Silence it is all that surrounded me. The silence is my solace;my retreat from the tiring world. It is long past midnight, yet I was resting in my bed widely awake, staring at the vast night sky through my open windows, amusing over my own set of new-found constellations. The curtains were dancing to the music of the trees as wind blew through them. The moon, as always, was shining bright

I wonder what it feels like to be the moon. Unlike the scorching sun, which gives a head start to another tiring day to people all around the world mercilessly, like the ring of an alarm on a Monday morning informing the beginning of a new week at school, the moon only gives us the best soothing environment to close our eyes and have a break. It must feel good to watch over a calm silent night rather than being the sun which receives all the cussings and complains. Must be quite depressing though. Poor sun. It's only doing its job anyway. But I won't sympathize because I personally hate it too.

To be honest, sometimes I feel like the sun too. I get tired. So tired of wanting to force myself into a long comforting slumber. Everything in my life so far has been very exhausting, or was it exhausting in an exciting way? I giggle at the thought of it. In simple terms, my life has been a mess. My so thin, skinny figure is proof enough for it. Believe me when I say thin, I meant thin thin, not the hot skinny type. My body is so soft and light, that sometimes I fear I might get blown off by the wind. Well different paths my life took made me the type of thin girl I am today. I am lying on a bed in which only one fifths of it is occupied by me, or maybe even less. Now imagine how thin I am. But gladly I'm not the fat type. That's the only thing I like about my body. But that could be me just being optimistic.

"You must sleep ",the words my mom said when I came into my room after our wholesome family dinner still lingers in my mind. But how could I sleep when the thought of tomorrow finds its way into my head no matter how hard I try to push it away? It makes me nervous but the nervousness makes my heart beat faster making me realize everything is real and that I am still alive and well.

Will it make me sound like a fool if I say nervousness and insecurities make me feel so confident and secure than I have ever been? I'm sure it will but yes, it's true. If you've gone through what I have all my life, you will undoubtedly feel the same. You will be glad of anything that makes your heart beat fast.

I turn away from the bedside window through which I was staring at the sky, to look at the painting hanging on my wall which was so much similar to the star filled sky I was admiring now. I lie on my elbows to admire more details of the painting drawn by Mr. "I don't know who" but instead my eyes fall on to my walk in closet which is directly on to the left of it.

The earge to open it again takes over me but I decide against it. 'No I'm not gonna look or it'll lose its value 'I try to convince my self.'Too much of anything is good for nothing ' I repeat chanting but I'm already sitting straight counting steps to it. "You never listen" I hear my psyche complain. "Just once will do"is the response of my heart. That was it. They started debating all over again. I sit down stupidity waiting for my feelings and my psyche to come to an agreement knowing fully well what the outcome would be.

YAYYYY!!!! someone pull out Champaign!

My heart wins as always. But it's not a fair win cuz I root for my heart and my psyche was alone in this. Yet I spared no seconds being a judge and stood up slowly, quietly but quickly and started tip-toeing towards the closet not allowing the slightest sound escape my steps. I'm so not taking chances of being caught. My parents went to sleep long after I came in my room but silence proved they were sleeping by now.

I was sneaking towards the closet as if I was a thief robbing my own house, when a sudden light flashed on my face making me freeze on my toes. I slowly turned to see mom standing at my door, a hand on her hips while the other was holding a torch, staring pointlessly at me. I faked a smile innocently and she turned the torch away from my face and switching the lights on.

"What are you doing? Robbing your closet? Do you know what you look like? "

"No and no "I replied, still frozen.

"You look like Swiper "she says, amusement clearly visible in her eyes.

"Swiper as in Dora?",I was curious to know and she nodded in reply. It took me few more seconds to realize she was referring to the weird posture I was in. I did look like Swiper! To be honest I was being dramatic. Quickly I melted from my frozen position and stood on my feet with my hands hidden behind me as if I was a child caught while stealing sugar from her kitchen.

"I think I clearly asked you to sleep darling. You must get all the rest you need to look pretty tomorrow "she says as she comes closer to tuck a lock of my stray messy hair behind my ear. Or you'll have huge eye bags hanging under your eyes". Whoa! That would be one hell of a sight to feast on. "How come you never listen to your mom. Anyway of you wanted to sneak around and be mischievous without being caught you could have just locked the door,you know". Wow what a sight! A monther giving her daughter advice on how to behave naughty. Oooh I just love her!!

"But wouldn't it look more suspicious that way? I mean locking the door in the night "

"No" she exclaimed "please, you should use your brain and be practical for once. It will not seem suspicious because it's night and normal people usually lock the doors at night ",she says, exaggerating every syllable. Well it does make sense now that I think about it. She's smart, I give her that.

"By the way mom, what are you doing here? " I asked, puzzled.

"I'm playing police " she winks.

Right, and she likes making fun of me.

"Mooom!!! "

"I just wanted to see my baby girl's sleeping face for the last time and you just broke my heart "she clasps her chest to mime being hurt.

"Then why don't you make use of it and see your girl in her wedding dress once again" I suggest and she frowns. "Not again! Isn't this the 5th time?"she whines.

"6th to be exact" I corrected her and she gave me a whatever kind of look and sat down on my bed. I then slowly opened my closet shouting Ta-da as if it was her first time seeing it but she actually played along acting surprised. Moms!!!

The beautiful ivory Tadashi Shoji dress was hanging down in my closet as if it was expecting my 6th fit on. It was an off the shoulder, foot length, mermaid tail dress and was utterly beautiful from every direction. Well every bride-to-be would say that about her dress but believe me,as a student specializing in fashion designing, I just love it. The matching heels, veil and jewelry were placed neatly beside it in case I forget something. I'm sort of a perfectionist, you see. I wanted the happiest day of my life to be perfect.

She helped me put the dress on and gently pushed me onto the stool in front of my mirror. She put the jewelry on me while I try my hardest to fix my heels. Oh how can it be so hard!! What a mood killer. She clipped the veil in my hair and let it fall over my shoulders. Though she didn't like the idea at first,I insisted on having my hair fall on my shoulders at the wedding because my pitch black hair shine with the thin fabric of my veil. She agreed without much protest to my full surprise.

I viewed myself in the mirror. I was pretty. My hair shined just as I suspected. Only the bouquet and the flower crown was missing, if not I would look like a perfect bride. The dress and the fingertip veil was covering my petite figure so that non of my skinny bones looked too skinny. The dress was so long that it brushed the floor as I walked though my heels were hidden behind the dress pretty well.

Mom stands behind me with her hands on my shoulders, rubbing them gently. "You look lovely as always. It figures, you Indead are my daughter "she says teasing. "Did you doubt it? " I ask and she rubs it off kissing the top of my head. I take her right hand and kiss the back of it. I feel her hands trembling on my skin and from the reflection on the mirror I know she's holding back the tears that threaten to leave her eyes any minute now. I felt my throat dry up at the sight.

"Why mom? You don't like me marrying him? "I ask worriedly.

"No sweetie, no once's a better match for you than him darling. It's just that every time I see you in this dress reality strikes and tells me you're not the small girl I used to sing lullabies to sleep. And the thought of letting you go....... It hurts" she wobbles through tears.

I turn to her and hug her tight, at her belly, still sitting on the stool, and hide my face in her skin as she pats my back. She then cups my face between her cold palms and caress my cheeks with her thumbs. God, she's so warm and cozy.

"Darling I'm so happy for you and more than anything I'm glad you are alive. That's all I wished for. It would be selfish of me to wish for more. It's your life and you should be the one to decide. I'll be the happiest to marry you off to the person you love. Well note to mention, it's a burden off my shoulders",she winks to lighten the mood and adds, "promise me you'll be happy or I'll be kicking his ass"

"Or mom,you know I will. I promise "but secretly I wish to see his assistant being kicked by my mom. It would be soooo facebook worthy. I giggle at the thought. It was hard enough for Tsubaki to get my mom's approval to date me. She was so dramatic about it but with time she loosened up a little but he still fears my mom's temper though it makes him quite unique since he was accepted by mom to be her son- in-law and he's the most handsome guy I've met in my life too. That's a plus though. I smile slightly at the thought. God! He'll look so hot in his tux tomorrow. Maybe like a Greek god or even better.

I was brought back to reality by my mom's kiss on my forehead before she left my room with a sincere request,asking me to sleep. Sleep was still million more miles away from me and it was not gonna reach me anytime soon. I stood up and twirled around to see the beautiful ivory dress on my feather like body. I stand admiring the dress for a few more peaceful minutes only to be interrupted by my 'Oh-So-annoying'neighbour,the one who always finds excuses to make fun of me as if his life depended on it; his only salvation; his life goal.

"To earth Sakura! You look stupid the way you are already and the dress won't hide much of it. So give the dress a rest before it wears off before the wedding. Those huge eye bags will surely enhance your beauty ",he shouts disrupting the peaceful silence of the night. So much for my solace. Oh how I regret his balcony is the one facing mine!

"And what are you doing peeping into a woman's room at night. Shouldn't you be sleeping or are you a pervert? What does me wearing my wedding dress has anything to do with you anyway?, I question back, annoyed.

"Oh, it does",he states playfully. "In case you didn't know, I want this young lady infront of me to look the prettiest tomorrow, honey",he winks and I feel warmth creeping into my face. I must look like a freaking tomato right now. I always turn into a human tomato when I blush. It comes from genes, I guess, since my dad does the same.

"Oh you're blushing. I can see you",I can tell he's resisting the smile. I don't want him to have the pleasure of satisfaction.

"No I'm not blushing. And you can't see me. It's dark! "

"No I can see right through you. And I know you are. Come and let me see your face in case I'm wrong " he lets out a sigh.

In case you still didn't realize, this 'Oh-So-annoying' neighbor of mine is none other than the love of my life, my husband to be, Mr. Kyouta Tsubaki.

He smirked and gestured me to come towards him and I shyly obey. The me who was so determined to not give him the pleasure of satisfaction, was too weak against his smile. I walk slowly towards the edge of my balcony which is only 2 meters away from his with his eyes never leaving mine.

"See I told you, you are blushing", he knows me well and I feel loved."That's why you're forever second place"

 Or maybe NOT!!!!!

8 Years Ago🌸

I looked back at the house that was moving farther away from our sight. My sister was unusually very silent today. She had her head bent with her phone on her lap. Was she texting? I didn't know. Not like I care either. The house was now becoming a white dot with a red cap. And it disappeared when we took a turn to the left passing the familiar neighborhood.

For an 18 year old average girl moving away from her house would be a disaster but I was far from average so I was pretty unaffected by it. It didn't feel so bad as it was described in novels and mangas. In those the girl would cry her heart out hugging her friends, throw tantrums saying she won't leave or runaway from home and stay at a friend's house complaining her parents. Well that's what my sister exactly did.

The moment they informed us of dad's sudden transfer which he had to accept due to unavoidable reasons, that's what they always say for an excuse, she was furious. She has always been the stubborn one at home, the black sheep of the family. She stamped the floor pretty hard after every word she spoke. Poor house! The last thing it got from her was a good hell of a beating. And that night she packed her stuff and left saying she'd stay at her friend's but it was a done deal. God she had a lot packed for a runaway but we still had to move.

I, on the other hand, was still being the usual me. It was not like we had another choice. I was silent the whole dinner, accepting whatever mom said without questioning her back. I was like a noble gas. I had no bond with the neighbors, no friends to cry with, no debts to pay, no boyfriends unlike my sister. No one even knew I existed. Just like a gas, invisible.

I was the observant one in the family, just like my dad. My sister inherited her bad temper and sharp tongue from mom, no doubt about it. If needed, at times, I would give my opinion but mostly stayed silent allowing mom and her disciple to solve the problem. My brother was an idiot smiling like a baby at everything whether they were laughing or fighting. Then again he was a baby. He had just turned 2.

That's how it all happened and now here we are moving away from our house, which was home for us for a very long 3 years. We were moving to Kai, a city in the central Yamanashi prefecture. Well it's not very far away from Tokyo though (where we lived till now), only a 2 and a half hour ride by train. Yet it was way too less populated than Tokyo. But according to mom we had everything a highschooler would ever need over there.

My father was provided with a lorry to help with the moving. He drove fast towards our new home, which I didn't know what it looked like or whether I'd fit in. I looked forward, made myself comfortable on my seat taking my eyes from searching for the house that had already disappeared. Mom was breastfeeding Ruka in the passenger seat. Dad looked really excited and I guess something about the new house makes him happy. Mom was emotionless but I could say she was stressed and worried. I felt a small feeling of regret takeover my heart throbbing it. I was almost getting used to it there!!

My phone buzzed and the screen showed Fumino's name on it. I looked at her to see her glaring at me and then turned her head looking out of the glass shutter at the passing buildings. What's her problem? Can't she just say what she has to say when I'm sitting right next to her!? Such a bother. I opened my inbox and it said, 'You. Loser. Sucks'

................................

It was around 10 am when we reached our new home. Fumino wanted the biggest room in the house so she ran upstairs taking two steps at a time to choose her room. What a swing of moods! Just few seconds ago she was glaring and tearing type with her eyes digging wholes on my skin and now she was all excited and happy. I really can't figure her out and the last thing I did was try.

A chill ran through my spine as I entered the empty hall of the house. The lorry with our furniture and other stuff was yet to arrive. Mom started tidying the kitchen and I helped dad with our luggage. The house was not much of a big deal. Just like any other it was tall, wide and still. But there was this aura coming from the house making me feel homely. The wooden fence around the house was painted white and looked new. Maybe the previous owner did us a favor before leaving. The trees in the front yard was trimmed and taken care of well too. Lavenders were growing well around the fence near the gate. It was a lovely sight to feast on early in the morning. Lavenders were my favorite,after Sakura that is. Strangely enough the house felt so very welcoming.

The garden was bigger than I expected. It even had a backyard. There was a storage room and dad decided to use it as his studio. It was dusty and needed a lot of repairing. I liked helping my dad because we are very much alike. So I helped him with moving his cameras, flashlights and other stuff into that small room. Dad rarely asked for help from Fumino, and that was only if he desperately needed help. She's always careless and forgetful and ended up breaking dad's favorite Video Cam and PC sometime back.

It took us quite a while to hear mom calling us. The lorry had arrived and so were the helpers from the moving center dad had requested. He wanted help with cleaning and assembling the furniture since he couldn't do it with the help of just 2 females. Fumino wouldn't help with hard labour even if she could so it was only mom and me but mom had to look after Ruka who had a new found amusement of sticking and burring his head in piled up boxes.

Fumino has found the biggest room for herself and mom had chosen Ruka's future room which was the one in the farthest corner of the hallway. There was only one room left for me. It was a small room with a small balcony which opens to a well grown Sakura tree. I walked out to the balcony and leaned on to the handrail to touch the wide spread branches of it. I couldn't say to which house it belonged, since it was planted on the margin of the two lands. It must be our neighbors'. But I found myself looking forward for spring to see a pink carpet laid over my garden.

I finished unpacking my luggage and hanged my clothes in the walk in closet. It was a small one and but looked big and spacious, almost empty, with my clothes in it. I didn't have a lot of fancy clothes like my sister. I only had clothes with which I could cover myself with. I didn't care for it's size, colour, or style. All I cared for was the price. The other reason for me to be the way I am was mom's rules, which Fumino broke with much pleasure. I couldn't be a rebel, me being the the eldest, and wasn't interested either.

By the time I had fully cleaned and organized my room I went straight to Fumino's to help her with her stuff. I knocked and knocked but a response never came so I pushed the door open to find a messy room without its owner. I got to know from mom that she went out exploring the neighborhood. For the first time I was jealous of her, jealous of the freedom she had. She had all the freedom she needed unlike me who didn't get any even if I wanted to. I envied her too for being the staightforward girl she is. Still I couldn't blame her because she deserved it and I didn't.

I locked myself up in my room and sat on my bedside window. It was thirty minutes past six in the evening but the moon had already risen. It was a full moon and the grayness of the night sky disappeared by the golden yellow of the moon. I released a sigh I didn't know I was holding. I was just 18 but exhausted by nonstop studying and stressed out by frequent exams that I was hoping for some time of my own, without a single thought of a book crossing my mind. Books, studying, crams, papers, marks, corrections were words known to me since childhood.

I might sound tough inside but I was rather fragile. I've had enough of the life I was leading. It was I was scared to face life which I was not. My parents often said they enjoyed their childhood to the maximum running around in the fields, playing, and even rarely studying! They were very much proud of their past. But wasn't it hypocritical of them to force me to study away my teen without sparing a fraction of a second to consider my feelings? I was already a genius the way I was so what more did they need from me? It was as if having fun was the worst thing to do!

I always didn't voice out. I didn't want to be a burden. My parents worried about me. I know they kept me caged to have me protected. But I've just had enough. That's when I had my fated encounter but that happened so suddenly in a way I have nothing to be proud of. It was utterly embarrassing. I heard some voices and looked towards the road to see a gang of guys smoking in a circle. They looked around my age, but were well built and muscular.

Urggg!! Disgusting!! I could smell the cigarettes even at this distance. Underage smoking is illegal, right? So how the hell did they get those? I scrunched up my nose and looked up to the sky trying invein to get avoid the scent from reaching me. I didn't want myself to be a secondary smoker.

"Some losers just don't get it when to stop smoking! Urggg that smell ruined my day"

I felt intense stares falling onto the side of my face. I looked down away from the moon to see the whole gang staring daggers at me. What!? What did I do wrong? Or was I that attractive? I gave them a blank stare. A guy with 'I'm the leader' type of aura stepped forward and leaned his elbow on the shoulder of another. I must admit, he looked damn hot and my heart skipped a beat. His blue eyes were twinkling with some unexplainable feeling. It look me a while to realize I was staring at him too much and I guess he did too because I noticed a smirk take over him.

"You have a problem with that?"he asked. I was taken by surprise. What was he talking about?

"With what?" I asked in a doubtful tone, and added "I don't think I know you "

"With us smoking " he raised an eyebrow at me.' Well actually I do' I felt like saying but I didn't want to risk a broken bone or two so I said "Oh no. Carry on. I'm good "

"You didn't sound like it when you called us 'losers' "he said making air quotations. That's when I realized I was thinking out loud. How loud was I for them to hear me from across the street!! Oh Sakura, you really know how to attract trouble! That's when I thought of the lamest excuse a person could come up with. I pointed at the moon. "I was just.. um.. I mean, the moon was just talking to you me.. and said he's got a.. um.. SIDS"

"SI what? " the friend next to him asked and he started laughing tugging at his stomach like a baby. Boy, the bad boys do laugh! But I was too embarrassed to say anything or to even look at them so I soon closed my window and drew the curtains trying to ignore the voices down the street. But couldn't. I kneeled down at the foot of the window resting my back on the frame of it.

"Dude what was that for? What was that SI something?"

"SIDS" he corrected."That's Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. A cause due to secondary smoking". And like that the voices disappeared. I was stunned. The boy knew the meaning of it. The bad boy knew the meaning and even the cause of it. Was he really an ignorant bad boy?

I couldn't keep my mind away from him. So I quickly grabbed a book from my table and sank into the words of it but his smile kept haunting me. Not that I liked him or anything. Just attracted, or so I think. But one thing I knew for certain. I should not mess with the bad boy. He meant trouble.

But the one thing I didn't know was, I had myself already tangled up with him in a way I couldn't resist.

🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥

The next day was the first day in my new school. Because of my father's migrating job, that's what I call it, I was dragged from place to place with my family. It was really tiresome, getting used to new surroundings day by day. And finally when I'm ready to make some friends, then move again. I hated it. I was not an expert in the friend subject. So once I complained but I didn't get a positive response so I just decided to drop the subject.

"Mom it's all your fault that I don't have friends " I said.

"Don't give me that attitude Missy. Go blame the company. And besides that, ate they made of rare diamonds for you to can't find any! Try harder" she said .

For me they were rarer than diamonds. Why couldn't she get it? But if she let me out of this cage she had me trapped, I might have made some progress. But the mere thought of going out of this house was impossible for me. So I always ended up being the prisoner of my own house. Well it's not like mom made me do hard labour or abused me though. This prison was made for my protection.

With all these thoughts filling my mind I got dressed into my new highschool uniform. The thing I always like about uniforms was the bowknot. I liked the way they hanged near my neck. The uniform was cute. A white long sleeved top with a blue bowknot by my neck, and a royal blue skirt with a hem five inches above my knee which I pulled down a bit to cover my indecently showing legs. I wore black shoes with white socks reacing a few inches below my knee. There was this coat to wear over it during winter but I left it since it was now almost the mid summer and I didn't want myself to be a steamed chicken.

We were to attend the Norin high school. When I said we it was Fumino and I. It was a place with a friendly background according to mom. She knows it because it was her highschool. If you want to know more about my family, this is a small family introduction.

Well my mom, she is forceful, dominant, hypocritical, and most of the time not understanding. My father is a nice person. A photographer for a tourist company. We followed him everytime he got transfers. He's rather understanding than mom but spent very little time at home. He had a free life with the job he desired. My sister Fumino, is 2 years younger than me; playful; beautiful; stylish; free; confident; stubborn; and a bit selfish but never jealous for she herself knew all girls wanted to be her. Even I did. Simply, she was the complete opposite of what I was. Finally, there's my little brother Ruka. He was 2 years old and loved cherries over his own sisters. I was the one to take care of him when mom's gone out shopping with her friends or when she was busy with work. We never received or expected any kind of a help from Fumino since she was never home till at least 7 pm. She had this 'thing' going on with karaoke and advising her to stop it was a waste of time.

"Sakura come down. It's your first day so don't be late. Hurry up" I heard my mom screaming downstairs. I didn't want mom to be so rising her lovely voice in the morning (note the sarcasm) so my legs automatically moved down the stairs. But we still had an hour to leave. And the next call was due to Fumino. I was not new to that situation so I slipped on the couch by my father who was reading the newspaper. I knew well what's bound to happen next but I didn't like it.

Every morning mom calls her out,

"Fumino, come down " but no answer comes. "come down! "still no response. "Fumino come down this instance, or I'll drag you". And that's when she'd come down. It was her habit to wait for the third call, which she called the 'hot temper call'. She enjoyed making mom angry unlike me. It was funny how mom never understood it. She would come still unwashed, hair messy in her pjs rubbing her eyes. So the throw of bitter words at each other starts and it would always end with mom cursing karaoke, for keeping her up all night. It was their routine formality of saying good morning.

My father and I knew the same scenario would repeat itself, exchanged a quick glance, winked and was ready to ignore all their heartious greetings. Mom called, three times as usual and we heard her footsteps hitting the woods stairs. But something felt strange. It sounded as if she was wearing shoes. Impossible!! When she finally appeared bewilderment ruled the room for a few long seconds. She was dressed?! DRESSED!!!

Yes. She was dressed and looked stunningly beautiful. She was wearing coat shoes, which explained her steps. It was the first time in ages we saw her fully dressed up so early in the morning to go to school and even looking so enthusiastic. Mom who was ready to bark at her was surprised too but looked genuinely happy for her daughter's progress. I knew her too well to be happy about it. She was up to something and definitely that something is not anything good.

Fumino has this mischievous smile on her lips, the smile she gave out when she wanted my help to sneak out of the house to meet his new boyfriend, or the one she gave me to have me do her homework in her stead. I totally didn't like it. I was always weak against her dashing smile and she knew it. She came straight towards me but I quickly got up and went to the kitchen to pack our lunchboxes hoping to avoid her but she was fast and stood behind me.

"Good morning. And you're avoiding me" she stated.

"Good morning and yes I am avoiding you "I said, observing her from head to toe.

"I may need your help with my hair " whoa! She's the one asking for help but she was being rude.

"You look good the way you are "I refused as politely as I could with a 'what are you up to 'kind of a look in my face.

"Sis, please, I beg you. It's the first day and first impression is important " and that was all I needed to hear to know what she was up to. Typical Fumino!!

"Who's impression are you talking about? You better not be up to something. I don't want you to attract trouble" I whispered into her ear, stressing my words.

"Absolutely not" she whispered back which meant 'absolutely yes's and added "I need your help with some other things too" mouthing an 'I'll tell you later ' with a smile.

That smile had me slaved. Cheater! But in the end I agreed and fixed her hair. 'Oh Fumino,when will you learn', but I loved her, for she was the only one to appreciate my skill in hairdressing. And so like that we went to school to begin a new life at a new highschool. Bit that's to her we were late.

....................................

What are you up to? " I asked her on our way to school. Her answer was "Nothing "but that was not enough to impress me. It only made me more curious.

"Oh did, that's nothing new or special. Just what I usually do. So stop staring at me "

"Tackling down a boy? " I asked.

"Yes! "was her excited reply but I wasn't surprised. I stopped and looked at her in a don't-be-stupid kind of way but she just shrugged it off with a smile and moved on whistling a tune of a song she liked.

"Onee Chan, don't worry " How could I not sure worry! But I knew whenever she used Onee Chan to address me, she wanted me to trust her since it was the only respectful word she had in her vocabulary to call me. Yet I secretly found myself pitying the boy she was about to tame. Fun never abandons her.

The school was located at a walking distance of 3km. Though Fumino insisted on using the subway telling me she would sweat but I refused. Who uses the subway to travel 3km? She does! Now I found myself standing infront of the school with my sister leaning on my shoulders with her cheeks so red as an apple. All her make up was on the edge of melting down with her sweat. Well I guess we should have taken the train, indeed it was our first day here and according to her first impression's all that matters.

"So much for the first impression " she sighed, breathing loud.

"Sorry" I gave her a sheepish look which she saw and gestured it was okay.

The school we were to attend was the only senior high school in Kai. It was a tall white building spreading in a vast area of about 6 arches. The area which looked like the playground was big and students were busy doing morning football Practices. Cheer leading practices were going on too and I saw Fumino drooling over it. She was the leader of the chear leading group in her junior high and I was sure she will be here too. There were big pinus trees growing marking the margin of the ground and couples were sitting there cuddling with each other. There was a fountain in front of the flag post and white clovers were surrounding it. So and so, the school was gorgeous and I think I fell in love at first sight.

By the time we reached the school, it was crowded. Now Fumino was standing on her feet and was also admiring the school. I felt eyes falling on us so I looked around to see the whole school staring at us. In confusion it seemed. Must have been since we were newbies. I didn't like the idea so I convinced myself that they were looking at my gorgeous little sister. It was not partly a lie either. I wanted to hide behind her.

"Shall we? " she asked pointing to the stairs but didn't wait for my reply and hopped the stairs two at a time. I didn't want her to know I was nervous. She turned around and looked at me impatiently. I didn't want her disappointed so I started climbing up the steps wimpily. When I reached her she grabbed my hand playfully letting a bit of her confidence flow through me. I didn't have to tell her for her to know I was nervous. She just knows all the time. Yes ofcourse she's my sister who knows me well than any other.

We entered the crowded corridor which lead us to the principle's office. All the time I had my gaze fixed on the ground, unable to have eye contact with anyone but my sister smiled as if they were the new ones here. Such confidence! Even with her uniform shorter than it should be. She never change.

"Hey sis, that's the one. The guy I'm going to tame"suddenly she whispered, pointing to some direction.

"Who? " I asked, holding her finger down,"stop pointing out "

"Over there, the one with blonde hair, pierced ear,a loose tie, half buttoned shirt, and blue eyes .Oh he's so hot. I heard his name is Kyouta Tsubaki "

Blue eyes!the word has been haunting me since yesterday. I looked at the direction she was pointing but with all her detailed description I could already say what he looked like and that he doesn't deserve my sister. Guys with piecings are all worthless. I saw him but only the back. 'Turn! .. Turn ' my mind shouted. It was restless. That's when I saw one of his friends pointing at us and he slowly turned to face us.

Good god! It was the worst kind of guy to fall for.it was none other than the guy that teased me yesterday. So his name was Kyouta Tsubaki. The other guy was his friend. How stupid of me to not have realized it first. I looked away in an instant before our eyes met. There was no way I was gonna let my sister be with a jerk. He's not worth it. Why the hell was he in my highschool of all? 'Because it is the only high school here'my psyche said in a duh tone. With all these thoughts I felt my mind entering a spinning contest.

"Sakura and Fumino Yoshiko? " a voice came to our rescue. She was a teacher and she guided us to the principal's office. There we were given all the instructions. The principal was a lady and appeared to be a woman of her word. The lengthy session with her ended and we were sent to our respective classes. Fumino has another new girl in the same class with her who has arrived few minutes ago and they instantly became best friends. She was lucky to have someone else with her.

I went to the third year section and stood by the door of the class 3-2. I stood there outside till I was called in. The school had already started and the teacher was writing about Japanese literature on the board though no one looked interested. From the window I saw my empty seat in the last row. Will I be able to pay attention there? Normally the stupid low graders and class pranksters flock at the back.

I was called in by the homeroom teacher, Kazuma sensei, and he, of all things asked for a self introduction. I could still remember what I said just like it happened yesterday. And I stammered through the words too. How embarrassing.

"I'm,.. ah Sakura Yoshiko. I hope I'll get along with you" I didn't pay much attention to what I said or to the reaction of the students. I just looked at the sensei hoping he would allow me to sit. But instead he just looked at me asking to continue. My class teacher was clueless of how nervous I was since he asked his students to ask me questions if they had any.

"What's your specialty? " A girl asked. Just before I could answer another girl did the favor of answering in my stead but I was far from being glad."It must be braiding her hair "she said and the whole class laughed at her dry joke.

"I don't have one to be specific " I answered.

"Then tell us, which period are you from?" a boy asked as he scrunched his nose. I should be the one disgusted to be with a bunch of gangsters not them! But they all silenced up when Kazuma sensei raised his hand and I was allowed to sit. I hurried myself to my seat to escape the humiliation. As I sat my eyes fell onto my neighbor who had his desk joined with mine. There were 3 desks joined together but 2 of them were empty. One was mine and the other belonged to someone else who was not present today.

The guy to my right had his face barried in his hands and was sleeping. How rude! Even when the teacher was teaching! I greeted him with the intention of waking him up.

"Hi, good morning. It's nice to meet you "I said. But he didn't bother to answer or to look at me. I was about to speak again when I saw him raising his hand, while still having his face buried.

"Sir I have a question for her. Can I? "

"Yes"the teacher said.

"Well then",he said "Can the moon talk? "What kind of a question was that! Everyone was as bewildered as me. He still had his head hidden. Doesn't he know that manners? I was really pissed off by his behavior but answere"No, why do you ask?" I was wondering whether he was some kind of a maniac.

"Oh well it doesn't? I was just wondering how it spoke to her"he said, raising his head to look at me. My eyes fell onto the bluest of the bluest. I was taken by surprise. What the hell! What was he doing here? He's my classmate! Just how much more messed up my life could be. I saw the corners of his lips twich up into a wild grin. He was up to something.

The bluest apatite never left mine.

It had been too dark to get a good look at them before, but his eyes were seriously blue. Almost sickeningly blue - full on Prince Charming, field of cornflower, perfect, cloudless sky blue. Someone should name a crayon after the guy. It was a gorgeous ocean blue and I felt like trading my eyes with his.

I was doomed. I had to spend the last year of my senior high school,the last year of my student life, stuck beside this guy Kyouta Tsubaki who is a gangster as my partner. OMG!! I'm done for. The worst part is no matter how much I resisted, he was so attractive for me to keep my eyes off him.

"Hi, good morning .Nice to meet you too, Miss Moon Talk. Oh and I'll take care of you well my dear partner "

I'm seriously doomed

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