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author's note: i'll try to avoid having too many of these in the future. this story, TUNE IN ME, is best classified as a "high school AU," also known as "one of those silly little stories where everyone is for some reason attending school." i've always sort of wanted to write one, but never had the nerve. i finally did and vowed to never let it see the light of day, but certain friends threatened me—how sad, how sad. my compromise: i will post this. i will also update this. but i will not make it a high priority project, i have too many other WiPs for that. that means that updates for this will be slow, for which i apologize. it is a story meant for my own self amusement, and as such i don't want to take it too seriously.
a few other notes: the story takes its title from a silly little song called VISIONS OF BOYS, by Hideaki Matsuoka. the ages of various characters have all been tweaked slightly, but not too much. Yuna and Tidus are a year younger than they ought to be in relation to the others; Baralai and Nooj are a year older. pairings in this story will become apparent very quickly. all the characters play a part, with a greater slant on YuRiPa and the CS3.
and no, i'm afraid that Cid doesn't own a nightclub in this one.
x x x
TUNE IN ME (visions of boys)
Try to tune in, tune in me
I can't read your feeling.
Try to tune in, tune in me
But I'm believing, believe me, please.
x x x
It sort of gave Rikku the creeps.
"Each student," the vice-principal, a very tall, stern looking woman was saying, "has four classes of an hour and a half each day. They are expected to be on time and will not in fact be let into the room if more than fifteen minutes late, unless they have a properly authorized note of explanation. If not, they will be noted as having skipped the class, and will be penalized appropriately. We take education very seriously here, you see."
The tour was being given to Rikku and her father. Cid looked even more out of place than Rikku did. "I git it, don't ya worry," he said, snappily, scratching at his unshaven jaw. He probably wanted a cigarette, Rikku figured. Or even just to leave. But still, it was awful nice of him to take the tour with her.
Rikku still didn't know how she had been accepted into Saint Bevelle. Well, she did, but it seemed so unlikely, somehow, so make believe. Last year, her sophomore year in a normal public high school on the other side of the city, Rikku had been on the swim-team. And had scored first in her age group in the Nationals, in both the 100 and 200 meter free-styles. After that meet, a tall man who had introduced himself as Saint Bevelle's swim team coach had approached her. He was a scout, and she apparently fit his criteria.
It was a very good school, famously so. Rikku's family would never have been able to afford it, even if Rikku had been able to get in. Of course she had jumped at the chance to transfer in. But now that Rikku was in, getting the official tour two days before the start of the school year, it was just... scary. Maybe the halls would echo less when they were filled with students.
"—Uniforms are required," the assistant principal was now explaining. "Each student is given one winter and one summer uniform at the start of term, but are expected to buy at least one other on their own. Summer uniforms are not to be worn in winter, and vice versus. The date of change is assigned each year. Winter uniforms, which you'll start out wearing, consist of a white blouse, green skirt, vest and tie. Girls are allowed one ear piercing and no makeup. Jewelry must be kept simple and tasteful. You will be given a book of school rules later, and I urge you to read the chapter on dress carefully. Violators of the dress code will be sent home to change, and their absence will be counted as 'cutting.'"
Rikku's old school hadn't used a uniform. The dress code there had been pretty lax: no mini-skirts, no obscenities printed on shirts, no clothes with spikes or excessive chains. Rikku was trying her hardest to pay attention, but her mind was starting to wander. Saint Bevelle's was on the opposite end of the City from where Rikku lived, in the ritzier part. Palm trees lined the streets, and buildings were elaborate mansions with white painted columns, lush gardens, delicate wrought iron gates and tiled walkways. It was all very pretty, but Saint Bevelle's didn't look anything like a school to Rikku. She would have guessed the neighborhood was residential, the place where all of the City's rich people lived, but she wondered if all the buildings on the street were offices or something, if rich people just built their offices that way.
"How many kids go to this school?" Rikku asked, interrupting the assistant principal, who was explaining to Cid something about the schedule. The woman looked down at her distastefully before replying.
"Just under four hundred," she said. "We at Saint Bevelle's are very exclusive. Unfortunately, our athletics program is very, oh, arrogant." Rikku had the distinct feeling she was being insulted somehow, but couldn't quite word it or a comeback. Four hundred students? That was it? Rikku's old school had had at least fifteen hundred.
Rikku let her mind wander completely this time. Her older brother had teased her when he found out she had been let into Saint Bevelle's. Niki had never done anything fancy like that, or even gone on to college. He had been an average student at best, and when he had graduated he had just gone to work for their father's garage. Thinking about it, Rikku wasn't sure if her father had ever been to college, either. As far back as she could remember, he'd always been a mechanic, Niki too. Her mom had died in a car accident when Rikku was too young to remember, and Rikku had no other relatives that she knew of. So it might be, she thought, something like pride welling up in her despite her nerves, that she was going to be the first one in her family to make something of herself!
"Pay attention," Cid muttered at her, giving Rikku a look like don't-make-me-listen-to-her-alone.
"What classes am I gonna have?" Rikku asked, wondering suddenly. She knew she would be on the swim team, but oddly enough her schedule other than that hadn't warranted her notice until now. She hadn't really thought about the actual school part until this tour.
"You will receive your schedule in the mail either today or tomorrow. I cannot say what classes you will have precisely, but I'd imagine the standard courses. A science course, a literature and writing course, and so on." The woman didn't seem too thrilled to be answering questions as opposed to lecturing, but let Rikku's prompt segue her into a speech all the same. "We offer many programs in addition to these. The student can sign up for an honors program if he or she chooses, allowing them to take some low level college classes in addition to regular ones. We at Saint Bevelle's have a close relationship with Remiem University, and there is even a tutoring program between the two schools. Many of our students later go on to Remiem after graduation."
Rikku tuned out again. Remiem University was a pretty famous school worldwide, so of course she had heard of it. It didn't surprise her that the two schools were in some way connected, but then again Rikku didn't really know much about fancy schools and if that was normal or not. The vice principal lead Rikku and Cid up to the second floor, which was carpeted and had square shaped windows but otherwise looked every bit as fancy as the first floor. She explained to Cid about the school's grading policy, and he looked as though he would rather be anywhere in the world but listening to the lecture. Rikku knew she needed to pay attention, but she really just couldn't find the motivation. She let herself lag behind the adults.
The group arrived at a set of fancy double-doors made of glass and fancy wood designs. "Our library," the vice-principal said dismissively, as if it was nothing noteworthy. She opened one of the doors and ushered Cid and Rikku inside. The library was huge, much bigger than the library in Rikku's old school. A checkout counter was on the left as they entered, and a few rows of computers to the right, polished metal and plastic. The books were in front of them, and there were wooden tables and chairs scattered about. The room, Rikku realized, probably wasn't all that big, but it was so full of shelves - each packed full of books - that it seemed that way, somehow.
"You there," the vice principal called suddenly, glaring over at one of the tables. A girl Rikku hadn't noticed on her first glance around the room lifted her head slightly. She had a rather pale complexion that contrasted neatly with the sheer amount of black she was wearing. When the girl saw who it was, she stood up.
"Yeah?" Her tone was very cold.
"What are you doing here?" the vice-principal frowned.
"Photography club, ma'am," the girl replied, not managing to sound all that polite. "I'm early, so I was hanging out here."
"That outfit is not your uniform. And make-up is forbidden. We've spoken about this before, Isabel."
Isabel rolled her eyes and picked up a big, bulky bag that had been leaning against the chair she had been sitting at. "School isn't even in session yet," she muttered, walking towards them.
"Excuse me?"
"I'll go change," Isabel said dully, walking past them and opening and shutting the library doors with more aggression then was probably warranted.
To the vice principal's credit, she was able to turn the event quickly and tidily into a lecture praising the school. "We have many after school clubs here at Saint Bevelle's, most of which continue to meet over breaks and vacations..."
x x x
The tour had finally ended. The vice principal had allowed them to keep exploring the school if they wished, as long as they didn't break any rules or interfere with any clubs (although Rikku hadn't seen any other people besides that Isabel girl, and her not since then). Cid had elected to go home, having run out of patience with this whole affair, but Rikku had stayed behind, wanting to check out the pool. There was a whole separate building behind the school and across a soccer field, not just a pool house but everything else the athletic department needed - supplies, a weight room, locker rooms and an indoor basketball court. The whole complex was so large and spacious. It was harder than ever to imagine there were hardly any students. The world of private schools, Rikku figured.
Rikku had been swimming as long as she could remember. She'd always liked it, and always been good at it, but she had only started swimming as a sport when she entered high school and there had been a swimming unit in gym class. She had been urged to join the swim team by her teacher, and since she hadn't been in any other clubs, she had. There really hadn't been more to it then that, at least at first. Next thing she knew, swimming was her life.
Too bad she didn't have a swimsuit. After this whole thing, a swim would be nice. Oh well. Rikku glanced at her watch - it was half two. If she wanted to catch the next train, she should probably get going, seeing as her dad was probably long gone. She didn't really mind. Public transport in the City was highly efficient and had recently been renovated, so that the metro was a sleek metal-and-plastic system painted in blues and blacks and whites. Everything was like that, really, once you were out of the slums. Apparently, there had been some big project completed shortly before Rikku was born, rebuilding and redecorating the entire city, painting, restoring, and lining all the streets with palms. It still looked brand new, even with the millions of people living in it.
Rikku cast one more admiring glance around the poolroom before heading out.
There was a boy on the soccer field now, doing stretches before practice. He must have only just arrived, since Rikku hadn't noticed him on her way in. He was a little on the short side, although still much taller than Rikku, with short, styled hair that had obviously been dyed blond. And a cheerful face. He looked over at Rikku as soon as he noticed her, then grinned and waved. She waved back before changing course and heading over to him: Rikku didn't know anyone at this school, after all, and it would be much nicer to start the school year with a friend.
"You're new, right?" the boy asked right off. She blinked at him, and he explained. "Well, you sort of start recognizing everyone after a while here, and I've never seen you before... I'd have remembered." That comment might have been directed towards Rikku's outfit, which today consisted of a long white trench-coat over a blue mini dress, knee-high blue socks, white boots, and blue plastic sunglasses pushed up onto her forehead, her blonde hair tied into a bun stuck with two (blue) markers.
"I'm transferring in this year," Rikku said, not bothered if the boy didn't like her clothes, because very few people shared her sense of style. "Name's Rikku."
"Tidus," the boy said cheerfully enough. "What year are you in? We don't get many transfers. Sports?" Rikku nodded. "Yeah, I was, too. Soccer. My dad was a pro, and I'm at least as good as he was, so I guess they figured they'd recruit me early." Tidus shrugged. "What sport are you?"
"Swimming..."
"Coach for that is Ms Lakkam," Tidus said. "She's okay, I think. I don't really know."
"I guess I'll find out," Rikku said brightly. "What're you doing here? A club?"
"Nah, just screwing around," Tidus said, lifting a soccer ball with just his foot, kicking it straight up and catching it. "I'm waiting for a friend. What are you doing here?"
"I took the official tour," Rikku replied, figuring that Tidus had to take one at some point too, if he had transferred in as well. "When'd you transfer?"
"When I was sophomore. Year before last. Hey," Tidus added brightly, "you know how to play?" He indicated the soccer ball in his hands hopefully.
Rikku shrugged. "Kick the ball into the goal, right? Not hard."
"Oh, you wish," Tidus said cheerfully, launching into a long and energetic lecture about the art of the soccer game, complete with exuberant hand gestures and plenty of tangents.
They never did actually get to playing, but over an hour later they were still talking, having shared life stories - or life highlights, anyway - and then stories about swim-meets and soccer games, horror stories and victory stories alike. Somehow this prompted a discussion on comics, and Rikku had just finished detailing for Tidus the plot of a particularly bad one she had read just the other day when the girl from the library walked up to where they had plopped down in the middle of the soccer field's grass.
"There you are," she said dryly, her heavy bag slung over a shoulder. "Making friends, Tidus?"
"Yeah, yeah," Tidus said, climbing to his feet and wiping his jeans free of stray bits of dirt and grass, "Hey, who was it that waited for you so that he could give you a ride home, out of the goodness of his heart?"
The girl chuckled slightly. "You sound like Gippal."
"I try my best..." Tidus said, then stuck out his tongue at her.
Rikku climbed to her feet as well. Not having wanted to get grass-stains on her coat, she had been balanced on top of Tidus' soccer ball. "Hey, I know you. I saw you earlier, in the library. Um, you're Isabel, right?"
Tidus was suddenly overcome with giggles. Rikku felt embarrassed. Had she gotten the name wrong? Oh no, she had tried so hard to make a good first impression, but—
The girl frowned darkly at her. "No, it isn't."
"I'm sorry!" Rikku squeaked, intimidated by the taller girl.
Tidus shrugged. "Aw, be fair, she didn't know," he said to the girl. "Rikku, this is Isabel Paine, and she tends to hurt people that don't call her by her surname only."
"Oh..." Rikku said. She didn't see anything wrong with the name Isabel, but whatever. "Nice to meet you, Paine." She grinned feebly, attempting a joke. "I guess calling you Izzy is out?"
"Very much so," Paine replied without any humor.
"Okay..." Rikku was starting to get the feeling that this wasn't going very well. "So, uh, why do you hate your name? If it's okay to ask," she added quickly.
"Cuz she wants desperately to be emo," Tidus suggested perkily, unfazed when Paine glared at him.
"I just don't like my name, that's all," she said. "Tidus, come on. We're going to be late picking up Yuna at this rate."
"Yuna?" Rikku asked, looking at Tidus (who on a whole seemed like a much nicer person than Paine, who was started to unnerve Rikku a little too much).
"She's another friend of ours. Super honors student, that kinda thing. She's our age," Tidus said, gesturing towards himself and Paine, "but she does some college classes, too, just for the heck of it."
"Tidus likes her," Paine said dryly. Tidus made a face even as he flushed slightly.
"Paine!" he whined.
"It's true, isn't it? You told Gippal."
"And he told you?" Tidus sounded dismayed.
"It's your own fault for trusting him," Paine pointed out.
"...That sounds neat," Rikku said vaguely. It sounded silly, but it hadn't really occurred to her that Tidus might have a group of his own, his own friends already. She was starting to feel a little left out. Things had been going really well, too. "Hey, uh, you know," she said, "I should probably get going too, or I might miss the train."
"Huh?" Tidus looked confused, drawn out of his bickering fight with Paine. "Oh, yeah, guess so."
"Yeah..." Rikku lingered for a moment, in case one of them was going to say something else to her, or invite her along or something, but they went back at once to discussing the lack of secret keeping abilities of this 'Gippal' kid. "Well, see you!" she said brightly, before turning around and leaving.
Tidus waved to her back as she left. "See you in school!"
Paine waited until the blonde girl was out of earshot before turning to Tidus. "Interesting clothes your friend has."
"It's kinda cool, I think," Tidus said, shrugging. "At least she doesn't wear bondage clothes like you do."
"Oh, shut up. Let's go?"
"Maybe I want to hang out here some more," Tidus said contrarily, kicking the soccer ball towards one of the goals to punctuate.
"That's fine too," Paine said calmly, "I'm sure Yuna won't really mind if we're late." Tidus hesitated. Paine continued, "and I'm sure that that friend of hers - Baralai? - would be more than happy to keep her company while she waited."
Tidus spun around abruptly, flushing embarrassed again as he pulled his car keys from his pocket, letting them jangle from his hand. "Come on now, Paine, let's go," he said with gritted teeth.
Paine laughed out loud. "You really are predictable."
x x x
and thanks especially to everyone reading this! chapter two will be uploaded next thursday.
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