After going three CDs I decided to go out for a walk. Before I left I took a quick shower and got dressed in a red and black plaid skirt, black long sleeve shirt, and some black plaid extra high, high tops. I grabbed my cell phone, some money, and my key to the apartment before walking out the door and locking it.

When I got down to the lobby of the apartment building I smiled at the door man and went out into the streets. I still haven't quite gotten used to the big city. What I was getting used to though was the large amount of record store that were here. There must be a least one every block. I love it. Some of them are also recording studios so you sometimes you'll get a glimpse of a band while you're there. I'm hoping that one of these days I'll see Rise Against. I just think it would be so cool to meet the band who convinced me that I'm not lame for being a vegetarian because I used to get made fun of a lot for that when I was younger.

When I entered the one that has become my favorite in the last two weeks, it's called Alchemic Records (Sorry, I just had to put in an FMA reference... If you haven't watched/read it yet go do so! It's the best anime/manga EVER!-And now I feel the need to open up a record store with this title… that's sad-). After I closed the door behind me I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as I took in the current CD they had playing.

"Good morning Akemi. How are you doing today?" the store owner, Robby, asked politely.

"I'm doing really well thank you. How about you?" I walked over to the classic rock section and started looking aimlessly through the large collection of CDs.

"Not bad, not bad. It's been a pretty slow morning so far."

"Yeah, it's still pretty early though. It is only eleven." I pointed out.

"That's true." He nodded, "So are you looking for anything specific today?"

"Nope, just browsing as usual. Seeing if there's anything I don't have that I want."

"Oh, I see… So what do you have planned for the day?"

"Well after here I plan on heading over to Paul's Bookstore and just hanging out there for a bit reading. Then I'm going out to a late lunch with my friend Jen who's going to be spending the night with me watch horror movies."

"Oh, sounds like a lot of fun." He smiled at me.

"Yeah, I think so." I nodded, "I also have to call my little cousin later to make sure everything is good with here and just see how her summer is going."

"That's nice. You seem to be pretty close with your family then?"

"Yeah, most of them. I close with pretty much everyone but my parents."

"And why not?"

"Eh, I guess it's just your typical teenage story of 'they just don't understand me' bull shit, but they really don't. Not that they even care. They're either too busy working or arguing to pay any attention lately." I sighed. 'This is weird… I'm opening up to the record store owner who I've only known for two weeks…', "Sorry, I guess I don't really know when to shut up, do I? I asked sheepishly.

"Nah, it's cool. That's how a lot of my customers. I'm their music supplier and part time therapist. It's kind of like being a hair stylist." Robby chuckled.

"Oh, ok. Well I'm glad I didn't bug you." I smiled and pulled out a Ramones CD and went up to the counter to pay for it.

After I paid for it Robby handed it back to me, "Well I'll see you later. Have a good rest of the day." I waved as I started my walk to the local bookstore.

When I stepped inside I took a minute to breathe in the new book smell before heading off through the many isles of books. I started from the far right and decided to work my way to the left. The first section I found myself in was actually young adult. As I stood there looking for a good book I felt someone tap on my shoulder. It freaked me out a bit and jumped back slightly.

"Oh, I'm sorry Akemi. I didn't mean to scared you." An older man apologized.

"It's ok Paul. I was really concentrated I laughed lightly, "How are you doing today?"

"No bad and yourself?" He smiled warmly at me.

"Eh, I've been better… I think my friend is hiding something from me." I sighed.

"Oh really? What do you mean?"

"Well you see…" 'How shall I explain this…?' I thought, "Well there's this bully, one of our cousins, who I'm afraid might hurt my friend. You see, they're on a trip to the beach this week and I'm just nervous that maybe he'll get in the bullies way and end up paying for it."

"Oh, I see… Well why wouldn't he tell you about that?"

"Because he doesn't want me to worry about him. He just wants to me relax and enjoy my vacation, but the fact that this might be going on and I won't even know really only stresses me out more." I sighed.

"Well is there maybe someone else you can ask about this?"

"Yeah, I'm going to call my cousin Kisa later to see what's up. I'm sure she'll know something, and she would never hide anything from me." I smiled.

"Well that's good." Paul nodded, "So are you looking for anything specific today?"

"Actually yeah, I'm looking for Looking for Alaska by Tom Green, but I'll find it on my own. I feel like just hanging out here for a bit, and who knows? I might even find another been I want to read." I smiled.

"Ok, well let me know if you need anything."

"Don't worry, I will." I watched him walk away.

When I finally got home I looked at the clock and it was about one and my aunt was on the couch watching TV, "Hey sweetheart how was your morning?" she asked happily.

"Not bad, I got a few books, some CDs, and I talked to Momiji, Paul, and Robby." I smiled.

"Ha, you seem to have made friends with the store owners fast."

"Yeah… I just seem to fun my mouth too much around them. I swear it's almost as if they've become my therapists." I laughed.

"Well that's a good thing. You need to open up to someone. And sometimes it better to get a pair of fresh ears to listen and give new advice."

"Yeah, that's true." I nodded.

"So what time is Jen coming over tonight?"

"About six so I've got time to read for a bit before she comes over." I smiled.

"Ok, well you have fun with that." She smiled at me as I walked up to my room.

When I got inside my room I sat down on my bed, got at a comfortable incline, and cracked open my new John Green book. It was really amazing. It was really sad too, but I didn't want to put it down. But alas, five o'clock came and Jen came knocking on my bedroom door.

"Come on in!" I called.

"Hey there buddy. How's it going?" she asked and sat down on my bed next to me.

"Eh, not bad." I shrugged, "How are you?"

"Not bad. I've got a date with this Ryan guy tomorrow night so I'm really excited about that." She grinned.

"That's great! What's he like?"

"Tall, black hair, piercing blue eyes, an ass most guys would kill for…" she trailed off in a daze.

"Sounds hot. What about his personality?"

"Oh, he's super sweet, smart, funny, and respectful."

"Sounds like you've hit the jackpot. Way to go Jen!" I laughed.

"I know right? It's amazing. He's taking me bowling."

"Very nice, I know how much you love to bowl."

"Mhmmm. I'm super psyched. I know it's gonna be soooo much fun."

"Yeah… So you ready for scary movie marathon?"

"Hell yes!"

"Alrighty then." I nodded and went to put in the first movie. It was called 'Shrooms', and boy did that title fit. It was one of the trippiest movies I had ever seen. Almost as insane as the next one, which was called 'Death of a Ghost Hunter'. Just when you thought you had everything figured, something insane would happen and completely change your idea.

So after about four or five movies Jen ended up falling asleep while I sat there, in the dark, alone, scared shitless. So to help settle my nerves I grabbed my cell phone. It was about nine o'clock which meant now would be a good time to call Kisa to see what's going on at the beach house. I dialed her number and waited for an answer.

"Nee-chan! How are you?" she answered excitedly.

"I'm doing pretty good, and you?"

"Same, the vacation is a lot of fun. I just wish you could be here too." She sighed.

"Me too, but don't worry, I'm going to have lots of presents for your guys when I get back."

"Really? That's so nice of you!" she exclaimed.

"Mhmmm." I nodded, "So speaking of the beach house, Akito did come, right?" I asked.

"Yeah…" she said quietly, "He just arrived her two days ago."

"And has anything happened yet?"

"Well we all had to go and see him except for Tohru-chan and Kyo-kun. It was scary… It was the first time I had seen him since he beat me…"

"Oh… He didn't hurt you again, did he?"

"No, I'm fine. Hiro made sure I kept my distance from him."

"Good… Speaking of getting hurt… Momiji is fine, right? Akito hasn't done anything to him?" I asked sounding a bit worried.

"No, not really… I mean… Akio smacked him last night because he was trying to protect Tohru from him, but he's fine. He's just got a small bruise on his cheek." She explained.

"Oh… Ok, well that's good… I guess… I mean it's better then it could be." I sighed and let out a small yawn, "Well I'm going to go to bed, it's quite late here and I'm really tired. Have a good day, ok?"

"Mhmmm, sweet dreams Onee-chan." She said before hanging up on me and then I feel fast asleep.