It's that alien, Shu Kurenai, right?

You like him, don't you? 

"Ms. (l/n)!"

Blinking out of my daze, I sat up straighter in my chair. "Y-Yes, Mrs. Norris?"

"Everyone's been calling you for the past minute and you haven't responded," sighed Mrs. Norris before looking concerned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I assured her. "I really am. It's just been a fast paced week."

Mrs. Norris nodded along in sympathy. "Especially considering you were at Parliament House for interrogation not long ago. Very well, continue with the work and do your best."

I nodded too, bending my head down again to complete my work, ignoring the stares of several of my peers (Ashley, Layla and Hannah, especially).

Ever since Jack had guessed the truth, that's all I could think about. He said that he wasn't dating Ashley, but that was an obvious lie; they were as close as Ashley painted it out to be.

When I came to school this morning, I was so prepared to be slaughtered by snide remarks. As far as everyone knows, Shu and I have only met a few times. Which is true. But they think that we've only known each other for less than a month. Who likes someone they barely know? Only someone desperate would.

But then I remember how taken away I was with Jack on our first date. Maybe I am a little (a lot)desperate. Back to Jack, part of me is questioning why Ashley doesn't know about my little crush yet. 

If Ashley knew about my crush, she would've made sure it spread across school like absolute wildfire. She would've made sure everyone knew how desperate I was. And to top it off, I know she would use the face that Shu is technically an alien to create an image in everyone's minds of me kissing some green, three-eyed monster. 

But Ashley acted like normal this morning. There was no new gossip spreading around the school or social media. I don't think Jack told her. But why? That's what I'm wondering. Why would Jack hide something from his girlfriend for the sake of me? 

I have thought that maybe Jack actually does like me and wants to stop Ashley from bullying me. In the past, I would've hoped for that. But right now, when I look at Jack, I see a player with a smart mind, not a dreamy eyed boy anymore. 

I just want to be with Shu. I like him, and an f-boy isn't going to change that, no matter how charming his eyes are. 

My mind continued to swirl with possible outcomes of situation. What if Jack was just waiting for the perfect time to tell Ashley? What if Jack wanted to be the one who made fun of me himself? What if Ashley knows, and she is gossiping, just on a whole other level of secret? 

Sighing, I propped my chin on my arm and stared out the window. It was a beautiful day today. I longed to be outside, soaking up the sun underneath the azure skies.

Hardly anybody was out, since it's a weekday. A few people here and there, nothing too major. But then I noticed something. All of the few people walking on the side street looked similar. Crisp business attire, immaculate hair, hands clutching microphones and paper. 

Reporters? What are they doing here?

And then a limousine started going down the streets, and all of the reporters started pointing and cameras started to flash away as they capture photos. Then the limousine disappeared, going down south, where Amare is.

Hold on. Amare?

I checked the class clock. It was ten o'clock. Everything clicked. I was too focused on Jack and Ashley that I forgot that Shu was starting to attend Amare today. Right now.

Something stirred in me. Maybe it was the desperation, but I wanted to see Shu. I wanted to talk to him. Why? I don't know. Maybe it's a desperate high school girl sort of thing. 

First, however, I needed to get out of class. I thanked the heavens that Chanel taught me how to skip school in the previous months.

Walking up to Mrs. Norris' desk, I clutched my head subtly. "Mrs. Norris?"

"Oh dear," she seemed to believe me right away, despite the shocked stares from practically everyone in the class. Nobody would've guessed that I would skip school. "Are you feeling sick?"

"J-Just a bit," I admitted. "I have a headache and I'm feeling a little tired."

She patted my back. "Do you think you need to go to the nurse?"

"No, I'm sure she needs her attention on more serious injuries," I smiled, pouring as much charm as I could into it. "Just some fresh air and exercise would be fine."

"Well, I guess you could always just have a lovely stroll around the school," Mrs. Norris offered, and I could practically see Hannah's jaw drop. She always did think that I was a goody-two-shoes. "You are ahead of the class anyways."

"That would be perfect!" I exclaimed before dropping my voice a little. "Thank you."

"Don't worry about it," she flashed a smile. "Be back in time for recess, however."

"Yeah," I nodded, and trying to contain a huge grin, I walked out of the class as my classmates continued to stare in shock.

As soon as I left the class, I began to run. There was an hour until recess, but I didn't want to take my chances. Besides, I had to squeeze in through Amare's security. An idea had formed while I was talking to Mrs. Norris, but it meant I had to drop by my house.

"Ms. (l/n)?"

I slowed to a halt just as I reached the daisy bushes by the front gates. Shoot. I forgot Ms. Caprit strolls around the school at this time.

"Hey, Ms. Caprit," I tried not to sound too nervous.

She eyed me suspiciously. "By any chance, were you about to skip school?"

"No, why would you think that?" I answered too quickly.

"Hmm," she mused to herself. "Then what exactly are you doing?"

"Well, I have science in a minute and we're dissecting flowers," the lie flew out of my mouth. I gestured to the daisies. "We were supposed to bring them from home, but Mother and Father don't really like me taking flowers from our yard after our gardener spends so much time planting them, so they just told me to take some from the school yard. I didn't mind. The daisies here are beautiful, after all."

"Right," Ms. Caprit nodded along after the flattery and mention of my parents. I hate using my parents' power to influence others, but drastic situations call for drastic measures. "Well, now you can pick these. And then back to class you go."

I nodded, picking some daisies back and heading back into the building. I waited, heart racing, until Ms. Caprit had ventured into a random classroom before breaking into a full on sprint to the bus stop, not once looking back.

I boarded the bus breathing heavily, in shock in what I had just done. 

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

"Lana Weller."

The security guard glanced at me. I lifted my chin up, willing for him to believe in yet another one of my lies.

I had finally reached Amare. Twenty minutes had passed already. I had gone to my house, which was empty except for a handful of maids who I slipped by (so I didn't have to lie yet again), grabbed a professional outfit, which consisted of a cream pencil skirt, matching blazer and navy blue teardrop earrings, and styled my hair in a neat low pony. Just to make me look older than sixteen, I added some bold red lipstick and eyeliner.

I had blended right in to the sea of reporters that continued to flow in. Amare was being guarded more heavily than I expected. No doubt they were on the look-out for desperate high school girls. Which included me. So, as an extra precaution, I made up a name because my name has been in the news far too many times lately.

"Hm," the guard grunted, his eyes scanning a paper. "Your name isn't on the list."

I panicked for a second. I didn't know they had a list. "W-What do you mean?"

"I mean," he stated firmly. "Your name isn't on the list."

"But-!"

"No buts, ma'am," he shook his head before letting out a yell. "Escort this woman out!"

"No, wait!" I exclaimed as two other guards grabbed my arms. I couldn't go back. Not after everything I've done to get to this point. "You can't!"

He smirked. "Oh, but I can-"

"Is something the matter?" 

I turned my head, recognizing this voice instantly. I nearly cried out in relief. "Shu!"

"Oh," he paused briefly, our eyes locking. I silently pleaded for him to realize that it was me, that I wanted to talk to him.

"Is something the matter, Mr. Kurenai?" the first guard asked.

"No, not at all," Shu shook his head. "Why isn't this woman allowed in?"

"She's not on the list."

"Surely, she must be?" Shu questioned, and I nearly sighed out loud in relief. Surely he had caught a whiff of my plan. "We've met before, we're actually good friends."

"Ms. Weller?" the guard questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Is that true?"

I swallowed. "Y-Yes. I met him at Canberra at Parliament House."

"Alright," the guard stepped aside, providing me with an entrance to Amare. I stared, too stunned to believe what happened.

Shu smiled. "You wanna come with me?"

"Y-Yeah," I nodded, and we walked into the yards of Amare together. "Thank you so much, Shu. I couldn't believe you recognized me, especially with my get-up."

"No problem," he smiled. "And I would recognize you anywhere."

I smiled too, and a warm feeling spread out across my body. 

"Anyways, what are you doing here? Don't you have school?"

"I skipped," I admitted sheepishly. "Usually, I'm not the type too, but...I wanted to talk to you. I want to get to know you more too."

"Really?" he asked, and when I nodded, his cheeks were tinged a light pink. It was silent for a bit as we entered Amare grounds. It was fancy, just like my school, but to be honest, I had seen so much fancy buildings in my life that this was boring. Besides, why should I look at the school when Shu freaking Kurenai is right next to me? 

We walked passed a couple of reporters that gawked at us. For a second, I freaked out, thinking that they had found their next big scoop for the news; Shu Kurenai and (y/n) (l/n) seen taking a romantic stroll around Amare. Ashley would know for sure then.

But then I remembered that I was disguised, and the reporters probably thought that I had gotten an early interview with Shu before the main event they were all here for. Whatever that was. "Why are the reporters being allowed into Amare anyways? I was just prepared to sneak in, and if I got caught, pretend to be a crazed reporter, but I didn't expect that specific reporters were allowed in."

"Since I'm attending Amare, the principal, Mr. Davey, sees it as an opportunity to bring attention to Amare," Shu began to explain. "So, he's hosting this big interview with many reporters in hope that parents will think that Amare is a good school and send their children here."

"And are you okay with that?"

He shrugged. "I mean, I don't mind. Everyone on Earth are so curious anyways, I may as well give them some answers while the adults are talking about political nonsense."

Before I could reply, our conversation was cut short as a bell rang across the school. A voice started speaking, carried by the many speakers set up by the school.

"Attention to all the reporters," the voice spoke. "Please meet up in Auditorium Two to begin the meeting. Signs will show you the way. Students, with the exception of Shu Kurenai, are not allowed. Please be prompt as the meeting is starting in a minute."

"I better go," Shu hastily said, before dashing off into a building. "See you later."

"See you," I called, but I doubt he heard me. Sighing to myself, I blended into the crowd of chattering reporters, following the flow into the auditorium. I checked my watch. I had half an hour now. Going back to my school would take about eight minutes. I had twenty two minutes left.

Impatience began building as I fidgeted nervously in my seat. The lights dimmed, and the meeting started, Shu sitting on a chair propped up on a chair with different reporters throwing many questions at him, shoving microphones and cameras into his face.

Most of the questions were similar; asking him about his life in the beyblade world, about his bey, about how it felt coming to Earth. And then there were the basic questions like what his favorite colour was and what was his favorite meal. 

The meeting quickly got boring and repetitive, and I began wondering if I shouldn't have come here. I broke all these rules just to have a quick chat with Shu that didn't even go on for ten minutes. What was I even doing in this meeting? I should've just left straight after the conversation.

I checked my watch. Five more minutes until I had to leave Amare. A security guard standing next to Shu spoke up, "You. You look restless. Is there something you're itching to ask Mr. Kurenai?"

It took me a second to realize he was talking to me. It took me another second to recognise that he was the security guard from before. He was probably still suspicious about me.

"Yeah," I tried not to panic too much at the stares of so many people who for sure knew would've known who I was if it wasn't for the disguise.

"And what might it be?" his eyes were piercing.

"Uhm," I coughed stupidly. All the reporters were getting suspicious now too. Here they were, with lists of questions to ask Shu, and I didn't even have a single one. The guard raised an eyebrow. "There's so many questions I want to ask."

"Ask one," the guard firmly said. Shu opened his mouth to speak, but the guard stopped him. "Apologies, Mr. Kurenai, but you cannot save this...reporter from yet another sticky situation. Well?"

I craned my neck to see a question written in bold on the paper of the person next to me. "Uh, what do you think of (y/n) (l/n)?"

Yet again, it took me a second to realize what I had just asked. The guard grunted in satisfaction. Shu spoke, his eyes making direct contact with mine, "Well, personally, I don't know (y/n) that well. But she seems kind, smart, and the type of person that easily gets nervous.  Which I don't think is a bad thing, by the way. It's actually kind of cute. She also seems like she fights for the people she loves. I said this before, but I really would like to get to know her better. I want to be close to her."

I nodded, and I thanked the heavens again that it was dim in here, because my face flushed bright red. He didn't think I'm weird!

Another reporter piped up to ask a question, and all attention, including Shu's and the guard's, shifted off of me. I checked my watch.

I needed to go. Now. I stood up, trying not to attract much attention, and made my way to the doors. Two guards looked at me curiously. "And where are you going, ma'am."

"Uhm," I stuttered. "Toilet. Explosive di-"

"Don't finish that sentence," one of them interrupted while the other guffawed silently. They opened the doors. "Please leave now."

My cheeks started burning again. Out of all the lies I had told today, that had to be the most embarrassing. As I ran through the hallways of Amare, I couldn't help but think to Shu's words again.

I really would like to get to know her better

I want to be close to her.

She seems kind, smart and the type of person that easily gets nervous. Which I don't think is a bad thing, by the way.

It's actually kind of cute.

I squealed on the inside as I replayed that part inside my head. But there was something that struck me even more than that.

She also seems like she fights for the people she loves. 

Nobody had ever told that about me. I'm known to people as a weak, soft follower that allows people to trample all over her. I always thought that was true.

I smiled gently, holding that sentence close in my heart. Because maybe it was true. I did things I would never have done last month today. I fought to spend time with Shu. I fought because I love him.

Shu Kurenai had always been out of my reach, but now that he was, nothing could stop me from finally reaching him.

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i hope this long chapter makes up for the wait :)

word count: 2857