A World Away
Prologue
My hair closely resembled the child of a bird's nest and a pom-pom. Despite slight frustration at the unfortunate mess of genes my parents left me, I couldn't help but laugh at the thought of my mother and sister waking up to a similar sight back home. The three of us were cursed with unmanageable curls and my sister and I had the added bonus of my dad's dark hair. Somehow my mom could manage to make it look like a halo of light, while my sister and I were far on the other side of the spectrum.
Hopping into the shower in hopes of washing away all semblance of a monster under a child's bed; I pushed away all thoughts of my family and homesickness. I had to quickly get ready for my big day ahead. As part of my student travel program I was to begin attending school no later than a week after my arrival in Japan.
That week passed quickly in the company of the family I was staying with. Both the parents were very kind, however both were very busy. I found most of my company through the week with their son, Arai. He was the same age as I, though much more shy. By the second day, his sense of humor shone through and he and I were on our way to becoming good friends. Good thing, considering as part of the program he was to switch schools and attend class with me for the duration of my stay. Considering the school that was chosen, I doubt he had any complaints.
Somehow an arrangement was made for me to attend a prestigious academy filled with future business leaders. Quite the stretch from my old small town, American public school. I was willing to bet there wouldn't be any horseback riding on the trials outside of Ouran Academy.
"Really, I should just protest. It's horribly sexist to make girls wear these," I said to Arai, only half joking. The yellow catastrophe known as this school's female uniform was horrifying.
"Well then how in the world will I get out of wearing this uniform? Complain that I should have the freedom to wear a dress?" Arai jested back. We both laughed, stepping out of his car toward the Ouran building. Several odd looks were directed our way from students walking away from limos. Cheap second hand cars weren't exactly the transportation of choice.
We simply continued on our way inside, Arai looking nervous with the eyes around us, and I simply praying the school wasn't as large as it looked on the map I had printed out. I had never been good with directions.