Kingdom Hearts: New Key

Expect The Unexpected

I get off the bus and begin my seemingly endless walk to school. I really hate coming here. It's just work, work, work and I'm not a big fan of that. Plus, I'm unfortunately blessed with a strategic mind. So that went ahead and got me into advanced classes. So much for living life logically. But school isn't all that bad. I at least get to hang out with friends and goof around between classes. That's the fun part.

I walk into the big, black doors (phrasing) and immediately get slammed into. It's none other than Hena Patel, my shadow/best friend.

"Hey Ean!" she squeals into my shirt.

"Hena, do you have to maul me everytime I see you? I get it, you miss me, calm down," I reply, laughing as I talk.

"Of course! That's what best friends do! Let's go get breakfast!" She grabs my arm and pulls me up the stairs. As we ascend, I almost trip over incline and hurry to regather my balance after each step. I could stop her from pulling me, it's not hard to put my weight down, but I don't choose to do that. I like seeing her happy and her being this energetic seems to bring her joy.

We reach the top of the steps and walk into the cafeteria. There's a swarm of kids everywhere scattered around an everlasting sea of Genten High School uniforms. She drags me towards our group of friends and I immediately overhear a "friendly debate" about Shikamaru vs Neji. 

"Are you fuckin stupid? Shikamaru is way smarter than Neji! He would calculate ten different ways to tap that ass before the fight even started," Dean spits.

"Yeah, but Neji is pretty fast and has Byakugan! He could air palm Shika before he could move. Shika would damn sure be watching clouds after Neji knocks him on his back," Alejandro restates.

"Don't you think Shika would take Neji's speed into consideration? He's smart as hell. He would find someway to counter it," Cinnamon replies.

"Yeah, despite Neji's ability to kill chakra networks, Shikamaru's tactics and intellect would definitely triumph. He beat a fuckin immortal for God's sake! A stupid immortal. But an immortal nonetheless," Driah finalizes.

"That reminds me of someone else who's pretty smart and tactical," Hena cuts in, nudging me.

I smile and puff out my chest, "Damn right, yours truly is a living Shikamaru!"

"That's actually not a bad comparison. Ean is a good Shikamaru. He's as lazy as him too!" Dean says.

"Oh blow it out your ass, Dean!" I shoot back.

"So how's the Chemistry Honors project going?" Driah asks me, knowing I hate Chemistry.

"So what's for breakfast? Hena, weren't we supposed to get some anyway? Let's go and see what the ladies are serving," I hastily speak. 

"Oh yeah, come on best-e. Let's go get some watered down Apple Jacks!" Hena exclaims,hooking her arm into mine. She leads the way to the lunch line, located on the opposite end of the cafeteria.

"Thanks for saving me there, I really appreciate it. But could you call me something other than that cheesy ass best-e?"

"No way, it fits perfectly. You'll have to just deal with it,"

"*sigh* Fine. I guess I'll deal with it,"

We get our breakfast and head upstairs to class, hearing the bell go off. As we climb the steps, Hena veers off to the left and into her homeroom. She waves bye as she walks into her room. I continue to push up; my homeroom is on the third floor. As I make my way down the hall, I see a door closed and a teacher inside inspecting a wall. He seems worried and is frantically speaking into his phone.

I stop and stare in the class, wondering why Mr. Finerate is troubled and stressed.

Just then, I hear the loudspeaker go off, "Kaze Arashi please report to the principal's office!"

What the hell has this loser gotten himself into? Small fish don't make big splashes. I think to myself.

I swagger the rest of my way down to the hallway, indulging in carelessness. As I step into class, I look at Ms. Freida and notice the light flicker in her eyes. She splits her lips and mouths them into unheard words. I feel my stomach churn and complain in response.

"What?" I sigh.

"You're needed in the office as well. I just received a call from the office." she replies, her painted smile seemingly sharpened and saturated this morning.

"But I didn't get to eat!" I cry. I drop my Apple Jacks in the trash and head downstairs to my imminent fate of hunger.