go for a walk."
"Fine," Hiroki flushed when Nowaki took his hand. But he didn't pull away.
They walked to the park and through the woods. Somehow they ended up in the clearing where they'd met. Hiroki figured Nowaki had planned on this but didn't say anything.
They sat down on the ground, not caring about staining their clothes. They talked for awhile about what had been going on in their lives. Hiroki hinted about the school dance. There was no way he could ask Nowaki, but hinting was always okay.
"Anyway, they said kids from other school could come unless they're older than eighteen. Sounds like a waste of time, doesn't it?"
"Hiro-san, do you want to go?"
"What? Of course not! There's going to be too many people."
"So what? I'll bet Akihiko is dragging Misaki to it." Nowaki said, "Come on, it could be fun."
"No," Hiroki shook his head.
"Hiro-san, please? I really want to go. Besides it's not like we'll be the only ones."
Hiroki sighed, "Maybe."
"We'll get to spend time together. Don't you want that?"
He blinked innocently at Nowaki, "Maybe you should convince me…"
--
The drive to school on Monday never seemed soo long. Misaki slumped into the backseat with Takahiro and Abbi-Chan. Hiroki was fortunately sitting up front with Usami.
"Anyway, Nowaki's coming to the dance too. I don't suppose you can drive us too?" Hiroki was asking.
"Nowaki's coming?" Takahiro asked, "That's great! I haven't seen him since he moved!"
"Yeah, great," Abbi-Chan muttered, leaning against her boyfriend.
"I don't know if I'll have room in the car." Usami said, "Aren't you two coming?"
"Aikawa's driving us." Abbi-Chan said, "Sahara and her are going together. They claim it was because they wanted the cheap tickets." She laughed with Takahiro for a moment before saying, "You guys will love them."
Everyone but Takahiro and Abbichibi rolled their eyes. If they were Abbi-Chan's friends it seemed unlikely the guys would like them.
"So, you can take us, Akihiko?"
"Yeah, I guess. Just don't mess up my backseat." He teased, though no one laughed.
--
"Sadly, I'm stuck chaperoning it." Miyagi said, "But after I help the other teacher's clean up, I'll be free for the whole break. And your dad agreed to letting you stay."
"It's okay. I'll see a movie or something." Shinobu said, shrugging.
"You don't want to come?"
"Are you asking me to the dance?" Shinobu laughed.
"No! But I thought you kids liked those things."
Shinobu smiled, "You want me there, admit it."
"A teacher can't ask a student, plus I'll be working." Miyagi defended himself.
"You still want me there." Shinobu smiled and gave him a quick kiss.
"Whatever, as long as you don't show up with some guy."
"It's cool. I think my girl friends are going." Shinobu said, sending a text to a couple friends of his. They texted back that they were going together. He laughed and said, "Yeah, I'm taking a couple of girls, Miyagi. Be jealous."
--
Well, this is the next to last chapter. Thanks to everyone who's stayed with it. Even though the BS moments!
The last chapter will be the Dance. Plus review.