Mariah Reyes

*"Do you know how hard it is? Trying to hold on to everyone as they slip from your hands." - Mariah Reyes, to Kami*

## Early life

Mariah Reyes was born and raised Dorado, Puerto Rico. Mariah and her older sister Anastasia both lived under the same roof as August Figueroa and his family. They all grew up together and treated each other as family even though they weren't related. When Mariah was young she would play with her sister and the boys of the Figueroa family. Mariah would refer them later in the future as her brothers.

Mariah noticed something strange, she noticed things were changing. She would remember men coming up to the door asking for things, whether it was money or jewelry. Suddenly out of no where, years had passed and the men stopped coming to the house. She noticed her father and his friend Victor were more stern, dressing in suits. Mariah noticed as time went their house was getting bigger, and before she knew it she was living in California.

Mariah was aware of something that Hector and Victor had done to get that far in life, but Mariah would often ignore it, she felt if she went down the rabbit whole she wouldn't be able to see her father and her godfather the same again.

Years down the line Mariah and her family had made an establishment out in California with the Figueroa family and given a whole new life a head of her. Mariah was a smart girl, she always had the better grades and well behaved compared to her older sister.

Time had passed and Mariah had found out about the news of August leaving for Japan, she stated that she would miss him very much and also his brother Remy. One day Mariah received a call from August, he was explaining how amazing its like to live in japan, specifically the city of Koharu. He then was telling her that she should give it a shot and visit him out there with her sister. August went on about how he has friends that they could hang out with. Mariah thought it would be an amazing experience being able to visit a different country.

Mariah and Anastasia had asked her father if they could visit August. Their father after months of begging him, he finally gave in and let them visit.

When Mariah and Anastasia had arrived, Remy and August had picked the girls up. After the drive back to Remy's house they enjoyed the night outside for awhile.

August invited his friends Stan, Junto, and Harunobu. After August had introduced them all they sat down and ate some food and talked for awhile. August had mentioned his other friend Kamiyama was running late. Not long after, Kamiyama had arrived and was introduced to Anastasia first then after was introduced to Mariah.

Mariah's eyes were stuck on Kami she couldn't stop staring. Remy had nudged his shoulder to Mariah to get her attention and said.

"Hey, you alright? You look like you've been struck my lightning."

Mariah replied.

"Yeah...I'm fine."

Remy had made the connection what was going on.

Kamiyama had turned to Mariah she shied away with her hair, Then proceeded to look away.

Remy had warned her about how the guys are different in japan and said.

"I see what's going on here, listen out here in japan the guys are different. To be honest they might be more shy then you are."

Mariah was shocked to hear what Remy had said.

As for Kamiyama he was a normal guy and treated any girl as a friend and nothing more, he was never the type of guy to advance and try to take things further. For Mariah she had already fallen for him at a very fast rate. No one was aware of the eye contact that was made between the two the entire night.

The night was coming to an end and everyone was in a large group walking home and Mariah and Kamiyama was in the front of the group walking side by side talking about their lives and where they came from and culture. Remy had wanted to tease Mariah and Kamiyama, Remy had stopped the group and they all stood quiet just to point out their vivid moment they were having. After a laugh Mariah and Kamiyama had they noticed it was too quiet, they both turned around and noticed everyone was behind them and giggling. Mariah had turned red and Kamiyama had scratched his head trying to play off the moment. They all continued walking home and ended the night.

As time passed, Mariah and Kami had gotten closer. Mariah really liked Kami but there was a problem. She would have to return home at some point, back to America. It was a heartbreaking moment when she was on her way to the airport. Remy was walking her to her gate, and Kami had tagged along. Mariah asked Remy for her to have a moment alone with Kami, she then proceeded and said.

"So this is it huh?"

Kami replied and said.

"Yeah...I honestly don't know what to say, I mean...will I ever see you again?"

Mariah with a bit of a heartbreak said.

"I'm not sure...I hope so...I just have a life over in America, I got accepted for one of the colleges back home and my parents...I don't wanna leave that behind."

Kami was hurt, but he knew what had to be done and said.

"I understand, sometimes you only get one shot for life decisions...I'm gonna miss you but...go...go enjoy your life! We'll see each other again."

Mariah sad walking her way slowly to the gate with her eyes still locked on to Kami.

"Goodbye Yama-kun."

Kami replied.

"Goodbye Mariah."

Kami had walked away back towards Remy.

Mariah had ran back.

"Kami wait!"

Kami had turned around and Mariah had gave him a kiss on the cheek and said.

"I'll see you again...I promise!"

Kami shocked with no words waved goodbye as she left.

Remy then had said.

"....I think she likes you...come on let's get you home kid."

Kami still shock stuck.

Remy then proceeded to drag him back out.

## Current life

Mariah was back at home and was starting school in California but her father noticed she wasn't happy even though she wanted to go to school and was accepted by the college she had applied to.

Hector had asked.

"What's wrong Mija?"

She then was beating around the bush a bit about her feelings but Hector had got the truth out of her.

Mariah had explained she wasn't happy and liked the environment Remy and August were living. Hector knew where it was heading. He didn't want her to go at all was completely against it, but he didn't want to see his daughter sad. She used it to her advantage because it was her fathers weakness. She knew he would do anything for his girls. He agreed and Anastasia went with her to Japan to live with Remy under his supervision.

One day on a school day in Koharu, August was with the guys having lunch. Stan was in the middle of explaining a story but half way through someone had came up behind Kami and put their hands over his eyes. Stan then said.

"Hey guess who it is Kami?"

Kami then replied.

"Alright really funny Junto."

Junto had walked up and said

"Nah man it aint me this time."

Mariah had lifted her hands and Kami turned around. His eyes widened, he couldn't believe it. Kami had said.

"What are you doing here!?"

Mariah replied saying.

"Sometimes you only get one shot for a life decision, and I choose this one."

They hugged and was a touching moment for everyone. junto being a clown that he is was pretending to cry on Stan's shoulder.

From that moment on Mariah had chose her life in Japan and would build a future with Kamiyama Onishi.