Being the new girl sucked. Nobody talked to her. Nobody looked at her. She didn't even understand the complex Japanese language that everyone spoke. The harder she tried to fit in, the more invisible she became. Like a ghost stuck on Earth, unable to leave. Trapped. Imprisoned. And she knew they were laughing at her. Her name was Creta. And it was true what her name said about her. She was indeed creative. But because the name was so peculiar, so unique, so out of the ordinary, it didn't take a translator for her to realize it was the source of the trouble and grief she'd been getting from every other high school senior.
God I hate my life...What was the point of mom having us move to Japan anyway? Was it just so I could be mocked?...I hate it here...Everything about it... She trudged gloomily down the sidewalk as she started home, dismissed from her classes and feeling down since she hadn't been able to make any friends. Not even one. And yet, there was that one boy who kept giving her odd looks in class. Had she done something wrong? Did he despise her more than all the other did? She didn't know. Creta suddenly felt someone yank down on her backpack, making her collapse to the ground. Her arms stuck in the straps, her legs useless from the scrapes and scratches, her voice gone from trying to talk all day. She was dragged off helplessly by none other than the Matsuri. That's right. The Queen Bee. She was like the head of the school. She spoke out for the students. Anyone unwanted, was eliminated. Or so that's how the rumors went of course. But she wasn't ready to find out if they true or not.
Suddenly, cold, murky water surrounded her and a strong hand kept her down under the water. The heavy backpack strapped to her shoulders acted as deadweight, attempting to drag her down. Her lungs began to close and the air escaped from her. It couldn't just end like this could it? It seemed so. The koi swam around her feet, their mouths gently pressing against her cold skin. Creta's eyes began to close, feeling like an iron bar was pulling her down into the depths of the pond.
And as quickly as the hand was there, it was gone, replaced by one that pulled her out of the water by her backpack. Creta forced air into her lungs, coughing and breathing hard. Matsuri was nowhere to be seen. Only the boy who stared at her earlier in class.
"D-Did...y-you?" She began but was stopped as the boy put a finger to her lips. "You are Creta, aren't you?" he asked her. She was shocked he actually understood English. She nodded, her breathing becoming more controlled. She shivered slightly from the cold breeze and the boy gave her a hesitant hug, warmth coming off his skin. "Matsuri won't be bothering you anymore. I'm Japan by the way. But you can just call me Kiku."
