Ch. 2: Moving
----5 years later----
~Mimi's POV~
"Oh my gosh! I'm late!" I jumped up out of my bed, after I had looked at my alarm clock next to my bed. I put on my new denim hip huggers and my new red tank top. I shoved on my black platform boots as I stumbled down the stairs. "Daddy! Keys!!" I shouted as I grabbed my make-up bag. He came to the door frame to the kitchen and tossed me the keys to the car. I ran outside with my backpack and make-up.
"Mimi! Did you brush your teeth?!" My mother shouted loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear.
"Of course I did! Bye! Smooches!" I said while blowing a kiss to her as I pulled out of the driveway. I blared my NSYNC cd as soon as I turned on the car, fastened my seatbelt and pushed the petal to 80 miles per hour as soon as I left the driveway. It was a good thing that I had my licence.
As I pulled into the school parking lot, a few people came over to me. I jumped out of the car, out of breath.
"Hey baby!" My boyfriend, Michael, said as he grabbed my waist and pulled me closer. I smiled and kissed passionately on the lips, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"Ok! Get a room, please! You don't need to rub the fact that we don't have boyfriends, in our face!" My friend, Anna, said to the two of us. I smiled and pulled away from him.
"Hey Nina, did you ever hear about when cheerleading try-outs are? I am really looking forward to being on the squad again!" I said with a little squeal, as I jumped up.
"Yeah me too!" He laughed. Nina slapped him jokingly. He began again, "Yeah, and I'll make sure I'll be at every game cheering you on, baby. You know those skirts!!" He said while laughing. I rolled my eyes.
"Anyway, I heard someone saying that it may be sometime next month. Good luck, I know you'll make captain." She said while hugging me. I thanked her just as the bell rang. We ran into the school and walked toward our lockers. I slowly twisted the numbers on the lock as a young man from the same grade came up to me.
"Uh.. Hey Mimi." He said softly.
"Hi Dan." I said sweetly. I opened my locker and pulled out my physics book. I looked at him.
"I was just wondering if you'd like to go to the dance with me on Friday..." He asked me while twirling his thumbs. I smiled as I looked at the ground. Just then, Michael came back and put his arm around my waist.
"That's really sweet, Dan. But I thought you knew that I have a boyfriend." I said while looking at Michael. He frowned and walked away. I shut my locker and walked to first period. Just then I heard my name called on the intercom. "Mimi Tachikawa, please come to the office immediately! I repeat, Mimi Tachikawa please come to the office immediately. Thank you."
"Baby, what did you do!?" Michael laughed as I wrapped my arms around my books and walked toward the office. I walked in flushed, very nervous of why I was being called down. I walked in and they asked who I was, showing I had never been here before.
"Yes, I'm Mimi. Is s-something wrong...? Did I do s-something?" I stuttered. The secretary laughed at, then smiled.
"Not at all. You can tell that you've never been down here. Let's keep it that way, understood?" She said, I smiled with relief as I sat down. She began again, "I have been told by the Principal to send you home. Your parents are taking you out of school.. for good." My eyes widened. I was in a state of shock as she told me to go clean out my locker and get my present grades from my teachers. I walked down the hall in a daze, not saying hi to anyone who greeted me. Nina and Anna were waiting for me at my locker.
"Aren't you supposed to be in class? You're one of the ones who participate, why aren't you sitting in the front row yet?" Nina joked with me, but to her surprise, I didn't laugh or smile. She suddenly turned serious. "Mimi, what's the matter, hun?"
"I-I'm.." I stuttered. "I'm being taken out of school." I finished. They laughed at my hesitation.
"Its only for one day. Your grades won't drop because of it! Don't worry!" Anna said in her New York accent. I shook my head at them, as I opened my locker.
"I'm probably not coming back.. I'm being taken out for good." I said as I cleaned out my locker and into my backpack. "I have to go turn in my books and get my grades. I'll call you guys later." I said as I hugged them good-bye. They didn't understand what I was saying, how could I be moving, and in the beginning of the school year!
I slowly turned down the hall to my right and into my history class. As I walked in, the teacher stopped teaching and took the book from my hand. I felt the cold stare of the classes eyes on me until I left the classroom. I slowly made my way to all of my classes one by one getting my grades and handing in my books. I was very reluctant to walk into my physics class for one reason, Michael was in that class. I didn't want to have to face him now. I walked in and the teacher finished his sentence. I told him about the situation and he smiled and told be good luck. He gave me my grade and I handed in my book.
"Mr. Johnson, can I please talk Michael in the hall.. This is my last time speaking to him before I go home.." I whispered to him. He smiled and put his hand under his chin while he thought, he then agreed and called Michael to go out into the hall. "Thank you." I said as I walked out into the hall and waited nervously for Michael. He finally came, shutting the door behind him.
"Thanks for getting me out of his class.." He said as he drew near to kiss me. I pulled away from him as I tried to hold back tears. He knew something was wrong when he stepped out into the hall. "... Baby.."
"Michael.. I am so sorry.." I started. He narrowed his eyes. I continued, "I am being taken out of school.. For good. I don't know why though.." He looked at me with pleading eyes. He need answers that I couldn't give him. He looked down at me, and smiled while putting a strand of my chestnut brown hair from my eyes. He placed a hand on my cheek and gently kissed me.
"I'm gonna love you forever.. No matter where you live.." He said, he then kissed me again. I smiled for a bit, and hugged him.
"I'll call you tonight with all the details. Good luck at your race.. win for me.. ok?" He smiled and walked back inside the classroom. As I walked down the 10th grade hall, I heard "ooo"s from Michael's classroom. I smiled and ran out to my car in the student parking lot. I took one good look at my high school and fastened my seatbelt and pulled out my Destiny's Child cd. I turned it to my favorite song, "Dangerously in Love" as soon as I pulled out of the school lot. I drove down 3rd street and figured out that I really needed answers! So I sped down the remainder of the road and turned onto the slums where the teenagers the were ditching school were street racing in the alleys. Just to have a little fun, I pulled into a race drove past the other cars. The men were furious when I beat them, they swore at me as drove by and waved to them out my window. I turned onto West 103rd St. as I found it was nearly empty as the large house were locked from the rich families who lived inside them. I pulled into my driveway and parked in the 3 car garage. I got out of my yellow BMW Z3 and I pressed the button on my key chain while I ran inside the door to the main floor. I ran in and automatically heard my little brother screaming for my Mom.
"MOTHER!!!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. She came into the emerald floor foyer and smiled as she took off her oven mitts. I looked at her, shocked. "You've been cooking! My gosh! Are you ok? I mean you didn't burn down the house or anything did you!" I asked frantically. She laughed and shook her head. She went into the living room and motioned for me to follow her. I sat down on the cushion next to her. "I'm not moving! You're not going to tell me that. Please don't tell me that!"
"Mimi.. Mimi calm down!" She said holding shoulders. "Hunny, you are moving.. I'm so sorry baby. But me and your father decided that we're going to send you back to Japan." My eyes narrowed and suddenly stood up, furious.
"You can't do this to me! WHY! I have a boyfriend, great friends, cheerleading! I was valedictorian last year, mama. Why..?" I pleaded with her. She tugged on my hand and I sat down once again. Burning tears running down my face which I didn't bother to wipe.
"Mimi, you were valedictorian last year. You've dropped this year. Ever since Michael. We know about him Mimi, we know that he gets arrested for street racing and drugs and such like that. You need to stay away from that. That's why we're sending you to Japan. You should be happy to see Sora and Matt and all your other friends. I thought you would be excited." Suddenly I felt the same as I did when I was ten and was moving here.
"This isn't fair, mama. You pulled me from my life in Odaiba and five years later, in the beginning of my 10th grade year to go back there! Once I've made a life for myself and a life I love." I said while I blew my nose into my tissue. She pulled into a hug and she cried because I was crying.
"Princess.. I know this is hard for you to understand, but you need to get away from street racers and away from men with drugs and away from all this pain here. You need to concentrate on your dreams and on school. Please believe me, Princess." She pleaded with me, I had to nod my head. I wanted to leave. I wanted to get far away from here, I wanted to be in Michael's arms so he could make it all go away. She kissed my cheek and let me go upstairs to pack. "Mimi you're leaving tomorrow afternoon. You'll be staying with your grandmother. She will pick you up at the airport." She fakely smiled. As I walked up the stairs onto the second floor my brother came to me.
"Hey dork-queen. Nice make-up, did you do that yourself? Congratulations! You've finally learned to use your natural hideousness!" He laughed. My eyes narrowed as I walked past him, saying nothing. "Hey, this is the part where you call names and insult me."
"I'm not in the mood. And if I were, I would kill you for the trick you pulled by turning off my alarm this morning! You're such a fungus, you can't be from the same gene pool." I said as I walked up the next flight of stairs to me bedroom. I had the whole floor to myself and I cried when I opened the door. I wasn't going to have my same pink room. I wouldn't have my pink ceiling with my glow in the dark stars and moon anymore. 'This is going to be so terrible.' I thought to myself. My life was ending and I couldn't do anything about it. I walked around the room putting everything into boxes. I came across all of my pictures that I had taken with Michael, I cried even more once I held them. I was going to miss him so much. I pulled out the box with all of the other pictures in it, the first one I pulled out was one of Nina, Anna, Michael, and me at a basketball game. Nina, Anna and me were in our cheerleading uniforms and Michael beamed because of it.
~Flashback~
"Michael, stop it. We're trying to take a picture!" I giggled as he kept putting his arm over my shoulder. It was during half-time and we were about to do one of our half-time cheers/dances when Anna proposed we take a picture for memories. "Just us girls! You know, the cheerleaders! Last time I checked, you weren't one."
"I'd like to try out though! For some certain reasons!" He said while whistling. I was on the right side of Nina and Anna was on the other. Just as the cheerleading snapped the picture, Michael jumped in next to me. I slapped him playfully and kissed him. I told him to sit down as we went into the middle of the gym, with the rest of our squad.
"I have an genius idea," Anna yelled, after the game was over.
"Wow, does your brain hurt?" Nina yelled playfully. Anna scowled for a moment and then continued.
"No! Seriously! I propose that Michael should take us out to ice cream!" She insisted. Michael's jaw dropped as Nina and Anna forced him to pay for the ice cream.
~End of Flashback~
I remember I didn't get any ice cream that day. I was worried that my perfect weight and body would gain weight. Michael tried to get me to have some, but it didn't work.
"Oh my gosh, I need to get going!" I yelled as I shoved all of my pictures into the box. As I was pulling out empty boxes, I brought out one that had things in it. I decided that I would figure out what it was and if I needed to keep it. I unfolded the cardboard flaps and opened it to find pictures and toys and reminders of Odaiba and when I was ten. I chocked back tears as I formed a smile. I pulled out Sora's helmet that she gave me to remember her by, and Tai gave me his dirty shoelaces for some reason, T.K gave me his hat, Kari gave me her camera, Izzy gave me his favorite book, Joe gave me a pack of band-aids?, and Matt gave me a his picture. What an odd group, I thought. As I pulled out all of these things, I pulled out a piece of paper. I flipped it over to find it was a picture of me and the rest of the group the day we left for New York. I scanned over everyone, and my eyes landed on one person, Matt. He was standing cooly next to me, with his hands in his pocket. He had a cute grin on his face, apposed to my huge, fake smile. His hair was slicked with gel, and neatly combed. Matt always had the type of hair that people weren't allowed to touch. 'He was kinda cute..' I thought. 'Oh my gosh, Mimi! That was five years ago! He's probably a geek now. Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough.'
"Mimi!" My brother said as he stood in my door frame, holding the phone. "It's Michael!" He teased.
"Well why don't you give me the phone you freak!" I demanded, while holding my hand out. He smirked.
"Maybe.." He answered. I jumped up from where I was on the floor and ran over to him and stood up with my eyes narrowed.
"Don't make me do it!" I said, threatening to scream for mom. He smiled and handed me the phone. "Why are you home anyway, your not sick. Your supposed to be in school."
"I know I'm not sick. Dad let me stay home." He said while running down the stairs to the second floor. I gave out a large moan and shut the door. I plopped down on my bed and prepared to talk to Michael.
"Why are you calling me from school?" I asked. He laughed at me.
"Schools out! You must be pretty busy not to notice." He laughed more. I looked at my clock as it read: 4:51 PM, in bright pink numbers. I sighed and giggled a little. "So what's the deal, babe?"
"I'll tell you later. I have to finish packing. But I'll meet you at Central Park at 8:00 tonight. On the bench across from the Skating Rink. Nina and Anna will be there, ok?" I told him, and he agreed. We said our good-byes and hung up the phone. I went back and sat on the floor, in the same spot I had earlier. I picked up the picture one last time and glanced at everyone. My eyes fell upon Matt again. I smiled and put the picture in. I cleaned out the rest of the box and found letters and school pictures that Sora and the others had sent me. They came for about a year and a half, and then they stopped coming. They had gone on with their lives, as I had gone on with mine. Honestly, I forgot about them half of the time. I went over to my stereo and blast the radio, another good song was on: Pop- by NSYNC. I jumped up and danced for a little bit, until I realized that the teenage boy next door was staring at me through his window.
"Pervert!" I yelled as I ran over and shut my soft pink curtains. I combed my hair and proceeded to pack.
~Matt's POV~
Everything was going great for me as I pulled into the school parking lot. It was Friday night and the first school dance of the year was tonight! I pulled in to an open slot, as I got out four women came over to me.
"Hey Matt!" One giggled.
"Hi, Matt!" The other three followed. I said hi as I continued to walk to the entrance of the school. The four proceeded to follow me.
"Look, Ladies, I haven't decided who I'm going to dance with yet. But I'll let you know if its one of you four." I said as I fakely smiled and walked into the school gym. Music was blaring from every speaker and everyone was dancing. I put a grin on my face as I walked over to a friend of mine, who was busy making out with a girl. "Hey, Darien! You got a trophy girl already!" I yelled. Darien pulled away from her told her to take a break.
"Yeah! Geez, ever since I won that race against Li, I'm starting to feel like you!" He said as he punched my arm. "What about you, no women on your arm today?"
"I'm being optimistic, let them come to me. Like they swarmed to my car when I pulled in." I said as I laughed.
"I'm telling you, man, its that blonde hair, and those clear blue eyes that get 'em." Darien said while imitating the girls. I laughed.
"Well, I'll let you get back to your chick.. What's her name anyway?" I asked him.
"I don't know, she just looked good." He shrugged, as he motioned for her to come back. I waved and walked over to the table to get a cold can of soda. A girl walked over and grabbed a cup of water. She looked at me, and smiled.
"What, you don't like water or something?" She smiled.
"Nah, I just don't trust people at these dances. You don't know what kinda stuff druggy's put in open drinks. So I just use cans instead. Its a lot safer. I don't feel like getting high tonight. It'll ruin my concentration." I commented. She smiled.
"What do you have to concentrate on?" She questioned. I looked at my drink, then at her.
"I drag race." I told her. She looked like she had no clue what I was saying. I laughed, "Street Race."
She smiled, "Oh! I know what Street Racing is, but I didn't know that drag race was a different name for it."
"Oh. By the way, I'm Matt. Ishida." I told her, stretching out my hand. She smiled.
"I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are. Your the most popular guy out here. I'm Madison Tuskino. Nice to meet you." She said as she shook my hand. I smiled and asked her to dance. She politely accepted as she pulled me onto the dance floor. Everyone around us kept dancing, but kept their eyes on us, especially the girls. I knew they were thinking that they should be dancing with me, instead of her. I just shrugged it off and kept dancing.
"So why haven't I seen you around in school?" I asked her.
"You should, I sit behind you in history." She giggled. "But you probably didn't recognize me with the way that I look. I mean I'm not wearing my uniform." I smiled and we kept dancing. Even though I enjoyed dancing with her, I felt weird doing so. Like I should be dancing with someone else. But I couldn't figure it out. I pulled away from Madison and told her I had to go. She frowned and hugged me good-bye. I walked past the crowds, and as I looked back, I saw a mob of girls talking to Madison. I walked by many people I knew. I walked by Darien, who was still making out with his unknown woman. I walked out the doors and down the hall and past Tai and Sora. They eyed me as walked past them, saying nothing, not even looking their way. I hopped in my car and drove off before even more women came out to me. Relieved I had gotten away from them. I just had to think.
~Tai's POV~
I looked at Sora who was watching Matt leave. "What's up with him?" I asked her. She just kept watching him.
"Probably too much women for him to handle. You know, him being a jock and all." She said as she tied the strings on her shirt. I looked at her and smiled.
"Do you ever wonder what happened? Between all of us?" Sora asked me. I didn't know what to say, although it was pretty simple, "Yes" or "No".
"I guess we all just grew apart. After Mimi left, I think." I told her. Sora just frowned and looked at the ground.
"Oh well, we don't need that prep loser." I said as she moved her brown hair behind her ear. We didn't like dances, but it was the only way we could get away from our parents.
"Shut up, Tai! Just cause you don't like him anymore doesn't mean that he's not my friend. Your just jealous 'cause he's popular and your not anymore. All because you two got in an argument and everyone took his side, besides me." She said to me, I just rolled my eyes and took a drink of my soda.
~Mimi's POV~
I sat on the bench. No one was skating. Though it was only September, it was quite a chilly evening. I wrapped my arms around my chest as I shivered. Just then I saw Michael walking up with Anna. Nina walked slowly from the other direction. I stood up and waited for them all to gather at the bench I had sat on. Michael had no expression on his face, making it extremely hard for me to tell what he was thinking about. It made me nervous.
"Well, what's the deal, Mims." Nina broke the silence. For a while we stood there, like none of us wanted to deal with the truth. I had to tell them though.
"I'm moving. Not for a couple of weeks or anything like that. I'm moving for good. I've been sent back to Japan... to live with my grandmother." I said as I looked at the ground.
"Why!?" Anna asked as she frantically tried to hold back tears. I bit my bottom lip and looked up.
"For emotional reasons, I suppose. My mother just came out and said it. She said I was going back to Odaiba to live with my grandmother, so I would get away from all the drugs, and street racing... and from... f-from you Michael.." I stuttered. His eyes widened. "I am s-so sorry you guys! I had no idea..." Michael slowly moved closer to me.
"Mimi, I didn't know your parents knew about me doing street racing.. Or about the drugs... and all that other stuff.. Oh gosh, baby, I'm sorry." He pleaded with me. I forced a smile through my tears. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Nina and Anna stood with cold tears running down their cheeks and off their chin.
"When are you leaving...?" Anna questioned, really not wanting to know the answer, although she knew she had to know. I didn't unlatch from Michael, but instead I cried into his shoulder as I answered.
"Tomorrow at 2 o'clock.." I cried. Michael held me tighter to his chest.
"Mimi, I'm really sorry. But I gotta get going. I promised my boyfriend that we would double date with Anna and Drake. But I promise I will be at the Kennedy Airport tomorrow when you get on that plane! I won't let until you do!" Nina said as she hugged me, once pulled away from Michael.
"Me too!" Anna said as she hugged the both of us together. I smiled lightly and turned back to Michael. Nina and Anna walked off and back to Nina's convertible.
"Michael! Would you do one last thing!" I looked upward at him, my eyes brightened. He raised an eyebrow and asked what it was. "Take me ice skating! One last time before I leave. It's cold enough."
"What about my race! Your not coming?" He asked. I sighed.
"I have to finish packing. Please Michael! Please!" I looked at him with pleading eyes. He sighed and dragged me to the empty rink. I put on my skates that he rented for me. I walked onto the ice and skated to the center of the rink. Michael followed and tried to grab my hand, I pulled from him.
"Michael, I hate to do this. But I want to know if we should break up before I move to Japan." I asked him softly, he lifted my chin, and kissed me.
"No." Was all he said. I cried a little more as we just stood there, in center of the ice rink. It was rather romantic, in the middle of central park and we had the Ice Skating Rink to ourselves. I just wanted him to hold me, so he did. But as I looked at my watch, I had to leave and finish packing. We got in my car and we drove off, Anna had picked him up in the first place and he only lives a couple of houses down from me, so we went to my house and I dropped him off. He kissed me one more time, he then got out of the car and walked to the driver's window. I rolled it down and waited for him to speak.
"I'll be there tomorrow. Count on it!" He said, kissing my cheek. I smiled.
"I know.." I said while getting out of my car and walking casually inside the large house. I hung up my coat and jogged up the two flights of stairs to my room. I walked in and a cold rush came in when I found that my window was open. I ran over and closed it. 'Who opened my window?' I thought to myself. Just then I spun around to come face to face with a girl from my school.
"Rhea." I said in shock. "You scared me. What are you doing here? AND why did you climb through a three story window?" She grinned at the questions.
"I heard that you'll be moving away tomorrow. Well, Tachikawa, that's good news for me." She said while circling me. I rolled my eyes and watched through the corner of my eyes.
"Why is that, Rhea?" I asked sarcastically. She giggled at the thought.
"With you gone, and in Japan, Michael is free to be mine. And you can't stop me." She smirked as she grabbed my face in her hand.
::SLAP::
"You *****! I can't believe you just did that!" She screamed. I smiled at her.
"No actually, he won't be yours. Know why? Yeah, I think you wanna know why. Because he loves me and we're staying together! He'll never, EVER love you, Rhea. So just give up and find some just as hideous as you." I said while walking toward the window, I opened it and motioned for her to climb back down. She scowled at me and walked toward the window.
While climbing down she looked at me and said, "Oh, don't worry, Tachikawa, I'll prove he has no love for you. Just wait." I rolled my eyes and shut the window, I locked it.
~The Next Day~
*BEEP**BEEP**BEEP**BEEP* My alarm clock went off at 12:31 PM. I hit the alarm clock so hard that it cracked and turn off completely. I sat up and looked around the room. My room was completely empty except for my bed and dresser. I sat up and put on the clothes that I left out for me to wear. I jumped into my tight blue low risers, my American flag halter top that showed 2 inches above my belly button, I put on my American flag platform sandals, and rolled my hair up into a long ponytail with two pieces hanging down in the front. I shut the door behind me as I walked down to the second floor. I passed my brothers empty room and down the second flight of stairs, as I did this I put on my sparkly belly necklace. I walked into the kitchen, but as soon as I left the carpet of the stairs you could hear me coming because of my shoes. Its a good thing everyone is awake. My parents were already dressed and making lunch. My brother was watching tv in the living room. I walked in and my father's eyes widened.
"You are not wearing that!! EVER!" He yelled while putting to my outfit. I placed my right hand on my hip and I rolled my eyes again.
"Daddy! Chill it, I'm moving to Japan today, you won't be able to monitor what I'm wearing. So get used to it and let this be." I told him while gently tapping the side of his face. "Hi, Mama." I said as I gave her a kiss on her cheek.
"But, Princess! It shows about 4 inches of your stomach! And I'm not exaggerating!" He told me.
"You would prefer if I didn't show it at all." I said back, with my hand still on my hip. He smiled and nodded his head.
"Hunny, she has the stomach for this outfit, let her grow up!" My mother told him. I smiled in my cocky tone as I thanked her.
"I thought I was letting her grow up when I sent her to Japan." I sighed and kissed them both good-bye. We hugged for a couple of minutes and then I walked over to my brother.
"Well, runt, I hate to say this but, I'm gonna miss you." I said as I hugged him. He squirmed.
"Too much love! Too much love!" He said, pulling from me. I went back to my parents and then went to the garage to get my car. I waved as pulled out of the driveway. I drove as fast as I could, I was running late and I had to get to the barge so they could transport my car and major luggage to Japan. I got there and jumped out. One of the men looked at me odd, that told me to run away. I didn't feel comfortable the way he looked at me. He came over and gave me a piece of paper with his number on it, I read it and laughed as I ripped it to pieces. The airport was right next to the harbor so I didn't have far to walk. I went inside, and it turned out I had forgotten to take off my belly necklace, so I had to be searched. It wasn't very fun. But finally I got to the gate. Nina, Anna and Michael were there. They waited for me. I hugged them all good-bye and kissed Michael. I had to get on the plane immediately when I got there. So I only had a little time. I got on the plane and had to sit next to this large man, just like on the way to America, I had the window seat. The flight was long and extremely tiering, I couldn't sleep because the fat man next to me snored louder than a pig.
When I got to the Tokyo Airport, my grandmother and some she had paid to get my luggage were waiting for me. I smiled kindly and hugged her. She tried to talk to me on the way home but I wouldn't answer her questions. We got to her house at about four the next morning. Her house was amazing! Much larger than my house, all the house on this road we as large as this one. We went inside and it was very open. She took me on a tour of the large building. She said the her room was on the first floor because she can't walk up all of those stairs, and that I had the whole upstairs to myself, just like before. There is an extra attic ... a new bedroom.
----5 years later----
~Mimi's POV~
"Oh my gosh! I'm late!" I jumped up out of my bed, after I had looked at my alarm clock next to my bed. I put on my new denim hip huggers and my new red tank top. I shoved on my black platform boots as I stumbled down the stairs. "Daddy! Keys!!" I shouted as I grabbed my make-up bag. He came to the door frame to the kitchen and tossed me the keys to the car. I ran outside with my backpack and make-up.
"Mimi! Did you brush your teeth?!" My mother shouted loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear.
"Of course I did! Bye! Smooches!" I said while blowing a kiss to her as I pulled out of the driveway. I blared my NSYNC cd as soon as I turned on the car, fastened my seatbelt and pushed the petal to 80 miles per hour as soon as I left the driveway. It was a good thing that I had my licence.
As I pulled into the school parking lot, a few people came over to me. I jumped out of the car, out of breath.
"Hey baby!" My boyfriend, Michael, said as he grabbed my waist and pulled me closer. I smiled and kissed passionately on the lips, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"Ok! Get a room, please! You don't need to rub the fact that we don't have boyfriends, in our face!" My friend, Anna, said to the two of us. I smiled and pulled away from him.
"Hey Nina, did you ever hear about when cheerleading try-outs are? I am really looking forward to being on the squad again!" I said with a little squeal, as I jumped up.
"Yeah me too!" He laughed. Nina slapped him jokingly. He began again, "Yeah, and I'll make sure I'll be at every game cheering you on, baby. You know those skirts!!" He said while laughing. I rolled my eyes.
"Anyway, I heard someone saying that it may be sometime next month. Good luck, I know you'll make captain." She said while hugging me. I thanked her just as the bell rang. We ran into the school and walked toward our lockers. I slowly twisted the numbers on the lock as a young man from the same grade came up to me.
"Uh.. Hey Mimi." He said softly.
"Hi Dan." I said sweetly. I opened my locker and pulled out my physics book. I looked at him.
"I was just wondering if you'd like to go to the dance with me on Friday..." He asked me while twirling his thumbs. I smiled as I looked at the ground. Just then, Michael came back and put his arm around my waist.
"That's really sweet, Dan. But I thought you knew that I have a boyfriend." I said while looking at Michael. He frowned and walked away. I shut my locker and walked to first period. Just then I heard my name called on the intercom. "Mimi Tachikawa, please come to the office immediately! I repeat, Mimi Tachikawa please come to the office immediately. Thank you."
"Baby, what did you do!?" Michael laughed as I wrapped my arms around my books and walked toward the office. I walked in flushed, very nervous of why I was being called down. I walked in and they asked who I was, showing I had never been here before.
"Yes, I'm Mimi. Is s-something wrong...? Did I do s-something?" I stuttered. The secretary laughed at, then smiled.
"Not at all. You can tell that you've never been down here. Let's keep it that way, understood?" She said, I smiled with relief as I sat down. She began again, "I have been told by the Principal to send you home. Your parents are taking you out of school.. for good." My eyes widened. I was in a state of shock as she told me to go clean out my locker and get my present grades from my teachers. I walked down the hall in a daze, not saying hi to anyone who greeted me. Nina and Anna were waiting for me at my locker.
"Aren't you supposed to be in class? You're one of the ones who participate, why aren't you sitting in the front row yet?" Nina joked with me, but to her surprise, I didn't laugh or smile. She suddenly turned serious. "Mimi, what's the matter, hun?"
"I-I'm.." I stuttered. "I'm being taken out of school." I finished. They laughed at my hesitation.
"Its only for one day. Your grades won't drop because of it! Don't worry!" Anna said in her New York accent. I shook my head at them, as I opened my locker.
"I'm probably not coming back.. I'm being taken out for good." I said as I cleaned out my locker and into my backpack. "I have to go turn in my books and get my grades. I'll call you guys later." I said as I hugged them good-bye. They didn't understand what I was saying, how could I be moving, and in the beginning of the school year!
I slowly turned down the hall to my right and into my history class. As I walked in, the teacher stopped teaching and took the book from my hand. I felt the cold stare of the classes eyes on me until I left the classroom. I slowly made my way to all of my classes one by one getting my grades and handing in my books. I was very reluctant to walk into my physics class for one reason, Michael was in that class. I didn't want to have to face him now. I walked in and the teacher finished his sentence. I told him about the situation and he smiled and told be good luck. He gave me my grade and I handed in my book.
"Mr. Johnson, can I please talk Michael in the hall.. This is my last time speaking to him before I go home.." I whispered to him. He smiled and put his hand under his chin while he thought, he then agreed and called Michael to go out into the hall. "Thank you." I said as I walked out into the hall and waited nervously for Michael. He finally came, shutting the door behind him.
"Thanks for getting me out of his class.." He said as he drew near to kiss me. I pulled away from him as I tried to hold back tears. He knew something was wrong when he stepped out into the hall. "... Baby.."
"Michael.. I am so sorry.." I started. He narrowed his eyes. I continued, "I am being taken out of school.. For good. I don't know why though.." He looked at me with pleading eyes. He need answers that I couldn't give him. He looked down at me, and smiled while putting a strand of my chestnut brown hair from my eyes. He placed a hand on my cheek and gently kissed me.
"I'm gonna love you forever.. No matter where you live.." He said, he then kissed me again. I smiled for a bit, and hugged him.
"I'll call you tonight with all the details. Good luck at your race.. win for me.. ok?" He smiled and walked back inside the classroom. As I walked down the 10th grade hall, I heard "ooo"s from Michael's classroom. I smiled and ran out to my car in the student parking lot. I took one good look at my high school and fastened my seatbelt and pulled out my Destiny's Child cd. I turned it to my favorite song, "Dangerously in Love" as soon as I pulled out of the school lot. I drove down 3rd street and figured out that I really needed answers! So I sped down the remainder of the road and turned onto the slums where the teenagers the were ditching school were street racing in the alleys. Just to have a little fun, I pulled into a race drove past the other cars. The men were furious when I beat them, they swore at me as drove by and waved to them out my window. I turned onto West 103rd St. as I found it was nearly empty as the large house were locked from the rich families who lived inside them. I pulled into my driveway and parked in the 3 car garage. I got out of my yellow BMW Z3 and I pressed the button on my key chain while I ran inside the door to the main floor. I ran in and automatically heard my little brother screaming for my Mom.
"MOTHER!!!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. She came into the emerald floor foyer and smiled as she took off her oven mitts. I looked at her, shocked. "You've been cooking! My gosh! Are you ok? I mean you didn't burn down the house or anything did you!" I asked frantically. She laughed and shook her head. She went into the living room and motioned for me to follow her. I sat down on the cushion next to her. "I'm not moving! You're not going to tell me that. Please don't tell me that!"
"Mimi.. Mimi calm down!" She said holding shoulders. "Hunny, you are moving.. I'm so sorry baby. But me and your father decided that we're going to send you back to Japan." My eyes narrowed and suddenly stood up, furious.
"You can't do this to me! WHY! I have a boyfriend, great friends, cheerleading! I was valedictorian last year, mama. Why..?" I pleaded with her. She tugged on my hand and I sat down once again. Burning tears running down my face which I didn't bother to wipe.
"Mimi, you were valedictorian last year. You've dropped this year. Ever since Michael. We know about him Mimi, we know that he gets arrested for street racing and drugs and such like that. You need to stay away from that. That's why we're sending you to Japan. You should be happy to see Sora and Matt and all your other friends. I thought you would be excited." Suddenly I felt the same as I did when I was ten and was moving here.
"This isn't fair, mama. You pulled me from my life in Odaiba and five years later, in the beginning of my 10th grade year to go back there! Once I've made a life for myself and a life I love." I said while I blew my nose into my tissue. She pulled into a hug and she cried because I was crying.
"Princess.. I know this is hard for you to understand, but you need to get away from street racers and away from men with drugs and away from all this pain here. You need to concentrate on your dreams and on school. Please believe me, Princess." She pleaded with me, I had to nod my head. I wanted to leave. I wanted to get far away from here, I wanted to be in Michael's arms so he could make it all go away. She kissed my cheek and let me go upstairs to pack. "Mimi you're leaving tomorrow afternoon. You'll be staying with your grandmother. She will pick you up at the airport." She fakely smiled. As I walked up the stairs onto the second floor my brother came to me.
"Hey dork-queen. Nice make-up, did you do that yourself? Congratulations! You've finally learned to use your natural hideousness!" He laughed. My eyes narrowed as I walked past him, saying nothing. "Hey, this is the part where you call names and insult me."
"I'm not in the mood. And if I were, I would kill you for the trick you pulled by turning off my alarm this morning! You're such a fungus, you can't be from the same gene pool." I said as I walked up the next flight of stairs to me bedroom. I had the whole floor to myself and I cried when I opened the door. I wasn't going to have my same pink room. I wouldn't have my pink ceiling with my glow in the dark stars and moon anymore. 'This is going to be so terrible.' I thought to myself. My life was ending and I couldn't do anything about it. I walked around the room putting everything into boxes. I came across all of my pictures that I had taken with Michael, I cried even more once I held them. I was going to miss him so much. I pulled out the box with all of the other pictures in it, the first one I pulled out was one of Nina, Anna, Michael, and me at a basketball game. Nina, Anna and me were in our cheerleading uniforms and Michael beamed because of it.
~Flashback~
"Michael, stop it. We're trying to take a picture!" I giggled as he kept putting his arm over my shoulder. It was during half-time and we were about to do one of our half-time cheers/dances when Anna proposed we take a picture for memories. "Just us girls! You know, the cheerleaders! Last time I checked, you weren't one."
"I'd like to try out though! For some certain reasons!" He said while whistling. I was on the right side of Nina and Anna was on the other. Just as the cheerleading snapped the picture, Michael jumped in next to me. I slapped him playfully and kissed him. I told him to sit down as we went into the middle of the gym, with the rest of our squad.
"I have an genius idea," Anna yelled, after the game was over.
"Wow, does your brain hurt?" Nina yelled playfully. Anna scowled for a moment and then continued.
"No! Seriously! I propose that Michael should take us out to ice cream!" She insisted. Michael's jaw dropped as Nina and Anna forced him to pay for the ice cream.
~End of Flashback~
I remember I didn't get any ice cream that day. I was worried that my perfect weight and body would gain weight. Michael tried to get me to have some, but it didn't work.
"Oh my gosh, I need to get going!" I yelled as I shoved all of my pictures into the box. As I was pulling out empty boxes, I brought out one that had things in it. I decided that I would figure out what it was and if I needed to keep it. I unfolded the cardboard flaps and opened it to find pictures and toys and reminders of Odaiba and when I was ten. I chocked back tears as I formed a smile. I pulled out Sora's helmet that she gave me to remember her by, and Tai gave me his dirty shoelaces for some reason, T.K gave me his hat, Kari gave me her camera, Izzy gave me his favorite book, Joe gave me a pack of band-aids?, and Matt gave me a his picture. What an odd group, I thought. As I pulled out all of these things, I pulled out a piece of paper. I flipped it over to find it was a picture of me and the rest of the group the day we left for New York. I scanned over everyone, and my eyes landed on one person, Matt. He was standing cooly next to me, with his hands in his pocket. He had a cute grin on his face, apposed to my huge, fake smile. His hair was slicked with gel, and neatly combed. Matt always had the type of hair that people weren't allowed to touch. 'He was kinda cute..' I thought. 'Oh my gosh, Mimi! That was five years ago! He's probably a geek now. Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough.'
"Mimi!" My brother said as he stood in my door frame, holding the phone. "It's Michael!" He teased.
"Well why don't you give me the phone you freak!" I demanded, while holding my hand out. He smirked.
"Maybe.." He answered. I jumped up from where I was on the floor and ran over to him and stood up with my eyes narrowed.
"Don't make me do it!" I said, threatening to scream for mom. He smiled and handed me the phone. "Why are you home anyway, your not sick. Your supposed to be in school."
"I know I'm not sick. Dad let me stay home." He said while running down the stairs to the second floor. I gave out a large moan and shut the door. I plopped down on my bed and prepared to talk to Michael.
"Why are you calling me from school?" I asked. He laughed at me.
"Schools out! You must be pretty busy not to notice." He laughed more. I looked at my clock as it read: 4:51 PM, in bright pink numbers. I sighed and giggled a little. "So what's the deal, babe?"
"I'll tell you later. I have to finish packing. But I'll meet you at Central Park at 8:00 tonight. On the bench across from the Skating Rink. Nina and Anna will be there, ok?" I told him, and he agreed. We said our good-byes and hung up the phone. I went back and sat on the floor, in the same spot I had earlier. I picked up the picture one last time and glanced at everyone. My eyes fell upon Matt again. I smiled and put the picture in. I cleaned out the rest of the box and found letters and school pictures that Sora and the others had sent me. They came for about a year and a half, and then they stopped coming. They had gone on with their lives, as I had gone on with mine. Honestly, I forgot about them half of the time. I went over to my stereo and blast the radio, another good song was on: Pop- by NSYNC. I jumped up and danced for a little bit, until I realized that the teenage boy next door was staring at me through his window.
"Pervert!" I yelled as I ran over and shut my soft pink curtains. I combed my hair and proceeded to pack.
~Matt's POV~
Everything was going great for me as I pulled into the school parking lot. It was Friday night and the first school dance of the year was tonight! I pulled in to an open slot, as I got out four women came over to me.
"Hey Matt!" One giggled.
"Hi, Matt!" The other three followed. I said hi as I continued to walk to the entrance of the school. The four proceeded to follow me.
"Look, Ladies, I haven't decided who I'm going to dance with yet. But I'll let you know if its one of you four." I said as I fakely smiled and walked into the school gym. Music was blaring from every speaker and everyone was dancing. I put a grin on my face as I walked over to a friend of mine, who was busy making out with a girl. "Hey, Darien! You got a trophy girl already!" I yelled. Darien pulled away from her told her to take a break.
"Yeah! Geez, ever since I won that race against Li, I'm starting to feel like you!" He said as he punched my arm. "What about you, no women on your arm today?"
"I'm being optimistic, let them come to me. Like they swarmed to my car when I pulled in." I said as I laughed.
"I'm telling you, man, its that blonde hair, and those clear blue eyes that get 'em." Darien said while imitating the girls. I laughed.
"Well, I'll let you get back to your chick.. What's her name anyway?" I asked him.
"I don't know, she just looked good." He shrugged, as he motioned for her to come back. I waved and walked over to the table to get a cold can of soda. A girl walked over and grabbed a cup of water. She looked at me, and smiled.
"What, you don't like water or something?" She smiled.
"Nah, I just don't trust people at these dances. You don't know what kinda stuff druggy's put in open drinks. So I just use cans instead. Its a lot safer. I don't feel like getting high tonight. It'll ruin my concentration." I commented. She smiled.
"What do you have to concentrate on?" She questioned. I looked at my drink, then at her.
"I drag race." I told her. She looked like she had no clue what I was saying. I laughed, "Street Race."
She smiled, "Oh! I know what Street Racing is, but I didn't know that drag race was a different name for it."
"Oh. By the way, I'm Matt. Ishida." I told her, stretching out my hand. She smiled.
"I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are. Your the most popular guy out here. I'm Madison Tuskino. Nice to meet you." She said as she shook my hand. I smiled and asked her to dance. She politely accepted as she pulled me onto the dance floor. Everyone around us kept dancing, but kept their eyes on us, especially the girls. I knew they were thinking that they should be dancing with me, instead of her. I just shrugged it off and kept dancing.
"So why haven't I seen you around in school?" I asked her.
"You should, I sit behind you in history." She giggled. "But you probably didn't recognize me with the way that I look. I mean I'm not wearing my uniform." I smiled and we kept dancing. Even though I enjoyed dancing with her, I felt weird doing so. Like I should be dancing with someone else. But I couldn't figure it out. I pulled away from Madison and told her I had to go. She frowned and hugged me good-bye. I walked past the crowds, and as I looked back, I saw a mob of girls talking to Madison. I walked by many people I knew. I walked by Darien, who was still making out with his unknown woman. I walked out the doors and down the hall and past Tai and Sora. They eyed me as walked past them, saying nothing, not even looking their way. I hopped in my car and drove off before even more women came out to me. Relieved I had gotten away from them. I just had to think.
~Tai's POV~
I looked at Sora who was watching Matt leave. "What's up with him?" I asked her. She just kept watching him.
"Probably too much women for him to handle. You know, him being a jock and all." She said as she tied the strings on her shirt. I looked at her and smiled.
"Do you ever wonder what happened? Between all of us?" Sora asked me. I didn't know what to say, although it was pretty simple, "Yes" or "No".
"I guess we all just grew apart. After Mimi left, I think." I told her. Sora just frowned and looked at the ground.
"Oh well, we don't need that prep loser." I said as she moved her brown hair behind her ear. We didn't like dances, but it was the only way we could get away from our parents.
"Shut up, Tai! Just cause you don't like him anymore doesn't mean that he's not my friend. Your just jealous 'cause he's popular and your not anymore. All because you two got in an argument and everyone took his side, besides me." She said to me, I just rolled my eyes and took a drink of my soda.
~Mimi's POV~
I sat on the bench. No one was skating. Though it was only September, it was quite a chilly evening. I wrapped my arms around my chest as I shivered. Just then I saw Michael walking up with Anna. Nina walked slowly from the other direction. I stood up and waited for them all to gather at the bench I had sat on. Michael had no expression on his face, making it extremely hard for me to tell what he was thinking about. It made me nervous.
"Well, what's the deal, Mims." Nina broke the silence. For a while we stood there, like none of us wanted to deal with the truth. I had to tell them though.
"I'm moving. Not for a couple of weeks or anything like that. I'm moving for good. I've been sent back to Japan... to live with my grandmother." I said as I looked at the ground.
"Why!?" Anna asked as she frantically tried to hold back tears. I bit my bottom lip and looked up.
"For emotional reasons, I suppose. My mother just came out and said it. She said I was going back to Odaiba to live with my grandmother, so I would get away from all the drugs, and street racing... and from... f-from you Michael.." I stuttered. His eyes widened. "I am s-so sorry you guys! I had no idea..." Michael slowly moved closer to me.
"Mimi, I didn't know your parents knew about me doing street racing.. Or about the drugs... and all that other stuff.. Oh gosh, baby, I'm sorry." He pleaded with me. I forced a smile through my tears. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Nina and Anna stood with cold tears running down their cheeks and off their chin.
"When are you leaving...?" Anna questioned, really not wanting to know the answer, although she knew she had to know. I didn't unlatch from Michael, but instead I cried into his shoulder as I answered.
"Tomorrow at 2 o'clock.." I cried. Michael held me tighter to his chest.
"Mimi, I'm really sorry. But I gotta get going. I promised my boyfriend that we would double date with Anna and Drake. But I promise I will be at the Kennedy Airport tomorrow when you get on that plane! I won't let until you do!" Nina said as she hugged me, once pulled away from Michael.
"Me too!" Anna said as she hugged the both of us together. I smiled lightly and turned back to Michael. Nina and Anna walked off and back to Nina's convertible.
"Michael! Would you do one last thing!" I looked upward at him, my eyes brightened. He raised an eyebrow and asked what it was. "Take me ice skating! One last time before I leave. It's cold enough."
"What about my race! Your not coming?" He asked. I sighed.
"I have to finish packing. Please Michael! Please!" I looked at him with pleading eyes. He sighed and dragged me to the empty rink. I put on my skates that he rented for me. I walked onto the ice and skated to the center of the rink. Michael followed and tried to grab my hand, I pulled from him.
"Michael, I hate to do this. But I want to know if we should break up before I move to Japan." I asked him softly, he lifted my chin, and kissed me.
"No." Was all he said. I cried a little more as we just stood there, in center of the ice rink. It was rather romantic, in the middle of central park and we had the Ice Skating Rink to ourselves. I just wanted him to hold me, so he did. But as I looked at my watch, I had to leave and finish packing. We got in my car and we drove off, Anna had picked him up in the first place and he only lives a couple of houses down from me, so we went to my house and I dropped him off. He kissed me one more time, he then got out of the car and walked to the driver's window. I rolled it down and waited for him to speak.
"I'll be there tomorrow. Count on it!" He said, kissing my cheek. I smiled.
"I know.." I said while getting out of my car and walking casually inside the large house. I hung up my coat and jogged up the two flights of stairs to my room. I walked in and a cold rush came in when I found that my window was open. I ran over and closed it. 'Who opened my window?' I thought to myself. Just then I spun around to come face to face with a girl from my school.
"Rhea." I said in shock. "You scared me. What are you doing here? AND why did you climb through a three story window?" She grinned at the questions.
"I heard that you'll be moving away tomorrow. Well, Tachikawa, that's good news for me." She said while circling me. I rolled my eyes and watched through the corner of my eyes.
"Why is that, Rhea?" I asked sarcastically. She giggled at the thought.
"With you gone, and in Japan, Michael is free to be mine. And you can't stop me." She smirked as she grabbed my face in her hand.
::SLAP::
"You *****! I can't believe you just did that!" She screamed. I smiled at her.
"No actually, he won't be yours. Know why? Yeah, I think you wanna know why. Because he loves me and we're staying together! He'll never, EVER love you, Rhea. So just give up and find some just as hideous as you." I said while walking toward the window, I opened it and motioned for her to climb back down. She scowled at me and walked toward the window.
While climbing down she looked at me and said, "Oh, don't worry, Tachikawa, I'll prove he has no love for you. Just wait." I rolled my eyes and shut the window, I locked it.
~The Next Day~
*BEEP**BEEP**BEEP**BEEP* My alarm clock went off at 12:31 PM. I hit the alarm clock so hard that it cracked and turn off completely. I sat up and looked around the room. My room was completely empty except for my bed and dresser. I sat up and put on the clothes that I left out for me to wear. I jumped into my tight blue low risers, my American flag halter top that showed 2 inches above my belly button, I put on my American flag platform sandals, and rolled my hair up into a long ponytail with two pieces hanging down in the front. I shut the door behind me as I walked down to the second floor. I passed my brothers empty room and down the second flight of stairs, as I did this I put on my sparkly belly necklace. I walked into the kitchen, but as soon as I left the carpet of the stairs you could hear me coming because of my shoes. Its a good thing everyone is awake. My parents were already dressed and making lunch. My brother was watching tv in the living room. I walked in and my father's eyes widened.
"You are not wearing that!! EVER!" He yelled while putting to my outfit. I placed my right hand on my hip and I rolled my eyes again.
"Daddy! Chill it, I'm moving to Japan today, you won't be able to monitor what I'm wearing. So get used to it and let this be." I told him while gently tapping the side of his face. "Hi, Mama." I said as I gave her a kiss on her cheek.
"But, Princess! It shows about 4 inches of your stomach! And I'm not exaggerating!" He told me.
"You would prefer if I didn't show it at all." I said back, with my hand still on my hip. He smiled and nodded his head.
"Hunny, she has the stomach for this outfit, let her grow up!" My mother told him. I smiled in my cocky tone as I thanked her.
"I thought I was letting her grow up when I sent her to Japan." I sighed and kissed them both good-bye. We hugged for a couple of minutes and then I walked over to my brother.
"Well, runt, I hate to say this but, I'm gonna miss you." I said as I hugged him. He squirmed.
"Too much love! Too much love!" He said, pulling from me. I went back to my parents and then went to the garage to get my car. I waved as pulled out of the driveway. I drove as fast as I could, I was running late and I had to get to the barge so they could transport my car and major luggage to Japan. I got there and jumped out. One of the men looked at me odd, that told me to run away. I didn't feel comfortable the way he looked at me. He came over and gave me a piece of paper with his number on it, I read it and laughed as I ripped it to pieces. The airport was right next to the harbor so I didn't have far to walk. I went inside, and it turned out I had forgotten to take off my belly necklace, so I had to be searched. It wasn't very fun. But finally I got to the gate. Nina, Anna and Michael were there. They waited for me. I hugged them all good-bye and kissed Michael. I had to get on the plane immediately when I got there. So I only had a little time. I got on the plane and had to sit next to this large man, just like on the way to America, I had the window seat. The flight was long and extremely tiering, I couldn't sleep because the fat man next to me snored louder than a pig.
When I got to the Tokyo Airport, my grandmother and some she had paid to get my luggage were waiting for me. I smiled kindly and hugged her. She tried to talk to me on the way home but I wouldn't answer her questions. We got to her house at about four the next morning. Her house was amazing! Much larger than my house, all the house on this road we as large as this one. We went inside and it was very open. She took me on a tour of the large building. She said the her room was on the first floor because she can't walk up all of those stairs, and that I had the whole upstairs to myself, just like before. There is an extra attic ... a new bedroom.