Chapter 3: This is Life
Yaten woke up from the sun shining through the windows. He sat up and looked around a bit. To his left, he saw a round glass table with four chairs around it. To his right, he saw a counter, with a stove, and cabinets all around it. The cabinets were made out of a rich dark brown wood. Across from those cabinets was a refrigerator with wraparound cabinets and counters. Above one of the counters was a microwave. Attached to those counters, off to the side a bit, was a sink with a few dishes near it. The floor was made up of small white tiles. 'Ok, this is probably the kitchen.' Yaten rubbed his head, when he pulled his hand away; he saw a red liquid on it. 'Huh?' Yaten looked at the floor next to him and saw some broken glass. 'When did he do that?' Yaten shrugged, he was gone for now so it didn't matter. He got up and walked into his bedroom, grabbed a long sleeved yellow shirt and some blue jeans, and walked towards the bathroom. He sighed, 'The faster I get out of here, the better.'
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"You're sure he got home safely?"
"Relax Seiya. He told me that he has driven with one arm before, anyway no matter what I said he wasn't giving in. C'mon we only met him yesterday and your acting as if he's your lover." Andy looked over towards the door. "See look. He's here."
Seiya looked up. "He's not wearing a cast. Didn't his arm break?"
"Yeah it did." Andy waved Yaten over. "Yo Yaten!"
Yaten waved to them and handed Mr. Keikan a note. The teacher nodded and waved Yaten on. "Hi guys." Yaten said as he sat down.
Andy eyed Yaten's arm. "No cast?"
Yaten raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"I thought your arm was broken, isn't it?"
"Um... yeah... I guess."
"Then why aren't you wearing a cast?"
"Um... I... uh,"
Mr. Keikan cleared his throat. "Class sit down. It is time to begin. Andy, Ryan, take a seat."
"Yeah sure." Andy and Ryan went and sat down, still eyeing Yaten. 'Something's up with that kid.'
"Ok, today we will be preparing for the test tomorrow. We are going to review what is going to be on the test, then the rest is up to you."
"Yaten," Seiya nudged Yaten, "How come your not wearing a cast?"
"Yeah, um I-"
"Is it something personal?"
Yaten blushed. "Sorta."
"Well hey, do you think you'd be able to come over my house today? My dads a doctor so he can put your arm in a sling or whatever. Hopefully for free too."
Yaten's eyes widened slightly. "You'd do that?"
"Well not me, my dad."
"Yeah, well that's what I meant."
"Sure. We're-"
"Seiya and Yaten! Stop talking!"
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"I swear, our English teacher has such an attitude!" Ryan complained as they sat down for lunch. "Four days detention because of that 'smart remark' I gave her! Can I really help it if when she's wrong, it bugs me! I think it's that time of the month again."
Seiya laughed. "What do you mean 'it's that time of the month again'? That teachers always PMSing!"
"Wow," Yaten took a seat across from Ryan. "I never heard you talk that much."
Ryan shrugged. "So, why no cast?"
Yaten glared at Ryan, "I-"
Seiya quickly cut in. "Yaten got home late last night and he said his mom and dad weren't home, so there was no time to do anything. Anyway, he was tired. But I told him my dad would do it for him today."
"And you couldn't tell us that in first hour?" Andy questioned.
"Hey the kids arms broke, it probably hurts, and I'm sure Yaten's going through hell to try and not move it! Plus you guys practically suffocated him with, 'Where's your cast? Where's your cast?'. Give him a break!"
"Gosh Seiya, we only wanted to know! We were worried too, not just you!"
"Yeah, well-"
"Guys!" Yaten cut in. "How did bowling go? Did you win?" Andy, Ryan, and Seiya looked towards the floor. "You lost."
Seiya sighed. "Yeah. We found some guy to bowl your place, unfortunately he had no clue what he was doing. So, yeah we lost, and now we have to pay."
"Does that guy have to pay or do I still have to?"
"He pays, you got out lucky." Andy started poking at his food with his fork. "I wonder what this stuff is..." He muttered. "Oh hey Yaten isn't that you're writing arm?"
"Yeah."
"That's not fair! You get out of paying AND school work!"
Yaten shook his head. "Nope, the teachers are making me use my left hand."
"That sucks."
"Tell me about it."
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Yes!" Seiya jumped out of his seat as the bell rang in sixth hour. "Whoo hoo! Free!"
Yaten looked at Seiya. 'Please tell me he's not always like this.'
"Ready Yaten? But do you think we could use your car? Mines being repaired. That's why Andy picks me up and drops me off everyday. I'll just tell Andy your driving me home, He shouldn't mind. I mean it's not like-"
"Wait, slow down." Yaten put his hand over Seiya's mouth. "Yes, we can use my car. Just go tell Andy and let's get going, ok?"
Seiya nodded and waved Andy over. "Hey Andy, Yaten's driving me home today, ok? Ok, see ya."
"Wait, why?"
"He's coming over so my dad can put a cast on his arm. See you tomorrow!"
Andy shook his head. "Alright, see ya." He waved as he and Ryan walked off.
Seiya waved to them and started off into the parking lot. "So what's your car look like?"
"It's a white convertible, the top isn't down so just look for a Jaguar."
"Whoa! That must be nice! Did your parents get it for you?"
"No, I did. They may have each put in a hundred bucks, but I did the rest."
"Oh. My parents paid for my car."
"Hmm." Seiya and Yaten walked in silence for a bit.
"Is that your car?" Seiya asked, pointing to a white Jaguar. Yaten nodded. "Can I drive!?" Seiya turned to Yaten with his eyes twinkling. He sort of looked like a little child who had just been given a lollipop.
"Sure, just don't crash it. I don't have the money right now to get it repaired and I don't think you can spare the money to pay for the repairs."
"I won't crash it! Anyway, I know the way to my house, you don't. Oh can I put the top down?"
"Whatever, just drive." Yaten handed Seiya the keys and sat down in the passenger's seat.
Seiya practically jumped into the driver's seat. "First we need music... lets see..."
"Nope."
Seiya looked up. "What?"
"My radio's broken."
"Oh man! That's ok, we can just talk. It's not that far anyway."
Yaten sighed. 'Where are some ear plugs?' Yaten sighed again and stared out the side of the car. Ignoring Seiya, who kept going on and on about absolutely nothing. Yaten rested his elbow on the side of the car and put his chin in his hand. 'What excuse am I going to have for him tonight?'
Seiya stopped talking and looked over at Yaten. He noticed Yaten's eyes looked very sad and distant. "Yaten, what's wrong?" Yaten still stared at the landscape passing by. Seiya started getting worried. "Yaten! Are you all right?" Yaten still did not look up. Seiya stopped the car and shook Yaten. "Yaten!"
Yaten pushed Seiya's hands off his shoulders. "What's wrong with you?"
"Yaten, you were... you were... acting strange. Like you were in some kind of trance."
"By staring out at the scenery! Seiya, please, leave me alone!"
"I just thought-"
"Well, don't think! Drive!"
Seiya nodded and went on driving. "Sorry."
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Seiya parked Yaten's car in his driveway. For the last ten minutes of the drive, Yaten had not talked to him or looked at him. 'I'm sure I screwed this up big time.'
"This your house?" Yaten asked, looking up at the house in front of them. It was only one story, but fairly sized. It was painted peach and edged in a dark forest green. The roof was tiled with forest green as well. "It's nice."
Seiya walked up to the front door, slid his key in the lock, turned it, and pushed the door open. "Thankyou."
"Sorry Seiya." Yaten looked over at him. He was sure he had hurt his feelings. "It's just I have a lot on my mind lately."
Seiya motioned Yaten to come in. "First I have to make sure my dads home." Yaten nodded and followed Seiya into his kitchen. He saw a man sitting at the head of the table. He had short black hair and deep blue eyes. He was huddled around a bunch of papers with a concerned look on his face. "Well, it looks like he's home. Hey dad!"
Seiya's father, Hohiko, looked up. "Hello Seiya, your home early. What, no Andy?"
"Nope, no Andy. Yaten drove me home today. Yaten, this is my dad Hohiko. Dad, this is my friend Yaten. I told you about him yesterday."
"Hmm Yaten, are you the new kid that came yesterday?"
"Yes."
"Dad, I was wondering, since you are the bestest best doctor, could you put Yaten's arm in a sling or a cast or whatever it is you do. He broke his arm yesterday and so on and so on. So could you, please!"
"Sure, I just have to look over it first."
"Um," Yaten stepped behind Seiya a bit. "Thanks, but I don't think it's broken."
"Try moving it." Yaten nodded and moved his left arm up and down. "Now your right arm." Yaten hesitated a bit, but tried to move it anyway. Finding the pain too much for him, he let it drop back down to his side. Hohiko put a hand on Yaten's shoulder. "Don't worry it won't hurt. Anyway, after I put your arm in a sling it will heal faster. But you have to keep it on in order for it to work." Yaten nodded again. He just wasn't sure what his dad would say when he got home.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Thankyou." Yaten thanked Seiya's father. "I should be getting home now though. See you tomorrow Seiya."
"Want me to drive you home Yaten?"
"No thanks. I'll be ok." Yaten thanked Hohiko again, waved to Seiya, and drove off.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
'Wow, that ride seemed a lot longer this time.' Yaten looked up at his house. 'Sorry Seiya.' He took his cast off and put it in the glove compartment. 'I'll just use it in school.' He walked into his house. He almost jumped for joy when he found that no one was home. At least he could have a few minutes by himself. Yaten walked into his room and dropped his backpack on the floor. The walls of his room were white and the carpet was lime green. His bedspread was also a similar color to his rug. The color of his room might have been a little strange, but at least it matched. It was a good thing his parents didn't care about what he did to his room. Yaten lied down on his bed. "I won't sleep, just think for a little bit." Unfortunately thinking didn't work and he fell asleep anyway.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Yaten rolled over in his bed, but got surprised when he found he couldn't move. He opened his eyes slowly and blinked a few times to get his vision clear. He saw deep brown eyes staring at him. His eyes widened as he saw his father on top of him.
"What-" Yaten started, but was cut off when he felt his fathers hand over his mouth.
"You, just stay quiet. I want to try something different for tonight." Yaten felt him lift his yellow shirt up a bit and toy with the button and zipper of his jeans. Yaten gasped and pushed his father off of him, causing himself to fall off of his bed. Yaten was surprised about how easily he got away, obviously suprising his father too, because he just sat there on Yaten's bed looking confused. He quickly ran out his bedroom door before his father could process anything threw his brain of what had just happened. Yaten ran into the kitchen to the sliding glass door. He tried to pullit open, but found it locked. Footsteps were heard from behind him and Yaten turned around to see his father.
Shinu lunged for Yaten. "I am NOT finished with you!"
In a despret attempt to escape, Yaten punched the glass several times causing it to break and his hand to bleed masivly. He ran out the door and stepped on a piece of glass. 'Isn't this just my luck.' Yaten put the pain out of his head, but when his father grabbed onto his leg he fell forward onto the hard concrete floor of his lanai.
"Don't you ever think that you'll get away from me, cause you won't! This is going to be how you live for the rest of you life, so get used to it!" Shinu pulled Yaten up and stared into his eyes. "Do you understand that?"
"No, someday I'll get away from here." Yaten muttered.
Unfortunately Shinu heard. "No you won't!" He slapped Yaten and pushed him hard, causing the small boy to fall backwards into the pool. Shocked by the sudden fall, Yaten had no time to hold his breath and ended up swallowing a mouthful of pool water. When he resurfaced he started chocking uncontrollably. "You also owe me a new door."
Yaten nodded and swan to the side of the pool and his father went inside. He lifted himself up, as best as he could with one arm, and sat on the edge of his pool. "When will this end? When..."
Yaten woke up from the sun shining through the windows. He sat up and looked around a bit. To his left, he saw a round glass table with four chairs around it. To his right, he saw a counter, with a stove, and cabinets all around it. The cabinets were made out of a rich dark brown wood. Across from those cabinets was a refrigerator with wraparound cabinets and counters. Above one of the counters was a microwave. Attached to those counters, off to the side a bit, was a sink with a few dishes near it. The floor was made up of small white tiles. 'Ok, this is probably the kitchen.' Yaten rubbed his head, when he pulled his hand away; he saw a red liquid on it. 'Huh?' Yaten looked at the floor next to him and saw some broken glass. 'When did he do that?' Yaten shrugged, he was gone for now so it didn't matter. He got up and walked into his bedroom, grabbed a long sleeved yellow shirt and some blue jeans, and walked towards the bathroom. He sighed, 'The faster I get out of here, the better.'
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"You're sure he got home safely?"
"Relax Seiya. He told me that he has driven with one arm before, anyway no matter what I said he wasn't giving in. C'mon we only met him yesterday and your acting as if he's your lover." Andy looked over towards the door. "See look. He's here."
Seiya looked up. "He's not wearing a cast. Didn't his arm break?"
"Yeah it did." Andy waved Yaten over. "Yo Yaten!"
Yaten waved to them and handed Mr. Keikan a note. The teacher nodded and waved Yaten on. "Hi guys." Yaten said as he sat down.
Andy eyed Yaten's arm. "No cast?"
Yaten raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"I thought your arm was broken, isn't it?"
"Um... yeah... I guess."
"Then why aren't you wearing a cast?"
"Um... I... uh,"
Mr. Keikan cleared his throat. "Class sit down. It is time to begin. Andy, Ryan, take a seat."
"Yeah sure." Andy and Ryan went and sat down, still eyeing Yaten. 'Something's up with that kid.'
"Ok, today we will be preparing for the test tomorrow. We are going to review what is going to be on the test, then the rest is up to you."
"Yaten," Seiya nudged Yaten, "How come your not wearing a cast?"
"Yeah, um I-"
"Is it something personal?"
Yaten blushed. "Sorta."
"Well hey, do you think you'd be able to come over my house today? My dads a doctor so he can put your arm in a sling or whatever. Hopefully for free too."
Yaten's eyes widened slightly. "You'd do that?"
"Well not me, my dad."
"Yeah, well that's what I meant."
"Sure. We're-"
"Seiya and Yaten! Stop talking!"
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"I swear, our English teacher has such an attitude!" Ryan complained as they sat down for lunch. "Four days detention because of that 'smart remark' I gave her! Can I really help it if when she's wrong, it bugs me! I think it's that time of the month again."
Seiya laughed. "What do you mean 'it's that time of the month again'? That teachers always PMSing!"
"Wow," Yaten took a seat across from Ryan. "I never heard you talk that much."
Ryan shrugged. "So, why no cast?"
Yaten glared at Ryan, "I-"
Seiya quickly cut in. "Yaten got home late last night and he said his mom and dad weren't home, so there was no time to do anything. Anyway, he was tired. But I told him my dad would do it for him today."
"And you couldn't tell us that in first hour?" Andy questioned.
"Hey the kids arms broke, it probably hurts, and I'm sure Yaten's going through hell to try and not move it! Plus you guys practically suffocated him with, 'Where's your cast? Where's your cast?'. Give him a break!"
"Gosh Seiya, we only wanted to know! We were worried too, not just you!"
"Yeah, well-"
"Guys!" Yaten cut in. "How did bowling go? Did you win?" Andy, Ryan, and Seiya looked towards the floor. "You lost."
Seiya sighed. "Yeah. We found some guy to bowl your place, unfortunately he had no clue what he was doing. So, yeah we lost, and now we have to pay."
"Does that guy have to pay or do I still have to?"
"He pays, you got out lucky." Andy started poking at his food with his fork. "I wonder what this stuff is..." He muttered. "Oh hey Yaten isn't that you're writing arm?"
"Yeah."
"That's not fair! You get out of paying AND school work!"
Yaten shook his head. "Nope, the teachers are making me use my left hand."
"That sucks."
"Tell me about it."
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Yes!" Seiya jumped out of his seat as the bell rang in sixth hour. "Whoo hoo! Free!"
Yaten looked at Seiya. 'Please tell me he's not always like this.'
"Ready Yaten? But do you think we could use your car? Mines being repaired. That's why Andy picks me up and drops me off everyday. I'll just tell Andy your driving me home, He shouldn't mind. I mean it's not like-"
"Wait, slow down." Yaten put his hand over Seiya's mouth. "Yes, we can use my car. Just go tell Andy and let's get going, ok?"
Seiya nodded and waved Andy over. "Hey Andy, Yaten's driving me home today, ok? Ok, see ya."
"Wait, why?"
"He's coming over so my dad can put a cast on his arm. See you tomorrow!"
Andy shook his head. "Alright, see ya." He waved as he and Ryan walked off.
Seiya waved to them and started off into the parking lot. "So what's your car look like?"
"It's a white convertible, the top isn't down so just look for a Jaguar."
"Whoa! That must be nice! Did your parents get it for you?"
"No, I did. They may have each put in a hundred bucks, but I did the rest."
"Oh. My parents paid for my car."
"Hmm." Seiya and Yaten walked in silence for a bit.
"Is that your car?" Seiya asked, pointing to a white Jaguar. Yaten nodded. "Can I drive!?" Seiya turned to Yaten with his eyes twinkling. He sort of looked like a little child who had just been given a lollipop.
"Sure, just don't crash it. I don't have the money right now to get it repaired and I don't think you can spare the money to pay for the repairs."
"I won't crash it! Anyway, I know the way to my house, you don't. Oh can I put the top down?"
"Whatever, just drive." Yaten handed Seiya the keys and sat down in the passenger's seat.
Seiya practically jumped into the driver's seat. "First we need music... lets see..."
"Nope."
Seiya looked up. "What?"
"My radio's broken."
"Oh man! That's ok, we can just talk. It's not that far anyway."
Yaten sighed. 'Where are some ear plugs?' Yaten sighed again and stared out the side of the car. Ignoring Seiya, who kept going on and on about absolutely nothing. Yaten rested his elbow on the side of the car and put his chin in his hand. 'What excuse am I going to have for him tonight?'
Seiya stopped talking and looked over at Yaten. He noticed Yaten's eyes looked very sad and distant. "Yaten, what's wrong?" Yaten still stared at the landscape passing by. Seiya started getting worried. "Yaten! Are you all right?" Yaten still did not look up. Seiya stopped the car and shook Yaten. "Yaten!"
Yaten pushed Seiya's hands off his shoulders. "What's wrong with you?"
"Yaten, you were... you were... acting strange. Like you were in some kind of trance."
"By staring out at the scenery! Seiya, please, leave me alone!"
"I just thought-"
"Well, don't think! Drive!"
Seiya nodded and went on driving. "Sorry."
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Seiya parked Yaten's car in his driveway. For the last ten minutes of the drive, Yaten had not talked to him or looked at him. 'I'm sure I screwed this up big time.'
"This your house?" Yaten asked, looking up at the house in front of them. It was only one story, but fairly sized. It was painted peach and edged in a dark forest green. The roof was tiled with forest green as well. "It's nice."
Seiya walked up to the front door, slid his key in the lock, turned it, and pushed the door open. "Thankyou."
"Sorry Seiya." Yaten looked over at him. He was sure he had hurt his feelings. "It's just I have a lot on my mind lately."
Seiya motioned Yaten to come in. "First I have to make sure my dads home." Yaten nodded and followed Seiya into his kitchen. He saw a man sitting at the head of the table. He had short black hair and deep blue eyes. He was huddled around a bunch of papers with a concerned look on his face. "Well, it looks like he's home. Hey dad!"
Seiya's father, Hohiko, looked up. "Hello Seiya, your home early. What, no Andy?"
"Nope, no Andy. Yaten drove me home today. Yaten, this is my dad Hohiko. Dad, this is my friend Yaten. I told you about him yesterday."
"Hmm Yaten, are you the new kid that came yesterday?"
"Yes."
"Dad, I was wondering, since you are the bestest best doctor, could you put Yaten's arm in a sling or a cast or whatever it is you do. He broke his arm yesterday and so on and so on. So could you, please!"
"Sure, I just have to look over it first."
"Um," Yaten stepped behind Seiya a bit. "Thanks, but I don't think it's broken."
"Try moving it." Yaten nodded and moved his left arm up and down. "Now your right arm." Yaten hesitated a bit, but tried to move it anyway. Finding the pain too much for him, he let it drop back down to his side. Hohiko put a hand on Yaten's shoulder. "Don't worry it won't hurt. Anyway, after I put your arm in a sling it will heal faster. But you have to keep it on in order for it to work." Yaten nodded again. He just wasn't sure what his dad would say when he got home.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Thankyou." Yaten thanked Seiya's father. "I should be getting home now though. See you tomorrow Seiya."
"Want me to drive you home Yaten?"
"No thanks. I'll be ok." Yaten thanked Hohiko again, waved to Seiya, and drove off.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
'Wow, that ride seemed a lot longer this time.' Yaten looked up at his house. 'Sorry Seiya.' He took his cast off and put it in the glove compartment. 'I'll just use it in school.' He walked into his house. He almost jumped for joy when he found that no one was home. At least he could have a few minutes by himself. Yaten walked into his room and dropped his backpack on the floor. The walls of his room were white and the carpet was lime green. His bedspread was also a similar color to his rug. The color of his room might have been a little strange, but at least it matched. It was a good thing his parents didn't care about what he did to his room. Yaten lied down on his bed. "I won't sleep, just think for a little bit." Unfortunately thinking didn't work and he fell asleep anyway.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Yaten rolled over in his bed, but got surprised when he found he couldn't move. He opened his eyes slowly and blinked a few times to get his vision clear. He saw deep brown eyes staring at him. His eyes widened as he saw his father on top of him.
"What-" Yaten started, but was cut off when he felt his fathers hand over his mouth.
"You, just stay quiet. I want to try something different for tonight." Yaten felt him lift his yellow shirt up a bit and toy with the button and zipper of his jeans. Yaten gasped and pushed his father off of him, causing himself to fall off of his bed. Yaten was surprised about how easily he got away, obviously suprising his father too, because he just sat there on Yaten's bed looking confused. He quickly ran out his bedroom door before his father could process anything threw his brain of what had just happened. Yaten ran into the kitchen to the sliding glass door. He tried to pullit open, but found it locked. Footsteps were heard from behind him and Yaten turned around to see his father.
Shinu lunged for Yaten. "I am NOT finished with you!"
In a despret attempt to escape, Yaten punched the glass several times causing it to break and his hand to bleed masivly. He ran out the door and stepped on a piece of glass. 'Isn't this just my luck.' Yaten put the pain out of his head, but when his father grabbed onto his leg he fell forward onto the hard concrete floor of his lanai.
"Don't you ever think that you'll get away from me, cause you won't! This is going to be how you live for the rest of you life, so get used to it!" Shinu pulled Yaten up and stared into his eyes. "Do you understand that?"
"No, someday I'll get away from here." Yaten muttered.
Unfortunately Shinu heard. "No you won't!" He slapped Yaten and pushed him hard, causing the small boy to fall backwards into the pool. Shocked by the sudden fall, Yaten had no time to hold his breath and ended up swallowing a mouthful of pool water. When he resurfaced he started chocking uncontrollably. "You also owe me a new door."
Yaten nodded and swan to the side of the pool and his father went inside. He lifted himself up, as best as he could with one arm, and sat on the edge of his pool. "When will this end? When..."