Ok, first actual story right here. (As in chapters, cliffhangers... plot -_-) I'm going to have a lot of fun with this, and while I will have an outline for it, at some point I plan to 'kick off the training wheels' so to speak, and start writing the way I do best; without a clue what I'm going to do. There'll be twists, turns, romance, drama, action, other stuff. This is the beginning, where I set stuff up, so if it's sorta 'blah' in terms of plot, that's why. (I've never been good at the beginning of a story, I like to jump into the middle like a maniac.) By the way, crew is a water sport, it's basically group rowing.
Disclaimer:
They say if you love something, set it free,
which is why I don't own KND.
That would make more sense if it belonged to me.
But I don't really care 'cause I'm rhyming, see?
Alright. Story, initiate.
Tick.
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The second hand marched around the numbered face of Kuki's clock, counting down to the start of what would be the most interesting day of Kuki's life. The discreet sound echoed off the many different colors of her room. Rainbow monkeys, highlighted faintly by the first glimmers of sunlight coming in through the windows, were at every corner, on every surface, and in every crevice of her sleeping space.
Tick.
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Tick.
As the skinny red finger danced ever closer to the 6 o' clock mark, some of those who were already awakened had contacted each other to discuss the coming events, and now sat in the surreal hours of day talking about the topic on everyone's minds as they prepared themselves this morning.
High school.
"Dude, today is gonna be awesome!" A blond-haired, emerald-eyed boy of 15 shouted into his cell phone.
"I know, right? Can't wait to see the sailing team try and teach all their new freshmen!" A spanish accent exclaimed in return. The accent, of course, belonged to the boy on the other end of the line, a rather good looking young man with blond and light brown hair, mixed together and complementing the smooth lines of his face.
"Yeah, that'll be a riot! But we got some of the newbies on our team too, Ace. Stupid no tryouts rule..."
"Don't worry Wally." Ace laughed. "We just have to make sure we whip them into shape fast. You know coach doesn't go easy on anybody who's new to this, those freshmen will be rowing stars in no time!" He finished, laughing into the phone again. "Of course, not as good as us." He added.
"Yeah, you can say that again." Wally, who held the tittle of crew captain, replied. He was the best rower at the school, and Ace was his runner up, being only slightly weaker than him. Having the two of them in the same boat insured they would win any race the varsity team of 4 entered. "I gotta go finish gettin' all my junk together, mate." Wally grumbled into the phone.
"Yeah, me too." Ace replied, annoyed as well that they had to bring all 30 pounds of books with them to the first day of school. "Catch you later."
"Yeah man, see ya." and with that, Wally pushed the red "End call" button.
Tick.
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Her clock dutifully continued it's revolutions.
A few miles away, two friends who were walking their way to school were having a similar conversation.
"Man, I don't care! We don't need any 'extra help', OK?" A tall 15 year old exclaimed to his friend, as they rounded a corner onto a long winding road that led through cornfields and was shaded by tall trees along the side of the pavement. As he said extra help, he made air quotation marks and his voice was dripping with sarcasm. He wearing a white T-shirt, covered by a blue unbuttoned dress shirt, and light brown cargo pants, which complemented his walnut colored hair. "We're awesome at what we do! We don't need any stupid freshmen!"
His friend, a teenager with a red T-shirt and dark blue jeans, looked solemn, as if he was thinking hard. His eyebrows scrunched together, slightly grazing the rim of his pitch black sunglasses. "I'm not saying we aren't good sailors, Hoagie." the other teenager stated matter-of-factly. "In fact, we're the best around here. But the crew team won 11 of their 14 races last year. We won 7." As he finished his statement, a small breeze swept by, jostling both the corn and the tips of his short, spiked black hair.
"I don't care Nigel! Our race count doesn't give their captain the right to walk around like-" He thrust his chest out and put on a bad Australian accent. "Hey, I'm Wally! I'm the crew team captain, and that makes me better than you! Cruddy sailors!" Hoagie relaxed a bit, dropping the act. "It annoys the crap outta me!"
Nigel laughed a bit at his friend's imitation of the crew captain. Wally could be a little arrogant at times, that was for sure. Yes, the sailing team didn't have as many trophies, but they were at least a bit more courteous than the crew team. Also, Nigel was certain that in a race directly between varsity crew and sailing, sailing would win on a good, windy day.
"I know it's annoying, but we'll find a way to put them in their place this year."
"Yeah, we better."
They continued walking, nearing the school, and the large river that was adjacent to it. Nigel had the feeling that a lot was going to change on those waters in the coming months. He had no idea just how right he was, and how significant his role would become.
Tick.
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Like a bomb patiently waiting for it's timer to reach zero.
The two sailors got to school early, but not as early as two girls who were now under a large tree by the math and science building. They were talking and savoring the feeling of sitting on grass, damp and chilled by the ending night time. It was nicely contrasted by the warmth and brightness of the now fully visible sun.
"So, who's your money on this time?" a blond haired girl with an orange tank top and worn blue jeans whispered to her calm friend, who was sitting cross-legged next to her. As she asked her question they both watched the two sailors swagger by. (A/N: I couldn't resist.)
"Abby thinks they're all gonna wind up on the loosing side if they keep this goin'. It's not like any of them are happy about the rivalry, Rachel." The other girl replied, without even looking up at the two gentlemen. In fact, she pulled her red hat down over her eyes and her chocolate colored features a little as they went by. In addition to her hat, Abby wore a dark blue hoodie and white shorts that matched the white sandals she had on.
Rachel, on the other hand, couldn't help but keep her eyes on the red shirted boy, sighing a little as she watched his slender form saunter into the building. She was obviously off inside her own head, spaced out from her conversation with Abby.
"Girl? You OK?" Abby asked, snapping her fingers near Rachel's ear. This seemed to bring her back.
"What? Oh, yeah!" She said, laughing a little. "Just thinking, that's all. I suppose you're right, but I don't think sailing and crew will be playing nice anytime soon." she stated. Rachel looked down as she said that, and started absently playing with a piece of grass she plucked from the earth. "I wish they would though..."
"Me too, girl. Me too." Abby said, as she rested a reassuring hand on Rachel's shoulder. She still looked a little downcast, but she smiled. So that was something, Abby figured. She wasn't one for drama, and just wanted to make sure her friends were happy. Unfortunately, there was a certain drama to her life, one that this dumb rivalry only placated.
Tick.
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With a final sweep over the black 12 written on a background of white, 6 'o clock was reached, and the slightly deafening drone of an alarm bell signified that fact.
With little pause, a porcelain white hand shot out from the covers with the intent of silencing the monstrosity of a noise. The slam of a fist on the button of the clock quickly achieved the said goal, and with a groan, Kuki rose from the comforting slumber she had been dragged away from, sitting cross legged on her relaxing covers and basking in the fresh orange light of the sun as it wrapped snuggly around her body. As she reached her arms into the air, dainty muscles tensed in a stretch, her mind began to rev up in preparation for the coming day.
School.
The concept hit her like a train, and she was suddenly filled with the urge to fall back down into her bed and forget she had even woken up. But she knew she couldn't. After all, what kind of impression would it make if she didn't even show up on the first day of school? So she dragged herself out of bed, and prepared for the new experiences today would bring.
After her morning routine was complete, and she looked presentable, she journeyed back to her room to pick her outfit. A green sweater with sleeves that hung just beneath her wrists, encroaching on her palms and thumb. A pair of black skinny jeans that hugged her thin but attractive legs nicely. Black shoes that matched her pants. A green headband to hold back her long obsidian-hued hair. Finally, a pair of emerald stud earrings. This was what wound up on her body after much deliberation and worry. Too much worry and nervousness for anyone to handle at seven in the morning. After getting her books ready and hugging her mother and sister goodbye, she was out the door, and walking toward a school, and an adventure.
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Even in the absence of it's owner, the second hand of Kuki's clock continued it's marathon of incremental running. Around and around, endlessly and inevitably counting. Sequencing the events of the world as it's 8 billion people went about their lives. The actions of a world, mapped out in time by the jumping of a red needle.
Tick.
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As the world went about it's business, and the sophomores of Trinston high school converged on the campus, the quiet ticking of time echoed faintly through Kuki's now empty room. Counting. Watching. Waiting.
Why does this rivalry exist? How far will it go? How much will it change? What will Kuki's first day hold for her? Will she make any friends? Maybe even a few enemies? These are the questions I'm hoping you have, because it's what I'm gonna write about. Also, I love symbolism. ^.^ Yes yes, I know, I may be going a little crazy with the time idea, but it contributes to the story immensely, if you can see how. Anyway, I'm sure you can see the relationships developing, slightly. But I haven't introduced all the characters yet! I've still got quite a few up my sleeve. They all play an important role, I promise! This will be quite a story by the way, I'm not sure how long it'll be but I know it won't be short at all. Also, it gets funnier, and more dramatic. Like I said, the beginnings of my stories are sorta blah. It was fun to write though!
Now, I need to know what you like, and what you don't like, so I can write this story better for you! So, send me a review and just imagine me high-fiving you for it.
I drive above the speed limit.
Cone.
