3

The next morning was cold and bitter, just like Rima's feelings. Shiki was still gone, and he had not even called her - or the modeling agency. She took over his shift at work, so he would not be fired while he was away. Of course, she knew Shiki wouldn't be fired, considering he was the number one male model in all of Japan, but . . she wanted to do what she could for him.

" Rima Touya? " A photographer interrupted her thoughts. She sighed and looked over at him.

" Yes? "

" Do you think you could put more energy into this? You seem like you're dead, sweetheart. " He said, " And the perfume is called Bliss. Show me some bliss. "

I'll show you something, alright, She growled to herself as she put on her best fake smile. Rima wounded her arms around the grapevines behind her and positioned the daisy flowers in her hair just right. She ignored the flashing camera lights - she was used to those. But the shot felt like a lie, like it wasn't right. It felt empty without Shiki somewhere in the picture, and she knew that. Rima tried to ignore the lump in her throat and the burning sensation in her eyes. She knew that feeling well enough, and she wasn't going to let herself cry infront of the staff at her modeling studio.

" Great, darling. You're so beautiful with flowers around! Fabulous! " Cylene called out. Rima frowned, then put her fake happy expression back on. Just a few more shots and she was done.

After a couple other rounds of photos, some staff members hurried over to help Rima up out of the flower bed she was sitting in. She felt like Eve, but an Eve that was missing her Adam. The leaves covering her body started to bother her, and she was glad when she changed into her regular clothes.

" Goodnight, Miss Touya. " Cylene said as she dropped Rima off at the gates of Cross Academy. " And I will see you tomorrow. "

Rima nodded in response and went inside the gates, walking to the Moon Dorm and going inside. Her fellow classmates and friends were sitting in the tea room, enjoying some light conversation and giggling softly. It made Rima's ears hurt to hear any form of laughter at the moment. She was envious of people who could dare laugh at this time. Even Ichijou was enjoying himself. What was wrong with him? Did he not care that Shiki was still gone?

Rima knew she was the only one who had a complete change in behavior everytime Shiki was away. She became even more mute to the world than usual, and every part of her body would feel like it weighed a hundred pounds. The worst part was her heart. A heart that belonged to someone whom was not entirely living, yet it pounded inside her when Shiki was gone. It forced itself to ache and it would cry for Shiki. This, of course, Rima would never admit to. She knew better than to confess her love for Shiki, because it would just make their relationship strange, right?

Out of the corner of her eye, Rima saw Ruka putting roses in a vase by the couch in the tea room. Kain was watching over her carefully, obvious love in his eyes. The only one who couldn't tell he loved her was Ruka herself. Rima sighed and shook her head. " Rima? " Ruka called over to her. Rima looked up. " Rima, come over here and have tea with us. Even Kaname-sama joined us tonight! " She smiled, a pink color washing over her cheeks.

" No thanks, " Rima took off her coat and put it on the coat hanger. " I am just going to go up to my room. Goodnight. " She said as she put her hand on the stair railing and started to walk up.

" Well, " Ruka looked down. " Goodnight, then. "

Once Rima was upstairs, Kain looked at Ichijou. " Are you STILL not going to give Rima the letter Shiki sent? " He asked.

Ichijou sat down his tea cup. " No, " He said. " I'm waiting for when the time is right. "

HI THERE!

Everyone, thanks so much for the positive feedback. Kanero16, I love you. xD

As you know if you live in the US, Thanksgiving is coming up! I hope I can update soon after the holidays. I will try my best! ^^

Vampire Knight belongs to Matsuri Hino, of course. (: