Sorry for the slow updates! This chapter is kind of slow, but I needed it to set some things in motion. Hope you guys enjoy, and don't absolutely hate me for the slow updates! I'll try and go faster, but life's getting complicated now so updates will still be kind of slow... HAPPY OLYMPICS TO YOU ALL! And also, I would love it if someone would step up and beta things for me, because I feel like this chapter could be beta'd quite a bit. And please feel free to tell me ideas for the stories! PM me if you want! Always open for suggestions!

Title: Perfect Image

Rating: T

# of words: 1,839

Chapter 3: Just Another Day In My Life

"Ohaiyou, Yumichika-chan!" Right as I walked into Kuchiki Corner, I saw Rangiku's friend, Momo, serving the Kuchiki siblings glasses of steaming green tea in the far back corner table. After placing the earth toned teapot and glasses upon its ebony surface, she walked over to me, dragging me deeper into the shop.

"Ohaiyou, Momo-chan." Hinamori Momo is probably the closest person I have to a friend in my life. She's Rangiku's close childhood friend, and for some reason, we just clicked the minute we met. She's quite pretty, and is the sweetest person you could possibly come across in these parts. Never has there been a time where she has been impolite, rude, unkind or has shown any animosity toward anyone in all the time I've known her. Maybe it's because we're close in age that we became so friendly with each other. To tell you the truth, we are so completely different, that I will never be able to understand our friendship, but that's beside the point. We're best friends, and I know I can tell her anything and I trust her beyond words; it's that indescribable.

"What would you like today, Yumichika-chan!" Momo, gave me the largest smile you could possibly imagine on such a tiny person, and nudged me gently into one of the bar seats.

"I don't have any money on me today, Momo-chan." I quickly explained what had happened, wanting to get through all the craziness of the day as rapidly as possible. After the retelling of my epic day, Momo's eyes widened, her hands shaking. Oh great, here it goes. Three, two one…

"That's absolutely terrible! Are you unhurt?" squeaked Momo, who then proceeded to poke and prod my body, in search for any sign of injury. She scanned over my body, looking for the tiniest most miniscule scratch that could have possibly graced a living organism.

"Momo, you're over reacting!" My cheeks flushed red as I swatted her hand away, barely stopping her before she took off my clothing in attempt to search beneath my shirt for further injuries…

Now get those dirty thoughts out of your head! I know what you're thinking right now, but that's not it. We're best friends, and I don't like her in that way. I just don't feel comfortable with people looking at my body, ironically enough. Well anyway, maybe I shouldn't have told her about my predicament…

"Well, as long as you're not hurt…" She backed away from me and sat down, folding her hands in her lap. She gave me a million dollar smile, and then began rambling on about the shop, how her family was doing, some political stuff going on throughout our expansive town of Seireitei, something about the extremely hot – when is it not hot? – weather. You know, the usual stuff. I pretended to act interested, nodding occasionally, and commenting on this and that. I didn't mean to be inattentive, for being rude to Momo is a sin in itself, but I couldn't stop thinking about that boy who crashed into me earlier on. For some reason, he was lodged inside my brain as money was in a wallet these days.

Then she began talking about school life, complaining about how hard her classes were, and how she hated her parents for making her go to summer school and yada yada yada. I didn't really care to hear about her summer school life, knowing that I would never get the opportunity to experience the things she had. It really just wasn't fair. Normal people live such happy lives, while famous ones live in a worldwide hell. People always think famous people have it so easy, but its not. Not at all. They underestimate the power of other the public, and what havoc it reeks on us every day. There isn't a single moment where some paparazzi person or other member of the media isn't breathing down my back. Privacy and happiness are not part of my life, so I think it is fair to say that I despise my life, or at least the majority of it. And it doesn't help it when people who lead perfectly nice lives snark about opportunities other people do not get.

I also absolutely detest it when people take things for granted. Okay, now Momo doesn't really take it for granted, but it bothers me when she talks about school like it's a nuisance sometimes. How I long to go to school! Even if it was summer school, I know I would have a wonderful time! I could make a life for myself, and explore the world to my hearts content. But nope, I stay in the modeling business, because I have no other choice. I must follow what the agency wants me to do, or else I won't have a home. Oh, right. Back to my hatred of ungrateful people.

It's always been one of my pet peeves, I guess. It makes sense, anyways… Oh, how I wished to go to school! Sounds crazy, right? And I keep talking about it, because I WANT IT THAT BADLY. I bet you're thinking I'm a psychopath for wishing for such a thing. Well, I don't really care what you think. All I know, is that when I'm too old to be in this business – and I do pray that time comes soon – I'll need some kind of way to support myself. And the only way to do that is through education. But, being a full time model doesn't really give you the time to do that, so… Yeah, I'm out of luck right now.

"… And then this really amazing teacher came over to me and said…"

Oh! This sounds interesting! Looks like adorable Hinamori-chan has another crush on someone! Hopefully, he's more attractive than the last one…

"Now who exactly is this teacher?" I purred, folding my hands together in an attempt to look as interested as I sounded. "Someone you're interested in?"

"Yumi-chan! Now, don't think in that way! You know it's… not right to like people that much older than you, right? Get your head out of the gutter!" She blushed, crimson flooding her features. All I could do was laugh. She was just too cute sometimes! I couldn't help but tease her just a little bit more.

'Tall and handsome? Or short and toned? Serious or playful? Eccentric and loud? Or considerate and soft spoken? Rough chiseled features like myself, or soft feminine features, like you own?" I gently cupped her cheek in my hand, my Cheshire grin doubling in size.

"He's just my Physics teacher for Kami's sake! Stop it now!" Pouting and giving me her best 'I really don't want to speak to you glare' simultaneously, she turned away, crossing her arms in front of her chest in defiance to my assumptions.

Well, my sense of humor didn't charm her this time I see… But I was definitely right after all! Now, to help the situation, and encourage her to go for it!

"Well, I couldn't allow my gorgeous gregarious best friend's heart be broken, now couldn't I? I'm always here for beauty tips, you know. But I'll only help you if you tell me his name." She froze in place for a moment, as if contemplating how to approach my proposal. I knew I had her hooked. She wasn't going to be able to say no, because when she really wants something, she'll do whatever it takes to get things to work her way.

"Fine, you got me." SCORE ONE FOR THE BOY'S BACK HOME! "Well, his name's Aizen Sosuke, and he's new to Seireitei High this year, and he's really great…" Hinamori's eyes fluttered a little bit, as she fell off into a daydream about her seemingly stunning new crush.

"Oh Hinamori-chan! You're really great, you know that? Really and truly." I flashed her one of my most brilliant smiles, and embraced her, feeling her heart flutter about against my chest.

"… I hope I'm not interrupting anything important, but I believe it is about time for you go depart?" Kuchiki-san walked over to us, smiling softly. I drew out my cell phone, realizing that if I didn't hurry, I would be late for that meeting… White hair chibi would kill me if I'm late for his appointment, and Rangiku-san… Oh dear.

"Arigatou, Kuchiki-san. I greatly appreciate your keen sense of timing. It was kind of you to let me stop by and chat for a while. I hope your life continues to flow on this wondrous the path of abundance." Gracefully, I got up and bowed deeply. Returning the bow, Kuchiki-san gave a little smile, and turned to go aid her brother serve new customers who had just arrived.

"We'll talk later, Momo-chan. Ja ne!" As I was about to exit, I hear Momo shout to me.

"Try and talk Shiro-chan into letting you go to school with me!" Smiling to myself, I noted to try and call Hitsuguya-dono Shiro-chan once in a while. Then, the reality of her second statement hit me. I stopped in my tracks, letting the thought disperse throughout my brain, before continuing on my way. I guess Momo did know about my longing for school… How lovely would it be to have Momo my classmate! Maybe, just maybe, Hitsuguya-dono will see my longing for education, and then….

It's way too unlikely, though. Momo could try and convince him; she's always had a way with him thanks to her family providing him a home to live in when he was younger. Maybe if she could work her magic enough… Ah well, what can you do. If he won't let me get an education, then I'd figure something out eventually. They have those classes for adults who weren't educated, right? I could just do one of those…

I sighed to myself, and continued at a hurried pace toward the home office where all of my modeling business began. Kami, I hate that place with a passion! The sweet smells of sakura blossoms made the walk slightly more enjoyable, their petals dancing about the ground. They are so graceful in their decent, only to be blown away with the warms gusts of wind until they land somewhere on the hard ground, awaiting their fate. Sometimes I feel like that, trapped in that controlling wind, with no escape. Just when you think the ride is over, you're thrown into another loop, until you're ultimately thrown underfoot by the big guys. Well, all that's left to do is return to home base and…

HOLY SHIT I'M LATE! Freak, freak freak, Hitsuguya-dono is going to kill me! And I need to wash my mouth out from swearing this much! I bet it was that bald guy's fault… I'm still thinking about him?!?!?! Great. Just great.

"Why, oh why, is my life so miserable?" I squeaked out, before hurrying off as fast as my body would allow. "Just another day in the life. My hell hole of a life."

Sorry for the slow updates! Life's crazy, so yeah... Well, review if you want to make me write more :)