Chapter 7- I Think I'm In Love
They sat silently, gazing into the others loving stare. The sun fell and night arisen. It was as if they could tell what each other was saying through their shimmering blue eyes. Mamoru began to notice how charming Usagi truly was when the moonlight struck her. "I...I...I think I..."
Usagi placed a slender finger on his lips. "I know. Same here."
Mamoru shifted his head slightly forward, waiting for her to go the rest of the way. Her slow movements made it passionate and special. Even though they had kissed many other people in the past, it had never felt like this. He loved the feel of her soft lips pressed against his.
Kenji, Ikuko, and Shingo had fallen asleep while playing the game in his room. Usagi discovered this when she walk out of her room to place her math homework, which she never finished, into it. She stepped back inside her room. "When do you have to go home?"
His eyes saddened. "I don't have any specific time..."
"What do you mean?" She sat on Mamoru's lap and kissed his cheek.
"I lost my parents a long time ago. So I've been living with my best friend, Motoki, ever since that day."
"I'm sorry." Usagi held him tightly in her arms. He returned this with a hug.
"It's okay. It's sad, but I've learned to accept it." A tear slid down his face. Usagi wiped it off.
"It's okay. I'm always here for you if you ever need me. I have a secret too."
"What?"
"I'm about to turn sixteen years old and I still think that there's such a thing as a moon maiden. Usually at this time, every night, I sit at that window and talk to her." Usagi covered her face in shame.
"That's okay. Don't worry about feeling immature about it or however you feel. We all have something from our childhood that will follow us for who knows how long." He pulled her hands away from her face. "Don't hide your beauty."
A stupid smile appeared. Usagi yawns and lies down on her bed. Mamoru lies back with her. "Are you always so nice to every girl?"
"I'm an all around nice guy. But if you're asking do I treat you differently, the answer is yes. It's because I feel strange around you, in a good way." Mamoru stared at the ceiling before looking at her once more. "Are you always so open to guys?"
"No, you're the first guy. I've only told a few girls. You're actually the only guy I've ever trusted this much. I mean sure I've trusted some others, but never this much." Usagi kissed him gently.
After kissing they sat gazing at one another, their eyes becoming heavy.
Usagi awoke the next morning by the sound of singing birds and the sun shining in her eyes. I'm still in my uniform. She glanced behind her to see if he was still there. I guess he left during the night after I feel asleep.
She changed out her uniform into another one. "That's better."
Usagi slid down the stair rail and flew right into Shingo. "Watch it KLUTZ!"
"At least I'm not stupid!" She slammed her fist at his head, missing by an inch.
"You don't have a right to call anyone that. After all, I'm not the one with a peanut brain." She took another hit at him. "And at least I can hit what I'm aiming for!"
"Stop fighting and get in here." Ikuko shouted.
"Yes, mother." They simultaneously said.
"Jinx!" Shingo and Usagi screamed. "Jinx."
"I said it first." They squealed. "Jinx."
"Get in here right now!" Kenji yelled authoritatively.
They dashed into the kitchen. Usagi grabbed the milk and poured it inside a bowl of cereal. "How did you and Mamoru get along last night?"
"Fine." Cereal crumbs flew out of her mouth.
"I never saw him leave." Kenji said suspiciously.
Shingo grinned evilly hoping that his sister was about to get busted. "I don't know when he left, but I know he did. We were talking and I feel asleep while resting my eyes. That's all that happened Dad."
He glared at her. "You wouldn't lie to me, would you?"
"No." She rolled her eyes.
"I believe you." Kenji sipped on his coffee.
"You're letting her off that easy!" The brown haired child whined.
"She's old enough to take responsibility for her own actions." Ikuko said. "But, Usagi, if we ever do find out that you're doing something with this boy, there will be consequences."
"I know." Usagi skipped back into her room. She stepped in front of her mirror and began to brush out the tangles in her golden locks. Usagi Chiba, Chiba Usagi, I like the sound of that.
She puts the brush handle in her mouth and ties her hair into two buns on either side of her head, letting the rest dangle down into ponytails, which was her normal hairstyle. Usagi was putting extra effort into her looks this morning.
Usagi drove today with her mom in the passenger seat. When they arrived she got out and Ikuko stepped out of Usagi's car and into the drivers' seat, driving off.
She ran up to the front of the building. Haruka stepped in front of her. "Hey, cutie." She winks. "How's it going?"
"Uhhhh..." Usagi winces. "Good."
"That's nice. How would you like to hang out with me after school today?" Haruka placed an arm around her.
Michiru ran up to them furiously. "Haruka, what are you doing?"
"I have to go." Michiru snatched Haruka's arm off of Usagi and pulled him away. "You're not even supposed to talk with her and now you're hitting on her!"
"I wasn't..."
"I don't want to hear your excuses. Why do you have to flirt with all the cute girls? I thought you loved me!" She began to sob.
"Don't get upset. You know you're my one and only. I promise you that one day we'll be able to show our feelings openly. Without Setsuna complaining to us." Haruka gave her a quick hug. "I love you."
"I love you more." Michiru leaned in to kiss her.
Setsuna grunted from behind. They stepped away from each other. "Do you want people to think you're like that? The correct answer is no. If they think you two like girls, they'll eventually start to think I do too. Then my image would be totally ruined and my Mamoru wouldn't love me anymore."
"He doesn't love you now." Haruka mumbled under her breath.
"What was that?" Setsuna squinted.
"Nothing. Ha-ha, I was just saying how pretty you look today." She lied.
"Thank you." Setsuna flips her hair. "I try my best."
Minako ran up to them. "Hi!"
Setsuna glares. "W…what did I do?" Minako stammered.
"You know." She shook her head in disappointment.
Minako bit her fingernail. "No, I don't."
"You were hanging out with that blonde girl." Michiru hissed.
She thought for a moment. "Liliko?"
"No..." Haruka felt sorry about how stupid Minako's was. No wonder guys like her so much. They could get away with anything with this girl.
Minako tapped her foot. "Amaka! It has to be her. Hehe, I'm so smart."
"No!" Setsuna snapped. "USAGI TSUKINO!"
"Nah, it can't be her. I mean she is so sweet and nice!" Minako twirled. "I even got her to do the dance of love with me! That was fun. It was in science class. Fun times, fun times."
"You can't talk to her anymore!" Setsuna busted out with rage.
"But... but..." Minako felt her chest sinking.
"Wait a minute. I have a better idea." She rubbed her hands together. "You can still talk to her."
"Yay."
"Convince her that you're her friend. Then when she least expect it, sabotage her entire life. And find out a way to make Mamoru hate her. It's genius! Getting close to someone only to hurt them in the end!"
"But... But… I…" Minako stuttered.
"Bye!" Setsuna, Michiru, and Haruka ran off to their classes.
"But, I don't want to hurt her." The bell rung. "I can't do something like that to Usagi..."
Usagi stepped inside her class room and sat in her seat. Jake walked over to her. "Hey, did you miss me?"
"No, I was hoping that you choked on your own air and died." Usagi pulls out her homework. I got to finish this, fast!
Jake took his seat behind her. Mr. Kowashima walks inside. "Hello class." He says in a dull voice. "Pass your homework to the front and well start today's lesson."
No! I haven't finished yet! Her work was pulled away from her form the kid in front of her. "Maybe I can at least get a sixty."
He began his lesson on polynomials; he had decided to skip a few chapters. Usagi was doodling pictures of Mamoru and her. Wait a minute! If this is Algebra 1. What is Jake doing in here if he's a senior? She glanced back at him. He smiled and waved. It sent a creepy feeling through her body. Ewww! He must be pretty stupid.
The class bell rang. Usagi just remembered how Makoto became upset when she mentioned Jake's name yesterday. "I wonder why..."
"Wonder what?" Jake wrapped his arm around her waist.
She pushed him away. "Do you know anyone named Makoto?"
His eyes widened for a second, but he quickly went back to normal. "Makoto, never heard of her."
"Are you sure?" She titled her head causing blonde strands to fall across her face. This made her adorable.
Jake smiled at how cute she looked. "Yea, I wouldn't lie to you." He fibbed.
"Okay, I was just wondering." Usagi turned and started to head to her next class.
"Can I walk you there?" Jake asked kindly, unlike he usually did by not giving her an option.
"Sure, if you really want to." She was impressed at his attitude change.
"I would do anything for you." He smiled at her.
Usagi got a warm feeling inside of her. I can't love him, when I'm in love with Mamoru. I'm so confused with my feelings. Why did I have to come to High School? There I go again, thinking those thoughts. I won't let myself be caught in Mamoru or his tricks!
I'll have her falling for me in a week. Jake smirked. Girls a believe anything you tell them.
They arrived at room 207. "See you in gym class."
"Bye." Usagi sat beside Minako. "I love that the teacher is never here."
"Me...too..." She seemed to be in a daze.
"What's wrong?" Usagi grew worried.
"Oh, nothing..." Minako played with her fingers.
Mrs. Bakoushi walked in. "Hello, everyone. Sorry I haven't been here. I've just been busy." She tried to get her hair out of the mess it was in.
The intercom buzzed. "Mrs. Bakoushi, Mr. Backlie needs you in the gym for a moment."
"Coming." She slipped outside the door yelling. "I'll be back soon kids!"
"She's never coming back." Minako sighed.
"Tell me what's wrong and don't say nothing. Because I know there is." Usagi demanded an answer.
"It's just family stuff..." She was trying to deceive her. I can't do what I'm supposed to do. I love this girl too much. Minako stares at the blonde blowing air up on her bangs causing them to fly upwards. She can't help if she stole Mamoru's heart away from Setsuna. Usagi wasn't even trying to; she didn't want to have anything to do with men. And now when the perfect guy finds her, she gets punished.
"Sorry, if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know." She placed her hand on Minako's shoulder while her face seemed to be very soothing and serene. "You were the first person to talk to me and I would do anything to help you. You're very special to me."
Minako half smiled at this comment. "Same for you..."
Most of the time Minako remained silent. Sometimes she talked to Usagi in short sentences. The class went by slowly.
The bell finally rang. Minako was the first outside the door. Usagi headed to the gymnasium. Mamoru ran up to her. "Hey, Odango Atama!"
This struck a nerve. "Why are you calling me that!" Usagi barked.
"I thought it suited you perfectly." He held his hands up innocently.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?" Usagi lowered an eyebrow. "Huh?"
"I didn't mean anything by it. Odango Atama is just a nickname, I thought of it the first time I looked at you."
"Why?" She glared at him.
"Uhhh..." He pauses. "Your hair."
She sticks her nose up and storms off into the gym. "I didn't' mean it as an insult Usagi!"
"Shut up stupid!" Usagi disappeared inside.
"Why do girls play hard to get after you've already caught them?" Mamoru rubbed the back of his head.
"That, my friend, is a mystery we will never solve." A strange boy proclaimed as he walked by.
He walked inside and changed in the locker room. Mr. Lakoru blew his whistle. "Front and center!"
All the teenagers ran up. Usagi noticed, for the first time, how hot Mamoru looked in his uniform. "Wow!"
"What was that, Tsukino?" He shouted.
"Nothing sir." She stood up straight up.
"Today I'm going to pair you up with partners. Every week you will have a new partner unless I say otherwise." He looked around the room. "Okay, Ami and Mamoru on Team one."
"What!" He shouted.
"I didn't hear a complaint did I, Chiba?" Mr. Lakoru yelled.
"No sir." Mamoru stood stiff.
"That's what I thought. You two over there on that mat. Let's see who should I pick next." He scanned the crowd of students with his brown eyes. "Jake and Usagi are team two. Lamara and Vicuña are team three."
He continued naming pairs until all the students had partners. Today you will be tested in swimming. The first team to complete swimming back and forth four times each first wins."
"What's the prize?" Vicuña yelled. She was one of those blondes that gave the others a bad name. "Is it a day at the spa?"
"No, Vicuña. Can you please stop asking such questions? The prize is the rest of the week out of the other competitions. You'll get to sit out with whoever you chose. I don't care if their from an opposing team or not, they'll just get your old partner. Okay, now every go get into your swimmers uniform and head to the pool." He blew his whistle and everyone dashed away.
Mamoru stared at Usagi as she ran into the girls' locker room. I have to win this. I can't let her be on a team with Jake. He'll corrupt her before she knows it.
He knew she was he's after last night, but the way she took the nickname he gave her, and her reaction towards it made him worry.
Everybody was aligned at the pool. "Ami, are you a good swimmer?"
"Yes." She said peevishly.
"That's good." He waited behind Ami, glaring at Jake, who was standing too close to Usagi for his comfort. "Can you give her some space?"
"She hasn't complained." He laughed.
"Actually, you are just a little too close for doing this." Usagi pushed him back.
"On your mark, get set, GO!" Mr. Lakoru blew into his whistle.
Ami shot off faster than her competitors, while Usagi struggled. "Come on Usagi, you have to do this four times before I can get in. Don't go so slow! I want to win so we can spend time together!" Jake slapped his forehead. We're never going to win at this rate.
What he didn't know was that Usagi was doing this purposely. She was slow at swimming but not that slow. I have to apologize for screaming at him for calling me Odango. He didn't have bad intensions for it. I don't know what came over me. I love him... No, there I go again! I can't help it though this feeling. Moon Maiden, please forgive me. But Mamoru and I are perfect for one another and I feel he will be different from the rest.
"It's okay. I'll talk with you more in your room tonight. Usagi, you will find out just how special of a girl you are." A familiar voice whispered though her ear. "Be sure to pick up a stray black cat with a bold crescent mark on its forehead if you pass one. Goodbye."
I'm special? But I'm not different form any other ordinary girl. And why is she talking about a cat? She also wondered why the Moon Maiden finally decided to talk to her here of all places.
Usagi was on her second time heading forwards in the pool as Ami was getting out, and Mamoru leaped in, creating a splash. Team one was way ahead of all the other teams. She smiled as she watch him swimming. Usagi finally finished her turn and Jake jumped in just as the Mr. Lakoru blew his whistle once more. "The winner is team one. Okay, everyone class is going to be over in fifteen minutes so tomorrow Chiba here will decide who he wants to sit out with for the rest of the week."
Mamoru waited for Usagi to exit the changing room and walked over to her. "I bet you're glad that we have to wear those hideous blue cap things, aren't you? I wouldn't want you messing up your luxurious hair for the rest of the day. Even though you'd still look adorable."
"Yea, thanks. Who are you going to pick." She crossed her fingers hoping it was her.
"You." He smiled.
She squealed and leaped into his arms, but quickly walked away blushing. "Sorry..."
"It doesn't matter. After all, you are my girlfriend, right?" His smile faded. "If not, then will you be my girlfriend?"
"Uhhhh..." She played with her fingers.
"So, yesterday meant nothing to you?"
"No, that's not it!" Usagi defended.
"Then what. Am I not good enough for you?"
"You are good enough."
"Then why won't you be my girlfriend?" Mamoru looked at Jake. "Or do you want to be with him?"
"No, he's just a friend. Please don't get angry with me over this. I lo...lo..." She stuttered.
"You what." He said irritated.
"I... LOVE YOU!" Usagi ran away to the lunch area.
Mamoru stood there shocked. "I'm thinking that's a yes, but I'm not sure."
"With women we're never sure of anything." The same strange boy from earlier said as he walked by with a milkshake in his hand.
"Who is he?" Mamoru shook his head before heading off to his next class.
Chapter 7 is finally here. I hope you all have enjoyed reading it. Please review and tell me what you think or if I need to work on something.
Chibi-Yaten
