[center][h1]Meria and the 2 siblings, Alex and Kiley[/h1][/center]

[color=magenta]“Sure, let’s go.”[/color] Kiley was super happy that they found someone who might be a friend. She just hoped Alex would warm up to Meria sooner rather than later. Other than faculty and some other students in the dorms she and Alex haven’t met anyone. Alex has just been in his own head this whole time and just following his sister around, not caring about the new girl.

Meria nodded and started to lead the way to the fireworks. She noticed that the boy did [i]not[/i] talk whatsoever. But, Meria wasn’t that good at starting conversations for no reason so there wasn’t anything she could do there. She smiled brightly when they got to the field. It was beautiful. She turned to them, her smile toned down a bit. [color=#EDBEFE]“Well, let’s find a spot to sit.” [/color]

When they got there Kiley and Alex were both amazed at the beauty of the scene. Looking around the field it was difficult to find somewhere to sit. [color=magenta]“There are already so many people. I can’t see anywhere to sit.”[/color] Alex continued looking until he saw a leafless tree and noticed no one really sitting near it, [color=cyan]“Let’s sit there.”[/color] He said while pointing at the pitiful tree.
 
She smiled and headed over to the tree. [color=#EDBEFE]“Excuse me”[/color] was repeated more than once towards people laying down already with a picnic blanket out. She finally got over to the place and sat her stuff down. [color=#EDBEFE]“I’m going to go get some drinks. Do you guys want anything?”[/color] She asked. There were a lot of different drinks. Hot chocolate, coffee, beer, smoothies, etc. Meria had her mind set on a nice cup of tea. She smiled a bit at them as she waited for their response.

[color=magenta]“I can come with you. Kinda difficult to carry three drinks. Alex what do you want.”[/color]

[color=cyan]“Oh, I’m not thirsty. I just feel like staring at the sky.”[/color]

[color=magenta]“Okay. See you in a bit.”[/color] While walking to the stands Kiley decided to get to know Meria some more, [color=magenta]“So what brought you to Arctane?”[/color] While they went to get drinks Alex just laid back and relaxed. It wasn’t as crazy as he thought it would be. Sure he could hear some guys off to the side over dramatically crying because a girl rejected them, but it wasn’t too bad. He could get use to living here. He even thought he might be friends with Meria at some point if he could bring himself to speak to her.

Meria looked over to Kiley and nodded when she suggested coming with. [color=#EDBEFE]“My parents I suppose.”[/color] She said simply. Not much of a response. [color=#EDBEFE]“You?”[/color] She added, not wanting to make the girl feel awkward. Meria got over to the tea booth and raised her finger [color=#EDBEFE]“One oolong tea please.”[/color] She then took out her wallet. Oh… I only have $50 bills. She handed him a 50 and the man broke it, giving her back $47. She smiled and put the money back in her wallet. I really need to start carrying around less money.  All she had were 50’s and a few 100’s. Crap. “Thank you.” Meria said, taking the tea and looking towards Kiley. 

[color=magenta]“Same for Alex and I really. Our parents wanted us to get a good cultured education so they sent us here.”[/color] When they got to the booth Kiley said, [color=magenta]“Oh, I’ll get the same thing as her.”[/color] Turning to Meria, [color=magenta]“I still don’t know much about the different things to do here or what the differences between most of the food and drinks are. Alex does though. He really has always loved the Japanese culture.”[/color] She pulled out her purse and produced enough money to pay for the tea. [color=magenta]“So, how much do you like it here?”[/color]

She nodded. Meria took a sip out of her tea and looked up at the girl. [color=#EDBEFE]“Hmmm~ I personally like Japanese food better. My mom is Japanese and she loved to teach me about their culture and whatnot.”[/color] She took another sip and continued to speak afterwards. [color=#EDBEFE]“I like it. It’s definitely new for me but it is a nice change. Cute neighborhood.”[/color] She says, speaking softly as they start to make their way back.

[color=magenta]“Yeah, it seems so much nicer then back home. I hope that we get the same homeroom. It would make things a lot easier.”[/color] When they got back to their spot Alex had climbed up onto the tree and was laying on a limb looking at the sky. [color=magenta]“Alex what are you doing up there?”[/color]

[color=cyan]“I can see better from here and it’s really quite comfortable. What time did the fireworks start again?”[/color]

She looked up at the boy once they got there. God, how do I do that in this kimono? Meria [i]really[/i] wanted to get a better view of the fireworks. Meria had done martial arts as well as gymnastics so she kicked off her sandals, reaching her hands up on a lower branch and pulling herself up as if she was doing a pull up. She then let herself loosen her grip, taking a seat on a more stable branch. [color=#EDBEFE]“You’re right.”[/color] She said quietly, a smile on her face as she looked up at the sky. Her eyes glowed as she looked up at the starry sky. This would be great to draw but… I feel like just admiring it right now. 

Kiley just sat at the bottom of the tree and looked at the two up there, [color=magenta]*Those two are more alike than they probably even realize.*[/color]
[hr]
[center]
A voice can be heard in the distance. A woman’s voice but you won’t see who it is.
[h1][b]“The fire works are about to begin!!”[/b][/h1]
Clapping can be heard throughout the entire place. It’s as if everyone in the neighborhood is gathered here.
[h2][b]“5!”[/b][/h2]
[h2][b]“4!”[/b][/h2]
Now people begin to count down along with the woman. A lot of others popping open bottles of alcohol and drinking.
[h2][b]“3!”[/b][/h2]
A flare goes up.
[h2][b] “2!”[/b][/h2]
[h2][b]“1!”[/b][/h2]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B9B5vnaN2U[/youtube]
The fireworks are beautiful, practically everyone in the neighborhood can see it. Even if you’re not at the festival. Even if you’re not in the field you can still see the enchanting fireworks as they go up. The loud noises heard throughout the neighborhood.[/center]
[hr]
Meria’s face lights up at the sight of the fireworks. Now [i]this[/i] was something worthwhile. For the first time, she smiled brightly, leaning forward on the branch and a few “oooh” and “aaah”’s coming out of her mouth as the lights shone.

Alex looked up into the night sky watching as the soaring things exploded into light and colors. It was magnificent. It was always amazing to see something explode, but fireworks were the best kind of explosion. Kiley watched with amazement while finishing her tea. She could already tell she was gonna love it here. They finished their first Japanese festival in the best way they could have. She already couldn’t wait for the next one.