Persona: New Awakening

Before really stepping out of the classroom, she saw her teacher sighing lowly and shaking her head from the corner of her eye. Turning to see what seemed so disappointing to her, she noticed Haruka still fast asleep. Why did she even come to school today? Frowning a bit, she waved her hand at her teacher and told her she'd take care of Haruka. Their teacher nodded his head and walked out of the classroom. Terri quietly made her way towards Haruka and placed her schoolbag on top of one of the empty desks, placing her hand on the girl's back. "Haruka, wake up," she said, shaking the girl gentle enough to not startle her.

 

Sakura nodded and reached the room she needed to go to. She set her bag down and lifted her shirt, sighing. "I'm ready, doctor." She sat down and got ready for the process.

 

Hattori sat down next to her and waited. He didn't notice he gently gripped her hand as he watched the ultrasound machine.

 

Haruka's eyes opened as she stifled a yawn.
She slowly looked up at Terri and smiled.
"Good morning..."
She then looked at the clock and noticed the actual time.
"...Oh."
She gave a sheepish grin and scratched the back of her head as she looked up at the girl who had just woken her. "...My bad."

 

Terri smiled faintly and stepped away from Haruka so she could get up. "I don't blame you for feeling so tired." She reached back for her schoolbag and looked around the classroom to see nobody else around. "If you were so tired, why'd you come to school?"

Leila kept her eyes low as she walked slowly towards the monorail, groaning lowly from the pain on her shoulder. I should have seen that stupid Shadow coming. I wonder why Lucia couldn't sense her. Her lips pressed tightly together as she raised her head, sighing out quietly as she looked up at the sky. "At least the group was able to defeat. Then again...Holden was the one that destroyed it." A faint smile crossed her lips as the thought of Holden saving her the night before crossed her mind. I didn't think of all people he'd be the one showing up. Suddenly hearing footsteps behind her, Leila's train of thought was cut off as she turned to look who was behind her. One of the local thugs had his hands in his pockets, keeping his head down low as he kept a distance away from Leila. Her eyebrow perked as she suddenly felt nervous, turning her head back ahead of her. Please don't let it be that he's following.

 

Haruka also stood and grabbed her bag.
"I dunno... I guess... I just feel some sort of attachment to this place..."
She said a little weirdly..
"It'd feel weird not to come... and I feel like... well, I might miss something important...
and I can't afford to do that."
She spoke a bit quieter so they wouldn't be overheard.
"Especially now I know that other school mates are involved in weird stuff too."

 

Terri raised her eyebrows and looked away, placing the strap of her bag over her shoulders. I guess she's been aware of the Dark Hour for quite some time now. Taking a step back, she returned her attention to Haruka and smiled. "Why don't we head back to the dorm together? Or did you have to go back to your place?"

Leila's eyes narrowed as she picked up her pace, hearing the person's footsteps pick up as well. Crap. Trying not to show she was afraid, she kept her attention ahead of her as she chewed on her lip, feeling her heart racing. This isn't good. I wish I was closer to the dorms. She looked over her shoulder, seeing the thug not too far away. Cursing under her breath, Leila quickly made a turn and prepared herself to run, but she gasped loudly seeing several thugs surround her.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Leila took a step back and quickly turned around to run, however she saw more thugs behind her. She suddenly felt her hair be pulled, causing her to fall to the ground. She let out a yelp and whimpered as the ache on her shoulder got worse. Damn it. A knife was suddenly placed close to her neck while a hand covered her mouth. She felt two other thugs grab her wrists and pin her down on the ground. She let out a helpless whimper and struggled for a moment, but felt the blade of the knife closer to her neck.

"Hold her still. I want to take my time with her."

Leila heard several snickers coming from the thugs, causing her to only whimper more. She closed her eyes tightly and felt several tears stream down from the side of her face. Someone help me...

 

Sakura looked at the mentior, and gripped Hattori's hand. She sighed and looked away from the image, Sakura's nervousness was showing through her slight shaking.

 

Isaac put the book he was reading back to where he found it. He left the library and made his way out, Well, I guess I should go to the hospital, my appointment is in half an hour from now... He left the school grounds and made his way to the hospital.

 

Haruka grinned,
"Nah, I can come to the dorm with you."
She stretched for a few seconds, enjoying the feeling of some of her joints giving satisfying clicks.
"It's funner to walk home with someone else anyway."
...
I had a weird dream didn't I?..
Oh well... it was just a dream... stupid thugs...

 

"It'll be ok, Sakura. I'm right here for you." Hattori said, placing his other hand on her shoulder in an attempt to calm her.

 

Terri slowly made her way towards the door and waited for Haruka to follow. "I know what you mean. I usually head back to the dorm on my own." She looked out into the hallway and heard the small chatter of the students, hearing some talk about how they want it to be summer vacation already. That's right. Summer vacation is in about another month or so.

Leila gasped loudly when she saw the pencil hit the man's throat before seeing the rest of the thugs turn their attention towards Holden. She slowly sat up and watched as some of the men pulled out knives. She opened her mouth to speak but quickly felt her hair being pulled once more, causing her to fall back. "H-Holden..."

"You're going to pay for that," one thug called out, charging forward with a pocket knife in his hand. Another thug pulled out a pistol from his waist band. Leila, who had quickly seen it, kicked her leg, hitting the man's hand, knocking the gun away from his grip. She reached back and dug her nails into the other thug's arm that was pulling her hair, making him let go.

 

Haruka followed after Terri.
"Have you lived at the dorm for long?"
Suddenly she realised something. They were classmates, but they had never truly spoken properly before. Sure they new each other as acquaintances, but perhaps a proper introduction now was in order.
"Oh um, by the way.
The names Haruka, nice to meet'cha." she said happily.

 

"Um..." Terri scratched her head as she walked out of the school building, tilting her head a little. "I kind of have. I guess I've staying at the dorm for probably a few months." A small smile crossed her lips and nodded her head at Haruka's greeting. "My name's Terri. It's nice to meet you too." Passing by the school gates, she looked around, seeing the sun was already setting. We should head to the dorm soon. "So, how has the school year been for you?"

One thug winced as soon as the knife made contact with his cheek, causing him to stumble to the ground in thinking it'd hit his head. The rest simply ran away, cursing loudly at Holden. "You're going to pay for this, punk!" The one that was on the groan, whimpered quietly before standing up and taking off to follow his friends. Leila's eyes grew wide as she watched the gang just run off, gasping quietly before lowering her head slightly, feeling several tears run down her cheeks. She raised her hand and covered her mouth as she slowly turned towards Holden, hiccuping slightly from crying. "Y-You saved me..."

 

Haruka continued to walk with Terri, just enjoying the conversation.
"I guess it's been alright.
I can't complain.
Although everyone looks at me like I'm some sort of strange celebrity... I'd be flattered if it was about my looks, but no.." She sighed.
"I swear, it's like I have some huge sign over my head." she added, presuming that Terri would know what she was referring to. After all, a lot of the school, especially her class mates knew about it.
"It just makes it hard to make some friends normally... ya know?"