Pilot - I'm Not the Main Character!

I've been cursed since the day I was born.

No one saw it coming. My parents were practically the textbook definition of normal: Dad working an eight to five job at an engineering firm, Mom the homemaker with her gardening on the side. My older brother was starting to get into soccer, my sister plenty amused with her dolls. They all looked normal with their straight dark hair, eyes varying in shade from hazel to brown. No special birthmarks, no distinguished scars, no dark secrets.

And the day was just like any other day. There wasn't an eclipse of the sun or a meteor shower or a guiding star; the heavens were behaving. When Mom went into labor, and Dad rushed her out of the house, there were no strange vagabonds staring at the car as it went down the road, no priests waiting to bless her as she was escorted into the hospital, no demons aiming to take advantage of any mishap during childbirth. It was as standard as any other birth.

And yet, as soon as my parents saw me, they knew I was cursed.

They did their best to hide it as I was growing up. They wanted to keep me safe, and they were right to do so. They wouldn't let me watch any cartoons, or talk to strangers. If I joined a club or team, they looked into the history and the members before allowing me to sign up. They told me to not make promises with childhood friends to avoid the heartbreak if I wouldn't be able to keep them in the future.

It took me until I was ten to realize why they would do something. And the shock of my curse, just what I was, still chills me to the core.

I was- and I am still- an anime main character.

The sign is obvious; I look nothing like anyone else in my family. My shimmering hair spirals in ringlets, akin to a porcelain doll, the color bordering on the edge of grey and blonde, leading to arguments amongst flatterers as to whether it was more silver or gold. My eyes shine a bright green, an emerald held up to the light that you just can't look away from. There is a birthmark off center on my forehead that looks almost like a heart that has been plastered in concealer almost as soon as I was brought home from the hospital.

It explained why I kept on running into animals in danger or the strange people that would come up and profess their admiration for me, the reason for all of those wands and jewelry that just seem to crop in my path; the universe wanted me to start my series. Every time I literally ran into someone or each transfer student that moved into my class, it was God wanting to set up a romantic interest or new plotline. My parents didn't want me to be forced into this role; they told me after I asked them that they wanted me to decide. So I made my choice.

I will star in nothing.

Strange occurrences at the old abandoned mansion? I avoided the spot like the plauge. Unknown phone number calling to grant me vital information? I not only don't answer, I also delete any voicemails without listening. Handsome wounded stranger begging for assistance? I call 911 and walk on by.

You may have put me on the court, world, but if I don't pick up the ball, I don't have to play.

I strived to be average. Any adorable clumsiness or fault, I worked until I was worn to remedy. If I began to become an expert in a subject, I stopped studying. Every class I had, I took a seat as near to the center of the room as I could. Hats were fine to help hide my hair, but I couldn't cover my eyes without drawing even more attention.

Relationships were the worst. I couldn't just avoid everyone or else I would be an ice queen and set myself up for romance. I had a few friends, and held everyone else at a polite courteous distance. I had to cling to crowds so that I couldn't be singled out by that guy or underclassman or even upperclassman that had a crush on me. It's been brutal, but I'm surviving.

At least, so far.

For now comes my greatest test. The highest hurdle to leap. This would be the last night I could sleep with any sort of relaxation, for the morning would bring about the harshest trials an anime main character could know.

Tomorrow is my first day of high school.