Ch. 1

The glow of the morning sun could be seen behind the mountains. The sky's fogged with clouds as birds chirp and the sound of a faint rooster clucking can be heard. In disarray, I attempt to get up but can't. My alarm clock blaring "6:30! 6:30!" it makes me wanna throw it against the wall. I get up, but couldn't help but plop back down. Waking up then getting up is the hardest part in the morning.

Once I got off the bed, the cold air chilled my nerves senselessly. I groaned at the feeling of my feet hitting the cold tiles in the bathroom. My massive bed hair actually made my hair look good. After brushing my teeth, I went in my closet. I stared but didn't know what to wear. It was one of those days. The days where I'd look at a closet filled with shit to wear but not actually thinking about a specific outfit.

After fifteen minutes of blankly staring, and getting even more colder, I decided to wear my blue baseball sweatshirt and black jeans. Today could be considered 'Casual Friday' or something along those terms.

I couldn't stop thinking about last night's episode of Sweet Spy. I can't get over the fact how sexy Dennis Oh is! I wish I could meet a Korean American that friggin' hot. It's my own wishful thinking of course, this is Japan. Realities don't happen unless you're on the sets in Hollywood or L.A. Though it would be nice if something could happen like that. Tokyo is too boring, not much going on. Some excitement every now and then would be okay with me.

When I was fully awake, I grabbed an apple. I realized my brother wasn't awake yet and it was almost 7, class starts at 7:35. Tired of being late everyday, I shook my brother, Youichi, awake. If that didn't work I pull his blanket off and slap his calf (he sleeps with only his boxers on—weird right? Especially since it's super cold!) After all his little curses and groans, he went to get dressed. I went back into the kitchen and put everything I needed in my bag. My mom was already awake and talking to her dad in Okinawa like always.

She didn't seem to notice me so I just sat down at the table and continued to eat my apple. My phone's screen lit up when I had a new message.

Mikan! I'm at school right now, where you at?

My friend Sumire, she has her permit so she gets to school earlier than I do. I texted her back but my phone screen lit up again. Sumire wasn't the type who'd text back in 5 seconds she'd usually take longer, especially if you're considered 'boring' to her.

You have to get to school NOW!

That peaked my curiosity. Sumire's personality is kind of like mine. We both love—and I mean love—watching dramas. She likes Dennis Oh too! (haha) There was a drama called My Girlfriend is a Gumiho and man oh man, did she talk endlessly about that. It's a really good drama in my honest opinion.

I didn't wait for her reply since it was time to leave. School starts in five minutes! Thankfully it only took two minutes to get to school since we live near by. My first period is ASL and the teacher is actually deaf, so I didn't have to worry about her lecturing me or giving me a detention. I can not afford detentions my junior year of high school. It's a no go since I'm trying to get into a university, but it's difficult especially with my current grades. The first semester may have ended badly but my second semester is gonna be a fresh new start so I know how the system goes and try my best.

When I walked into the classroom, as usual people took advantage of her not being able to hear and were talking. I saw my friend Mochi and took a seat next to him. "Did you see the new KevJumba video?" He asked as soon as I sat down.

"Yeah! I like the part when his dad was dancing." I laughed.

"Oh yeah! He was like 'teach me how to dougie'." He laughed too. We went on about the video when my other friend, Anna, came in the classroom.

"I'm only five minutes late guys, new record." she said as she sat down next to us. Anna has been late to first period everyday. She came on time to class a few times at the beginning of the year, but after I transferred in the class I've seen her late countless times. Mrs. Fujikawa doesn't even say—er sign—anything about it so I guess it's okay.

The next 45 minutes we learned the signs for adverbs. Today, she went buck wild on people. Mochi, a fellow classmate, got a little too mad and almost slapped her. He got up and cussed her out, but she couldn't hear so it was left at that.

The bell for second period finally rang. Only five more classes to go before the weekend! I was on my way when Luna and her clone walked by. As usual they gave me the stink eye while I rolled mine. They were the definition of immature.

It was suddenly getting colder so my pace became faster. My second period class was in the portables on the farthest side of the school. I had to walk outside to get to it. Not very fun.

I was turning the corner in haste and collided with someone. They dropped their papers and I inwardly groaned. "Sorry." I said as I was trying to pick up the papers. The bell was gonna ring any minute so I shoved the papers toward the person and ran to the classroom. I made it just in time but not fast enough cos my teacher, too, gave me the stink eye. I couldn't roll my eyes cos her little hawk eyes would see them and she'd tell me to write an "apology note". The most idiotic idea I've heard so far.

We were getting ready for the daily DOLs while Ms. Serena was setting it up. A soft click sound was made and in rushed the cold, but as quickly as it came, it was also gone. Ms. Serena was talking to someone, and I heard a few whispers, "new kid". I looked up to see what all the fuss was about when it struck me like lightning.

A guy, most definitely a guy, his hair was a shade of black no one these days had. His teeth weren't perfect but he had a cute smile. Wait..was that a sparkle in his red eye? He was skinny but not lanky, he had muscle. He was sort of..pretty, but he was a guy.