Love and Learn

Disclaimer!

I do not own, nor will I ever own, any of the Evangelion characters. :(

This story takes place in an altered Eva-verse where Shinji has no mental problems, other than being a little shy, Yui Ikari is still alive and married to Shinji's father. Rei Ayanami is not a clone of Shinji's mother, just a quiet, shy girl at Shinji's school. Asuka Langley Soryu is just as obnoxious as ever, only now she is just an exchange student from Germany. Misato Katsuragi is Shinji's attractive school teacher. All of the boys fantasize about her, but she doesn't do younger men. She is Rei's legal guardian, although Rei lives independantly. There are no Angels, no Evas, just a normal life. Second Impact never occurred, nor is there any such thing as SEELE, NERV, or any other agency with a hidden agenda (other than normal government stuff). Every other person is the same as they always were, apart from one person: Toji Suzuhara. Toji has always been much bigger and stronger than Shinji, and has always been a bully towards him. This bullying behavior got worse when Toji hit puberty.

And now...on to my story...

Chapter 1

Shinji, along with his best friend, Kensuke Aida, walked home as they always did after school. While they walked, they talked about what had happened to them throughout the day.

"Man, Shinji," Kensuke was saying, "I don't think Miss Katsuragi's ever given a test as hard as today's was."

"What's the matter?" Shinji teased, "Didn't the 'brain child' study enough?"

"I studied plenty hard," Kensuke retorted, "It's just that the questions she asked us weren't really in the reading, that's all."

"Ahh, you never were good at answering creatively," Shinji said.

They continued to walk and talk until they reached Kensuke's house, where they parted ways. Shinji still had another four blocks to walk to his house, but it was Friday. He was in no hurry to get home yet. He pulled out his cell phone and called his parents. He told them that he would be home in time for dinner, then hung up, and turned to take the scenic route home.

He was glad he did. No sooner had he gone one block, than he caught sight of Rei Ayanami. He saw her in school often, but due to the fact that she rarely spoke, he knew very little about her.

First of all: she was an orphan. Her parents had been killed in a car wreck when she was just a baby. Shinji felt great sympathy toward her and frequently wished he cuold work up the courage to talk to her.

Second: she was a book worm. Rei was always reading something, usually a romance novel. The girls in the class all snickered behind her back because of her unusual book choices, and the boys all made lewd remarks about her legs and her breasts, and how great a fuck she would be if she weren't such a weirdo. Rei ignored them all with cool grace and confidence, but they made Shinji angry. Rei was a quiet girl, who never said much, unless she was answering a question.

Third, and most importantly: Rei was gorgeous. Shinji could understand where the boys were coming from with their opinions of her, but their remarks were just rude. Rei really was a vision of beauty and sex appeal, but she never flauted it. Her lavender-blue hair was offset by deep, dark, reddish brown eyes that just enhanced the aura of mystery about her. She was petite and trim in build, but not skinny by any stretch of the imagination. She was on the school's swimming team, so she kept in great shape. Her curves were unmistakeable, even through the relatively conservative school uniforms. By Shinji's estimate, she was a 36-24-36 frame; perfect proportions.

Shinji had had dreams about her before that left him awake with a large tent in his sheets. He was totally infatuated with Rei, but too nervous around girls to really express how he felt about her.

"Hi, Rei," Shinji called, barely realizing what he was doing.

"Oh," Rei said, looking up from her book, "Shinji, right? Hello."

Oh, man, Shinji thought happily, she knows my name! She knows that I exist! This is so cool.

"So,uh...What're you reading?" Shinji asked, trying to make small-talk.

"Nothing," Rei said quietly, quickly stashing her book into the bag she was carrying.

"You--youdoneedoobeembarrassed," Shinji blurted out rapidly.

"Pardon?" Rei asked, tilting her head to one side and looking impossibly cute and innocent.

"I-I said you...don't need to be embarrassed about your book," Shinji stammered. Then, feeling bolder, he added, "I don't care what you read, as long as you enjoy reading it."

Rei blushed a little and looked away.

"Thank you, Shinji," she said in her usual soft voice.

She's so fucking cute! Shinji thought, his brain racing with excitement, Hey...I wonder if--

Rei started to walk away.

"Rei, wait!" Shinji said, catching her hand, "Would you...I mean, if you want...Would you like to go to the Prom with me?"

Rei stared at Shinji with those deep, enchanting eyes for a long moment, then said:

"Yes."

Then, Rei stepped up close to Shinji and have him a gentle peck on the cheek. Then she turned, and walked on down the street.

Shinji felt his entire body warm. Suddenly, he couldn't wait for school on Monday.

A.N. This story's my first attempt at a fanfic. Please review and submit!