This chapter is ending up a little on the longer side, so I'm splitting it up into two.
...
My second, well technically third day - if we're counting when I wandered into the school's courtyard like a zombie on a brain-free diet as day 1 - started off about the same as yesterday, and by the same, I mean totally different. I was too exhausted to bother noticing last night, but with the light of day illuminating my quaint room, it seems as though at some point while I was out walking with Kallen that my room was stocked with more essentials - clothes, self-care supplies, and an envelope with a wad of cash - hey, not a bad deal - as well as a brief note written by my jovial caregiver.
"Rai, hope your tour went well! Here is some money for food, and anything else you'd like. Buy responsibly! And good luck on your first day of school as a provisional student of Ashford Academy! You'll find your course schedule with this note. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask -" I flipped over the small piece of paper to finish reading the note "-Kallen." Signed, Milly.
I could imagine the playful gleam in Milly's eyes when writing that last part. The girl sure did know how to entertain herself. But I'm not complaining. As someone who is seemingly a dry humor enthusiast, I welcomed the chuckle that resulted from my reading that.
Getting ready for the day, I headed downstairs and out to the campus entrance. Students made their way around the grounds, travelling in small clicks and large groups all heading in different directions... All heading to... different classes... Wait, where am I supposed to go again? I thought back to the letter I opened this morning, but I don't recall any school map or directions on how to get anywhere.
"Oh I know!" I thought hopefully as I reached into my pocket pulling out the course schedule.
Unfolding the sheet of paper I scanned it once, twice, and three times over. There was nothing. No directions, no notes, just a list of classes and times and room numbers.
I shook my head in mild annoyance, "Well that's about as useful as a solar-powered torch..."
I decided to head in the direction of the main school building, hoping to run into a professor who could point me in the right direction.
As I drew nearer, I noticed a large congregation of students standing around the bottom step of the main building. Did someone get hurt and they're waiting around for help? No, that doesn't make sense. They're all looking out 'toward' the road, and I don't see anyone on the ground. It's almost as if they're waiting for someone.
Not wanting to miss out on my chance to try asking someone from this large, static assembly of students for directions - all males, come to think of it - I hurried my pace toward them.
"Are you sure she's coming in today?" One husky guy questioned.
"Yeah. Yeah! There have been sightings for the past few days, man. Where have you been?!" Responded another eager, smaller-framed student.
"Is there supposed to be some sort of visit from a pop star that was supposed to be kept under wraps until someone spilled the beans too early?" I puzzled.
Approaching the crowd of excited young men, I tried grabbing the attention of one of them.
"Excuse me, is there a way you could-"
"Hey you're blocking my view!" the angry academic exclaimed while shifting his head and gaze around me.
"View?" I replied confusedly.
"Go and find your own spot. I've been here for two hours and I've calculated that this is the best vantage point for determining when she'll be arriving. It gives me at least a .5-.25 second advantage. Just enough time for me to make my move!" the lanky academic pontificated while proudly pushing his glasses up his nose.
Okayyy. This one's no help. Perhaps another-
"You're gonna have to wait in line, man!"
"...But there isn't a line?" I pondered.
"You're in my way." Said another
"Don't distract me." Another.
"Not now!" And another still.
Well wasn't this just the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of Mt. Fuji? Looking up at the clock on the front of the main entrance, I saw that I only had 20 minutes left.
Realizing that getting directions from one of these guys was about as likely as it would be for a turtle with its limbs cut off to win a race in a pool of peanut butter, I hurried off around the crowd and made my way toward the front entrance of the building.
"Yo! Rai!" A voice shouted from afar.
Looking around in all directions, I finally detected a blue-haired boy waving as he ran toward me
I narrowed my eyes and pursed my lips while doing my best impression of The Thinker, trying in vain to recollect a name.
Seems like I really am bad with names, although in my defense, I did only meet Indigo briefly before passing out the other day.
"Hey man. It's me, you know, Rivalz."
Taking mental note of that I said, "Oh hey... yeah, totally. How could I forget?"
Seeing through my bs, he said, "Don't worry about it. It's gotta be a lot for you to take in all at once."
"Yeah..." I said, glancing toward the clock again.
After a few moments' pause, Rivalz said, "Hey man, sorry Lelouch and I couldn't make it yesterday to the student council meeting."
I waved my hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it."
"Ordinarily we would've been there, but Lelouch and I had a big match scheduled that we couldn't miss."
"A match?" I questioned confusedly
"Yeah, a match. Or more specifically, a game of chess between Lelouch and a nobleman. Boy I love when I can arrange a game with one of them!" Rivalz grinned.
Guessing what he was trying to say, I postulated, "Gambling I presume? Isn't that a little risky with someone so high up in the food chain? If you lose, you'd have to pay up a good amount; I can't imagine they'd waste their time otherwise."
"Yeah the stakes are pretty high, but I never worry."
"Why's that?"
"Lelouch is a genius strategist in chess. A victory is pretty much always in the bag, and the nobility always pay out of pride so we never have to worry about any IOU's." Rivalz mused with a smile.
Turning back to the clock, I started, "Listen, I'm not trying to be rude or anything by changing the subject, but I'm a little lost here, is there any way you could-"
"Guys! Guys! She's inbound!" Shouted a voice from the crowd.
Rival and I both turned our heads toward the direction of the cheers. In the distance, I saw a black limo heading our way.
Just about fed up with the rampant fanboyism, I sneered. "So Rivalz, let me ask you something: just who in the hell are these guys and who exactly are they waiting for?"
"Ohhh. Right, you're new here so you don't know. Those guys over there are Kallen's official fan club."
"...Her what now?"
"Fan club. You know, groupies." Rivalz replied.
"Groupies...? You're serious?"
"'fraid so" he snickered. "Kallen's a member of the Stadtfeld family. They're super loaded, and Kallen is the sole heir. Not to mention she's quite the looker to boot. Although she's too sheltered for my tastes."
Feeling slightly embarrassed and not sure what to say, I just replied, "Well, yeah, I mean I suppose..."
As much as I agree with Rivalz assessment, I don't think girls should be my main priority at the moment. What, with me being as clueless as a lost dog, that is.
Rivalz wrapped an arm around my neck and nudged my side. "Hey now, don't be shy. You can be honest. She'd be quite the catch for any lucky guy. And I hear that you've cut to the front of the line of potential candidates now that she's your official tour guide around the settlement."
Half-listening to Rivalz, I watched as the vehicle came to a stop. I stood and watched, momentarily forgetting that my time was running out to make it to class. Why? Well, perhaps I had the tiniest bit of skepticism that the delicate, sequestered girl charged with helping me restore some semblance of my memories was really the one all these guys were waiting for.
Sure enough though, there she was: stepping out of the vehicle and making her way up the stairs. As if parting the Red Sea, the congregation of attention-seekers stepped out to either side of her to let her pass.
"Hey, Kallen, it's been a while. What's up?" Quivered one hopeful guy, not having the slightest bit of skill in pickup lines.
Barely able to get his words out, another student uttered "K-kallen. Your bag looks a little heavy... You wouldn't mind if I helped carry it, would you?"
"Kallen! Remember me? I hear we have some classes together. Let's be study partners." Tried yet another.
Slightly turning my head toward my fellow classmate, I asked, "Is this an every day thing?"
"You better believe it. Although it's not always this crowded. It's just that Kallen's started coming back to school lately so the groupies have been coming in droves. It'll die down soon, though. Only the really brave ones try approaching her one-on-one once that happens. But she always turns them down."
"Strength in numbers, I suppose. Still though, it must suck being swarmed like this on a daily basis, even if it is short-lived."
"She's as tough as nails. And ice cold to boot. I don't really think it phases her." Rivalz mused.
Reaching the top step, Kallen came to a stop.
"Good morning Rai, Rivalz."
And with that, the whole crowd fell silent, and I felt the weight of a thousand death stares glaring me down.
"Oh shit." I mentally facepalmed.
"Good morning" we both replied.
"Well anyway, class is about to start, I've gotta jet!" And off he went.
And then there were two... Well, technically about thirty-two or so, but I'd rather pretend that the hopeless, puppy love mob down there didn't exist.
In a rushed pace, I asked "Uh hey, Kallen, listen - I'm a little lost here. Milly gave me a class schedule but neglected to give me any directions or a map of the school. There isn't a way you could point me in the right direction for my first class, could you?"
Now, I might have needed a microscope to be sure, but I think I detected the tiniest bit of a smile as Kallen said, "Sure." It wasn't much but it was nice to know that because of the way things ended last night, I was no longer on her bad side... Or I should say, no longer an seen as an inconvenience.
After handing the sheet over to her, she briefly examined it.
"Oh. History. That's my first period as well. I can show you the way."
Sighing with relief after this long, drawn out journey of finding some concrete assistance, I thanked her and we made our way to class; however, the weight of what could only be described as quasi-murderous intent still lingered even after we got out of the sight of the sycophants...
...
History class was about as exciting as watching paint dry. Must not be my forte, but not having any knowledge of my own personal history probably made this a sore subject for me. That was my best guess, anyway.
While I just sat in the back and observed, taking in the lesson as best I could, the professor frequently called on us, asking questions to test our knowledge. I wasn't included, probably because I was brand new and seen as a potential mental invalid. Getting called on probably sucks anyway, so I was grateful for being spared from the embarrassment.
Kallen, however, was a frequent target of the teacher's quizzing. It didn't seem like a 'he's out to get her' situation, but more of a teacher's pet kind of thing. Although he appeared to get a little too excited when calling out her name, but maybe I'm just misreading it.
Either way, her answers were spot on and flawless.
"Missing classes for extended periods of time certainly didn't dull her intellect." I thought.
As first period drew to a close, I realized that I still needed help to find the rest of my classes. Deciding it would be best to catch Kallen before she disappeared into the crowd, I quickly packed my things. I had just finished zippering up my bag when I noticed that she beat me to the punch - of her own volition, Kallen got out of her chair and approached me.
After stopping a short distance in front of me, the remaining students from our class fell silent. All sorts of eyes were on us at that moment. The male students' expressions ranged between grieving disbelief and rage, while the girls looked on with wide eyes, raised eyebrows, and faint pink faces. It really wasn't a mystery why: like Rivalz said, she was virtually unattainable and had a reputation for ignoring those daring enough to make the first move. So for her to approach the mysterious new guy of her own accord rather than the other way around was one for the books.
"I just realized you probably need directions for the rest of your classes."
It took me a moment or two, but I realized that this was the first time I had this much proximity to Kallen, or I should say, this was the first time I was able to get a good look at her without ruminations about my past occupying my head space.
There she was - standing in front of me as I remained in my seat. Blue eyes looking into mine, arms hanging straight down in front, pushing together and accentuating her - ahem - 'features' as she held her schoolbag with crossed hands, while idling with a reserved, closed posture that highlighted her curves.
"Maybe there was time for women while I stumbled my way toward discovering my identity after all..."
Noticing that my heart skipped a beat, I did my best to regain my composure by mentally reprimanding myself. "Come on, Rai, focus."
"Thanks. You're a lifesaver." I stammered bashfully as I snapped to my senses.
I handed Kallen my course schedule, and she wrote a brief set of instructions on how to get to each classroom.
Losing the battle fought between my reason and my lower nature, I gave her a brief once-over... okay, maybe it was a little longer than that. You might ask if I had any regrets about it? The answer was: 'No. Absolutely not.' However, I did wonder if I did it fast enough to escape from being noticed? Oh, who am I kidding? Of all the unknowns in the universe, there are only three true certainties in life: death, taxes, and women catching you when you're checking them out. Any amnesiac far worse off than me could tell you that.
Trying to escape the feelings of embarrassment and hoping to distract Kallen from my admiration of the view she was giving me, I asked, "So... are we still on for after school today?"
There might have been a slight bit of confusion on Kallen's end when she said, "Of course," but I played it off by saying I just wanted to double check. I'd rather shift her attention away from the fact that I was practically ogling her. What if she shut me down, relegating me to being just another member of the paparazzi, thus leaving me to fend for myself in my touring of the settlement?
I don't know if I could deal with something like that. I mean, I was technically just born yesterday, so I don't know if I'm mature enough to handle that kind of rejection yet. Give me some time to grow into this sort of thing first. Jeez.
And with that, my attention shifted back to our spectators. There was a whole spectrum of shocked faces, angry stare downs, and barely contained 'eeks!' all at once.
Would you look at that? My first day at school and not only did I manage to become the topic of the day, but I'm also already attracting friends faster than shit lures flies.
She finished jotting her notes and I gave her my thanks. I bolted out the door, ruminating about my unwanted notoriety among the masses.