Chapter One: Anomaly
I sit down at my desk in the math classroom, ready once again to tap numbers into my calculator. Open up the homework to page 169, get ready for class.
The door opens, and from the corner of my eye, I see a new boy walk in. Short, has black hair…just like every other boy in Japan. I don't even bother looking up to greet him. All boys, except Syaoran, have treated me like some sort of object with no feelings. Many of them had asked me out, but no. I feel I can see through them, that I can see their true intentions. But enough with my complaining.
The teacher clears her throat, a signal for everyone to shut up and take their seats.
"Class, we have a new student with us today, all the way from England."
Great. England. Woo hoo…where are those extra calculator batteries? These ones just died on me. Let's see…
"Please give a warm welcome to Eriol Hiiragizawa. He'll remain with us all throughout the second semester!"
My breath catches in my mouth as I hear his name. Eriol? Here? Now? I quickly jerk my head up to see him. It's Eriol alright. Kempt hair, clean glasses, dark eyes and a warm smile are beheld by the class. Looking at the class as a whole and not seeing me, he nods in thanks and takes a seat behind me.
---
After class has ended, I turn around and wave to my old acquaintance.
"Hiiragizawa!" I say, smiling.
His eyes are blank. "Er…hello."
I'm taken aback. He doesn't remember me, but who would? All I was to anyone was just 'that nice girl'.
He cocks his head. "Have we met before, miss?"
I stay silent, though an empty smile remains on my face.
He grins. "A genuine smile suits you best, Miss Daidouji."
"So you do remember!" I exclaim.
"How could I forget? We went to Tomoeda elementary school together."
"Yes, yes!"
Finally, some common ground with someone! I have waited for an entire semester to have a conversation with a fellow classmate. And here…here! Here stands Eriol!
"How have you been, Miss Daidouji?" he asks oh-so-politely.
"Alright," I lie. "Yourself?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, Tomoeda has changed so much since I left that I can no longer navigate myself through it."
I giggled. "Well, they've torn down your old house to put an entire amusement park complex there. And there are several gas stations and restaurants now opening up. It takes a person who's been here the entire time to tell you how to find your way through it."
"Someone like you, Miss Daidouji?" he asks respectfully.
"Do you need a ride to school everyday? I think my limo has room for two."
We both laugh.