Chapter 7- Nostalgia

A/N-

Another short chapter, but I liked writing about the new kids doing what the old kids used to do. Also, we meet Nephrite this chapter! I feel writing for an American character is so much easier, even though I have NO clue what it's like in North Dakota. The character "Sam" was inspired by just what I see as normal gas-station employees, but she made me laugh, and will probably return!

Enjoy!

*I don't own Sailor Moon but a girl can dream*

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Thank goodness the parlor was empty today- Usagi, (chibi)usagi, mamoru and crew took up nearly half the dining space. The arcade had maybe 3 others who were victim to the noise the group brought. They soon left.

"Um I think I'll have a chocolate shake please-" Chibiusa said, before being interrupted by Usagi.

"Me too!" The blonde odango spat out.

"Usagi shouldn't you be focused on saving money to buy Mamo-chan a new table?" Usagi's smile flipped.

"I'll start saving... tomorrow."

The smaller of the two simply sighed.

Kimiko, Haruhi, and Mitsuka were arguing while pushing each other to play the sailor V game. Of course. Koya and Aiko were playing less populated games, wasting quarters and shaking machines to get free money from jammed slots. Koya had semi-mastered the claw machine, slowly accumulating a pile of cheap stuffed animals and an occasional sailor v or sailor moon doll. He had a tuxedo mask too.

Aiko, on the other hand, was wasting money on an outdated racing game that had seen better days. She would occasionally win, and get a free race for 1st place. Then other times she would lose by a millisecond and rage quit, only to come right back.

Usagi and Usagi stayed where the food was, surprisingly keeping their distance from the machines. Minako was all over the place, playing everything, eating everything, talking to everyone, at what seemed to be an abnormally fast rate. Makoto was helping Koya get more toys. The machine would probably be empty before they left. Ami was cheering on the girls at the Sailor V machine, and Rei was keeping quiet at the table with the foodies.

"Arigato Rei-chan!" Minako helped herself to Rei's milkshake, and sat across from her at the booth, cramming Mamoru further into the corner. When it was practically empty, Minako looked up for a millisecond to say something snarky to Rei, who was staring directly into the glass. But Minako didn't look at Rei. She instead looked at the person walking past the Game Center. The person that shouldn't be there.

Rei pondered the thought of finally confronting Mamoru about the shrine incident earlier. She never did call him. When she looked up, Minako seemed to be in a trance. She slowly pushed herself out of the booth, and started walking at about the speed of a turtle to the front door. She gradually picked up her pace, and lightly started jogging, which turned into a run. For a moment Minako seemed to pause, and then slow again.

Rei had chased her outside, and the others were confused.

"He's gone."

"Mina who-"

"I-I thought I saw him. I really did." Tears softly fell down her face, and slid onto her white blouse.

The raven-haired girl encompasses the blonde into a tight hug. "You're okay. I promise."

Modern Day North Dakota, US (2:41 pm):

(Theo Lapointe POV:)

The streets weren't busy around this time of day, and it made walking somewhat pleasant. It let me clear my head. I felt I needed to clear my head. Constantly. In fact, I don't think i've touched my car in a week. Though the headaches haven't gotten better. If anything, they've gotten worse.

As the street light changed from green to red, I snapped out of my thoughts, and checked my watch. Shit. My lunch break was over in 10 minutes, and I was 15 minutes from work. I hastily crossed the street, and bolted in the direction of the gas-station where Sam worked. Jumping the decade-old chain link fence, I hurried inside the now empty convenience store accompanying the pumps.

"Sam!" I slammed my hands down on the counter in an act of urgency. "I need to borrow your bike."

Sam looked up from her phone, tilting her head slightly to the left, and placed her cigarette butt into the ash tray. Her wispy bangs and horribly dyed black hair were cut at a downward slant, and the pale makeup with black lipstick and eyeshadow really completed the emo look. Not to mention the piercings. She sighed and stared at me as if I ruined her day. I probably did.

"Why."

"I'm going to be late to work, so can I um- go, please?"

"What do I get out of this?" She stated in her trademark monotone voice.

"Um... you can- use my car." She raised an eyebrow. "For a month."

"Deal." She threw the beat up Harley Davidson keys and opened a bag of Cheetos. "See ya around pretty boy."

I turned slightly before heading out the door and gave a small salute, and continued to sprint to the back where she parked the motorcycle.

This wasn't the first time I had "borrowed" her bike, and as long as I changed nothing about my routine, it probably wouldn't be the last.

I tilted my head to view the Yeezy-Gas sign flickering softly before I sped off. I wasn't about to be late to work again.