Disclaimer: I do not own the show or the characters
Authors Note: This is my new story and please tell me what you think. It's mainly Sorato some Takari, Kenlei and Koumi in the chapters to come. I just want to say that the name of the school in this story wasn't my idea it was someone else's. I don't know where he got it, but I think it was from a movie. Please read an review afterwards and tell me what you think.
Moving to South Harmond High
Hi, my name's Sora I come from Japan and I used to study in Odaiba High with all of my friends. Although this time I moved here in America to study at this school called South Harmond High. You see this was a really tough decision for me, if I moved here it would mean leaving all of my friends in Japan and I'd have to adapt here all over again. But there was someone that made me want to move here too…Tai.
You see, Taichi Yagami or Tai as we'd prefer to call him was my best friend since we were little. The thing is he moved to the states about four years ago and we haven't seen him since. Now I got this scholarship saying that I could enroll in South Harmond and at first I already told myself that I wouldn't go, but when I heard that there was this big chance Tai studied there…that's were the decision began.
Let me tell you how it happened exactly…it was about a week ago when I got the scholarship and summer break was just around the corner for Odaiba…
Flashback….
"Sora I see that you're here." I was shocked when the principle called me to her office that day. Thinking that I did something wrong I asked, "Ma'am is there a problem?" "Oh heavens no Sora, It's quite the other way around." She replied
"What do you mean?" I asked again not getting where this is all going
"Well one of the schools in America is offering you a scholarship, they've seen your grades and it was better than what they have expected out of you. The school is called South Harmond High." When she told me that I didn't know what to think.
First off, I just got accepted in a school in America, then now they're letting me making a decision weather to leave or to stay here in Odaiba. Now as I thought of this the only reply I could think of was "Oh…I'll think about it, it's a hard decision for me."
"I know it is Sora, but opportunities like this don't come everyday. South Harmond High has one of the most amazing educators in America, not to mention that the school itself is something to be proud about. Students from here rarely get accepted in that school so I hope that you think it over properly." It looked to me like this school was really something…but still…
"I'll see and think about it ma'am thank you." We talked about a few more details about the scholarship and then I decided to leave. I bowed and said my goodbyes to the principal. Now I had a lot to think about…
I went to go to my best friend Mimi's house and talk to her about it. When she heard that it was important she immediately called all my other friends to have the talk with me.
"So Sor…what's this all about?" one of my friends Davis Mitonomiya asked
"Listen guys…you remember when I was called to the principals office today before I could leave school?" I asked them and I saw them nod in reply "Well it seems like all that studying I've been doing just paid off, she told me that I got a scholarship form one of the schools in America…South Harmond High…"
As my voice trailed off into silence I saw my friends all stare at me wide eyed. Soon the room we were in was erupted by a loud yell "WHAAAATTTT???????"
"But Sor no you can't do this! You can't move and leave us too!" called Mimi as she stared at me
"Yeah Sor, I mean after everything we've been through you can't just go away. Besides it's almost summer vacation! If you move there wouldn't you have to study immediately?" asked Davis
"Yeah considering the way they do things in the states it's pretty different. Once we have vacation here they're starting school there." Agreed one of my other friends Cody Hida
"True…but Sora I do want to inform you something." Said Ken Ichijouji, he was like on of the geniuses in the group aside from Koushiro Izumi, Mimi's boyfriend
"What is it Ken? Something on your mind?" As I asked him this he nodded
"Well, you see…South Harmond High is a school with very high standards. It's one of the most prestigious schools there." As Ken told me this, I couldn't help but think that this school was for rich kids
"That's quite true Sora, you're lucky to have been accepted there." Replied Koushiro "The only student I remember getting accepted was Jou's brother, Jim Kido." Koushiro was right about that. Jim was the only person we knew that got accepted in that school before. The Kido family is a family of medics and my friend Jou was no exception.
"I know, but it's hard for me. I'm making a hard choice here. I mean, it's between you guys or a new school. If I move then I'll be spending junior and senior year there." I told them this truthfully. It really is a hard decision to make. An opportunity like this might never come again. I thought that my decision would be final that I wouldn't leave my friends behind but I was proven wrong. As all of us were silent Hikari Yagami or Kari for short spoke.
"Sora…Tai studies there…" this was unexpected. Kari being Tai's little sister had the closest ties to him. But ever since he moved, we rarely heard from Tai. All of us were shocked to hear that Tai studied there and soon my friend Yolei Inoue asked, "Kari, have you kept in contact with Tai this whole time?"
"No, not really. I just heard from mom and dad. My grandparents sent him to study there for high school to get a good education. They said hat they might send me there too someday, but I haven't kept in contact with Tai just like you guys." We knew Kari was telling the truth. She missed her big brother, it's been so long since we've last heard from him until soon we just lost touch. Tai was like our leader in our group when he was still here so the first few years when he was gone was like a total nightmare for all of us, especially Kari. Now I didn't know what to do. I could go and see Tai again, but I have to leave out everything I have here.
A few days after that I went to the principal's office again, and this time it was to talk to her about my decision whether to take the offer or not, I knocked on the door and went inside. Then as I went in, she already knew why I was there.
"Sora, have you made your decision?" she asked me this and I nodded
"I know this is going to be tough for me and it might take a whole lot of work to stay there…but after all the thinking I've decided to go and give it a shot." I replied and I saw her smile
"That's good to hear Sora, I'm sure you'll do fine. You're a gifted student and I'm pretty sure that you'll be able to adjust quickly." As she told me this she handed me the forms and different papers that I needed to fill up to enter the school. I stood the skimming the files one by one and it made me think back on the decision I'm making. "Well, if I get to see Tai again maybe I'll be able to find out what's happening to him and why he hasn't kept in contact with all of us…even Kari."
When I decided that I would actually go to this new school, I also went to talk it out with the others. My friends had the right to know about my decision. I went to see the others after I got the forms that I needed to fill out for the transfer.
"So you're seriously leaving us behind? The same way that Tai did years back…." Mimi told me this in a sad tone and I could see that she just doesn't want to loose touch when I get there.
"It's going to be fine Meems, I promise you that I'll keep in touch. Don't you worry about it. I will keep in contact with you as much as I can, you have my word." I smiled at her and she smiled back and gave me a hug.
"I trust you Sor, I just don't want one of us to just disappear again just like the last time." As we were having our moment the others came in and as they saw what was happening they knew I've made my choice.
"I see…so it's true. You'll be leaving in a few days then?" asked Jou as he looked at me and I nodded. He gave me smile and spoke again "We figured that. So now we arranged for someone to give you a little tour when you get there."
"What do you guys mean by that?" I asked with a confused look
Jou smiled at me and then he replied "I called Jim and told him to pick you up at the airport and bring you to your dorm .He even offered to give you a tour on the place."
"That's really nice of him, thanks Jou. But…how do you know when I'd be arriving there anyway?" I asked
"Well we talked to your mom before we came here and she filled us in on some of the details. She also told us that you were moving to a dorm there, seems like she's worried about you living alone." Said Jou
"Yeah she is, anyway I'll be packing and leaving two days from now. I just hope that I meet up that schools expectations and luckily find Tai." I saw their smiles fade and the room became silent. I knew that it was because of Tai, since he's left us things have been pretty different and nothing's been the same.
"Guys don't worry; once I find him I'll talk to him and find out why he lost contact with the rest of us." They looked at me and smiled and Mimi spoke "You better teach that boy a thing or two about keeping in touch with his friends, especially if they miss him really bad right now."
I nodded at what Mimi had said and we all had laughs. We only have two more days to spend together before I leave and we were making the most of it.
The day that I was taken to the airport came a whole lot quicker than we had expected. My mom drove me there with the others in tow and as I went in the boarding call for my plane soon came. Mimi went over to me and enveloped me in a deep hug. "I'm so going to miss you a whole lot Sor. Remember what you promised me, you'll keep in touch right?"
"Of course, I gave you my word didn't I? Trust me Meems I will keep in touch and I'll call or e-mail you as soon as I get there." I told her as I hugged her back
I went and hugged all of my friends one by one and they all bid me their goodbyes. Then I went over to hug Kari and she spoke "Sora, once you find Tai can you tell him that I miss him and that I love him?"
I smiled at what Kari said and spoke "I'll do just that when I see him." She muttered a thank you to me and I went over to hug my mom
"Oh Sora, are you sure that you want to do this? I'm worried about you, are you sure you can live on your own?" my mom Toshiko asked, her voice was filled with worry and uncertainty of letting me leave.
"Don't worry mom I'll be fine I promise. I'll call you when I get there." I gave her a hug and soon I had to beard the plane as I was headed for the plane I heard Mimi yell "Don't worry Sora, you never know, we might even come and visit you this summer!"
I smiled and I called back to her and said "I'll be looking forward to your visit then!" and with that I boarded the plane as I saw my friends waving at me and I couldn't help but let silent tears flow down my eyes. I was so going to miss my friends and that was something I could never deny. The first few days in the states will take a lot of getting used to that was for sure…
End Flashback
Now back to me. Here I am in the airport, I wasn't paying much attention to what was happening because just as I got off the plane and got outside the airport I already felt like this was nothing like home. It was so different and new that it needed a lot of getting used to.
Just as I was in my own deep thoughts, someone's voice, a familiar one at that, interrupted me "Sora! I'm glad to see you again!"
I turned around and saw Jim, Jou's older brother headed my way. I smiled at him and gave him a big hug "Jim, it's been a while hasn't it? Thanks for picking me up here at the airport. I do hope that I didn't cause you any trouble."
"Oh no, it was no trouble at all, Jou called me about fetching you in advance so there's no trouble about it at all." He told me this and I remembered that Jou told me that he had called Jim in advance
Jim helped me with my stuff and we headed to my apartment. As I saw the sights as we drove there by car I was getting used to all the huge buildings and such but guess that you couldn't expect any less from the states. Soon I saw a huge school building about twice or was it thrice as big as Odaiba High. Next to the school building, I saw another building near it. Jim drove to the nearby building and he helped me carry my stuff out of his car.
"Here's the dorm building. I'm sure you got the room number and room key when you sent the acceptance letter to the school." Jim looked at me and I pulled out the folder with all the files and looked for the paper with the room number and room key.
"The school principal was the one that sent the acceptance letter and she just gave me the room key afterwards. So yes, I have the key with me." I gave Jou the paper and he looked at the room number and led me to my dorm room.
I got to the dorm room and I used the key to open the door. Jim helped me carry my stuff inside the room. "Alright Sora, I have to leave you here to unpack and get settled in. If you have time maybe you could go and take a look around and get to socialize with others. You don't start school until tomorrow right?" he asked me
"Yeah, thanks for all the help I appreciate it. If there's anything that I can do for you in return you can always tell me so I could help." I said with a smile
"It's fine, I was glad that I could help. If you need anything else you know where to find me." He said with a smile. I nodded knowing that I could either find him in the address that Jou handed to me or in their hospital here in the states. Since Jou's family specializes in medicine, they already have a hospital here in the states.
"Thanks again Jim." I thanked him for one last time before he said his goodbye's and left me to do my packing
I looked around at the room and it was pretty big, not your average room. "Well I guess this comes with being in a high standard school I the states. I just hope the people here are friendly." I started to unpack my things and soon I was done and the place was well arranged.
I sighed I looked around the room once again and found that I had nothing better to do than take Jim's advice and go take a look around. I walked out of my room. Closed the door and locked it.
I had already walked two floors down from my room. I was still thinking of my friends back in Japan. I was also thinking of calling Meems later tonight, just as I had promised. "Unlike the others who are having summer vacation I have to start another year of school tomorrow…*sigh* I wonder if I can find Tai…if I can really see my best friend again…that would be nice, seeing him after all these years…"
As I was walking down the halls of the dorm building and too busy in my own thoughts that I didn't notice another person approaching me. So as a result, we bumped into each other.
"Ouch." Was my first reaction as I fell on the ground.
"Hey are you alright?" asked the person that I bumped into. His voice made it obvious that this person…was a guy. Looks like I reached the part of the building with the male dorm rooms.
I looked up and saw him extend his hand to help me get up. After I got up he spoke again "Sorry about that, I guess I wasn't looking."
"No it's okay, I should be the one to apologize. I'm sorry for bumping into you like that." I bowed apologetically
I heard him laugh a bit at my sudden gesture. I looked at him confused and he spoke "No need to be so formal. Accidents happen right? Anyway, I haven't seen you around here before…are you a transfer student or something?"
"Yeah, something like that. I come from Japan and I studied in Odaiba High…" He looked at me and smiled "Odaiba High huh…I see. So that would have to mean you're some kind of exchange student or scholar right?"
I nodded in reply and he asked "Okay then…what's your name?"
"Um…Sora…Sora Takenouchi." I replied and asked "And you are?"
"It's Akira…just call me Akira…" as he mentioned his name, my eyes went wide. Akira, that name was familiar as if I've heard it before, so I asked "Akira…one of the members of the Teen Age Wolves?"
As I asked he looked at me and put a hand on the back of his head and spoke "Um…yeah…so you noticed huh…"
I nodded again and it looked to me like he was afraid of something so I asked "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, it's just that…it's hard to meet a girl that doesn't go and scream at your ear when they see you. My friends and I have had it hard, even at school." He said this and looked at me and asked "You aren't going to do that are you Sora?"
His comment made me laugh and I spoke "No, knowing that it'd be uncomfortable for your case. It's just that…my friends know a lot about you and your band members and I was shocked to find you here and bump into you."
I saw Akira smile at me and sighed in relief "I see…that's nice to hear. If Takashi were here, he'd call you normal. He refers to most of the obsessed fans as weird. We're having some trouble avoiding fans. Most of the people we meet want to be friends with us because of fame and stuff like that so it's hard for us to choose even friends."
"I understand, it must be hard but I'm sure you guys would be okay." I returned the smile and he spoke "Thanks, it's nice to find someone who isn't a crazed fan. It's not that having fans is a bad thing, but sometimes they go overboard."
I looked at Akira and I was happy to have bumped into him "At least the first person I met was nice. I hope things go well and I gain some new friends here."
"So Sora you want to hang out with me and my friends some time? When do you start school? Maybe we can give you the grand tour or something." He told me and I smiled and replied "Well I start school here tomorrow and thank you for the offer. I'd be happy to get to know you and you're friends. It's quite hard to adjust when you're the new girl, especially since all of my friends are in Odaiba" "Well with the exception of Tai…"
"That's great. So I'll see you in school tomorrow then?" he asked
"Sure, that'd be nice. It was nice meeting you Akira." I replied
"You too Sora, well I'll be off now. See you tomorrow." he bid me goodbye and left. The good thing about this is that I've met someone nice on my first day at this dorm. Now all I have to worry about is the first day of school.
Evening came and I had to retire to my room. As promised, I picked up the phone and called my mom. Then after we had one of our mother-daughter talks on the phone, I called Mimi. Soon, she picked up the phone and I heard her ask "Hello? Tachikawa residence…."
"Meems, it's me Sora." I replied
"Sor! You called! Oh we miss you here already!" she told me with a hint of sadness in her voice
"I miss you guys too." I told her and I smiled to myself
"So…how was the school? Did you arrive safely at the dorm?" she asked me
"The school was huge and so was the dorm. It was okay, Jim fetched me at the airport just as Jou had mentioned and now I'm here in my dorm room." I said with a sigh "And I'm pretty much bored right now."
"I guess it's normal since you're getting used to living there. It's just your first day after all. So did anything interesting happen? Have you met any guys?" she asked me in a sly tone.
I gave out a little laugh. It was just like Mimi to ask things like that. She was encouraging me to find a boyfriend, but not just any boyfriend she wanted me to find Mr. Right. One problem: Throughout my life, there hasn't been a Mr. Right…yet. They used to tease me with Tai all the time, but it was just to awkward to think about it. We had more of a brother-sister relationship than a couple thing.
"Meems, I told you already…I'm not here to find a boyfriend or hunt for any eligible guys. You should know that by now, besides getting my hopes up isn't a good thing." I replied. All this time I never really thought about getting into a serious relationship like Mimi and Koushiro. Weather it was fear of getting hurt or just the fact that you're not sure who the right guy is. But, if something does happen I don't want to end up regretting it so I tend to wait for someone who I'm sure will like me for…me.
"It's not my fault Sora. I'm just worried about you, especially now that you're there on your own. You have no one to keep you company."
"I'll be fine Meems, and I'm sure that is there is a Mr. Right our there he'll come at the right time." I told her
"I guess that you're right about that…" she replied and then she asked again "So? Have you met anyone yet?"
"To answer you're question, yes I have. And I think you'll be thrilled to know who it is." I told her
"Who is it?" she asked in excitement
I felt a bit sad because I could feel that she wanted me to say that I've seen Tai. "Well the bad news is…it's not Tai….I'm still looking for him…"
"Oh I see…" I heard her reply sadly.
"I met this guy named Akira. I'm sure his name rings a bell right?" I ask then I heard her squeal
"Akira? Member of the Teen Age Wolves Akira? No Way!" she spoke in excitement and it made me smile hearing her react that way, Mimi and Yolei are fans of The Teen Aged Wolves, they really like their music but they're not obsessed fan girls or anything like that.
"Yes, that Akira." I told her
"But how? He studies there? And how did you meet him, I want to know with full details. Spill." She told me and stayed silent for a bit. I took that as a cue to start talking and start telling her how I met Akira.
"Well, after I unpacked my stuff I took Jim's advice and took a look around. I made my way two floors down from my own room, unknown to me that the guys dorm rooms are there. And I was in my own thoughts so I didn't realize him coming and we bumped into each other." I told her the tale of our meeting in a bit more detail and soon she spoke again.
"That's nice and hearing that tone of voice coming from you I'd say he was a nice guy right?" she asked a bit too sure of my answer
"Yeah, he was a normal nice guy." I replied
Mimi and I talked a few more hours about almost anything we can think about. About the whole transfer thing and everything else…She told me about all the others who were still looking forward to a day when I tell them I've found Tai. After all the talking I decided to call it a night since I have to go and get up early for my first day of school tomorrow, and the last thing that I'd want is to show up late on my first day. So I said my goodbye's to Mimi and called it a night. As I slept I had a few thoughts that went with me to sleep "I do hope to find you there Tai…and I don't want to end up getting into any trouble tomorrow. I wonder what the school is like?" and with that, I peacefully drifted to sleep.
The next Morning…
The next morning I woke up early, took a shower and got dressed. Afterwards I soon got my stuff and headed for the school earlier than I usually would when I was in Japan. I got to school and was really amazed. "Ken was right when he said this place was for people with high standards…I wonder how Jim got used to all this?" I asked myself as I went and explored the school a bit. I was wondering around the school and saw a few people that were already present. Then as I was walking I heard a familiar voice call out to me.
"Hey Sora!" I turned around and saw Akira coming my way
"Hello good morning." I greeted him with a happy smile
"Morning, I never expected to see you here this early. So here you are, welcome to South Harmond High. Are you rushing or something? You need help finding your way around the school?" he asked me
"Sure thanks, can you show me the principals office?" I asked him
He nodded and spoke "Sure thing. Come on I'll take you there."
I was surprised how Akira managed to get us to the principal's office so fast at a place that was so big. I knocked on the door and heard a voice telling me to come in. I went inside with Akira accompanying me and I saw the principal seated there and she greeted me with a warm smile.
"Hello there you must be the new transfer student. Sora was it?" she asked me
"Yes ma'am. Sora Takenouchi." I replied and bowed
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard that you're a very gifted student. My name is Mrs. Finnegan. I'm the school principal. I hope that you'll enjoy being in this school, we've heard it was a tough decision to make so I hope you'll find the school to your liking Sora." I smiled and nodded in return "It's a good start she's a really nice person."
Mrs. Finnegan told me where to get my books for this school year, me schedule and gave me the number to my locker. Then a little later she noticed Akira standing behind me and she spoke "My Akira, I would have never imagined you to be the one to tour Sora around seeing as she's a girl."
"Let's just say that Sora here is a bit different than some f the other girls around campus." Akira smiled after saying this and I noticed that the principal did too.
She looked at me and spoke "Well seeing as you're in good hands I think I'll leave Akira to give you the tour around the school. Now if you have any more questions please feel free to approach me at any given time Sora."
"Thank you ma'am." I replied
"You're welcome. Now you better go seeing as you still have to get your books. Have a good day to both of you." After that Akira and I bid Mrs. Finnegan goodbye and left for the bookstore of the campus. Akira led me there and he handed the piece of paper that Mrs. Finnegan gave me to the woman in the store and I was given my books in no time.
"Are you sure it's okay if you help me with this? I mean, I can handle things on my own." I told him, I was feeling guilty that he was helping me carry y books to my locker "Really what you've done is already enough."
"It's no problem at all Sora, I'm happy to help." He told me as he gave me a smile
I sighed, I knew that even if I begged he might not go so I couldn't do anything but say thanks.
As I put my books in my locker he kept his promise to the principal and to me as well. He offered me a grand tour of the school and I couldn't say no because he'd still do it anyway. He showed me where the library was, and all the other places such as the gym, the cafeteria, and soon we ended up in the music room.
"This is the music room, we practice here most of the time when it's free or vacant." He told me
"Don't you guys get followed by fans?" I asked curiously
"Nope, we keep the place locked and secured. A friend of ours usually accompanies us during practice and helps keep us away from fans." He replied
"Must be hard for you guys, avoiding fans all the time." I told him and saw him nod
"That's true. It's hard being chased around even at school and out of school. Sometimes we have no choice but to run and hide. Most of the obsessed fans just throw themselves at us and it's not fun or something nice to imagine." He told me with a sigh
"Of course, something like that must be hard for anyone." I said, I couldn't imagine myself being chased around by people everywhere I go
"Our lead singer and bass guitarist has the worst of it." He started
"You mean, Yamato Ishida right?" I asked knowingly. Since Mimi and Yolei often talk about the band I know who's who.
"Wow, for someone who's new here you know a lot about the band don't you?" he asked me
"Well with two of my friends talking about you guys a lot, I couldn't help but catch on." I replied and then my expression saddened a bit
Surprisingly, Akira seemed to have noticed he mood change and he spoke "You miss your friends back home don't you?"
"Yeah, it's just that right now…they're so far away form here and I miss my mom too. Coming here has it's advantages but a whole lot of disadvantages as well." I replied with a sigh
"It's hard for anyone who's new, especially when you left a lot behind. I hope you feel better about being here soon. It's really not that bad when you get used to the place." He told me and I smiled as a reply. Then he looked down at his watch then he spoke "I'm sorry but I have to go. I promised to meet with the band a few minutes before class starts."
"No, it's alright. Thanks for the tour and for helping me out with everything on my first day. I owe you a lot." I told him and he shook his head
"It was my pleasure helping you out. Anyway if you want we can hang out at lunch and you can meet all of my friends." He told me
"That would be nice if it's alright with you." I replied
"Sure thing, anyway see you later Sora bye." He left and I waved back at him as he was running down the corridors and hallways of the school and soon he was out of sight.
A few more minutes to myself, and I looked at the time noticing that I have to get to class. I turned around looking at my schedule and saw that I had History for first period. As I was walking down the school I saw some girls giving me looks and whispering something. I guess with the whole tour with Akira I didn't notice all the people around me. As if they were reading my thoughts I heard them talk about the whole time I was walking with Akira and how these girls seemed to be getting angry about it. "This must be the part where their fan girls come in the picture…"
I ignored the whispering and continued to walk to the classroom. As I was walking inside into my first class in this new school one more thought came into my mind. "A new friend, angry fans and my hope to at least find Tai after such a long time…isn't this going to be an interesting day…"
Authors Note: This is the first chapter of my new story. Please tell me what you think and if I should continue. Thanks : )