Bad Girls

Chapter 11

ECSTATIC was the perfect word to describe how Rima felt as she nearly ran through the park looking for Tadase. Honey eyes scanning—looking, her gaze soon landed on the attractive blond and her heart thudded away in her chest. It felt like everything was making sense again and she was on the verge of running over to him and hugging him tightly, the thought alone made her float before she spotted a glimmer of pink beside her Prince. Eyes widening, she frowned and would have turned around and ran away but Tadase caught sight of her standing there like a fool and he smiled.

"Rima!" He called friendly as he got up smiling and Amu also stood. Damn, he saw her. Now it was too later to slink away undetected.

Forcing a bright smile onto her face, Rima raised her hands and waved weakly at the pair. Tadase approached with Amu right behind him and standing there like an idiot, Rima was hugged warmly by Tadase as Amu tried to hide her unease. "Rima, how nice of you to join us!" Amu laughed and both girls stared at one another as Rima stepped back, shoved her hands into the pockets of her coat and nodded vigorously. "Yes…yes it is." Tadase stared from one girl to the next before smiling, the obvious tension not apparent to him.

"This is great! All of us hanging out together and becoming friends…I wonder when Nagihiko will be joining us." Tadase's gaze drifted out into the park as Amu agreed and Rima's face paled.

"Nagihiko's coming?" She squeaked and Tadase nodded. `

"I insisted that he come—this is an outing between friends. Is that alright with you Rima?" He stared at her and swallowing down a large lump in her throat, she nodded.

"Of course Tadase."

The trio sat on a park bench with Tadase and Amu sweet talking one another while Rima sat at the edge of the bench, frowning with her hands cupping her face. "Tadase!" Looking up, all three spotted Nagihiko making his way towards them and at the sight of him, Rima's heart sunk into her gut and pounded in her ears. Smiling, Tadase got up and Amu leaned back on the bench and threw a smug smirk at Rima. The blonde simply longed out her tongue at the rosette before allowing her gaze to land on Tadase and Nagihiko caught her eye and smiled.

"Nice to see you again Rima." Tadase blinked twice before smiling and stepped back, his brows furrowed.

"Oh, so you two have already met up since you got back?" The question was directed at Nagihiko but his eyes never came off of Rima.

"Once or twice," Rima lied shrugging casually and Tadase nodded.

Licking her lips, Amu sat up straight and stared at her fiancé. "Tadase, why don't you come with me? I left something in the car." She lied and Rima frowned before Tadase agreed and spared Nagihiko an apologetic smile. "You two don't mind do you?" He asked and Nagihiko just shrugged before Amu got up and both her and Tadase were off leaving Rima alone with Nagihiko. "I can't believe that bitch just did that." Rima mumbled and Nagi quirked a brow before smiling.

"Awe, watch you language Young Lady and besides—you know you like spending time with me." He jeered and Rima blushed before she shoved him lightly and frowned.

"No I don't! Why don't you just sit over there…far away from me while we wait for Tadase and the bitch to return." She suggested and Nagihiko frowned and ran a hand through his hair.

"Why are you trying to ruin Tadase and Amu's relationship?" The question caught Rima off-guard and looking away she frowned.

"I'd rather not say," she replied and sighing Nagihiko sat down and took hold of Rima's gloved hands in his own, causing the blonde to look up at him.

"Aren't you happy for him? Aren't you happy that he found someone special?" Rima glared but Nagihiko could see right through her false façade.

"No," she deadpanned.

"Why?" Rima could feel the tears rising.

"Because... I still love him."

*~*

"I don't see them!"

"Try looking straight ahead."

Utau took hold of Yaya's shoulders and spun her around. Nut-brown eyes landing on the forms of Nagihiko and Rima, her brows furrowed. "Why's she with Nagi-kun though? I thought this was a date with Tadase?" She popped another caramel square into her mouth and Utau ran a hand through her bangs. "That's what I'd like to know." She replied, eyes narrowing as they got closer and ducked behind a bush and watched as Nagihiko released Rima's hands and they both sat at two different ends of the bench awaiting the arrival of Tadase and Amu.

"This is like watching a terrible movie—I don't know why the hell Rima just doesn't get over Tadase and admits that she likes Nagihiko." Utau hissed and Yaya glanced over at her, one brow raised and a smug smirk on her lips.

"Reminds me of a certain someone else—ring any bells Utau-chan?" She sung out the blonde's name and frowning, Utau smacked her lightly on the back of her head, causing her to jerk forward.

"What was that for?!" She screeched and Utau clicked her tongue and began to look away.

"You know what you—shit, I think Rima spotted us!" Eyes widening, Yaya's gaze also landed on Rima who was squinting into the bushes before she frowned darkly.

"We're so dead!"

"Shut up and let's move before she's sure it's us she's looking at."

Getting up, Utau yanked roughly on Yaya's arm; pulling her up as well. "Where are we going?" She squeaked and stuffing her hands into her coat's pockets, Utau's gaze wandered about before they landed on a small doughnut shop across the street. "Over there!" She stated simply pointing one thin finger covered in a set of dark leather gloves. Following her fingers, Yaya's gaze landed on the small doughnut shop and her whole face lit up. "Doughnuts! Let's go Utau-chan!" Clapping her red mitten hands together, she took off towards the shop with Utau following leisurely behind.

*~*

"Is something the matter Rima?"

Gaze ripping off the bushes, Rima's gaze landed on Nagihiko who was staring very curiously at her. "No…I just…I just thought that I saw someone familiar is all." She replied flatly and nodding Nagihiko allowed his gaze to drift over her once more before he looked away and leaned back in the bench—sighing. "What I said last night…I really meant it you know." That got Rima's attention and looking over at him, she didn't say anything. They sat like that for minutes, no one daring to break the silence before Tadase and Amu reemerged, grinning broadly. "Sorry about the long wait—Amu couldn't seem to find it." Tadase apologized as he held up a small camera case and smiled at the others.

Rolling her eyes, Amu yanked the camera out of Tadase's hand and dropped it into her handbag before fiddling with it. "Rima, Amu and I have been talking and we would both love it if you would attend Amu's bridal party on Thursday." Tadase said and Rima's eyes widened as Amu frowned. Silence fell over the gang before Rima swallowed down a large lump in her throat before nodding, a broad grin plastered her face. "Sure…I'll attend but—Yaya and Utau have to be invited too…I don't go anywhere without them." She stated and Amu stared flabbergasted at her before she glanced over to Tadase begging him to let Rima down but all he did was smile before nodding. "Sure…of course Yaya and Utau can come!" Rima grinned before she shot Amu a death glare.

The rest of the day a sort of tension hung over Nagihiko and Rima's heads. Around five the temperature had dropped drastically and the gang had decided to split apart and each headed for their respective cars. Once in her car, Rima released a deep sigh and pressed her head up against the steering wheel. It was warm and she circled her small fingers around it. She was invited to Amu's bridal shower which was this coming Thursday—the thought of going to a party filled with a bunch of girls chatting and gossiping and praising the lucky gal made the wedding all the more real—all the more painstakingly painful to endure. Time was running out, if Rima wanted to get Tadase back she had to ruin all of Amu's chances at having him. Only one person could have Tadase Hotori and if it wasn't going to be Rima Mashiro then that meant no one could have him. It was time for the evil bitch inside of her to come out and play—what she was planning on doing was way bigger than blowing up a stupid little convertible.

*~*

Yaya was busily sucking on a large swirly lollipop, listening to music and reading over what was expected to be on the new season of Lipstick, Fashion & Boys. Tapping her pink pen against the script her head bounced about with the music before her bedroom door burst open and Rima came storming in. Head snapping in the direction of the door, Yaya stared at her but Rima was already crossing the room and plopped down in a purple bean bag. "We have to talk…where's Utau?" Rima demanded and ripping the headphones off her head, Yaya offered a small smile and spun her chair around so that she was facing the blonde. "Hi to you too Rima-tan," she jeered and offering an apologetic smile Rima ran a hand through her hair before her gaze drifted up to the cluttered poster ceiling.

"Sorry about that Yaya it's just that—we've been invited to Amu's bridal party on Thursday." She explained and Yaya nodded as she stared at the girl before she continued to suck on the large lollipop.

"Oh whoa…that's a shocker. I didn't think Amu would want us—especially you of all people at her bridal party." She replied and Rima groaned.

"That's the thing…she didn't want us there, Tadase insisted that's why we're going so where's Utau?" Yaya yawned before she pointed her thumb at her wall.

"In her room…she has a date tonight with Ryuu-kun."

Instantly, Rima popped out of the bean bag and marched across the bedroom. Grabbing Yaya's arm, she yanked her out of the room and they both barged in on Utau who was in the process of putting her evening gown on. At the sight of both of her friends an incredulous look crossed her face. "Okay, I'm just going to pretend you two didn't just barge in my room without knocking." She deadpanned and Yaya laughed nervously but Rima just lead her straight to the bed before they both settled on it.

"We have bigger problems than us barging in on you." Rima pointed out and shrugging, Utau slipped into her dress before moving towards her vanity table.

"What's the matter now Rima? Did you finally realize that Tadase and Amu were made for one another?" She asked already knowing the answer as Rima snorted and ripped the lollipop out of Yaya's hands and bit off a large piece leaving the redhead with large eyes and her jaw hanging open.

"As if! That's not what I'm here to tell you!" Rima exclaimed and Utau nodded half-heartedly.

"You don't say…then why are you in my room Rima? I have a date tonight if you haven't already noticed."

"She's here to tell you that we're going to Amu's bridal party." Yaya stated and Utau grew remarkably quiet.

"Hell no!" Utau replied and Rima's expression became quite panicked.

"Come on Utau! We have to go this might be our last chance at winning!"

"I don't give a flying fuck—I am not going to that bridal party! Are you damn crazy Rima? You've already lost—it's a bridal party. Her party to celebrate her engagement to Tadase the wedding will be like what—three days after the damn party…you've already lost the fight!"

Utau's words seemed to hit home because everyone was quiet. No one dared to break the silence, Rima was confused. Had she already lost the battle? Had she really already failed to regain Tadase? Why did she suddenly want to talk to someone about her feelings and why was she thinking of someone who wasn't her closest friends—why was she thinking about Nagihiko. Clearing her throat, Rima stood up, her posture perfect as Yaya stared at her and Utau also glanced at her through her mirror. "We're going to the bridal party on Thursday and that's final." With that, she stormed out of the bedroom slamming the door shut behind her and Utau sighed, her shoulders slumping forward.