"Of course there are enough seats, silly Rivalz," Milly turned around smiling, "there are just as many now as there were on the way here."
"Yeah," Gino added, snickering again, "the car isn't alive."
Suzaku leaned over to Lelouch, nudging him in the side. "Good thing it's only a thirty minute drive, huh?" he said, giving a sheepish smile.
"Freedom!" Gino shouted, jumping out of the car and not bothering to shut the door, "I'll see you suckers later." he waved as he began jogging towards the dorm in the driving rain.
"Hey! No you don't!" Milly shouted from the drivers seat half way out of the car. She was attempting to open her umbrella but the wind whipped around it making it very difficult and her blonde hair blowing wildly in front of her eyes didn't help either. "You have to help carry in the stuff!" she yelled, motioning towards to the boys already unloading the car.
Gino frowned and held an arm up to his face to shield him from the rain. He muttered something as he reluctantly walked over. "Task master."
Joining the others around the back of the car he saw they had a very innefficient assembly line going. Shirley and Nina were sloshing the heaviest suitcases to Lelouch and Rivalz, who simply set them on the ground while looking bored. Shirley was looking taxed as she seemed to be carrying the brunt of the task. Her uniform, which she had insisted on wearing to camp, was crumpled and had light streaks of grunge on it from handling the suitcases. Although she was panting and her face was slightly red from work, she didn't look like she was ready to quit. In fact, by the look on her face, it looked like she might not even have the word "quit" in her vocabulary.
Wanting to weasel out of helping as long as possible, Gino asked "Where's Suzaku?" while wrapping his arms around Lelouch's shoulders.
"Ick get off of me!" Lelouch spun out of Gino's unwanted embrace and sneered in disgust. That idiot must have been neglected as a child. Seriously, he's always throwing himself all over everyone…..Damn Suzaku, he's usually the one that deals with this annoying kid.
"He's sleeping in the car. Go wake him up." Lelouch said in a monotone, slinging the last bag to the asphalt.
Coming around the side of the car with her umbrella finally extended, Milly said, "Thanks for helping, everyone. It's moment's like these that warm my heart!" she cried, hugging Shirley and Nina on either side of her.
"Ack a bluh" Shirley coughed, still surprised by the president's spontaneous hugs even after knowing her for years.
"Heh heh…." Nina laughed nervously, looking up at Milly through rain spattered glasses. She wasn't one for being touched.
A car door slammed and the body rose up a bit as someone got out. Suzaku. He stumbled somewhat dazedly over to them, rubbing his eyes with one hand while trying to straighten his uniform with the other. He didn't seem to notice the horrendous storm going on around them. Typical.
"Mmm sorry guys, I must've fallen asleep." Suzaku said, joining the others.
"You did. You've been working so hard though in the military, we thought it would be good for you." Milly beamed.
Suzaku smiled bashfully and scratched the back of his head. "Well," he started, laughing nervously, "I have been keeping pretty late hours…." Sleep was still fogging his brain.
How long are we going to stand out here? Does Milly want us all to get pneumonia? Ugh. I want be inside with my laptop and some hot chocolate….these guys must be masochists or something. Screw this. They can stay out here in this disgustingness as long as they want but I'm going in.
Lelouch turned on his heel and slipped away unnoticed, his footsteps drowned out by the wind. As he sloshed across the parking lot he turned the idea of being alone over and over in his mind. How delightful it would be.
Just as he got to the steps of the dorm, he glanced up at the windows while his fished the key out of his pocket. What he saw next struck him, first shock then anger. CC was looking out the window at him. From his room. With only her bra on.
Oh my gosh. I told her to go to Rolo's. WHAT IS SHE DOING AT ASHFORD. And how in the hell did she get in my room?
Gino tapped the side of the car. "Wellllll everyone, I'm *kinda* sick of standing in the rain and being in wet clothes so I'm gonna go join Lelouch over there and get inside."
"What? Where did Lelouch go?" Shirley and Milly said in unison.
"Over there." Gino said, pointing to the farthest building away to where Lelouch was just entering their dorm. "He left like two minutes ago."
Milly squinted and followed Gino's gesture. Through the sheets of rain and whirling leaves she could see a small and somewhat flustered Lelouch struggling to get his suitcase in the large entranceway, his back arched against the oak door.
"What are we standing here for!" She shouted, "let's go inside and get warm and dry!"
Meanwhile...
"oooOOOO!" A loud screech pierced the air as Kallen jumped up and down in circles next to the window.
"What is it?" CC asked as she reentered the dorm, actually sounding like she cared to find out the answer for once. The alcohol was beginning to take effect on her too.
Kallen turned around to face CC but failed and fell in a pile on the floor. "Lelouchhhhh" she whined with a ridiculously huge smile. "He's walking across the parking lot."
"You are such a fangirl. Lemme see." CC said, stepping over Kallen to look out the window. "Oh. Well that he is." she said, pretending she hadn't just seen him from his own window.
Kallen rolled over on her back and wiggled back and forth. "I know! He's come to save me!" she squealed.
CC rolled her eyes. "Am I really that bad?" she said half seriously.
Stepping away from the window, she returned to their circle of candles to check on the food. She realized that she hadn't bothered to ask Kallen what she was making this whole time and noticing that there wasn't a recipe out, she decided to inquire.
"So…what are you cooking, anyway?" she asked, trying to sound disinterested; she wasn't used to being the one asking questions.
Kallen rolled over on her stomach, propping her chin up on her hands. "Peanut butter and jelly." she said, her face splitting into a mischievous grin.
CC's jaw dropped and her fumbling hands couldn't move fast enough to catch it. "…All of this." she said, pointing to the candles and measuring cups and other various kitchen implements.
"Yup!" Kallen said, "I love peanut butter and jelly! And measuring out each ingredient in measuring cups is THE BEST. You haven't lived until you've done it." she giggled.
Rap rap rap.
"Someone is at the door." CC deadpanned. She was in no hurry to answer it.
Kallen nearly fell over backwards as she stumbled to get to her feet. "It it's Lelouch!" she squealed first in excitement then panic as she realized she was only wearing her underwear and lacy apron. "CC, you answer the door!" she said, already running over to her dresser to throw back on her uniform for the third time.
"I don't want to."
"What? CC, don't be retarded."
"That's not very nice. You answer it."
"I can't! I don't have any clothes on!"
RAP RAP RAP.
"CC!" Kallen pulled her fluffy bathrobe off of the door for the second time and whirl winded it around herself, running to the door. But right before she reached it, CC stuck out her foot, tripping her. Kallen fell to the floor with a thunk as the witch simultaneously flung open the heavy door.
"Hi Lelouch." she said, beaming.
Before her was a very sorry sight. It was definitely Lelouch; a very wet, very exhausted one, but him nevertheless. His uniform was plastered to him and leaves were caught in the thick clumps of his wet hair.
"CC. Give me my key." He glared at her, his violet eyes piercing through the screen of black covering his face.
What? She's had the key this whole time? She is dead.
A/N: So what do you guys think? Reviews are much appreciated :)