Chapter 2: New school
When she woke up, Kari was a bit nervous. She knew she had no need to be, but she was. She was looking outside at the beautiful weather and she knew she was going to have a great day ahead, but the main problem was getting to school. It was really far away and she always had to wake up an hour and a half before school even started, but it was alright. It was a small price to pay for a good education. In the subway she was thinking about the night before and what had happened with the Golden Warrior. On the screens she saw the news that the Golden Warrior had saved several people that evening. She didn't feel that special anymore. But all of the ones she heard he had left the scene immediately. Maybe there was something…who knows. Maybe I'll see him again. I haven't felt like this since…oh my stop!
She got out of the subway and walked a few more blocks. That's when she spotted the school. She saw the numerous kids and she was feeling quite small. Ok…just get past the entrance.
She saw the school. The grounds were huge. She saw all the kids walking past her or talking to each other. Then she noticed the different groups of kids. The jocks were all making fun of some nerd. She saw his desperation. She had gone through the same. She even expected it to happen again. She walked past them and did not care to look. But when she heard the guys were carrying him away to throw him into the dumpster, Kari had to intervene. It might be that she'll be bullied for the rest of the year, but she could not stand injustice.
Kari: Hey you! Leave him be!
Grant (one of the jocks): And what will you do?
Kari: I'll help him stay away from jerks like you!
Grant: Well well…we have a feisty nerd here! You're lucky you're a girl and we won't throw you into the dumpster…but we'll be kind to let you watch while we throw him!
Benny (the nerd): Please don't! I haven't done anything!
As Grant tried to lift him, someone put his hand on his shoulder. Kari looked at the tall blond boy who stopped Grant. She could not believe who it was. After all this time. After everything she had gone through. The one person who should have been by her side through everything.
Grant: What do you want Takeru?
TK: To leave him alone and for you to back off. We don't need this on the first day, ok Grant?
Grant: Humph…Fine. But just cause you're the captain Takeru.
TK: Thanks. (turning to Benny): Are you ok? Here is your bag.
Benny: Thanks…I guess.
TK: Be careful next time. Don't let them play you like this.
Benny: I will.
Kari was still speechless. She was staring at him. It was him. Everything about him reminded her about her past. She was just standing there. Then she saw him turn to her. He looked wonderful in her eyes. Never had she seen him look like this. She was blushing. Her heart was racing. She was mad at him, but at the same time she was happy to see him again. How can this have happened in just two days.
TK: Hi.
Kari: Hi. I'm Hikari. (holding out her hand) It's probably best if he doesn't
TK: Takeru. Nice to meet you. Why is she pretending? You're new here?
Kari: Yes. It's my first day.
TK: You should go to the principal's office to register. She'll give you your schedule as well.
Kari: Thanks. I'll be on my way.
Benny: Hey wait! I'll come with you. I have to deliver this paper from my parents. I'm Benny, by the way.
Kari: Hikari! Nice to meet you!
Benny: Hey I'll guide you! Look that's the cafeteria. Everyone has their own tables. The cool kids hang out in the center. The rest just hang out around. The nerds like me usually stay in the corner next to the kitchen. It smells, but at least we have our table.
Kari: Ok…
Benny: That's the chemistry lab and there is the biology lab. Oh and at the end is the principal's office. Outside we have the different sports fields. And the sports hall. You'd be surprised but for a top educational institution they really care about our sporting life. I'm not particularly good at any sports…but I think you already guessed that.
Kari: How could I? I didn't know you.
Benny: That's kind of you to say. Now go on. You can go and get your schedule. I'll just hand in everything later.
After Kari finished with the Principal she made her way to the first class. She noticed it was chemistry. She made her way to the chemistry lab. She noticed Grant sitting as well. He was next to a beautiful blond girl. Then she looked around. She saw some of the other children in her class. Some were talking about their vacations. She remembered she had no vacation. The whole summer she worked at a diner. She would work there every once in a while, to help her dad cover the debts. When she looked around she saw all the kids were quite wealthy. They had designer clothes and all cared for their looks. Suddenly she felt out of place. The blond girl next to Grant was looking almost disgusted towards her. She then spotted TK sitting at the back with two girls next to him. By the looks of them they were both cheerleaders and both were trying to get his attention. He did not seem too interested. Kari remembered him this way. He saw her and smiled. A sudden happiness arose within her. She took a seat one row in front of him. No one else was seated there. Then she saw Benny come in. She was happy to see him. At least someone she knew. Someone besides TK. He also goes by Takeru here…well I'll go by Hikari. I don't want people to call me Kari here…
Benny: So we're in the same class. That's awesome! I think this year will be awesome!
Kari: I hope so!
Teacher: Good morning class! I see most of you returned, and I see some new faces! Actually just one…your name miss?
Kari: Hikari Kamiya. I just moved here!
Cheerleader next to TK: No one cares looser!
Most of the students started laughing, but Kari was oblivious to it. She just sat down. She did not look at anyone.
Teacher: That's enough Claire! My name is Hiroki.
Kari: So Claire is her name…
Hiroki: I am glad to tell you that this year we'll be having some projects with the university. It'll be a great way for those of you interested to study chemistry or even medicine.
Kari: That sounds interesting! Most schools I've been to don't have any projects…
Benny: What schools did you attend?
Kari: Well…let's just say they weren't the best ones.
Benny: How did you get here?
Kari: I got a scholarship for one year. If I manage to get high grades this year I'll be able to get a scholarship for a top university. It's kinda all or nothing for me.
Benny: I see…looks like I have competition for the "Geek of the Year"-yearbook picture!
Kari: You can say that out loud!
Hiroki: After long consideration, the board and I came to the conclusion that we're going to make a change in the curriculum. We'll have a group essay which will be handed in every month. It's important, as it will be ten of these essays and each makes up for ten percent of the essay grade which is fifty percent of your final grade. Any questions?
Claire: Yes! Can we choose our own groups? I mean, no offense, but some of us don't want to get the diseases of all these geeky losers!
Hiroki: One more comment like this and you'll be out of the class for the rest of the week! And thanks to you, no. I will choose! Please write your names on a piece of paper fold it and put it in this box. I will then draw groups of four.
As a few names were heard and some were happy with their group mates, Kari suddenly heard her name.
Hiroki: Hikari!
Kari was looking up. She heard Claire throw another comment, saying she shouldn't be called like that, because too much light on her and her ugly face would be infesting others. Kari hated her. She hated it even more that TK was apparently friends with her.
Hiroki: Benny! You'll be in a group with Hikari.
Benny: Cool! We'll be the best!
Hiroki: Claire! Oh how ironic!
Claire: What! You rigged the draw! That's not fair!
Hiroki: I don't care what you say Claire! You will find a way to work with them or you'll fail! And the last one, ah! Takeru! And that would be our final group.
Kari could not believe that she was in a group with him. Of all the people, it had to be him. TK's expression was rather motionless. He thought it was fate that brought them back together. He was quite happy about it. He was smiling towards her. Benny thought he was smiling towards the both of them. When the lesson finished Kari and Benny were going out of the class.
TK: Hey! Hikari! Benny! We should get together and talk! How about this evening at the diner? My treat! Claire will be there too!
Benny: That sounds great! Hikari are you coming?
Hikari: It's fine. I'll be there. Which diner?
TK: I'll text you the address. Can you both give me your numbers?
Benny: Sure!
After they exchanged their numbers they went to the next lessons. The day wasn't too long as the afternoon lessons had been cancelled. When Kari went to the subway she heard someone call out her name. When she turned she saw TK.
Kari: TK! It's just you…you scared me…
TK: Wow! You look amazing! I can't believe you are here! What happened all this time! We haven't talked in forever!
Kari: Look TK…you left back then…just like that. I still don't know why or how, but I think we should keep this strictly professional. Just school business. Plus you don't need to flatter me. I heard what your friend said about me.
TK: Kari, just…listen…
Kari: Don't worry. We'll find a way to work together. I just want to keep this away from us…for now.
TK: I understand. It was good seeing you though. I guess I'll see you tonight as well.
Kari (while entering the subway station): See you!
Author's note: End of the second chapter! More to come soon
