April 1, Monday afternoon
-=ALAINA=-
"Your mother is going to arrive next week. She asked me to prepare everything for you in advance. Since you will be staying, I already arrange your school and everything you need. School had already started but the school I enrolled you in said it's fine. You'll be entering second year senior high at Shohoku and your classes start on Wednesday."
The nerve. Why does she always handle my life? Gratefully, I'm a high school student again. Hell, I just graduated! And on Wednesday? Did she forget it's Monday and I have only two days to atleast prepare? And why didn't mom tell me sooner? Bad, I'm going to miss my friends…
"Why not in Akira's school? Atleast there's someone I know…"
"Akira is already in third year dear, and Shohoku is the only school I inquired who accepts late enrollees. I've tried Ryonan but they rejected."
Damn.
"When will I buy my things? I've got few clothes too."
"I already asked Akira to accompany you today and tomorrow. He said yes. And you know money is no problem for me."
Yeah, right. What now? Come on, face it. You can't do anything about it… Hey, wait…
"Akira knows?" I asked dumbfounded.
"Well yes, of course dear."
"All along?"
She smiled, and then left.
Everyone knows before I did. And no one even thought of asking me first? Don't I have the right? Not even to just know it ahead of time? … Funny, as if I'm not used to it…
The world sure is unfair… or should I say, everyone is so unfair?
That's why I never trust anyone… ANYONE.
-=SENDOH=-
She's quite out of it lately, its evident. The way she looks vacantly, different from the usual. I know she's not mad, just… uhh…
I don't know… But I can feel she isn't. Who could have easily accepted migrating in a foreign country without even a warning? I suppose her parents didn't even ask her consent.
Hmm… Not news to me. That's how it was even before… How can she handle it? I can't even remember her cry. No. I didn't EVER see her cry.
All these years she hasn't had a big decision on her own. Well, sometimes… but it doesn't count LIFE decisions. Just like this one. Okaasan said it was because she is an only child. Her parents only want what's best for her.
But is it really the best? I hope so…
-=ALAINA=-
New environment. New faces. New rules. New life. New… everything.
I sighed.
Ofcourse, you can do it. Time is the only factor you need. And yes, everything is going to be alright. Everything will be back to normal… in just a matter of time.
I sighed again.
I hope so.
-=MITSUI=-
Boy, am I lucky? Is that Alaina…?
Sure she is. Sendoh is with her.
Looks like they went shopping. Sendoh made a good job for taking Alaina out. She must have received bad news yesterday.
I wish the basketball team knows her. They would have thought she is my girlfriend… they'll die with envy for sure… haha!
And that would have cheered her up even more.
Hey, isn't it Sakuragi's birthday? … I've got an idea…
-=RUKAWA=-
"Happy Birthday, tensai Sakuragi!" that's everyone, except for me.
"Nyahaha! Ofcourse I'm the tensai! This night should be perfect because this is MY DAY! And you kitsune has nothing to do but agree… Nyahahaha! Ore wa tensai Sakuragi Hanamichi-"
He sang his all time butt hole echoing song.
Do'aho.
Babble mouth… As if I'm not used to it. I didn't answer back because I'm not in the mood. Besides, it's his birthday. Better let it pass.
"Whoo! Toast, everyone! Whoo hoo!"
I regret I still came. This house sure is full of noisy brats. I should have just practiced by myself in the gym. Atleast it has sense… hmm… Sleeping is one escape.
*DING DONG!*
Hohum…
Another pestering visitor. Must be Mitsui. He's the only one who's not here.
"Hey, Mitsui! I thought you'd miss the tensai's birthday bash! Haha! And Sendoh's here too. I know you're thinking this is the party of the season! Nyahahaha!"
Sendoh?
"Wait… who's the girl? I told you I only like Haruko. Why bring me a girlfriend?" He's whispering, yet almost everyone can hear it.
Real Moron.
*Thoink!*
"Gori?? Itai! I was only kidding!"
-=ALAINA=-
I'm impressed. Mitsui actually invited us over his friend's birthday party! Nice move, cool guy.
The gate opened.
Redhead? Is that natural? Nah! His eyebrows are black. I've seen plenty of that in my place.
And me? A girlfriend? Who does he think he is?? Jerk. But he seems real clueless. I actually find it funny, so I smiled amusingly.
-=MITSUI=-
Oops. I actually thought inviting Alaina here would earn me some points. But that redhead monkey ruined it!
I waited for her reaction… and whoa… is she smiling? Confused, yet smiling for real… her blue eyes twinkling.
Beautiful. I can't take my eyes off the view…
God, I can stare at her forever.
-=SENDOH=-
Nice one, Sakuragi… It's the first time Alaina had smiled voluntarily throughout the day. Well, she did a while ago when Mitsui approached us, but it was obviously a forced one. Good thing Mitsui didn't notice anything. Alaina sure is a good actress.
-=RUKAWA=-
A girl? I thought it was only Ayako and that Ha- what's that? Uh… Akagi's sister is going to come? Whoever she is, she should not be one of those stupid gay girls again. Or the whole night is going to be another nightmare for me.
"Hey, Sakuragi! Happy birthday!" Yeah, that's smiley.
Do'aho. Doesn't his face muscles ever retire of smiling so widely?
"By the way, this is Alaina, my best friend. Sorry if you're a bit surprised but you see, Mitsui invited us." Scratching his head, still smiling.
Definitely not. Hmm… Alaina, huh? I was curious, so I shifted and took a peek.
"Thanks! And it's definitely okay, as the saying goes, the more the many-er! Nyahahaha!"
That's merrier, weasel-ass. I still can't see who the girl is. Not that I care but… uhh… whatever. Better mind my own business... must have a sleep…
I was almost sent to dreamland when…
"Hi! Nice to meet you all."
That voice… I know I heard it somewhere.
"Hello…" almost everyone greeted back.
Everyone's seated now, a better view… so I glimpsed.
It's her.
-=SENDOH=-
Mitsui must have been mesmerized by my best friend. Pretty much obvious, he was staring with mouth slightly open. Haha! So I was the one who introduced her to the others…
Everyone seems to like her. That's because she made a good impression - and it's in her nature. Scratch that - depends on her mood. She's got a lot of friends in her place, though, I heard.
-=MITSUI=-
Oops. Thank God Sendoh spoke, or I would have been a statue for a long whole minute. I looked at Sendoh and he nodded, means I'll be the one to introduce her to everyone. I ushered her in, Sendoh followed.
"Alaina, meet my teammates. This redhead is Sakuragi Hanamichi, the birthday celebrant. This is his guntai, Mitto, Takamiya, Naoma, and Ookasu. This one here is Akagi Takenori, our team captain last year. And this is her sister, Haruko."
"Hello." Everyone's smiling but atleast, good-hearted Haruko spoke.
"That one with the glasses is Kogure Kiminobu, the vice captain - also last year."
"How are you doing?" and Kogure too.
"Muffin head Miyagi Ryo-"
*Tog!*
"What did you say??" he's glaring.
"Aw! Hey, I was only kidding!" That hurts. Kuso. Alaina might think I'm a loser…
Everyone laughed. Better be more formal.
"As I was saying, this is Miyagi Ryota, the new captain. And this is Ayako, the manageress."
"Nice to meet you. I suppose you're a foreigner?" Ayako sure knows how to entertain guests.
Alaina nodded.
"And that one on the corner, sleeping is Rukawa Kaede."
-=ALAINA=-
I have to say Mitsui's friends are actually making me feel comfortable. I really like it here! It's so homely… and everyone seems to like me too. Except for that sleeping back I see... He's facing the other direction that I couldn't see his face. But his name sounds familiar… Where did I hear that? Uhh… Oh well, better excuse sleepyhead.
Good thing I took Japanese lessons. I just get a little confused with their names. It's quite hard to memorize. Though Akira already advised me that I should call them first in surname-basis. And that'll be in the reversed English form.
Hmm… Not that difficult as I expected.
-end-
^Jap Vocabulary:
Tensai = genius
Kitsune = fox
Kuso = shit
Okaasan = mother
A/N: I know I have to explain something… Alaina had just graduated high school. Yes, she did. That's because in the Philippines, high school is taken only for four years - straight. No division of junior and senior highs. In short, 16 and 17 year-olds can already enter college. Got it? (^,^)
To all those who reviewed: Thanks so much… I really appreciate it. And sorry if you find the story crappy… I'm having a hard time organizing my thoughts here. I've got ideas, though. Would you believe I'm already finished with chaps 10 and 11? But I haven't with the next. Weird? Ehehe… I admit. So, just tell me what you think, frankly… please? You hate it? You like it? What? Why? … Oops. Babbling, am I? Ehehe… fine, I'll stop.
Uh… still, reviews huh? (^@^)