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Keeping close to Lelouch to avoid being lost in the crowds of people, you gave his shirt a gentle tug. “Hey Lelouch, I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but are you sure this is a good idea? You were really worried about people thinking we were together, and the mall is really full of people. Especially right after school. Maybe we should hang out somewhere else.”

“Nonsense. I asked you to go out with me, didn't I? If someone suspects something, I'm the only one to blame. Besides, I'm really not sure why I was ever worried to begin with.” Lelouch looked down at you with a muted smile. “What others think really shouldn't matter.”

He seemed a bit more cheerful today than he usually was. You were glad for this, because his attitude did wonders to help ease your nerves. “If you're sure. I just don't want you to be embarrassed to be seen with me.”

Lelouch gently took your hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “You worry too much. Now relax and try to have some fun. You can lead the way if you want, I don't frequent the mall, so I really don't even know what all is in here.” Once again, he allowed a smile to fall over his face. “We'd just end up wandering around for hours on end if I took the lead.”

Something was definitely different about him. He never smiled this much. You didn't want to be nosy, but you really did want to know what had happened to make him so happy. As you led him into one of your favorite stores, you tried to ask in the least intrusive way you could. “You seem really upbeat today. Did you ace your final exams or something?” The way Lelouch stopped what he was doing just to stare at you made you wish you had just kept quiet. “Sorry, I shouldn't have asked.”

“No, that's not it at all.” His smile suddenly returned. “You see, I had actually forgotten all about the finals. I'm exempt from them almost every year, so I really don't give them much thought.” You could hear the pride in his voice, which was admittedly, a little annoying.

Grabbing an item from the cluttered shelf, you tried to obscure your face, just in case your slight annoyance was apparent. “How did you manage that exactly?”

Lelouch tilted his head slightly, giving himself a confused appearance. “As smart as you are, you've never gotten out of the final exams?” Even though he hadn't said it rudely, you couldn't help but feel suddenly inept. Quickly picking up on your emotions, Lelouch attempted to remedy what he'd said. “Maybe not all teachers allow it. We are in a different homeroom after all. But to answer your question, I didn't gave to take them because of my attendance and GPA.”

“I see.” Though you didn't way to admit it, that explained everything. Your attendance this year hadn't exactly been perfect, not to mention that one test you'd completely choked on.

Completely oblivious to the fact that you were beating yourself up on the inside, Lelouch began to browse the shelves. He picked up a knitted cap with a popular cartoon character as the design. While you were still busy with your thoughts, he stepped in front of you, and placed the cap on your head. “Not bad.”

“Huh?” You were so focused on your thoughts, you didn't even have the slightest idea what he'd put on your head. Peaking into a small shop mirror caused a dorky smile to spread over your face. “I look like I'm five again.”

Lelouch looked at you thoughtfully, then shook his head. “I'd say you look at least, seven.” As the two of you chuckled, a large group of students that attended your school entered the store. Their eyes locked on you and Lelouch like they had a special radar. Surprisingly, they said nothing, instead the curious group decided to spy from the next isle.“I'm sure you've already noticed this, but we're being watched.” He sighed quietly, rubbing the space between his furrow brow with his fingers.

This was exactly what you were afraid would happen, and now that it had, you really weren't sure what to do. “I'm sorry. Maybe we should just go home. Or we could just split up. You've already been really nice, and I don't want to annoy you or become a burden.”

“You're not a burden, and you surely don't annoy me. Now come on, I'm going to buy you that hat.” Taking your hand in his, Lelouch quickly led you to the register and purchased the item, despite the fact that you insisted he didn't.

The wide eyes and shocked looks of your classmates could be seen in a small shop mirror, which made you very uncomfortable. You subconsciously stood just a little closer to Lelouch and held his hand just a little tighter than before.“Why are people so entranced with you? No other student gets followed around and spied on.

“I don't really know.” Lelouch smiled down at you, and with his transaction complete, led you back into the mall and towards a small pretzel stand. For some reason, he didn't seem to like talking about himself very much. “Hungry?”

You really were hungry, but he'd already bought you one gift today, and you couldn't bring yourself to accept another. “No, not really. I had a big lunch.”

Lelouch looked at you, completely puzzled by what you'd just said. “I was with you during lunch, you didn't eat anything at all.” A grin slowly spread across his face. “You said you'd forgotten it at home because you were running late.”

Realizing you'd been caught in a lie, cause you to blush from the tips of your ears down past your neck. “I guess I did say that, didn't I?”

“You did.” He nodded. “So, now that I know you're hungry, what type of pretzel do you want? And don't say that you don't want one. Because we'll stand here until you get one.”

With that annoying group of students once again watching your every move, you simply grabbed whatever was closest to you, not paying any attention to what flavor it was. “Thank you, again. You really are too nice to me you know. Some people might take it the wrong way.”

“The wrong way? I'm not really sure what you mean by that. We're on a date, at the mall. There really aren't too many ways to interpret that. Besides, you really shouldn't care what people think.” With the sun already going down, Lelouch decided it was probably time to leave the mall. “Is there anywhere else you want to go? You really didn't do much shopping.”

“I know, I never really do. I did have a really good time though.” You smiled, blushing slightly. “Maybe we could do this again sometime.”

Lelouch nodded. “I'd like that. Next time, maybe we should go somewhere less crowded though. I don't want you worrying over everyone else.” He stopped just outside of the mall doors and turned you around to look at him. “Would you like me to walk you home? It is getting late.”

Shaking your head, you quickly turned down his offer. “Oh no. You've done plenty for me today. And honestly, I don't know if I can handle people watching me any longer.”

“Ah, I see. Then be careful on your way back. I'll see you at school.” Lelouch then did something that took you completely by surprise. He leaned in just slightly, and kissed your cheek. This surprised the onlookers just as much as it did you. Without a word, Lelouch turned around and started walking towards his home.

“That was a little bit weird, and unexpected.” Even though you were thoroughly enjoying the attention, and you really did like Lelouch, you knew something wasn't quite right. Lelouch was nice, sociable and easy to like, but he'd never been this nice, or this unpredictable. He really never seemed interested in things like relationships either, so him kissing you was more confusing to you than anything. Chalking his sudden change in attitude up to him being exempt from his exams, you shrugged and tried to put the thoughts behind you.