Remember Me[Book 1]

Chapter 2

15 minutes before the lunch break, my stomach begins to bother me. I finish writing my assignment and stare at the clock. 

One minute has passed... Oh my god, I just want this day to be over already.

My head throbs as I slam it against my desk quietly. After another minute I turn to my right. "I'm starving." I whisper to my neighbor. She smirks at me as she pulls out a bag of chips. I almost start crying right there. I mouth the words, thank you so much, and reach out as slick as can be.

Before I could reach for a single potato chip, the bag gets snatched away from our teacher. My stomach squeezes tightly.

"Koro Sensei, whyyy~" We whine as he begins to eat from the bag of chips we were about to inhale just seconds ago, "We're so hungry."

The class laughs as they scribble their last responses.

I glare at the clock and the back of Sensei's head. Like always, I can't stay mad at him. He gives me the smallest smile as he turns his head back at me but just as quickly as he turns away... the smile is gone.

My heart races. I get this weird feeling whenever I'm near him. He kind of seems familiar to me. Almost like someone I've probably known for a very long time. And I know it's weird to say this...but I feel strangely happy whenever I'm near Sensei.

"Sakura-san, everything alright?" He taps my desk lightly, "Only five more minutes until lunch. Okay?"

"Yes, I'm alright..." I lean on my hand to cool down my cheeks. How embarrassing...

He walks around the classroom and it leaves this unsettling feeling in my stomach. I must really be hungry. I convince myself that, that's the reason I feel so funny.

.

.

.

I release a sigh of relief when the bell finally rings. Along with my classmates, I run out of the classroom and head towards the cafeteria. The halls fill with students from the other classes. They begin racing for the best food options. Only a select few of lucky winners get the best of the best. Somehow, today I feel confident that I'll be getting a melon bun. My mouth drools in anticipation.

On my way to the line, I crash into a petite girl. My automatic apology comes out before I meet her eyes.

She groans as she fixes her hair. She glances up at me, probably cursing me out in her head. But I don't really pay much attention because she's breathtaking.

Vertigo hits me once again. My head throbs so I lean against the wall for a moment and then something appears mysteriously in my hand. It's a little orange crumb. How did it get here?

I almost forget about the girl completely because the color of this stone seems to radiate in nostalgic beauty.

"Hey...are you alright?" I turn my head slowly, still holding it in my hands. I place it in the pocket of my cardigan to throw away later. I realize it's the girl I ran into speaking to me. 

Her hair is so long and her eyes are a purplish color. Pretty is not enough to describe her because she's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.

"Y-yeah...I'm feeling a little lightheaded that's all. Thank you for asking." I say, and then she hands me a water bottle. "Oh thank you." I open the bottle and tip it over slightly to take small sips. Normally I'd be ashamed to take someone else's food or drink but Jicchan says that it's bad manners to refuse. However this is an emergency... If I'm about to pass out, of course I'm going to accept bottled water without hesitation.

"You're probably dehydrated. You should drink plenty of water..." If only she smiled. I bet that every boy would fall for her...even me! I scowl at this embarrassing development between us as I gulp aggressively.

"Thank you." I bow... Then I admit something even more embarrassing a second later, "I usually don't drink water that often. When I drink tons of water I tend to use the bathroom a lot more but I hate using them and then I pee my- Nevermind. I can't believe I just said that- please ignore that!" I blurt and then I notice something that's probably rare for her to do. Her eye's softened a little and her lips make a tiny curve. I think she just smiled...and my prediction comes true; she looks even more beautiful when she smiles.

"Having to use the bathroom tends to happen when you drink or eat..." She can't hold back a second after saying that and my cheeks burn but I must say it's nice to hear her laugh. After awhile she calms down and wipes her eyes, " You're new here right?" I nod and extend my hand out for her to shake.

"I'm Sakura Mikan. Nice to meet you." I smile, "What's your name?" 

She shakes my hand shyly, "My name is...Imai Hotaru..."

My heart races and my hands grow cold. That name...

Where have I heard that name before?