Sweet Burden (57 page)

It had been two weeks since returning home. The weather was turning even colder and most of the leaves had fallen to the ground. There was an awful chill in the air and it felt like any day it was going to snow. Hitomi spent her first few days back at home having lengthy conversations on the phone with Kerry, where she had to explain her disappearance as some sickness. The story she provided included a long stay at a Chicago hospital, but she assured Kerry she was fine now. Kerry and Shane even dropped by the second day she was back for a visit. She had to lay in bed and attempt to answer their fifty questions as best as she could. As soon as Bradley found out Hitomi was back, his phone calls began. She avoided them and started to consider changing her phone number.

Rediisu moved into his house in the Living World permanently and Liam moved in with him. Most days they were both over at Hitomi’s for some sort of meal and to check-in. Rediisu spent most of his other time working on developing newer weapons and even planned on working on weapons training with Hitomi once she was ready.

Guri and Obi were able to find an apartment close to Hitomi’s house that Rediisu also funded. Although, Obi never spent much time there. His time was spent with Hitomi whenever possible, which also included sneaking into her room at night once her mother was asleep. When Obi wasn’t with Hitomi, he spent his time at Rediisu’s. Obi’s mornings consisted of sneaking out of Hitomi’s window and returning back to her house after changing clothes in time to walk her to school.

It was the beginning of Hitomi’s second week back at school and she was regretting her decision to finish high school. Her mother dropped her off at school that morning due to the weather. The sky was spitting down icy rain drops and the pavement was slick as Hitomi rushed into the school building. She walked through the main doors and brushed the water from her shoulders. As she pulled off her knitted cap from her head, she started towards her locker. She couldn’t help but smile thinking this day was going to somehow be better.

She twisted the combination into her lock and yanked the door open. After switching out what books she needed, she closed her locker. Hitomi practically jumped finding Kerry behind the door.

“Kerry, you scared me,” Hitomi shook her head and grinned. “What’s going on?”

Kerry had a huge smile on her face and looked excited about something. “First and foremost, good morning.”

“Good morning,” Hitomi replied as she raised an eyebrow. “I know you didn’t hurry over here just to say good morning.”

Her grin widened and she started to fidget. “I have some new gossip.”

“Oh really? Hopefully it does involve Bradley asking me out on another date,” Hitomi mumbled.

“No. At least not this time.” Kerry laughed and turned from side to side scanning the halls as if she was looking for someone. “So, I was just in the office and I overheard the guidance counselor talking to Assistant Principal Adams. We’re getting two new students. Two guys. Apparently they’re brothers, I think. But they just moved here from Washington, or maybe Wisconsin. I don’t remember.”

“Okay. So, what’s your point?” Hitomi tried to keep her smile under control. Kerry’s excitement over something was always contagious.

“Well,” she said drawn out. “Maybe one of them will be a potential boyfriend for you.” Kerry glanced away in thought. “Or maybe me.”

“Kerry.” Hitomi shook her head. “What about Shane?”

“Oh, Shane’s great and all, but it would be nice to look at some new blood.” Hitomi bit her bottom lip at the word ‘blood’, but Kerry didn’t seem to notice. She was too occupied visualizing the new students. “I can’t even remember the last time we had new students. I wonder why they would move here. Family probably,” she babbled.

“Yah, probably,” Hitomi agreed with a nod. She fixed her bag on her shoulder and turned back to Kerry, whose mouth was gaping open as her eyes fixated down the hall. Hitomi turned to follow her gaze.

Obi stepped through the main doorway of the school. His hair was a shiny midnight and his eyes were sparkling green. He wore a black leather jacket embellished with red on the arms over a crisp white button down shirt and a pair of dark blue jeans. The outfit was completed with his worn in black boots. Behind him, Guri scooted in through the doorway and stepped up beside him. Guri’s hair had been dyed to a dark brown, but still looked just as messy. Guri had on his normal baggy faded jeans, black t-shirt and an unbuttoned flannel with his black Converse shoes. Obi’s jaw looked tense as they stood there, but Guri almost looked excited. Hitomi couldn’t help but roll her eyes a little at the thought of anyone being excited about high school.

“Oh my…” Kerry mumbled.

Obi glanced around until he locked eyes with Hitomi. She instantly felt her pulse quicken. Obi gave Guri a nudge and he spotted Hitomi.

“Oh crap. They’re looking over here,” Kerry said as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. Obi seemed to relax a little as he and Guri started walking towards them. “Oh my god, they’re
coming
over here.” Kerry elbowed Hitomi and turned to her. “Do I look alright?”

“Um hm.” Hitomi nodded and looked back over to them as they approached. Kerry spun back around and Hitomi had to contain a laugh.

“Hi. You must be the new students,” Kerry greeted with another hair toss as they stepped up to them.

Hitomi couldn’t take her eyes away from Obi. Obi gave Kerry a slight smirk and nodded before Guri stepped in front of him with his hand extended. Obi’s eyes fixed on Hitomi.

“I’m Guri and this…” He nudged Obi. “…is my cousin, Obsidian, or Obi.”

“I’m Kerry and this is Hitomi.”

Hitomi couldn’t understand why suddenly her cheeks turned crimson. There was something odd in the way that Obi was staring at her. He moved over to her and reached out taking her hand in his. “I believe we have first period together.” Hitomi watched from the corner of her eye as Kerry’s jaw practically dropped. She withheld a laugh. “I was hoping you could show me the way,” Obi added.

“Sure.” Hitomi grinned.

“You guys already know each other?” Kerry interrupted.

“We met…” Obi paused and tore his eyes away from Hitomi. “…before.”

The first bell rang and the people in the hallway began to scurry around.

“We should get to class,” Hitomi quickly said.

“I think we all have first period together. Can you show me where it is Kerry?” Guri replied as he offered his arm out to her.

“Um, okay.” Kerry agreed still watching Hitomi and Obi. She tore her eyes away from them and took his arm. They started down the hallway leaving Obi and Hitomi behind.

“What are you doing here?” Hitomi swiftly questioned.

“Well, Guri figured what better way to watch over you then to enroll in high school. Trust me, it wasn’t really my idea. But I did like the idea of being able to be with you more. And if that means I need to endure high school, then so be it.” Obi snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Her heart thundered against her chest just being in his arms again.

“I wanted it to be a surprise. Besides, I didn’t really want to tell you while I was sneaking out your bedroom window this morning.” Hitomi smirked as he leaned down about to kiss her, just as the next bell rang. “See, now you made me late on my first day of school,” he joked.

“Great, now we’re going to have to stay for detention.” Hitomi sighed as he let her go and took her hand again intertwining his fingers with hers. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

“As ready as I can be.” He shrugged and they started down the hall that was nearly void of any other students. Hitomi led him to the classroom and they walked in as Mr. Bardall was beginning his lecture.

“Nice of you to join us Ms. Beaumann. And I see you brought a friend,” Mr. Bardall said sarcastically. “Please take your seat Hitomi and I’ll be sure to see you in detention after school.”

Hitomi nodded and glanced up at Obi before letting go of his hand and moving back to her seat. She sat down next to Kerry and noticed Guri had somehow secured the seat in front of Kerry. Hitomi was thankful that the only other open seat in the room was in front of her.

“And who are you?” Mr. Bardall asked Obi. Obi handed him a slip of paper and he looked it over. “Okay, then Mr. McCullough, please take a seat in front of Ms. Beaumann and you can also join her in detention this afternoon. Welcome to Beach Village High.”

Obi gave a nod as he took the piece of paper back. He moved down the row of desks as every girl in the classroom watched him. He slid into the desk in front of Hitomi and promptly turned around. “What’s detention?”

Hitomi stifled another laugh. “I’ll explain it later. Now turn around and pay attention before you get us in more trouble.”

“How can I pay attention when you’re right behind me?” he whispered.

“Mr. McCullough, turn around,” Hitomi warned with a smile. Obi slowly shifted back in his seat. Once he turned back around, Kerry reached over and smacked her arm. Hitomi glanced up at Kerry mouthing the word ‘wow’ referring to Obi. Hitomi turned her eyes back forward but couldn’t seem to take her gaze away from Obi. She couldn’t believe he was sitting there in front of her.

The entire class was a blur and she didn’t snap back into reality until the bell rang. She quickly gathered up her things and got up from her seat as Obi waited for her. Guri occupied Kerry while they walked out of class and Obi took her hand as they walked out. He stopped outside the doorway and kissed the top of her hand.

“I’ll see you at lunch time.”

“Alright.”

“Meet me up on the roof, okay?”

“Okay,” she agreed as she gave him an odd look.

He grabbed Guri’s arm as they walked away leaving her with Kerry. She had no idea what story she was going to give her. Kerry nudged Hitomi as they both watched Guri and Obi walk down the hall.

“Guri told me everything,” Kerry blurted out.

“Huh?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you had gone to Chicago before to get tests done?”

“Um…”

“Anyway,” Kerry continued. “Guri told me how you and Obi met when you were in Chicago before and how hurt Obi was when you came back to Beach Village. Then he came here and found you out with Bradley and caused the scene at the dance. But you got really sick after that and you had to go back to Chicago. Guri told me how Obi wouldn’t leave your side and when you got better Obi decided to move here to be with you. So Guri came with him too. Why didn’t you tell me any of this? I never would have pushed you into dating Bradley.”

Hitomi shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Well, don’t you ever keep anything from me again.” She wrapped her arm around Hitomi’s. “Now, what can you tell me about Guri? He’s pretty cute.”