Authors Note: My first serious sort of lovey type story, I hope it came out good! Please, comments and constructive criticism are welcome! Thanks!
Tap, tap, tap,
It's a comforting sound, the rhythmic tapping of my cane against the cobblestones, for all I know, the cobbles could suddenly end and I could fall, down, down into an endless pit. But the tap of the cane against the stones tells me that there is still a path for me to follow. The sound helps me know that the rest of the world is still out there.
I feel the lingering warmth of the day brush against my face but I also feel the slight chill of evening coming on. My new uniform keeps off some of the evening chill. I'm exploring, trying to get a get a feel for this new place that I will be calling home for a while. I just arrived at Cross Academy a couple of days ago, my parents were hesitant about sending me to this school- what would a blind girl be able to do there?-, but I begged and pleaded with them and the chairmen also reassured them that I would be alright, he encouraged having a diverse population of students in his school.
I had had enough of homeschooling and wanted to meet other students my own age, perhaps they would accept me and I could make real friends. But that was not the only reason I decided to study away from my parents. I wanted to prove that I could do things for myself and that I didn't need to rely on anyone.
The chairmen encouraged me to explore the campus, but warned me not to leave the dorms at night. I didn't need warning twice; day or night looked the same through these eyes of mine. But a bit of caution and commons sense never go amiss. He also told me to notify the disciplinary committee members if I run into any trouble.
I assumed that the disciplinary committee would just be another group of stuck up kids with nothing better to do but boss people around. But I was surprised to find that there were only two of them. One, a girl, Yuki Cross, the headmaster's daughter; she had a kind, cheerful voice and welcomed me warmly to the school. She seemed really nice. The other was a boy named Zero Kiryu. He had a quiet, serious voice and I could sense he was very tall, he grasped my hand briefly before letting go and walking away. Had I done something to offend him? I wondered.
"Don't worry." Said Yuki. "He's like that with everyone."
"Come on Yuki," said Zero "Time to go."
"Right," Said Yuki, "Well, I'll see you later um…"
"Kaori Shiro" I say, and smile as Yuki says goodbye and rushes off to catch up to Zero
Back outside, I explore the paths across the school. The chairmen had explained that there were two classes of students at the school, the day class and the night class. The two sets of students didn't usually mix except at special school events. Classes had just ended and most of the girls, and even a good amount of the boys rushed off to do who knows what. So I was left alone in the peace and quiet with my thoughts.
As I walked to what I figured was the other end of campus, I heard the excited buzzing of a crowd. It was punctuated by giggles and excited talk like a fans waiting for a concert or sporting event.
"Stand back!" said a raised voice, "You there get back in line! Don't push!" I could hear Yuki's voice ordering everyone to settle down and get back to their dorms.
There were cat calls and jeers, and the crowed seemed to get even louder more excited.
I walked closer to the crowd, keeping my cane held close to my body so not to trip anyone, so I couldn't feel too far ahead of me. I bumped into a group of girls clustered along the edge of the path. "Hay!" squealed one of the girls indignantly, "Watch where your- oh…" the girls stopped chattering for a moment.
"What's going on here?" I asked
"You don't know?" asked one of the girls
"Know what?" I asked
"The Night Class" said a breathless voice next to me "They-"
Then suddenly, everyone went quiet and still. I heard the sound of huge doors creaking open, there was about a moment of silence where I could hear light footsteps walking down the path. The whole world seemed to hold its breath for a second. Then, suddenly-
A blast of noise right in my ear! People were calling out different names with varying amounts of excitement and longing. Some of the guys shrieked as loudly as the girls. People began pushing and shoving and screaming louder than ever, the noise disoriented me and I felt like I was lost in an ocean of noise. I didn't know where I was anymore, I wanted to clap my hands over my ears and find my way out of here. I tried to take a step forward but someone's arm swept my cane out of my hand and I was pushed forward. I fell, would I keep falling forever? Would I fall to be lost forever in this ocean of mad sound? My thoughts were interrupted when I hit the ground face first in an untidy sprawl.
People were still pushing and fighting behind me; I pushed myself onto my hands and knees, my hands feeling around me for my lost cane. There were emotions rattling around in my brain. Embarrassment came first, making my cheeks heat up, what the hell was I thinking walking into all this? What will they think of me? Not that they were paying much attention anyway, their attention was still focused on the night class.
Then a little bit of resentment. Who were these people that gained the near worship of the other students? Why would anyone stand around shrieking the name of someone who would barely acknowledge their existence? Damn them, every last one of them.
Then a twinge of fear, something even my rational mind failed to explain even though I knew I was surrounded by people. What was I going to do? I couldn't find my cane, my eyes, the only thing to tell me that the rest of the world was still out there? How would anyone know that I was still here? Lost, I was lost; again, there was no one there to see me, to hear me.
Suddenly a strong warm hand grasped mine gently, and I looked up automatically even though I couldn't tell who my helper was.
"Are you alright?" asked a voice, a male voice "Do you need any help?"
"Yes" I said, "Thank you…"
The person, whoever he was, helped me to my feet and I felt a slight tingle run up my arm; I still felt his hand holding mine, something, someone, to tell me that there was still something to hold on to, even if the rest of the world was no longer there.