Classroom 2A (For second year students)

Xavier was walking in the hallway heading towards his classroom. It is almost time for his homeroom class to end. He actually dislike coming to that class. Before he could enter his classroom, Xavier heard a yell behind him calling his name up. It was Annabelle, the girl he met at the rooftop. Xavier, in his mind, was actually irritated as he thinks of things this girl would want from him again. Why is everyone bothering me at this wonderful day? And it’s that honorary brtitannian again. And the way she acts, it is as if we are close or something. Xavier sighed and faced Annabelle with his usual sweet and gentle smile. “What is it Annabelle? Did you want something? Don’t be shy you know you can ask me anything” Xavier said with a gentle tone. Annabelle blushed as he stopped in front of Xavier and heard what he said. She was thinking how great it was that he remembered her name. Usually people just forget about her and what she talked about because she used to be an eleven. Since Annabelle was being quiet and was being shy on what she should say to Xavier, Xavier was actually irritated more. He smiled at her and used his right hand to touch her left cheek of her face and guide it so her face would be looking at him. “Is everything okay Annabelle? Why were you shouting my name just then? Don’t be shy, I am happy to listen to you if you have any concern or troubles you want to tell me.”

Annabelle face was as red as a tomato as she looked straight into Xavier’s glittering eyes staring right back at her. Annabelle couldn’t think of anything to say as her embarrassment and shyness has filled every part of her body. She stutters as she said “There’s no…. no... problem.. at all…., I was just… uhmmm… calling you… to ask you… if… ahhh….you could come with us near the…uhmm… fountain to talk.” Xavier’s irritation towards her is now at its limit. Her stuttering made him even more annoyed with her but he continued to smile at her not letting his inner emotion show. “You’re too cute you know that, Of course I would like to accompany you girls again. I actually had a great time playing for you and having some small talk with you girls.” Xavier has his smile while he said those words to her and after a quick pause he grabbed her hand and escorts her inside the classroom. Hearing all those words come out of Xavier’s mouth, Annabelle feels like she is in paradise again. She has never been treated like this by a britannian pure blood. Being an eleven, she used to be always teased or pranked by the pure bloods. She just smiled hiding her blushed face as possible and followed Xavier inside the classroom.

The bell rang and the first class of the day began. It was History class. Xavier finds every class he is in boring and unimportant to him. Although it seems to everyone that his paying attention to the professor’s teachings and lectures, his mind was actually out of the classroom wandering off. His mind is still thinking of things that seem to be a miss in his life. It feels like there’s a hollow feeling inside of him that he can’t describe. What is this irritating and annoying feeling I’m experiencing? Xavier was in deep thought. Xavier’s uneasy feeling is actually coming from his forgotten memories. How he got to be so intelligent in academic perspective and how he learned how to play a lot of musical instruments is a blur to him. He can only remember what his life has been when he was in the house of his family and what he was taught there. All of the talents he has now is actually a mystery to him but he is not complaining about them. And to be frank he used his new found talent to his advantage to gain the trust and friendship of everyone he meets in Ashford academy. Xavier just wonders where he got them and if there is a day that he will remember everything about himself.

History class was taking forever and the professors’ lecture was boring enough it might kill a person to boredom. Xavier was bored to death so when the professor asks a question about his lecture he usually raises his hand to answer the question. The professor was always glad that Xavier would answer his question and he always thinks of Xavier as one of Ashford’s most promising student. Xavier stood up and said “Professor can end our lecture right now?” The professor was shocked at what Xavier said to him and asked him why. Xavier just smiled and said “Professor I think it will benefit everyone if we stop now, the history of the great brittanian empire is very long. Student should be allowed to absorb every bit of it and reflect on one topic per day. If we are allowed to do that then we can appreciate the greatness and superiority of our great britannian empire.” The professor stopped for a while and think of what he heard from Xavier. Inside his head, Xavier was actually looking straight at the professor and saying Come on you stupid person, finish this class already. None of us here wants to hear you speak more; you’re killing us with boredom. He waited for the professor response as he still has his smile in his face.

After a moment of silence, the professor decided that what Xavier said was right. He does have all the semester to teach the student about how great and superior the Brittanian Empire is. He should let them absorb it bit by bit so they can really appreciate the empire and the emperor’s values. The professor looked at Xavier and said “You’re right as usual Xavier. Class you are dismissed and remember to reflect on what you have learned today.” The professor went to his desk grabs the papers and books he came in with and left the room waving goodbye to his student. Xavier was smirking inside his mind and was glad that the boring professor has finally left the room. I can’t believe that fool actually fell for it. Xavier thought to himself. Xavier packed his notebook into his bag and went out the classroom. Next subject was practical arts and they were supposed to cook something today. Xavier didn’t want any part of that and decided he should skip it and go look for something to do while he waits for his next class.

However before Xavier can leave the room, he was called by Annabelle. Annabelle walked towards him all shy and blush. “Where are you going Xavier?” Xavier looked at her smiling and said “I don’t know how to cook so I’m going to skip this class and go somewhere else.” Xavier was not that happy that his talking to an eleven. He wished that this girl would just turn her back and walk away but that was not going to happen anytime soon. “Well why don’t you stay Xavier? I will be happy to teach you how to cook.” Annabelle smiled and happily said that to him as now she has something she can teach and do with Xavier. She thought that Xavier was a perfect guy that needs nothing from other person but now she realized his just a normal guy with strength and weakness. Xavier smiled back at her and poked her forehead with his pointing finger gently and said “Alright then, as long as you’ll be my partner I’ll be happy to stay and cook.” Xavier knows how to cook and do kitchen duties fine but he just doesn’t want to be in that class but he just let it pass this time since he was asked to stay by someone. His reputation is something that Xavier doesn’t want to ruin because of his irritation or annoyance to other people. Xavier sat beside Annabelle and waited for the next class to begin.

Xavier sits besides Annabelle irritated and annoyed. Annabelle was talking about how she loves to cook and how her mother taught her how to cook many different foods. She keeps on talking about her favorite food and how she likes to experiment on her recipe to find out if she can create a much more delicious food. Xavier looked at her at all times straight in the eye and laughs when she laughs and smiles making sure she thinks his listening to her. His gentle and listening face and smile makes Annabelle much energetic to tell her story to him. Annabelle was really happy as she has found someone with pure-blood as a britannian that listens to her and enjoys her company. Can’t this girl shut her mouth? Where’s the off switch in this eleven? Shut up! Woman I don’t want to hear anymore of your eleven stories. You’re an eleven why would I care? Xavier said to himself while maintaining his gentle smile at Annabelle. Annabelle’s topic then change from food to his country Japan. As she keeps talking about her country she sometimes unconsciously say Japan instead of area 11. Japan? A loser of a country shouldn’t even be said or be remembered. What guts to call area 11 Japan in front of a britannian? This girl really has no clue. Xavier again was thinking this only in his thought. Although every time Annabelle would pause and stop when she says Japan, Xavier would just smile at her and hold her face with his hand and say “You don’t have to worry about saying your countries name. I think Japan is a good country too and although it was said that it must be called area 11, I still think people can call it Japan especially since whatever anyone say, the people who lived in this country would always be Japanese.” Annabelle was full of joy and was relieved to hear a britannian noble say that. This person doesn’t see her as an honorary britannian or an eleven. He saw her as a human being living in the same world as he is. Annabelle can’t believe her ears since all her life he thought of britannian people are cruel and unjust people. Annabelle was in awe and was really praising Xavier in her mind that she didn’t realize she has stopped talking to Xavier about her story. Even though Xavier was happy that he made Annabelle stop talking, he thought to himself that if he doesn’t make her continue she might think he really doesn’t want to hear from her anymore so with a irritating feeling inside him he put his left arm at Annabelle’s shoulder and say “Why did you stop your story? I was really having fun hearing about yourself and your country. If you still want to continue then I will be happy to listen.”

Annabelle blushed as she felt Xavier hand touch her shoulder. She then breathes deeply and looked at Xavier and said “I’m happy that you liked my story. I’ll be happy to continue and thank you for listening I really appreciate it.” Annabelle went on to tell her story. She told Xavier about her family, how her dad was a britannian soldier and that her dad married a Japanese woman, her mother, which her dad met in Area 18 or formerly known as Jerusalem. Her dad fell in love with her mother even thought her dad knows that her mother was Japanese. Then next he told about how her mother decided to live with her dad and that’s how she has two last names. One for her britannian name and one for her eleven name. She also told Xavier about how hard she had it when they found out that she was Half-Japanese. She was treated differently by her neighbors and schoolmates even if she’s carrying her dad’s last name. After that she continued on and told Xavier about how she met her three friends who Xavier has also met at the rooftop of Ashford academy. She continued on about how she joined the music club and how she loves music and playing her violin. She also told him how she was really inspired and was in awe on how Xavier plays his flute and how his music captivates everyone who will listen to him play his flute.

Xavier was having a headache form all the stories that he has been hearing from Annabelle. He really is angry at himself more than at Annabelle for saying what he said earlier. Xavier can’t imagine the days where he thinks of hurting or slapping a girl for being so damn annoying. He continued to wear his mask and smile at Annabelle while making it look like his listening. He also frequently asks questions so Annabelle would really think he is listening to every word she is saying. Xavier can’t wait for the next class to begin. He really can’t take a minute more of this conversation as he feels sick to his stomach since his talking to an eleven and a talkative one too. Before Annabelle can start a new topic to tell Xavier, the bell rang which means the next class will begin soon. Xavier put his hand to Annabelle’s lips and smiled at her as he says “The class would start soon. I really enjoyed the story you told me about yourself, your family, and your country. But now it’s time for cooking class and as promised you’ll help me. I’ll just be observing you and helping you with little stuff. I hope I can learn lots from you.” Xavier was thinking of just making Annabelle cook as he does nothing. He really doesn’t mind since his grades are good in all subjects and this is just a minor subject in his course. I’ll make you do everything as I relax here. This will be payment for making me listen to your boring and uninteresting story. Xavier said to himself as he has an evil smile inside. Annabelle looked at him and smiled while saying “Leave it to me. I’ll teach you a lot of stuff since this is one of my specialties. Just sit there and help me with some things while you observe me cook. I promise will get a good grade.”

The professor entered the classroom wearing an apron and holding multi-colored papers. The professor gave her greetings to the class and the class stood up, bow to the professor and take their seat with their partners preparing for what they are about to cook. The professor walked to each partner and gave them the decision to choose what color they would want. Xavier looked at Annabelle and told her “You can choose whatever color you want. I’m sure whatever you choose will be great for us.” Annabelle blushed slightly after hearing that from Xavier and chooses the color blue as it is the color of Xavier’s eyes. That was the first thing that really made Annabelle into Xavier; his blue glittering gentle eyes which is seen clearly even thought Xavier always wear his reading glasses. The message in the colored blue paper was: -Noodles but not Noodles-

Annabelle was really confused by what the message means. Xavier was pondering what the message means too. This is the first time this professor actually gave them a riddle for a cooking test. While the two was thinking of what the message means, the professor stand in front of the class and told them that the cooking test will end until tomorrow at the same time that their class starts. The food must be ready for judging and the judges would be a surprise. The professor added that the ingredients should only be gotten in their classroom then the professor snap his finger and a lot of chefs came in with a lot of ingredients. The students were in awe since they think they have seen every known ingredient known to man in their classroom. Everyone was hype now to create their dish to perfection. Xavier and Annabelle were still thinking on what their dish is suppose to be. What the hell does noodles but not noodles mean? How can a dish be a noodle and not be a noodle? As Xavier was thinking everyone of his classmate left their seat, got their ingredients, and left to debate with their partners how to create the dish. The professor then shouted that the ingredients will be in the cafeteria for the whole day. The students should just tell the cook what they need and the cook will give it to them. Xavier looked at Annabelle and he realized she was being worried and she might be losing hope since she might not be able to impress him anymore. Xavier held Annabelle’s hand and smile at her while saying “You don’t have to worry, we’re partners right that means we can do anything together. So just trust yourself and remember I’ll be here to help you.”

Xavier started to look around the ingredients in the room. He walks slowly and carefully observes the ingredients while he thinks of a way to create a dish that will meet the requirement of noodles but not noodles. Annabelle was right there with him looking at the ingredients too but she is looking at them blankly as she is still confused about what kind of dish they should prepare. Xavier didn’t mind the sad look in Annabelle’s face since his still busy pondering what to do with their dish and how they can do their dish without him showing that he knows how to cook. I need to find a way to make noodles but not noodles and make sure that Annabelle does all the work or else she’ll find out I was lying to her and that just won’t do. As Annabelle was walking staring blankly at the ingredients she accidentally bumped one box full of ingredients. That made the top ingredients fall on her but luckily Xavier has a good reflex and was just in time to save her from getting seriously hurt. “What were you doing? You should be a little bit more careful next time. No one will be happy to see you hurt especially me since you are my partner.” Xavier said to Annabelle with a caring and concern tone. The ingredients fall to the ground one by one and made a large thud and a small vibration was felt in the ground of the room. Annabelle still has her eyes close and felt like an earthquake hit the school because of her clumsiness. She grabbed Xavier’s hand and said to him “I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to cause you such burden like taking care of me. And I’m really sorry for causing that earthquake.” Xavier holds Annabelle’s hand tightly and said to her “You are not a burden to me. And you don’t have to say sorry to me since I am glad to help you.” Xavier then thought of what Annabelle said. Xavier was thinking of earthquake then his train of thought was now in tsunamis since earthquake sometimes caused tsunamis. Xavier hurriedly stands up and went to the pond-like place where the ingredients are and looked for something. Annabelle stands up and fixed herself before following Xavier “What are you looking for Xavier?” Xavier then turned to Annabelle and smiled at her while saying “I think I just found our answer to our little problem. We will be using catfish as our noodles.” Annabelle was a little shocked on what Xavier said. She can’t think of how she can make a catfish noodle beside one important thing for a noodle is its firmness which the catfish’s meat isn’t. Annabelle looked at Xavier with a confused look and a look that she might not be able to do what Xavier wants her to do. Xavier saw the confusion and the slowly decreasing confidence of Annabelle. He can’t stand seeing people give up easily and lose their confidence in such mundane matters. Xavier walks closer to Annabelle and hugs her making her feel all his care for her, which he knows is fake, while saying “I choose you to be my partner not because you told me to stay and teach me how to cook, I chose you because I know you’re a great cook and I know you’ll do fine. Don’t let such problems block you of your confidence and potential. And the most important thing is don’t forget that I am here to help you.” Annabelle blushed as this is the first time he was hugged by a guy let along one that he was looking up to. Annabelle just made herself think everything will be fine and if she needed help she could always ask Xavier. Annabelle freed herself from Xavier hugged slowly backing away and smiled at him then she said “I won’t be weak minded anymore. I’ll do my best so if you have an idea I’ll listen to it meaning I’ll be your hand and feet you’ll be the brain.”

“Well the catfish’ meat isn’t firm meaning even if we cut it into strips it’s not going to be a noodle like dish. But as you have expected I already figured out a way to counter that. Using dried squid we can make the catfish meat into a firm noodle like dish. Now returning on why I choose the catfish, using catfish there will be no fishy taste and there will be no stink from the squid. We will use a red snapper soup and red snapper side dish to complete our dish.” Xavier explained his plan to Annabelle. Annabelle was amazed, shocked, and in awe as she can’t believe that Xavier got all of that ideas just by walking and looking at the ingredients carefully. She can hardly speak or answer Xavier if she can do it or not. Xavier then wrote down in a piece of paper the ingredients for the red snapper soup and side dishes. Annabelle regained herself from her state of appreciation for his partner and asked how the dried squid can make the catfish meat firm. Xavier stopped writing and looked at Annabelle and said “There’s a step where we can make it happen. First, boil the dried squid with hot water. Second, slice it into strips and lastly, add the strips inside the noodles. I know your cooking skills are great so this might not be that easy but I know you can do it.”

Annabelle was in shock again since he saw another greatness of Xavier. How come someone who doesn’t know how to cook knows so much about how to cook something? Xavier must really be a genius then I really think he can be compared to the other great minds here in Ashford academy. Annabelle was praising Xavier in her mind. Xavier then stood up and walk to Annabelle to give her the piece of paper he has written. Annabelle looked at it and saw it was the ingredients and directions how to make a red snapper soup and side dish for the noodles they are about to create. Xavier watched Annabelle as she puts on her cooking outfit and start preparing the necessary ingredients needed for their dish. Xavier was asked to help out on small task like getting the ingredients and boiling the water and some other small tasks. All the while Xavier was just observing how Annabelle cooks and thinking how lucky he is that he isn’t going to fo much cooking since this eleven is already being what an eleven really is, a slave to britannian people. This might turn out to be a great day after all. Xavier said to himself.

Xavier watched Annabelle chop the ingredients with her amazing chopping skills and how she makes cooking look like an art. Xavier can’t remember the last time he was in awe because of the skills or talent by another person except himself or Lelouch. Xavier can safely say that Annabelle’s cooking skill is in a league of its own. I guess my plan to torment her and completely shattered her confidence backfired. Xavier smiled evilly and continued talking to himself saying well with skills like that I wonder what else this girl is capable of. I might as well keep an eye on her and use her if I need her for something. Annabelle was blushing the entire time she was cooking and preparing things since she knows that Xavier is watching her and observing her but instead of being shy it actually made her more focused to make the dish to perfection as Xavier would want it. Xavier walked closer to Annabelle and he was the one who stripped the dried squid but because of his competitive nature inside of him he made it so that he was doing it with finesse and grace making Annabelle stopped what she is doing and looked at him. Xavier noticed this and looked at her too while still continuing what he was doing saying “I learned this from a great partner that I have.” Annabelle blushed more to what she heard and just looked away so Xavier won’t notice it. It is really easy manipulating people especially when they admired you. Xavier laughs inside his mind while outside he was just wearing a calm face with a gentle smile. Xavier cut the ingredients that needed to be cut with speed and accuracy like what Annabelle has. Annabelle didn’t really make a fuss about it seeing that she believes what Xavier said that he learned it from her since she was a great partner and teacher for him.

With Annabelle and Xavier helping each other, (Xavier doing only little task and Annabelle doing everything else), they finished the dish in no time. They created two more dish after they finished the first, one for Xavier and Annabelle, the second was to make sure it was in the theme of noodles but not noodles, and lastly for their professor in practical arts. The dish was a perfect dish that was in tune with the theme. Annabelle was really happy that she made Xavier proud of her and that she was actually a lot of help to him. Xavier praised Annabelle’s cooking while they were eating and also he made sure that Annabelle would do anything for him by saying that he wanted to learn more about her and that he would like her to teach him more stuff. With her playing right in my hand, I might be able to move on and see what else I can do to change this world full of nothingness. Can this girl really help me? I don’t think she can help me a lot but if I found myself with power that can help me gain what I want then I will just throw her away. Yeah I think for now that will be my plan. Xavier told himself that while he was eating and enjoying a small conversation with Annabelle. After finishing their plate, Xavier asked Annabelle to clean the dishes and go to the cafeteria to let the cook know that their dish for their practical arts is finished and he also asked her to tell the cook to keep it nice and well for their class tomorrow. Annabelle nodded to Xavier and went on her way to do what Xavier asked him. Now then since all the class were canceled because of this event, what should I do now? Annabelle and her friends’ music club won’t start for a while so I guess I have some free time. Maybe I should explore more places in the school and see what I can do. Xavier after deciding what his going to do went to his dorm to take a shower. After that he returned to the classroom to get his things back and make his way to the garden. He wrote a letter to Annabelle at her desk saying that he will just be doing something and she should go on ahead to the music room where he will follow soon after. He also added that he can’t wait to hear what she and her friends will play for him. With that done, Xavier left the room and walked with poise to go to another destination carrying with him a book and inside was two music sheet.