A Romance of Music and Fashion

An Original Fiction

Rated M for violence, language, and sexual themes

Disclaimer: Jayden Tomlin, Tobias Jacoby, family, etc are copyright of The Gray Goddess

A Romance of Music and Fashion

Niikura Ailia was behind.

Way behind.

The freshman was worried. He might have been blonde, but he wasn’t stupid. His intellect had nothing to do with his grades. Oddly enough, it was his health.

Ailia blew out a sigh. Lack thereof, really. The problem with Ailia was he had about 4 white blood cells, and they weren’t on speaking terms.

Everything that could possibly be wrong with the boy’s health was wrong. He was insulin-dependent diabetic, and had been since he was five. He’s spent the better part of that year hooked up to machines like a mad scientist’s baby, lost in a diabetic coma.

Now 14, his health had only gone downhill. He was vegetarian and had a million food allergies. Actually, it seemed like the only things he could really consume without complications were water and air. With his asthma, even air could be trouble sometimes.

Despite his numerous ailments, Ailia was a remarkably upbeat child. Creativity dripped from every pore, and it usually showed in his clothes.

The effeminate boy had starry dreams of becoming a fashion designer. He catered to a punk “skater girl” type of style, complete with massive amounts of eyeliner and mascara.

It was strange, really. At first glance, Ailia appeared to be a stand-offish, sarcastic, “fuck-the-establishment” sort. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. Ailia was reserved, polite, and as skittish as a rabbit.

Ailia blew out a sigh, tucking a long clump of blonde behind his ear. His right eye was hidden behind a golden curtain, but the left peered out shyly. He clutched the straps of his black back-pack as he navigated, head down, through the hallways of Bollen High School. He wasn’t altogether proud of what he had been reduced to, but it seemed like the only way now.

A slender, black-tipped hand reached out, grasping for the knob of the office door. It opened before that white hand could touch it. The small freshman jumped back as though the door had suddenly come alive. His mouth opened in a small gasp as he skittered backwards.

He lifted his eyes up briefly, then immediately dropped them again. He murmured a soft “Excuse me,” before nervously moving past the upperclassman.

His name was Tomlin. Ailia couldn’t recall his first name off-hand, but he knew of the junior. Tomlin was the only student at the school with absences to rival Ailia’s. While Ailia was gone to doctors, hospitals, and all sorts of medical facilities, no one was quite sure why Tomlin was gone so often.

Hair hanging in his face, Ailia approached the desk. The secretary was an older lady, with pleasantly peppered hair and small glasses.

“E-excuse me.” Ailia stuttered, voice scarcely a whisper. “I- I was wondering what c- charge is for a tutor.” The blonde shifted nervously.

The woman paused, adjusted her glasses, and a smile broke over her dimpled face.

“There’s no charge, baby.” She said warmly. “Just write down your name and phone number here, and I’ll get you all set up. You check back with me before you go home, alright?”

The boy nodded, bowed, and thanked her. His cheeks pinked at the odd look she gave the bow. Oh. Oh, right. Most Americans didn’t do that.

Ailia was only half-American. His mother was native to Kyoto, Japan, and that was where Ailia had been born. His small stature and shimmering, almond eyes were gifts from his mother’s family, but that long, pale blonde hair came from his Aryan father.

Japanese was spoken exclusively in his home, and Ailia was fluent. He tended to revert to Japanese when incredibly nervous; he considered it his native language. All of his mannerisms screamed of his Japanese upbringing, though he didn’t have quite the same sense of community as most Japanese.

Clutching his bag like a life-line, Ailia retreated out of the office. So, he’d have a tutor by the end of the day. His head hung with shame. He hadn’t told his parents about this, and he wouldn’t if he could get away with it. Head down, Ailia shuffled to his next class.

The day passed sluggishly, and Ailia grew more discouraged with each class. He was weeks and weeks behind in his work, and he didn’t understand anything that they were currently going over. Ailia had spent the majority of the day withdrawn into his baggy, black hoodie, trying to curb an overwhelming urge to cry.

He returned to the office, trying to look less crest-fallen than he felt. The woman spoke gently to him, and gave him a note. Ailia blinked at it, eyes skimming over the neat, black lettering.

Meet me outside in the parking lot after school. We’ll

discuss a tutoring schedule.

Jayden

Ailia thanked the secretary again and left the office. Jayden? Ailia wasn’t sure who that was. Well, he supposed he would figure it out soon enough.

Ailia was nervous as he moved outside. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, his black bag hanging carelessly off one shoulder. He was dressed in one of his more simple outfits, as his parents had warned him not to "stand out so much." As if that were possible. Everyone knew who he was. His school wasn't small, but it wasn't large either. There were probably around 500 students in the entire high school. It wasn't enough that he had to have such an outlandish name as "Niikura Ailia" but he was gone for weeks at a time to the hospital. Toss in his eccentric fashion sense, and it was nearly impossible not to stand out.

His shirt was white, and he wore baggy black and white striped arm socks, but those were hidden under his hoodie that was at least 2 sizes too big. His waist was encircled by a white belt, dotted and studded with black rhinestones. Add a pair of white jeans and some black penny loafers, and there he was. Not surprisingly, 9 out of 10 students thought "Niikura Ailia" was "that blond girl that is sick all the time, right?" His long, blond hair and fragile, sickly demeanor didn't help much in that department.

Blowing a slightly agitated sigh past pale pink lips, he lifted the scrap of paper he clutched and reread it. Well, it was 5 minutes after the final bell, and Ailia was standing alone, hovering near a chain-link fence that outlined the lot. He didn't drive, because he didn't live very far away. It made his parents nervous that he walked. "What if something happens on the way?" they said.

Bah. Ailia shoved the paper back into the pocket of his jeans. He hated being treated like that all the time. He hated being so sick.

Chocolate brown eyes cut to the large clock tower of the Catholic Church adjacent to the school. 7 minutes after.

More than any of that at the moment, he hated that he was failing, and he hated waiting.

Luckily, though, a figure was walking quickly towards him. Ailia stiffened out of instinct, eyes running over the other’s body. He blinked. It was Tomlin?

“Hey.” The other breathed out once he was close enough to not shout. “Sorry I’m late. I’m Jayden Tomlin.”

"Nice to meet you." He said softly, voice hinged with a delicate accent. He took the time to observe Jayden’s outfit. He was a designer, after all. Faded jeans. Worn. Comfortable. A dark, button up shirt with the sleeves messily rolled up to the elbow. He’d been focused, concentrating on something. Passionate. His hair was a tad past his shoulders, unkempt and black. His eyes were a clear gray, and honest. He had a charming air. He was attractive, though it was much more than a physical sensation. Ailia dropped his head, blushing.

"Look," Ailia said, his tone slightly defensive, but quiet. "I just want to get something straight right now. I'm not stupid." He winced at the fact that he even had to explain this.

"The problem isn't that I have an inability to learn or pay attention. I'm simply not around enough to be taught half of the material. I miss too much, and now I'm so far behind I don't know how I will ever catch up."

Ailia snuck a glance up, sheepishly peering up through his hair. Jayden was smiling. Ailia lifted his head, curious now. Why was he smiling? What was funny or pleasant about what Ailia had just confessed? The Asian frowned.

"I never thought for a moment that you're stupid. Most of the kids I tutor are very bright. They just take too much on their plates all at once and find themselves falling behind. I know who you are. And I know that you miss a lot of school. It's not your fault, and I'd be happy to help you in any way I can."

Ailia stared. Wow. That was … very understanding. Ailia couldn’t help but show a tiny expression of shock. Honestly, who was like that? Most people at the school ignored him altogether, but the interactions he did have were … less than pleasant. Blinking owlishly, he nodded.

"Listen, I have my truck. Would you care for a ride? If you'd like to start your tutoring now, we could do that too. Your place or mine...doesn't matter."

Ailia raised an eyebrow, letting his eyes wander to the football field. The grass beyond the fence waved down to the field, and the players were starting to assemble for afternoon practice. Ailia knew that most of the players received tutoring in math. It was a shame how much of the school's budget was wasted on letting those morons ram each other, and even more of a pity how many Americans paid good money to watch it. Sports were highly overrated, in Ailia's opinion. "Very bright?" He said, tone slightly mocking, though good-humored. He turned back to Jayden with a shy smirk.

"Sure, we can start whenever you like. I don't mind where we go. Um... my mother doesn't speak English very well, but my dad does. I ... haven't had anyone over in a while, so they might get a tad excited. Still, if you want to, that's fine with me."

Ailia was a little happy he didn't have to walk home. It wasn't far and he enjoyed the scenery, but having a chance to actually spend time with a peer was nice... even if it was just for tutoring. He smiled timidly, though he was growing a little more used to Jayden.

Ailia was a little happy he didn't have to walk home. It wasn't far and he enjoyed the scenery, but having a chance to actually spend time with a peer was nice... even if it was just for tutoring.

"Sure, let's do it - Hey!" Ailia called out, features morphing into a perfect mask of indignation. The older boy that had bumped into him kept walking without so much as turning his head to acknowledge the freshman. All Ailia saw of him was his Varsity jacket.

The blond glared after him, rubbing his shoulder where he had been accosted.

Jayden watched in growing anger as Matthew intentionally bumped into Ailia and kept on walking without stopping to apologize.

"Matthew!" he called sharply, not really expecting the senior jock to answer him. Shaking his head in disgust, Jayden turned back to the blonde boy before him. "I'm really sorry about that... he can be kind of a bonehead sometimes." Recalling Ailia's earlier mocking words, he chuckled. "I guess he's not one of the bright ones." The smile faded from his face when he noticed Ailia rubbing his shoulder where Matthew had rammed into him. "Hey, are you all right? It looked like he hit you pretty hard."

"I'm fine." Ailia said. It was an immediate response to that question, because he was asked it a million times a day, and was forced to constantly reassure his parents that he was okay. He understood perfectly why they worried, but it was still troublesome at times.

Jayden struggled to paste a smile on his "Come on. My truck's this way."

Ailia glanced at Matthew before following Jayden.

Matthew Harden. Senior. Football player. Dumb as a rock, in Ailia's opinion. He knew of him well enough. Astonishingly, Ailia knew almost every student in the school from memory, and a little about them. When one was quiet, people tended to talk around you. People like Matthew seemed to be under the impression that if you didn't talk, then it meant you couldn't, and you couldn't listen or comprehend either. Ailia knew a lot of secrets, not that he cared.

He happened to know that Matthew had a thing for Jayden. Would the jock admit it? Probably not. Act on it? Possibly, if presented with the right set of circumstances.

Be an ass to anyone near Jayden out of jealousy or some other testosterone induced emotion?

Ailia looked at the large player again.

Without a doubt.

Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to Jayden. Whatever. That boy didn't matter now. His grades did, and graduating did.

Did Jayden? Ailia bit his lip. He was cute. Why did he have to be cute? Ailia would be nervous around him now, and that would make learning harder. Damn. Hanging his head, Ailia climbed into Jayden’s truck.

Being gay in a small town was hard. Especially when everyone knew. The skirt was a bit of a tip-off.

“To my place, then?” Jayden asked, smiling at Ailia as though nothing had happened.

Ailia could feel his cheeks fill with color, and he ducked his head down again as he nodded shyly. The Asian sighed as he strapped himself in.

Here we go.