Disclaimer: Chapter title influenced by the ATC song "Mistake No./Number 2". It's a good listen with this chapter.
Chapter Two:
Mistake No. Two
Usagi slowly strolled down the streets of downtown Tokyo during her break. One of her teachers had been sick and class had been dismissed for the students to do as they pleased before their next class. Usagi took this time to soul search herself for the answers she was so desperately seeking.
She had texted Mamoru earlier that morning, asking him if he wanted to meet somewhere for dinner or hang out on the weekend and do something together. Something that couples did. A date, a candlelit dinner—something, anything that couples did together!
He hadn't responded until first period had already started. The buzz of her phone against her leg sent her heart jittering with suspense and excitement. Discreetly, she dug into her uniform pocket and pulled out her cell phone. She quietly flipped it open and felt her heart drop down into the pit of her stomach.
Sorry. Can't. Maybe some other time.
So short and clipped. So nonchalant. She felt like she had just been brushed off—waved away like a pest. Was that what she was? The little insecure girl inside her rattled against her cage again, making noise, shaking Usagi, and making her hand tremble.
She bit her lower lip, pushed the 'off' button, snapped the phone shut quietly and discreetly put it into her backpack. She resolutely stared forward at the chalkboard, diligently taking notes and concentrating on her teacher and his lecture.
She shoved Mamoru out of her thoughts. Just as he seemed to be doing with her.
Her hand tightened on her pencil as she jotted down some notes on Japanese history. Why did she always have to take the initiative now? If she didn't text, call, or visit him, she wouldn't see him for weeks…
Was this how it was going to be?
He fought down the miser churning in her gut. She knew she wouldn't be able to stomach the delicious looking bento her mother carefully packed for her. The though caused a spark of anger to bubble through her.
So here she found herself, strolling down the streets, window shopping and racking her brain for a solution. She had tried to reach out to him, give him hints of her unhappiness, and every possible thing she could do. She even tried changing herself to better suit him—that night she had searched for flaws or issues, she had slowly tried to change them. He simply gave her a funny look and chuckled when she said she was trying for a bit of change.
She had tried everything is seemed like. And nothing worked.
Usagi suddenly stopped in her tracks, causing some people to give her strange looks as they passed her.
So that was it then.
Maybe there was nothing else to do.
Maybe it was something she was just desperately trying to hold onto. Something that simply wanted to leave her grasp.
She pulled out her phone and dialed Mamoru, feeling resolution fill her body when she received his voicemail. "We need to talk, Mamoru. Let me know when and where we can meet up." Despite her decision, she couldn't help but keep the longing from her voice. There was no doubt that she still loved him… but she just couldn't deal with being ignored and brushed off. That wasn't the man she had fallen in love with.
She shut her phone and felt a door in her own heart shut as well. She looked at the clock on the LCD display and turned around, heading back to the school. There was just enough time for her to get back to school for her next lecture. Although she had missed lunch, her stomach didn't growl; instead it was silent and quietly churned in anxiety.
With a weary but steadfast heart she would wait for Mamoru to respond to her, hopefully through a call rather than a text. It seemed as though a text was all he could managed for her now…
When she returned to school, she plastered a smile on her face and cheerfully brushed off the worried comments and questions her friends had for her. Makoto was eyeing her, surprised that Usa hadn't joined them for lunch; she had made a special bento box for everyone today.
"I'm all right everyone. Thanks for worrying," Usa said with a true smile, glad she had the friends she did. 'What would I do without them?'
The teacher walked into the room, a handsome student following behind him. Before the teacher began the lesson, he started by introducing the transfer student, a Yagami Hiro. Some of the boys in the class seemed to have recognized him; Melvin whispered beside her that he had gone to Crossroads Junior High and had attended a different high school when his father transferred for his job. Apparently, judging by the whispers of the boys and the sighs of the girls, he was quite popular. Usagi tapped her pencil, willing the teacher to continue the lesson so she could distract her brain.
Even though she was determined to set her mind on studies for the rest of the day to try and avoid nervously tapping her foot in anticipation for Mamoru's response, she couldn't ignore the odd sensation flooding through her. The sensation of being watched.
Discreetly, she peered over her shoulder as she pretended to stretch and saw Hiro staring at her. Startled, she blinked for a moment and then flushed when she realized he didn't even bother hiding the fact that he was staring at her. She turned, a blush on her face.
How brazen of him.
Usagi bit her lower lip and, just as determined at ignoring any and all thoughts of Mamoru, she also set forth to ignore the weighted stare of Yagami Hiro.
Her mother would certainly be impressed by her increased test scores at least.
TBC
Note: Next chapter, readers will find out about what's going on with Mamoru! Thanks to all readers and reviewers! The support has been surprising and amazing! I hope you continue to enjoy!
