AN: oops. i'm a bad bad author who procrastinated to the point of oblivion... SORRY

Chapter 15

After splashing her face with water, Tomo finally showed up to class.

"Sorry," she apologized, bowing in front of her teacher.

"It's ok. Echizen-san already explained to me the reason you're tardy. You may have a seat."

Surprised, Tomo shot a quick glance at Ryoma, who was lazily looking out the window, before making her way to her desk. There was a folded white sheet of paper there.

You owe me

-Ryoma

Tomo couldn't help but smile. No detention for her today. That was the last thing she needed at this point in her screwed up life. Tomo refolded the note and placed it in her bag after pulling out her notebook. She was going to try her best to focus. She finally put Momo behind her, or at least she knew for sure there was no hope in them getting back together.

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When lunch finally came, Tomo pulled her bentou out on the desk, and was surprised when Ryoma pulled a desk over to hers.

"Oh, Ryoma-kun! Thanks for earlier. You really saved my ass there," Tomo beamed. "What did you say?"

"Just that your mother was out on business so you're the only one there to take your brothers to school."

"And she bought it?" Tomo gaped.

Ryoma nodded, studying her with serious golden eyes.

"What?" Tomo asked, shrinking under his stare.

"Did Momo-chan-sempai-buchou talk to you today?" Ryoma asked.

Tomo broke the eye contact, and opened up her bentou.

"What did he tell you?" she asked, keeping her eyes trained on her meal.

"Not much really," Ryoma said.

"Kiyoko-buchou's pregnant," Tomo said, raising her face towards Ryoma.

They stared at each other, neither daring to move. Tomo wasn't sure what she expected Ryoma to say. She knew if someone else was in the predicament and they told her the same thing she'd be at a lost for words. But for some reason she continued to stare at Ryoma, challenging him. Maybe she wanted him to defend his friend. Maybe she was looking for a reason to go back.

Finally, realizing Ryoma would say nothing, Tomo tore her gaze away and once again found herself eyeing her lunch.

"Tomo," Ryoma began.

She heard him fumbling around and then suddenly he produced another folded sheet of paper to her. Tomo took it, though confused.

"What's this?" she asked, slowly unfolding the paper. There was a number there and the name Oishi. Her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Kunimitsu called me last night," Ryoma said. "He told me to give you that."

"Oishi-sempai--" Tomo found the names between her lips before she even knew it, and her stomach fluttered from the extent of his kindness. She continued, now speaking again to Ryoma. "He made me feel a lot better. He said if I needed to talk I should call him, but it wasn't until later that I realized I didn't even have his number. I never did."

"Oh," Ryoma said. He wasn't surprised to hear Oishi wanted to help Tomo out. There were a lot of times after he and Tezuka argued he could credit Oishi for helping them pull things in perspective and help them come together again. Oishi seemed to be doing the same for Tomo. He was grateful too. He wasn't good at giving advice or appearing sympathetic, but he still cared for Tomo regardless and wanted her to come out of her slump.

"What are you doing this weekend, Tomo-chan?" he asked.

Tomo seemed to snap out of whatever train of thought she was having.

"Huh? Oh… nothing really. Might play some tennis with Mieko-chan or something." Tomo shrugged.

"Oh, because a bunch of us were going to Taka's for sushi on Friday."

"Oh…" Tomo sat silently, contemplating his invitation. If she went she'd see all of the old regulars but she'd also see Momo too. She wasn't sure if she wanted to see him at all. "I'll think about it."

"Ok. But I hope you come. I know Sakuno's going to be there and Inui-sempai too. I know I haven't seen him since he graduated."

"I haven't seen a lot of them since they graduated," Tomo noted. "But for Tezuka-sempai, Fuji-sempai, and then the other day Oishi-sempai."

"Then you should come. I bet they'd like that."

Tomo nodded. She saw it now. Instead of having Tomo stew in her silent angst-ridden, self made oblivion, Ryoma was trying to get her out the house. It was a nice gesture and she appreciated it for wht it was. Besides, all of the old faces would be sure to keep her occupied… and then there was Momo.

"Thanks Ryoma. I'll really think about it. I'm just… I'm worried about seeing Take-- I mean Momo-chan… sempai… buchou," the name was hard to get off her tongue, as she never had to call him that before.

"Who cares about him," Ryoma said, sucking his teeth.

That surprised Tomo.

"It's his lost. He did some stupid things and he deserves to feel bad for it so come and be happy. Don't miss out for his sake," Ryoma growled.

"How could you say that? He's your best friend!"

Ryoma shrugged. "You're my best friend too."

Tomo's eyes widened again. Ryoma was full of surprises that day. Sure they hung out all of the time and she considered Ryoma one of her best friends, but she never knew really how he felt about her. They didn't get off to exactly the best start as far as friendships went, being as she was his stalker crazed fan girl. She almost felt like Ryoma had given in by hanging out with her and Sakuno so often, that it was part of his apathetic nature. Hearing Ryoma call her his best friend touched her deeply. She had such good friends that were willing to support her through this. Sakuno, Ryoma, Mieko, and even Oishi-sempai.

Before she knew it her eyes were watering again and her face broke out into the widest grin ever.

"What?" Ryoma asked, staring at her a little creeped out. It reminded him of the old fan girl Tomo.

"Kya~! Ryoma-kun!!!!!!" she screamed.

With that, Tomo glomped Ryoma out of the chair.

-to be continued-

AN: SORRY! SORRY! SORRY! SORRY! i'm so sorry. i feel so bad. please review and flame me or anything. i deserve it to be flamed for my lateness. but i would love reviews too D: thanks for reading