Hey everyone! I'm ba-ack! I'm sorry I haven't been updating recently. I had classes were I had to do term papers in each one and had summer school. When I finally got down to finishing this chapter, I promised I was gonna put it up sooner but Murphy's Law kicked in and screwed up my computer! :( So, anyways, the long awaited chapter 2 is now here. Hope you enjoy!
Lala was sure she had gotten her appearance down. Every night before going to bed, she would cleanse her face and put on moisturizer. She even exfoliated her skin. Also, she would wash her hair with both shampoo and conditioner. And just to make sure no impurities enter her body, Lala began going on a no-carbs, no-sugar, no-fatty acid diet. Even to make sure she stayed toned, Lala began following T.V. yoga workouts every morning. It was a hard routine to follow, but Satsuki reminded her that it was all going to be worth it in the end. Lala hoped that she was right. After fixing her hair, Lala opened the door of her apartment and went off to school.
Harry was having a real hard time concentrating in class. His eyes and mind kept falling on Lala. There were so many things that were different about her and he didn't know how to bring it up with her about it. It was as if Lala was turning into someone else. What was going on with her? Did something happen to make Lala act so strangely? There were so many questions running through Harry mind that it was making him feel uneasy. The other thing he noticed was the way guys were looking at her nowadays. They're leering gazes on Lala made him angry for some reason. Perhaps it was because Lala was his friend and he didn't want any sort of disrespect aimed towards her. Either way, Lala's change in appearance and in behavior made Harry wonder what was the cause of all this.
And not just him. Both Harry and Togo were in a bind. They couldn't wrap their heads on what was going on with Lala. What could be the cause of their friend's strange behavior? For the past couple of days, Lala was not acting like herself. She was actually acting . . .like a normal girl. Could she be sick or something?
"You know, to someone that doesn't know Lala well, they would think that nothing's wrong with her," said Harry out loud.
"Yeah, but we know better. Something has clearly gotten into our companion. However, when we keep asking her about it, she claims that everything is fine. It seems that there is something she doesn't trust us enough to tell us," said Togo. Harry frowned at the last part. "Perhaps, we are not the ones to figure out what is wrong," Togo continued. "I think we should ask others who know her as well." Togo pointed his thumb towards down the hall. Harry took at look in that direction and saw Tenma Tsukamoto and Karen Ichijou chatting with each other.
"Those two?" Harry asked in skeptically.
"Maybe those two will have more insight on what is going on with Lala," explained Togo. "Excuse, dear ladies," he called out. Karen and Tenma looked up and noticed Togo.
"Hey, Togo! Harry!" exclaimed Tenma.
"Good morning," said Karen in a much more polite tone and bowed.
"Hey," said Harry deadpan.
"Excuse, but would you two be willing to assist us on something that has been troubling us?" asked a suave Togo. Harry almost felt like slapping his forehead.
"What do you need help on?" asked Karen. Tenma also seemed quite alert.
"It's about our companion, Lala. She seems to be acting very strange lately," explained Togo.
"Strange? Strange as in how?" asked Tenma.
"She's recently been keeping her distance from us. She's been reading girly magazines, wearing make-up, and she's also haven't been into wrestling. She seems more. . .feminine," said Togo. Ichijou was still confused.
"Has anything else happened with her?" she asked, hoping for more clues. Harry recalled the incident that occurred awhile ago with Lala smiling at him. The memory of it almost made him flustered so he decided to keep it to himself.
"Well, she seems to be acting very . . .ladylike," said Harry. Ichijou and Tenma began to deeply ponder about the information they were given. After a few seconds, Tenma perked up.
"I got it!" she exclaimed. The other three looked at her. Tenma then extended her index finger and thumb along her chin as she smirked. "She's reading magazines, wearing make-up, acting more girly. There's only one reason a girl could change like that."
"And what's that?" asked Harry. Tenma chuckled with self-assurance.
"She in love!" The whole group went quiet. It was as if time stood still around them. They didn't know whether to laugh or to consider it.
"Umm. . . Tenma, are you sure about that?" asked Karen.
"Why is it so hard to believe it? I mean, Lala is a girl too, you know?" said Tenma, defending her idea.
"Well, that is true," said Togo. "But still, Lala doesn't seem to be the kind of girl to actually go out of her way for love. However, I don't see any other reason for her to be acting this way. Right, partner?"
"Don't call me that." said Harry with a hint of annoyance in his voice but it really wasn't because of Togo. Somehow, the thought of Lala being in love with someone was really bothering him. I mean, I've supported her in everything else she had done like ice-skating, but this? It makes me . . .upset, he thought.
Elsewhere, Lala and Satsuki were continuing their plans for the pageant as they have been for the past couple of days. They had to find a new place to meet since it seemed like Harima kept going to the roof for some reason or another. So, Satsuki decided they meet in storage unit behind the school since hardly anyone ever goes there. Now it was time to move on to the next stage in Lala's training: grace.
"Okay, Lala. You've got the looks pretty much down. But now comes the harder part. You need to present yourself like a lady. Meaning walking and talking," explained Satsuki.
"What do I need to do?" asked Lala. Satsuki grinned and reached into her bag and pulled out something that Lala did not expect. In Satsuki's hands were a pair of pink, high heeled shoes. "You've have got to be joking," said Lala.
"Come one, Lala. One of the categories in the pageant is formal wear, so you'll need to wear heals for the dress. And also, this will help your posture, balance, and walk. Also, I heard it would make your figure stand out. But they will take some getting use to," explained Satsuki. Lala began to feel very uneasy.
"I don't know about this," said Lala.
"Sempai, this is a big deal. Girls in these kinds of competitions really take this seriously. So, you have to work twice as hard!" said Satsuki. Lala was hesitant but gave in.
"Alright. Let me try them on," Lala said in defeat. Satsuki grinned and waiting with anticipation to see how Lala would look. Lala started by removing her shoes and slowly putting on the high heels. Next, she carefully began to stand up. Satsuki was in awed at how different her sempai seemed with just a pair of shoes. The moment quickly faded when Lala began to sway back and forth, swinging her arms for balance. Then, suddenly, Lala fell to the ground.
"Sempai! Are you alright?" asked Satsuki, voice dripping with concern. Lala began rubbing her hips to soothe the pain.
"Yes. I'll be fine. I just need to learn how to walk in these," she said. "I'll just practice walking around in my apartment."
"Just be careful. I don't want you to get hurt in those," said a worried Satsuki.
"I . . .just need practice," said Lala, a little shamefaced. "I'll take these home and practice. That is all I need to do, right?"
"That's the spirit, sempai!" cheered Satsuki. "Oh! I almost forgot. I got good news. My neighbor, who goes to a different high school, has an older brother who is attending fashion school. I saw him yesterday and he offered to help coach you for the pageant."
"Really? He would do that?" asked Lala. Satsuki nodded.
"Yeah. He said that it would help him out too. Something about charity for transfer to Milan or something. Anyways, he wants to see you and get to work. Oh, are you working today?"
"No, I'm not. I could meet him today. Where would be nice?" Lala asked.
"Meet him in the park near the school at 4:30. He'll be the one to walk up to you. Can you make it?"
"Yes. I will be there," said Lala with determination. Satsuki smiled at her upper classmate.
After class, everyone was ready to go home. Lala was no exception. She had to get home to get ready to meet her new 'coach'. As she was about to head to the door, Lala was stopped by Harry.
"Harry? Do . . . Do you need something?" asked Lala. The look on Harry's face almost made Lala worry.
"Hey, Lala. Are you sure you're alright?" asked Harry.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"You haven't been yourself lately. I've. . .we've noticed a change in you," explained Harry. Lala began to worry. If her secret about entering in a beauty pageant got out, she would be a laughing stock. Plus, she wouldn't want to lose face with Togo and especially Harry. She respected him too much to have him think so low of her.
"I'm fine. Do not worry about me. In fact, I'm sure you're just imagining things," said Lala nervously. Harry's suspicion went up a notch.
"Lala, you know you could talk to me about anything, right?" he said. Lala blinked. Harry seemed to be concern for her. Before she could say anything, Satsuki popped her head through the door.
"Lala-sempai, come on! You don't want to be late," shouted Satsuki. Harry and Lala both turned to look at their underclassman. Lala felt relieved to see her.
"I'm sorry, Harry. I have to get going," she said. Harry was about to stop her but Lala hurried pasted him and left the classroom. He began to grow even more worried. What was Lala doing that was making her act so out of character; or worse, who was making her act so differently?
At around 4:28, Lala was doing her best to hurry to the meeting place that Satsuki set up with her new coach. It was proving to be rather difficult for her with her wearing her new high-heeled shoes, along with a pair of dark denim jeans and pretty blouse. Lala was even wearing lip gloss and mascara. She lost count of the number of times she almost fell. After what seemed like forever, Lala had arrived to her destination: the park. She took a seat on the nearest bench and relaxed her feet. Before her feet could fully enjoy the break, she heard her name being called.
Lala turned her head and saw a very handsome man before her. He had long, brown hair, dark eyes, and smooth skin. He was even very well dressed. He was very handsome, indeed. He stretched out his hand towards her.
"Hi, I'm Kin Inoue. An acquaintance of Satsuki Tawaraya . You are Lala Gonzalez, right?" asked the man. Lala stood up and greeted him.
"Yes, hello. It is so nice to meet you. And I'm very grateful for your help," she said. Kin smiled at her friendly.
"No problem. I was hoping this could also help me with adding to my extracurricular project for my chance to study in Milan. So anyways, I've heard you entered to compete in a beauty pageant, right?" he asked. Lala nodded. "Cool, we should get started. Let's go shopping for some clothes for you. The pageant will score you in formal, casual, and athletic wear. We should start looking," he said. Lala nodded again and was about to walk beside him when she crashed into Kin.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I'm still not use to heels," explained Lala in embarrassment. Kin just smiled understandingly.
"Don't worry about it. Listen, how about you hold on to my arm until you can get your balance?" he offered. Lala, quite embarrassed as it she was already, nodded shyly. Kin extended his arm out towards Lala. Lala, hesitantly wrapped both arms around Kin's arm. Proceeding with caution at first, the both of them began walking towards the shopping center.
Harry decided to spend some time in town to get his mind off of things, mainly Lala. He figured it wouldn't do him any good to fret about it if she didn't feel like letting out her feelings. Since Lala wasn't working today, he would just pass the time. Eventually, Harry was approached by two girls. So, as usual, Harry began flirting with the two very pretty young girls. He was complimenting them and making them swoon as always. He felt that by doing so, he could clear his mind off of the person that was driving his concern.
In the corner of his eye, Harry noticed someone coming from the other side of the building. He looked up and his eyes widen behind his dark sunglasses. There was Lala, walking with some guy. But it wasn't just that that made Harry stand still. It was that Lala was looking very pretty , . . . cute in fact. He had never seen her look like that before. However, his eyes narrowed when he saw that she was actually holding on to this mysterious man's arm. Harry clenched his fist. The two girls in front of him called out to him but Harry just walked away. He couldn't take it anymore. What has become of the Lala he once knew?
So, what did you think? I've tried to keep everyone in character as much as possible. I'll try to put up the next chapters of this and my other stories sooner. Please review to let me know your thoughts and if I should keep going! Thanks!