Tora's POV
As far as you were concerned the world didn't exist when you were on the move. Impacting one foot roughly against the pavement and soaring forward skillfully on your skateboard was a personal favorite past time for you. You loved the way your hair was swooshed back and your clothing blew about in the wind rebelliously as you'd gracefully sail down the streets of your neighborhood.
It was a Saturday and you finally had a long break from the confines of the studio and it was months away from any photo shoots or concerts you'd have to perform in, riding your BMX bike and skateboard were definitely some ways to pass the time when you didn't have anything better to do.
You skidded to a stop in front of your house and placed your hands on your hips while breathing in and out swiftly, you allowed the skateboard to roll gently back and forth under your foot as sweat rolled off your skin and moistened your shirt, which you grasped to wipe your forehead off. Little did you know you were being observed closely.
Your POV
You grunted in aggravation and spat out the leaves that had plunged into your mouth as you had taken an unnecessary dive into the bushes lining the street. You reached out with both hands and squinted your eyes to stare hard at the boy across the street.
He didn't look like much, but what you were mainly interested in was the object gliding back and forth gently underneath his firmly planted foot. A BLACK LABEL Top Shelf board, your eyes remained glued to it as the boy let go of his shirt and looked about the neighborhood with an emotionless gaze. That board would fetch a whole lot at the skate shop in town, and you desperately needed that money. You scooted closer and cringed at the way the bush crackled in loud protest at your advancement. You froze completely and scanned the boys home closely. "Easy." You smirked and sat down to get comfortable to await patiently for nightfall, the boys home didn't even have a security system.
Just as you folded your arms across your chest the boy stepped off of his board slowly and stuffed his hands in his pockets, he shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and loped up his driveway and disappeared inside the doorway. Your jaw dropped open in disbelief as the skateboard rolled into the driveway by the pull of gravity and tumbled into the lawn uselessly. "H-He just-" You stuttered while moving forward slowly, you peeked out of the bushes and glared at the boy's house. He'd just left the board there like it was worthless, little did he know how much that model cost. Well, the fool would deserve what you were about to do. You threw your dirtied hood over your face and was thankful for the cover and the way it darkened your face, making it invisible to the world. Stuffing your hands in the pocket of your overlarge hoodie, you'd lifted it out of a trashcan, you advanced forward swiftly, your bare feet pounding lightly on the summer heated road.
Tora's POV
You shut the door to your house and sighed in relief as the air conditioner immediately blasted a refreshing cool air on your overheated form. You made your way into the back of the house to take a shower but you froze immediately, your mind flashed back and you suddenly realized you had left your skateboard out in your front lawn once again. You darted out the doorway and down the porch only to freeze in shock at the sight before you. A much smaller hooded figure was crouched before you and grasping your board, you couldn't see the individual's face but you were certain of their actions. "Hey!" You yelled while advancing quickly to them.
Your POV
You jumped at the sound of the voice and the anger that was evident in the person's shout. You stood up and started forward with the board clutched tightly in your hands. "Give that back!" He was extremely close to you and the only thing you knew to do set your body into motion.
*Haven't done this in a while. If I mess up it's jail for me, probably.* You threw the board on the ground and marveled at the way the well taken care of wheels instantly began gliding, you jumped forward and laughed happily at the way your feet expertly landed on it, you swiftly made your escape. The guy stopped chasing you when he became a small black dot waving angrily at you from the top of the hill.
At first you didn't take the board immediately to the shop, you performed some tricks delightedly along the streets of the city and wished you'd only had the money to have a board as excellent as this.
Your name didn't matter, for you were just a nameless, homeless girl who wandered the streets begging for money or clothing, anything that could be of use to you. You were always donned in an overlarge black hoodie and a dirtied, torn pair of jeans, you didn't have enough money for a decent pair of shoes. You had been reduced to thieving from unfortunate people and pawning their objects off or selling them for money. Even though you deeply regretted doing this to innocent people, it was the only way you knew to survive in the cold hearted city, you always managed to give people a little bit of the money you'd obtained, leaving it in their homes or cars. Which was exactly why you'd never been able to buy all you needed, your conscious and guilty feelings were overbearing. You sighed and finally directed your skateboard down the street towards the skateboard shop you usually made your bargains at.
The man behind the counter swerved around as the bell above the doorway rang obnoxiously when you pushed it open. "Huh, got another board for me?"
"Yeah, I don’t like this one anymore." You emotionlessly replied. "How much money can I get for it?" You inquired while slapping it down on the counter. The enormous man with the dozens of piercings and intimidating tattoos covering his muscled arms leaned forward and turned the board around while squinting through his eyes, then he widened his pupils and his mouth opened slightly.
"You do realize this is a Top Shelf model?" He questioned before opening the cash register, your eyes glistened from under your hoodie.
"Yeah, but I need the money and plus I'm tired of it." You admitted while shrugging your shoulders.
"Whatever you say." He sighed and laid the board with all the others in the back room, probably to work on it before displaying it. "You'll get about one thousand for it." He stated while drawing out the dollar bills, you counted them closely as he slapped them in your hand one by one.
"Thanks." You replied while making a swift escape out of the shop, you were always fearful of discovery when you were giving something away. You fingered the money possessively in your hoodie pocket while sighing and hanging your head. "I hate this." You whispered.
The Next Day
You woke up while sprawled out in an uncomfortable way on a torn mattress in a deserted alleyway. Your stomach grumbled in protest and you cupped your stomach gently while looking about the area for any signs of a trash can. Then you remembered the money you'd made yesterday and you dashed out into the empty streets, searching for the first signs of a cheap fast food restaurant.
Tora's POV
You sighed and sunk further into your couch while staring angrily at the television screen as the morning news continued scrolling reports of happenings in Japan that morning. You propped your feet up nonchalantly and for the hundredth time your mind returned to the thief you had an encounter with yesterday. You made a mental note to seriously struggle to remember not to leave your possessions out in your yard anymore, you'd learned your lesson now. Sighing you decided to let the thief go, you had tons more skateboard anyway, so it didn't matter much. Besides, your thief had impressed you, the way he easily escaped you by skating so gracefully down the street, he seemed professional. You turned off the television and decided to go out boarding again, seeing as you had nothing better to do. As you entered your front yard with a new board in hand, your eyes widened in disbelief.
Your POV
You savored the remaining taste of your last McDonald's fry and munched on it in your mouth before greedily swallowing it down. Without glancing over your shoulder you tossed the fry container over you back and straight into the trash can. You patted your stomach in satisfaction and ignored two gawking boys who had observed your suave move earlier. Suddenly you noticed your surroundings and crossed your arms over your chest while squinting about the area suspiciously, this was the exact place where you had performed your robbery yesterday.
"Returning to the scene of the crime, huh?" You jumped and swiveled around to see a very dissatisfied victim of yours standing on the end of his driveway with a new skateboard in his hands. You gulped and backed away slightly, then turned and dashed through the neighbor's yard. You gasped and jumped out of the way as a very dangerous pit-bull rushed out of his waiting position in his dog house and dashed straight for you. His teeth were bared in defense and it appeared the end of his chain wouldn't run out before he'd reach you. "Get out of the way!" You felt a hand grasp your shirt and you were pulled back and out of the way by the snapping jaws of the dog. "That dog won't hesitate to rip you to bits, dude!" The boy glared at you and you shifted out of his touch while drawing your hood more about your face. "Look, I'm not going to turn you into the police or anything. But, I do want my board back." He held out his hand like he had spotted it in your hand.
"I don't have it." You replied in a voice much deeper than your original, no point in having him recognizing you. "I sold it, alright?" Suddenly he lunged at you and you were toppled on, you blushed deeply, realizing just how good looking this boy really was. He held up his hand and you struggled against him desperately but his hand had already removed your hood. He gawked down at you and you were glad that your face was dirtied enough from years of fighting for survival on the streets that he couldn't see how reddened your face had become.
"You’re a girl!?" He hopped off of you and helped you up, you glared at him as you recovered from your fearful shaking. "A girl can skate that well!?"
"Hey! Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't skate!" You spat and lunged for his skate board, he was so surprised by your move that you were easily able to snatch it. You jumped in midair and landed down on the board and zoomed out gracefully to the middle of the street, thankful for no cars headed your way you pulled off trick after impressive trick. The boy crossed his arms and a smug smile showed on his lips as he watched you zip about the street, smiled happily and screeched to a stop a mere few inches from the boy. "See?"
"What's your name?" He inquired while you kicked up the board and handed it back to him. You paused, no one had ever spent the time to learn your name, your gaze regarded him warily.
"Okimi." You muttered while looking off down the street.
"Okimi? I don't think I've ever known an Okimi." He smiled and bowed to you politely. "My name is Tora." You quirked your eyebrow.
"Dude, I sold your board! Why are you being so nice?" You questioned, but soon you were interrupted by the loud rumble of your stomach. You blushed deeply as Tora jumped and stared down at your hands as they went around your stomach, you'd only had a small carton of fries from McDonald's for lunch.
"Because, I didn't know you could skate so well. Anyways, I've got plenty of boards so it doesn't matter. Hey, you hungry?" Tora inquired, suddenly his hand circled around your wrist and you were being drug to the house before you.
"Uh, yeah, but I'm not going with you! I don't even know you!" You blurted out and tried to escape his strong grasp as you were took up the porch steps.
"So? Don't worry, I'm not some kind of stalker." He rolled his eyes and the refreshing blast of the air conditioner inside coated you calmly. "And it looks like you need a shower." Now that got your attention.
"Can I seriously use your shower!?" You gasped and jogged up to where you stood beside him.
"Sure." He shrugged and you beamed at the idea. You raced forward after he told which way to go.
Tora's POV
She beamed happily and raced forward, the sound of your bathroom door shutting echoed through the house. "Hey, you've got a straightener in here! Could I use it? Oh, and your makeup!? Whoa, what are you doing with makeup!?" Her delighted voice echoed through the bathroom and the sounds of her shuffling through your things sounded off.
"Yeah, hey, let me get you something to wear." You trekked to your room and rummaged through your clothes and decided a pair of your jeans and a shirt that would be much too big on her would do nicely.
"Really!? Do you know how long it's been since I changed!?" You decided not to answer her as you slipped the clothing through the doorway that she cracked open slightly. "Thanks, man!" Soon the sound of water running went off and you averted your direction to the living room.
As you sat on the couch you pondered your motives, why were you helping this girl? First off she'd sold your favorite board, but, you weren't completely heartless. You just couldn't throw this girl out on the streets, it appeared she'd been there long enough. You knew she'd be on your conscious if you just turned her away.
Your POV
You stood directly under the hot water and sighed in relaxation while running your fingers through your now washed hair. Why was this Tora guy helping you? No one had ever had the heart to do that, but whatever his reasons, it made you smile and finally feel wanted.
You took your time with your shower, showering was a luxury for you and whenever you had the chance you would lavish in it's wonderful feeling. As you stepped out you could hear the sounds of the television gently going on in the living room and also slight movement in the kitchen. This reminded you so much of your old life, it took you back to when you used to have a family, and a home.
You were known throughout your entire neighborhood, Okimi, the Tomboy Girl who could skate like a pro. You used to make money off of competitions and was extremely well off with profit, but you were only a high school student at the time. Being a straight A student and even part of the Student Body Council was also on your resume, but your mother couldn't keep up with the bills, and that forced you to drop out of the educational system. From then on you had lived a life of poverty and working three jobs to scrounge for money and food to keep your family alive. Soon your mother decided that keeping you was a mistake and she kicked you out on the streets, and for five years you'd survived on thievery and dirty money. "Well, at least I never went into selling myself or something." You sighed while drying yourself off, you peered at yourself closely in the mirror, you smiled and touched your face in fascination. You didn't recognize the pretty girl in the mirror.
Tora's POV
You watched the noodles in the boiling water closely and leaned out of the kitchen doorway to listen for any sounds of the girls approach. She sure was taking her time in the bathroom, you'd heard the water cut off a few minutes before though.
Thirty minutes later the door open and a delicate tinkle of laughter coursed through the wall. "These clothes make me look even smaller!" You turned your face to the doorway and your jaw dropped open in awe.
She sure did clean up good.
"Is that really you?" You inquired dumbly while peering closer.
"Pft, of course it's me! I am a girl, I can look pretty ya know." She rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the noodles that were steaming gently while nestled in the bowl you'd prepared. "U-Uh, is that for me?" She pointed slightly while looking uncomfortable. You nodded and pulled out a stool for her while setting the bowl on the island in the middle of the kitchen, as she caught the bowl in her hands she dug in swiftly. You raised an eyebrow at her gulping down the food in great amounts while sitting across from her slowly. She looked up at you and finally slowed down, sheepishly she looked down at the table. "Sorry, it's just I don't eat a lot."
"Eh, it's alright." You shrugged and continued to watch her as she finished off the remaining meal.
"Uh, look, thanks."
Your POV
You rubbed the back of your head while reaching into your back pocket, uh, Tora's back pocket. "Look, here's the money from selling your board. I only bought some fries with it anyways." You slid the money over the island and Tora stared down at it in disbelief. "You know, I'm not that evil. I always as much of the money I can from the people I steal from." You shrugged your shoulders while crossing your arms on the table and staring down at the tabletop. "I mean, this is the only way I know how to live." You sadly peered down at the floor while kicking your bare feet back and forth gently. Silence filled the kitchen, you swallowed nervously and started swirling your spoon quietly around the empty bowl as you didn't dare to look up at Tora. Suddenly, just before the continuous ticking of the clock was going to drive you mad, the sound of the money being slid back across the table caught your attention. "W-What?"
"You need this, I don't." Tora explained and you slowly enveloped the money in your fingers, you weren't ashamed to take it all back.
"Are you sure?" Tears brimmed your eyes and Tora appeared taken aback.
"Do you even know who I am?" He inquired while getting up out of his stool, as he took your bowl and placed it into the sink you thought carefully, but his image didn't come up in your mind.
"N-No, I just know your named Tora." Tears streaked down your face as you grasped the money tightly, ashamed of who you were and what you'd finally been reduced to.
"I'm kind of famous, I'm a guitarist of the band Alice Nine." He admitted while standing awkwardly close to you. The name made you perk your head up.
"A-Alice Nine? I don't think I've heard of them." It was possible you'd caught a small part of one of their songs before, but nothing was ringing any bells. You sat there looking down at your hands in embarrassment as they clenched the cash, tears dripped down onto your lap. Suddenly, an unfamiliar warmth covered you gently.
You jumped and began to squirm in fright but a pair of arms tightly gripped onto you protectively. Tora laid his head on yours. "Why did such a sweet girl have everything go so badly for her?" He whispered while soothing you with long strokes of his hand on your hair. You wept quietly while shivering against his form, letting everything out as he willingly held you.
You didn't know how long you cried, but when you pulled away slightly to look up at Tora, your heart pumped swiftly in your chest and a blush coated your cheeks. You couldn't believe how you hadn't noticed how handsome he truly was. Tora blinked emotionlessly for a moment, then slowly, as if he was confused about his own actions, leaned in and pressed his lips to yours. Your mind reeled and you wrapped your arms slowly around his strong form, shyly you pressed your lips back into the kiss against his. His kiss was…..you couldn't describe it, it made your head cloud all together and your eyes mist over with tears. As you pulled away you laughed happily, who knew you would have performed a theft of a supposed celebrity.
You just knew, that this was the way your life would be going now. And it did, Tora would take care of you, and love you forever.
