Thank you for reviewing! I'm happy to receive some positive feedback, or just a few pointers as to where I've gone wrong. Especially if I've gone from first person to third!

Lotsa love,

JJ

Orihime's voice was disapproving, and I could read storm clouds ahead.

"We aren't going dress shopping tomorrow."

"Why not?"

"Keigo wants us to go to some beach, and Hinamori apparently agreed, so now I'll have to go." She sighed, her anger gone. "I really wanted to go dress shopping!"

I comforted her, and jumped for joy in my mind. "The formal isn't for two weeks. We can do it some other time, right?"
"He wants you to come too."

"Oh." I thought for a while. "I don't know…"

"You have to come. You HAVE to!" She yelled.

"O-ok." I shakily agreed. "I'll come."

"Great! He's coming around to pick you up at about nine. See you in maths!" She waved.

"Bye-bye." I whispered, and filed sullenly into Gym.

"Rukia-chan!" Keigo ambushed me right out of the change rooms.

"Hello, Keigo."

"Are you coming too?" He demanded angrily.

"Yes." I said as quietly as I could.

Keigo's exhilarated shout blew off the roof. "Yahoo! Rukia-chan! Thank you! I shall love you forever and ev-"

His words of declaration were cut short by a huge whack on the head.

"Shut up Keigo, the whole world doesn't need to know." Tatsuki grinded him to a pulp.

"H-hai…" He slunk away, dejected.

"Sorry about that." She said airily. "So, you're coming too?"

"You too?" I said with relief. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Yep. Well, it'll be tolerable. As long as he doesn't make us sing any dumb songs."

"He sings?"

"Attempts to. It's quite sad actually."

Our conversation was cut short by an ear-piercing whistle, and we rushed into the gym.

During lunch, I tried to catch sight of any orange tufts. At last, I spied him with his strange group, not talking like the rest of them.

"What are you looking at?" Orihime craned her neck and followed my eyes, a smile forming on her lips when she realised I was staring at Ichigo. "You like him too, do you?"

I blushed. "N-no! I just don't think he likes me, that's all."

"They don't like anyone." Orihime said dryly.

"Yeah." I hurriedly looked away, before he realised.

The rest of the day passed quite nicely, since I didn't have physics. However, I was fairly paranoid about walking home. Instead, I took another more crowded way around, and although it was longer, I felt much safer.

At dinner, I tackled my brother about tomorrow.

"When will you be back?" He asked.

I shrugged helplessly. "I'll give you a call."

And that was that. Whether he approved or not, I couldn't tell. Gathering together the dishes, I scrubbed vigourously, and went to bed early to prepare for tomorrow.

At six, I received a text message from Orihime.

OrihimeInoue: Hi! R u up?

I groaned and promptly replied.

KuchikiRukia: I am now.

OrihimeInoue: Im bringin lunch 2day so u dont need ta worry!

I made a specific note in my mind to NOT forget to bring lunch. Orihime's food was something to be feared. Ramen in red bean and mushroom soup was not exactly something I found delectable.

KuchikiRukia: Ill bring some stuf 2. id feel bad if I didnt.

OrihimeInoue: u don't hav 2!

KuchikiRukia: I want 2. Wat r u bringin?

OrihimeInoue: Cinamon appls in seaweed donuts, jelly sandwiches, and green tea soup!

KuchikiRukia: Ok…well, bye!

OrihimeInoue: Cya!

I groaned and flipped my phone onto my bedside drawer. But now that I had been woken up, it was impossible for me to fall asleep again. Instead, I busied myself with getting lunch ready. My brother had left his breakfast dishes in the sink, and as I washed them, I realised that the time was already eight. Placing the last dish into the dryer, I rushed up and had a thorough shower, and then threw out half the contents of my wardrobe. Finally, I decided on a loose white dress, and white sandals. Underneath I was wearing my white swimsuit with the blue outline. I pulled my hair up with a clasp, as to keep it out of the way. The bell rang, and I stuffed a slice of bread into my mouth by way of breakfast.

"Hi Rukia-chan!" Keigo waved from a big blue van. "Hop in!"

I chose a seat next to the window, and placed the picnic basket in my lap. Hinamori eyed it with gratitude; no one could stand Orihime's cooking, although everyone was too nice to say so. Tatsuki too had brought some food.

"So Rukia, have you been to the beach?" Hinamori asked.

I shook my head.

"No?" Orihime gasped.

"Never."

"Then you're going to love it!" She gushed. Meanwhile, I kept my eyes on the road ahead, doubting Keigo's driving skills.

"Don't worry. He's got a learner's permit." Tatsuki answered. "You see that guy sitting at the front? That's his dad."

I caught sight of a gruff looking man with stern eyes, who accessed his son's every move. Thankful, I relaxed.

Only then did I take time to look around and see who was actually going on this trip. Aside from Tatsuki, Orihime, Hinamori and Keigo, there was also another boy whose name I learnt was Mizuiro. He was very polite, and introduced himself quite formally.

"Don't believe it." Tatsuki whispered in my ear afterwards. "He's a womanizer of the worst sort."

Idly, I wondered how she knew.

Finally, Keigo skidded to a stop in a small car park, as we all stepped out and into the salty waves.

"We're here!" He announced gaily, and started running through the sand.

"Yay!" Orihime giggled as she and Tatsuki walked bare feet, finding a suitable place to sit. Hinamori looked at me, and we walked companionably together in silence. The picnic basket dug into my arm, and I was glad to put it down on the red rug Orihime and Tatsuki had spread out. An array of items that were apparently edible was spread out, and Orihime chattered merrily to whoever would listen.

And the sea was beautiful. The frothy foam of the waves washed up and disappeared into the sand. Having removed my shoes, I cringed at the surprising coldness of the water. But it was delightful, and Keigo thought so too, having removed all but his board shorts. Orihime now appeared in a bikini, and was splashing merrily in the water. I smiled, as I watched my friends around me, content.

A shadow fell over me, and so I turned around. Behind me was standing a muscular boy with the strangest hair I'd ever seen; Red and tied up in a firm ponytail, giving the impression of a pineapple. There were black tattoos on his forehead, and he was grinning.

"Hey." He said.

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