Author's note: Sorry for updating so late, but I was busy with my thesis and university stuff. Now the story continues :) Enjoy!

CHAPTER 2: School

Takeru was sitting at the back of the bus with his best friend Clark. They were talking about the new school year and whether some new cute girls would join their class.

Clark: I hope it'll be better this year than last. Those bullies are finally gone! Now it's time for us, the GEEKS to rise!

Takeru: Keep it down will ya? I don't think it's our time…

Clark: You'll see! The new girls are our way in! We play cool, get girlfriends and then we'll be cool!

Takeru: You don't believe that yourself, dude! Plus there's only one girl for me…and that's Nathalie…

Clark: MAN…you need to get laid... Nathalie doesn't even know you exist…give it up already! She's the most popular girl in school and you're a nerd!

Takeru(changing subject): Hey look…the bus stops at a new house…

Clark: OH YEAH! A new chick in town!

Bus driver: Get in kid!

Michael: Thanks…

As Michael looked through the bus he immediately spotted the different groups. He saw the cool kids, the Goths, the video game obsessed kids and then he spotted two guys sitting at the back staring disappointed. He went near towards them and sat down.

Michael: Hey! I'm Michael. Nice to meet you. I'm new in town.

Clark couldn't believe his eyes. Michael looked strangely a lot like Takeru. Their similarities were surprising. Even Takeru could not believe it.

Clark: Say dude…where you from?

Michael: Japan…just moved here…

Clark: Not sure if that explains why you two look so similar, he's also partly Japanese but whatever. I'm Clark!

Takeru: I'm Takeru!

Michael flinched at the name. It sounded familiar. He couldn't understand why, but he knew it from somewhere. Probably just a common name in Japan. His memory loss was still causing him problems.

Michael: So…what group are you guys?

Clark: We're the awesome ones!

Michael: Right…well I'm the new kid…so glad to have met you awesome dudes!

They talked on and on for a few more minutes until the bus reached the school. As they went out, they saw a sports car driving by.

Michael: Who's that?

Takeru couldn't hear anything. Inside the car was the girl of his dreams, Nathalie.

Clark: That's Josh…the quarter back…and Takeru's crush since he was born, Nathalie. Never mind him…it's all cheesy love songs in his head now…every time he sees her…it happens…he makes a fool out of himself.

Michael: She doesn't know he exists, does she? (Clark dissaproved) I guess we have something to do for this year…get him to talk to that girl! I'm off to the principal…wake him up!

A few minutes later they were all in their classroom. Everyone was in the same class and Michael soon got to know more people.

Josh: So! You're the new guy?

Michael: Isn't it obvious?

Josh: Don't play smart boy!

Michael: Bring it on!

Teacher: Calm down! Sit down!

Hours later the three guys were sitting in the cafeteria talking and eating their lunch.

Josh: Look who it is! The LOOSERS! Hey Takeru…what do you wanna do today; get strapped to a toilet, or the classic slushy?

Nathalie: Josh stop it…you don't need to do this.

Josh: Shut it woman! I'm gonna show these loosers where their place is.

As he tried to punch Clark, Michael jumped up and held his fist in his hand.

Michael: You heard the pretty girl…go away. No one wants to get hurt here.

Josh: I'm gonna beat the crap out of you!

Nathalie tried to intervene and was pushed back by Josh. She fell down. That's when Takeru jumped at Josh and pushed him very hard.

Takeru: What the hell is wrong with you! Hitting a girl!

He went down and helped Nathalie up.

Nathatlie: Josh…you're an ass…don't come near me again…

As she left, everyone was staring at Josh and Michael. The day ended two hours later and all were headed home.


Takeru's house:

Kari: Hey! How was your day?

Takeru: Good…I talked with Nathalie, met this new guy Michael and we stood up to Josh!

Kari: WHAT? YOU DIDN'T FIGHT DID YOU?

Takeru: No…we didn't…it was a verbal confrontation.

Kari knew that a fight would be the least for her son at the moment. He had trouble at school every day. He never told Karl, his father, about it. She and her son had a more special bond. He shared everything with her.

Kari: By the way…I invited the new residents here…I think their son is Michael! I thought a warm welcome would be good for them! Also Nathalies family will come, since we are all working together at the local newspaper agency. If you want you can invite Clark as well!

Takeru: WOW! NATHALIE IS COMING HERE?

Kari: I thought you might like that!

Takeru: I'm off to the shower! Call me when they are coming. I'll also invite Clark!

She knew her son liked that girl. She never understood why he liked her so much. Her parents were very nice people, Nathalie however never spoke to her son…She was supportive of her son…maybe he felt something for her, like she felt for TK a long time ago…


Later that day:

Karl: Come on in! James, Alexandra…and Nathalie…God you are getting prettier every day!

Nathalie (blushing a bit): Thanks…

Karl: Everyone is inside…Takeru! Our guests are here!

Takeru came down quickly, thinking Michael had arrived. He was not ready for Nathalie yet. Again music started swirling through his head…

Karl: Takeru! WAKE UP! What's the matter with you today?

Takeru (shaking it off): Nothing…

Nathalie: Just a rough day at school that's all…right Takeru (smiling at him)?

Takeru: SHE KNOWS MY NAME! And that smile…

Karl shook his son a bit.

Takeru: Right…shitty day!

Kari: Watch your language!

Takeru: Sorry mom…

Kari: Karl, show our guests to the table will you…

As they all went laughing and talking inside, the doorbell rung. Kari opened the door to find Helen and Takeshi standing outside.

Helen: Kari! Wow! You look gorgeous! This is my husband Takeshi!

Kari: Hi! It's nice to meet you…is your son here as well?

Helen: Yes…Michael!

As Helen showed her son, who came a bit slower, Kari could not believe what she was seeing. The seventeen year old boy in front of her looked exactly like the love of her life, the real father of her son…TK.

Kari: It can't be him…NO Impossible…he is there…and not here…no way…

Kari (snapping out of it): Hi! Michael! I'm Kari…Takeru's mother.

Michael didn't see her face at first, but as he stood in front of her him too had a feeling of knowing this woman. It was something about her brown eyes, her beautiful face and every other trait he noticed, which made him think that he knew the woman standing in front of him. It was something about her that made his heart leap.

Michael: Hi…nice to meet you…your son is a great kid…

Karl: Hello everyone! Come in!

Kari: Impossible…it can't be…

Michael: Why is my heart beating so fast…how is it possible for her to make me feel this way?


Author's note: stay tuned for the next update (probably in a day or so)