Playing Hearts
Friday as here and Miyako was a wreck. She woke up late and didn't have time to pick out an outfit or brush her hair. So there she stood with sweatpants, a hoodie and her hair in a bun. She slammed her locker door and sighed, she couldn't let Boomer see like this. She walked over to Momoko and Kaoru. Momoko seemed busy with student government paperwork and Kaoru was doodling on her skateboard. Miyako sat down at the picnic table, she looked at her friends groggily. "Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Kaoru said. Momoko looked up from her paperwork, "What's wrong with you Miyako?" Miyako groaned, "I woke up late, I look hideous and now I can't let Boomer see me like this. By the way I have a favor to ask of you Momoko." Kaoru's eyes lit up, "You and Boomer? Finally!" Both girls looked shocked. "They're really cute together… leave me alone!" Kaoru protested. Momoko laughed, "What's the favor?" "Well um as you know Nana doesn't approve of me dating any boy and I have a date with Boomer tonight. I was wondering if I could sleepover at your house tonight if your dad doesn't mind," Miyako said. Momoko smiled, "Of course you can Miyako. Is Boomer picking you up there?" she said. Miyako nodded. "Well don't leave me out of this sleepover! I don't want to spend Friday night alone," Kaoru interrupted. "What's this? A get together a Momoko's?" Butch walked over smiling. Momoko's eyes widened, "Oh no Butch, this is not a party!" "A party? At Momoko's house? We're in!" the school was bustling with the news of a party at Momoko's place.
Momoko laid her head down on her desk during English class. "What am I going to do?" she mumbled to herself. Mrs. Chobosky was out for the month so the students had a substitute teacher who slept all period. They all mingled and talked about tonight's alleged party. Momoko felt a tap on her shoulder, "Hey pinkie," Brick whispered. Momoko gave him a death glare, "What do you want?" He flinched, "Chill. I was just wondering if it's true. Are you really throwing a party tonight?" Momoko shrugged, "Yeah, it wasn't really my choice. Butch tricked me into it," she sighed. Brick laughed, "Yup he'll do that." Momoko watched as Brick's smile curled into a laugh. His lips were a light shade of pink and his eyes lit up.
Brick raised his eyebrow, "Momoko?" he nudged her shoulder. She fell back out of her seat, the whole class let out a gasp. Brick jumped out of his seat, he kneeled down next to her, "Momoko! Are you okay?" he asked. Brick surprised himself, why was he worried about her? Momoko rubbed her head, "Yeah I'm fine," she said. Momoko walked out of the classroom dazed.
Miyako knocked on Momoko's door, with her makeup bag, clothing bag, and sleeping bag. Kaoru tagged along. "Whoah Miyako. Why don't you just move in?" Momoko joked. Miyako blushed, "Sorry." Kaoru barged in with two cases of beer. Momoko jumped, "Whoah Kaoru! What the hell is that?" Kaoru looked at her dumbfounded, "Since you don't know how to throw a party I'm throwing it for you," she said setting the beer down. Miyako shook her head, "Your dad's not home is he?" Momoko shook her head, "He's out for a business trip the whole weekend. That still doesn't mean I can throw a party and trash the house!" she yelled. "Relax! We'll help you clean afterwards!" Kaoru retorted. Momoko rolled her eyes, "Come on Miyako, let's go get you ready for your date," she grabbed Miyako's hand and led her upstairs. Kaoru shrugged and went to Momoko's fridge.
Boomer brushed his hair nervously, he buttoned up his blue polo shirt and zipped up his khaki shorts. He looked like a poster boy for a clothing line. He walked downstairs to find Brick and Butch getting ready. "What are you guys dressing up for?" he asked. "Party at Momoko's," Butch replied. Brick nodded, "Date with Miyako?" Boomer nodded, "Should we all drive there together?" he asked. Butch nodded. "Wow Brick, this is the first time you dress up. Special occasion? Could it be for Momoko?" Boomer teased. Butch glanced at Brick. Brick wore dark khaki pants with a red plaid shirt, grey beanie, and black Vans. "He's right, you look presentable enough," Butch mocked. Brick gave his brothers the evil eye and scoffed, "Shut up."
Momoko applied makeup to Miyako's face and did her hair. "So, you're first date with Boomer. How you feeling?" Momoko made small talk with Miyako. Miyako sighed, "I'm a nervous wreck Momoko. What do I do?" Momoko took a strand of Miyako's hair and fit it into the curling iron, "Be yourself. That's the best thing about you Miyako. You're so bubbly and full of joy, it's probably why he likes you," she applied the finishing touches to her hair, "You'll be fine." Miyako smiled, "You're the best Momoko," she hugged her waist.
"Miyako! Your boy toy is here!" Kaoru screamed up the stairs. Miyako widened her eyes, "Tell them I'll be down in a couple of minutes, I have to put on my dress," she said to Momoko. Momoko nodded. She walked down the stairs slowly, she wondered if Brick came along. Momoko peeked around the corner to see all three boys in the living room. Boomer by the door, Butch pestering Kaoru, and Brick staring right at her. Momoko panicked, she
wasn't even dressed yet. She was still in her school uniform. "Why are you creeping around pinkie?" Brick smirked. Momoko blushed, why did he have to call her that? "Boomer Miyako's still getting ready, she'll be down in a few," Momoko said. "The guests will be arriving right about now," Butch said looking at his wrist. "You don't even have a watch stupid!" Kaoru slapped his hand down. "I'll kick your ass right here, right now Matsubara," Butch threatened. Momoko sweat dropped, "Not here, not now! I swear if you fight I'll make your life a living hell," Momoko looked both of them in the eyes. Kaoru and Butch backed down.
Miyako made an appearance ten minutes later, she walked down the stairs in a blue and polka dotted sundress. Her hair was curled up into a ponytail and her face shined brightly. Boomer felt weak in the knees again. Like the first time he spilt pant on her. His cheeks were burning up. "You look like a tomato!" Butch and Kaoru yelled in unison. Miyako giggled, "Shall we go then? Before this party starts?" Boomer opened the door and followed Miyako as she walked out. They shut the door behind them.
"I feel like their parents… IT'S SUCHA BEAUTIFUL MOMENT!" Kaoru wept into Momoko's shoulder. "Kaoru, did you already start drinking?" she asked. Kaoru nodded, hiccupping. "Then let the party begin ladies!" Butch shouted. It wasn't long till the house filled up with people, there were even people from distant colleges. Momoko bit her fingernails as she watched her house be trashed. She searched for Brick, maybe he could comfort her or keep her company. She went upstairs.
Brick was bored, Butch played beer pong with Kaoru and Momoko was nowhere to be found. He walked around the kitchen searching for something other than alcohol to drink. "Brick?" Brick flinched, he knew that voice, soft ad gentle. He turned around, "Mai?" She stood there in a white dress, her silver hair shining under the kitchen light. She smiled at him, "I missed you." Brick was shocked, "How did you get here? How did you know about this party?" he asked. Mai looked hurt, "Butch invited me." Brick looked over at Butch, Butch winked at him. "I brought Tatsuo with me, hope you don't mind," Mai said. Brick felt jealousy rise up inside of him all over again, he grabbed Mai's hand and led her upstairs.
Momoko saw Brick walk up the stairs with another girl, she frowned. Her chest felt heavy and she felt nervous. Momoko felt confused, was she jealous? She shook her head and sat on the couch, she and Brick were just friends. "Hey pretty lady," Momoko's head turned to find Tatsuo sitting next to her grinning. She rolled her eyes, "What are you doing here Tatsuo?" He laughed, "Didn't we used to be friends?" he said. "Well that was before I got this really creepy vibe from you that day at the club," she said, "It was a REALLY creepy vibe." Tatsuo put his arm around her, "Come on Momo let's be friends!" his words sounded slurred. Momoko was disgusted, "Bye Tatsuo." She got up and went upstairs.
Brick stood with Mai in the hallway, "I missed you. You stopped calling me," Mai said quietly. Brick's expression softened, "I heard you broke up with him. But why are you here with Tatsuo?" he asked. Mai looked down, "I missed you." Brick turned around, "Mai I don't want to play any games with you. Why did you come?" he said more sternly. Mai stayed quiet. Brick scoffed, "I thought you loved me Mai," he said. Brick started to walk away from her when Mai grabbed his wrist. They stood there quietly for a couple of minutes.
Momoko wandered to halls, she was tired and wanted the party to end she headed towards her bedroom. She turned a corner, "Oh um, I'm sorry," she saw Brick and the mystery girl, "You're blocking the door." Momoko pointed behind them. Brick looked surprised to see her there, it was obviously her house. "I should get going. Bye Brick," the girl walked away. Momoko smiled awkwardly at him, "Sorry." Brick scoffed at Momoko, he pushed past her. "What's his problem?" Momoko opened the door to her bedroom.
"Uhm, where do you want to go first? I have the car for a while," Boomer said nervously. Miyako smiled, she liked it when he was nervous, it was cute. "Why don't we go see a movie?" she replied. Boomer nodded. They drove downtown to the cinema, "Huh, I thought it'd be more packed than this," Miyako said looking around the almost deserted theater. "Everyone's probably at Momoko's party I think," Boomer said. They walked up to the counter, "Two tickets for Home please," Boomer said. "You know that's a cartoon right?" Miyako giggled. Boomer blushed, "It looks like a comforting movie." Miyako laughed. The couple grabbed some popcorn, a small bag of candy and headed towards their seats. Once they were seated the room went dark and the big screen brightened. Miyako glanced at Boomer, she could barely see his face in the dark.
Boomer felt her eye's on him he wriggled in his seat and gulped, his palms became sweaty. "Hey Miyako?" Boomer whispered. "Yes?" she said. "I'm really glad you said yes to me. I've been trying to ask you out since the day I spilled paint on your dress. And I think you're really great and I really like you and…" Boomer started to ramble and stutter on his words. He felt Miyako's hand brush up against his. "Will you stop rambling if I tell you I like you too?" she whispered. He squeezed her hand, they were quiet the rest of the movie.
Brick pushed past the crowd of people he felt used. He knew Mai was, at times sneaky, but he thought maybe this time would've been different. Right now he didn't care about anything he just wanted to leave. He walked towards the door. "Where's little Brickster going? Leaving so soon?" Tatsuo was blocking the door. "Get out of my way," Brick said sternly. Tatsuo grinned, it was sinister, "Did you talk to Mai?" Brick froze, "What's your problem with me dude?" he said, raising his voice. "You have no idea," Tatsuo mumbled under his breath. He pushed past Brick and walked upstairs. "But I'm sure Momoko would be happy to greet me nicely," he said turning around. Brick flinched, "She's just a pawn Tatsuo. Don't get things twisted," he sneered back. Tatsuo frowned, he continued back upstairs.
Momoko sat down on her bed already to go to sleep. She heard a knock on her door but ignored it. The last thing she remembered was the loud music downstairs. Momoko drifted to sleep.
Momoko awakened to the sound of voices downstairs, she grumbled as she got out of bed. "Oh my god. It must be a mess downstairs!" she suddenly remembered last night's events. Momoko threw off her bedsheets and ran downstairs. "My head hurts don't make me clean!" Butch groaned. Momoko saw Butch, Kaoru and Brick holding trash bags. "What are you all doing here?" Momoko asked. "Well it was Brick's idea to help clean up the mess," Kaoru sighed. Momoko looked at Brick, he said nothing. Was he still angry at her? "Well uh, thanks," Momoko said quietly. Butch sat on the couch, "I have a major hangover! Don't make me clean!" Kaoru grabbed him by his ear, "We're going to clean the backyard now," she dragged him out the sliding door. Momoko looked at Brick, "Are you ignoring me? I'm sorry if I interrupted what happened last night. It was an accident. I didn't even know you had a girlfriend. I'll make it up to you, even though this is my house and it was an honest mistake. She's really pretty. Maybe," Brick threw a beer can at Momoko, "You're rambling." Momoko pouted. "It's not your fault. Things are complicated," he sighed. Momoko threw a beer can at his face, "One, don't throw things at me. Two, sorry about your relationship problems but please don't take your anger out on others. Not very mature of you sir," she said. Brick smiled, "Okay Pinkie." Momoko scowled.
"What I do to relieve stress and my anger is I read a book," Momoko stacked books down in front of Brick. The four had finished cleaning the house and Butch and Kaoru were playing video games in the living room. Momoko was helping Brick with his anger in the kitchen. Brick cocked his eyebrow, he poked at the books. "I don't remember asking you to fix me," he said annoyingly. "Well I am, so suck it up princess," Momoko opened up a book. Brick rolled his eyes, "Books are boring." Momoko gasped, "They are most certainly not! Here," she pushed a book towards Brick. "Unwind?" he looked at her confused. Momoko's eyes lit up, "It's basically about this dystopian society that has the ability to take apart the bodies of unwanted teens." Brick eyed the book, "That sounds really weird." Momoko sighed, "It's either that or 'Romeo & Juliet'" Brick's eyes widened, he snatched the book from her quickly.
Momoko smirked, "That wipes romances off of your list." Brick looked at her quietly, "Do you like anybody Momoko?" he asked abruptly. Momoko paused, she continued reading her book. "I asked you a question Pinkie," Brick nudged her playfully. He tugged at her hair. "Stop it! Leave me alone!" Momoko shouted, she got up from her seat. "I think it's time you go home," she looked at the ground. Brick was confused, but he also felt angry all of a sudden. "Whatever, this whole thing is stupid anyways," Brick got up and walked out of the kitchen. Momoko was pissed, "Idiot" she huffed under her breath. Momoko walked past Butch and Kaoru quickly. "Was my brother being a jerk again?" Butch asked. Kaoru sighed, "He's such a priss."
Brick sat at a bar. He was annoyed at Momoko, all he did was ask a question and she blew him off. He looked down, it was the book she gave him. He scoffed, "She's so weird." Brick sipped his beer, he looked around the bar. Brick spotted a dark corner in the back of the bar, he walked over to the empty seat. He heard snickering as he walked by, maybe they knew he was underage and using a fake ID. Brick sighed as he sat down and opened the book. His eyes lazily rolled over the pages. He scanned the front cover, it seemed cool enough. Brick sighed defeated, "Chapter one."
Miyako and Boomer walked the town's streets holding hands. They were officially a couple. They smiled happily enjoying the sensations of being together officially. "So, what are the plans for tonight?" Miyako asked. "I was thinking of inviting Kaoru and Momoko so we can all have a movie night with my brothers," Boomer said. Miyako smiled, "Do they know about us?" "I don't think so, let's surprise them." Boomer smiled as he gave Miyako a kiss on the cheek. Miyako giggled and sighed, "I hope this isn't a disaster."