final bell

It was my first day at Itten high school. I was nervous and the uniform clashed with my hair. I was uncomfortable in this new environment. My first class was english in room 1B. I chose to sit by the window, back row. Gazing out the window seeing the leaves being carried by the gentle wind. All I could think about was mom, holding back tears as the last bell rang. I was still looking out the window, when I felt a series of two small taps on my left shoulder. When I turned my head to see who it was I was instantly surprised. Sitting next to me was a tall boy, with soft seemingly empty brown eyes with thick dark eyebrows. His hair was light and airy, going down below his ears. The jet black color that I had seen hundreds of times looked completely different on him. His skin was soft and fair, with his small nose and lips i had never seen anyone like him before. He began to speak to me but all I could do was watch his lips move. “Hello?” I heard him say as I snapped back into reality. “Sorry, hello” I responded, drowning in how gorgeous he was. We continued with a basic conversation of his asking my name and if i was new. I was still confused on why he would speak to me. Nothing about me necessarily stand out. His name was Saito Akemi. A fitting name for how beautiful he was. He gave me advice about school, like who to avoid and who to be friends with and basic stuff like that. The teacher began to speak and our conversation was cut short. I couldn’t stop thinking about him, I had just met him 10 minutes ago but these feelings were so strong. He was so kind for me out of his own free will, i had never experienced that before. Did he have any flaws? Class went by fast with Akemi in the back of mind. Before I knew it half the day had gone by. It was lunch time and i hadn’t spoken to anyone but him. I took the small box lunch grandma had packed me and sat behind the school alone. Still thinking about him. Why was that? I knew nothing about this boy and yet I was so curious and obsessed. All these feeling going through my mind when I heard a familiar “hello”. I whipped my head in the direction of the voice, it was him. “Hello again” I responded, as he began to walk over to me. He sat down right next to me. “No lunch?” I asked, since was was walking empty handed. I couldn’t help but think, why was he sitting with me of all people? And why was he going behind the school in the first place? He was so close and I realized he looked a lot skinner up close. “No I forgot mine at home today” he responded while looking dead into my eyes. I stared down at my home made lunch and suddenly found myself giving it to him. He declined at first but I insisted. We didn’t say another word. This was so new to me, I was never close with anyone back in Tokyo. I wasn’t really sure how to talk to people. The company form him was enough for me. I now know that i was falling inlove with Akemi and not just opening up to him. I watched him eat the white fluffy rice my grandma had packed me this morning. His fine jaw moving so smoothly with each bite. He was so interesting to watch. I suddenly found myself staring and began to blush. He began to laugh at me, in a friendly way. He was about to say something, but as soon as he opened his mouth the bell rang. I jumped up and began speed walking to my next class. My heart was pounding out of my chest and my face was bright red. I was so embarrassed but I didn’t want to hide it. I enjoyed the feeling of excitement I got each time those heavy brown eyes looked into mine. The day went by fast, I didn’t talk to anyone else. My schedule was nice and easy to remember. I was in my last class, which just so happened to be art. My favorite class. In room 2C, right next to the stairs. My teacher Mr Hayashi was so kind to me. I showed him some of my drawings, my sketch book was just in my backpack. I was enjoying myself so much that day, I know mom would be happy for me. Before I knew it the last bell rang and the school day was over. I packed up my things and left the class. 2 girls from my art class approached me. The were bratty and mean looking. They cornered me and asked my name. I responded “Tanaka Yami”, they laughed when I answered. “Are you that girl from the house fire” my heart dropped instantly. “Oh yeah I remember that, didn’t your mom die”, the other girl said abruptly. They both began to laugh at me. I couldn’t help but cry. “Now don’t cry, we were just joking around”. Why is that so funny? The whole day was perfect i’ll this. Why would this happen? “Leave her alone” I heard Akemi say from down the hall, I instantly started whipping my tears away. I didn’t want him to see me like this. “Now Akemi come on we were just joking around”. “Yeah we just wanted to say hello to Mrs Tanaka here”. The 2 girls said. Akemi’s faced dropped for a second when he heard my last name. He knew. I pushed past the two girls and began to run away, I couldn’t stop myself from crying. I heard foot steps behind me, but i didn’t want to know who it was. I ran back to the spot where Akemi and I had ate lunch. Trying to calm myself down, when a nice breeze came rolling in. “Hi mom”, I said in a shaky tear filled voice. I heard someone running toward me, I didn’t care and just stayed there taking in the calming breeze from my mother. Akemi rounded the corner panting. “There you are” he said while catching his breath. While whipping my tears and standing up I said, “why did you follow me?”. “I wanted to give you this” he said still panting, while holding out the container that was once holding my lunch. He began to walk over to me, the sound of his foot steps put butterflies in my stomach. Turning to him I took the container and thanked him. He never brought up my mom or what had happened with those boys. We just stood there not saying a word. I was so vulnerable, with my eyes still filled with tears he gave me a hug. He was so warm and calming, we stayed there for what felt like hours. I couldn’t shake how this boy I had met less than 24 hours ago, seemed to know me so well. Why is that?