The Sakura Element PREVIEW Chapter 1
So I asked on twitter and it seems like you guys would me more likely to purchase my book if you actually had a chance to read it before hand. What a novel idea. The Sakura Element is a sci-fi romance novel. SO here is chapter one ripped straight from the word file (so it doesn’t have the fancy ornaments the book has).
Check out the book here https://www.amazon.com/Sakura-Element-S-C-Vincent-ebook/dp/B0CW1KQHYW
Chapter One
A Worm with a Sword
No matter what the aptitude of any teenager’s ability to apply makeup may have been, none could have fared so well in such conditions as Oka. While riding the bumps and crashes of the rickety coach on her way to the first day of school she kept her ruby-red lips together and applied the most dour of color onto them with the precision of a laser. She was just so well practiced.
Her life-long servant, (and driver) Martin, spent most of his time handling the android horses and looking into the rearview mirror at her, much to Oka’s bemusement. In between powdering her face with a blotchy, discolored makeup, Oka threw daggers with her glance every time she caught the middle-aged man chance a look. There was nothing more annoying, in her mind, than a normal person judging a mod in their pursuit of happiness or acceptance, whether they meant ill or not. And nothing would make her happier than to fit in with those at her new school.
“Lady Latellay,” Martin spoke ever so loudly just to be heard from the front chair over the galloping horses and reverently enough to be considered respectful, “we are but five minutes from arrival.”
Oka hastened her pace, pulling out a black Static Wig from her purse and conditioned it on to her scalp. The wig quickly attached itself to her hair, strand by strand, so much so that the only way one could ascertain her true hair color was to see her lashes or brows, which she, too, quickly blackened. So determined was she to hide every nook and cranny of her natural self that she barely noticed the increase of traffic surrounding, nor the school just up ahead from out the window. She dropped her makeup kit as the bellowing of an engine rocketed to the left of all the coaches filled with students as its rider drove around to the back of the school. She could barely make out what passed by.
“Martin, what was that?” Oka asked with bated breath, now totally aware of her surroundings. She put on her uneven heels, hoping to appear limp. Imperfect.
“I believe it was a motorcycle? It seems, my Lady, that someone is using forbidden technology. And quite brazenly might I add. Surely they know such lowly things are banned outside of the city?”
Who could spit in the face of tradition so? For the further away from the city one was, the higher in class they were. And they were far, far away. So lost in her imagination was she, that before she could form the image of the type of person that would so audaciously ride such a thing, and to a school nonetheless, she had been interrupted by her servant when he opened the door of the carriage for her to leave. It was time. She checked her make-up and gave her gray, disheveled round gown a onceover in the mirror, then pressed a button allowing it to retract back into the seat. Her hands shook as she grabbed forth Martin’s hand and tripped down the steps of the carriage and landed on the sidewalk. It was a rough entrance to the world of Alia Academia. A world she didn’t know.
Oka winced as the sunny morning greeted her while the other students passed through the golden gates to the school grounds. She was intimidated seeing the boys in their fine tailcoats and muslin shirts, as well as the girls with their fashionable bonnets and elaborately designed high-waist dresses. Martin gave his well wishes and said his goodbyes, departing with the coach to pick her up later in the day. As she walked ahead, passing the threshold, she felt the eyes of the school’s occupants judge her every action, leaving her quivering in place. She knew that the change from home schooling would be difficult, especially so in winter, the middle of the school year, and thought she was strong enough to handle it. Yet even with the disguise, her past seemed to be holding her back.
Looking about the students making their passive judgments, she happened to see one peculiar girl, skinny with glasses and average in all regards, except rather her green hair. Amongst a swath of black, blondes, and brunettes, such an oddity gave Oka the courage to continue as she paced towards the extravagant castle-like school building with its massive walls and golden pinnacles. That is, until she was stopped. A trio of fashionable girls approached her from the side. They wore long, wide dresses with beautiful laces. The girl in the middle wearing purple, Oka assumed was the leader of the pack, for she spoke first.
“Hm, a fresh face so late in the school year? Who are you to honor us with your presence?” She asked. The girl seemed as natural as they’d come, neither she nor her compatriots wore makeup, and all had their own beautiful flaws.
Oka lowered her head and clasped her hands, thinking carefully on how to reply, “h-hello, I’m Oka Latellay. My father is Reinhard Latellay, CEO of ClassicTech, so we um, move around a lot. I hope that we can be friends.” A forced smile spread across her face as she ended her introduction and her sweaty palms echoed her fear that no one would be fooled.
The trio of girls, a dollop of mother nature’s natural gifts (in looks at least), peered at each other and after a moments pass chortled out a laugh. “You are so cute. My name is Isandrelle Ellany, this is Bella Geinstaht and she is Elizabeth Turkens.”
Oka did not let the last names of the girls escape her mind, recognizing them to be very important – heirs of their family’s fortune to be sure. She, in all politeness and pleasantness, greeted them with the most good faith she could muster, but not without making her own judgments on their appearance. Bella was black haired and green eyed, with an unsightly mole on her neck. Elizabeth featured what appeared to be unruly, fuzzy brown hair and much too many a freckle. And thirdly and most predominantly, Isandrelle, who was plain in all respects, but was fair in her blonde hair and blue eyes. The three were the first to approach her, full of confidence. A confidence, Oka believed, that was intrinsically tied to ones looks. A confidence she wished she could portray.
“You needn’t be so shy, come with us,” Isandrelle requested. “We’ll show you around campus.” She lowered her voice and followed with a smile, “and where all the cool kids keep company.”
Oka nodded and followed quietly, laughing at all the right moments and agreeing to the agreeable. Being taken about to the tennis court, which Isandrelle favored, and then the basketball court, and finally the outdoor swimming pool. Each of the girls were members of the following clubs or at least spent time there watching the boy’s as they played. It was then while Oka was standing next to the edge of the pool that she heard all the girls in the vicinity squeal and she quickly turned to see what the fuss was about.
Her ankle bent and knee buckled, the uneven heel catching her off guard, and she fell leaving a splash a mile high and a scream of her own. While unexpected, she caught her bearings quickly in the freezing shallow end and stood up waist-high, only to be met with the widened eyes of the three girls that companied her. The three gasped at the sight of Oka and it was only then that she realized what the liquid had done. She had been exposed.
The water tightened her loose clothing to show her sumptuous frame and removed the caked makeup from her skin. No longer was her face blotchy and pale, she appeared in her natural state: milky white skin of the fairest complexion, lips red and inviting, and almond green eyes that pierced the heart of any that met them. She was the embodiment of perfection. Perhaps all wasn’t lost, she thought as she checked state of her hair, but as she found the Static Wig to be floating about the pool, along with the grime of her makeup, she knew herself to be given away. Her pink hair laid her bare, the biggest secret she wanted to keep; that she was a mod.
Isandrelle and her group, along with all the other students surrounding looked at her shame in disgust. Isandrelle interrupted the silence, “you’re a-a mod!? You liar!”
Oka tried to speak but then the others started in as well, “disgusting,” she heard, along with “low-life!”, followed by “freak!” Oka could do nothing, images of her past schooling flashed before her eyes and she was left in shock. But from the squabble came who she recognized was the object of the attention only moments prior, the one of which all the girls were engaged. The most beautiful boy with the most pleasant of smiles she ever did see, with his leather pants, white tailcoat, and motorcycle helmet, reached into the pool for her hand. It was like a fever dream; she questioned if she’d drowned, hitting her head on the bottom of the pool – but no, his slender but firm hand, chiseled chin, and silky long red hair was all too real as he pulled her half-way out of the pool. He took her in close and his deep but gentle voice enveloped her world, “I saw you from afar and I see you now.” He let go of her hand, stepped back, and pushed her just enough to send her back into the wet domain.
Oka’s eyes were wide even under the water, so shocked at the betrayal, that the pain of the water didn’t even affect them. She was so filled with anger she wanted to scream. Surely this wasn’t a dream, but a nightmare? She stood up at him with her fist to her chest and arm outstretched – her voice shrill, “why did you do that!?”
The handsome devil responded, “as a worm is to a bird, you are to me. Enjoy your stay at Alia Academia, for it won’t be long.” And with that, he walked away into the arcades of the school and vanished in the mighty wooden doors of the school building.
Oka ran away from the laughter and found the nearest place where she could be alone.
▄
The tears succeeded only to block the dust that was visible in the sunbeams which showered the floor of the sports utility room, where Oka found herself hiding from the embarrassment she received only minutes before. The wall she leant her head against and the supply box on her side made for poor shoulders to cry on. A creaking echoed into the room and a mousy voice auctioned Oka’s attention.
“Hi, I’m sorry to bother you. I just wanted to see if you were all right.”
Oka looked up to find a freckled green haired girl with glasses and responded, “you…”
The girl knelt down to her level and spoke with a smile, “it’s okay to cry. I know what it’s like.” She pointed at her hair which was pinned into a bun as she handed Oka a towel.
“Y-you’re a mod too?” Oka perked up ever so slightly and began to dry her hair.
“Yeah. For these very legs.” The girl then pointed at her stocking-covered, seemingly normal legs. “I was going to be born crippled. My parents decided walking was more important than the bullying and they were right. There is nothing I love more than my morning jogs you know,” she slightly giggled, “but it’s not like I have super speed over anything. My name is Alicia Timber. Yours?”
“Oka Latellay.” Oka shivered a bit and continued, “I thought I could hide it. But it ended up how it always does. I’m going to spend the rest of the year being mocked.”
“Well, at least you’re not the only mod in the school, the bullying will be split between us. You know, us mods have got to stick together.” Alicia held out her hand to Oka, “friends?” Oka nodded with a smile and took her hand. “But first we got to get you out of that wet dress. You wait here and I’ll be back with my gym outfit.”
Oka stood up and looked out the window – she still felt the somber weight of reality on her shoulders, but she no longer cried. There was nobody near the utility room, as far as she could tell, and so when Alicia returned, she felt no hesitation in changing. “You can turn around. I’m done,” Oka directed.
Alicia gave Oka a quick look over and blushed. “Are you sure you’re comfortable? It seems to fit you…too well.” Oka’s gym shirt hugged her curves immodestly and the skirt, being tight on her hips, failed to cover the indecency of her legs, which were only clothed by her black thigh socks.
“I hope I don’t stretch it out too much. I’ll get you a new one if so. By the way, who was that boy that pushed me back into the pool? I must know.”
“His name is Allen Debois. He’s an elite, the heir of Maiden Clay Industries.”
Oka’s face lifted with a mixture surprise and disbelief. “An elite? That’s the highest one can be in the gentry. I knew this was a top school, but to think someone like that would be attending as well…”
“He’s the heir to the biggest cybernetic company in the world. How did you not know of him?”
“I chose the school based off its merits, nothing else. Who attended, I wasn’t so worried about as much as I worried about fitting in. Insomuch as I figure all people treat mod’s the same regardless of the institution.”
Alicia sighed in a concerned manner and replied, “but here, he’s more than that. His father owns the school so he’s the school’s role model. Allen decides the fate of everything. Budgets, who gets hired or fired, and most importantly, who gets bullied.”
“He has so much influence?” Oka rested her hands on her waist, “that explains why he can ride a motorcycle outside the city and get away with it.”
“Yes, and now, sorry to say, he’s to put all of his attention on you. There is nothing more he dislikes than modded people. Trust me, I’ve been the sole ire of the school up until today.”
“And now it’s my turn. Social shaming is how they’ve discouraged gene modding since the war…” Oka looked downwards in dismay. “That with the sakura element, our fake hair color, to make it obvious.”
“Speaking of hair, yours is dry and if we don’t hurry, we’re going to be late for first period. That is…if you still want to go?”
Oka nodded and after hanging her wet clothes to dry, the two left and were pleasantly surprised that they shared the first class of the day together.
▄
There wasn’t a more awkward moment than in History class, second period, when the teacher spoke about the third world war. Oka stared out the window and into the field below which was filled with cherry blossom trees that had not yet bloomed. She knew all eyes were on her and felt the impact of the occasional paper ball bounce against her head from time to time.
The teacher spoke on about what Oka so intimately knew, “in the end, it wasn’t the war between the nations that lead to nuclear fallout, but rather, the war between the average man and the Genetically Modified.” The chalkboard sang as the teacher continued, “ultimately it was the group of normal and excellent men, our forefathers, the Purveyors of Tradition that won the day, as we can so plainly see around us. And to guide us from such dire times, the monarchy and most other social norms, were taken from an ancient era and installed to lead us into a strong and stable future. That era, which you may or may not know, was when the British empire was at its most ideal for our needs, in the early 19th century. We have mirrored our society based of off theirs, to keep the balance between the normal man and the mod. Today the Purveyors act as silent guardians, ensuring that the royal family and others keep to tradition and keep our society secure and safe so we will never again has such a devastating war.”
Oka couldn’t keep her eyes off her analog wristwatch, which counted the seconds until the bell rang. And when it did, she was the first to leave the room, hopping out of the chair. She most surely came off as a pink blur on her trek to her locker. It was easy to get lost in Alia, the school featured grand chandeliers, marble flooring, long staircases and giant columns. The windows welcomed vast sunlight and exposed all the five floors and their hallways, leaving none to get lost even on a cloudy day. Even if that had been the case, the electric light, which was so scarcely used, served as a backup in such cases. No, the only difficulty for Oka was that she was on the fifth floor and didn’t know which staircase lead to the third, as there were many staircases which trailed to each individual floor. Efficient in theory, but in practice, especially for someone new, it proved to be quite confusing.
Her stomach was growling once she arrived at her destination and she saw not so far away, Isandrelle and her friends walking away hurriedly. Oka opened her locker, took out her lunch, and found her way down to the first floor where just before exiting the building, she noticed a flyer on the school community board. It read, ‘Sign up for Fencing Club here.’ Underneath were a few names that had filled in the application, and what stood out the most, to Oka at least, was that at the very bottom of the page it read, ‘Club Leader: Allen Debois’. She turned and continued to the field where she met Alicia under a cherry blossom tree. The two sat upon a cushioned blanket, alone.
“How was your class?” Oka asked as she got comfortable.
“Well enough I suppose. What’s that in your lunch?”
Oka looked down at her box and found ants coming from it – she screamed – the box landed a few feet away and burst open. What once contained a tasty turkey sandwich now was the home to several insects.
Alicia’s mouth fell agape, and she begged the question.
“I think I know who it was,” Oka replied as she clenched her fist. “Isandrelle, Bella and Elizabeth. I saw them scurrying away from my locker. But I guess it could’ve been anybody considering the number of paper balls I’ve had thrown at me today.”
“You want some of my lunch?” Alicia offered.
“You don’t mind? I already took your clothes, and unlike those, I can’t give this back.” Oka smiled.
They ate only a few morsels until a frisbee came their way. Two girls walked towards them to retrieve it, two normal girls as Oka most immediately recognized. Alicia picked it up and handed it to them. Oka sat quietly as she listened in on their conversation but was not surprised to its conclusion.
“Oka, they’ve invited me to play! You don’t mind…do you? Please feel free to help yourself to my portion.”
“No, why would I? And thank you, have fun.” Oka replied with a fake smile and the three walked away. The desperate wanting of acceptance was all so familiar to her that she couldn’t blame her newfound friend for leaving her alone at lunch on her first day of school, all under the bare cherry blossom tree. Mods, she knew, were just so easily taken advantage of. Whether those girls just wanted someone to go after a missed throw, needed someone to keep count of score, or just wanted to tease her, there was almost no likely chance that they wanted to be friends with Alicia. Oka was sure that deep down Alicia knew this, but as it is with most mods, when given even the vaguest opportunity of friendship and equality, they’d take it.
Lunch lasted a long time.
▄
The orange rays of the setting sun eclipsed the edge of the evergreen trees across the courtyard, just ever so much that Oka only had to slightly lower her head to keep them out of her eyes. The crowd of people awaiting their coaches left much time for many a conversation, as Oka listened to Alicia talk about her time with the girls from lunch. Oka’s attention was quickly taken by the murmuring of the group as it parted to the right, when a young freshman, with an awful haircut, brought forth the large black motorcycle she heard earlier in the day. Everyone seemed to vacate and awe at the faux pas. Oka stood still rather bewildered at the sight of it. “Ow!” She yelped as someone bumped into her, moving towards the bike. It was him.
His tall, wide frame, chiseled chin and thin smile – a smile she didn’t believe – no longer impressed her. “Oh, I hardly saw you,” Allen said as he passed her by. “Thank you, Timothy,” he motioned for his helmet from the boy, “that’ll be all for today. You may go home now.”
“Yes sir, Mister Debois.” The freshman with the bowl-cut turned and waited in line for his coach to pick him up as well.
Allen, who towered over Oka, she believed him to be six feet and five inches, easily sat upon his bike and turned to speak to her. “I heard the girls left you a little parting gift in your locker. I’ve got one of my own.” He pulled out a small and clear case and tossed it at her. She caught it. “A worm for a worm.” He chuckled at his own joke.
Oka’s brow furrowed. If he cared so little about her, why did he take the time to pull some stupid prank? “You’re a moron. This isn’t a worm, it’s a caterpillar.”
“Hm? What’s the difference? You’re all bird food anyway. I just figured you’d want something to remember me by since today was your last… You’re not actually returning, are you? Surely you don’t enjoy being tortured?”
“Of course I’m coming back! You can’t stop me from attending this school no matter how much you bully me. And you, you’re a fraud anyway. You look down at us mods for something we can’t control, but you know what you can control? Your behavior. And we both know that motorcycle isn’t allowed. Hypocrite.”
The gasp from the crowd surrounding the two proved that Oka’s retort was obviously not a position many dared take towards a man of such pedigree. Allen’s smile grew only wider, yet this time it seemed meaningful. “Interesting! I look forward seeing how long you last my little worm.” He kicked up his brake and revved his engine. “See you tomorrow,” and off he went down the street as fast as he could, breaking a taboo most would be jailed for.
“Damn him! Who does he think he is!?” Oka said in a smog of exhaust.
Alicia replied, “I told you. His father owns the school, so he runs it in his stead.”
“Well that doesn’t mean he can just do whatever he wants!”
“He’s never brought out his bike on school grounds before. I wonder why he did today?”
Oka turned with such gumption that the smog in the air whipped about as she ran her way back into school. She got to the school community board, found the fencing club signup sheet and pressed her thumb against it. The touch screen recognized her identity and followed by asking for conformation, to which she pulled out of her pocket her Digital Identifier (DID), a small piece of plastic which contained her information and image. She held it against the paper-like-screen and thusly it printed her signature along an empty space, in an ancient, cursive style among the others who signed up.
She returned to Alicia who had a bevy of questions for her. To which Oka only answered, “I’ll show him who the worm is,” and variants of the sort. But in her mind she was not as strong willed, no, as Martin, seemingly shocked to see her holding on to her dress, wearing a gym outfit and without cosmetics, helped her into her carriage, she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d made a huge mistake. She said goodbye to Alicia, who she still knew very little of, and traveled home.
This ride was just as nerve wracking as the one from the morning, but for different reasons. Martin once again chanced his looks at her, asking how the day went. She simply replied, “fine,” as she continuously shuffled her things around the backseat. She was careful not to hurt the caterpillar as it nibbled on a leaf in its case – she didn’t want to take her frustration out on it. She knew who she was mad at. Her entire life had been defined by people like Allen Debois and she wasn’t going to let him get away with it anymore. She only hoped she had it in her to follow through.
Martin opened the door for Oka once more and helped her out into the evening street. “Thank you,” she said. “Martin, I’m going to need this gym outfit washed tonight. I must give it back to my friend tomorrow. Also, order several more of them at this size. I won’t be wearing silly dresses anymore.”
“A-are you sure my Lady? It’s quite revealing – won’t you get in trouble at school? Won’t it garner even more attention?”
“Martin, that’s exactly what I want.” She went up the stairs to the front door, below the ivy-ridden stone veranda, and went into her small manor. She greeted her jovial father who had been anticipating hearing how her day went. She answered, “father, I need a sword.”
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….And that’s it! If you liked the first chapter make sure to check out the book which is coming out THIS Saturday, MARCH 16th! Please and Thank you. It will launch in ebook, paperback, AND hard cover. But you can pre-order it now for only $2.99 on amazon.
