Make-up bag, check; deodorant, check; face cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, check; toothpaste—Hey Mr. Grumpy Gills—Clown Fish, check. Wait, what? I looked up from my backpack with a frown wondering where this sound was coming from. When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do? I looked over at my pillow and there was my blackberry blinking. Ugh, if I'm forced to say good bye one more time...

I didn't bother looking at caller ID; I simply clicked the "Accept" button and instantly heard someone crying. The moment I placed my phone to my ear, without saying a word, a voice basically yelled in my ear. "Do you really have to go?!"

With a wince I changed ears and rubbed my other ear that was now ringing. I guess my best friend Jessie will never accept the fact that I have to move, no matter how many times I've had to tell her. "Yes, Jessie. We've been through this, it's what my mom wants and I think it would be good for her."

"But what about you?! Can't you live with your dad?" I heard Jessie pull a tissue out of a tissue box and wipe her nose. She knew better than to actually blow it, no one knows better than her on how much I hate that sound.

"You know I can't do that." Me? Live with my dad and skank of a girlfriend? No thanks, would much rather live closer to my grand-parents in Japan.

Jessie wasn't going to give up on this one. "You can live with me!"

I flopped down on my naked bed with a sigh. I don't know how many times I've been through this with her. There was no way I could back out of this, especially since my flight left in four hours. I pinched the top of my nose and frowned, trying to hold off the tears. "Jessie..."

"Okay, okay..." I got the impression that Jessie was in the same position I was in but on a bed with sheets and a blanket. "This is just... hard. You know?"

"I know."

Silence.

I couldn't handle this silence so I broke it. "So, we're still on for coffee right?"

"Yeah, I'm actually leaving right now to come pick you up."

"Okay, I'll be waiting."

Neither one of us said goodbye. We both knew our conversation was done.

After I threw my phone beside my backpack I remained lying down and covered my eyes with a sigh. I couldn't bring myself to cry, it felt like I've been crying enough these past few months that I just couldn't do it anymore. My tear ducts must be broken... But I guess that's what happens when you accept the fact that this choice is for the best.

"Aly-Jay! Please tell me you're done packing!" I looked over at my open door as my mom yelled from the living room down stairs.

"Yes, Mom! Just checking to make sure I didn't forget anything"

I pushed myself up and walked back to my bag. Good, just enough room to stuff my smaller pillow. Before I grabbed my pillow I walked over to my bathroom to make sure I didn't forget anything. I took one step into the bathroom and had to stop. Seeing the whole room bare was depressing, especially since it made it so obvious that I was moving. I only took one look around before I turned and walked back to my bag. Everything was gone other than our shower curtain. I quickly stuffed my pillow and struggled to close my backpack. After I tried to pick it up I almost dropped it to the floor. Good think I caught it; I didn't want to drop my laptop.

By the time I dropped my bag in the foyer I heard Jessie pull up into our drive way. I quickly put my flats on and grabbed my purse hanging by the front door.

"Don't forget that you need to be back here in two hours for us to make our flight," my mom said as she moved into the kitchen.

I looked at my mother over my shoulder. It was hard to miss how beautiful my mom is. And it was equally hard to miss that my half Japanese heritage came from my mothers side of the family. In fact, my mother and I look so much alike that people couldn't believe that my white father actually contributed to my birth. One of the only differences was that my mom's hair is jet black while mine is a light brown from my fathers side. The other difference was our height. While my mom was a little under the average height I was a whopping 4'8". That has always been something I couldn't get over. Other than that we both had dark brown eyes, hair going down to our waist, and being way tougher than we look.

I let her know I heard and ran out the door. When Jessie saw me walking down the front steps I saw her put down her iPhone. As I crawled into her seat Jessie said, "I was just calling you. Your timing is awesome."

"What can I say? I'm talented"

"You sure are." Jessie flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and pulled out of the driveway. "So where are we off to? Starbucks?"

I gave it a thought. "Hmm, you know what? How about Tim Horton's? I'm sure Japan will have a Starbucks. I've got to have my final true Canadian fix before I have to say bye for good."

Jessie paused for a second to stare at me. "Timmy's it is!"

By the time we got there the place looked crowded. "What the fuck?" I questioned. "Since when has any Tim Horton's in Vancouver been full?"

"I don't know." Jessie had a knowing smile on her face as she stepped out of the car. I frowned at her but didn't question.

"AJ!"

"Jay-Jay!"

"Shorty!"

I barely had time to even step into the coffee place before I got pounced on by at least four people. The impact from my friends was so strong that I was a surprise that we didn't fall to the ground. None of them let go of me right away so when I opened my eyes I realized that I wasn't that far off when it came to falling to the floor. Because I was so much shorter than everyone else they had to bend over to hug me but since it was so awkward I was actually bending over as well. At this position I might as well be laying flat on the floor.

I was kind of amused by that until I realized I couldn't breath. "Um... guys? I love you and everything but I seriously can't breath right now."

All of them apologized as they let go.

"Come on, we already ordered for you." Emily grabbed my wrist and pulled me to our table. "Large coffee, double double, plain bagel and a blueberry muffin... Fatty"

I practically squealed as I jumped into my chair.

Melissa snorted and she took her seat. "Fatty? Have you actually looked Shorty lately? I don't think Aly-Jay and fatty should be in the same sentence unless 'is definitely not' is between the two words."

I rolled my eyes as I took a sip of coffee. "It's only because I-"

"You dance so much. We know." Jessie playfully glared at me as she took a bite out of her bagel.

Actually, it was a little more than that but it's not something I could actually share with them. I gently toyed with the gold bracelets around my wrists. They looked really plain and thin, like bangles, and I had one on each wrist. While they looked fragile I refused to take them off. I needed them to keep my secret safe. While I continued to toy with my bracelets I looked over all my friends. In total there were five of us and we were all crowded around a small table. I loved them all so much but there was no way I could tell them my secret. No one can know...

Tracy pulled her dark brown hair up into a messy bun while she started conversation. "So, seriously, why do you have to leave for Japan now? It's our senior year and school is almost over. Can't you wait until July? I mean, come on. All of us have been friends since the beginning of time." Emily cleared her throat. "Okay, since the beginning of high school. We should all graduate together."

I gave all of them a half smile. "You know I would love to graduate with you guys. But this is something that my mom needs and she really wants me to go with her. Besides, I really think it would be a good idea for my mom. After all that she had to deal with because of my dad... She doesn't deserve to be around all that drama. She needs a fresh start.
"Yeah but Japan?" Jessie might as well have jumped up waving her hands in the air because she was so loud. I shook my head at her with a smile. She could never control her volume.

I shrugged. "Her parents are there. And I think she wants me to experience the culture Japan has to offer before I get too old. Besides, I don't plan on living there for the rest of my life. I can't leave you guys like that. Honestly, I think that would be physically impossible. The world might end or something." We all giggled. "So you guys have to think of this less of a good bye and more like me going on an extended vacation."

"Good-bye or extended vacation, this still sucks." Jessie pouted at me. I couldn't resist petting her head like I would a dog. That lead her to glare at me again.

As the conversation shifted I couldn't help by let my mind drift as I watched everyone. It often amazes me how we're all friends. We are all so different that you'd think we'd clash. There's Emily, the smart "nerdy" one; Melissa, the jokester; Tracy, the "girlie" one that couldn't seem to stay single for very long; and Jessie, the hyper one that—and I quote—"just doesn't give a fuck" on what people think of her. Bless her heart. While our little "group" formed at the beginning of high school. Jessie and I had known each other since we were kids. We grew up together and I know that me leaving would be the hardest on her.

"Wakey, wakey!" Jessie waved her hand in my face.

"There she goes again. Jay-Jay, you really got to work on that whole 'introvert' thing." Tracy smiled and took a bite out of her bagel.

"Sorry," I said, trying to keep a straight face. "I was just thinking on how grateful I was that I'm the normal one out of the group." They all laughed as if I said the funniest joke in the world. "Oh shut up." They laughed even harder. I gave them all a glare before I looked down at my watch. Ah, shit. "Well, I hate to say but I've got to get going. I've got to be at the airport in half an hour." That stopped them all from laughing.

After we all said our tearful good bye I climbed back into Jessie's car. While I knew all of them wanted to see me off at the airport all of them had work or homework.

Jessie and I could only sit in silence when we finally parked in front of my house. We had said goodbye so many times at this point we couldn't say it again, it was too painful. At this point all we did was stare at each other for a second before I gave her a tight hug. After exchanging quiet goodbyes I got out of the car and walked to the house. I didn't hear Jessie drive off until I closed the door behind me.

By the time I put my purse on the hanger my mom had walked into the foyer. "You ready to go?"

I shrugged. "I guess." I went to grab my backpack that was sitting by my two luggage bags.

The grunt that I let out when I pulled my bag over my shoulder was unavoidable. My mother gave me a knowing smile and she gently placed her bag over her shoulder with ease. I gave her a gentle glare. After blowing my side bangs out of my eyes I grabbed both luggage bags and headed to the door.

Just as Mom and I got to the curb our cab pulled up. My mom has good timing… How did she know when to call? Not like it was obvious when I'd be back home… Oh, right… family talent. At that thought I wrapped my hands around my wrist where my gold bangle type bracelets rested.

I was grateful for the bracelets. After the event that almost ruined my normal life I wanted nothing more than to forget. But there were definitely times when I would get restless, when I couldn't stand still and just needed to let out all that energy. And that's why my mom put me in ballet, I needed some kind of distraction that drained part of my energy.

My mother looked down at my hands and looked back at me. She gave me a small smile but I knew it was fake by the hint of guilt in her eyes. I quickly smiled and climbed into the taxi.

By the time we got to the Vancouver airport I was beginning to feel uneasy. This move was actually happening. I had to say goodbye to the Canadian culture and jump head first into a totally different one...

We made our way through the airport with ease and through the check in. Security went by rather quickly and I tuned out the boredom of waiting to board the plane. Before I knew it I was up in the air flying to Japan. Unlike everyone else I actually liked sitting at the window seat. Most people find it too squishy but since I'm so short I don't mind at all. I'm short enough where I can almost curl into a ball and sleep alright, plus I like looking out the window. It makes me feel like I'm actually flying.

When we reached maximum height I decided to watch a few movies. Time flew by a lot faster that way so a few movies later there was an announcement saying that we would be landing soon. I'm going to have to get this whole language thing kicking in. Thank god Mom made sure I grew up around it. But that didn't help the fact that I was never around it all the time and made me worry a little. I didn't want to make a fool out of myself, bad enough that I'm the new kid.

I started to play with the end of my braid that I had put in half way through the flight. The nerves were really starting to kick in, I really have moved to Japan now.

"It's going to be okay, Aly-Jay. It's not like you've never been to Japan before," my mom said in a kind voice. Crap, the language transition has officially started. She placed her hand on my lap in comfort, which I was grateful for.

I offered a meek smile. "Of course it's going to be okay. Besides, I'll get to see more of grand-ma and grand-pa right?"

She gave a small nod with a smile as she unbuckled her seat-belt.

It felt like getting off the plane look longer than getting through security. I needed to walk around, sitting for too long didn't suit with me—no matter how short my legs are. Plus, I really need to take a shower or something. Flying always makes me feel dirty and gross.

As my mom tried to find a cab I took a deep breath and looked around. I felt a sense of comfort being here. Part of this place kind of reminds me of Vancouver, other than the lack of English anyways. Maybe this wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I just have to think of it as a simple every other kind of move. Not a move to a whole new country. That thought didn't stop my need for a bath.

Finally Mom was able to get a cab. During the ride to our new place I just stared out the window. While part of my mind was focused on memorizing the streets so I could get around, the other just enjoyed looking at the city life. By the time we stopped we had arrived in a part of town that was less busy and more... homey. The streets weren't as busy and all the buildings were apartments—with the exception of a couple corner stores. I followed my mother out of the cab and while she paid the driver I grabbed our luggage.

"We're on the fourth floor and my parents confirmed that they made sure all of our stuff is in our apartment." Mom took a deep breath in contentment before she lead the way to our new place.

Thank god I'm stronger than I look, but carrying our luggage up four flights of stairs was definitely hard... very hard. Ugh, Mom and her "character building."

Both Mom and I looked at each other when we arrived at our door. Mom gave a smile while I returned with a smirk. This is it, I'm about to enter my new home. As Mom started to unlock the door it felt like it was going in slow motion.

The door opened to reveal a nice open living room with hard wood floor. In the middle of the room there seemed to be a little table close to floor with pillows all around it. A place for tea I guess. It would've seemed a lot more traditional if it weren't for the fact that there were boxes everywhere.

My mom placed her luggage next to the small table before she turned to me. "I'll show you where your room will be, then I'll let you take a bath." She knows me so well...

I followed her to the right where there was a hall way. My room was the second door to the left, the first being the main bathroom. There was one door to the right, which turned out to be a little closet for towels and blankets.

It was a good side room. There was already a double size bed made up and ready for sleep. It looked like a black captains bed frame but without the storage under the bed. Not like there was enough room for them anyways. Just like the living room, the floors were hard wood with beige paint on the walls—I'll have to remember to paint that later. To the left of the room, close to the door leading to a balcony, was my closet that had some of my clothes that I had sent a couple days ago. It was a walk-in but only enough for two steps, big enough for me I guess. I still have my dresser if I need it.

With that step out of the way I placed my two luggage bags at the end of my bed and took out my laptop and pillow from my backpack. Next were my pointe shoes. I paused a moment and stared at them with a weak smile. I couldn't help but simply be happy just staring at them, they were my passion and my distraction. Whenever I was down I would put them on and dance in the living room. They even reminded me of my mother. Every time I put them on or got ready to go to my ballet class my mother would smile as she watched me. She was happy that I was able to live a life that she couldn't. A normal life, she told me. I placed them on my bed and brought the whole bag with me to the bathroom since I will need almost everything in it. My toiletries and a spare change of clothes.

I had to admit the bathroom was pretty cool. The bathtub was shaped with four corners like a rectangle and directly in front of the door and basically in the floor with a wooden frame around it, there was only half a step up made of the same wood as the frame. The toilet and sink had the same sort of four corners shape to the right a few steps away from the tub. There was even a little door to the left that had such thick glass that I could barely see threw. I thought it was a little closet for towels and such but it turned out to be a little shower. That is awesome.

Another step done, now it's bath time. I let the hot water run as I began to undress and untied my hair. I shook out my hair a bit and looked in the mirror. My hair was now a bit wavy from the braid but other than that I still saw my light brown hair with the side bangs and brown eyes that now had little bags under them. Ugh, bath, now.

I took that first small step and checked the temperature; perfect. When I sat on on the edge of the tub and put my feet in the water I realized just how deep the tub was. It was so deep that there was even a little seat to one side. When I sat down the water was at the bottom of my neck, and there was still plenty of room for more. For the first fifteen minutes I just sat there and let the water help relax me. After that I focused on the whole "cleaning" thing. My bath took even longer because I covered all the basics. I love wasting time sometimes...

Even after I was done with my bath I just sat there for an other five minutes, soaking in the last of my relaxing bath. But, alas, I was starting to turn into a prune so I drained the water and stepped out.

I quickly dried off and started digging through my stuff. There was a tight blank tank top, a blue low V-neck shirt, grey Lulu Lemon pants, and my underwear. Good thing I brought a thong, otherwise my underwear would be totally obvious under my pants. I put it all on and took off the towel that was over my head. I placed both towels on the rack between the shower and the bathtub.

After I brushed my hair and put it in a messy bun I put on some eyeliner and mascara. I grabbed all my stuff and put them in my room. It wasn't until I was checking my phone when I heard my mom talking to someone.

"Mom?" I called as I walked out of my bedroom. I looked to my left and noticed that my mom wasn't in her room. When she obviously wasn't to my left I turned to my right and headed towards the living room. "Mom?"

Just as I stepped into the living room Mom came in from the kitchen holding a box. There were holes on the top and I could have sworn I saw it move a little. I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Since I know you take forever in the bath I decided to go get something for you. A house warming gift, if you will."

We met half way so I could take the box away from my mom. It was a lot lighter than I thought it would be but there was definitely something alive in there. Slowly, with one hand holding the box at the bottom, I pulled the up the top of the box to reveal a small kitten. I instantly smiled. He is so cute with his pure white base coat with four grey spots. On on the top of his head that came down the side of his face—almost like the Phantom of the Opera—one right in the middle of his back, a small one over his bum that left a little room of white before his grey tail.

He looked over my mom first and hissed, but when he looked over at me he only just looked at me in suspicion. His fur never changed but he didn't hiss. I'll take that as a good sign.

"I guess he likes you more than he thanks me," my mom said with a giggle.

"He'll get used to the place, I'm sure," I replied, my smile never fading.

My mom leaned over the box to peer inside again but the kitten only hissed again. "What are you going to name him?"

I thought for a second. "Mizu."

Mom gave me a knowing look. "Japanese for water?"

"Seems fitting," I said with a wink.

"Very true. All of the cat stuff is on balcony. There obviously wasn't enough room to put it in here. Go check."

I looked to the right, and there was a sliding door leading to a balcony—I guess I didn't see it before from all the boxes. Before I went outside I let Chi out of his box. At first he just stood there and looked around then when he seemed alright with his surroundings he went exploring in the direction of my bedroom. When I didn't see him anymore I headed to the door. I didn't step out but I did open the door and stuck my head out. Right in front of me was a litter box with kitty litter already in it. Next to the box was extra litter and food with trays, even some cat toys. I looked to my right and realized that the whole balcony went all along the apartment and ended at my moms room.

"So here is the reason why you stayed away from home for so long, Kasumi."

I quickly looked towards an unfamiliar male voice. I frowned at him, he seemed too young to be friends with my mom and too weird. Who gets a tattoo on their forehead? Especially one that says "Jr".