Kireme No Nai

Leo

The thing is, even though I'm not a generally friendly person, I really wanted to befriend the new student. I don't have a crush on her, or anything, I'm trying to get her with Parker. Though, there was a bad thought in my mind that when she came to sit at the table, everyone's glazed over eyes would be on here. I was right.
"I mean, only if it's alright with you if I sit here," she said. I could tell she wasn't being genuinely nice because what I know of her, she hates my guts.
Parker leaned in. "So, what's it like being new here?"
She didn't look interested. "I mean... I did expect this hellhole to be more... uh... pleasing but, how much can you really get out of an American school?"
The boys at the table smiled. Cameron looked like she was about to piss in her tea.
"What was it like in Japan?" Meg asked. Meg is really pretty, she looked like the secretaries you find in old movies with the flowing dark hair and those cat eye glasses. I don't think I was ever very good friends with her, she just kinda migrated into our group and everyone liked her.
"Ah... the food was healthier and the people were nicer," she remarked, glancing at me.
"So can you speak Japanese?"
She nodded, sipping her canned green tea.
"Must be really weird in a place like this," Luke said.
"Well... this is kind of like the dollar store version of Japan. But, someone opened it up and stuck their hands in it."
"So how do you know Leo?"
I could see her stiff up momentarily. "We ran into each other at the... grocery store and I recognized him."
          They believed her. I kept quiet.
          "Like, why would you want to come to a town like this?" Cameron asked.
          Kami looked at her in the eyes for a moment, and then said, "Well the rent is low and I thought it would be better part of California, but I was wrong."
          Cameron glared right through her Neck Deep tshirt and nonchalant expression. You couldn't crack her.
          "You were wrong," I mumbled.
          "Hey Kami, you should tell Leo's mom you're new here, she'll bring you and your family cookies and help you unpack," Luke joked.
          "I made the offer," I shrugged. "And when I mentioned a new kid at home my mom went into overdrive."
          Luke smiled. "Why didn't she come over?"
          "I don't live with my family, I just live alone."
          His smile faded. "Then, where are your parents?"
          "My Dad is still in Japan, and my mom..."
Is dead? I thought. I didn't say it out loud because if I offended her then I'd be the one who's dead.
          "Oh okay. Are your parents divorced?" Luke said. People at the table weren't listening anymore.
          "You could say that, you weren't married in the first place," she murmured.
          I raised my eyebrows.
          She saw my expression and corrected herself. "I mean, it was a one night stand, you know?"
          "That's... cool. My dad abandoned me as a kid!" Luke said. I rubbed my forehead in disappointment.
          "Really?"
          "And Leo's identical twin had to move when he was five," He mentioned.
          Kami let out a sigh of relief. "Thank god."
          "I know right?" Luke said playfully. "One is hard enough."
          Her expression lightened. "I'm not the only one who thinks so!"
          I glared at them under my coffee cup. "I'm right here."
          They didn't hear me. I went on my phone.
          I looked up sometimes to see if I was missing anything, but all I saw was Cameron trying to start an argument with Kami and Luke talking shit about me. And, Parker kept staring at her each time she talked.

          Coincidentally, I also had gym with Kami. And Parker. To make matters worse, our school was doing fitness testing. Which was of course, a perfect opportunity for Parker to not only show off, but stare at Kami in her gym clothes. As if her skirt wasn't short enough today, the schools gym uniforms for girls were shorts and a tight white tshirt. Either the uniforms were designed by feminists or by perverts. The boys clothes were fitted and looser, but with itchy back basketball pants and baggy versions of the girls shirts. I hated it. People also joked about how they had never seen me wearing something besides black skinny jeans or khakis.
          "I don't really have anyone I know in this class so is it alright if I chill with you guys?" she said, coming over. I find it interesting that she used 'people she knows' vs. friends. But who am I to judge, I'm a terrible person. Even I wouldn't want to be friends with me.
          "Yeah, you ever done fitness testing?"
          "No what is it?"
          "Hell," I said.
          "Actually you just do a series of exceed uses to test your physical abilities and they grade you on it," Parker explained.
          "Sounds easy," she said, cracking her knuckles.
          "Well not for me because I have the endurance of a dying bird," I remarked.
          "That's not true," Parker said. "You made Varsity your first year."
          Kami raised her eyebrows. "I find it hard to believe that... this is on a Varsity sports team," She said.
          "Wow ok..."
          "Yeah we play hockey," Parker said, wrapping his arm around me.
          "Would've never guessed," she snapped.
          The PE teacher blew his whistle. "Okay," he grunted. "We're going to go run the mile."
          Everyone complained.