Academy AU: Crush

Spring, sophomore year:

The sound of a can opening alerted Jo to someone joining her on the roof of the school, and she turned to see Andrew strutting toward her. Her took his place next to her, leaning against the short wall separating them from a seven-story drop. He took a swig of the soda he was holding and eyed her.

"Where's Kirei?" He asked, their other lunch partner conspicuously absent.

"Hello Andrew, how was class?" She mock-pouted at him.

"Fine, fine. Hi Jo. Now…?"

"Shit, Twin, it's like you have a crush on her or something." He stiffened suddenly, but luckily for him Jo was studying her sandwich. "She had to stay late in class to go over some stuff with Katsumi-Sensei… So calm your tits." She pushed his shoulder playfully. "I didn't know I was that boring."

Andrew rolled his eyes. "Shut up Jo. I was just wondering, alright?"

Jo snickered. "Yeah, alright."

They were silent for a few minutes, both tearing into their lunches. Both blondes were athletes, and ate like garbage disposals. After Andrew had inhaled his second sandwich, he noticed Jo was just picking at her second. She was normally a bit quiet, but as she ate her eyes were fixed on the wall, her expression unreadable.

"What's up with ya Jo? You're acting weird." He asked when he had finally swallowed his food. She shrugged.

"It's nothing…. Just tired."

The boy eyed her skeptically. "You're always tired and you never act like this. Now tell me what's up or I'll…"

Jo raised an eyebrow at him. "You'll what, hmm?"

Andrew hesitated. "I'll cut yer bass strings." Jo scowled.

"You wouldn't even get close. My dog would eat you first. And then I'd kick your ass." She said airily.

Andrew crossed his arms. Her dog was gigantic. And they were pretty evenly matched… But he wanted to know what was wrong with his friend.

"Come on Jo. You know you can talk to me about stuff, right?"

She eyed him warily, and after a moment's hesitation she looked down. "I have a crush on someone…" She mumbled.

"Well was that so hard? Come on! That's a good thing right?" He nudged her and she rolled her eyes.

"Oh, yeah, it's great having a crush on someone that will never, ever feel the same way."

Andrew patted her shoulder. "Why would you say that?"

Jo scoffed. "Oh, I don't know… For starters I'm the ugliest person in school."

He frowned and shook her slightly. "Earth to Jo. You are not ugly."

"Don't patronize me Twin. I look like I lost a fight with a lawn mower."

"But scars are hot! I should know~" He grinned and tapped the scar across his face.

She scowled at him. "Yeah, on guys. They make you look 'cooool.'" She made air quotes with her fingers. "People do not find scarred girls attractive, let's be real. And no offense, but you only have two. I am a scar."

She looked down, and he couldn't think of what to say.

"It's not that big of a deal." She finally said. "I really don't care about my appearance, so don't like… get all weird on me now." She hesitated again. "…Besides, the girl I like… She's straight."

He smiled kindly at her. "How do you know for sure?"

Jo looked him straight in the eye and hissed, "Do not tell anyone."

"Alright! You know I won't! Now out with it!"

"…It's Kirei." Luckily she  flushed deeply and looked down, because Andrew practically choked.

"K..Kirei??" He stared. He was secretly dating the redhead… He had been for a few months. Ohgodohgodohgod… His mind raced. Jo looked up to see the horrified look on his face and threw up her hands.

"Well shit! I knew I shouldn't have told anyone! You probably think I'm a freak!" Her face was bright red and she felt like crying. Even Andrew wouldn't accept this, she should have known. She backed up a step and snatched her bag, mumbling. "I'm just gonna go…"

Andrew snapped back to his senses and grabbed her arm, shaking his head.

"Jo wait! I'm sorry, it was just surprising, okay? You're really subtle about it for having a crush on her. I've never seen you like, checking her out or anything." He smirked at her, and she relaxed, slumping her shoulders.

"Ugh, sorry… I'm being dramatic… You just looked like I told you I had cancer or something!" She quirked an eyebrow at him.

He flinched and rubbed the back of his head. "Like I said, I was surprised…"

Jo's eyes narrowed but she didn't press on his weird behavior. "So… I'm not a freak?"

"No way!" He scoffed. "Kirei.." He coughed. "Well she's a hottie, I'm not blind! Tch, if she wasn't so combative the whole damn school would be after her."

Jo hesitated. "You cannot tell her. I really really don't want this to ruin our friendship…"

"Relax Jo. I won't tell. But… I do think you should tell her. Get it of your chest, you know?"

Jo opened her mouth but was cut off when the roof access door slammed open and bright red hair bounded up to them.

"Sup bitches! Ya talkin 'bout me?" Kirei smirked and reached up to grab them both around the shoulders and pull them down to her level.

Jo scoffed. "We were just debating if your boobs were real or not!"

She stuck out her tongue and got a punch in the stomach in return.