AN: The story is simple and not descriptive for a reason: it's a manga. I intend to describe their emotions and the surrounding through pictures.

I did however, supply some, just so you can get a feel for the story, but any, if not all, commentary will be cut out later in the manga. Thanks!

~~~~~~~~~~

AN: Just so everyone is clear.

+: flashback

Words go in here, lalalala!: thoughts

"Words go in here, lalalala!": speech

*expressions/feelings go in here, lalalala*: expressions

(moods go in here, lalalala): moods

~~~~~~~~~~

Why can't I break this chain, this never ending circle? I feel as if I am suffocating, and I'm the one who's holding my breathe. I can't stop now…

…I'm getting dizzy. Let it take me. Let the waves of pain take me.

Perhaps this is retribution for my foolish behavior. My incompetence. Maybe now, my withered soul can accept the truth of the events.

I am the girl who never loved people the way they loved her. The girl that believed she wasn't worthy of love, or of friendship. The girl that pushed everyone away form her to protect her encasing, an encasing she has maintained since she was a child.

Why is it that you, you could give me the words I needed to hear? The words that I never thought I was worthy of?

~~~~~~~~~~

Ayida's POV

S: "Geez Ayida! We are going to be late for the first day of school! Get your ass down here!"

Ayida walks down the stairs with her backpack slung over her shoulder. She is dressed in her school uniform, and the vest has been buttoned down a button off. She is putting on her right shoe as she stumbles down the stairs.

A: "What?! No we aren't, we still have 20 minutes!"

S: "Ayida, we are walking to school, I told you that."

+

S: "Make sure to get up early so we'll have enough time to walk there."

A: "(vaguely) uh huhhh….."

+

S: *sighs* "Come here. Your vest is off."

A: "Okay…"

Saktco starts unbuttoning and re-buttoning her vest.

Saktco and I have been living together for about a year now. When he turned 18 he rented an apartment and I came to live with him. We have always been close, like brother and sister, even though we aren't related by blood. Since today is my first day of high school, I've been really nervous, so Saktco has been there to get me ready for it.

S: "There you go. Now, remember where your homeroom is?"

A: "Yes! Geez, you talk to me like I'm an idiot!"

S: *huffs* "Sometimes I wonder, you know. We need to go ahead and leave. Grab your breakfast, and let's head out."

A: *grumbles*

Ayida grabs her breakfast rudely, and stalks out of the modest apartment, bumping into the side table. Saktco merely follows her out. They start to walk down the path towards their school.

I wonder if I'll see Camodi at school. Maybe he can show me around.

A: "Hey Saktco..?"

S: "Uhh?"

A: "Do you think Camodi could show me around? After all, it is a big school."

S: "No, you can't hang out with us! Geez Ayida, make your own friends, it's not that hard."

A: "I guess…."

S: *sigh* "Listen, if you are really worried abut getting lost, just come by my homeroom and I'll show you around. How's that?"

Ayida smiles. The wonderful thing about this school is that it offers freshman the option of leaving homeroom to explore the halls and figure out where all their classes will be. Upperclassmen are allowed to help some, but it is generally discouraged, else everyone will skip first block. She knew that Saktco had the same homeroom as Camodi, and that they wanted to hang out, but she took pleasure in getting attention from her big brother.

A: "Thanks, Saktco."

He merely smiles. They continue to walk until they come to the front door of the school.

S: "Okay, room 312. Got it?"

A: "Yeah."

S: "Okay, see you then!"

Saktco runs off, finding his niche of friends. Ayida is left alone.

I knew this would happen.

She walks slowly toward the front door, making sure not to trip on the way up the stairs. Finally reaching it, her hand clasps the cold steel doorknob, and heaves it open. Stepping inside, she throws her backpack off for a moment and looks around.

The school is vast and has a round entrance, with a dome ceiling made of glass. There are three hallways: one to the right of her, one to the left and one that leads straight ahead. The entire building is gray and white, and the light ebbs into the building from the glass dome, giving the feeling that the whole place is glowing.

Right. Take the one that leads straight ahead and then take a left.

Ayida stalks in that direction, once again slinging her backpack over her shoulder. Not paying attention, she runs into someone, dropping her bag, and making him drop all of his books.

A: "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry! Here, let me help you with that."

?: "No, it really is okay, just let me handle it."

A: "I insist!"

They both lean down and bump heads trying to reach for his books. She looks up at him and smiles, but he gives her a cold look.

I really am sorry. He doesn't have to be such an ass about it.

Ayida steps back and lets him lift up his books. He kneels down and picks them up carefully, placing them into his book bag. Ayida continues to eye the stranger.

Boy, he is cute. Ayida bends down over him, and looks him in the eye.

A: "I really am sorry."

?: "…"

A: "Is there anyway I can make it up to you?"

?: "No. Just leave me alone."

The boy floats away, and Ayida is left alone once again. She continues to walk down the hallway, until she sees the time.

Holy shit! It's already 6:58?! I only have two minutes to get to class!

Ayida breaks into a run, finally tumbling into the next hall, shuffling through her papers.

Okay, don't panic, The next hallway is…to the right!

Hurtling down the hall, she turns right, shoving into some upper-class girls. I don't have time to apologize… She finally arrives outside the classroom door, and just as she turns the knob the bell rings above her.

Just great, late for homeroom.

Slowly and somberly she opens the door to greet her first tardy.

~~~~~~~~~~

Saktco's POV

I hope Ayida made it into class on time…

Saktco drops his bag onto the desk in front of Sisuit's. Sisuit smiles and gives him a playful punch.

Si: "Hey Saktco, how's life been treating you? Decent? Or like the shit you've always been?"

S: "You know, one time you're going to get really hurt, you know that?"

Saktco pulls on Sisuit's ponytail and grins evilly.

S: "So where is Camodi?"

Si: *mimicking* "I'm going to go say good bye to my girlfriend, I'll be right back. Oh, and by the way, that means sucking face with her until the bell rings."

S: "Ahhh, I see."

Si: "So is it true your girlfriend is attending this school now?"

S: "…she's not my girlfriend."

Si: "Um hmmm…."

Just as the bell rings, sure enough, Camodi waltzes with a smug look on his face, not to mention, smeared lipstick. He plops down into the chair to the left of Saktco. Saktco leans into him, laughing.

S: "Yo idiot. You have lipstick all over you."

Camodi suddenly bends forward and starts rubbing his face.

C: *muffled* "Hey, at least I have a girlfriend."

S: "So are you still going out with Aspidi or is this a new girl?"

C: "…"

Si: *huff* "That woman is bad news, I'm telling you. If she could, she would eat you alive and serve up your ba-"

Teacher: "-That is quite enough of that Sisuit. Not that I can expect better of you."

The guys laugh and Sisuit nonchalantly raises his middle finger when she turns away. He cracks his knuckles and turns to Camodi and Saktco.

Si: "You know, that wench is going to get it soon enough. She better watch her back, or else."

S: *laughing* "You are all talk and no walk Sisuit. Shut your damn trap."

Camodi watches them converse as the teacher scribbles something on the board and starts to lecture about the beginning of the year. Sisuit and Saktco continues to haggle each other.

Si: "You need to shut the fuck up, considering you have been living with a girl for a year now and still don't have the nerve to call her your girlfriend."

S: "That's because she isn't, you ass!"

Si: "Look, it is obvious you like her, you just don't have the balls to tell her. Suck it up Saktco, geez. You know, everyday you're becoming more and more of a pussy."

S: "At least I'm not like you, a SOB who couldn't win over anyone if he even tried."

Si: "I'll have you know I have a damn girlfriend and I bet you she is better than anyone you could ever get!"

S: "You're on, fucker!"

They both stand up, threatening each other by advancing.

C: "-I hate to interject in these, extravagant conversations, but…"

They turn to face the room and discover everyone is looking at them, and Ayida is standing at the door.

Teacher: "Sure Ayida, if Saktco doesn't make a fool of himself in the hallway."

Saktco blushes.

…was Ayida standing there the whole time? Shit, I hope she doesn't get the wrong impression. God, here I am, making an ass of myself.

Saktco turns back towards Sisuit and opens his mouth to apologize.

Si: "I don't want your damn apology. The bet is still on. Tomorrow, 8:00, at the Crescent Moon Park."

Sisuit pushes past him and stalks out of the classroom. While exiting the door, he harshly runs into Ayida. It's all Saktco can do to run over and punch him, but he doesn't want Ayida to see him like that. The class remains silent, except for the few girls in the corner gossiping. Saktco walks calmly up to Ayida.

S: "Okay, are you ready to go?"

A: *nods* "That is, if you are."

Saktco hears Camodi's footsteps behind him.

Teacher: "Camodi, you do not have permission to be out in the ha-"

C: "Bye!"

They all walk briskly out of the classroom.

~~~~~~~~~~

Camodi's POV

I can't believe I just walked out of class….

The three of them start to walk down the hall, while Ayida is looking at a mini-map of the school. Camodi and Saktco start to converse.

S: "Hey Camodi! You are such the rebel, damn, walking outta class and everything."

C: "Well, it is the first day, like anyone is going to care."

S: "I suppose. So….?"

C: "What?"

S: "…is it true that Sisuit has a girlfriend?"

C: *shrugs* "Hell if I know. He has been known to lie, so we'll just have to see how it plays out."

A: "What's going on?"

They both pause and look at each other. Camodi smiles.

C: "I'm sure Saktco can explain it to you. I'm going to see if Aspidi is out of class, most likely she is. And besides- if she isn't, I'll get her out. See you guys later!"

Camodi skips off down the hallway and curves sharply to the left, leaving Saktco and Ayida there behind.

I hope that offers you the time you need Saktco.

~~~~~~~~~~

Dawedo's POV

+

A: "I really am sorry."

D: "…"

A: "Is there anyway I can make it up to you?"

D: "No. Just leave me alone."

+

There was something odd about that girl. Something…

Dawedo continues to walk down the hall, glancing up every once in while from his book, although his attention hasn't been on it for the past few minutes.

Let's see. Saktco told me to meet him here, so I guess I'm early.

Dawedo looks around, and then slides down the wall to the floor. He buries his eyes into his book as he slips off his book bag. The girls across the hall continue to eye him.

Girls…

He looks up and throws them a cold look, and they turn away.

…they are all the same.

Suddenly he hears Saktco's voice. He is talking to someone right around the corner. Dawedo lifts himself up, leaving his things on the ground, and starts to walk around the corner, until he rests his eyes on Saktco. A girl is in front of him, but all he sees is her back. He starts to walk forward.

S: "Hey Dawedo!"

She turns around as if is response and suddenly looks at him straight in the face. She blushes.

D: "Hey Saktco. Who's this?"

S: "Just my sister. Well, not really my sister… it's hard to explain."

D: "Then don't."

A silence looms.

S: "Do you guys know each other or something?"

A: *laughing* "Yeah, I guess you could say that. We sorta ran into each other."

D: " You mean, you ran into me."

Ayida looks downtrodden.

A: "Sorry about that, but it's not like you helped the situation. I offered to help you know!"

D: "…"

S: "Urm, anyways, we were just talking about Sisuit. He's been acting like an ass lately."

D: "When doesn't he?"

A: "So you don't like him either?"

Ayida smiles in disbelief. Sisuit has always been cruel to her (well, to everyone), and so she never really was fond of him.

D: "No, I don't dislike him."

A: "…"

S: "Anyways, we are all getting together tomorrow. You are welcome to come if you want."

D: "Sure, why not."

Perhaps then I can figure out what is going on between myself and this girl.

S: "Oh yeah, and Sisuit is bringing his girlfriend and Camodi his. I'm bringing Ayida, so you are welcome to bring your girlfriend if you want."

D: "I don't have one. But…I'll bring Nagina."

S: "Sounds great. She's a nice girl. See you then, I've got to show Ayida around the school."

Dawedo starts to walk off back to his stuff and ponders tomorrow.

I wonder what will happen.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ayida's POV

I wish I knew what was going on. When I Saktco asked me to be his girlfriend for tomorrow, I didn't know how to react.

+

S: "So, do you think you could? I mean, just for tomorrow?"

A: "Um, but, uh….*^^;*"

S: "It would mean a lot to me if you would."

Ayida blushed. How was she supposed to reply to that? She couldn't say no. Even though a year ago she liked Saktco she didn't now, and she had no intention of rekindling those flames.

A: "Sure…I guess."

+

Gosh, did Saktco smile big time when I said yes! I have no idea what it means, and I didn't have time to ask him when Dawedo walked up to him. Maybe I can ask him tonight when everything is less hectic.

A lot of strange things are going on, I wish I knew what it all meant!

Ayida smiles. She would just have to wait.

~~~~~~~~~~

Sisuit's POV

Just wait, just wait until tomorrow. I'll teach him a lesson.

?: "Hey Sisuit!"

Sisuit paused in front of the next junction between hallways. He knew it was that Ayida girl, he would just have to teach her a lesson.

Si: *determined* "Look, you little bit-"

Suddenly he came face to face with his girlfriend, Degei. She smiled widely, revealing her pearly white teeth and reached out her hand to graze his.

De: "Hi Sisuit! I knew you would cut homeroom, so I wanted to find you. I knew you would most likely be wandering the halls, and I knew it would take a little while to search you out."

Sisuit smiled back at her. There was something about her that always made him happy. No matter how angry he was, or how down he was, he always was happy to see her, even he did seem cold to her.

Si: "Hey. I was wondering if you wanted to go out tomorrow night, seeing as we haven't been able to see each other for a while."

De: "That sounds nice, I would love to."

Si: "Yeah, Saktco and Ayida are coming as well, and I wouldn't be surprised if Camodi came with Aspidi."

De. "Whut."

Si: "Damn, did you think it was a date or something!"

De: "I dunno, maybe I was hoping! You always seem to be so apprehensive around me, what is the deal? Are you ashamed of me?"

Si: "No!"

De: "Then what is it!"

Sisuit paused. He couldn't really explain to her how much he loved her, even though they had been going out for about two months. He could feel her eyes burning into his flesh, longing for an answer.

I concede…

Si: "Look, I intended to split up with the group after we all met. So that way.."

He leaned in closer.

Si: "…we can be together."

Degei blushed. He held her in the middle of the hallway, and slipped his hands into hers. Suddenly, he began to sway back and forth, until they were moving their feet.

De: "What are you doing?"

Si: "Dancing."

De: *giggling* "No, we can't dance in the hallways! Sisuit, stop!"

She continued to struggle against him as he held her tighter and the danced faster and faster. The people in the hallways were watching them. She looked at them, exasperated, but laughed the whole time.

I love her.

~~~~~~~~~~

AN: Okay, that's it for the first chappy! I hope you like it so far, I'm posting the profiles up next chapter so you can get to know every one as we go.

R&R! And flames are more than welcome! Hope you enjoyed it! *^_^*