DISCLAIMER: HappyJunjou doesn't own Shugo Chara or any characters and stuff except the things I made up! ^.^

***Chapter 3***

Fire & Water

"Are you feeling better today?" Nagihiko asked me with a gentle expression. I narrowed my eyes at him but just ignored him instead of shooting back a bunch of sarcastic remarks. He seemed a bit disturbed that I didn't answer, but he'll get over it soon enough.

"Hinamori-san told me that you weren't feeling well yesterday, are you okay now, Mashiro-san?" Tadase asked. I shook my head up and down quickly.

"Yes. I'm feeling much better now." I answered with a slight smirk on my face. As expected, Nagihiko stared at me in disbelief. I answered Tadase but not him? His expression was hilarious! Most people would be afraid of losing this bet, but I didn't have to worry about that. No doubt about it, I'd win. I hated Nagihiko, so there would be no way I could ever fall in love with him let alone anyone.

After the guardian meeting I decided to walk home with Amu. I already told mom that I was walking home with a friend, so there'd be no need for her to pick me up. She was reluctant about it at first, but finally agreed for me to go.

"What happened to the tension between you and Nagihiko?" Amu asked.

"What?" I immediately showed a hard expression. What tension switch? There wasn't any tension change! What was she talking about?

"Well, you haven't been glaring at him as much lately. I guess you've been smirking at each other somewhat, but it's not as bad as earlier." She explained. I gagged.

"It is most DEFINITELY as bad as earlier. Maybe even much worse! I have no respect what so ever for that guy!" I replied still disgusted by her would be theory. She sighed.

"Come on, Rima! You can stay mad at him for no reason!" Amu exclaimed. I eyed her suspiciously.

"Oh yes I can. No reason? There IS a reason!"

"Whatever. You don't have to get that defensive!" Ran cheered from behind.

"She's just shy!" Kusukusu giggled. I gave Kusukusu a death glare. She shivered and shut her small mouth.

"So what are you doing on Friday?" Amu asked.

"Uh...Nothing much." I replied indifferently.

"Good! Do you want to hang out?"

"Sure. Where?"

"Just the mall." Amu replied.

"Okay!"

***************************************************

My phone vibrated in my pocket as I laid on my bed. A text.

Nagihiko: Hey Rima

"Great." I grumbled to myself.

Rima: I never gave you permission to call me that.

Hopefully he'd be to hurt from my coldness to text back, and then I could get him off my back. Then again, the only one hurt by such coldness would be Tadase. The rest would just be immune to it. How'd Nagihiko get my phone number anyways? Probably from Amu.

Nagihiko: Mashiro-san then.

Ugh. Why couldn't he just go away?

Rima: Good for you, you know my name. Now can you just stop talking to me?

I waited for a reply. Wait. Why am I waiting? I don't want this guy to answer back!

Nagihiko: That wasn't very nice.

No duh.

Nagihiko: Anyways, I wanted to know if you're free Friday.

Rima: Is this part of your plan to win the bet?

Nagihiko: Could be. Maybe, maybe not. But that's not the point. You never answered my question.

I sighed. It probably was. I wonder if he did this with other girls. Maybe he bet on them falling for him and when they did he rejected them. He sure was good at putting up a fake face, because Amu was pretty much fooled as well as Tadase and the others. They all thought Nagihiko was a nice gentle person. I'm not saying he's not nice, because part of him is. It's just that he's not as perfect as everyone else thinks. Although no one COULD be PERFECT. So he was actually even better like this than his usually act. Am I kidding myself? He pretty much sucks either way!

Rima: No. I'm going to the mall with Amu.

Nagihiko: Maybe another day then.

Wow. He sure was persistent. I just told him no and he still wants to go? He sure likes to go for the tough ones, although he'll never get me.

Rima: I just rejected you. Now you're supposed to go find another girl to bother and forget about me so I don't have to see your annoying face ever again.

Nagihiko: That was REALLY cold. Are you sure?

PERSISTENT!!!

Rima: YES! GO AWAY!!!

Nagihiko: Fine. See you tomorrow at school!

Rima: Whatever.

I stared at my phone. Finally! I got him off my back! I stared back at my phone to see if another message had come in.

Inbox: None.

I sighed. Why did I feel so down now? Wasn't I supposed to be glad he didn't text back? Maybe I'm just a little sad that Amu didn't text me yet. Yeah! That's it! It's got nothing to do with Nagihiko!

I really do wonder if there were other girls that he pulled this on. It'd really suck if there were. That'd mean that I'm not special to him in any way. He's just a player then, and I'm supposed to be a fun challenge for him. I don't like that. I don't want to be anyone's bait. It's not fair and he needs to learn a lesson.

I'd be the one. That girl that he'll try to get, but never will. I can't wait until he loses. I could already feel the sweet taste of victory lingering on my tongue. This is a battle I refuse to lose.

I'll never say the words "I love you" to anyone.

******************************************************

"Finally! Class is over Rima!" Kusukusu sighed. I nodded.

"I'll see you at 3:00 then." Amu smiled as she waved me away. I nodded and headed to retrieve my bags.

"Hi Rima!"

Great. It's HIM again.

"What do you want?" I asked coldly.

"That wasn't nice." He replied.

"Yeah, I know. You say that a lot." I replied.

"That's because a lot of the things you say are usually mean." He argued.

"Well, I have somewhere to go so could you leave me alo-"

"I'm coming, headmaster!" Nikaido-sensei called from the end of the hallway zooming by. He bumped against me as he passed, causing me to fall forward.

*cha-chak*

"W-what was that?" I stammered trying not to sound too nervous.

"I think we got locked into the closet." Nagihiko replied.