Chapter 1-Leaving Home
Be-Beep. Be-Beep. Be-Beep. Tap Mmm. The ball of cloth rolled over, uncovering a teenage girl. She glanced at her alarm clock. It read 6:30. More than enough time, she thought to herself. She got out of bed and took a quick shower. (Average it out to 10 min.) She dressed in loose jeans and a baggy black T-shirt with the front reading 'Tennismy life.' And the back reading 'My lifethe boring stuff in between.' She took a book off her bookshelf and started to read.
"Alexandra Stephanie Kantaro put that book down and get down here."
Alex smiled. Her mom wasn't yelling at her. This was the same routine they went through everyday. She went downstairs into the kitchen. She grabbed a bagel and put it in the toaster oven. "Mom," she called, "Where are my books?"
Her mom appeared from the bathroom. "Um, about that honey. You're not going to Reyal anymore."
Alex's eyes widened. "What are you trying to get at mom?" she asked.
"Well," said her mom, "your dad got transferred to Japan so we're going to move there. And, um, well, because your dad will be working in a different area then where well be living and I promised the school that I would finish this school year……"
"Are you trying to say that I'm going to be living by myself, in Japan, for a year even though I'm just 15?"
"Your father and I trust you. Anyway you'll be nearby the Echizen's if anything comes up." Alex's mom went back to getting ready for work.
Meanwhile, Alex was smiling. 'Ochibi' she thought, thinking about Ryoma and all the new ways to torture him in tennis. She looked back at her mom. "So," she said, "When's my flight?"
FASTFOWARD 3 DAYS
Alex walked towards the security gate with her mom. "I'll be sending things to you periodically so I need you to get the house organized. Most of the furniture should be there when you get there"
"Kay mom."
"And don't forget to…"
"…to ask the Echizen's if I need anything, I know mom."
"Okay Hun, I'll see you next year," said her mom while giving her a hug.
"Bye mom." Alex turned around and walked to the security gate.
FASTFOWARD ½ HOUR
After a half hour on the line, Alex finally got past the security gate. She sat down at the boarding gate. I wonder if Ochibi knows I'm coming, she thought while taking out her sketchbook and CD player. Though knowing Nanjiroh, he either didn't tell him or told him in a roundabout way. Aw man. I forgot to ask mom what school he's going to. She started to sketch random things in her sketch book.15 minutes later she heard, "Passengers for flight 101 please prepare you boarding passes. Passengers for flight 101 please prepare your boarding passes." Alex put her sketchbook and CD player into her backpack and picked up her carry-on. "Flight 101 now boarding at gate 12. Flight 101 now boarding at gate 12." As she waited in line she thought,Goodbye America, hello Japan, while her eyes turned a cerulean color.
FASTFOWARD 16 HOURS
"Baggage claim for flight 101 will be at track 4. Baggage claim for flight 101 will be at track 4." Alex was waiting for the luggage to start coming through on the conveyer belt. As the luggage started to come, she saw that all her luggage was first. Must be a sign, thought Alex with a wry grin as she got her luggage. She hailed a cab and gave the directions to the house. When the cab pulled up to the house she thought, Home sweet home.