Open Waters

Chapter One

An Old Face

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A gust of wind sent a curtain of light-brown hair to obscure her vision, turning everything on the outside hazy. Hana sighed and pushed the stray strands off her face, using the hair tie on her wrist to pull her hair back into a neat ponytail.

With no haze of light brown interupting her vision, Hana returned to gazing at the outside. It was so strange, looking at these views again. She never thought she'd come back to Iwatobi, ever.

She had used to live in this town, before her father's job demanded he relocate for work. The whole family had been dragged off. But now, they had returned, and that also meant that she could be going to school again.

Hana felt a flurry of nerves at the prospect of being back amongst people who used to be her friends, but were now nothing more than strangers to her.

How much as this place changed since I left? How have the people changed?

Anxiety clawing inside her, Hana turned away from the view and glanced in the mirror, biting down on her lip as she smoothed down her skirt for the third time in the last five minutes. Huge butterflies attacked the lining of her stomach as she ran through a mental checklist, ensuring she had everything she needed for school.

I'm sure I have everything. I triple-checked last night. Hana blew out heavily and checked the clock above her bed. It was just about time to leave.

Smoothing her skirt down one last time and tucking a strand of hair that had escaped the hold of her ponytail behind her ear, Hana bounded on over to her bed, where her bag was sitting. Hitching it over one shoulder, she hurried out into the kitchen, where her mother and father were seated, enjoying cups of steaming coffee.

"I'm headed for school," she said, a nervous tremor to her voice as she stooped down, quickly embracing them both before she left.

Mae, her mother, squeezed her hand before she left. "Don't be afraid, honey. You have lived here before, you know. It's just a new school."

Hana exhaled and managed a weak smile. "I'll bet no one will remember me if they did know me before, Mum. And I'm still the new girl. Everyone will have changed, you know. I-I know I have."

"Hana, you'll be fine," her dad, Ren, said reassuringly. He was always the calming, reassuring one of the household, compared to the few panic attacks Mae and her daughter sometimes fell prey to.

Hana managed to smile and even laugh lightly before she backed out of the kitchen, waving as she left.

"I'll see you later then, I guess," she said, awkward because of her nerves.

She closed the door to her home and took in a deep breath, hearing it click shut behind her. She turned around and walked down her path and on to the street, where she began her trek to school.

Hana glanced around the village as she walked. Her pace was a little quicker than usual as she tried to burn off her nervous energy. It's strange, she thought, drinking in the sight of the town as she walked by. I've been gone for a few years, and yet little has changed, and I still feel like a complete stranger here.

A car drove past. Hana placed both hands over her skirt to keep it from flying upward. While this had been the place she'd grown up and spent her childhood, Hana had changed since then. She'd grown up, and was "borderlining womanhood," as her mother so plainly put it.

And now as she walked, she saw everything with a different eye. Things weren't just magic and fairy tales anymore. She'd accepted those things didn't exist long ago, and was now facing the much harsher reality. Those harsher experiences had changed her perspective of the world a fair bit.

As she walked, Hana kept sneaking glances off to her left. When she looked in that direction the ocean glared back at her, sunlight bouncing off the dark blue, the surface of the water looking like it was made from the faces of a diamonds. Hana smiled at the sight. The water looked so beautiful and inviting from where she stood, but she'd never swim in it. Never.

Not after that day.

As the thought rose, Hana quickly tried to shove it back into a dark corner of her mind. But it was no use, the emotions, sights, sounds and her thoughts of that day crashed down around her, like a large wave being dumped over her head. The fear. The uncertainty. The cries. The panic. Her shallow breath. The adults around her, holding onto each other as they sobbed.

It had been a large, overwhelming thing for a young girl to take in.

Hana inhaled sharply and walked at a brisker pace, as though she could outrun her turbulent thoughts. But she couldn't; the memories were overtaking her, pulling her into a whirlpool she couldn't escape from.

It's in the past, she told herself firmly as she walked, keeping her eyes averted from the sea to her left. Even if she couldn't see it, she could still hear it; she could hear the waves rolling on the beach, and smell that salty tang of the ocean. In the past. Not now. In the past. Why are you so afraid of a memory?

Hana shook her head. She wouldn't have been able to make it through that event if she hadn't had her good friend by her side. But they'd lost contact long ago, right after she moved. The move had been shortly after the accident. Hana couldn't remember much about it other than the house being emptied, their bags packed and the car loaded. She remembered twisting around in the back seat, pressing her fingers agaisnt the glass and watched the figure of her friend grow smaller and smaller as they drove. The last memory she had of him was his shocked and forlorn expression as he watched his next door neighbour and best friend drive away.

I wonder where he is, she mused, turning a corner on the path. We lost contact soon after I moved. Her eyes widened as a sudden realisation hit her in the face. If he hasn't moved, we might be going to the same school. It was a possibility, but Hana didn't dare to get her hopes up. She didn't fancy feeling crushed early on in the morning.

It was only a ten minute walk to Iwatobi High. The whole way, Hana took in the sight of her town, comparing it from years ago to now.

Before she knew it, Hana was walking through the gates to Iwatobi High. Instantly, she found herself surrounded by people she didn't know, a large building looming over her. The nerves she'd worked off in her walk suddenly returned, her heart throwing itself against her chest. Hana was sure she was shaking slightly, her eyes sweeping every laughing person in the crowd, wondering if anyone looked over at her as she walked past, eyes widening as they might have recognised her.

Hana tried not to show how nervous she was as she walked along, though she tried to shrink into the background. She'd never been too comfortable being thrown into new environments, and this school was huge.

At least she didn't walk around like a lost puppy. Hana had memorised what she needed to do, and headed straight for administration.

The administration was fairly close, and it didn't take long for Hana to reach it. Pushing the door open she stepped inside, met with the familar sight of school administration. She walked up to one of the women behind the large desk, cleared and throat and murmured, "Um, excuse me?"

The woman looked up and, spotting the young girl, smiled. "Good morning. How may I help you?"

Hana tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Uh, I'm Etsumi Hana. I'm new this year, in the second grade."

"Oh!" The woman nodded and reached over, sorting through a few papers. "One moment."

When Hana exited the building, she had several papers in her hand. She scanned them as she walked, quietly reading the words to herself.

"Class one," she murmured. "Okay, homeroom first. Now to find it."

Though the school was large, it was easy to manoeuvre. Hana soon found her homeroom class and scuttled inside. There were only a few people in the room, so Hana took this as to opportunity to choose a desk by the widow and sat down, shrinking back into her chair. She glanced out of the window and sighed.

Slowly, the class filled up, and Hana kept her eyes on the outside. She heard chatter and laughter and the scraping of chairs against the wooden floor, sounds she was used to hearing from her previous school. But somehow, in this new environment, it sounded slightly different as different voices filled the air, and different chairs were dragged along the ground.

And then, all noise ceased. Hana looked forward, and saw a young woman in front of them. It was obvious she was their teacher.

The teacher was all smiles. It wasn't long until all members of the class deduced that she was fairly odd. She was a teacher of classical literature, was all smiles, gentle in nature, and quite girly and quirky in personality. She even added quotes from old text into her speech.

She had introduced herself as Amakata Miho.

A little later, she started the roll call. Hana lazed forward on her desk, her hand cupping her cheek and her elbow holding her head upright. Strands of hair covered her face, a curtain of security for her.

A few names were read, and Hana vaguely recognised a small number of them. However, she didn't really pay attention to any of the names until she heard her own being called out.

"Etsumi Hana."

Hana looked up slightly, peeking through the strands of her fringe. "Hai," she called back. She spoke softly, trying not to attract any more attention to herself than necessary, staring straight ahead and not paying attention to anyone who cast a glance her way.

She'd already received a few stares as the new girl, and didn't want that attention to increase.

"Tachibana Makoto," the teacher called next.

Hana didn't let this name go. No, she heard it as clearly as she had her first name. She instantly reacted to it by freezing as though dumped dressed in summer clothing into the Artic, and then nearly collapsed out of shock.

Makoto? Did she say... Makoto? Tachibana Makoto? No, she couldn't have... Makoto?

Hana's eyes widened and she glanced around the class, trying to pinpoint the boy wit he all-to familiar name. Surely not. Surely I misheard. I knew it was a possibility, but I never thought it could possibly become reality...

Though it appeared Hana's ears hadn't as she heard a voice reply, "Hai." His voice. Even his voice sounded familiar.

And, when Hana located his face, she gasped. He was staring at her, and she stared at him. That's definitely him, she thought, dizzy with shock.

Makoto, her childhood friend.

She hadn't spoken to him since she left.

The roll finished soon after. Hana would have gotten out of her chair to to talk to him, embrace him, to greet her childhood friend, but then it was announced they had to go to opening assembly.

Makoto had already been swallowed up by the sea of students headed for the assembly. With a sigh, Hana put her hands in her pockets, and joined everyone else in the back of the line, telling herself she'd speak to her friend later.

* *

Once opening assembly was over, Hana pushed her way through the crowd. Her small size made it a little difficult, but she kept her eyes on one face that stood out from all others in the sea of students. She'd been itching to speak to him throughout the whole assembly, but they had been seated so far apart the little endeavour proved to be impossible.

"Mako!" she cried as she neared. She yelled loudly, hoping he'd hear her. "Mako! Makoto!"

Finally, he heard her. He turned to face the direction her voice had come from. "Hana?" he called back, smiling. He pushed his way through the crowd and soon they stood in front of each other.

There was a pause, and then Hana jumped at him, wrapping her arms around him. Makoto laughed and returned the gesture.

"I didn't know you were back in the area," he said through his laughter.

Hana chuckled. "I got here three days ago, and have been busy unpacking and all that." She shrugged her shoulders lightly and stepped back.

He raised an eyebrow. "You could have dropped by," he pointed out plainly with lazy smile. "Knocked on the door. One of my family would have answered, and you would have received your answer."

Hana flushed a deep tomato red. Like always, he could pinpoint when she was bluffing, and making excuses. "I-I wasn't sure if you were still here!" she tried protesting, but knew that next to his point, it was a weak argument. Plus, she had tripped over her words.

"You would have found out," he repeated, grinning.

He's got me cornered here. I can't back out of admitting the truth, no matter how hard I might try. Hana desperately tried to find a few escape routes, a quirky retort, but she gave up, blushed an even deeper red, and looked down. "I was nervous," she admitted sheepishly.

"Nervous?" He laughed, as though he found the thought ridiculous. Which, it sort of was, Hana reflected ruefully. "About what?"

She shrugged, hands in her pockets. She kicked out at the ground, trying to appear as casual as possible when in reality, she felt ready to did of embarrassment. "I don't know. But moving back here... it's been weird. I just, wasn't sure. If you'd changed do much, I wouldn't recognise you."

Makoto stared at her for a minute, then shook his head, light brown hair flopping around his face. "Hana, you haven't changed one bit."

"Neither have you." She grinned and poked him lightly in the stomach. "You still swimming, then?" Hana recalled how much her friend had adored swimming, how he would go to the pool so he could swim. Hana would sometimes join him, but she'd only swim in the shallow end as Makoto practiced, both of them under the close eye of their parents.

Makoto nodded, and he smiled. "Yes. Not during winter though, and not competitively either, not since Haru quit competitive swimming. And," he said with a sigh, "our swimming club shut down."

Despite her initial surprise over the news that Makoto had joined a swimming club after she left, the one name that was spoken stuck in head. "Haru?" Hana repeated, tilting her head to the side. She scrunched her eyebrows together. The name struck a dull chord in the back of her mind.

"You met him a few times. But he was mostly swimming." Makoto smiled, a little indulgently. "He too hasn't changed since then." He glanced around the assembly grounds and sighed. "And, he's not here today."

"Is he sick?" Hana asked instantly, concern sprouting through her body. She didn't really know Haru, but knowing people were in distress always sent a horrible chill down her body. After that day, anyone who was hurt received all her concern and compassion, as she didn't want them to experience anything nearly as terrible as what she'd gone through.

Makoto shook his head no. "Not likely. He's most likely in the water."

Hana was confused. "But, you said you didn't swim when it was too cold," she pointed out, chewing her lip as she contemplated this contradiction.

At this, Makoto laughed. "When's it's too cold to swim, he just soaks in the bath."

Hana groaned, closing her eyes and placing her head in her hands. "Wow," she drawled. "Soaks in the bath just to be in water? It's a bit small for swimming."

"Well, Haru just wants to feel the water. He's not fussed with times or competitions."

"Oh. I see." Hana nodded, and a distant silence fell between them.

"Hey," Makoto said, breaking the silence. Hana glanced up at him, tucking a sheet of hair behind her warm clearing her vision. "Do you want to eat? There's a great place on the roof Haru and I eat every lunch."

Hana smiled. "That sounds great."

* *

Not long after, the two stood on the roof of the school. Hana smiled, her elbows resting on the ledge as she leaned forward, the wind gently playing with her hair. The view was stunning, and Hana smiled as she ate and talked with Makoto.

It was amazing. They'd barely reunited for ten minutes, yet they'd already easily slipped back into their old friendship. If possible, they were getting along better than they were as kids.

Hana wondered how Haru was. She vaguely remembered him, for they hadn't met often, and his name stuck in her mind as she tried to remember more about him, of this person in her past.

She was virtually unsuccessful, but two things did stick out in her mind: one was how he loved the water, and the second was how mature he had been for his age.

"This place is great," she whispered, a content sigh mixed in with her words. "I'm sorry I ever moved away from here."

"It was hard to see my neighbour go," Makoto said lightly, smiling. Hana chuckled, her gaze fixated on the horizon. From up here, she could see the ocean glaring back at her, it's smooth surface masking the storm that lay beneath the gentle waves.

Images of that day rose again, and Hana went to push them away. But, she thought, looking a little over at Makoto, he had been there as well.

"So, how are you holding up?" she asked. "Y'know... after that day?"

There was a pause. The atmosphere changed, cheerful to solemn. This was a topic Hana knew she tried to avoid, and she was sure Mako tried to avoid it as much as possible as well.

"Fine," he replied. "Still fearful of the ocean, but I've recovered. Mostly." He looked over at her. "But I should be the one to ask you that. You went through more than me that day. And then you moved so soon after and we lost contact." He paused. "We were all worried about you. So, are you holding up okay, Hana?"

Hana felt her heart clench at his words. She squeezed her eyes shut, memories once again flashing through her head. Cold as sharp as knives. Heart-pounding fear. Shortness of breath. Panic.

Hana shook her head, trying to shake the memories off. She stayed with her eyes closed for a long time, recompomsing herself as she realised that she was beginning to panic. Once she felt herself calm down, she slowly reopened her eyes.

"I don't swim," was all she said, and it was enough for Makoto to understand.

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so i know i said i'd only post the teaser but meh, this was just far too tempting to write ((because i love free! way too much))! sorry if there are any mistakes, i'm heading out soon so it's a very rushed edit.

so Hana's arrived at Iwatobi and met Makoto again! they've fallen back into their old friendship quite nicely, despite the fact it's been years since they last saw each other. what do you think is going to happen next chapter? i'd love to hear your thoughts!