Jeremy Adderly. The biggest nerd in the history of everywhere. He always had his black hair greased back with an unknown substance, his glasses were normal-sized, to say the least. And, he always dressed in proper.

Not to mention he got to school God knows how early, all to just go to the library. During lunch he looks more as though he'd rather eat his history book than his actual baloney sandwich. And really, poor dweeb, always in the back of the cafeteria. Well, enough ranting about that loser, let's talk about me! My name is Aralie Beckett, I'm in the eleventh grade and loving life! Oh, and my best friend, Naya!

“Ara!” Naya cried out as she was running towards me, waving her arms around as if she were drowning. Her bright red hair could probably be seen halfway around the world and be mistaken for a danger sign. She stopped in front of me and let herself drop in a heavy heap on the grass next to me.

Naya was wheezing and trying to laugh at the same time, not a good combo for a person with asthma. I stared at her as she fumbled with the zipper on her bookbag and managed to find her pump. After she was done, she shoved her pump back into her bag. I cocked an eyebrow at her and a smile appeared on my face, “ You know you're weird, right?” I giggled and laid back onto the grass. Naya laughed out loud in agreement.

“Hey! So about the class trip to Japan! What did your mom say?” asked Naya. Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that.

“Class, as you all know, the annual class trip has been set for the month of June...” Ms. James announced from the front of the class, “ and, the votes have finally been tallied!” The teacher paused again, probably trying to build up suspense, but seriously, looking around the classroom, no one seemed to care. The teacher finally seemed to take notice, she rooled her eyes, “ Japan!!” She half-shouted as she took her nails to the chalkboard. Oh, yeah, everyone was awake now!

The teacher smiled giddily, “ So don't forget, those of you who are interested in going, take an inscription sheet from the box next to my desk! Have a good day!” And as if the bell was listening to her, it rang.

“Err, actually, I haven't talked to her about it yet, but I will!” I answered, after recalling what the teacher had told us.

“Hurry it up, do it tonight when you get home! The inscriptions need to be in for Friday! I don't want to wind up on my own!” she grumbled as she pulled her things together.

“Fine, fine!”

“I mean it! I'm calling you tonight so you don't forget!” nagged Naya. She turned and left, her bus had arrived. To be honest, I was pretty excited, I knew my mom wouldn't object to me going, it was more a question of the money for the plane ticket that seemed to bother me. It wasn't a bother for Naya, her family didn't have financial issues like mine.

“Hi mom, I'm home.” I grumbled as soon as I stepped into the house. I let my bag fall to the floor and kicked off my shoes.

“Hey, squirt.” laughed my brother as he came down the stairs and ruffled my hair.

“Hey, jerk, I told you not to do that!” I wailed and bolted after him. He just laughed and locked himself in the bathroom. “Stupid older brother!”

“Mom?” I called out, hoping she'd answer before I turned forty.

“Yeah, welcome home sweety!” she called back, whoo, she was in the kitchen. I had just noticed a pleasant smell floating around the hall. I stepped into the warm kitchen and seated myself on a bench at the counter. I grabbed a cookie from an already opened box in front of me.

“How was your day?” she asked as she looked up from her recipe book. Guide to Japanese Cuisine.

I choked back a laugh of irony, this was like a reminder from Naya.

“Erm, it was ok.” I answered giggling.

“What's so funny?” she asked. She was half-interested though, her nose was back in her book. I reached for another cookie, “ No, it's 'cuz, this year, since its our last year...” I wasn't sure if now was the best time.

“Mmhm, I'm listening, go on.” Mom answered like she was reading my thoughts. Creepy.

“Well, this year, the eleventh grade voted for Japan.” I laughed, “ I just found it funny that you were reading a book on Japanese food, that's all.” I giggled uncomfortably, noticing a sudden change of atmosphere. I knew it had been a bad idea to mention it.

She finally looked up at me, her eyes searching mine, her face looked saddened and upset at the same time. She opened her mouth to say something.

“Yo Mom, what's for dinner?” Saved by the annoying big brother. Derick sat himself on the bench next to mine.
“I think we're eating Japanese tonight.” I stated with my mouth full of cookies.

“Don't eat with your mouth full, squirt!” He joked as he grabbed a handful of cookies and shoved them in his mouth. I opened my mouth with an 'ahh' and exposed my chewed up cookies. Derick choked a laugh and cookie crumbs flew from his mouth, “ vats gworss!”

Mom looked up at us she merely smiled, she was probably glad to see us getting along. When my dad was at home, me and Derick never got along. But, when he left, we started to support one another. Really quite a dramatic story to be honest!

The phone rang, taking me out of my thoughts, my brother shot up, “ Whoo! That's probably for me!” He ruffled my hair again and ran to the phone on the wall next to the fridge. “Jerk!!” I mumbled under my breath.

“ So what were you wanting to talk to me about? Are you interested in this Japan trip?” mom asked, she was mixing some odd looking ingredients.

“Yeah, I'm really interested, and what is that? What are you making?” I was slightly distracted by the weird stuff she was mixing.

“Hm? Oh, it's a recipe for a sushi mix.”

“Not but what's that sickly red stuff?” I leaned halfway on the contertop and pointed.

“ Oh, those are fish eggs!” She replied with a grin. I sighed.

“Mom, you weren't supposed to mix those in, they usually go on the top of the finished sushi!” She set the bowl on the counter and reached for the recipe book. “Crap!” I giggled and sat back down.

Mom emptied her bowl and began started again, “Get the permission slip, Ara.” She sighed. I wasn't sure if I had heard her right, Derrick was laughing too hard. “Now, or I'll change my mind!” She added, as she placed sheets of nori on small mats. I disappeared from the kitchen and reappeared as fast as I'd left.

I placed the sheet on the counter and placed a pen on top. Mom brough her hands to the counter and signed the sheet, pushing it back to me and resuming her sushi-making when she was done. My eyes refused to peel away from her signature, “ But how can you afford this, mom?” I asked her, I was clearly concerned, happy, but concerned.

She shook her head, she evidently didn't want me to concern myself with her matters. But they were sort of my matters too, weren't they?

A single tear fell from my mother's hazel eyes. “ You deserve it, you never ask for anything! So you deserve this little bit of happiness. I'll contact your father and have him help out.” I smiled and nodded my head. I scooped up the permission letter and came around to my mother's side, bringing her in a tight hug.

“Thank you.”

“Stop getting emotional on me!” She giggled, pulling my arms from around her, “ I'll give you the cheque tomorrow.”

I finally managed to get myself to bed around eleven o'clock. But I was still wide-eyed, I could barely believe I was going to Japan! I turned to my side and stared out of my window.

“Dammit David, she's your daughter! Do something good for her at least once!” came my mom's voice. A little light was blinking from the phone next to my bed, that meant the phone was occupied. Her bedroom was across the hall, her door was closed and I could still hear her, she must really be pissed.

“ Exactly, she doesn't even remember you exist! The least you can do is suuport her! She's never asked for anything, do this one thing and she'll be at least happy!” she paused, “I'm not looking for you to give her tha- No! Don't you dare bring Derick into this!”

I turned over to my other side and placed a pillow over my head, I'd heard enough.

I had barely gotten into the schoolyard when an excited Naya raced up to me. “ I tried calling, but your phone line was busy for like four hours, I gave up after that! So, did you ask?” She was half-squealing, how could anyone have this much energy? It wasn't even midday yet!

“Ha, that was probably Derick, on the phone forever, that idiot!” I reached in the side pocket of my bag and pulled out a sheet. I flashed it in Naya's face, “ Mom said yes!” I smiled, Naya grabbed my arms and started jumping up and down, squealing in joy. Oh, great, people were staring, “ What are you looking at?” I spat at the nearest gawker.

It was Jeremy.

He looked at me startled and walked away quickly, not looking back. My eyes followed him, what a weirdo.

A/N : ha! i cant even remember how i got this story idea, but im in love with its concept, so i hope others enjoy it too!