Back with another chapter! Thank you to the 3 people who reviewed. Replies at end.

Info: Yumi: 14

Her mom (Yuri): 32

Odd and Ulrich: 13

Jeremie: 12

Keita: 19 (in story he doesn't age)

Taro: 33

And everyone else will be told in the rest of the story.

PS- Yumi's mom had Yumi about a year after the prologue.

Chapter 1: The Day of Many Memories

(After the night fifteen years ago)

Yumi's POV

It had been a long day at school. Sissy had been trying to kiss up to Ulrich more than usual (she really needs to get a life). Jim had been even harder on everyone in gym class. He made us do fifteen laps and run up the bleachers, but to top that of it was 101 degrees! Worst of all, Ms. Hertz gave everyone five chapters too read in our science books because we're going to have finals tomorrow. Now I was walking toward my house with the rain falling on me full blast. I figure this day can't get any worse. I'm just glad school is over and I can go home now.

As I was walking towards my house, I felt like somebody, twice my size, was pushing down their weight on my shoulders. I turned, but found no one in sight. I was getting goose bumps and chills up and down my spine. I ran the rest of the way home until I reached the door.

I opened the door to hear the sobs of a woman. I closed the door softly, so no one could hear it. I walked slowly up the stairs and tried not to make a noise. I walked to my parent's room very cautiously. I finally reached their room and peaked in through the bottom of the door. I saw that the sobbing woman was my mother with an old looking music box. The tune was amazing, but was very discreet like it wouldn't be able to play very much longer. I knocked on the door and she gasped with fright. I could see from the side of the door that she was trying to hide the box under the bed. Soon she said in an unsteady voice "Come in".

"Hi Mom", I said with a bit of enthusiasm to make her feel better.

"Hi" my mom said in a quiet voice.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing" she said.

"Mom…. I know your hiding something," I said as she placed her hands on her hips.

"Okay, Yumi you found me out. Can you keep a secret?" she asked.

"Sure" I said in an unsure voice.

She pulled the music box out from under the bed and opened it. The beautiful tune played once again. Inside were a few pictures and some jewelry. One of the pieces of jewelry caught my attention. It was a beautiful emerald necklace on a simple black string. She sat back against the bed and she said, " Yumi, do you mind if I tell you a story?".

"Go ahead" I said with curiosity in my voice.

"When I was your age, I fell in love", she said in a voice that made her seem like she was daydreaming.

"With dad?" I said with wonder.

"No, this boy's name was Keita. I met him at a carnival. It was love at first sight", she said as she sighed " He was so amazing. He made the butterflies in my stomach never go away. He was perfect in every way. Some of the best moments in my life were with him. I remember the time I had to do a report about pandas. I had no clue about pandas, except they look cute and cuddly. He helped with my report, then we spent the rest of the day at the park and just sat on the swings talking about each other." Yumi's mom pulled out a picture of a younger version of herself and a guy that looked amazing. They were sitting on the swings; they were smiling ear to ear and he had his arm over her shoulder. Yumi had never seen her mom so happy. "There was only one flaw in our relationship…".

"What was that?" I said thinking nothing could go wrong with this story.

"I was arranged to be married with a man, who didn't care one bit about me. I couldn't back out of this marriage or I would disgrace the family", she said with sadness in her voice. "I soon said my last good bye on a rainy day like this one. It has been fifteen years since our last goodbye and the last memory I have of him is a small emerald necklace. I haven't heard from him since. The reason I felt I needed to let my feelings out was because your father is out of town and won't return for about another two weeks and today is exactly as it was fifteen years ago."

"Go ahead and let your feelings out. I promise I won't tell dad", I promised.

"Thank you dear," replied my mom. " I want you to have something." My mom pulled the necklace out from the box and said " I want you to have this, it holds too many memories and I believe you will care for it just as well as I have."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Of course" said my mother.

"Thank you so much" I said as she hugged her mother.

" Just do me one favor? DO NOT tell your dad where you got that necklace. Tell him you got it from a friend or something like that."

"Sure mom" I replied.

"Could I please have a bit of alone time?" my mom asked.

"Of course, if you need me I will be in my room ", I said as I got up and left the room.

As I walked to my room, I couldn't help but think that her day was so much harder than mine. All the laps in the world wouldn't make a difference. I hurried to my room, so I could finish reading.

End of Yumi's POV and chapter

Please read and review! Thank you to the people who did review.

femaleodd- thnx for the review and if u don't mind could u please send your story in an e-mail to me. Please puppy dog pout! and I haven't gotten far enough to think of an ending. hehe

Kay- thnx for the encouragement!

Yumi-clone – I hope this chapter answered your questions. Thanks for reviewing!

Buh-Byes,

Mandi

PS- Will mention other characters in other chapters.