Choices~
Chapter 1
Kuki Sanban was walking down the hall of McClintock High School when she heard the first whisper of "New Kid". She had never really understood the hype about new kids. Were people really so desperate for friends? Or were their lives so boring that even something this small could spark tons of interest? Regardless, the teenage girl continued her walk to her locker, completely uninterested in the new kid.
However, she knew at least one person who lived for things like new kids. "Kuki! Have you met the new kid?" a thick Irish accent asked from the locker next to hers. "He seems just like your type. Hot, tall, irresistible."
Fanny Fulbright would no doubt be up for "Most Changed" in the yearbook. Much to the red-head's chagrin, no one had forgotten the tomboyish brat she had been as a child. But, the position of head cheerleader and most popular girl in school stopped people from ever bringing it up. Other kids were always trying to get on Fanny's good side. For whatever reason, Kuki had always been there.
The Asian smiled and shook her head at her friend. "That sounds more like your type, Fan. And, if I'm not mistaken, doesn't someone have a boyfriend? His name always slips my mind. It starts with a P, I think. Oh, Patton! That's it!" Kuki giggled.
Fanny's face turned slightly red with anger, but then she smiled at something behind Kuki. The girl turned over her shoulder to look and found the boy in question. "Hey," Fanny said, smiling.
Patton put his arm around Fanny's shoulder and smiled down at her. He wasn't like the boys she usually dated. He wasn't rich or a jerk and Kuki couldn't picture him breaking Fanny's heart. She was pretty certain he was an all around good guy. Also, Patton had been an army brat most of his life so he was happy to be somewhere long enough to make friends. Fanny gave Patton a quick kiss. "We'll see you in a little bit. OK, Kuki?"
Kuki nodded and turned in the direction of her first period class. Sometimes she was a little bit jealous of Fanny. But then she would remind herself how lucky she was to have Fanny as a friend. Ever since Mushi had died, people didn't know how to act around Kuki. Fanny and Abby had been the only people who treated her exactly the same. They were the only people Kuki ever wanted to talk about it with. Kuki took a seat in the back of her English classroom, just like every other day.
Mrs. Ryder was the oldest teacher in the district and she could barely even walk. Kuki loved English, but she couldn't stand Mrs. Ryder's croaky old voice butchering the language. "OK, class, today we have a new student joining us."
Kuki closed her eyes and cringed slightly before actually understanding the words. The only thing worse than a new kid was a new kid in your class. All of a sudden, a tall, blonde boy was taking the seat next to Kuki. "I'm certain Kuki will help you around the school today," Mrs. Ryder added.
Numbly, Kuki nodded her head. This boy was so familiar. With that awful bowl haircut that for some reason suited him and those heavy lidded blue eyes and the athletic build. This boy was Fanny's type, through and through, but there was something about him that made Kuki internally scream, mine!
The boy leaned towards her. "Wally," he said.
Randomly, she blushed. "Kuki," she replied. There was really no denying it; Wally was attractive. Kuki flipped open her notebook, uncapped her pen, and paid extremely close attention for the remainder of class. Wally did the same, pulling his pen out of his jeans' pocket.
For Kuki, the class passed much too quickly because she didn't really want to talk to Wally again. It was too much for the girl to handle, how familiar he seemed, how he could make her blush, and how Fanny was more than right. When the bell rang, Kuki began putting her notebook and pen back in her purse.
"Hey, uh, Kuki? I have this class next and…well, do you know anything about the game plan? It's next on my schedule and my counselor said something about the basketball team and cheerleaders meeting to talk about plays?" Of course, he played basketball. Of course. And, Kuki hadn't noticed earlier, but he had a majorly thick (and majorly sexy) Australian accent.
Acting as though her shoes were highly interesting, Kuki muttered, "Yeah, I can take you there. I've got that next too."
Wally smiled. "Thanks."
The pair began walking down the hallway together. "You've got it right," Kuki explained. "It's basically our form of gym, I guess you'd say, which all the cheerleaders like because we just pass notes the whole time and never have to do physical activity."
Wally had a nice laugh, Kuki noted as the pair wound through the halls of the school. As they got closer to the Game Plan classroom, a tiny room near the gym, Kuki could tell that Fanny was waiting for her just outside, the girl's fire red hair a dead giveaway, wrapped not-so -appropriately around Patton. There were very few things Fanny loved more than showing off what she had, whether it was a boy or a purse or her car. This often made it hard for desperate and jealous girls to be friends with her, but since Kuki was neither, it never became a problem. The Asian girl lightly cleared her throat. "This is Wally," she said.
Patton pushed Fanny aside, earning a pout and foot stomp from the girl. "You're the new kid, right?" Patton asked, sizing Wally up. They were about the same height and build. "You play basketball?"
Wally nodded. "You're Patton, right? Star player?"
Kuki could swear that Patton's chest puffed up at the words. "Bet on it. I play forward. You?"
"Point guard," Wally replied.
Patton relaxed as soon as he realized his spot was not in danger. "Well, c'mon man, I'll introduce you to the guys."
The two tall boys walked into the room, leaving Kuki and Fanny standing alone in the hall. Fanny had an annoyingly expectant look on her face. "Well…" she smiled.
Kuki rolled her light grey eyes. "So you were right. He seems really nice and he asked me to walk him here. He's in Ryder's class with me. Just, we'll see, Fan. We'll see."
Despite Kuki's indefinite answer, Fanny smiled with accomplishment and the friends entered their classroom. Game Plan was completely irrelevant for the cheerleaders. On occasion, they would vote on music or what pyramid they should perform, but the majority of the period was spent gossiping, passing notes, and checking out the basketball players. "I got a new pen," Fanny told Kuki, sticking a piece of Juicy Fruit into her mouth. "It writes pink. I think I'll use it."
The redhead slid into her seat in the back row, crossing one freckled leg over the other. Kuki took her usually spot on one of Fanny's sides, while Patton took his on the other. The Asian girl couldn't help but notice how seriously Wally was taking Mrs. Ryder's words as he stretched out at the desk next to her. However, this fact almost made her smile.
The first note of the day was placed on Kuki's desk shortly after the bell.
Hey, you don't really seem like the cheerleading type. You seem more like an artist. What's up with that? From, Wally
Kuki looked like a cheerleader. She was petite and Fanny always told her she was cute. But Wally was right in saying she didn't seem like a cheerleader. Following Mushi's death, Kuki had changed a lot. She certainly was no longer the happy-go-lucky girl she once was. Plus, the charcoal covered fingers would give her away eventually.
Kuki glanced over to Coach Smith, who was drawing a diagram, before replying.
I guess I'm both? It's a little complicated, but my best friend made me join the team with her and I kind of fell in love with it. -Kuki.
Kuki slipped the note into Wally's out stretched hand before opening a horribly crumpled one from Fanny.
Hey Honey, what's up with you and new kid? Anything good? Don't you just love when I'm right? I do too! The new pen is nice, huh? Love, Fanny
Fanny waved the new pen around in the air obnoxiously and Kuki grinned. She quickly sprawled a reply to Fanny.
It's so cute, Fan. And NOTHING is going on between me and Wally. He seems nice and he's hot, but I don't think he'll get my art thing. Not many people do. –Kooks
As soon as the note reached Fanny's fingers, one from Wally was flicked across Kuki's desk.
Sure, but is it legal? –Wally
Kuki looked up from the note and smiled at the blonde boy. He smiled back and Kuki could feel a blush climbing up her cheeks. Coach Smith glared at the two students.
I'm sure he'll get it, sweetie. I do and he totally seems like your type. Anyway, Smith seems pissed so I'm going to pretend to pay attention now. Luuurve, Fanny
Kuki crumpled Fanny's note up and shoved it in her purse; causing her to miss the note the Wally had sent flying in her direction. The piece of paper fluttered to the ground and the raven-haired teen leaned over to grab it, but the basketball coach beat her to it. "I think I might have to read this, Miss Sanban," Coach Smith began, carefully and slowly unfolding the creases. "Hey Kuki, I was wondering, maybe we could go out sometime? From Wally. Touching, Mr. Beatles. And a great first impression on your team. But, if Miss Sanban says yes, you'll be her first boyfriend," he let the note flutter back to the ground, "since her sister died, at least."
A/N: So a little slow for the start, but trust me, there is a twist coming that NO ONE will expect. Because I am just that sneaky. This will probably end up between Familiar and In the Throes writing-wise. And, don't worry, the fact that Wally used to live in the area will come up and all our other friends will make appearances. (Even Rachel, Steph). Lastly, I hate the title, any ideas will be considered.