Calmer of the Storm: Hello again! I know it's been a little while, but, you know how it goes.

Cody: Excuses, excuses…

Calmer of the Storm: *glares at him* Anyways, this is a rewrite of my very first story. It will be longer, and I think, better. It may very well also be my last story…it depends on the response. It's hard being an author when you don't get a response…but, hey, it's for my enjoyment, right?

Cody: Pft…

Calmer of the Storm: *hits Cody on the head* Be quiet! I'm trying to speak…er, type here!

Cody: Ow! *storms out*

Calmer of the Storm: Fine! Be that way!….*smiles innocently* I do not own it…and I never will. Peace!

Hey Kari, wait up!" I a voice behind me said.

"Oh, hi." I said as I turned and saw my purple-haired friend running after me. "So, you trying out for the play?" she asked me.

I gave a weak smile, "Yeah, I figured I may as well."

"Have you seen the new guy yet?" Miyako questioned.

"I think I passed by him in the hall" I replied nonchalantly. I was amazed at how quickly and easily she could switch topics. That was just like her though. To tell you the truth, I never saw him. I fact, I didn't even know there was a new student. I only said this to keep her happy. I knew we'd be on that subject for days if I didn't.

"You gotta admit, he's hot." she commented. I stopped. This is one conversation I was definitely beginning to dislike.

"Miyako…" I droned.

"What?" she asked innocently. Her expression then changed, "Speak of the devil, there he is."

I looked over, and I saw him. I had to admit, he had looks, but looks aren't everything. There was a swarm of girls around him, but I couldn't have cared less. I gave up on that kind of stuff a long time ago. Obviously, Miyako saw my reaction.

"Aw, c'mon Hikari. You can't stay like this forever", she told me.

I smirked, "Watch me."

I left the conversation at that. I did not want it to go any further. I think Miyako got my hint, as she said nothing more of the matter. Then, then bell rang for class, and the students dispersed into their respective classrooms.

The day was long and uneventful, like most other school days. Finally, the end of the day bell rang. It had been a long day, and I was growing tired. There was still a little it more to go, and that was the auditions for the play. I headed to the auditorium, where the auditions were to take place.

As I entered, I glanced around the room. I saw my friend Sakura there. She waved at me, and I went and sat by her.

"Hey Kari", she greeted.

"Hey," I said back, smiling.

We chatted for a few minutes, as did everyone else. There was a significant amount of students there, some I wasn't sure quite why, but I guess they deserved a shot anyways. All of a sudden, the chatter stopped. HE walked in. I really don't get why this was such a big deal for everyone.

Sakura and I continued to talk. A few moments later, Ms. Seymour, the drama teacher and director of the play, ordered for silence. She handed out a copy of the script to everyone.

The play is about a girl who goes to camp for the summer. She's shy and quiet, and never really quite fits in anywhere. Anyways, the story goes on with her meeting this girl, and they become good friends. And of course, there's this guy whom every girl is absolutely nuts over. As we get further on, she falls in love with this guy. This creates some conflict between her and the girl who's madly obsessed with him. It's basically your typical romance/tragedy play.

Ms. Seymour called us up one by one to read parts of the script. She called out a name I'd never heard before, Takaishi Takeru. Obviously the new kid. There were a lot of murmurs in the crowd as he went up. He read out one of the scenes with Sherri. I don't know why she was even there. It was probably because he was. Anyways, at the end of the scene, he was told to stay up. Ms. Seymour had liked what she heard. I had to say though, he wasn't that bad at it.

"Yagami Hikari", was the next name called. It was my turn. I was told to read the lines of Natalie, the girl who goes to the camp. He was the guy. We did the scene. She told me to stay. I ran a few more scenes as a few different characters. After the audition, I went to my locker to pack up.

"Hi", someone said. I tuned, and looked up. I noticed that it was the new guy, Takeru. I wasn't sure what he was here talking to me, but I guess it doesn't matter.

"Hi", I replied, putting on the best smile that I could. I generally didn't like guys like him, they were all the same; arrogant, air-headed and really just a pretty face.

"You were really good out there" he complimented.

I blinked a moment. I was not expecting that. My smile returned.

"Thanks, you too."

He smiled, then he turned and left.

I stood there for a moment, not quite sure what had just happened.

~*~

Wake up at 6:30, get out of bed at 7:00, leave at 8:00. That's my morning, not too exciting. I was on my way to school, and Miyako caught up with me. That's pretty routine as well. Daisuke usually joins too.

The three of us walked to the school. I have to admit I was pretty excited about whether or not I got the part. We approached the main lobby, where the lists were posted.

I laughed a little as I found the name of Sakura. Sakura got the part of the snob girl, which I thought was rather funny. I scrolled down the list, and surprisingly, found my name. I looked over, and, I got the part of the main character! Just to check, I looked to see who was playing Ronnie, the guy I was supposed to fall in love with in the play. It was, as I guessed, the new guy. I didn't have anything against him, or for him for that matter, he was just another guy to me. Oh well. I noticed that I got a few evil glares from some of the girls as I passed.

"Hey, Kari!", I heard behind me. I didn't turn around. I knew who is was. I waited for her to catch up.

"So, you got the part, I see." Sakura said.

"Yup", I replied.

"You know, you're gonna have to kiss him in the play." She stated, eyes full of worry. I sighed.

"Please, Sakura. First of all, it's called acting. Second of all, why does everyone worry so much about me? I can handle it."

"I know", she said, "but I just don't want to see you hurt." I gave her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Like I sad before, it's just acting. Anyways, gotta get to class. See you at rehearsal."

We parted ways. The day was pretty routine, 3 classes in the morning, lunch, three more classes in the afternoon.

Finally, after what had seemed to be forever, school was over. The first rehearsal for the cast was today. I had to get to the auditorium. I walked in, and sat beside Sakura. Everyone was here.

Ms. Seymour called us up in groups, and we did a basic run of the play. We didn't do any blocking or acting, we just read lines. This was so we got a basic feel of the play. After, I just went home. I noticed that Daisuke was still at school. I think he had soccer practise.

~*In the hall, 3rd person POV*~

Takeru walked out of the theatre, and headed down the hall. He bumped into Daisuke. They knew each other from a few classes.

"Hey" Daisuke greeted. Takeru nodded. He turned around, and saw Kari. He had taken a liking to her. She was quiet, and wasn't like any of the other girls around. He also noticed that she was pretty good looking.

Daisuke saw that he seemed to notice Hikari a little more than the other girls.

"Don't get your hopes up on her", he told him.

Takeru turned, and gave him a confused look, "Why?"

"'Cause she isn't interested." He replied

Takeru became slightly angry at this, "And how would you know?"

"Because she's a good friend of mine, and she gave up on that stuff a long time ago."

Takeru's expression became that of confusion again. "What do you mean?"

Daisuke sighed, "I've no right to tell you that. If you want the story, get it from her. I'm warning you though, it's a touchy subject, and asking her about it definitely won't make her like you more. Anyways, I have to go. Nice talking to ya!" With that, Daisuke left.

Takeru stood, wondering what might have happen, and if what he said was true. He'd seen the two of them together, but was he just trying to get her himself? Oh well, he'll just have to wait and see.

~*Kari's POV*~

I got home, and flopped on the couch. My brother, Taichi, or Tai as most people called him, wasn't home yet. Neither were my parents.

I looked around for the converter. It's a miracle I found it in less that 5 minutes. I sat back down, and flicked on the T.V. As usual, nothing was on except soaps, and news. Boring. I flicked it off. I decided to go on the computer, to see if maybe someone was on.

I sighed, there was no one there. Darn, why is everything so boring? I looked at my bag. Ugh, may as well. I picked it up, and dragged it into my room. I sat at my desk, and started my homework. Still bored, I glanced out the window, and watched the people as they walked by, buzzing in and out of stores. This is the way any student spends there time when it involves school. I noticed some advertisements by the shops, and they only reminded me of my past. It was almost Valentine's day. I went over, and closed the blinds. I couldn't bear to look at them anymore.

Calmer of the Storm: Okay, so how was that? I've put the first two chapters in one, to make it slightly longer. I'm going to add more to the story itself, so ya. I hope it's better than before…if not, then, my efforts are for nothing. PLEASE review and tell me what you think, and no cheating! Don't look back on the old one! (it's not the greatest, either.)