Grade A Nonsense [kittykxo & foodforpigs]

[foodforpigs]

Kenji looked up at the night sky from his bedroom window after looking at his journal. There were so many blank pages. He had been told that entering high school would be an exciting time in his life on the day of his junior high graduation, and that he should cherish it. They had said the same thing about summer. Time passed so slowly during that time, and now summer was nearing its end. He slouched in his chair, rubbing his tired looking eyes.

"Why can't I see interesting stuff happen for a change?" he said.

---
Kenji's dad dropped him off at the gate of Haruna High. The bronze plaque on the adjacent wall showed a spring flower in bloom with the motto 'The beginning is always today', attributed to Mary Shelley. In the boy's school uniform of button-up collared shirt with jacket and trousers, Kenji could already tell which of the students were freshmen and those who were not. Those that were freshmen had their uniforms ironed and pressed and had done up all their buttons. The upperclassmen at minimum had the bottom button of their shirt undone. Many of the new students were in a single cluster, moving as a single entity. The upperclassmen had already broken into their cliques.

The cluster of new people was quickly broken up as teachers and their assistants directed them to wait by areas by last name. Standard stuff. There was a young woman he thought he had recognized in the crowd, and perhaps he looked a bit too long, because she turned to look at him. He turned away quickly. He couldn't know her. This was a different community from the one he had just moved from, a necessity of his father's new job in a new office. He had also seen a black cat trot on the academy wall. It looked a lot like Molly, who had been the family's black cat when he was still a kid. Then again, wouldn't all black cats look the same, especially at this distance? It looked at Kenji suddenly just like the girl had done, except that once it was locked with its target, closed its eyes in a slow blink.

"Takuya Kenji!"

He snapped to attention to the teacher's aid that had been calling his name. He could feel classmates snickering behind his back for being so airheaded.
---

Once in class 2-E, passing by others standing around in the hallways, and being one of the first inside, Kenji took dibs on one of the back desks by the window. Classes would begin soon, but it looked like the school was giving one period as an exception to have people file in for today. Kenji decided to take a short nap.

He was at a residential playground, one of the ones that are built by the numbers for a nondescript apartment neighborhood. This was no dream, but a memory, for it had the vivacity of one. He couldn't have been more than five. This could've been when the family, Molly included stayed in a temporary apartment. There were a few children playing amongst themselves at the slide area, and there a lonely looking girl sitting by herself, playing in the sand pit. Kenji walked towards her and knelt down in front of her. She looked at him. He dug down deep in the sand pit for wetter, easier to shape sand, to give to her. They had shared not a word as the night crept up on them.

Kenji could feel a pulsing in the middle of his forehead. He strained to keep hold of the memory before it became awash in the hazy fog of time. Those eyes. The image of young woman Kenji accidently looked at for too long flashed in his mind. He then felt someone grab and shake his arm. "Guh!" Kenji exclaimed, before snorting and sucking a sudden breath in. He had been out cold.

The young man had other friends with him crowded around his desk. He had the air of a popular one. Kenji had seen enough, transferring from school to school so often, to at least make a guess.

"You want me to move so that all of you can sit in the same group away from the front, yeah?" said Kenji.
The one that had his arm furrowed his eyebrows. "... yeah."
Kenji nodded, stood up and glid past the group that had been crowding around the desk like he was a ghost. The tired look in his eyes was gone. He looked at the clock. It hadn't been 10 minutes and yet he felt incredibly rested. Last night had still been hot, it being the tail end of summer.

 

[kittykxo]

Tayla yawned, running her long manicured fingernails the color of a deep purple through her chocolate auburn hair. "well it's getting closer to graduation at least, one more year" she said to herself as she threw the covers back and climbed out of bed. She hadn't slept very good, even with the help of her usual cup of herbal tea, Tayla still had insomnia.

Rubbing her eyes she walked over to her mirror and groaned when she saw how sleepy she appeared, quickly deciding on running the faucet in her bathroom as she left her room and splashing handfulls of cool water on her face before starting to get ready for another day of school.
---

Tayla's mom dropped her off that morning and just as she was about to exit her mom's car, her arm was gently grabbed. "Have a good day today sweetie, and get some rest tonight..you look exhausted" her mother looked at her daughter with concern and Tayla forced a smile to try and settle her mom's nerves. She missed her dad but he had passed years ago after a long battle with cancer. It still hurt even years later and her mother had become even more protective and sometimes suffocatingly so after he was buried, over her.

"I'll be fine mom, thanks though!" She called out to her as she left the car and started sprinting to the entrance doors of her school so not to be late.

---
With a sigh as she watched the cluster of students from freshman to seniors, scattered around the doors after having made it through the entrance gate, Tayla found her place in line like she always did. That's how it worked, single file lines once everyone had found their place and names being called out, students entering the building one by one. Listening for her name to be called out, her eyes briefly landed on a male student though she didn't know his name, he had looked at her and she couldn't help but do the same because he looked familiar even if she couldn't figure out why and thought herself to be fabricating things in her mind because she was so tiredm She decided that she couldn't know him and turned no longer staring in his direction.

"Tayla Sakura!"

One of the assistants calling names out had finally come across her name and she raised her hand to tell them that she was present, yawning as she made her way inside the busy halls now that more students had gathered and were making their way to class 2-E. Sky blue eyes surveyed the classroom and she found a place in the back away from the cliques and once she was about to take her seat, she heard someone call out to her.

Instantly realizing who it was, she rolled her eyes at his sing songy voice taunting her as he said her name and looked at her with a wink, patting his lap purposely.

"Taylaaaaaaaa, pretty kitty girl why don't you come sit here...it's a nice comfortable spot for you" smirking at her now as she scoffed. They had always called her kitty girl because of her eyes and her long nails or as she would call them claws if someone pissed her off.

"Why don't you get bent?!" She retorted and the rest of his crew as he called them surrounding the jock, laughed.

"Fiesty..." He grinned and kept his eyes on her as she took a seat finally and then lifted one manicured finger up, her middle finger just as the instructor walked into the classroom and she quickly tucked it back in as she dug through her bag for a pencil and notebook, the instructor looking from her to the male student who's name was Rijaku before she turned and decided not to get involved, writing on the chalkboard instead even though she had seen what had just happened when she entered.

The tension in the room could be cut through like a knife cutting butter.

--

As the instructor started to review what they had all gone over the week prior, Tayla's eyes couldn't help but land on the student who looked at her earlier and having watched him turn his attention to the name of Takuya Kenjii, she knew his name now. But why did he look so familiar to her? Why couldn't she shake this thought of meeting him before at a different time and place in the past?

"I'm just going crazy" she murmured to herself as she watched him get up and move to the front of the classroom, starting to write in her notebook after fixing a button that had come undone on her blouse.

 

[foodforpigs]

Reijaku was the one that had taken Keiji's desk in the first place. Tayla had rebuffed his snide pass at her, and the teacher had entered the class just as the tension was at its peak. Reijaku looked at Keiji as he passed Tayla to the front of the class.

He saw the way Keiji glanced Tayla's way as he passed her, and though Reijaku couldn't see Keiji's face, he saw Tayla's attention was now away from him. Keiji had smiled softly to Tayla as he passed and sat dead center right in front of the class, looking at her in the eyes he now remembered with incredible vivacity.

The first part of the class had the instructor introduce herself, and then the procedures and rules of Haruna High, one of them being about bullying and harassment. The instructor's recitation of the rules had been routine. If you see bullying or harassment, report it. It was a bit ironic given the instructor had just seen the tail end of harassment in her own classroom.

Without any more prelude, the instructor started with her History lesson plan. Many of the students in the class were taken by surprise by the shift. They had thought this was going to be a free day. They were wrong. Keiji had his stuff already out, following Tayla's example. The instructor had Keiji's direct and undivided attention for the remainder of the morning.
---
In what seemed like no time at all until it was lunch time for Keiji. He hadn't really taken notice to the rest of the class, but taking a walk outside, he could see his other classmates from class 2-E going outside for lunch. He could place a name on all of them already, which was a surprise to him. Keiji wondered how he could ever broach the topic with Tayla Sakura from how he knew her. He didn't want to weird her out, though he probably already did. He also didn't like the way Reijaku had treated her. He regretted not saying anything, but Tayla looked like she could speak for herself just fine.

Thinking of the jerk, Keiji spotted Reijaku approach him with two of his friends in tow. Reijaku bumped shoulders with other classmates as they made a beeline towards him.

"What's with you and Tayla, huh?" Reijaku said, then pointed over his shoulder. "This guy over here told me how you were looking at her. Don't get any weird ideas. She's out of your league, so piss off."

Keiji looked at the three, absorbing who they were with each wide-eyed glace, saying nothing. They each had fists in their pockets in case an instructor passed by. They likely weren't going to throw fists here, but they wanted to signal to him they were willing to. Most likely off campus when he walked home. He made no reply and just stared at them. Keiji couldn't find the words to disarm the tension. Reijaku scoffed and walked away.

Keiji walked away from the front of the school to see if he could find more of his classmates to talk to, or at least those who weren't Reijaku sycophants.

 

[kittykxo]

Finally it was lunchtime. The remainder of that morning felt like it had dragged on as she listened to the instructor and ignored Reijaku and his friends. He was like a wanna be Alpha male, if he said sit she wondered if this would make them all sit. The thought made her stifle a giggle before she got up from her seat, pushing past him as he tried to stop her on her way out.

Tayla couldn't get out of the classroom any faster than she was by sprinting which once she entered the lunchroom turned into a mad sort of walk. She hated Reijaku and ever since middle school he had always had a thing for her which seemed to excite him even more when she pushed back against his advances.

Reijaku was used to getting what he wanted from all the girls who usually were seen drooling and babbling over him with their annoying laughs and bright pink sometimes red cheeks. The only girl in that school that was immune to him was Tayla.

-

After she had finally got her drink of choice, an iced tea and her food, it was time to make her way to a table. Which now would be easier said than done as she noticed a familiar grin from across from where she was standing. Reijaku was headed her way doing his usual cat call to her.

"Hell with this.." she turned and went around the corner and made her way outside where she sat under a tree not facing the front of the school but close enough so she could watch for that asshat while she had her lunch.

She dug in her bag to find her earbuds and put them in, careful not to get the hanging wires stuck in her long hair as she started up her iPod and sipped her tea as she hummed quietly.

 

[foodforpigs]

The shade of the tree was becoming darker and became cool, when just moments before it had been a clear sky and a hot day. The inane chatter and bustling of the other students that had pierced through her music couldn't be heard now, though Tayla hadn't increased the volume of her music. Everything around her seemed so distant now, though she had chosen a tree that had been close to the entrance. Leaning up against the tree, the trunk was in just the right shape for her back, easing some tension in the muscles.

In the distance there was the black cat that stalked the school yard. When some classmates tried to get too close to it, it would back away a good distance. When the classmates tried again, it ran off into the bushes. However good intentioned the classmates might've been, they didn't clue in the poor cat didn't want to be approached by anyone.

-

There were students that were petitioning others to join their club during lunch hour. With enough signatures, the school would agree upon having the club reserve areas for after school activities. While there wasn't a time limit for when the club could be formed, but a club that started early would likely get a lot more traction. This was the time for students that weren't part of cliques like Reijaku to try and break the ice.

One girl with a hime cut black hair was going from classmate to classmate with a clipboard, but they turned away from her quickly. Keiji saw and approached her instead.

"Hey Miho." said Keiji. "You're trying to start a club too?"
"Y-yeah." she stammered. "Maybe it's too niche of an idea, though."
"Paranormal Club." said Keiji. Miho Takahashi seemed taken aback. "I can read upside down." Keiji clarified. "Sounds neat. Watch movies, share stories, hang out. You could probably combine it with board games when there is down time." Keiji had gingerly taken the clipboard and printed his name clearly. When Keiji had approached her, she looked like she tried to place his name, and this saved her the embarrassment of having to ask again. He wondered if Tayla would be in on this, but he didn't see her anywhere.

 

[kittykxo]

She had been watching from afar, everything from the black cat being approached by other students and running off to the girl with the clipboard promoting her club in hopes someone would sign up.

That's when she saw him again. Keiji had taken the clipboard after approaching a girl she recognized as Miho and had written his name as far as she could tell from where she sat, which had the girl beaming since she had been turned away by anyone she approached.

--

Tayla having finished her lunch and throwing her trash away in a nearby can, decided to turn her music off and tuck her earbuds safely back inside her bag before slinging it over her shoulder and making her way over to Miho.

The black cat that had been running away from other students had approached her, and she leaned down to pet it, earning Tayla a pur before it took off again.

"Good afternoon Miho" Tayla finally having reached the girl, smiled and greeted her then turned her attention to Keiji. "Didn't know you were interested in the paranormal Keiji" she took the clipboard from Miho and wrote her name.

"How? I didn't even tell you what it was I was starting for a club yet .." Miho looked shocked and Tayla chuckled before handing it back to her. "I guess it's a good thing I learned how to read lips" she said with a wink.

"I guess so. you can read lips and this one here.." she pointed at Keiji before continuing, "can read upside down." Tayla nodded. "maybe we're all full of surprises" she answered, which had Miho looking from Tayla to Keiji before tapping the pen on the clipboard.

"Can't wait to find out more about everyone especially you two" Miho scanned over the signatures she had so far with almost an excited squeal. "This is going to be so much fun! And the initial meet and greet for this club is actually after school today "

"I'll be there" Tayla answered. "not like I have anything better to do today anyway" she added.

"Great!! I'll see you both after school today!!" She waved and took off to see if she could get any more signatures before lunch was over.

Tayla laughed and shook her head as she watched her run off, excitement in every step ahe took, before turning her attention back to Keiji. "I suppose she was so excited that she forgot to ask you if you'd be there, instead of assuming. So then, I'll ask for her. "Will you be there?"

Just as she had asked him, the bell went off and students were moving about in a hurry to get to their next class. Tayla however didn't move. Instead she was almost in a trance of sorts when she saw the black cat again.

What do you want with me cat? You run away from everyone else..but like being pet by me..and now you're approaching Keiji.. Tayla blinked a few times when she realized her eyes had been focused on the black cat and brought them back up to meet Keiji's.

The black cat had now taken to purring and rubbing itself against one of his legs.

All the students were gone and it was just the two of them and the cat now, as the bell that was loudly going off before was now silent.

 

[foodforpigs]

"Will you be there?"

Before Keiji was looking past Tayla's shoulder, and thought he had seen something strange about the space she had came from. The tree Tayla had sat at seemed closer now than it had been when Tayla sat there. Keiji furrowed his eyebrows.

"I'll be there." Keiji said. " 'The beginning is always today', right? I wouldn't have done anything at home."
The black cat mewled for attention.
"What is it Mol-" Keiji stopped himself, though he was smiling. Though it was wrong to call the cat Molly, she reminded him so much of her, and the good times they had. During the brief time Keiji and Tayla had met as kids, did Tayla ever have a chance to meet Molly? He was sure she must've. Molly was a very active outdoorsy cat, and she was allowed to roam. Keiji crouched down to pet the cat. The cat raised its head and body to meet his pets, snuggling into him more and purring loudly.

Keiji was getting somewhat nervous. It would be no good to be late for class, but he also didn't want to leave the cat alone. "I have to go to school, but I'll be back. Okay?" he said. The cat tilted her head. Keiji put out a hand out of habit and shook the black cat's paw. It had been another of his rituals with Molly before leaving the house. It seemed to understand and before Keiji's mind could catch up its mannerisms up to this point were identical to Molly's, it went back to stalking the grounds. Perhaps it was used to seeing people come and go according to the bell.

He looked up to see Tayla had stuck around, though not more than a minute or so had passed. "We should get back to class before the five minutes are up, but I'm happy to meet you." Again. He offered a hand. He could see and feel the sand pour off his hands and through his fingers just like on that very day at the park when he was passing wet sand from further in the ground. In fact Tayla could see the shimmer of those grains of sand as well, like a stream of magic dust.
---

They ran back to class and made it just in the nick of time, at the same time, together, in full view of the entire class that had already sat down. Keiji heard the a pencil snap in half. It was Reijaku, and he was visibly fuming. Keiji had been warned. Well, to hell with that, I guess. thought Keiji. He wanted to be Tayla's friend. It risked taking a beating, but they wouldn't dare fight him at school, right? He'd just have to watch his back going home.