Heartbeats

Chapter 1

Eimi couldn't imagine why her father though she would enjoy going to school in the slightest.She and her father moved back to Dawn City.Eimi kept all her school curriculum through her computer providing plenty of proof for her father Buggy Star.Eimi wasn't bothered by the reputation he had for being a comedian and a notorious magician fixated on doing never seen before tricks.

She was bothered by the sudden change in his parenting.Up until she was able to feed, stand and clean up on her own at the age of 1 she was left to live independently.She didn't think her father was a bad parent; she just enjoyed her freedom to do basically anything.Eimi took a deep breath taking off her headphones getting up from her favorite bean bag chair.Buggy called to her,

"Your nakama is here!Dang Ace you look like a full grown man now."

Eimi went up the wooden stairs coming out of the basement with a reluctant smile.The sight of Ace usually made her beam, time had put some distance between the two of you but the childhood bond was stronger then ever.He smiled real big his freckles more prominent than from when they were kids.He spoke,

"Eimi seems like a real shut-in now from what you said compared to when we were kids.She would follow me around like a lost puppy.What have you done to my precious nakama?"

Eimi grumbled shaking her head defensively,

"With all of the moving around and traveling I couldn't help choosing to stay home 24/7.I do get out just cuz it's not the way you two like doesn't make me a complete shut-in."

Buggy laughed,

"You are pointing out some spot on reasons but excuses nonetheless.Ace is going to take you to One Piece High to do a quick tour-I wonder who you'll run into.He said all the kids have stayed from when you were here in Pre-K."

Eimi scoffed,

"Is that supposed to give me comfort somehow cuz it's not working since I don't really remember anyone other than Ace who made an effort to reach out.."

Ace chuckled,

"I will warn you that mostly everyone is the same from our childhood but this may be like meeting them all for the first time from your perspective so don't feel too bad about not remembering a few of em.I drove here so feel free to get in the passenger seat.There are a few new faces but well..I guess you'll find out everything yourself."

Eimi just wanted to enjoy the rest of her summer in peace.She didn't mind being around Ace but he was just as much a stranger in a way.Though they got along it was like they were meeting each other at different points in their life.Eimi went down to the basement grabbing her computer putting it in a protective case slinging it over her shoulder.

She looked in the body mirror glad she remembered to grab her iPods and wireless headphones.The blue hair she inherited from her father was up in two tight buns she loosened the hair ties letting her hair fall.It was nicely wavy the way she hoped and reached just above her bottom.She was in a black and white striped tank top with black high waisted shorts the frayed slightly at her knees.

Eimi tied her shoelaces tightly and applied a moisturizing lip gloss before going back upstairs.A few strands of her hair fell to the front of her face as she double checked her bag and her father dangled the house key in front of her teasingly.He pulled it away when she reached for it saying,

"Keep in mind that because you are attending this high school you will have a curfew realistically."

Eimi's face scrunched up not understanding how she was to pursue her dreams and passions with a dumb curfew.She had technically graduated already.Why would a 18 year old need to physically attend a high school for 4 more years?Buggy smiled answering her question as if he read her mind,