"I'll have a shot." Kallen finally said, determined not to let the other girl win in the power play, even in something as silly as a bottle of whiskey.
CC looked unsurprised. "Ok. Pour it yourself." She slid the the glass to her and motioned to the bottle.
Kallen took the bottle and confidently filled her glass almost to the brim.
Holding it to her lips and cocking her head towards CC, she gave a sly grin. She'll see I'm just as tough as I look. "Bottoms up."
"I—pizza—-can—music down—-doorbell." That was all Kallen heard over the blasting music.
"WHAT!" she shouted back to the green haired girl, who was standing in the kitchen entryway, still in her bra and underwear.
"—-simpler if—-turned—the—-so—don't have to—-out."
"WHAT!" Kallen yelled again, holding a hand up to her ear. She had had several drinks of Jack Daniels by now and was feeling much more carefree than earlier. This feeling wasn't too unusual for her; she drank with the Black Knights regularly enough to be familiar with the feeling of worry free fun….but this situation was different. She was with CC, the girl she barely knew, and disliked what little she did know of her.
This is strange. I don't feel that upset at her anymore. I mean, she still bugs me and I'll never forgive her for sharing a room with Lelouch but….well, she's about my age…or wait.. is she? I guess she's really old since she's immortal but somehow it makes sense that she's my age. But…there's no reason we can't get along, right? If nothing else it'll make the weekend easier if we aren't total enemies…
Kallen shook herself awake from the trance-like thought pattern. Wait, what am I thinking?! This girl is nothing but trouble! She….wait is she talking again? What is she *saying?* Why can't she yell? Does she only have half of a vocal chord or something?
"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING I CAN'T HEAR YOU." she yelled, now standing on her tiptoes as if that would help her voice carry farther.
Fed up with the screaming match CC walked leisurely to the stereo and turned it off. "I said, I ordered pizza so can you turn the music down so I don't miss the doorbell." she said, pausing for no apparent reason. "And then I said—"
Oh my gosh, seriously?
Kallen giggled. "You ordered pizza again?!" she said scrunching her hands against her mouth, "How are you not five hundred pounds? I mean, where does it go?" she apparently found this very amusing, as she was now doubled over laughing. CC on the other hand, remained stoic as ever as she walked around the room, aimlessly looking up at the ceiling.
"I'm a witch, remember?" she said in tone that carried a hint of teasing satisfaction over using a less than desirable term for herself. "I don't get fat."
Just then a loud clap of thunder rung through the room as someone simultaneously knocked at the door.
"Speak of the devil." CC said as she opened the door. "Haha, get it?" she said, turning back at Kallen and giving a smile.
"No….did you just smile? I don't think I've ever seen you—-" she was cut off, or cut herself off, as CC ignored her and fished money of the little purse she had set on the side table for the pizza boy.
The two shared a silent exchange, greasy pizza box given to one and thirteen dollars and thirty-seven cents given to the other. It was the same delivery boy as last time but this time he was soaked, hair plastered to his pale forehead and navy blue uniform almost black from the rain.
Peeking over CC's shoulder Kallen gave an inquisitive stare and asked "Hey, how do you know my name?" The alcohol was making her more bold than usual and she didn't mind it one bit.
The boy smiled and held a hand to his chest, bowing slightly towards Kallen. "I'm sorry, I thought you knew me." he said in a friendly, explanatory tone. "I'm Rolo. I'm close with Lelouch and I also happen to work at Pizza Hut so I see a lot of them." he said, pointing vaguely towards CC and an invisible Lelouch. "I just assumed you knew me. Lelouch has mentioned you before so…."
The rest of his words were drowned out by Kallen's thoughts. Lelouch has mentioned me? Really? Rea….. but somehow, due to the odd circumstances and alcohol, she blissfully drifted off into the word "really", floating through the endless possibilities of love.
"Yeah," Rolo said, laughing a little, "he always mentions your name when he says that he's sick of being at Ashford." He apparently had no idea that his words carried an insult as he continued his train of thought without missing a beat. "He's always saying there's drama here with the girls and how he wishes they'd get a clue already and realize he's not into them." he said, still totally clueless.
"Wa…wait…is…is Lelouch gay?" Kallen stuttered, face contorting into a confused puzzle of a million bad outcomes.
"HA!" Rolo nearly dropped his pizza thermos bag. "No." he said, drawing out the 'o.' "He's just not into anyone here. He has a life apart from stupid crushes and stuff unlike most of the people here." He said as lightheartedly as ever as if he were giving the weather forecast.
Having had quite enough of the discourse, CC stepped forward and said "Thanks for the pizza." smiled cordially, then slammed the door in the brown haired boys face.
"Whadya do that for!" Kallen yelled exasperatedly. "I wasn't finished talking to him yet you stupid witch!" But the exclamation was in vain because even Kallen's voice couldn't overpower another large clap of thunder as it clashed through the sky. A bolt of lightening followed, cutting through the clouds and illuminating the room in purplish blue for a brief second, then sending it into the darkness.
"Crap." she said, not bothering to move. Once the power is out, it's out. There's nothing to do to make it come back….I just hope I can finish making my food….
"OOOOO-KAY we are back in business!" Kallen crowed triumphantly as she crouched around her creation. She was determined to finish cooking her meal and wasn't about to let an unwelcome storm stop her. She had always been resourceful and this evening was no exception.
On the plush carpeted floor Kallen had laid down two flat lids from her storage bins and folded a table cloth around and over them. On top of that she had set a ring of scentless emergency candles, all bunched closely together. Her thinking was that the candles would generate enough heat to cook the remaining bits of her dish while also providing the room with ample light.
This is even better than I thought it would be. At first I thought the power being out would be a drag but it's actually kind of fun. I mean, I like challenges but the only time I really get to face them is when I'm fighting. It's nice to deal with something that's not a life or death matter for once.
"I get tired of being serious all the time." she unintentionally said out loud, a blush quickly spreading across her cheeks.
CC was sitting by the circle of candles with her chin on her knees, arms loosely circled around her legs, staring off into the distance….agan.
"It looks like a seance." she said, completely ignoring the accidental confession.
Glad that CC apparently hadn't heard her faux pas but annoyed at the insult to her culinary glory she snickered and said "Hey, well it must be working. There's a witch sitting right in front of it now."
"Mmm getting feisty are we?" CC said, tipping her head back to look at the red haired girl, who was standing behind her slightly to the left.
"I was kidding. Sort of." she said, a smirk creeping across her face.
"Hmm. You're so serious all the time, I'm surprised you know what a joke is." CC had returned to staring at the wall.
She did hear what I said! She was way too many tricks up her sleeves. Maybe that stupid white space suit symbolizes her brain…except that she's still not wearing it…but hey, she doesn't know anything. Anything about me at least, and I'm not going to let her think she does.
The blush reappeared. "Hey! I have a sense of humor. I just have to be so damn serious all the time because of my job and when I'm not working I'm in class and you can't really goof off in class unless you want to get called an idiot."
"Because being called an idiot would be the worst thing that could possibly happen?" CC tipped her head back again, this time sending the same friendly wink as before.
She has a point….maybe I could loosen up a little…at least around the school….I guess even horrible people can give some good advice. Hmmmm….and what is up with that wink?
She had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed CC get up and disappear to the kitchen, only to reemerge seconds later with the ingredients and mixing bowls for Kallen's recipe.
Kneeling to the floor a few feet away from her, CC set the things down and began pouring milk into one of the medium sized bowls. "We should start this now while the candles are fresh."
Author's Note: So what do you guys think so far? This is my first ever fan fiction and one of my first longer pieces that's not depressing or abstractly poetic. I'm doing my best to keep everyone in character while also fleshing out parts of them that weren't focused so much on in the show. I mean, Kallen is usually stern, but she has to have a playful side too, right? ;)
I would really appreciate if you all could leave some reviews :) I'm always looking for ways to improve. Hope you're enjoying it so far and stay tuned!