LOVE WILL SAVE THE DAY - CHAPTER 4 - "Tenderness" Makoto stood in shock as she watched Ami taking her hand and tenderly stoking her cheek with it, then releasing her hand. "If you can kill with kindness, Ami", whispers Minako, "she'd be dead by now". "You know I could never hide anything from you, Makoto", says Ami softly, "I would never lie to you. If this doesn't make you believe us, nothing will". Makoto stood speechless, looking at her hand, the same hand that was ready to strike her two friends with. But it was the same hand that stopped it with a kiss and a tender stroke from Ami. "Now do you believe her, Mako?", asks Minako, "she would give up everything for you, but did you think it was right for you to act out the way you did? All those doubts and accusations you threw at us, and still Ami never gave up on you". Makoto, now ashamed for what she had done to Ami and Minako, started to tremble as she continued to look down at her hand. "Um, Makoto. Are you alright?", asks a concerned Ami. Makoto didn't answer. Instead, tears filled her eyes and folded her arms across her bare breasts, still looking down. "Hey, Mako. It's OK", assures Minako, "I'm sure all's forgiven and everything. Things will work out for the both of you. I just know it". "No matter.....what I said......or did...", whimpers Makoto, "Ami was always there for me. All the terrible things.......the accusations.......the doubts..........", tears started to fall down her face, "Ami had forgiven me......and stayed with me. Look what I did....to show my gratitude...", she bursts into tears, weeping bitterly. "Makoto....", says Ami as she tries to come over and comfort her friend. Minako pulls her back. "No, Ami", says Minako, "let her get it all out first. Right now it's for the best. She needs to get her feelings out in the open". "I guess you're right", agrees Ami as she looks at her weeping friend. "Trust me, Ami", assures Minako, "I'll let you know when to go to her". Makoto sits down at the foot of Ami's bed, still weeping. "I am such a fool", she wept, "how could I ever take things like these for granted? I have been so unlucky in love. So many boyfriends, so many broken promises. Ken was the only guy that still believed in me. I can't let another love go". "Are you saying that you were bring selfish in trying to keep your love for Ami?", asks Minako. Makoto tearfully nods. "The only other one that truly understood me and cared for me. Just look at the way I showed my gratitude for her". "OK, Ami. Go to ner now", whispers Minako, "now's the time for you to go to her. She needs you. If you really feel for her, go to her now". "OK, Minako", nods Ami as she walks over to Makoto, who's still sitting at the edge of the bed, head hung low. She stands in front of her, cradling her head in her arms. "It's alright, Makoto", she whispers as she tenderly strokes her hair, "it's alright to let the pain out of your system". "How would you know about pain, Ami?", Makoto tearfully asks as she wraps her arms around Ami's waist tightly, "have you ever had as many bad relationships as I had? How many old boyfriends that came in and out of my love life like a revolving door? Have you ever longed for parental love from both parents? You and Minako must have had those luxuries of experiencing any kind of honest love. Look at me! No parents, only one psuedo-boyfriend who's more like a best friend or even a brother figure, and now I'm on my way of losing a 2nd girlfriend. I can't believe I acted the same way Freddy did when he was my boyfriend. That was one of the main reasons we broke up. I never told either of you this until now". "You just been dealt with bad hands, that's all", assures Ami. "She's right, Mako", adds Minako, "you may not always get a Royal Flush in the card game of love. Heck, I would settle for a mere Full House, or even a 3-of-a-kind at worse". "You had Greg, Ami", whimpers Makoto as she buries her head on Ami's shoulder, "Minako had Andrew. The both of you gave them up for me. Of all people, me! You both gave up your boyfriends just so that the both of you could give me the love I was missing. I'm such an idiot! I wanted to continually hold on to what I had, but accusations, possessiveness, suspicions...they all seemed to throw a monkey wrench at things, you know". "I didn't really dump Andrew", grins Minako, "we're still the best of friends. we just don't spend a lot of time together like we used to. We still remember each other on Christmas and each other's birthdays, not to mention a great J-Pop concert or one of your dinner parties, Mako". "It's the same with Greg and I", adds Ami, "we're not deeply romantically involved, but our relationship is totally mutual, and we remained great friends. Sure we go to your dinner parties, visit his parents, have study sessions together, remembering each other on birthdays and Christmas. I even let him date Naru a couple of times, but nothing fancy". "And I'll admit, Ken and I are still the best of friends as well", replies Makoto softly, "I didn't techically dump him. He's still the only guy the always believed in me. I definately won't let him go". Minako walks over to her two friends. "Sometimes we like to have things both ways", she grins as she places her hands on Makoto's shoulders, "we've been friends for a long time, so why ruin a great thing? Ami has always thought the world of you. She's always there for you, like she has with me". Makoto looks at Minako. "I'm sorry for the way I have acted", she stammers as she wipes away the last of her tears, "I don't know what has gotten into me. Maybe I was just trying too hard to hold on to what I have, only to have that taken away from me. I just don't want that to happen again". "There's no shame to admit that", smiles Ami, "you're a strong person, Makoto, both in body and mind. You've been through the best and the worst but you managed to pull through. We hate to see you fall apart like that. If something is on your mind that you are unsure of, please let Minako or I know. Don't wait until it esculates to something worse". "So what do you say, Mako?", asks Minako, "we still friends, the three of us? I'll forgive you if it makes you feel better". "I'll forgive you, too, Makoto", adds Ami, "we all make mistakes in life, some are more forgiving than others, and some don't forgive at all. Fortunately, all of us, your friends, always forgive and will always be there for each other no matter what". Makoto slowly rises up, gathers her clothes from the bed, and puts them on. "Um, maybe it's a good idea to put some clothes on", she blushes as she puts her top on, "I couldn't believe I could ever take these things for granted. I have to stop trying too hard or I'll end up like Freddy. I just feel sorry for his current girlfriend. I'm sorry to the both of you, and we are still best buds, right?" Ami and Minako hug their taller friend. "Of course, we are", smiles Ami, then turns to Minako, "say Minako. Would you like to spend the night? It's way too late, and you shouldn't out at this time of night. I'm sure your mother wouldn't mind". "But what about school, Ami?", asks Minako, "I have to rush home to get my school uniform". "Uh, Minako", says Makoto, "tomorrow's Saturday. We don't have school on Saturday. You have been studying that hard you lost track of the days". Minako places her hand on her forehead. "Oh ,duh", she blushes, "sorry, guys. I guess I was so worried about passing". "That's quite alright, Minako", smiles Ami, "we resume Sunday, tomorrow we take the day off, and have it all to ourselves". "Yay", smiles Minako, "I'm gonna call my mom and let her know I'm sleeping over. Can I use your phone?" "Go right ahead. Minako", smiles Ami. Minako rushes to Ami's desk to use her phone. Makoto places her hand on Ami's shoulder. "You know", she nods, "It's really great what you're doing for Minako. I'm happy for the both of you. I learned a very important lesson tonight. Friendship knows no bounds. Love really did save the day". "It sure did, Makoto", smiles Ami. Minako runs back to her two friends. "I called my mom, and she said it was OK", she nods, "I can stay over". "That's cool", smiles Makoto, "I'll do downstairs and make some snacks. I'm in the mood to bake something". "Yippee", cheers Minako as Makoto heads down to the kitchen. "Thanks for everything, Minako", smiles Ami as she hugs her blonde friend, "you really saved the day". "You weren't too bad either, Ami", nods Minako, "you did pretty well standing up for yourself". "Sometimes I even surprise myself", nods Ami, "so, you want to come downstairs and watch TV"? "You bet I do", smiles Minako as they walk down to the living room.