Chapter 6

Rei's POV:

"I wonder what Usagi's doing today." I said to Ami as we walked down the flight of stairs. Though there was an elevator, I liked to stay in shape and what more to stay in shape with going down three flights of stairs.

Ami had a thoughtful look on her face before she answered. "Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if she was still in bed."

Ami and I grinned back at each other, knowing that it was most probably true. I felt bad for leaving her again to her own devices, but this test that was coming up was really important to me and Ami as well. It wasn't like Usagi was telling us anything. She seemed to be holding her own and to our surprise, she didn't even come whining or crying to us how hard her life became. Maybe it was because of that Ally and the interpreter that I saw with Ally. I didn't quite like the guy because when I saw them together, he seemed too close for comfort to Usagi.

But Usagi looked quite comfortable around him, so I didn't say anything. He didn't give the impression he was a slick, fast talking bed-shooter as I call those who liked to go after innocent girls. (Not that Usagi was too innocent, except she was childishly stupid at times.) I knew she loved Mamoru, but sometimes even a kind word to her could instantly pull her under their treacherous wings.

I shook my head. I shouldn't be worrying about this right now. I had so many important things to worry about than what could happen. We were at peace, there were no bad people out to get us. Since the Stars went back to their domain with their princess, we've had nothing but peace. Boring, dull peace that I was in no position to complain about. That was Makoto's job to complain about lack of fighting. Ami, Mina and I were perfectly content with not having to don our Sailor garb and fight to the death as we did in our early teens. I feel we really needed to break.

I felt Ami's hand on my shoulder. I looked at her with a questionable look and smiled a little. "What?"

"Aren't you worried about Usagi though?" Ami said, "We've been kind of ignoring her for our other friends…"

"She'll survive. We warned her before she came to college that we'd be too busy." I waved Ami off, but secretly I couldn't help but feel that something was quite off of how we ignored her. Before I could really think on it, we met up with our friends and Usagi was thrust into the back of my mind.

Usagi's POV

Night had fallen over us and it was strange that daylight had rushed away so fast. I wasn't really prepared to stay out all day with Ally and Ogino. I tried to shake the feeling that all was not what it seemed. Ogino and Ally were pleasant to be around, Ally more so than Ogino, but Ogino seemed to be distant today. Not his usual self.

Even though I've known him roughly a few weeks, I never got the feeling that he was crazy. Sure, he was flirty, and creepy in a way, but he didn't pass off as borderline crazy.

Now though, I wasn't so sure.

When we were at the shops, he was cool and collected, which usually he was flirty with the staff while Ally and I looked around, but the last one we went to, he shouted at a girl who was helping Ally. The only thing I saw what the girl did was poke Ally on the arm when the girl was pinning the sleeves to accommodate for her shortness. Now that I looked at Ally, she did seem slighter than I thought, as if she lost weight. I couldn't be sure as I was surprised when Ogino shouted with all his might at the young employee.

"Ogino!" I said in shock, "She didn't mean to do that. Ally moved and it caught her by accident."

"They should know better than to prick people! What if that needle wasn't sanitized? She probably pricked others with bad blood!" Ogino's face was far redder than I had ever seen it.

I put my hands up to placate him and said, "Look, we can just go okay? It's getting late anyway and I need to be home so I can study."

His face changed from angry to surprise to a coy smile. "I can help you study."

Honestly, what was with this guy? Who in just one setting had so many emotions cross their face? I just shook my head and glared.

"No thanks, I'll get Ami to help me if she's home."

"You know," Ogino said after we left the shop, "I've noticed that your friends from high school want nothing to do with you."

My heart stopped as he said this and my eyes went wide. I felt a sadness overwhelm me but I merely smiled, "That's not true." I said, trying to get my voice firm, "They're just really, really busy."

"That have no time to even say hey to you without putting their nose up to you when you greet them." Ogino pointed out. "Aren't you lonely? They're terrible friends for leaving you like this, thrusting you on the backburner like you're some kind of worthless piece of trash."

I understood what he was saying was true, but that didn't mean I liked it coming from him of all people. He didn't know anything about boundaries. I really wished that Mamo-chan had stayed with me. This probably wouldn't be happening; this loneliness that was starting to take its toll on me. I shook my head as I closed my eyes and reopened them. Anger had replaced the loneliness. How dare he say such mean things about my friends, even though they were true at this point. I wasn't going to allow a stranger whom I just met and hung out a few times to say such awful things.

"I am lonely from my friends and I am shocked that they treat me so, but I would appreciate it if you would not talk as if you know them." I was even surprised with how my voice sounded calm, quiet and on the verge of lethal sounding. "They are good people who've helped me more ways than I can say about you. It's only natural for friends to part ways for a time, but we will be balanced again once the dust clears."

Ogino held his hands up in a peace gesture and said, "I get it, okay? No need to get angry."

"I'm not angry." I said with a shrug, "Just letting you know I don't care to hear what I already know. I don't need to be told what to feel about the situation either."

Ally was suddenly in front of me with a grin, "Go eat?"

"I saw a restaurant that was two blocks from here if you'd like to go there." Ogino said. The previous conversation seemed to have slipped with the night. I shook my head.

"Sorry, but I really have to get back. I need to ask Ami about a problem I found."

"Are you positive? I can pay for you." Ogino offered.

I shook my head. "Money isn't the issue. I just really have to go." I couldn't explain the urgency of having to get back to the apartments. I waved at them and ran with all my might.

Ami's POV.

After several hours of studying, my eyes started to blur. I felt I couldn't' get a grip of what I was studying. I shook my head and then smiled at Aiko, the one who was next to me. "I should go."

She looked up with a smile and said, "Okay, it was a good study session. We need to do it again!"

"Yes we do." I said and then looked at Rei who looked like she was ready to sleep as well. I looked at the time. It wasn't too late, but it was time for us to head out anyway.

The night air was cool and woke us up considerably. "Oh man, my brain hurts." Rei grumped. "I'll be glad when these stupid tests are done and we can relax a bit for summer."

"We have several months until then." I gently reminded.

"Don't repeat that again. Let me bask in the knowledge of knowing Summer shouldn't be that far off."

I chuckled. We finally got to the apartments when I suddenly felt that I was being suffocated. I looked to Rei quickly to find her staring off into space. I gasped out her name as the gravity started to pull me down. Or was I fainting? I don't quite remember how but somehow I couldn't move without feeling an overwhelming presence huddling over my chest, making it difficult to do anything but watch the oncoming darkness creep up and finally take hold.

Note: I am so so so sooo sorry I haven't updated! Personal life has gotten in the way where I just had no time to sit down to write. I was more focused on putting myself back together rather than try to write. I won't go into detail but I really do feel bad for leaving you all hanging! I want to tell you guys I really, really appreciate all the reviews and support I get from you guys. I love you all and promise I won't wait two months or three to post again!