Sakura (1)

Chapter 1

Kaneki

[Part 2 here]

it was another usual hectic Monday. Mondays were the worst. Absolutely worst. The hangover of weekend makes it worse. The noise of the other people made it worse. The only redeeming thing was the class teacher walking in. “Alright everyone, settle down, settle down!” She called out. Everyone hushed and ran back to their places, like drones flying back to their mothership. Then began the roll call. Everyone’s answer was memorised in my head, I don’t know why. And so it began. “Kaneki!” I heard the teacher call out. I raised my hand. “Here!” I just couldn’t bear school. Everyone had this overwhelming sense of self importance. As if there’s no life outside it. There’s thousands of schools, millions of classes, just like mine. It’s enough to give me existensial crisis. But somehow they don’t see it that way. I went back to my sketchpad. Ever since I could remember, I loved to draw. Didn’t matter. Just my pencil and my pad.

I went to the library in my lunch break. I never ate during lunch break, only in maths period sitting at the last bench. That pretty much gave me 30 minutes of total freedom. I mostly made sketches of different scenes I’d read. It started with Famous Five. Then Percy Jackson. Then The Fault in Our Stars. I wasn’t a bookworm. Just liked reading. Anyways, I was sketching when, I felt thirsty. The library was mostly empty so, I left my stuff and went tot he fountain. When I came back I could see a girl sitting in my seat. She was looking at my pad. I ran at her. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing?” I yelled at her. She startled, dropping the pad. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to–” “What the hell did you think you were doing?” I asked furiously. “I saw the books and I though someone forgot about it an-” “Well I didn’t I just went to -” Just then the librarian walked in on us. She gave her death stare. We both knew what that meant.

“Great, now you got me thrown out of the only place where I had any peace”  We were outside the library. I was fumbling with my stuff, trying to sort it all. The girl looked down. “ sorry” She said quietly. I didn’t reply, just turned and walked away, as the bell rang.

It was maths class. The teacher started droning on about graphs and slopes, I just turned my head sown and reached into my bag. Just then, a piece of crumpled up paper dropped on my bench. Curious, I turned around and saw that girl, waving and pointing at the paper ball. She was sitting just beside me. So she was in my class. Huh, never noticed her. But then again, I didn’t talk to anyone else. I picked it up to find she’d written a note.

                                            Hey, I’m  sorry about what happened in the library

            I got you something, which I hope can make it up to you.

            Nod if you want me to pass it to you.

I looked at her and nodded. She smiled, and brought out a lunch box. Instantly I could feel the scent. Spicy chicken nugget. Aromatic foods was risky. But it was chicken nugget. And I was in the last bench. And never look at a gift horse in the mouth. I casually slid on the edge of my seat, trying to reach for it when “And just what do you think both of you are doing!”I froze. “Sir I was simply giving Kaneki back his box. He left it in the field in break.” The teacher walked over to us. He grabbed the box. “ Am I to believe Kaneki uses a PowerPuff Girls lunch box? “ The class burst out laughing. “Out! Both of you!”He shouted.  

“What is your problem? You got me into trouble twice a day!” I turned to her, as soon as we got out. She looked at me. “I’m sorry, I was just trying to help.” “I don’t need your help!” I screamed. She looked away, hurt. Why do people have to be so fragile. “Hey hey, look, I’m sorry I yelled.” “She turned to me. “Do you even know my name?” “Ummmm….” She burst out laughing. “Oh you don’t even know my name even though we have Mikasa in the same class for years. I’m like the mysterious enigmatic stranger who you meet unexpectantly, who gives you wisdom and-” Just then a girl passed the corridor where we were standing. “Hey Mikasa, got thrown out of class again?” She chuckled. I  turned back at her. “Friend of yours?” I asked. She nodded, smiling sheepily.. I chuckled. “Nice to meet you Mikasa”

I was waiting at the bus shelter when I saw Mikasa coming over. She saw me, waved, and skipped over to me. “Stalking me now?”  “We take the same bus back, dumbass. Come on!” She said, jumping on the bus as it slowed down.

“Wait, this isn’t 448! “ I turned to her. “No, it’s not” She giggled. “Nope, it’s 24LTD, it’s a lot faster. Takes a shorter route. Come on, sit down” She patted to a seat next to her. I pointed to the sign on the top. “Ladies only” “Hehe, sorry about that. I can sit some where back. “ I just waved my hand.I had enough of her for today. I went and sat down at the back.

I was dreading of her the next day. Thankfully, as I stepped inside, she didn’t seem to notice me.Busy chatting up with some guy. I knew everyone by face but I refused to know their names. Names are something very deeply personal to me. People go their entire lives repeating their names. Some names become entrenched with a special feeling so deeply that it becomes impossible to let go. Like having a cruel teacher named William, giving you a perpetual bias against all Williams you meet in the future. It’s not your fault. It’s nobody’s fault.It’s just the way human brain is wired. It’s built to find order in chaos. And there’s nothing more chaotic than seven billion people living on a rock hurtling through space. Or maybe it’s just me. I’m weird.

“So ready to go to lunch?” Mikasa walked up to me. I looked around. “Where is everyone??” “It’s lunch break, idiot. Everyone is outside.” I rubbed my eyes. I must have zoned out and fallen  asleep. Happened quite a lot. “Why didn’t you go with them?” “I was going to, but then I decided I’d rather stay back with you.” “Already in love?” “The only way that’s gonna happen is if a brain parasite infects me. Just needed some time alone.” “I don’t count as someone?” “Nahh. You have no friends, you talk less, have a dark past, and isn’t willing to participate in life.You’re as far from someone as I could ever wish” “I have friends, just so you know.” “Your imaginary friend you made up when you were 3 doesnt count. Now come on!”

I kept following her. I didn’t mind when she said I didn’t count. Ever since that incident, I always felt like I’m less than a person. That’s why I never talked to anyone, never learnt anyone’s name. I always felt hollow. Like an empty shell, a husk, a sillouhete. “We’re here.” I heard her say. I stopped in my tracks. It was an empty classroom. Without realising, we had walked all the way to the top. “I didn’t know they had classrooms on this floor.” “Yeah these were a part of ‘Special lecture’ classrooms. Was supposed to be the next big thing. Look where that ended up. I come here when I need to be alone.” I stepped inside. It was dusty. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, diffracting  through the dust. She stepped inside on her toes, twirling , like an dancer. “Didn’t knew you did ballet” I remarked. “Nahhh something I picked up from Black Swan.” She raised her arm and did a small pirouette and bowed. “Am I supposed to be impressed?” “ Eh trust me, if I wanted to impress you, you’d be impressed already.” She turned and winked. “So why did you bring me here in this empty classroom?” She looked up. “I know you like being alone, doodling and what not. And since I got you banned from the library, I figured it’s the least I could do.” I sat down opposite to her. “Fine what’s your story?” “What do you mean?” “Well I’ve seen you. You’re friendly but not that friendly. And clearly, this is a special place for you, why bring a guy you met yesterday?” “You’re free to go if you don’t wanna stay. I know you can be quiet. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want you here, but it’s the least I can do.” I chuckled. “You’re a weird one, Mikasa. What’s your secret, I wonder”

“I’m gonna die soon”

Part 2 here

[Back after so long. Feels like it’s been a lifetime since i wrote something. Anyway, it might not be as good as some of my previous works . And its still in progress. This is Part 1. I’ll update it as i go on. Do tell how was it, and if you liked it. I know a lot’s differnt. I don’t know if its a good differnt or a bad different]