Force

Chapter 1: The Meeting

1

      Sixteen-year-old, Faye Mimori walked down the hall with her head down and her hands in her pockets. She always tried to keep a low profile. The only other person that seemed to notice her was her brother Hiead, and her stepsister Saki.
      Hiead was Faye’s biological brother. When their parents split up Faye went with their mom and Hiead went with their dad. Their mom got together with Saki’s father, which made her Faye’s stepsister.
      She looked around at all the people walking around her to see if anyone actually saw her. When no one seemed to notice her she looked back down at the ground just to run into someone. She fell to the floor and gasped at the person she had ran into and knocked down.
      Gareas sat across from her on the floor and scolded her. “Watch where you’re going!” He shouted. He pushed back a small part of his green hair and growled at her.
      Faye’s crimson eyes grew wide and she stood up quickly. “Sorry.” She said and took off down the hall.
      Ernest watched as Faye ran down the hall and offered a hand to Gareas, which wasn’t accepted. “I never saw her before.” He said.
      Gareas stood up and dusted himself off. “I don’t care if she’s new or not! She runs into me again I’ll kick her ass!” He shouted.
      Ernest shook his head. “She is probably ten times weaker then you.” He said.
      “So? If she didn’t want her ass kicked she wouldn’t have run into me!” Gareas shouted.
      People have stopped and started to look at them as Gareas stood there in the hall, shouting.
      Ernest started walking again and Gareas followed but not before noticing a shimmering object lying on the ground. He picked it up quickly and pocketed it before catching up to his friend.
      “Hey pip squeak.” Gareas said to Yamagi as he jogged past him. He placed a hand on Yamagi’s head and laughed at his size.
      Yamagi stopped and turned to Gareas with a snarl that faded once he saw who it was behind him.
      “I want you to tell me something. Have you seen a girl about yay high with long blonde hair?” Gareas asked in his usual rude tone.
      Yamagi pushed Gareas hand off his head and snorted. “No I haven't! Now go pick on someone else!” He snapped before jogging off.
      Gareas snarled. “What’s his problem?” He asked.
      Ernest didn’t answer. He just started walking down the hall again with Gareas not far behind.

      Faye entered the mess hall and looked around. She started heading to the trays when Azuma stopped her.
      “You weren’t in class again Ms. Mimori.” He said.
      “I’m sorry Sir. I had lost a very precious item that had belonged to my mother and had been looking-.” She was cut short by Azuma’s booming voice.
      “No excuses! Why can’t you be more like your sister? Even like Hiead would be fine! I expect to see you tomorrow Mimori.” Azuma said. And with that he left her there, speechless and on the verge of tears.
      “Well at least he remembers my name.” Faye said quietly turning around and walking towards the trays again.
      Gareas sat with his back turned to Faye as he felt her brush by him.       Her words kept repeating in his mind; “I had lost a very precious item that had belonged to my mother.”
      He took the small shimmering object out of his pocket and studied it. It was a small gold chain with three small pendants on it: a dragon, a heart, and a diamond. Placing it back in his pocket he stood up, knowing she would be searching for it…

      Faye’s eyes began to water as she checked her whole room for her charm bracelet. “I could’ve sworn I had it when-.” She thought aloud when she remembered the incident in the hall with Gareas.
      She tiptoed across the room in fear she might wake her fellow roommates and opened the door without making the slightest bit of noise. She walked down the hall in the dark, being careful of her surroundings.
      She wondered up and down all the halls she might have been in without the seeing any trace of it. Where could it be? I’m sure it was this hall and it’s no where in site! She thought. She finally got down on her hands and knees and started feeling around for it.
      She heard a noise behind her, which sounded like shuffling. At first she doubted even hearing it until she heard it again. She stood up and turned around, barely able to see anything except what was right in front of her.
      She felt two hands caress her shoulders and breathing on her ear.
      “Boo.” Came a sly whisper into her ear.
      Before Faye could scream her mouth was held shut and she was pulled against the figure’s chest.
      “Sheesh, be any louder and we’ll get caught. Now, I’m going to let go; promise not to scream?”
      Faye nodded and felt the hands slowly slide off her. She quickly turned around to see Gareas standing there with a smirk on his face.
      “Looking for something?” Gareas asked in a whisper.
      Faye shook her head then nodded. “No, well, yes I was, but-.”
      “But I scared you.”
      Faye looked down at the floor shamefully. “A-a little.” She whispered.
      “A little? Shit, you almost spoiled yourself.” Gareas laughed.
      “W-what’re you doing up? I thought everyone was asleep; I’m sorry if I woke you, it’s just-.” Faye started.
      “Don’t apologize. You didn’t wake me up. I’ve been following you this whole time.” Gareas said simply.
      “F-following me?” Faye said. She felt a blush begin to form as she chewed her index-fingernail.
      Gareas shuttered. “Stop that! It annoys the hell out of me!” He exclaimed. His eyes grew a little bit wider and he grabbed Faye’s wrist. He opened the closet door behind him and pulled Faye in with him.
      As the door shut Faye looked around the dark area. Her breath began to quicken and her eyes started to water.
      Gareas could feel Faye twitch in front of him and could hear her short quick gasps for air. “What’re you doing?” He whispered.
      “I-I have cla-claustrophobia.” Faye whispered back.
      Gareas’s eyes widened and to make the situation worse he could hear footsteps outside the door. He brought Faye close to his chest and covered her mouth, praying it would block some of the loud sound of her obsessive breathing.
      “No ones here.” Came a gruff voice from the hallway. “I really need to loosen up.”
      Gareas waited a few moments before letting Faye go. When he felt her go limp in his arms he groaned. Now, what did Azuma call her? Ori…no that’s not it…Mimi? Where did I get Mimi from Ori? He thought.
      He opened the closet door and picked Faye up in his arms. He looked down the hall to see if anyone was coming before quietly running to the room he watched Faye come out of. I’d help if I knew the code! He thought.
      Faye slowly opened her eyes to see the green eyes off Gareas looking down at her.
      “What’s your code?” He asked, a bit relieved at her timing.
      “Huh?” Faye asked. She put a hand to her head and shook it lightly. “Code?”
      “To your door.” Gareas growled. He set Faye down on her feet and made sure she could stand before letting her go completely.
      Faye quickly punched in her code and was about to walk in her room when she heard Gareas’s voice.
      “Catch.” He said. He waited for her to turn around before tossing her the charm bracelet he had.
      Faye looked down at it and was about to say a thanks when she say Gareas turning the corner, leaving her view.

2
      “Mimori!” Azuma shouted. He stomped his foot and looked at his watch. “Where is she!”
      “Well, maybe she’s sick.” Leena said thoughtfully.
      “Check her room.” Azuma said to her. He turned to Gareas who was scolding Rio. “And you, check the mess hall.”
      Gareas turned to him and raised an eyebrow. “Who are we looking for?” He asked.
      “Mimori! The one who’s going to be taking one of your engineers places today!” Azuma shouted.
      “Right…now a description would be nice.” Gareas said rudely.
      Azuma’s face turned even redder and was getting ready to yell when the doors opened behind him.
      Faye walked in with her head towards the ground and her hands in her pocket. She looked back at Leena who gave her a thumbs-up before walking up to Azuma.
      “What’s your excuse this time!” Azuma shouted.
      “I hadn’t gotten any sleep all night and I didn’t get up. I’m so sorry, it wasn’t my fault.” Faye tried to explain.
      “Then whose fault is it? If you’re late one more time I’ll set you back to the beginning!” Azuma shouted.
      Faye nodded and walked over to the rest of the engineers. She recognized a few of them, but none of them seemed to know her.
      “Akira! You’ll be with Yu.” Azuma began. “Sasami! You’ll be with Rioroute. Kizna! You’ll be with Ernest.” Azuma named off the engineers and pilots, handing the pilots a notepad to report progress.
      Faye looked up and for the first time noticed Kizna. She was about to wave, but then thought twice when Kizna didn’t see her.
      “Ayame! You’ll be with Teela! And…isn’t this ironic. The shy and the out-going.” Azuma said. He hit Gareas in the chest with a notebook that had Faye’s name across the first sheet. “Mimori. You’re with Gareas.”
      Faye looked up and noticed the face of the person she was assigned to. She gazed back down at the ground when he turned her way.
      “You’ll notice that I have called you each by your first names! Do NOT get used to it! This was a one-time deal so no one got confused! I will only call you by your names THIS week! Then you will be called by your numbers once again!” Azuma lectured. He turned to Faye. “If I could ever remember your first name I would call you by that. But Mimori is easier for me.” With that he left to find the candidates.
      “What’s your first name?” Gareas asked from behind Faye.
      Faye’s back stiffened and she turned around. She noticed a surprised look on Gareas face before it quickly vanished.
      “Well?!” Gareas shouted.
      “Faye…” Faye answered quietly.
      “Faye?” Gareas snorted. “Well I assume you know who I am.”
      Faye nodded and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She had her hands behind her back and her head down to the ground.
      “If you’re wondering why no one notices you it’s because your face is always hidden behind your hair when you stare at the floor.” Gareas said rudely. “Look up.”
      Faye slowly did as she was told and for the first time realized how much taller Gareas was compared to her. She stared fidgeting with her fingers and forced herself not to look down as Gareas studied her.
      “Damn.” Gareas said. “You’re hot.”
      Faye blushed and looked down at the ground quickly.
      “Look up!” Gareas shouted.
      Faye did as she was told but locked her eyes on the roof or on the goddesses that was behind Gareas, but couldn’t help the blush that had formed.
      “Don’t blush. You shouldn’t blush when you hear a complement.” Gareas said.
      “I-I’m sorry…I just never had someone complement me before.” Faye stuttered. She swallowed hard as she felt the blush burn in her cheeks.
      Gareas rose an eyebrow and watched as the nervous blonde in front of him fidgeted around. “Shall we start?” He asked.
      Faye nodded. “You pilot the Eeva Leena…it’s my favorite one.” She said as she followed Gareas over to his goddess.
      Gareas smirked and straightened out his uniform. “It’s awesome isn't it.” He said.
      Faye smiled nervously and nodded again.

      “You’re excused.” Azuma said handing Rioroute and Sasami back their report. He looked around and growled. “Mimori! Gareas!”
      Gareas and Faye came running from around the corner with their report and Azuma snatched it angrily from Faye to read through it. His eyes grew wide and he looked up at Faye in disbelief.
      “S-something wrong?” Faye asked.
      Gareas snorted and crossed his arms, waiting to be excused.
      “Gareas. This is…Mimori’s work?” Azuma asked reading back over the notes.
      “Yeah.” Gareas said rudely.
      “You marked she knew all the controls. Is that a mistake?” Azuma asked anxiously.
      “No. She knew everything she needs to know.” Gareas answered impatiently.
      “Correct me if I’m wrong…you came here a month ago, right?” Azuma asked.
Faye nodded as she felt Azuma’s and Gareas’s gaze. “Y-yes Sir.” She answered. She looked up briefly just to meet Gareas green eyes in her crimson ones.
      “I knew she was smart, but damn! How did you get all the material in one month?” Gareas asked in disbelief.
      “H-Hiead and I used to always study when we were kids. That’s all we could do sense we didn’t have school.” Faye answered.
      “This is out-standing Mimori! When we need a new engineer, I’ll call on you. You’re excused.” Azuma said looking down at the papers before giving them back to Gareas.
      Faye started out the door and walked quietly down the hall. She turned back around when she thought she heard her name being called but demanded herself to stay sane when she heard it again. She looked at all the people and noticed Gareas coming her way.
      “Jesus, Faye was it? You mean to tell me you only been here a month? How old are you?” Gareas asked in a half-amazed tone.
      “A-almost seventeen.” Faye answered with a stutter. Why can’t he just leave me alone? He’s probably just here to humiliate me and call me a nerd for knowing so much…
      “And you just got here?” Gareas asked in a bit harsher tone. Why is she always hiding her goddamn face? She has nothing to hide I don’t think.
      “Yes.” Faye answered, finally looking up to face him.
      Gareas smirked as he looked into her crimson eyes. “About time you looked up. Try it more often and maybe people would remember your name.” He said about to turn around but was stopped when Faye grabbed his arm. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow and she quickly let go.
      “H-how d-did you know?” Faye asked with a blush forming on her face.
      “How did I know what?” Gareas said now completely facing her.
      “T-that I wanted to be noticed, that people don’t know me…” She said sadly still looking at him and still blushing.
      “Lets just say I’ve noticed you.” Gareas said before walking off leaving Faye with unanswered questions.

3
      “Gareas!” Leena yelled shaking her partner. She smirked when he finally opened his eyes.
      “What?” Gareas groaned shutting his eyes tightly again.
      “Are you getting up before noon?” Leena asked.
      Gareas opened one eye and looked at her. “Do I have to?” He asked.
      Leena rose a finger to her mouth and looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully. “Well no, I guess not.” She said.
      Gareas groaned and rolled over so he didn’t have to face her.
      “Well when you DO decide to join reality I’ll be with the others.” Leena said before walking out of the room.
      Gareas lay there in his bed for a few more moments before groaning and getting up. “Did I give her my code?” He asked himself. He shook off the thought, stretched, and pulled on a fresh uniform. He checked himself in the mirror to make sure he was presentable before opening his bedroom door. Right when he stepped out he ran into someone and got knocked down. He growled and looked up to see who it was.
      Faye sat across from him with wide-eyes. The papers she was carrying were scattered all over and her dress was flipped up. She quickly straightened out her dress with a blush and started to gather her papers.
      Gareas started to help pick them up without a second thought and stood up at the same time Faye did. He handed her, her papers and rose an eyebrow when her fingers passed by his slowly when she was taking them.
      Faye realized what she was doing and quickly removed her hand from his. “I-I’m sorry.” She said straightening her papers out. She was about to walk away but something made her legs freeze.
      “It’s no problem.” Gareas said. Wait a minute…did I just say what I think I said? He shook the thought immediately and tried to come up with an insult but for some reason he didn’t want to be mean. “Where you going?”
      “I-I’m running some errands for Azuma.” Faye answered.
      “Why would you be running his errands?” Gareas asked.
      “I had nothing better to do. My partner is in the medical room.” Faye said. She stood there a few seconds before smiling at him nervously. “Well, better be on my way.”
      Gareas nodded and watched as Faye walked down the hall. “Goddamn.” He murmured to himself.