Kodocha: Middle School bk. 5

Chapter Eight the Thirteenth Birthday part 2

Sana Kurata stood in front of her full-length cherry wooded mirror. Her hair was pulled into a loose ponytail with some strands of her hair falling to a few inches past her shoulder. Those loose and not in the ponytail strands of hair were gently curled and resting at the nape of Sana's exposed neck. A beautiful ball gown flowed to the floor in pale lavender and she wore silver but, hidden high heel sandals. She looked absolutely gorgeous. Misako Kurata, her mother, stood, admiringly in the frame of Sana's room door.

"You look nice, Sana," Misako complemented her daughter and nodded.

"Thanks, Mama. I love the dress," Sana turned to her mother and replied. Sana turned back to the mirror and toyed with the thin straps of the chiffon dress.

"Ow, this bra hurts so much," Sana whispered although the words were meant to be a mere thought.

---

Bewildered with grand entrances

Sana stepped out of a limo that was sitting in front of a beautifully decorated club called Silver, where her fabulous thirteenth birthday party would be held. Sana gazed at the pearl lights that shimmered from the sign written in script of the club's name. Everyone cheered from either side of the red carpet as Sana gracefully, well sort of, stepped up onto the carpet. Cameras flashed and her friends waved, trying to get her attention. Sana smiled happily and strutted down the carpet, taking her stage. Inside, the lighting seemed to be dim and Sana was led to a large-looking, private V.I.P room. The moment she stepped in, Akito Hayama had looked over his shoulder.

"Sana," he muttered her name briefly and set down his thin looking cup with a red liquid and cherry inside. (A/N – Yay! Sherlie Temples!) In amazement, Akito had gazed at his lovely girlfriend. Sana blushed bright red, noticing Akito's constant stare. Akito's eyes directly looking into hers. Akito looked pretty handsome himself, all dressed up and what not. He was clad in a black suit with a navy blue tie and crisp white shirt with dress shoes.

"Akito," Sana mumbled and walked quickly, in her heels towards him. Akito quickly swept Sana in his arms and held her close to him. Their friends snapped pictures quickly with their newest Canon cameras.

"Sana…you look…," Akito held her at arms length to glance at her dress. "You look…you look great." It took him a few times but, he was able to muster up the words that he'd only be able to say to the one he loves.

"Akito," Sana was about to weep but, remembered her makeup. "Thank you. You don't look to shabby yourself." Sana pressed her forehead to Akito's shoulder. Sana gazed up to the room, admiring the party itself. The room was decorated even better than the outside. Streamers and confetti were like the ones in her invitation, cherry blossom pinks and lavender purples. There was a huge dance floor a few steps and a small staircase away. Tables and private sections were all around the club's large room and there was a bar on both sides of the dance floor, in the middle of the scattered tables. Everything couldn't be more amazing.

"I think I'll give you your present later," Akito mentioned before releasing Sana. He noticed the height difference too; Sana was almost as tall as him.

"Did you…are you wearing…did you grow?" Akito felt stupid asking.

"BAKA!" Sana took out her red and yellow mallet. "No." She lifted her dress slightly to reveal her silver sandal heels. "Heels." She gestured to the two inches they gave her.

"But, they're killing me," Sana complained. "I can't wait to bring out the socks!" Sana said, cheerfully.

"Happy birthday, Sana!!" Fuka Matsui, Sana's best friend was standing next to Hisae and Mami with huge grins plastered on their faces.

"Wow, you look so pretty, Sana!" Mami gazed at Sana's wonderful dress.

"You sure do, girl," Fuka winked and hugged her friend.

"We left your presents…over there," Hisae pointed to a large, over-flowing with even more presents-table.

"I hope everyone enjoys the party!" Sana yelled, getting most of the crowd's attention. She smiled, her usual one but, with extra perk this time. The crowd of Sana's friends cheered and continued back to their activities of dancing or taking photos at the photo booth, which was stationed near the front of the room or getting drinks or just talking.

---

Presentation of the Presents, all hail!

Naozumi Kamura had cleaned up nicely for the party in a crisp black tux and light blue bow tie. How cheesy of him.

"Hey there, Sana-chan," Naozumi smiled and Sana wrapped her thin arms around her ex-boyfriend's neck.

"Hi, Nao-kun. How are you feeling? I'm glad you made it," Sana sighed contently as he wrapped his arms around her. She pulled away at his brief touch.

"I'm good. I'm sorry for yelling at you. I didn't really mean to, I hope you know that," Naozumi told her, his full sincerity in his response.

"I understand. I'm just so happy you still decided to come," Sana brushed away a fake tear. She's a good actress, no?

"Me too," Naozumi whispered lightly. "I brought your present." He held out a boxed package with plain, cherry blossom pink wrapping paper and a magenta bow tied nicely on top.

"Thank you," Sana took the box within her hands. Naozumi noticed quickly that Sana had such small hands. Like a babies.

"Well…," Naozumi gestured her to untie the bow. "Aren't you going to open it?" He wondered out loud.

"N-no, it's okay. I…I haven't opened anyone else's either," Sana explained.

"It's because she's going to open her boyfriend's present first," Akito Hayama cut in gently, his voice carrying to get other's attention.

"Akito," Sana said, alarmed. "What did you get me?" She spun around on her heels to see Akito standing his ground, firmly and holding the tiniest box she had ever seen in her life. It was so cute.

"C'mon Sana, let's sit over there," Akito pointed to a deserted area and Sana placed her hand in his as Akito tugged it with his own to his depicted seat. Sana sat down, the puffiness of her dress fluttering around her. Akito couldn't help but look away, Sana just looked so gosh darn pretty. (A/N- I always wanted to write that!!) Akito peered back because he knew she was waiting for his utmost attention and gift giving.

"This is for you," Akito placed the box in her open palms.

"Thank you," Sana answered, shifting Naozumi's present over a bit. Akito felt irked, knowing his friends and Sana's were watching them like watching the latest Gossip Girl episode on TV. All eyes were on them. Sana dutifully untied the sweet looking bow, letting the ribbon fall on the soft material of her dress. She tore the paper politely and lifted the top of the box. Her eyes were wide with surprise as she saw what was inside. It was the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen. A fourteen karat gold heart inscribed, just for the two, of an S and A and a little dot in the middle of the two letters. On the back of the necklace, there was another inscription: To my one and only love, was written in cursive. Sana held the heart-shaped pendent between her thumb and index fingers.

"Akito," Sana said. Akito watched, in awe, as she opened it. Wondering whether this was saying she loved it or hated it.

"This is wonderful," Sana, barely, was able to say.

"Really?" Akito asked, dumbfounded. "Is it? D'you want me to put it on for you?" He offered and Sana nodded quickly. She turned so her back was facing Akito. Akito took the thin, gold chained necklace in his hand carefully and unclasped the clasp and put the necklace on Sana. Sana held the loose strands of hair to allow Akito easier access to her neck. Once the strand of gold was around Sana's neck, Akito clasped the clasp back and Sana released her hand full of her auburn brown hair, letting it fall over her slightly exposed shoulder. Akito laid a gentle, soft butterfly kiss on Sana's neck.

"Beautiful," he mumbled against her warm skin. Sana blushed, knowing of Akito's extremely gentle, out-of-character but, totally sweet actions.

Sana turned around, slowly after Akito did this. "This is the best gift ever," Sana flung her arms around Akito's neck. "I love you." Akito held her to him, feeling a lot taller as he was standing and she was sitting.

"I love you too," Akito said, feeling the heat flood to his cheeks, hoping it wouldn't get the best of him. The audience of their friends watching cooed a giant, "aw," at the couple and then scurried away as Akito spun his head giving them all death glares. Aren't they just adorable?

---

11:11 and we're still partying like no other.

The J-pop music blared out of the giant speakers and the slick with sweat of the twelve and thirteen year olds bodies touched as they danced. Sana had changed into a cutesy; before the knee-length dress with the logo 'Girl' embellished in the corner of the hem of her dress and it was a light pink with thin spaghetti straps. It hung a little securely on Sana's not-quite-filled-out body. On any girl with a completely big chest, it would probably look like something a hooker would wear. But, it most certainly didn't look this way on Sana. As Akito was, he was standing near the bar sipping his third Coke of the night being a complete and total wallflower, even Gomi was dancing with Hisae. What courage. Sana shimmed her way out of the dance floor and walked directly up to Akito.

"You're being a pooper at my party," Sana crossed her sweaty arms over her equally as sweaty chest. Akito muffled his laughter with the slightly long sleeve of his white-collared shirt. He had been rid of his suit jacket a long time ago, his tie as well.

"Don't you mean party pooper," Akito smirked, letting his arm dangle at his side. He took a large gulp of Coke before setting his champagne-looking glass back down at the bar counter.

"Whatever. Moreover, you should come dance with me," Sana lowered her eye-lids, hoping to be sexy to draw in Akito's attention.

"It's my party, you have to," Sana urged, after seeing Akito's resentment.

"It's no fair if you don't," Sana glared, feeling a tad angrier now that he wasn't giving in. He is her boyfriend, isn't he? Of course. The song quickly changed to the Japanese version of Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne and Sana's eyes bulged.

"This is my favorite song!!" Sana almost screamed, especially since the music was on an ultimate blast. "Please dance now." Sana complained, tugging on Akito's arm. Her impatience grew at the slight and Akito rolled his eyes.

"Please, please….," Sana whined and shook at Akito's sleeve. Akito caught the necklace that he put on Sana, swinging up and down and side to side.

Even when you look away, I know you think of me

Akito looked away from her for a second and at the door, Sana still on his mind.

"Okay, but only one song," Akito complied without looking at the hopeful Sana.

"Great!!" Sana almost yelled and quickly grabbed him by the arm. She squeezed herself back into the dance floor and found a spot that was kind of empty. Okay, not really. She danced crazily and Akito just side-glanced at her, skeptically. Sana swayed her hips, making Akito go insane, only little bit though. Then, Sana did something way beyond crazy than before. She threw her arms around Akito's neck and began to dance against him. Wow. Akito couldn't help but dance along with her. Sana smiled and felt their body heat react with one another quite nicely. Despite all the other bodies colliding with theirs, this actually felt really nice. Even Akito was kind of enjoying himself. Aw.

---

All good parties must come to an end.

The clock read exactly 1:00 AM and it was March 11th, my how things go by so quickly. Especially amazing, fabulous thirteenth birthday parties. Well, we did get much accomplished: Akito's first dance, his gorgeous hand-picked-out-by-Fuka birthday present for his girlfriend, and Sana having the time of her life. I think the last one gets extra points, don't you? Sana had set up for her, piles of pink bags lined up on the side of the exit/entrance to the party room. Each with somebody's name on it and table with silver with black top covered thermoses with an large pink 'S' emblazoned on the front filled with stemming hot chocolate. Two girls from Sana's class found their bags and pulled out their party favor part way. A sweatshirt! Of course. It was a white zip-up hooded sweatshirt with an 'S', like on the mugs but, it read 'S's Birthday Bash!' in a cute font and pink letters. Two boys from Takaishi and Gomi's class took the bags with their names on it and found a black pull-over sweatshirt with a giant 'S' like on the mugs on the back of their sweatshirt. Both sweatshirt designs did have the date under their logos. Everyone thought the idea was pretty cool.

"Wow, I love the favors!" gushed one girl wearing a blue-kind of-slip dress.

"I know! It's so creative," her friend replied, zipping up the sweatshirt over her dress.

"I guess these are alright," a boy shrugged to his friend and he shrugged back.

"Well, I've never got a sweatshirt and hot chocolate at a party before. So, s'cool," his friend replied and they left the party. The slightly chilly-for-March night well, early morning was making the young kids tired as the pilled into their parents car on the busy street in Harajuku. Inside, Fuka had hugged Sana, in the way a best friend would.

"You did good, girl," Fuka smiled although Sana couldn't see. "The party was more than amazing, probably the best all year."

"It surely was," Sana said back, letting the hot liquid of hot chocolate slip down her throat as she drank from her own personalized thermos. Before Akito had left, he pressed a hand on Sana's shoulder.

"Nice party," he told her and kissed her cheek. "G'night." He whispered, leaving her breathless. Him and Tsuyoshi picked up their party favors and left with still steaming hot chocolate filled thermoses in their hands. Anybody could say that Ms. Sana Kurata could throw an amazing birthday bash. And, if you weren't invited you know that you're a nobody. But, hey Sana's too nice not to invite anyone…even nobodies. Well, except for one lonely boy, who was captivated by watching the whole thing. From his hidden webcams to right outside the club's entrance, poor baby. Too bad his invite was either lost or maybe he was never invited from the start. Who is he? That's for me to know and Sana Kurata to find out.

Akito felt as if somebody was watching him; he turned to look over his shoulder before pilling in the cab with Tsuyoshi. Nobody was there. Premonition much.