One: The Start of Something New
I was brushing my teeth when Riku began banging on the bathroom door.
"Risa, you're not the only one who has class at ten. Hurry up!" she yelled.
"I'wll be ouw ina minu!" I answered with a mouth full of toothpaste.
"Just open the door."
I leaned over to the side and unlocked the door.
"Finally," she said.
I loved my twin sister, but she was a real pain. We're nothing alike. My hair was long, hers was short. I adored makeup, she hardly touched the stuff. She wore a navy football t-shirt, I wore a white lace camisole. I had on a heart pearl necklace; she had a sweatband around her wrist. She liked her Khaki shorts; I liked my pink skirt. Her—converse sneakers; me—wedge sandals. I carried a Purse; she carried a backpack. We are absolutely positively nothing alike!
But I'm so jealous of her. Despite me obviously being the cute one, she was strong, independent, smart, athletic and responsible. I was none of those things. But it doesn't matter anymore. For today some dreamy guy is going to fall in love with me anyways.
I rinsed my mouth with wash than sprayed on some perfume.
"Its just college," Riku quipped.
"No its not. It's the first step into my future. Today I'm going to meet my true love!" I smiled excitedly.
She gave me an exasperated look.
"The cards again?"
"So?" I asked defensively.
"There all just a bunch of hooey," she said exiting the bathroom.
"They are not!" I whined following after her downstairs.
"Whatever."
"Riku, stop being mean!"
"Stop being a baby!"
"I am not!"
But Riku stopped listening to me and went outside to the car where our butler waited to drive us to the campus. I didn't talk to Riku the whole way nor did she talk to me. We rode in silence which totally bugged me since I hate not talking and she knew it too. It was this game we always secretly played on who could give in and talk first. I always lost.
When we arrived at the entrance to the Kuroki Academy a banner was hung welcoming all freshman. Riku got out first and started to walk off without me.
"Hey, Riku, wait!" I yelled out to her while getting out of the car.
I ran in hopes to catch up with her but I ran into somebody instead. My nose flattened against his hard chest.
That hurt, I thought.
My hand flew to hold me nose as I apologized to the man and bowed in either remorse or embarrassment.
"Don't apologize. It was my fault."
I looked up into the face of the man I knew was my true love. He was a babe! Black hair that fell onto his shoulders in an even cut and eyes as black a coal on such fair and smooth skin. I've never seen such perfection since Dark—
Oh, why did I have to think of him at a time like this, I subconsciously yelled at myself.
"I hope I didn't hurt that cute little nose of yours," his voice brought me back to earth.
I felt the heat rise to my cheeks.
"Oh, I'm fine," I said shyly.
"Are you a freshman?"
"Mhm" I smiled, "Risa Harada, first year student studying Art History!"
"Touya Kuroki, third year student studying Psychology," he smiled.
"Kuroki? Your not…?"
Touya gave a light nervous laugh.
"Yes. That's me. The great-great-grandson of Saito Kuroki founder of the Kuroki Academy."
Oh my! Not only is my true love handsome but he comes from a good and wealthy family. Not like moneys and issue or have any say in a relationship but at least when we get married we will be financial supported.
Okay Risa, you're getting too ahead here. You've only known him for less than five minutes. Give it time.
"Risa there you are!" Riku's voice called to me.
She came running up to Touya and I with Satoshi and Daisuke at her heels.
"You are such a slow poke," she said with an angered look on her face.
"I am not," I pouted.
"I'm guessing this is your sister, right?" Touya cackled.
"Who are you?" Riku asked.
Riku was totally embarrassing me with her grouchy attitude. Why can't she go make-out with Daisuke somewhere and take Satoshi with them.
"That's Touya Kuroki; the Dean's son," Satoshi said matter-of-factly like the old wise monk he always is.
"No way, for real?" Riku asked.
"He looks so much cooler in person," said Daisuke.
I cleared my throat which broadened Touya's smile. He brought an arm up to his face to check the time on his watch. A rather expensive looking watch I might add.
"Well Risa, since class begins in a about a minute or so, we don't have much time left to get to know one another," he hid his hand into the pocket of his pants, "How about I take you out tonight instead?"
"Really? Sure!" I smiled.
I hoped I didn't sound too eager, or worse, too desperate. But truthfully I was eager, and I was desperate to experience the love Riku and Daisuke have for each other.
"Excellent. How about I meet you at that popular sushi restaurant not to far from here?"
"Samurai Sushi; I love that place," I brightened, "What time should we meet?"
"Seven?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Then it's a date Miss Risa."
Touya took hold of my hand and placed it to his gentle lips. I felt another blush rise to my cheeks and out of the corner of my eye I saw the huge mouth of my sister's drop. Glancing up from beneath his long eyelashes, Touya smiled then straightened himself up to take his leave. My heart pounded in rhythm to each step he took as he walked away. I can't believe that just happened! He actually asked me out.
"You're the only person I know who can get a date on the first day of school, Risa," spoke Riku.
I wasn't even listening. I was staring dazedly at the back of the man I knew I'd grow to love.