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This was originally posted on Fanfiction.net around Christmas time as a holiday fic. I'm posting it here now because it is the first in a series of onshots that just finished on Fanfiction.net and I want to post it here. This story, and the three stories that follow it, all take place in an alternate universe but its all pretty self explanitory.

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Dear Poppa-

Everyone is waiting for me to go to lunch so I’ve only got a minute to write you a quick note. Of course I want to come home for Winter Holidays! Why do you even ask? Just a reminder that finals are done on the 22nd so I can fly out that evening. I hope all is good with you and the company. Things are so busy here, I’m sorry I haven’t called recently. We need to catch up but Keiko is calling so I have to go. Love you,

-Kimiko

“Come on Kimiko,” Keiko, Kimiko’s best girlfriend and roommate urged from the doorway. “I’m staving.”

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” Kimiko said clicking a few buttons and sending the message to her father.

“Rai’s going to be angry,” Keiko said in a sing song voice as Kimiko pulled on her black pea-coat.

“Rai can deal,” Kimiko said stepping out into the hall of her dormitory and locked the door behind her. Kimiko looked over at Keiko as they started walking and noticed a goofy smile on her face. “What are you smiling about?” Kimiko asked almost too afraid to ask.

“You like him now that you can’t have him,” Keiko said pointing a finger in Kimiko’s direction and then prepared for the explosion that usually came when Keiko hit a sore spot. When none came Keiko got concerned and immediately turned to study Kimiko’s face and for a second was able to she the girl’s unguarded expression. The hurt and sad expression that had been spread over Kimiko’s face was quickly replaced by one of controlled frustration when she realized she was being watched.

“I-do-not-like-Raimundo,” Kimiko said in a controlled voice while bunching her fists at her side. Keiko giggled again to cover up her own nervousness. The two girls had been best friends since their freshman year when Keiko started attending the exclusive C.F Mercer Academy in the heart of Manhattan. Kimiko had been at the school as a boarder student since the seventh grade and all previous years but had lived with her father off campus. When her father made the decision to move back to Tokyo Kimiko had stayed behind. Keiko knew that Kimiko missed her father often; he was the only biological family she had left after her mother died. Kimiko’s mother was the reason Kimiko’s father moved with his four year old daughter to New York City in the first place and although Kimiko was fluent in both Japanese and English Keiko knew that Kimiko considered New York home over Tokyo.

“Yeah right,” Keiko said as the two entered the elevator, “but your timing sucks since he’d going out with that day student Dyris.”

“For the last time I don’t like Raimundo!” Kimiko yelled this time. She needed to convince Keiko to drop this before they met the guys in the lobby only a few floors away. Kimiko had been going to Mercer her whole life and as a boarder student for the last five and a half years. She knew every twist and turn of every building as well as the way rumors liked to fly around so easily. Even if Keiko was joking, which Kimiko knew she was, it was still too risky to let that rumor run rampant. Why? Because it was true. Kimiko liked Raimundo but had gotten over that at the start of the year, not because she stopped liking him but because it was what was best.

“Well it’s a good thing that you don’t like Raimundo then,” Keiko said suddenly changing the conversation’s direction which was never a good thing when it came to Keiko. Kimiko knew that Keiko wasn’t dumb by any means and had been directing the conversation from the start. Usually Kimiko could catch herself before being caught in this trap but her mind was swimming with thoughts of her father and Raimundo.

“Where is this going?” Kimiko asked with a good natured roll of her eyes.

“I heard,” Keiko started but stopped when the doors dinged open on the first floor and let on some freshman. “I heard,” she started again in a softer voice, “that Chase Young likes you.”

“The senior with the long hair and always has at least some piece of black on?” Kimiko asked playing dumb. Of course she knew who Chase Young was. He was the president of the senior class and one of the most popular guys in school. Apparently girls went for the dark and mysterious thing. What was so appealing about him Kimiko didn’t get.

“Don’t act like you don’t know who he is,” Keiko said as they stepped off the elevator, “I see him talking to you all the time in the hallways when you’re alone. He complimented you on your perfume the other day.”

“Who is smelling you?” Raimundo asked in a voice that Kimiko didn’t really recognize and she knew every voice of Raimundo. Keiko and Kimiko had been walking up to where their guy friends waited in the lobby when Keiko had made the perfume comment.

“Eloquently put Raimundo,” Keiko said sarcastically. “And for your information Chase Young complemented Kimiko on her perfume the other day.”

“Weird,” Rai said in a low voice.

“Yeah, yeah that’s all fine and good,” another friend named Clay from Texas said, “but I’m starving. Can we get going?”

“I agree with Clay,” the smallest of the group of six said, “my stomach is most empty as well.”

“Omi are you ever going to stop talking like a play write?” Jermaine asked. Jermaine was the only out of Kimiko’s “group” who wasn’t a boarder student. He’d started Mercer Academy as a sophomore last year and somehow a relationship between him and Omi had formed and of course Kimiko and the others had befriended him through Omi. Kimiko observed her friends as they filed out in front of her toward the door. There was Keiko who’d been her roommate since freshman year and had transferred from a school in Kyoto after her father’s job sent her family to the states. Clay Bailey had also started freshman year, coming from Texas on his own after being accepted on a full academic scholarship. That was all the tall Texan ever said about getting in Mercer but it seemed part of the reason he got in was because he was quite the poet, though he’d never admit it. Omi was three years younger then everyone else but only a grade behind the others. Some teachers called him a genius, apparently his IQ was in the three digits when last tested three years ago, but the young boy had very little common sense. He was gullible and trusted everyone which were not two qualities you wanted when living in New York City. Kimiko then looked over at Raimundo who was walking next to her. He seemed to feel her eyes on him and turned to look at her with a smile.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked as a blast of cold winter air greeted them as they walked out of the door.

“Nothing really,” Kimiko said with a shrug, “just thinking.”

“That’s dangerous you know,” Rai said with a smile as they navigated their way through the crowd. The other four were already power walking fast, lead by the obviously hungry Clay, and were leaving Kimiko and Rai behind. It was a normal occurrence so no one paid the two any mind. It was a Saturday afternoon, just a two weeks before Christmas and the city seemed to be overflowing with red, green, and white. There had been a few light snowfalls but so far nothing had stuck.

‘That’s a shame,’ Kimiko thought, ‘I like the city when it’s covered in snow.’

“I wish it would snow,” Rai said a minute later as if reading her mind.

“I was just thinking that,” Kimiko said with a smile watching and waiting the traffic light across the street to change. Normally Kimiko would be much more aware of her surroundings but with Raimundo around she felt safe. Her eyes fell on Keiko and the others already across the street and heading toward a normal hang out for the group. It was a diner that Raimundo had introduced to Kimiko to early in their seventh year. It was a special place for Kimiko but she didn’t mind sharing it with the others. Kimiko glanced over at Rai again but this time he didn’t catch her peeking. That was fine for Kimiko. She liked being able to observe him uninterrupted from time to time.

Kimiko had started in kindergarten at Mercer Academy and although she’d had friends it wasn’t until she met Raimundo in the fifth grade that she could say she was really had any sort of meaningful friendships. To this day she had no idea what had drawn her to the new boy in class but she had been and was always glad for it. Raimundo had come to Mercer when his family moved to New York City for a job his father was working on. The school wasn’t exactly in the Pedrosa family budget but Raimundo got in a scholarship for a story he’d written while his siblings attended public school. Mercer was a good judge of early talent it seemed as Rai continued to write to this day and also lead the school soccer team to multiple championships. When his father’s job was cut short and the family got ready to head back to Rio the school had offered Raimundo a free ride in school, wanting to keep the talented boy in their ranks. Raimundo hadn’t wanted to stay and had been distraught when his parents insisted he stayed.

That was in the fifth grade and Raimundo and Kimiko’s relationship had excelled to another level. Like Kimiko Raimundo had other friends at school but Kimiko was his best friend by far and he spent as much time at Kimiko’s penthouse as he did in his dorm room. When, in the seventh grade, Kimiko’s father decided to move back to Tokyo Kimiko had made the difficult decision to stay behind in New York and live full time at school. Neither would come out and say it but a good part of the reason, if not the only reason was for Raimundo. No one else ever knew that when Kimiko’s father had left and Raimundo stood with the girl on the curb watching him out of sight Raimundo had kissed Kimiko on the cheek. It was enough thanks that Kimiko needed for staying behind and neither had brought it up again. Kimiko often wondered if Raimundo even remembered the incident.

A gentle elbow poke from Rai to her arm woke Kimiko from her thoughts and the two crossed the street silently. They walked together and Rai opened the door for Kimiko before following her in.

“No Dyris today?” Kimiko asked Raimundo as they located the table with their friends.

“Nah, she’s out Christmas shopping with her mom and sisters today,” Raimundo said as they sat down. Seats across from one another at the table had been left open for the two and they took them automatically.

“Shopping?” Keiko asked hearing Raimundo as he sat down.

“Do you have radar for that word or something?” Jermain asked Keiko whom he sat across from.

“Yes,” Keiko said without missing a beat, “and that reminds me do you guys want to do Secret Snowflake this year?” Everyone looked oddly at Keiko and then amongst themselves.

“Secret Snowflakes?” Clay asked a little wary. “Don’t you mean Secret Santa?”

“No I mean Secret Snowflakes. It’s more politically correct then Secret Santa, I mean not everyone celebrates Christmas but they still might want to be a part of the festivities.”

“Who doesn’t love Santa?” Rai asked studying his menu even though he had it memorized.

“Whatever, the name doesn’t matter,” Keiko said with a wave of her hand, “do you want to do it or not?”

“Explain this Secret Santa Snowflake concept to me,” Omi asked.

“You know what it is Omi,” Kimiko assured him but the dumbfounded look of the boy made her think otherwise. “It’s when everyone draws a name out of a hat and you have to get a present for just that person and you’re not allowed to tell anyone else who it is.”

“Why?” Omi asked.

“That’s just the way the game is played Omi,” Jermaine told him.

“Oh so it is a competition?” Omi asked looking eager.

“No it’s not that kind of game. Just a fun way t exchange gifts,” Clay said and then folded his arms and looked determined, “but I ain’t calling it Secret Snowflake.”

“Chill cowboy,” Keiko said, “it was just a suggestion.”

“Well I’m in,” Kimiko told Keiko and the other girl sent back a grateful smile.

“Me too,” Rai said and the others quickly agree. At that point a waitress came over and took the kids orders.

“Should we invite anyone else?” Keiko asked before taking a sip of her soda.

“Like who?” Raimundo asked.

“Umm I don’t know,” Keiko mused and Kimiko knew where this was heading so decided to intervene.

“What about that Jack Spicer kid, he lives on your floor right?” Kimiko asked looking at Rai. “You’re friends with him aren’t you?”

“Friend is a funny word,” Rai mused.

“We’ll add him,” Keiko said. “Do you have a pen or any paper Kimiko?” Kimiko dug into her purse and pulled out a pad of post its and a pen then handed them off to Keiko.

“So that’s the six of us and Spicer,” Keiko said as she wrote down everyone’s names. “Anyone else?” she asked looking around the table.

“Aren’t you friends with Ashley?” Omi asked in a dreamy voice. Everyone rolled their eyes knowing of Omi’s crush on the cat obsessed girl.

“I guess we could invite her,” Keiko said reluctantly adding the girl’s name to the list despite the fact that the two didn’t really get along at all.

“Now that’s the Christmas spirit,” Raimundo said quietly enough for only Kimiko to hear. Kimiko stifled a giggled and ignored the glances from the rest of her friends. She wasn’t stupid; she knew that her friends knew about her still living crush on Rai. After Raimundo stared going out with Dryris at the beginning of the year they had all been consistently asking if she was ok. Luckily after she’d exploded at them in the library they’d laid off. Every so often one would still ask if she was doing alright and Kimiko would answer with a tired ‘I’m fine’.

The truth was that Kimiko thought that she was a horrible fit for Raimundo. There had to be someone out there better than her for Raimundo. She might not believe that it was Dyris but at least he was dating and trying to find the perfect girl for him. Kimiko glanced up and watched him laughing at something that Omi had said. ‘Yeah,’ she thought sadly, ‘there is someone perfect out there for him. Someone even tempered, gentle, and beautiful.’

Kimiko wiped these thoughts from her mind and joined in the conversation the others were having.

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“So we’ve got you, me, Jermaine, Omi, Clay, Raimundo, Dyris, Jack, Ashley, and Chase Young,” Keiko repeated later that night in the girls’ shared room.

“I still think your crazy about the Chase thing,” Kimiko said pulling down the covers of her bed.

“Why? Because you secretly like him like he likes you?” Keiko teased.

“Come on Keiko,” Kimiko slightly pleaded, “you know I don’t like Chase so can you please drop it?”

“Fine, fine, fine,” Keiko said pulling the covers down on her own bed. “But he does like you so he’ll defiantly come to the party.”

“That’s fine but I don’t like him,” Kimiko told Keiko for what felt like the millionth time that day. “What’s with you anyway? You’re chipper even for you.”

“I’m excited for break,” Keiko said stretching her arms over her head and sinking into her pillows. “I’ve been talking to that kid I used to so to school with a lot lately and we’re going to meet up when I’m home in Kyoto.”

“Good for you Keiko,” Kimiko said genuinely happy for her friend.

“We need to find you a guy, that isn’t Chase Young,” she added as an afterthought.

“I’m not looking to date anyone right now,” Kimiko said with an indifferent shrug.

“Just say the word and I bet half the guys in the high school would be all over you,” Keiko said smiling widely.

“Hmm,” Kimiko muttered indifferently as she buried her face into the pillow signaling the end of the conversation. She heard Keiko reach over she shut the light out a minute late and Kimiko was grateful. ‘Why does everyone think we all should have boyfriends and girlfriends?’ Kimiko wondered to herself. ‘I wouldn’t mind having one but there’s only one I have in mind and I’d be no good for him. I can’t even really understand how we work out as friends but I’m glad we did.’

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Even though the next morning was Sunday Kimiko woke at an early hour. She always did, it was just a part of her makeup for some reason and she stopped fighting it long ago. Unlike her peers Kimiko just couldn’t manage to sleep the large amount of hours everyone else did. Kimiko moved silently over to her computer, so not to wake Keiko and frowned when she noticed that the internet was down.

‘No fun to be had there,’ Kimiko thought with a frown picking up her cell phone. There were no missed calls or new messages, another bore. ‘Maybe I convince Rai to go for a run with me,’ Kimiko thought punching a text message into the phone. Kimiko knew that Raimundo didn’t like going running with him, not because she slowed him down, but because she was a distraction. Kimiko usually tried to talk or would get distracted by something and the run would get cut short. Rai was and early riser so she didn’t feel guilt when she finished and sent the message. Clay, Rai’s roommate, could sleep through anything so Kimiko didn’t worry about waking him. Kimiko put her phone on vibrate and changed into running clothes, no use in showering if she was just going to get sweaty.

Her phone suddenly buzzed and Kimiko quickly grabbed it to silence it. Keiko mumbled something and shifted under the covers but didn’t wake up. Kimiko sighed gratefully and read Rai’s message. It told her to meet in the lounge in ten minutes. The girls’ dorm and guys’ dorm were separate buildings connected by a small two story building that held a large common room for students to meet in after hours when they were confined to their dorm. On weeknights students were suppose to be in their dorms no later then eight unless there was a special, pre-approved reason to be out and on weekends it was later depending on your grade so the common room was a popular place. This time of the morning though it would be empty.

Kimiko wrote down a quick note to Keiko though she doubted the other girl would be up before Kimiko got back. Grabbing her keys and pulling on a sweat shirt Kimiko quickly and silently left the room, not wanting to keep Rai waiting. In the common room Raimundo waited patiently for Kimiko to join him. He didn’t normally run with anyone except for members of the soccer team but Kimiko he made an exception. He felt bad because he felt like he hadn’t been spending enough time with her. Classes, school work, soccer practice, and Dryris took up most of his time lately. He was thinking back to how nice yesterday was hanging out with his close friends when he heard the door to the girls’ building open up. Rai turned and saw normal Kimiko but for some reason he felt like something about her was different. She was dressed black spandex pants that reached about mid-calf and a shirt poked out from underneath a zipper sweat shirt- nothing special there. Her hair was up in her favorite and most common style, two ponytails- again nothing special there. Rai studied her face, devoid of makeup. So what was going on with her?

“You ok Rai?” Kimiko asked tilting her head to the side as she stood in front of him. Rai jumped slightly, not noticing before that she had moved over to him.

“Fine,” Rai lied, “just still a little sleepy.”

“I didn’t wake you up did I?” Kimiko asked concerned. The truth that Raimundo was still asleep when Kimiko had texted him but he was eager to spend time with her so he’d dragged himself out of bed.

“Nope,” Rai assured her lying again. “Did you stretch?”

“Enough,” Kimiko said with a shrug.

“Then lets get going,” Rai said leading the way out of the common room and out onto the New York streets. On a good day like that morning seemed to be turning into Central Park was less then a fifteen minute walk from the school dorms. Parks were actually more plentiful in New York City but both Rai and Kimiko enjoyed the size and activity of Central Park then one of the smaller ones.

“Smaller space, bigger crowds,” Raimundo had reasoned one day and Kimiko had to agree.

“Want to get breakfast after this?” Kimiko asked as they started their walk to the park.

“Wish I could but I promised that I’d meet Dryris for brunch later and I don’t want to ruin my appetite,” Rai said missing the twing that flashed on Kimiko’s face at his response.

“I forgot you do that every Sunday,” Kimiko said lamely. She hadn’t forgotten but was hoping that maybe Dryris wouldn’t come into the city this Sunday. Dryris commuted everyday from Jersey for school and almost always spent at least one day of the weekend with Raimundo in the city. How she managed it since she didn’t take the train Kimiko couldn’t begin to fathom but she did, much to Kimiko’s annoyance. A rumor had been circulating around school that had gotten back to Kimiko that Dyris had told Kimiko to stay away from Kimiko. Kimiko had no doubt it was true. Dyris, a west coast heiress hadn’t started at Mercer until she and her mother moved to Jersey after a nasty divorce around February last year. She’d become queen of not only the grade but of the entire high school in a matter of weeks. Like Chase Young there was an appeal about Dyris that Kimiko could not grasp.

Whatever Dyris did would have been fine with Kimiko but then the tall, thin, auburn haired beauty had set her sights on Raimundo. It wasn’t an unreasonable connection. Raimundo was one of the most popular guys in the high school and was defiantly number one in the grade. Good academically, good in sports, and an all around nice guy. In truth Dryis was the perfect compliment to Raimundo but that didn’t mean Kimiko needed to like her.

“Kimiko? Kimiko? Kim-i-ko?” Rai asked waving his hand in front of Kimiko’s face.

“Oh, sorry Rai,” Kimiko apologized.

“What’s with you spacing out all the time?”

“I do not space out all the time,” Kimiko said grumpily, “I’m just thinking.”

“About?” Rai pressed.

“You,” Kimiko admitted as they crossed the street. When Rai didn’t respond Kimiko continued. “I haven’t really gotten to talk or spend time with you in what feels like forever.”

“But Kim we spend time together all the time,” Rai said surprised but knew everything Kimiko was saying was true.

“Hanging out with the others like at lunch yesterday is fun but its not like in grade school or middle school. Even Jr. High.”

“Things were a lot different back then,” Rai mused.

“Yeah,” Kimiko agreed. The two continued on into the park and selected a path.

“Just a short run,” Rai said doing some last minute stretches, “I’ve got to be ready to meet Dyris at 8:30.” Kimiko made and agreeable noise in her throat and checked her watch. Rai watched her do so. “Isn’t that the watch a give you for your birthday last year?”

“Yup,” Kimiko told him pulling her sleeve back to cover it. Rai observed this with a frown.

“Kimiko are you,” Rai started but she already sprinted off.

“Let’s go Rai!” she called back. “You’re the one on a time schedule!”
“…ok?” Rai finished his earlier question and then chased after her.

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“You are insane,” a sleep rumpled Keiko told Kimiko when she entered her room after showering off the sweat and dirt she’d accumulated on the run.

“Yes I am,” Kimiko agreed with a tiny shiver. She’d caught a chill while on the run and wasn’t enjoying it.

“You ok?” Keiko asked noting the shiver.

“WOULD EVERYONE STOP ASKING IF I’M OK!” Kimiko yelled back surprising both her and Keiko.

“What?” Keiko asked in a quite voice. She was afraid to even move. Sure Kimiko lost her temper a lot but this was something new. Kimiko meanwhile was staring at Keiko as surprised as Keiko was at her outburst. Kimiko slapped a hand over her hand in surprise and slowly sank to her knees, realizing she was crying. Kimiko Tohomiko did not cry. “Kimiko!” Keiko gasped in surprise leaping out her bed and rushing to her friend’s aid. “What’s wrong Kimiko? Are you hurt? Should I call someone?” Kimiko shook her head no in response to Keiko’s questions, hand still to her mouth trying to stem the flow of tears consistently pouring from her eyes.

“Kimiko,” Keiko breathed out unsure of what to do.

“I’m sorry Keiko,” Kimiko finally managed out an apology but Keiko was already shaking her head in response.

“Nothing to be sorry about,” Keiko assured her and urged Kimiko off the floor and onto her bed. “Now,” she continued when both were settled, “what is going on?”

“Nothing really, I’m just a little tired after my run,” Kimiko try to lie but knew that Keiko wasn’t buying it.

“That’s not it,” Keiko argued. “You don’t have to tell me but I don’t want you to be hurting either. Let me help you if I can.”

“Shame shit different day,” Kimiko said in a quite voice that Keiko almost didn’t catch.

“It’s Rai again isn’t it?” Keiko asked and when Kimiko didn’t disagree Keiko continued. “I’m sorry about teasing you lately about him but I thought it would help. You seemed to be doing well around him lately. I thought it would lighten the mood.”

“It’s not you Keiko,” Kimiko assured her, “its just that when anyone asks me if I’m ok it kinda sends me over the edge you know?”

“Why does it?” Keiko asked. That question caught Kimiko by surprise.

“Because I really am ok, really. I’m over whatever little crush I might have had,” Kimiko said meeting Keiko unwaveringly in the eye.

‘Yeah right,’ Keiko thought to herself but didn’t want to push it.

“Besides,” Kimiko continued, “I’m all wrong for Rai. It’s a miracle we’re even good friends.”

“Now that just isn’t true!” Keiko argued.

“I don’t really wanna go there Keiko,” Kimiko quickly cut the girl off and Keiko sighed in defeat.

“Fine,” Keiko said. “Can I at least rip on Dryis?” Kimiko laughed at that and Keiko immediately felt better knowing Kimiko was laughing. She knew that Kimiko was far from ok on the Rai-Dyris situation but little steps seemed to be the best way to deal with it at the moment.

“Yeah, just not in front of Rai,” Kimiko consented.

“I’ll try to hold back,” Keiko said with a smile.

“Thank you Keiko,” Kimiko said hugging her roommate who returned the hug.

“No problem, any time. Now,” Keiko said pulling back from the hug and rubbing her hands looking devilish, “let’s play with your hair!” Kimiko smiled and looked in the mirror behind her to study the plain black locks that had grown nearly to her shoulder blades.

“With all the final papers and projects due lately I’ve barely had time to style it let alone dye it,” Kimiko said getting off the bed and picking up a brush.

“Well next week’s classes are going to all review, then finals week so you’ve got time! Let’s do something fun,” Keiko said jumping over to her side of the room and started pulling things out of her drawers. “I’m thinking festive is the way to go,” she said inspecting a bottle.

“Sounds good to me.”

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“Hey Tohomiko,” came a deep voice from behind Kimiko as she stood at her locker. Kimiko spun around and came face to face with Chase Young.

“Oh hey Chase,” Kimiko said actually happy to see him. Keiko had been pestering her since Sunday to ask Chase to be in the Secret Santa so they could draw names and get shopping.

“I like your hair,” he said simply. Kimiko and Keiko had spent most of their Sunday planning out and trying out hair styles. Keiko had wanted to go fully festive and dye her hair red and green but Kimiko had talked her into saving it for the party. Kimiko’s hair was currently four shaded of blue that started the darkest on the bottom and faded lighter as it reached the top of her head and finally going white on her bangs. Kimiko had been so proud of the color scheme that she’d kept it for the past few days, only changing the style she wore it in. Today was simple French braid down the back of her neck.

“Thanks,” Kimiko said running a hand through her bangs. She may not like Chase Young in the way Keiko wanted her to but he had a presence about him that always made her nervous.

“You look good in anything blue,” Chase continued while Kimiko turned back to her locker.

“Thanks,” Kimiko said lamely again. Everyone said she looked good in blue, except for Rai. He agreed that she looked good in blue but thought she looked best in green. “Hey I’ve got a question for you,” Kimiko said shutting her locker and turn back. When she saw she had his attention she nodded in the way she wanted to walk.

“What’s your question?” Chase asked as they moved. Despite the school uniforms everyone had to wear Chase always seemed to work black into his outfit without getting into trouble.

“You know my friend Keiko?” Kimiko asked ignoring the looks they got. Chase didn’t talk with many people, especially girls at this school so his conversation with Kimiko must have been historical. Chase nodded to answer Kimiko’s question.

“She’s your roommate too right,” he asked.

“Yup and she was getting together a Secret Santa and wanted to know if you wanted be apart of it,” Kimiko said in a rush.

“Secret Santa? That gift exchange thing?” Chase asked.

“Yeah, it’s a small one though. Mostly just juniors.”

“Then why are you inviting me?” Chase asked intrigued.

“I’m just the messenger,” Kimiko said with a shrug.

“I don’t think I should,” Chase said after a moment’s consideration, “I’m not exactly friends with your group.”

“They’re pretty accepting people. If you acted as relaxed around them as you do me then they’d probably really like you,” Kimiko said honestly.

“I’m only relaxed when I have a goal I am working towards,” Chase said simply.

“You have a goal with me?” Kimiko asked. See his expression that said ‘are you really that naïve?’ she blushed and made a tiny oh sound. Chase smiled his usually half smile at the sight of her.

“You’re friends with Omi right?” Kimiko asked breaking the silence that had developed and choosing not to acknowledge what had just taken place. “And I know Jack Spicer knows you.”

“Omi is alright,” Chase admitted, “I like him. But Spicer is an insect.”

“True,” Kimiko agreed, “but for despite the fact that he is annoying he’s got a good enough heart. He and Omi get along pretty well.”

“I’ll do your Secret Santa Kimiko,” Chase said a moment later.

“That’ll make Keiko happy,” Kimiko said with a smile. “Can you meet tonight in the Common Room around seven? We have to do it early cause one of the day student’s that’s in it has to leave early.”

“I’ll be there,” Chase promised stopping when Kimiko did.

“Ah this is my class so I guess I’ll see you later,” Kimiko said suddenly uncomfortable realizing Chase had just walked her to class.

“I know,” he said softly making Kimiko’s eyes widen. “I’ll see you tonight.” Kimiko watched him out of sight, twisting her lips in thoughtfulness as she did. ‘That Chase Young,’ she thought entering her class room ‘is a weird one.’ She’d just sat in her seat when Rai walked in looking confused.

“Did Chase Young just walk you to class?” he asked taking his seat in front of her. The school was so small that in nearly every class they took together Kimiko and Raimundo ended up sitting near one another.

“In a manner of speaking,” Kimiko said not meeting Rai’s eyes.

“Whatever,” Rai said with a huff, “anyway is there a chance we could move the Secret Santa thing up an hour? Dyris want to try and get on the road earlier.”

“But I just told Chase that we were meeting at seven,” Kimiko said with a frown. “I guess I could track him down though.”

“Chase Young is doing Secret Santa?” Rai asked surprised.

“Yeah, Keiko really wanted to invite him.”

“What does she like him or something?” Rai asked surprised.

“No,” Kimiko said confidently while pulling a notebook from her bag. She had a pretty big suspision that Keiko liked Jermaine but wasn’t saying anything.

“Then why is he coming?” Rai asked.

“Does it matter?” Kimiko shot back. Rai looked like he wanted to respond but the teacher came in and cleared his throat loudly, signaling the start and cutting off Rai’s chance to answer. Half way through the hour long class Rai felt Kimiko poke him from behind and he discreetly bent his hand back to accept the note she’d written for him. Unfolding the tiny folded strip of paper in his lap, under the cover of his desk Rai read Kimiko’s tiny and neat handwriting that was a mixture of cursive and plain letters.

If it really bothers you that much I can uninvited him- Kimiko

Rai reversed the paper and wrote on the other side before handing it back to Kimiko when the teacher’s back was turned.

It’s fine. Let him be a part of it. It’ll be the highlight of Jack’s life. He idolizes the guy.

Kimiko ripped a fresh square of paper from her notebook and wrote a reply.

Sounds good. Now pay attention. We both need to do well on this final.

Rai smiled at the note knowing it was true. Math had never been either’s favorite subject and this year’s level seemed particularly hard. Rai sighed and resumed taking his notes but his mind was elsewhere. He quickly pushed the party from his mind and thought instead of the phone call he received from his mother late in the day on Monday. Money was tight in the Pedrosa household even with Rai on a full scholarship. Rai took odd jobs all over school to pay as much of his own expenses, and there were a lot when living in a city like New York, but his parents still felt the need to put some money in his bank account every month. Lately Rai had been noticing it was less and less. Then his mother called to tell him his oldest sister was getting married in the summer and that they couldn’t afford to flying him back for both winter break and the wedding. Rai had spent the majority of the past few summer, staying at school and working to conserve money. Kimiko’s father often offered to loan, if not give him some, or offered him the company jet but Rai had only accepted either offer only once. He felt bad, didn’t want to leech off the Tohomiko’s, but when his father had gotten hurt two years ago Kimiko had managed to get a private jet to fly Rai to Rio.

He thought about asking Kimiko if it was possible to use the company jet again but decided against it. It would just be easier to stay at the school for the nearly three weeks and just visit Jermaine and Dyris over the break. ‘Better to not tell Kimiko and the others though,’ Rai thought taking a peek behind him to where Kimiko was bent over her notes, ‘they’d just get mad.’

He let his eyes sweep over his best friend’s form one time before putting his mind to the class lecture. He did have a final thought though before he switched his mind into scholarly mode, ‘she looks better in green.’

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“I think Jack Spicer might have just wet himself,” Clay said standing next to Kimiko. Kimiko turned her head to watch what Clay was looking at. Chase Young had just walked over to the group and Jack looked like a school girl in love. Kimiko laughed silently and nodded to Chase when he looked in her direction. He didn’t look pleased about being there and Kimiko couldn’t really blame him. If she had a stalker like Jack Spicer she’d avoid social gatherings as well. Kimiko glanced over to where Keiko was skillfully flirting with Jermaine. About an hour ago Keiko had come to claim a good spot in the Common Room for the Secret Santa meeting and Jermaine had joined her, not wanting to go all the way home only to have to turn back around. Kimiko had been conveniently busy with something in her room so the two were alone together.

Clay and Kimiko had arrived at nearly the same time in the lounge and after Kimiko had told him that Chase was coming Clay hadn’t left her side, taking up the only space next to her on the couch. Clay was a protective brother figure to Kimiko and didn’t like it when boys took an interest in her. Kimiko thought it was wasted energy since she wasn’t planning on having that sort of relationship with Chase or any guys for that matter, at least not for the time being. Omi arrived with Ashley a minute later, surprising everyone that she’d even shown up, much less with Omi. Kimiko had been with friends at Ashley in middle school but the friendship had slowly faded into neutral acquaintance status.

“It’s a Christmas miracle,” Kimiko said to Clay referring to Ashley actually taking an interest in Omi.

“Sorry but I just don’t trust that girl,” Clay said looking disapprovingly.

“Do you trust anyone?” Kimiko asked sarcastically.

“Yeah and I guess she’s ok. Just don’t want to see the little guy’s heart broke.”

“Happens to everyone at some point in time,” Kimiko said leaning forward, propping her elbows on her knees and cradling her head in her hands.

“Is everyone here?” Keiko asked a minute later.

“Just waiting on Rai and Dyris,” Kimiko said annoyed that they had to wait for the girl when she was the one who wanted the meeting moved up.

“Speak of the devil,” Clay said a second after Kimiko stopped speaking. Kimiko’s eyes went to the door that Raimundo had just walked through, closely followed by Dyris. Kimiko looked over the leggy auburn haired beauty with her sea green eyes and slim figure. ‘Don’t dwell on it,’ a voice in Kimiko’s subconscious warned and Kimiko pushed it from her mind. ‘I thought I was over this,’ Kimiko thought, ‘why’s it all coming back now?’ Kimiko looked over at Keiko who was shooting Dyris a dirty look and decided she needed to thank Keiko later for being such a good friend.

“Sorry we’re late,” Dyris said in her soft dream like voice, “I just wanted to show Rai a few things in the store.” She didn’t elaborate but Kimiko knew that Dyris had been pointing out things she’d like for Christmas. She’d done it on her birthday about two months ago. Kimiko fought the urge to roll her eyes.

“That’s fine Dyris,” Keiko said in a controlled voice that Rai glared at her for.

“No it’s rude,” Chase said surprising everyone.

‘Wow this is going in the wrong direction,’ Kimiko thought glancing over at Clay. He was often a peace maker on matters and Kimiko looked to him now for help.

“Why don’t we just get going on the Secret Santa business,” Clay suggested cutting off Dyris who was opening her mouth to say something.

“Sounds good,” Keiko said opening a note book that she’d written the plans for the party down in. “You all know the way Secret Santa works?” she asked and when everyone nodded in agreement she continued. “So I was thinking we’d have the party where we exchange gifts on Friday of finals week. The last possible final is on Friday morning so unless you guys have got flights out of here before then should that work for everyone?” Kimiko wasn’t sure when she was leaving yet. Her father hadn’t answered her email yet and so far all her phone calls were going unanswered even though his secretary assured Kimiko that he was just busy. It was a busy time of year for the gaming company so Kimiko forgave her father.

‘Doesn’t matter what time I leave if I have the private jet,’ Kimiko thought.

“Ok,” Keiko continued, “does anyone have a range for a price limit?”

“Do we really need to have one?” Dyris asked hanging off Rai’s arm.

“That’s usually what happens with these kinds of things,” Keiko said in a strained voice but this time it was better disguised.

“Phooey,” Dyris said but didn’t argue anymore.

“Any suggestions?” Keiko asked again.

“How about no more then twenty or twenty-five?” Kimiko suggested when no one else stepped up.

“No arguments?” Keiko asked and when no one spoke it up she made it official. “Ok then. Onto assignments.” Keiko proceeded to pull out an envelope from the pages of her notebook, walk over to Clay, and swipe his hat off his head.

“Hey!” he protested watching her dumb the contents of the envelope, tiny folded bits of paper, into his beloved hat.

“Relax cowboy you’ll get it back unharmed,” Keiko assured and then shook the hat to mix the papers up even more. “Now everyone pick one and don’t tell anyone. If you get your own name we’ll redraw,” Keiko said passing the hat around. By the time it came to Kimiko there were only two papers left, one for her and one for Clay. Kimiko selected her paper and then passed the hat back to its owner.

“Everyone happy?” Keiko asked and when no one objected she snapped her notebook close. “Meeting augured then. See you all later.” Everyone dispersed after Keiko’s dismissal, most opening their papers and either grinning like idiots or grimacing. Kimiko had peeked at hers to make sure it wasn’t her name and had been happily surprised. Looking back over her shoulder she saw Rai walking at with Dyris who was frowning and Kimiko wondered whose name she pulled. Turning her head a little more Kimiko looked for Keiko who was talking to Jermaine again. ‘Guess I’m waiting for her,’ Kimiko thought walking toward the door that led to the girls’ dorm.

“Off to study?” a voice asked and Kimiko glanced at her side where Chase had appeared.

“Yeah,” Kimiko said lamely. The truth was she wanted try and get in contact with her father.

“All work and no play makes Kimiko a dull girl,” Chase said surprising Kimiko. Chase had never struck Kimiko as a person who dropped sayings like that. “Can I interest you in coffee?” he asked.

‘Shit,’ Kimiko thought.

“Um, not tonight but maybe later this week or defiantly next week. I’ll need it then,” Kimiko said hoping that Chase would forget about it

“I’ll hold you to that,” Chase said walking away.

“That is a very, very weird guy,” Clay said walking over to Kimiko.

“Eavesdropping is not a good habit to get into,” Kimiko scolded unhappy that Clay had heard that.

“Don’t worry,” he promised when he saw her expression, “I won’t tell anyone.”

“Why should I care if you tell anyone,” Kimiko snapped.

“Just know I won’t,” said the ever even tempered Clay.

“Hmm,” Kimiko said before walking away. Clay knew Kimiko wasn’t actually mad at him and Clay wasn’t mad at Kimiko for her behavior. It was normal Kimiko reaction to things.

‘As long as she doesn’t decide she likes that Chase Young more then a friend things’ll be fine,’ Clay thought heading back for his own dorm. By this point in time Kimiko had reached her own room and was collapsing on her bed.

‘Long day,’ she thought thinking of all the work she still needed to do that night. Instead of getting to work though she pulled a tiny piece of paper out of her pocket, unfolded it, and studied the name on it- Raimundo Pedrosa.

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“Still haven’t heard from your dad?” Keiko asked a few days later. Despite the fact that it was a beautiful Saturday afternoon most every student on campus had confined themselves voluntarily to their rooms or the library for finals’ prep.

“Yeah,” Kimiko said as she finished typing out a third message to her father, “and I’m starting to get worried. I mean, I talk to his secretary and the housekeeper but both say he’s just really busy. Something’s wrong with the game consul they put out for Christmas.”

“That sucks,” Keiko sympathized before looking to her book again. Kimiko couldn’t blame her. She should be studying as well but couldn’t manage to concentrate.

‘I need to clear my head,’ Kimiko thought. She considered hitting Rai up for a run but didn’t want to disturb him if he was studying. ‘Rai,’ she thought, ‘I still need to get him a gift.’ With that thought in mind Kimiko stood up and changed out of the comfy clothes she’d been hanging out in and switch to a pair of designer jeans and a light sweater.

“Where are you going?” Keiko asked watching as Kimiko flipped her hair up into an artsy bun.

“I still need to get my Secret Santa gift and I can’t concentrate so I might as well go do that now and not waste my day.”

“Guess I can’t come then,” Keiko said mournfully.

“One of us should get some studying done,” Kimiko said with a smile. “Besides, what if I’m shopping for you?”

“One can only dream,” Keiko joked and then turned back to her book. Grapping her purse Kimiko slipped out of the room. She had a pretty good idea of what to get Rai even if it didn’t fall into the price range for gifts. She’d gotten the idea a few nights ago when she’d been working with Rai in the common room on their math homework.

Mini-flashback

“I left something in my room,” Rai said about five minutes into their work, “I’ll be right back.”

“Can I come with you?” Kimiko asked following him. “I need to ask Clay something.”

“I’m not sure if he’d there,” Rai said looking nervous as he stood by the door to the boys’ building. It wasn’t taboo for girls to go to the guys’ dorms but it was frowned upon. “But come on,” he caved and Kimiko happily walked through the door he held open for her.

“Thanks,” she told him as they climbed up the two flights to his room. “I haven’t been to your room in a while,” Kimiko observed, “anything different.”

“Not that I know of,” Rai said pushing his key into the lock. When it clicked open he once again pushed the door aside and ushered Kimiko through first. There was a clear divide in Clay and Rai’s shared room. Though both sides were slightly messy, Clay’s half was identifiable by the Texas paraphernalia and other various things from “the range”. When Rai first started at school his room had been covered with pictures of soccer, surfing, his family, and Rio. There were still those things but in much smaller numbers. Now intermixed with parts of his younger years were pictures and things from his school years, aka a lot of pictures of him and Kimiko and the rest of their friends.

“Guess Clay isn’t here,” Rai said moving over to his desk and fishing through a drawer. Kimiko made and agreeable noise in her throat and moved over to Rai’s dresser. There her eyes fell on a picture of Rai and Dyris from the start of the year banquet. Dyris was posing and Rai looked happy but Kimiko could tell he was uncomfortable which was odd for his playboy attitude. Kimiko picked up and studied the picture closer fighting a frown. Just a few days after this picture was taken Rai and Dyris had started officially going ok. Rai had run up to her room all excited to tell her. Keiko had been in the room at the time and tried to hide her shock. Kimiko had played the roll of the good friend by saying how happy she was for him. Right after that Keiko had asked if Kimiko was ok and the annoyance with that phrase had started. Pushing that memory from her mind Kimiko went to return the frameless picture to its spot when she noticed what had been propping it up. Laying the Dyris picture on the dresser Kimiko picked up the frame that the picture had been covering.

Kimiko smiled at the memory the picture held. It was a picture of her and Rai from freshman year’s end of year dance. It was there first upper class dance and Kimiko was so excited about it she’d convinced Rai to dress in a suit and tie. The tie had lasted about five minutes in the heat of the rented ballroom but even without it Kimiko thought he looked very handsome. There hadn’t been a dance that Rai and Kimiko hadn’t been each others “date” for but with the junior prom coming up next term Kimiko had to wonder who’d she be going with.

The photographer had caught a perfect moment. Rai had some how managed to dip Kimiko low to the floor, one hand grasping hers and another slipped around her waist. Kimiko’s free hand was on Rai’s shoulder, her head thrown back in a laugh, and a leg pointed almost straight in the air for balance.

“I like that picture,” Rai said coming over to se what she was looking at.

“Me too,” Kimiko agreed and then smiled wryly. “If I remember correct a second after this picture was taken you fell on top of me and we landed on the floor.”

“Hey I can’t help it if you’re too heavy to hold,” Rai said with a smirk knowing it would set her off. It worked and a fuming Kimiko punched him solidly in the arm.

“You are a jerk Raimundo Pedrosa and I am not heavy,” Kimiko said with a huff turning her back to him.

“Well let’s see,” Rai said and before Kimiko could stop him he grabber her around the waist with both arms and lifted. He had been planning on picking her up and pretending to buckle under her weight but even though she was very light he lost his balance. Stumbling backwards he tripped over some random item left on his floor and the two took a tumble onto the bed.

“Sorry,” both yelled as Kimiko rolled off of Rai. The two looked at one another and started laughing hysterically.

Description
This was originally posted on Fanfiction.net around Christmas time as a holiday fic. I'm posting it here now because it is the first in a series of onshots that just finished on Fanfiction.net and I want to post it here. This story, and the three stories that follow it, all take place in an alternate universe but its all pretty self explanitory.

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Dear Poppa-

Everyone is waiting for me to go to lunch so I’ve only got a minute to write you a quick note. Of course I want to come home for Winter Holidays! Why do you even ask? Just a reminder that finals are done on the 22nd so I can fly out that evening. I hope all is good with you and the company. Things are so busy here, I’m sorry I haven’t called recently. We need to catch up but Keiko is calling so I have to go. Love you,

-Kimiko

“Come on Kimiko,” Keiko, Kimiko’s best girlfriend and roommate urged from the doorway. “I’m staving.”

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” Kimiko said clicking a few buttons and sending the message to her father.

“Rai’s going to be angry,” Keiko said in a sing song voice as Kimiko pulled on her black pea-coat.

“Rai can deal,” Kimiko said stepping out into the hall of her dormitory and locked the door behind her. Kimiko looked over at Keiko as they started walking and noticed a goofy smile on her face. “What are you smiling about?” Kimiko asked almost too afraid to ask.

“You like him now that you can’t have him,” Keiko said pointing a finger in Kimiko’s direction and then prepared for the explosion that usually came when Keiko hit a sore spot. When none came Keiko got concerned and immediately turned to study Kimiko’s face and for a second was able to she the girl’s unguarded expression. The hurt and sad expression that had been spread over Kimiko’s face was quickly replaced by one of controlled frustration when she realized she was being watched.

“I-do-not-like-Raimundo,” Kimiko said in a controlled voice while bunching her fists at her side. Keiko giggled again to cover up her own nervousness. The two girls had been best friends since their freshman year when Keiko started attending the exclusive C.F Mercer Academy in the heart of Manhattan. Kimiko had been at the school as a boarder student since the seventh grade and all previous years but had lived with her father off campus. When her father made the decision to move back to Tokyo Kimiko had stayed behind. Keiko knew that Kimiko missed her father often; he was the only biological family she had left after her mother died. Kimiko’s mother was the reason Kimiko’s father moved with his four year old daughter to New York City in the first place and although Kimiko was fluent in both Japanese and English Keiko knew that Kimiko considered New York home over Tokyo.

“Yeah right,” Keiko said as the two entered the elevator, “but your timing sucks since he’d going out with that day student Dyris.”

“For the last time I don’t like Raimundo!” Kimiko yelled this time. She needed to convince Keiko to drop this before they met the guys in the lobby only a few floors away. Kimiko had been going to Mercer her whole life and as a boarder student for the last five and a half years. She knew every twist and turn of every building as well as the way rumors liked to fly around so easily. Even if Keiko was joking, which Kimiko knew she was, it was still too risky to let that rumor run rampant. Why? Because it was true. Kimiko liked Raimundo but had gotten over that at the start of the year, not because she stopped liking him but because it was what was best.

“Well it’s a good thing that you don’t like Raimundo then,” Keiko said suddenly changing the conversation’s direction which was never a good thing when it came to Keiko. Kimiko knew that Keiko wasn’t dumb by any means and had been directing the conversation from the start. Usually Kimiko could catch herself before being caught in this trap but her mind was swimming with thoughts of her father and Raimundo.

“Where is this going?” Kimiko asked with a good natured roll of her eyes.

“I heard,” Keiko started but stopped when the doors dinged open on the first floor and let on some freshman. “I heard,” she started again in a softer voice, “that Chase Young likes you.”

“The senior with the long hair and always has at least some piece of black on?” Kimiko asked playing dumb. Of course she knew who Chase Young was. He was the president of the senior class and one of the most popular guys in school. Apparently girls went for the dark and mysterious thing. What was so appealing about him Kimiko didn’t get.

“Don’t act like you don’t know who he is,” Keiko said as they stepped off the elevator, “I see him talking to you all the time in the hallways when you’re alone. He complimented you on your perfume the other day.”

“Who is smelling you?” Raimundo asked in a voice that Kimiko didn’t really recognize and she knew every voice of Raimundo. Keiko and Kimiko had been walking up to where their guy friends waited in the lobby when Keiko had made the perfume comment.

“Eloquently put Raimundo,” Keiko said sarcastically. “And for your information Chase Young complemented Kimiko on her perfume the other day.”

“Weird,” Rai said in a low voice.

“Yeah, yeah that’s all fine and good,” another friend named Clay from Texas said, “but I’m starving. Can we get going?”

“I agree with Clay,” the smallest of the group of six said, “my stomach is most empty as well.”

“Omi are you ever going to stop talking like a play write?” Jermaine asked. Jermaine was the only out of Kimiko’s “group” who wasn’t a boarder student. He’d started Mercer Academy as a sophomore last year and somehow a relationship between him and Omi had formed and of course Kimiko and the others had befriended him through Omi. Kimiko observed her friends as they filed out in front of her toward the door. There was Keiko who’d been her roommate since freshman year and had transferred from a school in Kyoto after her father’s job sent her family to the states. Clay Bailey had also started freshman year, coming from Texas on his own after being accepted on a full academic scholarship. That was all the tall Texan ever said about getting in Mercer but it seemed part of the reason he got in was because he was quite the poet, though he’d never admit it. Omi was three years younger then everyone else but only a grade behind the others. Some teachers called him a genius, apparently his IQ was in the three digits when last tested three years ago, but the young boy had very little common sense. He was gullible and trusted everyone which were not two qualities you wanted when living in New York City. Kimiko then looked over at Raimundo who was walking next to her. He seemed to feel her eyes on him and turned to look at her with a smile.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked as a blast of cold winter air greeted them as they walked out of the door.

“Nothing really,” Kimiko said with a shrug, “just thinking.”

“That’s dangerous you know,” Rai said with a smile as they navigated their way through the crowd. The other four were already power walking fast, lead by the obviously hungry Clay, and were leaving Kimiko and Rai behind. It was a normal occurrence so no one paid the two any mind. It was a Saturday afternoon, just a two weeks before Christmas and the city seemed to be overflowing with red, green, and white. There had been a few light snowfalls but so far nothing had stuck.

‘That’s a shame,’ Kimiko thought, ‘I like the city when it’s covered in snow.’

“I wish it would snow,” Rai said a minute later as if reading her mind.

“I was just thinking that,” Kimiko said with a smile watching and waiting the traffic light across the street to change. Normally Kimiko would be much more aware of her surroundings but with Raimundo around she felt safe. Her eyes fell on Keiko and the others already across the street and heading toward a normal hang out for the group. It was a diner that Raimundo had introduced to Kimiko to early in their seventh year. It was a special place for Kimiko but she didn’t mind sharing it with the others. Kimiko glanced over at Rai again but this time he didn’t catch her peeking. That was fine for Kimiko. She liked being able to observe him uninterrupted from time to time.

Kimiko had started in kindergarten at Mercer Academy and although she’d had friends it wasn’t until she met Raimundo in the fifth grade that she could say she was really had any sort of meaningful friendships. To this day she had no idea what had drawn her to the new boy in class but she had been and was always glad for it. Raimundo had come to Mercer when his family moved to New York City for a job his father was working on. The school wasn’t exactly in the Pedrosa family budget but Raimundo got in a scholarship for a story he’d written while his siblings attended public school. Mercer was a good judge of early talent it seemed as Rai continued to write to this day and also lead the school soccer team to multiple championships. When his father’s job was cut short and the family got ready to head back to Rio the school had offered Raimundo a free ride in school, wanting to keep the talented boy in their ranks. Raimundo hadn’t wanted to stay and had been distraught when his parents insisted he stayed.

That was in the fifth grade and Raimundo and Kimiko’s relationship had excelled to another level. Like Kimiko Raimundo had other friends at school but Kimiko was his best friend by far and he spent as much time at Kimiko’s penthouse as he did in his dorm room. When, in the seventh grade, Kimiko’s father decided to move back to Tokyo Kimiko had made the difficult decision to stay behind in New York and live full time at school. Neither would come out and say it but a good part of the reason, if not the only reason was for Raimundo. No one else ever knew that when Kimiko’s father had left and Raimundo stood with the girl on the curb watching him out of sight Raimundo had kissed Kimiko on the cheek. It was enough thanks that Kimiko needed for staying behind and neither had brought it up again. Kimiko often wondered if Raimundo even remembered the incident.

A gentle elbow poke from Rai to her arm woke Kimiko from her thoughts and the two crossed the street silently. They walked together and Rai opened the door for Kimiko before following her in.

“No Dyris today?” Kimiko asked Raimundo as they located the table with their friends.

“Nah, she’s out Christmas shopping with her mom and sisters today,” Raimundo said as they sat down. Seats across from one another at the table had been left open for the two and they took them automatically.

“Shopping?” Keiko asked hearing Raimundo as he sat down.

“Do you have radar for that word or something?” Jermain asked Keiko whom he sat across from.

“Yes,” Keiko said without missing a beat, “and that reminds me do you guys want to do Secret Snowflake this year?” Everyone looked oddly at Keiko and then amongst themselves.

“Secret Snowflakes?” Clay asked a little wary. “Don’t you mean Secret Santa?”

“No I mean Secret Snowflakes. It’s more politically correct then Secret Santa, I mean not everyone celebrates Christmas but they still might want to be a part of the festivities.”

“Who doesn’t love Santa?” Rai asked studying his menu even though he had it memorized.

“Whatever, the name doesn’t matter,” Keiko said with a wave of her hand, “do you want to do it or not?”

“Explain this Secret Santa Snowflake concept to me,” Omi asked.

“You know what it is Omi,” Kimiko assured him but the dumbfounded look of the boy made her think otherwise. “It’s when everyone draws a name out of a hat and you have to get a present for just that person and you’re not allowed to tell anyone else who it is.”

“Why?” Omi asked.

“That’s just the way the game is played Omi,” Jermaine told him.

“Oh so it is a competition?” Omi asked looking eager.

“No it’s not that kind of game. Just a fun way t exchange gifts,” Clay said and then folded his arms and looked determined, “but I ain’t calling it Secret Snowflake.”

“Chill cowboy,” Keiko said, “it was just a suggestion.”

“Well I’m in,” Kimiko told Keiko and the other girl sent back a grateful smile.

“Me too,” Rai said and the others quickly agree. At that point a waitress came over and took the kids orders.

“Should we invite anyone else?” Keiko asked before taking a sip of her soda.

“Like who?” Raimundo asked.

“Umm I don’t know,” Keiko mused and Kimiko knew where this was heading so decided to intervene.

“What about that Jack Spicer kid, he lives on your floor right?” Kimiko asked looking at Rai. “You’re friends with him aren’t you?”

“Friend is a funny word,” Rai mused.

“We’ll add him,” Keiko said. “Do you have a pen or any paper Kimiko?” Kimiko dug into her purse and pulled out a pad of post its and a pen then handed them off to Keiko.

“So that’s the six of us and Spicer,” Keiko said as she wrote down everyone’s names. “Anyone else?” she asked looking around the table.

“Aren’t you friends with Ashley?” Omi asked in a dreamy voice. Everyone rolled their eyes knowing of Omi’s crush on the cat obsessed girl.

“I guess we could invite her,” Keiko said reluctantly adding the girl’s name to the list despite the fact that the two didn’t really get along at all.

“Now that’s the Christmas spirit,” Raimundo said quietly enough for only Kimiko to hear. Kimiko stifled a giggled and ignored the glances from the rest of her friends. She wasn’t stupid; she knew that her friends knew about her still living crush on Rai. After Raimundo stared going out with Dryris at the beginning of the year they had all been consistently asking if she was ok. Luckily after she’d exploded at them in the library they’d laid off. Every so often one would still ask if she was doing alright and Kimiko would answer with a tired ‘I’m fine’.

The truth was that Kimiko thought that she was a horrible fit for Raimundo. There had to be someone out there better than her for Raimundo. She might not believe that it was Dyris but at least he was dating and trying to find the perfect girl for him. Kimiko glanced up and watched him laughing at something that Omi had said. ‘Yeah,’ she thought sadly, ‘there is someone perfect out there for him. Someone even tempered, gentle, and beautiful.’

Kimiko wiped these thoughts from her mind and joined in the conversation the others were having.

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“So we’ve got you, me, Jermaine, Omi, Clay, Raimundo, Dyris, Jack, Ashley, and Chase Young,” Keiko repeated later that night in the girls’ shared room.

“I still think your crazy about the Chase thing,” Kimiko said pulling down the covers of her bed.

“Why? Because you secretly like him like he likes you?” Keiko teased.

“Come on Keiko,” Kimiko slightly pleaded, “you know I don’t like Chase so can you please drop it?”

“Fine, fine, fine,” Keiko said pulling the covers down on her own bed. “But he does like you so he’ll defiantly come to the party.”

“That’s fine but I don’t like him,” Kimiko told Keiko for what felt like the millionth time that day. “What’s with you anyway? You’re chipper even for you.”

“I’m excited for break,” Keiko said stretching her arms over her head and sinking into her pillows. “I’ve been talking to that kid I used to so to school with a lot lately and we’re going to meet up when I’m home in Kyoto.”

“Good for you Keiko,” Kimiko said genuinely happy for her friend.

“We need to find you a guy, that isn’t Chase Young,” she added as an afterthought.

“I’m not looking to date anyone right now,” Kimiko said with an indifferent shrug.

“Just say the word and I bet half the guys in the high school would be all over you,” Keiko said smiling widely.

“Hmm,” Kimiko muttered indifferently as she buried her face into the pillow signaling the end of the conversation. She heard Keiko reach over she shut the light out a minute late and Kimiko was grateful. ‘Why does everyone think we all should have boyfriends and girlfriends?’ Kimiko wondered to herself. ‘I wouldn’t mind having one but there’s only one I have in mind and I’d be no good for him. I can’t even really understand how we work out as friends but I’m glad we did.’

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Even though the next morning was Sunday Kimiko woke at an early hour. She always did, it was just a part of her makeup for some reason and she stopped fighting it long ago. Unlike her peers Kimiko just couldn’t manage to sleep the large amount of hours everyone else did. Kimiko moved silently over to her computer, so not to wake Keiko and frowned when she noticed that the internet was down.

‘No fun to be had there,’ Kimiko thought with a frown picking up her cell phone. There were no missed calls or new messages, another bore. ‘Maybe I convince Rai to go for a run with me,’ Kimiko thought punching a text message into the phone. Kimiko knew that Raimundo didn’t like going running with him, not because she slowed him down, but because she was a distraction. Kimiko usually tried to talk or would get distracted by something and the run would get cut short. Rai was and early riser so she didn’t feel guilt when she finished and sent the message. Clay, Rai’s roommate, could sleep through anything so Kimiko didn’t worry about waking him. Kimiko put her phone on vibrate and changed into running clothes, no use in showering if she was just going to get sweaty.

Her phone suddenly buzzed and Kimiko quickly grabbed it to silence it. Keiko mumbled something and shifted under the covers but didn’t wake up. Kimiko sighed gratefully and read Rai’s message. It told her to meet in the lounge in ten minutes. The girls’ dorm and guys’ dorm were separate buildings connected by a small two story building that held a large common room for students to meet in after hours when they were confined to their dorm. On weeknights students were suppose to be in their dorms no later then eight unless there was a special, pre-approved reason to be out and on weekends it was later depending on your grade so the common room was a popular place. This time of the morning though it would be empty.

Kimiko wrote down a quick note to Keiko though she doubted the other girl would be up before Kimiko got back. Grabbing her keys and pulling on a sweat shirt Kimiko quickly and silently left the room, not wanting to keep Rai waiting. In the common room Raimundo waited patiently for Kimiko to join him. He didn’t normally run with anyone except for members of the soccer team but Kimiko he made an exception. He felt bad because he felt like he hadn’t been spending enough time with her. Classes, school work, soccer practice, and Dryris took up most of his time lately. He was thinking back to how nice yesterday was hanging out with his close friends when he heard the door to the girls’ building open up. Rai turned and saw normal Kimiko but for some reason he felt like something about her was different. She was dressed black spandex pants that reached about mid-calf and a shirt poked out from underneath a zipper sweat shirt- nothing special there. Her hair was up in her favorite and most common style, two ponytails- again nothing special there. Rai studied her face, devoid of makeup. So what was going on with her?

“You ok Rai?” Kimiko asked tilting her head to the side as she stood in front of him. Rai jumped slightly, not noticing before that she had moved over to him.

“Fine,” Rai lied, “just still a little sleepy.”

“I didn’t wake you up did I?” Kimiko asked concerned. The truth that Raimundo was still asleep when Kimiko had texted him but he was eager to spend time with her so he’d dragged himself out of bed.

“Nope,” Rai assured her lying again. “Did you stretch?”

“Enough,” Kimiko said with a shrug.

“Then lets get going,” Rai said leading the way out of the common room and out onto the New York streets. On a good day like that morning seemed to be turning into Central Park was less then a fifteen minute walk from the school dorms. Parks were actually more plentiful in New York City but both Rai and Kimiko enjoyed the size and activity of Central Park then one of the smaller ones.

“Smaller space, bigger crowds,” Raimundo had reasoned one day and Kimiko had to agree.

“Want to get breakfast after this?” Kimiko asked as they started their walk to the park.

“Wish I could but I promised that I’d meet Dryris for brunch later and I don’t want to ruin my appetite,” Rai said missing the twing that flashed on Kimiko’s face at his response.

“I forgot you do that every Sunday,” Kimiko said lamely. She hadn’t forgotten but was hoping that maybe Dryris wouldn’t come into the city this Sunday. Dryris commuted everyday from Jersey for school and almost always spent at least one day of the weekend with Raimundo in the city. How she managed it since she didn’t take the train Kimiko couldn’t begin to fathom but she did, much to Kimiko’s annoyance. A rumor had been circulating around school that had gotten back to Kimiko that Dyris had told Kimiko to stay away from Kimiko. Kimiko had no doubt it was true. Dyris, a west coast heiress hadn’t started at Mercer until she and her mother moved to Jersey after a nasty divorce around February last year. She’d become queen of not only the grade but of the entire high school in a matter of weeks. Like Chase Young there was an appeal about Dyris that Kimiko could not grasp.

Whatever Dyris did would have been fine with Kimiko but then the tall, thin, auburn haired beauty had set her sights on Raimundo. It wasn’t an unreasonable connection. Raimundo was one of the most popular guys in the high school and was defiantly number one in the grade. Good academically, good in sports, and an all around nice guy. In truth Dryis was the perfect compliment to Raimundo but that didn’t mean Kimiko needed to like her.

“Kimiko? Kimiko? Kim-i-ko?” Rai asked waving his hand in front of Kimiko’s face.

“Oh, sorry Rai,” Kimiko apologized.

“What’s with you spacing out all the time?”

“I do not space out all the time,” Kimiko said grumpily, “I’m just thinking.”

“About?” Rai pressed.

“You,” Kimiko admitted as they crossed the street. When Rai didn’t respond Kimiko continued. “I haven’t really gotten to talk or spend time with you in what feels like forever.”

“But Kim we spend time together all the time,” Rai said surprised but knew everything Kimiko was saying was true.

“Hanging out with the others like at lunch yesterday is fun but its not like in grade school or middle school. Even Jr. High.”

“Things were a lot different back then,” Rai mused.

“Yeah,” Kimiko agreed. The two continued on into the park and selected a path.

“Just a short run,” Rai said doing some last minute stretches, “I’ve got to be ready to meet Dyris at 8:30.” Kimiko made and agreeable noise in her throat and checked her watch. Rai watched her do so. “Isn’t that the watch a give you for your birthday last year?”

“Yup,” Kimiko told him pulling her sleeve back to cover it. Rai observed this with a frown.

“Kimiko are you,” Rai started but she already sprinted off.

“Let’s go Rai!” she called back. “You’re the one on a time schedule!”
“…ok?” Rai finished his earlier question and then chased after her.

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“You are insane,” a sleep rumpled Keiko told Kimiko when she entered her room after showering off the sweat and dirt she’d accumulated on the run.

“Yes I am,” Kimiko agreed with a tiny shiver. She’d caught a chill while on the run and wasn’t enjoying it.

“You ok?” Keiko asked noting the shiver.

“WOULD EVERYONE STOP ASKING IF I’M OK!” Kimiko yelled back surprising both her and Keiko.

“What?” Keiko asked in a quite voice. She was afraid to even move. Sure Kimiko lost her temper a lot but this was something new. Kimiko meanwhile was staring at Keiko as surprised as Keiko was at her outburst. Kimiko slapped a hand over her hand in surprise and slowly sank to her knees, realizing she was crying. Kimiko Tohomiko did not cry. “Kimiko!” Keiko gasped in surprise leaping out her bed and rushing to her friend’s aid. “What’s wrong Kimiko? Are you hurt? Should I call someone?” Kimiko shook her head no in response to Keiko’s questions, hand still to her mouth trying to stem the flow of tears consistently pouring from her eyes.

“Kimiko,” Keiko breathed out unsure of what to do.

“I’m sorry Keiko,” Kimiko finally managed out an apology but Keiko was already shaking her head in response.

“Nothing to be sorry about,” Keiko assured her and urged Kimiko off the floor and onto her bed. “Now,” she continued when both were settled, “what is going on?”

“Nothing really, I’m just a little tired after my run,” Kimiko try to lie but knew that Keiko wasn’t buying it.

“That’s not it,” Keiko argued. “You don’t have to tell me but I don’t want you to be hurting either. Let me help you if I can.”

“Shame shit different day,” Kimiko said in a quite voice that Keiko almost didn’t catch.

“It’s Rai again isn’t it?” Keiko asked and when Kimiko didn’t disagree Keiko continued. “I’m sorry about teasing you lately about him but I thought it would help. You seemed to be doing well around him lately. I thought it would lighten the mood.”

“It’s not you Keiko,” Kimiko assured her, “its just that when anyone asks me if I’m ok it kinda sends me over the edge you know?”

“Why does it?” Keiko asked. That question caught Kimiko by surprise.

“Because I really am ok, really. I’m over whatever little crush I might have had,” Kimiko said meeting Keiko unwaveringly in the eye.

‘Yeah right,’ Keiko thought to herself but didn’t want to push it.

“Besides,” Kimiko continued, “I’m all wrong for Rai. It’s a miracle we’re even good friends.”

“Now that just isn’t true!” Keiko argued.

“I don’t really wanna go there Keiko,” Kimiko quickly cut the girl off and Keiko sighed in defeat.

“Fine,” Keiko said. “Can I at least rip on Dryis?” Kimiko laughed at that and Keiko immediately felt better knowing Kimiko was laughing. She knew that Kimiko was far from ok on the Rai-Dyris situation but little steps seemed to be the best way to deal with it at the moment.

“Yeah, just not in front of Rai,” Kimiko consented.

“I’ll try to hold back,” Keiko said with a smile.

“Thank you Keiko,” Kimiko said hugging her roommate who returned the hug.

“No problem, any time. Now,” Keiko said pulling back from the hug and rubbing her hands looking devilish, “let’s play with your hair!” Kimiko smiled and looked in the mirror behind her to study the plain black locks that had grown nearly to her shoulder blades.

“With all the final papers and projects due lately I’ve barely had time to style it let alone dye it,” Kimiko said getting off the bed and picking up a brush.

“Well next week’s classes are going to all review, then finals week so you’ve got time! Let’s do something fun,” Keiko said jumping over to her side of the room and started pulling things out of her drawers. “I’m thinking festive is the way to go,” she said inspecting a bottle.

“Sounds good to me.”

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“Hey Tohomiko,” came a deep voice from behind Kimiko as she stood at her locker. Kimiko spun around and came face to face with Chase Young.

“Oh hey Chase,” Kimiko said actually happy to see him. Keiko had been pestering her since Sunday to ask Chase to be in the Secret Santa so they could draw names and get shopping.

“I like your hair,” he said simply. Kimiko and Keiko had spent most of their Sunday planning out and trying out hair styles. Keiko had wanted to go fully festive and dye her hair red and green but Kimiko had talked her into saving it for the party. Kimiko’s hair was currently four shaded of blue that started the darkest on the bottom and faded lighter as it reached the top of her head and finally going white on her bangs. Kimiko had been so proud of the color scheme that she’d kept it for the past few days, only changing the style she wore it in. Today was simple French braid down the back of her neck.

“Thanks,” Kimiko said running a hand through her bangs. She may not like Chase Young in the way Keiko wanted her to but he had a presence about him that always made her nervous.

“You look good in anything blue,” Chase continued while Kimiko turned back to her locker.

“Thanks,” Kimiko said lamely again. Everyone said she looked good in blue, except for Rai. He agreed that she looked good in blue but thought she looked best in green. “Hey I’ve got a question for you,” Kimiko said shutting her locker and turn back. When she saw she had his attention she nodded in the way she wanted to walk.

“What’s your question?” Chase asked as they moved. Despite the school uniforms everyone had to wear Chase always seemed to work black into his outfit without getting into trouble.

“You know my friend Keiko?” Kimiko asked ignoring the looks they got. Chase didn’t talk with many people, especially girls at this school so his conversation with Kimiko must have been historical. Chase nodded to answer Kimiko’s question.

“She’s your roommate too right,” he asked.

“Yup and she was getting together a Secret Santa and wanted to know if you wanted be apart of it,” Kimiko said in a rush.

“Secret Santa? That gift exchange thing?” Chase asked.

“Yeah, it’s a small one though. Mostly just juniors.”

“Then why are you inviting me?” Chase asked intrigued.

“I’m just the messenger,” Kimiko said with a shrug.

“I don’t think I should,” Chase said after a moment’s consideration, “I’m not exactly friends with your group.”

“They’re pretty accepting people. If you acted as relaxed around them as you do me then they’d probably really like you,” Kimiko said honestly.

“I’m only relaxed when I have a goal I am working towards,” Chase said simply.

“You have a goal with me?” Kimiko asked. See his expression that said ‘are you really that naïve?’ she blushed and made a tiny oh sound. Chase smiled his usually half smile at the sight of her.

“You’re friends with Omi right?” Kimiko asked breaking the silence that had developed and choosing not to acknowledge what had just taken place. “And I know Jack Spicer knows you.”

“Omi is alright,” Chase admitted, “I like him. But Spicer is an insect.”

“True,” Kimiko agreed, “but for despite the fact that he is annoying he’s got a good enough heart. He and Omi get along pretty well.”

“I’ll do your Secret Santa Kimiko,” Chase said a moment later.

“That’ll make Keiko happy,” Kimiko said with a smile. “Can you meet tonight in the Common Room around seven? We have to do it early cause one of the day student’s that’s in it has to leave early.”

“I’ll be there,” Chase promised stopping when Kimiko did.

“Ah this is my class so I guess I’ll see you later,” Kimiko said suddenly uncomfortable realizing Chase had just walked her to class.

“I know,” he said softly making Kimiko’s eyes widen. “I’ll see you tonight.” Kimiko watched him out of sight, twisting her lips in thoughtfulness as she did. ‘That Chase Young,’ she thought entering her class room ‘is a weird one.’ She’d just sat in her seat when Rai walked in looking confused.

“Did Chase Young just walk you to class?” he asked taking his seat in front of her. The school was so small that in nearly every class they took together Kimiko and Raimundo ended up sitting near one another.

“In a manner of speaking,” Kimiko said not meeting Rai’s eyes.

“Whatever,” Rai said with a huff, “anyway is there a chance we could move the Secret Santa thing up an hour? Dyris want to try and get on the road earlier.”

“But I just told Chase that we were meeting at seven,” Kimiko said with a frown. “I guess I could track him down though.”

“Chase Young is doing Secret Santa?” Rai asked surprised.

“Yeah, Keiko really wanted to invite him.”

“What does she like him or something?” Rai asked surprised.

“No,” Kimiko said confidently while pulling a notebook from her bag. She had a pretty big suspision that Keiko liked Jermaine but wasn’t saying anything.

“Then why is he coming?” Rai asked.

“Does it matter?” Kimiko shot back. Rai looked like he wanted to respond but the teacher came in and cleared his throat loudly, signaling the start and cutting off Rai’s chance to answer. Half way through the hour long class Rai felt Kimiko poke him from behind and he discreetly bent his hand back to accept the note she’d written for him. Unfolding the tiny folded strip of paper in his lap, under the cover of his desk Rai read Kimiko’s tiny and neat handwriting that was a mixture of cursive and plain letters.

If it really bothers you that much I can uninvited him- Kimiko

Rai reversed the paper and wrote on the other side before handing it back to Kimiko when the teacher’s back was turned.

It’s fine. Let him be a part of it. It’ll be the highlight of Jack’s life. He idolizes the guy.

Kimiko ripped a fresh square of paper from her notebook and wrote a reply.

Sounds good. Now pay attention. We both need to do well on this final.

Rai smiled at the note knowing it was true. Math had never been either’s favorite subject and this year’s level seemed particularly hard. Rai sighed and resumed taking his notes but his mind was elsewhere. He quickly pushed the party from his mind and thought instead of the phone call he received from his mother late in the day on Monday. Money was tight in the Pedrosa household even with Rai on a full scholarship. Rai took odd jobs all over school to pay as much of his own expenses, and there were a lot when living in a city like New York, but his parents still felt the need to put some money in his bank account every month. Lately Rai had been noticing it was less and less. Then his mother called to tell him his oldest sister was getting married in the summer and that they couldn’t afford to flying him back for both winter break and the wedding. Rai had spent the majority of the past few summer, staying at school and working to conserve money. Kimiko’s father often offered to loan, if not give him some, or offered him the company jet but Rai had only accepted either offer only once. He felt bad, didn’t want to leech off the Tohomiko’s, but when his father had gotten hurt two years ago Kimiko had managed to get a private jet to fly Rai to Rio.

He thought about asking Kimiko if it was possible to use the company jet again but decided against it. It would just be easier to stay at the school for the nearly three weeks and just visit Jermaine and Dyris over the break. ‘Better to not tell Kimiko and the others though,’ Rai thought taking a peek behind him to where Kimiko was bent over her notes, ‘they’d just get mad.’

He let his eyes sweep over his best friend’s form one time before putting his mind to the class lecture. He did have a final thought though before he switched his mind into scholarly mode, ‘she looks better in green.’

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“I think Jack Spicer might have just wet himself,” Clay said standing next to Kimiko. Kimiko turned her head to watch what Clay was looking at. Chase Young had just walked over to the group and Jack looked like a school girl in love. Kimiko laughed silently and nodded to Chase when he looked in her direction. He didn’t look pleased about being there and Kimiko couldn’t really blame him. If she had a stalker like Jack Spicer she’d avoid social gatherings as well. Kimiko glanced over to where Keiko was skillfully flirting with Jermaine. About an hour ago Keiko had come to claim a good spot in the Common Room for the Secret Santa meeting and Jermaine had joined her, not wanting to go all the way home only to have to turn back around. Kimiko had been conveniently busy with something in her room so the two were alone together.

Clay and Kimiko had arrived at nearly the same time in the lounge and after Kimiko had told him that Chase was coming Clay hadn’t left her side, taking up the only space next to her on the couch. Clay was a protective brother figure to Kimiko and didn’t like it when boys took an interest in her. Kimiko thought it was wasted energy since she wasn’t planning on having that sort of relationship with Chase or any guys for that matter, at least not for the time being. Omi arrived with Ashley a minute later, surprising everyone that she’d even shown up, much less with Omi. Kimiko had been with friends at Ashley in middle school but the friendship had slowly faded into neutral acquaintance status.

“It’s a Christmas miracle,” Kimiko said to Clay referring to Ashley actually taking an interest in Omi.

“Sorry but I just don’t trust that girl,” Clay said looking disapprovingly.

“Do you trust anyone?” Kimiko asked sarcastically.

“Yeah and I guess she’s ok. Just don’t want to see the little guy’s heart broke.”

“Happens to everyone at some point in time,” Kimiko said leaning forward, propping her elbows on her knees and cradling her head in her hands.

“Is everyone here?” Keiko asked a minute later.

“Just waiting on Rai and Dyris,” Kimiko said annoyed that they had to wait for the girl when she was the one who wanted the meeting moved up.

“Speak of the devil,” Clay said a second after Kimiko stopped speaking. Kimiko’s eyes went to the door that Raimundo had just walked through, closely followed by Dyris. Kimiko looked over the leggy auburn haired beauty with her sea green eyes and slim figure. ‘Don’t dwell on it,’ a voice in Kimiko’s subconscious warned and Kimiko pushed it from her mind. ‘I thought I was over this,’ Kimiko thought, ‘why’s it all coming back now?’ Kimiko looked over at Keiko who was shooting Dyris a dirty look and decided she needed to thank Keiko later for being such a good friend.

“Sorry we’re late,” Dyris said in her soft dream like voice, “I just wanted to show Rai a few things in the store.” She didn’t elaborate but Kimiko knew that Dyris had been pointing out things she’d like for Christmas. She’d done it on her birthday about two months ago. Kimiko fought the urge to roll her eyes.

“That’s fine Dyris,” Keiko said in a controlled voice that Rai glared at her for.

“No it’s rude,” Chase said surprising everyone.

‘Wow this is going in the wrong direction,’ Kimiko thought glancing over at Clay. He was often a peace maker on matters and Kimiko looked to him now for help.

“Why don’t we just get going on the Secret Santa business,” Clay suggested cutting off Dyris who was opening her mouth to say something.

“Sounds good,” Keiko said opening a note book that she’d written the plans for the party down in. “You all know the way Secret Santa works?” she asked and when everyone nodded in agreement she continued. “So I was thinking we’d have the party where we exchange gifts on Friday of finals week. The last possible final is on Friday morning so unless you guys have got flights out of here before then should that work for everyone?” Kimiko wasn’t sure when she was leaving yet. Her father hadn’t answered her email yet and so far all her phone calls were going unanswered even though his secretary assured Kimiko that he was just busy. It was a busy time of year for the gaming company so Kimiko forgave her father.

‘Doesn’t matter what time I leave if I have the private jet,’ Kimiko thought.

“Ok,” Keiko continued, “does anyone have a range for a price limit?”

“Do we really need to have one?” Dyris asked hanging off Rai’s arm.

“That’s usually what happens with these kinds of things,” Keiko said in a strained voice but this time it was better disguised.

“Phooey,” Dyris said but didn’t argue anymore.

“Any suggestions?” Keiko asked again.

“How about no more then twenty or twenty-five?” Kimiko suggested when no one else stepped up.

“No arguments?” Keiko asked and when no one spoke it up she made it official. “Ok then. Onto assignments.” Keiko proceeded to pull out an envelope from the pages of her notebook, walk over to Clay, and swipe his hat off his head.

“Hey!” he protested watching her dumb the contents of the envelope, tiny folded bits of paper, into his beloved hat.

“Relax cowboy you’ll get it back unharmed,” Keiko assured and then shook the hat to mix the papers up even more. “Now everyone pick one and don’t tell anyone. If you get your own name we’ll redraw,” Keiko said passing the hat around. By the time it came to Kimiko there were only two papers left, one for her and one for Clay. Kimiko selected her paper and then passed the hat back to its owner.

“Everyone happy?” Keiko asked and when no one objected she snapped her notebook close. “Meeting augured then. See you all later.” Everyone dispersed after Keiko’s dismissal, most opening their papers and either grinning like idiots or grimacing. Kimiko had peeked at hers to make sure it wasn’t her name and had been happily surprised. Looking back over her shoulder she saw Rai walking at with Dyris who was frowning and Kimiko wondered whose name she pulled. Turning her head a little more Kimiko looked for Keiko who was talking to Jermaine again. ‘Guess I’m waiting for her,’ Kimiko thought walking toward the door that led to the girls’ dorm.

“Off to study?” a voice asked and Kimiko glanced at her side where Chase had appeared.

“Yeah,” Kimiko said lamely. The truth was she wanted try and get in contact with her father.

“All work and no play makes Kimiko a dull girl,” Chase said surprising Kimiko. Chase had never struck Kimiko as a person who dropped sayings like that. “Can I interest you in coffee?” he asked.

‘Shit,’ Kimiko thought.

“Um, not tonight but maybe later this week or defiantly next week. I’ll need it then,” Kimiko said hoping that Chase would forget about it

“I’ll hold you to that,” Chase said walking away.

“That is a very, very weird guy,” Clay said walking over to Kimiko.

“Eavesdropping is not a good habit to get into,” Kimiko scolded unhappy that Clay had heard that.

“Don’t worry,” he promised when he saw her expression, “I won’t tell anyone.”

“Why should I care if you tell anyone,” Kimiko snapped.

“Just know I won’t,” said the ever even tempered Clay.

“Hmm,” Kimiko said before walking away. Clay knew Kimiko wasn’t actually mad at him and Clay wasn’t mad at Kimiko for her behavior. It was normal Kimiko reaction to things.

‘As long as she doesn’t decide she likes that Chase Young more then a friend things’ll be fine,’ Clay thought heading back for his own dorm. By this point in time Kimiko had reached her own room and was collapsing on her bed.

‘Long day,’ she thought thinking of all the work she still needed to do that night. Instead of getting to work though she pulled a tiny piece of paper out of her pocket, unfolded it, and studied the name on it- Raimundo Pedrosa.

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“Still haven’t heard from your dad?” Keiko asked a few days later. Despite the fact that it was a beautiful Saturday afternoon most every student on campus had confined themselves voluntarily to their rooms or the library for finals’ prep.

“Yeah,” Kimiko said as she finished typing out a third message to her father, “and I’m starting to get worried. I mean, I talk to his secretary and the housekeeper but both say he’s just really busy. Something’s wrong with the game consul they put out for Christmas.”

“That sucks,” Keiko sympathized before looking to her book again. Kimiko couldn’t blame her. She should be studying as well but couldn’t manage to concentrate.

‘I need to clear my head,’ Kimiko thought. She considered hitting Rai up for a run but didn’t want to disturb him if he was studying. ‘Rai,’ she thought, ‘I still need to get him a gift.’ With that thought in mind Kimiko stood up and changed out of the comfy clothes she’d been hanging out in and switch to a pair of designer jeans and a light sweater.

“Where are you going?” Keiko asked watching as Kimiko flipped her hair up into an artsy bun.

“I still need to get my Secret Santa gift and I can’t concentrate so I might as well go do that now and not waste my day.”

“Guess I can’t come then,” Keiko said mournfully.

“One of us should get some studying done,” Kimiko said with a smile. “Besides, what if I’m shopping for you?”

“One can only dream,” Keiko joked and then turned back to her book. Grapping her purse Kimiko slipped out of the room. She had a pretty good idea of what to get Rai even if it didn’t fall into the price range for gifts. She’d gotten the idea a few nights ago when she’d been working with Rai in the common room on their math homework.

Mini-flashback

“I left something in my room,” Rai said about five minutes into their work, “I’ll be right back.”

“Can I come with you?” Kimiko asked following him. “I need to ask Clay something.”

“I’m not sure if he’d there,” Rai said looking nervous as he stood by the door to the boys’ building. It wasn’t taboo for girls to go to the guys’ dorms but it was frowned upon. “But come on,” he caved and Kimiko happily walked through the door he held open for her.

“Thanks,” she told him as they climbed up the two flights to his room. “I haven’t been to your room in a while,” Kimiko observed, “anything different.”

“Not that I know of,” Rai said pushing his key into the lock. When it clicked open he once again pushed the door aside and ushered Kimiko through first. There was a clear divide in Clay and Rai’s shared room. Though both sides were slightly messy, Clay’s half was identifiable by the Texas paraphernalia and other various things from “the range”. When Rai first started at school his room had been covered with pictures of soccer, surfing, his family, and Rio. There were still those things but in much smaller numbers. Now intermixed with parts of his younger years were pictures and things from his school years, aka a lot of pictures of him and Kimiko and the rest of their friends.

“Guess Clay isn’t here,” Rai said moving over to his desk and fishing through a drawer. Kimiko made and agreeable noise in her throat and moved over to Rai’s dresser. There her eyes fell on a picture of Rai and Dyris from the start of the year banquet. Dyris was posing and Rai looked happy but Kimiko could tell he was uncomfortable which was odd for his playboy attitude. Kimiko picked up and studied the picture closer fighting a frown. Just a few days after this picture was taken Rai and Dyris had started officially going ok. Rai had run up to her room all excited to tell her. Keiko had been in the room at the time and tried to hide her shock. Kimiko had played the roll of the good friend by saying how happy she was for him. Right after that Keiko had asked if Kimiko was ok and the annoyance with that phrase had started. Pushing that memory from her mind Kimiko went to return the frameless picture to its spot when she noticed what had been propping it up. Laying the Dyris picture on the dresser Kimiko picked up the frame that the picture had been covering.

Kimiko smiled at the memory the picture held. It was a picture of her and Rai from freshman year’s end of year dance. It was there first upper class dance and Kimiko was so excited about it she’d convinced Rai to dress in a suit and tie. The tie had lasted about five minutes in the heat of the rented ballroom but even without it Kimiko thought he looked very handsome. There hadn’t been a dance that Rai and Kimiko hadn’t been each others “date” for but with the junior prom coming up next term Kimiko had to wonder who’d she be going with.

The photographer had caught a perfect moment. Rai had some how managed to dip Kimiko low to the floor, one hand grasping hers and another slipped around her waist. Kimiko’s free hand was on Rai’s shoulder, her head thrown back in a laugh, and a leg pointed almost straight in the air for balance.

“I like that picture,” Rai said coming over to se what she was looking at.

“Me too,” Kimiko agreed and then smiled wryly. “If I remember correct a second after this picture was taken you fell on top of me and we landed on the floor.”

“Hey I can’t help it if you’re too heavy to hold,” Rai said with a smirk knowing it would set her off. It worked and a fuming Kimiko punched him solidly in the arm.

“You are a jerk Raimundo Pedrosa and I am not heavy,” Kimiko said with a huff turning her back to him.

“Well let’s see,” Rai said and before Kimiko could stop him he grabber her around the waist with both arms and lifted. He had been planning on picking her up and pretending to buckle under her weight but even though she was very light he lost his balance. Stumbling backwards he tripped over some random item left on his floor and the two took a tumble onto the bed.

“Sorry,” both yelled as Kimiko rolled off of Rai. The two looked at one another and started laughing hysterically.