Utena is in the woman's locker room standing in from of her gym locker. She
is really pissed at Anshi for agreeing to go out with Miki-kun.
"Damn it. Why am I so bothered by that? I should be happy for Himemiya, because I-I want her to be happy." Utena pauses at her words. She remembers saying that phrase before to someone, but whom? Utena slaps her hand against the locker momentarily.
"I don't remember." She sighs deeply then opens her locker. She takes out her pink and black basketball practice jersey, black shorts, her white Nike athletic shoes, sports bra and socks. Utena places her clothes on the bench behind her.
Just as Utena removes her school uniform shirt, SNAP!
"Ouch! Utena yells in brief pain and grabs her backside. All her teammates start laughing hysterically.
"What the hell." Utena turns around angrily. Her face went from pale to crimson instantly. She pierces at the team's co-captain Aya annoyingly with cold blue eyes. Aya just points at her team captain, holding a wet towel in her hand and giggling.
"Damn Aya that friggin hurt." Utena retorts walking towards the girl and then grabs the wet towel out of the blonde's grip and tosses it in the dirty laundry cart. This only made Utena more upset since she is already in a bad mood anyways.
"Chill out Tenjou-kun. I was only trying to get your attention. You have been so exceptionally quiet since you came into the locker room." Aya perches down on the bench and bends down to tie up her shoe laces.
"I was just worried about you. You are not usually this quiet around us." Aya looks at the pink haired team captain with concerned eyes.
Utena sighs and calms down a bit as she notices Aya's sincerity. Utena continues to undress herself.
"Well I am okay Aya-san. I just have something on my mind is all? Nothing you should worry yourself with. Utena pulls her jersey over her pink head.
"But thanks for your concern. I really appreciate it." Utena finish changing and then forces a soft smile at the platinum blonde.
"Are you sure you are alright Tenjou?" the co-captain stands up from the bench and faces Utena.
Utena nods. "Yes, I am fine. Oh and next time you want to get my attention, Aya, please don't snap my back with a wet towel. I may play rough on the court, but I don't like pain too much." Utena turns and put her school uniform in her locker. "Sorry about that Tenjou-kun. I just couldn't resist your bare back. It was begging to be snapped." Aya giggles. Utena just shakes her head.
Just as Utena closes her locker a whistle sounds off.
WHISTLING SOUND!
A tall red headed woman wearing an athletic uniform comes into the locker room.
"Okay ladies time to hit the court. Let's get a move on it!" The woman shouts.
"Yes coach!" All the girls in the locker room yell back in unison.
{On the basketball court}
All the girls did their usually warm up exercises before practice: Jumping jacks, sit ups, push ups and stretches. The coach blows the whistle informing the girls to stop their warm up exercises.
"Okay girls come over here." The coach said gesturing the girls to approach her on the basketball court. They all form a circle around the red headed woman.
The coach picks up a basketball and places it against her waist side. "You girls know we have the championship game next Friday, right?" All the girls nod, except Utena who's staring at the bleachers. The basketball coach notice Utena is not paying attention.
"Tenjou," the woman voices but Utena doesn't respond. "Tenjou-kun!" the coach spat again. Aya, who's standing beside the inattentive pink haired team captain notices Utena's dazedness and nudges her arm lightly.
"Oh yes coach, uhm, and there is a big game next week." Utena replies hastily with a hint of nervousness in her voice as she returns back to reality. Light giggling starts to sound out by her teammates. The coach shakes her head and takes a deep breath.
"Stay focused Tenjou. As the team captain you need to be paying attention and setting an example."
Utena bows apologetically. "Yes ma'am, I mean coach. Sorry."
"As I was saying, you girls have done really well this season and next Friday will be the final game so I need you ladies to practice hard until the championship game."
"With Tenjou-san playing we never lose a game," a brown haired girl replies and all the girls nod at once.
Utena blushes deeply and scratches her pink mane.
"That maybe true Ayami-san, but we can't just rely on Tenjou always being here. What if she were to get hurt or sick before the big game? The coach glances at Utena slyly and notices once again her mind is somewhere else.
"That's why we have to practice hard. Life is always unpredictable right Tenjou-kun?" The coach tosses the basketball at Utena unexpectedly. Utena mind snaps back to alertness and she catches the ball roughly. The coach flashes the pink haired prince a smirk.
"Stay with us Tenjou." Utena nods and tosses the ball back to the woman. The coach gestures and blows the whistle. She moves to the center of the court and bounces the basketball on the glossy hard wood gymnasium floor.
"Tenjou-kun and Aya-kun come over here." Both girls walk toward the coach. "Choose heads or tails." The coach asks both girls. Aya smirks and looks into Utena's blue eyes.
"I call for tails." Aya replies and the red headed woman flip the coin in the air. She catches it and Aya looks at the coach anxiously and then up at Utena expressionless façade.
"Sorry Aya its heads. Tenjou you're the jersey team choose your players first."
Utena calls out four girls to her side. Aya chooses four girls for her team after Utena was done picking all the 'good' players.
"Okay Aya's team remove your shirt. You girls are the sports bra team." The coach shouts. The blonde co-captain grumbles as they had to take off their jersey, Utena's team chuckles.
"Everyone take their position." Utena and Aya walks up to the coach and face each other for the jump off. "You two ready?" Utena and Aya both nod.
"Hey Utena-chan isn't that the guidance counselor over there looking for you?" Aya denotes with an evil grim.
"What?" Utena says and turn her head toward the gym entrance. She doesn't see anyone there. The coach tosses the ball in the air and Aya is first to jump and grab the basketball. Utena frowns and steps back a bit. Aya passes the ball to one of her team members. The blonde pokes her tongue at the pink haired girl.
"Sucker!" Aya shouts at Utena and laughs. Utena furrows her eye brow and runs up to Aya.
"You were lucky with that little distraction but it won't work again." Utena states guarding Aya.
"We will see about that." Aya pushes Utena away from her and runs down the court towards her goal and gestures her team member to pass her the ball. Utena grins and sprints toward the blonde. Just as the girl throws Aya the ball, Utena pops out of nowhere and steals it.
"Damn," Aya curses and watches Utena run to the opposite goal. Utena stops at the three point line and tosses the ball in the hoop with ease. Utena's team members cheer momentarily. Utena turns to Aya and winks.
"Lucky shot Tenjou-kun." Aya runs up and starts guarding her.
"If you say so Aya," Utena gestures for one her team member's to toss her the ball, and she does. Utena dodges Aya taunting hands which were trying to steal the ball from her, so she fakes to the left trying to get a clear view of the goal, but Aya is guarding her closely. Utena tosses the ball to one of her team members.
The dark haired girl runs up and tosses the ball in the hoop, but it misses. Utena runs up and grabs the rebound. Aya is right behind her. Utena dribbles the ball to the corner three point line and looks at her team members position on the court.
Utena saw one her team members was open; just as Utena was about to toss her the ball Aya starts to giggle.
"Hey Tenjou, your shoe laces are untied."
"What?!" Utena asks in a confused tone and tosses the ball with a fumble. One of Aya's team members steals it and runs towards the opposite basketball goal. Aya flashes a smirk at Utena and pushes her away. Utena nearly falls to the floor. The girl tosses the ball to Aya.
The blonde approaches the basketball hoop and jumps for a lay-up. The ball goes in the hoop.
The coach blows the whistle and yells, "Utena's team 3 and Aya's team 2."
Utena clinches her fist runs up to the blonde and starts guarding her. "You were lucky that time Aya-chan." Aya can only grin at her.
Aya dribbles the ball and moves to the left, trying to shake the pink haired prince, but Utena is fast and very skilled. Aya steps forward and fakes to the right. Utena is vigilant and waits for Aya to make a mistake.
"Just give me the ball Aya it will make the practice game go a lot faster." Utena teased. "In your dreams Tenjou," Aya retorts and cocks her head at one of her team members to run to the left. Utena is a quick study and notices this gesture.
The blonde passes the ball towards the girl. Just as the ball moves towards the girl Utena jumps in front of it and catches the ball.
"What the hell," Aya curses and starts running after Utena, who is more than half way down the court. Aya shakes her head in awe. "Damn that girl is uncannily fast."
Utena makes it to her scoring goal and dunks the ball in the hoop. Aya looks at her and sighs. "How does she do it?"
The coach blows the whistle again. "Utena's team 5, Aya's teams 2. We have 30 more minutes of practice ladies."
One of Aya's team mates passes her the ball. Utena is steady guarding her like a hawk, blue eyes piercing into hazel eyes. Aya dribbles the ball back and forth, from one hand to the next. Utena keeps a skilled eye on her movements if by instinct. Aya is briefly distracted by two figures standing by the gym entrance talking.
"Hey Tenjou-kun isn't that your friend over there?"
"I am not falling for that a third time Aya-san." Utena snaps back.
"I am serious; it looks like Anshi-chan talking to some cute guy."
"Really," Utena turns and see Anshi talking to Miki. Anshi notices Utena looking her way and waves at her. Aya takes advantage of Utena's distraction and passes the ball to one of her team mates. The girl is standing on the three point line and tosses the ball in the hoop.
"Tie game!" The coach yells. "Twenty more minutes left to practice girls."
For the next fifteen minutes Utena is steady making mistakes on the court. She keeps glance at Anshi and Miki sitting on the bleachers talking.
Aya gets the ball and runs up to her team's goal. Utena hastily steps in from of her. "You seemed to have already lost your mojo Tenjou. My team is now in the lead by 4 points."
"Whatever Aya."
"One more minute ladies," the coach shouts.
Aya grins evilly and pushes Utena. Utena tumbles down to the floor. Aya runs toward the basket and tosses the ball in the hoop. The coach blows the whistle. "That's game, now hit the showers."
Utena continues to sit on the floor and stares at her friend on the bleachers. Miki gets up and leaves. He waves at Anshi as he walks out of the gymnasium.
Aya approaches Utena and extends her hand. "Sorry for pushing you Tenjou."
Utena grabs her hand. "It's okay Aya, thanks. Let's go shower." Aya nods.
Just as Utena is walking toward the locker room the coach calls her.
"Is everything alright Tenjou? You haven't been focused all during practice. It's not like you to lose a practice game. I mean you really played horribly today." The red headed woman places her hand on Utena's shoulder.
"I am fine coach. I am just having a bad day." Utena glance at the bleachers and notice Anshi isn't sitting there.
"Okay, well if you are having problems just come and talk to me. I need my star player focused for the championship game." She gives the pink haired girl a soft smile.
Utena smiles back meekly, "Sure coach."
Utena enters the woman's locker room and grabs a clean towel out of the laundry cart. She walks to her locker and opens it. She takes off all her sweaty practice clothes and tosses them in her locker. She grabs her soap, shampoo and towel then walks towards the shower. Aya notice Utena's gloominess and follows her.
Utena turns on the shower and leans up against the wall. She lets the water flow over her pink mane as she sulks. Aya turns on the shower beside the pink haired girl. Utena doesn't acknowledge her.
Aya soaps up her body, "Utena-chan is everything alright? You didn't play well today."
Utena pushes her wet matted hair from her face and glares at Aya. "Sigh, yeah I am ok."
Aya turns sideways toward Utena and gives her a concern look. "Does it have anything to do with Anshi-chan? I mean you seem to pay more to her during practice than the game which is very unlike you."
Utena picks up her shampoo and starts washing her hair. "What makes you assume it's about Anshi?" Aya shakes her head and grabs Utena shampoo bottle. The blonde begins washing her hair. "I am not assuming anything, I mean you two became close friends rather quickly, not that I mind. I like Anshi-chan even though you two seem kind of opposite in more ways than one." Utena frowns a bit.
"Honestly Tenjou, I don't see how you two hit it off. I mean she's so proper, intellectual, femme and exotic. And you well; you'll so tomboyish, athletic and laid-back. I just don't get you two."
Utena rinses her hair and turns off the water. "Just because Anshi and I are opposites we shouldn't be friends?" Utena denotes with a bit of harshness.
Aya turns off her water. "No that's not what I am implying. Look I am glad you two are friends because I think she's good for you Tenjou-kun."
Utena grabs her towel and starts drying off her body. Utena starts subconsciously scratching her upper abdomen and then replies. "How do you mean?"
"I don't know really, but you seem different with her. It's like you've changed mentally and physically. I can't pinpoint it but you seem more 'complete' in a way. It's like before, you two were friends you seemed kind of awkward all the time like a part of you was missing. Maybe I am over analyzing I don't know." Aya steps out of the shower and starts walking back into the locker area.
Aya looks back at Utena who's oddly rubbing her belly. "Are you okay Tenjou- kun?"
Utena glances down at her stomach and notices a pale scar on her vanilla skin. 'Where did this scar come from?' Utena thinks with a frown.
The pink-haired girl covers her naked front with the large towel hiding the scar.
"Uhmm, yeah I am fine Aya-chan, just a little stomach cramp." Utena smiles nervously.
The dusty blonde shrugs. "Okay, well if you need to talk about something I am here for you Utena-chan." Utena nods.
Utena got fully dressed and walks out the locker room. She sees Anshi leaning against the wall writing something in a notebook. Utena glances at her and walks in the opposite direction down the hallway. She really wanted to avoid her friend. Being around her was hard enough. Anshi looks up and calls out to her.
"Hey, Utena-chan. Where are you going?" Anshi shouts and puts her notebook back in her satchel.
Utena sighs and turns around. "Oh I didn't see you there Anshi-chan."
Utena glances out the window. "Ahhh, it looks like its raining." Anshi smiles, "Good thing I brought my umbrella. We can share."
Aya walks out of the locker room and smiles at the two girls. "You two want a ride home, its raining pretty hard out there, plus its friggin cold too."
"Sure why not." Utena says tossing her gym bag over her right shoulder and walks toward the school exit.
To Be Continued....
Chapter 23: Uncomfortable silent drive home
"Damn it. Why am I so bothered by that? I should be happy for Himemiya, because I-I want her to be happy." Utena pauses at her words. She remembers saying that phrase before to someone, but whom? Utena slaps her hand against the locker momentarily.
"I don't remember." She sighs deeply then opens her locker. She takes out her pink and black basketball practice jersey, black shorts, her white Nike athletic shoes, sports bra and socks. Utena places her clothes on the bench behind her.
Just as Utena removes her school uniform shirt, SNAP!
"Ouch! Utena yells in brief pain and grabs her backside. All her teammates start laughing hysterically.
"What the hell." Utena turns around angrily. Her face went from pale to crimson instantly. She pierces at the team's co-captain Aya annoyingly with cold blue eyes. Aya just points at her team captain, holding a wet towel in her hand and giggling.
"Damn Aya that friggin hurt." Utena retorts walking towards the girl and then grabs the wet towel out of the blonde's grip and tosses it in the dirty laundry cart. This only made Utena more upset since she is already in a bad mood anyways.
"Chill out Tenjou-kun. I was only trying to get your attention. You have been so exceptionally quiet since you came into the locker room." Aya perches down on the bench and bends down to tie up her shoe laces.
"I was just worried about you. You are not usually this quiet around us." Aya looks at the pink haired team captain with concerned eyes.
Utena sighs and calms down a bit as she notices Aya's sincerity. Utena continues to undress herself.
"Well I am okay Aya-san. I just have something on my mind is all? Nothing you should worry yourself with. Utena pulls her jersey over her pink head.
"But thanks for your concern. I really appreciate it." Utena finish changing and then forces a soft smile at the platinum blonde.
"Are you sure you are alright Tenjou?" the co-captain stands up from the bench and faces Utena.
Utena nods. "Yes, I am fine. Oh and next time you want to get my attention, Aya, please don't snap my back with a wet towel. I may play rough on the court, but I don't like pain too much." Utena turns and put her school uniform in her locker. "Sorry about that Tenjou-kun. I just couldn't resist your bare back. It was begging to be snapped." Aya giggles. Utena just shakes her head.
Just as Utena closes her locker a whistle sounds off.
WHISTLING SOUND!
A tall red headed woman wearing an athletic uniform comes into the locker room.
"Okay ladies time to hit the court. Let's get a move on it!" The woman shouts.
"Yes coach!" All the girls in the locker room yell back in unison.
{On the basketball court}
All the girls did their usually warm up exercises before practice: Jumping jacks, sit ups, push ups and stretches. The coach blows the whistle informing the girls to stop their warm up exercises.
"Okay girls come over here." The coach said gesturing the girls to approach her on the basketball court. They all form a circle around the red headed woman.
The coach picks up a basketball and places it against her waist side. "You girls know we have the championship game next Friday, right?" All the girls nod, except Utena who's staring at the bleachers. The basketball coach notice Utena is not paying attention.
"Tenjou," the woman voices but Utena doesn't respond. "Tenjou-kun!" the coach spat again. Aya, who's standing beside the inattentive pink haired team captain notices Utena's dazedness and nudges her arm lightly.
"Oh yes coach, uhm, and there is a big game next week." Utena replies hastily with a hint of nervousness in her voice as she returns back to reality. Light giggling starts to sound out by her teammates. The coach shakes her head and takes a deep breath.
"Stay focused Tenjou. As the team captain you need to be paying attention and setting an example."
Utena bows apologetically. "Yes ma'am, I mean coach. Sorry."
"As I was saying, you girls have done really well this season and next Friday will be the final game so I need you ladies to practice hard until the championship game."
"With Tenjou-san playing we never lose a game," a brown haired girl replies and all the girls nod at once.
Utena blushes deeply and scratches her pink mane.
"That maybe true Ayami-san, but we can't just rely on Tenjou always being here. What if she were to get hurt or sick before the big game? The coach glances at Utena slyly and notices once again her mind is somewhere else.
"That's why we have to practice hard. Life is always unpredictable right Tenjou-kun?" The coach tosses the basketball at Utena unexpectedly. Utena mind snaps back to alertness and she catches the ball roughly. The coach flashes the pink haired prince a smirk.
"Stay with us Tenjou." Utena nods and tosses the ball back to the woman. The coach gestures and blows the whistle. She moves to the center of the court and bounces the basketball on the glossy hard wood gymnasium floor.
"Tenjou-kun and Aya-kun come over here." Both girls walk toward the coach. "Choose heads or tails." The coach asks both girls. Aya smirks and looks into Utena's blue eyes.
"I call for tails." Aya replies and the red headed woman flip the coin in the air. She catches it and Aya looks at the coach anxiously and then up at Utena expressionless façade.
"Sorry Aya its heads. Tenjou you're the jersey team choose your players first."
Utena calls out four girls to her side. Aya chooses four girls for her team after Utena was done picking all the 'good' players.
"Okay Aya's team remove your shirt. You girls are the sports bra team." The coach shouts. The blonde co-captain grumbles as they had to take off their jersey, Utena's team chuckles.
"Everyone take their position." Utena and Aya walks up to the coach and face each other for the jump off. "You two ready?" Utena and Aya both nod.
"Hey Utena-chan isn't that the guidance counselor over there looking for you?" Aya denotes with an evil grim.
"What?" Utena says and turn her head toward the gym entrance. She doesn't see anyone there. The coach tosses the ball in the air and Aya is first to jump and grab the basketball. Utena frowns and steps back a bit. Aya passes the ball to one of her team members. The blonde pokes her tongue at the pink haired girl.
"Sucker!" Aya shouts at Utena and laughs. Utena furrows her eye brow and runs up to Aya.
"You were lucky with that little distraction but it won't work again." Utena states guarding Aya.
"We will see about that." Aya pushes Utena away from her and runs down the court towards her goal and gestures her team member to pass her the ball. Utena grins and sprints toward the blonde. Just as the girl throws Aya the ball, Utena pops out of nowhere and steals it.
"Damn," Aya curses and watches Utena run to the opposite goal. Utena stops at the three point line and tosses the ball in the hoop with ease. Utena's team members cheer momentarily. Utena turns to Aya and winks.
"Lucky shot Tenjou-kun." Aya runs up and starts guarding her.
"If you say so Aya," Utena gestures for one her team member's to toss her the ball, and she does. Utena dodges Aya taunting hands which were trying to steal the ball from her, so she fakes to the left trying to get a clear view of the goal, but Aya is guarding her closely. Utena tosses the ball to one of her team members.
The dark haired girl runs up and tosses the ball in the hoop, but it misses. Utena runs up and grabs the rebound. Aya is right behind her. Utena dribbles the ball to the corner three point line and looks at her team members position on the court.
Utena saw one her team members was open; just as Utena was about to toss her the ball Aya starts to giggle.
"Hey Tenjou, your shoe laces are untied."
"What?!" Utena asks in a confused tone and tosses the ball with a fumble. One of Aya's team members steals it and runs towards the opposite basketball goal. Aya flashes a smirk at Utena and pushes her away. Utena nearly falls to the floor. The girl tosses the ball to Aya.
The blonde approaches the basketball hoop and jumps for a lay-up. The ball goes in the hoop.
The coach blows the whistle and yells, "Utena's team 3 and Aya's team 2."
Utena clinches her fist runs up to the blonde and starts guarding her. "You were lucky that time Aya-chan." Aya can only grin at her.
Aya dribbles the ball and moves to the left, trying to shake the pink haired prince, but Utena is fast and very skilled. Aya steps forward and fakes to the right. Utena is vigilant and waits for Aya to make a mistake.
"Just give me the ball Aya it will make the practice game go a lot faster." Utena teased. "In your dreams Tenjou," Aya retorts and cocks her head at one of her team members to run to the left. Utena is a quick study and notices this gesture.
The blonde passes the ball towards the girl. Just as the ball moves towards the girl Utena jumps in front of it and catches the ball.
"What the hell," Aya curses and starts running after Utena, who is more than half way down the court. Aya shakes her head in awe. "Damn that girl is uncannily fast."
Utena makes it to her scoring goal and dunks the ball in the hoop. Aya looks at her and sighs. "How does she do it?"
The coach blows the whistle again. "Utena's team 5, Aya's teams 2. We have 30 more minutes of practice ladies."
One of Aya's team mates passes her the ball. Utena is steady guarding her like a hawk, blue eyes piercing into hazel eyes. Aya dribbles the ball back and forth, from one hand to the next. Utena keeps a skilled eye on her movements if by instinct. Aya is briefly distracted by two figures standing by the gym entrance talking.
"Hey Tenjou-kun isn't that your friend over there?"
"I am not falling for that a third time Aya-san." Utena snaps back.
"I am serious; it looks like Anshi-chan talking to some cute guy."
"Really," Utena turns and see Anshi talking to Miki. Anshi notices Utena looking her way and waves at her. Aya takes advantage of Utena's distraction and passes the ball to one of her team mates. The girl is standing on the three point line and tosses the ball in the hoop.
"Tie game!" The coach yells. "Twenty more minutes left to practice girls."
For the next fifteen minutes Utena is steady making mistakes on the court. She keeps glance at Anshi and Miki sitting on the bleachers talking.
Aya gets the ball and runs up to her team's goal. Utena hastily steps in from of her. "You seemed to have already lost your mojo Tenjou. My team is now in the lead by 4 points."
"Whatever Aya."
"One more minute ladies," the coach shouts.
Aya grins evilly and pushes Utena. Utena tumbles down to the floor. Aya runs toward the basket and tosses the ball in the hoop. The coach blows the whistle. "That's game, now hit the showers."
Utena continues to sit on the floor and stares at her friend on the bleachers. Miki gets up and leaves. He waves at Anshi as he walks out of the gymnasium.
Aya approaches Utena and extends her hand. "Sorry for pushing you Tenjou."
Utena grabs her hand. "It's okay Aya, thanks. Let's go shower." Aya nods.
Just as Utena is walking toward the locker room the coach calls her.
"Is everything alright Tenjou? You haven't been focused all during practice. It's not like you to lose a practice game. I mean you really played horribly today." The red headed woman places her hand on Utena's shoulder.
"I am fine coach. I am just having a bad day." Utena glance at the bleachers and notice Anshi isn't sitting there.
"Okay, well if you are having problems just come and talk to me. I need my star player focused for the championship game." She gives the pink haired girl a soft smile.
Utena smiles back meekly, "Sure coach."
Utena enters the woman's locker room and grabs a clean towel out of the laundry cart. She walks to her locker and opens it. She takes off all her sweaty practice clothes and tosses them in her locker. She grabs her soap, shampoo and towel then walks towards the shower. Aya notice Utena's gloominess and follows her.
Utena turns on the shower and leans up against the wall. She lets the water flow over her pink mane as she sulks. Aya turns on the shower beside the pink haired girl. Utena doesn't acknowledge her.
Aya soaps up her body, "Utena-chan is everything alright? You didn't play well today."
Utena pushes her wet matted hair from her face and glares at Aya. "Sigh, yeah I am ok."
Aya turns sideways toward Utena and gives her a concern look. "Does it have anything to do with Anshi-chan? I mean you seem to pay more to her during practice than the game which is very unlike you."
Utena picks up her shampoo and starts washing her hair. "What makes you assume it's about Anshi?" Aya shakes her head and grabs Utena shampoo bottle. The blonde begins washing her hair. "I am not assuming anything, I mean you two became close friends rather quickly, not that I mind. I like Anshi-chan even though you two seem kind of opposite in more ways than one." Utena frowns a bit.
"Honestly Tenjou, I don't see how you two hit it off. I mean she's so proper, intellectual, femme and exotic. And you well; you'll so tomboyish, athletic and laid-back. I just don't get you two."
Utena rinses her hair and turns off the water. "Just because Anshi and I are opposites we shouldn't be friends?" Utena denotes with a bit of harshness.
Aya turns off her water. "No that's not what I am implying. Look I am glad you two are friends because I think she's good for you Tenjou-kun."
Utena grabs her towel and starts drying off her body. Utena starts subconsciously scratching her upper abdomen and then replies. "How do you mean?"
"I don't know really, but you seem different with her. It's like you've changed mentally and physically. I can't pinpoint it but you seem more 'complete' in a way. It's like before, you two were friends you seemed kind of awkward all the time like a part of you was missing. Maybe I am over analyzing I don't know." Aya steps out of the shower and starts walking back into the locker area.
Aya looks back at Utena who's oddly rubbing her belly. "Are you okay Tenjou- kun?"
Utena glances down at her stomach and notices a pale scar on her vanilla skin. 'Where did this scar come from?' Utena thinks with a frown.
The pink-haired girl covers her naked front with the large towel hiding the scar.
"Uhmm, yeah I am fine Aya-chan, just a little stomach cramp." Utena smiles nervously.
The dusty blonde shrugs. "Okay, well if you need to talk about something I am here for you Utena-chan." Utena nods.
Utena got fully dressed and walks out the locker room. She sees Anshi leaning against the wall writing something in a notebook. Utena glances at her and walks in the opposite direction down the hallway. She really wanted to avoid her friend. Being around her was hard enough. Anshi looks up and calls out to her.
"Hey, Utena-chan. Where are you going?" Anshi shouts and puts her notebook back in her satchel.
Utena sighs and turns around. "Oh I didn't see you there Anshi-chan."
Utena glances out the window. "Ahhh, it looks like its raining." Anshi smiles, "Good thing I brought my umbrella. We can share."
Aya walks out of the locker room and smiles at the two girls. "You two want a ride home, its raining pretty hard out there, plus its friggin cold too."
"Sure why not." Utena says tossing her gym bag over her right shoulder and walks toward the school exit.
To Be Continued....
Chapter 23: Uncomfortable silent drive home