Author's Note:
I am so sick it's not even funny. My nose is congested, my throat isn't as pained as it was Tuesday but it still clogs every now and then, and.. ugh. It's shit. And then speeches for Student Body government were yesterday, so I wanted to dress up pretty and wear heels. Truth: I can't even wear heels for more than fifteen minutes without my complaining. My feet. Are. Crying to me.

But other than that I'm content. XD

Spring Break officially starts today, so for a week it's no school! Woo! Which hopefully means I'll be updating a bit more. I think I might be contemplating a new story as well.. I'm not sure, though. Oh! And this sunday (Easter Sunday yay!) we're going car shopping (again). :D I'm excited!

Opening Song : El Tango De Roxanne - Moulin Rouge
Closing Song : I Need to Know - Jekyll and Hyde

Theme #31
Anticipation

Every morning, at the exact same time, Rangiku would be woken up by the same damn bird chirping at her window. Every morning, at the exact same time, she would attempt to chuck something at the bird, only to have it crash against the wood, which indeed scared away the poor creature. Every morning, at the exact same time, she would lay in bed, inwardly groaning at the remainder of the day that awaited her.

Every morning, that is, except this morning.

For the first time since the days Gin used to drag her out of bed, Rangiku was up at the crack of dawn, scurrying about the small shack frantically. A series of clothes, rags, and other objects were being tossed to and fro as she went searching through every shelf, nook, and cranny. "Where's my good yukata!? I washed it last night and could have sworn I hung it up.. Where'd it go!? GRAAAAHH! This is just my luck! Where did it goooo!?"

And just as she was about to break down and pull on her hair, she found it in the corner of her closet, hanging the same way she left it the night before.

So why was she, a woman who so detested mornings and the process of getting through them, up at such an ungodly hour? Why was she, a woman who preferred to put things off, getting things ready so early? Well, the answer to that is quite simple:

The results of who got accepted into the Shinou Reijutsuin would be posted today.

Rangiku slipped into the yukata, which was nice and simple: a pale, almost cream like yellow with bamboo imprints. She smoothed it out several times, hoping to catch any wrinkles she might have missed. She stood before the cracked mirror and ran her fingers through the thick strawberry blonde locks. She hadn't cut it since that day (save for the occasional trim), and now it cascaded down her back. Rangiku smiled bittersweetly as she adjusted the necklace that always hung from her neck. Her fingers brushed against the cool silver, and an involuntary shudder rippled up her spine.

"Get a hold on yourself, Rangiku," she grumbled. She turned away from the mirror and trailed over to the makeshift kitchen, where she decided to nibble on a piece of bread to calm her nerves. "If I try to eat anything else I'll probably just puke it back up."

Rangiku was, needless to say, nervous as hell. She was downright scared. What if she didn't get accepted? Sure, she'd still be allowed to take the test, but how many more months would that take? And she knew for certain that she screwed up the written exam ― she hadn't written down more than five answers. But she was pretty sure she did fairly well in the sections where she had to perform..

No, she'd be just fine, she told herself. Everything would just be fine. "I just have to look on the bright side. Right."

Unfortunately, she lost view of that optimism the moment the Shinigami Academy came into view.

Her heart pounded violently in her chest, something was caught in her throat, and she was sure her stomach was going to collapse. She couldn't move past the large crowd around the list even if she wanted to. Her feet had stopped moving altogether, and all she could do was watch as people ran by, checked the list, and either ran on laughing and cheering or slumped away in disappointment.

Oh God, there was no way she could do this. This was madness ― there was no way she could have made it! This was absolutely ridiculous.. No, she'd wait a couple more months, and then she'd take the test again, and then she would check to see if her name was on the list. No, there was no point in setting herself up for disappointment. She would just go home and―

"Well, now where do ya think yer goin'?"

Rangiku found herself gaping up at the ever-smiling face of her childhood friend. The silver-haired Gin could only chuckle at the aghast look on her face. Placing his body hands on her shoulders, he twirled her around on her feet and nudged her in the direction of the list. "C'mon now, Rangiku. Get goin'." Three feet away from the list, he came to a stop and gave her a light push, propelling her forward.

Rangiku, still in shock, stole a quick glance over her shoulder (actually, it was more like a glare) before reluctantly turning her eyes to the list posted.

Kuroiwa Arashi

Kurosawa Mariko

Kuwabara Hoshiko

Maeda Jounouchi

Her heart throbbed in her ears at the last name in the column.

Matsumoto Rangiku

Her breathing resounded in her ears, as everything around her seemed to disappear into the background. .. She made it? Did she.. Was this for real? Did she actually make it? Was that actually her name? There was no way.. Was this..

A cold hand on her shoulder snapped her out of her thoughts. She craned her head back, wordless still from shock, to find an encouraging smile on Gin's face.

"Congrats, Rangiku."

She couldn't help but return the smile.

Word Count: 870

Dedicated to Artificial Life Creator, because her reviews made me laugh loudly and obnoxiously in my school library during Theology class. Oh yes, covering that one up for Sr. Rena was great. XD