New Beginnings

Chp. 1

"Are you sure your going to be ok, alone in that big house? I'll be gone a long time for this assignment, it could be 6 months to a year, you know? I could always decline it and stay here with you."

"Yes, mom I'll be fine. Would you please stop worrying so much."

Instead of answering her face grew more concerned. Shaking my head, I laughed and gave her a big smile.

"Mom. I'm a big girl now remember? I already have one year and semester of college under my belt. I think I can handle living alone for a couple months."

"I know, but I hate to leave you on your first day at your new school. I'm just gonna miss my baby."

"Alright mom enough before you squeeze the life out of me. Your gonna be late for your flight if you don't leave now."

"Ok I'm going now. Be safe and if you need anything your Aunt and your cousin Kiyoko will be checking on you. I love you sweetie."

"I love you too mommy. Be safe, and call me when you land."

"I will."

I watched her go, as she finally smiled and boarded her plane. Once she was out of sight, I left the airport and got in my car. I caught my reflection in the mirror, and took a deep breath.

"Its okay. You got this, what's a couple months without her. She'll be back before you know it... I'm so screwed."

With a final sigh, I pull out of the parking lot and head towards my new school.

~

After 20 mins, and blasting music to hype myself up, I reached the school and started walking to the front gates. Looking around, the atmosphere here is very pleasant. Its smaller than my old school, but the air was fresh as I took a deep calming breath to shake off my nerves.

'This is it. A brand new start with no worries, and no one to stalk my every move.'

Feeling better and more excited, I continued my path to the front gate, when I spotted a familiar face. Not wasting another second, I ran to hug her.

"Ki!"

"Hey NaNa. Ready for your first day?"

"Yep." I said with a smile.

"Great. Let's go, I'll walk you to your first class."

She grabbed my hand and lead the way. Kiyoko and I have been more like sisters than cousins. We were basically inseparable as kids, and now that we are going to the same school, it makes this whole situation less stressful.

"So, how have you been? Anything knew on the boyfriend front?" I asked her with a knowing smirk.

I watched her blush and look away from me. I laughed and patted her back in reassurance. She's had a crush on some guy she met in high school, who was a year younger than her, but instead of going for it she kept quiet. I never understood why, but I always tease her about every chance I got. Her reactions are just too cute.

"What about you NaNa? How are you holding up since....you know?"

And just like that my good mood went down the drain and into the sea.

"Its... fine I guess. At least I'm not looking over my shoulder as much."

"In that case, how would you like to meet my club members after your last class?"

"I don't know Ki. What if I embarrass myself? I'm not exactly as social as I used to be."

She sighed and said nothing else as we walked the halls. I could hear people whispering about how pretty we were and wondering if we had boyfriends or if we swung the other way, but it only made me self conscious. I don't know if I ever want to be in another relationship again, after what I went through a couple months ago. Finally we reached my first class, and before I could go in Kiyoko stopped me.

"Listen, I know your nervous about being around other people and opening yourself up again, but please at least meet my friends. I'll be there the whole time and you can leave at any point if it gets be too much ok? No pressure."

With a sigh, I finally agreed.

"Fine, but it'll have to be after I visit the counselor's office."

"Why are you going to the couselor's office?"

"I'm just want to double check if the credits I had, will all be accounted for. You know to make sure I'm still on track to graduate on time."

"That's right. I forgot you had to take online courses for a while there. It must've been so hard for you."

"Yeah, but I'll be fine. So I'll see you later ok?"

"Great, I'll see you then."

Kiyoko smiled and gave me one last hug before leaving me to enter my first class.

"Well here goes nothing."