𝙋𝙨𝙚𝙪𝙙𝙤-𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙨―𝐈.𝐊. 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

two. pseudo-new friends

Lunch. My favorite time of the day. I made my way up the roof, following after Tsubaki and Orihime. Their friends were waiting for them. Completely out of the loop about me tagging along. I just want things to go back into the rhythm of things. Hopefully it can be.

"Oh, hi, guys. I brought along [Y/N] for lunch today. She just got back from-."

"How was America, [Y/N]?" asked the orange haired male that was wedged between an emo with glasses (Uryu Ishida) and this giant of a man (Chad).

"It was fine, Kurosaki." I told him as I sat down next to Tsubaki and Orihime.

"Something looks different about you, [Y/N]!"

I scoffed. "Keigo, it's nice to see you again."

"What's with that look for, [Y/N]?"

I didn't have to answer the brunnette when the strawberry head interfered. "You know exactly what that look is for, Keigo. I'm not gonna step in when she starts beating on you, idiot."

"So, [L/N], what did you... do in... America?" asked Chad.

"Well, my mother's family lives in America, so I was going to gain a sense of who she was." That dad doesn't tell me about. "My grandparents lived in New York City, so we saw a lot of the city. We spent a couple of weeks in Orlando, going to all of the parks we could stomach there. I visited my uncles in Las Vegas. Didn't actual gamble any money. Just the jellybeans I got from the candyshop in Disney Springs, that's the shopping park in Disney World." And other stuff.

"That sounds like so much fun, [Y/N]! But I have one burning question for you. And it may as well be the most important one." Orihime held my shoulders with an Orihime serious look on her face (that makes her look dorky). "How close are you from finishing your stuffed blanket babydoll collection?"

"Orihime. I finished that two years ago. Now, I have a new obsession. Fluffy three feet long tail stuffed animals! I already have Cheshire Cat, Marie from the Aristocats, Lucifur from Cinderella, and Pegasus from Hercules." I told her, wearing the same expression as her on my face.

"Yeah, they're totally best friends. Oh, hi Rukia, Renji, done with your makeup tests?" asked Ichigo.

If I had some form of liquid, I might have done a spit take and then they'll be questions. But I've gone almost fourteen years with knowing these people (I was three when I met Orihime who was the first person I met (I'm seventeen now)) and not once have I let slip about my dad and his shop. Or my innate ability to see ghosts and sense hollows. I know Ichigo sees ghosts, and I've never really helped him out with that. Because how would I explain it to him? I couldn't. Renji seemed to have the same thoughts as I did, because he simultaneously paled and sweatdropped when he saw me with Orihime.

"We're good, Ichigo." the black haired girl besides Renji darted her eyes at me. "Hello, I'm Rukia Kuchiki! It's nice to meet you! I don't think I've seen you around before!"

I already know who you are. You can cut this nice girl act. You're a Soul Reaper in a gigai. Same as Renji. But how do two Soul Reapers know these people? And... WHY IS URYU ISHIDA FRIENDS WITH ICHIGO KUROSAKI??? THEY JUST DON'T SEEM LIKE A GOOD MATCH AS FRIENDS?!?!?!

"Oh, I'm [Y/N]. [Y/N] [L/N]. I recently returned from America. It's nice to meet you!" I held out my hand for her. And the girl, Rukia, shook it.  

"I'm Renji Abarai." said Renji before he took a seat between Ichigo and Uryu. Rukia took a seat beside Tatsuki and Orihime.

And after that, for the rest of lunch, I felt left out. A lot had happened in a year. And I was left out of it. I didn't seem to have a place amongst them anymore. And it made me sad.

**

The walk home was weird. Well, it would have to be. Because before, I walked home alone because no one else lives in the same area as me. And it was weird now, because Renji was walking home with me. Now, it wouldn't be weird. Simply because Ichigo Kurosaki (remind me to gut him like a fish) said something about us living in the relatively same area (despite none of my friends have been to my house for obvious reasons).

"So, what you were worried about this morning isn't a problem anymore." Renji told me.

I looked over at him. All of the guys I know tower over me. Why the hell is that like how it is? No clue. I guess that will be one weird investigation to not look forward to. "I guess. But I don't want any of them to know."

"You know they-."

"I don't want to know. If they are some way apart of our world of shinigami and hollows, I want to hear that from them. Not you. Okay, Renji. And even if they don't tell me, I don't want you to tell me. Because it's not your place to tell me. Just like it's not your place to tell them about me. Got it?" I cut him off.

"Fine. I won't tell you and I won't tell them. Happy?" he told me.

"I will when it is revealed that you actually kept your word." and with that, I walked into my house and headed up the stairs to my bedroom.

I tossed my bag on my bed and slumped down into it. School is the worst thing I've ever been through. Well it is when your grandparents decide to homeschool you for a year when you visit them for said year. I sat up in my bed (after my brief sulking) and opened up my bag to start my homework. And then (my favorite one of my dad's employees) Ururu walked into my room with a plate of food.

Yes, snack time! Score! "Hi, Ururu."

"I have your after school snack, [Y/N]." the dark blue haired girl told me.

"Cool. You want to sit here and eat with me?" I asked her.

"Oh. I shouldn't. I still have work to do."

"Aw! Come on, Ururu! If you get in trouble, I'll take the blame for you. Just sit and eat. I'm sure you're hungry." the girl caved and sat down on my bed.

And we started to eat my snack together. And then, someone fell out of my closet. A black haired girl. The same black hair girl that I met at lunch: Rukia Kuchiki. And I let out a scream that I'm sure that startled both females.