Author's Note: I was reading all of your reviews, and I just now noticed all of you are very deep people. As for all the angst, it's just me, ask anyone who knows me well. Anyway, Dark, about what you said about Tohru having a personal curse, that's how I was thinking of it to go. Also, with her and Tamara, you'll see… Excellent deduction. In my summary, I did spell severely wrong, I'm an idiot. Actually, I was in Idiot's Delight at camp… Anyway, on with the story! By the way, it has mentions of Christianity, for those who might be offended by it. I myself am a Christian, but it seemed the most logical thing to put for an extreme change.
America, five years ago…
"Welcome, students, to the New York Medical College!" The Headmaster of the school boomed at orientation to his new students. "All of you come from different backgrounds and cultures to learn how to help people. Now, I shall begin by announcing the professors…."
The Headmaster had blabbered for hours, so it seemed, to Tohru. Finally, at the end of orientation, all the students were released to their dorms. Tohru had trudged all the way there, taking her time reading all the English words, and had finally come to her dorm in the Girls' Freshmen Dormitory. On the first floor and all the way at the end of the hall, was her room. She had walked to it and knocked lightly.
"Coming!" A female yelled over the loud rock music, her pounding footsteps heading towards the door. Suddenly, the door flew open and Tohru was greeted by an average height girl with long black hair, brown eyes, and numerous piercings. "Hey, who are you?"
"Um… My name is Tohru Honda and I---"
"You're Toe-roo!" She grinned widely and yanked her in the room, slamming the door behind her.
Tohru looked around the room, blinking as she saw the Gothic posters and pictures on the walls on her room-mate's side. The girl turned down her music and sat on her bed, eyeing Tohru.
"So, Toe-roo, tell me about yourself…"
"Um, it's Tohru…"
"Sorry, Tohru, tell me about yourself." She amended, "By the way, I'm Tamara."
"Well, I was born in Tokyo, Japan…"
---
And after Tohru had finished her story, Tamara was utterly shocked at all the hardships she had gone through. From that day forward, the two were the best of friends. Somehow.
The next year, sophomores…
That next year, Tohru couldn't wait to see Tamara again. During the summer, Tohru had bought a very small apartment and had worked the entire summer as a secretary for some leering middle-aged man who kept trying to make moves on her. After enduring that, she was ready for school to start again.
This year, being a second year, she didn't have to attend orientation and headed straight for her dormitory. Upon reaching it, she went to her room and knocked. Surprisingly, the room was silent inside. Tohru heard some footsteps and blinked as a brown haired girl opened it.
"Tohru!" She screamed, hugging her tightly.
"Who are you?" Tohru asked, totally confused.
"It's me, Tamara!" Tamara grinned and stepped back for Tohru to examine her. Tohru gaped. Gone was the black hair and piercings, and in its place a beautiful woman with shining eyes.
"Wow, you look beautiful!" Tohru exclaimed and hugged her back, then grinned at her. "What happened?"
"I found God," She answered, smiling. Tamara smiled again, even brighter, and pulled Tohru in, beginning to tell her the story.
---
For the rest of their days at the school, the girls became even closer and closer. Tohru told her about the Sohmas and about all her friends at home, even about how her mom used to be in a suicide squad. Tamara told her of how she had met Mark Wyatt, and how they were dating. The two had a happy year together, all through graduation in the end.
America, present day…
"Mark," Tohru said softly as she stepped off the plane and walked to him. Mark Wyatt was a tall man of twenty-seven. Who had proposed to Tamara and was engaged to her for about a year before the tragedy. His once life-filled eyes were now dull and bloodshot from bitter tears, his stance rigid.
"Tohru." He smiled a bit and came over, hugging her gently. "Thanks for coming such short notice. We have a day to prepare." Mark said and led her towards baggage claim.
---
Tohru reached her apartment mid-morning, pushing open the door. How she had missed it. She stepped in and closed the door, dropping her bags behind her and flipping on a light. On the walls were pictures of the Sohmas, Tamara, other friends, her mom, and of course, her high school and college diplomas.
She moved to a picture of Tamara and her in their Junior year, Tamara's engagement ring shining on her finger. Tohru smiled bitterly and moved to her answering machine, listening to her messages.
Some from schools, organizations, then one message caught her ear. It was from Tamara.
"Hey, Tohru, it's me…" A pause. "I forgot your cell number, so hopefully you get this. I went to the doctor today to see what this mole on my neck was…" Another pause. "Cancer. I've been diagnosed with it," Tamara had choked a bit over the phone. "They've given me a few months. I hope you get this before its too late… Oh, Mark knows, but I told him not to tell you… You've been through enough." Pause. "I'm sorry. I love you." The message ended.
Tohru stared at the phone as the next message began. Tamara had known she was going to die.