Rockville Highschool [RP Zone, OPEN]

Riley's words roused Shiloh from the trance like state she had taken in. For a moment she had wondered exactly what she had gotten herself into, but she realised it all too quickly. Spicey? She could play that part. And as Riley laughed, Shiloh did inwardly, and it was hard for her not to crack a smile. never had she seen the girl smile, let alone laugh, and it was frightningly contagious.

The chants around the pair grew louder, and Shiloh noticed something unusual happen. Riley looked toward the boy beside her, almost, it seemed, for counsel. At this point Shiloh did smile, but only for a moment.
'Thank god she has someone.
And with that, Shiloh stepped back with one foot. Quite a few seniors watched on in utter disbeleif that Shiloh was even trying, but she saw somehting different in this. Like Riley, shiloh had a lot pent up too. And if this was how she got it out...maybe it would work for Shiloh too.
' Maybe I have gone insane. '

As she was pushed back once more, followed by a series of 'ooooh's from the swelling crowd, Shiloh realised she hadn't anymore time to think, not even about Riley's stunning last words that she only recalled bits of; ' like...you ' well that was an irony.

Straightening up then, Shiloh rgained her bearings and lifted her hands. She had taken a few years of Karate, but that equated little to the many years of rough and tumble she had experienced with her brother. As Riley backed away, the other students moving with her, Shiloh took the invitation, a nervous smile tweaked at the edges of her lips. Probably the most unexpected trait regarding Shiloh? she was an adrenaline junkie. Darting forward with speed comaprably sufficient to Riley's size, Shiloh swung a testing left hook at Riley's jaw.

Riley most certainly did not expect this from the girl. She in fact had never expected this. It would be the first time ever she actually fought a girl. She had fought loads of boys, a few animals such as guarding dogs, countless amounts of inanimate objects in rage and only one time her own mother which resulted in her living elsewhere for a few weeks, but other than her mom, no girls. Then, out of all the girls in the world she got into a fight with the teachers pet. Shiloh. Never did she think she would even see the day where Shiloh got angry.

As she thought, she also thought about what hand Shiloh used for writing. She had observed the girl countless times and by knowing what hand she was writing with she would know from where the first punch would come. However, too quick did Shiloh take the course of action and a left hook swing came towards Riley. Towards her head to be more specific. Riley sighed and since she already had her feet moving did she dodge it with utter ease. While Shiloh still was within recovery time of the punch, Riley stomped the onrushing Shiloh on her toes and before Shiloh had time to retrieve her arm did Riley grab it and pulled it from Shiloh's angle forward. Riley having her foot heavy on top of Shiloh's and the combined pull sent Shiloh to the ground on her stomach- just next to Riley's feet.

"Ooop! A good punch, Rapunzel, great force- but you never open a fight with a swing towards the head against a prepared fighter. The striking area is too small and you end up missing by the simplest of dodges. You should also never deliver a punch while running, as you bring too much weight into it and the loss of a miss can be severe. You focus your weight too much in the punch by doing so and it will litteraly be your fall"

Riley took a step back, allowing Shiloh to get back up. What remote touch of a smile there was on Riley's face earlier was gone entirely. The old, serious look on her face had returned and she this time not only moved her feet, but held her arms up in preparation. As smart as Shiloh was, Riley knew that whatever she thought of next it would be far from as easy to counter as the first blow. Shiloh's technique did not seem too shabby either. She just did it from the wrong stance.

Alexander groaned in utter annoyance and disblief as the girls started fighting. He shook his head, and leaned against the wall, hoping-for Riley's sake- that the fight didn't escalate beyond words.
When Riley looked back, an almost pleading gleam in her eye, Alexander could only shrug.
I help you to often, Riley, you've got to learn self-control. Alexander had always scolded the girl for her odd tendency to look for trouble.

Alexander winced as the first punch was thrown, realizing that the girl facing Riley stood no chance. Alexander looked over at the group of boys who thought that this was amazing- two girls fighting in their locker room.
What, He asked himself. They expect a lesbian make-out session after this is over?
Alexander sighed heavily, seeing himself as the inevitable brick wall. When Riley stepped back to allow Shiloh to stand up, he stepped in between the two of them, his eyes on Riley.

Before he said any words of counsel, he turned his head to the boys who were instigating the fight.
"Shut up, you twats! I'll come over there and kick all your asses!" The boys glared at Alexander for a moment, and then reconsidered any snide comments, seeing as how Alexander's place was the best hangout on a Friday night. Alexander turned his head back to Riley, his icy blue eyes falling against hers.
"Now, listen here, missy!" Alexander donned the tone of a condescending parent, but wiped it away as soon as he'd started to use it. "You're obviously better than her... Can't you just simmer down, instead of having to teach everyone who accidentally bumps into a lesson?"

Alexander turned his gaze now to Shiloh, who was still crumpled on the floor. He bent down-to the obvious displeasure of the spectators- and began to help her up.
"Sorry about her," He whispered, close to her ear so Riley wouldn't hear. "She's... Tough." Alexander found 'tough' was the only word for the situation.

Aubrey fidgeted among the crowd that had gathered at the Gym door, trying to ignore all the 'Oo's' and 'Ah's' and the pointing fingers directed at him. He brushed a lock of hair behind his ear, before finally deciding that he'd head back into the locker room. Of course, as soon as he entered, ignorant of where he was going, he ran right into someone who was bent over. Aubrey's face contorted, and he pushed the guy down with his weight, and fell on top of him.
Embarrased, he jumped up quickly, and looked at the boy sheepishly.
"Uh... Er... Sorry." He laughed awkwardly, seeing the girl to Aubrey's left place a burning gaze on him.

Alexander groaned as he found his face against the cold gym floor. Slowly, he dragged himself off the floor, and glared at the kid who jumped on him, or so it felt. To his suprise, it was the kid from earlier. 'Freakfest', was what Alexander recalled.
"Listen here, newbie! Watch where you're goin', or I'll tear that hide of yours all up and down this place!" It was an idle-and rather stupid- threat, but Alexander was to focused on the goings-on around him to put any more thought into a snide comment.

Aubrey flinched at his words, obviously afraid he was going to get struck, and when it didn't come, he stood there, as if he was a small child waiting to get scolded.

Riley frowned as Alexander got himself inbetween the two. Riley did not for a second doubt the potential fighter that hid within the kind shell of Shiloh. Not at all, but Alexander appearantly thought of Riley as the upper fighter of the two and Riley was in no mood to argue him getting in between. It was not a harmful fight anyway, Riley was just looking for a good time. She sighed, holding her arms crossed and looked away from the two. Shiloh even appeared to be as willing as Riley to fight. She after all did the opening punch.

Riley frowned once more and was about to leave, but her path was crossed by that new guy and recklessly did he fall over Alexander and Riley rolled her eyes. What else could go bad today? As Alexander then got into a raging mood she realised that things could go worse. With a sigh did she grab Aubrey by the arm and pulled him away from Alexander.

"Just stick to being nice, Alexander, that is what you do best"

She grinned and turned around, bringing Aubrey with her and leaving Alexander to caress for Shiloh with that whispering of his. She then turned to Aubrey and gently had him cornered, squared against the wall between the wall at his back, her arms at his sides and her body at his front- almost hanging over him.

"Just watch your steps, kid. Alexander is too nice to be tripped over, or anything else for that matter. Heaven knows why I care, but I do. Take it as a warning, for next time you bother Alexander physically I will remodel that surprisingly good-looking face of yours"

She took a short distance from him, allowing him to leave. Just before she turned back into Alexander's direction, she spoke a final sentence.

"Welcome to Rockville High, man"

Aubrey shuddered with obvious fright as the girl loomed over him, but he didn't avery his gaze. His eyes locked onto hers for the duration of the scolding, and he shrugged when she backed away.
Looks like I'm in for a wild ride...

Aubrey crossed his arms, and rubbed them, looking at the floor sheepishly.
"Yeah... Thanks..." He murmmered, in response to he welcome. Aubrey sighed and slid to the floor, resting his head against the wall, careful not to disturb his hair.
"I guess this'll be the same as everywhere else... 'Point and laugh', but never befriend."

...10 Minutes Earlier...

The kids put in their place, Banjamin Larter moved onto his destination, the gymnasium. His morning was ruined. Just for once, Ban wanted to go to school, not have to deal with any loudmouthed people, and just get through the motions of the school day. But that can't happen. Someone always has to ruin things. That's usually how it went at least. His hands in his pockets, Banjamin passed Alexander, the white haired partyboy. He was yelling to somebody, or maybe even talking to himself. Ban wouldn't put it passed him. But he wasn't talking to himself. Someone was yelling back towards him. Sounding less than enthused with a remark he had made. Looking up, Banjamin saw a rapid movement. A girl was charging at Alexander, and she narrowly avoided bumping into Ban again. It was Riley.

"..."

They met eyes again. This time, Riley was once again smiling. But she didn't seem too happy. At least not sincerely happy. But still, it was pleasing for Ban to see. He wasn't expecting this, so he met her gaze with raised eyebrows. Undeterred, he continued walking off, and heard her scold the boy again.

"So he's an annoyance to everybody.."

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Ban was standing in the gymnasium, with a couple kids from class. There was still plenty of time before the bell rang, so Banjamin just stood off to the side, sitting on a nearby bench. In his hand, he was busy reading up in his Anatomy textbook. As he was glancing over the latest chapter his class had gone over, he heard more murmurs from what few kids were still standing around. Then, the doors opened with a bang, and Ban glanced up at the sudden intrusion.

"There's a catfight going on outside! Check it out guys!" A boy yelled, his expression contorted into a wide grin. Immediately, the boys followed suit, and Ban was again left alone. Even from inside of the gymnasium, Ban could still hear the yells and shouts from the students outside. With a sigh of displeasure, Ban marked his page and closed his textbook. He got up and headed outside to see who was fighting.

He really shouldn't have been surprised.

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Walking through the crowd of people, the students seemed to open up to allow Ban to see what was going on. Then he saw who it was that was fighting. It was Riley. She was pinning another one of Ban's classmates up against the wall. It was one of the clean cut students. Shiloh something. Off to the side, Ban could make out Alexander looking worried, about to jump in to stop the commotion. Ban thought that'd be typical of someone like him to do.

Ban was close enough to hear most of their conversation, and saw something really strange. Riley was laughing. Shiloh had a stern look, but still couldn't hide all of her nervousness. Ban figured that in a moment, one girl would be severely hurt. That just wouldn't sit well with Ban. But still, he was interested in why they were fighting. Ban didn't think that the two of them regularly conversed, or had hung out in the same crowd. But most of Ban's attention was staying with watching Riley. There was something about the way she was presenting herself at that moment. Normally, she was angry and distant, quick to anger and instigate anyone. But now, she seemed almost normal, and happy. Even though she was in a fight. Ban figured that must have been because she was doing something that she enjoyed. Bullying. Ban also noticed something else. When she wasn't acting angry and scowling...she was pretty.

Then Alexander came and broke up the fight, and was soon taken down by some other clumsy idiot. Riley made some sarcastic comment, and Ban realized that the fight was probably over. Thank god for that. He hated large crowds and yelling. The mob started sifting away, onto the next thing, and Ban saw Riley talking to the kid. Ban didn't recognize him. Most likely, he was a new kid. He looked funny.

Irritated, bothered, and yet interested, Ban tore himself away from the scene and began walking away. But not before once again giving a glance to Riley. And another to Alexander and Shiloh.

Shiloh's breath left her for just a moment as she fell to her knees, placing one hand before her to brace the fall. her other hand remained clenched and she held it, and her forarm, just above her head to block any incoming menuever Riley might throw upon her. As Riley's words met her ears, Shiloh eased up a bit, and she realised Riley wasn't trying to hurt her. No, the girl may have been a bit mean, but not entirely malicious. Propping her body onto one knee, Shiloh shifted her weight onto a foot she planted, and was about to heave herself up when a young man, his name she didn't know, stepped between the two. He offered her a hand, and spoke words that were kind but Shiloh , for the most part, ignored both affairs, and pushed herself up. Half ignoring the boy, her sensitive smile returned. and she felt slightly embarassed in front of her classmates who had seen her take such a fall. Without glancing at their waiting faces, Shiloh eyed Riley.

" Sorry. I'll watch where I'm going next time. "

She said, turning and pushing through the people who stood, still stunned, watching Riley and the two young men who stood beside her. When she walked by, Shiloh caught another young man watching Riley, in an almost trance like state. This brought an odd comfort over Shiloh.
'All she has to do is smile...the guys come running.'

Suddenly the final bell rang. Shiloh was still a few halls away from her class. She grimaced and picked up a quicker walk.

" Shit. "

She couldn't afford to slack off in her final year, she had done her fair share of it as a Sophmore once she had gotten comfortable in the school. Her father didn't have the money to support her here, and she was well aware her grades were the only thing keeping her riding. Right now it seemed her riding was the only thing keeping sane. Thinking back on the 'fight' in which she had just partaken, she doubted that reasoned sane might not be the proper word.

Noticing her location, Shiloh straightened herself out, and combed through her slightly rustled blonde hair with small thin fingers. Finally she stepped into the room. The art teacher was a young man whom she had never seen before.
'Must be new.'

She was met with a broad smile, and a nonchelant flick of his hand toward an open table. Each table was designed to hold two people, and hers was empty, half way to her releif.

" Name? "

Shiloh looked up confused, before it hit her.

" Name? Oh..Shiloh. Shiloh Ritchie "

" Shiloh! I was wondering if you would show. We're waiting for only two more, now. "

Shiloh sighed and stared down at yet another contact card, but instead of filling it out she flipped it over and began sketching what turned into the profile of a horses head.

In one hand, her left one did Sami hold a string of her hair, having it toyed between her fingers and twirled. The sensation of wet hair had always fascinated the woman who had just gotten out of the school shower in the girls locker room. She smiled at herself with uttermost satisfaction for showering was one of the blessings in life. The warm sensation of water against skin and the whole scenario with shutting the world out which she was sure there was other than herself finding satisfaction in.

Her other hand, the right on that is, held a book written in german, a translation of a book written by an american author. It was the philosophy of dreams and the imagination that men and women was blessed with. It was definately interesting reading and it had Sami caught up in it for time indefinately. Having one hand entertaining itself with her hair, she had the other one holding the book in front of her and she read as she walked and exited the girls locker room.

The woman had a red top-like silk shirt and a pink skirt to go with that. The skirt which did not reach anywhere near the kneecaps and in the eyes of most would have been considered terribly short. Her shoes, odd ones did carry a certain resemblance to those which you could see on gnomes in old irish tales. What did differ them the most from the gnome boots was the fact that these was not green, but red. Over her arms did she have what people would call sleeves. These although was not connected to her top, nor other parts of her clothing and instead was a seperate, independant pair of clothing. The same, strong red color did they have and was held at place on her arms with leather bands with straps.
Her hair, other than the one string which she was playing was put up in the most remarkable way. Her hair which was normally down behind her butt and further was put up in a yellow, japaneese holder for the hair. Her hair was of such length that Sami had it put up in a circle over her back which surprisingly enough both comfortable and handy. It did not come in the way, it was put up and it was also gave her a quite unique daily hairstyle. At least in these parts of the world. Cross an ocean or two and this way of keeping your hair could likely be found more commonly.


All details set aside, this was Sami's first official day as an observer of the american schools. She had been introduced to the school itself a few days earlier and she had been given a passage card allowing her to come and go to each and every one class that was held. After having visited her refreshing lover, also known to some as 'the shower' she had her destination set. Just before entering the shower had she looked at the school plans for the day and she had admitted herself interested in watching the gym period. With the destination determined, all she did now was walk until she reached the location.

The walk was not long and as she closed up did she fold her book and held it in her hand sealed shut. She noticed how a larger crowd was making their way towards gym and they spoke enthusiasticly about something that she to all shame did not understand and she guessed that with the bell that had just rang, it meant that the class was about to start and perhaps were they just excited about getting started. That was after all a common thing among students, at least from where she came. She smiled at them all and she was one of the first to enter the gym hall where the man she had learnt went by the name of Mr. Lotter was having this period of gym. She thoughtlessly gave him, as well as the already present students a smile as she walked to one of the seats that was placed in the hall and sat down. She placed her one leg over the other and both her hands over the now upper leg. In her lap was her book and she leaned a little forward to show her interest in the class from where she sat, smile on her face.

Leslie stood with a big smile in front of this Izsak character and to her frustration as she was to shake her hand did she feel the annoying vibration in her pocket which she so much hated. Her cell gave out a very discreete, buzzing sound and something as simple as that made Leslie blush infront of the cute boy that she just was about to make a custom to. She beduffedly ran her hand down her pocket and searched it as if it was a big black hole, infinite at room and impossible to find anything in. She picked her cellphone up and she looked at the identification screen at the words that scrolled it in a marquee. Dorian "Dad" Rick it said and Leslie blushed and looked into the eyes of this Izsak. She quickly put the phone back and grabbed Izsak's hand kindly. She placed his picture in front of him and she smiled at him.

"I'm sorry, but I might have to take this. Let me first tell you that this picture of yours is amazing. I'm very fond in art myself and hand-drawings is one of many sides that I love. What you have drawn is quite impressive if I may say so myself and I could not make it any better. You should take great pride in this and make no changes"

She broke eye-contact with another blushing motion as the cellphone buzzed again.

"I am so sorry for having to make my leave like this and I dearly hope you and I will meet again as late as today. It is my dad on the phone and he only calls during lesser emergencies of all kinds. My name is Leslie by the way, Leslie Rick.... Ah wait, I told you that already. Well I will talk to you later and hopefully that being today.... aaand I have already said that as well..... I will just..... go now"

Quickly and without waiting for a response did Leslie turn around with a red-filled eye of embaressment. She quickly dug her cellphone back up and she walked towards the exit and as she had rushed trough the classroom, at the turn out trough the door she had it picked up and connected the call. With a quick word did she disappear out of sight and last thing heard was:

"Dad?"


/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /


Walking trough the hallway, the frustrated Leslie tried holding a conversation on the phone with her father. She swiftly dodged what people she passed as she was heading for art class.

"DAD! DAD! Please dont tell me you called me for THAT? DAD! Oh God, dad! Just so you know, you just wrecked up what glimpse of hope for a social life I have had in weeks....-- Dad, no, do not do that! You will only tangle yourself into trouble- You should know that you called in the middle of a conversation I had, a common interest one!-- No not like that, you have to take it over and trough, not around and trough or you will just mess up the shape-- Yes, dad, if you have to know, it was a boy. What? Yes, he was cute. I have no idea if he is single, no dad-- Dad, you have to tense it up on the top. Yes, I know how tight it has to be to stick. You will either deal with it or go without-- What? Noooo, I will not take the boy home for dinner. What? Noooo, if you come over here to deal with it for me, I will invent a way for children to divorce their parents--"

Leslie after having walked trough a most embaressing hallway conversation on her phone entered the art class. The final bell had rang and she had been on the phone with her father ever since she exited the room and for the many minutes it took for her to get to the art class. She opened the door, but was still not done on the phone.

"Dad! I have class now!-- No, you should go with the black one. It goes well with your white shirt and..-- NO, dad! I have not changed my mind about the boy, GOD! I only spoke to him for a few....-- Yes, the completely black one. The one with the line looks like something Goofy dug up from his addict....-- DAD! I have class! Call Min instead, she knows about ties as well-- DAD! I have..."

She paused and noticed how the entire art class had given her a big glare, she being one of the few not having arrived yet. Her cheeks once again turned rose-red in a blush and she shut her mouth which was now gaping out of embaressment. She noticed how not far from the door the girl from before sat, Shiloh. A chill ventured trough Leslie's spine as she had for the third time in not even the length of two periods made a fool of herself. Even worse, done so with that girl Shiloh watching. She placed her cellphone against her ear and closed her eyes tight.

"And on my death rune it will say 'Died out of shame'. Bye dad, good knowing you"

With those words she hung up, walked over to one of the few free slots and had a seat next to the girl Shiloh. After having seated herself, she slammed her head into the desk and stared into the wooden table that now was the location where she had deployed her head. The teacher was about to speak but Leslie interrupted his sentence and raised a hand up into the air and then spoke:

"Leslie Rick here"

Alexander pulled his shirt down in an attempt to de-wrinkle it, and winced as the bell rang. He really didn't want to be there right now, seeing as how he didn't have a lot to do... The boy leered at Ban as he walked by, a new resentment welling up inside of him.
I'm so not going to like that kid...
Alexander shrugged to himself, and turned towards Riley, who was walking away from the new kid. Alexander smiled at Riley, waved sarcastically, and took off the opposite direction of the gym, intending to cut class, most likely until Drama, which was right after Gym.

Alexander turned a sharp corner, and pushed a door open quietly, and found himself looking down at the football field. A set of stairs led down to the sidewalk below, with two brick hubbas on both sides. Alexander quickly shuffled down the steps, and hid himself on the otherside of the left hubba. He placed himself in the corner, and resigned to wait, seeing as how Riley wouldn't skip with him today... And it was the first day, so he doubted anyone would actually be outside.

--------------------

Aubrey pulled himself up from the ground when the bell rang, and ruffled his hair. He looked around, and found that this time no one was paying him any attention.
That's worse than being oggled at... Of course, Aubrey shrugged to himself, and decided to find a better place to sit instead of stand in the middle of the doorway. With no idea of what he was doing, he meandered into the Gym, and set himself down on a bleacher out of the way, hoping that the day would go buy alot faster than it was.

The crowd had scattered, leaving Riley as one of the few that stood still. She had a look around, to where Alexander had headed but also to where the rest had gone. She stood quiet and then turned and faced the new kid, Aubrey. She watched him get up and go into the gym, for the last signal of a new period had just rang and those who cared headed or was already located in their class. Riley looked once more in the direction where Alexander had headed and she shrugged to herself, following his 'footsteps'.

Staring into the floor did she walk trough the hallway and people scattered from her path whenever she approached. She loved the feeling of being respected, or in this sense was it perhaps feared? Either way did it grant her a lot of room and she did not have to worry about walking into any more people. She did wish for the fight between her and that Shiloh to last longer, for it was long since anyone at all stood up against Riley. She put her hands behind her head and tilted her head backwards as she walked. It was getting quite boring around here and the one really interesting thing that had occured did Alexander put a foot into and interrupted. Why did she care about that guy anyway? He was nothing special compared to all others. She could just as well care about Banjamin, Niles or perhaps even that new guy. Or why did it have to be a guy? Shiloh had opened Riley's eyes today, for she never thought she had it in her. An untamed beast was how Riley's mind referred to the girl.

She walked trough the door which Alexander had passed and she took a turn, sighing.

"Remind me again why I care, Alexander?"

Riley leaned against the wall and rolled her eyes while having her arms crossed, not looking at Alexander or even standing by his side. She knew he was there and that he could hear her, like he was and has many times before.

Alexander glanced up, suprised the Riley had decided to join him.

"Because," He called, rounding the stairs and coming back up to join her. "I'm stunningly attractice," He threw a nonchalant shrug into the air, as if it was blatantly obvious. "Don't worry, though, it gets through to everyone." Alexander smiled, and slid to the wall, taking up a spot beside her.

"So what shall we do, this fine day?" Alexander yawned heavily, and rummaged around in his pockets to see if he had any cigarettes... He didn't, of course. Not that Alexander really smoked anyway, he was a social smoke, and he just did it to do it, when there was nothing else to do.

"You know Alexander, it is those kind of remarks of yours that makes me want to punch you"

She looked blankly ahead, out at the open field and the blue sky. It was clear blue and cloudless. She rested her head aganst the wall and placed her hands into her pockets. She thought for a while about what he had said and asked her and she just silently stood there, using the wall as back support and in the most sloppy way had her hands in her pockets. For a moment did the girl drift of into her own thoughts and she smiled discreetly to herself when she remembered that her birthday was not far from this day. She then lost that smile of hers, which did not last for long anyway, for the same reason that it appeared.

"We could always make out"

Riley shrugged, not have the slightest sign of a smile on her face. She did not even give Alexander a glance as she said it and just looked straight ahead, moving not a muscle. Despite what many would think about Riley and the way she acted around Alexander, she was not romantically interested in the guy. She knew that rumors spread in whispers that she left Niles for Alexander even though that was not even remotely true. He was the one that had left her and she sighed to herself as she looked up into the sky before closing her eyes.

The feeling of the sun staring down at her closed eyes was sensational. A soothing feeling that helped her to relaxe in the most tense of sitations. Not that she was tense even the slightest at this moment, but a soothing feeling was always welcome.

A hand was raised in the air. “Here” A soft, quiet, velvety voice broke the silence. Hisa had chosen the last seat in the first row, the one closest the door. She quietly stared out the window, watching some students chat casually with their friedns. She rested her head in the palm of her hands. The first day of school was always boring.

’The teachers always do the same thing. They take role, talk about who they are, and then give us a free period, maybe even a movie. How boring.’

The classroom slowly became noisy, people introducing themselves, or just talking to their friends. Hisa sighed and brushed a few strands of hair out of her eyes.

Keeping to herself, she quietly took out a piece of paper and a pencil and started sketching what she saw outside of the classroom. After about 20 minutes, the classroom had become unbearably noisy, but somehow, she managed to complete her drawing.

She took out a thin black pen and started outlining it, carefully. Just when she was finishing outlining, a boy bumped into her arm, making a black line right through the middle of her paper.

Of course, the boy didn’t realize it, and kept of talking with his friends. She sighed, about 25 minutes of work out the window. She crumpled her paper up and threw it in a trash can. This was probably how it was going to be for the whole year, people stepping all over her.

She packed up all her things and slouched over her desk. Graffiti was all over it, etched in it were some profanities and the usual ‘I hate this school’ She rested her head on her arms and drifted off in a light sleep.

(sorry if I'm totally not following the storyline, but I can't tell what period it is ^^')

"With you? And get all your cooties? Ew, no thanks... I'll take my chances with used Heroin needles and comdom-less sex, thank you very much."

Alexander raspberried his tongue at her, sticking his thumbs in his ears and waving his hands back and forth, before falling back against the wall, laughing his head off.
Sure, Alexander would jump at the chance, if he thought Riley was interested in him. Though, he knew that most girls though he was to loud and obnoxious to hold a steady relation ship, Riley probably was the same. Alexander scuffed the ground with his shoe, still grinning about their conversation.

Riley took her head down from facing the sky and silently listened to Alexander's response, looking at him. As his mocking response had been delivered and he had slid down the wall in a laughing manner did she look down towards the ground. Her face as serious as always, she looked at the palm of her right hand. She then clenched her fist and again looked towards Alexander. She rolled her eyes as he was done lauging and at the time when all he did was grin she bashed her clenched fist into his head with a thud, not a strong impact but not weak either. She then frowned and looked straight ahead again. She again ran her hands into her pockets and closed her eyes.

"Nothing wrong with my cooties"

She spoke the words almost angrily and frowned once more as she with her eyes closed bit her lower lip and then slowly slid down to a sitting position by Alexander's side. Perhaps was it his unserious way of dealing with Riley, or the way he always stood up for her, or perhaps was it because she saw parts of the person she wanted to be in him? She shrugged the thoughts of with her shoulders and rested her head against the wall behind her with her eyes closed. She was not a philosopher and should not do thinking like one. If she cared, she cared, nothing more to it than that.

Alexander flinched when he saw the fist coming down out of the corner of his eye, and rubbed his head where he hit her.
"Meanie-face." He taunted, and smiled at her words.

"Nothing wrong with my cooties."

Alexander chuckled for a second, and saw that the was rather serious about it.
"Hey, of course there isn't!" He smiled, and glanced over at her, his head turned to the left. "You're perfect, don't let anyone tell you otherwise..." His head rolled back straight as he stared out over the football field. Alexander had spoken with his heart, and meant every word he'd said... In that last sentence, that is. Alexander found his right index finger tracing something in the dirt, but didn't look down to see what it was, until it was finished that is. Blushing, he made a rather obvious movement of wiping the dirt away, and sat back straight.

Riley oped one of her eyes narrowly and looked towards Alexander as he spoke. She then turned her head to the right tand looked at him as he was finished. Her eyes then directed themselves downwards to the dirt, as Alex brushed the ground to cover something up. If Riley was a bit brighter she would probably figure out what that dirt brushing was all about.

"Do you know me at all? Anyone who would say otherwise would have their face remoddeled. But.. hrm.. thank you. You know, if you werent such a coward I would likely have kissed you for that comment"

She did smile towards him before she looked straight ahead again. All this sweet-talk was not at all like her, but it was probably the comfortable sun messing with her head. Or she had been around Alexander too much and his whimpy behavior had continued onto her. Whatever it was, she was not sure if she liked it or not.

She spontaniously grabbed Alexander by his left arm's wrist and lifted the hand up, tilting her head to the side and looked at it. This was of course randomly out of boredom and with no actual intentions. Her grip around his wrist was rather tight, but with gentle touches with her free hand did she play with his fingers as she spoke. She did not have any intention, or actual point with what she spoke of either- she just rambled on about anything and nothing specific.

"I have been thinking, Alexander. Mostly about how you could ever put up with me, but just about as much about why I stick around you. I mean, you are not interested in me in a relationship, romance kind of way. I know this because you sticked around before and even during my time with Niles. Then you always mess with me in different ways, tease me and mock me. I am not the brightest girl in school, but I can tell things"

She paused for a moment, silently continued to play with his fingers as she continued. She paid surprisingly close attention to the hand, looking at it from different angles.

"Then we have my side of the coin. I have no idea why I stick around you. I am not sure I even like you. Yet, you have this way of always being there. You also have a way of always saying the right things. The times you say nothing, or the times when you joke a situation away, even though you do not spell it out you give out the right thing in some type of likeable energy. What I mean is, I do not think I have any interest in you in that kind of way that would make one boyfriend girlfriend. At least I think not.

Am I wrong? Can we not be us? Or.. I mean, would there ever be? Not saying it will.. ever.. but would it be hopeless?"

She had the same old serious look on her face as she for a moment stopped playing with his hand. She turned her head and looked at him with an almost troubled look in her eyes. She sighed and her face was doubtlessly emotionless, even though her eyes appeared quite questioning.

I mean, you are not interested in me in a relationship, romance kind of way... Can we not be us... but would it be hopeless?

For minutes, Alexander played her words over and over in his head. He wished he could say something-anything- but the words didn't form on his tongue. In silence, he thought of a thousand things he wanted to say, he wanted to scream, but finally he came up with something...

"Don't say that... Nothing is ever 'hopeless'. There's always hope. It's what keeps us going, y'know? Without hope... There wouldn't be a sense of longing in our hearts. We'd never want, we'd never dream..." Alexander shuffled, his philosophical preaching making him slightly uneasy.

If you only knew... Alexander sighed heavily, but flipped over another piece of paper and smiled.
"We stick with each other because we're all we've got. Sure, I have my parties, and you have your-" Alexander thought for a moment, suddenly wishing he hadn't used this simile. "Er... Fists." Alexander winced at the poor analogy.
"What I'm saying is, we're always there for each other, and that's what keeps us coming back... Listen, if this topic bothers you, then don't worry about it! Just let it blow away with the wind, and we'll see where out path takes us..." Alexander was mentally stabbing himself for passing up a chance to actually get closer to Riley, but he didn't want to profess his... crush, not yet at least.

"I see"

She sighed, having a remotely sad and discreete face, placing his hand back down into the dirt from where she had grabbed it and rubbed it against it, guessing that was what he did in the dirt earlier. She thought about what he had said and some of the words repeated themselves in her head. She rested against the wall with her eyes closed and her face upwards to the sun. She thought about what he said and the words 'Nothing is hopeless' was repeated in her head. In other words, the chances of hope barely, if at all existed. She knew that when one used those words, what they truelly meant was that the hope is at a minimum.

As she kept thinking about the rest and how he had suggested that they would change the topic, in a most subtle way to add, she sighed and faked a most minor smile towards him, still having her eyes closed. Not wanting to talk about it was an obvious sign of no interest and she had her already fake smile fade away. She placed her arms crossed over her legs and rested her chin and head on her arms. She did not say anything more than the early 'I see' that she had spilled out when he had finished his speech and instead allowed her imagination drift of into the world of possibilities.

Normally she would have punched him for using her fists as an example of all she had to give to the world, but she really did not have herself bothered in it for the time being. No, her mind was cluttered with other thoughts.

Alexander lifted up his now free left hand, and rubbed his eyes, utterly dissapointed with how everything'd turned out.

Why can't you just tell her, Alexander?! Where is the harm in that? Alexander rummaged through his thoughts trying to form his affection into words.

Her friendship... If I lose that, I'll be alone again. Alexander found his right index finger tracing again, and this time he knew the outcome. Without stopping to erase it, he let it finish and stood up, walking over to the stairway, his form leaning into the handrail.

"I'm sorry..." Alexander murmmered, but it came out loud enough for her to hear. "I-... I just don't know what to say." Alexander continued to stare out at the sky, his heart drumming rather fast.
On the groun next to where he was sitting, was the word Riley scribbled into the sand.

"And it's over! Larter wins the race!"

For gym class, the teacher's bright idea for the day was to have the students go out to the track in the back of the school-yard and have several 100 meter dashes until the period was over. This was so typical of the physical education staff. Fat lazy people who only sat around and yelled at the kids to do something. These kinds of people were always so annoying. Power hungry idiots, who get only pleasure from enforcing their authority over anybody - no matter who they were. People who demanded respect when they didn't deserve it were always the most annoying of people.

So when Ban won the race, and without a word to his competitors he headed over to the nearby water fountain. Mr Graves, the gym teacher, saw him leaving the pack, and with his usual guttural voice, yelled out "Hey Larter! Where do you think you're going!" Ban closed his eyes, annoyed at such a question.

He raised one hand over his shoulder and yelled without looking back, "I'm getting a drink."

Graves was looking forward to a comment like that. He thrived off of trying to put students in their place. Like he was some sort of higher being. Clipboard in hand, he pointed over to the black haired student and yelled "You should ask for permission!" At this point, Graves was slanting a goofish grin.

Ban rolled his eyes. Why should he have to ask to get water? Hydration was important. Some people in this school were just so annoying. Why do they have to continually talk? Thinking about something like that made Banjamin clench his fists, and he continued to head towards the direction of the fountain.

"I didn't find it necessary!" He yelled nonchalantly. He made it to the fountain, and the water tasted great and refreshing. But Graves wasn't through, and the oafish man yelled over to him "I don't like your attitude Larter! Just head inside! You're through here!"

Banjamin didn't even need to respond to that. He gladly left. Several students stood gaping at the small confrontation, expecting Banjamin to yell something back, but he just didn't have the energy. He headed on inside, hands at his side. He looked at his watch. There was still twenty minutes left in class, so he made his way back to the boys locker room, where he changed back into his regular clothing. As he left, he wondered what he would do to keep himself occupied for the next few minutes. He decided he'd take a walk outside, and headed quietly outside of the door. He took a seat below his favorite tree and began, flipping through his Anatomy book once again. Halfway down a page, he heard voices having what he thought sounded like a conversation. It sounded like two people were talking just outside. Class cutters. Probably two little freshmen trying to be rebels. Ban thought he would take a look to see who it was, and tell them to keep it down. He hated when people thought that they were too cool. And he hated when people were disrupting his reading.

He got up from the ground and headed towards the otherside of the wall. He turned the corner, and really shouldn't have been surprised to see Riley and Alexander sitting down chatting away.

"These two again..." He said to himself.

But Ban raised his eyebrows. They looked like they were having a serious conversation. The thought made him laugh. These two? What were they an item? The Tough girl with the warm center and the partying bisexual loudmouth?

"Excuse me. But could you two keep your voices down? I'm trying to read."

Ayame needed this. She sat down under a shady tree and watched the clouds. A light breeze blew past, making the tree ruffle a bit. She couldn’t believe what she was doing. She was ditching class. This was the first time she did this, so she was a little frightened at first. But soon she realized that campus security didn’t really care.

She took out her sketchbook and charcoal pencil. She began sketching a bird that was sitting on the roof of a building. She sketched the bird precisely; it looked so realistic. She finished the last of the building and erased any unnecessary marks.

She took out her phone. Class still wasn’t out for about half an hour, so she had plenty of time left. She sighed and put away her sketchbook, which was almost full.

’Get a new sketchbook. she reminded herself.

Still bored, she pulled out a camera from her bag. Not just any camera, the skinny kind, but a photography camera. She turned it on and pointed it to the clouds. She adjusted the focus and lighting and took a picture. She went to look at it and smiled. It was a pretty good picture, good enough to make her smile. She looked around her; there was a kid studying, and a couple chatting. She pointed her camera in the direction of the couple and took a quick picture when they looked the happiest.

She then focused on the boy reading, or studying. She took a quick picture of him as well. They both were pretty good pictures, both she could frame and place somewhere. But Ayame couldn’t help but overhear the boy speak.

“Sounds kind of arrogant if you ask me…” she mumbled to herself.

Riley looked at Alexander as he sat where he did and did what he did. As he then got up, Riley followed him with her eyes and in truth she expected him to just leave the zone without a word. When he then stopped by the stairway, Riley was in a way reliefed. Mainly because she did not want to be alone, likely because of how utterly boring it would be. Riley listened to what he said and shrugged to herself over his apology. She looked up at the sky with him and as she placed her hands on her sides to get to a more upright position, she could feel contoures in the sand from where Alexander had fingered. She lowered her head and had a look, reading the sandy inscription.

-iley

Inwards, she smiled, but she kept her serious look on her face and just pretended not having seen the words Alexander had written in the sand. Instead she had her hand run over the inscription and brushed her name out of existance. She then, with her normal serious look turned her head towards Alexander and looked up at him from where she sat to where he stood.

"You dont know what to say? That got to be a first"

She paused, looking the other way and as she had her face turned away from him, she grinned to herself and spoke once more, holding her hand over where he had scribbled her name.

"You have always been a coward, Alexander"

Before she could do anything more, the voice of Banjamin had her frozen at place and mind. Her eyes widened and she frowned at his comment of them should keep their voices down. He was not even supposed to be here, he had class. She wished to retaliate in the same way she always did, with sharp words and angrily behavior, for that always gave her the room she desired. But for now did she just sigh and as much as she wanted to did not look in Banjamin's direction. Instead she just sighed, keeping her face turned away from both Banjamin and Alexander.