• "Ugh. Maii!" My best friend Lacae screamed. Lacae is about two years younger then me by default. I mean default by she hates being 13 when her besty is 15/16. Back to the story. I was running toward the hill Lacae and I always go up to and slide down. I was going too fast for Lacae.

    "Maii, wait up!" Lacae screamed again. This time, I slowed down. Whoops, too late. I flung forward after I slowed and I crashed into the hill. "Maii, are you okay?" Lacae asked. She loves my name. Maii. I hate my name.

    1) Because you say it: May
    2) Because it doesn't sound Japanese (what? I was born in Japan!) (and I live in Tokyo, Japan!)
    3) Because it doesn't suit me
    And 4) Because I like Suiseiseki better, even though its longer (what? 15/16 year old girls can watch Rozen Maiden!) (well of course, I bet Lacae would call me Seki)

    Lacae's slowpoke legs finally caught up to me, along with the rest of her body. "Maii, we're going to a hill a mile away from our houses, not a running marathon!" Lacae wheezed, tossing her fist around in circles at me. "Lacae, you okay? 'Cause I mean, you're wheezing! And for a Lacae Velndaze, that means death could follow!" I joked. I sighed in relief. Lacae. I love that name almost as much as she loves my name. I sighed again. I love her name just because:

    1) It's pronounced: Lacy
    2) It's short and cute
    and 3) It suits her very well, even though Maii could also suit her very well

    "Maii, I'm fine. But, I really think you should know my little secret....."