Bad Girls

Chapter 13

STANDING outside of the familiar door to a very familiar apartment, Rima bit her lower lip in contemplation. She couldn't help but feel stupid, she had been standing there for nearly ten minutes already, her hand hovering only inches away from the doorbell, her eyes glazed over and distant. Sucking in a deep breath for the eighth time since she had gotten off the elevator shaft, she fought with herself. Was she going to ring the doorbell or not? She really couldn't stand out in the hall all day could she?

A door two doorsteps down flew open and a man stepped out looking completely upset, this was probably due to the small blonde who appeared in the doorway after him shouting and calling him all sorts of unholy things. She shoved him twice in the chest before throwing a duffle bag at him and stepping back, she slammed the door roughly in his face. Rima just stood there, eyes wide and her pointer finger almost on the doorbell. The man caught sight of her and smiled slightly embarrassed at Rima. She just continued to stare before he reached for the duffle bag and shrugged lightly. "PMSing…but I bet you know all about that right?" He laughed and unable to move Rima just nodded curtly and the guy was gone in the blink of an eye.

Regaining her composure, Rima bit her lip once more before she pressed quickly and unconsciously on the doorbell. Her eyes widened and her heart hammered away in her chest as the sound of the doorbell rang throughout the apartment in front of her. She was still contemplating over whether or not this was a brilliant idea when the door opened and she jumped as her gold eyes crashed onto a pair of exhilarating green orbs. "Rima?" Kukai asked as he opened the door a little wider and Rima got a good look at him. He was dressed in his practice jersey and his hair was completely ruffled as he leaned against the wooden door for support.

Offering a friendly tight smile, Rima stepped forward and pointed into the apartment behind him. "Is Nagihiko here?" She asked and blinking, a yawn slipped out of the soccer player's lips as he nodded tiredly and he opened the door fully for Rima to step in. "He's in his room I guess—I wouldn't really know. He's been a little weird as of lately." Kukai stated truthfully and feeling only a tad bit guilty, Rima nodded and slipped into the apartment only to be engulfed in a warm embrace from Kukai. He placed his head in the crook of Rima's neck and inhaled her sweet aroma.

"Kukai?" She croaked obviously flustered by his initial reaction but Kukai only hugged her tighter.

"You smell nice Rima—I haven't seen you in so long and you look like you're taking better care of yourself these days. You don't look like hell anymore." He jeered and laughing bitterly Rima tugged on his arms and Kukai released her, laughing.

"I never looked like hell Kukai!" She shrieked only making him laugh again as his eyes danced about before he nodded and stepped towards the door, yawning again.

"Whatever you say Reems, if it gets a little—uncomfortable up here with Nagihiko come and get me 'k? I'll be right down in the lobby." He stated and Rima instantly panicked.

"You're going to just leave me like this in your house?!" She shouted and Kukai chuckled as he opened the front door but instead of slipping out of it, he turned to face Rima a crooked smile plastered to his tan face.

"Don't fret Reems…I'm only gonna be getting my mail—that should only take about ten minutes tops. But what I'm really worried about is coming back up here and getting shocked out of my mind that my eyeballs fall out of my head." He jeered and Rima's face flushed as she frowned at her old friend.

"Shut up Souma!" With another laugh, Kukai ducked out of the house closing the door with a soft click behind him.

Rima just stood there for a few minutes after Kukai's departure before she remembered her real purpose for coming here—it had not been to tolerate Kukai's silly wise cracks. It was to see Nagihiko Fujisaki. Sucking in a sharp breath, she turned slowly on her heels and slipped out of her shoes and coat. She wasn't sure why—she hadn't planned to stay that long but wasn't it common courtesy to take one's shoes off when they were in someone else's house? Not spending too much time on that silly question she headed deeper into the apartment. The bathroom door was wide open, revealing the white porcelain toilet to the world and Kukai's bedroom door was ajar—of course Rima had visited this place on many occasions especially since it was once Tadase's old home as well.

The apartment had two bedrooms, a bathroom and a study and since the bathroom door was wide open, Kukai's door was ajar and the study had double glass doors on the opposite wall that only left Tadase's old room—meaning, Nagihiko had to be in their. It was the only door that was fully closed leaving all of its secrets unexposed. Rima stood in front of the door for the longest debating with her thoughts before she knocked lightly on the white wood and waited. Not even a second later a voice—smooth and unforgettable reached her ears, "come in." Obeying, Rima turned the knob and slipped into the warm neat little room.

Nagihiko was sitting at a mahogany work desk, his shoulders hunched over and a pencil clenched between his teeth. Rima didn't say anything at first and feeling someone staring at him, Nagihiko whirled around and his eyes clashed with Rima's. "Rima?" He breathed his voice causing the blonde's heart to flutter in her chest. "Hi, Nagihiko." She replied offering a soft smile and taking the pencil from his teeth, he placed it on the table and motioned for Rima to take a seat on his bed. She crossed the room quickly and settled at the edge of his bed before she bit her lip and sucked in a deep breath.

"If you came to see Kukai he should be here already." He stated but Rima shook her head about frantically.

"He went to get his mail from down in the lobby and besides—I'm actually here to see , Nagihiko." She pointed out and blinking Nagihiko nodded as he leaned forward.

"Oh, well then what can I do for you Miss. Mashiro?" He asked a small smile gracing his lips and Rima felt completely uncomfortable sitting down so she hopped to her feet and moved quickly towards the bookshelf.

Fiddling with a few books on the lower shelf, she ran her fingers over the seams of the books. "I need your help," she deadpanned and Nagihiko raised a brow at this statement before he leaned back in his seat. "My help? What could the Great Rima Mashiro probably need my help with—this doesn't have anything to do with trying to break Tadase and Amu up does it? Because if it does I'm sorry but I will have to decline your offer…he's my friend there is no way I'm going to get involved in his affairs if he doesn't want me to?" He stated truthfully and Rima whipped around and faced him, her eyes wide and her face looking so much younger—so much more vulnerable than Nagihiko had ever remembered the young, strong woman ever looking.

"And am I not your friend as well Nagihiko?"

Her voice was soft, barely audible although the small room allowed for every sound made to be heard perfectly. Her little fists clenched then unclenched as she released a shaky breath. "I came to you because this isn't about trying to get Tadase back anymore—although that most likely will be the consolation prize at the end of all of this." She started and Nagihiko stared curiously at her. Releasing another shaky breath, Rima continued on, "Amu's cheating on Tadase with Ikuto Tsukiyomi—Utau and Yaya saw it with their own eyes at the bridal party. You have to believe me and I need your help to persuade Tadase that he's making a terrible mistake by marrying Amu!" She exclaimed and Nagihiko only stared wide-eyed at her. The seconds ticked between them before Nagihiko released a deep breath and propped his cheek on his right palm, his gaze boring into Rima's face.

"Whoa, don't you think you're pushing it Rima? I must admit that you do come up with some rather interesting theories but have you no heart when it comes to Tadase? I thought you of all people would want him to be happy? Or is this just too much for you to take—Tadase Hotori is getting married and he's leaving you behind. Why don't you just admit that you're just jealous of other people who are finding happiness?"

That was a low blow. Eyes watering, Rima pursed her lips together and stepped forward, shaking her head from side to side. "Are you saying that you don't believe me?" She asked her voice cracking and Naghiko nodded as he met her gaze. "That's exactly what I'm saying… that you should just stop these childish games of yours. It's time to grow up Rima, you loved and you lost—just get over it." He stated calmly and the tears began to blur Rima's vision as her lower lip shook dangerously and through her blurred vision she glared darkly at the man before her.

"Don't tell me what to do Nagihiko! You wouldn't know love if it danced naked in front of you. I used to love you—I admitted it to you and what did you do? You got on the first fucking flight out of here and left me there crying my eyes out for you!" Nagihiko was speechless and Rima was fighting back the tears as Nagihiko reached out for her.

"Rima?" He called but she just shook her head frantically

"Don't—this was obviously a stupid idea. Thinking that you of all people would actually help me—all you care about is making my life a living hell!"

With that, Rima whirled around and rushed out of the room with Nagihiko sitting their eyes wide in a sort of stupor. His fingers were curled as his hand was extended as if towards the now fleeting blonde. "Rima," he breathed his voice full of remorse.

Rima flooded out of the room, dashed down the hall and hastily shoved her feet into her shoes and her arms through the holes in her coat, all the while sniffing before she rushed for the front door. Just as her small fingers curled around the knob, the door fell open and her face smashed into the hard chest of Kukai. "Leaving so soon?" The soccer player probed and nodding, Rima sniffed and scrambled around him. "Sorry Kukai, I really need to get home!" She said in a rush and before Kukai could ask anymore questions she was gone. Staring after her momentarily, Kukai shrugged and sunk into his house.

"Hey Nagi—how did it go with Rima? She looked really upset!" He shouted stepping out of his shoes and moving into the living room. Crashing on the sofa, he released a tired sigh and began throwing random envelopes that had no appeal onto the floor below.

Nagihiko stepped quietly out of his room and stared at Kukai's reclining form on the sofa, his eyes turning red. Glancing up quickly, Kukai caught sight of Nagihiko and quirked a curious brow. "You okay dude? You look a little—wacked out. Did something happen between you and Rima?" He asked cautiously and sighing, Nagihiko crossed the room in quick, quiet strides and plopped down in an armchair. His face was buried in his palms within seconds only causing the anxiety in the soccer player to increase. Releasing a shaky breath, Nagi looked up and his gaze locked with his friend's. "Do you have any idea what it feels like to screw up any chances of someone falling in love with you again?" He suddenly asked and staring at him blankly for a second, Kukai nodded a goofy grin pulling at the corners of his mouth. "Dude, you're looking at Mister Ruin-Your-Chances-At-Love…remember I dated both Utau and Yaya and they're the best of friends? But what does this have to do with Rima?" He probed and Nagi leaned back in the armchair and stared up at the high ceiling.

"She came here to ask me a favour."

"Okay? That doesn't seem so bad—I ask favours of you all the time." Nagihiko shot him a look.

"No—she asked a really big favour of me."

"Oh…what was it?" Kukai leaned forward, his eyes trained on his friend.

"She wanted me to help her tell Tadase that Amu was 'cheating' on him but that wouldn't happen would it? Amu is in love with Tadase just as he is madly in love with her."

"So you think that Rima just wanted to get you involved with her crazy ambition of tearing Tadase and Amu apart?" Kukai asked and Nagihiko nodded.

"Exactly! I mean—seriously? Amu cheating on Tadase? I've met the girl she's completely harmless!"

"Actually, harmless isn't the word I'd use to describe Amu—she's more deceptive than harmless. Look Nagihiko, you have to really consider this. Rima used to be really good friends with Amu and she got backstabbed—I mean the girl stole her boyfriend! I'm sure she still harvests ill feelings for Amu but something like this? It seems a bit—much don't you think?"

Nagihiko just sat there staring at his friend. When had Kukai gotten so insightful? That was—new! Quirking a brow, he leaned forward and bit his lip. "So you're saying that I should probably listen to Rima?" He suggested but Kukai only shook his head frantically, causing Nagihiko to then become confused. "No—what I'm suggesting that you do is decide whether or not you believe her. If you truly love Rima then…making this decision will be easy." He said and his words completely confused Nagihiko but before he could ask anything else, Kukai yawned loudly and rose to his feet. Stretching, he scratched his head and grinned brightly, his grin reaching all the way to his eyes making them look as if they too were smiling. "Well, I'm spent—it's a good thing I didn't listen to my mother and became a therapist…it's a hell of a headache helping people deal with their problems." He stated before he dragged his lanky body out of the living room and disappeared into the bathroom. The door slammed shut but Nagihiko didn't seem bothered—he was too lost in his thoughts. What was he going to do?

*~*

A thin maid opened the grand front doors and Rima slunk into the house. "Good day Mashiro-san," she squeaked and not paying any attention to her, Rima just nodded and headed directly for the living room. The light was off and the telly was blasting loudly. Images flashed across the screen as an uninterested Utau slumped in her spot on the sofa, her right hand dangling over the armrest—cordless phone in her grip. Yaya sat at the other end of the sofa, her eyes glued to the large screen and an identical cordless receiver in her grip. Stopping in the threshold, Rima just studied them both before she decided to make her presence known.

"Hey guys," She croaked instantly catching their attention.

Looking back, both of them stared at Rima with large worried eyes and faint purple circles under their eyes. "Where the hell have you been all day huh? You leave before the sun's even up—something may I remind you, you never do then you won't even answer your damn phone!" Utau started already digging her teeth into the petite blonde who just sighed and plopped down below Yaya. "I was visiting Nagihiko if you two must know," she spat and Utau raised a curious brow.

"Nagihiko? I thought you hated him?"

"I do but—I actually thought that jackass could have helped me convince Tadase not to marry Amu." She mumbled and sighing, Utau rubbed the circles under her eyes and pressed her socked foot against Rima's back.

"Speaking of Amu—she's been calling this damn house for just as long as you've been out…it's driving me crazy! I'm one step away from disconnecting every phone we own." Rima was silent as Yaya leaned forward and pressed her cheek against her friend's.

"So is Nagi-kun going to help us?" She probed and Rima laughed bitterly.

"As if—we'd have a better chance at getting Amu to admit that she's cheating than for him to actually help me." At her words, both Utau and Yaya just stared at her blankly.

"Oh whoa—that bad huh?"

Fighting back her tears, Rima nodded tightly and pulled her knees into her chest as Yaya hugged her loosely. "Don't worry Rima-tan—you still have us." She said and Utau nodded in agreement her eyes now glued lazily to the large telly screen. "Yea—although I hate doing this…we'll help you get rid of Amu because that's what friends do. Now all we really need is a large projection screen, a microphone and three cups of some serious decaf coffee." She said and sniffing Rima reached up and pulled both girls into a strong, warm embrace. "Awe, you guys are the best!" She stated and Yaya giggled as Utau's eyes softened. Together they'd stop that wedding from happening. Two days were left until the big procession—two days before Amu wished that she had never met Rima Mashiro.