Author Note:Sorry this chapter is shorter than the ones that I have been posting but it covers what I need before I move on to the next one. Enjoy.
I laid in my bed as I looked at my phone. It was ten minutes till my first class started. I am way to depressed to leave my room today. Fuck it. I closed my eyes again. I opened them some time later. I looked at my phone I had missed three classes already. Damn Nadia for making me realize that I had lost a lot of interest in the artifact and was focused more on Miyuki. I am such an idiot why did I feel this way? I need to focus on the artifact that thing is worth millions. Girls break your heart money doesn't. I would have been happy to of never tried hooking up with Miyuki. Miyuki probably is going through her own emotional turmoil and Shizuma as well. If I were to find out that I was dating the sister of the girl I loved and died leaving me all alone I would be pretty messed up too.
I picked my phone up and looked typed a text message.
"What are you doing?"
I waited for a response that came faster than I thought.
"laying down in my bed. You?"
I smiled.
"Same."
Just then I heard someone knocking on a door in the hallway. "Nadia? Are you in there? Why aren't you coming to class?" At that moment I received a text message.
"Miyuki is knocking on my door."
I typed in a response.
"I know I can hear her. Haha."
A second later another message.
"What should I do?"
I thought for a minute.
"What you feel like doing."
On the opposite side of the hall Nadia got up from her bed and went to answer the door for Miyuki.
"Hi." Nadia said only opening the door a crack. "Can I help you?"
"I would prefer you help Shizuma."
"I think I've done enough damage don't you." Nadia mumbled just barely audible.
"Maybe but why don't you try to fix your mistakes. I don't know what to say to her to make her feel better."
"I am in my room here trying to figure out my own feelings. How the hell am I supposed to help her when I can't even help myself?"
Miyuki's expression changed to one full of impatience. "Look Nadia it's simple for you. You messed up and things happened in a way we all wish they hadn't. You have feelings for Shizuma don't you?"
"Yea but."
"Then that's all there is to it. Help her out and talk to her. Why don't you start out by apologizing then see what you say from there. I really think she needs to hear from you Nadia."
Nadia opened the door all the way and asked Miyuki. "What about you? Don't you want to talk to Tysha."
"I'll wait for her."
"Why? If you care about her so much you should take the initiative. Here let me help you." Nadia walked over to Tysha's door and knocked. There was no reply. "Tysha it's me."
"Are you alone?"
"Yea." Nadia lied.
"It's open."
Nadia opened the door and pushed Miyuki into Tysha's room. "Tysha I'm going to talk to Shizuma. You better keep pace." Nadia smiled as she closed the door.
"You're an asshole." Tysha called out to Nadia in English.
Tysha was still in her night cloths and her hair was a mess as she sat on her bed. "So what do you want to talk about?"
"Well what do you want to tell me first Tysha?"
"You pretty much know everything. Kaori and Nadia are my childhood friends. Kaori got sent here because there were doctors here who knew how to prolong Kaori's life. Kaori and Nadia have the same mother who is a Japanese woman from Tokyo who attended Miator as a child. After Kaori's condition improved her mother thought it would be wise for her to stay in the same country as the doctors that helped her. Nadia and Kaori would write letters to each other all the time. That's pretty much it."
"I had heard so much about Kaori's sister but I never thought I would ever meet her. Let alone become her friend. Why did she try to hide it?"
"Ok Nadia was just trying to protect me or whatever. We both hide it because we didn't want to make a big scene and we tried to get close to you and Shizuma because we thought you might know something about what we are looking for but, things happened and I started having feeling for you and Nadia for Shizuma. Before we knew what we were doing we were trying to keep you both from knowing the truth."
"The truth as in how you both tried to use us for your own personal gain."
"Yea whatever." Tysha was getting a little defensive now. "Look I told you pretty much everything and it's all the truth. Whatever happens between us is up to you. I did what I did and I feel horrible about it but I can't take it back no matter how bad I want to."
"What did Nadia send to Kaori?"
"I can't tell you that."
"Why not?" Miyuki asked as she began to get irritated. "If you want to try and fix this you have to be honest with me and stop keeping things from me."
"Maybe you don't want to fix this and you just don't know it yet." Tysha told Miyuki as she looked at the floor.
"What do you mean?"
"What we are looking for. If you found out about it and how we got it you might not want anything to do with us anymore. Miyuki do you think I am a good person?"
"Y-Yes why would you ask that?"
"I am not a good person and I dragged my best friend down with me too. I got her to do something huge and it could have gotten us into a lot of trouble. If I learned something out of all of this it is that I need to change some things about myself and right now I don't like the person I am. I am not a good enough person to be in any type of relationship with you."
Miyuki didn't know what to say to this. She wasn't even sure what Tysha was trying to tell her. "What exactly are you saying Tysha?"
"I'm saying maybe we should pretend we never had anything between us."
"Is that what you really want?" Miyuki started to choke up as tears fell from her eyes.
"It is." Tysha didn't look at Miyuki knowing that if she did she would start crying and her new found resolve to protect Miyuki from herself would crumble. Miyuki walked out of Tysha's room without saying another word.
Tysha went to her phone and typed in a text message.
"things didn't go as I wanted but I feel better come to my room when you are done."
About a half hour later Nadia came into Tysha's room and was holding a small box. "I think we should focus on what we came here for."
"So I'm guessing you and Shizuma aren't together anymore."
Nadia shook her head and sat on Tysha's bed. "How could I when I couldn't tell her the truth about why I came here. If she found out we wouldn't be together anyway so might as well not tell her and not be together."
"Yea I had that same problem. Hey Nadi."
"Yea?"
"When we leave this place let's start over."
Nadia just nodded her head at Tysha.
"Ok open it." Tysha told Nadia.
As she opened the box there was a small picture of Shizuma and Kaori under a tree in the middle of a small clearing. There was no note or anything just the picture.
"That sucks." Tysha said as she started to brush her hair.
"What the hell is this supposed to mean?" Nadia said more to herself than to Tysha.
"I don't know what to tell you but don't worry we'll figure it out."
Tysha and Nadia left it at that and stayed in their own rooms for the rest of the day.
Summer brake ended and Shizuma, Miyuki, Tysha, and Nadia all lived their days pretending nothing ever happened between any of them. Tysha and Nadia helped out in the council meetings as they did before the break. Tysha hung out with Amane a lot and flirted with the Spica girls. Nadia took up Miator's fencing club and was doing well there. Miyuki kept herself busy with student council duties and Shizuma with her Etoile responsibilities. It had been three months since the night Shizuma and Miyuki found out Nadia was Kaori's sister and if you weren't around for the short time both girls were on vacation with the two transfer students and fourth years you wouldn't of known they had ever changed and went back to their former selves.
"You did really well today Nadia."
Nadia turned around to see Sakura smiling at her. "Thanks." She turned around and closed the locker in front of her. "You better watch out Sakura. I'm getting a lot better and you're the only one I haven't beaten yet."
"Don't worry Nadi I didn't teach you everything I know."
It made Nadia flinch when Sakura called her Nadi. Only a few people called her that and it was only after she gave them permission. "I'll see you later." She turned and walked out of the shower room. She started heading towards the stables where she knew Amane and Tysha would be. Tonight was poker night. The people who usually participated were the ones who attended the routine tea parties in Nagisa and Tamao's room. The only thing that Tysha and Nadia had to agree to to let them teach the girls poker is that there would be tea and cakes at the poker games. Amane had also started to join us in Tysha's room as she got better and better at the game.
"Hey loser." Tysha called Naida as she rode one of the schools horses towards her.
"You always use that horse."
"Yea he kinda grew on me. How was fencing practice?"
"It was ok? Hi Amane."
"Hi." Amane waved to Nadia.
"You ready for tonight?" Nadia asked both of them.
"You bet." Amane said as she and Starbride went to jump more hurdles.
"Hey I'm going to grab something to eat and I'll meet you in the council room." Tysha told Nadia.
"Sounds good. I'll be in my room studying before I have to be there too."
As Nadia turned around she saw a lot of girls standing behind her. "What the?"
"It's a small crowd but I'm betting as time goes by it'll be as big as Amane's." Tysha smiled and waved at the girls as the cheered her on.
"Wow. Ok I'll see you later."
"Bye Nadi."
In the student council room.
"Hey Shizuma."
"Yes?"
"Can you look these over for me?" Miyuki handed her a stack of files.
Everything had been so routine and boring the past few months. Things might start getting interesting with the Etoile election coming up but not that much. A few minutes later the student councils from lulium and Spica had entered the room followed by Nadia and Tysha. Everyone started discussing the preparations for the Etoile election and what each person was responsible for. The council room was awkward at first but everyone had gotten really used to pretending nothing ever happened and it had a lot to do with Miyuki's strong sense of duty. The meeting went on for an hour before Miyuki started wrapping things up.
"Ok does anyone have anything to add?" Miyuki looked around the room to see no one had anything. "Ok then I will see you all tomorrow."
As soon as Miyuki finished her sentence sister Mizue stepped into the council room.
"How is everyone doing today?"
The girls greeted her appropriately.
"Well I had realized that I hadn't checked up on the new transfer students since I told them they had to serve a suitable punishment for their little tennis match."
Everyone looked at Tysha and Nadia. Tysha rolled her eyes and rested her chin on her palm.
"It's nice to see you both are fitting in well and behaving yourselves."
Really? Is she serious? Tysha thought to herself as she blew a big bubble out of the gum that was in her mouth and let it burst with a loud pop.
Nadia burst out laughing without even trying to contain herself. While Shizuma and Miyuki put their hands over their mouths trying not to laugh. Shion and Chikaru's mouths just hung open.
"Oops." Tysha shrugged.
"You two are the most ill mannered American's girls I have ever met." The sister said as her shock changed to anger. "Both of you in my office right now."
As the three of them left the council room Miyuki started to laugh lightly. "Well I'll see you later." Shizuma followed Miyuki out.
Three hours later.
I had just got done saying the prayer when Nadia and Tysha walked into the dinning hall. All eyes turned to them as they broke the silence.
"Hi." Nadia said as she smiled wide at everyone. This caused some giggling throughout the dinning hall before it was filled with casual conversation. I sat done next to Miyuki at our usual table and began to eat what was in front of me. Till this day every time I see Nadia I ask myself the same question. What the hell happened? It was all over so fast and I still didn't understand why. All I knew is that it was what Nadia wanted and what she said was best. What else could I do? Both Nadia and Tysha walked by my table.
"You." Nadia and Tysha turned around to see a small fourth year student standing behind them pointing a finger at Nadia. "When you walk by the Etoile you are supposed to give the appropriate greeting."
This caused a smile to spread across Nadia's face but Tysha looked slightly irritated. The girl was a student from Miator who had been stalking me ever since news got around about Nadia and I and our sudden break up. What was her name again?
"Oh really?" Nadia said stepping up to the girl. "And just who are you supposed to be enforcing these rules and customs?"
"Aiko Kai and…"
Aiko was cut off as another girl walked by her and stood next to Nadia taking hold of her arm possessively. This was Sakura Mizrahi she was in the fencing club and the best fencer on the team as well. Because of Nadia's ability to pick up the sport quick and Sakura's teaching both of them will be participating in a competition in a week representing Miator. I don't know why but I didn't like the girl. "Aiko don't you have better things to do than to be brown nosing the Etoile?"
Aiko didn't say anything but just glared at Sakura.
"Ok that's enough." Tysha intervened before a cat fight broke out. "Just go about your business and how bout you let my friend have blood circulation back into her arm. Who are you anyway?"
"I am Sakura Mizrahi. I am on the fencing club with Nadia. Nice to meet you."
A flash of recognition past through Tysha's expression. "Oh ok nice to meet you. I'm Tysha Rios."
"Yes I know Nadia has told me a lot about you."
I didn't realize how hard I was holding my spoon until Miyuki tapped my arm and was pointing at the bent object in my hand. Aiko had snuck away somewhere and the three girls standing up walked over to Tysha and Nadia's usual table. I hated this. I can't take this it's like everything was over before I knew it and there was nothing I could have done about it.
"Shizuma I was thinking." I turned to Miyuki to hear what she was about to say. "How much would I be able to deal with knowing to be with Tysha."
I waited a little thinking about what Miyuki had just told me. "Well?"
"I haven't thought about it enough yet but ill let you know what I come up with."
Later that night Tysha, Nadia, Amane, Hikari, Nagisa, Tamao, Yaya, and Tsubomi. Where all in Tysha's room Nagisa and Tamao were sitting on the bed and the rest were sitting around a circular table Nadia and Tysha had "borrowed" from the cooking club. The game tonight was five card draw and the lucky ones today seemed to be Tysha and Amane.
"So Nadia, who is this girl who sat with us today? What was her name? Sakura?" Amane said as she discarded two cards and picked up two more.
"Ha it's her new girlfriend." Yaya laughed as she dropped one and drew another.
"Hush Yaya." Tsubomi poked Yaya.
"I was just kidding." Yaya smiled.
"Geez guys she's just a girl in the fencing club. We just practice together a lot."
"Yea so much that you just happen to be competing next week in a competition together right?" This was Hikari who all of a sudden had jokes.
"It's not like that." Nadia told them.
"Yea well she sure doesn't share your same view point." Tysha said as she threw down three and drew three more. "She's all hugged up on you and shit."
"You're one to talk Tysha." Tamao said as she handed out the tea her and nagisa made. "You have half of Spica going after you."
"Lesson number 66 Tamao. Never lead a girl on that you don't like. I don't lead those girls on because I don't like them like that. If I just want to mess around with one I'll make sure they know it. Speaking of, have you and Sakura done anything Nadi?"
"How could you even ask that?" Nadia asked a little shocked.
"Dude you know we don't see each other that much anymore and I feel like I haven't been really informed on anything you do anymore ever since you joined that club." Tysha explained.
"Hey I joined that club so I would always have something to do and that's all I've done with it and all I intend to do."
"Nadia, It wouldn't be such a terrible thing if you were to actually like Sakura it wouldn't be anything to be ashamed of." Nagisa said as he handed Nadia her tea.
"Thank you Nagisa but I don't think it's going to happen."
The girls played for a couple of hours before they called it a night. Amane had won followed closely by Tysha.
"Have a good night Tysha. It was fun taking your money." Amane said over her shoulder
"Yea yea sure whatever get the hell out." Tysha said playfully as she walked the girls out of her room. "You calling it a night?"
"Yea I gotta get rest because of the competition next week. You know got to make sure I do well." Nadia said as she started to walk out.
"Hey Nadi I still haven't got a clue on what to do with that picture. It's like I hit a dead end."
"When I get back I plan on taking it slow on the fencing and devoting more time to finding the artifact. Don't worry we'll find it."
"Ok good night. See you tomorrow." And with that Nadia left Tysha's room. Tysha at this point was starting to care less and less about it. It caused her to lose more than she could ever possibly gain from it.
A week and two days later I stood next to Shizuma and waited for my best friend and Sakura to return back to Astraea Hill. "I still can't believe they won. It was Miator's first time participating in a fencing competition."
"Well it is Nadia." Shizuma told me.
I thought about what that was supposed to mean but decided to leave it alone. Every time I look at Shizuma I try to remember her smile that she had that one week in Tokyo however, as time goes by I can't quite picture it anymore. She hasn't smiled since then. It kinda made me feel like I wanted to cry. Ugh I got to get away from her before I start thinking about things to much. Where the hell is Nadi or Amane? Anybody that would help me think of anything else. I looked to my right and saw Miyuki walking towards us. Damn it. Ok anybody ELSE but her.
"Do you see them?"
"Not yet." Shizuma answered.
Damn it. I'm between the two people I busy my life for so I don't have to be around them. As I looked towards the road I could see a car coming or at least I wanted to see one coming. As the girls behind the three of us started talking and asking each other if they can see the car coming was music to my ears. As the car pulled up and I ran to Nadia and gave her a hug.
"Dude I'm so glad you're here." I saw her look at me funny "I'll tell you later."
I congratulated Sakura as well. Shizuma and Miyuki walked up to Nadia and Sakura.
"Congratulations to the both of you." Shizuma said as she handed both of them a bundle of flowers. Shizuma had no emotion at all on her face. She was good. I wonder what she was really feeling. How strong or if at all her feelings were for Nadia still.
"You're victory has brought on a higher reputation for Miator." Miyuki added in. Miyuki and Shizuma both walked away after they finished congratulating the two girls.
"Aww look you didn't get roses Nadi." Sakura said smiling at Nadia
Ugh why did she call her that? "No I didn't did I." Nadia looked at her bundle. "They are Tusbaki flowers. They are better."
I looked to Nadia "Poker tonight?"
"Definitely." Nadia smiled at me.
That night the usual people got together and talked about Nadia and Sakura's victory. I had nothing against Sakura I thought she was a cool girl but, it pissed me off when she would cling onto Nadia like they were going out. No that's not right. I didn't like her because that wasn't her place to be doing that. It was Shizuma's and It just felt wrong. I wish they were still together. That night I won and did my gloating as I threw the girls out of my room laughing.