Finding a Place to Belong

"May I have your attention please. We have a new student in our class. He just moved from the U.S. Would you introduce yourself to the class please?" the teacher said.

I don't know what to do or say. Being the only one different from the class. "My name is Daniel Enero. Want to know anything from me, just ask." That's a relief to say, I'll sit down here. I was sitting next to a girl with a bang to the right of her green eyes.

It was lunch time and I had a pb&j banana sandwich and a chocolate milk. The girl next to me looked over but as soon as I turned. She went to her food and quietly sat there eating. "What's your name I may ask?"

"T-T-Tomoko K-Kuroki," she said in a sheepish murmur and gave an awkward smile.

I laughed a little and she looked at me funny. "Tomoko, don't worry there. I won't bite or something." I tell her.

Tomoko seemed to relax a little and she had a smile. "Th-th-thank y-y-y-you."

"Would you like some of my sandwich?" I asked her.

"It's very interesting," she examined it and offered a piece of sushi for that.

It was nice overall during lunch. When class started that we focused. Well she seemed to be asleep. She was cute and all in her sleep. I had made a friend I think but would Tomoko get the wrong idea. After class some of the other teens were talking to me. I was ok with it but I saw Tomoko heading off. "Sorry, I got to get going." I said to them. I did catch up with Tomiko and said, "Hey Tomoko, may I ask you something?"

She blinked a couple times and started to murmur sheepishly. "Wh-wh-what is it Daniel?"

"I don't have any friends here. Would we be friends? You know we got along at lunch and all." I told her.

Tomoko blushed in awkwardness and said, "Th-th-th-that is fine. You're pretty cool."

"Aw, come on. It's like I'm not popular. I am like a lone wolf and all." I said and kind of lowered my head mentioning that.

We exchanged cell numbers and emails. Tomoko ran after she headed outside. "I'm glad to make a friend," saying to myself. It was surprising how she seemed like she understood what I meant by the lone wolf thing. I walked home and watched my surroundings because it was new. The weekend soon came and I walked with Tomoki after school. "So what do you do for fun on the weekend Tomoki?"

Tomoko was caught off guard and was still. "F-f-f-fun on week-week-week-weekend?" She gripped her backpack strips tightly and seemed to breathe a little erratically.

"You could just show me around here. Like fun stuff like games, books, and maybe a café or something." I said to her. I tapped her on the shoulder. I smiled at her and she seemed to snap out of it.

"Th-th-that would be f-f-f-fine Daniel." Tomoko trying to speak up.

"Alright then. I hope you're don't mind that I've been kind of walking you home. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you. You're my first friend here and all." I tell her and she blushed slightly, don't know what emotion. We finally were arrived at the front of her house. "We'll meet up at 9am but where though?"

"I-I-I-I'll text you it. Ok?" Tomoko told me. She was doing an awkward smile like she did earlier this week and bowed.

"It will be an honor." I replied and bowed. When I came back up that she had quickly gotten to the door. 'Was I too formal or something?' I thought. I was alone at home since my parents both worked the night shift. Making a grilled cheese sandwich and my phone did its ring. The I.D. said it was from Tomoko. I finished making my sandwich and sat down. I texted her back. [Thank you Tomoko. I'll get directions. What are you up to right now?]

She was surprised there was a follow up but took a while. [I'm waiting for dinner to be ready. Playing a game I enjoy.]

[What kind of a game? I almost play everything. Lol =)] I texted back to her.

Tomoko was playing one of her dirty games but she didn't know how to respond but made an attempt. [Just one of those girly games?]

I looked and laughed lightly. [Alright. No worries Tomoko. Make it seem like I'm interrogating you. So sorry. -_-]

She was quick with her response. [You don't have to be sorry. I'm just kind of a ditz sometimes.]

I quickly responded. [No calling yourself names. You can say whatever you want. You don't even have to tell me if you don't want to. Just being honest with you. Not angry or anything so don't take it the wrong way.]

[Ok, I'll try. Thank you. You're so nice to me.] Tomoko replied in the text.

[It's what friends are for. Being there for each other. That's what I've learned.] responding to her back.

[Ok then. Dinner's ready. Later Dan.] she finished the conversation.

Despite that I don't let a lot of people call me Dan for some reasons. I got a strange sensation from her calling me that. As I got ready for bed and thought how the week has been so far. I fell asleep for a while but woke up a couple hours early before the alarm.

"I wonder how today is going to be?" I asked myself. What seemed like a long time till the alarm went off. I went to shower, brush my teeth, get my clothes on and eat breakfast. Heading towards Kuroki's home and wondered if she was ready. I decide to shoot a text.

[Morning Tomoko, are you almost ready?] I said.

[I'll be out in a moment.] Tomoko replied.

She came out of the house and her mom followed to the door. "Is this your boyfriend Tomoko?" she asked aloud. I could see Tomoko blush embarrassed and trying to speak.

"Mrs. Kuroki, we're just friends for now. My name is Daniel Enero." I shouted and waved over.

"Such a nice boy. Be good you two." Mrs. Kuroki answered to the both of us. She closed the door and Tomoko finally got up to the gate to meet me.

"I'm…I'm s-s-s-sorry Dan. My mom is embarrassing as always," replied Tomoko.

"Lets go catch a movie. You know any good movies?" I asked her.

She asked me, "Y-y-y-y-you like anime?"

"Do I like anime? I love anime!" I shouted in excitement and she kind of was surprised at first. "I apologize, I can get excited."

"I know a good one at this theatre." Tomoko sounding a little more ecstatic.

We took a train and went to the movies. Bought a big tub of popcorn and a couple sodas. After the anime, we were talking about it. "It was amazing that the art kind of kept an old style feel with a new age story."

"The heroes were really cool." Tomoko answered to me.

"You hungry? I'm buying lunch." I offered.

"What are you interested in eating?" asked Tomoko.

"Your pick." I told her with a wink and a thumb up.

We ate at this Japanese sushi bar. It was an interesting eat over there. Having laughs, well she did when I tried certain pieces and the reactions I get. "This is fun. You're like my second friend next to Yuu-chan," she said to me.

"Really? I would think people would love hanging out with you." I told her and smiled.

She stopped and I turned around when I noticed. "I'm what they call an un-un-un-un-pop-pop-popular g-g-g-g-girl." Tomoko tells me and lowers her head.

"Don't worry about it. You're a lone wolf like I am. I'm an unpopular guy myself. Honest to God I am." I replied.

She looked at me and I didn't know what else to say. We walked to the train and rode it back. I dropped her off at her place. "Thank you so much. I appreciate it very much." Tomoko said.

"The pleasure was all mine." I told her and bowed.

"Um-um-um wow. Thank you?" she answered questionably. She blushed again but I wasn't sure if I saw a small smile on her face. She waved me off when she got to the door.

I waved right back and went home. I decided to send a text to her when I get home. [Lets hang out more often. If it's ok with you Tomoko? Had a wonderful time.]

It was a while till she responded, [I'd like that. Lone wolves together.]

Smiling at what she said and replied, [Lone wolves together.]

To be continued…