Chapter Three: The Newspaper Boy.

Later that evening...

I decided to join my adoptive mother and Mika at dinner. Mika was excitedly reporting the events of the day. She was mostly talking about our tour around town, and I was just silently listening to her.

"And I showed her the school,Mama!" declared Mika,as her eyes sparkled with

excitement.

I knew Nishikawa-san already has an idea about my feelings towards that

topic, eventhough I'm not saying it out loud.

Nishikawa-san turned her attention back to Mika.

"That's great,dear...Did you also introduce your sister to your friends and

neighbors?" she smoothly tries to change the subject.

"Of course! I'll introduce her to more people next time." Mika went on with her summer plans,including me with it.

After dinner,Mika went ahead to take a bath.Nishikawa-san and I were left alone in the kitchen.

I volunteered to wash the dishes.Nishikawa-san was making us tea.I was already rinsing the bowls when she suddenly spoke.

"I'm sorry about the "school" thing,Nao.

I guess you're not yet prepared for it..." she aplogetically said.

"I understand.Mika doesn't know anything about my past...Am I right?"

 I probed.

Nishikawa-san sadly nodded.

"You don't have to quickly forget everything,Nao. But I also want you to know that you're still young and everybody has the right to start their life all over again. Just think about it." advised Nishikawa-san,as she gave me a cup of steaming tea.

As soon as we finished the dishes and drained our cup of tea,Nishikawa-san finally decided to call it a night. Feeling a little relieved to be left alone again,I climbed upstairs and went inside my room. For my second night here,I didn't

bother to switch on the lights since the moon was shining brightly over the window pane.

It's a full moon tonight. 

I pulled a seat from my study table and sat.I stared at the round,bright moon.

"I want to runaway from here. I want to see my real mother. I hope this is just all

a bad dream..."

Before I realized it, tears trickled down on my cheeks again.

*************************

"Morning!"

I was woken up by that energetic voice just outside my room. Still half-asleep,I stared at the space,trying to recollect my thoughts.

"---how's your father?Is he regularly taking his medications?" I heard Nishikawa-san's voice this time.

"Yes,thanks to you,he's feeling a lot better now!" she heard that annoying

voice again.

I curiously stood up and pulled the window's curtain. I saw Nishikawa-san talking to a tanned-skin boy who is about my age.Or maybe a little older. He has this unique aura that can brighten up a gloomy atmosphere.

I then glanced at his bicycle's basket and I saw a stack of newspaper inside.

"A newspaper boy." I whispered to myself.

As if in a cue,the boy glanced up and accidentally met my gaze.I couldn't look

away as I froze because of shock.

We continued to stare at each other for a couple of minutes before I came back to my senses. I hurriedly pulled the curtain close and hid at the wall.

"I should be going now,Nishikawa-san!" the boy finally bid goodbye.

There was a moment of silence and I knew that the boy was gone.

My hand flew into my chest,feeling the erratic beats of my heart...

"W-What's happening to me?" I asked myself,while feeling confused.

****************************

I closed my eyes as I was trying to feel the relaxing sight of the ocean.The sound of the waves,and the wind was like music to my ears.

It's so peaceful here and if I could only stay in this place forever...

I snucked out from the house after Nishikawa-san and Mika went to the clinic to do some volunteer work. As soon as they were gone, I quickly grabbed my jacket and walked at the backyard to get my bicycle. It was my chance to see the ocean again without Mika who's been tailing my back.It's not that I hate her,but I want to have a peaceful time of my own.

I know that Nishikawa-san and Mika are trying to reach out for me and they are trying to open my heart little by little but there's something inside of me that is telling me to hold back...

It has been a month already since I came to the Nishikawa household. I've finally adjusted my life to this small town,and I think I'm starting to feel at ease with my adoptive mother and sister...

"This is bad!I'm going to be late!" wailed Mika,as she sat beside me for a quick breakfast.

"It's because you've been chatting with your friends on the phone until the wee hours in the morning!" I lectured her.

"Shh!Mama might hear you!" Mika hushed her,while her mouth is full.

"I'll keep my mouth shut if you tell me that you finished all your homeworks." I warned her.

"I did it all,okay?Sheesh,I never thought you'd be stricter than our brother!" Mika said,while rolling her eyes heavenward. She was talking about our brother who is studying in Tokyo.

"Expect more of this in the future." I seriously continued.

Mika made a face and turned her attention to Nishikawa-san who's busy frying eggs.

"Mama,when will Nao go to school?" she fired back at me.

I gave her a warning look.

"As soon as she feels ready." replied our mother.She puts down a plate full of sunny-side up eggs.

"I'm sooo excited!" Mika said in a sing-song manner.

I shook my head in frustration.

Mother took one last gulp of her coffee.

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you to school?" she asked.

"No need,mama...I can still make it to school by bicycle." answered Mika.

"Well,goodluck with that..." I mumbled to Mika,trying to get back at her.

"Gee,thanks for being supportive!" Mika sarcastically said.

"Stop it,you two...Mika,let's get a move on." commanded mother.

I decided to follow them outside to send them off.Mama got inside the car and Mika rode on her bicycle.

"Are you sure you'll be alright alone?" inquired Mama.

"Don't worry about me." I assured her.

"Okay,see you later."

As soon as they were gone, I closed the gate and I was about to go back inside the house when somebody called for me.

"Hey!"

I wheeled around and saw the newspaper boy again.He was grinning

from ear to ear as he stopped his bicycle at the gate.He was wearing a school uniform.

"Hey,aren't you going to school?" he called out.

I crossed my arms unto my chest.

"That's none of your business!" I snapped at him.

"To tell you the truth,I'm making it my business..." he said.

'Stop acting like you care..." I retorted.

"But I do care...And besides,you'll like our school.It's fun there!"the boy spoke again.

"Just leave me alone,will you?" I yelled at him.I marched inside

the house and slammed the door close.

"Gosh,what's with people today? Why are they forcing me to go to school?" I angrily muttered to myself.