Chapter 1 My Life Sucks!!!!
***Naomi’s POV***
Have you ever woken up one morning, and this awful feeling hits you like an angry wind blowing in your face daring you to walk through it?
I awoke to the brilliant sun shining valiantly like a candle flame. It was washing my face in its warmth, but then, an angry storm cloud blocked the sun like a giant basketball player blocks the midget’s shot. That storm cloud was like the sinking feeling that formed at the very pit of my stomach.
Grumbling, I got out of bed and pulled on the school uniform: a blue skirt and a white shirt. I hated wearing skirts almost as much as I hated rainy days. I liked bright sunshine so I could be outdoors. Staying inside, I felt like a caged animal.
I was going to straighten my hair, but once I plugged in the iron, it exploded: I had blown the circuit. Cursing at everything and anything, I pulled my hair up in a ponytail and called it good. I grabbed my school bag weighed down with books and trudged down the hall into the kitchen with a sour look on my face. I had a feeling things were about to get worse.
Rei, my older brother by 7 years, was eating his breakfast at the counter while reading the newspaper. “Morning,” he said without looking up.
“Morning,” I mumbled as I poured myself some cereal.
Rei folded the paper neatly and set it on the counter next to him. He leaned in towards me. “Look, Naomi, I have something I need to tell you.”
“Ya, what?” I added some milk.
“Well, I’m transferring to another college, but I can’t take you with me,” he grimaced when he said the last part.
“What? You’re leaving me?” I cried angrily as I slammed the milk jug onto the counter. “Where am I supposed to stay? You can’t make me stay with Uncle Fletcher. I won’t go!”
“I’m not making you stay with him. Couldn’t you stay at a friends house? At least until I come back for you,” Rei replied.
“Rei,” I gave him a hard look. “I have no friends, at least, none that I would feel comfortable enough to ask!” I was fuming now. How could he abandon me like this?
“Could you just ask around?” he asked rather impatiently.
“Hey! Don’t you get snippy with me! You’re the one abandoning me!” I stood up, pushing my stool back.
“I’m not abandoning you! You think I want to leave? I need to go to get my degree,” he was getting angrier too.
“I bet you’re glad you have to go, so you can get rid of me,” I yelled.
“That isn’t true, Naomi. And frankly, you’re being unfair. I had no choice in the matter to raise you, but I did, and now that I finally have a chance to pursue my own happiness, you’re angry with me. You’re sabotaging my happiness like you do every other time!”
“What are you talking about? I don’t do that!”
“I could never go out and party on the weekends with all my friends in high school because you were too young to be left alone.”
“Well, pardon me. I didn’t realize I was that much of a burden to you.” Without a second glance, I had snatched up my bag and stormed out of the house, ignoring Rei’s calls behind me.
People were staring at me as I came out of the house. Our fight hadn’t been very quiet. Yuki and Kyo Sohma, who were with Tohru Honda, were among the people staring at me.
Great, Kyo. We never had gotten along. We were like cats and dogs, always butting heads. I didn’t need him to give me a hard time about getting along with my brother. I didn’t need any more crap from anyone today; I wasn’t in the mood to deal with it. Pulling up the hood of my jacket, I tried walking passed them without having to talk to them, but luck was not on my side today.
“Miss Roshi, is everything okay?” Yuki asked me. His eyes were filled with genuine concern.
“Yep. Me and Rei were just having an argument like all siblings do,” I covered. What I wanted to say was ‘kind of like how you and Kyo fight all the time’ but I repressed the urge.
“I overheard him telling you to ask for a place to stay. There’s plenty of room at our house,” Yuki smiled.
“I don’t want to be a burden to you,” I shook my head.
“It’s no burden,” he assured me with his usual smile that could melt many a girl’s heart like fire to ice. I, however, don’t like Yuki like that.
“It’s not you I’m worried about,” I said as I cast my glance towards Kyo, who seemed to be sulking.
“Oh, he’ll leave you along. Won’t you, Kyo?” Tohru said.
“I don’t see why she has to stay with us,” Kyo whined.
Yuki stared him down. “She has nowhere else to go.” If looks could kill, Kyo would have been mince meat about five minutes ago.
They argued for a good minute before the punches started flying. Tohru stood next to them trying frantically, like a chicken with its head chopped off, to stop them.
I pulled Tohru back and slipped between Yuki and Kyo. I blocked Kyo’s punch with my arm, and Yuki stopped himself. But, I didn’t block the punch from Kyo’s other hand and he caught me in my cheek.
It seemed like everyone went quiet and still, afraid to move, all at once. They all just stared at me.
I whipped blood from the corner of my mouth. I felt a fat lip coming on. My cheek hurt so bad it felt like I had been hit by a train. Inside, I was impressed by his strength.
“It seems like not everyone agrees that I should stay with you guys, so I decline your generous offer, Yuki. Thanks anyway,” I said in an even tone, struggling not to let my anger get the best of me. “I’ll figure something out. Maybe camp out in the forest. I’ll talk to you later.” With that, I strode away.
I had remembered Tohru telling me about how she had lived in a tent on her own before she moved in with Yuki and Kyo. If she could do it, I could do it.
I checked my watch. It was only 8:15, and so much had already happened. My life sucks! What was I going to do?!