Disclaimer: I do not own Sakura, Touya, or any of the songs in this fic. Clocks is by Coldplay in particular. I don't own the idea of Touya being a teacher, either. Don't kill me if this is familiar, I know it's a frequently used subject, but I couldn't help but write a story about a song and a subject that I absolutely adore.

Choosing Clocks Chapter 1

AN: Wowee, it's my second fanfic! I feel so accomplished. I was inspired to write this story by the song Clocks by Coldplay. I owe a HUGE thanks to Coldplay for writing the song, so thanks guys, I luv you! Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!

Lauren yawned for and checked over the contents of her bags for what seemed like the zillionth time. She zipped her fleece up to her neck and curled her feet underneath herself. The airport was silent except for flight announcements and snoring people. She checked her watch, turning her wrist over mechanically. ~It's not time for the plane to get here yet.~She reached into her bag and pulled out her CD player. A photograph tumbled out after it and she picked it up gently and set it in her lap. She put her headphones on and turned on the CD.

The photograph was a picture of a lake with mountains in the background. Lauren looked at the photograph with her eyes partially closed, and as Coldplay began to soothe her senses she closed her eyes. Sleep came easily to her exhausted body. She had been overworked with exams and other school projects for the past few weeks.

"Flight 333 to Tokyo boarding first class seats 1-24," an agent said over the PA system.

The agent's voice cut through Lauren's sleepy senses and she stood up. Her CD had ended, so she packed it back into her bag. She gave the woman her ticket and boarded the plane through the long gate extension. She stowed her big bag overhead and slid her handbag under the seat. She sat down in the large, comfy, first class seat by the window and peered out.

The sky was clear with a few stars shining down. The lights from the airport blotted most of the stars out.

Lauren turned back to see who was sitting next to her. It was a young woman, younger than she was. She had shoulder-length milk chocolate colored hair and vibrant green eyes.

"Konbanwa, miss," Lauren greeted with a smile. She brushed her own long dark brown ponytail off of her shoulder.

The girl turned and grinned as well. "Konbanwa, how are you?"

Lauren yawned. "Oi, tired as you can tell. I hate these red eye flights."

"Oh, me too! They mess up my schedule. I'm Kinomoto Sakura, by the way."

"I'm Nyann Lauren. It's nice to meet you, Kinomoto-san."

Sakura cocked her head. "Your name sounds American, but you don't seem to have an accent. Have you lived in Japan for long?"

Lauren jumped when the plane began to move, but recovered quickly. "Well, I lived in England until I was thirteen and then I moved to Japan, so I've been living here for. Five years, I believe. It seems longer when I think about it."

"Y-you lived in England?" Sakura's thoughts jumped to Eriol, Nakuru, Suppi, and Kaho. ~I can't assume that everybody from England is magical.~

Lauren was silent for a moment. Sakura wasn't sure if she had heard the question. "Yes," she finally replied. ~Where have I heard that name Kinomoto before? I feel like her name should be important to me for some reason.~

Sakura and Lauren slept for a little while, but when it was morning they began to talk again. Sakura learned that Lauren was a student studying writing and music. She had just graduated from high school and was moving on to college. She was actually going to look at the colleges that she had been accepted into to decide where she would go.

"You remind me of my friend Daidouji Tomoyo. We're in high school now, and the school choir is very talented." Sakura toyed with her bangs.

"Oh? That's cool. But I'm wondering, why is it that you are going to Tokyo?"

Sakura shrugged. "Well, I guess I came to visit my brother. He's going through a difficult time right now and I thought he could use some moral support."

Lauren smiled. "That's so kind of you! I'm sure your brother loves you very much."

***

It was night again by the time Lauren reached the hotel she was going to stay in. She had gone to Tokyo University to talk to a few teachers but decided that it wasn't for her. She then spent the rest of the day deciding which college she would visit next.

"What are you going to do with yourself?" She asked her image in the mirror in the bathroom. She went back to her futon and turned out the lights.

Her phone rang in the middle of the night, jolting her out of a restless sleep. "Moshi moshi?"

"Hey pumpkin, what's cooking?"

"Okaa-san! It's the middle of the night here, thank you!" Lauren rubbed her eyes and looked at the digital clock on the table. It read 3:00AM.

"Oops, sorry about that. Er, I just wanted to call you about some college info." Lauren's mother waited for her to respond.

"Fine, go ahead, but make is quick. I checked out Tokyo U today, but it's too busy for me. I wouldn't want to have to live in the city." Lauren turned on a light and took a swig of water from one of her bottles.

"Well, don't kill me for doing this, but. I talked to Randai-sensei at Jojo Tech (a/n: jojo-teki means lyrics, so this is a parody of that) and he said he'd give you a full scholarship if you decide to go there. Remember that it's a great school with a wonderful writing and music program! It's really rural, too, ne?"

"Yes! Thank you so much Kaa-san!"

"No problem. So get your butt off of that futon and go there!"

"Er, one problem, mum." Lauren scratched her head.

"What's that?"

"It's the middle of the night." Lauren heard her mom fall over.