Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Chapter 1
Author: Carolyn Kim
|
at:10:18 AM
|
Category :
Chapter 1
|
0
comments
Lovely Girl
A yawn escaped my mouth as I waited inside an underground subway. This was my official ride to school, which was natural in a big city like Tokyo. What would you expect from someone so unnoticed, so typical?
I looked around the bus and found that there was an elderly lady to my right. She had her cane pressed to the ground and she was sound asleep. Curiosity swept my mind, I wonder if she has children or if she's still living with her husband or maybe she didn't get married.I looked to my left and saw a bunch of kids from our school watching the news on their iphones.
"OH MY GOD, did you here about AKIRA?! Akira decided to go to an average school with everyone!"
I wonder which one he'll go to.
"Akira is so CUTE! I have liked all his albums!"
"OH MY GOD! ME TOO!"
My ears rang as the screams continued till I couldn't hear any longer. Can this day get any worse? I groaned, feeling sick of the sweaty scent in the bus. When the bus finally stopped, the doors slid open and I hurried out the doors. I let out a huge breath as I came out. As always, my glasses kept slipping off my face while I ran up the stairs. While pulling up my glasses, I witnessed the enormous building ahead of me that read SAKURA HIGH SCHOOL.
I crossed the street and walked through the school gates while imagining what it'd be like to be someone other then a student walking through this building. I doubt that anyone would though.Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by someone.
"MIKA!" I turned around and glanced over at Sayuri who was slowly walking towards me.
"So... um... did you finish my homework for me?"
I nodded, "Of course.""Good. You know what happens if you don't, right?!"
Sayuri was my one and only friend. I met her when I first came to this high school. My first day of high school, I did not have anyone to speak with and I didn't know anyone. She was the only one to have courage to speak to me. I remember the first words she said to me. "Hi. I'm Sayuri and who are you?"
"Uh... I’m Mika."
"That’s really a strange name.."
"Oh thanks."
"Well, you seem nice, let’s be friends."
"Uh... okay."
After that, I became her friend. She can be a little bossy at times, but she's still a good friend. Well, that's what I thought, but without her, I'd be the most unnoticed, unpopular girl.I have long black hair, glasses, usual uniform, and I go by unnoticed and smart.I never even had a boyfriend, every guy I ever liked ended up rejecting me after they saw Sayuri, but that’s fine since its just a little sacrifice.
So ever since then I just gave up. Why does it matter anymore? It's better if I listen to Sayuri and be a good friend. I used to always wear make up and I never wore glasses because I had perfect vision but from Sayuri’s words, I learned that I look best this way and no other way. I understood that trying to look better only makes me look worse than I already am.
Once again, my thoughts were interrupted by Sayuri."Mika, did you hear about how there's going to be new 1st years coming to our school?They're hot too, but don't worry about them. You can't even get one, it doesn't matter, right?"
I replied, "Yeah. I guess."
Whenever she said this, it reminded me that I wasn't supposed to like anyone or even think about them as someone I liked. Truthfully, I think this is the best for me. I can just be myself.A yawn escaped her mouth as she muttered, "Let’s go to class, Mika."We headed towards our classroom and that's when we witnessed a bunch of students blocking the windows and screaming.
Annoyed, I shoved my way through the crowd and to my desk. As curious as she was, Sayuri shoved everyone aside and looked down the window at what everyone was staring at.After a while, she came rushing towards me. "It's AKIRA! He's coming to our school!"Another reminder rushed through my mind. Mika lets not try and see him. She'll think I’m annoying and if you fall for him, she'll take him away. It's just a bother. It was obvious that he was going to like Sayuri anyway.
I replied, "That's cool."
She grinned and then ran out the door with lots of other girls and a couple of guys.
Now, that everyone was gone, I realized that maybe I can just see what all this chaos is about. I stood up and walked to the window. There was a huge black van at the gates and everyone surrounded the car. Two security guards came rushing out and opened the door for someone.I stared at his black hair that covered his forehead and his perfect figure. My lips curved into a frown as I imagined Sayuri all over him. If only I was good enough for him. That'll never happen.I guess.. I'd better give up on trying to show him that I liked him as a celebrity. I liked him a lot too, but I knew the best thing was to secretly have a crush on him and never even try to say anything to him. Suddenly, I saw him staring up at where I stood. I reverted my eyes to the sky. That's when I realized that there was a bird with it’s' wings caught on a branch.
It was bleeding a lot and it looked like it was going to die.A frown formed on my face as I hurried and opened the window. While reaching for the bird, I realized that I was way too short and I couldn't reach it. I used the window sill as a stool and reached out for the bird. Right when I grabbed the bird and out of the branch, I noticed how high this window sill was.
Everyone was staring at me and fright swept my mind. I felt the adrenaline rush through my veins as I felt my foot slowly slip off the window sill. My heart sank and I felt like I couldn’t breathe anymore. I put the bird on this window sill as quick as I can while holding unto the window. I pulled myself up and climbed over the window sill. When I landed on the ground, I felt the world spin and my vision going blurry. Everything turned black.
---------------------------------------------------------------
As my eyes fluttered open, I witness someone staring at me. It was Akira.
“Are you okay?"
I sat up and glanced at the perfect male model.
Before I could say anything he questioned, “Is it that interesting that I’m actually sitting in front of you?”
I shrugged, “I guess.”
When I looked around, I realized that I was in the school’s infirmary.
"How long have I been out?"
He replied,
"The whole day."
My eyes were caught on the clock as my heart thumped rapidly. I slowly cleared my throat, "Uh... why are you here?"
He smiled, "Because I offered to."
Something about that smile made my heart beat too fast to even think I’m breathing.
"Thanks, but where’s Sayuri?"
He gave me a confused look, "Oh,... that girl? She offered to stay here with you but I told her I wanted to meet you.”
He said something I've never heard before. He wanted to meet me? Curiosity swept my mind as
I questioned, "Why do you want to meet me?"
He smiled once more, making my whole world freeze in time."I noticed how you tried to save that bird. You seemed to me like a sweet girl."
I stared down at the blankets and replied, "Thank you."
Right when I felt like telling him how much I admired him as a celebrity, I remembered that Akira would never look at me as a girl, but as a friend. I bet the reason for his unexpected kindness was to get closer to Sayuri. I quickly gathered my thoughts and decided that I was going to remain friends with him.
I told myself. Let's start fresh, "Um... since it's the first time meeting each other, I'll introduce myself. I'm Mika."
I let out a hand while saying this. His soft warm hands shook mine and my heartbeat increased by a hundred.
"I'm Akira." We both smiled, which seemed awkwardly warm. As we finished our conversation, we left the infirmary together. The hallways were empty and there was no sound to be heard.
"Where is everyone? Isn't everyone supposed to be crowding you?"
He laughed, "They went home, I told the guards to help me pretend like I left."
I felt so bad about him waiting for me, I blurted out, "I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have fainted."
He said, "NO, it's fine... people can't help it when they faint."
It was the first time someone had ever made me feel like they cared for me. Sayuri would always say, yeah... you shouldn't have fainted. You just wasted a bunch of my time. I felt happy that I could actually be friends with someone other than Sayuri.
"it's getting late, are you going home?"
I replied, "No, I have to go to my part time job in an hour."
He questioned, "Really? You work? Why? I was going to ask you if you wanted a ride home."
I looked down at my feet once more. "I.. I live by myself."
He was shocked, "WHY? What happened? Do you have parents?"
I answered, "My parents passed away and so I've lived on my own ever since then."
I could see a little tint of sadness in his eyes. He put his hand on my shoulders, and for some reason, it seemed gentle.
"Don't worry... at least you have friends to support you and from now on, I'll also support you."
Bringing up my parents and the way he said it made my tears go streaming down my face. "Thanks."
I looked away embarrassed and shocked that I was crying in front of Akira. I didn't want him to see my tears, no one has seen me cry in public. He handed me a handkerchief and I gladly accepted it. While wiping my glasses and my eyes, I noticed the time and I was late to work.
"OH MY GOD, I'm LATE!"
I rushed down the hallway without turning around to look at Akira. I hurried out of the entrance of the school and out the gates. I crossed the streets and ran into the subway train let out a sigh. Before I could think back to what happened that day, I realized that I forgot to say bye to him and thank him. Maybe I’ll thank him tomorrow.
I thought to myself, too much happened today, I need a break. The subway finally began to move and I grabbed a seat. Good thing the subway wasn't as crowded as in this morning. After some time, the bus arrived at the destination and I had to get off the bus. As the doors slid open I speeded out of the bus and towards a wine restaurant. Asking why I work at this kind of place at my age? Well, this was the only job that offered me the most money and I was pretty close with the boss who owned the shop. He was my dad's best friend and I knew him. I worked as a waitress there.
While stepping into the restaurant, I felt an urge to skip work today, but I remembered the bills on my desk that remained unpaid. I slowly opened the door and walked in. I entered a door that read 'employees only'. There in the door, was a changing room. I hurried to my locker and changed into my uniform. A yawn escaped my lips as the thought of Akira swept my mind. I want to see him again and thank him for what he did today. Exhausted from all of what happened today, I went straight home after work. Everything was lonely and quiet at home. I lived with only a stray cat and it was because I fed it often.
The ringing of an alarm clock rang through my ears as I was sleeping peacefully.
I groaned, "ugh... can't I just get a break?"
I rolled off my bed with the blanket wrapped around me. I kicked the blanket away and stared at the reflection in front of me. I quickly wore my usual uniform and tied my hair. I slipped on my glasses and stuffed my bag with all my homework, I stayed up finishing, Including Sayuri's. Everyday was always the same routine. I rode the subway train to school and I met up with Sayuri at the front to of the school. Note that Akira wasn't in my class. This school separated girls and guys.
For some odd reason, I felt as if today was going to be different then usual. Sayuri sat next to me in class as I stayed buried in one of my books. Sayuri was sitting there flirting with some guys that were over at our class. She had nothing better to do, but I guess that’s just her. Suddenly I heard screaming and my mind was in shock. I almost fell off my seat, while reading one of my novels.
I put my book down and hit my chest. "I almost got a heart attack."
I sat up straight and began reaching for my book, when I saw Akira.
His lips curved in a smile and waved at me. "Hey Mika."
He suddenly reached towards me. He grabbed my hand and put something in it. I felt paper in my fist. That’s strange, I wonder what he’s giving me? Perhaps a note? He smiled once again and he took a run for it, before all the girls reached him. I thought it was kind of funny. I opened my fist and looked inside and realized that it was a folded paper. There it read, ‘Meet me at the top of the building after school.’ Right after I finished reading, Sayuri said, "So what was that for?"I crumpled up the paper and said, "Nothing, I didn’t do anything with Akira. That’s odd.. he came to me to ask if I was okay from yesterday.” I secretly stuffed the paper in my bag while I put a fake smile on my face. “Whatever.” I let out a sigh of relief as I wondered, what does he have to say to me?
CHAPTER 1 IS COMPLETE. PLEASE CONTINUE ON TO CHAPTER 2!!
Chapter 2
Author: Carolyn Kim
|
at:10:18 AM
|
Category :
chapter 2
|
1 comments
I was clueless of what I was thinking. Why had I climbed up these stairs to see this celebrity that was bound to shove me away after meeting Sayuri. My heart throbbed thinking about the future. There was no chance for me... It was definite and yet I couldn't stop myself from showing up at the rooftop. The door that lead to my future was in front of me and I couldn't bring myself to open it.
The door creaked open as I turned the doorknob. There was no one in sight; only the bright blue sky. I was shocked by the beauty the sky presented. Without realizing what I was doing, I pulled out my cell phone from my bag and began snapping away shots of the sky. I sat there cloud watching for what seemed like a life time.
"So this is what you like to do on free times."
I turned around to see that Akira was lying on the edge of the building facing me.
"What are you doing? You're going to fall off the building!"
He smirked, "NAH, it's fine. I do this all the time. I did this at my dance studio and music recordings. It's nothing really."
I obviously couldn't believe this because I pulled him away from the edge.
"Please don't scare me like that."
There was a look in his eyes that was unreadable. I never seemed to understand him. Why did he waste time trying to speak to me when there was Sayuri.
He stared into my eyes and whispered, "Do you have to always save everyone? Why do you care so much?"
I was confused by his question. "Huh? What do you mean?"
He broke the trance he set up on me.
"Never mind. So what I was going to say to you was that I like you. I wanna get to know you more." I took this comment as a new step to becoming his friend and nothing more.
I guess I was dozing off too much because he kept looking at me with confusion.
"So? How does that sound?"
I grinned, "Sure."
"Before we start getting to know each other, I got one request."
"and.. what's that?"
"never back-stab me."
I was puzzled, "What do you mean?"
"Nothing... just don't back-stab me."
There was obviously something that was bothering him because he couldn't face me. He kept looking out somewhere beyond where we were; his mind. I couldn't bring up anything for him to give me a clue because it seemed like an issue that was deeper than his appearance. Maybe all that I was thinking was wrong. Maybe celebrities do have secrets. Maybe he's different. That's what I wanted more than anything; for someone to see me for who I really am. I closed my eyes letting the spring breeze blow my hair back slightly.
"So what brings you to this school?"
"Nothing really. Just wanted a normal life, but I guess that didn't work out so well."
I realized what he was saying, but he forgot the point that nothing is normal. High school is the exact opposite of normal. People don't see you the way you want them to. People don't understand... You simply can't be yourself. That's what I wanted to say, but I ended up just listening.
"Everyone just crowds me and believes I'm more of a celebrity. They set up this fake image of me being someone so perfect, but I'm nothing like that."
There's no way anyone can be perfect. Why try to be something that no one can be? Why try to set yourself up to that level? My mind was racing with thoughts of how similar we were. I just wanted to fit in, but why can't I?
"I was inspired by you when I saw you trying to save that bird."
I was speechless to this statement. I was not someone that could inspire. The only thing I could do was help others become what I could not.
"You're different..."
You're different...
(note that they said this together. Mika says this in her mind.)
Those words stopped time...
The only thing that was alive was the sound of our heart beats.
I stared into those beautiful eyes and let him draw closer.
Our lips were a feet away... no.. an inch... a centimeter...
Just as we were about to touch, my mind raced and I couldn't feel my heart beating any longer. This only brought me back to reality. There's no way that he loves me for who I am. I'm just a pebble in his road to Sayuri. He could only use me and seek for my advice, just like everyone else.... I broke the chance of ever kissing him. He was the only guy that made my heart beat faster than the speed of light. He was the only one that could relate so well to me, but I didn't have a chance with him. Only Sayuri did...
"So wanna go get something to eat?"
He looked stunned, but he concluded with a "yes."
"Where do you wanna go eat?"
"You choose. I'm buying."
I couldn't let him buy food for me. I felt like he was using me.
"I can't let you buy food for me! That's unfair."
He laughed, "But you're choosing so it evens out."
In the end, we decided that he was buying the food and I was choosing. I chose the cheapest place to eat at. On the road side to our school, there was someone selling bread and so i chose to get food there.
"How come you can't hide your face at school, but you could do so on the streets?"
"It's magic. Just wear a hat and grey clothing. Then I won't stand out."
"That's a good explanation. I probably wouldn't have seen you either."
"So your saying that if we got separated in this crowd, you wouldn't see me?"
I nodded and before I realized we were in a huge crowd, we seriously got separated. I searched everywhere for him, but it was difficult. I couldn't scream his name because he was a celebrity that would attract more attention and more problems. I stood there in the crowd, letting everyone shove past me. I scanned the crowd for grey clothing and found him laughing by himself. I hit his left shoulder and scolded him.
"I was so scared that you left me here all by myself!"
"I thought you said you wouldn't find me?"
That remark made me blush and my insides burned in embarrassment.
"I don't need you!"
I stomped away in the opposite direction of the crowd. People kept pushing me and I ended up not even budging. That's when Akira grabbed my hand.
"I'm sorry. I won't do that again."
This brought me back to blushing. I quickly pulled away from his grasp and let him walk ahead of me so that I could get through the crowd. I gripped onto his hoodie so that I wouldn't get lost in the crowd of people. As soon as we hit the corner of the street, there were less people.
"So are we going home now?"
He smiled that hundred dollar smile he had, "Of course, but I want to walk you home."
"So you wanna stalk me now?"
We laughed together, "NO! I just don't want you to be in danger. You're a girl!"
It was silent the whole way there and I walked ahead of him to lead him to my house.
As I took each step we drew closer to each other. Afterwards we were so close that his hand was grazing the back of my hand. I was surprised when one motion brought us to holding hands. I didn't want to be rude and pull away so I let this slide. I kept telling myself that holding hands were natural for friends and that he thought of me as a sister.
As we approached my small house, we let go of each other's hands.
"Thanks for today. It was fun."
He smiled once more, "No prob. I'll take you out anytime!"
"See you tomorrow."
I waved goodbye and we went our separate ways. I headed home and he went off into his world of stardom. There's no way that he'd have feelings for someone like me and I knew it from the bottom of my heart that he thought of me as a friend. We'll hold hands, hug, hang out, but we'll never go further than that. We'll never be more than friends... because there's Sayuri and every other girl in this world that can beat me. I'm no one in this world. I'm just a speck that no one sees. I'm not a beautiful girl. In fact, I'm no one at all...
Chater 2 is COMPLETE! Please continue to chapter 3:)
Chapter 3
Author: Carolyn Kim
|
at:10:18 AM
|
|
0
comments
There I was staring at my reflection. My dark rimmed glasses covered up half of my face and my long black hair was braided to the side. I couldn't stop thinking about how much I really hated myself for wanting to be with Akira. Why do I try so hard when I know that Sayuri is the one who is going to win Akira's heart? It was decided, I'm going to act as if nothing happened and I'm going to let Akira go to Sayuri. There's no way in this world that I'd have someone like him... I can't be just friends with him. That won't work. I need to get away from him.
From afar I could see everyone crowding around Akira's car. Anyone would know that it was Akira since he's so popular. I walked past a crowd of girls that all begged Akira to sing them a song. He looked like he was having fun. I turned away from them and headed upstairs to my classroom. That's when I heard my name. "MIKA! Wait up!" I turned around to see him running towards me with that beautiful smile of his. His hair blew back and the sun shined brightly on him which made him look like an angel.
He finally reached me and grabbed onto my arm. "Geez. You didn't even say hi and you left." I had that fake smile on and I said, "I'm sorry, but can you stop hanging around me? You're famous and I don't want to be a pebble in your road to stardom. I'm not meant to be your friend or anything at all. I just want things to go back to how it used to be. I'm really sorry." His grip on my arm dropped and he looked heartbroken. I was sure that he wasn't. Maybe he was just depressed that he lost the chance of using me to get to Sayuri. There's no way that he'd feel sad because he liked me.
From afar I could see everyone crowding around Akira's car. Anyone would know that it was Akira since he's so popular. I walked past a crowd of girls that all begged Akira to sing them a song. He looked like he was having fun. I turned away from them and headed upstairs to my classroom. That's when I heard my name. "MIKA! Wait up!" I turned around to see him running towards me with that beautiful smile of his. His hair blew back and the sun shined brightly on him which made him look like an angel.
He finally reached me and grabbed onto my arm. "Geez. You didn't even say hi and you left." I had that fake smile on and I said, "I'm sorry, but can you stop hanging around me? You're famous and I don't want to be a pebble in your road to stardom. I'm not meant to be your friend or anything at all. I just want things to go back to how it used to be. I'm really sorry." His grip on my arm dropped and he looked heartbroken. I was sure that he wasn't. Maybe he was just depressed that he lost the chance of using me to get to Sayuri. There's no way that he'd feel sad because he liked me.
Before I walked away, I bumped into Sayuri. She looked satisfied. "I saw what you said to Akira. I'm so proud of you. You know that he doesn't like you. He's just using you just like all those other guys." I nodded, but I didn't feel happier like I wanted it to be. I felt depressed and lost. I don't know why I felt this way because each time this happened I'd feel happier because the guys really did go to Sayuri. I felt my heart drop into my stomach and my whole day was gloomy. Unlike the other days, I wanted it to rain and for class to be over. I couldn't pay attention to any of the lectures and all I could think about was the time I spent with Akira. I didn't even realize that class had ended. I was sitting there in my seat staring at nothing. People left the building and I was the only one sitting there by myself.
I remembered the time when he told me that I was different and that he inspired me. Without realizing it, I had tears in my eyes. I couldn't stop crying and my head was spinning. Before I could wipe those tears away, Akira walked into the room. "So is this what you do to all the people that get close to you? Mika... I know your not like this." I faced the window and replied, "I just realized that yesterday we went too far. I don't want to be anything to you. I'm not someone that can inspire people. I can only be the person that follows what others want." He replied with an annoyed look on his face, "Yeah, your right. You can't inspire people if you act like this. Your not being yourself. Mika. I was too scared to tell you this, but... I like you. What is it that's making you hold back?" Tears poured down like rain, "I'm not exactly pretty. I'm nothing compared to Sayuri. Why are you trying to use me to get to her? I don't understand." Akira wiped the tears away and held my face in his hands. "I don't like her. I like you."
That's when my whole world changed. His lips touched mine and it felt perfect. It felt like we were meant to be. I wanted time to just stop right there. I felt the blood boil under my skin and my heart beat out of my chest. What was this feeling I had? I just wanted to jump around and scream my heart out. I wanted to be free. Is this how it feels to be truly happy? I didn't want to go back to Sayuri. I wanted to simply be me.. Will that day come? This was the first step I took to being free.
--------------------------------
"Akira I have to tell you something." I was going to tell him everything about me. I wasn't going to hold back anymore. "You were right. I wasn't being me. I don't wear glasses and I don't really just love books." I handed him my glasses to prove that they were fake with no prescription. "What I truly love to do is play the violin. I was afraid that being who i was would only cause people to reject me." He smiled, "Why didn't you be yourself earlier?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)