• Chapter 2- Someone new

    I can see light, a bright light seeping through the dark space where I’m now. The light became more clear now, I can see now where it was coming from.
    I suddenly saw a light brown space. I was becoming clear now, there are some things, wait, this is my room.
    Why?
    I tried hard to remember everything that have happened. Then pictures were suddenly flashing through my head. Especially that mysterious guy who saved my life, even though I don’t know if he really saved my life.
    Maybe he did, because he was kind enough to bring me back to my room. Kind enough to bring me back here in one piece.
    Well it’s kind of a shock, considering all of the things that happened last night.
    I was staring at the wall for almost half an hour until I realized that I was going to be late again. So I quickly went to the bathroom, skipped breakfast and grabbed my things.
    My hair is still damp but I didn’t care. I didn’t care about anything around me; I was still busy wondering about the things that happened last night.
    “Hey Fuka,” a familiar voice said
    I slowly turned around, a little angry about someone disturbing my deep thought. And it was Aya who called me.
    “Yea? What do you want?”
    “You sure look restless.”
    “Oh, really? Is it that obvious?” I touched and fixed my hair so that it wouldn’t be too obvious.
    We walked together to our classroom. My head hurts from all the happenings and thinking so I don’t know what to say. But it’s a good thing that she broke the silence between us. Silence or even being silent is not very good for me now.
    “Well, anyway. Did you hear the news everyone is talking about?”
    “No, I guess. What is it?”
    She giggled and started talking, “Well, we have a new transfer student.”
    “Oh really, in this time of year?”
    “Yeah, I kind of find it weird too”
    We walked to our classroom as we talked about this new student. It’s not like me to fuss around about this new student of ours, but I can’t help wondering if it’s a he or a she. Will that person be part of the weirdoes in our class, or something?
    “What do you think?” Aya asked all of a sudden
    “Will this new guy be the talk of the town for one week?”
    Guy?
    So that must mean it’s a he then. Well, I guess it’s a good thing, because to be honest I can easily deal with a guy’s attitude than a girl.
    “Hmmmm…. I don’t think so.”
    “But why? Some says he’s good-looking so I think it will last for a week”
    “Oh, you really think that don’t you?”
    “Yeah, I do. Say, why don’t we have a bet on it?” she asked with a smug look on her face.
    “Sure, how about a hundred?”
    “Deal!”
    We were just in front of the room’s floor when we noticed that there were a bunch of girls talking with my other classmates on the door. There should be no doubt about it that they are talking about the new guy. Honestly, he’s just a human, just like everyone else, what’s so amazing about him.
    “Girls will be girls,” Aya said with a big grin on her face.
    “And unfortunately, we can’t change that!”
    “Oh, that’s a good one Fuka” she said as we both laughed at the joke
    “Ah…excuse me?” said by an unfamiliar voice
    I was surprised when I looked back and saw a guy. Maybe, this is the new guy, I haven’t seen him here before.
    “I said excuse me” he repeated when we were both just staring at him
    He’s rude, well, so much for first impressions.
    Aya and I went inside the classroom with him. He quickly went to sit at the chair in front of me.
    Aya was as surprised as I am by his attitude.
    “Fuka, I’m going to my seat now, see you.”
    “Yeah, sure.”
    There were still a few more minutes before our first period.
    As usual, all the girls, even the ones from the other class came all the way here, just to catch a glimpse of this new guy. What’s so amazing about him? His personality sure is not.
    I was curious, so I looked at him from head to toe. And well, he has gray-whitish hair and bright red eyes, his a little taller than me; his body isn’t big or kind of masculine. But, I have to admit he’s cute. Cute? Wait a minute, erase, erase. He’s not, he is certainly not cute in any sense or what so ever.

    So, our teachers didn’t give him too much of the welcome wagon, but he was still asked to introduce himself. His name is Kazu Akasu; a pretty unusual name if you ask me. He’s the same age as me, and he just got back in here from Paris or was that Ireland? I wasn’t paying attention during his introductions. And During class, I found out he’s actually smarter than I first gave him credit for. He knows a lot of things about history and ancient stuff. And on top of that, he’s very good with math, like he’s mastered it already. I didn’t even see him read his book or anything, I mean, how does he do that? He’s weird. It would take hundred of years to master all of those.
    After a few hours of waiting, it’s finally lunch time. I got some pizza and a can of soda. I noticed that Jin and his friends were nice enough to join the new guy for lunch.
    Me and my friends sat at our usual place at the cafeteria. There new topic is the new guy. Aya, Aja, Naru and Toshiue were trilled as usual because they all have a crush on him. It’s weird but I think Haru also have too. He always talks about him and sometimes say bad things about him, but he’s pretty obvious. Some of them are joking about switching place with me. I just laughed with them and ignored all the comments they’re saying.
    “Hey Fuka,” Toshiue whispered
    “Yeah? What is it?” I answered immediately because she’s whispering, it must mean there’s something going on.
    “Kazu Akasu is staring at you.”
    “Oh really?”
    “Yeah, and he looks mad or upset at you,” she said, bewildered as she grabbed her sandwich and took a bite from it.
    “Where is he, so that I can stare at him like that too?”
    She laughed.
    “He’s still looking,”
    I rolled my eyes. “Let him look for as long as he like, I don’t care. And besides, I didn’t do anything bad to him.”
    “Yeah, you should just ignore him.”
    “Correct.”
    Our conversation lasted for quit some time until the bell rang. And on our way to our classroom, they were still talking about him. I guess I was wrong about this whole issue not lasting for more than a week. I have to find a way to cancel my deal with Aya. When we arrived at our classroom, he was already sitting at his chair; staring at the window next to him.
    I was still angry about the whole staring thing so I just went to my desk and completely ignored him.

    Our next teacher came in a few minutes later.
    “Class, I have a surprise?” Mr. Fukada announced.
    I wonder what is it this time, one hundred item quiz or what?
    “A short quiz,” He said as he held out the paper in front of us.
    Some of the students moaned while others didn’t care at all, just like him. He didn’t have any reaction to it. Is he too confident that he’ll pass this test?
    I shrugged my head so that I can stop thinking about his reaction and concentrate on this test. This wont be an easy test, it’s Math after all.
    Mr. Fukada hand out our test paper and when I saw the questions, they look easy and complex. I can hear my classmates moan and murmur about how the questions were hard. I tried to ignore all the murmuring but it was too hard, and I can’t concentrate on the questions.
    Our test was very hard, I didn’t get the questions. Some find it very difficult too, but some, didn’t react at all just to hide the fact that they didn’t answer anything at all.
    Aya and Ai came and talked to me about the test, and Aya didn’t find it very difficult at all.
    “Gym class is next,” Aya said as she looked at her wrist watch.
    “Oh great, one after the other. What are we playing today?”
    “Some volleyball, it will certainly be fun.”
    “Great for you at least, come one let’s go change.”
    We all went to the gym locker and got changed. I’m not a fan of gym or anything that involves physical activities. No matter what I do, I don’t improve at it.
    When all of us are done changing, our gym teacher Ms. Kanzaki was already waiting for us with a volleyball at her right hand. So Aya was really right about it, I didn’t believe it at first because part of me didn’t want it to happen.
    “So, today were playing volleyball. Girls only, the boys will play some baskets”
    Almost all of the boys hoorayed because they were excited to play basketball.
    “Girls, divide yourselves into 4 groups, teams 1 and 2 will play at the first court while 3 and 4 will play at the second court. Got it?” she instructed as she threw the ball in the air and passed it to Toshiue, who was the nearest.
    “Fuka, want to join us?” Toshiue asked
    “Yeah, sure.” I didn’t have much of a choice anyway.

    We were against Kaoru’s group. I don’t know if I should be happy or angry, because I don’t want to be the one who’ll make our group lose this game. Some of the players in there group are not so good, while in our group, only me and Naru are the ones who doesn’t know how to play. But at least the boys aren’t watching.
    Maybe I should just tell them not to let me play. Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.
    “Hey-“ before I could call Toshiue the whistle whistled and Toshiue served the ball.
    But I have to try at least, “Toshiue!”
    She was looking at the ball and turned to me, “Yeah?”
    “Can I-“ and again I was interrupted by Ms. Kanzaki
    “Youshi, concentrate on the game!”
    I ignored her and turned my attention back to Toshiue.
    “Hey!”
    “Sure you can, here!” she immediately moved to her left. I don’t know why she did that.
    “Fuka, get the ball!” Naru shouted
    I looked around to see where the ball was and it was heading my way.
    Everything happened so fast that I didn’t know what to do, so I just put one hand out and kind of slapped it over at the boy’s playing area. Hooray…
    When I looked around I was surprised that Akasu was holding the ball.
    Ms. Kanzaki whistled, “Time out!”
    I sighed as I went to the boy’s court. Of all people, why did it have to be him? I guess I better I apologize or something.
    He handed out the ball to me, “Here”
    “I’m sorry for that,”
    “No harm done so it’s fine.”
    “Oh…” too bad it didn’t hit him.
    “Aren’t you going to take this?” he said as he tossed the ball into the air.
    “Oh…right…” I caught the ball before it fell to the ground.
    I quickly turned away from him and walked to where Aya and the others are. And after the whole “ball” incident, I asked if I could stop playing. Ms. Kanzaki was kind enough to allow it. But I don’t know if I will be able to pass this subject, not with that incredible move.
    I went to the nearest bench and sat there. I watched them play; some of them were great, while some of them are like me but still played and tried to enjoy the game. I sometimes envy those kind of people.
    I also watched how the guys were doing with their game. So it’s Jin’s team versus Isamu’s team. Isamu’s friends were on his team, and if they’re combined, they’re a great team. I don’t think Jin’s team will stand a chance.
    By the looks of things, this new guy is good. The score difference is only 3 points, in favor of Isamu’s team of course. I don’t think this will be a short fight, so I went back to the classroom.
    There was no one else when I got there, which was nice because I want to sleep for a while. I think my head hurts from all those physical activities. I sat at my chair and rested my head on my desk. I was facing the window. My eye lids felt heavy, and then everything went black for a while.

    Everything was blurry, and wet. I looked around and I was much clearer now, it’s raining heavily. But where am I? I tried to look around again and I saw blood. But why is there blood in here? I was scared now, so I tried to run away from all this.
    I closed my eyes and ran away, as far as I can. And when I realized I was out of breath, I stopped. I looked at my back to see if anyone is following me. And there was nothing. Nothing but a dark wet alley. I was relived, because I wasn’t in any kind of danger anymore. Danger? I’m being paranoid again, just because I saw blood, it means danger already right?
    Ok, enough panic attacks. I better go home now.
    “This is so ridiculous,” I said as I turned around but then a face showed up in front of me.
    I gasped and when I realized it I was in the classroom, sitting at my desk.
    Dream?
    Yes, a dream. I’m still here…in school.
    Wait.
    So I’m in still in school. I sat here because I was feeling bored, then I feel asleep when I was looking through out the window. Ok, so I must calm down, Everything is just a dream.
    “Everything is just a dream,” I murmured to myself.
    My heartbeat is going back to normal now. I’m calming now so everything’s ok now.
    “Hey,” a voice out of nowhere said and tapped me at my back.
    I quickly looked around and saw that it was Akasu. I was surprised to see him there, I didn’t even sense him.
    “Some of the girls from our class are calling you.” He said
    Oh right, it’s already time to go home. I forgot. Maybe it’s because of all the commotion at gym class.
    “Uh…thanks,” I said, still bewildered by the fact that I didn’t sense him.
    He didn’t wait for any more answers and quickly turned around. But…I noticed something about him, something strange. Maybe he is sick or something.
    “Hey, uhm, Akasu, are you sick or something?’
    He didn’t turned around but he did stop from walking.
    “No, why?”
    “You hand…it was freezing cold. You ok?”
    He still didn’t turn around but I can see that his stance hardened and his tone was a little colder than before,
    “It’s nothing,” he said as he walked away
    “Maybe you should go and see the nurse and ask for some medicine,”
    This time, he didn’t turn around and simply walked away.
    I ignored him and tried to fix myself. I erased my thoughts about that dream and acted normal. But ever since that day, I started having these kinds of weird dreams.
    The day passed quickly, I didn’t even notice it. Maybe its because I’ve been deep in thought that afternoon. At least it’s time to go home now.
    Aya and the others didn’t go home just yet, they’ve got things to attend to. Aya, Ai, Toshiue and Aja have volleyball practice, while Rika, Haru and Naru got homeworks to finish. So, I was forced to go straight to home. It sucks, I don’t even want to go home yet.
    I sighed, “but I don’t have any choice do I?” as I placed my things in my locker. And when I turned around a face was in front of me.
    “AHHHHHH!”
    “Could you keep quiet,” said by an annoyed voice.
    I gathered my thoughts and composed myself, when I realized that it was Akasu. This guy is really trying to annoy me.
    “W-what are you doing here? I mean why are you here?” I said as I pointed out a finger to him.
    “Darn, my ears are still ringing,” he whispered as he looked at the floor.
    “Are you even listening to me?!”
    “I’m here to get my things, isn’t it obvious?” he said as he showed me some of his books.
    “It isn’t obvious because I didn’t even hear you come here.”
    “Well, who cares? Is there something wrong with that?”
    “Yes, there is something wrong with that Mr. I-know-everything. Because it’s completely absurd to sneak up on people like that”
    “Well, if you were paying attention then you wouldn’t have screamed like that, so it’s your fault in the first place.”
    This guy is really starting to get into my nerves.
    “NO! That’s not it; I didn’t even sense your presence. I mean, what’s with that?”
    He didn’t say anything; he looked like he was still waiting for me to say something.
    I sighed.
    “I don’t think there’s something wrong with that, it’s completely normal.” he said
    “No it is not. Because normal people don’t sneak up on other people like that.”
    He didn’t say anything but I can see that his eyes were cold and hard again. His stance hardened again.
    I sighed, “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to start a fight or something but I just don’t like it when people sneak up on me like that. It’s scary.”
    His eyes were still cold and hard and didn’t respond to my apology and instead he turned around and walked away.
    Well, that was strange. He didn’t even say anything. He’s so rude. I was offended by what he did so I just fixed my things and went straight home.
    I tried to shake the whole incident off my head and continued my daily routine. But I just can’t seem to forget it. His reaction to what I’ve said. I’ve seen him like that for two times now, did I offend him? Maybe I should be a little nicer to him next time we meet. I’m going to make it up to him tomorrow. Then I closed the lights in my room and lay down on my bed to get some sleep.
    Thanks to exhaustion, I slept soundly and didn’t have any of those weird dreams.