For what seemed like the hundredth night in a row, Serena awoke suddenly, the image of a crescent moon burnt into her mind. She groaned and rolled over, trying to get comfortable again. After a few minutes she gave up and reluctantly turned the light on. Every night, when she turned the light on, she expected someone to be there but there never was. Serena wasn't a complete idiot, but she really felt like something was missing, and it wasn't just her. Others felt it too.
"It really is that simple Serena. You've just got it in your head that algebra is difficult." Ami said, taking a sip from her chocolate milkshake. They were sitting in a small café, studying. Serena nodded, scribbling down the answer. She couldn't explain her sudden friendship with Ami. Ami was very smart, but also incredibly shy and sensitive. Like most others, Serena gossiped about Ami when she first arrived at the school, awkward and alone, singled out for her intelligence. Yet one day at school they found themselves talking like they'd been friends for the longest time. And she knew things, things she couldn't and shouldn't know.
"Serena!" Ami snapped, pulling Serena out of her daydream.
"Oh, sorry Ami." She smiled sheepishly.
"You got one wrong but the rest were right." Ami smiled encouragingly. Serena grinned.
"This calls for a celebratory extra donut!" Serena laughed, jumping up from her seat to order another. She could hear Ami scolding her about spoiling her dinner and getting fat, but her attention was drawn to someone else. A girl with long, crow black hair walked into the half crowded café. Ami, realising Serena was paying no attention, followed Serena's gaze.
"Do you know her?" Ami asked, tapping Serena on the forearm. Serena shook her head slowly.
"No… Do you?" Serena asked quietly. Ami blushed and looked down, feeling self conscious that Serena had caught her staring at the girl too.
"No. I don't think so." Ami finally replied. The two girls looked at each other for a moment and in that moment, they both realised that girl was familiar to them both, but they didn't know why. Serena glanced slyly at the girl then stiffened and turned back to Ami.
"She's also staring at us." Serena whispered as she closed her books and put them in her backpack. Ami, still bright pink, packed away her books too. Both walked out of the café without looking back.
"Thanks for helping my study so much, Ami. I don't know what I'd do without you saving by butt all the time." Serena said earnestly. Ami frowned, puzzled.
"Saving… your butt?" Ami mumbled.
"Yeah!"
"How?" Ami asked. Serena paused, stumped at how to answer the question.
"Uh… um… hrm… Oh! My test scores! Mum would have killed me by now if it wasn't for you!" Serena exclaimed. Ami smiled at her strange, blond friend.
"No problem. See you tomorrow. Remember to study for the English test." Ami called over her shoulder as they parted. Serena stared after Ami.
"What test!" Serena squealed.
"I'm going to bomb another test." Serena sighed, staring at her feet as she wandered home. Out of the corner of her eye, Serena saw a red blur fall at her feet and her head snapped up involuntarily. She wasn't sure what she was expecting to see until she saw it. She was standing outside the florist, staring at a beautiful red rose. A petal had blown off in the breeze and landed on the path next to her. A whole mix of emotions washed over Serena and tears welled up in her eyes. Understanding none of the emotion she was feeling, Serena walked the rest of the way home with a confused head and aching chest.