Disclaimer: Spirited Away, names places and Characters belong to Disney and Ghibli Animation studios
After the rain.
Chihiro sat in class waiting endlessly for the bell signaling the end of school. It was Friday of the first week in her new home. And it was the longest week ever. She hadn't made any friends, her lessons were boring and not to mention that she was behind in almost all the subjects. The only highlight of the day was the bell that signaled for end of class. She had tried to make an effort day after day but no one seemed to notice her.
" …and so that way shadows are formed-" the teacher was cut short by the bell.
'Finally!' Chihiro thought in relief.
Then she ran, almost flew across the playground to the gates. Suddenly half way through the grounds she stopped dead. Someone was standing in front of her, their back turned to her, black hair just reaching down to the shoulders. And on that face a fringe would be hanging just above the eyebrows. And eyes, eyes that were beautifully olive green, a gaze that could take her breath away every time. She didn't have to guess, she knew it was Haku. He had fore filled his promise and came back to her, and who would have guessed so soon?
" Haku?" she whispered. No answer. She moved forward tapping him on the shoulder. The person turned but it wasn't Haku. It was a girl. Her fringe was grown long and tucked back behind her ears, a strand of hair just reaching past her forehead and her eyes were bright blue shining like the summer sky.
" Oh! I'm sorry I thought you were someone else. Sorry for disturbing you" Chihiro said feeling her sink in her heart like a stone in water.
"Wait, I know who you are!" the girl said "you're that new girl from out of town aren't you? Chihiro Ogino, wasn't it?"
" Yes. I saw you a few times during lunch."
"I'm Natsumi Tilliama, and this is Ukiho Matosi."
Natsumi pulled a girl out from behind her. She was blonde, her hair done up into braids, with kind grey eyes.
" You're new here aren't you?" Natsumi went on. " if you want we could show you around the town. It's not much but it'll take a day or so."
Chihiro smiled warmly at her. She hadn't gotten out much ever since she moved here.
" That would be great."
" Great. I'm free tomorrow and I'm sure Ukiho won't be doing anything-"
They were interrupted by a loud honking noise by the other end of the playground.
" Damn, I've got go." Natsumi said. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
" See you tomorrow."
They crossed the playground and ran to a bright red car parked by a tree. Chihiro stood there for a while then she ran to the gate her heart skipping with joy.
And so it went on. After a week or so she got to know her new friends better and school almost became fun. They were known as the " Charmed" girls around school. There was Natsumi, the leader of the gang, loud, outgoing and proud, admired by the Gym teacher because she was good in sports, Ukiho, who was shy and quiet, not daring to speak her thoughts, but rather good in maths and science and then there was Chihiro the dreamer of the group honored by the arts and Japanese teacher for her wonderful essays and creative pictures. But the weeks became months, the months became years and time passed quickly enough for Chihiro to give up hope about seeing Haku again. The promise, the Bathhouse, the Spirit World and all her friend there were pushed to the back of her mind and was believed to be dream.