Hokuto woke with a start when the morning bulletin began--she actually reached out for her alarm clock before she realized what she was doing. That's over, remember? she chided herself, mental voice very soft. No more school. No more 3 a.m. wake-ups for early bird specials at the mall.
She had no trouble remembering, though, what was happening today--field trip! She giggled softly, a little more subdued than she used to be, but jumped out of bed regardless. They were actually leaving the Institute for today! She could guess escape would be on a LOT of peoples' minds, but Hokuto just wanted to get out and see the world, again.
More importantly... she wanted to go out and see what America looked like for herself!
The weather had been starting to turn cold--thanks be to the gods!--so she went to the closet and got her jacket. It wasn't pretty either, but it would cover up the smiley on her shirt. She was just putting on her outdoor slippers when the door opened; she turned to see a nurse holding... a bundle of something. The woman smiled and said, "Are you looking forward to the trip, Kazuko?"
"Yeah," she said, managing a mostly-genuine smile back.
"I'm glad. Here, you can get dressed."
Hokuto blinked... before she actually squealed and took the clothes eagerly. Real clothing, not just a uniform! She unfolded them to find... faded black jeans, a dull green turtleneck, sneakers, and an ill-fitting black hooded sweatshirt. It took her a few seconds to get out, "Um... do you have anything else?"
Fifteen minutes later, Hokuto was getting onto the kind of school bus she'd only seen on TV--and in the outfit she'd objected to. Well, hopefully the townspeople would think she was just a kid on a school trip... she was a little embarrassed about the idea of people knowing she was from a mental hospital. Trying to explain she wasn't crazy wouldn't get her anywhere.
She had coupons, though! For a facial and a manicure and lunch and ice cream... she had a distinct bounce in her step as she boarded the bus. Today was a day to just enjoy herself.
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She had no trouble remembering, though, what was happening today--field trip! She giggled softly, a little more subdued than she used to be, but jumped out of bed regardless. They were actually leaving the Institute for today! She could guess escape would be on a LOT of peoples' minds, but Hokuto just wanted to get out and see the world, again.
More importantly... she wanted to go out and see what America looked like for herself!
The weather had been starting to turn cold--thanks be to the gods!--so she went to the closet and got her jacket. It wasn't pretty either, but it would cover up the smiley on her shirt. She was just putting on her outdoor slippers when the door opened; she turned to see a nurse holding... a bundle of something. The woman smiled and said, "Are you looking forward to the trip, Kazuko?"
"Yeah," she said, managing a mostly-genuine smile back.
"I'm glad. Here, you can get dressed."
Hokuto blinked... before she actually squealed and took the clothes eagerly. Real clothing, not just a uniform! She unfolded them to find... faded black jeans, a dull green turtleneck, sneakers, and an ill-fitting black hooded sweatshirt. It took her a few seconds to get out, "Um... do you have anything else?"
Fifteen minutes later, Hokuto was getting onto the kind of school bus she'd only seen on TV--and in the outfit she'd objected to. Well, hopefully the townspeople would think she was just a kid on a school trip... she was a little embarrassed about the idea of people knowing she was from a mental hospital. Trying to explain she wasn't crazy wouldn't get her anywhere.
She had coupons, though! For a facial and a manicure and lunch and ice cream... she had a distinct bounce in her step as she boarded the bus. Today was a day to just enjoy herself.