Chapter Five

I couldn't remember there ever being a time when I felt so lonely away from my friends. Ones who I've trusted, put my life on the line for, or who've put their lives in mine. But it seemed during the next few weeks as their classes became more intense and more study groups more in session, Rei and Ami were more than ever distant away from me.

I felt very uncomfortable when it came to speaking with them for anything. It was always easy in the past to ask Ami for help in studies, but I couldn't seem to ask her after one brush off I experienced from her when she was running late to meet up with a new friend she made in Biology class.

Rei seemed more interested in the male student that kept her attention on her first class, which was Introduction to Psychology. I couldn't keep both of their attention on me for very long since they had so many acquaintances that kept bugging them when they could afford spare time for me.

I sadly would go about my days with nothing more than the hope I'd see Ally and she was my comfort. The only downside to hanging out with her was the fact that Ogino would always be there. While it was nice to have a conversation without interruptions, it was annoying when he'd, when she wasn't looking, try to pass a hand on me or trying to flirt with me since Ally didn't quite understand the Japanese language.

Classes became hard pressed since our 'introductory time' was long behind us and while I was doing well, I wasn't doing up to par to what I knew I could do. But this depression that kept appearing out of nowhere that claimed my normal happy disposition would hurt my performances at least a day or two out the week where I couldn't get my homework done.

Not only was I feeling I was being ignored by my friends, I couldn't a hold of Mamo-chan that often during the last three weeks. We would play phone tag until we both gave up and just emailed each other on a week to week basis. I guess he was so busy with work that I guess he somewhat forgot about me.

This was by far the worst month I've ever had in my entire life. At least back then when I was having a bad day, I'd have Luna, Mama, Papa, Mamo, and my friends to help me in my situation. But the more I tried to lift my spirits, the more gradually it fell into disrepair.

Maybe that's why I was so scared to come to college. I knew everything would change. I didn't know how bad it would change though.

It was sunny when I woke to the birds chirping outside of my window. I winced as the sunlight pierced through the thick curtains through the darkened room. It had been ages since I've seen the sun and it changed my doom and gloom feeling for the moment. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was at least nine in the morning. Today was the weekend, so I had no class to go to. I felt a bit free and refreshed which made my heart crash against my ribcage in anticipation.

I got up, stretched and went to get dressed. The room began to feel as if a prison rather than a home. Speaking of which, I looked at my phone to see a missed call from my mother. I redialed her number and sighed as she answered.

"Usa-chan, I've tried to call you the last few days." Mama's voice says so loudly I have to pull the phone away. "What have you been doing ignoring your mother so long?"

"I'm sorry, Mama, I didn't mean to ignore you. I've been really busy with classes and other things." I said sighing through my nose. I understood her concern, but she must know what a college student's life was. But that was just it, I hadn't even gotten to get a hold of them either. And I instantly felt guilty for feeling that way toward my own mother. It wasn't her fault that my phone had a mind of its own or the fact that I hadn't been able to get through to them due to my own insecurities about what was going on here. I suppose that I should have had a better outlook, but really, how could I have after being basically shunned by your once best friends.

I shook my head. I couldn't keep thinking about this. I had to get something up rather than letting it keep fallilng down. I switched the phone as my mother told me all what was happening over there. Dad had gotten promoted, Shin was doing very well in school and she was already starting in a reading club. I was very proud of my family.

"Oh good," I said in appropriate areas and "Ah," in another.

"Oh honey, I've been talking about me but what about you? How are Ami and Rei?" She asked, and my heart beat a bit against my ribcage. "How are you?"

"Ami and Rei have been really busy with school work as well." I said with a chirp in my voice. It must have sounded convincing because she didn't say much more on the subject. I said I was fine too and then we hung up on the promises that we would contact each other tomorrow as well.

I sighed, knowing that I needed to get things done in the apartment, but feeling a bit overwhelming, I ignored the frumpy apartment, took my keys, and walked out without a destination.

I stepped out of my apartment complex with a sigh and a grin. I couldn't help it. Being stuck in the house so long because of rain and nothing to do but my schoolwork, I was going stark mad.

"Usagi!" I heard my name being called. I turned to see whom it could be shouting at the top of their lungs just to get my attention. Ally ran down the street, waving and smiling toward me. I in return smiled and waved.

"Ally!" I shouted and laughed, ignoring the pedestrians surrounding me who stared at me like I had two heads.

"You go?" She asked as she caught up with me.

"Yes,"

"Where?"

"To shop." I said, "To uh…get –uhh boredom away." I said.

"Hey Ally!" I heard a familiar voice of someone I had been trying so hard to avoid the last week. Ogino, whom had demanded I call him Hisoka, had a rather creepy air about him the last few weeks since I had met him. At first I pegged him as a sincere, nice guy but that changed after one night after I walked home from eating out with Ally and him where he tried to make a move and hint. I respectfully told him no and he seemed fine about it, but he also was rather displeased and a little angry for a few seconds before his face became a mask of smiles.

"Ah, Hisoka!" Ally smiled and then gave him a hug before giving one to me. "Do, mind come along?"

"Um, well,"

"Oh c'mon Usagi, I'm not that bad, am I?" Ogino said with a grin. I sighed and shook my head. Even though he did give me the creeps, he did nothing out of the ordinary other than to ask me out.

"Just as long as you keep to yourself, I'll be okay with you coming." I said as a warning, "I do have a boyfriend that I can call any time, you know, to tell him if you keep asking me out."

"Oh that was one time," Ogino waved me off. "I was only seeing if you wanted someone on the sideline. I didn't think you were taking it so seriously. It was for fun." He chuckled. "If it makes you feel better, I won't do it again. Save me a trip to the hospital if Mamo finds out." He then looked at me warily, "You haven't told him, have you?"

"You're lucky I didn't." I said with a roll of my eyes, "Okay, you're forgiven, but the next time you try to come onto me strongly like that regardless of joking, I will make sure you are removed permaneantly away from me. Got it?"

"Sure, I get it." Ogino said innocently, and flicked my nose. I glared at him. I had the urge to take his finger and bend it back but repressed it. I couldn't afford to have Ally figure out something was going on and I wanted her to feel at least safe since it looked like Ogino wasn't interested in her in the slightest.

We took a long walk to the shops across town and I could say I had a good time, but still, something in the back of my mind told me that the good time felt forced this time…

Action is about to get here! Hope you enjoyed this chapter and sorry for the delay. Had a lot of important things to do before I could get to this chapter. Until the next time,

Sifirela