Chapter One

Breaking Boring

My life has always just been kind of ordinary, not like that's a bad thing of course, ordinary is better than bad, after all.

It's just, I've never gotten the chance to be truly different, or special at anything. I was a pretty average student through out class. Well, if I'm honest, I was a little below average. I tried to stand out in my extra curricular activities, but I wasn't very good at gardening, or gym, or photography, and they barely even let me try out for cheer leading.

When I graduated, I did so with average marks, and I landed myself an average job as Hotel Maid service, in an effort to pay my way through what would undoubtedly be an ordinary stint in college.

The only thing that made me feel good, made me feel really special, was my relationship with Koji.

I met him at work, he worked behind the desk, and I would always take the long way around to take out the trash so that I could see him. He was so suave and mature, I had no idea why he would be interested in a nobody like me, but we had been dating for almost three months! It felt like maybe things were finally looking up.

I mean, we didn't get to spend much time together, and we'd only kissed like three times, but the fact that he looked at me and didn't see right through me, for me that was enough.

And things were just getting better, because I had gotten a promotion! I had finally gotten a job behind the desk, now me and Koji could see each other every day! I was so excited to tell him the news, that I decided to surprise him.

I stood In front of my bathroom mirror, psyching myself up for it. I had done my hair, and even put on some make up. I was no model, but in my opinion, I was looking pretty cute.

I was sure Koji would be happy to see me, what guy didn't like being surprised with good news by his girlfriend, right? Maybe he'd even take me on an impromptu date to celebrate.

But when I got to Koji's house I noticed something was off, there was a car in the driveway, a car I didn't recognize, and Koji didn't drive, he took the subway to work, like I did. I frowned a little, did he have friends over? Maybe I should just turn around and leave…But I had done all this work, tried so hard to look cute, I even brought him a little present, just a small box of home made cookies, nothing expensive or special, but still. I couldn't go home now, not without even giving him his present. I steeled my nerves and made my way to the door, cookies pressed tightly against my chest, anxious, I raised my hand and rang the door bell. My heart situated itself snugly in my throat as I waited for him to answer the door.

To my great surprise and horror, Koji didn't answer, a girl did.

The girl was practically naked, wearing only a lacy red bra and short shorts that clung to her slender hips, she looked me up and down, her red lips curled upwards in contempt.

"Is this your girl?" she asked Koji, he appeared in the doorway, his shirt unbuttoned, and came over to her wrapping a casual arm around her waist.

"Not anymore," he planted a kiss on the top of her head, "you think I'd go after her after scoring a gorgeous vixen like you? I mean, look at her legs." I felt a bolt of lightning go straight through my heart. He knew I was insecure about my abnormally fat legs, I had made an effort to get over that and had worn a mini skirt, for the occasion.

"That's just mean," the girl said, but she was laughing. I felt tears prick at the back of my eyes, why this? Why now? Why so cruel?

"Is-is this some kind of joke?" I asked hopefully.

"The only joke is you thinking I was serious about you," He laughed, nuzzling against the other girls neck, she just crossed her arms and stared at me, a small smile on her perfectly painted lips.

"Why are you even here, Nene? Well I guess it doesn't matter, you saved me the trouble of having to tell you today at work, I guess I should thank you."

I backed away from the door, my chest hurt, I felt like I could barely breathe, I scrubbed at my eyes with the palms of my hands, took a deep breath and then met Koji's eyes with as much hatred as I could manage.

"No, I should thank you, I totally misunderstood the kind of person you are, I suppose it's a good thing when the trash takes itself out." I turned away and dropped the box of cookies on the floor, crushing them under my boot. "Have a good one," I waved casually over my shoulder as I headed towards the way I came, not looking back until I heard the door shut behind me. Then I let the tears fall freely.

~oOoOoOo~

I lie curled up in my bed, blanket pulled over me, feeling numb and lifeless on my tear soaked pillow. To get dumped was bad enough, but to do it in such a mean way, it was like he never cared about me at all, he probably hadn't, I was just an ego boost for him. Aw, look at the pathetic plain girl chasing after Koji, with her fat legs it's a wonder she can chase at all. I pressed my face harder into my pillow.

He had turned my promotion, the first time I ever really, truly shined at anything into something hollow and painful, I couldn't go back there, I wouldn't. I sat up and pulled my computer onto my lap, then grabbed my cell phone. I had missed a call from Koji, but I didn't care. I scrolled through my phone until I found my work number and hit dial, balancing the phone on my shoulder as I typed furiously.

"Hello, this is The Golden Nest Hotel, how can I help you?" I recognized the voice on the other end as Sakuraba Yukiri, the lady who worked the check in counter next to Koji, I was thankful he hadn't picked up.

"Hi Sakuraba-san, it's me, Yashiro, I'd like to speak to the Manager for a second."

"Oh, Yashiro-chan," she sounded apologetic, undoubtedly Koji had already shared the drama with the work place, spinning it to paint him in the best possible light. "Alright, I'll put you right through."

She clicked off and the phone rang for a bit before the manager picked up.

"Hello?" her gruff voice fizzled through the phone speaker, the Manager was tough, but kind, even motherly at times, I would miss her.

"Hello," I said, "Sorry about the short notice, but, I quit, It's unexpected, but I'll be moving out of town in a few days."