Liz's next class was Calculus. She entered the classroom a little apprehensive since math wasn't exactly her favorite subject and took a seat next to Jen whom she had spotted amongst the mess of desks in front of the black board. As class began, the teacher began discussing derivatives with the students and then went on to teach them all equations in which such concepts could be applied. Liz had her book out the entire time, taking notes and paying attention, but when she looked over in Jen's direction she discovered that Jen was reading a comic book.
Liz watched carefully as Jen flipped from page to page, skimming over the dialogue and concentrating more so on the pictures which were drawn anime-style with large eyes and perfect figures and perfect hair. Liz observed for a minute until she actually recognized the girl on the page, "Wait, that's Miaka!" she whispered to Jen. Jen looked up quickly to check if the teacher was onto them, and when she was convinced the teacher was too absorbed in the teaching, she turned to Liz. "What's the book called?"
"Fushigi Yuugi," Jen said quietly, her eyes following the teacher carefully. Liz could tell from her movement that she'd actually had quite a bit of experience with the whole not paying attention ordeal during class. "You know Miaka!?" Liz nodded and Jen almost jumped out of her seat.
"Miaka Yuuki, right?" she made sure and Jen confirmed it with an excited nod and a tiny bit of squeal which was quickly compensated for with a fake cough so that the teacher would not notice her unusual behavior. "Yeah... all of them hang out in downtown Animanga almost everyday. I see them on the news a lot--caught in some kind of controversy having to do with Seiyu or something." Jen's eyes widened. "Oh no... I meant Suzaku, sorry about that."
"You mean..." Jen mumbled ecstatically. "You've actually met them? They're real people?"
"I can't say I've met them, but they are real people and I have seen them around every once in a while," Liz giggle quietly as if it were no big deal and Jen's behavior was completely irrational--that she was almost falling out of her chair and there was drool hanging out of the side of her mouth.
"That... is SO cool!" Jen smiled and squealed loudly with excitement. The teacher, obviously suspicious at this point of Jen's randomness squeals and coughs demanded to know what was so interesting back there. Jen lied and said they weren't talking about anything, just paying attention to what the teacher was saying, and so they continued on with her silent parade of squeals whenever the teacher turned her back to the class. Finally, when the session was over, Liz headed down the hall with Jen, both so excited. Liz said she'd be okay with bringing Jen over to meet Miaka if Jen ever had the change and Jen was quite obviously very excited about it.
Along the way down the hall, they met Thomas; he glared down at Liz menacingly and stopped to warn her of his wrath, or more so threaten her to behave like all the other good little girls he'd executed the same routine with.
"Liz, just to tell you," he snarled, glaring into her coffee brown eyes with awe disguised as ferocity all in a random mixture that would only be visible during breaks between words. "You don't want me as your enemy."
"And... why not?" Liz asked him, keeping her cool and blinking right back at him. Liz didn't have to deal with his bullshit right now. I mean please, this guy probably could even throw a punch let alone make a fist the correct way. Liz had always dealt with enemies ten times more dangerous than Thomas and even so with junctions, she could take out a level 99 T-Rexaur with just one kick. Jen, on the other hand, looked a little scared and excited all at once.
"Because," he said. "I'm pretty damn high up there in the social ladder if you know what I mean. I could completely wreck you for the rest of your high school career, socially." Jen almost screamed.
"You wouldn't!" Jen muttered, dumbfounded. Liz rolled her eyes, pulled on Jen's arm and moved them both right along until they were a modest distance away from Thomas. Was that really all they cared about, Liz wondered--reputation and outward appearances? How come this world suddenly became so shallow? Or had it always been this way--she didn't know, or she couldn't remember. "Liz you never told me what happened after you left."
"Well," Liz stared at they walked along slowly in the hallway. "I actually got amnesia a little bit after I left." Jen was completely struck. She didn't know what to say in response. "Don't worry, I got most of my memory back. Although sometimes... it just seems like I can't remember the most important things." Jen laughed and gave her a pat of the back; then Jen saw that Amber was approaching and ran back to greet her the usual secret handshake and a hug, best girls for life. Liz turned to the wall and examined of the flyers posted on the wall. It was a little poster advertisement for a formal holiday dance on Friday.
Liz smiled; she didn't know they still had these kinds of things here. Suddenly, Liz felt the presence of someone standing directing behind her, but she knew it wasn't Jen. She turned around cautiously and found herself immediately facing Ronny Calor.
[A/N: For lvl 99 T-Rexaur. Junction 100 Death and go to the Island Closest to Hell to find one. I'd suggest practicing in the TC first though--just in case.]