Alas, we still haven't left Karakura yet but no worries! Next chapter, I promise. :) Also, I've been adding the lyrics at the beginning of each chapter to kind of set the mood for the coming scenes and give you an idea of what I listen to while writing Summer Girl. If you haven't heard some of the songs before, go check them out! They're all spectacular in their own way.

'Cause you're a pretty little windstorm out on the boulevard,
Something like a sunset, oh, you're a shooting star.

And I might drive myself insane
If those lips aren't speaking my name.

Love Like Woe - The Ready Set

Chapter 4: New Friends, New Problems

-Rukia-

Her alarm went off at 5:30 on Friday morning. Groaning loudly, Rukia rolled over and let her hand fall forcefully on the snooze button. 5 minutes later, it sounded again and Rukia threw it across the room.

She slowly got out of bed, stretched, and retrieved the poor device. Changing into shorts and a plain shirt, Rukia went downstairs and then down another flight of stairs to the basement. She turned the upbeat music on loud and took a moment to loosen up before climbing on the treadmill in their personal gym.

She went over her schedule for the day in her head and then let the rhythm of her quick pace fill her mind and distract her from the rest of the world.

Almost an hour later, Rukia stumbled into the shower and let the refreshingly hot water run over her, relaxing her tired muscles.

-Ichigo-

Ichigo got up at 7:10. He pulled a clean black shirt over his head and slipped on a pair of jeans before heading down for breakfast.

"Thanks, Yuzu!" He called as he grabbed his backpack and went out the door, two waffles in hand.

At 7:30, the bell for first period rang as Ichigo sat down at his desk. The teacher shot him a look.

"As you all know, this is the last day of school. However, that does not mean that it is acceptable to slide into class at the last second."

The class snickered at Ms. Ochi's pointed statement and Ichigo rolled his eyes.

"I don't appreciate the attitude, Mr. Kurosaki." She pulled out a large textbook. "Now then, let's finish up with our last assignment for the year."

-Rukia-

What a moron… Does he think it's cool that he shows up late every day?

Rukia tried to return her focus to the teacher's words. She seemed to notice everything about Ichigo now: the way he seemed completely unmotivated, how he scowled constantly, and especially the way girls giggled when he walked by.

His friends seemed nice, unlike him. As she had expected, Uryuu wasn't too thrilled about her plan but Orihime and Tatsuki's enthusiasm made up for his coldness. She hadn't been able to read Chad but he came across as amiable enough. She had started eating lunch with them on Tuesday and she found that she was actually looking forward to seeing them again today.

A shiver of anticipation slid down her spine. They'd be leaving this weekend. Rukia couldn't believe her plan was actually happening.

-Ichigo-

"Ichigo, wait up!" Orihime waved, walking quickly through the hall to catch up with him on their way outside for lunch.

Ichigo paused halfway through the side entrance to the school and the orange haired girl smiled as he held the door open for her.

"Thanks!" She chirped. Ichigo nodded absently.

"No problem." His attention was already on the group sitting in their usual places. Except for that girl… She had wiggled her way in beside Chad, where Ichigo usually sat.

"Move."

Once he reached the circle of people, Ichigo sat down, nudging Rukia closer to Chad to reclaim his space. Orihime greeted their friends and took her usual spot beside Ichigo.

Tatsuki raised an eyebrow at the orange haired boy, almost a warning. Ichigo shrugged in defense. His childhood friend had a violent way of making sure he behaved according to her standards.

"But anyway, like I was saying, you should totally come to the dojo sometime. I think you'd be really good." Tatsuki smiled at Rukia.

"That's very kind of you."

Ichigo watched her bright violet eyes glimmer as she laughed.

"Do you know who's driving this weekend?" Orihime asked Ichigo, diverting his attention from the distracting midget.

He thought for a moment. Keigo had always driven everyone in his parent's giant van but this year they would have to use someone else's car.

"We can take my car." Tatsuki suggested, overhearing her friend's question. "It only fits four people though."

"I can take three in my car." Uryuu added.

"We should race! Girls vs. guys!" Orihime exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

Uryuu cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should just focus on driving safely. Besides, even if we were to win, we would have to wait for your car to arrive so that Rukia could let us in."

He looked over to Rukia. "The cabin is ready, of course? You did mention that there were some issues."

-Rukia-

Spiteful jerk.

"Of course!" Rukia forced a cheerful smile. "There were never any problems with the cabin. I just wanted to be sure that I was allowed to use it before inviting everyone."

"It was really nice of you to ask us to come," Orihime said, the sincerity clear in her voice. Uryuu seemed to sulk for a moment, displeased with Orihime's easy acceptance of a new friend.

Serves you right! Rukia smirked mentally.

"Is there anything you'd like us to bring? I have a grill." Chad changed the subject. He was usually so quiet, it still surprised Rukia slightly when he spoke.

Did we have a grill there when I was little? Would Brother have supplied something like that? Rukia pondered for a moment.

"You don't know if your cabin has a grill?" Ichigo interrupted her thoughts.

Rukia narrowed her eyes at the bright haired boy. "I'm not sure if my brother left it there from the last time we visited." Suspicious bastards, she added in her head. Then, she turned to the group, "Anything you'd like to bring would be wonderful."

Finally, the bell signaled the end of lunch and Rukia let out a small sigh, tired of being drilled with questions. The group collected their belongings and began walking to class.

"Oh, Ichigo!"

Rukia watched the pretty redhead get Ichigo's attention to tell him something.

She scolded herself when she realized she had been staring. Walking hastily to avoid listening to their conversation, she accidentally brushed against Chad.

"E-Excuse me." She stammered, embarrassed. His laugh was a deep rumble.

"Don't worry about it." He smiled at her and moved to walk with Orihime and Ichigo.

"Orihime, did you study for that quiz in Chemistry?"

So the giant can engage in conversation… Who knew?

Rukia watched as Chad and Ichigo made eye contact. Then, he and Orihime left Ichigo trailing behind.

What was that about?

Her heart sped up as she realized Ichigo meant to talk to her. She slowed, allowing him to fall into step beside her.

"I'm sorry about Uryuu. He's better once you get to know him." He spoke awkwardly. Rukia had never heard him speak like he was unsure of himself before. "And I wasn't trying to suggest that you were lying or anything… I was just-"

"It's fine. I understand." She spoke formally, unsure how to respond to his uncharacteristic concern. The tall boy nodded thoughtfully beside her.

"You still wanna go through with this? I mean, we'd all understand if you backed out."

Rukia kept silent as they walked through the crowded hall. They stopped and looked at each other when they reached her next class.

"Isn't that what you're expecting me to do?" Determination flashed in her eyes and she gave a coy smile. "I'll see you on Sunday, Ichigo."

Rukia left him standing in the hallway, heart pounding as she found her seat. She had never been one to flirt so obviously before.

The look on his face was priceless! She smirked, remembering the boy's surprised, open-mouthed expression. She, Rukia Kuchiki, had left Ichigo Kurosaki speechless.

Pulling out her notebook and a pencil, Rukia began sketching. As it was the last day of school, her Language teacher had no plans for the class and she was free to work on the picture she had started the night before.

Admiring her work so far, she added another girl bunny to the picture. This one had dark hair and was eating on the deck of the beach house with all the other bunnies. She added the final bunny with special care. It had spiky hair and was sitting next to the girl bunny, smiling happily.

Rukia finished by adding some more details and cleaning up the extra lines. Her face grew warm as she realized she had drawn the two new bunnies so close together, they looked as if they were holding hands.

This is going to be an interesting week…

-Ichigo-

What was that all about?

Ichigo could still picture the small girl standing in the doorway to her classroom, grinning at him. He tried to focus on the quiz in front of him but that little smirk kept creeping into his thoughts.

"Everything ok?" Chad's low whisper caught Ichigo's attention.

"What?"

"You're taking longer than normal."

Ichigo scanned the room; he was the last one still working on the simple chemistry problems.

He scribbled down the last few answers, figuring his almost perfect grade wouldn't suffer too badly, and turned his paper in.

Chad looked up from his book as Ichigo sat back down.

"Just having trouble focusing."

Ichigo noticed the slight skepticism on Chad's face and regretted his last statement. As he was planning to be doctor like his father, chemistry was by far one of Ichigo's better subjects.

Before he could assure his friend that everything was fine though, Chad returned his gaze to his book and commented, "Rukia does seem nice."

What? That is not what-

"That's not what I was thinking about." Ichigo grumped, suppressing the urge to argue further. Chad had already returned his attention to reading.

Ichigo took to staring down the clock. 5 more minutes…

5 more minutes and he would be done with high school forever. Then, it was only 1 more day until they left for Emerald Beach.

It's still weird as hell… 3 more minutes.

Ichigo found himself wondering about the petite raven-haired girl again.

What would make her want to invite some strangers to her house for a week?

1 more minute.

"I'll see you on Sunday, Ichigo!"He thought about the way she looked at him as she headed into her classroom.

Was it possible that Rukia Kuchiki was flirting with him?

The bell rang and Ichigo stood mechanically, cheers erupting around him. There's no way, he decided and pushed the thoughts from his mind.

Orihime had already left the room so Ichigo and Chad waited for Uryuu. The three boys walked out together triumphantly, celebrating the end of the last school day of the year.

Can not wait for summer, myself. I do enjoy school but it takes up SO much time. How about you all? Excited as I am for summer? Don't forget to leave a review!