The five friends walked into the classroom to sit at their usual table. It had been a while, but Chiharu finally let down her barrier and began to tolerate being around Sakura and Tomoyo again, although she was still resentful. Once Rika finally spoke up and talked to the fresh couple, Naoko and Chiharu came around, sort of.
"I hear there's a new Egyptian exhibit at the museum." Tomoyo said as they all sat.
"Yeah." Sakura confirmed enthusiastically. "It's from a new tomb they discovered, my dad is really excited. We should all go see it."
"Count me in." Naoko said.
"Yeah." Tomoyo agreed. "Me too."
"What about you Chiharu?" Sakura asked. "Aren't you coming?"
"I'll only go if Rika is going." Chiharu replied knowing that Rika had a piano recital coming up and she usually used them as excuses to not have to go to such places.
"I guess it's up to you Rika." Tomoyo pursued. Rika was still quite quiet but she spoke up and said.
"Yeah I been practising a lot lately, I could use a distraction." Rika said unsure of herself.
"That's great" Sakura said excited at their first outing with their friends since Tomoyo and Sakura brought their relationship out in the open. Even if Chiharu was still distant, at least it was a start to get a part of their former lives back. "How about tomorrow after school?" Sakura posted.
"Sounds good to me" Naoko quickly answered. She was obviously more excited about the exhibit then who was going.
"I'm free." Tomoyo added.
"Um." Chiharu began hesitantly now that her plan was falling apart. "I..." But Rika uncharacteristically interrupted.
"So, that sounds great, all five of us can finally get out again." She then grinned her pleasant smile around the group.
"I guess." Chiharu responded "I actually wanted to see the exhibit anyway."
"Ok" Sakura said filled with excitement. "It's settled then." The bell for the end of lunch rang. "I can't wait." She added before they all stood up and walked away. Sakura, Tomoyo, and Rika had to go to their lockers, while Naoko and Chiharu went straight to class.
"I can't wait." Sakura said still bursting with anticipation.
"Whoa." Tomoyo tried to calm her as they stood by their lockers.
"I've never seen you so excited over something so simple." Rika said.
"It's just, we haven't all gone out together for a long time. Well... since." Sakura glanced over at Tomoyo and smiled. Tomoyo smiled back and Sakura blushed, but quickly reverted back to a straight face.
"Chiharu didn't seem to excited though." Sakura breathed out.
"She's just a little uncomfortable." Rika replied to her statement. "She'll be fine though" She added as they walked towards their class.
"I guess." Sakura said. "At least we're all finally together again." Rika looked at Sakura and gave her her biggest smile and they all walked into class. As Sakura and Tomoyo sat down Sakura asked "Do you really think she will be fine?'
"Chiharu may not be as mature as Rika but she is still our friend." Tomoyo assured, and smiled. Sakura smiled back feeling better, but the rest of the day passed with a pleasant but uneasy sense.
