Harvest Moon: High School Parade

Chapter 6: Rumors and Riddles

I-was-staaarving.

The walk to the cafeteria seemed like an endless maze. Luke bounced beside me with a grin on his face. His happy demeanor cheered me up a bit.

I began to imagine what could be for lunch as the smell of Garmon Cafeteria grew closer. My mind was so lost in the clouds that I didn't notice a large dip in the floor. I lost my balance and almost landed face-first on the tile when Luke's athletic arms caught me, "Whoa, watch it there! They're doing some maintenance on the walkway to the cafeteria, so you better watch your step. You okay?" He placed me back on my feet.

I nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks."

"Sure thing."

He waved to the man working on the floor, "Hey Bo! Nice to see you. The floor's looking great!" Bo waved back, "Hello Luke! Thanks! It's should be done in a day or two."

Luke and I continued to walk past and into the dining hall.

He allowed me to go first in the lunch line, and we slid our trays down the metal bars. He leaned in and said, "Mrs. Yolanda and Colleen are the lunch cooks. They're real nice. If you're friendly with them, they'll give you extra food."

"How is the food here?"

"It's good. But I heard that the cooks have been low on supplies, and helping staff, so they can't make some of their best dishes. We used to have a great cooking program here, but there weren't enough students interested anymore, so they shut it down."

I frowned a bit, Another program shut down. I wonder if there's any way to help.

I grabbed a few items from the bins and piled them onto my dish. Mrs. Yolanda smiled at me and placed a cup of yogurt and some granola on my plate. "Hello. You must be new here. I'm Yolanda, and Colleen is over there. Let us know if you have any special diet requirements or recommendations."

I bowed slightly in thanks.

Luke whined, "Yogurt? Aw man! Isn't there anything else today Mrs. Yolanda? Like vegetable curry perhaps?"

Mrs. Coleen walked over, "I'm sorry Luke, we haven't received the items for that recipe in a while. We still have our usual sandwiches though. Please, help yourself to those."

Luke stuck out his bottom lip in a disappointed pout, and slumped to our table.

He plopped next to Owen, and I sat across from him next to Kathy and Selena. They all welcomed me to their table, and I politely gave my greetings. I peered over the crowd to see if I could find Candace or Anissa, but I couldn't see them. I will have to catch up with them later.

Kathy shouted, "Hey Luna! Hey! Come sit with us."

Luna waved and sat down. Kathy continued, "Luna have you met Hikari yet? She's new this year."

Luna blushed, "Yes, we've met. Hey, I'm really sorry about how I acted earlier. I probably scared you. It's just that every time I see that pompous Gill, my blood starts to boil. I can't control myself."

I smiled, "That's alright. It was kind of nice to be fought over."

She smiled, and the lunch conversations continued as usual. We started to talk about our classes so far, teachers, homework, etc.

Owen then shrieked, "What the heck are you doing, Luke?"

Luke shrugged, "What? What's wrong?"

"Why are putting chocolate sauce on your banana?"

Luke grinned, "Because it's the best that way!"

Owen winced, "Yuck. That's just…nasty."

Luke teasingly gobbled down the messy banana purposefully in front of Owen, making him turn green.

Selena chimed in, "That's sick Luke. You look like a pig."

He teased, "Oh, you know you like it," and winked. She gasped in fake-flirty offense, and proceeded to punch him in the arm, which caused the whole table to laugh.

I giggled and took in the carefree moment before me.

Sighing, I looked around the room to see if I could find Anissa and Candace again, but instead, caught a pair of new, mysterious eyes staring at me.

I immediately looked away.

Who was that?

I wondered if I was still being looked at, so I cautiously, and as stealthy as I could, peeked over in that direction.

He was alone at a table in the back of the cafeteria, peering over his book while sipping his coffee. He wore a dark purple jacket with the hood draped over his head. His silver hair was disheveled, covering portions of his tan face. His intense, deep green eyes pierced into mine. They shimmered with a glint of wisdom. He had an odd white tattoo under his right eye that looked like the rays of a sun. His half-closed eyes studied me. The aura around him was dark and mysterious.

My heart began to pound. Was I afraid of being stalked, or excited to be admired?

Okay, calm down Hikari. He's probably not looking at you, but just in the area. Maybe he just started zoning out, and is looking in your direction and doesn't realize he's staring at you.

At that moment, Luna whispered in my ear, "Oh, my gosh Hikari! That guy over there is totally staring at you!"

The sudden voice in my ear nearly made me leap out of my seat. My voice gave out a soft "eeek!"

I blushed deeply, "No he's not. He's just looking in this direction. How do you know he's not looking at you?"

Kathy spoke up, "Luna may be popular, but that guy could care less about popularity. No, Hikari, I think he's looking at you."

"That guy really creeps me out," shivered Selena.

My face went slightly pale, "W…why? What do you mean?" I did not want to be stalked by a creeper!

Our table then huddled together to hear the juicy gossip. I leaned in close; my mind focusing on the words before me.

Selena started out in a whisper, "I heard he can hear people's minds." She wiggled her fingers in the air as if telling a ghost story.

"That can't be true!" Luke said. "He's just a loner; a rogue who doesn't want friends."

Owen backed up his friend's comment, "Yeah, he never hangs out with anybody, and doesn't go to any activities."

"Plus, doesn't he hang out with that weird Vivi girl sometimes?" asked Luna.

"Oh yeah!" Selena said, "She was in my class once. She is never around, never in class. And when she rarely is here, she's always going crazy." She made a loop with her fingers next to her head to emphasize the 'crazy.' She continued, "That's why people have nicknamed her the 'Witch Princess,' because she's so flighty and dramatic. Yeah, so if he hangs with her, he must be weird."

Kathy was hesitant. "I don't know…he seems like a nice guy to me. A bit quiet maybe, but nice."

Selena scoffed, "Nice? Ha! I doubt it. You're always too kind Kathy. I mean look at him! He is totally out of dresscode, and the teachers don't even care. He has a purple jacket on, a tattoo on his face, and earrings on each ear. It's just not fair! Why is it that when I dress the way I want, I always get in trouble."

Kathy rolled her eyes, "Have you seen the way you dress?"

I wanted to stay on the subject, but not start an argument, so I asked, "What's his name?"

Luna answered, "That's the weird part. No one knows. Not even the teachers. He never tells, nor writes his name to anyone. Soooooo weird."

"Well, what does he call himself, or what do other people call him?"

"Everyone just calls him Wizard because he's filled with awe and mystery, plus his hair is silver, like a wizard's."

"And don't forget it's also because he can read people's minds!" Selena laughed. Everyone at the table began to giggle and started talking about other things. I, on the other hand, became silent and contemplative. I didn't really know what to think.

Is he really as weird and creepy as everyone says he is, or is he just misunderstood?

I looked over in his direction again, but he had disappeared.

I caught sight of Anissa and Candace sitting with Jin, Calvin, Phoebe, and one other guy who I didn't recognize. I said 'goodbye' to my table. As I was leaving, another girl sat next to Kathy. I felt bad for not introducing myself to this new stranger, but I was already on my way to see Anissa and Candace. Walking over, I was suddenly jerked to the corner by Finn.

"Hikari! Finally, I found you! Where have you been?"

"Umm…class. Where have YOU been?"

The younger boy shook his head, "Nevermind that now, another School Board Member is here, in the cafeteria!" He placed his hands on his head in panic. Finn was always overly dramatic and paranoid.

"Where?"

"There!" his little voice shrieked as he pointed to a man in a suit and yellow tie, laughing and smiling.

"Him? He doesn't seem so bad."

"That's Collin," he informed me. "He loves to tell jokes, and hear jokes. But if you don't say a joke first, he won't even speak to you!"

I rolled my eyes at his probable exaggeration, but I still listened to his advice.

I was never really good at telling jokes. The only jokes I knew were 'Knock-Knock' jokes.

"Alright. I will go talk to him now."

Finn jumped for joy at my prompt decision.

I tried to think of my best knock-knock joke.

I walked nearer to where Collin was standing, repeating the joke to myself, so that I could get the timing right.

I approached him with a smile saying, "Knock knock!"

He turned towards me and giggled, "Ooooo! A joke! I love jokes! Who's there?"

"Isabel."

"Isabel who?"

"Isabel broken, because I had to knock."

He began to burst into laughter. "Is—a-'bell'…HAHAHAHA!" He was laughing so hard a tear could be seen falling from his eye.

I really didn't think it was that funny, but at least he liked it.

After he regained his composure he said, "Phew, that was a good one! What's your name?"

"Hikari."

"Ah, Hikari. So you've come to ask me to help save the school, haven't you? Aww…I was hoping you'd tell more jokes. But I guess this is not a laughing matter."

I stood up straight and said, "Mr. Collin, Castanet is a great school. You must know that. Please, I beg of you, keep this school open."

He sighed, "It used to be a good school. But I'm afraid, I would have to agree with the rest of the board to shut Castanet down."

I pleaded, "But what's wrong with the school? There must be a way for me to convince you that this school is worth keeping. I am willing to do whatever it takes. The President and the school are counting on me!"

He raised his eyebrow, "Wow. You are a very determined, and hard-working girl. I admire that. I'll tell you what. Let's make a deal. You see-a good joke is all about timing and writing. What this school is lacking is great history and literature programs. The students and faculty here have lost their talent to admire, contemplate, and write about the world they live in and experience. If you can boost these two programs, I will help you keep this school."

"Really? Thank you!" I jumped in excitement.

"You know," he said, "it's only because of the amazing determination you have, and your skills as a joke teller that I'm agreeing to this. The other students here don't have the same fervor as you do. I'm really glad you're here." He smiled and turned to leave, "I look forward to seeing your progress." He then began to hum a tune as he left.

I bounced back over to Finn, beaming with accomplishment. I briefly recapped what had been said to me earlier.

After hearing it, Finn looked a bit worried, but at the same time hopeful.

"So Finn, I've met three of the Board Members, what should I do now?"

He looked up at me with his young innocent eyes, "Hmm…well, for starters we need to try to accomplish the tasks that the members have asked you to do. But we also need to talk to the last two board members. So there is still a lot of work ahead of us."

"What do you know about the other two board members?"

"Actually, not much. But I know someone who does. Come on; we don't much have time left for lunch, so let's hurry to see him. He usually hangs out in the library about now."

"What? Wait…who?" But before my questions could be answered, he dragged me by the wrist to the library.

We busted through the doors, completely out of breath. The sudden quietness of the room gave me a slight shock, and I held my breath to keep my beating heart quiet. Between breaths, Finn said, "He...usually...sits…around…the...corner…with…his…book." Finn collapsed on a chair. I left him to compose himself, and walked towards the back of the library. I turned the corner and didn't see anyone there except….Wizard.

I immediately jumped back behind the bookcase, my heart pounding with fear. I have to talk to him?

What do I do? What do I do? I tried telling myself, Calm down. Calm down. He's just another student at this school. He's not a magician who can read minds. They were just rumors. Just go over there and ask him. I nodded my head in agreement. I turned around to go see him, but found his face already inches from mine, as he said in a low tone, "You must be Hikari."

I shrieked in surprise, and turned white from fear. I heaved a few heavy breaths, putting my hand over my heart. "O gosh! You scared me. You came out of nowhere."

He took off his hood, and turned to sit back down, not saying a word as I followed him. I sat down at the chair next to him.

He continued to read his book: some research book about stars. I asked him, "How did you know my name?"

He didn't say a word, and his eyes kept focused on his book. … … …

… … … …

After a few moments of awkward silence, I tried again, "Um…hello?"

Without taking his eyes off the book he spoke, "I saw you in the cafeteria. People have been speaking of a new Senior to the school, you. After seeing you with your small green-haired friend, and your talk with the School Board member, I assumed you were Hikari. I know of your plight to save this school. I will not give you what you seek, for your quest is futile."

His voice was a low, soothing sound, but I wasn't sure what to make of his demeanor. Did he hate me? Or was he just uncomfortable around new people?

I was hurt by his comment, and was no longer intimidated by him, "What do you mean 'futile'? You don't know me. I am willing to do what it takes to save this school. Here you sit, reading your book, and drinking your coffee. What are you doing to help the school? I came to you for information. Are you going to help me or not? Because if you're not, I have no more use speaking to you." I was surprised by my own feistiness; I never usually acted so defensively.

At this, he looked up at me with those same piercing, green eyes. His tone had changed; he voice became intense and angry, "I know much, and care much about this school. You have no idea what I've tried to do to save Castanet Academy, but the people here are useless. You think you can do any better?"

I was challenged. And when someone challenged me, I didn't back down. I leaned in closer to show him just who I was, "I'm not like other people. You can bet on that."

He leaned back, and closed his eyes. Sighing he said, "Yes. I can see that. You're…different. And because of that I will tell you what you need to hear." He stood up and closed his book. Turning his back to me, he said, "Find the sleeping one in a place of tears, and find the crying one in a place of laughter."

He began to walk away. I shouted, "Hey wait! What? What does that even mean?"

He kept walking and ignored my pleas.

Argh! So frustrating. He didn't help at all. What am I supposed to do now?

I went back to Finn, huffing in frustration as I did. "What a great help he was! Why did I have to go talk to him anyway?"

Finn said, "He knows a lot about this school. I figured he would know more about the School Board than I did."

"Well, he didn't. He just gave me a silly riddle to discourage me from trying," I snapped.

Finn sighed, "Calm down Hikari. Don't worry about it now. The bell already rang for your next class. You should probably get going."

I nodded in agreement. I will deal with that guy later.

END Chapter 6

I really appreciate all of your comments. They've really helped me to push forward. Sorry these chapters are going so long. The first day is becoming longer than I expected. But I promise it'll get better…hopefully.

Thank you! ^_^