Dreams: by Azure
A/N: Weird title, I know. But, hey, it's all good anyway. This story just sort of came to me this morning whilst on the way to the looney bin (aka school) and I'm going to go ahead and give it a go! So, please review, let me know what you think, and enjoy the story!
Disclaimer: If you've seen it before then I probably don't own it.
Summary: It's summer! New neighbors are moving in across the street from Hitomi, and, oh what's this? A certain raven-haired hottie by the name of Van Fanel. However, Hitomi's summer takes unexpected turns as she befriends Van, turning her simple world upside down.
~The first chapter~
shrieked a red-headed girl, giggling and bouncing up and down as she hopped off the school bus. No more homework, no more tests
No more tardies or dealing with pompous assholes, sighed another girl, her short sandy brown hair blowing into her face as she hopped off the bus as well. No more gum under our desks, no more teachers, and
No more poisonous cafeteria food! shrieked the redhead. Hitomi, summer is the best!
I know. Calm down, Yukari, Hitomi said, adjusting the strap of her messenger bag over her shoulder as the orangey yellow bus zoomed away in a cloud of exhaust.
Calm? Calm? How can I be calm? Yukari asked excitedly as they strolled along on the sidewalk, the green leaves of trees hanging over them and gently shielding them from the sun.
I'm calm, Hitomi replied, pointing at herself. Yukari shrugged.
Yeah, well, you're a freak. Say, speaking of which, how did your track tryouts go? Yukari giggled, walking backwards in front of her friend.
I still haven't gotten my results, said Hitomi slightly nervously, stepping around her friend and continuing her walk down the smooth pavement.
Hey! Wait up! said Yukari. You know, it's really not nice just to snub me like that, she said, not watching where she was going. I mean, why are you so touchy? Ow! Why'd you stop?
Yukari, look, said Hitomi, pointing at a moving truck trundling down the road. I thought our new neighbors weren't supposed to move in for another three months.
Your new neighbors, Yukari corrected. I hardly live in this area. Just visit, from time to time.
I know, said Hitomi. she said as Yukari pushed her forward.
Get moving, you lazy bum, Yukari said. I want go get to your house already! You SAID you'd let my try on all your clothes, now that it's summer, she said, brushing distastefully at her school uniform- a black skirt, a white, collared, short-sleeved shirt and a green vest sweater. Not cool at all.
Just because I shop is no reason to come steal my clothes, Hitomi replied, walking begrudgingly along but still shooting a curious look at the moving van that had pulled to a halt in front of a white limestone house with a red door and sparse landscaping.
Get MOVING, Hitomi. You're not number one on the track team for nothing, growled Yukari.
In that case Said Hitomi slyly, race you! she shot off down the pavement at a seemingly impossible speed, laughing as her friend struggled to keep up.
Not fair! Yukari yelled in protest. Hitomi only giggled and turned into the driveway of a large, two story, red stucco house. Green ivy crept along the walls of the house, and Hitomi dashed in through her green front door and shut it quickly behind her friend, digging her heels into the rug in the entryway to keep herself from crashing down the hallway.
Hitomi! Hitomi, let me in! Yelled Yukari, pounding on Hitomi's front door. Hitomi laughed at her through the glass windows on either side, and opened the door up for her red faced, panting friend.
How on earth do you run so fast? Yukari asked. You'd so better make the team
Yukari, I don't want to think about that right now, replied Hitomi. I'd like to just relax for now.
Right. Relax, said Yukari, following Hitomi up the stairs to her room. Does that mean I can try on your clothes?
said Hitomi exasperatedly. You can try on my clothes.
squealed Yukari as Hitomi reached a door plastered with magazine pictures, photos, and various signs such as no trespassing. Hitomi twisted the knob and threw the door open, walking inside and tossing her backpack down by the door. Yukari followed suit, and instantly rushed over to Hitomi's closet as Hitomi opened the window and sat down on the window seat.
Ooh, what to try first, Hitomi heard Yukari say to herself. She sighed, and looked around her room. It was painted a dark purple, with light purple sponge painting on top of it. A white mosquito net hung over Hitomi's baby blue bed, which had been pushed so that it was diagonal in comparison to the rest of the spotless room.
Hey asked Yukari. How do you think this looks? Yukari stepped out of the closet in a yellow and white halter-top sundress.
replied Hitomi, flashing her friend the thumbs up. You can borrow it if you want it.
said Yukari, and went back in the closet. Hitomi occasionally heard her mutter something along the lines of too big,' too small,' or cool.' Hitomi leant out her window, watching the movers across the street. She couldn't really tell, but she saw black, green, and a pink heads of hair directing the furniture around, through the garage and into the house.
Hitomi mumbled to herself, and then turned to see Yukari come out of her closet wearing a pair of short, short shorts with a string belt and a moss green spaghetti strap shirt.
You might want to get out of your uniform, said Yukari, jabbing her thumb at Hitomi's closet. I'll just load up. Yukari grabbed a trash bag and began stuffing all of the clothes she had picked out into it, and Hitomi peered into her closet, finding it, as she suspected, mostly empty. Hitomi shrugged it off and stepped in, changing into a denim blue jean skirt and navy blue tank top, discarding her uniform in a dirty clothes hamper.
That's more like it, Hitomi said, stretching out a bit, glad to be out of the starchy, itchy uniform. So. What do you want to do?
~*&*~
Fifteen minutes later found Hitomi and Yukari giggling in front of the TV, watching one of the crazy movies Yukari had given to Hitomi for her birthday.
He is so hot, sighed Yukari dreamily, watching the main character speak, his features exaggerated by the shadows surrounding him.
He's not all that great, said Hitomi, rolling over onto her back to watch the movie from upside down.
He is! Insisted Yukari.
Is not, replied Hitomi. He's a wimp. The doorbell rang, and Hitomi got up.
she yelled, leaving Yukari starry-eyed in front of the TV.
May I help you? Hitomi asked as she opened the door and was met with shocking ruby chocolate eyes.
said the boy. I'm Van. My family is moving in across the street, and. This may seem like a really odd question, but you don't happen to have a nail gun, do you? he asked.
wait just a second you can come in if you like, said Hitomi, opening the door wide and allowing Van to enter. I'll have to go get it from the garage, she said. My friend Yukari is watching a movie in the other room, and you can go sit in there and watch while I try and find it, said Hitomi in a rush.
replied Van, following Hitomi into the living room, where Yukari was sprawled in front of the wide screen plasma TV. She looked up at Van for only a second.
she said offhandedly, and went back to the movie.
Hey, are you watching Young Frankenstein? Van asked. Yukari nodded.
she said, and struck up a conversation with Van as Hitomi walked to the garage and began searching through the tool chest for a nail gun.
Ow! Shit! she yelled as she dropped a wrench on her toe.
Are you okay in there? Yukari called.
I'm fine, replied Hitomi, exhaling a loud as she discovered the nail gun. She brushed the dust off it and straightened out her denim skirt, closing the garage door behind her and making her way back to the living room.
Sorry it took so long, said Hitomi, handing Van the nail gun.
It's ok. Thanks, by the way, Van said, standing up and flashing Hitomi a grin.
Feel free to come over anytime, Hitomi said to Van as she escorted him to the door.
Oh, thanks. I think I will, Van said. Hitomi opened the door for him, and he cautiously peeked out.
See ya, Hitomi said to him, wondering at his behavior.
said Van, stepping carefully out of the house and immediately getting tackled by a tan-and-pink blur.
Van! Did you get the nail gun? it squealed.
Yes, Merle. Off! Van said as Hitomi watched in amusement. He stood up, brushing himself off, as a very tanned girl with dyed pink hair got up as well. She was wearing combat boots with a peach sundress- an odd combination, but it looked cute on her.
Hi, I'm Hitomi, Hitomi said to the girl, who stepped behind Van.
That's Merle, my sister, Van said, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder.
Hi, Merle, Hitomi said to her, She peeked over Van's shoulder, stuck her tongue out, and then dashed back across the street her new home.
a bit weird, said Van. Got to go.. hey, maybe I'll see you tomorrow, he said.
replied Hitomi. Van gave her another grin and then turned and walked back across the street. Shaking her head, Hitomi closed the door and walked back into the living room where Yukari was giggling at some corny joke the main character had just made.
So, Hitomi, make a new friend? Yukari asked her as Hitomi plopped down on the couch, blowing a strand of hair out of her face.
Yeah, sure, whatever, replied Hitomi, sighing and shaking her head as Yukari went off into la-la land, staring dreamily at the mad scientist on the screen
~*&*~
The next day, Hitomi sat gazing out of her window, sipping a vanilla coke and watching the birds hop around through the branches of the trees overhanging her window. On impulse, she grabbed the bag of cookies next to her, tucked them into her belt, and nimbly climbed out of the window. She settled on the roof and set her bottle cap down next to her, taking a swig and reclining back, staring up at the trees gently shading her. Hitomi took a bite of a chocolate chip cookie Yukari had made, and sighed. This was life.
Hey Hitomi! Hitomi sat up and looked down, seeing Van standing on the porch below her, waving up at her with a lopsided grin. Can I join you?
Hitomi called as he scrambled up the trunk of one of the trees hanging over the roof. Van pulled himself onto the roof and sat down next to Hitomi, the light grey shadows of the leaves playing along his features.
Do you come up here often? Van asked her as he laid back, hands behind his head, elbows sticking out.
Yeah. It's really peaceful, replied Hitomi, leaning back against the roof as well and taking another deep swig of Vanilla Coke.
Are those chocolate chip cookies? Van asked, eyeing the bag at Hitomi's feet.
she said. You can have one, if you want.
said Van, diving into the plastic bag and emerging triumphantly holding a large round cookie. He proceeded to devour it with a proud smirk plastered across his features.
Hitomi laughed.
Soggy Chinese noodles for dinner last night and dried, old cereal for breakfast. Make what you want of it, he said between bites. Hitomi grinned.
My mom is out again, and you can come in if you want. We've got some pizza in the fridge from Yukari's sleep over, and my mom just went to the store so there's a lot of food in the cupboard. Van's eyes glittered at the prospect of food.
Are you serious? he asked.
Dead serious, Hitomi replied, standing up and brushing off her khaki capris. You coming?
Hell yeah! said Van, jumping up as well like some sort of coffee-high golden retriever. Show me to your beautiful fridge! I love food, Van said with the silliest smile. Hitomi chuckled a bit, grabbed the bag of cookies, and tossed them in through her open window. She hauled herself into her room, and Van followed suit, falling ever-so-gracefully on his face in the middle of the floor after tripping on the cushion on Hitomi's window seat.
Nice room, he muttered into the carpet, looking around at the walls. Hitomi shrugged and helped Van to his feet.
You're clumsy, she commented absently as she grabbed his hand and pulled him up.
Oh, thanks, said Van sarcastically, dusting his red System of a Down tee off. Quite suddenly, his stomach gave a loud grumble. Hitomi shot a sideways glance at him and laughed as he scowled.
Dammit, I'll feed you in a sec, he said, reaching down and poking at his belly. Just hang on for another few minutes or so. Despite herself, Hitomi laughed at Van's odd antics. Hitomi wasn't normally too terribly outgoing, but Van seemed nice. She was willing to tolerate him and give him a chance, since he was so enthusiastic.
Okay, food, Hitomi said, opening the door to her room. Van trooped after her, down the stairs and slid on the slick wooden floor in the kitchen, his shoes squeaking noisily on the polished surface.
Yelled Van, diving at the stainless steel appliance and yanking the doors open. Hitomi watched, awed, as he consumed the remnants of the pizza, a half-gallon of ice cream, a pack of turkey, a slice of cake, the majority of a leftover casserole, three slices of cheese and a carrot.
Shouldn't you slow down? asked Hitomi, watching half in disgust and half in curiosity as Van emptied a canister of whipped cream, squirting its contents into his mouth.
Can't help it. I'm hungry, came his muffled reply as small bits of cream flew out of his mouth as he spoke, framing his mouth as though he were rabid. Hitomi distastefully wiped a smudge of said foam off of her black spaghetti strap and sighed.
You're going to get a stomach ache and hurl, she warned as he made his way to the cupboard and proceeded to ransack the recent food acquisition.
replied Van as he shoved ten crackers at a time into his mouth. He munched for a second, and then swallowed. For a moment he paused, and then dove into Hitomi's cupboard, ridding the Kanzaki family of a pack of mini marshmallows, a bag of peanuts, several boxes of cookies, two nutri-grain bars, a box of ultra cheesy ritz bits, a pack of beef jerky, a blueberry bagel, another pack of beef jerky, five Twinkies, a pack of fruit gummies, three candy bars, half a loaf of bread, a bag of graham bears and a Cup o Noodles he had stolen from Hitomi as she walked by.
Seriously, Van, Hitomi said as he daintily swiped her lunch. If you hurl on my floor, you're going to be scrubbing for a year.
Yes ma'am, he said, saluting, with a few noodles hanging out of his mouth. Hitomi sighed and turned to take a swig of Vanilla coke, only to find that Van had drained it during his food escapades.
Ack! You idiot! she said, grabbing the empty bottle and proceeding to whack him over the head with it.
Van squealed a bit, covering his head with his arm, a half-eaten cookie hanging from his mouth.
No more food, Hitomi said, slamming the pantry door shut.
responded Van, swallowing whatever food was left in his mouth. Hitomi turned and stalked away to the living room, and turned around just in time to see Van trying to sneak into the pantry and steal another vanilla coke.
I said no more! Hitomi scowled, and dragged Van by the shirt collar out of the kitchen. Why aren't you being useful to your family and helping them unpack?
Van responded, putting his hands behind his head and sauntering along.
We're going to help them, said Hitomi, as I will not risk having you eat all my furniture.
Aww, come on, Hitomi. I don't eat anything inedible
But for you, everything IS edible, Hitomi said, holding up a cardboard box of cereal with a bite taken out of the corner. Van looked sheepish.
I didn't mean to do it, I swear! he cried helplessly as Hitomi dragged him out the front door and across the street.
I don't care, responded Hitomi. Be productive and I'll let you come back and eat what you didn't consume the first time around.
More food? Van asked, ceasing his struggle. he dashed across the black asphalt and through the open garage into his house, Hitomi following him from behind.
commented Hitomi as she stepped into the house. Boxes took up what space wasn't taken up by furniture randomly scattered through the rooms. Van wove his way expertly through.
They've already moved my futon up to my room. We can work up there, he said, turning a corner and heading up the stairs. Though the house was across the street, Hitomi had never been in it before. It had been previously owned by a crazy old woman with too many cats. She had died almost a year ago in intensive care in the hospital. Apparently, she had tripped over a cat and broken her spine, causing her to get spirited to the emergency room by her worried daughter, who had been visiting. It was slightly depressing that the woman had died, but also in a sick and twisted sort of way amusing as well. Unfortunately, the doctors were unable to save the woman, leaving her twelve cats with no home. They had been given to her daughter, who, in turn, gave them to the pound. Nobody knew what the pound had done with them, but Hitomi had the sneaking suspicion that they were doggy chow.
My room's just across the street from yours, Van said, jerking Hitomi out of her thoughts as she ascended the staircase. Van led her down a hallway and into a room that already had a red futon, a desk and a bookcase pushed against one wall and a poster taped up against the closet door. There were boxes everywhere, and Hitomi wondered just what he might have in them. She carefully opened one labeled and instead discovered a poster of Tenacious D and some books that looked slightly violent.
Nice organizational skills, she commented as she opened another box labeled and unearthed a large collection of CD's.
said Van, and then pointed out the window. See? There's your house.
I've seen my house before, Van, Hitomi muttered dryly as she opened a box labeled shoes.' She blushed pink, closed the box, and threw it at Van, her face beet red. You might want to take care of this yourself, she muttered, looking to the floor. I'll leave you to sort the boxes- maybe Merle would like some help.
Okay then, Van said, and opened the box bewilderedly. Inside were all his boxers- cow and plaid and, on the top, a pair of navy blue silk with yellow smiley faces on them. What's so embarrassing? he asked. It's only boxers
~*&*~
Hitomi rapped cautiously on the door, which already had a sign on it reading Merle's Private Quarters. Enter and Die.' Do you need any help?
Um, do I know you? she asked, coming to the door and opening it. Oh, yeah. You're that girl from across the street. Hitomi noted that she wasn't as outgoing as Van, and she eyed Hitomi up and down cautiously. Van's friend.
Hitomi said. I was just wondering
You can help if you want, said Merle, startling Hitomi a bit and opening her door.
she said, and walked in. The room was larger than Van's, with more furniture and less boxes. The closet was open and several hangers were strewn across the bed along with random shirts. Hitomi noted that today Merle was wearing a simple pair of shorts, a button up Hawaiian shirt and a pair of navy flip-flops.
I was hanging up my clothes when you came in, Merle said. You can do that and I'll work on these boxes.
replied Hitomi as she walked over to Merle's bright orange and pink bed. She grabbed the shirts and began to hang them up carefully, and then made her way to pants, skirts, and shorts.
she said, and turned. Merle had been doing an impressive job of unpacking, and most of the boxes were gone by now. Merle was tacking up a wall scroll for an anime called Magic Knight Rayearth, and Hitomi studied the scroll carefully. There was a girl in green with short blonde hair, a girl in blue with long blue hair, and another girl in red with short red hair in the front and a long braid down her hair in the back.
said Hitomi, and she unrolled another wall scroll, advertising an anime by the name of Hellsing with a creepy looking guy in red on the front. Where do you want this one to go?
Anywhere works, said Merle, moving on to a wall scroll for Trigun.
Anime fan? Hitomi asked, digging the tack into the wall and mounting the scroll.
replied Merle, tugging on the plastic end of the fabric to be sure it would stay.
That's cool, said Hitomi, putting up a poster for Card Captor Sakura.
Merle said. Some times I force Van to watch all my DVD's with me, but most of the time he falls asleep on the couch.
If you want, I'll watch them with you some time, said Hitomi, anxious to befriend the girl. I really don't mind.
Would you really? Merle asked, halfway between joy and suspicion.
Sure. It'd be cool, since there really aren't any other girls in the neighborhood, she replied. Sometimes I get kind of lonely.
replied Merle, sitting down on her desk. There was only a box left, and Hitomi wondered at the pink-haired girl's efficiency.
Let me help you with that last box, Hitomi said.
It's okay, I've got it, said Merle. A loud BOOM!' echoed from Van's room. Why don't you go help out my brother? she added. He could probably use all the help he can get.
Yeah, most likely, Hitomi replied with a giggle, walking out of Merle's neat room and down the hall to Van's box filled, disorganized mess. What was that boom? Hitomi asked Van, stepping in.
. Nothing. Just me dropping a bowling ball on my foot, Van added, wincing.
You have a bowling ball? Hitomi asked skeptically. Van pointed at a swirly green bowling ball that looked to be maybe twelve pounds.
You said it, replied Van as Hitomi hoisted it up and set it on his futon.
Why do you have a bowling ball? Hitomi asked, beginning to unpack one of the many boxes scattered around the room.
Don't know, Van replied. Hitomi sighed and rolled her eyes.
Well, would you mind helping me? This is, after all, your room.
Right, right, right, Van said, bending to open a box. He pulled out some clothes and tossed them on the floor. Just up-end the box on the floor and I'll get around to it, he said, opening his window. Hitomi shrugged, opened a box, and let a series of books, magazines, and shoes stream out onto the floor.
Hey, Hitomi, your mom just pulled up, Van said, still looking out the window.
Really? I guess I'd better go tell her where I am, then, Hitomi said, hopping over some piles of who-knows-what. I'll try to come back, but my mom might not let me
Good luck! Van called after her as she tripped out of his room, made her way downstairs, threaded her way through furniture and boxes out into the garage and walked across the street to inform her sometimes paranoid mother of her whereabouts.
called Hitomi, walking in and slamming the door
~*&*~
That night found Hitomi laying on the roof outside her window, staring up at the sky. She studied the starry constellations above, noting the tiny pinpricks of light and how each one had a different short of shine. Some were brighter than others, some were smaller and others were larger. She gazed up, wondering what it was like up there, the nighttime breeze gently teasing her hair in swirling eddies.
So nice, Hitomi muttered to herself, her hands behind her head. It was so pleasant to her, not having to worry about school, tests, boys, gossip. Summer was the best.
Hey Hitomi, can I join you? Van called from somewhere below.
called Hitomi back. Van hopped from branch to branch on the tree he had used to get up the first time, walked until he was out from under the overhanging branches of the tree, and sat down next to Hitomi on the shingles.
he said cheerfully, leaning back on his elbows and thrusting his head upwards. They're pretty, aren't they?
she mused. Like diamonds, or something. Van nodded his agreement.
I've always wondered, Hitomi continued, what it's like up there.
said Van. And barren. Hitomi looked to him. He gave a sigh, serious.
It's gorgeous from here. But when you're out there, and where you were is just a speck, it's scary. And you're alone, and it's cold, even though you're surrounded by all these pinpricks of light. Because when you try to reach them, they grow big and orange and they burn. Hitomi sensed that Van wasn't talking about space. He was talking about something different, something that was buried deep within him, troubling him.
I guess so, replied Hitomi, still staring up at them. It's nice, though, just to lay here where we're warm and stare up at them, and wonder, but always know that we're safe. Hitomi wasn't quite sure of the meaning behind her reply, but apparently Van understood it. He gave her a grin.
You're right, he said. Sometimes it's better to dream. The statement hit somewhere deep in Hitomi's heart, and she mentally resigned to ask Van later, when she knew him better, about what it meant. She knew that he was trying to tell her something, something important, but she couldn't for the life of her figure out what. No more words were passed between the two as the first day of summer came to a close. The breeze quietly blew the leaves on the trees, causing them to stir and whisper. Hitomi smiled to herself as she and Van lay in companionable silence, gazing above them at the beauty of the night. A small cloud passed over the moon, but quickly disappeared, letting the milky white light spill gently onto the land below. The sky was again clear and perfect as the friends stared up at the flickering pinpricks of light above.
called Mrs. Kanzaki from inside. You need to go to bed. Hitomi sat up, regretfully, and Van did so as well, nimbly making his way to the tree.
See you tomorrow, Van, she said to her new friend. He flashed her a smile from the shadows as Hitomi climbed into her room, and he made his way silently down to the ground. Hitomi watched him cross the street, go in through his front door, and it was several seconds before the light in his room came on. His face appeared in the window, grinning, and he waved maniacally at her. She smiled and waved, too, and turned away from her window with a sigh, shutting it and pulling down the crème blinds. Hitomi changed into her Strawberry Shortcake pajamas and climbed into her bed, smiling as she turned out her light. The gentle chirping of crickets echoed lightly in the room, and Hitomi drifted off effortlessly into the land of dreams, where she dreamt of stars.
~*&*~
A/n: what is the opinion of the reader? LoL it's about 1:00 A.M for me but oh well! When the muses sing you don't put in ear plugs. .. wait. Okay then. Thanks to CinderellaxVan for all the positive encouragement (couldn't have done it without ya!) and please, please, please review!!