Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2- Doll

For the last hour of the day I had Physical Education. This class had none of my friends; in fact the whole class held something or another against me. This was also the P.E class that all of the new students were sent to, so it did not come to my surprise that the new punk and his fat companion were there.

I hurried to the locker room and quickly opened my book bag to the little section where I kept my gym clothes. I never washed them, too lazy. The grey shirt was dingy with sweat and my shorts were what I borrowed from Keokotsu's basketball uniform, which wasn't as bad as one would think. They were incredibly big on me, so I pulled the strings that tightened them.

"Manten, do you have any paper?" I heard from across the column of metal lockers. Looking up there he was, the punk. I looked at him a little harder. He didn't seem like the jerk my friends had made him out to be. He was just like Suzako's description, he had an innocent face, and big curious eyes. Maybe Suikotsu was wrong.

"Hey dork! You got a paper?" He was pointing to me. Suikotsu was right.

I nodded and took a sheet from my notebook. He walked over to me and grabbed it, looking at me with what seemed to be his favorite expression, a mischievous grin. "My names Hiten" He said. " Oh! And they have a T.V out there."

Peering down at my current clothing I quickly started to practically throw my clothes off as if they were on fire. We weren't supposed to dress out on video days! I damned my eyes for not seeing it. Hiten stood and watched with my given paper in his hand. He must have been terribly amused because he didn't move even turn to look when Manten asked if he had a CD player he could listen to.

"It's rude…" Hiten began and then crossed his arms. "To not give your name if I had given my own."

I could tell he was playing games with me, for he still wore his smirk despite the fact he said that he was offended.

"Bankotsu Ryuumasa" I said as I put my smelly clothes back into my book bag. Manten joined us.

"Big Brother, the bell is going to ring soon" Hiten grabbed my bag and lifted it onto his shoulder, without my permission what so ever. I didn't know who this gut thought he was, but he defiantly didn't know who I am….and who I used to be.

Lets not go into that.

I followed them to the gym, taking notice of the block of students sitting together in front of a small TV. They were all staring at us, whispering things too hushed for me to hear.

"Hey Bankdorksu! Let's sit at the top!" Hiten said jogging loudly up the steps, insuring all eyes were on him. I usually sat at the middle on video days to hide the fact I'm texting to my friends. At the back the light from the cell phone would illuminate off of the painted brick walls. I would have to be more careful.

Looking back on it I truly don't understand why I bit my pride and let him run me like that without saying a word. I guess it was because he stole my book bag. Hiten sat down plopping his feet set on the set of bleachers in between two people in front of him. They both jumped, both girls, and best friends I supposed. Manten sat to the left of him and me on the right.

In walked our gym teacher, Coach Harima, and she was a female Jakotsu.Her opinion on men was the equivalent of his idea of men. She had a pixy hair style, and broad shoulders. Her legs were muscular like a body builders. Her chest was too big for her body, causing her torso to be squarish.

She walked over to the light switch and pulled it down causing the gym light bulbs to turn off with a buzz . Hiten and Manten gathered together and made ghostly noises then burst into fits of laughter. I pulled my book bag from Hiten's shoulder.

"Forgot I had it!" He placed it into my lap.

Coach Harima's whistle pierced the air. "This is important! There'll be a test on this!"

Hiten started to laugh, very loudly, I'm guessing at her masculine voice. She pressed play, with his voice still bouncing all around the gym.

I zipped open my bag while the two brothers were commenting on the excellence and artistic value of the FBI warning.

"Absolutely wonderful, the computerized type was phenomenal!" Manten clapped.

I pulled out my cell phone slowly, keeping it within the fabric of my bag. Pushing the on button, the phone turned on with a jingless " New Message!" I pressed 'ok' hoping Coach wouldn't catch the extra light on my face. The message was from Suzako.

" From: Suzi- Q

To: Ban, Sui, Mu, Kyou, Ren, Gin

Com C R play! Me & Jaki R lead X-Tras! Itz 6pm. we resrvd ur seets

Dnt b L8!"

Of course I have to go….it was required of me ever since I befriended Suzako. I typed back a simple 'ok' and hid the phones under my hand incase of instant replies. The video had nothing to do with STDs or other dangerous things couch had went on about. It was a puberty education video.

"Oh! I'm so turned on!" Hiten laughed out. He was acknowledging the female diagram showing internal organs as they changed from pre-teen to teen. Manten added. "This is inappropriate! Someone cover up Bankotsus eyes!" In fact I rolled them.

Hiten sat still for a record two seconds before whispering to me. "Man why the hell is Winnie the friken Pooh in this! That is wrong on so many levels." Who could blame him for saying it? I found that a little child-hood cartoon was teaching a pre-teen cartoon girl about…things better not discussed. I was disturbed, so I looked away. Hiten then grabbed Manten and both were silently discussing things unknown to me and still unknown to me.

My leg sported a light shaking feeling I lifted me hand it was yet again Suzako.

"From Suzi-Q

To Ban

BTW! I got more info on t punk QT." I lowered the phone so not even the wall behind me could see it. When I say Suzako knew people in high places I mean it. " He haz 3 DUI's & haz only been suspended 1nce. Hiz younger bro iz th fatty. Names Hiten and Manten Indrashi. Transferred from Okihama, oh & I tnk hez single!" I rolled my eyes at this.

The tape ended.

Hitens arm shot into the air immediately. Coach turned on the lights. She caught sight of this and hesitantly called on him.

"Yes Hiten."

He rose so his everyone could have a good look. He wore no smile, and there was no gleam in his eyes. "Ma'me. I'm going to take legal action on you and this school." He looked dead serious. Coach Harima froze. "I'm emotionally scarred and my mind is filled with vivid images of cartoons…well you know. So I shall get my lawyer uncle to sue you, this school, and Winnie pooh. Do you understand ma'me?" Coach, rather than answering in her usual "yeah right, fuck you" tone, apologized and said politely that legal action was not needed. The class sat shocked and speechless.

Hiten sat down, just as the bell rang, and stood again. His face held its serious state, but just as we passed through the doorway from the gym his eyes brightened like light bulbs. He broke out into the loudest laughter he had ever unleashed in my presence.

"Ha! That bitch fell for it!" He yelled at the top of his lungs. "He Ban-dorksu! Wanna ride home?"

I thought about it for a second, it was most likely better than that damned bus. I didn't want to run into my bus drivers' nasty attitude today.

"Sure" I said. "By the way…Is your uncle really a lawyer?"

Hiten scoffed. "No" He smiled and continued down the hall towards the light coming through the school entrance. He swiped a strawberry Fanta soda from one of the soccer players just as they had started to open it.

We all walked out to the staff parking lot. Hiten pulled a keychain from his pants pocket, containing a simple key and pair of dice. He walked over to a tan car, where the paint was chipped it was silver. The outside was dated, yet not as bad as the inside.

He unlocked the door, Manten assuming his place at the passengers seat, and I in the back. I climbed in, an overwhelming wave of air freshener and pizza smells knocked me back a little. The interior had torn and patched fabric seats, stained with red and brown splotches. The floor was covered in aluminum beer cans and newspapers. I also caught sight of sheet music. I slid it over with my foot so I could see what instrument it was for.

Mirror in the Bathroom

By Fifi

Arr. By J. Mcdaskill

1rst Bass Guitar

My eyes widened. Was it Hiten or Manten who played this piece? I moved my foot around a bit more, a small blue, opened, condom package surfaced itself. I jumped in shock. "Take a left" I said once we came to a fork in the road. Manten mumbled something while he took a swig of Hitens stolen soda.

We were driving past small apartment buildings when I worked up the nerve to ask "Do either of you play bass guitar?" I could have been vague and asked if either played an instrument but my house was coming up fast. Hiten looked at me using the rear view mirror. "I do"

I gulped and uttered an "oh".

My house was growing closer in the distance; I saw a red car parked in front the driveway. Renkotsu was there. I now wished I had taken the bus home. I wanted so badly to avoid the embarrassment of those two knowing I needed a tutor so early in the school year. I told him to drop me off at the house next door. I moved to get out as soon as he slid the car into a smooth, yet squeaky, stop. I was reaching for the door when I caught sight of a small figure tucked under the seat. I acted like I dropped something in order to get a closer look. After seeing what bio hazardous material laid on the floor I carefully maneuvered my hands to support me without touching the hidden parts of the floor.

I tugged on what looked like to be a little metal chain. Out came a little doll the size of my palm. It had golden yarn hair, and a huge head with black bead eyes. I put it back and rose up instantly. "There's my contact!" I then rushed out the door into my neighbors' yard and slowly made my way up their steps until I heard the car go off up the road. I then dashed over to my yard.

On my porch I slipped off my shoes and opened the door. Right in front of me stood my tutor with his arms crossed.

"I'm early again aren't I?" He sighed, relieving his posture. "Sorry big brother" Now dont get confused. Renkotsu is not my brother; I'm just much higher up in the rock band food chain. He bowed his head.

I laughed and glanced at the clock hanging just behind him. I had two hours until the play.

"All is good…don't worry about it."