New Life by Mackenzie Furniss (read e books online free .txt) 📕

Two hours later...

Finally done unpacking everything and putting it in its proper place, I pick up the phone and call Kasumi.

"Bout time you call me girl! I swear it was like you disappeared from the face of the planet!"

"Oh Kasumi, no need to be so dramatic about it. But I am sorry to have made you worry about me."

"You better be! So what's up? Tell me what happened!"

"Later, first I want you to come over and help me with some things. We can discuss what happened when you get here. If you want you can even stay over. After all, I know it will make Grandfather happy to know that my first night in my new house was spent with my adopted cousin."

I hang up after she agrees. I meant what I said about her being my adopted cousin. She was adopted 5 years ago by my Aunt and Uncle. Though taught to never touch, speak, or look at me, she diregarded those rules after she actually met me at work. Soon after she became my best and only friend. Other than Grandfather, she is the only one to ever look at me or hug me, though never for very long. While I waited I decided to start making dinner and tea. Once the preparations were done, I sat on the floor to meditate.

After what seemed only a few minutes, I sense someone outside my door. Opening my eyes I stood up and went to make sure that it was my cousin and not the neighbors deciding to be nosy. Of course I was almost certain it was Kasumi, and I was right. I opened the door to see her with arms laden with bags. I almost groaned when I saw that she had also brought her make-up kits with her.

When I say kits, I don't mean just one or two. No, she has an entire duffel bag thrown over one shoulder that is designated for her make-up. Seeing my face, she throws her head back and laughs wickedly.

"Come now cuz, you had to realize that it's a tradition between us that makeovers be done whenever I stay with you. And with your invitation, you had to know that as your partner, cousin, and friend, I would of course want to stay with you for more than just one night."

I stared at her for a moment before letting out a ghost of a smile.

"Luckily I thought this might happen, which is why half of the house has been designated as yours to live in as you please, for as long as you please. Besides, after you hear what Grandfathers intentions are, I doubt you will be willing to leave me alone!"

Now she gave me the intrigued look I had first seen her with years ago. It was a look I had come to understand meant 'OK, spill.' I was more than ready to oblige her. After all, she was the only other person in the family who didn't think of me as 'monster,' or 'unwanted.' Though I knew even to myself, that one day, that would be exactly how they would think of me. They knew this as what I thought, and had tried to make me believe otherwise.

But how else was one to think of themself, if even their own parents thought that way?

"First lets get inside so we dont disturb the neighbors."

As I say this I move to pick up some of her bags and lighten her load. But she stops me and asks me the one question I wish she wouldn't.

"Have you met them yet? Or at least said hello?"

I look at her, face completely blank and serious. She should know my answer by now and even expect it.

"Kasumi, of course I haven't. You know what'll happen if I do."

"Come on Akemi, at least give them a chance! Surely they can't be like the others?"

I look at her in disbelief. Did she really think that the past wouldn't repeat itself?

"Look Kasumi, you can go ahead and say hello since you will now be living here as well, but please don't expect them to be as willing to meet me as they would you. Before you say anything, I want you to think back and tell me honestly, when was the last time someone didn't think of me as a monster- and I mean someone who hadn't already gotten to know me."

She looked like she was seriously thinking about it, but every time she started to open her mouth, she shut it again.

"I rest my case. Besides, they go to the same school if their uniforms are any indication, so I might meet them anyhow."

She was placated when I said this. I was finally able to get her inside the house, but as I looked over to see if the neighbors had heard us, I saw the brother standing just outside the door. He may not have been looking at us, but I had the feeling he'd been listening in. As I stepped through my own door I made eye-contact and couldn't help but whisper,

"It's rude to listen in, but now that you have I suggest you leave me alone."

Before closing the door, I saw his eyes widen the slightest bit. Well, hopefully that means he'll take my advice, I thought. Then I turned back to dealing with my cousin.

"Listen Kasumi. You see Grandfather thinks..."

The next day I woke up early and got breakfast started before putting on my uniform. it was a simple white collared, sleeveless gown with a tie and long-sleeved jacket. After getting dressed, I got to work on my naturally straight, dark brown hair. I did what I always did and just put it in a simple plait down my back. For my face there wasn't much I could do. My skin is smooth and pale with prominent cheekbones, full lower lip with a decent upper, naturally arched brows, and eyes that glowed-literally-a swirling green and gold.  

Though thanks to the 'glowing,' and a few specks of red around the center, I had to wear colored contacts daily. I chose a color close to my original, but with a lot less gold, red, and glowing. I then slipped on the comfortable uniform shoes, and went to wake Kasumi for breakfast. Luckily for me, she has always been a light sleeper. We ate breakfast together before I headed off to the opening ceremony that was open to all students today.

After the ceremony...

The first day was pretty standard, I got pamphlets for my classes, and was told that the upcoming week would be full of clubs trying to get the new students to join. Because I couldn't get out of it, as it's an obligation for the students to attend, I decided to keep to the very edges. I wasnt interested in joining any of the clubs, though I supposed I could probably get away with stashing myself in the library for the week. But then I decided to tell Kasumi about my plan when I got home, and she has now told me to meet one person and have a real conversation with them. Otherwise, she will drag me to the neighbors house to ask them to join us for tea and dinner.

I had some serious doubts as to whether she would really do it, but I don't even really care. I see what she is planning, and it won't work. She hopes that I don't so that she can invite the neighbors, and prove to me that they won't be the same as many others. Oh well, better to get it done and over with if you ask me. The sooner she accepts that reality, the sooner I can stop trying when she is around. Wearing fake smiles for an hour while she tries to help me make friends really hurts.

So when she finishes trying to threaten and lecture me, I head down to my workshop. Here I can work on my CADs and developing materials that are compatible with continuous invisibility spells, but won't hinder the casting of others. Before I realize it, it's morning and the first day of the "fair" as Kasumii likes to call it. As I had planned, I went to the library, finding some of my favorite stories, and some textbooks I had been searching for. For hours, I stayed holed up in the library undisturbed. The only time I did anything else was when I got lunch, or something to drink. When the final bell rang, I checked out the books I hadn't yet finished and left the building.

Instead of taking the station home, I decided to put some headphones in and walk. But before that, I stopped by the restroom to take out my contacts. Because I didn't need perscription, they didn't usually bother me, but today they wouldn't stop moving and making my eyes water. In case of such things, I keep sunglasses handy. With my contacts safe and my sunglasses in place, I headed for home.

Just before reaching my street, I felt eyes on me and turned around. My neighbors were a few yards behind me with some of their friends. The girl was talking and laughing with them, but the brother was staring at me, his attention only appearing half on the conversation. Quickly I turned back around and started speed walking home. I couldn't tell if he followed or not, but I assumed that in a small way he had. After all, I reassured myself, he is my neighbor so of course he'd be going in the same direction.

I reached my house shortly before they were able to catch up, though I doubted they would even try to do so. As I reached the front door, Kasumi walked out, dressed in work attire.

"Going back to work already Kasumi? I thought it would take you longer to unpack and get settled."

She looked over at me with a smile, "Well not all of us can come and go as we please cuz. I have to do something rather than just live off the money they hand me."

I understood what she meant relatively well. Kasumi had had a decent time with her adoptive parents, but she learned quick that if they gave you something, they wanted something in return for almost twice the value. So instead of accepting anything other than the normal food, shelter and clothing that she naturally had to recieve from them, she usually tore up the checks they tried to send, or returned any of their gifts that came outside of any special occasions. But knowing them, I couldnt help but ask.

"What exactly did they send, and what kind of favor did they want in return this time?"

She sighed quite heavily. "This time they tried giving the both of us ruby pendants, saying that they could be worn to the next meeting and in return, you could send them a copy of