Strawberry Milk [COMPLETED]

❧Chapter Thirteen

As I walked through the halls of my new high school, I was both uncomfortable and in awe. It was absolutely breathtaking. The intricately decorated walls, the polished floors. Everything was neat, well kept, clean, spacious. Everything my old school wasn't.

The beauty in it made me feel just a bit more happy that I had transferred. At least I could die in a beautiful place and not that dump of a public school.

The reason why I was frightened was, of course, because my sparkling and shining peers were all sending glares in my direction while snickering as they stared. They watched me walk up and down the halls, searching for my class door. I must have looked like some kind of zoo animal to them. A rough skinned girl with scars and messy hair was wearing their uniform. I must have looked like a disgrace.

And all of my peers looked like friggin models and celebrities. In fact, I could have sworn a guy I saw making out with some girl against the lockers had been on a drama Chisame was watching the other night.

Where's Hajime?

I wonder about him sadly. I hated seeing him with that girl at the bakery the other day, but I also wanted to see some kind of friendly face.

Even if it did seem fake...

I finally step up to the door labeled Class A203. My homeroom. I can hear the laughter and chatter on the inside. Boy, was it going to get quiet when I walked in.

And did it ever.

You could hear a pin drop as I stepped into the room, my hands stuffed into my pockets, wearing the usual scowl on my face. I gather up every ounce of courage I have in me and glare back out at my disgusted classmates.

My teacher places a hesitant hand on my shoulder, and I give him a look that hints he should retract it. He awkwardly clears his throat and continues on with my introduction.

"Class, this is our new student Ichigo Manabe. She used to go to a public school until she transferred here. Her mother is Chisame Manabe, the designer. It's her first day, so be kind to her. Ichigo, do you have anything you'd like to say to the class?"

I bit back the urge to roll my eyes. What the hell did throwing Chisame into my introduction have to do with anything? Was that supposed to up my rank or something in this beautiful hell hole?

The class has fallen silent as they wait for me to say something with their peering, exquisite eyes. I clear my throat and hurriedly mumble a quick "Nice to meet ya" before walking down the aisle, into the flood of evil gazes toward the empty seat I was directed to in the back of the classroom.

I sit down quietly and throw my bag down the way I'm used to. It hits the ground with a thud, and for some reason, a collective giggle rings throughout the room.

The teacher is barely a minute into his lesson before a doll-like girl with long brown hair taps on my desk and shoots me a bright, pearly white smile.

"Hi, Ichigo. I'm Kotoko Fukuoka. I hope we can get along."

"Uh, hey." I search her face for any sign of malicious intent, but my radar doesn't seem to go off. Not that it's ever right in the first place (Kenta).

"I'll show you to your next class if you need a guide!" She flashes me another smile and turns back to her notebook, jotting down notes.

I mutter a thank you. I'd just have to be careful. Especially in this school.

Ugh. I'm only here because I want to be around Hajime...and I haven't even seen him. What's the point anymore?