'Blue Tattoo' Chapter 1

Life is supposed to be simple, or at least that's just the way it has been summed up to be. You are born on this earth to live then die; there aren't many alternatives. The only thing that marks that you even existed are the people and things you bumped into along the road; the little people that have happened to look your way. But what if you only beckoned one soul? Would that one being be enough to be remembered by? Would it matter enough if that person climbed the tallest white-cap and bellowed, "LOOK, LOOK! We were here!!", or would it be just right, that that person admired you enough to even shout at all? Life is supposed to be simple, but it's not.
Bobbing on a flimsy little wooden boat seems to  get annoying after a while, but who am I to complain? I've only been on the sea for about a day and already I am sick of looking at it. Besides  puking my brains out into the ocean, being sunburnt on sixty five percent of my body, and having to listen to Sophie ramble on about the "wonders" of the new world he are headed too, I'm starting to rethink my decision. Maybe I should have just stayed at home with Dad. My name is Holland Ryncloth, age 20, and I'm on a boat in the middle of nowhere.
"Come on Holly! Aren't you excited about this? I mean, it's not often that two people from the same school get to transfer to the most prestigious school in all of Jo' Dea! Oh my gosh, there it is!" Sophie exclaims, pointing out the approaching island.
"I told you not to call me that!" I yell at her, before turning to see the island.
Kobalt Island, Truly a place for sun, sand, and surf for beach bums who have to have their daily dose of tan. However, we won't have time for the pleasures of the tropics. We have been sent to this place to attend "Cerulean Academy". A school full of stuck up, money spending, ass wipes who have been fed by a silver spoon their entire lives. I hate it. But it is either this or extra lessons over the summer back at my home town. I'd rather have the sun and the beach, than the bustling streets of downtown.
I hate new places, I hate meeting new people, and I hate most people in general. The only person I really talk to is Sophie. Thank god she is coming with me. I don't think I would be able to survive the other student's "I am more Holy than thou" attitude if she wasn't. Sophie has always been there, now that I think about it. It would be weird in our old school if one of us was seen without the other. Then again we were the "nerds" in school; however that didn't stop us from being athletic as well. She was a track star and I was the Founder of the martial arts club. The constant workout kept her in tip-top shape. From blue jean booty shorts that looked like she was poured into, to her long brown hair, to her ruby red lips, she was a total knock out for any man. But I had not once seen her date. I never understood why she turned down so many good looking guys.
In all modesty, I wasn't that bad looking either. The constant demand of challenging footwork and handwork kept my legs strong and my reflexes tight. I wasn't as lucky in the popularity category though. Having both brain and brawn rubbed a lot of the guys the wrong way, but I was ok with it. The other kids hated me in middle school too, but I never let it get me down…that bad. Mostly because I didn't really care.
Focusing on the island again, I remember how we first decided to come here. After graduation, the principle recommended us to a paradise of higher learning. "Kobalt Academy" a wonderland of both study and adventure; soak your feet in the deep blue while you study Bimolecular Diffusiffities. The Principle made it sound like this magical world of sun and sand, without a care in the world, at least until your next class starts. He also mentioned that our expenses would be paid in full, and that we would whisked away on a private ship to a beautiful hotel on the edge of the beach. However, we are currently on a rickety wooden boat, and somehow our reservations got mixed up and we have to find a new hotel to stay in until it is settled.
"Come on Holland. I know that we have had some set-backs, but really?! This is a paradise! Try to get in a better mood." Sophie says, nudging me with her foot.
"I'm never in a good mood." I grunt.
As we step up off the boat, I can see that Sophie was right. The water is so serene and blue that you can see right down to the bottom of the sandbar, and the sand is so white and bright that it stings my eyes to look at it directly. Palm trees are abound in the area and seagulls can be seen in both the air, and perched on the boardwalk. But the thing that catches me off guard is the bronze dude in the dark green bathing suit running toward me, flailing his arms like a monkey.
"HEY! You must be the new transfer students! The name's Saru Mitskuni, nice to meet ya!" he exclaims as he thrusts his arm out for a handshake. On further examination, I can see how white I am in contrast to his gold skin, and I make a mental note to visit the local tanning salons once we settle in.
"Yes, my name is Sophie Roma, and this is Holland Ryncloth." Sophie stands in.
"Killer. Let me show you to your room, it's not far." Saru says, beaming a huge goofy grin.
Before I know it, I am standing in front of a tiny beach house on the far edge of the beach, covered in reeds. The outside having spray painted words spread out all over the sides, the roof having been cracked in multiple places, and the bland pastel coloring of the front door really paints a message of "Welcome". Taking a giant key from Saru, I slowly turn the door and walk into a nightmare. Not only is the outside horrible, the inside is unbelievable. In the middle of the room is a small wooden table in front of a puke green couch that looks like it was woven by natives. I can see that the previous owner really went all out on its furnishings. Four white walls act as a cage to house only a few wall paintings, mostly of shells or the ocean, and in the far corner is a tiny kitchen small enough to accommodate a small person. Walking in I see a long narrow hallway on my right with a tiny bathroom at the end, and on the left an extra bedroom. I can't yet see what is inside, but from the ugliness so far, I can predict it is equally as depressing.

"This is where we are staying? What happened to finding a hotel?!" I ask, looking back at Saru for an answer, begging him to tell me this is all just a joke set up by the welcome wagon.
"We don't have the money to afford a hotel, and besides, class starts in half an hour." Sophie explains.
That's right; our new life begins in only thirty minutes. Frankly, I don't want to go. Everything up to this point has been a colossal drag. The last thing I want to do is attend a boring lecture on some science I already know most of. On top of that, I'm not looking forward to all the new people that will be clamoring over us "country folk". I groan as Sophie picks me up by my collar and thrusts my books and school uniform in my face; A sea blue button up shirt with a white undershirt, and a pair of tan dress pants. Geez, not even our old school made us wear horrible uniforms like this. Good thing that the school is not that far from this hell-hole, as the humidity is already getting to me. Back home we are used to the heat of summer, but being close to the ocean is a completely new thing and I guess the environmental change was not something I considered. What really makes a positive impression on me is the scenery itself. I've never seen flowers this vibrant, sand this white, or even birds this colorful. I'm glad that the three of us are the only ones walking down this path. Otherwise I would have looked like a country bumpkin, staring, mouth agape, at new setting.
"Here we are. Welcome to Cerulean Academy!" Saru exclaims at the marvel before us.
The campus is huge, if not, overwhelming. It's like stepping into a brand new world. Tall buildings made of shiny metal and glass surround a giant, park-like, grassy ground area. It's like we are standing in the middle of a giant cereal bowl full of palm trees and cement walkways. But what catches my eye is the giant water fountain, smack dab in the middle of the campus. Sculptures of cherubs carrying tiny harps encircle a stone man dressed in a suit, holding a book to his chest. It must be the founder of the school.
"So where are you guys headed?" Saru asks in pure curiosity, placing both of his hands in his pockets. His casualness around these tightly dressed individuals can't help but be admired. He lets his tie hang loose from his neck and his shirt is unbuttoned, revealing the white under shirt and a silver necklace with a ring hanging from his neck. It's good to see that there is at least one normal person in this stuffy school. Sophie is the first back to reality, looking down at her schedule.
" Um…Dr. Winters in Industrial Complex 4-A?" Sophie states, almost asking.
"No way! That's my class too!" Saru jumps up and down like an excited kid at a toy store.
"Well, then let's kick it. We're gonna be late if we don't hurry." Sophie answers.
"Whatever." I respond, turning to the direction Saru is pointing. Before I know it, I've bumped into a wall and fallen on my ass. Rubbing my nose, I look up and notice it is not a wall, but in fact a giant.
"Watch where you're going lightweight, you trying to start something?" the man blurts out.
Standing before me is a student of impressive stature. My eyes lock onto a chain that runs from his ear-ring down to his lower lip. Clearly this is not a model student, nor have I bumped into a possible friendly character. The look on his face is contorted into a scowl that would make even a bulldog whimper, and his spikey green hair and eyes make a statement that he is not trying to win the approval of any instructors. He stands with a slouch, hands in his pockets, and looks down at me with a snarl.
"You know it's pretty rude bumping into people like that. Not watching where you're walking kid? You blind or something you piece of shit? You must not know who I am." He says softly, but menacingly. He takes a step closer to me, and by that time I'm on my feet dusting myself off. He's not alone either. Behind him I see two equally slack jawed thugs that must be his "homies". One has a snake bite studs in his lower lip, with his black hair slicked back, and the other has an outrageous pink Mohawk that begs for attention.
"You're looking at the man who rules this school, that steps with a stride that makes students cringe, that makes you wish you ain't never bumped into me bitch." He says, leaning back with his hands in his pockets.
"Boys, tell this fool who I am." He scoffs.
"Man this is Koga "The Rumble" Kegami, and he's gonna straight up murder yo' ass now!" the thug with the Mohawk spits, flailing his hands in the air.
"Koga come on. It was an accident. They're new. Just let it go." Saru tries to explain in a hushed voice; trying to secretly apologize for us.
"Ah yeah, the new transfers from across the sea. You must think your tough shit running into the strongest, most badass boss on the first day. You got a death wish dumbass?" Koga asks with a scrunched up face, getting up in my face so close I can smell the rancid morning breath in his throat.
"But I might let it slide if you get down and show your respect to your upperclassmen. How about you kiss the bottom of my shoes, bitch." He commands, laughing out loud to his buddies. Chuckling back and forth between them, clearly enjoying this altercation.
"No Koga, come on. Class is about to start. We don't really need to start something like this out here. How about I give you some money for the vendor and we just forget this happened, huh? They're from the country, they're stupid and don't know how strong you are." Saru says, trying to end the situation calmly. I'll have to get back at him later for the "stupid" comment, but I know he is just trying to end things.
"Mother focka, what did you just say no to me? Who the fuck are you? Think you're some kind of hero in this? Sit yourself down before I bust your head!" Koga yells out before bringing back his fist to throw a punch. I don't even mean to, but my arm comes up to block the punch for Saru and counter, and suddenly Koga is on the ground. I stare at him, wide eyed at what I have just done, knowing I have just made the situation ten times worse.
"Holland!" Sophie blurts out, placing her hands over her mouth in a surprised fashion.
"You're a frickin dead man." Koga says bluntly before standing up, face full of rage. The fight is about to go down just before a voice rises over the action.
"Students!" a thunderous voice booms out.
A man with snowy  white hair stands there with his hands behind his back, walking toward with a casual stride. The fluffy white mustache almost makes him look like a walrus, with his wrinkled brow and white sideburns that hook down all the way to his beard and up the other side. He stands with perfect posture and looks at us, not with anger, but expectation, almost wanting us to throw fists; waiting for us to give him an excuse to reprimand us.
"It would be a shame if our students were to miss their first day of class. If some proper authority were to be called upon to see the students skipping class for such shenanigans, said authority might also be inclined to expel them right on the spot." He says with a seemingly innocent smile and such confidence that would leave a lion uncertain.
"Y-Yes Mr. Alburo. Right away." Koga says through gritted teeth, motioning for his boys to follow, but not before whispering out to me.
"I'm not done with you yet "Boonie"." He says to me, under his breath. "Boonie"? Is that supposed to be some sort of insult? It doesn't really matter to me at the moment, as the Principle's hidden rage emanates behind the smooth smile on his face. Great way to start the semester off; I've already got an enemy.