Sequiter Shoujo

By: That Darn Kat

Chapter 2: Unrequited Hate

            A lot of people say that hate and love are very similar to each other. The only analogy that I could think of is when two people love to hate each other. After my lunch with Mr. Nerd...er, Haruki, I was beginning to develop an intense dislike--especially on my last period: Biology.

            As the 6th period came to an end, I sighed with relief. Yes! One more putrid hour of school! I mentally did a little jig; I hate school and everyone in it! Well, not really hate...maybe that’s too strong a word. There are a lot of people here that did nothing to deserve that, I mean, most of them here are just like me! Just a random student trying to get through life. Some are just more...mentally warped...like me. Anyway, in the bustling hallways of my high school, there I was, trying to get to my biology class without dropping my books when someone scares the crap out of me by tapping my shoulder. My books and binder thundered down in a white flurry of paper as I turned around to bite the head off of the offender.

            What I met was my reflection in Haruki’s thick glasses. He adjusted his glasses with a nervous smile; I must’ve been glaring daggers. “I-I’m sorry! Let me help you pick up your things.” 

            I sighed and squatted to pick up my binder and textbooks. “Great! Now I’m late! I’m gonna get detention now!” Pausing for a minute, I smirked to myself...maybe I’ll have a little fun with the guy... “It’s all your fault!”

            Haruki looked up while picking up the papers, adjusting his glasses once again. “H-huh?” He gripped a paper he was holding a little more tightly. “I’m really sorry! It’s just that I don’t know anyone... I figured I could ask you where the biology lab is...” The guy looked a little down; GAH! I’m supposed to be the one bringing in the guilt trip!

            I sighed....If anyone knows how it feels to be the outcast... “Um...” Averting my gaze, I picked up the remaining papers, “I’m going to biology right now... C’mon.” I felt my ears turning hot with my private embarrassment. I’m so callous sometimes...  As I stood up, Haruki handed me my remaining books and papers, which I gathered up quickly. “We better hurry! We have like two minute to get to class! ” Haruki glanced at the bell, adjusting his glasses again! I couldn’t help but grin in amusement. “Those glasses look too big for you?”

            Haruki looked a little flustered, like I had asked an embarrassing question. “N-no! Um...I just sat on them this m-morning and um, I sorta broke them...” He looked out one the windows scratching the back of his head. Hmm...a little touchy on the subject, eh? Maybe I’ll file that in the back of my mind.

            When I got home, I was greeted at the door with an overly enthusiastic little sister. Ya know, sometimes I feel like my family had two dogs in the house. Not that I’m calling my sis a dog or anything; it’s just that she’s kind of cute when she acts like Mange. Err... yeah, my dog’s name is Mange; please refrain your curiosity on that one.   

            “OMIGOSH OMIGOSH OMIGOSH OMIGOSH! GUESS WHAT?!”  Oh, geez, she’s jumping like a monkey on crack. Heh.

            I roll my eyes like I usually do--it’s a routine we sorta follow. “What, Mary?”

            “Remember that contest I entered?” Oh yeah... A few months ago my sis entered one of those ‘Win a day with a celebrity’ contests. She stayed up half the night writing out forms (there was no limit as to how many times you could enter), keeping me up with her stupid nightlight. Ever since Mary saw The Ring, she’s never gone one night without it.  Since we sleep in a bunk bed, the light shines straight up into my bed, making it impossible to fall asleep; one of these days I’m gonna hold that thing for ransom... Maybe that’s why I’m so grumpy.

I nodded. “I remember. So what about it?”

Mary fidgeted and pulled an envelope off the kitchen counter. Uh oh. There’s gonna be trouble when she fidgets like that.  “Erika...”

...

...

CRAP.

FYI, Mary only uses my full first name when she’s angry with me or wants something. Usually she calls me Eri. The sad thing is that my mom will make me do whatever my little sis wants.  I stepped warily back, away from the dangerous life form. Yes, that’s right. Step AWAY from the sister, I thought to myself.  “W-what?”    

“PLEASE,” Mary charged and glomped me with all her might. Believe me; my 4’11 sis is quite heavy for a shrimp.  She started spewing words at 90 mph. “I won a day with that hottie actor Haru! But mom can’t go cuz she has to take care of Mrs. Bargs. But I need a chaperone cuz I’m not over the age of 16! Did I mention you’re the best sis ever?” NO!!!

Dear God, just WHAT did I do to deserve this?! Answer me!  ....No answer... Humph... Guess sisterhood is something that’s best left untouched.

“..F...Fine. I’ll go.” I mumbled. I sunk down into a kitchen chair and rested the side of my head on the table. Being sisterly makes me tired. “So who’s this Haru guy?”

Mary looked at me as if I had grown nose hair. “COME ON, Eri! Please don’t tell me you’ve never heard of him!” She ran out like wolves were chasing her and zoomed back with some of those teen celeb magazines. Lemme tell ya, those things will rot your brain to the texture of moldy tomatoes. Only the tomatoes will be smarter. She spread one of the magazines out on the table and pointed to a face. “Him.”

Wow. He’s pretty damn good-looking. I can already see him on one of those tabloid covers with some bimbo!  He was standing at a movie premier, with a ten million dollar smile, waving to some wooing fangirls. I noted that his hair was short, navy blue in color, with messy random spikes coming out at every which way. I can kinda understand why Mary’s so obsessed with him.

HOLD ON. I am NOT drooling over this guy! No way, no how!

“You’re are SO drooling, Eri.” Mary squealed, as if to read my mind. “It’s about time you got interested in guys!”

“AM NOT!” I yelled, jumping up from the table and stomping out of the kitchen. Dammit! So what if I’m a girl! I can’t help it. I rubbed my ears, which always turn red when I’m embarrassed or nervous. Mary has no idea how many times I’ve dealt with the opposite sex. I’ve had enough crappy romances for three lifetimes. Sure, I like watching chick-flicks and romantic comedies. I also read a crapload of shoujo manga, but I don’t want to search for love. I did, at one time. And I found it, only to realize that I’m infatuated with the idea of falling in love. (Not only that, but somehow, I always end up with the two-faced guys.)

So, on that fateful day, I vowed that I was going to be single for the rest of my life. And if you’re saying that’s impossible; HA. FREAKIN’ HA. I’ve haven’t crushed on someone since I was ten! And I’ve politely turned down every guy that’s asked me out!

And you know what? I’ve never regretted it. Not for one minute.

A/N: Hiyeee!! ^^;; No, I haven’t died. It’s just that the school year has been hectic to me and I got sick for a while. But I’m back! I’m back! As you can see, Erika is likeable in some places, and not-so-likable in others. But she has reasons for being so cynical. ^^ Sorry to all my readers who had to wait so long for another chap of SS. Sorry! *bows profusely* Gomen. Gomen.