Chapter 16 (Friday week 3)
Mamoru stared at his phone, confused as it kicked to Usagi's voicemail for the second time that half hour. They had talked about getting together today, hadn't they?
Opening his phonebook, he started a message to Motoki before the arrival of a message interrupted him. Exiting the screen and opening the message, he was happy to see it was from Usagi. Clicking open, he read the message and confusion took over again as he read the message again. Flipping back to his phonebook, he pulled up Motoki's number and hit call.
"Hey," his friend greeted. "Made plans yet?"
"No. Actually, do you have Minako's number?"
"Of course. What's up?"
"Usagi and I talked about making plans this morning right before I left last night and I tried to call her twice with it just kicking to voicemail. Now, I get this message from her saying maybe we should reschedule for later and she'll call when she has some time."
"You think something's up."
"Yeah. I'm hoping nothing bad, but at least that it's not her avoiding me. I don't even know why she would be doing that."
"I don't know, man. Give me a minute and I'll text you Minako's number. I'm sure she'll know."
"Thanks, dude. I appreciate it."
"No problem. Let me know what's going on."
"Sure thing. Later, Motoki." Clicking off, he waited the few moments for the text to come through Mamoru paced around his kitchen. "What the hell, Buns?" he muttered. Opening the text message, he dialed the number and waited.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Minako? It's Mamoru."
"Oh, hey. I was wondering how long it would take you to call."
"You've talked to Buns?"
"Buns? Nice," she laughed. "Yes, I talked to her. I think you kind of scared her last night.""What?" he asked, defeat in his tone.
"No, oh, Mamoru. You didn't do anything wrong. It's just, I don't think things had really clicked in her mind as to where this was going. She just needs some time to adjust."
"We had talked about it."
"I know, but I don't think it really set in. Did she seem nervous when you guys discussed it?"
"A little, but acted like with a little time to come to terms with it, it was fine."
"Sounds about right. Look, here's what I can tell you. Usa barely slept last night. She called and woke me up around 5:45 and we talked for a while. She finally passed out around seven or so, and Auntie Ikuko is going to make sure she sleeps for a while. She came in while we were talking and I guess Usa looks pretty rough with all the lack of sleep. Give her some time and let me talk to her. She'll get back with you when she's ready. And, I'll try to make sure it's tomorrow if not today. Okay?"
"Thanks, Minako."
"You're welcome. Call Motoki, go do something today, and don't worry about it. Between Auntie Ikuko and me, we'll take good care of her. I'm getting ready to head over there and fill her in since she won't wake Usagi to find out."
"I'll try. Bye, Minako. Thanks again."
"No problem, but Mamoru?"
"Yeah?"
"Just so you know, hurt her and I'll kill you. Period."
"Right…" he said, staring at the phone as it emitted a dial tone.
M&U M&U M&U M&U M&U M&U M&U M&U M&U
Parking her Mustang in the drive, Minako headed straight to the back door and let herself inside. "Auntie?" she called, looking around the kitchen. Seeing Ikuko at the island icing cookies, she dropped her purse on the counter just inside the door and headed to the sink to wash her hands. "Want some help?"
"That would be lovely, darling. Wash well and we'll have you work on this section," she instructed with a gesture towards an un-iced section of baby rattle shaped cookies. "While we work on these, you can fill me in."
"Alright," she agreed, following the directions.
Ikuko got her started with the cookies and after letting her get settled into a rhythm, she began talking. "So, what is going?"
Heaving a sigh, Minako looked over at her 'aunt' and then focused back on her task as she began to talk. "You know that the four of us went out last night, right?"
"Yes, but Usagi was home when we got back last night. I didn't get the chance to talk to her - we thought she was asleep."
"I can believe that. I don't know what exactly they did after we went our separate ways, but I guess when he was leaving to head home, they kissed and it just kind of shocked her."
"Did Mamoru..?"
"Oh, no!" Minako cut in. "I don't think he did anything wrong. Like Mom says, twice bitten, once shy."
"Other way around, darling."
"Huh?"
"Once bitten, twice shy. But, I will assume you mean Seiya. What I wouldn't give to wring that boy's neck! He never deserved any of the attention my baby gave him."
"Oh, any sane person would agree, but I figured things would get better around Mamoru. It looks like she's still letting Seiya get to her. She didn't come out and say it, but I would infer it from the talk we had yesterday."
"Oh, dear. Hmmm…."
"What are you thinking, Auntie?" Minako questioned, recognizing the look on Ikuko's face.
"Don't worry about it just yet, darling. Now, I think we're going to switch out icing colors for you and get these finished up so they can set. Why don't you leave the purple sit for me and grab that bag of pink icing?" she suggested.
Usagi rolled over and burrowed under her covers, trying to hide from the sunlight peeking into her room. She uttered a deep sigh, realizing sleep wasn't going to come easily this time. Rolling to her back, she stared at the ceiling, blinking in the bright light.
Eventually, she gathered enough energy to sit up just enough to see that it was just after one in the afternoon. Unwilling to leave her bed just yet, she made a quick bathroom run to her en suite and then grabbed her cell phone and a book on her way back to bed. She noted Minako had texted, but nothing from Mamoru. Happy he backed off like she asked, she was slightly surprised to feel a sting of disappointment as her stomach twisted. This was what she wanted, right?
Trying to push the feeling aside, she stacked some pillows behind her and cracked open her book.
"Awake now, I see," Minako interrupted from the doorway as Usagi tried to read the same page for the fifth time. Blinking away tears of frustration, her head snapped up to meet her best friend's gaze.
"Oh, love," Minako murmured, moving from the doorway to join Usagi on the bed and wrap her in a hug. "What in the world is going on?"
"Why didn't he call? Text? Anything?"
"Because you asked him not to, dear," she said, trying to smother a laugh.
"This isn't funny, Mi-chan!"
"I know, but, well, it kind of is. You asked him not to do something and then you're upset with him for doing what you asked. What do expect of the boy? He's just trying to make you happy."
"I know," Usagi mumbled.
"You know, you could call him," Minako suggested gently, putting her hands up, when Usagi suddenly stiffed and stared at her wide-eyed. "Or not; it was just a thought. However, an order from your mother, and most definitely NOT a suggestion, is get cleaned up and get out of the house for a while."
"Urgh," Usagi grumbled, flopping back down. "I do not want to go anywhere."
"Not even out for mani-pedi's? I promise you, we won't run into Mamoru there. I'll even call Ami and Lita to see if they want to join us and only tell them you need some cheering up," Minako cajoled.
"I guess," Usagi complied. "Just don't make more plans than that for now."
"You bet. I'll run down and call them, you get in the shower," Minako ordered. Moving outside the door and waiting until she heard the shower start, Minako moved back downstairs and to the kitchen. "Mani-pedi's are on, Auntie. I'll try to get her to agree to a movie or something afterwards," she informed Ikuko. "Hopefully, after that, she'll talk."
"Great, Minako. Thank you," Ikuko said, hugging the girl close. "I don't know what Usagi would do without you."
"Be boring, and lonely, and sad, and…"
Ikuko shut Minako up with a hand over her mouth. "Let's not make that list seeing as we don't have to worry about it." Giving the girl a gentle push in the direction of her purse, she instructed her, "Call your mother and have her get your appointment scheduled."
"Hey, girlies!" Minako called, spotting Makoto and Ami near the entrance to the spa. "Mom was awesome enough to treat us to massages, facials, and haircuts on top of the mani-pedi's. This is going to be AWESOME!" she crowed, throwing her hands up and spinning around. "Let's get started." Dragging Usa behind her and ushering the other girls in, Minako headed straight for the sign-in desk. "Hi, reservation under Aino."
"Ah, yes," the woman answered, "Your mother just called. I think we're starting you in the massage parlor. Have you been here before for that?"
"Oh, yes," Minako agreed.
"Right this way then," the woman said, standing and leading the way back down the hallway. "Go ahead and take a few moments. Would you all like the same room, or separate?"
"Together is fine," Minako agreed, looking to her companions for their agreement. "Thank you."
"This is great, Minako. Tell your mom I said thanks," Makoto said as she relaxed in the chair and let her feet soak. "We should totally do this more often."
"Definitely; if only so we can catch up during the school year. We'll have to plan like a weekend a month or something," Usagi agreed.
"As long as we're up on all our homework," Ami threw in.
"Hey, now; sometimes, seeing your girls is way more important. Besides, you'll be so far ahead it'll be no problem for you," Minako said, brushing the thought aside.
"So, true," Makoto agreed, reaching for the ice tea that had been brought. "And, you have to indulge yourself every once in a while. My aunt sends me money every birthday with just that purpose in mind - tells me to spoil myself a little at least once a month."
"Sounds like a wise woman," Usagi agreed. "Momma and I used to do this every couple of months as our girls' day. Daddy always joked about it, but it was nice to just spend time together."
"So, not to change the subject, but to do just that - what color are you guys thinking?" Minako jumped in after a moment's silence.
"Purple," Usagi said. "And, I'd guess orange for Makoto and French manicure for Ami. You are most definitely a fire engine red type of girl."
"You bet, bucko," Minako agreed, making them all laugh.
"You ready to talk about it now?" Minako asked as they walked around to the back of the house.
"Later," Usagi promised, noting Minako's parents and a couple other couples that her parents spent time with all gathered in the backyard around the picnic table. "Let's say hi first and we'll talk inside. Hey, guys!"
"Usa! Minako! How was the spa?" Miyako enthused.
"Fabulous. Thanks so much," Usagi said, hugging her aunt tightly.
"Anything for you, my darlings," Miyako agreed. "Are you joining us?"
"Nah, I think we're going to throw together a quick salad and some fruit or something. Send Makoto in when she gets here, okay?" Minako instructed, headed inside already.
"Ami?"
"May be with her, may not; but, her too in any case."
"Have fun girls," Kenji said, happy to his little girl smiling again after hearing his wife's thoughts on the afternoon earlier.
"You start cutting up some fruit and I'll work on the salads, okay?" Usagi offered.
"Deal. Chef's salads?"
"Yup, little ones. And, hopefully, Momma made some sweet rolls this afternoon like she mentioned. We can do that, with homemade jam, and the fruit with more iced tea."
"Delicious. And, Makoto is bringing lemon torte for dessert?"
"Yes."
"Oh, what a little slice of heaven."
"You are insane," Usagi laughed, passing fruit over to Minkao. Digging out her own ingredients and bowls for both of them, Usagi joined her at the island and started mixing baby spinach and some romaine for a base before adding toppings.
Crumbling bacon over the salads, Usagi looked up to see Ami and Makoto entering the kitchen.
"I come bearing gifts," Makoto joked, sliding the torte onto the counter with a smile. "New recipe, so I hope it turned out okay. I offered some to the adults as well, if they want."
"Oh, Momma will be thrilled," Usagi told her. "You want to throw on the table cloth and, Ami, if you'll get the tea poured, we're basically ready to eat."
"Sure," Ami agreed, happy to see their group dynamic back in swing.
"So, not that this hasn't been a great day," Makoto said, "But, I'm rather curious as to what brought all this on."
"Yes, it is a bit unusual for us as of late," Ami agreed. "We haven't been very close like we once were."
Usagi sighed and shared a glance with Minako. "Minako planned it for me, I guess. We're both sad and we're going to miss you like crazy. I don't want to lose you guys."
"And you won't," Makoto said firmly. "I refuse to let it happen."
"Me too," Ami said.
"And, me three," Minako chimed in. "On top of that…" she added, elbowing Usagi.
"Fine," she grumbled with a glare before looking to the other two. "There's been a boy in the picture lately. I just kind of freaked out on him and have been sending mixed messages according to Minako."
"Poor guy, but who can blame you with the Seiya disaster," Makoto commented, laying a hand on Usagi's arm. "As long as Minako approves though, I think he's a good idea."
"You do need someone who is better for you than Seiya," Ami agreed. "Someone a bit older, maybe more mature, would be a more logical match for someone with your maturity level and advanced learning levels."
"Learning levels," Minako snickered quietly. "But, he is those things," she pointed out. "And, completely game to taking this however Usagi wants to go. Can't really ask for more than that."
"Uh, no," Makoto chuckled. "Even getting back with my old boyfriend has turned out bad because it was still his way or the highway. Tie that one down while you have the chance," she instructed Usagi.
"And, he actually likes you for you. Motoki, his friend," she added for the others' benefit, "Was telling me how much he was smitten with you when you were all puffy-faced, red-eyed, and crying. You cannot beat that."
"Crying?" Lita questioned.
"Right after Seiya broke up with you at school," Ami stated, taking a calculated guess.
"Yeah," Usagi acknowledged.
"No wonder you haven't been around much," Makoto commented. "Not that I mind," she added, seeing Usagi's look of horror. "If I was you, I'd stay away just because Rei was around and being nastier than usual. Just, introduce him to us at some point, okay?"
"I can do that," she answered with a slight smile.
"Then, we're good," Makoto commented, as Ami nodded her agreement.
"Fabulous," Minako jumped in. "Now, go text the boy that you'll call him tomorrow to get together to talk, but you're ours for the rest of the night. I'm thinking movie marathon!"
Usagi headed for the living room to make her call in peace, but had to pause for a moment to watch her three friends laugh and chat. She really did have the best of friends.
Thoughts?