For the next few days, I continued with my daily schedule. I went to school and practiced my dancing. But throughout all of it, I kept on thinking about the choice I had to become a Celestial Guardian. It was like a game of tug of war in my mind. I did my very best not to let it distract me from my tasks. Also, I was lucky that no more monsters had shown up in my area, but I did have an odd feeling like I was being watched by something. Or someone.

One day, I was walking out of school. I was ready to head to my dance class. But then three other girls approached me. They stopped me in my tracks and I immediately dreaded what was coming next. I really didn't want to have to deal with them right now. These three often liked to pick on me. I couldn't remember their names. But to be honest, I couldn't care less. I didn't know what their deal was, but they clearly liked making fun of me.

"Hey Sakura! Where do you think you're heading?" The first one said.

"To my dance class." I replied simply.

"Tch! Why would you even bother with something like that?" She scoffed.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go or I'll be late." I tried to walk around them, but they pushed me back.

"You're just wasting your time." The first one berated.

"Dancing is for girls who stand out beautifully. Unlike you!" The second one insulted.

"Sure a redhead like you stands out! But only in the ugly way!" The third jeered.

"Yeah! You really think you'll be able to attract anyone? With hair that looks like it's made of carrots?!" The first one mocked, causing the other two to snicker. I embarrassingly put my hands over my head to try and hide my orange hair.

Just then, the second one yanked my pink backpack off me. "Hey!" I gasped.

"What do you even carry in this!?" She demanded.

"Give it back!" I tried to grab it back, but before she tossed it to the third one. The third one then tossed it to the first one, who unzipped it and emptied it all onto the floor.

"Would you look at all this junk!" She picked up my books and pages and started tossing them about.

"Stop it! That's my stuff!" I whined.

Then the second one picked up my ribbon wand that had fallen out. "Hey look at me!" She started dancing around with it in a mocking way.

"Come on! Cut it out!" I pleaded desperately.

I tried to reach for it. But I sudden yelped when I felt my orange ponytail being pulled. I felt my self falling backwards and I ended up landing on my butt.

"Oops! Sorry ....! I tried plucking a carrot, but it seemed the roots were still attached!" The third one cackled. I began to tremble with fear and humiliation.

"Aww looks like she's gonna cry!" The second one jeered.

"What a baby!" The first one ridiculed. The three of them laughed like a bunch of crazy hyenas. I was desperately trying my hardest to fight back my tears, I didn't want to cry in front of these mean withes. I was so sad and angry. I wanted to do something, but I didn't know what.

But then suddenly, without warning, they were pushed by some unknown force. It was like a gust of wind. They immediately stopped laughing.

"Hey did you just push me?" The first one asked the second one.

"No." The second one responded.

The force came back again, this time almost tripping them over. They were starting to look quite spooked.

"What was that?" The third one trembled.

"I dunno." The first one said while looking perplexed.

I just sat on the ground, looking as dumbfounded as they were.

This strange occurrence repeated three more times. Their skirts flew up, dirt got thrown on their clothes and they even had their hair pulled too.This caused them to shriek uncontrollably. I couldn't help but smirk a little. I don't know what was going on but clearly karma was after them.

"It's a ghost!" The third one screamed 

"A poltergeist! The second one squealed.

"LET'S GET OUTTA HERE!" The first one screamed.

I watched run off screaming and panicking like scared chickens. Once they were gone from my sight, I turned to gather my stuff back up. But to my surprise, I found that everything was back safely in my backpack.

'What the heck? How did this all happen?"

I had a hunch what might have cause all that. It couldn't have been, could it? But I realised I didn't have time to think about it, as I had to get to my dance class. "Oh my gosh! I'm gonna be late". I started sprinting to the destination as fast as I could.

I didn't know what had just happened, but I was glad it happen. They were really starting to get under my skin. Why do I have to let them take advantage of  me like that. Why couldn't I have the courage to stand up for myself or speak my mind?

As soon as my dance class had finished, I started walking home. Along the way, I could feel a particular presence following me, it was the same one I got earlier while those bullies were around. I was certain I wasn't imagining it. It wasn't threatening in the slightest but I had a feeling who it was.

When no one else was around, I finally stopped walking and looked behind me. "Okay you can come out! I know you're there!" I called out.

As soon as I said that, a familiar blonde haired boy slowly poked out from behind a nearby tree. "I guess you caught me." Hikki said sheepishly.

"I knew it was you Hikki! What are you doing here? We're you spying on me?! Don't tell me you're secretly a stalker!" I teased.

"What?! No way!" He quickly denied. "That's something Asahi would probably do! But seriously I wasn't try to spy, I just wanted to check up on you. You know, since you got attacked by a monster before and I wanted to make sure you were doing okay." He spoke reassuringly.

Then something just hit me. "That was you who knocked those girls over, wasn't it?!" I realised. Hikki's eyes widened. "Don't try and deny it."

"Yeah but I couldn't help it! The way those brats were making fun of you like that! How dumb can they get? I swear nothing makes my blood boil more than bullies!" He huffed.

"Thanks for doing that by the way." I thanked him.

"Oh! No problem." He replied. "I knew I couldn't just stand there."

"You're lucky they didn't see you." I pointed out.

"Nah. I'm too fast!" he stated proudly.

"I could never stand up for myself like that." I admitted sadly.

"Sure you can!" Hikki encouraged. "It's not always easy, but what's important is to not let people push you around like that.  All it takes is a little courage. Show them you are not vulnerable and use your inner strength to 'gain' the strength you need to overcome it."

"What do you mean by 'inner strength'?" I queried.

"Something that makes you proud to be you. Something you know your good at, or what you have to be thankful for in your like. Be confident in who you are."

I was amazed. I didn't expect to hear all this from Hikki. He was sounding just like Raiden. Now that I thought about it, Hikki must really admire Raiden. Kinda like how a younger brother looks up an older brother.

"Thanks. But I'm not sure what I'm good at."

"I know you're good at ribbon dancing." he winked.

I immediately turned to face him. "You saw that too?!"

"I only saw a little! But you were great!" He approved.

I blushed a little. "You really think so? I wouldn't say I'm that great." 

"Are you kidding?! You were awesome!" He complimented. "Have you always liked dancing?"

"Yeah I have right from when I was young. Though I seem to like ribbon dancing the most. I don't know why, it just makes me feel happy."

"Well I say you already have something to be proud of." I blushed again.

"Say, you want me to walk you home?" He offered to my surprise "Just because it's getting dark and late. I wanna make sure you get home okay."

"Sure, I'd love some company." I replied gratefully.

We ended up chatting about all sorts of stuff, including our daily lifestyles. I was beginning to like Hikki, he was becoming such a good friend to me. He didn't think I was weird. He treated me as if I was just a normal person. He understood me and I felt like I could be myself around him. 

We had soon approached my house. "We'll, this is where I live." 

Hikki started up at it for a second. "So you live here with just your Mom?" He affirmed.

"Yeah for my whole life." I answered.

"You two must really close." He guessed.

"We are. I don't know what I would be without my Mom. There was also my Dad, but he died when I was really little. My Mom managed to stay strong for both herself and me. Even when I developed these abilities, she still stayed strong." I explained.

"You're lucky to have such a great and caring Mom. I didn't really know my parents. I was alone for as long as I can remember." He revealed.

"Oh! I'm so sorry! I had no idea!" I consoled.

"But it's okay, because I now have a great family! When I received my powers, I got summoned to the guardians. Before I knew it, I had finally found a home and people who mean a lot to me!" He smiled broadly.

I was surprised, I didn't think Hikki would have had such a lonely beginning. He was always so cheerful, you wouldn't think there would be anything wrong with him.

"Then it seems you're lucky too. Since you now have a loving family aswell." I complimented. 

"You know, you can be a part of that family too." He offered with a smile. "Of course I'm not trying to take you away from your Mom. But if you became a Celestial Guardian, it would be really good for you. I'm sure.

"Well, I have been thinking about it." I admitted. "Throughout my whole life, I didn't think there were any other people like me. But then I met you'd guys, which was  fantastic. Plus, you all wanna help people the same way I do. It feels like a dream come true. I don't wanna stay stuck in the same regime I've always had. I'm sick of never being able to do anything for myself or for other people. I want the chance to rise up and prove that I can be more than what I am." I spoke determinedly. Hikki smirked at the way I was motivating myself. 

I looked him in the eyes. "So tomorrow  I'm gonna talk to my Mom about it."

"Okay!" Hikki grinned, while making an 'okay' sign with his fingers.

"And don't worry, she won't spill your secret. She's not that kind of person." I assured him.

"Good to hear." He responded. "Well, I should get going. I'm sure you don't wanna keep your Mom waiting and I can't have the guys finding out I'm out here. Hope I'll catch ya later!" He waved to me before zipping off into the distance. I swear, I would never get tired of seeing him do that.

Tomorrow was the last day before I would make my final decision and I think I knew what it would be. But there was something that I needed to do first. I had to tell Mom about the Celestial Guardians. It wasn't going to be easy, but she and I were really close. So I hoped that she would understand. Plus, she was the only one who knew about my abilities. Therefore, I decided that I would speak with her tomorrow.