**The next morning**
Angrily, Ami rolled over and smacked her alarm clock until it hushed its infernal racket. Opening her sleep filled eyes, she felt the empty bed beside her and didn't realize anything was wrong. Until, that is, she felt the envelope on the pillow beside her face. Usagi! she thought, suddenly wide awake. Where did you go? What happened to you? Hastily tearing the envelope open, she saw the familiar script of her long-time friend. The letter was brief, and Ami read it out loud...
Ami, I'm so sorry that I had to leave you like this. I can't seem to figure this out, but as soon as I do, I'll get back in touch with you. I do care for you, but please don't try to reach me. I'm sorry... Usagi
Closing her eyes, Ami wept quietly. She didn't know what to think. She had possibly just ruined her friendship with one of the best people she had ever known. Usagi was so sweet, kind, sensitive, funny, brave, and beautiful, that Ami couldn't imagine her life completely devoid of the Bunny Princess. Ami got slowly out of her bed and dressed in a plain black skirt and baby blue button-up-the-front shirt. Slipping on her matching slippers, she grabbed her bag and walked to her next class, which she was sure she wouldn't hear a word of.
//I saw a world enchanted
Spirits and charms in the air
I always took for granted
I was the only one there
But your power's shone
Brighter than any of I've known.//
It was true... All through the class she kept seeing Usagi everywhere. She couldn't focus on the lecture, and when she was called upon to answer a question, she didn't know what else to say but "Increase surface area?" Needless to say, the entire class laughed at her and the professor gave her a very dirty look. Returning to her room, Ami knew it would be useless to go to classes for the day. She wouldn't get anything accomplished, and besides, she needed some advice. She decided to call Michiru, maybe the smart Neptune Princess would have some good ideas.
"Hey, Michiru? This is Ami."
"Oh, hi, Ami. What can I do for you, honey? You sound kind of upset." Ami smiled to herself.
"Yeah, I... I am. You see, something happened that wasn't very good. It's... It's about Usagi." Michiru raised an eyebrow as she heard that name, but she wasn't *too* startled. She had known for awhile that Ami had feelings for Usagi.
"Ok, Ami, why don't you start from the beginning and tell me what happened." Ami took a deep breath and Michiru listened calmly as she heard the entire story. Her heart felt heavy for the sweet Ami's torture.
"So? What do I do, Michi-san? Any ideas?" Michiru quietly breathed into the phone. She shook her head, even though Ami couldn't see it.
"Well, honey," Michiru said, "I don't know what to say to make you feel better. You're just going to have to wait for her to come back to you. And, if you truly love her, you will wait. Patiently. It might take awhile, but you need to get on with your life. Ok, hun?" Ami sighed. She had known what she should do all along, but she didn't want to admit it.
"Alright, thanks a lot Michiru. You're a great friend. I'll see you soon, ok? Bye." Ami hung up the phone with Michiru and finished her day of classes, going to sleep very early.
Ami awoke early the next morning even though it was a Saturday. Her heart, still heavy with the thought that she might have lost one of her best friends, was in desperate need of some relaxation. Ami knew only one thing could calm her down, so se slipped on her navy blue, one piece swim suit and pulled a pair of corduroy overalls on top. Walking in the most comfortable shoes she could find, she made her way to the community center for a nice, long swim. Even though Ami hadn't donned her sera-fuku* in nearly three years, her body, mind, and soul were still intimately connected to water. Entering the pool room, she saw that there wasn't a soul about, not even a life-guard. Having placed her things in her usual locker, she removed her towel and dived in. As she swam, her worries left her mind and her body relaxed. The water conformed to her small frame as she glided through the pool. She could finally be at peace.
//I'm
under your spell
Nothing I can do
You just took my soul with you
You worked your charms so well...//
* sailor suit, basically
