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Poetry In Motion
the final downpour of metaphors
Chapter Two: And Here We Draw The Line
Erza wore a white button-down shirt with the long sleeves folded, reaching all the way up to her elbows and the hem tucked in a pair of jeans that hugged her lower body perfectly. She finished her getup by tying her hair high back and slipped on her favorite pair of flats. Her bag was slung over one delicate shoulder and before finally leaving her room, the redhead grabbed a couple of books—legal reference texts—which were necessary for her classes.
She had woken up rather too early this time and that was not because she was excited for school, no. It was because she wanted to avoid something as embarrassing and inconvenient such as yesterday's event. Her mature of a roommate apparently struck her right through the gut with his blunt and straightforward remarks. Well, the blue-haired demon couldn't be blamed though, it was her fault for actually heading out of the room with nothing on—except for the thin piece of material she called bathrobe. And all for what? So that she could greet him? She furrowed her brows; she really was an idiot. What was she really thinking of when she did that? What did she want to achieve? She gritted her teeth in an attempt to break the unpleasant memory down. Clearly she wouldn't want her day to be ruined by something that was already done right?
The redhead relaxed, shaking her head from side to side. If she wanted this to be truly over, she'd have to explain things to him.
Thoroughly.
Besides, she really needed to talk to him to settle not only the dispute that took place that afternoon but also because of matters regarding the share of the rent, the appliances and probably the time table for the usage of the bathroom since they only have one.
She hated the thought of having to talk to him because it was such a bother, but nevertheless it was necessary.
After this, no more. After this hopefully civilized talk, it'll be over.
It was a choice between living her college life by nursing his ego through pointless fights and arguments or staying invisible and remaining ignorant of his overwhelming presence. She chose the latter of course, being someone—according to her—with the higher level of intellect and judgment, she wasn't going to risk anything under avoidable circumstances.
Erza checked the time on her wristwatch.
7:45
I got time. Her first period will start at nine anyway.
She slowly walked towards the first door adjacent to hers and was about to knock when the back of her hand stopped halfway. If her knuckles as so much touch the wood and make a sound, there was no backing out. No escape, because what excuse would she have to say if that happens and she isn't ready? That she tripped and banged her head on his door? Simultaneously?
Erza winced at the thought and rolled her eyes as the back of her hand met the lacquer wood door with a soft thud.
"You're up early." the redhead jumped from the voice that came from behind her. It wasn't really the sultry and seductive way that he delivered the statement, no. It was how close and clear it sounded. It was almost like—
She spun around violently and was immediately greeted by her roommate's chest.
God.
Her roommate's tantalizing, wet and rock-hard chest.
"You're invading my personal space." she managed to sound convincingly irritated with that low and virile voice of hers. But who was she kidding really? When in fact, her whole system was only being supported by the door that held her jelly frame intact.
"Says the lawyer." The ultramarine chuckled, drawing closer and trapping her in the process.
"What?" Erza couldn't really get her brain to rack something logical with his towering presence. She was like a lamb at the mercy of a hungry wolf.
The ultramarine pointed out to the books that she was clutching firmly from across her chest.
"Constitution and Legal History?" he tried prying one of the books out of her grasp but a hand slapped his from doing so.
"Technically speaking, a legal management student." she seethed, her chocolate brown eyes piercing right through his hazy green orbs.
"Temper, temper."
Erza pushed him, trying her best to get her space back but was stopped by his strong stance. He barely budged at her so-called resistance and the hand pressed on his chest took all of her strength not to slide it down his pectoral muscles, passing lower to the contours of his abdominal muscles and all the way down to the—
"You're wearing something underneath that, right?" she asked while keeping her eyes from travelling down there.
Jellal smirked, tugging on the only material keeping him from being naked.
"You want to—"
She pushed him back harder this time, and the ultramarine was a bit shocked at how he was easily shoved back with just that.
"Don't you dare loosen the knot on that towel of yours or I swear I will kick you. There. And where the sun doesn't shine."
A hearty laughter resonated from the room. The man in front of her, Erza thought, was making fun of her again.
Ignoring the sudden outburst of his laughter, she took this opportunity to seal the deal and slither out of his way.
Talking to him would be worse than talking to horse shit...
She came to an abrupt stop when the small tug on her hair offered resistance.
"Wow, your hair color's pretty weird. Pretty, but weird." he took the strands and watched how the tendrils silkily glided along the pads of his long appendages. Jellal loved the smell that came from her hair.
Apples. Fresh apples. Although faint, it was still there.
He wondered if he could get a stronger smell of the fruit if he sniffed her tresses...
Erza snorted and shoved her hair aside, preventing him from making his thought come to life.
"Are you for real? You should check your hair, it's blue."
"True," he shrugged and slouched into an even relaxed position. "So, what do you have to say?"
"Excuse me?"
He pointed to the door behind her.
"You were in a middle of a mental breakdown between knocking or not."
At that point, Erza wondered if he was a mind reader. How did he know that she was having trouble with herself from a very simple and mundane choice?
She cleared her throat before checking her watch.
I still got plenty of time.
"Look," she started and loosened up a bit, shoving her books inside her bag. "I think we should discuss matters regarding...our share on the rent, and my biggest concern—the time table for the usage of the bathroom."
"Then why don't we just take a bath together then? It'll save us the problem of having to save water and the trouble of taking turns."
"I'm being serious here."
"So am I."
She frowned. This conversation was going down the drain and she didn't know how quickly this was falling. It was like talking to a mentally challenged person!
"Okay, Gerald—"
"It's Jellal."
"O...kay, Jellal," she said, testing the name while fishing out a pen and paper from her bag. "How about this? Give me your class schedule and—" she stopped midway and placed both her hands on his cheeks, effectively cupping his handsome face. "And my eyes are up here." she barked when his gaze lowered from her face down to the apparent swell of her chest. She knew her size was big, but damn, did he have to stare at those so blatantly?
Jellal chuckled.
"Sorry, I'm having trouble looking at your face because—"
"As I was saying," the redhead flicked his forehead, earning a little grunt from the man who was clad in a shy piece of cloth. "I'll be the one to adjust." Erza brought herself to force a smile despite the fact that he was being difficult.
The ultramarine shook his head, clicking his tongue as he pouted like a child. "That's not how things work you know."
"W-What?" she could feel her temper rising, her ears turning a tad bit redder than usual as her hands were balled up and clenched to tight fists.
"You should give me yours too."
"I see no point in doing that." she shot back.
"Well," he shrugged. "I'm not giving mine until you give me yours."
Her lips formed into a thin line and her brows scrunched up in the process.
The...the nerve of this man!
With a relentless sigh she finally agreed.
"Fine. Now write it down."
"I will, after I dress up." he pushed her lightly aside as he entered his room, taking the paper in one hand and the pen between his pearly white teeth. He winked at her before disappearing once again with a soft shutting of the door.
I still got time.
8:45
At the first few minutes, Erza was willing to wait for him. I mean, how long do men usually take to get ready right?
But Jellal, like the redhead had concluded was no ordinary man.
He was a sick, retarded piece of horse shit who was making her wait for the last forty-five minutes.
What the hell is he doing inside? Is he putting on make-up or something? His preparations are even longer than mine!
Erza was about to knock on his door—bang on it even, and God she could care less if it would come down. She was going to be late if this was going to keep up! The redhead was ready to pound her fist onto the door when it opened and revealed a perfectly simple Jellal, wearing simple clothes—a simple white tee, and simple cargo shorts.
"What the hell? What took you so long?" she tried controlling her voice down as she was afraid to wake the neighbors.
"What? I had to fix my hair." he proudly ran his fingers through his cerulean locks just as Erza gaped at him.
"Well I'll be damned. Did you write it down?"
"Write what down?"
"Your schedule! Are you a total—"
Jellal handed her the paper and was chuckling all to himself. It was like he was enjoying the sight of her. Well, he was enjoying every bit of her.
"Loosen up a bit will you?"
Erza breathed in and out. She tried calming herself by mentally counting.
Calm down. You don't want to rant again.
"Thank you, now that this is settled—"
"Whoah, hold it there Ginger."
"Ginger?"
"It's barely over. I have yet to present my side of the deal with you."
"Okay, I still got little time. Let's hear it."
"House rules. Curfew. Lights out at seven. Television's mine at ten, and limit the people you're going to bring with you. Most is three. Last thing I want is a ruckus."
"Deal. And your guests my liege?" she sarcastically inquired, adding a bit of insult to her statement.
"I don't bring any. If I do, it's just one."
"Okay then." she offered her right hand for a handshake and he took it casually, smirking as they held on to each other.
"So, I'll see you later at school then?" he tried suppressing a laughter at her totally clueless face.
"What—"
She checked her watch.
9:05
Damn.
She's late.
Erza Scarlet was an orphan.
She was left all alone at a tender age of seven, losing her parents to the wretched wheels of fate.
It was devastating for her of course, her beloved being taken away by car accident.
Her relatives didn't even plan on taking her in, as she was much more of a burden than a responsibility. Or so they say.
It was a huge slap to her face.
She didn't blame them though and instead of spending starless nights, crying her heart out on the window pane, she worked hard. Really hard. Erza had to apply for a job at a local bakery for financial issues, and that livelihood being managed by her best friend's parents, agreed to let her work so long as she accepts the thought of being adopted. The joy of pride was instilled in her ever since she was young, and Erza really didn't like the idea of people helping her out due to sympathetic reasons, or even empathy for the worse matter. But since her best friend's parents wouldn't accept her for the job without their say in the matter, she really did not have much of a choice.
Erza was adopted by the Mikazuchi family right after her parents' death. She was after all their son's—Simon's—best friend and to Kagura, she was like her elder sister.
The young orphan worked hours over the bakery, serving customers and taking their orders instantaneously, and during rough days, simultaneously. She didn't want to owe them anything. Hell she didn't want to owe the world anything. But living in a household of pure and kindhearted people had its perks. Erza was able to continue her studies and was able to land on a decent job at a convenience store near the city.
It was at the age of sixteen that she finally decided to leave the Mikazuchi household. There were heartfelt pleas for her to stay and even tears she was held accountable for. To Erza it was heartbreaking, although she'd deny it, Simon would never forget the night he saw her trembling and biting her lower lip to push back the traces of shed tears.
She finished high school at the age of nineteen and graduated with flying colors. Erza by that time, still had no idea of what she should pursue.
If there was one thing besides hardship that she'd learned from her childhood, it was helping out people.
It had crossed her mind that she hasn't really been able to pay back the people who had helped her out.
Or to coin it properly she wouldn't be able to help the people who helped her out.
The news came to her like the dead of the night.
She and Simon met at the convenience store she was currently employed at.
His parents had been murdered.
To Erza, she didn't know what felt worse—the fact that Simon and Kagura were now alone in the world like her, or the fact that she lost her parents, twice. Surely enough they weren't her biological parents, but they were every bit of a parent an orphan like her could ask for.
It was over the break that Erza had finally decided to take on a course for college, and as her personality and attitude had already dictated, it wasn't because she wanted the course itself, it was because she needed to take the course.
She wanted justice for her family.
She wanted justice. Period.
"Miss Scarlet, it's rare for you to be late in my class." a middle-aged man stated and although the redhead was late for class, the professor was plainly amused.
"My apologies sir, I had matters...I attended to." she explained, all the while feeling unsure of herself.
The professor motioned her to take a seat and for this, she thanked him.
Jura Neekis was a man who looked more like that of a mafia boss than a regular economics teacher—with his steady and hard gaze, the grim line that decorated his face, and that long black beard which was comparable to that of a hermit. It had intimidated the redhead and the rest of the class, but once the man started spouting jokes—which were no far better than a failure of a comedian—they realized how easy going of a person he was. It was only during exams and graded recitations that the professor was hard as a rock and stricter than usual. He was the very definition of an ideal teacher.
"Erza," whispered a blue-haired girl from her right. "why were you late?"
"Levy," she sighed, not wanting to go into details. "Trust me, it's a long, long story."
She shrank back to her seat and the petite blue-haired lady just nodded in response. As much as Erza loved the fundamentals of economics, she wasn't really in the mood to listen to the production and consumption of goods. She planted her elbow instead on her table and buried her chin on the palm of her hand, setting her gaze somewhere else.
It was when Erza caught sight of a sudden flash of blue among the green landscape of the university.
"Oh, it looks like Miss Scarlet here has set her eyes on someone gorgeous." a brunette who was playing with a pencil sing-sang, touching a sensitive nerve on the redhead.
"Cana," Levy warned, knowing full well of the redhead's temper.
"Im just saying," Cana raised her hand in defeat as her eyes followed every movement of the handsome stranger walking his way through the school grounds. "Jellal is a hottie—scratch that, he's one of the university's heartthrobs! I wouldn't really judge if you've fallen for him."
"Really?" Erza asked absentmindedly as her brown eyes watched him disappear out of her sight.
"Yeah really I mean it's no—"
"No." she corrected herself, scrunching her brows in the process. "That perverted jackass is wanted by the ladies?"
Erza almost hurled at the thought.
"Perverted jackass? He's a perfect gentleman! The very embodiment of chivalry itself!" Cana whispered through gritted teeth.
"That's not how he treats me. The first two days I've been living with him it—" Cana and Levy's eyes turned to saucers.
"L-Living with him?" Levy McGarden, being a pure girl that she was reddened from the thought of having her friend live with a man—a healthy and hormonal adult no less.
"Shut up!" Cana banged the table and the class was now looking at her. "Details! I need details now!"
"Miss Alberona," came a low voice that sliced its way through the cunning lady's ears. "I believe you wouldn't want to discuss about the law of supply-and-demand, yes?"
Cana sheepishly scratched the back of her head and shrank once more into her seat.
Erza remained deaf to the ruckus springing up inside the room and kept her eyes glued outside.
She remained like that for a couple of seconds before frowning and averting her gaze.
The last thing she needed was a distraction.
And Jellal Fernandes was every bit of the distraction she didn't need.
A/N: Happy New Year everyone! Hope everyone of you had a great 2013! Hello 2014! I've celebrated mine with a blast, ateateate and ate some more. LOL. Here's my 2014 gift to you people! Hope you don't mind leaving yours too. loveyou!