I scanned the large, cheering crowd with my blue eyes. There, among the masses of people, I hoped to see my family. It was well into the second half of the game, and they still hadnt shown their cowardly faces. How could they miss my most important game of the season, the qualifying match of the regional soccer cup, when they had sworn up and down theyd be here? What could be so important
that it would keep them? Didnt they know how important this was to me?
A sudden shout from the coach caught my attention. I looked up and saw the black and white soccer ball flying straight at me in the air. Instinctively, I jumped into the air and nailed the ball with my right foot. The goalie, to her credit, dove to stop it but she wasnt expecting that type of kick. The ball hit the back of the net as the whistle blew marking the end of the game. Camera flashed in the stands and on the sidelines. The crowd cheered as I hit the ground on my shoulder, staining my white and red uniform with the green grass.
I lay there for several second, dazed and staring at the scoreboard. It was 2-1. I had just scored the winning goal. We were going to the playoffs. But somehow it didnt feel all that great.
************
After I had finally got rid of the newspaper staff, soccer fan club, and the many people that wanted to congratulate me, I said goodbye to my team and began my walk towards home. It was 11:00 by now. The street was dark and only illuminated by street lights. I held my black soccer bag in both hands in front of me, head bowed. My long, dark blue hair was tied back in a ponytail from the game and I was back in my blue, white and red school uniform.
Why did they miss it? I reminded them a lot, several times in fact. Did they ditch me or did they truly forget? I didnt understand. Sure my mom had work and my dad did too, but they were both off. But it didnt matter now, it was over. At least thats what I told myself.
Suddenly, I was ripped out of my thoughts as I was bumped rudely to the ground. My bag flew out of my hands and I felt a sharp pain run down my ankle as it twisted under me. Tears sprang to my eyes, but I forced them back. Oh no, what if my ankle is sprained? What am I going to do about the game on Sat??
"Gomen ne. Are you alright?" a concerned voice said. The voice was deep and most defiantly masculine.
I blinked and realized I had totally forgotten that I had run into someone. Looking up, I saw him kneeling beside me. I held my breath slightly. He had crystal blue eyes and an unruly mat of red hair on his head, but he was most amazing guy I had ever seen. He was perfect...
"Uh, miss?"
I shook my head and blushed as I realized that I had been staring at him the whole time.
"Gomen. Im alright. I didnt mean to run into you. I just wasnt watching were I was going." I answered with a degree of uncertainty.
He shook his head too. "Its alright. Here let me help you up."
He stood up and stuck his hand out. My heart began to pound. I picked up my bag quickly and threw it over my shoulder. Then I grabbed his hand and pulled myself up. Gingerly, I put my weight on my ankle. It seemed okay. I breathed a sigh relief and mustered up a tentative smile at him.
"Thanks," I said with gratitude.
He smiled too, with a smile that dazzled me. "You sure youre okay?"
I nodded and started on my way, not wanting to leave, but feeling I had to. "No no, Im alright..." I started.
But I was cut short because as I stepped on my injured ankle, it gave way and I found myself on my way to kissing the pavement. Strong arms wrapped around me, stopping me inches from the tan colored cement. I gasped in surprise as he pulled me in close to his body. His scent overwhelmed me and I felt his well-built body against mine. It sent shivers through me.
"Youre not okay. That ankle of yours is already swelling up, I can tell." he said in my ear.
"No, no. Im fine." I barely squeaked out.
He didnt answer. He just picked up me up off my feet swiftly and...
"Miss Mizuno. Miss Mizuno!"
I picked my head off my desk and found myself lookeing up at the blond haired, green eyed chemistry teacher in front of me. He had his hands on his hips and was giving an evilly triumphant look. Man, how did I get myself into these situations??
"Miss Mizuno, since you find sleeping in class much more important than listening to the lesson, you can answer the question for me on the board, and then stand in the hallway."
"Hai, Mako-sensei." I said reluctantly, giving the teacher a pure look of dislike.
Now lets get something straight. I have nothing against my teachers themselves and I dont hate school. Its just the fact that the classes are so boring because I know this stuff already. And I'm not trying to brag, its just true. Growing up with geniuses like my parents, I didnt have much of a choice. So saying that I found school boring was really an understatement...
I quickly examined the problem on the board and solved the three step equation in my head.
"The molarity of NaCl is 56.7g/cm3." I answered with a certain confidence, giving a sickeningly sweet smile to Mr. Mako.
The bell rang, and spared the teacher the embarrassment of telling the class that I was right, and me the embarrassment of having to stand in the hallway. But there was no doubt, as I gathered up my notebook and stuck it my briefcase, that I had gotten the answer right. Mako-sensei just stared at me as I waved goodbye and hurried out the door with the rest of the class.
Geez, why did I have to fall asleep in his class anyways? And what was with that weird dream? I cant believe Im still obsessing over that stupid guy! I should be over him, not dreaming about him. Besides, I dont fall in love and I certainly dont obsess over guys Ill never see again in my life!
But I found that I couldnt stop thinking about him. How I was thrilled at his touch, his voice...how much I wanted to see him again. Could this be a premonition?
"JEN-CHAN!!!"
"Wah!!" I shouted in surprise as I was thrown out of my daydream and back to reality.
I turned to see a girl with long brown hair, down to her ankles, and green eyes standing behind me, vein popping out of her forehead. I grinned at her.
"What is it Micki-chan?" I asked my best friend sweetly.
"Dont you ever listen? Ive been trying to get your attention for the past few minutes!" she said, hitting me over the head good naturally.
I laughed and started walking down the hallway, Micki beside me. "Sorry about that. I was just caught up in my thoughts I guess."
"Its okay. So, what was with your performance in chemistry today?"
I blinked. "You heard about that already?"
"Hey, dont look so surprised. News travels fast. Besides, my class is right beside yours in case youve forgotten."
"Good point. Well, you cant really blame me, can you? I mean, that guy is stupid and so listening to his lecture just put me right to sleep."
"That explains it. You know Jen, you are too smart for your own good." she said as she laughed.
I smiled. "Yeah I guess I am, huh?"
Micki was my best friend and had been since I can remember. She was hard headed, stubborn, annoying, but I loved her anyways. She was funny, smart, and fiercely loyal. She protected her friends and stood by them in any situation. You just had to love her.
"He has such beautiful eyes and that red hair...hes so cute!" Micki was saying.
I blinked. "Who is this?"
"Baka! Werent you listening to me at all?"
"Sorry, must have spaced out again."
"Yeah, sure...anyways, I was talking about this guy I saw the other day." she said, putting her hands behind her head. "He was so cute."
"Oh, really? I met this guy last weekend after the game. He had red hair and blue eyes too."
"Thats cool. Oh yeah! I heard about the game. Congratulations. From what I heard, you out did yourself with that awesome goal of yours. And might I mention, the game-winning goal."
I paused. The game where no one came to see me. I had found out afterwards that my parents had been called back in because of an emergency case. But it still upset me to think about it.
I recovered quickly and smiled at her. "Thanks."
Apparently, I hadnt covered it up quickly enough because Micki frowned at me. Somehow, she always knew when something was wrong no matter how well I hid it. "Whats wrong?"
"My parents missed my game because of work." I had long since given up trying to hide anything up further because somehow shed find out sooner or later.
"Oh no, not again. Im sorry Jen." she said sympathetically.
I shrugged. "Dont worry about it."
She looked like she was going to protest when she suddenly stopped, staring ahead of us, her mouth wide open. I blinked and stopped as well, following her gaze. There was a large mass of beautiful girls wandering pass, but somehow I didnt think thats what she was looking at. Suddenly I saw who it was she was staring at.
He was standing there in the center of the group of chattering girls. I mean how could you miss that messy head of red hair? Somehow I was drawn towards his blue eyes. They werent the same as when he had looked at me. They were unconcerned, bored almost. He was ignoring one girl who was trying to talk to him as she pleaded with him about something.
I stood there staring in momentary shock, as a slow shiver went down my back. All time seemed to slow completely. The only two people were him and me. Thoughts raced throght my head, as my heart quickened.
Should I wave hi? Ignore him? Shout for his attention? Run into his arms, and let him say he loves me and give me a sweet kiss...Whoa, I was getting a little ridiculous here. That would never happen. So instead...
"Thats him!!" I shouted. But I hadnt been paying attention to anyone else around me because at the same time, Micki shouted "Thats him!!" and pointed at him.
I blinked as she turned to face me, look of surprise on her face. "You like the same guy as me?"
I opened my mouth to answer, but before I could another girl stepped in front of us both. She had short lavender hair and lavender eyes. She wore a look of interest as she held her books against her chest and peered at the two of us.
"Hey Lily-chan. Hows my favorite cousin?" I asked her.
But grinning, she completely ignored the question. "So, who do you like?"
Leave it to Lily to get to the heart of a situation dealing with a guy, I thought as I sweatdropped and Micki rolled her eyes.
"Were talking about that guy over there." Micki answered, pointing at the red haired man.
My lavender haired cousin turned, caught a glimpse of him, and laughed. I blinked.
"Whats so funny?" I demanded to know.
She stopped laughing and shrugged. "You guys are hopeless. Thats Tsuke Chiba. Hes only the most sought after guy in the school."
So, the face had a name. And that explained the mass of girls around him. But it didnt explain what she was laughing at. I was allowed a stupid crush now and then right?
Yeah, right. Stupid crush. Keep telling yourself that.
"Yeah, and?" Micki prompted.
"Weeelll, I wouldnt want to get involved with him. Hes a total player. Hes gone out with a bunch of girls, but to tell you the truth, I dont think hes liked a single one. Not the sort of guy youd want to mess with," Lily answered with ease. Yep, leave it to her to know anything about any guy in the school.
Well that was the end of that. He was a player. Tsuke Chiba was a guy to stay away from. Especially if you didnt want to get used or hurt.
"Oh well." Micki said, not sounding the least bit disappointed. "So Jen, are you coming with us to the ice cream parlor?"
I realized that I had been following Tsuke unconsciously with my eyes and blinked in shock. It took a few seconds before Mickis question sank it and I nodded eagerly.
"How could I pass up ice cream?" I asked in a mock surprised tone.
Micki and Lily laughed and they started off down the hallway. I paused for a second, just to take one more look at Tsuke. Yeah, oh well, stupid crush is done and over with. So why couldnt I stop thinking about him?
