Chapter 6:
Haruka and Michiru arrived at their next class. They then took their seats and waited for class to begin.
As she waited for class to begin, Haruka's mind began to wander.
"Should I eat dinner tonight, or just skip it?"
Truth be told Haruka loved the empty feeling in her stomach. She felt powerful and in control when she didn't eat. However, she knew that skipping dinner wouldn't be easy.
"Michiru already knows I didn't eat lunch. If I skip dinner she'll get worried."
The last thing Haruka wanted was for Michiru to worry about her. However, Haruka really wanted to skip dinner though.
"I could always just say I'm not feeling well. There has been a bug going around lately, so it would be believable."
However, Haruka felt a bit apprehensive about lying to Michiru. She knew it was wrong to lie, but at the same time she didn't see any other way. She knew Michiru would worry if she found out she was starving herself, and that's the last thing she wanted.
As Haruka sat there going over the dilemma in her, she was unaware that class had ended. It wasn't until someone tapped her on her shoulder that she was pulled from her thoughts
She then looked up to see Michiru standing in front of her.
"What's up?"
"Class ended five minutes ago. Why are you still sitting here?"
"Oh, I guess I was just lost in thought."
Haruka said, standing up. She then bent down to grab her backpack, but when she stood back up she felt a small wave of dizziness wash over her. This did not go unnoticed by Michiru, and she quickly placed her hands on Haruka to keep her steady.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I just got a little dizzy. I'm fine though."
Michiru eyed Haruka for a moment, wondering what would cause her to become dizzy. She then remembered that Haruka hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.
Michiru then reached into her backpack, and pulled out a granola bar. She always kept one on her as an after school snack.
"Here."
Michiru said, handing the strawberry flavored granola bar to her girlfriend.
"What's that for?"
Haruka asked, looking at the snack being offered to her.
"I know you haven't had anything to eat since breakfast."
"I'm not hungry, really."
No sooner had those words left her mouth, Haruka's stomach decided to imitate a whale's mating call.
Michiru tried to place the granola bar into Haruka's hand, only to have it pushed away.
"I'm not hungry."
Haruka's voice had a sense of finality to it.
Michiru eyed Haruka for a moment.
"Why are you avoiding eating?"
"I'm not."
"Yes you are. For heaven's sake, you skipped lunch."
"So I skipped lunch. People skip meals, it happens."
"You've never skipped a meal before though."
"Okay, well sometimes things come up."
Michiru crossed her arms.
"Oh, like what?"
"I don't know. Just things."
Michiru shook her head and sighed.
"Alright Haruka, what are you hiding from me?"
"I'm not hiding anything from you."
"Yes you are. You're avoiding eating and I want to know why."
Haruka looked down at the floor, unable to meet her girlfriend's gaze.
"I'm not avoiding eating. I just don't feel like having a granola bar at the moment."
Haruka then grabbed her bag and headed out of the classroom, before Michiru could say anything else.
Michiru released a heavy sigh, before once again following after Haruka.
Some time later, the couple picked Hotaru up from school and arrived back home. Upon arriving, Hotaru went to the living room to start on her homework, Haruka went upstairs, and Michiru went into the kitchen to talk with Setsuna.
"Hey, Michiru, how was your day?"
Setsuna asked, chopping some vegetables for dinner.
"It was okay I suppose."
"Are you alright? You sound as if something is on your mind."
"It's Haruka. She's been avoiding eating. She skipped lunch and even refused to take my after school snack that I offered her."
"It's not like her to skip meals or avoid eating."
"That's what I told her. She insists that she's fine though."
"Did anything else happen to her today?"
"She zoned out a few times, did some laps around the track in her school uniform, and she got dizzy when we were getting ready to leave our last class of the day."
Setsuna mulled over Michiru's words for a moment.
"Do you know if she'll be eating dinner tonight or not?"
Michiru shook her head.
"Hmm, well based on what you've told me, I'm getting the feeling that she'll try to skip it."
"Why though?"
Concern was clear in Michiru's voice.
"I don't want to jump to any conclusions, but I'm getting the sense that Haruka is starting down a dangerous road."
"What do you mean?"
Setsuna stopped her prep for dinner, to give Michiru her full attention.
"As I stated, I don't want to jump to any conclusions. However Haruka seems to be exhibiting the early signs of an eating disorder."
Michiru's eyes widened in shock.
"What?! That's crazy! Haruka is the strongest, most confident person I know. There's no way she has an eating disorder."
Setsuna placed a comforting hand on Michiru's shoulder.
"I know it seems hard to believe. I almost don't want to believe it myself. But she's showing signs."
"Still though, it's Haruka. She's too strong for something like that."
"I don't doubt Haruka's strength. However it's possible that she's being strong to hide what's truly going on with her."
"I guess so."
Setsuna gave a sympathetic look.
"You should go talk to her. She needs you, I know she does."
Michiru gave a nod of understanding, then headed upstairs to speak with Haruka.
When she made it to their shared room, she found the tall blonde fast asleep. She then took a seat next to her on the bed, and ran her fingers through Haruka's hair.
After a few moments, Haruka began to stir.
"Hey."
Haruka said, her voice sounding weak.
"Are you okay? You don't sound so good."
Haruka slowly sat up.
"I'm fine. Just a bit tired is all."
Michiru's eyes scanned Haruka's face, taking in her tired expression. She then recalled the conversation she had with Setsuna in the kitchen.
"Are you eating dinner tonight?"
Haruka took a glance around the room, before shaking her head. Michiru instantly felt alarm bells go off in her head.
"Why not?"
"I'm not feeling well. My stomach's bothering me."
"When did it start bothering you?"
"It's pretty much been going on all day."
"Well in that case I'll see if Setsuna can make you some plain broth."
"No!"
Haruka's outburst surprised not only Michiru, but herself as well.
"Haruka. I'm going to ask you something and I want you to tell me the truth."
Michiru's voice had a seriousness to it that told Haruka she had better choose her words carefully.
"What is it?"
"Why are you really avoiding eating?"
"I already told you. I don't feel well."
"Bullshit!"
Michiru screamed, smacking her hand against the bed, causing Haruka to jump slightly.
Michiru then took a deep breath to calm herself.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout. It's just."
Michiru took Haruka's hand into hers.
"I'm really worried about you. You haven't been yourself today. Setsuna and I were talking, and she said something that has me really concerned."
"What did she say?"
"She said that you seem to be showing early signs of an eating disorder."
"What? That's crazy."
"That's what I said. But the more I think about it, the more I think she may be right."
"You think I'm developing or have an eating disorder?"
Michiru gave a nod.
"Well I'm not developing one, nor do I have one. I really just haven't been feeling well today; that's the truth."
Michiru eyed Haruka for a moment. She wanted to believe her, but she just couldn't shake the feeling that Haruka wasn't being truthful.
"Will you please have a little something? It might help your stomach to settle if you eat at least a little."
"I'll think about it. Right now though, I'm tired and could use a nap."
With that said, Haruka laid back down and closed her eyes. Realizing that she wasn't going to get anywhere else with her for the time being, Michiru kissed Haruka's forehead, then quietly left the room so that she could rest.
End of chapter 6: