Posting parts I of II.

Part II is under review. I'll post it during Easter. Hoping to recover some of my old readers but I doubt it.

Chapter 7.

(Caelum)

#

School Week Five. Wednesday morning.

I didn’t get out of bed so much as fall out of it.

My body ached and screamed as I made my way to the shower.

It was feeling only a little better by the time I was dressed.

I was able to shuffle to the dormitory’s cafeteria, grab a cold sandwich that I washed down with lukewarm tea, then return to my dorm room for a final touch up, before meandering down to the building’s exit.

Caprice wasn’t waiting for me at the foot of the steps.

That wasn’t unexpected. Her attitude toward me had been frosty after lunch yesterday. Haruka and her cohorts had worn complicated looks whenever they looked at me, as though they couldn’t decide whether to pity me or be angry with me. When Caprice wordlessly departed the classroom at the culmination of homeroom, the trio had followed closely on her heels, again shooting me conflicted looks.

It was clear that something was up.

I hadn’t forgotten that business at the shoe lockers when Haruka scared me away.

My gut told me they were hiding something from me.

Deep down, I had an unsettling paranoid suspicion that somehow, by some utterly improbable twist of fate, Caprice and company had witnessed my escapade with the Countess during lunch, and that had set her off.

I wasn’t entirely oblivious.

I had noticed Caprice barely tolerated the Countess, and resented Simone dominating my free time.

Perhaps it was fortunate she didn’t attend training last evening at the underground facility, because Simone happened to make a surprise visit. The Countess watched the two hours of training from the observation deck, drinking tea and eating crumpets while I was chased around the immense cavern by the dynamic duo of Maya and Rina. On the downside, not having Caprice around meant there was no one to take the heat off me when I faced the two girls.

My only consolation was that it took them a few minutes longer to take me down.

My ability to manipulate the Kaiser’s gauntlet-blades and to control barrier-fields was getting better, but I was still being pummeled in the two-against-one scenario.

Also, I’d noticed I wasn’t able to summon the same power and skill that I’d used against Celica in the Vault chamber. I could feel it was there, just out of reach, yet no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t get to it.

As I’d expected, Simone was there to comfort after getting my butt kicked. She congratulated me for taking the beating like a man and not complaining. I suspected she’d enjoyed watching my torment.

I was too tired to banter with her like we usually did, and she noticed. One aspect about girls, they can read the mood in a heartbeat. I didn’t intend to sour the mood between us, but I was troubled by Caprice’s behavior, and Simone wasn’t making me feel any better.

In the end, she bade me goodbye at the dormitory steps as I wearily entered the building.

When I glanced behind me, I noticed she was still standing at the foot of the steps, wearing a faintly troubled smile.

Again, I had that innate suspicion that she knew something that I didn’t.

So in summary, I wasn’t surprised Caprice wasn’t waiting for me at the entrance.

As I walked to the high school building, I chose to go the long way rather than cut through the donut shaped cafeteria. I wanted the extra time to think, so I followed the paved footpath around the east side of the high school building. Plus, the walk did me some good, slowly limbering my aching muscles.

I was bothered by the secrets around me.

Secrets regarding my Fragment.

Secrets regarding my psychopathic sister.

Secrets surrounding my family.

I had this troubling feeling that my family wasn’t as regular as I believed they were. It was just something about the way Celica had talked about me, and about herself. Something that felt like a finger prick that wouldn’t heal, wasn’t painful but bothersome. Unfortunately for me, Arisa wasn’t being forthcoming.

She was another woman with secrets.

I was surrounded by clandestine women.

And I was troubled by how little I knew of Caprice.

I knew her favorite foods, entertainment genres, books, and color. I knew she had good grades, was quite well versed in the lore of the Prides, Fragments, and Artifacts, and that she’d saved my life twice with a kiss.

But…what did I know of her background, her family, her origins…or motives.

I’d looked up the Steiner name, and there were quite a few Steiner’s of note, but the biggest one was the Steiner Family that controlled the immense Steiner Conglomerate, one of the largest companies in this region of planetary systems and the Hurakan Nebula. Maybe Caprice was related to them, but then again she’d said she was an orphan. On that note, how much faith could I put in those words?

I was troubled by how little I knew her, and understood her.

Then I was unsettled by my suspicions and fears.

After trawling through the allocated homework, I jumped onto the Nexus last night and looked up sites that delved into the behavior of teenage girls. I read some disturbing articles and questions posed by guys troubled by their girlfriends’ behavior.

The more I read, the more my uncomfortable I grew.

Eventually, I shut the smartdesk down and went to bed.

I didn’t fall asleep until late into the night.

I’d been walking with my eyes downcast, but when my Awareness-field tingled, I looked up down the path. The field was no more than a few feet in radius, but I’d noticed it had a habit of amplifying my other senses, so I heard the commotion before I saw it and that made me look up.

A groups of male and female students walked to the high school building, but I noticed that some of them had their attention locked on one student.

She was a girl with long, blonde hair that fell to the middle of her back. It swayed seductively in the breeze generated by the unstable environmental control with Habitat One.

I picked up my pace and walked closer to the girl, running my gaze up and down her lithe, and very sexy figure.

I was surprised to see her walking in heels, since only the Countess and the Princess were known to traipse around the Academy in footwear that wasn’t regulation.

It was still a mystery how they managed to buck the system and get away with it.

I had a feeling – as did a great many students – that those two pulled some powerful strings within Galatea Academy.

But who was this girl walking about twenty meters in front of me, catching the eye of every guy in the vicinity?

I edged closer and moved into her eight o’clock position.

Running my gaze over her slender, toned legs that looked amazing in those Jimmy Chan shoes, I felt my heart stop when I recognized the anklets she wore.

A loud thump beside me restarted my heart in fright.

In my stupor I’d dropped my carry-bag.

“Ca—Caprice?”

The girl slowed her pace and looked behind her.

It really was Caprice.

My stomach twisted into an uncomfortable and unpleasant nod as I stared at her immutable expression.

She gave me a faint nod, then turned away and resumed walking toward the high-school building.

I picked up my bag, and ran after her.

Catching up to her wasn’t difficult. She was keeping to a steady pace, probably because she wasn’t entirely comfortable in those shoes – which I may add were from Jimmy’s top of the line range for sophisticated young women.

In the corner of my eye, I glimpsed a few scowls directed at me from both the guys and girls who were quietly observing and commenting about Caprice. There were a few envious glares as well from the guys too afraid to approach the blonde beauty.

I didn’t have time to be shy or otherwise.

Besides, this was the girl who’d taken my first kiss, so what did I have to be afraid of?

Everything, I told myself, feeling I was on the verge of a momentous revelation – feeling I was about to lose something important to me. That old saying about ‘not knowing what you have until you’ve lost it’ began to run around in my head, and I just couldn’t make it stop.

Calm down. Calm down. Play it cool and by ear.

I realized my hands had broken into a sweat, and discreetly wiped them dry.

But I could do nothing about my heart thumping like heavy metal drums in my chest.

I had to clear my throat three times before I could trust it would hold.

Pulling abreast of her, I called out as nonchalantly as I could manage.

“Yoh.”

Caprice flicked me a glance. “What kind of greeting is that?”

“Well, it’s better than just nodding and walking away.”

Should I mention her new look?

I had to tear my gaze away from her and focus on the entrance to the high school building’s west wing that was coming up slow and steady.

“So, what’s the occasion? Are you and Haruka going out somewhere after class?”

“Yes. We’ve been asked to accompany Alistair and Siobhan to a mixer.”

My heart stopped drumming, forgot about the beat, then simply stopped drumming at all.

I had to pound my chest with a fist to get it started before I could turn blue and collapse.

“A—a mixer?” I croaked out.

“Yes. A mixer, where males and females of the human species come together with the prospect of romance and love—”

“I know what a mixer is.” I lowered my voice but it was already low. “Why are you going to a mixer?”

“Because I was asked to by Alistair and Siobhan.”

“Why?” I questioned, afraid of the answer.

“Because they wanted to even out the numbers.”

“Meaning what?”

“Four boys and four girls.”

I thought frantically for a moment. “Why is Haruka going? Doesn’t she already have a boyfriend? What’s the guy’s name…Duncan Something or Other?”

“Duncan Armand Avenir.”

“Yeah, that guy. Mister all round perfect student.”

“Envious, are we?”

I scowled at her for a heartbeat. “No. Of course not. I may have said yes a few months ago, but not anymore.”

Caprice regarded me with a flat look. “Why is that?”

I looked away. “Because I realized that I can do things he can’t. I’m not a Regular anymore.”

“Arrogant.”

“Hardly,” I retorted.

“Well, he has a girlfriend and the respect of his peers. You don’t.”

I stumbled and faced her in a hurry. “I can get a girlfriend if I wanted to.”

“And she would pull your strings, and make you dance about on stage like a marionette. What a lopsided relationship that would be. Very disappointing.”

“The only woman pulling my strings at the moment is Arisa. But that's only for the moment.”

“And the Countess.”

“Far from it.”

Caprice stopped walking. On her high heels she stood closer to my height of five foot nine. When the school year started I was five foot eight, but I’d grown an inch since then. It felt good to be an inch taller.

Caprice’s eyes were open and unwavering upon me. “Then tell me, Caelum Desanto afil Lanfear, when is the last time you refused the Countess?”

“Last night,” I replied flatly.

Caprice blinked, and I suddenly realized the thought that streaked naked through her mind.

I had a dangerous thought of my own quickly afterward, and chose to go with it.

Leaning slightly toward Caprice, I spoke softly. “Much to her distress, I didn’t kiss her goodnight.”

Caprice blinked again, then stared at me vacantly for a long while.

Straightening smoothly, I gave her a confident smile. “I haven’t forgotten how to say ‘no’ to a girl, and Simone Alucard Raynar does not pull my strings.” Then I laughed softly and cocked my head a little. “There’s only one girl I’d ever allow to pull my strings.”

Remembering what she’d told me about her plans, I felt a twinge of bitterness, but hid it well when I added, “Enjoy yourself tonight. But don’t skip out on too many training sessions.”

I started turning away, then stopped and faced her again. I made sure not to turn completely toward her.

“By the way, you look absolutely amazing. I’m sure the guys on the other side of the table won’t be able to get up.”

Caprice frowned so faintly it was easy to miss, but I caught it. “What do you mean?” she asked.

“Are you kidding me? One look at you and guys have a hard time walking straight.”

Her eyes narrowed a fraction, but I smoothly added, “Isn’t that the response you were after with those heels and shortened skirt?”

Turning away, I tried to climb the steps to the west wing’s entrance with a calm gait, but it wasn’t easy. My heart was beating loudly again, my palms had broken into a fresh sweat, and I had to force myself not to look at her reflection in the glass doors.

It wasn’t until I reached my shoe locker that I surreptitiously rearranged myself into a more comfortable position.

Then I banged my head a few times against my locker, cursing myself for ignoring the obvious truth: I was helpless against blondes.

Now that Caprice had joined their ranks, my compass went into a mad spin.

Damn, she looked beautiful. Not that she wasn’t always beautiful, but going blonde just made a her nine point nine on the scale.

I banged my head a few times against my shoe locker, and accidentally opened it in the process. Absently, I watched the metal door swing open…and noticed there was more than just my indoor shoes inside.

Staring a long moment longer into the rectangular container, I slammed it shut in a hurry.

A soft, fearful feminine voice asked, “Um…are you okay?”

Startled nearly out of my skin, I looked to my left and saw Éclair Faltome Lanfear, the petite girl with the gravity defying chest, and idol of Class Two-Aye, watching me with a timidly concerned expression. She was standing in front of her locker a couple of feet away from me.

“Um…are you okay, Mr. Desanto?” she asked. “I mean, Mr. Desanto afil Lanfear.”

I tried not to sigh. “Please, just call me Caelum. Or Pervert Desanto. Either one is fine. I’m used to it by now.”

“Oh…okay.” Her quizzical look deepened. “Are you okay, Pervert Desanto?”

“No. Not really.”

“Oh….”

I stared at Éclair, and realized something startling.

She didn’t rock my boat the way Simone, Prissila, or Caprice did. Yet this girl was a blonde too. A very cut blonde, with a mouthwatering bust.

Maybe I really do have a type that goes beyond hair color and cup size.

Nodding thoughtfully to myself, while feeling a little relieved, I then gave Éclair a quick bow. “Thank you for your concern, Lady Éclair.”

“Oh…that’s okay,” she replied weakly.

Closing her locker door, she hurried away but not before glancing at me over her shoulder twice, then colliding with a couple of girls going the opposite way.

Looking around me quickly, I opened the locker, picked up the envelope inside and shoved into my trouser back pocket with lightning speed.

Then I quickly changed into my indoor shoes, closed the locker – I had to bang it to get it to shut properly – then hurried off to the bathrooms on the second floor.

Finding an empty stall, I carefully opened up the envelope and read it.

It was a girl’s handwriting, very loopy and curly and cute.

However, there was one thing very clear about this letter.

It wasn’t a love letter.

It was a plea for help.

I swallowed nervously and read it again, before folding it carefully into a pocket, then tore up the envelope into tiny pieces that I flushed down the toilet.

#

(Haruka)

#

When the three of us – Siobhan, Alistair, and I – spotted Caelum and Caprice far ahead of us walking toward the west wing of the high school building, we decided to hold back and keep out of sight. But when Caelum hurried into the building, leaving Caprice standing motionless on the paved path, we hurried up to her.

I looked at the girl’s face, and saw…nothing.

Caprice was staring after Caelum with a completely unreadable face.

But that didn’t last long.

Her expression grew cloudy within moments.

“Caprice?” I asked guardedly.

She swallowed and softly said, “He didn’t kiss her goodnight.”

“Kiss who?” Siobhan bluntly asked.

“The Countess.”

Alistair clicked her tongue. “I see. So you think he’s kissed her before.”

“Yes.” Caprice nodded, and her cloudy expression turned stormy. “Unbelievable.”

“Caprice, calm down,” I advised. “It’s too early in the morning to be upset.”

She clenched a fist. “That woman…is unbelievable. How dare she. She’s just using him. Why can’t he see that?” She clenched both fists. “Stupid, stupid Caelum. Stupid blind ignorant oblivious Caelum.”

I raised my hands placatingly. “Caprice, you need to stay focused. What did he say about your new look?”

Caprice looked faintly startled. “Ah…he called me absolutely amazing.”

I smiled nervously. “See? I told you it would work.”

Caprice faced me. “I lied to him.”

“Huh?”

“I lied to him. I said this was because we were going to a mixer. The four of us.”

My head jerked back as my eyes widened. “The—the four of us? Even me?”

“Yes.”

Alistair looked perplexed. “Why would you say that?”

Caprice whirled on her yet her expression was flat and unresponsive. “I couldn’t tell him I changed my look because I have a date this Sunday.”

Alistair ran her tongue over her upper lip, then cocked her head. “What are you going to do if he finds out about your date?”

“…I don’t know….”

Siobhan shrugged. “I think you should just roll with it.”

Caprice’s eyes narrowed a fraction of an inch. “What do you mean?”

“If he asks, don’t deny it. Tell him you found someone interesting, and that this boy is interested in you as well. Tell him its mutual attraction.”

She lowered her gaze. “Mutual attraction. I see.”

I sensed someone approaching us, and turned my head to see Crais Shepherd afil Raynar walking cautiously toward us.

He wasn’t seeing anyone else but Caprice.

That much was easy tell by looking at his eyes.

“Ca—Caprice?” he breathed out.

She stiffened in a heartbeat, and turned her body and head toward him. “Crais Shepherd afil Raynar….”

His eyes roamed over her, and then he broke into a smile that made my heart clench.

Dear gods…he’s absolutely smitten with her. Stupid, stupid Caelum Pervert Desanto!

I wasn’t the only one that noticed his reaction to Caprice.

Siobhan and Alistair hung back, giving Caprice a little more room, and I chose to do the same.

Shepherd was having trouble putting words together. “I…I mean…good morning….”

I glanced at Caprice.

A warm blush had spread throughout her face and neck. “Good…good morning,” she replied.

Shepherd swallowed hard. “You look…incredible.”

“Ah.” Her fingers trembled when she reached up and touched her hair. “You said you preferred brunettes, but I—”

Shepherd blinked slowly and spoke as though in a daze. “Did I? I don’t remember. I mean, I can make an exception…if it’s you. Especially if it’s you.”

Siobhan huffed loudly, and folded her arms. “Hey, Romeo. You’re about to drool.”

Shepherd looked startled. “Oh. I’m sorry.” He shook himself a little, then bowed slightly toward Siobhan, Alistair, and I. “My name is Crais Shepherd afil Raynar. A pleasure to meet you.”

We introduced ourselves to him.

He smiled sincerely. “I apologize for making a fool of myself.” His gaze fell on Caprice. “I should know better. I just couldn’t help myself.” Bowing to her quickly, he excused himself. “A pleasure to see you again, Caprice Steiner afil Lanfear.”

Rather gracefully, he circled around us and entered the west wing’s lobby.

As expected, he glanced a few times around his shoulder down at Caprice.

Once he disappeared through the glass doors and into the lobby, Siobhan, Alistair, and I looked at Caprice, and then Siobhan stated the obvious.

“Girl, you have it bad.”

There was nothing I could do but agree.

This wasn’t the girl that made her confession to me while I was in hospital.

That girl was like a figment of my imagination.

I watched Caprice’s eyes grow moist.

“…I know…,” she whispered faintly, and clutched at her chest. “…it’s not fair…it's just not fair....”