1 1 - Cloe Ryuzaki

"This would be your new room- Is there anything that you would like, Miss Ryuzaki?" An elderly man, who prefers being called Watari, asked as he motioned for me to enter. "Fruit!" I said as I inserted the phones back into my ears. Ever since I could remember, I've been obsessed with fruit and music. I can't do anything or go anywhere without music, so it's on constant replay. I don't eat anything but fruit. I've been raised by a Priest and his wife for sixteen years, after my mother supposedly left me on the church's porch- wrapped neatly in a blanket. A letter was attached to me, asking them to raise me as their own. My birth certificate were folded within the envelope. Suddenly they sent me to this dump, there's really no denial. The cold hard fact to why they've sent me to 'Watari's orphanage for gifted children'.

I might be extremely intelligent and meticulous- but that doesn't make me gifted. The Priest, whim I was never allowed to call father, always told me that I'm outrageously beautiful and that it's a sin to be fairer than God himself. Guess that's most likely the reason for dumping me here.

I jumped up from the bed swiftly and came to a stand in front of a full length mirror. An illusion stared back at me. She has white-blonde hair, a snow covered field had never seen anything so picturesque. Lips the color of a thousand cherry blossoms shattered across the heavens, which is caught up in her perfect eyes. She is gorgeous beyond words! I never knew, or rather, could understand- how so much fairness could be bound up in one? How does the people see me? Am I, Chloe Ryuzaki, but an illusion?

A single knock at the door shook me back to the here and now. In came another elderly man, holding a bowl of fruit. He put it down on a small round table in the corner and left after I've mildly thanked him. I walked towards the table, all kinds of fruit stared back at me. Like they worshiped me- a divine goddess... I picked a litchi from the bowl, skinned it; and ripped the white juicy flesh away from the pip with my ultra-wide teeth. It had been just enough to make me crave for more- but not another litchi. Instead, a bunch of purple grapes stared back at me, begging me to take a bite. I picked a smaller bunch from the bowl and ate them slowly as I stood in front of the window. I have a miraculous view, over-looking the backyard. In the distance I could see how somebody's swinging a racket on the tennis court. Even from this angle I can say with full recognition and absolute clarity, that the person swinging the racket is male. I could never fully understand it, but there's clearly a difference in their poses. A woman's, from a distance pose, is usually elegant; where a man's is never-minded and disheveled.

A sudden screech echoed throughout the house. The guy, walked home- crouched. "What a weird way to walk?" I thought out loud. The bell Acknowledged the children that dinner's serve. Like the good little girl I was bought up to be, I joined the crowd downstairs. I stood tall in line, waiting for my turn. There's so much to choose from: Desserts (hot and cold), Vegetables (Cooked, boiled and raw), meats and fruits of every size and color. I took my stand in front of the fruit-stand. There was a petite woman, silver breaking through a thick head of auburn hair. "No tomatoes?" I asked annoyingly. "Tomatoes?" The woman questioned confused. "Tomato! A type of fleshy, juicy, slightly acid fruit." I said provocatively. "Don't you get smart with me young lady... I know very well what a tomato is, but I'll suggest you to look at the raw vegetables." Is she an idiot or what? A tomato is a damn fruit. "No! It's supposed to be here- it's a damn berry for crying out loud. It originated in South-Africa in die mid- 1500', but didn't become widely accepted until the early 1800'. Some refers to them as love apples. Have you never heard of that term before, ma'am?" I was indeed making a scene and I could feel how the crowds expressions penetrates through the back of my shirt. "Just forget it!" I spat at her just before I turned around and walked away.

After I slammed the door shut, I buried myself in the softness of my bed. Their expressions boring through my soul... glaring, staring- piteous! Am I ever going to fit in? I know that this is only my first day, but it feels like I've been here longer. I've made an utter fool out of myself. My eyes are leaking. My heart's sudden pain is overwhelming. Sadness is getting the better of me. The heavens heard my silent plea and answered with a boisterous cry. Its dark greyish-black cloak opened up and down came a shower. Painting a perfect picture of my heart's agony. Heaven's tears rolled down my bedroom window. Exile's song 'I want to know what love is,' bubbles through my inner ear. "In my life there's been heartache and pain / I don't know, / If I can face it again..." I sang along, trying to cancel out the heaven's unhappy and gloomy wails.

After a single knock, a boy entered my room. His undoubtedly younger, but even for a kid he has impeccable features. Flawless skin, strong jawline and warm

chocolate-coloured eyes. "I'm sorry for barging in like this. I just thought that you might like these," he said as he put a bowl of tomatoes in front of me on the bed. He has an endearing tone to his voice. "Thank you, but it really..." He interrupted me with a wave of his hand and said, "Let's redo that part- Thank you, I'm (represent me with your name) and you might be?" I gave him a little delightful laugh. "Thank you very much, I'm Chloe Ryuzaki, and whom might you be my dear fellow?" He smiled in appreciation. "It's an honor to make your acquaintance. I'm Mihael Keehl but everybody calls me Mello. What do you prefer being called?" What a strange question? I am Chloe and I've been Chloe since birth, I thought to myself looking up to him in confusion. "I mean, Chloe is a great name; but we're rarely being called by our given names. Mind if I re-baptize you as Angel? You can decide wither or not you want to keep it. I'm sorry its just that you remind me of an Angel," he finished off with yet another apology. "Thank you for the compliment. No, it's fine- I guess." After a while he left me alone to enjoy my bowl of tomatoes and for the first time, ever, I feel truly happy.