Big Hero 6: The Art Theives
Chapter 5: Open House Open Doors
As soon as the sun comes out the next morning, I roll on my back and try to block it out with my pillows and blankets. But it doesn't work, because a moment later, my mom walks into my room, saying, "Sakura, you need to get up and get ready to go to school and pick out your classes!"
I yawn, trying to snuggle further into my blankets. "Can I go later?" I ask. "I really don't want to go to the open house right now."
My mother doesn't respond. Instead, she grabs my blanket and yanks it away, which I guess means no, I can't wait until later to go to the open house.
"Okay," I sigh, sitting up and swinging my legs over the side of the bed, "I'll go get ready."
I head to my bathroom, brush my teeth, and take a quick shower. After that, I pick out my outfit for today: a light blue shirt with dark blue pants, and a tan sweatshirt if it's cold out.
"I need a new wardrobe soon," I say, looking at myself in the mirror, "but I guess I'll have to stick with this for now."
I brush and blow dry my hair. After that, I pull on my hat, grab a bite to eat at the kitchen, and I'm ready to go.
My parents and I hail a taxi, and the driver takes us to the University.
The first thing I notice when we arrive at our destination and step out of the car is how huge the University is. While my dad pays the driver, I gaze upwards at the tall, long, utterly ginormous building with a disappointed sigh.
"This school isn't for me," I say to my mom, who steps to stand beside me. "Just look at how big it is! And I bet everyone here is a lot smarter than I am. I'm never going to fit in here, so we might as well go back home.
"You'll be fine," my mother assures me. "Why don't you try it out for a bit before you decide? You might love the classes they have here."
I sigh, but nod. "Alright," I say, "let's go."
My father thanks the taxi driver and flanks me, smiling. "Well, my little cherry blossom," he says, looking over the school, "let's head inside."
I nod.
...
It looks even bigger on the inside.
We head to the school gym, where they're advertising the different classes. We walk from booth to booth, and I keep my head lowered, still worried. There are dozens of other boys and girls looking over the different classes, and for some reason, I feel out of place.
I'm just about to ask my mom and dad if we can leave, when one booth catches my eye, and I raise my head, intrigued.
I head over to the booth and take a flier, looking it over in my hands. The teacher standing behind the booth smiles and nods. "Hello there," he says. "My name is Mr. Kagome."
"I'm Sakura," I say, still looking at the flier. "What is this class for?"
"This class lets you go around the city and take pictures," says Mr. Kagome. "After that, you get to paint your pictures with all different kinds of styles and paints."
I smile. "Thank you," I say, and I turn around to join my parents once again.
P"See?" my mother says with a smile as we continue to walk, surrounded by booths and eager students. "There are so many classes here to choose from. You'll find something fun to do."
"It makes me wonder just how many classes there are," my dad says, looking at me, and I nod in agreement.
"It looks fun," I say, "but I'm still a little worried. I mean...maybe no one here will like me."
My mom wraps an arm around my shoulder. "Don't worry," she says. "They'll love you, Sakura. You'll be fine."
I'm still not convinced, but my mother's words are still reassuring. After pacing the halls a little while longer, we decide to head to Aunt Cass' cafe for lunch.
...
"Welcome to Lucky Cat Cafe!" Aunt Cass calls out as soon as the bells over the door jingle. "How can I help you today?"
She looks up at me and my parents, recognizing me. "Oh, it's you, Sakura!" she says, making her way over. "I didn't know you were coming today!"
"Hey, Aunt Cass," I greet with a smile.
My parents and I order lunch, and only ten minutes later, Aunt Cass approaches our table, carrying trays of food. Once it's distributed amongst my family, Aunt Cass takes a seat beside me.
"So, Sakura," says Aunt Cass, "these are your parents, I assume?"
I nod, taking a bite out of my cake.
"I've heard a lot about you from Sakura," my mother says. "You've been so kind to her since we've moved. I was thinking, how about we have you over for dinner for a change? As a thank you for your compassion?"
"But mom, everything's still in the moving boxes," I say. "Our place is a mess."
"We could have dinner here instead," says Aunt Cass to my mom. "I really don't mind. And then, you can meet Tadashi and Hiro."
My fork slips out of my fingers and lands on the table with a clatter.
At that moment, the bells ring, and Tadashi and Hiro walk inside. "Oh, boys!" Aunt Cass calls, waving a hand. "Welcome back! Oh, I want you to find some nice clothes to wear tomorrow! We're having a dinner party with Sakura and her parents!"
Heat rushes into my face, and Tadashi, too, turns bright red. But he recovers quickly, and says, "Dinner sounds fun. It'll be nice to get to know Sakura a little better."
If my face was red before, it's scarlet now. I toss a slow, embarrassed nod in Tadashi's direction, and they head up the stairs to their room.
...
"So," says Hiro, tossing his backpack carelessly onto his bed, "dinner with Sakura...that'll be fun. Now you have a chance to meet her mom and dad, too."
Tadashi plops down on the edge of his bed. "Yeah," he says, almost dreamily, "this is just great." He pauses, and then points a finger in Hiro's face. "You'd better not say anything embarrassing," he says warningly.
Hiro smiles cheekily and gives his brother a thumbs-up. "Don't worry, bro," he says, "I won't screw it up."
Tadashi glares at him, obviously unconvinced, but doesn't say anything.
...
"This is so exciting, Sakura," my mother says cheerily as we begin heading home, down the sidewalk. "It'll be so nice to get to know them better, don't you agree?"
I nod with a smile. When we reach our house, the first thing I do is head up to my room and flop onto my bed, hoping the blush is no longer present. "Dinner with Hiro and Tadashi," I say to myself. "What have I gotten myself into?"
I grab one of my stuffed animals and stare it in the eyes. "Oh, Twilight, what am I going to do?" I ask helplessly.
The toy stares back at me.
"Well, thanks for making me feel better," I say.
...
"Dinner with Sakura," Tadashi whispers to himself, his face buried in his pillow. "Talk about a wild night..."
"Yeah, tell me about it," says Hiro. "A night with your crush. Forget about me; I'd be more worried about you messing it up."
Tadashi growls and throws his pillow at Hiro. Hiro yelps and dodges it with ease. "It. Is. Not. A. Crush," Tadashi says, slowly and threateningly. "It's just dinner."
"Then why are you making such a big deal about it?"
Tadashi's second pillow socks his brother in the face. Hiro sighs, but still smirks. "Whatever you say, Tadashi," he says knowingly. "Whatever you say."