Remember Me[Book 1]

Chapter 1

Mikan

The first thing that I notice is the blue sky; the clouds tainted by the sun. It takes time for my eyes to adjust in the light.

I remember the soft breeze that spreads a rose scent in the air. Fresh cherry blossoms land in my hair but I don't brush them off because I like the faint smell on the palm of my hand. I leave them there a second longer and brush them off.

My hand reaches up to the sky to wave at someone, a smile unconsciously forming at the sight of them.

They stare back at me with the hint of a smile behind a book I don't recognize. They flip through the pages, glancing every so often.

Though his eyes are very familiar.

Crimson red eyes.

My heart throbs at the sound of his deep voice.

"Mikan."

I awake with a jolt. My sheets are tossed to the side but gripped by my sweaty hands. My head pounds as heat radiates off my body.

My alarm rings and reminds me I had a headache before I went to sleep last night.

I sigh as I slam it down on my nightstand. Frustrated, I get up to use the bathroom. I splash cool water on my face and rinse it repeatedly before brushing my teeth.

That dream was a strange one and I can barely remember it.

I don't even try to piece all of it together. It's scrambled like broken glass that can never be as it once was.

The clash of pots and pans downstairs breaks my train of thought.

Grandpa must be making breakfast.

I dry my face because its still drenched and put on my uniform, wanting desperately to get some more sleep.

Instead I think about the food he could have made and start to drool.

In the back of my head I feel conflicted. i can't stop thinking that today seems a little different from usual. I can't figure it out.

All I know is it somehow has something to do with that dream. And maybe it has some connection to that strange period in my life. I can't remember exactly what happened in those years, it feels like I'm missing a portion of my life for some reason.

Every time it starts snowing, I start to shed tears and then I can't stop. There's an empty feeling that suffocates me. Its as if I loved someone so dearly, in those memories I lost. 

I wish I could remember. 

All I have to hold are the things that Grandpa has already told me countless times. That I was in a coma for an unknown medical reason.

I shake my head, giving up on the subject because my eyes blur from the migraine. Instead, I focus on the fact that I'm finally starting school.

On queue, Bear knocks on my door. I give him the faintest smile. He nods and begins to sweep around my feet as if I don't exist.

Even though I can't remember that much I can recall Bear who came to visit me in the hospital with these flowers that for some reason...never wilt. They hang on my nightstand by my broken alarm.

I know that all this doesn't add up and especially that letter that came with Bear. That signature at the end of the letter does not make any sense to me, and I surely do not recognize it. What's the use in trying to remember something that makes my head hurt and my heart feel heavy though?

Bear sweeps up the dust bunnies. I hug him and he kicks my leg. 

I make my way down and just as I predicted... Grandpa's food is ready for me to eat.

.

.

.

My village is pretty small, which means I know everyone and vice versa. It also means that I'm very popular at my school. Apparently...many of the boys think of me as attractive...but my friends saa-chan and si-chan always tease me and say otherwise. I've never really cared about my appearance because they don't make a big deal out of it either.

Anyways, they've always asked me how I felt about going out with any of the guys that confess to me. I never have an answer to that question because I don't really know why I say no. I just feel like there's someone out there for me, waiting.

I don't know. Really...

A soft breeze lifts my hair back. I brush my golden brown hair and put it in a ponytail because it's a little warm compared to usual. I've always worn my brown hair in pigtails. However today I'm feeling a little more courageous.

"Hey ugly girl...That hairstyle won't be suitable in five years time."

"You...Why are you suddenly saying that kind of thing?"

"Put your hair down...it looks better that way..."

I stop in my tracks.

"Mikan!"

I turn slowly to face the owner of the voice.

"..." my lips part in surprise. I wave at my friends.

"Wait up!" They scream at me. I chuckle, "Your hair is up."

I stare down at their new high school uniforms.

White top, checkered navy skirt, black tie and to finish it off, a black blazer. As classy as it gets.

A nervous smile slips. My heart is pounding and I don't know why, "Yeah."

They jab my shoulder as we walk and chat on the way to school.

I look back once more and find nothing before following them, but the uneasiness doesn't go away for awhile.