Woo! Story number 10 and my last of all my anniversary stories. 10 stories in my first fandom for the 10 years I've been on fanfiction. This is going to be the last of my KND stories with my time travel story as a bonus to be published a various parts of the year in 2020. I'm hoping to go back to my new years resolution and finish some stories in other areas but we'll see how that goes.
Please please if you are reading some of my old stories with them in high school, well. I'm reading them and I'm like no. no. no. what the fuck no. You get where I'm coming from. All of them had been changed and none of it will match up with any of this timeline. So please read this one if you want to see my view of them in high school. Thanks!
O0o0o0o0 CHAPTER ONE o0o0o0o0o
Monday, August 22, 2011
It was quiet at the Sanban home as Kuki Sanban had made sure her backpack was full and ready for the first day. She had on her favorite black skirt that was fun to swing and her green and white striped long sleeve shirt, with matching shoes. Her mother had her super prepared for anything she might need and more. Including the color-coded class notebooks and matching folders. She ran a brush through her hair one last time before heading to the front door. Forget eating breakfast here, she would do it at her friend Fanny's since her dad made great waffles.
"Kuki before you leave, I had something special for your first day of high school," said Genki a small smile on her face. It was sometimes hard to imagine her mother smile, so this had to be a good thing.
Perking up Kuki looked at her mother excited herself. "Ohh let me guess. Is it a new rainbow monkey? A new outfit? A pet of my own?!" she asked her voice getting higher and higher, each of those was something that she would really like as a gift.
Genki frowned a little at the guesses before shaking her head. "It's even better."
She pulled out a wrapped gift as Kuki eagerly ripped off the wrapping eager. A little confused but still smiling Kuki held her gift in her hands. It had rainbow monkey's all over it which was a good thing. She did love the entire product and line. She thought that she had one of these though.
"A rainbow monkey book?"
"No, it's even better a rainbow monkey planner. It's divided up by weeks and days. Even to the next school year!" said Genki who now had a glint of excitement in her eye. "You're making your father and I very proud. Now go and help your friend, then go and beat out every other student in that school and show them that the Sanban family is not to be messed with."
Her mother leaned in and hugged her tightly. Kuki's face fell a little into the hug before squeezing her back.
"Yea, I'll make you proud mom," she echoed before finding her backpack and headed to the door. A bit dejected Kuki met Wally at the end of the side walk.
Kissing his cheek, they walked hand in hand down to the Fulbright residence. She was going to help Fanny pick out the best outfit for the first day. That made her brighten up a little as they turned the corner.
"Hey, are you okay?" asked Wally seeing her slightly dejected face. "I thought you'd be all excited for high school."
"I am, it's just that there's a lot of expectations from my parents. No matter I will continue on," she said putting on a bit smile and wiped her eye. "We'll talk later though."
Knocking on the front door Shaunie Fulbright opened it for them before making his way to the kitchen. Kuki had been a regular at the Fulbright residence enough for Fanny's dad to know what kind of waffles to make. He took one look at her and grumbled about something called the kids next door junk but made them anyway.
Making her way up the steps Kuki could hear Mrs. Fulbright making suggestions left and right. Fanny saying no to most of them.
To her surprise Fanny's hair was already perfectly done to where it looked natural. Her make up already finished and buffed nails.
"Fanny you look great," said Kuki hugging her friend. "It's okay Mrs. Fulbright I'll take over from here."
Grumbling the older woman walked down to the kitchen hoping Kuki had better luck then her. Fanny's wardrobe looked like an explosion had went off with clothes everywhere. The only thing not hanging out was her under clothes.
Fanny was pacing picking up a pair of jeans and then threw them aside.
"Hey what did those jeans do to you?" she teased before straightening something out. "What did you have in mind?"
"Would a dress to be too overboard? I want to wear this green dress with the abstract butterflies on it but it's spaghetti strap."
Kuki looked over at her closet and pulled out a tight orange shirt and threw it at her. Fanny disappeared into her bathroom before Fanny came back out. She looked pretty cute and the shirt seemed to fit perfectly underneath it.
"Now you look super cute. By the way did you see our schedules? By some miracle we did it!" said Kuki as she high fived her best friend. "Three classes together and lunch. How did you get yourself in an honors algebra class Fanny?"
"My math teacher recommended it," said Fanny proudly. "It's my only honors class but hey I got in, didn't I? We have Spanish, math, gym, and lunch together. I don't think that I could have made it if we only had one or two together."
"Or heaven forbid none," said Kuki rolling her brown eyes. She found her socks and tossed them to her. Putting away some of her other clothes she sat down at the edge of the rainbow monkey bed that she hadn't upgraded yet. "Hey how did your dad react to our shopping trip anyway? And how do you think people will react?"
Kuki passing her black boots instead of ballet flats. She had to think about it before shrugging and nodded toward the door.
"My dad's reaction will tell you exactly how kids at school will react. He never saw me after that shopping trip all dressed up. All he knows is that I went shopping and have been wearing jeans and t-shirts around the house. Although I really like some of these dresses."
She pulled out a light green one with darker floral designs on the side of the skirt and near the top hem.
"Fanny when did you become such a girly girl?" asked Wally from the door waiting for them covering his eyes when he noticed that Fanny only had on her undergarments. "The waffles are just about done."
Fanny rolled her blue eyes and just gave him her best stink eye.
"I've always been girly. I love rainbow monkey's, have had a makeup kit for young girls, and I've been wearing a skirt since I was 7. Now get out of my room before I throw a bra at you."
He bolted at the mere mention of her lingerie and raced down the hall. They had to get breakfast here soon.
Kuki shook her head and smiled as Fanny looked great. She could only give herself a pat on the back before changing the subject to some much more serious matters. Namely what kind of after school activities that they were going to do. At least she hoped that they would do things together. High school was not the time she needed friends drifting away from her. She needed them more than ever.
She bit her bottom lip and instead put on her sunny smile. There was no need to worry anyone about anything if she didn't have anything to worry about.
"Alright what's wrong?" asked Fanny. "I know that look, it's the one where you're upset about something, but you smile anyway to keep yourself from being sad." Her voice went a little softer before sitting down next to her. "You know you can tell me, right?"
It was quiet before finally Kuki couldn't help it. This morning was hard enough but yesterday was a little ridiculous and made her cry a little to herself. She didn't even tell Wally yet.
"You'll do after school stuff with me, right?" said the Asian girl to her friend. "My parents sat me down yesterday and told me that I had to do stuff to make myself look good to colleges. I don't want to disappoint them with what kind of stuff I sign up for. They're expecting so much out of me especially since Mushi keeps running away with Sandy."
Fanny hugged her as best as she could from the side.
"Listen I get it and if you want to try out everything then we'll do it together okay? You're my best friend and I'm not just going to abandon you Kuki."
That made her feel a lot better as she perked up. Her smile finally reaching her eyes unable to believe that she would think Fanny would leave her. Plus, she had her wonderful boyfriend who was great in his own special way. The fourteen-year-old sat up and started for the stairs.
"Alright I think we could try a little of everything for the first week and see what we like. What do you think about cheerleading together?"
"Me a cheerleader are you kidding?"
She shook her head before they headed down the steps. Kuki only put a hand over her mouth when she saw that Paddy, Shaunie, and Mr. Fulbright all stopped eating. Paddy even spit his food back out as Fanny went to the fridge to get some orange juice.
Sitting down at the table all three of them watching her unable to believe that this was Fanny. She looked clean and pulled together, she was in a dress for crying out loud. Not only that but she looked cute as Kuki felt like a proud mother.
"I told you that they'd freak," said Kuki in a low whisper to Fanny in her head as Fanny shook her curls.
"You said nothing of the kind."
Both girls laughed as the boys just kept staring at her finishing her blueberry pancakes. Kuki laughing behind her smile and finished her own. They still said nothing before the two girls (plus Wally) grabbed their backpacks and headed toward the door.
Once they were out of ear shot and just at the door, they heard Mr. Fulbright. "Bridget what did you do to our daughter?!"
Laughing out the door the three started to make their way to school. Thankfully they lived close enough where they could walk or take the bus. The bus was just kind of crazy though as it would frequently get attacked by a bunch of kids from the elementary school. Wally could swear his brother would participate in that, but nobody was for certain. He spent most of the time with those kids next door friends of his.
Once the view of McClintock High School came in view Kuki reached for her Wally and Fanny's hands. Gripping them they started to the school with a fresh outlook. Glancing over at Fanny she nudged her friend.
"Wow, so this is high school," said Kuki. Looking around at the doors as student milled around outside and then heading inside. It was about twenty till the first class and they have stuff that they needed to get done.
"Big deal, it's just another school that nobody cares about," said Wally shrugging not caring. He had a feeling that he would fail anyway.
Looking at her boyfriend with a pointed look she cleared her throat, punching his shoulder playfully but with some meaning behind it. "Wally you can't say that, futures are made here," said Kuki waving in front of them.
"What high school rom-com dramas have you been watching?" asked Fanny looking at her friend with a sideways look.
"Think about it, we take the SAT here and that determines what college we get into. The college we get into determines the jobs we get. Our entire futures start here."
"You sound like your mom," pointed out Fanny once more as Asian girls' eyes grew wide.
She slapped a hand to her forehead and groaned. "I just heard myself and you're right, I do sound like my mom. She just made me so nervous and now I'm panicking."
"Just remember you have us," said Wally gesturing to him and Fanny.
Not thinking twice Kuki pulled both in a hug squeezing them tightly before heading into the building. The two girls fidgeting and critiquing each other's looks. Kuki reminding the red head to smile and don't stomp around. Fanny reminding her to not grip her backpack and to stay calm. It was hard to stay calm when she felt the pressure on her.
"Okay what are you two whining about?" asked Wally who was completely oblivious to their critiques of each other.
"Nothing," said the two girls at the same time before laughing.
A few more kids were nodding in their direction. A few boys waving at Fanny and Kuki as she held Wally's hand firmly that way. Until finally they had gathered in the cafeteria to get temporary lunch cards and whatever else that was on that paperwork.
Kuki looked over at the clipboards lining the wall and took out the rainbow monkey planner her mother had given her. "Fanny," she said pulling her friend to them. "Those are the clubs we should find what we want to do get and go to the first meetings this week."
She nodded as the two headed over to the boards. Hmm, her mother said that she should do something athletic, musical, and intellectual. Or at least try as she felt her heart skip to join the school play. That could be something musical-ish right?
"I know what to do," said Fanny. "We put our names on everything."
"Everything?" asked Kuki surprised. "Oh, I get it that way we get to experience it and if we like it or not go to the next meeting. We have to try out for sports but other than that, it's just one meeting."
Behind them was a whistle as they glared at some boy that walked by. Kuki smoothed out her swing black skirt and nudged Fanny. That was for her obviously as she took Wally's hand. She had perfectly nice boyfriend herself.
Ignoring it the two girls put both of their names across the wall. A few people curiously watched them working their way to meet in the middle. Perfect, just perfect, as Kuki copied down the times of the meetings in her new rainbow monkey journal. Delighted that high school was finally here she high fived Wally and Fanny.
"Move," said a voice before someone popped up next to her and put a name underneath Kuki's on the yearbook committee. Brittany Jones written in hot pink ink as she looked familiar to the three of them but couldn't quite place it.
Brittany gave the three of them all long looks.
"Oh, I remember you, remember that slumber party Fanny when we were ten?" she said as Kuki frowned. She could remember a girl named Brittany there for some reason they were calling her number 12 back then. It was weird especially since no one really remembered how that party ended.
Fanny looked puzzled too trying to piece it together.
Shaking her head Kuki just gave her the best fake smile she could muster. "That doesn't mean that you can be rude to us and cut in front of the line," said Kuki looking over at the kids she pushed to get to them. A few grumbled and gave her a smile.
"Whatever, I'm actually here to put up my own clipboard," she said as Kuki looked at it. I didn't have a name on it just a stack of blank pages. "People will know what they are signing up for. Maybe you two could join."
Fanny looked at it contemplative before Kuki stopped her.
"We know whatever it is you're putting up must not be any good. Come on Fanny," she said taking her friends wrist.
The redhead looked over at Brittany giving her a once over. "And just to let you know that green in your teeth isn't very flattering either," said Fanny with a smirk as Brittany gasped looking for a compact.
Kuki and Fanny giggled before finding Wally to head to their first class. He just looked on amused at what just happened. They didn't have first period together, but they did have second, which was their honors math class.
Turns out it was boring, high school was boring, and Kuki already knew that. The first day was just going over syllabi and introducing each other anyway. She doodled in her notebook and got caught up with the people that she didn't see over the summer.
She could hear Brittany in the back of the classroom talking over some girl named Valerie say how she was learning French over the summer. What a jerk, she thought, as the teacher seemed to think so too and called her out on it. Until it was finally her turn.
"Well my name is Kuki Sanban," she said. "Over the summer I spent time with my friends. My long terms goals for this class is that I want to become a better writer," she said a bit foolishly, but the teacher smiled and nodded before going to the next person. They would have to divide the class in half to go tomorrow.
She lingered behind a bit to talk to the teacher, when she saw Brittany acting up again. About a quarter of the class staying behind as well to ask any final questions. What was with that girl as she tripped a blond girl on her way out.
Kuki leaned over and helped the girl scooping up an orange notebook and handing it to her. A few other people helped her and glaring daggers at Brittany who whistled innocently.
"Thanks Kuki," said the girl as she brushed off an orange and purple t-shirt. She was pretty with bright brown eyes and wispy blond hair poking out of twin French braids. "I'm Rachel by the way."
"Nice to meet you," said Kuki, "I'm sorry about Brittany, she's…"
"A character alright, I saw her picking on some of the science kids this morning," said Rachel rolling her eyes. She had a doctor time space and the continuums notebook stacked up on top. "Thanks again."
She booked it out of the room before Kuki turned to the teacher and explained something to her. Then went to find Fanny for their algebra class. As usual it was introducing themselves around and they were given their first homework assignment already. Blah.
The rest of the period went by fast. Then came her computer class, picked out courtesy of her parents, and she waved to Rachel also in that class. Finally came lunch as she searched for Fanny in the crowd. First day was always pizza day.
Spotting her in the crowd, she could see Fanny holding her a place in line. Wally waiting with her as she kissed his cheek happily. If she did that in middle school some of the kids would laugh. Now a few of the girls in the higher grades just awed at them. Standing up straighter Kuki looked around the cafeteria for a place to sit.
"Where do we sit?" asked Fanny.
Oh great, first impressions, thought Kuki as she glanced at Wally as he just shrugged. She saw Rachel sitting with Hoagie who was her history project partner last year. Abby Lincoln sitting near the main lunch line. They were here early enough and…
"Why don't we start our own table," she said. "There's an empty one right there."
She pointed to one closest to the ala cart line, where they sold extra snacks like brownies or those prepackaged cookies. Shrugging and rolling his eyes some Wally marched his way over to the table. Kuki shared a look with her friend before following him. They were just making too big of a deal out of this. We should just enjoy it, she thought, pushing back anything else that might be bothering her.
Heading over to the table they sat down as Wally recounted his culinary arts class. There was a lot of health-related stuff, but he liked that he could miss breakfast and still eat some days. Wally and Fanny had the same first period history class which was interesting at least. So far so good as Fanny looked at least happy to have someone to sit with at lunch.
"Excuse me but do care if we sit with you?" asked a saccharine voice as Kuki internally groaned. Brittany was standing there and looking down at them.
"Huh, sure?" said Wally making it sound more like a question.
Fanny mumbled something knowing what she had done earlier. Something told her not to let them sit with her friends but didn't say anything. Kuki sat back and tried not to make a big deal out of it. There were two other bigger and taller teens standing next to and behind her. They had to be sophomores or something although she could swear one of them was a senior. Keeping herself from biting her nails, she sighed.
"Is this seat taken?" asked a girl with brown hair.
"Yes, it is," said Kuki looking at her. "For you, that is if you want to sit with us."
Brittany looked at her before looking at Wally and Fanny for a second. The girl sat down with them and happily munched on her chips, watching the drama unfold in front of her. She looked over at Fanny before taking the chocolate milk off her tray.
She smiled at her and opened the milk. "Hey," said Fanny taking a deep breath. She was probably singing in her mind like her lessons from summer.
"You know Fanny, I would have liked to be your friend, but I think you had too much of a hot temper to even deal with. You know these two will drop you like a hot potato soon." She nodded to Kuki and Wally as she felt her jaw drop some.
Okay that was it, as she tried to stay out of it as she saw Fanny's face harden.
"Okay first up, it's going to take more then that to rile me up," said Fanny as she looked at Wally who gave her a fist bump underneath the table. Kuki just smiled as her mother's idea was actually working.
"You know you're only picking on everyone because you feel insecure," said Kuki finally speaking up. "You've been picking on people all day and for what? Just to stay on top, high school it's just another school that nobody cares about. Well except colleges," She could see Wally's look of surprise knowing that she used his words.
"Besides," said Fanny. "You're the one making a big deal. Do you feel threatened or something?"
"As if, Wally's as dumb as he was last year. Kuki you're just as oblivious as before. Fanny you're just going to get your own self in trouble." Her eyes lingering on Fanny with some kind of disgust written on her face.
By now they had a small crowd around them. A few people ignored them and a few others watching with interest.
"Oh your just upset because Fanny grew hot and you don't have anyone to pick on. It's not our fault that you're looking for validation," said Kuki before throwing her hand over her mouth. A gasp escaped Fanny's and her mouth. She couldn't believe that she just said that as everyone in the crowd was watching the three girls.
Fanny grew red before straightening herself up and gave Kuki a look to defend herself. "Besides you're the one making trouble here not us, I'm guessing that you're trying to take Stacey's place?"
Stacey the girl that was on the cheerleading team and supposedly a legend. She liked to pick on the kids in the neighborhood and did some spy thing way back when they were kids. We are going to be in so much trouble, thought Kuki before she heard it. What started out as a small scattering of applause turned into small roar from bystanders around her.
"You go Kuki for telling her off" said one voice.
"Good job Sanban," voiced another.
"I'll vote you for class president."
"Yea Sanban for class president."
Confused Kuki thought back to what happened that day. She did a good job at defending some of the other kids from her. To be class president though? What odds did she have at being president and be good at it? She looked at Fanny who had her jaw dropped and looking directly at her.
Lowering her head, she looked at her redheaded friend. "Fanny I didn't even plan on running."
Fanny smiled brightly at a kid that had come up to them and gestured to wait a minute. "Well you are now, I'll run with you that way we have something we do together."
Kuki flashed back to yesterday when her parents told her to get involved and whimpered some. "But what if I'm not any good?"
"And what happens if you don't try? We support each other and who knows you might be good at this whole leading thing." Well that was a good point before Kuki found herself slowly nodding. Who knows? Maybe one day she could be president of the rainbow monkey corporation.
Her friend turned to the remaining crowd and whistled for anyone nearby to hear them. "Hey, Kuki Sanban for class president and Fanny Fulbright for class vice president. Sanban and Fulbright the, um." She looked to Kuki for advice.
"Like peanut butter and jelly we go good together to make our class the best," said Kuki finishing it as Fanny shot her a look before shrugging.
A few people high fived them before walking off to the next class. This was awesome and the best feeling as the girls shared an excited look. At least it was something that they were doing together. The rest of the day flew by until finally they were able to meet up again. Word of her and Fanny telling Brittany off was circling around the senior class.
She saw Wally waving to her as she ran up to him. They had to stay behind for a few clubs as she sighed.
"Okay good news and some bad news," said Fanny rolling her eyes. "Good news I found what the details are for president. Basically, as president you'll give a speech at graduation. Help plan the reunion years from now. This is cool you get to pick a special president's lunch once a month, like we can have pizza on the Friday of your choosing."
Ohh she liked that last one. Plus, the idea of planning prom sounded amazing and she'd get a pretty dress and everything. "Wait what's the bad news?" she asked tapping her foot nervously.
"Some guy named Rick Stoward is running, that's the guy that acts like it's the nineteenth century. Egbert Eggleston, some guy named Tim, and Brittany is running."
Great, she thought, knowing that she might not stand that much of a chance. Egbert was their class president in elementary school. She had no clue about Tim. Brittany was going to be a big problem. Smiling away she was determined Rick would be easy to beat at least.
High fiving Fanny the two girls headed to the first Rainbow Monkey Fan Club meeting, dragging Wally with them.
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