The Hands of Life

Chapter 5: Being American

"What? !" He yelled to me from his room.

I sighed, already in my school uniform. His attitude was pissing me off,"Yes, now get into your uniform."

He grumbled out of bed to get his things. I lifted my lip in disgust and hurried down the stairs. He could at least wear pants over his boxers in his sleep[1].

"Ah! Carmichael-chan, how are you?"

I looked up from my book, the same one I had on the plane, and turned my attention to the girl in front of me. She had made it her mission to be my friend or something. I didn't get why she wanted to be. I may have been an American, but I was a pretty boring one.

"I'm fine, Timauto-san."

She laughed to me from her seat. Her light brown hair bounced on her shoulders and her green eyes laughed at me. I wanted to glare at her and make her go away. I used to be so much meaner than this. I guess I just don't want to hurt anyone.

"Call me Timauto-chan. Are you adjusting well here?"

I nodded slowly, closing my book since I wouldn't be getting any reading done. Koizu was busy this morning with some guy. I didn't want to bother her, but now I was wishing I had.

"Oh, that's good. Have you heard abo-"

"Timauto-san."

The girl noticeably flinched and I followed the voice. I looked back down at seeing Sanada. I didn't want to embarrass myself. I quickly opened my book back up.

"Ah, Sanada-kun, what is it?"

"I want you to refrain from screaming at our practice, it's distracting."

He was so blunt... But he had a nice voice. A really nice voice. It was like... like... Ugh, I was never good at this romantic simile stuff[2].

"Good morning, class."

I looked up from my book. Interrupted again. I quickly put it away and greeted the teacher with the rest of the class,"Good morning, Sumi-sensei."

I found myself looking at Sanada again today. I had to bite my thumb to force my gaze at the board.

"Tennis Courts... Tennis Courts..." I mumbled to myself as I wandered down the stairs.

Alex said he would go home on his own today since he didn't want to come with me. By that he meant me going to our grandmother's grave. I hadn't known her all that well either, but I felt that I should visit her.

I heard something hitting the ground so I figured that it was tennis balls. And wherever that was there was courts, and that was where Koizu was. I walked towards the sound and down the small hill to the bleachers. I spotted Koizu's black hair. I stopped next to her,"Koizu."

She looked up to me and smiled,"Lynn!"

She hugged me tightly and I slowly put my arms back around her, awkwardly. I hadn't been hugged like this since... No[3].

We separated and I bluntly asked her why she wanted to meet me by the courts.

"Oh, can't a-"

"Oi, Shima!"

My friend stopped and turned her attention to the boy she had been talking to this morning. I ignored him and waited for him to hurry up.

"What, Niou?"

"Aren't you gonna introduce me to your friend here?"

She snorted and replied to him. I didn't hear her response because another boy walked up next to me.

"Aren't you that American girl?"

I looked to right and acknowledges the pink haired boy. His eyes were a lavendar and he was blowing a bubble of green gum. He was cute, but he seemed much more full of himself. I nodded to him.

"I'm Marui Bunta. You're kind of cute."

I just stared at him blankly. I didn't even raise an eyebrow like I know I would have back in America. I was almost emotionless to this guy calling me cute[4]. We kind of stared at eachother for a moment, like I was supposed to say something back to him.

"Niou! Marui! 10 laps for not practicing! Now!"

I watched Marui's bubble pop before he waved goodbye to me and began to run. I felt relieved that he was gone.

"They weren't bothering you were they?"

Koizu and I looked to the voice. I saw that it came from a boy with wavy blue hair with a green headband. I could see the harshnes behind his eyes. He must be scary when he's angry. I looked next to him and had to compose myself. Right there was Sanada- except he had on a blue cap. That didn't change who he was, crap.

"Nah, Niou's always doing that Yukimura-san."

I ignored Koizu's rudeness and bowed to the boy,"Sorry for interrupting your practice."

I looked back to the tall, blue-haired boy. He waved his hand,"It's fine, they need to learn to not be distracted."

I could hear the anger in his voice, he was going to give those two a big punishment.

"Ne, Lynn, you're a lot politer than you used to be. You wanna do something?"

I shook my head, my hair lightly hitting my cheek,"Iie, I made plans to go see Sobo[5] today."

She nodded, her eyes looking solemn. I wanted to tell her not to give me that look. I wanted to laugh at her and make the jokes I used to. I ignored my wants.

"Okay, I'll just come over tomorrow."

I nodded and bowed again to the two,"Goodbye Yukimura-san, Sanada-san."

I turned from the three and walked to the gates. I took a left and followed the directions I had gotten from my mother. I visited my grandmother for three hours to tell her everything. Everything was a lot. Everything was all of the stuff I refused to tell anyone other than who needed to know.

[1] My brother dislikes wearing pants, but thankfully he is beginning to understand my disgust for that.

[2] Crushes. We all get them. I know I have, and it sucks because sometimes I can't explain it DX

[3] This is connected to her bad experience in America.

[4] This, along with other hints, should show that she isn't being her total self around the people in Japan ever since what had happened to her in America.

[5] Sobo: How to refer to your grandmother when in conversation to someone.

I had a lot of notes for this one because I just kept thinking of things. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter! :D

Thanks to:

Michiyo Michiri
chocolatekuni
ZzBlack NightzZ

You're support is appreciated and loved! :D

~Tai.