Different Kind of Beautiful

Chapter 2

Her naturally black hair had been dyed a beautiful bright blue last year, and the natural color was starting to show in her roots, creating yet another look that she wore with utter confidence. The color of her eyes matched that of her hair, the piercing cold blue either breaking hearts or raising spirits. She was considered an all around beauty by most, if not all, of the school. 

"Good morning, Tanji-san!"

"Tanji-san! I hope we're in the same class this year!"

"How are you today, Tanji-san?"

Popular, generally well-regarded, and smart, many people wanted to be friends with Rinko Tanji. And to many people's confusion, she didn't appear to hang out with anyone. 

"Anzu!" 

That was because we had been friends for years, and most of the students seemed to forget I exist. 

It hadn't taken her long to find me, as I soon felt her arms wrap around my shoulders from behind, her weight making me stumble a bit. 

"Ah, Rinko, get off of me," I complained, the other girl being quite a bit taller than myself. Luckily she was quick to let go, but instead decided to spin me around and grab my shoulders. Bending down slightly to stare me in the eyes, she frowned. 

"Anzu, are you okay? I heard the news and you never responded to my messages. Do you realize how worried I was?" she scolded me. I gave her a sheepish smile. 

"Sorry, I haven't gotten a new phone yet. I didn't mean to make you worry."

Rinko let out a breath and gave me a lopsided grin. "Alright. Well, I'm glad you're okay."

"Do you know what class you're in?" I asked, continuing to walk down the hall. 

"Yeah, five I believe. You?"

"Ah, nope. I'm in Class 1."

She clicked her tongue. "Darn."

I adjusted my glasses. "Well, class should be starting soon. We should get going."

Jumping a few steps ahead, she spun around with a bright grin on her face. Giving me a mock salute, she chirped "See ya later Anzu!"

I sighed, watching as people called out to her as she passed. How she was able to stand that many people, I couldn't quite understand. 

Unfortunately, almost immediately once classes started, I realized I was missing my book. Thankfully the day seemed to go by quickly, at least somewhat.

Not being able to read in between classes or during the lunch break made parts of the day drag on, but classes flew by. They always seemed to, and that wasn't a problem at all. Rinko never showed up for lunch like she normally did, making me assume that she was busy talking up her new classmates- or at the very least was trying to avoid hurting anyone's feelings. Like it was every year it seemed, so I wasn't too bothered.

A yawn slipped past my lips as everyone else in my class jumped to gather their things. I didn't have many friends, nor did I have an after school job, so I had never quite understood their rush. Rinko was the one who rushed around and made plans. She seemed to be in a different club each year, so I had no idea where she would end up this time.

Deciding to waste sometime on the campus, I began to gather my things. My eyes trailed after random students that passed in the halls, their voices loud and filled to the brim with emotion.

There were of course the pretty, popular girls who walked either in their safety triangle or formed a line that blocked the halls. They were the type of girl that guys and girls alike looked at, the type of girls who ran the school with an iron grip.