CHAPTER FOUR:

“Damn, stupid door…”

“Morning to you, Wufei!”

Wufei Chang almost bumped his head against his door at the exuberant slap on his back. Snarling and spinning around, he grabbed a fistful of a pristine white shirt and shoved the guilty party against the wall.

“Don’t you ever startle me like that again, Maxwell! Or I swear you will be wiping your carcass off this floor!”

“How would I do that? I would be dead already, wouldn’t I?”

Wufei twitched in annoyance and with a snort, deciding that Duo wasn’t worth his time at the moment; he let go of the shirt and focused his attention back to getting his door shut. The stupid card pass wouldn’t lock it!

“Got a problem there, buddy?” Duo asked brightly, although he frowned at the new wrinkle on his shirt. It had taken him some time to get the creases just right. “Need some help?”

“No thanks…” Wufei bit out in frustration. “I got it.”

SNAP!

Both boys stared at the broken piece of plastic. “Well…looks like you obviously ‘don’t got it’, right?” Duo said, smirking before ducking from the blow that was clearly meant for him. Dancing out of reach, he laughed and placed his hands in front of him, as if trying to ward off the other boy’s advancement.

“Cool it, Wuffy…” That got him another death glare and Duo nearly pissed himself in laughter. The guy’s expressions were priceless. “Okay, okay. I will stop now. I’ll just go get Captain Trowa over here for ya, okay?”

“Gee…would you really, Maxwell? Thanks a lot!”

The sarcasm was not lost on Duo, although he chose to downplay it. “No problem, Wu-chan! Duo Maxwell to the rescue!”

With a mock salute, he headed back for his quarters.  He guessed Trowa would still be in his room.

Quatre opened his door and shouldered his backpack carefully. He could have sworn he had heard Duo’s voice and he was disappointed to find him nowhere in sight. Many of the students were beginning to make their way towards The Maynard and Quatre had been hoping he and Duo might have gone together. He jerked alert, however, as his neighbor’s door opened.

He found himself swallowing tightly and gripping the straps of his black bag as he took in the boy that was now in the process of locking his door. The blue blazer and khaki pants fitted a well-built body to a T, and Quatre found himself blushing as those Prussian depths turned around to face him.

“Umm…hel…hello,” he muttered softly, his feet shifting uncomfortably at the penetrating glance. “I’m Quatre…and you are, of course, Heero. Umm…nice to meet you.”

Heero nodded and replied with a quiet ‘pleasure’, his eyes already beginning to make their way down the bustling hallway. Students were pouring out of their rooms, doors banging and opening, laughter and conversation swirling around…just your typical Monday morning.

Where was Maxwell?

He shouldered his own backpack and turned his gaze back to the blond boy. Quatre felt like he had to say something. “I…I…was just heading for The Maynard…”

“Hn.” Heero nodded again and turned to his left. Wufei was now leaning against his doorway, a look of irritation and resignation on his face. He turned, however, as he noticed the intense stare on him.

“What?!” he asked snappishly. He was quite aware of whom his stoic neighbor was, but he had no intentions of sucking up to anyone.

And where the hell was that Maxwell fellow?!

Heero remained as inert as ever and nodding once again to Quatre, he made his way down the stairs. Quatre finally released the pent up breath he had been holding. Goodness, hanging around Heero was like a torture session for him.

Where was…

“Here I am!” came the happy cry that received both looks of happiness  (Quatre) and acquiescence (Wufei). “Sorry it took me so long. Trowa had to figure out a new one for you.”

Wufei snatched the card with a muttered ‘thanks’ and this time he made sure he got the blasted thing through.

“Duo!” Quatre all but pounced on him. “I was waiting for you.”

Duo threw an arm across the boy’s shoulders and crushed him to his side. “Really?!” he gushed in mock disbelief. “My word, Q-man! If I had known you would miss me this much, I would have slept with you all night!”

Quatre sputtered and had to lower his reddened face in embarrassment, while Wufei snorted and grabbed his dark blue backpack. “You are pathetic, Maxwell,” he chided as the trio followed the noisy throng of students towards the cafeteria.

“I love you too, Wuffles, oh and by the way, the name is Duo.”

~&~&~&~&~

The line leading to the breakfast buffet seemed to last forever, and Duo was beginning to feel faint. Aside from the cookies last night, he had practically had nothing to eat for over twelve hours.

“Suck it up, Maxwell,” Wufei said slyly, noticing the pained expression on the other’s face. “A big man like you fainting due to lack of food….tsk…the horror.”

“Shut up, Wu-man,” he snapped, knowing that this particular nickname was bound to get the Chinese boy’s hackles up.

“The name is…” Wufei began through clenched teeth when he was suddenly interrupted.

“Finally!”

Duo grabbed a tray and made his way towards the succulent offerings.

Hmm…some waffles…about four of those. Can’t forget the syrup! I think I will take ten packets of those. Sausages…whee! And some biscuits and some eggs and some cereal and oops! Can’t forget the milk and sugar.

He was quite happily unaware of the glances he was beginning to receive as he piled up his tray with food. Even Wufei was impressed.

Duo needed the final touch, the one thing that always made his breakfast complete. It was an addiction he knew, but without this item he was nothing for the rest of the day.

Aha!

 

There it was. One single lonely blueberry muffin just waiting for him to pick it up. He grit his teeth as the line moved even slower. Wouldn’t they ever hurry up?!

Oh, please, oh God! Oh, please, oh God! Don’t let anyone take it!

“Yes!” he whispered in triumph.

 He had finally reached it and just as he was about to stretch his hands to get it…

Almost there…just a little bit more.

“What the…?!!”

…the muffin was gone.

Frantic violet eyes stared at the blank spot for several seconds, blinking in quiet disbelief, before raising them to the bastard that had dared touch the luscious offering. Whoever it was, stood at the opposite side of the buffet table and as Duo’s eyes took in the visible khaki pants and tray laden with…healthier stuff and his muffin…up to the blue blazer that covered strong shoulders, the corded neck, a smooth but strong jaw to the full lips, now twisted into a smirk of satisfaction, up to the straight nose and finally into taunting blue eyes that dared him to start an argument.

Duo Maxwell felt his blood run cold.

His hands gripped the edges of his tray, his knuckles almost turning white with the intense pressure. Everything and everyone else seemed to dissolve into oblivion.

Heero fucking Yuy.

He was here! The God-damned bastard was in his face! And he had dared to take the last muffin! HIS muffin!

“I was reaching for that.” He was quite surprised at how calm and steady his voice was. But he was angry, oh boy…was he angry.

Heero lips quirked into a broader smirk as he stared at the blazing purple depths before him. “You mean this?” he asked softly, his hands now cradling the treat within their grasp. “This muffin?”

Duo growled at the action. He could feel his tray snapping beneath the amount of pressure he was putting on it.

“Listen, pal…” he began coldly. “I don’t want to stand here in line and …”

“HEY! MOVE IT, BUDDY! YOU ARE HOLDING UP THE LINE!”

“I WILL MOVE WHEN I FEEL LIKE IT, GODDAMMIT!” Duo yelled back to whomever had screamed, his eyes never leaving the cold blue ones before him.

“What’s the matter, Duo?” Quatre asked in bemusement as he walked back to stand beside him. He had long gotten a table for them and had been waiting for Duo to join both he and Wufei.

When he got no response, he finally turned to see what had engaged the other boy’s attention. He groaned weakly. Oh, no!

“Umm…Duo…can we go now? Can’t you guys fight about this later on? You are holding up the line…”

“Not till he gives me back what is mine, I won’t!” Duo spat out, his eyes still not leaving Heero’s.

“Exactly,” Heero replied calmly.

Duo blinked. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?!”

“You know exactly what I mean,” Heero grit out through clenched teeth, his own eyes now blazing with growing fury. “You have my laptop and I want it back!”

Quatre and now a growing audience stared at the two boys in disbelief and frank curiosity. The fights were already happening. Someone call security!

Several tense minutes passed as each boy tried to retain the hand in the staring duel. The tension was so thick; that Quatre could have sworn he saw electrical sparks flare up in the air between them.

And all because of a muffin.

Finally, Duo smirked and raised himself to his full height. “Hmph. I don’t think so, buddy. You can have the damned muffin. I think I will just keep the laptop to myself…since it means so much to you. Come on, Q-man, let’s go!”

Heero nearly popped a blood vessel. He couldn’t believe it! He had lost…twice! Duo had the upper edge on him and he did not like it one bit. First his laptop was confiscated (and his accusation had been purely on a whim, and now that he knew Duo had possession of his beloved computer, he wanted to strangle someone…probably with that damned braid of his), and now…the muffin war had ended with him looking like a fool! He snarled as he watched Duo prance away with a worried-looking Quatre and a smug-looking Wufei in tow.

“Damn you, Maxwell. This isn’t over yet,” Heero muttered to himself, before making his way to his reserved table.

As for the crowd, they groaned in disappointment. They had really wanted to see someone’s ass kicked.

~&~&~&~&~

Duo was trembling.

Never before had he felt like murdering someone in his life, but for a few short and tension filled moments, he was that close. He chewed absentmindedly at something from his plate, his eyes unwilling to practice proper decorum, shifting every other minute towards the silent figure a few yards away from him. The muffin was still untouched on Heero’s plate and Duo had no doubt in his mind that the bastard had taken it just to get him angry.

Well, he chose to mess with the wrong guy. Nobody messes with me.

“You can have mine if you like.”

The three boys snapped their head up as they turned towards the light voice. Duo took in the tall, willowy figure dressed in the customary white shirt and blue skirt. The long brown hair flowed down her back, although two braids flanked the sides of her hair. Her eyes were blue and her mouth curved into a small smile. She was presently handing her own muffin to Duo, who was still gaping at her in disbelief.

“Relena? I didn’t know you were going to be in this school!”

Light laughter burst out from her mouth and she tossed her hair flippantly over her shoulders. “Of course, silly. Your mother says I ought to keep an eye on you.”

“My mother…??”

“Who is she?” Quatre asked coldly. He didn’t quite like the way Relena was looking at Duo, and his usual cheerful features were etched in a slight frown.

“My name is Relena Peacecraft and Duo is my boyfriend.” And with that curt announcement, she made herself comfortable on a spare chair…right next to her boyfriend, blissfully unaware of the three stupefied glances that came her way. “Here you go. You can have my muffin.”

Duo hissed into her ear. “Relena! Why did you have to say that?! I am not your boyfriend!” His gaze fell upon an amused-looking Wufei and a rather pale Quatre. “You okay, Q-man?”

Quatre raised dull eyes to Duo and responded in a shaky voice. “Uh…yeah…I am fine. I just have to…to…”

He got off the table and dashed towards the restrooms, leaving his audience confused.

“Has everyone gone mad today?” Wufei asked in irritation. “First, you and your stupid argument over that muffin with that Yuy fellow and now you are about to be married and now Quatre is getting sick over breakfast. You are all strange. Thank goodness I am done with breakfast. See you at the assembly.”

Duo would have loved nothing more than to leave with Wufei, but Relena was still chatting away about her dorm and her friends…and naturally, he heard nothing.

The Peacecrafts and Maxwells had those kinds of family relationships that were based solely on business prosperity. Good partners in every way possible, the two families had sought for ways to keep their relationship even stronger. Hence, the ‘pairing’ of Relena and Duo. Since the day they were born, both had been ‘betrothed’ to one another. They had gone to each other’s birthdays and Christmas dinners and Thanksgivings and all what nots. They had been in every school together. They had spent vacations together.

In short, Relena was like a sister to him, and the brown-haired girl felt exactly the same way. But for the benefit of their parents, they had decided to play the matchmaking game. Left to Relena, she would have rather dated some other person, Duo was just a side dish to her.

Duo’s eyes darted again towards the other boy. Heero had stood up and was now making his way towards the trashcans. To Duo’s immense annoyance, the damned muffin still hadn’t been eaten and it looked like Mr. Smart Ass was just about to chuck it right into the garbage.

Damn him…damn him…DAMN HIM.

As if on some strange cue, Heero, suddenly, turned to face him, his tray inches from throwing away the precious sweet. Their eyes met and locked in a fierce battle of wills. Duo gripped his knife tightly within his grasp and an unconscious gasp spilled out of his lips as he finally tore his eyes away to watch the dessert fall down the plastic chute. His eyes flew back to the smug look on his counterpart’s face and in that instant Duo would have gladly punched his lights out. If only…

“Duo…I think the bell just rang or something. It’s time for assembly!”

He allowed himself to be dragged to his feet, his eyes never leaving Heero, who by this time was already making his way towards Randolph Hall like everyone else. It wasn’t till he spied the shock of blonde hair, did he finally tear his eyes away. Quatre had now moved to his right side, since Relena had a death grip on his left arm.

“You sure you are alright, Quatre?” Duo asked in genuine concern. The blond did look kind of sick.

Quatre managed a small smile and tried to reassure the other boy. “I am fine, Duo. I will be just fine.”

~&~&~&~&~

Heero Yuy looked at his schedule of classes in dismay. Aside from history and advanced calculus, he could care less about the other crap he was forced to take. He barely registered the pushing and shoving that most of the students were doing to him, his mind too focused on the printed sheet before him.

He ought to kill Maxwell. They had Home Economics first.

Sighing deeply, he tucked the paper within the inner pockets of his blazer and sinking his hands into his pockets, he lowered his head and slowly followed the laughing crowd of students towards the Domestic Science Halls.

He had finally met Duo, not in the way he would have liked, but still…it had been a strange experience. He had noticed Duo come into the breakfast room with his friends in tow and he had been a bit puzzled at the pang of…(he refused to acknowledge it as jealousy)…something, at the adoring looks he had received from many of the students in there. There was no doubt about it, Duo Maxwell oozed charm and confidence, while he was nothing more than a stump. He might have been rich and famous, but compared to his rival, he might as well have been a non-entity.

He still did not understand why he had taken the muffin anyway. He hated them, but he had noticed Duo eyeing the dessert and his first instincts had been to take the damn thing. He had wanted Duo to notice him and well…he had succeeded. He found himself stuffing his hands deeper into his pockets as memories of those violet purple depths blazing with fury at him, filled his mind.

Well, Heero…you wanted to find out what he would look like when angry…I guess you got your wish.

And did he ever. A small smile came to his face as he made the turn towards Classroom 2034B. He so wanted to see those eyes blaze at him again.

~&~&~&~&~

“Alright, class! Take your seats! Find a comfortable position for yourselves…that will be your permanent seating position for the rest of the semester.”

Heero eyed the large but cozy-looking room. Aside from the main desks and chairs, there were doors that led to ‘Kitchens’, ‘Washing’, ‘Gardening’, ‘Money Management’, and to his despair, ‘Maternity’. He didn’t even want to think about that one right now. There were about twenty students in the class, mostly girls and Heero had the nasty feeling that Duo had registered for this class for that sole purpose. He seated himself at the next to the last row, right next to the window. He eyed the room again…no sign of Maxwell yet…

“Is everyone here?” The robust woman, Mrs. Gills, asked aloud. She pushed her glasses to her eyes and counted heads. “I will call out the roll, so if anyone that is not supposed to be here and all of that…you know the drill. Okay…lemme see, Amanda Brown…”

Heero tuned out the shrill voice. Maxwell wasn’t here yet. There was an empty seat…and it was right next to…

“Sorry I’m late. I had to take one of my friends to the sick room.”

Mrs. Gills raised her head up and stared at the smiling boy. “That’s okay, Maxwell. This is your first day, just try not to be late again. Hmm, ahh there is an empty seat! You can fix yourself right next to Mr. Yuy.”

“I would rather not.”

The entire class and a blank-looking Gills, stared at the now stoic-faced boy in disbelief. “But that is the only seat left, Mr. Maxwell. It is not my fault you came late to class.”

Duo cursed Relena, inwardly, for making him late. She and her stupid toilette.

He tightened his hands on his strap and stole a quick glance at the seating companion in question. To his amazement and irritation, he could see that Heero was taunting him. Those Prussian blue eyes practically laughed at him. Actually daring Duo to sit by him.

Duo was never known for chickening out of a dare.

Quirking an eyebrow, signifying that he had indeed accepted the challenge, he broke out into a sunny grin. This, in turn, seemed to perplex Heero, for the smirk was replaced with a small frown. He watched as Duo apologized to the class before making his way towards him. Heero was angry to find himself reacting strangely towards the approaching boy. Although there was a smile on that heart-shaped face, it didn’t quite reach his eyes. The violet depths had a sparkle that was anything but sweet.

In those depths, Heero saw a deadly foe and he suddenly wondered how he was to make it through this school year without losing his inhibition.