A few days later my cell phone woke me up. My hand fumbled around my nighstand until my hand wrapped around my cool phone. I flipped it open.
"Hello?" My voice was groggy.
"Hello? Kitsune." The voice sounded familiar. It was Tadashi. His voice sounded worried. "It's your mom."
I took the train back to my old town. My short hair was dishevled. The only other people on the train were a few business men. I tapped my foot impatiently. Although my mom didn't remeber me I still loved her. My fingers grasped the side of my capris. I looked down at my cell phone and checked what time it was. Only five thirty. I still had about thirty minutes until I reached my destination. I stared out at the blinding dawn light.
Tadashi walked me to the hospital. I didn't stand to close to him. A middle aged women stood behind the receptionist desk. "Are you here to see someone?" She asked, her voice tired. I nodded my head and told her my mother's name. She gave me the room mumber. My walk was more like a run. My finger impatiently pressed the elevator button.
I walked swiftly to her room, passing nurses and doctors on my way. When I walked in my mother was staring at me. Her eyes were tired.
"Hello." She said quietly. I knelt down next to her bed.
"Hi." My voice was barely a whisper.
"Please forgive me, but who are you?" She asked. I felt a lump in my throat.
"I'm a cousin of your husband." I lied. She smiled warmly.
"He did have a lot of cousins." She joked. She reached her hand out to touch my hair. "Your hair is a peculiar colour. And it's so short for a girl. I admire that you have it so short. Everytime I cut mine short it grows back twice as long the next day."
"Yeah, I know." She looked at me quizically. Her fingers traced down my arm.
"I don't mean to be rude, but you do have the body of a boy. But you also seem femine. You're a girl correct?" She asked. I nodded my head sadly. She took her fingers and pulled my frown into a smile."Don't look so sad, it just means that you're strong."
I bit my lip and just nodded my head. She smiled and closed her eyes.
"I envy you. You seem so confident." She said quietly. Her hands relaxed. I kissed her forehead and got up. I'm going to leave before I wake her up. I left the room.
I got into class tem minutes late. didn't even question it. I sat down and took out my notebook. The boy behind me began picking at my hair.
"Why so short? Are you trying to prove something?" He taunted. I admire that you have it so short, my mother's voice rang through my head. The boy next to him chimed in.
"Maybe she coming out of the closet." He laughed. I ignored them.
"What's the matter, cat got your tounge?" One of them asked.
"What happened to your face? Did you get into a fight on the way here. I wouldn't be surprised if you did.
"I think it's an improvement." The other boy said. They both laughed. "Finally some colour o that plain, boring face of yours."
"Boys, why don't you share what your saying with the rest of the class." said. She looked at me sentimentally. I hated that look. The both replied a no.
"Thanks a lot Kitsune." They groaned. I stood up and dropped my book on the desk. Everyone turned to look at me. I walked out of the room.
I sat alone in one of the hallways. I could get use to the silence. I slouched down, very much like a guy, and hid my face in my hands. I heard footsteps behind me. It was one of the boys from my class.
I stood up and started to walk down the stairs when he caught me by the arm. He twisted it.
"Because of you, Tato and I got in trouble by Urabe. You're going to pay." He replied. He twisted my arm until it hurt. I cried out. I wasn't strong enough to break free. I tried hitting him with me free arm, but it didn't work out well.
"Let go." I gasped. He just laughed.
"Why, it's not like anyone is going to stop me." He replied. I heard a pair of feet running down the stairs. It was Kyo.
"Really?" Kyo asked smiling. He walked closer and punched the boy in the face. He let go of my arm. I kneed him, grabbed Kyo's arm and ran down the stairs.
When we got outside we stopped to catch our breathe. He looked at me. "What happened?"
I explained to him. He looked down at the arm the boy grabbed. He pulled me into a hug. "W-what?"
"Damn you're weak." He joked. Don't look so sad, it just means that you're strong. He looked at me for a moment and then leaned his face closer to mine. He pressed his lips against mine. It was softer and gentler than I expected. I pulled away and covered my face.
"I...I...what?" I asked looking up from my hands. He pat my head.
"Nothing, I just find it ironic that I find the girl who looks the most like a guy prettier than half the girls in this school. I jst stared at him. "Wipe that look on your face. It couldn't have been that bad."
I looked at him and then to the school doors. "I left my bag in my class." I ran away leaving Kyo to just stand there and watch as I left.
