Link Start: Adjusting to Reality

Chapter 1- New School

 It's been a couple of months since the new school year started and I'm only now going to attend the school that was recommended. My parents have always home-schooled me, so they were a bit reluctant to let me attend. I sighed, looking in the mirror. I have to make a good first impression. My long, wavy auburn hair was down, flowing to my waist. My bangs were swept to the right, revealing my emerald eyes. The uniform was perfect and I looked decent enough to go to school.

        I don't live too far from my new school, but I still better get there early. "Mom, Dad, I'm leaving! See you after school!" I yelled over my shoulder as I ran to get outside. I slowed to a walk, noticing other people wearing the school's uniform. They walked closer and I recognized them. They were Rin Hitatchiin, my best friend, and her boyfriend, Gaara.

        "Hey, Kisa! Come walk with us," Rin called. I nodded and we walked the rest of the way to our school. "Hold on, schedule, now." Handing over my schedule I hoped that we had the same one. "Every class you don't have with me you have with Gaara. Com on, we're going to be late."

        Our homeroom teacher was already taking roll by the time we arrived. "Rin Hitatchiin," he called out.

        "Here!" Taking her seat, she smiled reassuringly to me.

        "Ah, you must be the new student. I'm Mr. Katsumi, will you please introduce yourself."

        "H-hello, my name is Kisa Amane."

        "Yes, yes, class, does  anybody have any questions for Miss Amane?"

        A couple of kids raised their hands. I looked at them and saw Asuna Yuuki, the girl that made my life hell until my parents home-schooled me. "A-Asuna."

        She smirked. "Why are you attending this school? You don't play VRMMO's."

        "I-I decided to try S.A.O." I looked at the boy next to her. He also had his hand up. Kirito! "Um... Kirito."

        "It's Kazuto here. What was you username and do you still use the full dive gear?"

        "Hikari and yes." I called a couple more people before a boy in the back raised his hand.

        "Do you remember me and when will you sit down?" Ren?

        "Possibly. Ren?" I asked. He nodded and Mr. Katsumi said I could sit down next to Kiri-Kazuto, I mean. As I sat down I smiled at Kazuto, trying desperately to ignore Asuna. She shot me a glare and mouthed 'He's mine.' Suddenly I wasn't trying to ignore her and turned away from Kazuto immediately. Damn it! Kazuto, my best friend, my crush from S.A.O., is dating my childhood enemy. Asuna will make my life hell the second I talk to him.

        Now I can't even fo on ALFheim anymore because she has my username. It's my first day of school in years and I already screwed up. So much for a good first impression. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Kazuto frowning slightly and Asuna smirking. Almost as if she knows something no one else did... she knows! Damn it!

        How did she even find out? I didn't do anythi- no. I am an idiot. Stupid, stupid, stupid! I called hi by his username. For the rest of my clases I attempted to ignore Kazuto and Asuna. Somehow, the three of us had the exact same schedule.

        Finally the bell rang for school to end. Asuna grabbed Kazuto's hand and ran over to me. "Kisa! I'm sooo sorry I didn't get a chance to talk to you properly during school. Anyways, this is my boyfriend, Kirito." The way she spoke was in an overly cheerful way, obviously fake.

        Kazuto sighed. "Asuna, it's not polite to refer to people by their usernames. Plus, I introduced myself in homeroom and she knows me from S.A.O." He smiled at me. "It's good to see you again, Kisa. Asuna told me you two were good friends when you were kids." Wait, what? He doesn't know how horrible his girlfriend is?

        "We weren't friends," I muttered. Asuna looked at me with hurt written on her face, masking her signature 'I'm-going-to-kill-you-later' look. Kazuto looked shocked.

        "You... weren't?" he asked. I shook my head, tears starting to fall. If she's gonna make my life hell again, may as well be on my terms, with a bang to start it off.

        "She made my life hell, Kazuto. I was home-schooled for years because I was too scared to attend a normal school. She's gonna do it again, too. Oh, and before she can tell you, I have a slight crush on you. But I still want to be your friend, even if shee won't let me. Goodbye, Kazuto," I said with, somehow, confidence in my voice. Before either of them could say a word, I walked over to Rin. Together we walked home. Even if Asuna makes my life hell and Kazuto might hate me now, I still have Rin, Gaara, and Ren on my side. She can try all she wants, I am not going to lose the war that she started all those years ago. Asuna can't stop me now.