Chapter 2

"Come on Star! You're going to be late for school if you don't come downstairs right now!"

I forced myself not to roll my eyes at my brother. "I would love too, but I can't find my uniform! I thought you said you laid it out on my bed!"

I heard a faint, "Oh, shit. I forgot,"

Then frantic thumping of feet, as my brother ran up the stairs and into my room. "Woah! Little sis, you grew up!" I blushed, and reached for the towel I just dropped and covered myself. I only had on my undergarments. "Shut up and just get my clothes."

He chuckled, walking over to my closet. Soon a familiar fabric was being pushed into my hand. "Here, and this time try not to have your shirt on backwards." I glared at in the general direction of the voice. "Get out."

I heard him laughing all the way downstairs. I quickly got dressed and brushed out my long hair, before carefully going towards the stairs. Since we only just moved here not that long ago, I still hadn't memorized the house, so I was still a bit unsure of how the structure was. Half way down the stairs Kyo helped me down, and into the car.

"Hey where's mom and dad?" I asked on our way to the school.

"At work. You know they have to go in early." I did understand. They both worked at a hospital, mom as a nurse, and dad as a doctor. That's actually how they met each other. They were at the same school. I thought it was a cute story. "Here we are, and I see Kumiko. I'll walk you too her."

"Yeah, so you can flirt with her." I stated with a dull voice, while getting out of the car.

Even though I couldn't see I knew he was grinning.

"Ohayou Yamaguchi-sensei." I greeted bowing. "Oh, Ohayou Tsumikara-chan, and Kyo-kun. O-ohayou." I raised a brow when my teacher addressed my brother by not only his first name, but also added the suffix "-Kun" after his name. It made me wonder just how far they got in one day. Boy does my brother work fast.

"Tsumikara-chan, are you ready?"

"Huh?" I questioned. "I asked are you ready, silly. We have to get to class, I missed the meeting while waiting for you but that's ok. As long as I can educate and nurture the young minds of my students then that's all that really matters!"

I nodded, standing there listening. But only because I couldn't exactly walk to the class on my own, so I allowed her to rant on about "Precious students" and something about us being "The future", or some crap like that. I knew she meant well but...teachers were hard to trust. I have always had bad experiences with teachers. They weren't always as understanding of my condition as expected. I tapped her shoulder.

"Yamaguchi-sensei. Shouldn't we be going to class?"

She suddenly stopped talking. "Oh, I completely forgot!" She yelled, running off. I groaned, counting down. "3...2...1..."

Frantic footsteps was heard coming back to me. "Tsumikara-chan! I'm sorry, I keep forgetting." Yamaguchi grabbed my hand running to the class. "I-it's quite alright Sensei." Yamaguchi made sure to warn me of the stairs so that I wouldn't tumble down them. Soon we came to a stop so I figured we must be in front of the classroom door. "Put your hand out."

Even though I was confused, I did anyway. I felt her hand over mine, and heard her say, "Fight-o, oh." I'm sure right about now I was giving her a deadpan look. What the hell was that! It was so corny. It was like a small cheer she did before going in there. I shook my head, before walking through the now open door.

"Ohayou everyone!" Yamaguchi yelled overly happy.

"Hey Hitomi-chaan!" Was the class sing-song reply. I couldn't help but giggle at the fact that they completely blew off their teacher for me. "O-ohayou e-everyone." I stuttered out, trying not to laugh. They must have thought I was being shy because then a chores of, "So Kawaii!" went around.

"H-hey! I'm here too you know!" Yamaguchi yelled trying to get their attention.

"Yeah, but you're not a cute as Hitomi-chan!" One kid yelled.

"Yeah, and you're a weirdo." Another yelled. I recognized this voice as Minami. I shook my head and turned to Yamaguchi. "I'm going to go to my seat now." I said.

"Y-yeah, ok. Just go strait." I nodded and walked, slowly mind you, to my seat. As soon as I sat down the whole class turned their attention to me.

I fidgeted under the gaze of so many boys. I don't think I've ever felt this uncomfortable before. I just faintly heard Yamaguchi try to get the class to pay attention but, like always they ignored her. They didn't seem to like her much; however, I didn't really care. The only reason I put up with her is because one: She seemed ok, but a bit airheaded. Two: Because I need her to get around.

"Hey Hitomi-chan." I smiled in Kuma's direction. "Ohayou, to you too Kuma-chan."

"I can't believe we got such a lame teacher." Minami said drumming his fingers on a desk. "I mean, just look at her. She's so dorky with those glasses on, and she has no chest at all." I couldn't help but snicker a bit, but hid it in my hand. The other guys around pitched in their agreement. From the sound if it she was trying to teach the lesson to a class that wasn't listening. I was probably the only one half listening to her.

"Guys...Where's Sawada-san? Is he here?"

"He's sleeping next by you." Uchi said. For show I turned to the desk next to me, nodding. "Oh.."

"Oi, Shin! Get up."

I quickly looked over in Uchi's direction. "No, no it's alright, you don't have to wake him." I would feel bad if they woke him up just because of me.

"Oi, how can anyone sleep with all this noise?" I heard a new voice. I assumed it came from the sleeping guy, Sawada, Shin, because the same person yawned. "About time you woke up. All you ever do is sleep. Oi, by the way we set up some dates with a couple of girls last night, make sure you're there." Uchi said. The guys agreed.

"Why?" From his voice I can tell he didn't care. He sounded bored and tired. "We need you for your looks man. Let's face it, you're hot! Don't you think Hitomi-chan?" I silently cursed Noda, because now everyone was looking at me; which by the way only included the five people around me.

"Come on no need to be shy Hitomi-chan!" I was completely at a loss for what to say. "W-well...I-i um-"

"She probably can't see right with those shades on, take them off." My hands instantly went up to them. "Don't you dare touch them."

"Oh, come on. Why not? Just for a quick second, please?" I shook my head. "No, now stop pestering m-"

I sat there wide eyed looking strait a head but not seeing anything. I heard a collective gasp around me as everyone took a look at my faded blue eyes.

"Yes, I know! Math is exciting when you get into it. Oh, I'm so proud of you all for finally paying attention!" Yamaguchi yelled turning around with a teeth showing smile, however, it quickly fell when she saw all the student's backs to her. She wondered what they were all looking at, that's when she realized that they were surrounding Hitomi's chair.

She sighed. "Hey! Guy's you do know you're gonna have to learn something eventually!"

Yamaguchi shook her head and muttered. "I wish they would listen." She started to make her way through the crowed, lightly pushing, and shoving people out of the way until she reached me. When she did she gasped.

For me, that was like the signal for my brain finally realized what had just happened. I shot up and ran out of the room, ignoring Yamaguchi and the others calls for me to come back. I didn't have any clue where I was going and I constantly ran into walls and fell. I felt something roll down my face that I haven't felt in a while. I angrily wiped the salt-water from my face, as I miraculously made it outside. I just kept running strait until I came to a fence. I kept close to the fence, and kept making a bunch of rights as I followed the fence's path. I felt the water fall from my eyes again, but no matter how much I rubbed it, it wouldn't go away. I don't know why it affected me like this...Maybe it was because I just wasn't ready yet. I didn't want them to know that I was blind.

Eventually I found myself in what I think was an alleyway. I don't know how far I ran or for how long, I was just surprise that I hadn't ran into the streets and died or something. I leaned against the wall and slid down into a sitting position, pulling my legs to my chest, my arms folded on my knees and my head down. As I sat there I cried completely oblivious to the world.

~With Yamaguchi and 3-D~

"What did you guys just do?" Yamaguchi yelled making the class jump in surprise. After Hitomi had ran out it was so quiet you could hear a pen drop. Yamaguchi looked around and saw one of the kids, Kohei, Imagawa, holding Hitomi's shades.

"Why you!" Yamaguchi yelled taking his collar into her hands and shoving him up against the wall. "Why on earth did you do that!"

He along with the rest of the class was surprised at her aggressiveness, and strength. "Why! There was a reason why she had those on! If she wanted you to know then she would've told you!"

"She's blind, isn't she?" Yamaguchi turned to Uchi. "Yeah..." She said finally letting go of Imagawa. He fixed his collar looking guilty.

Shin looked at Uchi. He seemed to be the only one to notice the look in Uchi's eyes. Like he just remembered something.

"And now she's run off, to god knows here."

"But why wouldn't she want us to know? If she told us we would've understood." Minami said. Yamaguchi sighed. "I really don't know. You would have to ask her why she wouldn't tell you. But right now we have bigger problems! We have to find her, I don't know how well she knows the city and even still she's probably lost."

"Then what are we still doing in here?" Shin said.

"Let's go."

~Back with me~

I jumped at a loud car horn pushing myself closer to the wall I was using to stay off the streets. I've been out here for hours, and I was positive it was dark out now. I couldn't even call my brother or parents because my phone was in my bag but when I left I didn't grab it. I sighed and hugged myself when a chilly wind blew.

"Haru-Nii...Kyo-nii..." I sobbed out.

I hated being alone.

I hated being blind.

I hated my life.

"-Tomi-chan!" I paused. I thought I just heard.

"Hitomi-chan!" I felt a smile hit my face. It was Yamaguchi-sensei. "Yamguchi-sensei!" I yelled in response.

"Hitomi-chan! Hold on we're coming!"

I sighed in relief. Then it hit me. She said we're coming. I heard many pairs of feet running towards me, and many panting breaths.

"What?...How many are you?"

"S-six...Th-there...are s-six."

My eyes were wide in surprise. "Six?" I whispered.

"Hitomi-chan, we're really sorry." Noda yelled out.

"Yeah, we didn't know keeping that secret was that important to you." Minami put in.

"Here." I heard Uchi say, before putting on my shades for me. I smiled softly, gently touching my shades. These shades were very important to me. "Thanks..."

"Come on your brother is really worried about you. I'll take you home. Sawada, call the others to let them know we found her."

"Others? You mean...The whole class came looking for me?" I was surprised yet again. I never thought that they would do all this just for me. I felt respect and love fill my chest. I know that they were the reason why I was out here...but they all took the time to come look for me...Maybe my fear isn't going to come true...

I felt someone grab my arm, and if I paid any attention I would've noticed that the hand felt much bigger than Yamaguchi's. While we were walking Kuma asked, "H-hey...Um..Why didn't you want us t-to know?"

I thought about telling them. I mean what have I got to lose? I sighed. "It's just...I didn't want any pity friends."

"What?" They collectively asked.

"At my old school I didn't have real friends. The only reason I had friends was because of pity and my parents money. When I got in trouble they all deserted me. Said they didn't know me that they were never my friends. I should've known they would be like that, but I wanted to believe that I had someone to care about me." I paused. "I didn't want to tell you all because I have no desire for your pity or sympathy, nor do I want it. Because if that's gonna be the bases of our friendship then you can keep it. I'll be better off alone."

It was quiet before there was laughter. "You really think that we care if you're blind or not?" Noda laughed out.

"Yeah we couldn't care less, you're our friend and nothing is gonna change that." Minami said patting me on the back.

"Besides it's kind of cool to have a blind friend." I couldn't help but shake my head at Kuma.

I felt relieved that I finally got that secret out. This way I could be a bit more normal around the guys, and I can be sure that I wouldn't have to walk around without Yamaguchi all the time. Slowly I heard the footsteps of the other guys fading a bit. Little did I know I was behind the others alone with Uchi. Shin, who knew what he was about to do, made sure to keep the others occupied while he talked to me.

"Answer me this." I jumped at Uchi's voice. I wondered where he was, because all day I hadn't heard him speak. I waited for him to ask his question. "The family that you're with now...Is it your real or adoptive?"

I considered telling him they were my real ones...but I wanted to see if he figured it out. "My adoptive."

He seemed to be thinking. "And...You were blind from birth."

"Yes." I answered again. He was going to figure it out soon...

"You were given those shades when you were 8 years old."

I smiled a bit remembering. "Yeah...They were a gift from a very special guy."

I couldn't even hear him breathe. So I assumed he was holding his breath. "And your...your last name is...was Uchiyama."

I stopped and turned to him with a small smile.

"Hai...Haruhiko-nii-chan..."

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