Chapter 2: Meeting the Green-haired guy.

Again, he held out his hand. He was an acquaintance to me but still he wanted to be friends. He had a sincere smile. I can sense that he was a very happy and cheerful person. Good, maybe he can teach me on how to be more cheerful. I held out my hand, too. Then, he shook it gently not to let his boy strength dominate mine and I think he might've blushed? Nah, he wouldn't. Who would blush because of me? Tsk. After gently shaking my hand, he introduced himself, "hi there. My name is Hihara Kazuki. Nice to meet you! And, yeah. I'm sorry if I suddenly bumped into you. I should've looked where I was going. Sorry." He said politely. I fluffed my skirt `cause there was some dust on it and smiled. "oh, I'm Hino Kahoko. It's a pleasure to meet you, too. And no, I'm sorry. It was my fault." I bowed down to him. AGAIN. He hesitated and panicked a bit. "Ah! Please, Hino-chan, don't bow to me! We jut met!" He pleaded. I saw that he really was serious about it so I stood straight and quickly apologized. He then smiled at me. For a girl like me who IS NOT into boys, I really thought that Hihara-kun was cute. But I don't like him! Of course, we just met. So after introducing ourselves, mom suddenly cut in. "Kahoko! Have you tri—." He saw that Hiahara-kun and me was trying to have a conversation which didn't turn out very well `cause of two things. One, there was pretty much nothing to talk about. And number two, mom butt in our conversation. "Mom!" I looked at her. She already knew that look. It was the please-don't-embarrass-me look. And she seemed to understand! Hurray! So, she smiled at me. "Uhhh. Hino-chan, I better get going. I've still gotta catch up with y class schedules in Seisou. So, better run." He asked permission. I was surprised. He was studying in my school! So I asked him. "Wait, you study in Seisou!?" He shrugged a bit, but nodded. I gave him a surprised look. It was as if he already knows what I meant because he gave me a big grin. "Yes! Why!?" he said very excitedly. I gave out a happy sigh and finally said, "Well, I'm going there, too! But I'm only new there. School's tomorrow, right?" "Is that so? I would love to help you around Seisou! You're going to love it there! And yes, first day is tomorrow." I gave him a smile and thought to myself, "Yeah! It would be nice if you already know someone in a new school. At least I won't have to eat alone in the cafeteria." I giggled to my own thoughts. I guess he felt confused on why I was giggling. "I better scoot now, Hino-chan. I've got things to do. See ya tomorrow, Hino-chan! Nice meeting you!" he waved at me then smiled. "Yeah, bye, Hihara-kun. Nice meeting you, too!" I responded with the same sweet smile on my face. He ran down to the door and opened it. Suddenly, he looked back and waved at me. He mouthed the words, "See yah!" I sighed. I was happy that I get to have a friend for tomorrow. But still.. I can't be sure if I'm confident enough to go to an exclusive school like that. I badly need an attitude change, huh? I need to boost my confidence a bit. I'll need it. BADLY. I lost my train of thought because of mom. Again. She poked my hip and giggled. "That's a very cute guy, Kahoko, dear." She teased me. I laughed at my mother for talking about boys suddenly. I never really knew that she liked or even supported me with the so-called boy topic. I wish I knew. But we never really sat down on the round table we have and have a nice conversation about boys. I guess my mom really does know me. I'm supposing she knows that I'm not interested in guys right now that are why she's not yet bringing up the subject with me OR my sister.

After a few teasing, I finally said to my mom, "Oh c'mon, mom. I bet he already has a girlfriend. Not that I care." HESITATE. That's what I did with my last 2 sentences. I don't like him. Not at all. We just met so it really is not possible. Well, I look forward to seeing him in school, that's for sure. After a lot of thinking and recovering from the unexpected acquaintance from the green haired guy, we finally paid for all the shirts and pants, took a cab and went home. Home sweet home. As soon as I laid all the shopping bags that I carried, I ran quickly quiet, purple-wallpapered room of mine and started to think hard. REAL HARD. "What will happen to me tomorrow?" "Will I embarrass myself in front of other people?" "Will I have many friends like Nao and Mio? Last year?" These questions.. These were the ones that bothered my mind through the night. We went home by 6 PM and by the time that I snapped out of it; it was already 7:30. Mom called me for dinner, but I guess I wasn't hungry for any dinner. Or lasagna. All night, the questions bothered me, until I finally fell asleep. It started to rain real hard. The pitter-patter of the rain falling on my window shield continued until the night finally passed.

--6 a.m, first day of school.

*RRRINNNGG!*

There goes my alarm clock. I'm going to have to be used to that ringing noise since it's already the start of school. I have to hear that annoying sound every morning like last year. There was pretty much no choice but to get out of my bed, brush my red curls, take a quick, hot bath and eat breakfast. I'm sure that I'll get used to it `cause I know I'll be doing it for another 10 months. As soon as I got down from the stairs, my mother's sweet face was first to startle me. "Oh my, honey. You looked scared. Is something the matter?" She asked while lowering her eyebrows, which showed her forehead wrinkles. It was a sign that she was worrying. I quickly held my chin up and gave her a nice, big grin. "Mom, everything's okay. I just got a bit scared of you." We both gave it a big laugh. While mom set the plates for breakfast, she encouraged me, "Do your best, Kahoko, dear. Everything is going to be fine. Besides, I have a surprise for you when you get to school." " Yeah, right. I hope what mom said about everything's going to be fine comes true.. And I wonder what's the surprise?" I kept on thinking to myself until I finished my breakfast and head out for school.