Chapter 1

(Haru POV)

My whole life I always felt I didn’t belong. No matter the situation or who I was trying to connect with. There was always a chasm that separated me from everybody else. It’s the same way Neo felt, when he was inside the Matrix. The world was rejecting me because anytime something would go right, another two things went wrong. Could it possibly be I wasn’t supposed to live in this world? Are there actually more worlds out there? Why do I have an out-of-body experience every once in a while, where nothing around me feels real? The wish I hoped for the most was to have these questions answered.

Growing up and trying to make friends never worked for me. There were a few people I got a long with, but all of them ended in failure. One of them used to talk behind my back. Another one stole my favorite Ghostbusters action figure. The person who I was the closest with in middle school ended up dying in a tragic accident. All these strange occurrences happening in my life caused me to shut myself off from the world around me.

I would always go for the furthest seat away from everyone else and just keep my head down during class. But, this also made me an extremely easy mark for people who like to terrorize others. I still remember in my last year of middle school during flag football. I always gave it my all, so no one could say anything about my effort. But this one time, I ended up going face-first into one of the guys who usually annoyed me. You could see two indents on his face from where my front teeth impacted.

I’m sure anyone with a decent IQ could figure out where this would lead. For about the next year, I was made fun of for trying to eat his face. There was always the same three, and they were in my homeroom. So I had no choice, but to deal with them on a daily basis. Thankfully, I was now entering my last year of high school. What I wouldn’t give to just skip this year and graduate already. Little did I know this next year was going to be much shorter than I realized.

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*

As I was staring up at the ceiling, the noise you dread the most started blaring. I quickly slammed my hand down on the snooze button for the alarm to shut up. Turning my head back to the ceiling, I make a huge sigh. Why do I even have to get up and go to school? I already know it’s going to suck.

“Haru get off your ass and get dressed. You have ten minutes before you have to leave for school.” My mother said with a fed up tone.

What? I only have ten minutes before I have to leave for school. But that could only mean, I’ve hit snooze more than once! I threw my covers off of myself, jump up out of bed, and start speed dressing. After putting on my school clothes, I run into the bathroom. Where I quickly wash my face and brush my teeth. By the time I was finished with everything and ran out into the kitchen ten minutes had passed.

I noticed my mom just standing there with her arms crossed, “Did you forget something before you ran out here?”

“Umm... I can’t think of anything I’m forgetting.” I said not understanding.

“You don’t have your backpack. Go get it now and be on your way.” She said with a sigh.

“Oh right, I will be right back.”

Once I grabbed my backpack, I went back to my mom. She gave me a packed lunch, and I was out the door. As I started making my way to school, I noticed there was someone in a hoodie with animal ears.

When I got a little closer to the hooded person they stared at me, I couldn’t help but stare back and noticed it was a girl. The hoodie was covering up a knee-high black one piece dress. The second her piercing blue eyes reached mine, I got stunned. She was also rocking silver hair, which is something you don’t see every day. What a beautiful girl!

As I stood there for a good ten seconds just staring at her, she gave me a slight smile. The fact she actually acknowledged my existence was something most girls won’t do. I was completely bewildered by her actions, so I just nodded to her.

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Just keep walking Haru; she only smiled at you because of the awkward situation. Once I passed by her, I took a quick glance back, and she started following me.

Was she not waiting for someone? Why would she decide to follow me? On my ten-minute walk to school, she kept about a twenty feet distance between us. This can’t be a new way of messing with me by getting my hopes up, is it? Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past my bullies. This for sure looks like a popular girl, one who probably goes after the guy with the most admirers. So she can show her superiority to all those who would place their significance above her own. On the other hand, wearing a hoodie with animal ears is a bit weird. But, I’m sure with her looks no one’s going to say a word.

Walking through the front entrance of school, I head to the area where you pick up your schedule. There are about ten people in line waiting. I go and wait as the hoodie girl stands right behind me. She got right on top of me in line. Just what in the world is she thinking? I thought it’s for the best to just ignore the fact; she’s rubbing against my back as we wait in line.

There is one thing I know for sure, she smells wonderful. But damn it Haru, you can’t fall for a girl like this. She is the definition of out of your league. It will only end in unrequited feelings from my side and her probably laughing at the idea of even thinking I had a chance. After about five minutes, I got up to the table to find my name and schedule. As I started looking through the names, hoodie girl comes right next to me close enough to rub arms.

Does she not have any respect for people’s personal space? Maybe she just does this unknowingly? Could it be she’s really dingy and not sure of her surroundings? I’m not saying I dislike the fact she’s rubbing her arm onto me, but I just don’t want to get the wrong idea. She is sending me so many mix signals. It could also be that those are just in my head? Let’s just forget about this for now and find my schedule.

When I finally got to my home room, which was almost on the other side of the school entrance. I noticed right away that a few of my tormentors were in the class. They haven’t noticed me yet, so let’s run to a seat. I go to the opposite side of the room there on and sit at a table in the back corner. Once I got myself situated, I noticed hoodie walk through the door. At the same time I looked at the seat next to me and put my head down.

Why would you even think for a second, that she would sit next to you? I guess, I’m just reading too many fantasy novels, and too much wishful thinking. The loser guy always gets the cute girl in those stories. What makes you think that my life would be a fantasy novel? I look up slightly and notice the three jackass guys moving towards hoodie. That seems about right, and I’m sure there asking her to sit with them. You would have to be blind to not see how cute she is under that hoodie and want to spend time with her.

I tried to listen in on their conversation, “Hey cutie, want to sit with us?”

“…” She just looked up at them and walked right past.

One of them grabbed her shoulder and said, “Hey, what’s up with that stuck up attitude?” The whole class started to pay attention to this interaction.

“Fuck off” She glared at the guys with killing intent in her eyes. The one who touched her shoulder let go immediately. They all had this fear of death written all over their faces.

Thinking to myself, I’m really glad I didn’t try to say anything to her. I could only imagine it probably would have been even worse for me. What a great way to start off a new school year though, seeing those douche bags getting their own medicine. As I was thinking those thoughts, I noticed someone come near me. I look up, and it’s hoodie staring right at me.

“Mind if I sit here?” She asks.

“Um… sure, if you don’t mind sitting next to me.” I replied not understanding her decision.

“Why would I mind sitting next to you?” She said with a tilted head.

“Well most people avoid me, so it will only hurt you by being here.” I said as I looked over at the three who got rejected by her. They were all trying to pierce me with their eyes.

“I don’t really care what other people think about me.” She gave me a warm smile.

“Well, suit yourself” After seeing her smile, I couldn’t help but smile back.

Hoodie sat down at the table and went about her business. I just looked forward afraid to make eye contact. It’s extremely rare, when I have had a conversation with a girl. Usually it wasn’t a very proactive experience and probably led to the girl talking down to me. I remember this one time a year ago, when I bumped into a girl in the hall on accident. She responded by slapping me in the face, “Watch where you’re going loser.” That was the extent of our conversation.

I was thinking about fond memories of my interactions with the opposite sex, when someone tapped my arm. I look up and hoodie was super close to me. What’s her deal seriously? She acted as if those other guys were the plague. But, she’s going out of her way to have a conversation with me?

“My name is Akari.”

I was stunned by the fact she introduced herself to me first, “I’m Haru.” I said as I had a confused expression on my face.

“You look surprised.” Akari said.

“Well, I don’t usually get this kind of attention from a girl and especially not initiated from one. I’m sure everyone here right now is wondering if you’re on medication. Especially the three losers who you told to fuck off earlier, and by the way that was really enjoyable.” I said with a chuckle.

“Do those three trouble you Haru?” Akari asked with a cold tone.

“The last five years of my school life has sucked because of those guys. I’m sure because of the fact you’re giving me attention, I will get their wrath later on. I’m not saying I dislike your attention or anything.” I said worried, she might get the wrong idea. “But, it’s just frustrating dealing with them.”

I stared at Akari as she was deep in thought before saying, “Do you want me to kill them?” She asked with a serious face.

“What? Kill them? I mean it would be a great service to the world, if they disappeared. But with laws in place against that, sadly it’s not possible.” I said with a sigh as I saw Akari’s eyes shine for a second. Was she being serious?

“Well if you ever change your mind let me know.” She said confidently as if she could get it done.

“Why would you even go that far for me?”

“That’s my secret.” She gave me a wink.

What in the world is going on? Why is this girl acting like her goal was to talk to me from the very start. Still it’s best not to get my hopes up. I have no idea what this girl’s motives are and if they’re even good. But wouldn’t it be amazing, if she was actually interested in me? Spending time with her would make my life a lot better. But, these thoughts will only ever be that, and probably will never change.