Easy as Life
Usagi knew this was the end, but she didn't want to admit it. They were all going down different paths, different walks of life: Makoto to her fancy cooking school, Ami to her medical college in America, Rei on a pilgrimage, and Minako to who knows where – and here she was, boring old Usagi, going to Tokyo University because it was one of the few Universities that would accept her after her high school career of barely scraping by. Instead of voicing all of her concerns to her friends, she did what she did well: Hid her doubts behind her smile, and threw a going away party for all of them. She put her all into this party: Getting everything color coordinated for all of the girls, begging her Papa to give her enough money for amazing party favors, and renting out the best banquet hall Tokyo had to offer.
It seemed to work, because all of them were having the fun she was expecting them to have. Never mind the smiles that didn't quite reach their eyes, never mind the laughter that wasn't as bright. They all were having fun at this event, and no amount of anxious gestures, or downtrodden glances were going to convince her otherwise.
The party came to an end – far earlier than Usagi would have liked – and they all agreed to meet at her house the next morning so they could all drive to the airport, to see Ami off. One animated conversation later, they all were waving goodbye, and Usagi plastered a smile wide enough on her face for it to hurt.
When she was sure they all had left, the light instantly drained from her face. Her shoulders slumped, and she walked inside to make sure every organizer was paid for their services. She knew this was rather destructive behavior, but at this point, she didn't care: It made her friends happy, and that was what was most important to the blond.
When Usagi got home, she crawled into her bed not even bothering to take off her clothes. She cried silent tears, thumbing through all of the pictures of the five of them together that they had taken all through junior High, and high school. She placed her photo album down, wiped her eyes and threw the blanket over her head. Taking a few deep breaths, she calmed herself enough to fall into a restless sleep.
Yes, this wasn't healthy, by any means: But it was far easier than any alternative. She knew she'd get over it, eventually. At least, she hoped she would.