Part Eight: Pull Back The Curtains
Word Count: 418
Her façade of normalcy falls to pieces.
First Motoki finds her in Mamoru's apartment, her spare key (her prized possession, her proof of belonging) in hand. Then the girls' discover his secret identity, and Usagi can't bear it-bear Rei's expression or Naru's cold eyes or her parent's disappointment and fury.
Backstabber, Sailor Mars hisses. You knew I liked him and you slept with him?
Best friend, huh? Naru snaps. Well, if we're friends, why didn't you tell me you were having an affair with some older guy? You used me!
What were you thinking? Mama asks. Your whole life is ahead of you and you do this?
Slut. Whore. Pregnant. Bitch. Guys stare unashamed as she goes by them in the halls; they flip her skirt and whistle. Girls glare in fear, sure she's out to seduce away their boyfriends; they eye her stomach and hands, unsure. Her own family can only look at her form the corners of their eyes, as if she is something disgusting and alien.
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He's unable to concentrate on his homework for once. Normally he can shut out thoughts of her for a while, but today she is hiding in his apartment from her parents. Today she is curled up beside him after crying herself to sleep, and his mind is occupied by her distress and Motoki's lecturing.
He would have told her to go home. He would have made her do the sensible thing, but she wails that he's the only one who doesn't' hate her, and even thought he is sure that to hate Usagi is downright impossible, he gives in to her pleading and takes her home.
Because he does love her, even if he's done a poor job of showing it. Because she's pushed her way into his life effortlessly, because she's taken away the haunting dreams and replaced them with something tangible, because she's cute when she smiles and heartbreaking when she cries. Usagi is alive, really alive, and it draws him in, as if happiness is contagious.
Mamoru knows that their secret would never have lasted, but he still wishes he could have kept her to himself, without the world getting in the way, for just a little while longer.
He promises himself he'll take care in the future; he knows all too well that she's all wrong for him, that she can do better, and that he's not brave enough to do the right thing for her-not if it means losing her for good.
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