New Girl

Can your life change forever from something as simple as a smile?

I fear human beings. From my beginnings on this earth they have filled my nightmares; When they smile you see behind the pleasantry their barred teeth, when filled with laughter their faces contort, and in a rage you know true fear. In the classroom I was shy, at home I was quiet, and on shrine visits solemn. The perfect child in the eyes of many it was not due to my respect that I was quiet, but my fear of seeing the faces of the humans before me bear any more than still expressions. It was not uncommon for me to go through the day without having uttered a word; I did as asked wordlessly, I nodded in affirmation, and finished the task in a timely manner. Thus was my cycle of life and well into high-school I was known to have few hobbies, friends, or interests whatsoever.

On the edge of town overlooking the ocean I lived in an apartment rented out by my father, bright cherry blossoms fell over the street in front of the landing as I locked the door behind me assuming a brisk pace for my morning commute. The nearer I was to campus the heavier the fog I trudged through, my mind a mess of fear, of what was to be and what twisted expressions I would bear witness to that day. The halls awash with the “rose-color” of youth, the laughter of demonic sloth and apathy, I found the regular seat at the regular time. Seated on the cusp of a society that brought me nothing but disgust homeroom began.

Breathing heavily at the extraneous effort the wizened teacher already familiar to me squeezed a few high pitched words from underneath his thick beard before gesturing towards the door, “With us beginning today I would like to introduce Himura Maika, a transfer student from the east.” Hobbling quickly to the side of the room with clear anxiety a mass of onyx hair slid through the door frame. Occupied in philosophical doldrums I shot a quick gaze to survey the situation, not for any particular reason did I do this, it was simply an impulsive means of threat assessment, but that which graced my eyes was an expression of the kind I had never seen. A true smile, not hiding fangs or malcontent, plastered on the porcelain of her cheeks it beamed at the world with a sincerity I had never seen. Thrown into shock from what lay before my eyes, an unfamiliar feeling rose in my chest, like an autumn monsoon; and unlike me as it was I made a wish, to see that smile again.