Chapter Two:
Garrison felt the need to jump out of the car, but he knew they were going too fast for him to. Bitterly, he sat up and buckled himself.
“You like to couture people, Kiko?” Garrison asked in annoyance.
“Kun!” Kiko bellowed, casting Garrison a glare. “Add -kun at the end, baka!”
“Shut up, idiot!” Garrison roared back, finally loosing his temper.
“You shut up, baka!”
“Whatever.” Garrison sunk into his seat and folded his arms. “What do you want anyway?”
“To have fun, Garrison-kun.” Kiko smiled and Garrison was surprised to find that no devious intent was inside of that smile. It was pure and lovely.
He sat up a little. “Kiko…kun…uh, why do you say “kun” at the end of my name?”
“It identifies that you’re not that close to me.” Kiko stated. “But that we’re equals. San is formal for elders or superiors…like saying “mister” or “misses.” Chan is for girls only. If we were close friends, we wouldn’t use anything at all.”
“Kiko-kun…” Garrison whispered. “My name’s Aisha. Are you Japanese or something?”
“Hie!” Kiko sounded so happy with himself. “Well, mostly. I’ve got a smudge of Korean in me. My parents prefer that I go by my American name, Kent, or my Korean name, Kang, but I like my real name. Kiko suits me. It’s actually a girl’s name, but I don’t mind. I really like it!”
“You too, huh?” Garrison sighed. “My name’s a girl’s name too.”
“Really?” Kiko laughed happily. “My name means “lively” and my Korean name means “healthy.” I don’t know what Kent means…something like, fair-skin or something. What about you?”
“Oh.” Garrison had to think for a second. “My name means “life” and “lively” too in Arabic and African.”
“Eh?” Kiko raised a brow. “But you’re not Arabic of African?”
“I know.” Garrison sighed. “But we Americans like to get our names from all over the world. Kent is English, not American.”
“And what about Garrison?” Kiko asked. “Do you know what that name means?”
“Um…” Garrison blushed. “I think it means “prepared” in French, but I could be wrong. What about Hirosha…or…uh…”
“Hiroshuu!” Kiko laughed hysterically. “It’s a surname so it’s a combination of older kanji. Hiro means “giving” and shuu means “responsible.” Not that that really fits me! I’m not very responsible anymore!”
“Anymore?” Garrison frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Ever since we got our visa and moved to America,” Kiko’s eyes took on a sad tint. “I’ve felt caged. I wanted to get free, to fly away to some other place. I don’t belong here…I really don’t belong anywhere, but definitely not here.”
“Why do you say that?” Garrison asked. “America is more free than any other country?”
“I know.” Kiko sighed. “But I just don’t belong here.”
Garrison furrowed his brows as he leaned back into his seat. Kiko had moved to America and had felt caged. It did not make much sense to Garrison, but he did figure that he would feel the same way if he was Kiko. He left the only true home he knew and, to make things worse, he entered a completely different place where people looked and behaved so much different from what he was used to. It was a frightening experience, no doubt.
“How old were you when you moved?” Garrison questioned.
“About three years ago.” Kiko flicked on his turn signal and veered onto the highway. “My dad and his American wife wanted to move here. My mom died about six years ago and my dad remarried to this American chick that I don’t really like, but, I guess, it’s his choice. She didn’t like Japan too very much and wanted to move here. She got her wish, but my sister and are Japanese citizens. My dad isn’t anymore because he chose to become an American citizen when he married Chelsea-san. She’s mean to me, but my dad seems really happy with her.”
“Who’s your sister?” Garrison inquired, finding himself a little fascinated by Kiko’s life.
“My sister is Nara-kun and her name means “dreamy” in Japanese, but “happy” in Greek.” Kiko continued. “She’s a sweetheart, but she’s only seven. She never knew our mom and she really likes Chelsea-san, whom is also rather happy with her. I think Chelsea-san has something against just me. She’s nice to everyone else.”
“Some people are like that.” Garrison agreed. “And I really don’t like people who are. You have any pets?”
“Iie.” Kiko shook his head. “I mean, no. Do you have any siblings or pets?”
“No on both.” Garrison ran his fingers through his hair. “I live alone with my aunt. My parents were killed in a car accident when I was…eleven. I don’t remember too much about them. I was in a car accident too and I forgot most of my life before that. My uncle and aunt took me in, but then my uncle died of a heart attack three years later. My aunt is very ill, but she takes care of…well, I actually take care of her, but you get the idea.”
“That’s horrible.” Kiko murmured. “I wish I could help.”
“Don’t.” Garrison smiled a little. “It’s better this way. My aunt doesn’t have much time left and, though I’ll be sad when she’s gone, I know my chains will be broken when she dies. She’s my last bit of family left. I won’t have anyone to hold me down or dangle in my subconscious mind. I don’t have to worry about being forced into the restrictions of some sort of strict family guidelines. I’m going to be the most free of any of my classmates. I can start whatever life I want without anyone’s expectations on my back or their disapproving stares when I do. I actually feel more sorry for you. You have to deal with three people who can control you.”
“No one can control me.” Kiko corrected. “I am free no matter who is still in my living family. Not a soul can chain me to their will. I belong to no one and no one belongs to me.”
“We are the same in that.” Garrison admitted as Kiko turned off on an exit far from the school.