(Tomoko POV)

I want to run away.

I think of any reason I can to postpone getting out of bed. I've been dreading this day all week. Ironic considering what's going to happen today was originally my idea. Today is supposed to be my first day at my new school.

After humiliating myself at my old school for the last time, I ran home balling my eyes out and spilled all my troubles and anxieties to my mother. I begged her to let me change schools, because I was terrified of returning to that awful place.

If I told you that my mother took pity on me and forked out our family savings to let me rent an apartment in Chiba in order to start a new life at a new school, you might think 'wow, what a kind mother'. But if you saw the look of disappointment on her face when I cried my eyes out on that day, you might think otherwise.

I don't want to believe she was trying to get rid of me, but that face terrifies me.

Which reminds me, I have to get up on my own now. Regrettably, I was stupid enough to stay up until as late as 3 o'clock in the morning, because I was too anxious to go to sleep. This day is going to suck. I consider laying in bed and ignoring my new responsibilities, but I know if I did that, my parents would truly give up on me.

I roll out of bed and resist the urge to cry. I start my morning rituals and it takes all of my willpower to not drag it out as long as possible. For some reason, I put my uniform on after everything else.

At least the black blazer looks good on me. The beige uniform of my old school was really not a good look for me. Or maybe it was me that didn't look good in the uniform. Whatever, I don't even care. I remembered that this new school, Sobu, didn't have any long skirts available, which gave me a choice between pants and one of those 'slut' skirts that all those stupid bimbos like to wear.

Ugh. This is so not fair. I know my legs are pasty and unappealing, that's why I wore a long skirt at my old school. I can't possibly wear pants on my first day, I'll look butch. So I have to wear this flimsy whore skirt. Maybe I can get a part time job on the corner during my stay in Chiba.

Yeah right. I wouldn't get any takers.

I trudge out the door, and begin to walk towards my doom. I know the way, because when I first arrived here, I was actually pretty excited to start fresh at a new school. That was until I saw a gaggle of riajuu in town, laughing together in a way I knew I never would. It was then that I realized that a change of scenery would not fix the underlying problem.

Said problem being me.

A problem I have no idea how to solve.

Before I know it, I've arrived at the front gate. I'm terrified. Oh god, and I think I'm sweating a little too. Fantastic. That'll be a wonderful part of my first impression. Oh no, first impression. I have no idea how I'm going to introduce myself. What do I say? There's no way in hell I'm going to make a joke this time. A lesson I've learned the hard way. Twice.

So then way do I say? What do I do? Should I just be polite and straightforward? But then it migh-

"Oi, girl. Don't just stand in the gate like a scarecrow. You're in everybody's way here."

I actually jump from the fright. Turning around, I see the physical embodiment of everything I am not. Platinum blonde hair with drill-styled sideburns. Skin so fair you'd think she's an English noble. A figure that makes gross old men spazz out in their rooms while breathing heavily. And a face that no girl with her attitude deserves to have.

I hate her already.

Still, she scares me. Her glare is intimidating, and it could be a big mistake to pick a fight before I even start my life here, so I play the little guy. "A-ah, um...sorry." I sputter out, staring at the ground. This should appease her, I know these primeapes like revel in their own dominance.

Apparently not this one, though. "Hah? Don't apologize, girl. Just, like, move out of the way. Jeez" What the hell? Didn't I give you what you wanted? Submission?

Some other bimbo, probably a friend of hers, calls out to her. "Yumiko-chan, morning!" This 'Yumiko-chan' immediately loses interest in me as she turns to her friend. Oi, is your attention span that short dipshit? Fine, whatever. I don't say anything else, I just quickly turn and head towards the building before bimbo number 2 shows up and hassles me some more. Before I leave, I catch a glimpse of her. Somehow this one reminds me of Yuu-chan.

Oh, Yuu-chan. my only regret is leaving you behind. You and those gorgeous tits of yours. Guhehehe. Erm, Sorry for making you cry when I left. Shaking my head, I banish these thoughts and walk inside.

As I enter, I suddenly feel claustrophobic. People are everywhere, blabbering and loitering in the foyer as if it were a house party. I feel like an criminal standing in the corner of a police office. Relax, Tomoko. Nobody is looking at you. Nobody even knows you. This isn't helping. I am suddenly reminded that I sweat when I'm nervous. My breathing picks up and I try to keep in control of myself. Where's my shoe locker...

I've wasted to much time in the foyer that most of the students have already packed away into their classes. I'm near my designated class when some lanky old man with glasses intercepts me. He speaks to me as if we were old business partners. "Ah, Kuroki-kun. My name is Nomura Tatsuya. I'm your homeroom teacher." He extends a hand at me, and I don't realize what he's doing for a second. after a slight awkward moment, I click and jolt in surprise, grabbing his hand for a handshake. He laughs a little. "Could you wait out here a moment? I'll introduce you to the class."

My teacher is an old fogey, but he's not particularly creepy, and he seems approachable enough. Maybe this won't be so bad. Although I bet his first impression of me was something like 'what an idiot'.

I notice the class chattering go quiet and hear the teacher say something, but I don't hear exactly what he says. Probably he's giving me an introduction. There's no way he's making fun of me before I even go in. That doesn't even make sense, yet for some reason I can't shake the thought.

He calls to me from within, and the anxiety rushes back and hits me like a truck. Holy shit this is scary. Is it too late to run? Yes it is. with the steadiness of a plate spinning slowly on a stick, I open the door and walk in. I don't even look at the other students until I reach the front of the class, and even then I stare straight forward as if trying to ignore them. I think this is the part where I'm supposed to say something. Oh yeah, I never came up with an introduction. Dammit dammit dammit dammit dammit!

I open my mouth, not even knowing what I'm about to say. "I-I'm Kuroki Tomoko! Ah, um, er..." I already falter. I can't even look directly at anyone, so I just stare straight at the back wall. "I-I'm uh...yep!"

I can already tell that I'm destined to be the butt of a joke before third period. The class laughs a little, and I an entirely uncertain whether it's friendly or condescending laughter. My paranoid mind forces me to believe it's the latter. The teacher chooses me a seat at the window, in one of the middle rows. Dismissed, I begin to walk to my seat. I still can't gather the courage to look at anyone. My stare might be too intense. I might creep everyone out. That's if I haven't already.

Class begins.

We eventually get a break, and three or four students come up to me and attempt to start conversation. I can barely hold the conversation, but it seems to be going better than previous times. Perhaps, these students know that I'm not good at speaking to people. They are very polite and don't seem to mind my withdrawn nature. Wait a minute. What if the class was informed of me beforehand? Did the teacher tell everyone that a massive weirdo was going to be transferring in, and these people are actually taking pity on me!?

Probably not. Probably. I think that's what happened. I can't stop thinking about it. It distracts me the whole time they speak. Actually, it now seems like these students are just speaking around me. They're maintaining the conversation without me. I interject maybe once or twice again throughout the whole conversation, but I don't really contribute.

Back to class, and the day continues to pass until we reach our lunch break.

I already know what I have to do. I have to find somewhere to eat. A classmate calls out to me. "Ah, Kuroki-san. Do you wanna eat with us?" I responded before I could even comprehend what she said. "Ah um...sorry." I ran out.

Idiot. That was your chance. You could have made friends just now! Urgh! Go back. You have to go back. No, it's too late. It would be awkward to return now. Aah, I definitely blew it. Well, all I can do now is what I set out to do in the first place. Find somewhere to eat. Lets take a look at my options.

There's a roof, I wonder if it's the kind of school that locks the roof door. Actually, I'd rather not go to the roof if I have the option. Last time I started hanging out on the roof, I learned a very hard lesson. Class and the cafeteria are obviously out of the question, I have to find somewhere to eat alone. There's the bathroom. Oh, that's just too sad. There's gotta be somewhere. I'll keep looking.

I eventually found a little staircase around the side of the school. It's perfect. There's a nice breeze that comes in, and for some reason the area is devoid of people. I have found my place. It's a little lonely, but at the same time I know I couldn't stand having more people around. Hah, story of my life. I'm about halfway through my cheap convenience store lunch before I hear someone approach.

"Ah-"

I panic. Looking around, I find the source. A person. Male. Immediately I notice the eyes. Small, dark bags under his eyes, like my own. Except, somehow not like my own. I quickly deduce that it's the eyes themselves that are different. Miserable, I think, is a good way to describe his eyes. Like he's tired, or that he's been tired for a long time. I absent-mindedly wonder if this guy struggles to make friends as well.

"...Yo."

Remember I'm still new to this. I have no idea what my flaws are in terms of...everything. I will gratefully accept all constructive criticism.

Also, remeber that Tomoko has SAD. This is why she acts the way she does. I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on SAD and the way it makes people feel. I had a pretty bad case back in highschool myself. Social situations are always highly exaggerated in your head, and your sense of humor eventually becomes somewhat twisted.

Please review.