Chapter One: A Realization
Harumi sighed again and absent-mindedly twirled a lock of her dark, curly hair. She slid further into her seat as the principal, Mr. Connors, went over what to do at graduation again. She glanced over at her long-time best friend, Seiji, and he smiled at her. Harumi gave him a shy smile back and quickly looked down at her shoes. Recently, she had felt different towards Seiji...but she was so unsure and nervous that she didn’t say anything. She spent the rest of Mr. Connors’ boring talk thinking about Seiji, and what she should do about it. Harumi was so absorbed into her own worried thoughts that she didn’t notice when Mr. Connors finished and dismissed everyone. When someone gently put a hand on her shoulder, she snapped her head up and saw Seiji. Her expression softened briefly, but her eyes were confused and a little afraid, and Seiji could tell. “Hi,” she mumbled, stumbling to get up. Harumi glanced at him, and he was staring at her. She quickly looked down while they walked and tried to make conversation. “I can’t believe Mr. Connors thinks he has to tell us what to do again. I mean, we’re just graduating, right?” She looked up at him, and he was trying to figure her out. “Well...graduation is kind of a big deal, Harumi.” Harumi’s stomach knotted up and she thought to herself, tell me about it. “Harumi,” Seiji said suddenly. “Listen, I...I want to ask you...” Panic shot through Harumi. Did he notice how she was acting? “Um, time for class, see you later Seiji!” She scurried into her class and Seiji stood in the hallway for a minute, then silently cursing, turned and walked away. Slumping against the wall, she scolded herself. Stupid, stupid, stupid! That was my chance! The bell rang and Harumi walked, her mind whirling with thoughts, to her desk. Sitting down, she stared sadly at the clock. Why can’t it just go slower? Graduation’s in a few days and...I need to tell Seiji that...that I love him.