The Commons

[GGJ5]

In the center of the school, though ironically open to access from the outside very easily, is a large courtyard dotted with benches and short walls surrounding little gardens. This area is called the commons by the students and staff, and is where most of the students hang out before school or during lunch break.

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki

He sprawled at the foot of his signature tree - signature because he didn't bother to wander over to any other tree, and because no one usually bothered him when he was near it, thus making it unofficially his - and let out a sigh. The cell phone in his pocket rang, and he leapt to check it, hoping to find Erin's name staring up at him. But no, it was just his mother sending him a text about the college applications, and deadlines. Whatever. He laid back down on the grass with his arm over his eyes. Maybe I don't want to college after all, mom. So how about you stop browsing the best colleges in the United States while at work?

He let out another sigh and let his mind wander to Erin. Things would never quite be the same between the two of them, but he couldn't deny any longer that she was a big, important part of him. He didn't like the whole mushy romance story, and he was all for independence - something he needed to remind his mother of - but he needed Erin. There was just no other way to explain the way he'd been acting. He had to have her near him. He had to be protective and macho sometimes, because there was no one else he felt that way for.

Yukito sat up and pulled a worn paper out of his pocket that he'd been carrying around all day. It was a sketch that had been done really well in a unique manga-style, of a boy standing with a petulant look, his long black hair falling into his face. She was always so good at drawing, and I was her favorite subject. He stared at the picture as if he could look deep enough and see something vital and valuable, then let his hand drop to his side. He had promised no more secrets with Erin. No more hiding things, even if he felt like it would just complicate things and bog Erin down with his own weight. Maybe the best way to deal with it was to talk to someone about it. He'd been carrying the drawing for a lot of reasons...and one of them was so that he could show Erin.

[The Phantom of Paris]

Shelby Wright

Once again, Shelby had blown off her friends for lunch, giving some vague excuse about having to work on something in the computer lab and ignoring the disappointed looks on their faces. Her friends just didn't get it. They were just like her sister--always asking her to hang out as if that would somehow make everything go back to the way it was. They didn't seem to ever realize that such a thing was impossible--that nothing would ever be the same again, so what was the point in acting like it would?

Besides, I trusted Mom, and look what she did to us. I trusted Dad when he said that everything would be okay, and it's not. Trusting people never works--they'll just hurt you when you least expect it. I can't trust anyone--not Cassie, not my friends. Just Al. Just Al and Ed and Roy...sometimes...and Armstrong and Riza and Winry and Izumi-sensei and...

She took off her hoodie as she left the air conditioning of the school for the heat of the courtyard, revealing the shirt beneath it as she walked over to her usual bench. She took her book out of her bag and sat down, glancing around the commons before she started reading.

Yukito Maki was laying down under a nearby tree, looking moody and staring at a worn-out piece of paper in his hand. Wonder what his problem is, Shelby thought, searching through her bag for her ipod. She let out a quiet curse when she couldn't find it, realizing she must have left it at home. Fantastic. Just fantastic.

She opened her book and set it on her lap, trying once again to transport herself to Risembool and Central, by the side of those who actually cared about her, but she found she couldn't. She glanced over at Yukito again, hoping he wouldn't notice she was there.

The old Shelby would have gone over and said hi. But Shelby wasn't even sure if she knew who that person was anymore.

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki

Yukito looked up at a movement out of the corner of his eye and saw Cassie's sister sitting nearby, looking at a book. He arched an eyebrow, then decided to go over to her. After all, he knew Cassie had done stuff for him in the past without asking him to do anything in return. So the least he could do was try and talk her sister out of her weird phase.

He hadn't realized just how deep she was in, though. Yukito stood nearby, his hands shoved in his pockets. Shelby was a cute girl, but her face was dark and serious now as she tried to focus on her attentions on the book she held. "Yo," he started, a questioning look on his face. "What are you doing, Shelbychan?" his brow furrowed, "O genki desu ka?"

[The Phantom of Paris]

Shelby Wright

Don't notice me don't notice me don't notice me don't notice me... Shelby repeated in her head like a mantra, trying to convey the message to Yukito without taking her eyes off of the manga in her hands. Just leave me alone. I don't need one more person trying to make me feel better. I don't need to be made to feel better...especially not by anyone here. Who are you to tell me how I should feel? You don't even know how I'm feeling. Nobody does, and so no one has the right to try and make me 'feel better'. Just...just leave me alone, all of you! Please! Can't anyone see this isn't what I want?

She gazed at Alphonse's face as she turned the page, finding solace in the familiar peaceful expression. "It's all right, Shelby," he seemed to say. I understand.

"What are you doing, Shelbychan?"

Shelby had to bite back a curse and a groan as she realized her silent communication to Yukito hadn't worked. God, I don't want to talk to you! I don't want to talk to anyone! Why should I? It won't do any good. I don't need to be 'fixed', like everyone seems to think! I'm just fine, but nobody can see it!

"Reading," she murmured without looking up.

You're not going away. I want you to go away. Why aren't you going away? I alchemize you, Yukito Maki, INTO FISH!

"No, Shelby," came Al's sensible voice. "That's human transmutation. You know better. You shouldn't even joke about something like that."

I hate the name Shelby. Why do you call me that? I need a better name for you to call me. But what?

"O genki desu ka?" asked Yukito, alerting Shelby to the fact that he hadn't left. Take a hint already, will you? Slowly, she looked up to meet his eyes. He seemed rather worried as he looked down on her, waiting for her reply. She sighed. "Genki desu."

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki


"What are you doing, Shelbychan?" He asked, and the immediate response was a less-than-perky look from the girl. In fact, she looked like how he imagined his face to look when he didn't want to talk to anybody, and wanted to just blare the Dir en grey up and forget about the world. It was easier in his head. It was simpler, it was always enjoyable - except when he sat there thinking about the real world, and its issues, then he was sour and bitter and couldn't concentrate on anything.

"Reading," came the curt response. Shelby didn't even look up from her book. If he had been one of those cocky guys, or like Aidousan, trying to make everyone smile no matter what, he might have smirked and let out a flamboyant cry of pain, saying something like, 'You won't even look up to see this hot Japanese guy who came to talk to you! How cruel!'

But he wasn't. So he remained silent for a moment, then asked, "O genki desu ka?" No movement at first, then she lifted her eyes to meet his.

A slow sigh that reminded him of his mother. "Genki desu."

He leaned over to see her book, not believing her 'I'm fine' statement for a nanosecond. A little smile came to his lips. "Fullmetal Alchemist, huh? I feel for Ed, since I'm short, too. But I have to say Mustang is my favorite character. He's got the attitude for it, and he has the hilarious 'I shall rule the world!' plan." He wondered if he had seen her not reading manga for the last few weeks. Had she done anything else? Avoided eye contact and speaking. Listened to her ipod...hm...that was it. Sure, he didn't exactly stalk her or anything, so he couldn't know if that was all she ever did, but it was weird that Shelby, who he recalled as being shy but not completely afraid of verbalizing more than a monosyllable, would stick to just a handful of things to occupy her time. He sat down next to her and tried to look as interested in her book as he was interested in her hermitage.

"Which part are you at, Shelbychan?" he asked, getting the feeling that this would be an easy way to start a conversation. It was like talking about the weather, but not as lame. You ask a person about something you know they like, and that gets you somewhere, right?

[The Phantom of Paris]

Shelby Wright

Just don't talk to him too much. Then he'll go away. All of them will eventually stop trying when they realize there's nothing for them to do. I just need to wait it out. In the meantime...I need to think of a name to use in Amestris! A really good FMA name!

"What sort of name do you have in mind?" Al asked.

I don't know yet. Let me think.

A shadow fell over her book, telling her that Yukito was still there and looking over her shoulder. "Fullmetal Alchemist, huh?" Shelby gave a slow nod. "I feel for Ed, since I'm short, too."

Shelby looked up. "He's not short," she muttered scratchily. "But I have to say Mustang is my favorite character. He's got the attitude for it, and he has the hilarious 'I shall rule the world!' plan."

Shelby looked down so Yukito wouldn't see the small smirk she gave at this. "Mustang's funny," she agreed. "Jerk, though. I like Al."

I don't want a common name. I want a really pretty, unique one...everything my 'real' name isn't.

Yukito sat down next to her, still focused on her book. "Which part are you at, Shelbychan?"

Just. Go. Away. Please? She turned the book over onto it's side and pointed to the 4 on the spine, letting Yukito know she was on the fourth volume of FMA. "Rereading," she explained.

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki

"I feel for Ed, since I'm short, too." he said simply. And he was short, even for Japanese. And he knew he was scrawny and lanky, his mother had always called it endearing and the girls called it hot, but he just thought of it as easier for people to knock him over.

Shelby looked up. "He's not short," she muttered scratchily.

Yukito smirked. "Then what would you call it?" he asked with a note of playfulness. "But I have to say Mustang is my favorite character. He's got the attitude for it, and he has the hilarious 'I shall rule the world!' plan."

Shelby looked down, and he wondered if she agreed with him on this point at all, "Mustang's funny," she said at last, "Jerk, though. I like Al."

Um...okay. Brilliance. I think she just shot my attempts at conversation in the foot. "Yeah, well I hear I'm a jerk, too. So I guess that makes me the Mustang of our school. Including the rule the world plan." he shrugged, "I always thought Al was a pacifist, but he's okay. You have to feel sorry for him when he can't even touch his brother anymore. Y'know, really touch, as in feel him." He spaced for a second, suddenly getting this picture in his head of what it would be like if he couldn't touch Erin anymore. As in, if he could move and protect her, but never feel her lips on his, or her head on his shoulder, or the way her eyelashes brushed his cheek when she hugged him. Man...I'm getting to be more of a romantic wuss than I thought.

"Which part are you at, Shelbychan?" he said to pull himself out of his own thoughts.

She showed him the book, and he clearly read that it was the fourth volume. His mind whirled, trying to remember what happened in the fourth volume. But the series was just so freaking long. "Rereading," she explained.

He arched an eyebrow, curious and a bit surprised at this novel idea. "Why would you reread manga? There are, like, hundreds of new stuff coming out everyday, and..." Another shrug, "I mean...there are a lot of really good ones out there. And then you could do some of your own, eventually....maybe." he had no idea if Shelby could draw more than stick figures, so he decided not to walk that path too much, "There's lots of stuff out there, why limit yourself?" Yukito had to admit to himself - he felt really stupid rambling to this girl about manga. The truth was, he thought of rereading manga the same way he thought of listening to one song on repeat for hours - it was just annoying to him, and so close-minded. If there were lots of different types out there, why just stick to the ones you already know?

[The Phantom of Paris]

Shelby Wright

"Yeah, well I hear I'm a jerk, too," Yukito said, in a tone so vague that Shelby couldn't tell whether he was serious or just trying to make her laugh again. She said nothing, and Yukito went on. "So I guess that makes me the Mustang of our school. Including the rule the world plan. I always thought Al was a pacifist, but he's okay."

Shelby stiffened at this. I don't insult Erin, so you have no right to judge Al like that. What's wrong with being peaceful? Better than the military with their constant offense...'Attack 'em all! Doesn't matter if they haven't done anything wrong! Attack them anyway!' No thanks.

"It's okay, Shelby. He doesn't mean anything by it. I've heard worse. You don't need to get mad at him for speaking his mind..."

Yes, I do. And I need a better name than Shelby!

"You have to feel sorry for him when he can't even touch his brother anymore. Y'know, really touch, as in feel him."

You don't even know the half of it! I don't want to listen to you talk about things you don't even know about and try to get me to smile. I won't. It doesn't work at home and it won't work with you. I do still smile. I do. Al knows, he's seen it. I do smile, even if everyone else thinks I don't! Shelby gave a slow nod as Yukito asked how far she was in her manga. She showed him the number on the spine of the book, mentioning briefly that she was rereading it. I answered your question. Happy now? Care to leave?

Why would you reread manga?" Shelby responded with a tiny shrug, hardly more than a twitch of her shoulders. Why wouldn't I reread it? "There are, like, hundreds of new stuff coming out everyday, and...I mean...there are a lot of really good ones out there. And then you could do some of your own, eventually....maybe. There's lots of stuff out there, why limit yourself?"

Because it's my life? Because there's nothing else I'd rather be doing? Because I love it? Pick any one of them.

"I have others," she said, reaching for her bag and putting it on her lap. She took out four other books--two of DeathNote, one of Fruits Basket, and one of Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles to show Yukito. Sure, she had forgotten over half of the books and binders she needed for school, but she was ready for anything manga-wise. "I just want to."

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki

"I always thought Al was a pacifist, but he's okay." he said flippantly, then decided to not add anything else in that same line, because Shelby looked peeved at that. Um...consoling isn't going very well...oops. "You have to feel sorry for him when he can't even touch his brother anymore. Y'know, really touch, as in feel him." When this got little or no reaction, he asked what volume she was on, and she mentioned that she was reading it again. When he expressed surprise that she would reread something, he mentally berated himself. Of course she would take offense at something like that, right?

"I have others," she said, pulling out the handful of volumes to demonstrate her point. He recognized all of them, but he hadn't read them all. Realizing that he probably was totally sucking - again - at the 'being supportive and uplifting thing', he sighed helplessly to himself. "I just want to."

For a moment, he didn't say anything, just trying to think out of this one. "Look, Shelby -- I'm not here to make you, I dunno.. forget that the whole thing with your parents suck. I know you don't want to just deal with that, and it's so much easier to ignore it and try and fill your mind with something else that's dependable and all that, but seriously...." he picked up one of the manga, "What are you doing, Shelby? Do you think this makes up for it?" He silently held his breath as he waited for her response, sure that it wasn't going to be all happy and cheerful like she had seemed when he first met her at Cassie's house. "Parents screw things up. They screw up lots of things. But this won't make you happy." He sighed, "Trust me on that one."

[The Phantom of Paris]

Shelby Wright

Yukito was silent for a moment, and Shelby gave a discreet smile, relieved to have shut him up for just a few seconds. You don't need to try to help me. There's nothing to help, unless you can change the past. Which you can't. No one can--not even alchemy can do that.

"Shelby?"

What is it, Alphonse?

"He's only trying to help..."

You know what's a pretty name? Aurelia. Except I want that to be my middle name. Now I need a first name.

"Aurelia is a beautiful name."

"Look, Shelby -- I'm not here to make you, I dunno.. forget that the whole thing with your parents suck," Yukito said. Shelby gave an audible sigh of exasperation, realizing that he hadn't yet given up. Get this through your thick head! I DO NOT WANT TO BE SPOKEN TO. I WISH TO BE LEFT ALONE. NOW GO! No wonder things didn't work out with you and Erin--you're impossible!

"I know you don't want to just deal with that, and it's so much easier to ignore it and try and fill your mind with something else that's dependable and all that, but seriously...." He plucked Tsubasa out of Shelby's hand. "What are you doing, Shelby? Do you think this makes up for it? Parents screw things up. They screw up lots of things. But this won't make you happy. Trust me on that one."

Shelby whipped her head around to look at him, shooting him a glare. She grabbed her book back from him. "How do you know what I want, who I am? Why does everyone care so much?!" She said, as loud as she could with her unused voice. With every word she felt like her vocal chords were being ripped from her throat. "Did my sister tell you to do this?"

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki

"Look, Shelby -- I'm not here to make you, I dunno.. forget that the whole thing with your parents sucks," Yukito said, and was actually a little relieved to hear Shelby sigh with irritation. It meant she was actually listening, at least. "I know you don't want to just deal with that, and it's so much easier to ignore it and try and fill your mind with something else that's dependable and all that, but seriously...."

He decided to really tick her off, and took the manga from her hands, holding it up with a solemn expression, "What are you doing, Shelby? Do you think this makes up for it? Parents screw things up. They screw up lots of things. But this won't make you happy. Trust me on that one."

Shelby sent him a glare and snatched her book back unceremoniously, "How do you know what I want, who I am? Why does everyone care so much?!" she croaked, sounding ill, "Did my sister tell you to do this?"

He laughed a little. "No, she didn't. 'Cause Cassie is trying too hard to take care of your and herself, and she's too proud to think of asking for help." It was his turn to glare at her, and with a frown he stood up. "You know, she's not exactly having a picnic with this, either. If you ever decide to spend some of your valuable time on charity work, instead of dwelling on yourself and your addiction all the time, you might consider seeing if your sister needs you. Because I didn't have anyone to talk to when my mom decided to kick my dad out. But I sure wish I had. Having a sibling means something, you know." he nodded to the Fullmetal Alchemist manga near her, with a disgusted look, "You know, you might actually try drawing some morals from the books you read, sometime."

[The Phantom of Paris]

Shelby Wright

Shelby stared at Yukito, breathing hard, her throat aching at her outburst. There. You got me to talk. You happy now, you meddling jerk? Happy you got me to make conversation for a second or two, even if you had to resort to insulting me and making me sound like some sick mental patient? I'm not insane or anything, like everyone seems to think. What's wrong with what I'm doing? Nothing. I just find their world more interesting than ours, that's all. It's better there. And I want to be there. What's wrong with that?

You got what you wanted. Now shut the hell up and leave me alone.

To her dismay, Yukito laughed at her. "No, she didn't. 'Cause Cassie is trying too hard to take care of your and herself, and she's too proud to think of asking for help." You've got that right, thought Shelby resentfully.[/i] "I don't need to be taken care of. I don't need help--yours, Cassie's, or anyone else's!" she hissed at him.

He stood up, glaring down at her in a way that almost made Shelby uncomfortable. "You know, she's not exactly having a picnic with this, either. If you ever decide to spend some of your valuable time on charity work, instead of dwelling on yourself and your addiction all the time, you might consider seeing if your sister needs you."

"Shut up," Shelby hissed. "It's not an addiction--you don't know anything. Cassie doesn't need me any more than I need her. What's the point? What the hell is the point of 'needing' anyone when all they're going to do is hurt you all the time, again and again and again 'til there's nothing left of you? Tell me that and then tell me that what I'm doing is selfish and not smart!"

"Because I didn't have anyone to talk to when my mom decided to kick my dad out. But I sure wish I had."

Shelby looked up at him. "Then that's the difference between you and me," she said, malice in her raspy, aching voice.

Having a sibling means something, you know. You know, you might actually try drawing some morals from the books you read, sometime."

You think I don' t know that?! Stop trying to make me out to be this horrible person when you don't even know me! Just go away!! Shelby sagged a little against the bench, a few snippets of truth in Yukito's words hitting a nerve in her. Just go.

"Leave me alone," she whispered, refusing to meet his eyes.

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki

"I don't need to be taken care of. I don't need help--yours, Cassie's, or anyone else's!" Shelby argued, and he tried to gauge by her face just how much he would need to pry to make her explode.

You're totally wrong. Lame as it is, people have to have people. Or you'd die. He stood up and glared at her, pressed on by the idea that it was sort of himself that

"You know, she's not exactly having a picnic with this, either. If you ever decide to spend some of your valuable time on charity work, instead of dwelling on yourself and your addiction all the time, you might consider seeing if your sister needs you."

"Shut up," was the hoarsely snarled reply, "It's not an addiction--you don't know anything. Cassie doesn't need me any more than I need her. What's the point? What the hell is the point of 'needing' anyone when all they're going to do is hurt you all the time, again and again and again 'til there's nothing left of you? Tell me that and then tell me that what I'm doing is selfish and not smart!"

"Because," he said with a shrug, still frowning deeply, "We're human. And we can't do it alone. Besides, not everyone will totally screw you over like that." He tried not to show it on his face, but his mind had drifted to Erin. She would probably have found something optimistic and fantastic to say that would make everyone smile. Then she'd probably pull everyone into a hug or something. Because that was Erin's way of doing things - to keep smiling. "What you're doing is selfish," he stated dryly, "And not smart. And you need your sister, and she needs you. Because I didn't have anyone to talk to when my mom decided to kick my dad out. But I sure wish I had."

"Then that's the difference between you and me," Shelby snarled with hatred.

"Having a sibling means something, you know. You know, you might actually try drawing some morals from the books you read, sometime." he shot back, gesturing to her Fullmetal Alchemist manga. He could see the anger and frustration on Shelby's face, and felt sorry that he didn't know any better way to get to her than this. It wasn't like he enjoyed irritating people and hoping in the process they would realize their issues and just get over them already. Really, he wished he knew how to do the whole hugging-and-move-on thing, it sounded like it would be simpler.

"Leave me alone," she whispered, refusing to meet his eyes.

"Fine, whatever." he paused, trying to decide whether or not to add on his final remark or whether it would just make things worse. "But I can't think of anyone in that story that would mope around reading instead of actually doing something. Even if they only had one parent, or no parents." He was thinking of Edward, and how frustrated and angry he was at his father for leaving. And how close the two brothers had been pulled at the loss of their mother. Couldn't Shelby see that she was avoiding the very thing she was reading about? He didn't know. "It's easier than you think, Shelby. I'll see you around."

Yukito is fin here.

[The Phantom of Paris]

Shelby Wright

"Because," said Yukito, "We're human. And we can't do it alone." These simple words surprised Shelby in their intensity, and she had to stop herself from shooting Yukito a curious look. Beside her, Al nodded fervently. "That's what we try to remind ourselves of every day, Shelby, Brother and I. We need each other, because if we were doing this alone...Edward and I need to be there for each other. I wish you would realize that it's no different for you and your sister."

"Besides, not everyone will totally screw you over like that." She snorted cynically. You really believe that? Prove it, then. Show me. You can't do it. It's impossible. I'm right. I'm right.

"What you're doing is selfish. And not smart. And you need your sister, and she needs you. Because I didn't have anyone to talk to when my mom decided to kick my dad out. But I sure wish I had."

"Then that's the difference between you and me."

She tried her best not to pay attention to what Yukito said next--telling her that she was ignoring everything her beloved Al and Ed were teaching her through their remarkable story. But it's different with them. I'm not like them. Cassie's strong enough to pull through this on her own, and so am I. I don't need her. She doesn't need me. The Elrics and the Wrights are not the same. They never will be. I don't want to be a Wright anymore.

It's not the same thing at all.

Softly, she told Yukito what she had been holding back since he had approached her: that all she wanted was for him to shut up and go away. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing him to listen to her.

Willing him to listen just this once.

"Fine, whatever. But I can't think of anyone in that story that would mope around reading instead of actually doing something. Even if they only had one parent, or no parents. It's easier than you think, Shelby."

Shelby caught the reference he was trying to make, but said nothing, silently entreating him to leave her alone.

"I'll see you around."

She waited until she couldn't hear his footsteps anymore to look up, brushing her hair out of her eyes angrily. The bell rang far too soon for Shelby's liking, and she stood up too quickly, knocking her bag to the ground. It opened as it hit, revealing the one binder for her classes that she had remembered (English), one pen, and her Al plushie. "Dammit!" she cried, not caring who heard. She threw herself to her knees and gathered up her things, tossing in her manga as well and slamming the bag shut. She threw it over her shoulder and started to walk into the building, but stopped. She glanced over to the entrance of the Commons, the world outside beckoning her softly. She took a quick glance around the emptying courtyard. The students still left there looked more focused on their own personal conversations and lives than Shelby. She shouldered her bag, sighed, and walked out of the courtyard and off of the grounds, towards home.

Shelby is done here...and may be in trouble for it later.