Tsubaki

Chapter 3

 I didn't really sleep last night and now I'm sitting in a park. I'm sitting here because I'm lost. Matsu was showing me around while Mitsu went to the bookstore and Mari wondered off with some friends. Matsu was showing me this park because it's a shortcut to school, which is were we heading to so I could get the things I needed for school. Matsu said something and I turned around to ask what he said and he was gone.There you have it, that how I was abandoned in a park and I forgot my phone at home.

While I was walking I came across a crying little girl. She had golden brown hair and looked to be no older than four at the most. I went up to her to see if I could help her.

"Hey. It's ok. Can you tell me why you're crying?" She looked at me with her tear filled bright brown eyes and nodded.

"I-I lost m-my grandpa. Can y-you help me f-find him?" She said while sniffling, fighting back more tears.

"Yes, I can help you find him. Can you show me where you last saw him?" I stood up and held out my hand. She grabbed it and we went to where she last saw him at.

She looked very sad to see he wasn't here. I decided to cheer her up. "Hey, we are going to wait here for him to show up. Ok?" She nodded. "My name is Tsubaki. What's your's?"

"My name is Mei. Kotako Mei."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Mei. Do you want to play a game while we wait?" Her eyes lite it up when I mention the word game. I took it as a yes. "Have you played I Spy before?"

She nodded."Ok. You go first."

She smiled."I spy something green."

I looked at her. Seriously green, there is a lot of green. I smiled nervously. "Is it...uh.....the swing set?"

She smiled and nodded. "I wanna play on the swing set."

I smiled back. "Let's go play on the swing set then." I wished my younger siblings were like this back in America. Those two are brats. Mary, who is four and James Jr, JJ for short, who is three are spoiled by their dad (my stepdad), my mom, and my grandmother.

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After a while, Mei and I were still in the park. Nobody still hasn't found us yet. In a sense we were the same, both abandoned. Mei was having a good time on the swing. I'm glad she was because it took her mind off of her grandfather. My arms are killing me. She really loves these swings.

I noticed a man in the distance. He looked like he was searching for someone or something. He spotted the swings and jogged over. Mei noticed too. "DADDY!!!!" She screeched with happiness and ran to him. The man picked her up, spun her around and kissed her on her cheek. She laughs with delight.

"I was so worried. Your grandpa should know better. We are going to have a serious talk with him later." While he was saying this I got a chance to check him out.

Yes, I checked him out. I'm a teenage girl I have a right too. He looked not that much older than me. His hair was black and came to about his shoulders. Half of it was pulled back so you can see the piercings in his ears. He was wearing something that looked like a work uniform. At the opening of his sleeve, I could see the bottom of a tattoo.

"Daddy meet my new friend. Her name is Tsubaki. Isn't her name pretty?" Mei said with a huge smile.

"Why yes, it is." That made me blush a little. Once again I'm a teenager, I have the right too. He stuck out his hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you. I'm Kotako Rei. You can call me Rei."

I shook his hand and smiled. "Nice to meet you too, Rei."

He smiled back. "Thank you so much for taking care of Mei."

"It's no big deal. Actually, I'm lost as well." I bit my lip out of embarrassment.

"Why don't I treat you to a cup of coffee and I can draw you a map of where you want to go."

"That would be nice. Thank you."

We started walking towards the cafe Rei works at. "So you're new in town. Where are you from?"

"America. My brother was supposed to show me around and take me to my new school so I could get my stuff for tomorrow but then he was gone and that's when I found Mei."

"Who's your brother?"

"Motoko Matsu is the one I was with. I think he's the only one of my new siblings that like me." I muttered the last part.

"Wait so that means that b*tch Motoko Mari is your sister."

"Daddy language," Mei warned him. "Sorry Mei." He kissed her on her cheek.

I smiled at them. "Sadly yes. We have to share a room and our 'father'" I put air quotes around the word father. "has informed me that we were going to be in the same class together." I frowned. "She has even talked to me. She just gives me a nasty look all the time."

"Well, that means that you're in my class too." He smiled.

"Really? Now I won't be the new kid that just sits there awkwardly. I'll know someone." I said. He laughed. We stopped in front of the cafe.