Morning went by for Hana like any other morning. Her alarm went off at exactly 5 AM, but by the time she got out of her bed half an hour had passed by. She brushed her teeth with her favourite toothpaste, washed her face, slipped into her tracks and went out for a morning jog. It wasn't that she was a fitness freak, but she could not spend a minute in that house without feeling suffocated. That's why she did her best to stay aloof her house only to return for meals and to sleep in her room.

After a refreshing jog, she returned home, to find her mother preparing breakfast whilst silently sobbing, her father (she didn't know why she still called him that) sleeping in his room. She went up to her room, took a long shower, letting the warmth of the hot water sink into her. There was one thing that was different that morning she would be wearing her uniform after many days, that also a new one as it was her first day in her new school. She put on her crisped ironed shirt and skirt, she put on her bow-tie, she applied a touch of make-up, not too light nor too heavy, she neatly tied her clean and blow-dried hair into a high ponytail, and finally covered herself in fresh lavender perfume.

While packing her stuffs, she noticed the handkerchief that annoying guy had given her the previous day, lying on her table. She picked it up and put it inside her bag.

She went down to have her breakfast, while eating she looked at her mother across the table, looking outside the window, with expressionless eyes, as if waiting for something.

"I'm sorry", she said without looking at Hana

"What are you sorry for?"

"For yesterday, I know it's hard on you"

"No biggie", Hana said, " So when are you signing the divorce paper?"

Her mother looked at her abruptly with tears almost rolling down her cheek and with grief plastered across her face.

"Shit", Hana thought, "Dammit whenever I ask her this question she gives me the same sad look every time".

"I'm sorry baby, I know it's difficult for you, but once I sign those papers it means everything is over, all over".

Hana said nothing, she silently ate her breakfast and left for school. As she closed the door of her house she ran, as she too was on the verge of crying.

--------------------X-------------------

Like every other morning, two boys were racing towards Shimizudani high school, to determine who would buy today's lunch. Ken and Kai started from their neighbourhood (they were next-door neighbours) and raced to their full potential till the school's gate. At the final stretch of their course, both hit their highest gear (all thanks to the several hours they put into soccer). When Ken was about to overtake Kai, he remembered that he had forgotten his purse and in no way, was Kai gonna lend him money if he had to get in line to buy the lunch. So, he acted out of breath and let Kai win him.

"Haha that's what I call a race", said Kai triumphantly

"Dork", snickered Ken inside his mind.

By the time, they reached inside the school building they were huffing and puffing, covered in sweat.

"How can you manage to be so sweaty early in the morning?", questioned Kuroso Sensei their homeroom teacher while gently hitting Kai with his register

"Sir, it's the power of youth", said Kai with a thumbs up

"Hah, whatever", Kuroso Sensei gave a delightful laughter, "oh by the way a new student will be joining us today".

At this, both Ken and Kai simultaneously questioned, "Boy or Girl?"

"Girl, though I don't know her name yet, I may have to check it in the new register", said Kuroso Sensei while leaving them behind and making his way towards the staff room.

Ken and Kai entered their classroom 'I A', where it was as noisy as ever, little groups formed everywhere, boys talking about games they purchased last week, girls talking about the pretty dress they saw in the magazine.

They made their way to their seats none was interested in any group, for them each others company was enough.

"Good morning class", Kuroso Sensei entered the classroom with a new girl following him

Immediately everyone returned to their seats.

"Everyone this is Hana Airi, she will be joining us from today, please treat her properly"

It was Ken's second nature not to pay attention to what was happening in class but when he heard the name "Hana Airi", he looked up and surely it was her.

"Why don't you introduce yourself to the class?"

At this she started speaking, "Hello everyone it's nice to meet you. My name is Hana Airi, I'm 16 years old, I love swimming and dancing, I also read a lot of books and I hope we get to know each other better", Hana was trying to set a good impression as she thought friends could help keep her mind distracted from her problems.

"Any questions?", inquired Kuroso Sensei

"Are you single or taken?", questioned Futaro, the dream boy of their class, from behind

"Er..., I'm happily single", answered Hana awkwardly

Ken's heartbeat had increased when Futaro asked her the question and he felt relieved after hearing her reply.

"It's almost summer vacation, why did you join so late?", asked another girl

"I recently moved from Kyoto so I had to change school midyear".

"Okay, that's enough questioning, I'm starting the lesson", announced Kuroso Sensei

"Hana dear why don't you sit on that empty desk in the front row," said Kuroso Sensei.

As Kuroso Sensei started the lesson, a dreadful question raised in Ken's mind, "Have I developed feelings for her?".