LOVE WILL SAVE THE DAY - CHAPTER 1 - "Suspicion"
Ami and Minako walk back to Ami's house after their study session. They usually end it in the early evening, but due to an important research paper Minako had to write for her English Grammar class, they didn't finish until late. It was now 10:30 in the evening, and Minako felt that Ami shouldn't walk home by herself.
"Thanks for walking me home, Minako", smiles Ami as they walk to the door, "but you really shouldn't trouble yourself for me".
"It's my pleasure, really", grins Minako, "you helped me out with your tutoring. My grades have improved a little bit. The scores on the mid-term and the pop quiz proves it".
"Yes, I did remember seeing your test scores", nods Ami, "I'm very happy for you, Minako".
"I'm really grateful for you to take the time to help me, Ami", grins Minako, "I'm sorry I kept you this late. Will Mako and your mom worry?"
"My mother knows about me tutoring you", replies Ami, "but it's Makoto I'm deeply concerned about."
"Why's that, Ami?", wonders Minako.
"I don't know how to exactly explain this to you", answers Ami, "but she has been acting, well, suspicious".
"Why would she be suspicious of you, Ami?", asks Minako.
"I'm not sure", answers Ami, "but eventually I will find out".
"Are you sure you're gonna be OK?", asks Minako.
"I'll be fine, Minako", assures Ami, "well, you just be careful walking home".
"Oh, OK, Ami", shrugs Minako, "well, g'night. See ya tomorrow morning".
"You have a nice evening, too, Minako", smiles Ami as she opens the front door, "I'll see you in the morning". She enters the house and closes the door behind her.
Minako starts to worry. "This doesn't sound right", she thinks to herself, "I don't see why Makoto should have to be suspicious of Ami for anything. All Ami's doing is helping me with me studies. It's not like she's cheating on Mako or anything. It's not like Ami and I have some kind of fling going or something like that", she looks up at the 2nd floor window where Ami's bedroom is located, "but whatever it is, I'm gonna get to the bottom of this. I remember what it was like when Mako and I were a couple, so I know what she's capable of. I hope she doesn't plan on harming Ami".
Minako walks up to the ladder-like structure on the wall where rosebushes grow that reaches the window. She remembers how she and Ami would climb to her bedroom that way during the times either that Ami would forget her house key, which was rare, or when she and Ami didn't want her mother hear them coming through the front door. "Makoto, you better not think of hurting Ami", she thinks, "Stay safe, Ami. I'll be right here for you".
Minako climbs up the structure towards the window, where there sits a balcony. She hops to the balcony which join's Ami's bedroom. She notices Ami walking into her room and ducks out of sight.
"Hey, Ami", says Makoto as she peers into the bedroom, "you're a bit late tonight".
"Oh, hi, Makoto", smiles Ami nervously as she places her books on her desk, "I know that. Minako had to write a research paper for English Grammar, and I had to help her".
"I see, Ami", says Makoto with arms folded across her chest.
"Is dinner ready?", asks Ami, "did mother call?"
"Dinner's in the fridge", answers Makoto, "I made a plate for you and one for your mom".
"Oh, well, thank you", smiles Ami, "that was very thoughtful of you".
"Your mom called an hour ago", adds Makoto, "she says she'll be home by 3 in the morning".
"Must be an early night", says Ami, "when she works late, she usually home by 6 in the morning. Well, might as well eat. I was dying to taste your cooking all night". She walks out of the room, down the stairs, and towards the kitchen, with Makoto following her from a distance.
"Good, they're out of the bedroom", thinks Minako, "now's my chance". She opens the window slowly and enters Ami's room, carefully closing it behind her. "Looks like nothing's happening yet, but i have a feeling something big will happen". She walks toward Ami's closet, opens the door, and hides inside. "I should get a good view from here....."
15 minutes later................
Ami places her empty plate in the sink. "As usual, that was very good", she smiles, "you really add the home to home cooking".
"I'm glad you liked it, Ami", says Makoto in a monotone, "are you sure you don't want dessert? I made cherry pie".
"Oh, no thanks. Maybe later", nods Ami as she walks up the steps toward her bedroom with Makoto following her. "Well, I'm going to turn in now, you have a wonderful evening" she says.
As Ami walks toward the bedroom , Makoto grabs her by the back of her turtleneck. "Um, Ami", she asks, "there's something I need to discuss with you".
Ami, confused, turns to Makoto. "What is it that you wanted to discuss with me about?", she asks meekly, "do you think it's necessary to grab me by my turtleneck that way?"
TO BE CONTINUED.....................................