"Patricio! You're going to be late!" My mother yells from the bottom of the staircase.
I quickly grab my blazer and throw it over my shoulder as I make my final round through my bedroom. The batteries to my alarm clock died causing me to wake up fairly late. It's the first day of school and I'm already starting the year off on the wrong foot. The smell of breakfast brushes my nose as I swing open the door and head down the stairs. I'm too late to stay and eat. My mother is waiting for me at the bottom with my lunch bag in one hand and a muffin in the other.
"You're always late hijo." She says as she kisses me on my forehead.
"Not this year mom!" I say grabbing my stuff and darting out the door.
"Have a good day! I love you." She says as the door slams behind me.
My feet take me to the corner before my body becomes weak from the lack of energy. I stop for a moment to catch my breath and take a bite of the chocolate chip muffin. The sweetness makes my mouth tingle as is dances around my taste buds. I stare at the silhouette of James O'Neil Academy for the gifted. My family moved closer to the academy due to my father's promotion at work. I promised myself I wouldn't be late to school anymore because I live closer. It's my goal to become the class representative this year and I need to excel in everything to become the best representative JONA has ever had. My grades are of the top 3 in my grade but my attendance record hasn't been the best.
I let out a sigh as I continue my way toward the school. The walk is only 10 minutes long and I'm already feeling too lazy to make the commute. Many of the students live in the dormitories that JONA provides because living in the area is extremely expensive. My dad was lucky enough to get offered a discounted price on our new place because he works with the owner's son. JONA is a prestigious school that primarily rich kids attend. Good portions of the student body are successors of family businesses. I however am one of the scholarship students who made it into the academy based off my excellent test scores.
I place my hands on my head and look up at the sky as my mind drifts back to the first day of the entrance exams. The birds chirp happily in the background the sure sign of the early morning. I can hear the footsteps of the students who live close enough to make the commute with me. This is the sound of a new academic year. I reach my hands into my pocket to keep them warm from the crisp morning air. I feel the point of a card of some sort.
"That's odd." I say pulling the item out of my pocket.
It's a small envelope. On the front it says 'Rico' the nickname my friends have given me. I open in. Inside are pages from a diary. The style reminds me of the diary I had bought last week to start marking the highlights of this year.
I start reading as I near the front gate.
Letter:
Hey Patricio,
I know you're not going to believe this but this is a letter from yourself 10 years from now. I know this may seem odd but you need to believe that this is true. Starting today your life is going to change. Each day brings you more and more pain and you don't see it at first but eventually it catches up to you. Pain comes in many forms one of the strongest comes in the form of regret. There are many things I have experienced that I wish I could go back and change. I'm writing you this letter with hopes that you will change our future. I don't like feeling the regret I've felt for the last 10 years. The next few pages will contain different days that I regret. Days that if you change them will ultimately better our future.
August 25
Today a new student transfers into the academy. Her name is Naomi. She is the most beautiful girl you will ever see. You must not run for class rep. You need to keep your distance from her.
I stare down at the mysterious letter. Each entry containing different events to come.
"Rico!" A female voice calls from behind causing me to jump.
I turn around to see the familiar blonde curls bouncing with every step she takes. White button up shirt tightly caressing her breasts. Her tie loosely hangs due to the top two buttons being undone. Her pale arms brush against her yellow and black plaid skirt making my eyes shift to the eccentric yellow ducky knee high socks she has under her black shoes. Her name is Tori.
"Hey Tori!"
"Rico, don't you feel so much better commuting this way than you did taking that bus?"
"I do… I just didn't expect so many people to live this close… I thought most people lived in the dorms."
She points her index finger up and winks. "How many times do I have to remind you the dorms are in the same area as these overpriced apartments! The only difference is the students stay for the time school is in session. You should be surprised the rich kids still take their limos to class even when the live over here!" I place my hand on my forehead as the countless conversations about this come back to me. She grabs on my arm smile on her face head tilted and says, "Now what are you going to do in a couple of years once I'm off to college?"
"Call you in class." I respond dryly.
She laughs know my seriousness of the response. We arrive at the gates. Hundreds of students in the same black blazer make their way toward the big concrete building with small black doors. I look around for our other friends hoping to see them before we are stuck in silence for the next four hours before lunch time. Tori tugs on my arm and points to the tall cherry blossom tree that has been growing there since before my time. We have taken that as our usual spot. During lunch we'd sit under it talking and catching each other up on the latest topics and student body gossip. Most of the time it's between Christian and Allisha.
Christian jumps up and down brown hair bouncing in the wind. His grey eyes shimmering in the sunlight giving off a blue reflection from the sky. His short arms placed in the rabbit stance as he tells a story. He's always been so animated. He appears taller than his usual 5'6 but it could just be the fact I haven't seen him all summer. His parents took him to Paris this summer to get him more in touch with his roots.
Allisha laughs hand over her mouth. Her long silky black hair falls slightly over her face. Unusual for her because she usually has it up in a ponytail. A yellow headband separates her long pieces from the newly styled bangs. Her uniform still the same semi nerdy style she's been wearing since freshmen year. With the schools branded suspenders and big black glasses. Her blazer rests in her other arm making the cinnamon color of her skin pop in the sunlight.
"Christian!" I yell causing him to freeze as he stands on one foot. He's a ballet dancer so his balance is pretty centered. He turns his head to us and a huge smile forms on his face. He hops out of his stance and comes running up to us hugging us tightly.
"I missed you both so much!" He says in a husky voice.
He releases us and steps back motioning Allisha to come over. Allisha timidly walks over to us head facing the ground. Christian puts his arm around her and pulls her in tightly causing her face to show a hint of red.
"You know I didn't recognize her at first but isn't her new haircut beautiful!?" He says his voice giving off a French accent.
"Thank you." She says through her timid voice.
"Good morning Allisha." I say "I like your new haircut."
"Yes Ally! I totally agree! I'm so amazed! Not that your other hair style was boring or anything but this suits you so much better!" Tori adds, mouth practically drooling over it. "Who did it? I need to know!"
The girls start talking about the stylist and their likes and dislikes of the different salons in the area. Christian pulls me aside to avoid the conversation and starts walking toward the front door. The bell rings telling us to make our way to our home rooms. We make our way to 3-A. The girls continue to talk not realizing the bell went off.
"Hurry up ladies or you'll get locked out on the first day!" Christian yells.
Their faces become shocked and they run to catch up with us. The image of the letter appears in my head as we walk through the halls and up the two flights of stairs. 'What a weird letter…' Tori opens the door to the classroom.
"Are you ready Rico! Today you become class rep!" She says fist in the air.
-o-o-o-
Future:
I hold an envelope in my hand. My back pressed against a tree that brings back so many memories. The petals fall as the crisp evening air brushes against them. I place the envelope on the ground and pull a bottle to my lips. A tear falls from my eyes as the liquid flows down my throat in into my stomach burning my insides.
-o-o-o-
"Good morning class!" Our new teacher shouts showing off his energy and excitement for the new semester. "I am your new home room teacher Mr. Sato but you could call me Mr. S! Today we will start by electing this class's representative. As you know this person is responsible for taking care of the classes needs and is a lot of responsibility. You will be responsible to attend meetings with other class reps as well as making sure any new or absent student is up to date with the class material."
My eyes stare at his lips as he continues on about the responsibilities and duties I already am aware of. Every year they go over this. I wait for the words that matter most.
"So is there anyone who would like to run for class rep?"
I raise my hand quickly knowing I am one of the most qualified students. A flash of the letter appears in my head causing my arm to lower slightly. Tori smiles at me and puts her thumbs up to show her support. Only one other person raises their hand. Erica, the number one student in the class. I have an advantage over her this year. I've spent more time engaging with my classmates and building relationships to understand the student body's wants and needs. Every year the school's homecoming dance is a bust and spirit week is just as lame. The previous reps haven't been the most social people just the smartest which tend to be the most antisocial of the students here.
"Alright! Since there are two of you we must have an election. Please prepare a quick speech and we will have you each come up and explain why you should be elected."
Erica looks back at me with a serious glare. She knows I have an advantage this year and doesn't want to mess up her current resume of being class rep three years consecutively. I gaze at my desk fixating on the important topics to cover. I remember the letter and pull it out. The entry contained information on how I won.
August 25
Today a new student transfers into the academy. Her name is Naomi. She is the most beautiful girl you will ever see. You must not run for class rep. You need to keep your distance from her. The election will end in a draw. There are only 20 students. Erica will focus on her past and how she excelled as class rep even though the events weren't as exciting as she had hoped they would be. Our focus on learning the students isn't good enough. Ultimately experience does matter. She uses that to weaken our speech. It turns to Naomi and she selects you. It's her way of getting alone time with you. It's a trap. Withdraw and let Erica win she actually has plans that'll benefit the class.
My vision becomes blurred as the warnings become more prominent than they did before. 'Could this be real? Should I give up something I've strived so hard to accomplish? Is it even true?' I look at the door whose clear glass only shows the lockers behind it. 'It can't be true.' I say to myself pulling out my notebook and pen. I begin writing my speech short and simple; in order to show the students I'm not here to bore them. I raise my hand and Mr. Sato calls me up to speak. Erica finishes shortly after but waits for me to finish my presentation. The class cheers for me as I bow then take my seat. Coincidentally Erica's tactic was very similar to what the letter said. The class is silent when she finishes they must be bored from it. Mr. Sato claps for her then dismisses her to her seat.
"Ok class let's vote."
He says my name and seven hands go up. Allisha, Tori, Christian, and five others who really seemed pumped about the homecoming theme I pitched. There are two empty seats that would've contained my two other supporters Julian and Naiym but they haven't arrived yet. 'I lost…' I thought to myself my head drops to my desk out of misery. The letter lied. It must be another one of Julian's pranks. The other nine students raise their hands when he says Erica. He continues to the board to publicly humiliate me by writing the scores.
Patricio-9
Erica-9
"Two students spoke to me in advance stating they were called to an important meeting for the football team but they knew they were voting for Patricio. Right now that means we are tied."
Erica looks back her glare more intense. She makes a slit throat motion then points to me. Her way of telling me to resign or die. I shake my head and look down at the letter. There's a knock on the door. Mr. Sato opens it. Long black silky hair walks in the wind blows through the window causing the hair to flow back and reveal soft creamy skin. Her eyes a rich chocolate brown color which mesmerizes me. Her pale pink lips glisten as she takes her first breath. She's calming herself down for her introduction. 'It's the girl from the letter.' I say to myself. She turns to the class and our eyes lock instantly. Her cheeks become red as she stares into my hazel eyes. Her hands close together in front of her as her body reflects her nervousness. I rest my head on my knuckles and gaze at her. The most beautiful girl I will ever meet.
"Class this is our new transfer student. She will be the deciding factor. Please introduce yourself."
"Hello…" She says softly. "My… My name is Nao… Naomi Takashi." My eyes widen as I realize the name is Japanese. In my reading I pronounced it like the supermodels name Nay-oh-me. "But my friends just call me Nao." She finishes as she lowers her head. "Thank you for having me! I hope we all can work hard together!" She yells from behind the long strands of hair.
The class becomes amazed by here. Echoes of how cute she is and how adorable she is bounce around the class. The girls speak of how the want to take her sightseeing and becoming her best friend. All I can think about is the letter. It warns me of her but she is so innocent and sweet.
"Ok Naomi! Thank you that was good. I need you to be the deciding factor. Erica and Patricio are running for class representative and the class is divided. You are the deciding vote." He motions for us to stand up then gives her a summary of our campaign speeches. Her face becomes bright red as the attention falls on her.
"I don't know." She says softly looking back at the ground.
"It's ok to pick. There will be no hard feelings, right?"
We both nod our heads reassuring her. She smiles. Then lifts her arm, finger pointing directly at me.
"I choose Cio-chan" she says in her soft voice.
-o-o-o-
The wind blows creating a chill throughout my body. Laughter echoes as distant memories send me in a euphoric state. Life has changed so much since we graduated. I tip the bottle back pouring the burning liquid down. I rest my head against the tree tears falling again. I hear footsteps which cause me to wipe my face. I take the letter and tuck it into my coat pocket. The footsteps get closer.
"Cio, are you there?" The voice says.
I pour the remaining liquid down and stand up. I nod my head as if she could see my face. I make my way toward her.
"Yes. It's me."
"Are you ok?"
"Yes just remembering what it felt like to smell the cherry blossoms."
-o-o-o-
Naomi takes a seat next to me. The seat Julian usually sits in. We made it a routine to take over the whole back row as a group since we realized there wasn't assigned seating. The school created a system that links our student ID photos with our names so each teacher knows what we look like from the moment we appear on their roster.
The door slams open to the classroom. Then a big poster comes into the room. "Congrats Rico!" It reads with different symbols and stars around it. There's even a cartoon drawing of me in the right hand corner. Behind the poster pops out two familiar faces.
Julian's short black hair reflects the light from the class. His dark brown eyes stare at me appearing black as night. He smiles showing his pearly white teeth. His dark skin glistens from the tan he received over the summer causing it to become more solid than before, like a dark chocolate candy bar. The poster covers his muscular body but you can still see his toned biceps peaking from the side holding the board.
Naiym smiles from ear to ear. His young face appearing even younger. Naiym has always mimicked Julian's style and even now he has a very similar looks Julian. The only difference is their skin color and outfits. Naiym is a few shades lighter almost a beige color. His hair is a bit redder than brown and his eyes a deep honey color. Everything else reflects the same as Julian. He has mastered the same style and haircut as his idol. They almost appear as twins.
I remember meeting Naiym; he used to have a full set of curls just like mine except his were a bit more course. He was very quiet and shy. It wasn't until Julian forced us to join the football team that he opened up and became more social.
"Thank you guys!" I said.
The take a bow and then take their seats in the back. Julian glares at Naomi as he walks passed her and sits behind her. He pulls out his phone and texts me. 'Who is she?' I respond with a simple 'New girl.' I can hear him huff and then chuckle a little. Mr. Sato begins his first lesson.
I turn to Naomi. Her eyes are fixated on Mr. Sato. She writes in her notebook without taking her eyes off him. She fixes her hair with her left hand tucking the strands behind her ear. The uniform looks great on her.
She turns her head and waives. My face turns red and I wave back. She smiles at me and her eyes close for the first time as she blinks. She turns back to the front then continues writing. She's perfect.
The bell rings for lunch. Julian stands up and puts his hand on my shoulder. "Hey bro they're serving pizza today want to get lunch?" I nod my head and stand.
"Patricio!" Mr. Sato says, "Can you show Naomi to the cafeteria?"
"Of course we can!" Tori days grabbing Naomi's hand. "I'm Tori! You can sit with us!"
Lunch went by quickly. Naomi managed to fit in the group pretty well. She even managed to pick on Christian a little. Everything was beautiful. This is probably the best thing that has happened since we all became friends. We all exchange numbers at the end of the day. Tori walks with me home.
"Today was amazing!" She says. "You really shut Erica up!"
"Yeah thanks to Naomi." I respond the pronunciation of her name becoming more fluent off my tongue. "Without her I probably would've lost."
"Well you know you're responsible for showing her around maybe you can thank her in some way."
"Maybe…" My mind takes me to all the ideas that could sweep her off her feet. The rest of the walk is silent and soon we part ways. I get home as the sun sets and quickly go to my room.
I pull out my journal and begin jotting down my day.
August 25
Today I became class rep. It was a tie 9-9 but by the grace of God we had a new student. She chose me. Her name is Naomi (Now-me) and she is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen! I can't wait to spend more time with her.
My mom calls me down for dinner. I close my journal and take a deep breath. I gaze down at the letter that's now sitting on my desk next to my journal. 'It must be a joke. She's too perfect to be this evil person the letter makes her out to be. I push back from the desk and make my way down stairs. The smell on arroz con pollo fills the air. My favorite food. My mom must know I won. The aroma encases me. This is a sign the letter was wrong.