Lovely

Usagi

My whole life, I have known my best friend since we were five years old. We practically grew up together. Our families have always had cookouts, camping, swimming, baseball, and every weekend, we would have movie night. I met so many people in my life, but I never found one person close to Seiya. He was always there for me. Every time one of the boys would pick on me in elementary, or in middle school, he would beat them up. When girls would make fun of him for looking kind of feminine, I would tell them off and beat them up. We always had each other's back whenever someone would try to stick gum in my hair, or if a jerk tries to pour some water over his book bag. We always shared each other's fun memories when we would scrape our knees in the cement playing basketball. We always shared each other's secrets… no matter how embarrassing, painful or fearful it may be; dreams, nightmares, family, friends, teachers, crushes, you name it. We shared everything. There were no secrets between us. Growing up, we always saw each other as family. He was my big brother, and I was his big sister. We always swapped roles. Did we have our arguments, hell yes! What best friend wouldn't? The fact of the matter, we never stayed mad at each other after a few minutes.

I never knew so much about where his family came from, but I did know that they were the best people I have ever known. My parents loved them, and I can tell that they would love them in return. I am lucky to have all of them in my life. I am so God damn lucky, to have him in mine. He means the world to me. I know I mean the world to him, he tells me all the time. High school was a little bit rocky, because we started to have separate homerooms, harder teachers, classes, and more problematic society. High School, what else can I say about it, HAH! Still, despite the separation, dates, activities, clubs, dances, cliques, and homework, we retained that friendship, no matter what. Seiya and I made other friends. Over the years, Seiya lost his baby fat, and of course girls lined up once he started to build up a bit. He has a lean figure now, but nicely toned. He grew taller too. Seiya still has that feminine appeal, but it works for him. I admit he looks beautiful. I will never tell him that. He gets a little conceited sometimes, trust me! Those sports did him good. It helped him become more confident in himself, not to mention popular. I on the other hand made some friends with the student council, Creative Writing class, and Chemistry. I am not popular, but I don't need to be. I have a good amount of decent people around me. I am a lucky girl. Seiya believed I lost baby fat too! My ass, I still have a round face. Don't get me wrong, I am proud of the way I look, but I got curves on my body. Believe me; I have to choose specific clothes to compliment myself. But I do love myself. He is talented as hell with his arts and sports. I was the only one who knew he was a singer until girls discovered him in the 11th year. Heh, they couldn't get enough of him. He loved the attention. That is one thing I know about Seiya, he loves it when cheerleaders flash him those sexy smiles, or when the drama queens at the Theater Department offer to practice some love scenes with them. Don't be perverted, I meant kissing. Though I will confess, this is high school, and people do experiment.

I only gone to foreplay with some guys I have dated; Mamoru, Diamond, Andrew, etc... Seiya had dates here and there, but mostly serious girlfriends: He confessed to me that he lost his virginity in the middle of junior year with Sonoko, this cheerleader who is into sports like him. I think she is okay. She is not mean to me at all, but between you and me, she tends to want to impress her peers and comes off as a little fake. Seiya knows how I feel about her, but I respect his thing though. He always tells me his thoughts on the guys I dated. With Andrew, he found him too goody two shoes. I hated when he talked about him because my best friend is a great actor, and he mimics him to the T. With Diamond, too pompous (I agree). With Mamoru, he found him nice, but sometimes would tease me because he always said that Mamoru would behave and act like my father. I smacked him about that a few times, but eventually found out that he was right. Still, I don't like to be teased about romance; I get very sensitive about that. Love him though… As for his virginity being lost, I told him I was so going to tell his mom and dad. He pretended to choke me as I laughed. Good times, good times… Nah, but I would never do that to him. As for me, I want to wait… the guys I dated have tried, but never went pass second base. I know the right guy is out there for me. Seiya supports me in this (which is rare for guys here) and that is why he is my best friend.

I have no idea what I want to do when I go to college, except that I want to go to college. Seiya vowed to get a scholarship with football, and we both swore to get accepted in the same college. We were each other's best. I couldn't ask for a better friend than that. The last year of high school… once we graduate eight months from now. We were finally going to be free independent individuals with our own choices and our own freedom. Our freedom… how sweet is that. Life is going to get trickier. My parents love me, but said I was going to be on my own once I graduate. I was fine with that, just as long as I am free. They believed in letting the young fend for themselves, and only agreed to help me until then. Seiya on the other hand has the sweet deal. His parents pay for everything, his equipment, his competitions fare, and they plan to pay for his education and apartment! All through his college! And up until he finds a job… I am so going to kick his ass, spoiled brat! I love him though. He respects me for that, for going on my own, and even though I turned his offer down, he vowed to help me out financially. We will share an apartment together, but I want to do it on my own with everything else. We will see what happens. Good things are happening for us, and both of our parents are very proud of us. Our parents are so close with each other. Me and Seiya are like brother and sister since we were kids. There is that connection, not to mention, we are literally next door neighbors. In tradition, we are going to celebrate this coming year.

I looked out my window, and see him looking at me from his window. We play the staring game as he starts to make a face, moving his lips like Elvis. I wiggle the outer parts of my nostrils as we start trying to stare each other down. I got startled at a voice behind me. "What are you doing Usagi?" Mom said, pretending to be mad, but I could tell she wants to smirk. "Waving hello to Seiya, say hello…" I looked out and waved my hand at him with no expression. I think Seiya did not see my mom, because kept making faces at me. His lips curved on top as froze as my mom caught him red handed. She just stared at him. His face flushed as he shoots a look at me. I rolled on the floor laughing. She opened the window and shouts to him. "Kou, keep making those faces, and you will stay frozen like that for a long time." She said. Seiya pursed his lips as he glared at me when I recollected myself. "Yes, you need to be mature." I spoke calmly as mom pursed her lips and looked at me. "He gets it from you." She nudged my shoulder as I gasped. Mom smirked and left the room as I blushed hard. Damn her intuition. I looked over, and Seiya has his wicked grin, laughing silently while pointing at me. I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Whoa yes!" Dad was out in the neighbor's lawn. He played some 60s music as Mom joined them. Sabena (Seiya's mom) laughed with Demetrius (his dad) as they cooked some barbeque. Dad was with them as he called us down. "Medium rare with cheese for you guys!" He chants as Mom giggles. Demetrius drinks his beer as he continued to cook. Sabena looked up at us and calls to me. "Get down here young lady!" She cheered. I blew her a kiss. They see me like their daughter. I was so happy with them. I was about to leave and noticed Seiya looking at me. He signaled as I nodded my head. We have our gatherings once the parents are out of the picture. This is where we go to our tree house in my backyard and seriously talk. I made my way down the stairs and out the door. I noticed he was still up in the window as he put his finger to his lips when he saw me. I winked as he smiled and spoke on the phone. Must be a new girl he got… heh. I am honored he tells me. His folks don't really know he dates. Hell, my folks don't know I date. That is why we are each other's best friends. We keep a vow to be silent, we remain silent. That is one thing we will never betray with each other. Demetrius looked at me and smiles as he walked to me and gave me a bear hug. "I cannot believe my little girl is growing up!" He said as he pretended to cry. I laughed as Sabena pretended to sniff and hugged me on the other side. We walked to the burgers as I drooled at the sight, "Yum." I said. "Shut up, we still have a year." Dad said to them with a smile. "Yeah, don't rush it!" Mom said as she kept from crying.

I smiled as I felt the door open behind us. Seiya rushed out as Sabena put her hands on her hips. Mom ruffled his hair as Dad hugged him. "What's cooking?" He asked as Dad laughs. Demetrius sings as Sabena rolls her eyes. "What took you so long? I swear Usagi is picking up your bad influence!" She said as Seiya narrowed her eyes at her and kissed her cheek. Sabena pursed her lips, but she had a weakness for when her baby boy shows affection. Mom laughs hard and shook her head as she pointed at me. "No, don't paint the halo on her so much!" She said. Dad put up the radio and offered to dance with me. I took his hand as we swung around. Seiya went behind his dad and helped out with cooking. Mom and Sabena swung around. We are one huge family. Tonight we let out as we ate, danced, laughed, and played jokes on each other. I looked over at Seiya and put my arm around him. He smiled and hugged me. Even though we will choke each other sometimes, we still love each other. We are family. He headlocks me and ruffles my hair. I punched his knee as he yelps and laughs. Dad cracks up hard with mom as Sabena bops him on the head. "Oy…!" Seiya gasps as I ran free. He chased me around the lawn table as they laughed hard. I picked up a hose and sprayed him hard. "OH MY GODS USAGI…!" Sabena frowns, though she struggled to keep a straight face. Demetrius lost it as Mom cracks up hard. Dad whistles as he walked to an angry Seiya. He pats his back and hands him as soda. Seiya took the can as he looked at me. I smiled and shrugged my shoulder as I went to join the family on the table. I was ready to eat my burger as I felt the cold spray fly on the back of my hair and shirt, soaking me to the bone. "SEIYA!" I screamed as I jumped off and ran after him. Seiya laughed with my dad as I screamed at him. "TRAITOR I AM YOUR DAUGHTER!" I yelled as I ran fast. I only sprayed him water. He sprayed soda on me for crying out loud. Mom laughs, holding the burger in her closed mouth as Sabena spurts her food out. Demetrius picks up his plate and moved to the edge. "I am staying here." He ate as we all laughed.

The whole night was filled with laughter and warmth. Good food too… I was filled to the brim along with my buddy. We looked at each other as we got a tummy ache. He offered me his hand as I looked at him. "Peace." He states. "Peace." I breathed as we looked at our parents. They moved into their own world as we looked at each other and went to my backyard next door. Our parents continued to chat the night away. Once we were out of sight, I moved up the ladder, swatting flies that would try to get a taste of my skin. It was such a hot day in the northern area.

Seiya breathed as he collapsed on the floor once we reached the top. "Oh my God… those burgers of God…" He growls and burps. I laughed as I drank some Sprite I carried in my hand. I let out a long burp as he waved his nose. "Stink." He said as I smacked his leg. He laughed. "Idiot." I whispered. Seiya plopped on his elbow as he looked at me. "Her name is Kakyuu. I only spoke to her online a few times, but she just transferred from Italy last month. She is going to start with us this fall." He said. I drank with a grin as I moved in closer. "Tell me everything." I said. Seiya breathed as he sighed. "Read head, ruby eyes… Gorgeous…" he said. "Whoa, that is a new word." I said with a smile. "I know, usually it's hot, cute, pretty, and hot." Seiya chanted in a British dialect. "Was it your voice that swoon her?" I asked as he looked at me and smiled. He spoke in his regular voice again. "A little bit… but seriously, she is very different. Very mature, elegant… kind of intimidates me a bit, but I am looking for something new." He said. "I like her already." I said as he smacks my arm. "Ouch fuck that hurts." I said calmly. Seiya shoved me as I laughed hard, carefully placing my barely empty can on the flat surface. I lied on the floor as he breathed and scoots next to me. He leans back, touching arm to arm as we both look through the crack of the roof. My roof withered a bit, so were able to see a piece of the sky. I noticed several stars around the moon hiding behind some stray clouds. "You know, I know we are going to be eighteen, and our friends don't really see us up here, but I love this tree house." Seiya whispered as I nod. "So do I." I confessed. "I plan to get married here… my future wife don't know it yet, but I am burrowing your tree house." He whispered as I smiled. "I will not tell Kakyuu when I meet her." I said as he smiled. "Yeah…" He sighed. Seiya pulled the MP3 out of his pocket and unrolled his earphones. I looked over at it and took an ear piece, placing it in my right ear. Seiya took the other one and placed it in his left ear. We sat close as he strolled down to our favorite song. Kings and Queens by 30 seconds to Mars began to play. I smiled and breathed. We lost ourselves in music. That was one of our hobbies and passion, listening to music. Thank God we have the same taste. Seiya took my hand and held it. I clasped my fingers along with his, intertwined, and leaned our hands as we snug our shoulders, legs, and arms. We levitated our closed hands between us and started to sing softly as we stared at the sky. It did not matter who we dated, when it came to spending time under the sky in our tree house, it was me and him. We were family, and always will be, even if not by blood. Seiya remained quiet and continued to remain that way as I breathed. This year…

In the back of my mind, I feel a little different. I spoke to Seiya about it on more than one occasion, and he tends to feel it too. There was something about this year. Neither of us knew what it was, but figured we face it when we come cross paths with it. We always dealt with different types of change together. This particular change though… it felt kind of off. One thing about me, I always had good intuition. My whole life was good, but predictable. For some reason, I felt a change in the air. I knew this change was going to be slightly different from my norm… This year, Japan! I cannot wait to travel. Seiya and I are planning to save up and spend vacation with his family. That is going to be so much fun!

Going into our senior year, I knew change was coming. Seiya and I both knew that. What we didn't know, was that specific change was going to come between us…