//* A Story Different From Before *//

~ By: aelaishia ~

Note: Standard disclaimers applied. Thank you so much ac (super rookie) for your patience and support. I promise to write faster. ^^

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Part Two – What?!

            Rrriiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnngggggggggg!!!!!

            The lunch break bell rang exactly as the clock turn half past twelve in the afternoon. Math wasn't really that great, especially when I'm always the only one who's brave enough to answer the teacher's question on the board. But it was worth it. Making my teacher proud of me while praising me in front of the class, along with the sounds of admiration from my classmate was definitely worth it. Besides, it's not that hard for me to earn it.  I deserve it after all.

            That thought had occurred in my mind and had made me forget the incident during our first class. Repression of thoughts is something I'm a master of. I just keep those unwanted thought at the back of my mind and focus more on what is pleasant for me. What do I care about Hisashi Mitsui anyway? It's not like he could ruin –my- world. I bet he's a dork with really thick glasses and carries himself around with a very large backpack full of books and notes. Whereas compared to me, I only bring my super neat notes and myself. That's all I need. And I don't have thick glasses to boot.

            I wish I knew then how wrong I had been.

            But I hadn't. So off I go around the school making everyone admire and envy me at the same time. Nobody knew how I was completely fooling everyone. If they had known who the –real- Takahashi Amika is then I wager it that they would turn and look at me with contempt on their faces. Or pity me. Either way, I don't like it. So I just pretend to be someone else that I know they would accept. I've been doing it all my life I hardly not fool anybody anymore. At least I thought it to be.

            So lunch break it is. I barely eat in public places and for me, the school cafeteria is a public place, plus the fact that I don't really eat that much and will only eat when I remember to leaves me with no other choice than to go someplace else where I could be alone.

For today I decided to go to the music room. I haven't played the piano for months now and I hardly find the library entertaining anymore. There aren't any books I want to read yet so I settled on that the music room wasn't really a bad choice. After all, nobody ever goes there, except for the music club that is. So I slung my bag over my shoulder and wistfully proceeded to the place of destination unaware that somebody was just doing the same and heading towards me as I round up in one of the corners of the hall. The result of that? Collision.  As if that wasn't obvious. But it wasn't, right? How could graceful little me bump into someone unconsciously? I am never unconscious of what's happening around me, especially if that involves people.  It irritates me to think that I had made a mistake and had not been on guard. What if someone thought it was hilarious? What if someone saw it? What if the person I bumped into thought that I am rude? What will happen to me? What about my image?

"Are you all right?"

The voiced brought me out of my reverie. I was relieved to know my mask hadn't cracked and remained composed the whole time. What is this guy's problem anyway? He's not looking where he's going, for heaven's sake! It's his entire fault!

I nodded silently and fixed my skirt before standing up. "I'm okay." I said, accepting his hand as he offered to help me stand up. "And you?" I looked at him and smiled.

"I'm sorry. I was in a hurry," he apologized. "I wasn't looking where I was going. I'm really very sorry."

Well he should be. Running around like that. God, my back hurts. I didn't know hitting the wall could hurt so much.

I shook my head and smiled again at him. One must always be prepared to give smiles even when the situation is not favorable. "It's fine. I didn't hear you coming anyway." I took a quick look at him. He had a fairly good height. Not bad looking with his black-blue hair that measures up to his chin and clear blue eyes. A jersey? He must be a basketball player then…maybe he was rushing to go to the gym or something. I hope he gets a scolding for being late.

"I'm really sorry." He apologized once again.

Being sorry couldn't change the fact that you made me hit the wall and that my back hurts now, idiot!

I shook my head again. "Don't be." I said, remembering that my bag is still on the floor and that my notes were scattered. I picked them up carefully and saw the guy help me with those. He could have earned points from me if he wasn't the cause of this trouble. Well, at least he had the decency to help. "Thank you." I said, slinging my bag on my shoulder. "Well, I have to get going. You might as well go. I see you're late for whatever it is you were rushing over to." And with that, I left.

Now when I said that nobody ever goes to the music room except for the music club, I was wrong. In fact, there was to music club to begin with. There is a music room, the school has music classes, but nobody wants to be in the music club. The truth is, the music club is left neglected by almost all students because all their focus is on the sports division. Sports. Sure it's fun and exciting with all those adrenaline rush going over your body but I thought at least people here have some decorum to appreciate good music. I sighed. I guess I really did end up being in the wrong school after all.

I dusted off the dust above the piano and opened it quietly. Sitting over the chair, I placed my fingers on top of the keys and began to play. I don't care if nobody hears me. In fact, I like it better when nobody's listening to me when I practice. I might make a mistake and I don't want them to hear it. One piece after another I kept on playing, pressing on the keys and letting my fingers create the music as my head drifts away into a place where I can be at peace. Music eases my soul. It makes me feel relaxed. It expresses my feelings. It lets me be who I am.

So to say the least, I was very disappointed to be interrupted by the sound of the fifth period bell ringing. Lunch was over and I headed back to class feeling somewhat satisfied that I was able to play the piano very well even after all those time of neglect in practicing. I sat down in my seat and waited for my teacher to arrive. Attendance once again was checked. One by one the teacher call out our names until he called out –that- name again. Hisashi Mitsui.

"Does anybody knows where Hisashi Mitsui is?" he asked the class.

There were a bunch of 'no' and 'we don't know' coming from a group of girls who looked disappointed. "I wish he would come to school today." One of them wishfully said.

"Takahashi-san?" The teacher called my attention after he finished checking the attendance.

"What is it, teacher?" I asked. I hope he won't ask me where that stupid dork is.

"Do you know where Hisashi-kun is?"

I knew he would ask that. What's with this guy anyway? Why do the teachers always ask for him?

I suddenly felt aggravated and threatened. If I absent myself for a day, would the teachers look for me too? I wouldn't want to know. Besides, I don't want to ruin my record. I haven't had any absences ever since pre-school. I wouldn't risk it just to find out if the teachers really do value me. I already know they –do-, so what's the point?

"I'm sorry sir, but I'm afraid I haven't even met him." I said honestly. "Is there something you want from him? If I'm not being rude, may I know why you're looking for him?" I asked straight to the point. "One of our teachers was also looking for him a while ago. I'm just curious."

The teacher smiled at me. "So you haven't met Hisashi-kun." He said looking at me with a big grin on his face that made him looked annoying for some reasons. I hate it when people look like that as if telling me they know something I don't and is hiding that something from me. "Well, most of us teachers want something from him." He stated. "This isn't really part of our lesson but I'll take this time to tell you anyway. As you may all know, the Sports Festival is going to be held the week after the next."

The class went wild with excitement. Most of the boys were shouting and the girls were practically giggling over something. I have weird classmates. Why are they so excited anyway?

The teacher asked the class to be quiet and continued. "You yourself, Ms. Takahashi, are one of the persons who are in charge over this event since you are part of the school's Student Body Committee.  Well, Hisashi-kun is also part of the committee and would be playing a very active role in the festival. He is after all, one of the class representatives, just like you. We were just wondering if he was doing the job he is asked to do so. That's basically why we're looking for him."

I waited for our teacher to say something else but he didn't so I took it as a clue that his explanation has ended. "Thank you, sir." I said as I confidently began to sit down.

"But it very weird though," the teacher suddenly spoke up, making me look up at him and straighten myself up.

"What's weird, sir?" I asked perplexed.

"Nothing, Ms. Takahashi." He dismissed the subject. "It's just that you don't know who Hisashi-kun is and he doesn't know who you are too. You're both the class representatives so how could that be?"

Yeah! How can that be?! How could someone not know me?! It's impossible! I thought everyone knew who I am already?! That does it!

I was at loss for words. All I did was stared at our teacher in disbelief that I didn't even noticed when the door opened.

"I'm sorry sensei. I didn't realize the time. I didn't mean to be late."

That voice…

"You are…" I said as I looked at the person at the door, remembering him to be the guy I bumped into earlier. He was now wearing the school's boy's uniform and had apparently just come out of the shower, with his hair still damped and all. I didn't know he was in the same class as I was. Maybe that's why he was so sorry a while ago. Bet he didn't mean to bump into someone like me. Hah!

He looked at me and smiled. "You!" he exclaimed gladly. "I didn't know you were from my class."

What?!

I blinked in confusion.

"Ah…so it seems you two have met already." The teacher suddenly said. "Come inside." He said to the guy.

"We bumped into each other earlier." The guy said. Taking up the empty seat beside me.

Don't tell me.

"Takahashi-san, this is Hisashi-kun."

Suddenly, the world felt like it collapsed on me.

The guy, Hisashi Mitsui, looked at me and smiled, "So you are Amika-san," He said. "Though I didn't think there was somebody who doesn't know me, well you must be new here anyway, but I'm glad to have finally met you." He offered his hand to shake.

The nerve! You're the one who's stupid enough not to know me. And don't call me Amika-san, you jerk! We're not even friends yet and I doubt we'll ever will. I wish I share the same sentiments but I don't, except for the part where you thought everyone knew you.

I wanted to say that, but I didn't. Instead I just smiled and said. "It's a pleasure."

Hesitantly, I took his hand and shook it without saying another word. I feel like my smile was beginning to falter. The guy who I thought was a stupid dork with really thick nerdy glasses and a big backpack was actually an average looking guy who has girls falling over him, athletic, and has a great personality. The teachers like him, he has a legion of fan girls, the guys absolutely want to be him, and as for me? I am totally screwed up.

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Author's note: So there you have it. Part three. Thanks you so much for reading my fic. Comments and reviews are always welcome. Stone, bricks, rotten fruits, knives, flames, death threats? You know where to throw them.  Ja ne! ^^