Heroes

Chapter Nine

They all turned to look at me. Everyone, of course, except Kurosaki. All their eyes widened a bit at my strange appearance.

“Woah!” Orihime said. “Why’s you hair white?”

“Um…,” I said, just now realizing that somehow I knew how to speak Japanese. “I’m an albino?”

“Really?” she said. “That’s amazing! Okay, I’m Orihime Inoue. Ooh, I just know we’re gonna be fast friends!”

I smiled, genuinely enjoying her energy. “Yeah, sounds good. I’m Adel Lancaster, it’s really nice to meet you guys. Hold on, excuse me,” I said, pulling a highlighter out of my bag and scribbling something on my hand before shoving my hand under my legs.

“O-kay….” Orihime said. “Well, since everyone’s here, and you’re new, let’s do a basics quiz. I found it in this magazine the other day, and thought it was cool! Okay, I’ll ask some easy things about you, and then everyone’ll know you! Sound good?”

“Uh, I guess,” I said, feeling my face redden under the sudden spotlight.

“Okay, here we go,” she said.

{O=Orihime, A=Adel}

O: Birthplace?

A: Riverdale, Georgia. United States.

O: Ooh, a foreigner! Awesome! Okay, favorite color!

A: I actually have four: red, black, teal, and white.

O: A bit strange, but I like that! Favorite food?

A: Again, four. I live in fours. Um, soy burgers, chicken teriyaki, jambalaya, and anything involving fried bell peppers.

O: Oh, exotic! I like it! Um, favorite band!

A: That’s easy, and not in fours. *everyone chuckles a bit* It would probably be The Spill Canvas.

O: (looking confused) Who’s that?

A: An American band made up of very cute guys, if I do say so myself.

O: Ooh, okay, any Japanese bands?

A: Oh, I just love Aqua Timez.

O: (squealing) Ooh! Me too! ’Kay, any special talents?

A: Uh, I can sing.

O: Why don’t you show us? ‘C’mon, it’ll be fun!

A: Maybe later, sorry.

O: Aww, well, okay. One more then we’re done. Keigo looks like he’s ready to let out the drool waterworks, so this one’s for him. Bra size?

At that point, everyone gasped, even Keigo. But he still looked excited to hear the answer.

“Orihime!” Tatsuki asked. “How can you ask something like that?”

“What?” I said. “Is that not normal here in Nippon?”

“Uh, no,” she said. “Is it normal in America?”

“Actually, it’s more normal for a guy to ask that kind of question.”

They gasped again, and I snickered. Pansies.

“I don’t think I’ll answer your question, O-chan,” I said. She grinned wide at the already friendly nickname. “Since everyone’s so surprised.”

She laughed. “Yeah, I do the same; just leave it to the imagination.” We both laughed.

Keigo slammed on the floor, fainting. Everyone sweatdropped a bit. I laughed. “I can’t believe you guys don’t say stuff like that! It’s not like it’s a big deal or anything. What if I told you about bra-snapping in America?”