"Raye!" Usagi shouted out to her friend.

"Hey Usagi! What's up?" the raven haired girl said as she neared her friend who was waiting at the school gate.

"I have the solution to your problem." Usagi smiled.

"Oh yeah? What's that?"

"You're going to live with me!"

"What?!" Raye said, almost dropping her books she was carrying.

"I talked to my father last night about your situation. I suggested that maybe you could stay at our house for the remainder of the school year, or at least till your dad finds a new job." Usagi said.

It had been one of her greatest successes. She had told her father about Raye not being able to stay at St. Catherine's and how such a bright young girl wouldn't get the education she deserved.

"Isn't it a pity father? An opportunity for better education being taken away."

Kenji had nodded in agreement.

"It's true. Schools nowadays lack proper curriculum and teachers are too lenient." He had replied.

"Now father, here's a suggestion. Perhaps Raye could stay on with us, at least for the remainder of the school year. You would be providing her with such a wonderful opportunity."

Kenji looked directly at his daughter, but said nothing. Usagi was worried that perhaps he wouldn't agree and she would have to find another way of helping her friend.

"She's a straight A student, like myself. Works very hard as well." Usagi said in hopes of convincing him.

"As long as she remains so, then I guess I don't have a problem with her staying on for the remainder of the school year." Kenji replied before turning back to his newspaper.

Usagi hadn't been able to keep her smile from showing, and she excused herself from the dinner table. She couldn't wait to tell Raye!

"I can't believe you did that!" Raye said.

"Well, what do you think?" Usagi asked.

Raye looked at Usagi with eyes that were trying to figure out if Usagi was just being charitable. Raye Hino did not need charity. Her friend was staring at her openly, her blue eyes sparkling from behind her lenses. Raye knew it wasn't charity. Usagi was her friend, and like a true friend she was trying to help.

"I'll have to talk to my parents about it, but I think it'll be alright."

"Great!"

"Hey Usagi?" Raye said.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

Usagi smiled, "what are friends for?"

What had supposed to be the remainder of the school year, had turned out to be the remainder of high school. Raye's father and mother had moved back to Long Island, but Raye continued to live with Usagi and attend St. Catherine's. She would visit her parents on the weekends, and spend winter and some of summer vacation with them. While it was difficult for Raye at first, she soon grew accustomed to the strange arrangement. She had worked hard through high school and had graduated with honors beside Usagi. Raye had earned herself a scholarship, and though he never actually said the words, Usagi knew her father was proud of Raye. She had become like family, and her father in his own way treated Raye as such. He paid for her trips to visit her family, and she was invited on vacations with him and Usagi. The two girls became more like sisters, and were eagerly awaiting college next year. Tonight, however they were going to celebrate!

The Williamsburg Country Club was hosting it's annual summer dance. Usagi had attended every year, but this was the first time Raye was also attending. She couldn't wait to point out Seiya Kou to Raye, and she couldn't wait for Seiya to see her. She had ditched her glasses for contacts, something that she had to argue with her father about for nearly a month. Her hair that once hung straight and limp to her shoulders was now long with some waves. She had finally blossomed, and tonight she was going to let Seiya know it. Last week she had gone shopping with Raye and picked out the perfect dress for the summer dance. Tea length and strapless, Usagi had felt like a princess when she tried it on. The silver material was beautiful, with streaks of pink and blue. It wasn't skin tight, but hugged her curves just enough. Raye had let out a low whistle when Usagi had stepped out of the dressing room.

"You look great!"

So tonight, Usagi was putting on her dress and applying just a little bit of make-up. While her father wasn't pleased with Usagi's outfit, he hadn't ordered her to pick out another.

At that moment Raye walked into Usagi's room.

"You ready Usagi?"

Usagi turned from her mirror and faced her friend.

"Let's go!"

Mamoru sighed deeply. Since graduation he had been working his tail off in hopes of achieving his dream. This past year he finally procured an internship working for Kou & Associates. That was why he was here tonight at this stupid country club. Ugh, it was as if everyone knew he wasn't one of them. He had been treated cordially, but nobody really paid him any attention. Taking a sip of his champagne, Mamoru leaned up against the wall facing the dance floor. He sat there watching the couples mingle and dance without a care. Secretly he hated them. He was brought out of his thoughts by a tap on his shoulder.

"Having a good time?" Seiya Kou, the son of Mamoru's boss asked.

"A great time." Mamoru lied.

"Yeah well, lucky for you this is a one time thing. I have to come to these things all the time."

Mamoru refrained from responding. It was the same type of treatment he had been receiving all night. He didn't belong, and everyone was intent on letting him know it.

"Well you'll have to excuse me. Enjoy your evening." Seiya said as he left to chat with a beautiful red head across the dance floor.

"Yeah you too." Mamoru mumbled under his breath.

"Ah, there you are Mr. Chiba!"

Mamoru groaned inwardly. Mr. Kou had been introducing him to all his associates.

"Mr. Chiba, I would like you to meet Mr. Kenji Carter."

"Pleased to meet you." Mamoru said, grasping Mr. Carter's hand.

"Mr. Kou informs me that you are working as an intern for him this year." Kenji said, his eyes narrowed as he looked Mamoru up and down.

"Yes sir."

"Well, best of luck to you. I suggest you take advantage of this opportunity that has been bestowed upon you."

"Of course Mr. Carter."

"Now, if you'll excuse me gentleman, I have a card game to get to." Kenji said.

Mamoru nodded as both gentleman left, leaving him to fend for himself. Turning his attention back to the dance floor his attention was once again drawn to Seiya Kou. He was talking to a pretty blonde in a silver dress, and she was hanging on his every word.