Chapter 2: School is a Pain in the Ass

Warm air rushed through Takabi's hair as he made his way down the street. The white, short sleeve button down shirt with a loose fitted violet tie. The beige slacks he wore with sneakers definitely made him stand out.

Un Ala High was a normal public school. As average as a school can get. There was the popular crowd, the nerds, the athletes, and the minorities and nobodies. Ironically, Takabi didn't fit into any of those categories. He just barely existed in that place, and that's how he liked it.

Attention caused issues, and he made it all through freshman year without being remembered. The only ones who paid him any mind were the staff, and that was more because of the simple fact that they memorized his name with his face. Somehow, white hair and violet eyes doesn't make him stick out as a target at all, even with the coco colored skin to contrast it.

His bag was slung over his shoulder, and after undoing the top couple buttons that Rose insisted he had to make himself look professional, he then noticed the fact that Jewel was following him. He had no idea how he picked up her presence, but he paid it no mind. Occasionally, he would glance back, but she would give him a simple glare and he'd turned right back around.

The girl had issues with him, and he wasn't sure what those issues were. He considered speaking to her, but knew that would only tick her off and send her into a rage fueled tangent.

The school came into view a little later when they crossed the road into the center of the city. Yellow buses were pulling into the driveway, opening their doors and letting other students pour out, laughing and talking amongst each other.

Takabi noted that Jewel had passed him and was making her way up the steps. Only then did he take in her outfit. Blue jeans and a fitted black T-Shirt that said, My ex is an asshole.

"Where'd she find that, Hot Topic or Spencer's?" He muttered. Takabi was sure that the shirt violated some school policy.

An arm slung around his shoulders and pulled him into a loud voice. "Hey, Man! I see the white hair is still as much of a mess as ever."

His eyes quickly looked at the boy next to him. His greased black hair and slightly darker skin. Sweat shorts and a plain blue shirt that dignified a handsome and relaxed male.

Carlos beamed at Takabi, the two exchanging playful punches before gripping hands. "Man, it's been waaaayy too long! How was Wisconsin?"

"Awful," He replied with an oddly happy tone. "My mom and dad kept arguing, and sisters wouldn't leave me alone." He said, the confident smile never leaving his face. "I got a couple numbers though. Want me to hook you up?"

"Nah, I'm okay." His eyes glanced to Jewel, who was talking to a blonde haired, blue eyed boy at the top of the steps by the doors.

They shared a quick kiss before going inside, and Takabi couldn't help but feel his heart break a little bit.

Carlos noticed his best friend's mood deflate a little, so he reached into his own bag and pulled out a wrinkled paper, "Here. Call this girl and tell her I gave you her number so you could chat."

He shook his head and pushed Carlos's hand away, walking ahead and pulling out his phone. "I don't need the pity. I'm fine as I am."

He scrolled through twitter, noting the fact that the only thing in his feed was all negative news. Separated families. Constant homicide, among other things that made his stomach twist. "The world is so messed up lately… It's all death and families getting ripped apart."

Carlos scoffed, "That, or school shootings or something. I never understood why it's all getting so hectic now, during our time." He hopped up the first couple steps, before turning and exclaiming, "Maybe this is the beginning to armageddon! Where the world slowly descends into chaos and the angels and demons rage war!"

Carlos earned a couple weird glances, especially from Takabi. "I think you've seen too many movies Dude, because that's some imagination. I think the news is just focused on reporting the negativity more often now because that's the view market."

Carlos shrugged and turned. "Don't ruin my fun."

Takabi raised his foot to the first step, but somehow missed, and fell forward. Just before his face hit the stone, a breezed rushed under him. His body stopped quickly and was whizzed back to where he was falling backwards instead.

Small hands touched his back to keep him from falling, and when he looked back, he locked eyes with a dark blue haired girl. She only reached his chest in height, and her hair was to her lower back. She blinked before saying, "You should be more careful. You almost crushed me."

"Ah, sorry.." He looked at the step he almost smashed his face into then back to the girl, extending his hand. "I'm Takabi. Thanks for catching me."

The girl took his hand. She was dressed in a dark blue skirt and sweater with a white collared shirt underneath. Stockings were on her legs, and flats on her feet. She kept a bow in her hair. She looked familiar, but Takabi couldn't place a finger on where from.

"I'm Nana. It was no problem, just be more careful. You wouldn't want to lose those amazing teeth." There was a hint of happiness in her voice and eyes. She walked past him and up the stairs. Carlos came back down, looking between Takabi and Nana before saying, "Maybe you really didn't need my help."

------------------------------------

Lunch came quickly. Takabi's first few classes were History, Math, and Science. He didn't care exactly for the first two, but he thought science was pretty interesting. Especially after listening to the new teacher, Ms. Otis, stumble over her words when explaining the first quarter of the year will be covering the male body and chemistry.

She seemed awfully embarrassed about explaining that to everyone, though half the class being males wouldn't make her job easier.

Takabi sat in the cafeteria, twirling his pencil between his fingers as he picked at the tray of lunch next to his notebook. The lunch was supposed to be sloppy joe, but the buns got moldy and the staff through them out, so they just put together meat and spinach. Odd combination, but Takabi wasn't one to complain.

Carlos plopped down on the seat across from him, sweating bullets and breathing hard. "Whoever… Thought early morning gym was a good idea.. Deserves to be tortured."

"Sounds like you had fun," Takabi said, scribbling on his paper and using his fork to pick up some of the meat. He shoved it in his mouth and as he chewed, he continued with, "I take it Mr. K was rough to deal with?"

Carlos laughed hysterically at the word rough. "That's an understatement. He called us all lazy slobs and made us run the field full sprint for the whole class. If anyone gave out or hesitated, we'd be put in detention for class disruption."

"The classic power trip. A gym teacher with their head so far up their ass they think they're a drill sergeant. So, who gave out, because there's always that one person." He commented, putting more of the food in his mouth.

Carlos followed, eating, chewing and swallowing before chugging from his milk carton. Wiping his mouth, he gave Takabi a harsh glare and said with sore words, "Delaware."

Takabi didn't show any surprise. "You mean the super nerdy kid with Asthma? Of course he'd give out! He's not meant for physical stuff!"

"Yeah, well…" Carlos huffed. "We ran ourselves ragged and he gave out a couple seconds before the bell. The jocks shoved him into a locker and left him in there." Tapping his fingers, Carlos pushed his tray from him and put his head down.

Takabi reached for more of his food, but noticing that he finished it all, he reached over and dug up some of Carlos's food with his spork. "Did you at least help him out?"

"Couldn't. Assholes changed the combination on his lock. Had to get the janitor to snap the thing. You can bet your ass Delaware was crying his eyes out though." Carlos paused to swallow. "Poor kid, but he should seriously grow a backbone." He raised his head to look at Takabi, who finished the second tray of food. "Had enough there?"

"Hey, I'm hungry. Barely ate." Takabi replied, closing his notebook and slipping it into his bag. "I haven't had the craving for food in the morning, yet I end up starving by second period." His eyes left from his bag to Carlos, but caught a glimpse of Jewel and her new boyfriend walking by.

The two were laughing and talking, and Takabi couldn't help but feel uncomfortable now. Why was she purposely going out of her way to rub her relationship in his face? Or was it just his imagination and it was all just a coincidence?

"You think Jewel is trying to make me jealous or something?" Takabi looked at Carlos, his friend flicking his eyes between him and Jewel.

He shrugged saying, "Why? No, more importantly, why do you care?" His voice held genuine curiosity. "All you've been telling me over break is that she keeps sending you hateful glares and wishes the worst on you."

"Yeah, that's true." He muttered, resting his chin on his palm. He watched Jewel's back, until Nana strolled by and made quick eye contact. He smiled at her, and she blushed and kept on walking. "That girl is weird as hell…"

"Who?" Carlos turned his head and looked around. His eyes stopped on Nana. "The one that stopped you from making an early trip to the nurse?" Carlos looked to Takabi and back.

"I mean, she's not bad looking. No, scratch that, she's actually really hot. Not a bad body either." Nana stopped walking and looked back at the two, more specifically Carlos, shooting daggers with her eyes, before huffing and walking from the cafeteria, dumping her tray aside.

Carlos's face turned slightly pale and he whispered, "Think she heard me?"

Takabi just laughed and stood, grabbing his bag and wishing his friend good luck before flinging it over his shoulder and leaving as well.