Chapter 1

-Please refer to the Disclaimer in the Prologue. Thanks!

"C'mon, Brina. We're gonna be late!"

The call of her mother woke 14 year-old Brina MacPhearson from a deep slumber in which she seemed to be far away--as if on a distant world where there was nothing but war and death and dying. She didn't seem to know why.

Ever since Brina could remember, she had not been like other girls. During her child-hood, girls her age played with Barbies and had tea parties. She wandered the hills and woods around her home, using her secret gift of imagination to create stories of battles and war. Her own mother had never understood it, but nourished Brina's gift as best she could.

It was a new year at the famous (or infamous, depending on who you were) Ganbakiru High School. One of the top schools in its prefecture, it had a reputation for failing lazy students and only graduating the best of the best.

"Let's see...I have everything I need. Pencils, pens, erasers, paper, binders, and even my CD player for my study hall. Right then," said Brina fiercely, throwing her backpack on. She slipped into her shoes and opened the door.

"See ya, Mama! I'm going now!" she called happily, and rushed out the door.

It was the usual chaos, hustle, and bustle to find room 322-B, but find it Brina did. Even though she was smart for her age, the stupid school insisted she daydreamed too much and made her take classes that bored her with their slow pace. It wasn't that she was daydreaming, really, but thinking about something she couldn't quite understand and yet would fight to comprehend. Brina shrugged to herself and took a seat near the front.

"Well, good morning class," said Mr. Sutsujuki as he opened his lesson plan. He was a tall man, and fortunately for Brina, not too strict. Just the right balance for a teacher, in her opinion. Then, she noticed the person standing next to him.

"Oh yes, I forgot. Class, this is Neil Elliot--he will be entering our class. Neil, would you like to say anything about yourself in front of the class?"

He shook his head no.

"Fine. Take your seat then, next to...Brina, is there anyone sitting next to you?"

"No, sir."

"Take your seat next to Brina MacPhearson."

The boy was sandy-haired, and had the loveliest set of blue eyes Brina had ever seen. They stared at each other for long moments before Mr. Sutsujuki rapped on their desks with his pointer and fussed at them for daydreaming. For some reason, the morning passed quicker than usual.

As the bell rang, Brina gathered her books to go home, and found a note tucked into the corner of her binder.

'Meet me outside the school today after the lunch bell. I want to talk to you.'

Neil had signed it.

As always, your reviews and suggestions are always welcome.