Period 5: Science!

Theme 1: Pop Quiz

Words: 422

Author: Lillie Bell

"What's your favorite ice cream flavor?" Usagi asked. Her tone full of reluctance.

"What is this? A pop quiz?" Mamoru growled back, his pride slightly hurt from her immediate brush off. He had tons of girls that wanted nothing but to hear his voice and Odango couldn't give a rat's butt if he even gave her a glance. And here he'd spent a whole afternoon two days keeping his teases to himself to help her study.

"Listen," she grumbled. Her hands planted themselves on either side of the table, squaring off with him. "Mama always tells me to not to be thankless. So, I'm asking you, what is your favorite ice cream flavor?"

"You're going to buy me ice cream in return for helping you study?"

"Don't make me ask again," she started a whine knowing it would spur him into action.

"Why can't you just say thank you?"

"I can say thank you. See? I just did."

"But you didn't say it to me." He scooted closer to her, leaning forward. The devilish smile on his face gave away his apparent amusement. "Come on, Odango, we wouldn't want your Mama to think you're ungrateful."

"You know what? I don't even have to bother with this." She shoved off the table and stomped over to Motoki. After a few thumbs pointing his way and a couple strange looks from his friend, Motoki dropped a milkshake into Usagi's hand.

Mamoru drooled. He could tell by the darker color that Motoki had mixed his favorite—iced coffee blended into chocolate ice cream. It was like two decadent sins in one and Mamoru was nearly melting into the seat.

Usagi very carefully sat next to him after he scooted over double-time to make room. He dished out some napkins for the shake to sit on lest some of the rich gooeyness be escape. His hands were reaching for the sugar and caffeine salvation of his soul when Usagi pressed her lips to the straw and took an enormous gulp.

The look on his face: utter and complete deflation was priceless.

And she continued to drink it until every last drop—and every patron was about to beat her from all the slurping—was gone. Only then did she turn to a heartbroken Mamoru whose lower lip was trembling looking at the completely empty milkshake glass.

"Next week, I have another quiz I need you to help me with." She scooted out of the booth and stood up, leaving him with the empty mug. "Thanks, Mamoru-san!"