The steady pounding of feet on concrete echoed of the alleyway walls and I felt a bead of sweat roll down my forehead, causing my hair to cling to it, my muscles ached and my throat was dry, the only thing that was keeping me going was the wailing of sirens behind me. Making a sharp left I leaped over an aged brick fence. Using the momentum of the jump I darted down the footpath. Left. Right. Right. Left. Straight ahead. Right. I moved my way around the streets, hiding myself in the shadows whenever a police car came flying past.
A cat hissed when I accidently stepped on its tail. It swiped once then took off.
"Shit!" The feline had just managed to scratch my arm, a small line of blood oozed out of the cut. It was like a paper cut, not deadly but hurt like a mother-.
"Just keep moving!" A deep masculine voice commanded. It was Jun. taking up the rear of our three man team was Dai.
We ran towards the main road hiding in corners until we found another alley, we were coming toward a t-section when Dai tripped and slammed into a small metal trash can, the clang of metal on concrete echoed in the silence causing several dogs in the neighbourhood to go crazy, against my better judgement I came to a halt, I tried to help Dai up off the ground, "C'mon, get up! Get up!" looking up Jun was nowhere to be seen, "Shit! Dai! Hurry up we gotta go." Pulling him along we took a right, a body slammed into me forcing me to the ground, my hands were pulled behind my back, and they were cuffed.
We were both escorted to two separate cars, the drive to the police station was silent and tense, when we arrived I was taken into a small white room with just a table and two chairs, there was a dim light that flickered occasionally that was dangling from the ceiling and a one way glass taking up the whole space on one of the walls, the police officer un-cuffed me before walking out and locking the door. It was around five in the morning when one of the female officers walked in and took a seat putting a plastic square box on the table, pulling my attention away from a coffee stained wall with chipped paint and some graffiti that said, 'Die pigs, die.' I stared at her, she was fairly pretty with chestnut hair and a small lean frame, she put her hand in the box taking out a book that had my statement, or lack of a statement because I barely answered any of the questions, just my name and other little details like that.
"Yuki," She began, "it's gonna be months before this matter goes before the court, so until then you can be release to your parents." I just started at my scrapped hands, ignoring her, she signed, "Look Yuki I'm on your side, okay. I want to help you anyway that I can."
liar.
"I need you to work with me," She continued, "Can I have your mothers number?" She asked looking at her book.
"She's dead." I say evenly, a flicker of pity flashes in her eyes.
'Don't pity me…'
"And your father?" she asked.
"Not applicable," I tell her as I flick my bangs out of my eyes.
"If there is no one to take responsibility for you, you can be placed into a detention centre." I looked away from her, thinking over what she just said, "I've got a brother," she looks at me uncertainly, "An older brother, with a wife, a child, a little picket fence, a little happy family." I say grimly.
"Does he work?" She asked, writing something down.
"Yeah, he's a carpenter, he co-runs a business." I tell her irked.
"Okay give him a call, "she took out my small out-dated mobile phone out of the box and handed it to me, "Will he vouch for you?"
"Of course he would, he's my brother." I dialled in his number, placing it to my ear, I waited, he didn't answer, signing dejectedly I snapped my phone shut, "there's no answer."
she nodded her head. "Then you'll have to stay at juvenile detention, unless there is somebody else you can call." I put my phone back into my backpack when I see a crumbled up acceptance form for Ouran Academy.
"I might have a place."
To say that I was annoyed would be an understatement; I had to spend the previous night behind bars. But that wasn't what had me displeased, it was the fact that I practically had to live in my own filth, granted I've only been wearing the same cloths for two days but still it made my skin crawl, I wanted a change of cloths and a shower.
The car ride to Ouran was silent; the only sound was that of the radio, my driver, who introduced himself as Kaishi Hara, was a middle aged man with a tint of silver in his black hair, when we pulled up to the gate of the academy he looked at me, "Most people would be excited about being given the chance to attend the academy."
"Yeah, well, I'm not most people, and I haven't gotten in yet, so no point in getting all excited about it." I opened the car door and jumped out, in the distance a clock chimed, signalling the start of classes, looking up at the school I noticed that it hadn't changed at all, it was still as prestigious and grand as the first time I'd seen it, and much to my disdain still pink.
"Still, you're not the least bit excited about the possibility of attending?" he asked curiously, "After all it's one of the best schools in the country."
I remained silent, in all honesty, once, a long time ago I dreamed about nothing but attending the school, but that dream is long gone, I have to many responsibilities now, I have to look after my sister; Yuzu, her health and wellbeing is my top priority now and no school- even one of the best in Japan-no in the world is worth losing her.
The walk to the chairman's office was fairly silent, the only sound was that of our footsteps on the clear marble. Kaishi was entranced with the structure of the building and all the priceless pieces that decorated the halls; it was more like a castle than a school. We came to a stop in front of a large brownish-red oak door, Kaishi knocked twice, the sound of shoes on wood is heard from the other side of the door. The door opened to reveal the chairman, Yuzuru Suoh.
"Yuki-san, Hara-san come in." the chairman ushered us into his office with a delightful smile, walking over to his polished desk and sitting behind it.
"Take a seat." He offered, gesturing towards the two seats opposite of him.
"Yuki," he began, looking in my direction, "There has been a lot of discussion between myself and the school board on whether or not we should allow you back into our halls, and with how your current status with the law will look on the school's reputation-"
"I understand why you'll be hesitant Suoh-sama, Yuki's reputation might be less than admirable but she's a child, give her a chance to redeem herself." Kaishi cut in, "Don't destroy her future because of the mistakes she's made."
I was shocked to say the least; a man I've only met just less than forty-eight hours ago was so willing to stick up for me, it was touching and almost foolish on his part, he doesn't know me, he doesn't know the full extent of what I've done, he doesn't know how many times I've broken the law, for all I know he could think that I'm a first time offender, not that I'm going to tell him anything, I could get months maybe even years for what I've been caught doing, there's no way I'm admitting to others crimes I've had a hand in.
"Hara-san please let me finish," Yuzuru interrupted, "As I was saying, yes your reputation is less than ideal, however your mark on the entrance exam was brilliant, you got the highest score in the last thirty years, so I'm happy to say that this coming Monday you will be attending Ouran Academy."
I was gob smacked, well and truly gob smacked. They were letting me attend the academy, "thank you, Suoh-sama." I said, bowing my head appreciating.
"I look forward to seeing you at the start of the week, your timetable and books will be ready for you Monday." He explained standing up, extending his hand out to Kaishi, they shook hands firmly before letting go, the chainman extended his hand to me, my grip on Suoh-Sama's hand was a lot floppier than Kaishi's, "I have a meeting in a few minutes, I'm sorry that this has been brief but if you have any questions feel free to call the school." He said ushering us out.
"It's no problem at all," Kaishi said considerately, "It was a pleasure meeting you." They shook hands one more time.
When we were out of the school groups and in front of Kaishi's car he looked at me, "I'll give you a lift home."
I didn't really consider my small little one bedroom apart home, but I couldn't be bothered correcting him, obviously I didn't always live on my own, no, in the good old days when mum was still alive and dad was a loyal husband, we lived in a decent house with five bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a spacious kitchen and dinning area, after mum died, Yuzu and I moved in with our brother Hayate and his wife Elizabeth. However five months after we had moved in Yuzu was diagnosed with what mother had…
Hayate and I started fighting more, we could never agree one anything, he hated that I started stealing and demanded that I stopped, but, how could I? Yuzu needed treatment and Hayate wasn't bringing in enough money to keep food on the table and pay for Yuzu's treatment. So I left, it was easier that way, I could keep doing what I was doing and Hayate stayed out of my hair.
Kaishi had just pulled onto the main road when I finally cracked. The silence was too much.
"Why did you do it?" I demanded.
Kaishi looked mildly surprised not expecting my outburst, "Your being a little vague Yuki, mind helping me out and tell me what I did?" he asked not taking his eyes off the road.
"Defend me, why did you defend me when you know nothing about me?" I asked annoyed, crossing my arms.
"I might not know everything about you but I know you're not a bad person." He said making a left.
"And how do you know that? We've only known each other for like what eighty-four hours? That's hardly enough time do decide whether I'm a good person or not?" I asked difficultly pressing the matter on.
"Yuki, look, the ally that you and Dai were found in had video cameras there, I saw you." He said casting a look in my direction before looking back at the road.
"You saw me what? Running like a criminal?" I asked sourly looking out my window.
"No, I saw you go back for the kid, you could have kept running- like the other guy you might have even gotten away, but you stayed and helped a friend, that says a lot about you." He said admiring.
I looked at him, my eyes wide with surprise, I opened my mouth to say something, but closed it, the vehicle came to a stop in front of my apartment, he put his car in park and looked at me.
"Good luck on Monday," he told me smiling, I opened up the door and jumped out, "Oh and Yuki, please stay out of trouble, oh and if you ever need anything feel free to call." He handed over a piece of paper with his number on it, written in his neat script.
"I'll try." I said before closing the door, Kaishi waved me goodbye before driving off.
I stood there watching his taillights until they disappeared, sighing I looked up at my lonesome apartment, forcing my legs forward I slowly walked up the steps, sticking my key into the lock and turning it until I heard a click. Walking in I shut the door behind me and locked it.
I made my way into my small bathroom. I drew myself a bath while waiting for the tub to fill I stripped off my cloths. Turning off the water taps I put my hand in to test the water, it was hot, just the way I liked it. I lowered myself into the tub; I relaxed as the hot water worked on my tense muscles. I dunked my head underwater; I held my breath for as long as I could. When I came back up for air, I squeezed some shampoo onto my palm and massaged it into my scalp. I picked up my bar of soap off the edge of the tub and my bright red loofah sponge. I scrubbed every inch of skin until I was bright pink.
When I had finished, I stood up and grabbed a white fluffy towel of the rack on the wall next to the sink. Once I had dried myself and towel dried my short purple hair I threw my towel into the hamper and slid on my white robe.
I walked into my bedroom and collapsed onto my bed; to tired to put on cloths I stared at the ceiling.
"Yuzu I'm sorry." I mumbled, before turning over.