Kay springs up. GOOD GOD! It was just a dream!
What time is it? Kay reaches for the alarm on the dresser next to her. Since when does she goes back to relying on a clock? She hit the button on top just to stop the annoying ring. It's 6.30 in the morning. Way too early to start your day and she's definitely not a morning person. Stumbling in a fuzz, Kay searches around for her glasses. As she regains back her crispy clear eyesight she plops onto the bed again. This is not my crib! Her mouth drops open, trying to digest her surrounding.
This look so very similar to her parents' place. Wait.. What happen last night? The last thing she remembers is her waking to a headache. Was that just a dream? Did I get way too drunk last night?
She takes a second look around the bedroom. Just like how she remembers it. She has calmed down a bit.
The stacks of books on the floor by the big window. The single bed with very little space to sleep on. She bets her comic stash is still there, under the bed. Kay chuckles. So she made it back to Larkins and she doesn't even remember how. She ruffles her hair, untangling any knots she might has conjured for sleeping on her belly like that. It feels lighter unlike her lush red wavy hair she prizes. It's short and straight. Kay jumps to her feet, flying to the mirror next to her bed and the reflection makes her heart pumping three times faster.
What happen to my hair?
Kazu stares at the dining table in disbelieve. She's back in 2003. That fact is clear to her when she got up in her childhood bed and being forced to get ready for school. Now clad in her school attire, Kazu timidly chew on her breakfast. The typical Miura's family breakfast. Mom and dad are here. If there's anything right in this household is that the couple always make sure to start their day with a family breakfast. No chatting is required. Family breakfast is more of a tradition rather than a quality family time. But as much Kazu hates to admit it, she does miss this.
Her mind goes back to the last thing she remembers. Nothing was out of ordinary. Somehow for some strange reason she is scooped out of the future and is thrown back to the past. She couldn't have imagine growing up all those years. There is something magical happening and she is torn between finding out the reason or just enjoy the ride. It's a re-do she never asks for but something she is glad to have.
The family breakfast ends pretty quickly with her parent are ushered to their separate cars and her to her own. The old driver greets her with his usual smile and oh god Kazu misses him. She has to stop herself from hugging the old man the minute she sees him. The dead may never return but how magical is it that she manages to see him again. Alive and well.
All the way to school, Kazu listens to her caretaker reciting her schedule for the day. It is especially lengthy today considering it's her first day at the new school. If there's anything that Kazu remembers about this day in particular is that it is the first day she met Valerie. She can't wait! She remembers it to be an instant click between the two. Later comes Karyn the scared little mushroom head. Would it be different this time? How long is she supposed to relive her teenage years? Can it stay this way forever?
It is almost 9 when she finish everything at the administration office. She dotingly follows the Homeroom Teacher, Miss Markell to her soon to be classroom. She knows where it is but of course, it's her first day in the school ground. The least she could do is to pretend that it is. She never really like the young teacher but her choice of wardrobe always remain in the back of her head. She is gorgeous and she loves it to bits. That well fitted pinstripe crepe dress, her devilish red lipstick and that messy hair bun. She is oozing with confidence. What Kazu loves the most is her heels. Those Jimmy Choos.. Oh how lovely.
Clickety clack..
The heels makes that delicious sound against the pebble walkway. Kazu smiles in content. She loves the sound. It reminds her of runway. It reminds her of her life in the near future. And it reminds her that everything she's about to endure at this school would mean nothing when she breaks free of Miura family business. Freedom.
She almost bump into the young teacher when she stops at a calling from behind. Kazu turns around just as Miss Markell breathes the names through her tinted lips.
"Romanov, Berkenstock.."
It's funny how her heart just seems to jump start at the mention of the names. It is soon made clear to her that it is not Valerie she's so eagerly waiting to meet but the young bloke beside her. That's Roderick Berkenstock. How could she ever forget about that guy. Kazu quickly regains her composure, slightly bowing to the much younger looking Valerie Romanov who as always cheerfully smiling.
Valerie: Miss Markell, the principal asks for you.
Miss Markell: But I just came back from his office. What is it?
Valerie: It seems urgent.
Miss Markell: Oh dear. Very well then. Would you mind showing Miss Miura here our classroom?
Roderick: Not at all, Ma'am.
Miss Markell: I better go. Romanov, come with me. I'll give you the material for your self study.
There's smirk forming at the edge of Valerie's mouth. Kazu knows that look. She would always manage to 'accidentally' lose the revision material and the class would end up doing nothing close to what the teacher intended. Kazu knows that look and she admires Valerie's childlike nature despite the ever pressing need for her to elicit her best quality as the heiress of Nova Properties, the biggest real estate company in the region.
They go their separate ways, Kazu towards the Northern Ground where her classroom will be for the next two months before transferring to Senior High in the Southern Ground. Roderick is awfully quiet. He has always been when meeting someone new. All that professional look on his face is very endearing. Kazu has to stop herself from pinching those frozen cheeks and snaps him off his cold facade just like good ole time. She wishes she could. Her stare might have been too piercing that the young prefect grows uncomfortable, clearing his throat to brush away his creeping blush. Kazu snickers under her breath.
Roderick: Miura..You're Japanese?
He asks, trying to fill in the awkward silence between them. He has a knack of starting and awkward conversation.
Kazu: Apparently.
Roderick: Well, your name's a mouthful, Miura.
Kazu: It's Miura Kazuko. Call me Kazu for short.
The silence sets in again and the blush is more apparent on his face. She slips a sly smile as she tries not to be so obviously entertained by his nervousness. She recall the conversation in her mind, replaying every words they exchange. This is not their first conversation about their name and ethnicity. Not even the second time.
Kazu: You haven't given me your name.
Kazu asks.
Roderick: Berkenstock. Roderick Berkenstock..
Kazu: Ahh.. German..
Roderick: You got problem with that, Miura?
Kazu laughs at his jolting response to her comment. How volatile. Kazu shakes her head trying to stop her giggles.
Kazu: I mean nothing bad by that. Foot in the mouth syndrome.
Roderick: I'm a local. It's a German name but I'm local.
Roderick has always been very sensitive about it. It's a weird thing to be offended about but they are kids and they have a twisted look at nationalities and ethnicity.
Kazu: Got it.
Roderick: And call me Erick.
Kazu: I figure they spelled your name wrong then? The missing 'E'
Kazu points to his name tag. It's spelled Rodrick instead of Roderick which has been the subject of his discontent with the school. How could they spell his name wrong? He's only the family of the town's founder, right? His ancestors were only the founding father of the school right? Ugh..
Roderick: I've be meaning to change it but I don't know. Lazy I guess.
Kazu: Well then, that makes the two of us.
Roderick: How so? Did they get your name wrong?
Roderick glances at Kazu's nametag before nervously turning away for subconsciously glaring at her boobs. Kazu bursts into another laughing fit. Ahh Erick is so endearingly hopeless.
Kazu: I was referring to the lazy trait. Hahahaha. Ah, I think we're gonna be best friends.
***
[2003 Feb 3]
Her heart is pounding like a nail. Hands tremble due to her soaking uniform and that disgusting fear plus anger boiling inside of her. Kay forgets how it feels like to be weak. She is completely blindsided by the reality waiting for her at the school. It's 2003. It's her worst moment in life. Just a few minutes ago, the big bully Su Wei stops her from snooping around the Southern Ground, restricted to Junior like her. It's not like she didn't try to fight back but her body is weightless. Her skin is soft and sensitive to the slightest touch. What she would brush of as a friendly slap in her twenties now feels 10 times heavier. That's Su Wei thick palm landing on her cheeks when she refused to run to the store and get her a can of Redbull. When she finally did buy the liquid energy for the awful bully, Su Wei spills it all over Kay's uniform. She smells horribly sweet now and it won't come off no matter how hard Kay drench herself.
Kay drags herself to the bathroom, grabbing her gym clothes from the locker just before entering the cubicle. Before she knows it, she squats down, hugging her knees. Sounds of her crying is muffled by the hot water hitting her skin. It's this all over again. This is her fate for being a commoner amidst the rich snobs in this school. Su Wei is not even any better than her. They are placed in the same classroom for coming from common household, the school system to separate the high born from the commoner like her and the rest of her classmates. Being the smallest kid in the class, along with the fact that her German name hardly fit her Asian stature, she is the easiest target. And it's not like the others are supporting Su Wei's favorite pastimes, it's just easier to ignore and save themselves the trouble of being linked to the weak.
Kay thought of how different things would be if she is as brave as she is in her twenties. She would be able to set things right but it's easier said than done. Her mind is strong. She can think off hundred way to hurl curses at the sorry lot but her body remembers the pain. She reacts to Su Wei just as she always reacts to her, cower in a trembling mess. How she ever manages to survive the torture during Junior High is beyond her. At the rate of how things are going, she's surprised that she hasn't try to cut herself. Maybe she did. Yes she did. The scars on her arm are awfully fresh, it stings still. She did cut herself. Maybe this is why she couldn't recall memories of being at the school. Her brain probably erases everything to save her from the deep seated humiliation she has to endure right now. She tastes acid rising up her throat. Without much restraint, her breakfast comes pouring from her mouth. Ah.. the vomiting.
The trauma stays with Kay years after high-school. She went to see a shrink just to get over it and little by little she grows stronger. She took krav maga in college just to stop feeling so weak. But all those years of training just disappear when Su Wei lands her heavy slap on Kay. It is clear to her that she could never escape it.
When Kay comes out of the shower dressed in her gym clothes, recess has already ended. Head is drooping from her shoulder, Kay tries her hardest to ignore the snickering whispers around her as she makes her way to her classroom. Even the sympathetic look from the kinder lot feels like a punch to her already stinging skin.
"BUP!"
Her body bounces backward. Books comes flying from above. Kay is terrified of what devil waiting to nab her head off for so stupidly bump into anyone. She hears an 'ouch' from the other kid. Kay lifts her face, tears brimming in her eyes.
"Are you okay?" the kid asks her with a concern look.
Kay almost jumps to hug the blonde girl in front of her but she manages to stop herself. Kay is still unsure with what is happening around her. Valerie looks at her with a sorry look. Instead of being mad at her, Valerie stretches her hand to help Kay gets up on her feet.
Val: I'm so sorry. I didn't see you.
Kay: N..no.. It's okay. I was the one at fault.
Val: Oh no. Did I do that to you?
She asks as her finger softly grazes Kay's cheek. Kay winces in pain.
Kay: I fell down the stairs. N..No problem.
Val: That looks bad. Lets get you to the sickbay.
Kay: No no no. I'm fine.
Kay nervously brushes her swollen cheek, backing away from the girl. She then notices the curious eyes around her. The kids are staring at them. That's Valerie Romanov from Class 2- and she's there talking to a nobody. What an eventful afternoon.
"What are doing on the floor, princess? I thought you don't mingle around with commoners"
The beaming voice sends a thud in Kay's head. She looks past Valerie, Su Wei standing mighty with the hands to her waist. She catches Valerie rolling her eyes, biting her lips in disgruntle. She turns to Su Wei who is towering over her.
Val: Why if it's not the pig. Out of your sty, already?
Kay could almost hear her own blood thickens in fear. She remembers bit and pieces of Val's infamous clash with Su Wei but she never recalls the detail of it. For all she knows, it stems from Su Wei's bullying her. But clearly that's not the case now. Val has some deep-seated hate for the bully. Kay for the life of hers can't figure out what.
Su Wei: You better stay in your lane, princess. This is my side of the school. You better get back to yours before we get the whole board involve.
Valerie's eyes shake ever so briefly. Kay catches her shift in stance. Valerie is defeated by a mere mention of school board. Kay is not the only one who notices. Su Wei snickers. She grabs Kay's hair, tugging it to her will. Kay winces in pain, weakly scratching Su Wei's hand. Su Wei's friends reaches for her arms, desperately trying to stop her obvious act of defiance towards Valerie. Valerie is petrified, not able to move. Su Wei stares them down and they whimper like a hit puppies. Everyone else pretty much shrinks back to their seats, hiding behind the walls trying to stay away from the conflict. Kay looks up to Valerie, eyes brimming with plead. Save me.
Su Wei: Are you still here, princess. Do you like what you see?
Su Wei swings Kay's head more violently. Fists roll on both sides, Valerie turns away.
Val: Don't overdo it, pig.
Valerie picks up the books on the floor and leaves. Su Wei's laughter rings through the corridor. Su Wei pulls her leg backward, ready to kick Kay who is still tethered to her grasp. She is trying to provoke Valerie it seems. But Valerie walks away even faster. Kay doesn't even move when she sees a blurry kick aiming for her stomach. She anticipates the pain. She wants to feel the pain. Maybe then she would wake up from this awful dream. She couldn't move. She doesn't want to.
But the kick never lands on Kay. When she looks up, Kazu is standing in front of her, fists curled and body falls in stance. She snarls at Su Wei who is now plopped to the floor, hand to her bloody face. Kazu punches her on the freaking face! Square on the nose.
Kazu: Take another step and I'll end you.
Su Wei whimpers as her friends struggle to get her up. Gasps and awws fill up the corridor. Kay looks at the back of Kazu's head. At least someone is still her hero. Su Wei tries to throw a rebuttal at Kazu but she swiftly dismisses the blow. Su Wei barely gets her footing stable again when Kazu put her in a headlock, forcing her to face Kay.
Kazu: Now say sorry.
Su Wei: Wha-
Kazu: Say SORRY!
Kazu tightens her arms around Su Wei's plump neck. Su Wei is desperate but she is stubborn. There is no way in hell she's going to throw away her pride by apologizing to a weakling like Karyn Becker.
"Kazuko Miura! What are you doing?"
Kazu turns around, body automatically weakens by the voice coming for her. The principal is towering over her with Roderick to his side. Su Wei escapes from Kazu's headlock and regroup with her two stooges. Valerie is no where to be seen. Roderick stares at the girls with his mouth hanging. Not a moment ago, a student comes running to him asking to get the Principal because Valerie got into yet another heated argument with Su Wei. Before he knows it, Kazu is already sprinting towards the commotion and he to the Principal's office. The Principal, Mr Finnigan stares at the bloodied ninth grader, the beaten to pulp smaller one and the rebel with blood smearing her fist.
Mr Finnigan: First day and two bloody students. You sure held up your family's reputation, Young Lady.
Murmurs rise from the other students. Kay catches a few of them whisper in fear. That's Miura Kazuko. Oh my god I heard she was kicked out of her previous school for killing someone. What do you expect from a mercenary. Oh you mean THAT MiuCorp? Kazu's face hardens at the undertone comments from her fellow class-men. Kay tugs on Kazu's socks offering her support to the wavering girl. Kazu drops her stance and helps Kay up on her feet. Quickly, the three of the are whisked away to the Principal's office.
***
Mr Finnigan: Do you want to get expelled on your first day at school, Miss Miura?
Kazu: No..
Mr Finnigan: What's that?
Kazu: No, sir.
The stares from the Principal bore holes through her skull and Kazu finds herself trapped between wanting throw a punch at Su Wei and drop to her knees in front of the principal for a lenient comeuppance to her sudden uprising. Being expelled is not an option. She knows that well. She has to be here. This was and still is her whole life.
Kazu swears she could hear Su Wei snickers next to her. The awful girl doesn't do much to hide the fact that she is thoroughly enjoying the moment. She knows she's going to get away, scott free just like she always does. And that fact alone makes Kazu's blood boils in rage. She has a footing here, that awful one. Mr Finnigan turns to Su Wei to which quietens her immediately.
Mr Finnigan: Don't be so jolly, Su. You have four strikes on your record. Another strike and you'll be stripped of your prefect title. Your father wouldn't like the sound of that, would he?
Su Wei: No, sir. I'm sorry, sir.
Su Wei bites the corner of her lips, wincing when the cut on her lips meets her teeth. She throw a dirty side look to Kazu. That new kid has just punch her nose and chapped her lips. Somebody's gonna pay for this. Kay cowers a bit when the look is shifted to her.
Mr Finnigan: Now.. *hands clasp together* Anybody wants to spill the detail?
The principal looks at the three students in front of him. Kazu is smug with her own sense of righteousness albeit the sick churn she feels in the depth of her stomach at the thought of getting expelled.
Su Wei is calm. It's not her first time being called to the office. She is confident that she can get away with it. Alas, Mr Finnigan will always be on her side. No matter what. She got him around her fingers. All this is just a show. But Su Wei can't figure out why it is so important to even gather the lot here in the first place. The principal could have just dismiss them altogether. For a moment, Su Wei is worried of whom this new kid is. So she is the sole heir of MiuCorp. They both come from mercenary company. Rivals. They are bound to be enemies.
And the third girl droops down, chin almost touching her chest. She's the most benevolent of the three. The smallest in stature. A Becker, an unknown name. She is the designated punching bag. It would have been better for her if Kazu did not intercept Su Wei's abuse. Kazu can't be there for Kay all the time. And when Kazu is not looking, that's when Su Wei is going to have her way with Kay. Even the thought of it makes Kay's legs shaking in fear.
Mr Finnigan: Becker.. Tell me what happen.
Kay shrinks even smaller into herself. Kazu bites the corner of her lips. She forgot how timid Kay was when they were first introduced to each other. For some reason, Kazu can't recall how they even got to know each other originally. Somehow their history together is being replaced with what is happening now and Kazu is hoping that Kay would man it up and change this once and for all. You are much stronger than this, Kay. Fight back, you idiot. Tell him everything. Kazu pokes her waist lightly, channeling a piece of courage to Kay. Kay turns her face to her, red with tears and she shakes her head weakly.
Mr Finnigan: Tell me what happen, Becker.
The ridiculous dirty look on Su Wei's face almost send Kazu jumping to her neck for the second time but the principal is locked onto her with demeaning look. Su Wei huffs with confidence. She knows Kay doesn't have it in her to talk back. Even if she does, nothing is going to change. Su Wei is a force she can never subdue. And Su Wei plans to make it clear to the new comer. She is a Su. Nobody fucks with a Su. She straightens her skirt before she strides closer to the Principal's desk.
Su Wei: With all due respect, Sir. I caught her out of her classroom, not wearing her uniform. Seems like she got told off by another prefect. She was shouting at her. I was trying to get her to stop when she push me down and anger got the best of me. I didn't know what happen but before I could touch her, Miss Miura came charging at me.
Kazu: That's a lie!
Su Wei: I don't blame you, Miura. It's your first day here. You don't know how things work around here. Becker has a way to make people feel sorry for her. But don't be fooled. She's a troublemaker.
Kazu: Bullshit!
Mr Finnigan: I will not allow profanities in my office!
Kazu flinches back to her position. Su Wei grins triumphantly. The worst part is Kay being tight lipped as if she's okay with the accusation. Fiddling with her fingers and choking on tears, Kay refuses to look at any of them. The only thing you can hear from the girl is her sobbing which she tries to hide behind her sealed lips.
Mr Finnigan: Who is this other prefect you're talking about, Su?
Su Wei: It was Miss Romanov.
Kazu: That's a lie! Valerie has got nothing to do with it. She was not harassing her. You were the one who was hitting her, pulling her hair in front of the whole school. How do you think she got that bruise?
Su Wei: And you know this how? You were not even there. Do you want to get Romanov here to testify?
Before Kazu could respond, Principal Finnigan slams his palm to the table.
Mr Finnigan: Enough! We will not drag Miss Romanov into this. I'll strike this as your first offence, Miura. Su Wei, you are allowed to return to your classroom. And Becker, since you have nothing to add, I'll take Miss Su's statement as true. For not adhering to school uniform and fighting with the school prefect, 20 hours of library duty.
Kazu: You can't actually believe this lie! This snake *pointing at Shu Wei* was dragging Karyn by her hair for talking to Valerie. You can go ask the rest of Class 2-3. They were there! They can testify.
Mr Finnigan: Listen here, Miura. I will not turn this little incident into a full blown probe. We have prefects as representative to uphold the rules in this school.
Kazu: But this is not fair. You only listen to one side of the story -..
Mr Finnigan: Enough! If you want fairness then the two of you can carry out 20 hours of library duty together!
And that is how Kay and Kazu end up doing 20 hours library duty for the next 20 days.
***
