Chapter 7: Harukas Home
As soon as school was over, Haruka and Michiru hurried over to Harukas car. Haruka gallantly held the door open for her friend, earning a little smile, and finally got in herself. While Michiru fastened her seatbelt, Haruka started the car and looked over her shoulder when she drove out of the parking lot, since she didn't want to overrun one of the students by accident. Finally, the blonde was on the street and drove off, ignoring Noriko and her group, who stood at the bus stop glaring at Michiru. "Bull dykes!" Noriko yelled, and Haruka let out a heavy sigh. "They'll never stop that." She then said. Michiru just nodded; Haruka could tell that her friend was feeling uncomfortable. "Hey, Michiru," She softly spoke, causing the aqua haired girl to look at her, "if you changed your mind and don't want to talk anymore, tell me." "No, it's okay." Michiru replied. "But…you'll have to be patient with me, Haruka." "Sure." Haruka replied gently. They reached the building where Harukas apartment was in, Haruka drove into the garage and got out of the car. She waited until Michiru had gotten out too and then walked over to the elevator. The two of them got in, and Michiru watched with astonishment how Haruka pulled a plastic card out of her pocket and stuck it into the slit that was located over the button for the 15th floor. The panel gave a little beep, Haruka pulled the card out and pushed the button. "What was that?" Michiru asked, and Haruka grinned at her. "One of the benefits of being rich." She then answered. The elevator stopped in the 15th floor, and the two of them got out. Michiru found herself in a short hallway; Haruka led her over to the only door in it, unlocked it and grinned: "Well, here's my home." Michiru just stood in the doorway, staring in awe. "Haruka, your apartment is…wonderful!" she then blurted out. Haruka grinned even broader and gently shoved Michiru into the apartment. She closed the door behind her and pointed to one of the rooms: "Take a seat in the living room, I'll get us something to drink." Michiru nodded and walked into the huge living room. She admired the big flat screen TV and the black leather couch before her eyes fell on the three shelves that were filled with books. Michiru walked over to them and read over the titles. "You like Stephen King?" Harukas voice suddenly came, startling her. Michiru spun around and gave Haruka an apologizing look. "Sorry, I didn't want to invade your privacy." Haruka just chuckled. "Looking at my books doesn't invade my privacy, Michiru." Michiru blushed and looked down on her feet while Haruka put the two glasses and the bottle of soda she had brought with her on the small desk. The blonde made a vague gesture at the couch and spoke: "Wanna sit down?" Michiru nodded and took a seat, while Haruka sat down opposite to her in the big comfy chair, her right ankle over her left knee. There was an awkward silence for a moment, before Michiru finally spoke up. "Haruka…you remember when you drove me home and asked if I live with my family…?" Haruka nodded, and Michiru talked on. "You see…I live alone there. I ran away from home." Getting interested, Haruka leaned forward, her elbows on her knees for support. "Why?" she softly asked. Michiru stared down on the floor, her eyes filling with tears. "My mother died two years ago." She whispered. Slowly, Haruka stood up, walked over to the couch and sat down next to her friend. "I was left alone with my stepfather, and he…" her voice cracked, and a racked sob shook her body. Haruka put a gentle arm on her shoulders, and Michiru leaned against her. "He abused you, didn't he?" the blonde asked softly, and Michiru nodded. "He beat me, and he…raped me." The last two words were almost inaudible, but loud enough for Haruka to start fuming. "I'll kill him." The blonde vowed, and Michiru gave her a shocked look. "Haruka, no! He mustn't find me! If he does, he'll…force me to come back to him." The aqua haired girl burst into tears. "I don't want to go back…" were the last words she managed to say before she hid her face in Harukas chest, wetting the blondes shirt with her tears. Haruka held her close and whispered soothing words to her while she stroke her back. Finally, Michirus sobs got softer and softer, and her tears stopped. Haruka kept holding her with one arm while she filled some of the soda in one of the glasses and handed it to her. "Here, drink. It'll calm you down a little." Michiru gave her a weak smile. "It's soda, how could it calm me down?" Haruka returned the smile and answered: "I also have some whiskey, if you want." Michiru shuddered and shook her head. "No, thanks. I don't drink alcohol." Haruka shrugged and shoved the glass of soda into Michirus hands. "Drink, now!" she commanded. Michiru smiled and emptied the glass before putting it back on the desk. Haruka grinned, earning a little smile in reply. "Michiru…there's something else I want to ask." The blonde then said. Michiru nodded, and Haruka spoke on: "How can you afford your own apartment?" Michiru sighed. "I'm giving private lessons in mathematics. That's bringing in enough money to pay the rent." Haruka frowned. "Yeah, the rent, but what about food? Do you have enough to eat?" Michiru nodded. "I have lunch at school…and in the evening, I mostly eat cold things, like bread with butter or something like that." Haruka gave her an unsatisfied look. "And at the weekend?" she then asked. "I cook myself." Michiru replied, and Haruka smiled at her. "Not this Saturday, Michiru." The aqua haired girl frowned, causing the blonde to talk on: "I'd like to invite you for lunch." Michirus frown disappeared, and she smiled. "I'd love to, Haruka." She softly replied. Haruka grinned and patted her friends shoulder. "Great. Want to have another look at my books, then?"