A smile crept across Mamoru's face as the annoying yet comforting sound of the constant ringing of his doorbell resonated throughout his apartment. Standing up, he walked over to the door and revealed a twenty-year-old Usagi who wore fall clothing that consisted of a red jacket, white t-shirt, and jeans, and of course her usual odangos.
"Usa-chan, you're actually on time," Mamoru teased as he let Usagi inside his apartment.
"Shut up, jerk. I really needed help with this next test and I rushed over here right after class."
"After what you made after your last test, I'm going to say you're going to need as much help as you can get," he replied, sitting back down where his textbook was waiting for him.
"You promised you would never speak of that again!" She whined.
"And I could have sworn that you stopped whining after you graduated from high school, but I suppose I was wrong," Mamoru replied, with a teasing smile.
"And I could have sworn that you became less of an ass, but I guess I was wrong as well," she retorted also with a smile spreading across her rosy lips.
"Who's helping who with their studying?"
With a huff, Usagi started to pull her book and computer that held her notes out from her backpack. Rummaging through her backpack for a pen, a frustrated sigh was exhaled as Usagi's highlighter rolled off the top of her textbook. Reaching for the writing utensil, the sleeve of her jacket slid up, exposing purpling bruising around her wrist. Immediately, Mamoru looked down and noticed, eyes fixing themselves on the dark colors.
"Usa-chan, what happened to your arm?" He asked, his hand brushing against the markings.
"Oh, you know, I'm a clumsy girl," Usagi replied with a bright smile that didn't reach her eyes as as she nonchalantly pulled her sleeves back down.
"Then why are you trying to hide it if it's not a big deal?"
"Because it's embarrassing! So, can we just study like we planned?"
"No," Mamoru stated as he grabbed the book out of her hands, "I need to know exactly how you received those bruises."
"I fell walking up the stairs and caught myself by bracing the fall with my arms, and I banged my wrist against the railing trying to gain my balance. Happy? So stop interrogating me."
"You know how I can tell you're lying? There are too many details in your story. So, Usagi, what really happened to your arms?"
"I-I told you what happened! Just forget about it, please," she replied with tears prickling her eyes.
"You're my best friend. I'm not just going to simply forget about this."
As he reached for her arm to inspect her skin abrasions further, she flinched away, a clear indicator that the man that she thought loved her hit her. He caused these marks to be plastered disgustingly across her beautiful, smooth skin. Abused her. These were only hits, and God only knew how much longer it would be until the man used something more dangerous: gun or knife.
The moment when Usagi's delicate eyes met Mamoru's eyes of concern, her body crumbled into his, shaking and racking from sobs full of powerful emotions. She felt angry for allowing herself to be led into this fake life of fake happiness and smiles while she hid behind jackets and sweaters. Stupid because she realized that she should have spoken out about sooner; she should have done something when her boyfriend's temper spiked too quick when she did something simple like dropping a fragile object or accidently burning lunch. This person caused her too much pain, physical and mental, for her to waste time tip-toeing around him to make sure she didn't piss him off. Why didn't she escape sooner? Why didn't she notice the signs sooner before the bruises began to bloom like blemishes when she ate too many French fries? Why, why, why….
Usagi's legs found themselves across Mamoru's legs and his arms wrapped around her like a father would with his child. "What has you done to you…" He thought aloud, gathering the broken girl in his arms. "This continues no more, Usa-chan. We're getting you away from that guy and getting you help. I'm here for you and I always will be. You're safe now."
They sat on the couch, listening to the sobs that shook Usagi's body. Mamoru's chin perched itself on the top of Usagi's head and his lips spoke uplifting words that were hopefully heard by his dear friend. The textbooks were forgotten, but Usagi's wellbeing was more important. The studying could wait. The heart of a fragile soul couldn't.
Because no one should ever feel like they're alone in any predicament; you truly are never alone.