Harvest Moon High School Parade

Chapter 5: Blinding Me…With Science

I was out of breath and running late to my History class. Rounding the corner to the classroom, I didn't look where I was going and rammed into a body. Luckily that body was a bit larger and sturdier than me and held firm. I, on the other hand, fell backwards.

A warm hand reached out and grabbed mine, pulling me to my feet. I dusted off my skirt and thanked whoever helped me. Looking up, I saw my rescuer and blushed.

"Hey little lady. You okay?" He tipped his hat up to look in my eyes. I was a bit mesmerized by his deep blue eyes and didn't answer. He seemed genuinely concerned for me, and gave me a smile of encouragement. He wore a brown cowboy hat on top of his wavy sand-colored hair. I turned bright red after realizing that he was still holding me. I immediately stepped back and spoke, "Y…yes. Thank you. I'm very sorry….I…"

"Don't worry about it," he said, "I get lost in my thoughts too sometimes. At least you made it to class on time. Let me help you to your seat. My name is Calvin by the way."

"I'm Hikari. Thank you for helping me."

"No problem. It's my pleasure, especially for a damsel in distress like you." He winked at me, and I had to grab my heart to keep it from leaping from my chest.

"Here you are. Your seat is right behind mine. We could share history notes."

"Do you like history?" I asked him.

"Like it? Yeah…I guess you can say that." He chuckled softly.

A new voice chimed in, "Are you kidding me? He more than just likes it. He's one of the top students in history at this school, second only to me." I looked over next to me to see who had just made that comment.

It was a girl; from the looks of it, a very smart girl. She wore large round glasses that she pushed up at the bridge of her nose with her finger. Her eyes and hair were the same color as the sea. She parted her bangs to the side, and the bottom of her hair curled neatly to rest on her shoulders.

"Ah…that's right. Pheobe has out-witted me on that one," remarked Calvin.

"Hi Pheobe, I'm Hikari. This is my first year here."

She closed her eyes, "It's nice to meet you. Excuse me, but I need to get back to my research."

She swiveled in her seat and proceeded to furiously write in her notebook.

Calvin turned to me and whispered, "She's always up to her knees in books and research. A smart one she is. There's something about her that gets to me. Although…it pains me a little that she considers me her rival in history. I can't help it if it interests me so much" He looked over at her in curiosity.

"Calvin!" yelled our teacher, "please take that hat off in the classroom!"

Calvin stood up, "Oh, I'm sorry Ms. Barbara. I forgot that I was in the presence of ladies, I should be more of a gentleman." He bowed his head, and respectfully took his hat off, and placed it under his seat.

Ms. Barbara began the history lecture, but class went by in a blur. I was too busy staring at the wavy locks in front of me.

It was now break, and I was interested in taking a look at the library. It would be nice to get some quiet time for a bit.

The library was pretty impressive, but there were not too many people there. I picked a table, and sat down, taking out my notebook for my next class.

Suddenly, I heard a large CRASH a few shelves over. I got up, and ran to where the sound came from. A man in a black suit and blue tie was buried under a pile of books that had fallen on him. He sat up, and his glasses were crooked and slightly broken from his fall. I knelt down and began to pick up the books that had fallen, "Are you okay sir?"

He stood up, wiped the dust from his pants, and adjusted his glasses. "Oh, I'm fine thank you. I am a bit clumsy at times." His voice trailed off, "Now what was I doing? I have completely forgotten." He straightened out his jacket and tie and looked over at me. "Thank you for your help. I am glad to see that there are still students here who are courteous. As a School Board member, that makes me happy."

My eyes went wide, "Wait, you're a board member? My name is Hikari. President Sephia needs your help."

"Ah, so you're Hikari. My name is Ben. It is very nice to meet you. I am aware of the situation."

I pleaded, "Is there anything I can do to help convince you to keep this school open?"

He placed a book back on the shelf, "Hmm…well…there is one thing. For a while I have been trying to expand and advance the science and math departments at Castanet, but I have been unsuccessful. A good school must have a high achieving science and math program. If you are able to prove that those departments are at the level they need to be, I will write a letter to the Superintendent expressing that this school be kept open."

"Really? O thank you! Thank you! I won't let you down." I shook his hand fervently, and ran off to my next class beaming with hopefulness.

My next class was math. I walked to class with great determination. After talking to Ben about improving the math department, I wanted to see how much work was cut out for me. I sat down in my desk before the bell, ready for class.

I was completely dead-set on not being distracted by ANYTHING this class when in walked the ASB president himself, Gill. In my mind a chorus of angels sung his arrival. My eyes were glued to his perfect face, and flowing light-blonde hair. My heart began to beat so hard; I thought the whole classroom could hear it.

I shook my head from my thoughts to try to gain focus once again.

After a few moments, Luna walked in as well.

She must be really good at math if she's in a Senior class as a Junior.

Luna sauntered past and sat in the chair behind me. I turned around to greet her.

"Hi, you must be Luna. I'm Hikari. I just met Candace the other day, she's a really nice person, and she told me about you."

She smiled, "Yep that's me! You know my sister?"

"Well, kind of. I'm new here and I-"

At that moment Gill walked over to me and said, "You are new here? Allow me to be your guide to our school. Being the ASB president, it is my duty to inform you on all the happenings of Castanet Academy, and be your welcome escort." He placed his hand over his heart like a gallant knight.

My heart fluttered wildly. Gosh he was so cute!-Even though he said those lines very scripted and stoic.

Luna stood up, and slammed her hands on the desk, "Excuse me GILL, but I believe she was talking to me. I will be her tour guide today. It is the job of the VICE president. Besides you're too 'important' to do a job like that." Her voice was seeping with animosity and spite.

He glared at her, "Hmph. I believe my word out ranks yours. Plus, I am a gentleman, and the son of the principal of this school. I cannot allow a new lady of her caliber to be placed in the hands of a flighty, baby girl like you!"

"Ooo. Why you…" She shook with fury. Both grabbed on to one of my arms, playing a tug of war with my body. They began to yell at each other, "I saw her first!" "No I saw her first!"

Finally, our teacher yelled, "Children PLEASE! Sit down and focus." The two fighting presidents sat down in a defeated 'hmph', and in unison said, "Sorry Mr. Jake." I collapsed in my chair from exhaustion. If this is how math class was going to be everyday, then I had a lot of work ahead of me.

After class, I snuck away from the view of Gill and Luna, hoping they wouldn't see me. I did not want to experience them fighting to help me again.

I slumped my shoulders in defeat, and started off for my next class. I really hope science class isn't this bad, otherwise I will never be able to convince Ben.

Arriving to class, I absentmindedly sat at one of the lab tables. I placed my head on my desk, wishing for a much needed nap. Lunch is after this….I can't wait.

I looked up, and smiled to see a familiar face walk in. My demeanor brightened up, "Hey! Anissa hey!" She turned to see who was calling her and when she spotted me, she smiled and waved. I was so glad I knew somebody quiet and sane in this class. I motioned for her to come and sit next to me so I could have a friend lab partner, but she just shrugged her shoulders helplessly and pointed to the seat next to me. I was so engulfed in my thoughts earlier that I didn't even notice that someone was already sitting in that seat.

I turned over to see who it was.

He was tall and slender, with his glasses starting to fall off the edge of his nose. Every movement he made, whether it was getting his books out or writing at his seat, seemed to be filled with elegance and grace. His long, straight black hair was pulled back in a tie, leaving behind a few bangs that covered part of his face. I couldn't see his eyes because he was too attentive to his book to even look up at me. He wore his lab coat, ready for class.

I tentatively spoke up, "Umm….h-hi. My name is Hikari. I guess I'm your lab partner for this year."

Without looking up he replied, "Yes. I know of you. You're new here."

He turned his head slightly to look in my direction, "It is very nice to meet you. I'm Jin."

That seemed to be the end of the conversation for now.

Our teacher began to walk around the tables taking roll as she did. When she stopped at Anissa's table, my ears perked up to see what she'd say.

"Hello Anissa, it's great to have you in my class again. You did such a magnificent job on your plant project last year. I was very impressed on how well it grew. You have a way with plants I think. I hope to see good things from you again this year."

Anissa smiled and nodded, slightly coloring at the wonderful praise. The teacher continued to walk down the isles until she reached our table. Seeing Jin she said, "Ah Jin, it is wonderful to see you in my class again. How are you?"

He nodded, "Very well thank you."

She turned to me, "You know, you're very lucky to have him as your lab partner. He is my top science student." She smiled at me.

Jin blushed and said, "Ms. Ruth, you're too kind. I'm just doing my duty as a student." Ms. Ruth softly laughed, patted him on the shoulder, and walked off.

We began our first lab assignment. I knew what I was doing, but for some reason I was very intimidated by Jin, and with him being in such close in proximity to me, I was shaking while handling the lab equipment. He leaned in closer to me and gently grabbed my hand to steady it. My heart began to beat rapidly from the contact.

His voice was filled with concern, "Here, let me help you. You do not seem to be feeling well."

He placed his hands on my face, checking to see if I had a fever. I knew that my face was burning red because our faces were practically touching. He didn't seem to care about the closeness. I peered into his deep dark eyes trying not to faint.

At that moment a man burst into the class yelling, "Hey Ms. Ruth, I'm here to bring you the fish you ordered for your dissection project."

Ms. Ruth clapped her hands, "Why thank you Ozzie, that was very nice of you to bring them in."

Looking over at the catch Ozzie was holding, I was overwhelmed with Jin holding me, not eating anything, and the smell of formaldehyde and fish that I couldn't stop myself from….

….fainting…

I awoke to find my self in a hospital-type bed. Blinking from the bright lights, I saw a figure hover over me, "Hikari…are you okay?"

Gaining my vision back, I saw Jin and Anissa sitting next to me with concerned faces.

I shakily said, "W-what happened?"

Jin pushed his glasses up on his face, "Well, it seems like you were overworked, and then fainted. You need to make sure to take better care of yourself. Ms. Irene, the school nurse has given you some medicine. You should rest for the remainder of the class time."

Anissa said, "Don't worry Hiakri, I'll make sure to get you the notes you missed. I hope you'll feel better by lunch time."

The nurse walked over to us, "She will be fine. You can go back to class now."

Anissa and Jin sat up and proceeded out the door. Anissa lingered a bit in the doorway to look back at me. She sadly waved goodbye and left.

I plopped back down on the bed, shaking my head from the embarrassment of it all. I need to make sure I don't faint again. I have to remember to eat something in the mornings.

I groaned at my stupidity, and placed my arm over my eyes. My ears perked when I heard a familiar voice say, "Hey Ms. Irene. Did you miss me?"

She sighed, "What did you do this time?"

"Ah, it's nothing, just a small cut on my arm."

I looked up and saw Luke standing there, holding his arm waiting for a band-aid and ointment. But what he said was a small cut, was actually a significant gash.

I couldn't help but say, "How did you do that?"

He looked over at me, "Huh? Oh. Hey Hikari! You mean this little thing? Well, you see, I was attacking this bear and-"

"Oh come on Luke, how did it really happen?"

He laughed, "Right. I was throwing something in the air and I caught it wrong."

The elderly lady lightly smacked his head, "How many times do I have to tell you not to throw things in the air no matter how strong you think you are."

He winced slightly, "Aww….Ms. Irene…you know how I like throwing things. Besides, if I didn't get hurt all the time, I wouldn't be in here as often to see you."

She threw her hands up and scoffed at his blatant kiss-up remark. She quickly bandaged him up, and then walked away, mumbling under her breath.

I giggled. Luke was rather charming at times.

He walked over to me, "So Hikari…ditching class are we?"

I glared at him, "No…I guess I worked a bit too hard today and needed to rest."

He sat down next to me, giving me a friendly nudge with his elbow, "Hey remember what I said about helping you out? I really meant it." He turned to face me, and brushed a loose bang from my eyes, "Seriously." I blushed and turned away so he wouldn't see my embarrassment. He was being so nice.

I softly said, "I know. Thank you."

He stretched his arms, "Anytime. If it's for a girl like you, it's my pleasure." He smiled innocently, not realizing how his words made me weak in the knees.

Seeing signs of distress in my face he said, "Hey, how 'bout I bring you to lunch. You look like you need something to eat. Garmon Cafeteria has pretty good food. The bell's going to ring soon, so you could sit with my group."

I nodded, and he grabbed my arm, leading me to lunch.

END Chapter 5

It's still not the end of the first day of school for Hikari, and she's only met two members of the School Board! What will happen next?

Thank you all for reading and reviewing! ^_^