"Dear Sir/Madam,
I am fully aware you know nothing of my existence but as you may be surprised I am a relative of yours. I have a computer company, the main headquarters located in Japan. I am sorry to say that my whole lives work has beed destroyed and given away shortly before I passed away. The company worth around £18 Million. I leave this amount of money and a certain Estate of mine, if you will, in the hands of your family. The Shinjuku Mansion, Japan is now yours for the keeps. Im sorry to have your family move on such a sudden inquirement. There is no payment required. I hereby enclose five one-way flight tickets to Japan to be used on the 3rd September 2003. My chauffeur will greet you at the airport to collect your family and take you back to your new home. Here you will find accepted admission forms for your eldest daughter to a private American/Japanese school. The younger children have home schooling until they are also accepted at the school when they reach the age of 12. I am sorry to burden this on you at such a late time, but you are the family members chosen and I hope you shall accept this gift.
Regards, Mierra Yuri."
I looked up at my step-father as he read out the small piece of paper in his hands. It was near to the end of August. The 30th actually, and we were being giving a private estate in Japan? God this was so confusing. None of us knew how to speak Japanese, well I knew a little. But my pronounciation wasn't the best. However I could comprehend a few basic sentances and reply. Mainly hello, my name is..., please, thank you and goodbye. Ok so it wasn't much. But it was better than the rest of them.
"So do you think we should accept?" Came the shocked voice of my step-father. I don't think he knew about late relatives in Japan. Hence the reason he was just as shocked as anyone else. Kristin was only five, she didn't quite understand. Leah was nine, she understood but focusing more on the television than anything else. My mother was deep in thought. I knew what she was thinking. No more cooking, no more cleaning. However it was I who spoke up first, being fourteen I was the one they were worried about the most.
As a child my mother and father had divorced. I was six or seven at the time, leah only a toddler. I was scared, but I still see my father now. I knew how much I would miss him and Japan was a big step in that direction. I had been in many different schools, the one I was currently in being the only one I had stayed in for more than two years. If your thinking it was because I got kicked out, then you are much mistaken. I had just moved alot. Mainly around the same area. I was a clever girl. Good with computers, a creative and artisitic mind, but a cold heart. I would very easily sink into depression. Being a teenager was hard. I had already gone through most of the things a 14 year old had gone through. I had passed exams with good marks. Tried drinking and smoking, both in which I found myself highly revolting and swearing to not do them again. And I didn't. I had also been in love, at least thats what I thought it was. My ex-boyfriend just wanted something else. And that was something I was not giving to a disgusting hormone crazed boy like him. Because of my choice he broke up with me, leaving my heart broken. Sinking my deeper into another depression. It was then I swore not to 'love' again. I dyed my hair jet black and had my lip and bellybutton pierced. Of course my mother objected, but I didn't care. My father took me and paid for it.
Alot of the time at home I was told of about having an attitude problem and no respect. This was only half true. Okay I had an attitude, but I didn't consider it a problem. And as much as I hate to admit it I did respect my parents. Well, when they respected my privicy I did anyway. Now I had gotten better. My attitude towards them had lessend. Now I just got told off for not cleaning my bedroom arguing or being rude, but like I said before. I didn't care.
"Japan is a way away. It's a big change from England. But if you all decide to go, i'll agree." That was my only response.
"It would be nice to leave here. Just get away from England. And we have money for once and a big house. Another plus side is servents, which means no cooking and cleaning for me." My mother said looking at my step-father.
"Well I'll go, as long as me and Kayleigh get to come back to see dad over the holidays."
"Yes, you should be able to do that." Mark replied to Leah. Kristin was clearly not interested. "So I guess it's all settled. In a few days we are leaving for Japan."
"Im keeping this to myself I don't want to tell people Im going. Not my friends anyway. Oh well they wouldn't care. I'll call dad and tell him now." I picked up the phone and dialled the familiar number to my fathers mobile.
"Hello?"
"Dad hi, it's me" Bit obvious as I said the word 'dad' but it just came out.
"Hi Kayleigh. Whats up?" he said. He was at work, cheery self.
"Umm well you see Mark inherited this Mansion, so we're moving again" I said a little sad. I knew how much I'd miss my dad. Email, phone calls, letters and seeing him between three and four times a year wasn't much.
"Really, where too?" He asked oblivous to what I was about to say.
"Err Shinjuku...Japan." I thought he hung up, it was complete silence "Leah and I are going to visit you, everyholiday and we'll phone everynight and write an email..." My voice trailed off it was so sad saying goodbye to my father.
"Well Kayleigh this is tough, but you clearly want to go. I'll miss you so much! When are you leaving?" I could tell he really didn't want my sister and I to go. He only had a step-son. Micky, he was a strange kid. His fiance Lisa's kid. I liked Lisa, she was friendly and we got on. I was happy for my dad.
"Well it's all kinda sudden, we only got the letter today. We're leaving on wednesday."
"Well then tomorrow we'll have a party, a bbq maybe, get a dvd to watch. I'll invite some people over to say goodbye. Can I talk to Leah?" I said goodbye and handed the phone to Leah. I knew he would take this all so badly but he needed to understand that we all wanted to go. I'd miss him but we'd stay in contact and I was thankful to that.
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The next few days passed like a blur. It had beed distressing saying goodbye to veryone we knew. My fathers party had been a good turnout. A lot of people turned up bringing my sister and I little presents. My dad had bought my something speacial. He told me not to open it until I was on the plane.
At two-thirty wednesday morning my Mother woke me up.
"Kayleigh it's almost time to go. The taxi will be here in an hour." My mother gently shook me as I awaoke from my peaceful slumber. I had suprisingly gotten a good five hours sleep. I was a little tired. I picked up my hand luggage and slipped on my last outfit. I turned and looked at the bare walls of my small bedroom. It wasm't empty. We were leaving the furniture. The house we had inherited had been furnished. We had seen the pictures. I was amazed just flicking through my future dream house. Soon to be my actual house, it was a drwam come true for the whole of us, and I was happy. I knew i'd miss it here. But I wanted to leave with good memories, and I did. I walked out of my former bedroom and closed the door, my backpack over one shoulder and I walked downstairs to the living room, where everyone else was.
I wasn't really that hungry, but I took an apple anyway. Mother had packed us a little packed-luch sort of thing for the plane. It was to be a long trip. About 9/10 hours. (A/N: I have no clue whatsoever as to how long it takes to get to Japan. This is just a guess.) I picked up mine and placed it in my bag. It was only half full. My purse, mobile and a few books. A pen to write with and my diary. We all sat there in silence. Leah and Kristin engrossed in a movie playing on the TV from the Playstation 2. It was a film I didn't mind, but had seen so many times. It was their favourite film. The Emperor's New Grove.
The hour passed and soon enough we were getting into the taxi. Leah and Kristin fell asleep. Mark and the Taxi guy talking about something, the radio was playing softley. I was glad it was radio 1. I often listened to Scott Mills' show in the morning when I woke up for school. I had to get up at five for school, I don't know why I just did.
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Before I knew it, our plane had landed in Tokyo Airport. We went through customs quickly and waited for a call to notify that our ride home was here. I felt strange being in another country at all. It was eleven o'clock. It was strange also to adjust to the time difference. I had already lived this hour and I was living it again. It was just like being pulled through a time machine.
As soon as our car arrived a man in a black suit came to collect us. He bowed politely.
"Kon'nichi wa" He greeted us. He was as tall as my step father wearing a hat. He was Japanese and I hoped he would speak English. He took the trolly away from my step-father and we followed him out of the airport. The cool air rushing straight into my face. After sitting for so long, I think I had forgotten to walk. I stumbled a little but proceded to follow the rest.
We arrived at the allocated car. A stretch Limo?? This was odd, but then so was getting a huge mansion from some guy we'd never met before. I was slowly begining to think if there was a catch but quickly pushed the thought out of my mind. The driver-guy, I pressumed put our luggage away and stood in front of us.
"My name is Daigo Lee, I am your driver. This is your family car. It is approximatly an hour and a half hour drive to our destination" (A/N: Again I don't know anything about Japan so it's another random guess.) With that he opened the door of the car and we all got inside. It seated the five of us comfortably but we drove on in silence.
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September 5th, 2003.
Dear Diary, I have been living at the Shinjuku Mansion for about two days. Everything here is so proper. My room is five rooms! I couldn't believe the size. It's strange, getting used to this life. We have to dress for dinner. It's like royalty. We even have to hold an annual ball. That's tomorow night. Himeko and I, she' my maid. Are going shopping in an hour to find a gown for me. I don't really consider her a maid. She's a young Japanese girl. A few years older than me, and born into sevitude. She was clever though. And I treated her more like a friend.
~
Himeko and I were driven into town. We pulled up in the local mall carpark. Himeko led me to a gown shop. As she was busy looking for dresses I was looking around. This place was so different to England. I noticed a girl, my age with a spiked ponytail, mush like my own. Her hair was red with blonde streaks. She turned and stared at me.
"What are you looking at?" She snapped
"Oh sorry, I didn't think you'd be the kind of girl to buy gowns. It doesn't seen very you." She snorted at me.
"It's my business my being here. Anyways why are you here?" She raised an eyebrow at me. I frowned.
"Getting a dress for some stupid ball I have to attened tomorrow." I replied cooly. I wasn't one to take attitude, but this girl seemed okay.
"You have to go too?" Her face softened a lttle and she walked over to me. I shrugged.
"Yep and I ain't looking foward to it." She laughed.
"I have to go, my mother is bringing me. She's a model. Im guessing your new here, if your not busy I'll introduce you around. Im Rika by the way" She extended her hand and I shook it.
"Nice to meet you, i'm Kayleigh. I don't think im busy, come back to mine after this stupid dress shoping. Im sure Himeko won't mind." I replied.
"Whose Himeko?" She asked curiously
"Oh my maid. Im sorry to say that this stupid ball it being held at my house."
"You live in Shinjuku Mansion?"
"Yes, im starting that private school on monday."
"That's my school, at least you'll know someone." I heard Rika groan. "Ok great, it's him?" She muttered returning to her cold, hard gaze as a tallish boy with brown spikey hair and azure eyes approached the shop.
"Hey pumpkin." He said in a cheery voice, it annoyed me. But I didn't say anything.
"Shut it Akiyama." I smiled at her remark, then he noticed me.
"And you would me...?" He said looking my up and down.
"What's it to you?" I said in an icy tone like Rika's. She looked at me, somewhat impressed.
"Ohh now it's two wildcat's on the lose." He grinned. I didn'y like him so far. "Names Akiyama, Ryo Akiyama. I see you've met the Ice Queen of Japan." He said nodding in Rika's direction. She rolled her eyes.
"Kayleigh here, it's the perfect dress for you!"
"Rika this one will look great on you!" came the voices of, I was guessing, Rika's mother and Himeko. My dress was long sleveless and a light pink accompenied by elbow length gloves. Rika's was the same but lavender. We both groaned and walked over to the changing rooms to try on the gowns.
"See you at the ball then Wildcats!" Ryo called after us and wondered out of the shops. Rika and I both rolled our eyes and entered the dressing rooms.
After we had bought the dresses Rika's mom insisted on buying us lunch. We went to a small cafe outside. Himeko and Makino talking about the ball tomorrow sipping coffee.
"Himeko, can we please head home now?" I pleaded as Makino took another sip of her drink. "I'm sure my mother would appreciate the company of meeting someone. Rika and I would also like to go the park."
"Oh go ahead. I'll send Daigo with the car to Rika's house at nine. Be sure to eat something later. I'll inform the misstress." Himeko said before returning to her conversation with Makino. I sighed and Rika and I walked out of the mall. I followed her to the park.
"The guy's are normally over there around this time." Rika said pointing to the direction of a some large tree's. They had long sweeping branches that would make it easy to climb.
"Sure, i'd like to meet some new friends. So tell me Rika, what do you honestly think about Ryo?" I asked as we started to walk to where she had pointed. We walked at a moderatly slow pace.
"He's a friend. I know he likes me. He's asked me out a few times but I said no."
"Why? I know we've only known each other for about an hour but im nosy like that." She half smiled half smirked.
"Im playing hard to get. Next time he asks I'll say yes, I do like him." She stated.
"Really? No kidding!" I said sarcasticly.
"Hey Rika!" Came a voice from above our heads.
"Hey Jeri, Gogglehead, Henry." I looked up and noticed three figures. A brunette boy and girl sitting next to each other holding hands and smiling, and a very good looking blue haired boy with grey eyes. "This is Kayleigh, she's holding that ball thing tomorrow." The blue haired boy jumped down from where he was perched. He landed almost perfectly. I could have done alot better. However he held out his hand.
"Im Henry, Thats Jeri and Takato." He said pointing at the couple in the tree. I smiled at him and took his hand. "So this ball of yours? I take it you now own Shinjuku mansion?"
"Yeah, all formal stuff. Not really my thing." I noticed I was still holding his hand. Why he hadn't pulled away I didn't know so I did quickly. "Umm, you can all come if you want."
"Oh thank you, but do we have to hang out in some grand hall dancing all the time. I mean I love dancing but I couldn't do it all night." Jeri said. I didn't know her to well but she seemed a real friendly girl.
"Yeah I can make it too!" Said the boy next to her. Takato, or something. I looked at Henry. For some reason I really wanted him to come.
"I should be able to. But I agree with Jeri on the dancing thing, I don't want to do it all night!" He said when I turned my face back to him.
"Well there will be an hour of dancing btween seven and eight. Then the meal which is normally two hours long, then its more dancing until about two. You guys can stay over of you want. Well you don't have to. But it might be easier."
"Thanks Kayleigh. Whatever you do, don't let Ryo stay!" The others laughed.
It was nice meeting some new friends. Rika and I headed back to her place around seven. I found talking to her and the others easy. I was glad I had friends, and I was glad I had met Henry... Wait a second. No, Im not going to fall in love with him. It's just not possible. I told myself.
"So what did you think?" Rika asked as I helped her clean up after we had eaten.
"Yeah they were nice." I sighed.
"What's wrong?" Rika put away the last plate and looked at me. Rika wasn't the most kindest person in the world and I didn't know her that well, but so far I felt as if she was my new best friend. I was cold and so was she.
During the time we spent together with Henry, Takato and Jeri, I noticed how much we were alike. Not in appearence but emotionally. And she didn't talk about her past. She was sarcasticly critical to the others and Rika kept her sercrets. But I think, like me, she had found some one to relate to, and was a little more open to me.
"You like Henry don't you?" she said. It was a retorical question. She half-smirked half-smiled again as I slowly nodded my head looking down at the floor. "He likes you too, you know"
"How do you know?" I asked her suspiciously.
"Well I was always closer to him than the others. We go to the same school. Almost all the girls like him, but he doesn't ever notice them. He's like that. And when you know somone for a long time, you can tell if they like someone. And the last time I saw Henry look like that was in 6th grade. The girl was alot like you. Then she moved and he was really sad. He hasn't had a girlfriend before either." I looked up at Rika and could tell she was telling the truth. I turned at the sound of a car pulling up close to Rika's house.
"Well thanks for telling me that, I think. I'll see you tomorrow. And please don't tell Henry." I said as I walked towards my ride. Maybe Love would be different. Maybe Henry would be a nice guy. He seemed okay. But was he really? I shook my head and stepped through the open car door.
When I arrived home, I went straight to my room. Dressed into my nightdress and slipped into my queen sized bed, almost immeadiatly falling asleep.
I am fully aware you know nothing of my existence but as you may be surprised I am a relative of yours. I have a computer company, the main headquarters located in Japan. I am sorry to say that my whole lives work has beed destroyed and given away shortly before I passed away. The company worth around £18 Million. I leave this amount of money and a certain Estate of mine, if you will, in the hands of your family. The Shinjuku Mansion, Japan is now yours for the keeps. Im sorry to have your family move on such a sudden inquirement. There is no payment required. I hereby enclose five one-way flight tickets to Japan to be used on the 3rd September 2003. My chauffeur will greet you at the airport to collect your family and take you back to your new home. Here you will find accepted admission forms for your eldest daughter to a private American/Japanese school. The younger children have home schooling until they are also accepted at the school when they reach the age of 12. I am sorry to burden this on you at such a late time, but you are the family members chosen and I hope you shall accept this gift.
Regards, Mierra Yuri."
I looked up at my step-father as he read out the small piece of paper in his hands. It was near to the end of August. The 30th actually, and we were being giving a private estate in Japan? God this was so confusing. None of us knew how to speak Japanese, well I knew a little. But my pronounciation wasn't the best. However I could comprehend a few basic sentances and reply. Mainly hello, my name is..., please, thank you and goodbye. Ok so it wasn't much. But it was better than the rest of them.
"So do you think we should accept?" Came the shocked voice of my step-father. I don't think he knew about late relatives in Japan. Hence the reason he was just as shocked as anyone else. Kristin was only five, she didn't quite understand. Leah was nine, she understood but focusing more on the television than anything else. My mother was deep in thought. I knew what she was thinking. No more cooking, no more cleaning. However it was I who spoke up first, being fourteen I was the one they were worried about the most.
As a child my mother and father had divorced. I was six or seven at the time, leah only a toddler. I was scared, but I still see my father now. I knew how much I would miss him and Japan was a big step in that direction. I had been in many different schools, the one I was currently in being the only one I had stayed in for more than two years. If your thinking it was because I got kicked out, then you are much mistaken. I had just moved alot. Mainly around the same area. I was a clever girl. Good with computers, a creative and artisitic mind, but a cold heart. I would very easily sink into depression. Being a teenager was hard. I had already gone through most of the things a 14 year old had gone through. I had passed exams with good marks. Tried drinking and smoking, both in which I found myself highly revolting and swearing to not do them again. And I didn't. I had also been in love, at least thats what I thought it was. My ex-boyfriend just wanted something else. And that was something I was not giving to a disgusting hormone crazed boy like him. Because of my choice he broke up with me, leaving my heart broken. Sinking my deeper into another depression. It was then I swore not to 'love' again. I dyed my hair jet black and had my lip and bellybutton pierced. Of course my mother objected, but I didn't care. My father took me and paid for it.
Alot of the time at home I was told of about having an attitude problem and no respect. This was only half true. Okay I had an attitude, but I didn't consider it a problem. And as much as I hate to admit it I did respect my parents. Well, when they respected my privicy I did anyway. Now I had gotten better. My attitude towards them had lessend. Now I just got told off for not cleaning my bedroom arguing or being rude, but like I said before. I didn't care.
"Japan is a way away. It's a big change from England. But if you all decide to go, i'll agree." That was my only response.
"It would be nice to leave here. Just get away from England. And we have money for once and a big house. Another plus side is servents, which means no cooking and cleaning for me." My mother said looking at my step-father.
"Well I'll go, as long as me and Kayleigh get to come back to see dad over the holidays."
"Yes, you should be able to do that." Mark replied to Leah. Kristin was clearly not interested. "So I guess it's all settled. In a few days we are leaving for Japan."
"Im keeping this to myself I don't want to tell people Im going. Not my friends anyway. Oh well they wouldn't care. I'll call dad and tell him now." I picked up the phone and dialled the familiar number to my fathers mobile.
"Hello?"
"Dad hi, it's me" Bit obvious as I said the word 'dad' but it just came out.
"Hi Kayleigh. Whats up?" he said. He was at work, cheery self.
"Umm well you see Mark inherited this Mansion, so we're moving again" I said a little sad. I knew how much I'd miss my dad. Email, phone calls, letters and seeing him between three and four times a year wasn't much.
"Really, where too?" He asked oblivous to what I was about to say.
"Err Shinjuku...Japan." I thought he hung up, it was complete silence "Leah and I are going to visit you, everyholiday and we'll phone everynight and write an email..." My voice trailed off it was so sad saying goodbye to my father.
"Well Kayleigh this is tough, but you clearly want to go. I'll miss you so much! When are you leaving?" I could tell he really didn't want my sister and I to go. He only had a step-son. Micky, he was a strange kid. His fiance Lisa's kid. I liked Lisa, she was friendly and we got on. I was happy for my dad.
"Well it's all kinda sudden, we only got the letter today. We're leaving on wednesday."
"Well then tomorrow we'll have a party, a bbq maybe, get a dvd to watch. I'll invite some people over to say goodbye. Can I talk to Leah?" I said goodbye and handed the phone to Leah. I knew he would take this all so badly but he needed to understand that we all wanted to go. I'd miss him but we'd stay in contact and I was thankful to that.
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The next few days passed like a blur. It had beed distressing saying goodbye to veryone we knew. My fathers party had been a good turnout. A lot of people turned up bringing my sister and I little presents. My dad had bought my something speacial. He told me not to open it until I was on the plane.
At two-thirty wednesday morning my Mother woke me up.
"Kayleigh it's almost time to go. The taxi will be here in an hour." My mother gently shook me as I awaoke from my peaceful slumber. I had suprisingly gotten a good five hours sleep. I was a little tired. I picked up my hand luggage and slipped on my last outfit. I turned and looked at the bare walls of my small bedroom. It wasm't empty. We were leaving the furniture. The house we had inherited had been furnished. We had seen the pictures. I was amazed just flicking through my future dream house. Soon to be my actual house, it was a drwam come true for the whole of us, and I was happy. I knew i'd miss it here. But I wanted to leave with good memories, and I did. I walked out of my former bedroom and closed the door, my backpack over one shoulder and I walked downstairs to the living room, where everyone else was.
I wasn't really that hungry, but I took an apple anyway. Mother had packed us a little packed-luch sort of thing for the plane. It was to be a long trip. About 9/10 hours. (A/N: I have no clue whatsoever as to how long it takes to get to Japan. This is just a guess.) I picked up mine and placed it in my bag. It was only half full. My purse, mobile and a few books. A pen to write with and my diary. We all sat there in silence. Leah and Kristin engrossed in a movie playing on the TV from the Playstation 2. It was a film I didn't mind, but had seen so many times. It was their favourite film. The Emperor's New Grove.
The hour passed and soon enough we were getting into the taxi. Leah and Kristin fell asleep. Mark and the Taxi guy talking about something, the radio was playing softley. I was glad it was radio 1. I often listened to Scott Mills' show in the morning when I woke up for school. I had to get up at five for school, I don't know why I just did.
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Before I knew it, our plane had landed in Tokyo Airport. We went through customs quickly and waited for a call to notify that our ride home was here. I felt strange being in another country at all. It was eleven o'clock. It was strange also to adjust to the time difference. I had already lived this hour and I was living it again. It was just like being pulled through a time machine.
As soon as our car arrived a man in a black suit came to collect us. He bowed politely.
"Kon'nichi wa" He greeted us. He was as tall as my step father wearing a hat. He was Japanese and I hoped he would speak English. He took the trolly away from my step-father and we followed him out of the airport. The cool air rushing straight into my face. After sitting for so long, I think I had forgotten to walk. I stumbled a little but proceded to follow the rest.
We arrived at the allocated car. A stretch Limo?? This was odd, but then so was getting a huge mansion from some guy we'd never met before. I was slowly begining to think if there was a catch but quickly pushed the thought out of my mind. The driver-guy, I pressumed put our luggage away and stood in front of us.
"My name is Daigo Lee, I am your driver. This is your family car. It is approximatly an hour and a half hour drive to our destination" (A/N: Again I don't know anything about Japan so it's another random guess.) With that he opened the door of the car and we all got inside. It seated the five of us comfortably but we drove on in silence.
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September 5th, 2003.
Dear Diary, I have been living at the Shinjuku Mansion for about two days. Everything here is so proper. My room is five rooms! I couldn't believe the size. It's strange, getting used to this life. We have to dress for dinner. It's like royalty. We even have to hold an annual ball. That's tomorow night. Himeko and I, she' my maid. Are going shopping in an hour to find a gown for me. I don't really consider her a maid. She's a young Japanese girl. A few years older than me, and born into sevitude. She was clever though. And I treated her more like a friend.
~
Himeko and I were driven into town. We pulled up in the local mall carpark. Himeko led me to a gown shop. As she was busy looking for dresses I was looking around. This place was so different to England. I noticed a girl, my age with a spiked ponytail, mush like my own. Her hair was red with blonde streaks. She turned and stared at me.
"What are you looking at?" She snapped
"Oh sorry, I didn't think you'd be the kind of girl to buy gowns. It doesn't seen very you." She snorted at me.
"It's my business my being here. Anyways why are you here?" She raised an eyebrow at me. I frowned.
"Getting a dress for some stupid ball I have to attened tomorrow." I replied cooly. I wasn't one to take attitude, but this girl seemed okay.
"You have to go too?" Her face softened a lttle and she walked over to me. I shrugged.
"Yep and I ain't looking foward to it." She laughed.
"I have to go, my mother is bringing me. She's a model. Im guessing your new here, if your not busy I'll introduce you around. Im Rika by the way" She extended her hand and I shook it.
"Nice to meet you, i'm Kayleigh. I don't think im busy, come back to mine after this stupid dress shoping. Im sure Himeko won't mind." I replied.
"Whose Himeko?" She asked curiously
"Oh my maid. Im sorry to say that this stupid ball it being held at my house."
"You live in Shinjuku Mansion?"
"Yes, im starting that private school on monday."
"That's my school, at least you'll know someone." I heard Rika groan. "Ok great, it's him?" She muttered returning to her cold, hard gaze as a tallish boy with brown spikey hair and azure eyes approached the shop.
"Hey pumpkin." He said in a cheery voice, it annoyed me. But I didn't say anything.
"Shut it Akiyama." I smiled at her remark, then he noticed me.
"And you would me...?" He said looking my up and down.
"What's it to you?" I said in an icy tone like Rika's. She looked at me, somewhat impressed.
"Ohh now it's two wildcat's on the lose." He grinned. I didn'y like him so far. "Names Akiyama, Ryo Akiyama. I see you've met the Ice Queen of Japan." He said nodding in Rika's direction. She rolled her eyes.
"Kayleigh here, it's the perfect dress for you!"
"Rika this one will look great on you!" came the voices of, I was guessing, Rika's mother and Himeko. My dress was long sleveless and a light pink accompenied by elbow length gloves. Rika's was the same but lavender. We both groaned and walked over to the changing rooms to try on the gowns.
"See you at the ball then Wildcats!" Ryo called after us and wondered out of the shops. Rika and I both rolled our eyes and entered the dressing rooms.
After we had bought the dresses Rika's mom insisted on buying us lunch. We went to a small cafe outside. Himeko and Makino talking about the ball tomorrow sipping coffee.
"Himeko, can we please head home now?" I pleaded as Makino took another sip of her drink. "I'm sure my mother would appreciate the company of meeting someone. Rika and I would also like to go the park."
"Oh go ahead. I'll send Daigo with the car to Rika's house at nine. Be sure to eat something later. I'll inform the misstress." Himeko said before returning to her conversation with Makino. I sighed and Rika and I walked out of the mall. I followed her to the park.
"The guy's are normally over there around this time." Rika said pointing to the direction of a some large tree's. They had long sweeping branches that would make it easy to climb.
"Sure, i'd like to meet some new friends. So tell me Rika, what do you honestly think about Ryo?" I asked as we started to walk to where she had pointed. We walked at a moderatly slow pace.
"He's a friend. I know he likes me. He's asked me out a few times but I said no."
"Why? I know we've only known each other for about an hour but im nosy like that." She half smiled half smirked.
"Im playing hard to get. Next time he asks I'll say yes, I do like him." She stated.
"Really? No kidding!" I said sarcasticly.
"Hey Rika!" Came a voice from above our heads.
"Hey Jeri, Gogglehead, Henry." I looked up and noticed three figures. A brunette boy and girl sitting next to each other holding hands and smiling, and a very good looking blue haired boy with grey eyes. "This is Kayleigh, she's holding that ball thing tomorrow." The blue haired boy jumped down from where he was perched. He landed almost perfectly. I could have done alot better. However he held out his hand.
"Im Henry, Thats Jeri and Takato." He said pointing at the couple in the tree. I smiled at him and took his hand. "So this ball of yours? I take it you now own Shinjuku mansion?"
"Yeah, all formal stuff. Not really my thing." I noticed I was still holding his hand. Why he hadn't pulled away I didn't know so I did quickly. "Umm, you can all come if you want."
"Oh thank you, but do we have to hang out in some grand hall dancing all the time. I mean I love dancing but I couldn't do it all night." Jeri said. I didn't know her to well but she seemed a real friendly girl.
"Yeah I can make it too!" Said the boy next to her. Takato, or something. I looked at Henry. For some reason I really wanted him to come.
"I should be able to. But I agree with Jeri on the dancing thing, I don't want to do it all night!" He said when I turned my face back to him.
"Well there will be an hour of dancing btween seven and eight. Then the meal which is normally two hours long, then its more dancing until about two. You guys can stay over of you want. Well you don't have to. But it might be easier."
"Thanks Kayleigh. Whatever you do, don't let Ryo stay!" The others laughed.
It was nice meeting some new friends. Rika and I headed back to her place around seven. I found talking to her and the others easy. I was glad I had friends, and I was glad I had met Henry... Wait a second. No, Im not going to fall in love with him. It's just not possible. I told myself.
"So what did you think?" Rika asked as I helped her clean up after we had eaten.
"Yeah they were nice." I sighed.
"What's wrong?" Rika put away the last plate and looked at me. Rika wasn't the most kindest person in the world and I didn't know her that well, but so far I felt as if she was my new best friend. I was cold and so was she.
During the time we spent together with Henry, Takato and Jeri, I noticed how much we were alike. Not in appearence but emotionally. And she didn't talk about her past. She was sarcasticly critical to the others and Rika kept her sercrets. But I think, like me, she had found some one to relate to, and was a little more open to me.
"You like Henry don't you?" she said. It was a retorical question. She half-smirked half-smiled again as I slowly nodded my head looking down at the floor. "He likes you too, you know"
"How do you know?" I asked her suspiciously.
"Well I was always closer to him than the others. We go to the same school. Almost all the girls like him, but he doesn't ever notice them. He's like that. And when you know somone for a long time, you can tell if they like someone. And the last time I saw Henry look like that was in 6th grade. The girl was alot like you. Then she moved and he was really sad. He hasn't had a girlfriend before either." I looked up at Rika and could tell she was telling the truth. I turned at the sound of a car pulling up close to Rika's house.
"Well thanks for telling me that, I think. I'll see you tomorrow. And please don't tell Henry." I said as I walked towards my ride. Maybe Love would be different. Maybe Henry would be a nice guy. He seemed okay. But was he really? I shook my head and stepped through the open car door.
When I arrived home, I went straight to my room. Dressed into my nightdress and slipped into my queen sized bed, almost immeadiatly falling asleep.