Back to the Drawing Board (Open)

[Mr. H]

His own classroom?

Bizarre.

After handling a coffee shop for so long, Sanae almost didn't know what to do with the place. Someone had moved out of it to make room for him, so it already had the smell of school and life and rowdy students and dull Mondays. Sanae didn't mind that--preferred it, actually, over starting anew with a pristine room with no history.

Because there was history here, and not all of it was art. There was a skid mark on the floor where a student had slipped or something heavy had been dropped, the ghost of a permanent marker on the whiteboard reading "(scribble) WUZ HEER," a wobbly chair in the back laden with books and standing next to a lame orphan of a desk leaning uncertainly against the wall.

What kinds of people carried these little monuments around in their hearts now? Did they still laugh or joke about the person who'd slipped, the thing that'd fallen? Did anyone remember the name of the kid who wanted everyone to know that he'd been there, for just a moment in time? Did someone ever sit at the lame desk in the wobbly chair and scribble out hopes and dreams in the form of everyday assignments?

Maybe not. And maybe they wouldn't remember Sanae's little monuments, either. But this was where it started. The room wouldn't change, just evolve, take on a little bit of Mr. H along with all the teachers before him.

Leaning against the teacher's desk like someone far more fragile than himself and listening to the first bell ring, Sanae smiled.

Yeah. This was just right.

[kaede]

Kaede entered the Art History classroom. She immediately saw the teacher leaning against his desk and gave a slight nod in greeting. Taking a seat in the back, Kaede took in the smell of an 'already-has-been-used' classroom. She looked around and noticed the worn-out look the room held. Fitting for any type of history class.

In her head, she thought of what they would be learning. Would there be long assignments? Or maybe difficult tasks? Was the teacher a stern-faced, steel-minded person? Or was he laid back? So many possibilities ran through her head. Her main concern, though, was if the teacher would believe anything anybody said. She got in trouble because of many lies and she would prefer not to get expelled for the same reason again.

[Neku Sakuraba]

His collar was up more then usual to hide the blank, zombie-like expression he was giving off. The top portion of his face was covered by orange bangs. Why did he even continue to come to classes and such after that fiasco? Who knows. But the one thing that he didn't bother to notice was that he hadn't seen him since then.

He glanced at his teacher, oh...atleast it was someone he pretty much liked. He mindlessly sat at the front of the room, looking down. He took out a pen and started scribbling on paper, oddly enough a rough sketch of Mr. Mew stomping on the Composer's Jeasus beam.

He let the pencil drop, though, looking up at Hanekoma, "....Mr. H..." it came out way too quiet then he expected. But that's all he felt like at the moment.

[Mr. H]

The first few students had come in, and Sanae shot a nod or grin at each one, eyes lingering on the girl who started to give the room an appraisal. It was in part to hide the very faint hint of nervousness that had seeped into him. Someone who'd been through the kinds of things Sanae had would have little reason to be scared of anything, but it wasn't really fear--just a touch of the butterflies. He'd be the center of attention shortly--or at least try to be--and he wasn't used to that. It was different from hanging out behind the counter and sharing small talk with the elderly woman who did Sudoku to keep her mind sharp, or the giggling college student absolutely in love with CAT's work, or the orange-haired boy with the headphones who sat at the counter and didn't say much but always meant what he said.

Speaking of which.

He'd suspected he might have Neku or Joshua or even both for a class or two, but he hadn't really expected it right away. The temptation to go over and talk with him was a little devil in the unfamiliar environment, but Sanae resisted, fingers dancing a little on the table in search of a coffee mug that wasn't there. Heh. No distractions for me.

But then he noticed something. Neku's vibe was off, but it fluctuated and Sanae had mostly gotten used to that. It was the way Neku carried himself that made all the difference; he was shut down, cut off, and sealed away. Not just from the students around him, but from Sanae as well, and a tiny flower of hurt bloomed in the barista's chest before he ruthlessly smashed it with the thought that a regression like this didn't necessarily mean the kid hadn't grown.

"Mr. H..."

If he didn't respond to that he stood a chance at losing the kid forever, and not only would Joshua not like that, but Sanae would never forgive himself. Even so, he waited a moment--just a moment--to absorb everything he could from Neku's aura. They had a little time before the bell rang, and he was still waiting for the classroom to fill up. They were close enough that he doubted much would be overheard if Neku wanted to keep something quiet, so he rose to the bait. "That's me. What's on your mind, kiddo?"

[Neku Sakuraba]

The few moments that ticked away seemed to fade into an eternity--or atleast thats how it felt to him. But when the time came for him to speak up again...he almost didn't want to. Spilling his guts wasn't exactly the most easiest things to do and quite frankly...the whole situation was so degrading...humiliating...embarassing...and any and all synonms of those words.

Neku adverted his gaze down again at the doodle, clenching his jaw tightly. What if he just gave it up? He himself did not need that damned Composer at all! He exhaled slightly, "...You didn't see us at the Summer Ball, right?" he asked. He knew that was kind of a...stupid question to even ask.

If Mr. H saw--why would he be asking what was troubling him?

Setting that aside temporarily, he mindlessly played with the edge of his paper. He was relieved to even be around Hanekoma...he always, little by little, felt a bit better. But right now, it just wasn't cutting it. Why did he care so much what he thought of him? He should mean nothing to the orangette at this point in time...end of story.

Right?

Never in his life has he been so confused and just...he didn't even know. He was screwing with his life again--weather it was intentional or not.

[kaede]

Kaede observed the two from the back of the room. It seemed as if something was happening, or trying to happen between them. She laid her head on her desk, thought, and lifted her head back into the air. I wonder what is going on... ran through her head but being nosy would not always get you somewhere.

"Mr... H., was it?" Kaede said remembering the name from the paper that held the class description. "Should I wait outside for a bit?"

Random that may be, but from what the mood seemed like teacher and student might not want others around. Kaede tied her hair into a ponytail as she waited for the answer. She grabbed her books and set them on top of the desk just in case.

[Mr. H]

Neku wasn't talking any less than normal, but his voice was fainter than usual, and in general he was showing all the signs of something wrong. Sanae was sensitive to that and moved closer, violating his own personal promise not to get too involved right now. He waved a hand at Kaede's suggestion, shooting her a wry grin. "Nah, that's alright. We oughtta be starting up soon anyhow, I don't wanna throw you in the streets out there. I've seen crowds like that eat people." Nonetheless, he did lean against the desk next to Neku with his back to her and crossed his arms, trying to get a little privacy without being totally rude--and at the same time trying to keep at least a little distance. While he wanted to be there when Neku needed him, he didn't want to be a constant rock to rely on.

"Yeah," he admitted, shifting a bit. "And I gotta say, boss, I didn't know you had that kinda fashion sense." There was a little laughter in his eyes, but it was gentle and not meant to be mocking. "But that's not what this is about...is it? I know he dropped outta touch, but nothin' else. You sure you wanna go into it, boss?" Sanae had left the ball with Minamimoto shortly after he felt Joshua's vibe vanish, so he hadn't actually gotten a chance to figure out what might have happened between them. Even if he had, it was better if he heard it in Neku's words.

[Neku Sakuraba]

"..." The orangette ignored the comment about his fasion sence. Yeah, it could get wierd and funky--but really, that was besides everything right now. He couldn't think straight for a moment, so he looked down, taking in a deep breath.

When did he, himself, get so soft? He never use to act this way...he normally wouldn't be this upset. It was just like him to act that way. Why did it affect him so much? Reguardless, he was stupid. Completely idiotic to think, to consider, any of this sorts with him.

"...I was expecting it from the start, really..." he said finally, crossing his arms over the desk and resting his chin in it, "not sure why it's making me this way..." Neku was stalling from telling the story, and it was rather obvious. He didn't really want to relive it. It was humiliating...

But though he glanced up before sitting up again. He started to explain what happened almost too quietly. If someone else didn't see it, he didn't want them to know.

(meeeh. you know the story XD no sence in re-typing it, right Roxie?)