Two Equals One

Author's Note: This is the update that I promised. I changed most, if not all of the "I am" that I was told made the story a little stilted. I finished NaNo today, so I feel a little better about posting this. I hope everyone is enjoying this as much as I am enjoying writing it!


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Chapter Two: Places Not to Order Coke

Things might have been looking up. So, she had not completely bombed the singing exam like she had expected. The teacher had graciously given her a ‘C’, which was not her best by any means, but it was not the worst grade imaginable. If she kept up in the rest of her studies, things might not be so bad as they once were. At least, that’s what Rika kept telling herself.

The Starbucks at Oklahoma City Community College was much kinder than the Barnes and Noble in Norman, and Rika finally had enough change to get herself a hot chocolate. Despite all of this, she still found herself in Norman on many occasions, and would always come up with excuses to why she needed to be there. After the encounter with Shin in the bookstore, she had gone there multiple times that same week, hoping to maybe “bump” into him.

No such luck.

On the fourth day of this routine, Rika’s mother finally noticed. She gave an exasperated sigh as Rika slammed down her keys and stalked into the kitchen, obviously in a bad mood. “Child,” she scolded, playfully. “The next time that boy comes into your existence, take his name, address and phone number. That way, you can properly stalk him.”

Rika did not appreciate her mother’s sense of humor, and let her know this with an eye roll. “I'm not stalking him,” she said in her defense. “I'm not even sure I want to bump in to him again. He was a little rude with the way he left so suddenly.”

“People seem to do that with you,” Kaitlyn Brown teased her daughter, and began pulling things from the refrigerator. “Rika, if this was a divine meeting, rest assured, you will see the boy again. If not, then he was nothing more than a boy in a coffee shop. Simple as that.”

Sometimes, Rika really wished her mother was not a psychologist. Her entire life, instead of hearing motherly input about her problems, she was get the latest in psychiatric therapy. At times it was comforting, and did help. Her mother had talked her through panic attacks more times than she could count. Hell, with the way they came and went, Rika herself could have a degree in just those.

“You are not helping, Mom.”

Kaitlyn shrugged. “Sorry. What do you want me to say, Rika? You met the man for five minutes, and now you have a crush. Do you want me to tell you that you’ll meet him again? I don't want you to look too much into this. For all we know, that could have been a one time meeting, and you’ll never see him again. Or, chances are, this will be the man you marry. I'm not God. I don't decide this.” She laid a hand on Rika’s shoulder, and handed her the sandwich she had finished making. “My advice is to go on. If you run into him again, tell him hi. And by God, give him your phone number!”

The last part of her advice made her laugh. Rika took the sandwich from her mother, and grabbed her school bag. “I will be back after class.”

Kaitlyn grabbed her own purse. “I probably will not be here. We’ve got that meeting today, and then some friends and I are going to Ted’s to eat. Do you want me to bring you back anything?”

Ted’s Escondido was a local Mexican restaurant near her house, and it also happened to be Rika’s favorite restaurant in town. With everything in Oklahoma almost completely being Tex Mex, anything outside of that barrier was amazing. Her stomach growled at the mere thought of the chips and dip.

“Any left overs you might have will be appreciated,” Rika told her. She received a nod from her mom, and made her way out the door.

Oklahoma City Community College was not the most crowded campus in the state of Oklahoma. Although it had a nice enrollment base, when you compared it to universities such as University of Oklahoma, or University of Central Oklahoma, the little junior college was small indeed. Not to mention, most students in the state did not fiddle with more than one college once enrolled.

That was why Rika almost had a heart attack when she saw Shin walking across her campus. Rika turned her head, to make sure it was really him. There were many Asian students at the school, herself among them, and she could have easily been mistaking a stranger for him. However, there was no mistaking that cool demeanor he seemed to posses around him. She shook her head in amazement, and turned back to face where she was going - and smacked head first into a tree.

The noise, and the stifled giggles apparently caught Shin’s attention. Despite her throbbing head and ears, she did not miss the confused glance Shin suddenly sent her way. “Rika?”

Rika sent a small smile and wave, and began to rub her head. What a wonderful impression she was making on him. The first time he met her, she had not had enough change for her drink, and this time she smacked into a tree. He walked over to her, and raised an eyebrow. “Are you okay?”

“Yea, I'm fine. Just klutzy.”

“I can see that. Do you need aspirin?”

“I'm fine. Seriously, I do stupid stuff like that all time. So,” she half demanded. “You told me you went to OU! Why are you here?”

“I do go to OU,” Shin replied patiently. “A friend of mine has a class here, and I'm picking him up today. I forgot that you went here as well . . . I thought you looked familiar, and when I saw you run into that tree. . Well, it was a little hard to miss you.”

Her face had to be bright red by now. Shin didn’t seem to notice, and continued talking. “This college campus is . . . Tiny.”

Rika immediately became protective of her school. “It is big enough! No, it is not an university campus, but it is a good school!”

That got a chuckle out of him. “I was not making fun of it. It was only an observation.” He looked around. “So, what is your field of study?”

This was a question Rika absolutely hated more than any other. Since she decided in her senior year, to become a music major, with an emphasis on musical production, she began to notice people’s reaction to the subject. Most thought the major meant nothing in the long run, and she would sooner or later have to find a real job. Others thought it was only fun and games. And the last part scoffed and told her good luck. What Rika needed was not luck. She had the talent. What she needed was support.

Rika took a deep breath. “I'm aiming my degree towards music. With an emphasis on stage.” She left off there, and waited for the ‘ah’. to come.

It never came. “You sing?” He received a nod in reply. “I have a deep respect for musicians and singers. My little brother is a singer, and he complains all the time no one shows them any respect. I have to agree - people have an attitude that it is all fun. I have watched Maka work though. If you truly care about it, it is actual work.”

It was now official. Rika had developed a crush on this man. “Is your brother in Japan?”

“Yes. Unfortunately.” Shin rolled his eyes. “I wish I knew how to bring him here and away from our parents. Mother has . . Some problems.”

“don't we all?”

Shin shrugged, and looked slightly uncomfortable. “True. But mostly we are not all literally crazy.”

“Oh.” Rika muttered, getting his hint. She was not sure what to say in return. She need not have worried, though. Shin quickly changed the subject.

“Do you not have class?” He asked, nodding his head toward the school building. Rika looked down at her watch, and realized with a sinking feeling she was not almost twenty minutes late for her class.

“No,” she lied. “It was canceled today.”

“Ah,” he muttered, but one eyebrow went up in a fashion that told Rika he didn’t believe her. “Are you busy? I might be able to take you out for coffee.”

Panic decided to seize Rika in that moment, and she shied away slightly. “No that .. it is okay. You said that you had a friend to pick up, and I would not want to spoil the atmosphere. I actually think I'm just going to go back home and take a nap.” She gave a smile, and all but dashed away, leaving Shin standing there with an amused look on his face. A glance back revealed his shook his head, and chuckled and walked toward the main building.

She was almost to the parking lot when her friend from class stopped her. “Rika!” she spouted happily. “What are you doing tonight?!”

“Going home. I have a math test to study for.” It was a dull answer, but such is life.

Lisa rolled her eyes. “Life can wait!” she declared. “Jeff is going to a party tonight in Norman, and he wants me to pick him up. I don't just want to go to a frat party at OU by myself, so I figured I would take someone with me! You don't seem to be busy, so why don't you go?”

Rika had to debate. On one hand, the party did sound like fun, and Rika had never been to one before. She had heard all the stories from friends, but had yet to experience such a thing for herself. On the other hand, she was already failing her math class, and a night of studying would probably help that.

Lisa didn’t give her time to decide. “I will pick you up at your house about nine, okay? If you want, you can stay with me after we get done. Just tell your mother we’ll be out a little late.

There was one problem with that. Rika’s mother would not be home. But Lisa was already across the campus grounds, ignoring what protests Rika might have sent out. Sighing, Rika shook her head and started back to the car.

At least, though, she had run into Shin again.

The party was loud, and Rika resisted the urge to cringe as she walked through the door of the small apartment. Lisa grabbed her hand and began dragging her toward the center of the room, yelling at random guys as they passed. Rika immediately felt uncomfortable in this small, crowded, and smoky environment. She sneezed once, and earned a roll of the eyes from Lisa.

“Could you please just relax?” Lisa muttered. “This is not the end of the world.”

“For you,” Rika hissed in reply. “You know I don't like this type of thing. I'm not comfortable being here.”

Lisa gave her another eye roll. “We will only be here for about fifteen minutes. Jeff just wanted me to stop in and tell him hi. That’s all. Go . . Sit down somewhere. Text somebody. I'm sure you’ll find something to do.”

As much as Rika hated to admit it, she would have rather been at home finishing her math homework. The test on Monday was going to be more difficult that she had expected, and she desperately needed to study. But Lisa had insisted. . .

She sighed and stalked off toward the kitchen, determined to find something else to drink besides beer. The apartment was not very large, so the kitchen was right around the corner. There were only three guys littering the small space, and Rika unconsciously took a step back. One was a tall blonde, whose hair looked like he could not afford to have it trimmed. The other two looked like twins, with short brownish black hair, and dark, cold, and calculating eyes. “Um ..” she stammered, unsure of what to say. “I just came in here looking for Coke.”

One of the three guys, one with shaggy blonde hair, lifted an eyebrow. “Whoa there, baby,” he drawled. “You don't mess around do you? Listen, Tommy could not get us the deal like he wanted, but we’ve got some other stuff in the back if you are interested in that maybe . . . I'm sure we could work out a deal or two . .”

Rika blinked, feeling stupid. “A deal? For a Coke?” As soon as the words left her mouth, the realization of what she had just said hit her. She turned what she assumed to be bright red, and stepped back again. “I only came in here looking for a drink!” she spluttered, unsure of how to get herself out of this position. “Coca-Cola. You know, as in the drink?”

The blonde snorted. “Oh come on, you were all fun and games a few minutes ago. No worries, babe. It is not like we are going to tell anyone. Why don't you just follow us to the back . .” he trailed off, and his blue eyes scanned her up and down.

People had always told Rika she had a stubborn nature, and this time was no different. She stood her ground. “No. I just want something to drink. If someone could direct me to something other than alcohol or drugs, I would appreciate it. Water would even be fine.”

One of the twins gave an impatient glare toward his friend. “Look, the girl wants something to drink, and that is what we’re going to give her. Shawn, grab one of the soda’s from the fridge, please.” The blonde, Shawn, gave a tiny shrug and pulled open the refrigerator. A few seconds later, he pulled out a can of Coca-Cola, grabbed a plastic cup from the counter and handed both to her.

“Here you are, your highness. Can I please your majesty with anything else?” He asked sarcastically. “Here,” he grabbed her cup and can back. “Allow me to pour it for you. We don't want your delicate hands too dirty from the syrup now would we?”

“Shawn, cut it out.” the twin snapped. “Give her the damn drink already.”

As soon as Shawn shoved both back into her hand, Rika spun on her heel and all but fled from the kitchen. She wanted to be out of this apartment now more than ever before. Seeing a fellow classmate, she pulled him aside and pulled him down to her hear level. “Do you know where Lisa is? I want to go home. Now.”

Tony gave her an apologetic look. “She left a few minutes ago with Jeff. She said to tell you she was sorry, but there was business to be taken care of.”

“Oh yes, spreading her legs for the boy toy of the week is extremely important,” Rika spat.

He held up his hands in defense. “don't take it out on me. I'm just the messenger.”

Rika ignored him, uncaring that she was being incredibly rude. She was beyond pissed at this point, and was determined now to walk home, even if it took her all night to get there. She would be damned before she went anywhere with Lisa again. This had been the final straw. She took a large gulp from the soda, and noticed it tasted slightly funny. She shrugged it off, and nursed it a few seconds longer.

It was not until the room began to spin that Rika concluded there was something major wrong with her drink. Why, oh why had she been so stupid to take a drink from the jock? He had apparently laced it with some unknown substance. Now she really just wanted to get home.

The cool air outside made her feel a tiny bit better, but as the minutes wore on, she began to feel nauseous. Rika stumbled off the porch, and grabbed onto a tree in front of the apartment building, praying to God that she was not about to vomit in front of everyone on campus.

She had no such luck. Whatever had been put in her drink didn’t taste so pretty the second time around. She gagged and choked, and gripped the tree for dear life. A few “ewww’s” went around the yard, and a few others laughed. Rika honestly didn’t give a damn. Until she heard one voice that made her blood go cold.

“Rika?”

‘Oh God,’ she prayed, ‘Not here, not now. Please, please don't be Shin about to find me vomiting in front of some one’s house.’

she prayed,
She did not have the luck she wished for. When did she ever? Rika pulled herself straight, and attempted to put on her best smile. “Hey . . .” she trailed off. What was there to say? ‘Hi, I'm sorry you just witnessed me barfing in the front lawn?’

Shin didn’t look angry or appalled however. He looked concerned. “Are you okay?”

There was no energy in her left to fight. With a nod of the head, Rika spilled the entire nights events. “I'm stuck here,” she admitted. “One of my friends from college drug me down here. We were supposed to be picking up her latest boyfriend from the party and she pulled me inside. I went inside and asked for a Coke, but I think someone spiked it. I don't know.” The world was spinning again. “either that or the Coke was really, really bad.”

“You asked for Coke, or a Coke?”

“Both. They misunderstood me the first time.”

Shin looked amused. “Go figure. Where is your friend?”

Rika frowned. “Out having hot sex in the back of her car, probably.”

That earned a snort. “Do you need a ride home?”

“Do you mind? I feel like complete crap.” Rika ran a hand through her hair, and cringed and the tangles she felt. Shin shrugged and pointed toward his car, holding out a hand for her to follow.

“No offense,” he said, with a small smile on his face. “But you don't look so pretty right now either. What exactly did he put in that drink?” At the shake of her head, he sighed. “I will never understand some people. Are parties such as these common? I see them quite often on campus.”

“I suppose so. I honestly have no idea. I have never been one for partying or drinking.” It felt good to sit down, and the soft leather of Shin’s car seats felt good against her skin. “Why were you there anyway?” she asked out of curiosity.

“Same as you. A classmate invited me. I took one look inside and decided it was not for me. I don't have a problem with drinking in general, but that . . Well, it was a little over the edge for me. To each his own, I guess.” He pulled out onto the main street, and looked at her. “Where am I going, exactly?”

“Make a left here,” Rika muttered, and she rested her head against the cool glass. “Thank you. You’ve saved me twice now. I feel as though I owe you something.”

“You could start by going to dinner with me.”

The suggestion made her jump. Rika lifted her head and looked at Shin as if he were crazy. “What?”

“I'm offended,” he said, feigning hut. “I just asked you on a date and you look at me like I'm crazy.”

“I didn’t think you were serious.” She could already feel her face turning red, and was suddenly glad it was dark outside. Shin gave a small chuckled and shook his head.

“I swear, you are amazing.”

Her blush deepened. “Why do you want to take me out?”

“I told you once before. You intrigue me. I usually find people quite boring, so you should feel special. Most of the time, girls are girls. they are all the same to me. Partially, that’s how I was raised. My brothers swore up and down I have no sex drive.” Shin snorted again. “Forgive me for not being a sex maniac, and actually caring about what I make in school.”

He was rambling Although his words were not the point they no longer made sense, it was easy to see Shin was nervous. He swallowed, and looked to his right, obviously waiting for some answer of some sort. Rika’s mind was telling her ‘Yes! Yes!’, but she had some questions and things to point out before she accepted.

“I need to tell you some thing before we go on this date,” Rika said, turning around in her seat to face him. “I know this is forward, but it is the spill I give to every guy before we date. That way, you will know what you are getting into beforehand. Deal?”

“Deal. Go for it.”

She took a deep breath. “I just have four major things that usually seem to come up I a relationship. I don't drink, I don't smoke or do drugs, I'm a virgin and don't believe in premarital sex, and I'm a Christian. Do you still want to date me?”

A small, lopsided smile began to cross his face. “We agree of three out of the four, at least.”

That made her raise an eyebrow. “Which points?”

“I have no desire to drink, and I have watched my father kill himself with smoking for many years. I'm pretty anal when it comes to doing drugs, and I agree with you on the third topic. Part of the reason my brothers tease me.”

“But not the fourth?” Rika never expected it. But she knew that religion could cause a lot of problems in a relationship, especially if the people in question were not open and honest with each other.

Shin shrugged carelessly. “To be honest, I have never thought about it. I'm not atheist, or agnostic. It is not that I don't believe in any type of God. I just have never taken the time to sit down and think about it. But, if that is your personal belief system, I will respect that. It is not like I exactly have a choice in the matter.”

Well, at least he was not completely bashing her. “Alright then, Mr. Ichijouji, I accept your invitation to dinner.”

“Good. Friday?” Shin made a random left.

“Sounds great. . .” Rika looked outside the window, and suddenly realized she had no idea where they were. “Where exactly are we?”

“No idea. You stopped giving me directions when you did your spill, and I have been driving straight since then. I saw a sign for downtown Oklahoma City a few minutes ago. I take it we’re going in the wrong direction?”

“Well, we are now. I live closer to Norman. Way out in the boondocks.”

“Boondocks?”

She kept forgetting that he was not even originally from America. She tried to think of something that would fit the description. “It means that we are out in the middle of nowhere.” Her head spun again, and she made a small, subconscious groan and leaned against the car. “If you just keep going straight on Sooner until you reach one hundredth and forty ninth street. Then make a right. Keep going until you hit a little street called Post Road. If I suddenly pass out in your car, please wake me when we at least get there. I warn you, it is quite a ways out there.”

“I'm sure I can handle it.”

It seemed Rika had just closed her eyes, when Shin’s hand was shaking her awake. “Rika, I have reached Post Road and now I'm just sitting here. It is almost one in the morning. Wake up.”

She grumbled, but sat up, and pointed straight ahead. “Go a little ways until you hit Shannon. Be careful of the hill, though. You can't see over it. Then make a left at Michelle. You‘ll pull almost directly into my driveway.”

“You are good with directions,” Shin commented. “Most of the women I know here can't tell me where to go for the life of them. I didn’t get lost once.”

It was only now, as Rika stumbled her way to her front door, that she realized how much trouble she as probably going to be in. She had only told her mother, at ten last night, she would be out for a few hours. Four hours later, here she was, stumbling around and being led home with a guy on her arm. It was not going to look good.

She was right. The moment Rika opened the door, Kaitlyn Brown stomped into the room and placed her hand on hips. “Rika Brown, if you don't explain yourself in the next fifteen seconds, you are going to be in so much trouble, grounding will look like heaven to you.”

Rika had learned over time how to handle her mother when she flew into such furies. She started with the most simple option. “Lisa asked me to a party to go pick up her boyfriend. She ditched me, and I had to find a way home. Shin offered, and I let him. I didn’t do anything illegal, and I'm feeling incredibly ill right now because I think someone spiked my drink.”

Her mother glared at Shin through narrowed eyes. “And who might you be?”

Shin did what seemed to be a small bow before he caught himself, and held out his hand. “Shin Ichijouji, ma’am.”

Kaitlyn straightened, and blinked a few moments. “Ichijouji, you say? Any relation to the Ichijouji family in Tamachi, Japan?”

He seemed surprised. “Yes,” he said, sounding a little stunned. “That is my family. My father’s side, anyway.”

“I see . . .” Kaitlyn trailed off, and seemed lost in a memory. She snapped out of it, and took Rika by the arm. “It was very nice to meet you, Shin, and I'm extremely grateful to you for brining Rika home safely.” The open door was obviously Shin’s cue to leave. “We hope to see you again sometime.”

“The same to you, Mrs. Brown.” He gave Rika a smile. “Friday?”

“At seven?”

“I will be here.” With that, Shin walked out of the house. The minute the door closed, Kaitlyn whipped around to face Rika.

“Did you just accept a date from that boy?” she demanded, placing her hands on her hips, and glaring at Rika with narrowed eyes. Rika shrunk back from her mother’s gaze, and stared at her in confusion.

“Of course. This was the man I met in Barnes and Noble. I told you about him, remember?”

“You failed to mention he was an Ichijouji.”

She blinked. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Everything.” Her mom snapped. She stormed back into the bedroom, and left Rika feeling confused. Earlier today, her mother had been gung ho about Shin asking her on a date. No, one word about his family name and it sent her into an uproar. She had always known her mother had worked as a psychiatrist on Tokyo Japan. That was where she adopted Rika.

Could something have happened between her and the Ichijouji family?