CHAPTER 7
Ikuto's point of view
I watched her run off into the hallway and chuckled. She reminded me of a girl I used to like a lot when I was in middle school. She was one of those girls that any guy would be lucky to have. She was like my shining star when the night sky was too dark. This pink haired girl was exactly like her. They both shared the same high spirits, a warm heart, and friendliness. They both blushed uncontrollably, they both panicked a lot, and they always made me smile and laugh. Even though I don't even know this pink haired girl's name, it's like I knew her already because we shared a connection.
I looked down at the floor and noticed something at the corner of my eye. It was a red hair clip that looked like an "x". Could this hair clip be hers? I picked it up and examined it, then stuffed it in my pocket. Sighing, I got up and laid down on a couch, putting a book over my face.
School bell rings
Amu's point of view
"Yes, school is finally over!" some kids yelled. I walked out of class and bumped into someone.
"Sorry." I said, not paying attention to who it was. I proceeded to walk away, but then the person stopped me. I looked up lazily to see who it was. I instantly perked up.
"You're in this class too?" Ikuto said, surprised.
"I didn't know you were in this class either." I replied.
"We can be classmates from now on!" He said excitedly. I just smiled at him and walked out. Great. Now we're classmates? What's next? We have to sit next to each other? All I wanted was to be further away from him because of that stupid incident! I looked behind me to make sure he wasn't staring at me again. He wasn't staring at me. He was staring at me and running after me. What the hell…I tried walking faster, but he grabbed my arm and spun me around. Again, our faces were only a few inches away from each other.
"What? What do you want?" I snapped at him. He looked unsure for a second as if he felt like he annoyed me, but then he shrugged it off. His hand slid down my arm and lifted up my hand. I looked at him weirdly and started to blush. I almost looked away when he said, "Here. Your…hair clip."
"What?"
"Your hair clip…I think it fell off your hair when you fell in the library."
"Oh…thank you." I said plainly and walked away again.
"Wait!" Ikuto suddenly called out. This time I really was a bit annoyed.
"What?" I almost yelled.
"Uh…you haven't told me your name yet."
"It's Amu Hinamori! There. You happy?"
"Ecstatic!" He yelled back. I quickly turned and walked away after that. When I looked around, girls turned their heads towards him and me. I knew this was going to happen. After I got further away from him, they began only looking at me. Well, not exactly looking. They were glaring like they expected lasers to shoot out of their eyes and burn through me. It was pretty creepy. When I walked toward the exit, I saw my dad at the doorway, waving at me. I quickly walked over to him and mumbled, "Get me out of here, dad, before these girls kill me." He looked confused, but escorted me out swiftly. When we got to the parking lot, it was pretty vacant, so he started asking questions.
"Do you want to tell me why all those girls looked enviously at you?"
"Dad…I'm not in the mood." I sighed. He paused for a moment, thinking of a way to get through me.
"Alright, sweetheart. But when you are ready to vent your feelings, you can come to me any time. I'll be here for you." He said reassuringly. I just nodded and got into the car.
When we got home, I ran upstairs and locked myself inside my room. I jumped onto my bed and sat against the wall, thinking about the incident that happened in the library. The image of him above me popped into my head. Again, I felt my cheeks getting hotter and the butterflies starting to rise in my stomach. I yanked out a pillow from behind me and pressed it against my face. Then I started screaming into it like crazy. When I lifted it away from my face, I felt the corners of my mouth turning upwards. Am I smiling? God, I feel like a freak. I slapped myself to get out the stage, when Ami came into my room.
"Amu Chan, you look a little messy. What's wrong?" she asked, proceeding to sit at the edge of my bed. She turned to look at me with her deadly puppy eyes, which made me groan into my pillow.
"I'm just…a little tired, I guess. You don't need to worry about me." I responded, patting her head. This usually made her happy when I patted her head, so she crawled over to me and rested her head on my lap. I looked down at her to see her smiling back at me with her missing teeth. I chuckled and pulled the blanket up and tucked her in. She squirmed a little, mumbled some words, and then fell asleep. I sat there for about half an hour. Then I looked at my clock, and I realized it was already 6 PM.
"Holy crap! It's 6 already?" I nearly yelled. Ami stirred a little, but she went back to sleep. I slowly tried to get off the bed without waking her up. After I got off, I ran downstairs to grab my backpack, and then came back upstairs to my room. I threw my bag next to my desk and sat down. I turned around once to make sure that Ami was still asleep, just in case if I hadn't waken her up. Good! She's still sleeping. Now, I really need to get started on my homework! I took out my homework and began starting on it. But, I didn't even get through any of it that day, because all I had on my mind was Ikuto.
All I really wanted to think about was him! But it was so frustrating that I couldn't take it anymore! So, I decided just to not do my homework at all. I closed my textbook and went out to my balcony to look at the night sky. The stars barely shown, because of the entire city lights, but the moon was glowing. The sky was almost violet colored, and everything just made me feel calm. The cool breeze was nice too. It almost felt as if the breeze was breathing fresh air into my face and speaking to me, telling me to keep calm and think things through. Slowly, not a care in the world, I drifted off into the night.
The next morning…
"Whaaa! Amu, why are you asleep on your balcony again? You can catch a cold!" I heard someone yell frantically in the distance. I forced my eyes open to see who it was, and I saw my mom rushing towards me, wearing a worried expression on her face. Ever since dad came back, she's been all ups and cheery. It's not a bad thing, but it just gets on my nerves sometimes! I looked at her for a long time and frowned at her. She seemed to notice this, but shrugged it off.
"Anyway, Amu Chan, I woke you up especially early this morning, because you need to shower! Look at you right now…ahh…hurry and clean yourself up! I just went to the market this morning and bought some new shower products for you, so use up!"
"Oh…that's nice, mom. Thanks." I croaked. She just stood there smiling at me brightly and nodding eagerly, just like a perky puppy.
"Mom, if you want me to clean up so fast…then you should, you know, shoo." I said, motioning her to leave my room.
"Oh, right! You need your privacy, since you are a young lady now!"
"I told you not to call me that! I hate being called a…lady." I shuddered.
"Oh, sorry Amu Chan. I'll remember this time! Okay well, hurry and clean up, and don't forget to wash behind those precious ears of yours! Oh, and under arms…"
"Okay, mom! I UNDERSTAND!" I exclaimed, pushing her lightly out of my room.
After I finally got my mom out of my room, I sighed and groaned into my hands. Then I decided to take whiff of myself. Hesitating, I lifted my arm up, over my head.
"Oh! I reek!" I nearly yelled, pinching my nose. Horrified, I ran to my bathroom and quickly turned the water on.
"God, what was I doing last night? I smell horrid!" I mumbled to myself, as I took my clothes off. My bathroom was already beginning to steam up, and the mirrors were fogging. After I took all my clothes off, I stepped into the shower, and the hot water immediately hit my skin like boiling lava. I yelped, and rapidly turned the knob a little to the cool side.
"*Sigh* Much better…" I sang to myself as I squeezed some shampoo into my palm. While I was lathering my hair, I thought about last night. I remembered not doing my homework because I didn't feel like it. I also remembered Ami falling asleep in my bed, but I didn't see her this morning. She wasn't sleeping in my bed. Maybe she went back to her own room in the middle of the night.
"Then why didn't I do my homework? I usually do my homework, and I've never not done it before…what in the world got to me?" I said to myself while rinsing out the shampoo. But, I still couldn't think of it. Slowly, I opened my eyes to look around my shower for the new products my mom bought. There was a face wash, body soap, conditioner, and…something else.
"Is this a sponge?" I murmured to myself, while picking up the object in my hand. I turned it over and almost screamed. Now I remembered why I hadn't done my homework last night.
"You have got to be kidding me! They've got his faces on sponges too? No way in HELL I'm going to use this to scrub myself. It's just WRONG!" I said harshly to myself.
"But…I have nothing else. Ugh, SHIT!" I cursed out loud, as I began to fold up the sponge.
"Let's see. If I fold it like this, then I won't have to see his face, and it won't be awkward during showers anymore…perfect!"
I folded the sponge in half to wear it only shown his hair, and I squeezed some of the body soap onto it. Slowly, with trembling hands, I started scrubbing across my shoulders. I whimpered a little, but I forced myself to continue on. After I was done scrubbing, I threw the sponge on the ground like I was holding poison, and I rinsed myself like mad as if there was a disease spreading. Swiftly, I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, nearly panting. It was steamy and foggy in my bathroom, and I couldn't breathe because of the humidity. I walked over to the door and opened it a little to let all the steam out.
"Gosh, I have to hurry or mom is going to get mad at me if I miss breakfast!" I said under my breath, as I put on my clothes. After I put on my uniform, I blow dried my hair and brushed my teeth. Then, I pushed open my bathroom door and ran down the stairs. I walked past my mom and mumbled a "sorry" then sat down next to her.
"Oh, it's okay honey!" she chimed. I gave her a puzzled look, but shrugged it off.
"I see that you're still happy about dad coming home!"
"Oh, I'm not just happy. I'm completely and utterly overjoyed! Last night, your dad and I…we…" she squealed. Then I looked over at dad, who was literally giving mom his threatening looks. Mom just shook it off and giggled.
"Oh, honey, can't I just tell her? She's going to be learning about it today in Science anyway!"
"No, we can't. She's definitely not mature enough to know yet!" dad almost snapped.
"Well, I think she's very mature and ready for this." Mom said, speaking for herself.
"What is it? Just tell me already!"
"Your dad and I…we…made love to each other last night!" Mom squealed again. There was an awkward silence, and I looked over at dad. He just lowered his head and stared at his food the whole time, while mom was giggling wildly.
"Well, I think that's…great. Uh, I'm just going to…go now…before I miss the bus."
"Wait! Aren't you going to let your father take y—."
"No! It's just going to be awkward!" I yelled when I ran out the door. When I got to the bus stop, I stood there with the rest of the students and started wondering about what mom told me that morning. Mom and dad…doing it together…last night…in bed? It's just too unbearable! Then out of nowhere, a person stood in front of me and put his hands on my shoulders.
"Hey, Amu!"
I looked up to see who it was, and I almost jumped into the air.
"Don't you ever worry about fan girls crowding you?"
"Well, yeah. But with you next to me, I'm sure they'll leave me alone."
"So I'm just a tool?"
"No. We're friends too, but we're not official. I mean, I don't think I could ever be serious with a regular, ordinary girl like you."
"Excuse me?"
"I need a girl who is pretty and smart, and definitely has to be compatible with me."
"Well, I never said anything about being a couple with you, so you don't have to worry! Being next to you is already painful enough." I snapped, walking away.
"Hold on, I still need you!" he said, grabbing my hand. My eyes trailed down to our hands linked to each other, and I felt myself blush again. Then I looked up to see him staring at me again, and suddenly, I remembered that freaky sponge that I washed myself with this morning. I immediately snapped back to reality and shook his hand off. He cleared his throat and stared off into the sky.
"Touching girls is not a polite thing to do. In fact, it's gross and disgusting and rude. Learn your manners." I spit out. Then I turned and walked onto the bus with him on my tail. When I sat down, I put my hand on the seat next to me to make sure he wouldn't sit down next to me. He stopped and looked down at my hand then sat down…on my hand!
"Ouch!" I yelped, pulling out my hand from under his butt.
"That's what you get."
"You're gross!" I nearly screamed at him.
"Whatever. Anyway, I figured that this couple thing is a pretty good idea. We should really do it. It would definitely get tons of fan girls off my back."
"Yeah, I'm not in on it. I do not want to be involved in your over dramatic life. Plus, being in a fake relationship with you? I'd rather jump off a cliff!"
"I understand that you're involuntary in this. I'll pay you."
"What?"
"I said I'd pay you to be my fake girlfriend."
"Pay me? Well that depends. How much are we talking?"
"Let's say, a hundred bucks a week."
"Two-hundred."
"One fifty."
"Fine. I'll take it."
"Good. Now, if you want the money, you have to make it look real. Don't look hesitant when you're with me, and try to be serious on this."
"Okay, whatever you say, Mr. controlling and demanding."
Suddenly, I felt his arm go around me.
"What are you doing?" I whispered to him.
"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm making it look real." He whispered back.
"Well you don't need to put your arm all the way around my waist! It's too much! It feels uncomfortable!"
"Fine. Then give me your hand. Hand-holding means it's official."
"What the hell are you saying? Shoulder! Just put your arm around my shoulder!"
"No! Shoulders say 'only friends'. We are now a couple, so give me your hand!"
"And what if I say no?" I whispered, getting in his face.
"Then your money will hate you." He replied, taking my hand. I almost jumped in my seat when I felt his hand holding mine. My stomach was doing flip-flops and I couldn't control my blushing. Then I realized the bus stopped and we were already at school.
"Wow, your acting is pretty good. But we're already out of the crush phase. Now, we're an official couple, so you don't need to blush in front of me."
"Don't be so arrogant, or my so-called 'good' acting will turn against you and embarrass you." I said, getting up to walk out. Ikuto got up too and then he pushed past me. I fell back down on my seat, and glared angrily at him.
"Take my hand, honey. Let me walk you to class." He said to me with a smug look on his face. I got up and clenched my fists. My eyes narrowed at him, and he suddenly gave me an angry look too. This look said, "If you don't take my hand now, I swear, I will kill you."
So I slowly lifted my hand and held onto his, and together, we walked out of the bus. When we got off, everyone's eyes were on us. The girls looked envious, hurt, and puzzled. The guys were just curious.
"It's working. Now, all we have to do is break these girls' hearts, and they'll definitely leave me alone." Ikuto said between his teeth.
"Oh, trust me," I laughed, "They're already heart-broken."
"You're a lucky girl, you know that, right?"
"No, sorry, I don't know. I consider myself very unlucky right now."
"Whatever. We're almost at Science class now, so we don't need to show each other any affection during class, got it?"
"Yeah, okay whatever." I mumbled.
When we entered Science class, we got the same glares. Or I got the same glares. Every girl looked like they wanted to kill me. I guess I kind of regretted pretending to be his fake girlfriend, but he said he would pay me. And since he's so rich, I know the money will be big. Ikuto and I just stood there at the doorway looking at everyone else awkwardly. Since I really hated being stared at, I lowered my head and started walking towards my desk. But when I tried walking away, I realized my hand was still linked to his hand. I looked up at him and he gave me a weird look. Then I shook my arm and he realized that we were still holding hands too. Suddenly, he gasped and loosened his grasp. I looked around again, and now the girls looked confused.
"Alright, class! Open your science books to page 257. Today, we're going to learn about human reproduction." Mr. Nikaidou ordered.
"Why the hell did you have to sit next to me?" I whispered to Ikuto.
"Because I said that we have to make this look realistic! Now shut up and listen to me!" Ikuto whispered back.
"Oh, sorry, because you said that once we were in Science class, we didn't have to show each other any affection!'
"Does this look like affection to you? I'm only sitting next to you! Stop being so fussy about it."
"Whatever. Just don't get too near me. I'm claustrophobic."
Ikuto chuckled, lifted up my chin, looked deeply into my eyes, and said, "Don't worry, honey. I will never fall for you." Then he dropped my face and went back to the lesson.
"Alright now. Moving on! We are going to do a lab on human reproduction. Now, today you guys already learned about how humans are created. That is the main point of this lesson. But the minor point, ladies, is that you should NEVER let a man pressure you into doing "it". I do not encourage you ladies to ever get pregnant at an age like this. You ladies aren't even ladies yet! You're more like…like girls!" Mr. Nikaidou exclaimed frantically.
"Mr. Nikaidou, please calm the heck down! None of us girls are going to pregnant at this age, right girls?"
The girls didn't respond. Instead they all turned their heads to look at Ikuto and me. It became almost too awkward to bear! Suddenly Mr. Nikaidou got everyone's attention back to the lab.
"Okay, anyways, about the lab…you guys are going to get a model of a pregnant female. You will examine the female body parts carefully and answer questions on this worksheet. Next, you will have a model of a male. You will examine the male body parts carefully, and answer questions on this other worksheet. Guys will examine the female body, and girls will examine the male body. Now, because I trust that all of you are mature enough, I went out and bought a jumbo box of sample condoms. Girls, you will be using these condoms for your models. Now, get started!"
"Hold on! I object! I am not touching some disgusting outer male organ!" I yelled, standing up.
"Oh, Hinamori Amu, it's only a model. It's not even a real man!" Mr. Nikaidou said.
"Still, it's gross! When in the world is any girl ever going to put on a condom for a guy? Do guys not have their own hands or what?"
"Look, it may be gross to you, but I just want you to learn about the male body. I want all you girls to practically know the male body!"
It was unbelievable. I sat back down in my chair and looked down at the model I had on my table. Then I look over at the model that Ikuto had. It was so awkward. Everything was just uncomfortable. Suddenly Ikuto leaned really close to me and whispered in my ear, "Good luck…"
"Please, Ikuto, you have to help me!" I said, turning to him.
"What do you need help on? You already finished all the questions on your worksheet!"
Then I quietly looked down at the table and my eyes trailed to the condom next to the model. Ikuto seemed to notice this, and he immediately became smug again.
"Oh, I see now. So you're scared to touch 'it', am I right?"
I just nodded with my head still lowered.
"Well all you have to do is take the condom, and slip it onto the outer male organ. Come on! If you don't do it, then Mr. Nikaidou will lower your grade for not understanding the protection process. Don't be shy…I mean, some day you will eventually do 'it' with someone, and your man will need a condom. Who knows? It could be me…"
My face suddenly felt extremely hot, and I felt light-headed.
"Shut up! That will never happen to us! Don't say such a thing! It's just horrifying! And I do too understand the protection process. I just don't want to practice on a doll!"
Ikuto stared at me for a short while. It was almost as if he was thinking if he should tease me again, or if he should help me. Then he did something I least expected. He took the condom and opened it. Then he told me to hold it way he was holding it. Slowly and steadily, I lifted my hands and held it the same way. I was shaking a little bit and I was also hesitant, but I did it anyway. Then he took my hands and guided them to put the condom on the model. But by that time I wasn't noticing myself touching the model anymore. I was mesmerized by his solid, and concentrated look on his face. The way his voice trailed off into the atmosphere…it was almost hypnotizing. And the feel of his hands over mine…made me feel almost…safe and protected. Today was definitely the very first official moment that I might have felt something for this guy.