Author Notes: This chapter was written before the first was even posted. So it's sort of like From Russia With Love in a respect. Also don't feel bad if your review about the first wasn't mentioned in this one, if I get any, because I plan to post these chapters the same night. Any way, this ---------- means change of character, time, or setting, just a reminder. Also it's written in first person, or at least I try to, and the main character, Zac, is mine. But not to worry original characters will appear in larger roles from now on. Also I'll try to respond to all reviews even flames. Here's chapter 2.
Disclaimer: I don't own FLCL or any characters from it. I will make no money from this.
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Chapter 2: The "Leader" and the Fine Center of EducationBAM, BAM" Zac wake up, you have school today." BAM
She didn't have to hit the doorframe to wake me up today. I was up on my own thinking about all the ways today was going to suck. First there was the student "leader" that would follow me all day. Then there was the plain fact I had school today, and that alone could almost ensure a boring day.
BAM, BAM" Zac get up you have to leave in an hour."
I just sat up and rubbed my eyes. Another five seconds after that, and I was on my way to the shower. I always start the day with a shower. It lets me think and it wakes me up, because every day I step in before it warms up out of pure grogginess. The bathroom looked a little better then yesterday, mostly because my mom had decorated it. There were a couple decorative towels on the rack, you know the ones that look nice but you never use. Three small paintings of seashells were in a row on the wall. Still not much to look at but at least it felt more like home. I grabbed the towel not for decoration and headed to my room.
My clothes were actually in my dresser today; I had done it right before I fell asleep. I put on my Led Zepplin shirt " If anyone actually recognizes this then I know who to hang out with." I thought. I just grabbed the top pair of pants they ended up being the khaki pants I had worn yesterday. "I guessed mom cleaned them," I thought. That meant that the washer and dryer were working.
I headed downstairs to the kitchen, glancing around as I did. My mom had unpacked almost everything, it least it looked that way. All there was for breakfast was pop tarts, we hadn't gone shopping yet. Not that'd I'd go anyway. I'd just ask for chips and soda, maybe some ice cream. I ate the pop tarts I was hard in a way because they were the s'more kind and all I had to drink was tap water. Almost as soon as I finished my mom yelled " Hey you need to leave for school, I left money for lunch on the counter"
I grabbed the money and headed for the front door almost forgetting to grab my backpack. I headed down the street towards school and was thinking how much I was going to stick out not wearing the uniform. It sort of made me laugh when I realized I would stand out with my height and hair anyway. I guess I was bound for a day of gawks and stares. Not that I could help it oh well I'll get used to it. The thing that was still bothering me was the student "leader" I had to meet in the counselor's office. " I just hope they aren't like the kids that volunteer to do this in America." I said to myself.
When I got to the school I noticed that most of the kids quickly got out of the car and headed into the school or walked directly into the school, no detours or waiting up on friends. I'd heard the Japanese were serious about education but this was ridiculous. The only person not heading directly into the school was the kid I had seen in the bread shop. He was sitting outside staring at the abandoned, iron-shaped factory. He seemed deep in thought but then quickly got up looking pretty depressed and headed into the school. I took this as a sign I should go meet the "leader" and stop trying to delay the inevitable.
The lady I had talked to yesterday apparently didn't remember me because she stared as I walked by, so did the office aide. "Wow what a wonderful day I'm in for." I thought pretty sarcastically "if they're still really surprised I can't what to meet my classmates." Nevertheless I still walked into the counselor's office to meet the "leader".
The counselor was alone, obviously the "leader was late", but she didn't seem that alarmed to see me first. In fact she promptly offered an excuse of the "leaders" absence.
"She said her parents are having problems so she'll be a little late."
"Who?" I asked completely confused.
"You remember right, the student leader she said she'd be a little late so you can take a seat for while." I did. This was pretty unexpected, I mean I guess in the states mostly guys volunteered because they hoped it would be a girl who came. But apparently that wasn't the case here. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing; I mean what's better than to be the main focus a good looking girl for a day. Nothing I could readily think of at the moment. But I couldn't guarantee she's the kind of girl you want attention from all day. What if she was so annoying that all I could hope for was escape? That's when I re-decided to ditch the "leader" anyway. At least that was the plan till she rushed in and I finally saw the "leader".
She had long purple hair and to tell the truth it was a little frazzled from what I guess was her running to school to not be late. Her face though she was panting was still really pretty. The plan to ditch her was suddenly dashed from mind. She immediately regained her composure once she realized I was there .She talked to counselor apparently oblivious to the fact that I spoke Japanese.
"So is this him?" She asked still breathing heavily, and then fixed her hair.
" Yes that's him, you'll need to show him around school and go to his classes for today." She handed the girl a piece of paper" here's his schedule."
"Well I guess I get to try out my English." She said to herself. I tried not to laugh noticing she really didn't know that I spoke Japanese. Then she turned to me and held out her hand and in English said " Hi I'm Eri Ninamori, and I'm going to show you around the school today."
I shook her hand, and decided to use Japanese to throw her for a loop " Hi I'm Zac." She stood in shock for a couple of seconds but got over it quickly, in fact she seemed glad. We walked out of the office and glanced at the schedule the counselor had given her.
"Let's see what classes do you haveā¦. Wow that's weird."
"What's weird?" I asked not feeling completely thrilled something was already "weird".
She looked at me and gave a little smile.
"We have the same classes" She said it a little more enthusiastically then I'd have liked but I really didn't notice because at that second the bell rang. "Crap late the first day" I thought "What a great first impression."
" Don't worry the teacher won't be mad." How she knew this I didn't know, but the teacher wasn't mad just like she said. Instead he seemed sort of happy. I took a seat near Eri, or rather was forced to by her. I'd really prefer a seat in the back but what could I do? I started to look around the classroom and noticed it was a lot like a class in America. Even the posters on the walls looked American, then I realized they were. This was English.
"Ok class we have a new student here everyone say hello."
"Hello" they all said in unison.
"Ok could you please come to the front of the class and introduce yourself" He motioned towards me. I got up then went in front of the class. I was about to talk when the teacher interrupted me.
" Do it in English please this is English class after all." I just laughed to myself and started.
" Hi I'm Zac I'm new here. I moved here from America, yesterday. I'm sixteen and in tenth grade but I take it already know that. Also I've moved once before but that was in America, and yes I am available." The teacher was the only the one who understood the last part and he just groaned. Then it was time for questions most of them were pretty stupid like what's your favorite color? Eri and the teacher asked most of the good questions.
The actual class was so easy it wasn't even funny. We were paired to do translations I had to go with Eri. It took me more time to write the Japanese then to actually translate the page. Eri seemed to notice but didn't say anything till we got back into the hall.
"So you can speak Japanese pretty well, huh?"
"Yeah I'd like to think so" I said.
" I noticed you had trouble writing it. Need any help?" This really shocked me we had barely known each other for an hour but she already was offering her help.
" What's the catch?"
"Well if I tutor you then you need to pay me right?" She looked at me and I thought she wanted an answer, but pretty soon after that she said.
"Well I kind of have been looking for an English tutor." She looked at me again waiting for me to respond.
"Well I guess it's fair. I mean we'd to meet somewhere but other then that I thinks it's good."
"What about your house every Tuesday and Thursday?" She seemed to rush that so I'd have no choice but to say yes.
"Ok that's fine," I said reluctantly. Last thing I wanted was my mom bugging me about that girl I studied with, but I did need the help.
"Ok great then it's set." After that small burst of conversation the day was really boring until lunch.
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At lunch I grabbed a hamburger from the lunch line and followed Eri to a table. A few minutes after we sat down that kid from the bread shop sat down across from us.
" Oh hey Naoto. This is Zac, he just moved here."
"Yeah he moved in up the block." Naoto said to Eri. Then he to me" I like you shirt they're good." I had to look down at my shirt to realize what he meant.
"You like Led Zepplin?" I was pretty surprised. " What's your favorite song?"
"I like the Immigrant Song and Good Times, Bad Times." I found that kind of interesting but not unusual. The conversation had excluded Eri completely but she tried to join in.
"What's a Led Zepplin?" As soon as she said this Naoto and I just stared at her.
" It's a rock band," I finally said, " if you want I'll burn you a cd."
"No that's ok I'm not that interested in rock." I decided to burn the cd anyway, who knows she may just like it.
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Eri found it necessary to walk me home also. "Just so she knew where I lived," she had insisted. I didn't care it was good that school was over; I'd had to introduce myself in all my classes. It was really annoying and I guess Eri thought so too, because after the second class she stopped asking questions. When we passed by the bread shop she told me that's where Naoto lived but she hadn't been there since a maid had left as far as I could understand. When we got to my house we sort of stood there for a while.
"Well this is my house"
"It's nice"
"Any way see you tomorrow."
"Yeah see you." And at that I walked inside to my mom's questions about my day. After that homework, I hate homework.
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Author Comments: I'd just like to mention the Led Zepplin appearance in this chapter. First I make no money off Led Zepplin and don't own their songs. Second take a look at Naoto's favorite songs, they relate to Hakuro. Just thought I'd mention it. Oh and you'll find out later but the guys Naoto was friends with moved away. Just saying. Thanks for reading and I'll try to have chapter three up by the 11th.
