The sounds of yelling echoed throughout my house as my father screamed at me; It was morning and yet again my dad was drunk. Making my way down the stairs, he followed me as I did my best to ignore him without making him mad.
"Your worthless trash, your a damn faggot piece of shit!" he screamed at me.
Today was the first day of school and I felt like a complete mess; thanks to the night before, I was now wearing a medical eye patch to hide my black eye. I had a few other bruises, but besides the one on my neck the rest were covered by my new school uniform.
One of my hands were wrapped up towards my forearm; while the other despite being covered in band aids from the cigarettes; it was just fine like the rest of my body that was hidden within the uniform.
My uniform was pretty tight and looked just perfect on me, it was a typical school uniform with a white dress shirt which I refuse to tuck in, dark grey dress pants that I personally rolled up at the bottom to show off my ankles, matching navy blue sweater vest and black shoes.
It was also in the school regulations to wear a tie, but I don't have the money to buy one so instead I used an old grey scarf to replace my tie and hide my bruises.
Grabbing my grey slouchy beanie beret, I quickly hid my exotic ginger hair; ever since the sixth grade people had a thing to cut it or stick things into it, I still never covered it... not until after I was used.
"I got to go to school..." I told my father as he followed me towards the door.
"School, the fuck do you need school for? You godforsaken harlot, I should have had your mother have an abortion if I knew you'd turn out to be like this!" he screamed out into the ghetto neighborhoods.
Why does he have to say those things... I know he's miserable because I exist, but why do you have to let the world know that I'm such a worthless piece of shit? Hugging myself, I take a shortcut through my ghetto streets; I live in such a horrible area where hobo's sleep on stairs and druggy's are all over the place. Hell just the other day there was a murder next door.
I don't care, today is a brand new day... it's the day I start my freshman year in a brand new private school for all guys. Smiling to myself, I remembered how I had impressed the director of the school with my essay. It was so good that he just wanted to keep me and now here I was being probably the only street rat in a impressive school!
Thinking about my new school, my heart pounded loudly in my chest; I don't history to repeat itself, I don't want to be hurt again. I'm afraid... afraid that they all know me, that they all want to hurt me.
"Keep it together Ichigo..." I scolded myself; I can't break down even before I get in the school.
As I enter a better area, I could easily see many other guys in my same uniform; they all looked like a pretty high class scholars, all nicely dressed and professional. I felt and looked like shit compared to them.
A beautiful black car pulled by almost getting me wet; I squinted my eyes when all of a sudden the car stopped dropping yet another fancy ass student off, he was dress quite delicately as the car up and left him there. I watched him feeling slightly jealous, my father hasn't once picked me up or dropping me off for years now unless it's at the hospital.
Feeling slightly offended, I was shocked to see the student suddenly out of the blues taking off his sweater and switching it with a hoody. he purposely undid his tie and wrapped it around his neck. I watched him go from aristocrat to a punkish looking thug.
My mouth dropped as he finished the transformation by removing his fedora and showing off his light blue spiky hair? My heart suddenly sank, their was only one guy I knew with that color hair. I remember that he had made fun of my mother and so as a defense I had bit him, after that he didn't come back to school and so kids made rumors about me killing him. I really did want him to be my new bully, I really hope that he doesn't recognize me.
We both walked in the same direction, however I made sure to keep my distance; my heart pounded loudly in my chest, I swear I felt as if it was about to burst. "Just keep walking and get to class, just keep walking and no one will notice you." I mentally told myself.
Keeping myself calm, fate suddenly decided to slap me in the face. The blunet suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, I did as well slightly swallowing a thick wave of saliva down my dry throat. My heart beat faster and faster as the man slowly turned around to face me.
I felt as though cupid's arrow had shot me from above, every nerve in my body twitched as my face heated up. My eyes widened as I saw the tanned and tall muscular teens full view, he had grown so much since the last time I saw him. His beautiful light blue hair danced in the wind as he looked back at me with matching light blue eyes.
I wanted to die as he smiled at me showing off his canine teeth; something strange almost instantly stirred inside me, I felt queasy and yet a bit high. My throat went dry and I couldn't speak; Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez had became a work of art in itself and I was lost in it.
Slowly I began to build my confidants to speak or at least say something till it all went down the drain.
"Grimmjow!" called a voice from behind me.
I pause as a student about my height ran past me with snow white skin and flowing long white silky hair. He was wearing skinny jeans instead of the dress pants, his tie was undone and also he wore a black casual vest instead of the scholar vest. Crazy bracelets went up both his forearms as his sleeves were rolled up and he even had some necklaces that wrapped around his neck almost like a choker.
Grimmjow's eyes followed the albino as he trotted right next to him; it made me feel dumb that I had actually thought that he was looking at me. The albinio teasingly shoved the blunet and the two chuckled as they walked side by side to school. My heart sank once more as I watched them, to think anyone would ever look at me with caring eyes.
Picking up my feet, I slowly walked way behind them as they spoke; feeling a bit lost, the albino suddenly glanced back over his shoulder towards me with black eyes and golden irises. I recognized him, he looked much older than the last time I saw him; his hair was a bit longer and his nails were now black, but his fearful eyes were still the same.
He grinned a frightening grin as he caught my eyes, it made a sickening feeling go down my gut; as he turned back around, I watched how graceful his hair flowed as he went picture perfect back into place. He was sophisticated as he walked and how he talked with his friend; I could never carry myself like that...
Standing outside the classroom, I could hear the teacher getting ready to present me. I really didn't want him too, but it was a custom to present the new students. Peaking through the little window, I saw that the teacher was the strange man that had helped me out of the ditch.
He was lean-built, tall and pretty lively with pale skin and grey eyes. His hair was very messy, it was almost a pale blonde with strands framing the sides of his face and even hanging in between his eyes.
He kinda looked like a bum in nice clothing...
"Kurosaki Ichigo..." he suddenly said joyfully right on cue.
I didn't look at him as I walked in staying very quite as the classroom chuckled at my name.
"Berry? there's a guy named Berry?" asked one of the students.
"I think it's pretty..." said another.
"Kurosaki-san?" the man continued causing me to slightly look back up at him.
Amazingly he had a very big smile on his face and seemed quite friendly enough; I know that he didn't recognize me and I tended to keep it like that. I just looked at him with a deep scowl; despite the fact that I was afraid, I wasn't one to let people know about it.
"I know you must be feeling very shy, but it's nice to hear the sound of your voice." he said again.
He's trying to get me to talk, it's not working. I just watch him like an mute idiot, keeping my stern expression the classroom went silent. The teachers smile soon faded as he looked at me a bit confused, but then he smiled again and patted my head.
"It's alright, at your own time..." he said before pointing out the empty desk nearby a window. "Right don't you take that lovely seat right their in front of my favorite moocher!" he said teasingly.
"Will you stop calling me that!" said a furious teen with bright strawberry red long red hair tied into a high pony-tail and tribal tattoo's all over his head, necks and somewhat of his chest from what I could see through his opened up dress shirt.
The teacher almost instantly pulled out a fan as he laughed; I on the other hand rolled my eyes as I took my seat not even once paying attention towards any of the whispering students.
"Well now that that's taken care of, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kisuke Urahara. Besides being your Chemistry teacher, I am also you main teacher during meetings, events and even problems seeing as though I am also in charge of student counselling!" He said to me.
I ignored him as he continued his speech; staring out the window, I really wished that it wouldn't rain. The wind howled and the leaves were blowing wildly, I watched them staring blankly as I then turned towards the teacher whom had seemed to be done talking and was now taking attendance.
"Abarai Renji... " he said causing the guy behind me to respond.
"...here..." said the voice sounding quite exhausted.
So his name was Renji, I have never met nor seen him before; it was a good thing at least I know that he wasn't going to hurt me out of the blues... unless he figures out who I am. The teacher went on and on with many funny last names, but I never once looked up to see who was who; if anything I didn't even want to socialize with anyone.
"Jeagerjaques Grimmjow..." He then called out from the mist of names.
I froze, trying to keep myself hidden; I couldn't believe that I was in the same classroom with Grimmjow, facing my desk I could feel the heat rising again. I could hear a loud grumble from the front of the classroom, I couldn't look. There was a soft tapping sound and then a loud growl.
"The hell did you hit me for!" The blunet said in a loud harsh voice.
The classroom laughed, but I didn't.
"My my, Jeagerjaques how dare you play all night and then sleep in my class? You naughty-naughty boy!" the teacher teased causing the class to burst out even louder.
It was a bit different, but it was also quite nice to have a more cheerful environment... I know it isn't going to last, but at least for now I was going to savor it.
The man went on and on with the names until he had finally came to the last one.
"Urahara Shihiro?" he said causing me to slightly lift up my face.
If he was Urahara Kisuke, than Shihiro had to be a relative; looking around the room, my mouth dropped as a white figure stood up.
"It's Shiro, unless ya want me ta be calling ya Papa in class?" the albino said looking rather amused.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing; not only was the albino the son of the teacher, but rather the mere fact that when he was in trouble the albino had gotten his own father to help me.
Chewing gum, he chuckled as his father eyes him oddly.
"Go get yourself a dress code!" he directed.
"I did, but they sorta let me go with a warn'n..." the albino responded like a hot shot.
The boys around him all snickered; they were at least seven all together, it made me worry... but somehow seeing Grimmjow, my worries all ended. I don't know how long I watched the blunet, but I did know that it was the first time I had really wanted to stop time just to watch him even longer...
It was finally lunchtime.
I didn't bring anything and I felt a bit sick; hadn't eaten anything for over a day now, hadn't eaten much the day before. Sitting outside, my face slightly flushed from the sweet smells that filled my senses. What would I give to have even a piece of bread right now.
"You alright?" asked a voice.
It was too loud for comfort and it caused me to snap open my eyes; I don't know when they were closed, but seeing a pair of hazel eyes staring back at me in confusion sure caught my attention.
Turning my head from him, I grunted...
"What is it to ya?" I snapped.
It was the guy who sat behind me, however I stopped caring about what people thought a long time ago.
"Well I duno, I'm asking!" he snapped back sounding almost as annoyed as I was. "You looked like somebody had beaten the life out of you, so excuse me for caring!"
"Fuck you!" I said angrily as I snared at his face.
The red head seemed a bit taken back, but then he growled back into my face; teens all watched nervously as we were face to face with each other.
"What's you damn problem?" he asked angrily.
"Your my shity problem!" I spat like poison.
Too close... he was way too close to me, I was feeling claustrophobic. Lifting my hand, I was ready to nail him in the face when he caught my arm. Pain sent electric signals throughout my whole body. My eyes closed almost instantly as the painful rush vibrated throughout my whole body. Wincing in pain I fell to my knees causing the red head to quickly released my arm.
He looked pretty shocked himself as he backed off, I must have made some kind of noise for there was a crowed of people looking at me strangely. Getting back up on my feet, I caught sight of Grimmjow on the side looking at me like I was some sort of freak. I quickly scrambled to my feet and left.
'Why did I always have to make a fool of myself, why was I such an idiot?... why did I have to be... me?'
Closing the bathroom door, I leaned against the door in silence before slowly slipping unto the floor. Tears wielded in my eyes, there was no way I was going to fall for another one of those false refuges. I've seen them countless times, countless people who want to use me and then see me break.
I feel like such a girl as I sob silently, I'm so scared... I hate it, I hate my weakness... hugging myself, I embrace the solitude; between me and the sounds of my soft gasps, I promised myself that I wasn't going to do this. I promised myself I wasn't going to cry...
"Kurosaki...?" said a voice from outside the door.
I pause... who knew my name? could it be a teacher? I really hope that I'm not in trouble again.
Wiping my tears, I calm myself down before opening the door; I gasped at whom I saw. It was the same red head from earlier; what the hell did he want? He stared at me looking quite uncertain as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Hey... about earlier... I'm sorry, I didn't mean ta hurt you." he said looking at everything, but me.
My heart stopped, was he trying to apologize to me even though it was my fault?
"You really look hurt, it wasn't my intentions to make it worse..." he continued breaking my wall.
"...It's... it's alright... i-it was my fault f-from the start anyway..." I said stumbling on my words and sounding quite nervous.
The red head looked at me for a moment as if he seemed confused, I could see his eyes take a good look at me before he sighed.
"Damn, you must be bipolar or somethin." he said looking the other way like he was some model before taking a stance. "The name is Abarai Renji so don't forget it!" he presented himself quite exaggeratedly as he pointed at himself with his thumb.
"Abarai...Renji..." I muttered before slightly stuttering. "Uh...mh... I'm Kurosaki Ichigo..." I said nervously.
"I know..." he said causing me to freeze.
What do you know? How do you know me? breathe...breathe... just breathe... he knows, he's going to tell... run... hide... no... no, no, no ...
I could feel my pulse pick up speed as my head was screaming.
"You were pretty reluctant to answer Mr. Urahara during class which is why I remembered Kurosaki, however the name Ichigo is diferent... Berry?" Renji asked and I just nodd.
"Pretty dumb, huh?" I said feeling a bit heavyhearted.
"Nah... it's pretty cute. Come on, I just gotta present ya to the boy's." he said taking me by my wrist and dragging me off.
His hand was warm and gentle as he took me back outside, he was also very kind and made me feel a bit giddy inside. He liked my name, there was only one person who liked my name and that was...
Grimmjow Jeagerjaques.
My eyes widened as I saw the tall muscular teen, he was swallowing his sandwich pretty quickly when he stopped and smiled at me showing of his perfectly white canine teeth; it was obvious that he didn't recognize me, but I surely remembered him... just I didn't recall feeling this way before.
Next to him was the albino teen, he also didn't seem to recognize me without the mud and dirt I had been covered in when he last saw me. He seemed unamused and quite serious as he tilted his head.
The really tall guy and the really pretty flamboyant guy towards his left both also seemed confused; the tall one looked as though he wanted a fight, however the flamboyant looking one seemed to be scanning me for something.
"Who's pretty boy?" asked the strangely pink haired teen, it was the same voice that said he liked his name earlier.
I just watched him feeling rather shy; this whole thing felt like a dream, was there actually a possibility that I could finally make some real friends? Could I finally have someone to share with, be with?
Squeezing Renji's hand a bit, I could feel my hopes slowly begin to build up.
"This is-..." Renji started when a sudden voice had cut him off.
"Kurosaki Ichigo" said a familiar voice.
My world stopped as I slowly turn around to see my worst nightmare. Black hair, grey eyes and the same damn 69 said everything. My mouth dropped as I suddenly backed up into Renji in fear of my tormentor. My heart beated faster and faster with every second that went by.
"Or should I say Berry the gay prostitute..."