A/N: Hi everyone, please be kind! I hope it's not too OOC. What I'm thinking is something set in the 1950s-esque time period (not going to be super accurate; you've been warned.)
The Paper Boy - 01
It was quiet in the classroom except for the occasional sniffle and shuffling of paper. Lifting her head up, Nunnally looked out the nearby window at the straggly silhouettes of the naked and shivering trees before glancing up at the clock. It was unusual for him to be so late. In fact, in all her life, for as long as she'd known him, he'd never once been late. That he was, and that autumn had finally begun to harden into winter, worried her. She hoped it was only work that had insisted he stay a little longer. She didn't mind waiting, but unfortunately, she wasn't the only one, and the others may not share her good will or patience. She knew her brother certainly didn't.
Speaking of – the desk in front of Rolo screeched as his swinging legs made contact. Nunnally jumped before turning around to stare at him. Ducking his head, her twin muttered an apology, swearing that it hadn't been intentional. When he still felt her eyes on him, reluctantly, the young boy straightened up and cleared his throat. Standing up, he straightened the askew desk before slinking back into his chair.
"Sorry, Ms. Corabelle."
"You're forgiven."
Face red, he looked away at the sight of the teacher's smile. Finally turning back around, Nunnally tried to smile.
"Ms. Corabelle, we can wait by ourselves. We don't want to trouble you any more than we already have."
"That's alright, Nunnally. It's better for me to grade here. That way, when I go home, I don't want to worry about anything. Believe it or not, but not even teachers like homework."
The 7-year-old girl giggled as she caught her teacher's smile. Rolo also caught the twinkle in her eye out of the corner of his eye but continued with his charade of watching the cold autumn wind rustle the bushes and trees outside.
He'd been in a bad mood all afternoon long, and not even the prettiest teacher in school did anything to make up for the fact that he was still in school. As he buried his head in his arms, he vowed vengeance. If only he hadn't been stuck in the nurse's office when the school buses had left, he could've been home by now, dinner in his belly and his favorite TV show on. It would only be a matter of who'd be the target of his revenge – Nurse Croomy for taking so long and worrying over him so much? The bus driver for leaving without him? Or the autumn cold and how cruel it'd been to his frail health?
"Rolo," his sister whispered. "It's okay."
He only peeked out to glare at her, but when she patted his hand, his anger softened into embarrassment. He hadn't meant to keep Nunnally here too. He should've insisted she get on the bus. But she'd refused, and considering his weakened state, he hadn't had the energy to push her away. Though one could say that it wasn't entirely his fault; after all, he'd told her several times that he was fine and didn't need her. She should've just listened to him.
Nunnally considered asking Ms. Corabelle if she could go to the front office to use the telephone. She had the telephone number for the newspaper written on the inside of her diary. Maybe someone there could tell her if they'd have to wait much longer, or at the very least, reassure her that her brother was okay. Carefully and quietly setting her smart, leather schoolbag on her desk, she unfastened the buckles to retrieve her journal, when she caught the echo of footsteps from the dark hallway. They were brisk and light and quite familiar. Carelessly closing the bag, Nunnally got up from her desk as the footsteps became louder and louder. Curious, she peeked out the door and into the hallway, only to rush outside. At her squeal of delight, Rolo lifted his head up before also running out of the classroom. Immediately swept up into a hug, he tightly closed his eyes as he clung to his brother.
"Took you long enough!" indignantly cried Rolo.
"I'm sorry – they didn't tell me until fifteen minutes ago. I rushed here soon as I found out."
"It's okay," said Nunnally. "You're here now, so it doesn't matter."
"Did you wait by yourselves?"
"No, my teacher stayed with us," she replied. Setting them down, her brother straightened his clothes.
"I suppose I should go thank them then. And introduce myself like I'd been meaning to."
Eager to introduce him, Nunnally took hold of his hand and pulled him towards the warm golden light spilling out into the dark corridor. Lelouch smiled; Nunnally had always enjoyed school, but this year, she seemed to like it all the more so, all thanks to her new teacher. He'd always made it a point to personally meet with his siblings' teachers, to acquaint himself with those so influential in their futures. This year, he'd been a little delayed in the introductions, and while he didn't particularly enjoy the disadvantage of their current situation, it was also an encouraging sign that the teacher had been kind and patient enough to wait with the children.
"Ms. Corabelle!"
Lelouch felt his throat tighten and his stomach tie into intricate, impossible knots at the realization of whose classroom they were entering. Stumbling, he fought his instinct to stop short and yank on his sister's arm. Forrtunately, in her excitement, Nunnally seemed not to notice as she proudly presented her beloved.
"Ms. Corabelle, this is my brother."
Ms. Corabelle could only stare with wide eyes and in silence as she tightly clutched the folder of papers close to herself before she quickly remembered herself. Lowering her hands, she set it on the desk behind her before extending her hand and a false smile.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Lamperouge."
It was only when Nunnally urgently shook his hand that he released her to properly greet and introduce himself. Clearing his throat, he nodded. It was a pleasure to meet her as well. He released her hand quickly, his fingers and palm burning with the familiar feel of her skin. Letting his hand fall to his side, he averted his gaze, hiding behind his siblings as he urged them to gather their belongings.
Shouldering her bag, Nunnally rejoined the adults, who stood in heavy silence. Looking up at them, she innocently asked if they could take their teacher home, in case she too had missed the last bus too. Her brother said nothing, merely absentmindedly looking in her direction, until she prompted him again. Tilting her head to the side, she frowned. It wasn't like him to be like this. Had something happened?
"Oh, Nunnally, that's not necessary," began her teacher.
"It's the least we can do! Right, Lelouch?"
"…Yes."
"Please, Ms. Corabelle?" the young girl smiled at her sweetly. "We're happy to do it."
"I…suppose, if you truly don't mind…"
Ms. Corabelle tried not to flinch when his eyes suddenly snapped to hers. Cold, deep violet pierced her, but his voice was warm as he finally managed to shake off the rest of his shock and regain his composure. Even with the hair-line cracks running all across it, it would have do for the time being. He only hoped that it wouldn't give himself away any more than he already had.
"I agree with Nunnally. It's no trouble on our part."
Beaming, she hugged her brother. How wonderful! She liked her teacher very much, and the opportunity to spend more time with her excited her. Quickly, she helped Rolo gather up his belongings before taking hold of his hand and leading him to the front of the classroom and happily announcing, "Okay, we're ready."
Flanking their older brother, the twins eagerly filled the silence so that the two adults wouldn't have to. Lelouch smiled as they chattered about their day, now that the first week of second grade had ended. Their stories were nearly enough to distract him from the woman beside him, but not quite enough. As much as he tried to focus on the most recent playground gossip, he found himself acutely distracted by Ms. Corabelle.
The way she walked, her smile, the sound of her voice, the fluttering in his chest… Lelouch could hardly believe himself. Even after so many years, nothing had changed. Everything was the same, and it vexed him to no end. The hairs on the back of his neck rising, he stole another glance, the nth out of infinite, as she laughed lightly at something one of his siblings had said. It was the most beautiful sound, and it sickened him as much as it delighted him. Frowning, he stared at the ugly flooring of the school.
"Rolo, put your scarf on properly."
Rolo pulled a face but reluctantly wound the scarf around so that it was wrapped snug around him. He grumbled about how much he hated the feeling of something around his neck and how it got in his way, but the second they stepped out into the schoolyard, he was silent as he shivered from the bitter cold. Huddling close to his brother, he wrapped his arms around himself as he hurried towards the sole car sitting in the parking lot.
Lelouch guided both of his siblings towards the backseat of the car as he moved to the wrong side of the car. When he opened the door for her, Ms. Corabelle made the mistake of looking up at him. Afraid of what she saw and how it made her feel, she turned away sharply. Gathering up her long coat, she muttered her gratitude as she stepped inside.
Exhaling, she kept her eyes lowered as he crossed to the correct side of the car. Clutching her purse, she clenched her jaw, but still, she was unable to shake the feeling from when he'd looked at her in the safety of the dark with all his feelings unguarded. Had he meant to show her? Had he meant to admit to such things? Or had she simply tricked herself into seeing the things she hoped for?
"Where do you live, Ms. Corabelle?"
"On the corner of Walnut and 5th."
"Oh, you live in town! That must be exciting. I hope I can live in town one day when I'm older," dreamily said Nunnally.
"I don't," sullenly said Rolo.
"Don't you want to live with me, Rolo?" asked his sister.
"No!"
As the children seriously negotiated their living situations, Ms. Corabelle looked furtively to her left. She hadn't seen him in some time – she had made sure of that – but even so, she could scarcely believe how he'd changed. The way he wore his hair now, the crisp suit he had on, the cologne, the heavy watch, the car – there was no trace of the young boy who had broken her heart. None, except for those eyes of his.
Swallowing hard, she looked out the window, but the 3-minute drive still dragged on. She was relieved when the bright sign for Lombardi's finally appeared. Smiling, she released her seatbelt before turning around in her seat.
"Nunnally, I'll see you Monday bright and early."
"Have a wonderful weekend, Ms. Corabelle!"
"You too. Good night, Rolo."
"Good bye miss," he replied flatly.
The door was opened for her. She tried not to let her surprise show, even when he offered her a hand. Especially when she felt him wrap his hand around hers, holding her steady as she stood up close to him. Stiffly, she smiled up at him, slipping her hand free as she stepped back. Mr. Lamperouge said nothing as he closed the car door to keep the cold air from blowing in and bothering his siblings.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
He only shook his head, as if he didn't trust himself to speak. She stood hesitantly, wavering over whether to say something. The side of the road wasn't exactly ideal, nor were the two children waiting, but even if she chose to disregard those things, who was to even say that he wanted to discuss anything with her? If he told her that he never wanted anything to do with her ever again, she wouldn't be surprised. Not after what she'd done to him.
"Well. Good night, Mr. Lamperouge. Thank you again."
Daring one last look, she tried to smile as she stepped off the road and onto the sidewalk. Fishing her keys out of her purse, she started to unlock the side door leading to the apartments above the pizzeria, when she heard a car door slam shut behind her. She glanced over her shoulder, only to find Mr. Lamperouge behind her.
"I want to talk to you," he said almost breathlessly.
"No."
"All I ask is five minutes."
When she refused to give in, he implored her one final time.
"C.C."
She froze. The tone of his voice was enough for her to turn and finally look at him. Even with the dim light of the single bulb, there it was again. There he was again – the boy whose heart she'd shattered selfishly before abandoning and discarding as if he'd never mattered to her at all. The boy she'd held and who'd held her, who had listened to her and loved her as if she was one of the ones who deserved his love.
"Fine." It was all she could manage without her voice giving her away. Eyes wide to keep the tears from falling, she finished unlocking the door.
"When?"
"Tomorrow morning. Over the phone." Barely turning towards him, she said, "I'll call you."
Lelouch watched as the door glided shut and she ascended the stairs without a backwards glance. Stepping off the stoop, he watched her for as long as he could, until she vanished again before his eyes. Tearing himself away, he looked up at the four-story building, wondering which of the windows belonged to her, if he stayed long enough, whether he'd be able to glimpse her and the life she'd built for herself after so cruelly ripping out his heart. But Lelouch didn't stay long enough to find out. Climbing back into the car, he smiled at Rolo and Nunnally as he asked them if either of them would like Jann's for dinner. The children cheered, enticed by the promise of cheeseburgers and milkshakes.
"Even with weather like this?"
"Yes!"
Lelouch smiled as he turned the car towards the popular diner. He'd drown his sorrow later, once the kids were in bed. But for the time being, he'd comfort himself with their smiles and laughter. After all, if he couldn't have his own, then theirs would be his mission.
He owed them at least that much.
A/N: I hope you like it! Reviews are always appreciated :)
