The Namikis

Chapter 1: New Life

“But Mom!” I exclaimed. “Summer vacation just started and now we’re leaving the country?!” I complained.

“Now, now Hazel this is going to be fun!” Mom said with a bright smile on her face. “This place is magical you’ll love it in Japan! We’re going to the place where your grandparents were born and raised!” She said cheerfully. I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah… Instead of going Tokyo like normal people we’re going to some small village called BORING!” I said.

“It is not called boring it’s called Borimyua,” Mom said in a very motherly tone.

“Big difference!” I exclaimed. “All of my friends are actually going somewhere cool or having parties or something!”

“You’re over exaggerating! You’re just 16,” She crossed her arms and glared at me. “Listen Hazel this is part of your heritage. You may be born here in America, but you should never forget your roots,” Mom sighed. “Please Hazel… Do this for your grandparents,” She pleaded.

“Fine… Whatever!” I stormed out of the living room and went straight to my room. I picked up the house phone in my room and began to dial a number I memorized by heart.

“Angel!”

“Hey Hazel what’s up?”

“Nothing much Angel, but my mom said I have to go to Japan with them,” I plotted myself on my bed.

“Japan? That’s so cool!” Angel said. I rolled my eyes.

“It would be if we were going to Tokyo or something! But nope! I’m going to some village or something called Boring,” I sighed.

“Boring are you serious?” Angel asked.

“Well it sure sounds like it,” I replied. “Hopefully they have a computer over there. That way I can still chat with you guys.”

“Hazel, get off the phone and start packing! We’re leaving tomorrow,” Mom hollered.

“Talk to you later. I need to pack my necessities for tomorrow,” I said as I hung up. I placed the phone on my drawer dresser. I let out a big sigh.

This is going to be one long trip.

                                                  ***

“My my, this place hasn’t changed one bit!” Grandma said. She inhaled deeply. I’ve never seen Grandma and Grandpa with such big smiles on their faces.

I couldn’t help, but smile a bit myself.

“Oh, ho, ho look who’s already enjoying themselves!” Dad said smirking at me. Instantly my smile turned into a scowl. I glared at him for a second then to my mom.

“People here do speak English right?” I asked. My Grandma nodded.

“Not everyone, but most can speak English. Some can speak fluent English too like me and your grandfather,” Grandma replied.

My grandparents English is considered fluent…? I have troubles understanding them sometimes because of their thick accents. Their grammar was good, but I can’t help, but question how I will survive in this little town. Maybe it’s the way they say it and not the way they speak.I thought to myself.

“Hey so where are we staying anyway? I don’t see a hotel at all,” I said. I turned my head left to right as we were walking.

I saw simple small buildings but not a lot. There was a little ice cream shop; next to it were a small clothing store and other buildings but there were huge gaps between them.