12/15/05 03:00 pm
yea, okay. for those of you who know about the story i'm writting,(w/katie's help^^)here's the first chapter.YAY!
Prologue
Rain hissed as it fell hard against the cracked pavement, creating a glistening haze that caught the fluorescent glow of nearby streetlights. The sign above the door read, “Tokyo Adoption Center”, in faded black letters; a cartoon sketch of two young children smiling and holding hands as its emblem.
Standing just in front of the concrete steps that lead up to the front door, a slender figure clutched at the ragged cardboard box cradled in its arms. The cloak draped around the figure’s shoulders, now drenched, billowed around the young woman’s fragile body in the chilling night wind. Glancing up at the aging sign, she ascended the mud slickened steps and, kneeling, placed her treasure before the rusted screen door, taking one last gaze inside the warped box. Her eyes fixed upon the faces of seven newborn kittens, each a different breed-except for two who cuddled together in a corner for warmth. Pressing her first two fingers against her pale lips, she touched them to each one of the sleeping kittens, who purred softly as they all grappled for their mother’s hand. Hushing them, she stood, rigid against the cold, and rang the doorbell. She smiled weakly, and bounded down the steps and out into the deserted street, the glow of streetlamps reflecting off the stream of tears cascading down her cheeks.
A few moments later, an older woman, maybe in her late fifties, answered the door, still drowsy from being awaken. She glanced around for the culprit who had rudely interrupted her “beauty sleep”.
“Damn kids.” She muttered as she turned to go back inside. However, a small cry stopped her short as she held the door half-way open. Looking down at the doorstep, she dropped to her knees in front of the misshapen carrier.
“Oh my Go-! Where in heaven’s name did you all come from?” Straining to lift the heavy load, she counted the furry heads inside the box silently. “My-my, there are seven of you. We’ll have to get started soon if we’re to find you darlings new families before Christmas.” Shoving the door aside, she carried the trove inside and proceeded to fill out all the paperwork. Thus the story begins…
1
17 years later
“Malori.” A deep voice echoed through the darkness. Not now. “Malori,” Just leave me alone. “It’s time to get up.” Malori’s eyes blinked slowly open as her dad entered the cluttered room. “Come on, Mal. You’re going to be late.”
“Hmmm.” She groaned drowsily and turned over in the bed. Her dad sighed, walked over to the window and pulled open the lavender curtains; the early morning sunlight spilling in over Malori’s tan face and illuminating the room.
“Ehh!” Malori cried out and buried her head in her pillow, pulling the covers over her head.
“Get up.”
“But it’s so early! Why do I even have to go to school today anyway?”
“Because,” her dad said adjusting his tie and becoming slightly frustrated. “You have an exam. Remember?” Malori moaned loudly, folding the aqua-blue covers back from over her head, and squinting at the brightness.
“Don’t remind me.”
“Then get up and get going.” Her dad urged incessantly, pulling the covers completely off of her. She flinched at the sudden chill and sat up in the bed, blinking as her eyes slowly adjusted to the light.
“Are you up?” he asked impatiently.
Malori wrapped her arms around herself and nodded, her dark violet hair falling limply in her face. “Yea.” She said groggily. Her dad started to leave the room, but stopped and glanced back at her.
“Will you stay up if I leave?”
Malori looked up at him annoyed. “Yes.” He nodded and left, leaving her staring blankly at the lavender walls. Man, I don’t wanna take a stupid exam! What’s the point anyway? I have the highest grade in the class. She hung her legs over the edge of the bed and stretched her arms above her head, yawning loudly. Brushing her hair away from her face she groaned and slid out of bed. She walked over to the window where the sunlight shimmered on her pale blue night gown. The sun was barely above the horizon, and already there were people walking to school. “This is gonna be a long day.” She muttered, pressing her forehead against the glass. “A long and boring day.”
After a quick breakfast, Malori scuffed down the cracked sidewalk; concrete still damp from the previous rain, and the smell of wet asphalt still lingered in the air. Dark clouds littered the horizon, and blocked the rising sun from Malori’s sapphire-blue eyes, who fumbled with a stubborn lock of hair as a strong breeze threatened to release it from the black band wrapped around the thick mass. Checking her watch, she gazed around at the massive buildings that populated the city of Tokyo, then at the sidewalk. How long had she lived here? Around eight, she thought. Wow, it seems a lot longer than that. Let’s see, I moved here with Dad when I was…five I think. So, that would make it... She counted out the years on her fingers, and nodded to herself in satisfaction. Yep, eight years. I’ve been living here for…eight years. She sighed, pondering over how time flew by so fast now a days. She kicked a pebble out into the road and watched as a car drove over it, sending it flying right back to the curb. I wonder if that’s how life means to treat us. Bringing us trials so that we can get over them and learn, then sending an even harder test to knock us right back to where we were. That’s just…not fair. She sighed once more and readjusted the backpack that hung snuggly over her shoulders, and hurried up the walk to the entrance of Julian High School.
Two girls sat waiting on one of the bordering ledges, one casually flipping through a manga she had recently purchased, the other staring up at the lightening sky and chewed impatiently on a piece of gum. She sighed a breath of relief when Malori came bounding up the walk towards them, backpack bouncing hard against her back.
Jumping down off the ledge, the one girl adjusted her shirt and grabbed her own bag, motioning for Malori to hurry up. “God, Mal! You’re so slow! What took you? We’re gonna be late for the exam no thanks to you!” the one exclaimed as she popped a bubble.
“You’re one to talk Etana. Why the great interest in school all of a sudden?” the girl with her nose in the book teased. Etana glared up at her and shrugged.
“My parents said that they’d take away my ride if my grades fell any lower,” she scoffed. “I figure I can pass the exam enough to bring my grade up, then I can go back to catching up with my beauty sleep.” With that she flipped a short lock of hair sarcastically and leaned back against the wall, stretching her arms above her head, yawning loudly.
“Well I can tell you one thing, all that beauty sleep sure isn’t working.” The red-head on the ledge nudged Etana’s head with her foot playfully. Malori burst out laughing and Etana glared hard at her classmate.
“Come on, Etana. Fiona was just joking.” Malori tried to ease her friend’s rage while straining to keep her own laughter at bay.
“Hmph. I look better than her anyway. I don’t know what she’s talking about.” Etana scoffed and crossed her arms, her biceps visible through the white fabric of her uniform.
“Well, I’m not one to pick sides,” Malori put her hands on her hips and leaned against the arm of a nearby bench. “But I find it ironic you say that and yet you’re the one standing here in a guy’s uniform.” She looked Etana up and down to emphasize her point. Etana looked from Malori to Fiona, whose face was a scarlet red from withheld laughter. She threw her arms in the air with a groan.
“Man, it’s impossible to please you people!” she spat as she grabbed her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and began to walk off towards the school. Fiona and Malori glanced at each other with confused looks. Malori shrugged and started off to catch up with Etana.
“Ney! Chutto Matte!” Fiona whined as she clambered down the ledge and snatched up her own bag before sprinting after the two girls.
“You’re so slow!” the two said in unison as they turned to see Fiona panting for breath, cheeks a bright, rosy-red.
“You guys are so mean!” she whimpered.
“Aie, you’re just pathetic.” Etana rolled her eyes, but had a sarcastic smirk which showed she wasn’t really serious. Fiona’s green eyes glistened as tears began to fill them.
“Hai, but we still love you.” Malori cooed, placing an arm around the fiery red-head. Fiona sniffed softly and blinked away the building tears, smiling brightly at Malori.
“Speak for yourself.” Etana said jokingly.
“Whahhh!” Fiona cried as she poked out her bottom lip and buried her face in her hands, a strand of auburn hair falling down in her delicate face. Malori shook her head and patted her on the shoulder, placing the rebellious lock behind Fiona’s ear.
“Don’t worry about her. She’s still a little sore from being called a cross-dresser.”
“You were the one who called me a cross-dresser.” Etana spat at Malori, eyes cold and daring her to say another word. Malori backed off slightly but shot her a reprehending glance.
“Come on Fi-chan,” she sighed, lifting her friend to her feet. “We’ll be late if we don’t hurry.” Fiona shifted her bag to her other shoulder and gingerly patted the tears from her eyes. “Alright, let’s go.” All three girls then entered through the large double-doors, Etana in the lead as usual, and scurried up the stairs to class.
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