The Docks High School

Chapter 1: 14 Years From Now.
It was a week since 14-year old Maria saw her mother being brutally murdered right in front of her in 1995.

She still attended school despite teachers telling her she needed to take leave to cope with her mother’s loss.

She walked through the halls, her bobcut was longer, around shoulder length, she wore a red hoodie, a black jacket, blue jeans and sneakers, her backpack was with her.

They noted she became more cynical, more protective of her belongings and was more violent, all indications of grief.

The teachers felt sorry for her, students, on the other hand, were not aside from Joseph, who stayed with me.

”Maria!” Joseph said, running from his group of friends.

Maria didn’t respond, she walked past him without batting an eye, she got out her JoJo Volume 26-28 aswell as Volume 44, the latest volume, the lesser still in good condition, her uncle, even after his sister died still gave Maria volumes of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.

One of Joseph’s friends, a boy called Jackson looked at Maria as she walked silently into Maths class.

”Maria, why are you still here?, Please take a day off!” The Maths teacher, Mrs Kettle said to her.

She didn’t reply.

The teachers repeatedly told the Japanese-American girl to take several days off to cope, but she refused, It was like she was catatonic.

She didn’t even respond to him anymore as if she accepted the fact her mother told his not to come over again.

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Maria gave her maths sheet to Mrs. Kettle.

”Thank you, Maria, you can sit down now.” She said.

Maria bowed and sat down, she sat down back on her desk, then she began grading student’s work, Maria read her manga while she waited, it was long but worth it.

Mrs. Kettle handed out sheets back to students while Maria was focusing intently on her book.

”Maria, Here’s your sheet, You got an A+, I’ll see you after class to discuss with you.” She said.

“Are you fucking kidding me?! That Jap girl got a A+?!” Josephine yelled in disbelief.

Josephine only got a B+.

Josephine got in trouble with teachers alot, her grades were slipping thanks to her poor behavior, constantly skipping school and bullying.

”You’re doing that because you feel sorry for that Jap girl!” She cried.

“Josephine, Maria did very well on her maths test, I am not giving her it out of pity, She deserves it because she done very well.” Mrs. Kettle replied back.

Several minutes later, class was dismissed and Mrs. Kettle spoke with Maria in the class.

”I’m I in trouble?” Maria asked, speaking her first sentence in a day.

”No, Maria, How are you feeling?” Mrs. Kettle asked.

“紛失と混乱 (Lost and confused)” She spoke.

Mrs. Kettle didn’t understand Japanese too well, but could tell by the girl’s voice she was suffering.

”My mom is dead, and it’s all thanks to Josephine’s stupid father wanting to force his views on everything and everyone.” She said.

”Can I see your books?” Mrs. Kettle asked.

Maria showed Mrs. Kettle her manga.

”They’re all in Japanese, my uncle got these for me.” Maria said.

Chapter 2: Recess.
Maria was at recess, she sat behind the wall, far away from other students and everyone.

She saw female students laughing and talking about the latest fashion and boys playing basketball.

A teacher went over to Maria while she was looking over ahead.

”Hey, You can’t be here.” He said to her.

”What’s the deal?, It’s not like everyone gives a shit about me anyway.” She said.

The teacher looked at her, then she turned her face.

”No one gives a shit about poor little Japanese bitch who lost her mom thanks to Josephine’s father, I don’t want to see anyone’s face.” She said.

The teacher went off, knowing that it was best to leave Maria alone.