The Host of My Heart (On Hiatus)

Chapter 4

The morning after a long evening of grading papers and eating four bowls of 3 minute noodles was cloudy. Even though I got a fair amount of sleep, it still felt like my head was stuffed with cotton and my tongue had been drying in the sun for hours. My pajamas were covered in sweat, along with my bed spread and mattress. It seemed that even in my sleep, the guilt of driving Hikaru away ate at me.

While I showered, I contemplated how I was going to apologize to Hikaru. It’s not like she meant to make me upset, she was trying to be a good friend, she was always trying to be a good friend; I just took things the wrong way. I thought about taking her out to dinner as I sat down to watch the news and eat my breakfast of rice and miso soup. Perhaps I would just let Hikaru take me back to Cherry Blossoms. She liked it well enough and I guess I was being sort of a spoil sport the other night. If I just tried to enjoy myself, I could get used to a club like that. Maybe.

But, going back to that place meant that I would have to see Issen again, and goodness I didn’t want that. It was pathetic how miserable he made me feel with so little effort and I would only embarrass Hikaru and myself if I went back there. But I wouldn’t complain if Hikaru really wanted to go back. With all of the great things that Hikaru had done for me in the span of twenty years, I could deal with a couple of hours of being uncomfortable.

After my breakfast, I washed my dishes and walked the few blocks to the school. Because I powered through my work last night, I was caught in the swarm of the students leisurely walking to school as well. While lazily scanning the students around me I caught sight of something, extremely exposed thighs. The girl’s uniform at this school was pretty standard, white button up shirt, navy pleated skirt and black socks. However, the school regulated that the skirts must always be knee length. Breaking a rule like this would probably get this student sent home. I caught up to her and tapped her shoulder.

“Excuse me,”

The student turned around and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. She was one of those students. The ones who thought they were too big for their britches, that teachers and elders didn’t deserve their respect and that they were above listening and adhering to rules and regulations. I felt sorry for her homeroom teacher.

“What.”

Ugh, I was right. Ten points for me.

“I’m going to have to ask you to go home and change. You’re not wearing a uniform skirt.”

The girl snapped her gum at me and rolled her eyes “Um, excuse me, the skirt is dark blue. That’s the uniform. Are you blind?”

“It’s navy blue yes, but it’s a mini skirt. The uniform is a knee length pleated skirt. Please go home and change.”

“Do you think I have the time? Just because you have no husband or friends doesn’t mean other people don’t have meetings to keep.”

Blood rushed through my ears at her accusatory tone. Was it that obvious to even the students that I was a lonely loser?

Suddenly a body shouldered passed me and pinched the girl’s shoulder harshly.

“How dare you speak to Ms. Diaz like that! Show some respect to little brat!” One of the gym teacher’s spoke as he shook her back and forth. At the moment his name escaped me.

The girl shrugged her shoulder off and stuck out her tongue, the gym teacher and I both gasped as we saw a metal ball clinging to her tongue.

“Is your tongue pierced?” The gym teacher grabbed hold of her ear and began to drag her away, “I’m calling your parents right now, and you better hope the nurse doesn’t find any tattoos on you…”