Chapter 1: New Arrivals

A deep sigh of frustration was barely heard over the loud clattering of footsteps as a blonde haired youth turned her head around to spot her depression ridden friend. The blonde possessed a narrow nose with freckles adorning it. Overall she was very pretty.

"What's up Maddie?" the blonde questioned, "Are you mad you're going? I'd kill to go to Japan!" Exasperated she pulled her young friend towards the boarding gate.

"But Jordi," Madeline protested, "I'm going for a year, a year!" Maddie thrust out her arms emphasising her point. Her short heavily layered black hair dancing around her face. Jo's mouth dropped open abruptly and continued to hang.

"Really...?"

"Didn't I tell her that before...?" Madeline lobbed her head to the side, her bangs brushing past her big eyes. A sharp tug yanked her purple joker shirt down with a great deal of pressure. Jo sunk her claws into the cotton fabric crying out incoherent words dramatically. "Maybe not?"

Crowds of people started staring annoyed by the disturbance. Madeline turned back to her disgruntled friend and began tearing Jordi's hands away. A light ding was heard in the distance.

"All passengers to the 6:30 flight to Japan please begin boarding to gate 50D."

"That's me!" Maddie began to race towards the gate only to be yanked down by a great force. Flopping over on her back like a fish out of water she peered into the bright green eyes of her friend. Maddie opened her mouth to unleash an evil threat only to be cut off.

"Remember Madds," Jordi inhaled a deep breath; "if you see any hot guys give them my number!" With that Maddie was literally thrown into the gate entrance landing on a poor old woman. "Jordi you horses ass!!"

Six excruciating hours later Madeline now stood in front of her new exchange house. Her eyes glided past the estate. It appeared to be a fairly peaceful normal place. Though, it was smaller than her house back home. "I spy with my little eye" Maddie gazed out surveying the landscape, "Bingo!"

To the left of the house stood a plain wooden sign spelling "Mihashi". That was easy enough considering Maddie had already knocked on several people's doors looking for the Mihashi residence. Some people had short tempers, especially when you knocked on their door twice. Sighing contently Maddie began briskly walking to the front entrance when she was interrupted by a soft click.

Stepping cautiously through the door a figure slowly revealed itself, stopping Madeline in her tracks. It appeared to be a boy, defiantly no older than her. He had messy orange hair and a timid air about him. Keeping his stare directly on the ground he shuffled forward taking absolutely no notice to her.

Madeline bit her lip, mastering up the courage to greet him in a language she had not yet become accustomed in using. She had to say something; standing pointlessly staring at him wasn't helping her. He had to be the son of the family she was staying with. So she should try and make friends with him.

"Um...Hi there!" Maddie greeted enthusiastically. The boy gave out a large squeak and stumbled backwards. He continued to shake and stutter incoherently gapping at her. Madeline grew more worried by the second not knowing how to deal with the situation at hand. "Does my face scare him or something?!" She couldn't help but wonder.

"My names Madeline Carter," Madeline introduced herself hoping he would calm down. "Most just call me Maddie though. Um, I'm the exchange student. You know the one that's going to live with you?" She finished watching the boy calm down slightly.

"Oh...Um...H-hi...I'm Mihashi Ren..." Mihashi swallowed a gulp of air to try and calm his nerves. Alas, his words still mumbled and his body still shock slightly as he forced himself to continue. "I w-was just a-about to p-practice my pitching." Mihashi fidgeted while he spoke. "A girl is coming to live with us?! Why did I tell her I was about to practice?! What if she wants to-"

"Can I watch?"Madeline smiled. Mihashi jumped nearly passing out. Nodding frantically he lead Maddie to the backyard towards his target. His head clouded up with worry. "Why...? Now she's going to see how slow my pitches are. She's going to think I suck..." Mihashi sniffed hopelessly. His eyes became blinded by tears as he prepared to throw and he quickly wiped them away. "Here goes nothing..."

Whap!

"You hit it dead center! That's amazing Ren!"

"R-r-really...?"

"So..." Madeline examined the white building in front of her, "this is the place?" Standing before the two was Nishiura High. She buried her face in the school pamphlet feeling the unease from Mihashi radiate towards her.

"It looks like we have to join a club or team..." Maddie read, "What are you going to do Ren? You should probably join the baseball team right?"

Mihashi snapped his head towards her shaking his head violently from left to right. He returned his gaze to the ground trying to remain calm about the situation. He couldn't join the baseball team he would just bring everyone down. In addition this girl also seemed to be referring to him by his first name. It was the first time any girl with the exception of his mother called him Ren. However, he was calling her by her first name so it only seemed fair.

"Any girls interested in the volleyball club?"

"Do have multiple personality disorder?" Madeline looked up. "They have a mentally challenged club? I can join that!" "Join the Drama Club!" It was sad to find out you weren't talented enough to join a club that advertized to people with a mental disability. Oh well...

Maddie looked up to inquire on what Mihashi was thinking on joining. Although when she turned to face him he was gone. "He ditched me..." Madeline thought dejectedly. She didn't even pay attention to how to get back home! Her eyes lit up as she spotted a booth up ahead. "There is something I can join!" Maddie ran forward to sign up; she could look for Mihashi after. Assuming he didn't leave without her... that would kind of suck....