//------------------------------// // Expressive Melody // Story: The Reject Club // by Eggtaro //------------------------------// Aria brushed the tears away from her eyes as she continued running down the deserted hallway. She wanted to see her two best friends. She wanted them to care for her. To worry about her. To be with her. Her eyes darted left and right, desperately searching for any signs of Sonata or Adagio. She wants them. She needs them. Aria didn't wanted to be left alone in that stupid club. The Reject Club. Is that what she thought of herself? A reject? The girl who has been rejected by her friends? No. She shook her head violently, dispersing the thoughts in her head. They won't do that to her. They've said they will always be together, no matter what. They've promised each other that. Where are they? Aria thought, passing empty classroom after empty classroom. Her tears were flowing again. She slowed down and rubbed her eyes. Why won't it stop? The sudden sound of chattering voices caught her attention. She recognized two of them. It was Sonata and Adagio! Her heart skipped, and her spirits rose. They're here! Aria quickly dried her damp face and ran towards the source. A few seconds more, and she will be in the loving, caring embrace of the two most important people in her life. A few seconds more, and that horrible, horrible fear in her heart will disappear. A few more seco--- "Hey, Sonata, Adagio! Wait up!" The new voice caused Aria to slow her footsteps. Who was that? "Hey Pinkie!" came the voice of Sonata. Aria bit her lip. Why did she stop? She could've just continued straight towards them. But her body won't move. She pressed her back against the wall, trying to conceal herself. Why am I hiding? Just go to them! "The rest of us was wondering if you wanted to join us for some cupcakes!" Pinkie's voice sounded exactly like Aria finds it to be. Loud, and annoying. "Cupcakes?! I love cupcakes!" the sweet tone of Sonata's voice was calming for Aria. "What do you think, Adagio?" Say no! You said you will meet me after school! Aria wanted to shout at them. To grab the two of them away. But her voice was inaudible. She shut her eyes tightly, and clenched her hands together. You promised me. "Why not? We have nothing else to do anyway." Adagio's answer was like a thousand needles, piercing deep into Aria's already, broken heart. Aria turned around, and ran. * * * * * * "Where is she?" Celery panted, pausing to catch his breath. How hard could it be to find one girl in this school anyway? Very, very hard. Celery thought. He had searched the gymnasium, the cafeteria, and the school field. But there was no sign of Aria at all. Did she went home? Somehow he doubted that. She only had like what? A 2 minute head-start? She must still be in the school somewhere. Might as well check the classrooms. Celery took a deep breath, and continued jogging down the hallway. He was lucky to have not run into any teachers. Last thing he needs right now is receiving detention. He couldn't imagine a fate worst than deten--- Celery suddenly bumped into somethi---someone---hard. He backed a few paces, rubbing his throbbing chin. He quickly glanced around, searching for the person he crashed into. "Urgh..." said a voice below him. Celery looked down and saw a rainbow-coloured hair girl sprawled on the floor. The girl slowly sat up, rubbing her head as she does so. "Did anybody catch the number of that cement truck?" she asked groggily. She lifted her head up and looked at Celery. They both blinked and stared at each other for a moment. It took a whole minute for Celery to realize who she was. Uh-oh Celery thought, and gulped. Rainbow Dash's eyes turn from that of confusion, to instant anger. "YOU!" She shouted, and she quickly stood herself up, but her knees were still wobbly from the impact, and she stumbled right into Celery's arms. Celery caught a fleeting whiff of sweet smelling shampoo, but was immediately pushed away by Rainbow Dash, who's cheeks were burning bright red. "D-d-don't touch me!" She stuttered, putting as much distance as her wobbly legs would allow her from Celery. "I wasn't trying to! You were the one who fell into my arms!" Celery retorted. "W-w-what? I did not f-fall for y-you! Stop saying things like that!" Celery opened his mouth to respond, but stopped when a girl with purple hair ran past them. There was no mistaking the twin ponytails. Celery sidestepped away from Rainbow Dash and ran after Aria. "Wher---Hey!" Rainbow Dash quickly spun around and chased after Celery. "I'm not done with you!" "Sorry, Dashie! I'll make it up to you, I promise!" Aria was getting further away from Celery. He ran faster. Rainbow Dash would have easily caught up with him. But her legs buckled under her, and she found herself with her knees to the floor. All she could do was stare as Celery slowly disappeared from her sight. Her face was still red. "Dashie?" * * * * * * Aria didn't care about the tears that were falling from her eyes. Nothing mattered any more. Her 'friends' not only didn't care about her, they had completely forgotten about her. Adagio and Sonata had found others to replace her. She was no longer their friend. Her worst fears had come true. Alone. Aria couldn't run any more. She was tired...hurt...and alone. She let herself fall on her knees. Every inch of her body was hurting terribly. It wasn't like the sort of pain you get when you cut yourself. It was a pain that was from deep within. It wasn't a pain that you could ease with bandages or painkillers. It was a pain you must live with. Aria clutched her chest. Stop. Hurting. She began pounding her chest with her fist.Stop. Hurting. She pounded harder. STOP. HURTING. She let blow after blow landed on her chest, with each hit getting harder, and stronger than the last. PLEASE STOP HUR--- A warm hand suddenly grabbed onto Aria's arm, causing her to stop from beating herself up. She looked up, with tears flooding her eyes. "What are you doing?!" A voice shouted at her. She blinked a few times, trying to clear her eyes. The voice sounded...familiar. An annoying voice. A boy's voice. "Aria!" She blinked her eyes, and saw Celery staring right back at her. She tried to pull her hand back, but it was held with a firm grip. "Leave me alone!" That word stung her. But that's what she wanted. That's what she'll always be. "No!" Aria felt Celery's grip loosen. She glanced at Celery, who was crouched in front of her. "No I won't. Not until I know what's going on." "Why?! Why do you want to know?! This has nothing to do with you! It's none of your business! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" Aria yelled. Just go. Just leave me like Adagio and Sonata. Leave me like everyone else has. There was nothing left for her. She had just lost her two best friends. She had went to a club for rejects. And now, she was going to be left alone. Forever. "BECAUSE YOU'RE MY CLUBMATE! AND I DON'T ABANDON MY CLUBMATES!" Celery yelled. Aria's eyes widened. She felt her mouth slowly open, but she was at a loss for words. The only sound that escaped her mouth...was that of sobbing. Celery slowly let go of Aria's arm, and proceeded to gently stroke the top of her head. "We're friends aren't we?" he asked softly, as Aria continued to cry in the empty, quiet hallway.