Still craving some more reviews but I'll upload again. Thank you!!!: Cornelia Li Britannia, AnimeGirl123456, lordmarik and MickeyMcMuffinx3 for favoriting, reviewing and reading! Please the ones that are reading but not reviewing, I LOVE IT when you tell me what you think!! I really do and I obsessively check my email for reviews. XD The more you review the faster I update. True fact you know. XD
"Hey Isabella, wait up!" Shirley called and Isabella stopped walking as her red headed friend zig zagged through the scattered students in the hallway.
A week had passed since Isabella had arrived at Ashford Academy, and so far, she had been warmly welcomed by Shirley Fenette, Milly Ashford, Nina Einstein and Rivalz Cardemonde. Even though she was still adjusting and getting used to all the people acknowledging her existence, Isabella felt that she had grown to favor Shirley more over everyone, next to Lelouch of course.
"Hi Shirley! Are you headed off to Swim Club?" Isabella asked and Shirley managed to catch up to her.
"Yeah, I was headed there now but I wanted to tell you that the track team is short of team members and they're having try outs today. Being in at least one club is required at the Academy, I figured track would be a fun sport to try; you seem like you'd really enjoy it," Shirley panted slightly and Isabella pondered her suggestion.
"What time are they having the try outs?"
"In about half an hour."
Isabella blew back a strand of black hair and shifted her heavy books in her arms.
"Okay, well, why not, it does sound like fun!" Isabella beamed and Shirley looked extremely overjoyed.
"Alright, well, we'll just drop off our stuff in the dorm and see what Nina is up to then we'll both have to be at the clubs. Student Council is also having a meeting after swimming today so Nina and I will take a bit longer coming back," Shirley informed and Isabella's mouth twitched thoughtfully.
"Hey, if the try outs don't run into the meeting time, do you mind if I came with you today? I'm very curious to see what Student Councils actually do. I can't say I was given a proper education back at the Albern's," Isabella said and Shirley's face lit up like a fire cracker.
"Of course! Milly would love it if you came!"
"Sweet! I'll come right after the tryouts," Isabella acquainted and the two girls reached the dorm room to see Nina Einstein sitting at the desk doing research on her laptop, as usual.
"Hey Nina girl, what's going on?" Isabella greeted as she tossed her lavender, miniature back pack on her single bed.
"Oh, I was just designing something for the dance Miss President wants to have in a month or so," Nina replied, her long, slender fingers gliding over the keys gracefully and Isabella leaned on the back of her chair.
"Finally, something that doesn't make me feel like a dumb ass compared to you," Isabella teased and Nina blushed.
"Uh—well, I personally think you're very smart Isabella," she said, and fiddled with her black braids.
"Yeah, compared to a mule. Anyway, Nina, would you mind if I tagged after you and Shirley today to the Student Council meeting? I'm rather curious about it," Isabella asked and Nina saved her work before switching to another project that made Isabella's head start to ache by just glancing at it.
"No, of course not! Miss President would be beside herself with joy if someone else attended. She might make you start to work on the dance preparations though; it only takes one meeting for her to consider you a member," Nina said and Isabella smirked.
"Dance preparations eh? That's right up my alley, posters for it, publicity, art, yeah, I'll be all over that," Isabella gave an evil giggle and both of her friends burst out laughing.
"Be sure to tell Milly that though," Shirley told her between giggles and Isabella grabbed a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt she had borrowed from Lelouch.
"Will do my friends, now, if you'll excuse me, I've got hurdles to jump over and a time limit to beat. I'll see you later. Good luck at swimming Shirley and good luck on whatever it is you're working on Nina girl, I'll see you later," Isabella said and yanked the shirt over her head before trotting out, a water bottle in her hand and pulling her ebony hair back into a high ponytail.
"You know, I didn't even noticed she changed," Shirley said once she noticed Isabella's uniform on the floor.
"Well, if she can change that fast, imagine how she can run," Nina said and stared after Isabella, clearly impressed by the speed.
"She'll have no problem getting onto the team," Shirley affirmed before grabbing her bathing suit and heading off to the pool, "I'll see you after swimming Nina!"
Isabella made her way through the crowding hallway and managed to free herself outside to get to the track field. A small group of about eleven girls was already huddled together there, and several of them turned at the sound of Isabella's beat up tennis shoes squeaking across the damp grass as she approached. A blond girl dressed in a fashionable, pink sweat suit glared at her with cold blue eyes and another blond, her twin dressed in the same sweat suit except hers was orange, just studied her.
Oh wonderful, a stare down. Fun. Isabella thought bitterly but smiled.
The twins looked away and there was a sharp whistle blow that made Isabella's ear drums almost split. All the girls swiveled their heads in the direction of the coach, who was a tall, well built woman that almost resembled an older version of Isabella except for short, silver hair as opposed to Isabella's long, ebony hair.
"Hello girls, I'm Coach Terry, and by the looks of it, everyone that signed up is here, except for you," Terry focused her sharp green eyes on Isabella, who blinked.
"I'm sorry, I'm new here, I've only been here a week," she said but Coach seemed unmoved.
"These notifications have been up all month and all over the school. You could have made time to sign a paper," she snapped and Isabella felt humiliated as the Britannian blond girl sniggered.
"Uh—can I still tryout?" Isabella stammered, trying hard not to snap at the girl and mind her respect for adults.
"Yeah, just stay up to date here. I'm not that easy going," Terry grumped and started down the sign up list, "let's see, what's your name kid?"
"Isabella Liberata."
"Alright, I gotcha down. Now, as I was going to say, I'm Coach Terry and my only advice as far as this track team goes is keep your grades up in order to be academically able to stay on the team and that I'm going to be working your asses off during the meets. Let's get started," Terry twirled her silver whistle around her slender finger and the same blond girl turned her icy eyes on Isabella once more.
Quit staring at me. If you want to insult me just do it and quit glaring at me like I'm some inferior. I'm just as important in this world as you are, Isabella wanted to declare but bit her tongue.
"First is the timed race. I only need three girls here, so, the fastest girls out of the group get the places. I will be posting the ones who make the team tomorrow. I'm sorry it's only one chance, but make the most of it," Terry informed and scanned down her list of the eleven girls.
"Leslie Welsh, Ally Welsh and Rose Anderson, you three are up first. It's simple; all you have to do is run around the track in under thirty seconds. Ready…and…go," Terry blasted her whistle and the two blonds and red head sprinted off, Ally in the lead.
The blond just looked like a pink blur around the track as Isabella watched her. The blond hair rippled behind her shoulders, feet barley touching the ground, arms pumping effortlessly at her sides. Ally reached the finish line within twenty-seven seconds, Leslie following up behind her two seconds later and Rose coming with thirty-three seconds.
"Massie, Amber, Lily and Mariah, you are next. Rose, take a seat," Terry ordered and the disappointed ginger sat down in the bleachers, irritated.
Out of the next four girls, only Amber had made it in the so far record of twenty-five seconds. Terry looked pleased and Ally scowled at Amber's back as the brunette passed, Isabella offering her a high five.
"Isabella, Natalie, Lacey and Korey, you guys are last. Make it count," the whistle shrieked and Isabella felt her feet begin to move on their own.
The other three girls were ten feet in front of her and Isabella began to pump her arms.
I will not lose…step step step…pant pant pant…go…go…run like you did when those buildings were crashing down practically crushing you…
Isabella's speed increased and she was just barley behind the last girl, Korey…passed her…now approaching Lacey…
Keep going…the buildings are going to crush you…go…faster…faster…not fast enough…keep going…
She was right next to Lacey and then passed her as well.
Keep going, almost there…pass Natalie…the buildings will smash you…keep going…
Isabella was directly behind Natalie and she forced herself to sprint harder and faster. Her breath was practically gone but Isabella urged herself more. A bead of sweat trickled down her back and the cold winds whipped back her hair, making her eyes dry and then re-water. She was just half a step away…now directly next to Natalie…passed her…Natalie next to her again…Isabella growled under her breath and used all of her strength to get to the finish line first. Her heart was throbbing from effort and another bead of sweat trailed down her back. Her feet moved faster and her arms pumped harder until she was finally…
"Wow Liberata, only twenty-three seconds. That was pretty damn good for an amateur," Terry was clearly impressed and the other three girls caught up, Korey with thirty-five seconds, Natalie twenty-five and Lacey thirty-one.
"Alright now, Leslie, Natalie, Amber, Ally and Isabella, you guys are all going against each other and you have to beat twenty-five seconds, ready…go," the sharp whistle blast and they were off.
Isabella was almost attached to Ally's side as they held the game of first Ally, then Isabella in the lead. Ally was now ahead by three steps and Isabella felt her ambition burn inside her.
She won't beat me…she won't beat me…
The black hair was blowing wildly as she ran like she was trying to save a life. She kept her hope of winning the race clutched in her mind like a person clutching onto a friend's hand as they were about to fall. The want to win…the need…the burning desire to be the best…the fastest…she was right next to the blond and passed her but paid no heed to her. Isabella only saw the finish line creep closer and closer as if wanting her to be the first to cross. Ten steps…nine…Ally was catching up…eight, seven…Ally was next to her and there was only ten seconds left in order to beat the time…Isabella remained in he lead…six…how did Ally get ahead?!...Five, four, three…I'll win…I'm going to win…It's mine!!...Two…three seconds left…one step…no time…
"Liberata, victory is yours."
Isabella felt as if her lungs would explode out of her chest and her legs screamed and begged for her to sit down. She rested her hands on her trembling knees, sucking in the cold, refreshing air.
"Okay, well, I'll post our newest team members tomorrow and well, we're done. Check the list though," Terry strode off and Isabella checked her watch. The Student Council was going to start in ten minutes, just enough time to get changed, freshen up and find either Shirley or Lelouch.
Isabella screwed the bottle cap off of her water and gulped it down, leaving barley half left then turned to see two of her friends standing at the gate.
"Hey! That was pretty impressive Isabella!" Shirley called, her hair still dripping tiny droplets of water. Isabella beamed and trekked over to her and Lelouch.
"Konichiwa!" Isabella greeted her two, bright faced friends.
"I didn't know you were so fast Isa-chan, impressive," Lelouch praised and Isabella felt a blush begin to creep up her neck.
Did he get…like a billion times sexier than when I last saw him? I understand we were only ten the last time we saw each other…but…when did he get so handsome…? Isabella asked herself and studied her best friend.
Her eyes remained locked on him for a few moments and he just kept smiling admiringly back, his eyes soft and loving, until Shirley cleared her throat.
"Well, we better get going if we don't want to be late for the meeting. Isabella, do you want to go back to the dorm to change? I'll come with you," Shirley offered, her sunny smile returning to her face.
"Huh—oh yeah! Okay, I better clean myself up a bit for the meeting, ahahaha!" Isabella laughed awkwardly and tried to ignore the giggling fan girls as they huddled in a tight circle, their eyes feasting on Lelouch.
They are rather annoying…Isabella sweat dropped as the giggling stop abruptly and she looked out of the corner of her eye to see the girls glaring at her.
"Yeah, let's go," the ebony haired teenager said. Before these girls beat me up with the stick we use for the high jump.
XD I rather like the way I ended this chapter...I try to add some humor in at places. This reminds me I gotta get Suzaku in and get the whole...oh I don't want to give that away. XD Review review review please!