Chapter 2: Welcome to Neopia: Part Two
As the boys drove the way home, Sakuya was seen in her room in a towel drying off from a shower for the big day tomorrow. She then slipped into her nightgown and then opened her diary. She started writing.
"Dear Diary, well, tomorrow's the big day. Lance and I had a great time tonight at the movies. Problem was that he made me pay for it. That was really rude of him to do that…"
Suddenly she stopped writing and noticed a picture of Kyoru and her at the park at a community picnic with each other two summers ago at her bedside. She then took the picture and stared at it for a while then collapsed onto her bed with the picture held to her chest then she stared at the ceiling for a while and smiled. Her face started to blush as she thought of what it would be like for her to go out with a guy like Kyoru.
"Kyoru… why do I feel this way about you?"
She closed her eyes for a while and then shook out of it.
"(sigh) What am I thinking? I can't break up with Lance, that would be too mean of me. But… then again…"
She stared back at the picture. The picture showed Kyoru with one arm around her and Sakuya snuggled up to his chest, both smiling at the camera. Kyoru looked embarrassed by the fact that the girl of his dreams is very close to him.
"Kyoru is the most sweetest, gentlest, cutest, most caring person I've ever met… What do I do? Maybe, I can just wait for a while and see how he feels…"
As Sakuya started dreaming, Kyoru, one block away from her house, was panicking. He ran around in circles in his room as his pet Anubis, Nibbler, was watching his pacing.
"What do I do?! I haven't picked out my clothes yet, and mom has them in the dryer!!! I can't wait now!!! School starts tomorrow and already I'm panicking!!!"
"Honey, your clothes are ready!"
"Yes!! Thanks mom!!!"
He grabbed the clothes out of the dryer and started to hang them on his door knob. Then, he looked out the window and saw Sakuya's house from a distance. He noticed her lying in bed with the picture they took two summers ago. Then, we walked over to his bedside stand and took out the same picture they took out from his drawer. He stared at it for a while and collapsed in bed the same way Sakuya did.
"(sigh) Sakuya… I love you but I can't tell you… Not only that…………I'm actually kinda…… heartbroken. I mean you have Lance, the most popular guy in school. Not only that, Sakuya is head cheerleader of the school, leader of Peer Leadership, and all around the most popular girl in school."
He sat up in his bed and stared at the picture again.
"And what am I? Just an unpopular member in a band who rides 2 miles per hour on a skateboard."
He set the picture back on his nightstand and stretched out in bed. He stared at the ceiling for nearly two hours straight. Then, he fell into a deep sleep. He was about asleep for nearly 8 hours until a voice woke him up.
"Dude! Hey wake up! You're gonna miss the bus!!!"
"Huh?!"
Kyoru suddenly woke up and ran out to the bus stop with toast in his mouth and a skateboard in hand. Luckily, he got on the bus in time. He looked everywhere for a place to sit until it was his big chance. Sakuya was sitting next to the window in seat 11. He walked over there non-chalantly until Butoii, a red Grarrl about twice Kyoru's size wearing a black t-shirt with a symbol of a mouth with sharp teeth embedded on it while wearing red high-tops and headphones, tripped him. Kyoru clumsily fell down the aisle of the bus and rolled all the way to seat 11. He looked up and noticed Sakuya with her usual bright yellow tank top, mini skirt, and shoes with gold earrings and a large bright orange bow on her tail. She looked down at Kyoru and just smiled and giggled.
"(giggle) Hey Kyoru. Wanna sit with me?"
"Uh… yeah…"
She took away her bookbag next to her to make space for Kyoru, who sat near the edge of the seat while looking away from her and blushing. Sakuya smiled and giggled again.
"You're not really sitting next to me unless you're actually next to me."
She took him by the arm and pulled away from the edge. Her pull was so strong that in fact, he suddenly found himself touching Sakuya's left side of her body. They were so close to each other that they stared at each other for so long and just blushed. Then they both shook it off and just enjoyed each other's company until they get to the school.
"So… uh… Sakuya, um… you look nice today."
"Oh uh… (giggle) you too…"
"Well um… how was your summer?"
"Uh… great I guess."
Both stared at each other for a long time until they both said.
"Um can I talk to you about something?"
They both blushed again. Kyoru looked anxious so he spoke first.
"Um… Sakuya?"
"Yes?"
"How long have you been with Lance?"
Sakuya looked disappointed and looked away from him in disappointment.
"Oh… I guess a couple of weeks…"
"Oh, um… that's great I guess."
"No, it's not, really."
"Why?"
"…"
"Sakuya?"
"I guess… it's just that… I… I-I… l lo… l l-ove…"
She stared at him for a really long time until both of their faces nearly touched. Her eyes started to close and her lips were about ready to come in for a kiss. This lasted until the bus stopped at the school. Then both of them snapped out of it.
"Uh… looks like we're here!"
"Yeah… that was quick."
Kyoru got up and got off the bus towards the school. Back on the bus, Sakuya looked back at Kyoru, looked down at the floor and almost started to cry.
"A little too quick… Oh Kyoru…"
As Kyoru walked into the building, he looked back and saw Sakuya running up to him. She quickly ran over and gave him a hug. She started to cry in his arms.
"Sakuya, what's wrong with you?"
"Kyoru… I… I can't say it... All I wanted to tell you was that… I just want you to like me…"
"Sakuya, I already like you…"
He took her chin and lifted her face up and wiped off the tears. She smiled and then gave him a big hug. Kyoru blushed and pulled away from her gently.
"Alright, that's enough hugs for now. Besides, it's 7:30 in the morning, not a really good time for crying and hugs."
He looked around and about everyone in the building were mindless zombies getting ready for their day.
"Or maybe it is a good time for crying and hugs."
Sakuya giggled and gave Kyoru a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. He looked back at her going to the bathroom to wipe off the tears. As she went to the bathroom, he went over to the bulletin board with Akori, Roku, and Chioku. They looked around to check which homerooms they're in. Kyoru checked first.
"Alright! I'm in the same homeroom as Sakuya! Oh no! I'm in the same homeroom as Ikura!!! Man, what a bummer!!!"
Then Roku checked his.
"No fair! I get stuck with Lance! How unfortunate is that??!!!"
Akori and Chioku checked theirs. Akori wasn't pleased.
"Aw crap!!! I have to get stuck with you!!!"
"Alright!!! We can be homeroom buddies!!!"
"No! Not homeroom buddies!!! Oh God, help me!!! I'm in the same room as the human garbage disposal!!!"
They all said their goodbyes and headed straight towards their homeroom. The only problem is that the school building is huge enough to have 4 floors, so as Kyoru walked down to room 409, he was already lost.
"Man, this whole school is like a maze… How am I suppose to get to my room now?"
Suddenly, he saw Sakuya in the halls.
"Hey Sakuya! Do you know where our homeroom is?"
"You're in the same homeroom as me? That's so cool!"
She ran and gave him a giant hug. Her tail started to wag back and forth as a sign of happiness.
"I thought I told you, go easy on the hugs! Well anyway, so where is room 409?"
"I just found it follow me!"
She took Kyoru's arm and ran over to room 409. As the two went inside the room, they recognized some familiar faces. Toron, a green Buzz who is part of Butoii's gang and scams and gambles kids out of their money and then treats other things like a business. He wore a black beanie, grey t-shirt, blue jeans, and black converse and carries a toothpick in his mouth. Next to him was Yoron, a blue Jetsam who is very violent and often beat kids up if they try to mess with him. He is also the third member of Butoii's three-man group and is not much of a talker, usually either one word, one short sentence, or just gestures. He wears a red t-shirt with a fist insignia embedded into it, blue jeans, and white shoes. Sakuya and Kyoru also recognized Jimmy, an orange Shoyru who tends to be very accident prone, not just getting beaten up by bullies. He wears a green t-shirt, blue jeans, and red tennis shoes. And lastly was Silent Joe, a green Techo who is highly intelligent but hardly speaks a word. He never says a single word and only communicates by nodding or shaking his head as yes or no. He also tends to be part of the school A/V Club and Band. He wears a white shirt, orange khaki pants, and checkered shoes. He also wears glasses.
"Wow, it's like walking into a yearbook."
"Let's go find a seat together!"
"Huh?"
And like always, Sakuya took Kyoru by the hands and dragged him to a seat next to the window and sat with each other. Sakuya smiled and blushed as Kyoru just blushes with awkwardness. After 5 minutes, the teacher has come in.
"Hello class, I'm your homeroom teacher, Mr. Hawk."
It was a middle-aged blue Eyrie. He wore a grey suit with a white shirt underneath whilst wearing a red neck tie and grey pants. He also wore black shoes and a gold watch on his left arm.
"Okay class, welcome back to another year of school. For the next 10 minutes, we will be handing out your schedules for the semester. I'll call you by last name first then, first name."
"Arwith, Aaron."
An electric Zafara came up to get his schedule.
"Baker, Jimmy."
As time passed, the list went on to more B-lettered last names until Kyoru's came.
"Cruiser, Kyoru."
When he got his schedule, he had Geometry 1st period, Wood Shop 2nd, Physical Education 3rd, Latin I 4th, Language Arts 5th, Biology 6th, History 7th, and AP Band for Extra Curricular Activity (E.C.A Class).
The list kept going. From Dillwood, Toron, to Greengrove, Yoron.
"Hanson, Sakuya."
Her schedule had Geometry 1st, Home Economics 2nd, Physical Education 3rd, Spanish I 4th, Language Arts 5th, Biology 6th, History 7th, and Cheerleading for E.C.A Class.
"Hey Kyoru! You and I have identical schedules!"
"Oh… Um… That's great!"
"Now we can finally spend more time with each other!"
"But what about your boyfriend?"
"Oh don't mind him… He is such a big jerk sometimes… I'm even thinking about breaking up with him…"
"Is he really that bad?"
"Bad? Horrible is the correct term. He is such a jackass. He makes me pay for everything on each of our dates! He wouldn't even comfort me whenever I get too cold, too scared, or even when I cry… He wouldn't even let me hold his hand or hug him… He said it might 'ruin his complexion and reputation'… He can be so irritating sometimes…"
"Then why did you go out with him then?"
"I just don't know. I thought he would make the perfect boyfriend but… he's just all wrong…"
"So what kind of boy would you like?"
"Just a really sweet, cute, caring, nice boy who would comfort me whenever I get cold, scared, or break down and cry. A boy who would make me happy and laugh all the time. Someone who would care about me instead of himself. Like you…"
"Me?"
"Yeah… but I know that'll never happen right?"
"Um… yeah… (sigh)…"
Suddenly, out of the blue, Ikura popped right in front of Sakuya's face and ruined the moment.
"I heard you like sweet and caring guys!!! Like me huh, babycakes?"
"Ikura!!!"
She smacked him in the face with a dictionary and sent him flying towards the teachers desk who was about to give him his schedule.
"Quentino, Ikura."
He landed on the teacher's desk on his back and then received his schedule. It was: Biology 1st, Language Arts 2nd, Physical Education 3rd, German I 4th, History 5th, Wood Shop 6th, Geometry 7th, and Muzak Band for E.C.A. Class.
"What?! No fair! My schedule's completely different than Kyoru's or Sakuya's!!! I demand a change!"
"Sorry Ikura, you cannot change your schedule on the first day of school. You can only change after 3 weeks are up."
"Why you middle-aged, old geezer!!!"
"You have detention!"
Everyone laughed.
"Ikura got detention on the first day! That's gotta be a new record!"
After the first bell rang, Kyoru and Sakuya found themselves in Geometry. Then, a tall Starry Zafara came in.
"Hello, class, my name is Mr. Smarts. And welcome back to another year of learning! First let me call roll. Agersmith, Roku?"
"Here."
"Allsworth, Chioku?"
"Here."
"Bradley, Lance?"
No answer.
"Bradley, Lance?"
Still no answer.
"Is there a Mr. Lance here?"
Kyoru frowned and looked at Sakuya.
"Lance is gonna be here?"
"Yeah I guess."
"So much for being with each other."
A red Kyrii came in. He had long red hair that was slicked back. He wore a tight blue t-shirt and tight blue jeans. He wore brown boots and has a conceited look on his face. He had a body which looked like he worked out over the summer. As he walked through the door, all the girls swooned and fainted… except for Sakuya.
"I'm here… Lance Bradley."
He sat in a seat next to Sakuya and she just buried her face in her hands of embarrassment while he put his physically fit arms around her in front of her best friend.
"Hello, Sakuya… You look lovely today…"
"Um… Hi Lance…"
"Oh, I see that you're sitting next to this guy right here… Kyoru right? I still can't believe you hang out with a lame, metal headed, skater…"
"Well, technically he's not…"
"Sshh… don't speak…"
Kyoru looked away from Sakuya and out the window.
"Cruiser, Kyoru?"
"…"
"Cruiser, Kyoru?"
"………………Here…"
As Lance flirted with all the other girls around him, Sakuya looked back at the saddened Kyoru and couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
"Kyoru…"
Then, Kyoru's friends looked back at him too.
"Hey Kyoru, are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh… Yeah I'm fine…"
"Damn… I've never seen him this depressed before…"
Right after school, the end-of-the-school-day announcements came on.
"It has been a great day for all of you here, I hope that we get another one like this tomorrow. Now I just want everyone to know that we have Homecoming coming up! Thank you."
As Kyoru walked through the halls towards the buses, Sakuya ran up to him.
"Kyoru!"
"Sakuya?"
"I just wanna ask you if we could hang out sometime after school…"
"Uh… well…"
"Come on… This whole day, you've been so depressed… I just wanna make it up to you for what happened in Geometry today…"
"Look… Sakuya… You don't really have to do this for me…"
"Come on… Please? I just wanna see you happy."
"Well…"
Suddenly, Lance came up to the two. He smiled and put his arms around Sakuya.
"Let's go Sakuya… You and I have a date today remember?"
"Oh… right… I forgot… well… I guess… I'll see you later Kyoru…"
"… Just go…"
Lance chuckled and walked away from him.
"Come on Sakuya, let's leave the commoner alone. It's obvious that he doesn't want you around anymore."
She looked back and said nothing. As the couple walked away, Kyoru looked back at her and left without saying a word.