Minako deliberately avoided her friends that day. It was the day before the audition, and she couldn't believe how much she had been eating, when she should have been preparing for the big event. Her day plan was all set in front of her, and she knew that it was going to be a busy day, full of confusion and frustration; she was prepared for that though. Giving a disgusted look at the mirror, she pinched that tiny bit of flesh from the sides of her stomach. "Some soldier of Venus," she thought to herself, "Venus is beauty, not.. this." She shuddered, gathering her clothes and duffel bag for the gym.
Taking the bus to the local gym wasn't exactly all as easy as she thought it'd be. She noticed that Rei was on the bus as well, but managed to sneak by her with her gym suit on, and her hair tied up in a high ponytail. She hid herself behind a newspaper, as she stole glances at the raven haired beauty. She shot a look of envy towards her friend, yearning to be that gorgeous. Sensing someone examining her, Rei turned her head, only finding a strange looking girl at the back of the bus with the newspaper upside down. Not thinking much of it, she rolled her eyes to the stupidity of mankind, and got off the bus to leave to school.
As Minako arrived at the gym, she was surprised to see that not many people were there. Realizing that it was Friday, she thought that it would be packed, and she would be fighting off people for the stair master or the treadmill. She shrugged, simply congratulating herself for skipping school for some major fitness. Hours passed, as well as cds in her discman. She brought over ten cds, almost listening to every single one of them by the end of her session. She felt as if she went on each of the machines five times over, never giving out. There was times when she felt herself go dizzy, but she shook herself out of it and chugged her water. It was getting dark out, and she went into the change room. She stripped of her clothes, and, as a force of habit now, examined herself in the mirror. Her bangs were clinging to her forehead, and her ponytail laid limp. But still, her body was beautiful. At least, that's what Minako thought as she climbed into the shower stall.
- - - -The doorbell rang bright and early in the morning, as Minako was already prepared for the audition. She was rather surprised at the unexpected visitor, but skipped down the stairs happily in any case. She was in a bubbly and enthusiastic mood, and wouldn't let anything bring her down. It was a rather sunny and wonderous day, the sun just peaking out from the hills and valleys, spreading it's kisses to the world.
"Mako-chan!" Minako declared, as she opened the door with delight. "What are you doing here?"
Makoto smiled a rather weak smile, and embraced her friend.
Minako raised an eyebrow in curiosity, wondering why her friend didn't seem as light hearted as she usually was. "What's bothering you?"
Makoto released and shook her head, hiding her face from her friend. "Gomen, it's nothing. I just needed to.. talk to you."
Minako squinted her eyes in a bit of confusion, not exactly catching on. "Alright.." She sat her friend down on the couch, as she walked to the kitchen to get some drinks. "My parents are still on vacation right now, Mako-chan, so don't worry about them listening in as they always do." She giggled, as she poured the iced tea into Makoto's glass. "They're crazy like that."
Makoto from the other room, folded her hands together as she mumbled, "I was actually hoping your parents would listen in on this conversation."
"What?" Minako inquired from the kitchen, not being able to catch what her friend said. She walked back to the living room, giving her friend the iced tea.
"Oh, nothing," Makoto replied, sipping her iced tea gingerly. How do I start? she wondered, as she felt a lump in her throat form. She cleared it and asked, "So are you looking forward to this afternoon?"
Minako beamed, and radiated her light in the room. "Oh, am I ever, Mako-chan!" She gleamed, almost; leaving Makoto smiling, as much as she couldn't help it. "The shimmer and glamour of it all; I can only imagine what it'll be like! I just hope I'll get in!"
Makoto smiled and replied, "Of course you will, we all believe in you."
Minako nodded as she sat back in her seat. "So what brings you here anyways?"
Makoto drew in a deep breath and was just about to talk, when the phone rang. "Gomen," Minako commented in a hurry, as she rushed to the telephone. "Moshi moshi!"
Makoto sat back in her couch, as she focused her energy on how she would tell Minako. This is outrageous, she thought to herself. I'm out of my mind, thinking that she... Makoto chuckled to herself, and blushed in embarrassment. What a foolish idea.
Minako ran back into the room in a sweat, and Makoto sat upright in alarm. "What is it, Minako?"
"It's the agency!" she replied in a shrill voice. "The audition's been moved up. It's in an hour, Mako-chan!" She clutched her hair in confusion, and swirled around. "Take it easy, Minako-chan," Makoto commented, as she slowly got up from her seat. Minako's vision started to blur, as she clutched onto the couch for support.
"Minako-chan!" Makoto shouted, as she ran to her friend, watching her fall to the ground in a cold sweat.
