OHJ chatper 2

Our Hearts Journey
Chapter 2
A New School Year


Sakura was about to leave the house with her younger brother Lee, when she heard a crash coming from the kitchen! She ran over to see what had happened and saw her older brother John who had dropped a plate on the floor. He looked to be in shock over what had just occurred.

"John are you alright?!" Asked a frantic Sakura. She saw no sign of injury to him and no sign of their parents since they had gone off to work early today.

John turned to look at his sister who was standing in the kitchen door way. "Sorry I'll clean it up." He said as he went to get a broom and dustpan.

"But John wont you be late for you class this morning?" Sakura asked looking worried. "I can clean it up for you." She offered.

"No don't worry Sakura. You and Lee get going I still have an hour before I leave." He told her in a calm voice.

"What was that sound just now?" Lee said coming in the room with his bag over one shoulder. He looked at the broken plate on the floor and gasped. "Oh mom's not going to like this. John you broke one of moms favorite dishes." Looking at his older brother with disappointment.

"Don't think I know that!" John said now in a bad mood.

"H-hey guys don't fight now. Not so early." Sakura said calmly.

"Alright sorry." Lee said as he left the room.

"Are you sure your alright big brother?" Sakura asked one more time.

"I am Sakura, please don't worry." He jestered to her.

He didn't want his sister to know why he was so distracted in the first place. He didn't need her to worry after all the text he got on his phone was his business anyways. He just didn't know what he would do once at school. This was the first time he had even gotten a text from his good friend all summer. He was worried about her. And why she hadn't called or texted him in so long. Just what was going on in his head over reacting to a text like this.


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Sakura and Lee went there seprit ways at the fork in the road. As she headed over to Rin's house. She only lived a few blocks away from Sakura to began with. Once she reached the Angelo's household she was greeted by Mrs. Angelo at the door.

"Hello Sakura, Rin will be right down." Suzu spoke as she let Sakura in to her home.

"Hello Mrs. Angelo. It's good to see you again." she said with a smile.

"It's nice to see you too." Suzu replied.

"I-I was wondering...Is Rin-chan feeling better from the last time I saw her?" She asked Rin's mom.

Suzu gave a nod, "Hmm, yes she's feeling much better now. So don't you worry I am sure she's packed and full of energy today."

"I can hear you both you know." Rin said with a tease in her tone of voice.

"Ah! Rin-chan how long have you been there?" Sakura said with a blush of embarrassment.

"Oh honey you shouldn't surprise us like that." Suzu said waging her finger at Rin.

Rin was not much of a morning person for the first hour she was awake. But she just shurged her shoulders and went to grab her school lunch. Sakura noticed a bandied over Rin's arm. Sakura didn't know what happened but figured she must have done something when home. Other than that she didn't think anymore of it.

"Shall we get going?" Rin asked her friend.

Sakura smiled, "Yes I can't wait to walk with you and Bekah today to high school."

Rin smiled back at her and couldn't wait either. Once they left the house hold Rin became more cheerful as her grumpy state left. By the time they got to the main street they Saw Rebekah waiting for them at the corner.

"There you both are. I was waiting forever." She giggled.

"Oh we should have kept you waiting longer then." Rin said as a joke.

Rebekah and Sakura giggled at this as the 3 friends walked on to school. By the time they got to Novanna Springs First High School it was packed with students every which way. Sakura admired the front of the campus once inside the school grounds.

"The school is so big." She said in awe.

"Well it holds more students because normally our old Jr. High and another Jr. High school can go to this one. Plus it's right across the street from the College." Rebekah explained.

"It is pretty cool though for Rebekah because she loves to see the college guys go by." Rin teased with a smile.

"Haha very funny Rin-chan." Rebekah said sarcastically.

By the time the first bell rang the girls split up. Rebekah going to the second floor and Sakura and Rin going to the first floor where the first years had classes. And low and behold not just for history class but for the start of homeroom both girls had Mr. Boring as a homeroom teacher too.

"Alright now settle down now!" Mr. Boring said in a sharp voice.

The kids in the class room stopped what they where doing and sat still now that class had begun.

"I am Mr. Boring your homeroom teacher and history teacher for the last class of the day. I want you all to spend this time introducing to one another properly or ill see that you run 10 laps for goofing off. Do I make myself clear?" He said.

The whole class said Yes sir! in one go.

Rin was the first to be called upon. She stated who she was and sat back down after that. But Mr. Boring had something to say about it.

"Miss Angelo is that all you have to say?" He asked calmly at first.

Rin looked up at him and said, "Yes I only feel like telling the class my name."

"You don't have anything else you want to shear with them? So they are at least aware." Mr. Broing asked her.

"No sir." Was all she said.

"Fine since you do not wish to explain your siduation I shall for you." Mr. Boring said with a stern look in his eyes.

"Um...you don't really have..." Rin started out but was cut off by the teacher.

"Did I ask you to speak over me Miss Angelo?!" He said practicly yelling at the poor girl.

"No sir." Rin said looking down now.

"Good! Now everyone you may or may not know but Miss Angelo has had to repeat the 10th grade due to missing to many days of school. I suggest you all to learn from Miss Angelo's mistake for if you miss my class without a good reason then you will get detenchen after school do I make myself clear?!" He said in a drill Sargent voice.

"Sir yes sir!" said everyone in class. Now all looking at Rin and judging her. All except her friend Sakura.

She felt bad that Mr. Boring would do such a thing to shame someone in class like this. But she couldn't do much anyways for 3 more students later she was called.

"Ah Miss Barrix. I best see you not act out like your brother did at times when he was in my class." Mr. Boring commented.

Sakura felt embarrassed but held it in. "My name is Sakura Barrix. I am glad to attend high school with everyone." She then sat down.

When all the other kids had been called upon there were very few who had not been called out by Mr. Boring. And once the introductions were over the class room became very bored by Mr. Boring monotone voice as he explained what the class was about.


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Lunch was finally here, a time where the 3 girls could meet up and hang out. The lunch room was crowded due to the warm weather out side. Everyone wanted to sit in side for the most part. Rin was in a somewhat bad mood again due to the heat over all. She sighed as she put her lunch tray down next to Rebekah.

"Why the long sigh Rin-chan?" She asked.

"Because its hot out side and crowded in here that's why." Rin said looking slightly annoyed.

"I-I think it's not so bad out side." Sakura said.

Rebekah chimed in, "Yeah! You just got to drink plenty of water and sit in the shade then your good."

"I know that. But still I don't really like the heat. Just like you don't like the cold Sakura, And Rebekah you hate a lot of rain and wind." Rin pointed out. She then tied her long light brown wavy hair in a messy bun to try to cool off.

"So Bekah-chan when do you have your history class?" Sakura asked her friend. Who nearly spited out her water.

"W-what? Oh man I was trying not to think about that all day Sakura-chan..." She looked at her with a frown.

"O-oh s-s-sorry." Sakura said looking down and feeling bad for what she asked.

Rebekah saw Sakura's expression change and now felt guilty for how she reacted. "No...Don't feel bad. I am the one who should be sorry for how I reacted. Sorry Sakura-chan. It's not your fault I just really don't like his attitude or how he acts at time to student's."

Sakura looked up and gave a small nod in reply. She then looked over to Rin who was eating rather slowly maybe to slowly. "Hey Rin-chan can I ask you something?"

Rin looked up after taking a bite of blue berry yogurt. "Hmm?" She said with her mouth full.

Sakura and Rebekah both giggled at how funny their friend was acting today. It seemed food always made her cheer up. No matter what was bothering her just before.

Rin paused for a moment after finishing her bite. "What is it that you want to ask?"

Sakura felt hesitant to ask Rin. But then thought it would be okay, because Rin would speak her mind no matter what it was. "I was wondering about what Mr. Boring said when you missed a lot of school to repeat a year? Does he know the reason? I-I sure don't."

Rin thought about it her several questions verses it just being one. She then sighed and said in a soft voice, "Well he has a way with wording things. I mean I was sick on and off part of the year. You both know that..." But before she could finish her sentence the first warning bell rang. They all looked over to the clock on the wall to there right. Rin felt her heart beat skip a beat. As she thought in her mind. "Thank you school bell."

"Well that's the first bell we should pack up and get to our classes." Rebekah said looking down when grabbing her school bag.

Sakura and Rin gave Rebekah a hug for it seemed 5th period was her history class with Mr. Boring. They cheered her on and said they would get ice cream once school was out to cheer her up. Rebekah thought that would be a wonderful idea and did her best to stay positive. Her 6th period was Math but she knew that class would be better than 5th even if it wasn't her strong hold.


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Meanwhile across the street at the college John was rushing to the main quad. He looked a bit red in the face but to most people they would just think because of the warm weather. But that was not the case in the least. He was slightly blushing because he was about to see her again. After nearly 3 whole months of not hearing from her of worrying about her. He stopped and looked around the main campus until he found her. Long wavy blond hair tied up in a low pony tail from the heat. She was slender but tall, her sky blue eyes looked down at her sketch pad as she drew in the shade of the trees. She was wearing a light green take top and had on dark blue shorts. As for her shoes they were painted just like the other ones she had painted before. But this one was of the theme "Starry Starry Night" By Vincent van Gogh. In fact that was a nick name she had. Although it was Miss van Gogh to many people in the art building.

John had a soft smile on his face as he walked up to Tamera Elwood his long time friend from this school. Tamera looked up when she heard a twig brake on the ground. She looked up and saw her best friend she smiled and waved up to him.

"Hello John its been a while. How was your summer?" She asked him.

John sat down next to her in the shade of the tree and spoke. "It was alright. Hey I wanted to get straight to the point." He explained, "Why did you now only text me this morning after not hearing from you all summer?"

Tamera stopped drawing in her sketch book. She looked over to him. Her eyes seemed to say something was wrong something deeply concerning. She bit her lower lip a habit she did some times. "Sorry I was really busy over the summer. Helping my folks out on the farm."

Even though John could tell she was telling the truth it still felt like something was being left out. He didn't want to push her buttons so he just said, "Ah okay how are your folks doing then?"

"They are doing alright. My pa sprained his ankle in the middle of July." Tamera said rubbing the back of her head. "Oh but don't worry he's 100% healed now. He just had to stay off of his foot for a few weeks. His stubbornness really got to him then." Tamera said with a chuckle.

John gave out a whistle. "Well I am glad hes alright. We had one last summer pool party at my families house. So that was a lot of fun. I wish you were there." He commented.

Tamera looked up again and smiled, "I wish I was too. Can I take a guess it was over run by kids." She teased.

John chuckled. He was glad she was still the same old Tamera. "Hah! You got that right. But it was still fun." He admitted.

"Say what time do the girls get out of school again?" Tamera asked.

John looked at his smart phone for the time. "Ah just 10 minuets before 3:00 pm. If my memory serves me right. They still have a few more classes. Considering it's only after 1:00 now."

"Well I just had my last class for the day. We should go and see them. I bet they will want to know how I have been." She said closing her sketch book and putting it away.

John smiled and got up then helped Tamera up off the ground. "I bet they would love seeing you again." Once he let go of her hand he felt his heart skip a beat. But shook it off.

The two friends then went on a walk around school. Since John was free from his morning classes as well. He was glad she was alright but still wondered if she was keeping something that made her eyes look so sad earlier. Both of them knew they could tell each other just about anything. But sometimes Tamera was still hesitent of some topics. That's just who she was, she was a rather privet person. And just like John sometimes didn't tolerate nonsense at times from others.


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When the finale bell rang for school to get out. Rebekah rushed to her locker on the first floor. Then saw her two best friends by the school doors leading into the main building. She smiled and was about to call out there names when she saw a cute guy pass her. It was Jeff Henderson. The guy she had a crush on since the end of last school year. But he only ever talked to the really popular girls in school. They had one class together and that was 3rd period English. But he seemed to have his eye on something just head of him and her. When she glanced over to what he was looking at it was non other than her best friend Karin Angelo!

Her mind went blank when he was looking at her as he began to walk towards Rin. "Oh Jeff do you have any idea that my friend is not into the coolest of guys." She said in her head.

Over to where Rin and Sakura stood. Jeff Henderson came right up to them. Putting his arm up against the glass window they both stood in front of. "Hey Angelo hows it going?" He said in a cool voice.

Rin and Sakura both looked his way when they both finally saw him. "Oh? Hi Henderson." She said in a normal voice.

Rebekah was shocked that Rin was being so laid back about this. "R-Rin-chan can't you see hes trying to hit on you?!" Rebekah's mind screamed.

Jeff then replied to Rin. "Not much was wondering what your doing after school?"

Rin fully faced him now and said in a polite voice, "Sakura and I are waiting for our friend Bekah-chan." She then saw Rebekah out of the corner of her eye. She waved her friend to come over. Her face even had a slight annoyed look to is. "Come and save me! Or I'll go crazy." she said in her head.

Rebekah got the jester and walked up to her friends. "Hey Rin-chan, Hey Sakura-chan sorry for keeping you waiting."

"Oh hey Master's been a while." Jeff said he then looked back to Rin and put his hands on his hips now. "So Angelo what are you doing with your friends then?"

Rin put her hands behind her back as so her fist wouldn't show from holding her bag. "Just going out after wards. It was nice chatting but we all have someplace to be."

"Sure sounds cool." Jeff said, "Well I'll see you later then." He then walked off.

Once Sakura knew the guy was out of ear shot she turned to both Rebekah and Rin, "What the heck was that all about just now?"

Rebekah wasted no time n explaining. "Only the coolest guy in the 11th grade." She swooned as she thought about him.

Rin then stuck her tong out for a moment and made an EW expression. She then whispered so only Sakura and Rebekah would hear. "Only the bigest Jerk in 11th grade."

"Okay so let me get this straight?" Sakura asked, "Rebekah is boy crazy about him but your not Rin-chan?"

"Nope. He's not my type either." She said crossing her arms now looking away and feeling a but uncomfortable about him even coming up to her.

"Oh your so lucky Rin-chan he clearly likes you. Yet you don't even want to give him a chance." Rebekah said with a sigh.

"Heh!" Rin said with a frown. "Lets just go and get some ice cream before I go insane." She said walking to the door way now.

When the 3 girls left the main gates of the school Sakura noticed her big brother and Tamera! "Tamera! Your back!" She shouted as she ran up to Tamera.

"Hey it's been a while Sakura." Tamera said as the young teen ran in for a hug.

"Tamera yay!" Both Rin and Rebekah said in unison. They too ran up for a hug from there old friend.

"Hey what about me Sakura?" John said as a joke.

"Hi big brother." Sakura said as she gave him a quick hug. She then turned back to Tamera and smiled. "How was your summer brake?"

"It was alright. I missed you girls." She said once Rebekah and Rin let go of her finally.

"We are on our way to get ice cream. Do you both want to join us?" Rin asked with a bright smile.

"Oh that sounds really good right now. Right John?" Tamera asked.

"Yeah shall we all head over to the Blue Man ice cream shop then?" As he grabbed his bag over one shoulder now.

They all cheered and headed off. As the 3 teens made small talk to Tamera telling there stories about the summer. John walked behind them and looked over to his sister first. She really did look up to Tamera. Then he thought they all did like she was a big sister to them. John smiled a bit as he saw Tamera look over her shoulder when the finally got to the Blue Man ice cream shop. John opened the door for all the girls as they headed inside.

Once there orders were placed. And ice cream in hand. The girls began to talk and about Henderson to one another. John could see Rebekah was interested in him the most whoever this boy was. But Sakura seemed to not really be into him and for Rin she really looked annoyed about it period!

"So let me get this straight. Rebekah is boy crazy about him? And you Sakura don't even know him or care I guess right? And you Rin look the least bit interested of all?" Tamera finished.

"Yes!" all 3 friends said together.

Tamera sighed and said, "Well your all young still so when the right guy comes along you will definitely know."

"What about you Tamera?" Rebekah asked.

John gasped and then said, "Masters you shouldn't ask like that?"

The girls all looked confused even Tamera gave John a raised eyebrow. "Why not John it's just a normal question."

John's face turned red for the way he over reacted. "S-sorry Masters I didn't mean it like that."

"It's okay John." Rebekah said looking down feeling silly for asking out of the blue anyways.

"Well if you 3 want to know so much I guess I can give a hint of what I find interesting in a guy at least. But just this once." She said looking at the girls who all looked really interested now.

John's ears perked up when he heard Tamera say this. He never thought in his life time would he hear what kind of guy she was interested in. He gulped thinking it wouldn't be anything like him. Wait him? What was the matter with John. He liked Tamera but as his best friend.

Tamera then said in a low voice, "The one thing that I find in a guy so interesting is they have to be themselves and not try to put on a show."

John turned to Tamera who sat next to Sakura as he felt his heart calm down finally. Seeing it was just a normal answer to him. He then thought of what were the 3 girls thinking of now.

Sakrua then spoke up, "T-that sounds like what I want in a guy too someday." She looked up at everyone who looked surprised at what she said. She then waved her hands in her face and said frantically. "B-but there is no one I am interested in right now."

Rebekah began to giggle and get all giddy. "Oh that's alright Sakura you will for sure have a crush on someone sooner or later." She teased. Sakura's face began to turn pink as she looked down twidiling her fingers.

"What about you Rebekah?" Tamera asked.

"Oh me? I have to say someone who is very cool, but also honest and they have to be sweet too." She said looking at Tamera.

Tamera smiled, "Well if they are honest and sweet that's not so bad huh." She then turned to Rin who sat next to Rebekah in the booth who was still eating her ice cream. "What about you Rin? What do you like to see in a guy?"

Rin stopped half way from reaching her spoon when she looked up at everyone. "Huh, me?" She pointed to herself.

"Yes you silly." Tamera said with a slight giggle.

"Um...If I had to say what I like. It would have to be someone a bit older than me and who is mature and kind and caring to me." She finished with a slight blush.

When John heard the word "older" He frowned a bit at this then said without even thinking. "How much older are you talking about?"

Sakura gasped at what her big brother said just now. She then gave John a nuged in the side. "Big brother don't say such things."

"Owch. What I was just wondering?" John said as he now got a death glare from all the girls. Including Rin who looked very upset by his question.

"Why would you ask? Does it really matter?" Rin pointed out looking at him with a cross look.

"I have to agree on John with this one." Tamera started off giving Rin a stern look. "If you are interested in someone older than you that may be troublesome for you and your parents. He may not want the same things you and it could all end up in heartache and drama you may not even want to go through. Besides your still young. All three of you. So there is no reason to rush into relationships like that."

Rin and her friends were taken aback by Tamera's words. But Rin could understand were she was coming from but that wasn't what she was even thinking deep in her heart. She then put a hand down on the table with a slam sound to follow by.

"That's not what I even mean! When I mean older I dont mean someone who's like 8 plus years even." She tried explaining to the two adults.

"Then what do you mean?" John asked looking worried still about the whole ordeal.

"I mean maybe no more then 4 or 5 years older at max. And did I even say I was interested in dating right now. No I didn't! So if you both think its such a horrible idea then tell that to my own parents who are both 7 years apart. They turned out fine and have been together for 20 years now not counting for dating a few years before that. So I hope your happy now I am upset. Rin finally finished looking red in the face from just being upset more than she needed to be.

Tamera then said a bit more calmly seeing how bothered Rin was by her bluntness, "Look Rin I am not saying every couple ends up with heartache from being a few years apart. I am just saying if your going to date someone older than you are right now you both may not see eye to eye."

Rin began to calm down a bit but still didn't like what was all being said to her she finally said in a soft voice now, "I am sorry for getting angry like that to you boht but if I want to date someone whos a bit older that's my choice no one else."

John sighed and Tamera shrugged her shoulders to him.

Tamera looked at her watch and said, "Hey sorry everyone I have to get going now. John would you like to come along." She asked looking at him with a look saying its time to go.

"Yeah lets go. Ill see you later Sakura, by girls." He said as he got up along with Tamera.

By the time the 3 friends went home first dropping by Rebekah's home then Rin, lastly was Sakura who ran home for it was getting dark soon. Once she was inside she saw John in the dinner room alone. She felt bad for what had happened at the ice cream shop. But then found herself sitting next to her big brother.

"Hi big brother." She said.

John greeted her but gave a small shrug when he asked Sakura, "Why is it that your friend acts that way to me some times?"

Sakura felt a heart string being pulled. "One thing I can tell you John." She said looking down at her hands. "Rin-chan is a privet person at times. But when she opened up back there a bit and you asked that question she felt like shutting herself in again."

John turned to face his sister now. "Okay I understand she is privet about surnten things but it's not like I asked her if she liked anyone." He then got up from the table and walked over to the kitchen. "If you know what I think from what she said about liking someone older it better not be someone who is 4 plus years older than her. She's only 16 she should be interested in someone at school. There I said it." John then went out the back door to the back yard before Sakura could even say anything.

She gave out a small ugh! Of ierataion from her brother. She then thought dating someone who was at least 5 years different when she was out of high school herself didn't sound so bad. She just hoped Rin would forgive John soon. She normally was a forgiving person but to John sometimes it was a bit rocky and hard for her to forgive him. She just hoped Rin would be alright and John wont ask again.

Chapter 2 end.