-Six Years Ago-
Moving was a scary thing, from one house to another. The transition was at times unsettling. But soon it didn't take time to adjust. Especially if moving was still in the same place. A few blocks away a couple of streets, heck even just a city over. It never was that bad, one could still maintain their relationships with others. Still attend the same school and enjoy outings and events. So it never really felt scary. Not in the least. That is unless, one moves completely away. Not just two cities away. No.
A whole country away. Leaving everything and everyone behind. No more meeting up at the regular spots. Still being able to see the other on the weekend. Make plans. None of that.
Moving to a new country was far the scariest. Everything was new. Everything changed. New faces. New places. Just new everything. It was one of the most scariest things in the world. Especially for a child. It felt like being ripped from everything they loved and forced to adjust into a place. Feeling like an unwanted piece of a puzzle. No a lost piece of a puzzle or even worse an extra one that had no place at all. Being left out.
Alone. Afraid. Scared. Timid.
When a child is forced to move away, they don't have a say in anything. The adult, their parent or parents where the ones who made that decision. Most of the time, some parents don't think about how moving away can effect a child. Their personality changes in an the opposite. Ones that were bright, friendly and welcoming becoming withdrawn, hidden, timid, scared. Everything opposite of their real selves. Tears came easily to them, feeling like the world is judging them. All eyes stare at them with judgement and misconceptions. Labeling them without a second thought of their feelings.
Feeling like an outcast, watching the waves of others drift by. Not even giving a single glance over to them. Allowing something dark to begin to fester inside them. Wishing deeply to return back home, but this was now their new home. What choice did they have? Running away wouldn't do anything. Or at least they thought it would. It was better than having to deal with this. So much pressure upon someone so little. And to make it worse, being the youngest with peers a year older than themselves.
Wishing to be invisible, but it never seem to come. No matter how hard they tired. The only solance they seem to have, was returning back home. To their father and older sister. To their new home, here in Iwatobi Town.
A place completely different from New York, America.
Only ten, when you, May O'Neil moved here with your older sister April O'Neil and single father Kirby O'Neil, who decided to take a job offer. It happened so suddenly, one minute you where in New York City, next thing you came here. This was such a shift for you, you didn't know how to deal with any of it. All yours and April's friends left behind in New York.
The Hamato family. Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo and their older sister Karai. Their father Yoshi Hamato. And another dear friend. Casey Jones. All of them left back home. They couldn't come and move with you and your family. It wasn't fair.
Though only a child, you didn't want to move. Preferred to remain back with all your friends, whom you and April grew up with. Since day one, well actually since preschool. That's how it all started, now you had to do all again. At...
Iwatobi Elementary School.
The school you now attended, while April attended the Middle school. She was a two years older than you. Unlike back in America, you both would have at least been in the same school. Not separated like this. And to make it worse, you weren't put in the grade for your age. No. You were moved up a grade because of your advance abilities. Your intelligence for someone your age. A bright little girl you were. So it only seem right, the test scores pretty proved it. Like you thought, at least back in America, were you still skipped a grade, you were still with April. Not separated from her.
It felt strange being away from her, not knowing she wasn't coming to pick you up from your class before lunch. A new country. New town. New school and now a new experience.
This was just too over simulating for you, that didn't know what to do. Your golden-yellow eyes began to puff up and well up with tears. Trying your best to not let them shed, remembering what April told you.
'Things would be okay. Just smile.'
But how could you be okay? All this was just...just too much. All the eyes in the classroom looking at you, no doubt their eyes judging you. You could see their whispers and mummers. They thought of you as a freak. Gripped with fear, you stood there so small, trembling like a leaf. Gripping the single strap across your chest of your pack tightly. Your pink bangs cover your eyes, but the tears started to come. Now all eyes really paid attention.
The teacher in the room, noticed your tears and tires to comfort you. Seeing the distress, she in her calmest voice tries to get you to relax. Just asking you to say your name at least, even though it was written on the board behind you. But, you just couldn't. All you could was stand there a cry, the room in a hush. A table in the back three pair of eyes watch you. Feeling rather bad for the mild dark pink hair girl. Not even ten minutes passed when she enter their room and for her to cry.
She was so small. Compared the rest in the room, it was clear she wasn't their age, at least a year younger. Her hair that had natural soft waves, was down with a simple lavender hairband with white pokadots. Dressed in soft lavender blouse with a cute jean skirt, and lavender flats. She had one strap back pack. The color she wore completed her bronze skin complexion. Her name, May O'Neil. She just moved here to Japan, to the town from America. New York City. About two months ago. That was the only information they had on her, or what was on the board about her and what their teacher said when she introduced the frighten, nervous girl. Who balling her eyes out.
No one could imagine how she must be feeling right now. Scared to death about everything. The way her eyes looked at everyone when she entered. Watching their teacher trying to calm her down, others in the class begin to mummer about her. Pointing and whispering. It was hard to make out what some where saying.
"Poor girl."Makoto said, feeling bad. He turns to two of his friends and classmates."I can't imagine what she's going through right now." He looks back at May, the teacher had managed to calm her down and lead her over to her desk. She took her seat, her head hung low, back to his table.
Watching her trying to wipe away her tears. Those at her table seem unsure what to say to her, so they left her alone.
With no one saying anything to comfort you, you felt alone and alienated. You just wanted to disappear.
School ended, just like everyday the last few weeks and like always every student couldn't wait to leave. Some walking home with their friends. Others being picked up by someone. Everyone had someone. Well, almost everyone did. Noticing the new girl sitting alone starting at what seem like a photo in her hands. Her eyes still a bit red and puffy from crying. Noticing the way her eyes looked deeply at something. Grieving it seem or something close. Tears begin to slowly form.
A few tears fell from your eyes into your open silver locket you held open, it was picture you had taken with all your friends back home. The last 4th of July, spent with them. All of you, so happy. You where eight going on nine. The locket was a good-bye present for you, your friends got for you. One you cherished. The picture made you smile, then caused you to cry. You missed your friends so much. So very. School wasn't good at all. Not at all, no friends. No one wanted to talk with you. All you heard where mummers. It hurt. Shutting your eyes to stop your tears, a bad thing to do. As your fears of today came. The faces.
"Hello."
A voice says. Your eyes shoot open wide, shocked and scared. Looking up to find three boys standing in front of you, looking at you. They looked rather familiar. Each of them had different hair and eye color. The one in the center, the tallest. With short, olive brown hair and droopy green eyes. Giving you a kind and friendly smile. On his right a boy shorter than him with short, straight black hair and blues, with a rather serious expression on his face. He didn't look very friendly, the way his eyes just looked right at you, either rather annoyed or board. To the left, the other boy had semi-long, maroon colored hair, red eyes and seem like sharp teeth. He gave you smile. A rather big one, not to big. He seem rather happy. Their presence made you nervous.
First because, no had talked to you all day and second, the way they surrounded you. You didn't know what to do or say. Noticing the look on your face, Makoto realized how this seem.
"Sorry."he apologizes to you."My name is Makoto Tachibana. We're in the same class. This two with are also in your class, on my right is Haruka Nanase."He gestures to the boy with the black hair. Who just kept staring at you. He gives you a semi-wave. His way of saying hi."Yeah. Anyway,"Makoto turns to the maroon haired boy."This is Ri-"
"Hi. I'm Rin Matsuoka."he said rather proud."It's nice to meet you. You're from America, right?"
You slowly nod your head. Looking away nervously, using your picture to cover half your mouth."...Y-Yes."Your eyes look away from them, then back."I...I know who you guys are. My name is...is May. May O'Neil."you nod your head politely to them."Hello..."
"Hello, May."Makato says your name in the most kind way."Welcome."
"Yeah. Welcome."Rin joins. He then suddenly takes a set next to you. Much to your surprise."What you got there?"He points to your locket. Hesitant at first to show them, but you do.
They look at the photo. It was easy to tell those in the picture were your old friends. And your life back in America."Are those your friends?"Makato points. You nod your head, showing he was right. He smiles."They look really nice. And you seem happy."
"Yeah. Look at you smile."Rin points to you. Then looks to you. Smiling. Which made you look away."Hey? Are you okay?"Not saying anything, he assumed he said something wrong."Hey. I'm sorry. I didn't-"he looks to the other two. Not sure what to do.
Makato was about to say something, but Haru does."Hey. How old are you?"
That question brought your attention back, though Makoto and Rin couldn't believe what he just did. They were trying ease a talk with you, while Haru didn't. You look at him, his eyes stare back, awaiting your answer."Well? How old are you? You seem rather young to be in our grade." This time he steps closer, nearly towering over you.
"H-Haru."Makato calls to him.
"Dude."Rin tries to shush him.
For some reason the way Haru looked away, made you not look away."I'm ten."you tell him."I'm only ten."
"What!?"Makato and Rin where shocked."Only ten!"
You nod your head."Yes. I'm in your class, because...well because of my test scores. I'm a year under my older sister, she's in middle school right now."
"You're sister?"Rin asked.
"Yes. My older sister, she's two years older than me. But I'm just a year behind her in school."a faint blush started to appear on your cheeks. You stared to become a bit nervous and insecure. This wasn't like you, back at home in America, you were fine. But for some reason here felt this way.
The guys saw it."Hey, it's alright."Makato tells you."That means your pretty smart. That's cool."
"Yeah."Rin agrees."I wish you would have said that in class today. That's so interesting. You're only ten and we're eleven. Already a grade ahead others, how cool."He praises you."Kind of wish I had your brains. What else is there about you?"he leans in closer, eager to know. There was barely any space between the two of you.
"Yeah, I want to know."Makato takes a seat on your other side, while Haru just stood.
Looking at each of them. This-you weren't expecting this at all. The look in their eyes told you what they said was genuine. Even Haru's though it was rather hard to read. The intriguing lingering in their eyes. Their friendly and welcoming smiles, minus Haru. Made you look back down at your picture, tears begin to well up. Some begin to fall, which concerned them. Surely this was not what they attended to do. They simply came over to welcome you, as no one else in the school or class did. They saw you sitting alone during recess. Away from others, trying to hide or just simply being ignored.
The lingering look in your eyes, wishing someone would come up to you. Welcome you. Offer you a friendly smile. They noticed you slowly seemingly withering away. They saw the struggle of whether or not you should say something, do something. Timid or scared, you just sat away, under a tree. Alone. Looking at your locket. Even during lunch you sat by yourself, a few times they had seen you cry. Tears that seem to be a mixer of so much. Frustration. Sadness. Isolation. Confusion. They would see them, they felt rather bad for you. Especially one of them, knowing that feeling of being new, though unlike you. They didn't mind, then again they didn't move from a new country from a another one. But, they still could sympathize with you to some extent. So they decided after noticing how you would sit and wait alone after school, would go up to you and extend a hand of friendship.
Now, they weren't sure really if it was the right thing to do. The tears that came now, they weren't sure what to make of them. Unsure and scared they might have done something wrong, look at one another, seeing if the other knew what to do. But, neither knew. Trying to think of some sort of comforting words to say to you, none came at the right moment.
Using your arm to wipe your tears away when you hear a familiar voice calling for you.
"May! May!"
You hear your sister. The boys heard it too. It was getting closer and closer, all eyes turn to the entrance gates of the school. A preteen girl enters, she had short orange hair in a ponytail, fair skin, blue eyes. Dressed in yellow tank top with a white long sleeve shirt, jean shorts and tennis shoes. She looked a year older than them, twelve was her age. Her body was beginning to develop. Panting just a bit, her eyes quickly look around the grounds for someone. They stop on them and focus on you.
"May!"she races to you, they move out the way. Letting her reach you.
"Who is she?"Rin whispers to Makoto in hopes he would know. But he was just as lost.
"Hey!?"she turns around yelling at them. Frighting them, the furious look she had in her eyes."What did you do to make my sister cry?"she points an accusing finger at them, her tone threatening. What made it worse, her fist being balled up. Stepping to them, Makoto shrieks. Rin trying to explain, with Haru praying. With not answer, she made up her own."How dare you make my sister cry..."she growls."No one makes her cry!"About to release her fist, to be stopped.
"Sister!"you spring up from your spot just in time, putting yourself between your sister and the boys. Shocking both parties. Your sister looks you rather confused. But slowly calms down. The boys sigh with relief."Sister, they didn't make me cry. In fact...it's the other way around."You said.
The guys still seem rather confused. Even your sister. Until, they saw through tear stained cheeks and bit of tears in the corner of your eyes. A smile. It was small, but it was there. A pure smile. One your sister hadn't seen since moving here. And the guys as well. Wiping the rest of your tears away, turning around to the others.
Your sister looks from you to the boys, then back. Seeing and understanding. Releasing her reaction towards the boys, smiling at them extending a hand of goodwill. While placing her other hand on your head affectionately.
"Please, forgive me."she apologizes."I thought you three where the ones who have been making my little sister cry."
Haru being blunt as always clearly didn't see it. The family resemblance between you two and was about to say something. Luckily though Makoto and Rin cover his mouth."No. We were just talking."Makoto tells her."May's in our class. We wanted to welcome her."
"So it seems. My names April O'Neil."April introduces herself."That's very kind of you three. Really it is. I'm glad, May has made such wonderful friends."
What she said, none of them thought of that, not even you. All four of you shocked from April's words that sealed everything. Looking to your sister who smiled, then to the guys nervous but happy. They look at your sister too, then to you.
"Yeah,"Makoto agrees, looking to Rin who smiles agreeing. Then Haru who rolls his eyes. His sign of yes. Finally back to you."We're friends."
The sound of your alarm going off woke you from your slumber and dream. A rather interesting dream really, one you hadn't had in some time. A dream that seem like a memory, a faint memory really. How long ago was that memory? You weren't sure, all you knew was that it always made you feel fuzzy inside and empty. From what you could recall from that dream, it was when you had first moved here. A couple years ago.
A day, you remember wasn't very pleasant as you would like it. But, it got better. Yeah. It did. Sitting up in your bed, turning off your alarm. Stretching and yawning, rubbing your eyes. The sun shone in your room, morning was here. Throwing your covers off, you slip into your lavender slippers and make your way to your bathroom.
Downstairs, in the kitchen your older sister April was getting breakfast ready for the day. Setting the table for two, instead of three. Dressed and ready to go for school, wearing the standard uniform for all students. Well for the females at least. Light brown skirt, a white shirt with a bow tie colored in blue. Showing her status as a Third year, dark gray blazer, socks and a pair of brown ankle boots. Her hair she grew out to her shoulders, she kept it in a low ponytail, with a fringe that she kept swept to her left. No longer in a grown body, her body having bloomed taking a mature form. A nice body and frame for someone her height of 5'4.
Looking at the clock, reading the time. There was still time before school, which started the other day. At Iwatobi High. The school she had been going to for the pass three years, since moving here from America six years ago. When she was twelve, now eighteen. The school was good, a nice fit for herself. But, that wasn't why she was smiling. She had her own reason why. Because this year was special. Very special, this year her younger sister would be coming to school with her after so long. The two of them together at the same school. The last time it was like this was, when they use to live in New York City. Excited, this was going to be the best year.
"There, all se-"her cellphone rings, going over to it on the counter reading the name. Smiling at the name, answering it."Hey, good morning...I'm doing fine. Just getting breakfast ready for May and myself...Yeah, I should be free."She giggles."I bet."
Hearing steps coming down the stairs, knowing they belonged to her younger sister. April greets her with a warm smile and wave, then returns back to her conversation on the phone. You let her talk, while you take a seat at the table. Dressed and ready for school, wearing the uniform with half calf dark brown boots, with your green colored bow tie. For second year students, being one. As you where able to skip a grade. Just like before, everything looked wonderful. April, truly has improved with her cooking. This breakfast would hold you over until lunch. Grabbing the syrup and pour it on your pancakes. Not to much, just enough. Then cut into them and start to eat.
April took a few more minutes with her call, then comes to join you. Sitting on your right."Are you ready?"
Swallowing what was in your mouth."Yes. I could barely sleep last night. It's been so long, since I've been at a school."You beam with joy."High School...scary really. But, I'm just so excited. I get to be with you."
She smiles at you, drinking her juice."Me too. You know at the school, they have a great deal of different clubs, I think you might really like."
"I know. I read about them online."you tell her."They all sound so fascinating really. All of them. I want to try them all."
"I'm sure you do. But, I have a feeling on which one or ones you might do."she tells you."By the way I have a surprise for you. For your first day."She gets up for a second and comes back with a small package wrapped up in a nice wrapping paper.
This was unexpected, she sets it down in front of you."A gift?"you pick it up. Surprised and curious on what it was. Shaking it a bit, you open it. Surprised to find a new digital camera. Stun. You were just stun, by this. Looking to April, who smiles at you."Thank you!"you spring up from your seat, nearly tackling her and knocking the food over. Luckily she managed to maintain her balance.
Chuckling. While you hugged her tightly."I'm glad you love it. I knew you would. Now you can take pictures of all the your High School memories. I know how much you love capturing moments in life."
"You're the best. I love you."you cry, smiling."Love you too."she tells you.
"Now, we better get going. School will start soon."She tells you.
"Yeah. Alright."you release her and hurry back to your seat and start to eat, while admiring your present.
Iwatobi High, the place was nice looking. What a wonderful life moment, whipping out your camera you take a picture with yourself and April. Which she didn't mind. Super happy about starting back at a public school again. It's been so long, you where in high spirits, yet nervous at the same time. This being your first day, even though school started yesterday, you missed it. So you missed the opening ceremony, that was alright. April was able to help you find your class.
So many students on this campus. Walking down hall after your sister who clearly others knew. Many saying hi and greeting April. She seem like some sort of celebrity it seem. With the amount of students who knew her, the joy you felt seem to start to fade slowly.
"Ah, here you are. Room 2-1."April stops, you look up reading the number. She turns to you."This is your homeroom, 2-1. You have the new teacher, Miss Amakata. Here is your schedule for the rest of the day."She hands it to you."I can't stay. Don't worry my home room isn't that far. It's 3-6. I'll see you during lunch. Okay?"Before you could say anything, she gives you a quick hug and hurries off. Waving by to you."Oh, remember to smile. Don't worry, everything will fine."she tells you before disappearing.
"Okay."you mumble, turning around to your homeroom. Watching students going in. That feeling came back, like before. Years ago. It felt like your heartbeat was in your throat. This pressured feeling inside, made your chest tight. No. Not again. This can't happen again. Shutting your eyes to block it out.
"Excuse me?"a feminine gentle voice calls to you. Making you open your eyes. Finding a women with shoulder-length slightly wavy brown hair. It parted down the middle, so her bangs fall on both left and right side. Her brown eyes looking at you kindly. Dressed in blue jeans, white socks and white shirt with a soft blue collar. "Are you in this class?"
Realizing you did it again, looking down at the paper April gave with your information. Then up at the room, this was the right one. 2-1. The lost look in your eyes, mixed in with nervousness. Seeing this, the woman understood. Looking at your schedule.
"Yep. You're in this class."she verifies for you. Looking over her roster."...Oh. You must be May O'Neil. The only one missing. Please, come in."
Inside homeroom, everyone waited for their teacher to return. She went outside when she noticed someone standing there.
"I wonder if everything is going okay out there?"Makoto wondered looking over at the door. He couldn't see what was going, nor could he make out what was being said outside. Barely able to see his homeroom teacher, Miss Amakata."What do you think is going on?"He turns to Haru, who clearly didn't seem to care. Classic Haru.
Makoto gets ready to say something, stopping when the teacher returns."Sorry everyone. Just had to help a student."she comes back in, with someone following her."We have a student with us today."
The person following Miss Amakata caught and shocked both Makoto and Haru. They had to do a double take at the person in front of the room. Last time they saw then, was at least three and half years ago. That mild dark pink hair, with natural soft waves. That now reached all the way to their waist, they pulled some of it back into a braid, while the rest just fell. No longer wearing their lavender poka-dot hairband. Replacing it with white tropical flower hair clip. On the side. Still wearing that silver locket around their neck. Their eyes still the same, golden-yellow. Bright, soft and gentle. Though a bit nervous, still the same though. Their bronze skin the same, a bit smoother and rich. They grew since the last time they saw them. Guessing their height to be at least 5'2 or 5'2 and half. A rather petite size. Then again, they weren't always that tall. Their body no longer a ten year old anymore. It had matured over the last few years since they last saw them. Quite noticeable, a body that was just a bit above their age.
Wearing a side back this. The luminescent blush they had, from being nervous. Watching their eyes trying hard not to shift. Scanning over the room. Swallowing hard, they expected her to cry. Seeing her head drop, her bangs draping over her eyes. Oh no. It was like before. She was going to cry.
Out of reaction they where about to do something, when her head comes back up and she had on a bright smile."Hello, everyone. My name is May O'Neil. It's a pleasure to meet you. Forgive me. I didn't mean to interrupt. I just got lost."
"That's alright."Miss Amakata tells you, directing you to your seat."Please, just a take a seat...over there. Mid row. Middle seat."
Nodding your head, you go and take your seat. Just two rows away from Makoto and Haru. Feeling eyes upon you, you turn and look over to them. Strange. They looked oddly familiar.