User:Another Poetic Spartan/Since the Beginning

Realistic Fiction.

In the Works.

Short Story

POV

Chapter 1
The sound of car horns filled the air. Cars both old and new littered the street, fruitfully competing with one another to reach their desired destinations. However, it was rush hour and many may not even get to work on time. The thrum of the engines had brought a constant unique rhythm to each of their drivers, playing a somewhat bittersweet relaxing tune but even this did not fix their situation.

It was ninety-seven degrees outside and even with air conditioning, everyone could feel the heat seeping into their vehicles. Some cooly waited, tapping on their leather or plastic wheel, looking at the cloudless and bright blue sky. One driver was not content with the conditions inside his car. Tired of the stuffiness within, he hastily unrolled his window and stuck his head out, taking several deep breathes of fresh air. Well aware that he would be stuck for a while, the man looked around, eyeing the surroundings for anything that would catch his interest.

The sidewalks were fairly crowded with people going about their daily lives, going to work or doing errands. A multitude of shops peppered the area, ranging from old-fashioned antique galleries to family-owned grocery stores and eateries. There wasn't a lot to really take note. After all, it was a small city yet filled with the air of industry and business. The man couldn't help but make a slight smile; he liked the community feeling it entailed. He saw movement on his left and he turned, seeing a boy in his mid-teens with unkempt hair and sharp green eyes looking over his balcony.

I eyed a man looking at me but I quickly brushed him aside. I yawned quietly and ran my hand through my unkempt hair. I played with it for a bit, trying to make it as neat as possible. But no matter how hard I tried, it continually returned to its former position. Grimacing, I leaned forward on the cool railing, focusing my attention on what laid before me. Its a peaceful life and I couldn't really ask for me but it usually felt like I was missing something. I don't really want to sound corny but there is something missing in my heart. What it is, I have no clue. The cogs within my head started to turn, going through images to comprehend what was lacking but the it stopped short when I heard the door open.

Turning around, I saw my little sister at the doorway. She wore pink pajamas and was groggily rubbing her left eye while holding her Hello Kitty Plush.

"What is it Sae?" I asked while walking towards her, only stopping to grab a coat.

"Mom wants you to come downstairs. It's time for breakfast." She replied with a yawn. Sae was moving around listlessly as if she was barely able to keep herself awake. "Sleepy huh?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I didn't really get much. I was up all night."

I crossed my arms for a bit and pursed my lips. Looking at her, I wondered what she could've been doing all night. "Probably watching some kid show." I thought.

"Hmmm. Do you want to sleep on my bed while I'm at school?"

Sae hastily nodded her head and sheepishly made her way into my room and into my bed, curling up immediately. "Thank you," She murmured, quickly falling asleep as she tightly grasped her plush. Smiling, I brought my blanket up to her chin. "Kohta! Come down here! It's time to eat!" called a voice from the kitchen.

"Coming!" I answered back, making my way towards the flight of stairs. As I came closer, my nose picked up the faint aroma of roasted meat and oden and maybe my favorite omelet rice. My empty stomach earnestly grumbled at the thought of my made up meal. Turning into the kitchen, I saw my mother near the stove, wearing a pink and frilly apron and was probably doing the finishing touches on my meal. Right after I sat down, she turned around and smiled.

"Good morning Kohta!" She said with a lively voice, brining my steaming breakfast to me.

"Good morning Mom!" I replied back, returning her smile. The smell of the food set before me overwhelmed my senses, causing my stomach to growl more than ever. And before I realized it, I was already scarfing down the meal. Once I bit into the food, various flavors exploded in my mouth, combining together to form one uniform taste that I couldn't help but savor the incredibleness.

Mom's cooking never ceased to amaze me; everything she made was gourmet and delicious. It wasn't much of a surprise to see people from other regions come in and visit. Actually, I hope I could be a great cook like her and dad. After all, she and pops were co-owners and head cook of the family cafe: Cafe Etoile. The Cafe was one of the finest dining institutions in the City, garning a myraid of rave reviews for the homely atmosphere, divine food, and the welcoming attitude of the workers. It was funny to say that all the recipes we used were her families or her experiments.

I don't think that was the reason why we had a lot of customers though. Everytime I served food, I always noticed that some of the men looking at my mother's direction with googly eyes. Every so often, I hear them whispering and giggling about her. To be honest, I couldn't help but smile and agree with what they said. Mom looked pretty young for her age. Her body basically stayed the same since she married Dad and had Sae and me. There was no gray hairs nor wrinkles and her skin was particularly flawless. She was already nearing her early forties but she looked young enough to be my older sister. She especially enjoyed tellign customers that I was her son, often leaving them in shock.

"Hey Kohta," Mom said, snapping me out of my little daydream. She stood in front of me, her right hand on her hip and a spatula in the other.

"Mmmm. What is it?" I answered, turning to face her.

"Where is Sae? I asked her to wake you up for breakfast she has not come down her self," Mom asked as her face took on a slight pouty expression that complemented her purple rimmed glasses.

"Oh right, about that.. Sae is in my room right now fast asleep. From the looks of it, she seemed pretty exhausted; she had a hard time standing up." I replied back, finishing the remnants of my meal.

"That sister of yours." She gleefully laughed. "Before I went to sleep, I saw her watching that anime of hers. Magical Girl Sora I believe. She probably stayed all night watching it."

Oh right, I remember now. There was supposedly a Magical Girl Sora marathon all day yesterday and I was pretty sure that Sae was a huge fan of the series. The funny thing about that was the show was mainly for seven year-olds but Sae was about twelve.

Mom turned around to look at the clock and then back at me. It was silent for a bit before she said something. "I'll wake up your sister in bit. But it seems like there is no point in taking her to school today; she'll probably sleep through all her classes again." She said with a small sigh as she slightly tapped her foot in a rhythmic beat. "And speaking of school, its time for you go to class mister. I don't want you to be late again or marked truant. Honestly, I don't like coming into the Discipline Officer's office and try to convince him to not punish you; its really a hassle." She finished, slightly waving her spatula at me in a threatening way.

"I won't be late." I chuckled as I brought my hands up to feint defeat.

Chapter 2
From the void of slumber that I had wallowed in, I found myself being spirited away to awareness again. My eyes slowly opened to a bright light and I felt its clear-cut warmth on my face. The sound of birds were outside my window and the sound of passing cars filled the air. I closed my eyes and deeply inhaled the fresh morning air. Everything around me was peaceful and quiet, my mind at ease. I opened them again when I heard knocking on the front door, followed by the doorbell. Blinking, I groaned and sluggishly left my bed, rubbing my eyes as I walked down my creaky staircase. The person outside was still ringing the doorbell and I heard them call my name, “Kohta! Kohta!” The voice that called out had a sweet and musical tone to it.

Just as I was about to open the door, it suddenly swung forward, catching my hand in its path. I fell down and cried out as pain jolted through my arm. I sat down, clutching my burning red hand.

“Kohta?” said a voice.

Looking up, I saw a visibly stunning girl staring at me, a surprised and worried expression etched onto her face. She looked to be around my age, probably a year or two older. Her skin was slightly tanned and it seemed soft to the touch. She wore a straw-made sunhat, which was adorned with a long and flowly pink-colored ribbon. Underneath her hat was a mass of wavy brown hair, it being cropped long with bangs. Her hair covered her eyes but I was able to make out a deep dark green color which gave her a playful yet serious look to her eyes.

She haughtily stood in front of me, holding a black leather traveling case.

“Yeah?” I answered back, straightening up.

“Are you okay?” She asked, her face scrunched up into uncertainty.

“I’m alrite. My hand just got hit when the door swung forward. It just stings right now.”

“That’s good.” She said, her pursed lips turning into a smile.

“Umm. Who are you by the way?” I asked. I know the question was weird to ask but I don’t know who this person is. Her smile instantly turned to a grin. “Awww. You don’t know who I am?” She replied back in a mocking tone.

“Honestly. No I don’t.”

“Well then. I’ll let you figure that out on your own.” She said with a wink. The girl walked over to me and slightly tapped my head.

“Is there anything to drink? The walk here from the train station made me a bit sweaty and thirsty.”

“Yeah. The frigde is ri-” I turned to see her gone. Walking to the kitchen, I saw an empty glass on the counter and the girl sitting down, her head on the table.

“So nostalgic!! It’s been a while since I’ve been here.”

Vivid images of a young boy and girl playing in a park suddenly flashed through my mind. The images then switched to the boy crying out the girl’s name as she relculantly boarded a train. She heard him and turned around, showing eyes brimming with tears and trembling lips. She waved him a last goodbye and entered the train at last. The train started to spout gray smoke, signaling its departure. As the train started to move, the boy made an effort to catch up to the train. He was running, his hand outstretched in a futile effort to catch the moving train. But the boy stumbled and he soon lost sight of it. He called out her name one last time, hoping she would reappear before him. It all faded to black.

“Kohta!” a distance voice called out. The girl suddenly appeared in front of me.

“Are you in there?” She asked. Her eyes looking into mine. I blinked several times, focusing my eyes onto her.

“What just happened?” I asked.

She giggled at me. “You blanked out for a minute.”

“I did? Well, that’s a first.” I said, scratching my head. She went over to me and slapped me hard on the back.

“Ow!” I exclaimed, clutching my burning back.

“What was that for?” I asked The girl laughed and stuck her tongue at me.

“That was for spacing out on me Kohta!”

My face flushed a lukewarm red at the slim and curvy frame her white woolen swearer and green dress hid. I backed up a little when she leaned forward, her face a few inches away from mine.

“K-OH-TA?” She quietly asked, her face being scrunched up tino uncertainty. A fragrance of rose petals and vanilla filled the air, causing my stomach to stir.

“Her smell!!” I thought. I looked at her worried face and my eyes slowly went down, eventually arriving at the hem of her shirt. My eyes immediately darted back to her face but I felt my face was flushed.

“Yeah?”

“Your face is red.”

My mouth hung open at her words. “She noticed.” I thought.

“How’d you know?” I asked with a tone of surprise.

“You moved back when I came close. Plus, I saw you look down my shirt.”

I felt my face warm up again. I-I-I did not!” I blubbered, even though it was true.

She giggled at my remark and clapped me on the shoulder.

“You’re such a horrible liar Kohta! Look, your face is red again!” The girl accused, laughing in the process.

“I am not a horrible liar,” I answered back. “It’s just that, when you came closer, I looked do-”

“Ha! Look! You did admit it.” She exclaimed. “My Kohta. A pervert.”