Crystal: Here's the second chapter. Really, I will admit, I feel bad for Utako and I will be going further into her past since there wasn't much with the protagonist except the death of the family. I'm going to enjoy this but anyway, to the disclaimers.

Disclaimers: I do not own Persona 3, Persona 3 FES, and Persona 3 Portable. I only own Utako.

Chapter 2: Being the New Kid… Again

The next morning felt like any ordinary day… except for when I nearly tripped over one of the boxes on the floor when I went to the sink to wash up. Having only maybe five hours of sleep does not help my mood but I have to at least try to be friendly today. I don't want to put a bad impression on anyone. I did one thing I was used to though. I took out my laptop and messaged on FaceBook to my friends back in America.

Starting my first day of school at Gekkoukan High. Wish me luck. I will talk to you all when I get back. Miss you guys still. Hope you're all well.

~Love

Utako

I smiled, looking at a framed picture of my friends back in America. It was taken at Disneyland during a summer trip A year before I left to return to Japan. I remember how we had to save money for a whole year just to get a room and tickets for Disneyland and California Adventure; none of us wanted to have our parents or relatives drive us home so late. The picture was of me, Shilo, Annette, Johnny, Madeline, Robby, and Timothy sitting on the Mad Hatter Tea Cup ride. Timmy looked ready to puke, Shilo, Johnny, and I were laughing really hard, and Annette had to close her eyes just to keep herself from throwing up. Poor Robby actually did throw up outside of the tea cups back then and after that he refused to ever go on a spinning ride with any of us but he would joke about it years later. I miss you guys. I hope you're all doing well. I think as I stand up and start getting ready for school. I had just finished everything when I heard a knock on my door.

"Hey, it's Yukari."

"Come in, the doors' unlocked." I say, putting away my hair brush. Yukari came in, wearing the exact same outfit as the night before. I wonder if she even went to sleep. She must've, she looked rested or maybe she had some really good coffee.

"Good morning. Did you sleep okay?"

"Yeah, I was so tired last night I went to sleep right away." I say, weaving between the boxes. "I'll need to stop by the store before heading home though. I need some snacks for the fridge." Yukari chuckled and I couldn't help but feel a slight normalcy with her. More than last night anyway.

"Sounds like you're really settling in."

"Not much, I know this place isn't permanent. But I can't keep tripping over these boxes." I point out, grabbing my school bag.

"Anyway, Mitsuru-senpai asked me to take you to school." Yukari said, as we exited my room as I locked the door behind us.

"Okay, thanks." I say, smiling. Today my new school starts. I'm still getting used to the idea of school starting in the middle of spring rather than the beginning of fall like in America. After living in there for six years and all, you tend to get used to the habits. Yukari took me through the Iwatodai stripmall and to the train station that would take us to school. It feels so weird. I've never had to use a train to get to my school before, not even when I moved back to Japan last year.

"We have to board the monorail to get there. Bet your last school wasn't like that, huh?" Yukari said, and I nodded.

"Yeah, and the car is so clean too." I say, looking around. Oh the differences of Japan and America.

"This is my favorite part… when it feels like you're gliding over the sea." I looked out the window to see the ocean glinting in the morning sunlight. "Out stop is Port Island Station at the end of the line. From there, we walk."

"Okay." I say, going back to looking out the window. It really is a nice view.

"Have you heard of Tatsumi Port Island? Its a man-made island. They build our school right in the middle." Yukari said, looking out the window as well. "Oh, look, you can see it now!" I looked and stared in shock. I think I can see the school, is it really that big? I took out my phone to take a picture of it. I'll send it to my friends when I get home from school.

Together, we walked to the school and I nearly lost my voice. It was so big and the entrance was lined in cherry blossom trees. This is just like in the anime! I think, taking another picture. I'll post these before class. I'm so excited! I'm sure my friends will love it!

"Welcome to Gekkoukan High. You're gonna love it here."

"I already am."

We entered the entrance with the shoe lockers and I noticed a few boys looking at us. Did we stand out? Then again, with Yukari's cardigan sticking out in a sea of black I would not be surprised. I found my shoe locker and switch to my indoor shoes quickly, I'm at least used to the idea of changing shoes. That's the one thing my aunt and uncle kept when we moved to America since the house was previously owned by a very traditional Asian family.

"You're okay from here, right?"

"Hm?" I turned to Yukari, who was already out of the shoe locker area.

"You should go see your home room teacher first. The Faculty Office is right there on the left."

"Oh, okay. I'll go there once I check on my home room." I say, giving Yukari one last smile. "I'll see you later. Have a good day!"

"You too. Oh and Utako…. can you not tell anyone about what happened last night?" Yukari asked, looking a little nervous.

"Sure." I say, mostly because I doubt anyone would even believe me. I mean, coffins in the street and Yukari carrying a gun? Like they'd believe a word I say.

"Oh well, thanks! I'll see you later then!" Yukari waved and walked off to a group of other girls. I finally let down my smile as I took my bag and went to the bulletin board. Starting off as the new kid is kind of nice since you start off with a clean slate but… because you don't know anyone, it's kind of hard to really push forward. I take out my phone, looking at pictures from my friends back in America. I was planning to message them when I get home… I'm sure they'd like to hear what my school is like. I check the new homeroom class, Class 2-F, before heading over to the office. A few people didn't even seem to notice me while others stared. Well, seeing an unfamiliar face would turn a few head. Then again, there were some strange people around me as well. A blonde boy with a fan was talking to a teacher who wore a samurai helmet. Do they even allow that? It seems rather distracting… I think as I open the door to the Faculty Office. Inside was a woman, who was obviously a teacher from the way she dressed.

"Oh, are you the new student?" She asked, as I closed the door behind me.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Hm… Utako Urehara. Eleventh grade, correct?" I nodded as she looked through my paperwork. "Wow, you've lived in a lot of different places. Stayed in America for a few years, too. Let's see… in 1999… that was ten years ago… your parents… oh." I flinched as she gasped at reading my paperwork. "I'm sorry… I've been so busy, I didn't have time to read this beforehand."

"It's alright." I say, calmly. Truth be told, I barely remember how my parents died. I know it was in a car crash but the doctors said I had sustained some head injuries so I really remember much of anything. I probably bumped my head and passed out but I do remember fire and crying for my mother and father… and gun shots but I don't get why I think of gunshots when I think of my parent's accident.

"I'm Ms. Toriumi. I teach Composition. Welcome to our school."

"Thank you, it's a pleasure to meet you too." I say, politely as I gave a small bow.

"My, aren't you polite? Girls like you should be an example for others." I smiled at Ms. Toriumi's comment. Being polite is the first step in getting recognition as well as having a better student teacher relationship. Act like an ass to teacher and you'll have a very miserable year. I learned this back in middle school in America. One of the teachers was rumored to be really hard and mean but after sitting in front of her desk, doing homework everyday, and being a good student, I became one of her best students. She even came to me asking if I was okay when I wasn't showing my work in my homework that month. Being a teacher's pet can get you far. I think, still smiling.

"Have you seen your classroom assignments? You're in 2-F, that's my class." I nodded, remembering the board from earlier. "But first, we need to go to the auditorium. The Welcoming Ceremony will be starting soon."

"Okay."

"Please follow me." I followed my teacher towards the Auditorium. Taking my seat, I sat through the speech of the principle. His monotone and his way of stopping every now and then really made me tired. I was so tempted to take out my phone and message my American friends (they're most likely up and finished with class by now) when I heard people talking.

"Hey, I heard we have a new transfer student."

"Yeah, and I've seen her too. She came to school with Yukari." I heard a few boys talking among themselves and I lowered my head. Yep, already awkward. Also, what does making me walk with Yukari mean? It's not like she's evil or anything. She seems pretty normal. The students were caught and told to stop it by one other teacher and Ms. Toriumi, which relieved me. Afterward, we went to class and I was introduced with much whispering. When the school day finally ended, I was so relieved. If anything, today had been nothing but a big pain. With people talking about myself and Yukari, it made it seem like we were secret lovers or something.

I need a cup of tea when I get back to the dorm. I thought, sighing as I packed up my things.

"'Sup, dude?!" I turned to see a boy in a baseball cap walking over to me. I was surprised to see him since most schools don't allow hats unless for special medical reasons. He chuckled seeing my shocked face. "You look like a deer in headlights."

"Um… who are you?" I asked, a bit annoyed at his comment.

"Me? I'm Junpei Iori. Nice to meet ya." He said, looking rather relaxed. "I transferred here when I was in eighth grade. I know how tough it is to be the new kid. So I thought I'd check up on you, make sure you weren't freaking out on your first day."

"Oh, well, thank you." I say, smiling a little.

"At it again, huh?" I turned to see Yukari walking over, hands on her hips and frowning at Junpei. "Honestly, is there any girl you wouldn't hit on?" He was hitting on me? It didn't seem like it… "Did you ever think you might be bothering someone?"

"What? But, I was just bein' friendly."

"If you say so…" Yukari said but it didn't look like she believed him.

"Junpei-kun is right. He didn't do anything but introduce himself." I say and Junpei grinned.

"See? Utako's got my back." Yukari rolled her eyes before looking to me with a smile.

"Anyway, some coincidence that we'd be in the same homeroom."

"Yeah, I'm glad to know at least one friend in this class."

"A friend? Oh you mean me." Yukari said and looked a little embarrassed by this. "Yeah, I…. I'm glad we ended up in the same class, too."

"Um, hello? Did you forget I'm in this class too?" Junpei groaned, looking at us. "C'mon, lemme in on the fun." I chuckled, at Junpei. He's kind of funny. "By the way, do you guys know each other. I heard you two came to school together this morning."

"We live in the same dorm for now. Until things get settled on my end." I answered as Junpei grinned, his eyes closed.

"A couple of cuties like you, walking side by side… the whole class was buzzing about you." Okay, that was a little weird to say. Dock one happy point for Junpei.
"Ugh… could you just cut it out? I hate dealing with rumors like that." Yukari sighed, looking rather annoyed now. "I mean, I'm used to it but she just got here, you know? Don't you feel bad spreading rumors like that?"

"It's okay." I say, standing up. "I need to head home now. I need to stop by the store to get some stuff before I head back to the dorm and I don't want to get stuck after dark."

"Oh, well… okay. I'll see you later." Yukari said, smiling a tiny bit. "I've got some archery team stuff to do. See you at the dorm."

"Yeah, and Junpei, thanks." I say, waving to him. "I'll come to you if I need anything."

"Cool! See you later!" Yep, Junpei seems like a nice guy. I don't think he was meaning anything other than friendly when he came to see me. Looks like I'm heading off to a good start in this school. I think, smiling as I walk towards the exit of the school.

Stopping by a small store on the way back, I bought some tea bags, a bag of chips, and a bento box for dinner before returning to the dorm. No point in getting a large amount of things now. Not when I'll be moving to a new dorm in probably a week. Arriving at the dorm, only Mitsuru was there to greet me and told me on how there was a curfew so I couldn't go out after sundown. That was fine with me. I didn't want to go out after last night. I still don't get what happened last night. The lights going out, the darkness, the coffins, and that boy…

Maybe it really was all just some weird dream caused from exhaustion. I thought and began moving my boxes so that I wouldn't trip over them. Tonight, is me night. I'll go to bed at ten o'clock, and have another normal day.

Crystal: That was fun. Anyway, I hope to post Chapter 3 soon. See you guys soon!