04/07/09 Tuesday
Early Morning
I woke up as the bright sunlight shined upon my face from the tiny window next to my bed. Argh. It's blinding me! "I wanna sleep some more, but..." I muttered in anger as I rolled out of my bed. Then without warning, I accidently rolled too far from the bed and fell on the floor, flat on my face.
I didn't scream in pain, but simply got up and walked over to the mirror. From what I can tell with a sleepy view, I got a bloody nose from that fall I just had. The expression on my face isn't even cheerful this morning, let alone that I didn't get enough sleep last night. I got scolded from my parents for not calling them, even though I did, and they punished me by not sending any money for a month. Even though my little sister pleaded to let me off, they ignored her.
So I shook off the event from last night and I did my morning business. As I got dressed, I posed in front of the mirror. I'm pretty plain looking except for the band aid placed on my nose from the injury. A sigh went out and I washed myself up one more time. While I cleaned my hands and face, I heard a knock from the room to my right.
I could hear Yukari's voice from here, though it's muffled.
"It's Yukari. Are you awake?" Then there's the sound of the door being opened. "Good morning. Did you sleep okay? Mitsuru-senpai asked me to take you to school. Are you ready to go?"
"Totally."
"Okay. Then let's go to Saya's room and check on her."
I knew that they were going to head toward my room the instance she entered Minako's room, so I rushed over to my desk and tossed a couple extra supplies that I might need for school. My hand was shoving some papers inside the bag desperately when I felt a long, solid hard object.
My hands fumbled around when I tried to take it out, making sure I don't mess up the orders in my school bag. I organized that ever since I was at home, so I don't want my effort to be wasted for school.
The solid object turned out to be a green headphone for my MP3 player. It was a gift that my younger sister gave to me before leaving for school. She was the only one who understood my current position and never failed to support me. My hands clenched it tightly, memories and regret filling in me. I hope my sister is okay right now without me being there for her. I plan on bringing her to Japan after raising enough money for her to stay with me.
There was the knock on my door and Yukari opened the door. She, however, did not take a step inside the room.
"Morning. Are you ready to go to school right-Wait. Is your nose okay? Did you hit yourself somewhere?" she asked. I quickly placed the headphone around my neck, even though it's not hooked up to a system.
"Mm, yeah. More like it."
"Okay then. As long as you're okay, then it's cool. Mitsuru-senpai asked me to take you to school, aloneg with Minako."
"I see."
"If you don't have any questions, then let's go."
New City passenger train "Anehazuru"
"We have to take the monorail to get there. Bet your last school wasn't like that, huh?" Yukari asked as we were sitting in the train, waiting to get to our school. Minako was in the middle between Yukari and I. I don't know if we're going to be in the same class or what, but I would definately hate to be alone with nobody to talk to like while I was in the US.
Minako isn't making much comments and I was acting like I'm too shy to say anything at the moment to Yukari. Soon enough, our train then is riding over the ocean. The blue sea glittering bright and in sparkles from the morning sun.
"This is my favorite part... when it feels like you're gliding over the sea." Her eyes closed and she smiled with a deep sigh.
"It must be nice," I murmured to myself and turned away from the clear glass windows behind us. I instead, turned to look at Minako and saw herself stare out of the window with a smile planted on her face. The smile... reminds me of my sister smiling the same way as she does. Without knowing, a sad smile crossed my face. I really miss my little sister.
"So," I managed to ask Yukari, longing to break the silence in the train. Her eyes opened and she looked over at me. "where do we stop?"
"Oh! Our stop is Port Island Station at the end of the line. From there, we walk." Oh perfect. We're walking. But I guess it's natural since walking to school in Japan is normal to do. Well, I use to take the bus instead, so this isn't much different.
"Have you ever heard of Tatsumi Port Island? It's a man-made island. They built our school right in the middle. Oh, look, you can see it now!" Minako and I both turned to see what Yukari was pointing out. True enough, there was Gekkoukan High.
The train then stopped and we got off the train. Yukari lead the way toward the school's entrance. It wasn't that long of a walk, but it did talk some time. As we got nearer to the school's entrance, we saw students going to Gekkoukan High around us.
"Morning," a young female student politely greeted us.
"Morning!" Yukari replied back with a smile. Wow. Students here are pretty nice for the moment.
"We're here already," Minako told herself as Yukari hastely ran in front of us. She then turned around rapidly to face us and halted.
"Well, here we are... Welcome to Gekkoukan High! You're gonna love it here!"
Inside the school
We managed to head into the school and it was pretty big in the inside. The clean floor with patterns were sparkling clean as students walked around on it. As I examined around, there was two hallways opposite from each other as we pass the shoe lockers. Further down the area, beyond the pillars, there's a mini school store and stairs. Though I don't think I should go there yet. I think... I should get use with the difference between an American school and a Japanese one.
"You're okay from here, right?" Yukari asked. "You should go see your homeroom teacher first. The Faculty Office is right there to the left." So that's where all of the teachers are, huh?
"...And that concludes the small tour to get to school. Do you have any questions before I go?"
"Where do I find which classroom I'm in?" Minako asked with a calm tone in her voice. As she spoke, I just have some strange feeling she's going to be more popular than me in school.
Yukari scratched the back of her head to think for a bit with a slight pause.
"I think they're posted on the bulletin board, but I haven't checked yet either." I nodded my head in understanding. "Hey..." she also piped in. What does she also want?
"About last night... Don't tell anyone what you saw, okay?" Yeah, like anyone would believe us. Actually, this is the first time I've experienced the atmosphere and strange occurence last night... Though it somewhat feels like deja vu more like it. Did I actually experience that kind of feeling before?
I shook my head. Nah, that can't be. I gotta focus on school right now though. It is the first day of school. Yukari and Minako were now staring at me after I went into my own head.
"Um... Saya. You do understand what I meant when I said not to tell anybody, right?"
"Of course I do!" I replied back with a panicked expression on my face. Dammit! I've been in my own imaginary world full of thoughts and I didn't see this coming! "I won't tell anybody."
There was an unsure look that flashed across Yukari's face, but it might've been my imagination. Even so, she shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, as long as you understand. Well, see ya later." She then left and walked away toward the stairs. For some reason, I felt an unsure aura around her as she left. It's as if she didn't know what to do anymore. Well, it's not my problem at the moment.
"Minako, should we now start looking for our class?"
"Sure."
We both walked toward the bulletin board that posted all of the students assigned class. I wonder what class I'm going to be in? Then I found my name in Class F. Supposely, I'm in the same class as Yukari and Minako.
"We're in the same class," Minako said.
"Yeah... That's a good thing, right?"
"Of course! It's rare to have someone you know to be in the same class as you."
A smile went across my face and the feeling of having a good companion was felt. "Yeah, now let's go and find the homeroom teacher we're suppose to meet."
Faculty Office
I knocked on the door of the Faculty Office.
"Um... Can we come in?" I asked in a tiny voice. I can't speak up well to strangers, which is true. I've had some pretty bad encounters back when I was in the US with strangers and I don't wanna relive that memory again. That's what I hate about my personality sometimes. Then there was a small sound coming from the door, but that probably means that it's alright to go in.
Once the door was opened, there was a teacher by the door. It was a young man in a teacher's suit with a stern aspect on his face. "You didn't have to knock on the door, you know."
I bowed down in apologization.
"I'm sorry! I-I did't come from Japan at all, so everything here is new to me!"
The expression of understanding came through the man's face and he softened up.
"Okay then. Why don't you go and meet your homeroom teacher?"
We both then went around the place and tried looking for our new teacher. Just where could she be? This is completely different from things back in the US. Teachers would be in classrooms, not in the office!
"Oh, are you the new students?" I heard a female teacher's voice rang into the air. That struck through us like an arrow and we both turned around. Across from us, there was a female teacher with short, brown hair with a lady's light brown suit without the tie. She waved at us to get our attention.
Without thinking, we both went over to her. She urged us to sit down with her on the chairs across from her. Minako and I exchanged glances from each other before sitting down. Okay, we both got the message that things were getting pretty weird in this school.
"So, you both are the new students at Gekkoukan High, right?"
"Yes," we both answered at the same time. She chuckled from our harmonized voice. Is it really that funny? I can never get some teachers...
"Well, let's see. You're both in 11th grade, correct?" she started flipping through the pages in a file that had my name on it.
"Let's see... Saya Madoka. Oh wow. You came from the United States originally? That's pretty amazing... And let me see the other informations... Mm... Hm... You have a lot of family relatives and you have a yonger sister named Shiina. Your reason for moving here was family problems- Oh!" she gasped. I guess she got the message that my family problem was a little harsher than expected. I'm actually quite surprised myself on how they managed to put some details about my problem since our family relationship was a lot harsher than what it sounds.
"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to bring any bad memories from your family's relationships or anything." Yeah right. You could've read them before, can't you?
She coughed a bit and placed my file away on top of her desk and grabbed Minako's. "Okay, it's Minako's turn!" Does she have to be that cheerful? But then again, this is a teacher we're talking about. It's better than some teachers I had before. She then flipped through the pages.
"Wow, you've lived in a lot of different places..." Really? Minako sure moves around a lot then.
"Let's see... In 1999... That was what, ten years ago? Your parents-" a gasp came afterward without warning again. It startled me a bit since I wasn't expecting to gasp more than once in a moment. "I'm sorry... I've been so busy, I didn't have time to read this beforehand." Yeah, of course we know. Teachers don't usually read the students profile outloud, you know? And Minako's parents... died? That can't be...
When I met with Minako's eyes, I saw some tears forming in her eyes. I could tell that she was trying very hard not to cry from the reminder of her parent's death. Sadness overcame me and I gripped my skirt. She's in a worse situation than the family relationship problem I'm having with my younger sister.
She closed the file and stacked it on top of mine.
"I'm Ms. Toriumi, I teach Composition. Welcome to our school."
"P-Pleased to meet you," I spoke in a soft, fake voice of mine.
"Nice to meet you!" Minako's sudden outburst kind of threw me off there. I don't see her this happy before, but that probably means that it's a bad thing if I haven't.
"Such enthusiasm, Minako! We could use more go-getters like you. Saya, don't be shy around us, especially since I'm your homeroom teacher." she smiled.
"Have you seen the classroom assignments? You both are in 2-F; that's my class. But first, we need to go to the auditorium. The Welcoming Ceremony will be starting soon. Follow me." She urged us to follow her.
Minako left first from the room as I was the last one to leave the room. Man... This is going to be a pain since I'm new to Japan. I wonder what the Welcoming Ceremony really is about? Do they throw parties? I mean, it is a ceremony, right?
Auditorium
"As you begin the new school year, I like each of you to remember the proverb, 'If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well.' When applied to student life, this means..." the principle of the school continued on with his long speech for welcoming us. I resist an urge to yawn loudly in front of others. I cannot believe the Welcoming Ceremony is like this... I thought it would be more fun or at the very least, not a boring lecture!
Minako was alert and sucking in the information from the principle's mouth. How is that even possible? Though she is from Japan and I'm from the US, that's a good amount of reason why I'm not use to this new setting.
"I heard we got a new transfer student." Huh? Whispers were heard all around us. I silently growled and resisted another urge to both yawn and cover my ears. I don't like rumors since I hate being picked on.
"Not just one, you idiot! There's two of them!"
"Two? There was another one?"
"Of course! They both were walking with Yukari this morning!"
"Hey hey! I've heard that one of them came from the United States."
"Really? Tell me more!"
"I hear talking and I believe it's someone from Ms. Toriumi's class..." the teacher suddenly announced from the row across of us. I couldn't see him cleary, but Ms. Toriumi turned red in embarrassment.
"Shhh! Be quiet! You're going to get me in trouble!" she warned us. The whispering did stop, but it doesn't look like the rumors are going to stop for the moment. All I did was drop my head to my hands and closed my eyes. I should probably catch up on my nap. I'm not going to go through the whole entire boring lecture of this principle.
Anyhow, I hope Minako wakes me up before it's over. If not, she's going to regret it. I chuckled, deep into the back of my mind. On the outside, I seem so timid and I really am shy, but deep inside, I'm so full of the hidden emotions that I've hid over the years. Soon enough, I dozed off into a small nap.
After School
2-F Class
Finally! My first day of school is over and I can finally relax. Most of the lectures today were introductions of most teachers. Not interesting.
As I got up from the desk in front of Minako's, I went over to her. She seems to have fallen asleep from our last lecture of the day. I could see a drool come out of her mouth, in which I secretly took a picture of it with my phone. I'm definately going to lock this photo and show it to her someday. A smirk formed on my face.
While I was hovering over her, I saw a male student walk over to us with a cheerful expression. He was wearing a blue shirt inside of the male's school uniform and was wearing a blue hat with a strange symbol in the middle of it. He also has a black beard that somewhat matches his hair color.
" 'Sup, dude!" 'Sup? 'Sup...? Wha-What is this conspiracy? Why is this random guy from our class suddenly came up to us and speak to us?
"N-N-Nothing much," I wimpered in confusion. I honestly don't know what to say anymore. How do I respond back properly?
Minako just woke up from her slumber and yawned. She stretched her arms out in the air while sitting and when finished, had a satisfied look on her face. She must be feeling good right now. Junpei had a wicked looking expression on his face as he stared in amazement at Minako.
"Ha ha, you look like a deer in headlights."
"Who are you?" Minako asked without any hesitation.
"Me? I'm Junpei Iori. Nice to meet ya. I transferred here when I was in 8th grade. I know how tough it is bein' the new kid..." That's very kind of him to check up on us. At least there's someone not running around the place like a chicken without a head, spreading rumors about us. "So I thought I'd check up on you both, make sure you weren't freaking out on your first day."
A sigh was suddenly heard from a distance and a familiar voice came around as it got closer. "At it again, huh? Honestly, is there any girl you wouldn't hit on? Did you ever think you might be bothering someone?" Yukari it shall be popped into the conversation we were having with him. He wasn't bothering us, you know. But she might have a point... Is he hitting on us? Without so, on the first day?
Junpei had a confused expression planted on his face as Yukari neared him. His hands went waving into the air like a pair of windshield, panicked.
"What? But, I was just bein' friendly."
"If you say so. Anyway, some coincidence that we'd be in the same homeroom, huh?" she turned her attention to us.
"I know, right?" I answered back with sweat trailing down on my face. Uh... I don't know what to say anymore.
"Yeah, I know," Minako responded back plainly.
"Funny, huh?"
"Um, hello?" Junpei piped in. "Did you forget I'm in this class too? C'mon, lemme in on the fun!" Really? I guess he deserves some attention since he's nice right off the bat.
"By the way, do you guys know each other? I heard you three came to school together this morning." Perfect. Rumors did spread around like wildfire. "A couple of cuties like you, walking side by side with each other... The whole class was buzzing about you both."
"Ugh... Could you just cut it out? I hate dealing with rumors like that." Hey, we both have something in common. We hate rumors.
"I mean, I'm used to it, but they both just got here, you know? Don't you feel bad, spreading rumors like that?" So wait. Junpei is the source of the rumors being spread around? If it's him, I'm gonna beat the crap out of him if I have a chance, but I don't want to let my playful timid side turn the tide just yet.
"Well, I've gotta go take care of some archery team stuff. Don't try anything funny, you got that, Junpei?" And so Yukari left the room in a hurry. I guess she's pretty busy with her club activity. Japanese high school sure is busy like back in the US.
"What is she, your nanny...?" Junpei muttered in wonder. Junpei... I also sometimes wonder that too.
"Well, just to clear something up, I seriously didn't come over here to hit on you or anything. If you ever have a problem, you can tell your ol' pal Junpei about it!"
"Thanks."
"Er, thanks," I nervously spoke. When did we ever become an old pal of Junpei? We just met!
A grin crawled on his face like a snake and his happy attitude was flicked on. "No prob! My door's always open. So to speak." He left the room with a slow pace as we both stared after him. I shouldn't say that he's cute, but I'm just gonna admit that he's pretty friendly to someone new.
"Junpei's nice," Minako said to me as I waited for her to grab her bag in the classroom.
"I guess." I didn't really have much to say, but we decided to go back to the dorm for now. There isn't any homework on the first day of school, of course. However, there's still some paperwork I still need to fill out in regards to transfering from another country.
"You're pretty lucky you don't have to fill out extra paperworks," I chuckled. Minako just tilted her head and grinned.
"I know I'm lucky, but it's nice being out of Japan."
"Actually Minako, it's nice getting out of the US."
"So maybe it's nice getting out of countries you're staying in, I suppose?"
"Probably."
We chattered for a bit while we walked in the hallways. Before long, Junpei met us again and persuaded us that he would walk us back to the dorms.
So on we walked out of school. We managed to catch a glimpse of the track team in school. Junpei seems pretty impressed of their skills in running.
"Whoa, check out the jocks on their run... Hey, did anyone tell you about the school clubs yet?" Apparently not for me, that is. I don't know about Minako, though.
"Girls can join too, so why not do it if you're interested?" I know that. This isn't a segregation school on genders, you know.
"You'd be joining as a new member, though, so you won't be able to apply for a little while." Oh, that sucks. It's not like in the US where you can join right on the first day. But whatever. I think I should join in the Tennis club or something... I really would love how to swing those rackets around.
"Oh, anyhow! I've heard that you're from America, Saya! How's it there? Is it wicked?"
"Meh. It's different from Japan, but not much from where I live."
"So where do you live?"
"I live in Florida."
"Florida? Is it that piece of land that sticks out of the country?"
"Um... If you're talking about the bottom right state, then yes."
Minako seems intrigued by our conversation and also joined in. We've chatted for a while until we reached our dorms. We waved good bye to Junpei and decided to run straight to our rooms. Mitsuru gave us a quick welcome while reading the newspaper she was holding on to. We simply raced past her and up the stairs.
However, I will admit, I lost in a race against Minako toward our room, even though her room was a bit farther away from mine. But today was an enjoyable day. I don't know about tomorrow, but at least today was the day I could be myself for a bit. I should probably open up my emotions sometime in the future, but not now...
Hello! Thank you so much for reading the second chapter of my fanfiction! *bows down* Wow. I can't believe I'm this far already... I'm pretty happy that I got a chance to share my stories with you readers out there! ^_^