Yep. That's it. That's my alarm going off at the same time it does every day, 6:00am. Despite living only 5 minutes away from the school I still chose to get up this early, why? That is simple, I have to make sure I am looking as good as ever, my appearance is everything, I have to be perfect. My looks, my grades, even my social life. If it is not perfect then what's the point of living?

  My day starts as follows: I wake up to my early alarm, get out of bed and brush my hair, followed by a trip to the bathroom to do the usual. Next, I brush my hair again of course, my lush syrupy brown locks have to be just right. Soft but firm, flowing like a river down to the middle of my back.

  After 10 to 15 minutes of making sure my hair is just right, it’s time for my makeup. The school of course doesn't allow over the top makeup so this is simple.

  After checking everything is just right it’s time for breakfast. A healthy and hearty meal is the key to having a great day and staying in shape.

  Finally, it’s time to get dressed. While I do wish the school’s uniform was a bit more stylish, I can’t complain too much. Compared to the other schools nearby, this is definitely the best.

  Buzzz Buzz

  Ah, the doorbell. This could only be one person. After casually strolling to the door I open it to find… Yep, I was right. Standing in front of me beaming brightly as usual was Haruka, My best friend and a friend I've known since the start of middle school all the way to now, our second year of highschool .

  “Sei-chan!”

  Yep, this little ball of energy always came to see me at the start of my day and she always calls me by my first name too. I didn’t mind it all of course, though it was a little annoying at first, I have since grown used to it.

  “Yes yes, as carefree as ever I see, come in Haruka”

  Haruka would always stop by to grab breakfast here. Why? I have no idea, maybe the food was better or maybe she just really wanted to see me, either way I didn’t mind. We could spend the remaining time from my daily routine just chatting for a short while before heading to the exhausting battlegrounds that was school.

  It’s not like I despise school or anything, It’s just hard to keep up my loving persona and perfect girl facade for that long. Even though I go through all the efforts to present a perfect human on the outside, reality is cruel. Inside of me is a wash of brewing emotions that wouldn’t fit my attitude.

  I’m not insane or anything, It’s just hard trying to live up to everyones expectations all of the time, sometimes I just want to live as myself and not be the embodiment of someone's expectations.

  “Say class prez~, how come you don’t have a boyfriend anyways?~” Harkuka asked in a teasing tone.

  On the short walk to school Haruka always made sure to ask some teasing questions, even adding in the “class prez” instead of my name. Maybe it was her way of lightening the mood or she was just genuinely curious I wasn’t sure.

  What I did know was that I didn't particularly have an interesting answer for her. It’s not like I don’t care, sure love sounds nice but how would I, who can barely keep herself together day to day ever cope with something as complicated as a relationship?

  “Mmm, I just don’t. It’s not like I have time for it anyways” I replied curtly so she wouldn't ask about it more.

  I wasn’t a particularly rude person but I made sure to let people know when I didn’t want a conversation continuing somewhere. Haruka understood this part of me, gently smiled and left it at that.

  “Do you think it’s going to rain today?”

  “I sure hope not, I totally forgot my umbrella”

  “That’s so like you”

  Shortly after arriving at school you could hear the conversations occurring between fellow classmates and friends as one by one they marched in.

  It was a slightly warmer than usual day in June, rain was to be expected around this time of year and yet, much like that girl I overheard, I also forgot my umbrella. Typical. Well, the forecast yesterday didn’t mention any rain so with any luck, I’ll be alright.

  Not long after the crowds of people scuffled inside, the school day began.

  For the most part, school passed rather quickly. As I was making my way to the classroom for the last period I bumped into someone, without looking at who I quickly lowered my head and let out an apology.

  “Ah if it isn't little Miss Perfect” The bitter tone spoke out. “Why don’t you watch where you’re going next time?”

  This girl is Ayano Haru. For whatever reason, she hates my guts. While she doesn't exactly bully me, she never misses a chance to berate me or comment on how perfect I am. Letting it slide I ignore her remarks and apologize again before heading to class

  Dinnnng

  The chime echoes. Thus the last period has come to an end. Students begin to scuffle picking up their belongings and either getting ready to head home or join in afterschool activities.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Seiii-chan! Do you have club today? Wanna hang out?” Haruka blurted out as soon as the chime had finished. She was waddling over to me with two more girls in tow.

  The two girls were of course our friends Hamada and Arima . While I wasn’t the most popular person in school I still got along with almost everyone due to my easy going attitude and because of that I had a lot of “friends”.

  Hamada was a tallish girl who always had a blank look on her face. She had short dark hair and a fit physique. Arima was a short girl who always looked happy no matter what, she clung to Hamada every day.

  “Ah, I’m sorry Haruka, Fujiwara Sensei asked me to help out after class today and you know me, I can’t say no to anyone” I replied with a cheerful tone

  Ugh, that’s right, I can’t say no to anyone. I hate it when people look at me with disappointment, it makes me writhe and so I’m stuck doing mundane tasks and acting like the helpful buzzy cloud of a girl I should have been.

  This leaves me exhausted all the time, being someone else for other people’s expectations. If only I could be more carefree like Haruka.

  “Next time for sure though. Let’s all hang out and eat something sweet!” Just so they wouldn't be disappointed I made a promise to hang out at some point.

  “Yay! I can’t wait.” Haruka exclaimed as she ran up to me and hugged my arm.

  “Well in that case I guess we’ll see you later Sei-chan” She said, skipping off with Hamada and Arima.

  As the classroom emptied and people slowly fizzled out leaving me on my own, I let out a deep breathy sigh. Just a few minutes later the teacher that had asked me to stay behind entered the room.

  “Ah, Shiori-chan, thankyou for stopping by. I just need you to come and help me sort through these tests for your year group. I just want to make sure I can get through them all so I can give adequate homework for summer break”

  What the hell? Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to ask a student to sort through tests? What if I did something? Plus, what am I, your slave? So annoying.

  Forcing a smile I agreed to help. “No problem Sensei, I did not have anything planned anyways and I am always happy to help”.

  “Perfect, if you would just wait a moment I have another student who needs talking to” As he said that he walked out of the classroom and down the hall.

  Moments passed and I could hear the faint sounds of chattering. I left the classroom into the hall so I could get a drink from the fountain. As I looked around I could see Sensei talking to another girl with a stern look on her face. Clearly she’s not happy to be here. I could pick up on certain words and it was clear that Sensei was reprimanding the girl for something. I couldn’t tell what though.

  Fujiwara Sensei left and headed towards his office. I stared into the empty classroom that he and the girl were just in.

  The girl with jet black hair and short stature stood staring out of the window with a gloomy expression on her face.

  I think I know this girl, I’m pretty sure she’s in my class, what’s her name again?

  At some point as I was lost in thought trying to remember the girl’s name, she had turned around and started staring at me. She had a blank look on her face but only for a moment before tilting her head and forcing a smile just before leaving.

  “Well that was kinda creepy” I thought to myself

  A few moments later the teacher returned with a box gripped in both hands. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what would be in this box. It was the tests.

  We began sorting through the tests together in the classroom, just the two of us. Of course I felt incredibly awkward but I wasn’t going to let it show on my face. Just as I was getting used to the quiet he spoke up.

  “I’ll be gone for just a moment, I need to check a few things” and with that he got up and left me here. I'd been here about half an hour already and I was ready to go home and sprawl out on my bed, dreaming of a world where I was someone else.

  I looked down and noticed the test paper I had in my hand was that of a certain girl. It was Ayano Haru’s. I was never a person to act out on impulse but for some reason just seeing that girl's name had made me incredibly upset. She had made my life all the more annoying with her useless never ending remarks.

  Without thinking I tore up her test paper.

  Realizing what I had just done, I started to panic. What had I just done? I just ripped another student's test into pieces. If anyone saw me, not only would people see me as less than perfect, but I'd be in serious trouble. What would my family think?

  I quickly shoved the ripped pieces of the test into my bag as chilling footsteps getting closer echoed throughout the classroom. I took out my phone pretending I'd just gotten a text and stood up as the back haired girl walked into the classroom. Huh. Didn’t she go home? What’s she doing here? She didn’t see that right?

  As all the negative thoughts started pounding in my head as if trying to crack it in two, she once again turned to me with a forced smile and left.

  Just a moment later, the teacher returned. Clearly a bit flustered I exclaimed in a soft voice “Ah my Mother says she needs me back home, sorry Sensei”.

  I needed to get out of here and fast, I could not believe what I had just done. How could I be so impulsive? I mean sure the girl deserves it, but really, what has gotten into me?

  After rushing back home I ran into my bedroom and flopped onto my bed.

  After screaming into my pillow I thought back to what had just occurred. With nothing to do about it now, I took the pieces out of my bag and binned them.

  “Katsumi Saito…”

  My head buried into my hands I remembered that black haired girl’s name. Having no idea why I just remembered, I sat and thought on it, She hadn’t seen me right?

  Katsumi Saito was something of a delinquent. She almost never came to school, was never seen hanging around with anyone and was sometimes spotted arguing with the teachers. Yeah, this kind of girl I couldn't get involved with. Lets just hope she didn't see anything. What was with that smile anyways? Ugh, no use thinking about it now.

  As I worried and dark thoughts invaded my mind, time passed and I slept waiting for the next day.