A Normal Life
By Kali Gargoyle
***
Chapter One: The First Day
***
Mike kicked the pop can again. He couldn't believe the time had passed so quickly. The months went by in a blur, he could hardly remember what he had done with his time. Video games and chores mostly. And now it was starting all over again, the work, the torture, the unending pain.
"Hey, Mikey!"
Mike stopped and turned his orange baseball cap around to get the visor out of his line of sight. He smiled as his childhood friend steered his bike over to the curb and hopped off. "Hey Donny."
Don ran his fingers back through his wavy brown hair. "Tardy again, huh, Mike? Man, and it's only the first day!"
Mike shrugged and shuffled along to his dreaded destination. Don caught up and walked with him. Mike blew away his pale blonde hair from his face. "Aren't you gonna be late, too, Mr. Brain?"
Don smiled. "We're not late, actually, kinda early."
Mike turned on his heel, tearing up the hems of his jeans. "Dude, I'll be back when the bell rings."
Don grabbed the loop on top of Mike's backpack and pulled him back. "Come on, the others will be waiting."
Mike adjusted his pack and resentfully walked with Don.
They arrived at the school just as Raphael's motorcycle pulled into its parking space. Don and Mike wandered over after locking up Don's bicycle.
"Hey guys," Kali waved at them, her helmet tucked under her arm. Raph pulled his own helmet off and pulled his ponytail out of his jacket, grunting his greeting.
"Ready for senior year?" Don asked.
Kali made an odd face. "School is a necessary evil with few redeeming qualities, Don. But I guess I'm ready."
Mike mirrored her expression. "You can find redeeming qualities?"
They all laughed, except for Raph, who stared silently at the school entrance. Kali elbowed him. "Hey!"
"Huh, wha?"
Kali frowned. Raphael had been acting strange lately, more restless than usual. "Something the matter?"
Raph shook his head, "Nah, nothing. Who's that?"
They all looked towards the entrance where a young woman stood, looking confused.
"I don't know," Kali said softly. "Maybe she's new."
"She's cute!" Mike exclaimed. "I'm gonna say hi!"
Mike jogged towards the girl. The others walked at their normal paces. "I've never seen him run so fast," Don commented.
Raph laughed. "Unless pizza's involved."
Kali smiled and looped her arm around Raph's.
***
"Hi!"
The girl jumped and backed away from the young boy who appeared before her. Mike smiled and looked her over. She was just over five feet with delicate Chinese features and long black hair held back in a braid. "I'm Mike, you new?"
She relaxed a little. "Yes, I am new. My name is Mei Pieh Chi."
The other three finally reached them and Raph pulled Mike away. "Nice to meet ya, Mei Pieh, I'm Raphael."
"Don," the shy intellect said, waving a little.
Kali crossed her arms over her chest. "The name's Kali."
Mei Pieh nodded nervously in reply. Something about Kali made her uncomfortable. She returned to facing the others. "I'm looking for the main office," she told them, looking at the piece of paper she held.
"We'll show you," Raph said, holding the door open and shoving Mike inside.
Mei Pieh smiled at him. "Thank you, I would appreciate that."
Kali gave Raphael a suspicious look. He was never nice to new people, and never volunteered to help them like that. Was this girl that different? Or maybe his change of attitude had something to do with his extra training he took on this summer.
Don and Mike exchanged glances as Kali stormed down the hall after Raphael and Mei Pieh.
"This is gonna be an interesting year, isn't it?" Mike asked as Don walked through the door.
"I'd say that would be a safe bet," Don answered, adjusting his glasses.
***
Kali gracefully slipped between Raphael and Mei Pieh. "So, Mei, where are you from?"
"Shanghai, China. I am here as an exchange student," Mei Pieh replied with a slight Chinese accent to back up her statement.
"For how long?"
"Just this school year."
"Here we are."
Both girls looked at Raph, then to the office door.
"Ah," was all Mei Pieh said.
Kali pulled on Raphael's arm. "Well, we better get to class. They probably have an escort waiting to show you around. Good luck!"
"Yes, thank you very much," Mei Pieh replied, but Kali and Raphael were out of sight before she even finished her sentence. She did however catch Raphael's deep green gaze before he disappeared.
"Mei Pieh Chi?"
Mei Pieh turned to face a tall handsome student. He had black hair, neatly groomed, and Japanese features.
"Yes?"
He smiled and Mei Pieh couldn't help but smile back. "Welcome to your first day. I'm Leonardo, I'll be your guide."
***