Just A Book

Chapter One.

Ever since I was a kid I have always enjoyed the company of girls older than me. It was because I grew up as an only child to parents who were busy and had no one to play with. The nanny who took care of me always brought her little brother along with her and I felt jealous that I had no sister to care for the way she cared for her brother. Maybe I was trying to seek sisterly affection from them.

But it wasn't the same for Hinata Yamakoko, the girl who lived next to my apartment. She always played with me when she was free and I didn't want her to be a sister to me. It was love. Thinking back I must be crazy, what does a nine years old boy know about love. Although I was not sure it was love, I even confessed to her a day before she moved.

"I love you Hinata Yamakoko, and I promise that when I grow up I will marry you." The foolish nine years old shouted, standing in her porch. Well, she laughed and walked away.

"Hey Raichi, quit spacing out." Rio, one of my very good friends said slapping my back.

"Ouch man.!" I looked at him, furrowing my brows.

"Raizo." Riku called.

"Hmm."

"Have you been listening to our conversation?"

"Umm..... see am really sorry." I said scratching the back of my head.

"Seriously, you need to quit spacing out." Juro said munching his bread.

"Yeah, yeah, am really sorry." I said smiling. Just then, Mizuki Yoshida walked into the class with her group, some other girls behind them.

"Oh, here's the Princess." Rio said smiling. "I wish I could go out with her, I just love her....."

Mizuki Yoshida, hiw will I put this, 'My second crush. Well, who in Nagasa high won't have a crush on her though mine's for another reason altogether. The girls flock around her and the boys act so stupid, well, not like I can stoop to their level but she's pretty cute, I'll give her that.

"Hey hey, did you see what happened between Yama-san and Ishii-san in the reality show during the weekend?" One of Yoshidas' friends, Rika asked.

"Oh, yeah can't miss it for the world." Yoshida said as they giggled.

"Raichi, I swear you are one lucky bastard." Rio said looking at Yoshida.

"Hmm, I don't see anything to be so lucky about, she's just in class." I said looking out of the window. "And shouldn't you be going back to your classes, it's almost the first period you know."

"Yeah yeah, Rio, Juro, let's get going." Riku said jumping down from my table.

"See you at gym class!" Juro shouted as they walked out of the class.

"Good grief, these guys should learn to stay in their classes when they get to school." I rested my head on my arm facing the window.

Classes went on as usual, not like I expected anything different. Before I knew it, the bell for lunch was rung.

"Yo!!! Raichi, let's head up!" Riku called from the front door.

"I'll be there." I said grabbing my bento box and getting up from my seat. Riku had already gone to the rooftop where the four of us stay for lunch. As I walked out of the class, with my head bowed, I hit someone by mistake making my lunch waste on the person.

*Argggghhh!!!!! I made sure to garnish today's lunch with the money my dad sent for this . Why??* And that's when I received a slap.

"Hugh!!!!!" The whole class gasped as I looked up at the person who hit me. It was Rika and she had a face that looked so insulting.

*Huh? Shouldn't I be the one annoyed. My lunch.......... is gone, she was the one who walked into me.* I thought looking at the person I bumped into, it was Yoshida and she looked quite annoyed. *But still, I don't think I deserved the slap. If they wanted an apology, I would have given them that even without them asking. Well, it's just me, not like am so important......*

"Hey, don't just stand there looking at us, you need to apologise!" Gina, another of Yoshidas friends shouted.

I looked up at them and everyone in class looked really pissed off. Some guys were threatening to hit me why the others planned on surrounding me after school.

"I'll just go wash up.." Yoshida said smiling.

*Huh? Is she trying to make the crowd more annoyed with me, cause it most certainly is working.*

"Well, it was a mistake, am sorry for not seeing you there." And with that I walk out of the class.

"Oh, that bastard! Who does he think he is!!" I heard someone scream in the class.

*Well, if anyone has a score to settle with me, he should come up and say so. I'll deal with him my way.*

"Hey, what the hell is wrong with you!" Rika asked running towards me and blocking my way.

"Um...... am really not in the mood for this, I'll apologise to her later okay, the class is just too loud for that, and it looks like you guys are making her really uncomfortable." I said looking away.

"You....."

"Hey, am really sorry if I made her sad or whatever, it wasn't my intention, you just hit me out of nowhere, I couldn't apologise then... you should understand." And with that, I walked out, cause o really didn't know what else to say.

It was time for gym class, it seemed like I was now a target for bullying, fans of Yoshida, I guess.

"Hey man," Juro called putting his arm around my neck and holding me tight.

"Oh, you lucky bastard." Riku called walking towards me.

"I heard you bumped into Mizuki Yoshida, you really are a lucky one, I wish I was the one who bumped into her." Rio said smiling and looking dreamily.

"Huh?"

"You! You are really lucky man, I also wish I was the one receiving that slap, I would have asked for more." Riku said.

*These guys are sick.* I thought looking irritated.

"Something is really wrong with you three. Am heading to the gym." I said putting on my shorts and walking out.

"Raichi!" They kept lamenting as we walked to the gym.

*Perverts.*

Many things did happen during gym class. I was hit by a ball many times, and I kept tripping cause of constant pushing, not like it bothered me.

"Hey, Raizo, why are you being idle." The gym instructor asked looking as stern as usual.

"Sensei, it seems like he's trying to avoid attending gym activities." Someone from my class said grinning at me.

"Raizo Yamaguchi, don't distract the class again, okay." The teacher said.

"Yes sir, thanks alot." I said smiling as he nodded leaving me alone.

"Tchh, he's always lucky with teachers." Someone said looking at me with hatred.

*Ha.....I just wish this will end soon, I don't want to attract any more attention than I want.* I thought juggling the ball that someone kicked to my face. I looked at the person and smiled. He made me get more attention.

"Jeez, I really hate that Yamaguchi guy, what does he think he is." Someone said as I changed my shoe.

"Haaa, home, atleast I'll be there alone." I said carrying my bag over my shoulder.

"Raichi," Riku called putting his hands over my shoulder.

"Sup' Raizo." Juro said, he and Rio walking towards me.

"Hey guys." I said smiling.

"I guess you plan on going home already." Rio said.

"Uh-huh." I said.

"Let's take you, we want to join you." Juro said.

"Huh? Why? You guys have club activities to attend to." I said.

"Well... the thing is that some of the guys in your class are out for you. They plan on ambushing you when you leave the school." Rio said.

"Yeah, let's go with you, with is there you won't be beaten." Riku said.

*Well, they really are caring.*