The Dreaded Day Arrives, Izumi's POV

Time seemed to fly... everything which happened in the past few days flashed past in a blur. The day Bianca was arriving finally came. I hoped time would slow down, and never let Bianca come and bother me. Sometimes I feel that I am the most unlucky girl in the universe. Why must Bianca live in here??? Why can't she live somewhere else???

I tried to put on my jeans as the doorbell rang. I grabbed my comb and brushed my hair, snapping a few strands along the way. I cursed silently as I tried to be as neat as possible. I had just come home from playing badminton with Kouji, Kouichi and Takuya before my mother announced that Bianca and her mother were arriving soon. "Izumi, hurry up! The guests are here!" my mother called.

"I'm coming!" I yelled back, looking into the mirror one last time before sprinting down the steps, two at a time.

When I reached the living room, I saw Mrs. Carioki and an unfamiliar girl standing at the door. That must be Bianca, I thought. I hid behind the kitchen wall, studying Bianca carefully without letting her notice me do that. Bianca had tanned skin, dark hair and ocean-blue eyes. She would look especially pretty if she smiled. She glanced around and I ducked behind the door, praying that she hadn't seen me. When I peeked out from behind the wall, I noticed Bianca staring at every single thing in my house, as if seeking for something familiar which would not make her feel so alienated, but there was none.

"There you are, Zoe!" My mother's voice rang in my ears. I snapped out of my thoughts and panicked. I tried to look as though I had just come downstairs. I don't think my act was convincing, but Mother seemed to be too distracted to notice that. She gave me a gentle push towards Bianca and said, "Bianca, here's my daughter, Izumi. You can call her Zoe. Both of you are going to be great friends together!" There was something in my mother's voice which made me sick. I wanted to run to the bathroom and stay there till Bianca had vanished. However, I forced myself to smile at Bianca who simply stared back, her expression remained blank and unreadable.

I heaved a long sigh. I picked up her bags, moving like a robot, and led her into my room. Bianca seemed to understand my motive, as she followed me upstairs without a word. I needn't even say anything! We walked up to my bedroom, leaving the two adults downstairs to chat. Sometimes, I secretly wished that Kouji was here instead of Bianca. At least Kouji was friendly and would talk to me, Bianca was quiet.

I pointed out to Bianca about where she was going to sleep and where she was supposed to keep her things. Then, I gave her a tour of our house. Bianca followed me like an obedient dog, but her expression gave away nothing. "It's going to be hard making a friend out of Bianca," I thought, as I showed her every room of the house.

Everything was different since Bianca and her mother started living here. My mother became a different person entirely. She rushed around everytime Bianca or her mother asked her something. Arg! It's so irritating. I really hate them hogging my mother all the time. Before they came, Mum and I had heart-to-heart talks every night before bed time. When they are here, Mum hardly had the time to even look at me. I really hope they aren't here in the first place.

Weeks later

A period of time had passed. I was starting to get used to Bianca and her mother. Moreover, Bianca had opened up a little and started to talk more often. However, I don't think she wanted to talk about some personal matters yet. I tried making a conversation sometimes back but she simply told me to let her rest for a while first. Well, I had tried.

Another week later, at night

Is that crying I heard, or am I in a dream? I sat up on my bed and listened intently. The crying continued, though. I got off my bed and tried to detect where the sound was coming from. It couldn't be the next door's neighbour's baby, could it? But the crying is loud! To my surprise, I found Bianca crying.

I knelt down beside her and put my arm around her. She tried to push it away but I held on to her shoulders firm. Before I knew it, she was crying out loud, but not loud enough to alert the adults downstairs. She sobbed and sniffed, trying to talk to me while crying. She looked pitiful and I really felt bad for not being able to comfort her. I mean, it's not that I don't want to; I don't even know why she cried!

Finally, Bianca stopped crying and took a few deep breaths before telling me why she had cried. She told me that it had been hard when her parents divorced and she had to choose who she wanted to live with. She had chosen her father initially.

"So why are you following your mother?" I asked with concern.

"My father had another girlfriend and she tortures me by wanting me to clean up the house and everything. If I don't listen to her, I'll get caned," Bianca said in a sad tone, ready to burst into tears again.

"What made you follow your mother?"

"My mother came to visit me that day, and coincidently, she saw Dad's girlfriend caning me. Mum was furious and dragged me off. I really regretted choosing Dad in the first place," She heaved a long sigh.

I decided that I had asked her enough questions and did not press her further. I told everything would turn out fine for her and tucked her into bed. For the first time, I saw her smile. Even in the dim light of the light, I noticed her pretty smile. It made her look really nice. And I knew I would see her smile more often. With a smile on my face, I fell asleep. I was going to make a friend out of Bianca after all.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who have been reviewing. I type really slowly, so you'll have to wait for about 2 weeks for the next chapter! Gomen ne!