Hiya guys,
Welp here is the second chapter of POYW and its a good one
Italics: Sora's thoughts.
Terms you should know:
Japanese:
Hai - Yes.
Okasan - Mother.
-san - A term often used to mean Mr., Mrs., or Ms.
-kun - A term used often for males, but can be used for females as well.
" Portrait of a Young Woman "
By:
Malcolm Yuy
Re-Written By: DarkStoo
Chapter 1: My Boring, Melancholy Life…
In the beginning, I was alone.
A situation like any other, I suppose. It's not like I wanted to be alone, however…
It just ended up that way. And maybe, that's how things were supposed to be.
I was used to it. I was used to coming home, and spending the days in my room, on my own. I even sort of liked it.
That was, until I met her. Little did I know, she would become the precipice for the reformation of my existence.
Now, before I begin this tale of love, humor, drama, and angst, maybe it would be appropriate to give my name first. Very well.
My name is Sora Akari. And at this stage in my life, I am sixteen years old.
And I am lonely.
Currently, I am attending the Destiny Islands Academy for the Arts, or the Academy, whichever you prefer. I am in my Junior year, and I am embarking on receiving my diploma.
Destiny Islands...the place where I've lived my whole life, a group of islands only a few miles away from the mainland, a place that receives sunlight daily, followed by light breezes that blow across the land, causing one to generally feel calm and relaxed. There has been many a day where I have sat on the sands, and peered out at the ocean, wondering about my life.
Where will I go in life? Will I be happy wherever I happen to be a few years from now? Will I have someone standing by my side, helping me through the good times and the bad?
Will I like who I become..?
Will I like my life period? Questions such as these are only an example of what flows through my head on a daily basis. And I hate it. It makes me worry so much. I hate not knowing where I'm going to go, or who I'm going to be. It's so frustrating.
But some things you just can't help, ne? Maybe I should stop contemplating about that for now.
But enough about my thoughts. You'd probably like to see what it's like in my shoes is like, right?
Well, here's your wish, for this day will be beginning of a new life for me. One full of love, humor, drama and angst…
One story of how one person can change another person's whole perspective on life…
And how one person can make a difference in another person's life…
"So class, can anyone tell me any parallels that exist between Antigone and Creon? Anyone..?" the teacher asked, as she stalked around the classroom, the students eyeing her as she paced around. A light-haired brunet sighed as his blue orbs looked down onto his desk. The teacher turned to face him.
"What about you, Akari-san? Can you perhaps tell me the parallels between Antigone and Creon?" the middle-aged woman asked. The spiky-haired young man sighed as he looked up at the teacher.
"Hai, Maleficent-san…" the boy sighed. "Antigone and Creon are both similar in that they both possess a stubborn streak. At least, at first. Antigone believes that one should stay true to their family, while her uncle, Creon, believes that one should stay true to their state, above all else. However, as the play continues to progress, Creon's philosophy on life begins to change as he realizes how irrational he is, while Antigone primarily stays the same."
"Good, good. Since Antigone does stay the same, this is what ultimately leads to the death and destruction of her family, including herself. Now class, if you look closely…" Ms. Maleficent said, as she began walking back towards the front of the room. The brunet's eyes paid attention to her until he felt something hit him in the back of the head.
I can only guess where that came from…
the boy turned around in his desk to look to his left. Behind him, and to the left, was a boy around his age. A smirk was on his lips as he regarded the boy in front of him.
"Suck up," the other boy mouthed silently, as he brushed his silver bangs out of his eyes, revealing aquamarine eyes, which were green at the moment. The brunet just glared back at the boy.
"Whatever," he mouthed back. The silver haired boy silently chuckled as the brunet turned his attention back towards their teacher.
"…while Creon, at the beginning of Sophocles's play, had encroached his rule over Thebes as dictator, he later began adopting a more democratic rule in the state at the end of the play. And that class, is all for today." Students began talking as they packed their bags, the brunet following suit. He then looked back up as Ms. Maleficent began speaking again.
"Oh, I almost forgot! Excuse me class, but here, on my desk, are topics for your first paper." Groans were issued from the class as they cringed at the word "paper," with the brunet and silver-haired young man included. A sneer appeared on the old woman's lips as she regarded her class.
"Did I hear groans just now..? Silence! I will have no complaints in this class, you hear? No complaints!" The class quieted down after Ms. Maleficent finished her statement. She smiled. "Good, good. Now, I need to remind you that these papers are due by Friday of next week, so no diddle-dallying! You may leave now," Ms. Maleficent clapped her hands together as the students got up from their desks, and made their way over to hers, grabbing pieces of paper on their way out.
The brunet grabbed one, and the other boy did as well as they left the classroom. They then walked side by side down the hallway. The silver-haired young man looked down at his spiky-haired companion.
"So Sora, what are you going to do your paper on?" the young man asked, a smirk evident on his lips. The brunet just shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know yet. What about you?" Sora asked. The other boy lightly chuckled.
"Probably on The Odyssey I guess. I like Greek mythology," the silver-haired young man answered. Sora nodded, as the two continued making their way down the hallway.
"So Riku, are we still on for tonight?" Sora asked, as he glanced at his friend before looking ahead. The boy known as Riku Hakumei sighed, running a hand through his shaggy mess of hair as he looked down at his friend.
"Sorry Sor. I wish I could, but I can't make it. I'm supposed to have a date with Umi," Riku replied, his eyes clearly telling Sora his regret. But Sora nodded, understanding the predicament his friend was in.
Riku Hakumei was one of the most popular students at the Academy. And he was my best friend.
And for those of you who couldn't catch on, Umi was Riku's girlfriend. Umi was an azure-haired, light green eyed girl who was our age. Unfortunately for Riku though, they didn't share any classes together, so the only time they did spend together was out of school, which took place during most of the week. Not to mention that they were both really involved in Orchestra, so whatever time I got with Riku was sparse. I didn't blame him though, and to this very day, I still don't. He's my best friend after all.
The brunet gave his friend a sad smile in return. "Don't worry, it's okay. I'll just find something else to do, then," Sora said. Riku nodded in agreement.
"I'm sorry man, I really am. Look, I'll make it up to you sometime later this week, okay? How about it..?" Riku asked. The brunet sighed, before grinning up at his friend.
"Sure."
"Great." Riku smiled. "So, what are you going to do to buy your time then?
"Paint..?" Riku asked. Sora nodded.
"Paint…"
"I'm home."
Sora took off his shoes as he stepped into his house, and trudged towards his bedroom. Light pitter-patter resonated on the floor until he made his way in. He smiled as he noticed that he had already mounted an empty tile of whitespace, ready to be doused with color.
Perfect. His canvas sat near a sliding glass door, which led to a balcony outside. On the right side of the room laid a desk, along with a laptop hooked up to surround sound speakers. On the right side of that desk laid a massive CD tower, while on the right corner of the room was his bed, covered with a black comforter.
Light filtered through to the hardwood floors as Sora made his way over to his CD collection, and after looking through the selectable titles, removed Mozart Piano Concertos Nine and Seventeen from the CD tower. After placing the disc inside his laptop, Sora sauntered over to his canvas, picking up a brush and a palette on the way. He then stood there, waiting, until the soft, sweet sound of the piano began reverberating through the air.
The brunet closed his eyes as he listened to a few seconds of the track, before opening his eyes to begin applying strokes to the empty canvas. His eyes narrowed in concentration as he began his work.
Maybe I should better explain myself…
Sora applied a few brush strokes of light blue to the canvas, before dabbing his brush into a nearby cup of water, and applying some yellow to the brush. He then stroked the canvas with the new color.
Or, maybe you can guess…
Time passed as more colors began filling the canvas, until at last, the painting was complete. Sora stepped back to admire his work as he placed his hands on his hips. Once an empty canvas, the whitespace now depicted a boat at sea. Light, feathery clouds filled the area, as light blue waves moved a small, white boat in the center of the artwork. The mast was brilliantly colored as it pointed diagonally towards the left. Two seagulls flew above the boat, on the right side of the painting. And, floating in the background along the horizon was a yellow-red sun, glowing as the boat was settled in the ocean waters.
Sora took care to clean his brush as he dabbled the color black, before his eyes followed over to the bottom right corner of the painting. With care in mind, he signed his name, Sora Akari, cursive, amongst the blue of the sea. Thy spiky-haired young man smiled as he looked upon his signature.
For those of you who couldn't figure it out…I sketch, I draw, I paint. I am…
An artist.
And I have been for some time now.
"...What time is it?" Sora asked himself, as he walked over to his computer. After the screen saver disappeared, and the laptop returned to life, the time read: emSix-thirty p.m.
Sora sighed as he cleaned his brush, before putting his supplies away. He then went over to his bathroom sink, washing his hands which were covered in paint. After doing so, Sora examined himself as he looked at the mirror.
Maybe I should go to the beach…
He then turned to take a glimpse outside his bathroom window, which was located right above his commode. Outside, the sky was beginning to darken as dusk was settling. The brunet smirked as he scratched his bangs.
I'll still have some time…I have half an hour before night comes, anyway… Sora smiled to himself as he began exiting his room.
Going outside might help me feel good. Real good…
"Man, it feels nice…" Sora smiled as he looked out towards the ocean, feeling the breeze. Ahead of him, the sun was slowly beginning to set, the sky colored in yellows, oranges and purples. Sora couldn't help but compare the sunset to a palette of colors. But, as he continued watching the sunset, his smile began to change. Eventually, it became that of a frown. The light-haired brunet sighed as he looked up toward the dark clouds ahead.
Sometimes, I wish that I didn't live alone. I wish that I had someone to talk to. I wish…
There are so many wishes that I want to make, and that would become wishful thinking. But everyone would want their wishes to come true, and I shouldn't be so selfish. After all, I…
...have a lonely, depressing life. Even though I have what everyone would like to own: a nice house, a decent car, talent…I'm…I'm not happy…
If I could make one wish, one wish at all…it would be that I could find someone to share my hopes, and my dreams…
But for me, being who I am, that wish will probably never come true…
That, and the fact that I've seen what love can do to people…its things like that that make me wonder if love is even worth having at all…
But still…
Sora sighed again as he looked out toward the ocean waters. His hands were in his pockets as he still wore his school uniform from earlier in the day: a long sleeved white dress shirt, with the sleeves pulled back, tie missing; a short-sleeved red shirt underneath, with the two shirts tucked in; dark slacks, with a black belt; and the only thing that he had changed was his foot attire, which was currently adorned with sandals. Sora felt the wind ruffle his hair as he continued looking onward.
Sometimes, as I stare out at the sea, I have a…vision, I guess you can say. In this vision, just like the painting I colored earlier, it involves a boat. I'm standing on a small, white luxury boat at sea, with a polished, wooden interior. The waves keep it moving as the mast is ruffled by the wind. And I, I am standing at the bow, looking ahead to empty waters. You'd think the dream would be peaceful enough, but no. Something doesn't feel right. I feel like, like something's missing, and I don't know what it is.
I can feel it. Without realizing it, Sora had closed his eyes as he had experienced this "flashback." He shook his head as he opened his eyes, and again looked out to the sea. His navy eyes then began tracing the horizon, as he followed the strokes of the clouds as well.
And then, she happened…
"Beautiful sunset, isn't it?" a voice asked. Sora whipped his head around to see where the voice came from. After looking to the right, his eyes began taking in every detail of the person standing next to him.
There, standing before me, was a…I can't even find the words to describe her. She was so captivating, so mesmerizing, that I was sure I felt my cheeks flush when I saw her. I looked away as fast as I possibly could, before responding.
"It sure is," Sora managed to reply. Out of the corner of his eye, he examined the young woman standing next to him. First were her feet, which were currently bare, with toenails covered in pink-red nail polish. His eyes slowly inched up her legs, before leveling with her visage. She was wearing a rose colored sundress, holding some heels in her hands, and a smile was adorned on her face as she brushed her hair away from her face. She had auburn colored tresses, and her eyes were a dazzling violet-blue. Sora couldn't help but feel his heart silently beat in his chest as he glanced at her. He then turned his attention back towards the sea.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that I felt really uncomfortable as well? I rarely talked to the fairer sex, so the fact that it was a girl, a really attractive girl asking me that question really unnerved me. Man, did I hate having hormones…
"Do you come out here often?" she asked, causing him to turn his attention back on her. Sora managed to regain his composure as he began formulating an answer.
"..Usually. I live-"
"-at the house up the hill, I know…" She then glanced back to the sunset, as a gentle smile graced her features. "I see you there, sometimes. I have a friend who lives next door to you, so sometimes I happen to see you when I'm looking out their bedroom window."
"Mmm." Sora nodded as he understood her. The girl's smile disappeared as they both looked back towards the ocean.
"Can I ask you another question?" she asked. Sora nodded.
"Sure."
"Do you live there by yourself? I usually never see anyone else over there." She then clamped her hands over her mouth as she realized what she had just said. "Oh, I'm sorry. I apologize if-"
"No need to apologize. Yes, I live by myself," he stated, almost monotonously. The girl frowned as she noticed his change in tone.
"Do you…ever get lonely?" she asked.
Now, that question certainly threw me off-guard. Never before had someone asked me /ememstrongthat/strong/emem question. I was surprised that I was even having this conversation. But of course, being closed up as I was, I did not want to admit that I had feelings of loneliness, especially to a stranger. But for some reason, I felt that she…that I…
"..Sometimes," Sora said. The girl looked down towards her feet.
"Well then, would you like-"
"Hey!" a voice shouted. Both Sora and the young woman turned their heads as they saw two other girls running down the hill to meet them. Once they approached them, Sora had a better look at them. They were both young women as well, and just like the auburn-haired girl before him, they wore sundresses as well, however, one was yellow, while the other was primarily orange. Both girls had brown hair and green eyes, but one person's hair was slightly curlier than the others', and lighter as the spiky-haired brunet noticed. They crowded around the auburn-haired girl standing near him.
"We were looking everywhere for you, you know? You can't just disappear in the middle of a party," the curlier-haired girl said, as she placed her hands on her hips. Sora couldn't help but smirk at the situation as the redhead sighed.
"I know I know…I'm sorry, okay? It's just that…well…I felt like I needed a break," the redhead answered.
"Oh. Well, if you need to take a break next time, would you tell us? We both don't want to think that something terrible has happened," the other brunette girl said. The redhead nodded, as a small smile formed upon her face.
"Okay."
"So, now that that's settled, how about we return? Okasan is about to make a toast," the more energetic girl suggested. The redhead only nodded again in agreement. The brunette smiled. "Good, so let's go." The three began leaving, as Sora regarded them with his eyes. A frown began to form on face, saddened to see the auburn-haired girl go. She then turned around and bowed towards him, falling behind as the two brunettes made their way back towards the other house.
"It was nice to meet you, Akari-kun," she smiled, before quickly turning around to run after her friends. Sora just stood there, exasperated, as he reached a hand out towards her. However, it was too late. The auburn-haired girl and her friends were already near the house, and Sora didn't feel brave enough to venture over there. He was at a loss of words as he retracted his hand.
"Wait! You never told me…your name," he stated slowly. He then sighed as he turned his attention back towards the sea.
Oh well, maybe it's better off this way. Most likely, I'll probably never see, nor hear from her again. But that's life, I guess…
..That's just a part of life.
Man, this is so frustrating…
"This is so trivial," Sora said to himself as he tossed and turned. He looked at his alarm clock, which was nearby. It stated emtwo 'o clock a.m.
The spiky brunet sighed as he turned. As he closed his eyes, Sora couldn't help but imagine an image of her smiling at him. He could feel himself heat up as he opened his eyes to look up at the ceiling. He grunted as he examined it. Like most ceilings, it was a plain white surface. He sighed in frustration as he turned over.
Why am I even thinking about this? If I follow my logic, it tells me that I probably won't see her anytime soon. And even if I did, what would I do? What would I say?
I wouldn't do anything. I wouldn't say anything, probably…thinking about her is pointless.
"It's pointless. It is. I just don't see the logic in it," Sora said to himself. He then continued to regard the ceiling as a million other thoughts passed in his head. Before he knew it, he ended up turning over so he could glimpse at the alarm clock again. This time, it read two forty-five a.m.
"I want to go to sleep," Sora mumbled, his form still as he was lying in bed, his eyes still open as he turned to look out his bedroom window. He then turned over, before deciding to get out of bed entirely. He yawned as he slipped out of bed, and slid on some nearby totes as he walked toward the balcony. The balcony door slid open as he made his way outside.
Maybe the night air will help me sleep. Sora forced a smile as he glanced up towards the night sky. He could see the dark clouds moving against the night sky. He could also see stars, twinkling one by one. The breeze ruffled his hair as he closed his eyes, taking it in. He then opened his eyes as they held sadness within them.
"Why do I keep thinking about her?" he asked himself. "Why?" he repeated.
The last thing I wanted was to be attracted to a girl I didn't even know…to a girl I'd probably never talk to again, so why..?
Sora sighed as his eyes found their way back to the stars.
What else? It's because I…
"Do you…ever get lonely?"
"Yes, yes I do. I do get lonely."
I AM lonely.
But maybe, I'm better off that way…
Thats a wrap. Nice chapter i think and it comes with a cliff-hanger. Anywho those who look up this story, please don't cuz redoing this story is an amazing deal and i would like to surprise you guys with the story instead of you guys spoiling it for yourselves.
Welp see ya next week!