Chapter 7 (Wednesday)
"What are you doing after school today?"
"Mamoru, my mom's calling me down for breakfast…"
"Then answer quickly, so I can let you go," he teased.
"Coming home to study."
"Would you be willing to change those plans? You'll still get some studying done later in the evening."
"Sure. What did you have in mind?"
"I'll pick you up when school gets out. I'll be in my car."
"Okay. Bye, Mamoru."
"Later, Buns."
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"Usagi! Ms. Haruna wants to see you now."
"Yes, ma'am. Should I take my books?"
"Yes, dear. Oh, and Usagi, you won't be here tomorrow, correct?"
"Yes, ma'am. Since we've finished reviewing in most classes, my parents felt it would not be a problem."
"That's fine. Good luck at Tomoe. You would make a wonderful addition."
"Thank you," Usagi replied, heading for the door. "Man, word spreads fast," she muttered once she hit the hallway. Heading for her locker, she dumped the books she had and pulled out her calculus supplies. After that it didn't take her long to reach Ms. H's classroom.
"You wanted to see me, Ms. H?" she asked as she entered.
"Ah, yes, Usagi. Take a seat."
"Something wrong, Ms. H?"
"Nothing's wrong. Just wanted a word with you about a couple things. First, did you get Ami to tutor you in calculus?"
"No. My friend, Mamoru, has been helping me. He took it before."
"He's a student here?"
"No. He's a college student, and he went to private school."
"Well, he seems to have helped you make leaps and bounds of improvement in the few areas where you've struggled."
"Yeah. He's really made it click," she said with a grin lighting up her face. "He's even going to help me with my art skills this summer."
"Improving for your move to Tomoe?"
"How does everyone know about that?" Usagi questioned, irritation bleeding into her tone.
"Usagi, we're surprised it hasn't happened before now. I know you had problems in seventh grade when I had you then. But, you blossomed in eighth. You started competing the summer between the two with you gymnastics and it taught you grace under pressure and focus that helped you turn things around. By the time you got here, you were doing as well as Ami. And, you missed plenty and did plenty of independent study were she took regular classes."
"But…"
"No, dear. We've all noticed since the beginning. The staff has always known the whole story and supported you one hundred percent. You're such an amazing individual; the teachers all adore you. No matter what, you keep such a positive, happy outlook and care for everybody. We want to see you move on to better things and be challenged; even if we miss you. Go, be happy, Usagi. Minako will be with you all the way. And I'm sure almost everyone will be thrilled for the two of you. Just back and visit," Ms. H concluded.
Usagi stood and hugged the teacher, glad for her nagging three years ago and her support now. "Thanks, Ms. H," she whispered.
Ms. H nodded. "Good luck tomorrow; wow them. We'll see you for the final and after that, no more of this Ms. H stuff, got it?" she teased, shooing her out with a wink. "I won't tell you cut out early if you don't!"
"Thanks. Bye, Ms. H!" she called as she headed out the door. Hurrying towards her locker, Usagi planned out what to pack and how to get out before classes let out.
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Usagi had ended up waiting on classes to release before leaving, yet it still wasn't hard to spot Mamoru in that red sports car. Amazingly enough, Minako had managed to get outside before her and was leaning against the car with Mamoru chatting casually. Her friend waved her over as soon as she noticed her, causing Mamoru's smile to brighten when he caught sight of her. Usagi smiled back and then sighed when she realized how many glares were being sent in her direction.
Minako allowed Usagi to give Mamoru a tentative hag as she joined them, then linked her arm through her best friend's. "You ready for tomorrow?" she asked.
Usagi laughed. "Yes. Did you have teachers encouraging you all day to take the offer?"
"A few. Coach is begging me to say no."
"No surprise there."
"Yeah, but gotta run. See you at Tomoe in the morning," she told her. "And you," she said, addressing Mamoru. "Watch out for my best friend."
"Will do," Mamoru answered with a mock salute.
"Bye, Mi-chan. See you tomorrow!" Usagi called after her friend.
"Well then, let's get out of here," Mamoru said, ushering Usagi to the passenger door. "You still game for anything this afternoon?"
"Yeah…" she answered, curious about what she had gotten herself into.
"Great. I really think you'll like this," he assured before closing the door and hurrying around to the driver's side.
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"So, Buns, you figured out what we're doing yet?"
"Well, I know where we're going and hopefully there is food involved since its lunch time. However, I don't know otherwise."
"Food, yes. Otherwise, you'll find out," he told her, leading the way into the rose garden. "Is food first okay with you?"
"You bet. Tell me you have yummy food in there," she said, poking the picnic basket.
"Well, I think it's pretty good, but we'll see what you think. How about right here?" he questioned pointing to a grassy area not too far from the bench where they first met.
"Good," she answered. She stood back and allowed him to set down the basket and pull out a light blanket to spread on the ground. She joined him on the blanket as he pulled out food containers.
"Now, a word of warning: I do cook. However, I got Motoki to prepare food for us at The Crown. Someday I will eventually take the time to cook for you, but this is not my normal fare. You are a salad person, yes?"
"Definitely."
"Chef's salad?"
"Oh, yeah."
"Good. Here's your salad. Just save room for dessert."
They lapsed into silence as they ate the food, just enjoying the surroundings.
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As they cleaned up the dishes from the salads and the fruit salad, yogurt, and granola they had for dessert, he pulled his backpack towards. "Ready to find out what else we're doing?"
"What do you think?" she deadpanned.
He opened his bag and pulled out a couple sketch pads and some pencils. "How about that art lesson?"
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"You did good, Buns. You obviously have a lot of natural talent if you never really had much in the way of classes. How are you feeling about it?"
"You've been a lot of help. What did you work on? You were drawing too."
"More practice for my sketches. I do have to work on those sketches for Ms. Meioh. I'll most likely start on them sometime in the next week or so," he informed her as they packed up and headed to the car. He opened the door and saw her inside before putting the basket and his bag in the trunk. "So, I believe it's my turn again for today's question," Mamoru began as he joined her in the car and started the engine.
"You would be correct," Usagi agreed, turning in her seat to face him.
"What's your favorite childhood memory?"
"The day Shingo was born. Not to say we've always gotten along, but the day he was born was amazing for me. I woke up at Minako's house; apparently they moved me during the night when mom went into labor. I spent the morning playing with Mi-chan, but I was kind of distracted with wondering where my parents were. Her mom threw us an extravagent tea party to keep my mind off of it. We played dress up, Auntie did our hair, and she put some make-up on us. There were homemade treats, like cookies and chocolates, as well as real tea and finger sandwiches. She had even made Uncle help decorate the dining room while she got us ready. Both our moms have a black and white picture of us toasting each other.
We ended up leaving mid-party because dad called from the hospital. We met him in the maternity ward and he took us to see Shingo in the nursery, well, through the glass anyway. Dad dropped me off in mom's room before heading to the cafeteria with Mi-chan and Auntie. Mom was awake and beckoned me in to crawl up on the bed with her. We talked a lot then. And one thing she told me that stuck even at that age was that even though we now had Shingo she loved me more and more every day. We took a short nap together before they brought Shingo in and everyone returned. Side by side with the tea party picture at my house is another black and white. It shows me and Mi-chan squeezed into one hospital chair, still in our party dresses, holding Shingo together and looking down at him."
"I can only imagine," Mamoru chuckled.
"I'll show you the picture sometime."
"Mine, huh?" he questioned as he pulled in the Tsukino driveway.
"That was the deal as I remember it," she said.
"Come on," he told her, getting out of the car and leading the way to sit on the porch steps. "My memory was from when I was eight, about two weeks before my parents had died. It was spring and the weather was amazing. Dad stood looking out the window over the kitchen sink telling Mom how much he just wanted to take the day off and enjoy it. And she asked him why not?"
"Sounds like my kind of woman," Usagi commented with a smile.
"So, he took the day off and she called in sick, calling me in sick to the school. We went to the park and played all morning; then pizza for lunch. The afternoon was spent playing a game, taking a nap, and then a movie. It was my happiest last memory of my parents. There's a picture of my mom and I swinging at the park."
"Oh, Mamoru. I'm sorry," Usagi told him, wrapping her arms around him.
"Thanks, Buns. I miss them a lot," he admitted, wrapping his arms around her too. It would be a late night on the porch as she silently returned the comfort he had offered her not that long ago.
Thoughts?