'Good morning Haruka.' The red haired girl smiled, this time not having any gifts today. 'Good morning Grace.' Haruka smiled at the waitress remembering the name tag from the night before. Grace turned and odd shade of red, matching her hair, then ran away as she usually did.

'Good morning Haruka.' Mina said as Haruka took her place in the library. 'When are you going to talk to me?'

'I talk to you daily.' Haruka answered.

'We should go to a movie.' Mina suggested.

'I don't think I have time for that.' Haruka said putting her headphones in and turning on her music.

'I wont go away that easy.' Mina threatened sitting next to Haruka. 'What are you listening to?'

'Music, please go I need to concentrate.'

'What kind of music, whose it by? I just bought a new cd I love.' Mina chatted but Haruka tuned her out turning Michelle's melody up to drown out the voice next to her.

'I don't think she's listening to you Mina.' Rei said from the table of girls.

'We should be getting to class.' Ami added gathering up her books and grabbing Mina's bag.

'I'll see you in math class.' Mina said to Haruka before grabbing her bag from Ami and heading off to her first class.

'Hello Michiru.' Haruka smiled sitting next to the aqua haired girl at the lunch table. No one usually sat with Michelle, and the fact that Haruka was, caused quiet a stir in the crowd. Michelle turned a pale pink before she smiled and said 'Hello Haruka.'

'Haruka, you don't need to sit with her, you can sit at our table.' Mina injected grabbing Haruka's lunch and walking it to her waiting table. Haruka ignored Mina and pulled an apple from her bag.

'The lunches hear aren't very healthy.'

'You're so right.' Michelle replied taking out her home made salad.

'What does he see in her?' Mina fumed.

The end of the day couldn't have come at any better time; Haruka was starting to get a head ach from listening to Darien's explanation of molecules and their properties. she grabbed her bag and headed for the door.

'Haruka, hold on.' Darien called after her.

'What's up?'

'We're having a party this weekend for Ami, it's her birthday. We'd love it if you could come.'

'I don't know what day is it? I race this weekend.'

'Friday night. Eight my place.' Darien handed her directions to the party then wandered back into the class. Haruka went straight to the studio.

'I was invited too.' Michelle smiled taking out her invitation. 'Serena invited me.'

'I have practice until ten, but I could meet you there. If you wanted to go.'

'I've never been to a party before.' Michelle frowned.

'You'll be great.' Haruka said putting her arm around Michelle. The girls practiced their routine until Haruka could barely stand and Michelle's fingers were numb. 'Home?' Haruka asked falling to the floor.

'Yes please.' Michelle agreed. Haruka changed and the girls climbed into her car. 'This is my favorite part of the day.' Michelle said gazing out the window.

'Why?' Haruka asked.

'Because I'm all alone with you. there is no expectations, no worries. just us.'

Haruka blushed at this revelation; she'd been thinking the same thing.

Friday seemed like just another day to Haruka but the buzz around the school was different. Everyone was excited about the weekend and Michelle was nervous about the party. 'You'll be fine.' Haruka smiled dropping Michelle off after their practice.

'I know, what time will you be there?'

'Just after ten, unless you want to watch me race, then we could go together.' Haruka offered.

'No, I think I'll go to the party. I'll wait for you there.' Michelle brushed her hand against Haruka's before leaving the car. Haruka drove home and changed into her racing uniform; she grabbed a pair of jeans and a shirt for the party after and took off for her laps.

Michelle stood outside the apartment door for a while debating how she should act at the party. Serena opened the door with a huge smile. 'Michelle you came.'

'Yes.' Michelle answered allowing Serena to usher her into the party.

'Let me introduce you to everyone. I don't think they know you.' Serena pulled Michelle around the room introducing her to everyone. 'this is Lita and next to her is Rei.'

'Nice to meet you.' Michelle said extending her hand to the girls. Lita jumped up and hugged Michelle 'Hi.' She beamed. Rei shook her hand. Serena dragged her to the next group of girls, one Michelle recognized as Haruka's stocker. 'This is Mina; she's not exactly your biggest fan.'

'Hi.' Michelle said

'Are you Haruka's girlfriend?' Mina asked avoiding the greeting.

'Um.' Michelle started before Serena rolled her eyes and pulled Michelle to the next person.

'This is Ami.'

'Oh, Happy Birthday.' Michelle smiled handing a small package to the birthday girl. Ami blushed and accepted the gift. She opened it and was excited to find a book on math equations.

'Thank you so much.' Ami said hugging Michelle.

'You're welcome.'

Serena finally left Michelle alone after introducing her to everyone at the party. Some people had heard of Michelle but few talked to her. She made her way out to the balcony and stayed there as the party roared inside. Hurry up Haruka she silently begged feeling a presence behind her she turned to see Darien standing behind her holding two cups.

'Here Michelle.' He said handing her one of the cups.

'Thank you.' She smiled accepting the drink. 'Thank you for having me.'

'Yes Serena said you're in her art class.'

'Well that's not exactly correct. I teach the art class.' Michelle explained.

'Oh, well Serena just adores you.' Darien said taking the space next to Michelle.

'She's lovely.' Michelle said staring into the cup. 'so full of life.'

'Yes she is.'

'How did you two meet?' Michelle asked keeping the conversation going.

'It's a bit complicated but we're destined to be together.' Darien said emotionless.

'Oh, it's nice to find the one your meant to be with so young.'

'Some days, other days I wonder how on earth we're even close.'

'I'm sure everyone feels that way.' Michelle said

'Yes you're probably right.' Darien smiled. 'well I'll leave you to your thoughts. Is Haruka planning to make an appearance?'

'Yes, later.'

'Or now' Haruka said from behind the couple.

'Haruka!' Darien greeted shaking his friend's hand.

'Are you moving in on my date Darien?' Haruka asked lightly.

'Well she is a beauty but no.' Darien defended. 'I think I will leave you two alone, go find Serena make sure she's not breaking anything.' Michelle and Haruka laughed and Darien wandered back into his apartment.

'How was racing?' Michelle asked turning back to the edge of the balcony.

'Fast.' Haruka answered standing behind Michelle. 'How has the party been?'

'I've been out here. I think it's going well.'

'Where is the birthday girl? I have something for her.' Haruka asked.

'Inside, she has the shorter hair.'

'Kind of blue isn't it?' Haruka asked peaking into the apartment. Michelle gave a short laugh before nodding. 'Okay don't move I'll be right back.' Haruka stepped into the party and made her way over to Ami. 'Happy Birthday Ami.' She said handing the birthday girl her gift.

'Thank you Haruka-san.' Ami smiled opening the small box of exotic tea. 'My favorite tea how did you know?'

'I saw you drinking it in the library. It's hard to find in the US.'

'Thank you Haruka-san.' Ami beamed hugging Haruka.

'Err, you're welcome.' Haruka said obviously uncomfortable with the girl hugging her. Haruka made her way around the room, trying to avoid Mina without success.

'Haruka!'

'Yes.' Haruka answered nearly at the door to the balcony.

'You must not have seen me. Thank you for coming. You look good.' Mina said wrapping her arm around Haruka's and dragging her from the door. 'Have you tried any of these lettuce wraps, Lita made them and they're fantastic.' Mina rambled as Haruka glanced to the balcony where Michelle was watching her and laughing. Haruka frowned and followed Mina without force. She took the lettuce wrap Mina handed her and ate it. 'Isn't it delicious?'

'Yes, lovely.' Haruka said trying her best to make Michelle who was still watching, jealous. 'What is this?' Haruka asked pointing to the charred cookies Serena had made.

'Oh I don't recommend that.' Mina said

'Ok.' Haruka smiled. 'I think I should find Michelle. I'll see you later alright.'

'Yes.' Mina burst. Haruka slowly walked back to the balcony.

'Did you enjoy that?' Michelle asked sharply.

'Are you jealous?' Haruka grinned.

'Maybe.' Michelle replied turning her back to Haruka.

'Good.'

'What do you mean?' Michelle turned back quickly nearly knocking Haruka over, who was now standing right behind Michelle.

'I like the idea of you being jealous if I flirt with another girl.' Haruka said putting her arms around Michelle.

'Oh.' Michelle said settling into Haruka's embrace. 'Just don't make it a habit.'

'Okay Michiru, I wont.'