Regular disclaimer applies.

Note- The second chapter! Cheers. I'm sorry you had to wait so long. Writer's Block, it

kills. I hope to maybe get the third chapter up soon but I have writer's block. .;

-SailorAquarius

Blooming Friendships

Chapter 2: The New Girl

Getting ready for her next day of school Usagi had much to ponder, especially since this was one of the few times she wasn't late. Grabbing her lunch from the refrigerator she stuffed it into her back pack then proceeded to devour the toast her mother had made for

her. "Have a good day Usagi!" Mrs. Tsukino said to her daughter as Usagi slid her shoes on and opened the door. "I will!" The girl said with false happiness etched into her voice as she closed the door behind her.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before starting on her way to school. With no need to run she put one foot in front of the other, almost mechanically, dreading the next step yet each time she wanted to turn and run she kept herself on her steady course to school. Was today going to bring a friendship she yearned to have? Or was it always

going to be her all alone? Thinking it over in her head each thought rolling over the last she didn't notice she was in sight of her school until a boy yelled.

"Look it's the friendless crybaby!" He yelled, she looked up, torn from her thoughts, and glared her most vicious intimidating glare. The boy's attention wasn't on her though, he and his friends were whispering, probably about her. Everything they said always made the others laugh; Usagi had to be their favorite "toy". Usagi reached the entrance and

walked in; even if the children weren't allowed in until the bell rang she'd rather be yelled at by a sensei then made fun of by her peers.

Yuraishima-sensei gave Usagi her regular bright smile. When she smiled Usagi couldn't help but smile back, nobody could, out of all the sensei's Yuraishima-sensei was Usagi's favorite. Sliding the door open to her classroom she slipped inside and sat down. No way was Usharu-sensei going to yell at her today, especially not in front of the new student Usagi wanted to impress. There she sat, waiting, until the bell rang only a few short minutes later. Usagi squirmed in her chair as she tried to spot the new student and possible friend.

Usharu-sensei entered and closed the door, a sign that no more students were there unless they were late. The new student hadn't entered; maybe he/she wasn't coming after all. She slumped down on her chair as Usharu-sensei started to speak. "Good morning

children, I'm sure you are all eager to meet her, yet the sad truth is she is late. Just like you were on your first day, Usagi." He said standing in front of her desk. Shaken from her glum thoughts she shook her head. "What?" "Not paying attention are we? Oh well let's get back on topic. She, yes the new student is a girl," He added as the children

whispered amongst themselves, "Her name is Ami Mizuno. She should be here before lunch."

'She is coming!' Usagi told herself happily. There was still hope for making a friend, she had to talk to the girl first, before anyone could point her out and tell this Ami that she was trouble. The rest of the day until lunch was over seemed endless to Usagi. In Science she got her favorite seat at the back of the class next to the window. Most of that class she spent looking out the window daydreaming.

When lunch was finally over she didn't take her time in bounding through the halls and into the classroom. Hurriedly she sat down at the front of the class and poked every student that sat in the seat next to her which was the last one in the front row. Usagi had planned this so that she would be the only one talking to the new girl. With each poke the child that sat there would leave, a disgusted look on their face, like her touch was a disease.

Usagi didn't mind though, she was anticipating the arrival to much to let these brats ruin it for her. Usharu-sensei walked in but he didn't close the door behind him, which was a good sign, it meant she, Ami Mizuno, was there. "Yes, I'm sure you have all noticed I haven't closed the door that is because she is here. I would like you all to say hi to Miss Mizuno." He said as he looked over to the doorway and motioned for her to come forth.

In she walked, closing the door behind her. She was beautiful, despite the shortness of her blue hair; her blue eyes were splendid oceans. Everyone stared up at her, making their own decisions of what to think of this girl. Ami smiled uneasily, fiddling with the folds of her skirt, obviously not liking the silence. Seeing her distress, which was clear on her face Usagi smiled and spoke up. "Hello Ami Mizuno! Welcome to our school. Why don't you sit here next to me?" She said motioning the desk next to her. Ami really didn't have a choice; it was the only seat left.

Taking the seat gratefully she looked over at the girl. She didn't know what to make of this lovely child with midnight blue eyes and long locks of blonde hair done up in an odd style. "Hi I'm Usagi." The girl said extending her hand out to Ami. Ami took it and shook it. "I'm Ami." She said with a faint smile as she took out her books for class.

Usharu-sensei begun to speak and Usagi decided not to talk any longer, recess would come. For most of that time until recess Usagi watched Ami. This girl seemed to really pay attention as she scribbled down notes and listened intently. 'That's a nice little extra, she could help me with my homework.' Usagi thought to herself, feeling genuinely

happy.

Recess came and the two girls sat talking on the school steps, out of view of the other children. Usagi didn't want Ami to hear them call her names. They discussed their families, Ami's old friends and old school, all kinds of things. They were smiling and laughing; Usagi was actually happy and had a friend. That would all end soon though, she knew it would. She couldn't get the other children to stop calling her names

completely. Sooner or later Ami would see that she was a zero, a parasite. Usagi sighed in spite of herself. "Hm, what's that?" Ami asked she was watching a bird nearby. "Nothing." Usagi responded quickly flashing a smile at Ami when she looked.

Everything was going perfect that it wasn't until she went back inside that her social status caught up with her. "Hey crybaby!" One boy yelled. "What are you doing dumbo?" A female voice cried. Usagi stopped and turned a beet red looking over to see Ami's reaction. Ami stood there; she barely believed what she was hearing. How could they all

belittle so nice a girl as Usagi? Even if they had just met, Ami could already tell Usagi was friendly and caring. Grabbing her arm Ami shot glares at the other children, daring them to speak. They all met her eyes then looked away as Ami dragged Usagi down the hall, whisperings followed the pair. "Come on let's hurry, we don't want to be late

especially not because of these bullies."

Usagi followed, too stunned to respond, she just nodded dumbly. 'She doesn't care.' Usagi said to herself unbelieving ably, 'She's taking my side.' Usagi was thrilled and hugged Ami mumbling a million thanks to her. "Usagi it's okay! Really it is." Ami said patting the girl on the back, blushing. The rest of the day went great, even with the other

children calling her names. She couldn't really believe she had a made a friend, it astounded her.