@<~~<~~

Bed of Roses - A Valentine's Day Story

Chapter One
By Aimee

@<~~<~~

"Wow, Usagi-chan!  You really let him have it!"
exclaimed an excited Minako in a bubbly voice.
"I'm so proud of you!"

"You acted like a complete idiot. . . " Rei grumbled.
"The whole arcade was looking at us--well, at least
the ones who stayed around for the show."

"I think she stood up for herself like a pro,"
proclaimed the tall Makoto.  "It's important to
stand up for yourself, you know."

"Yes, it is," agreed Ami in a meek voice.  "Only
flying chocolate shakes and random fingers aren't
exactly a mature way of handling such a delicate
situation."

"I dunno. . . seeing Mamoru's face when Usagi pulled
the 'big one' was priceless.  I need to start carrying
around a camera," Minako said.  Makoto was quick to
agree.

"So, is everyone excited about the Valentine's Day
dance?" Ami asked, strategically attempting to change
the subject with a topic no teenage girl could resist.
She was not disappointed, for the chatter exploded
like a wildfire.

"Are you going, Usagi-chan?"

Usagi, who had been uncharacteristically silent and
somber since the group had departed from the arcade,
said only one word.  "Bah-humbug."

"Wrong holiday, love," Minako informed her friend
with a smile.  "Cheer up, Usagi-chan.  I, Minako,
Miss Cupid herself, have decided to set you up for
the Valentine's dance tomorrow night."

"Run while you can, Usagi," Rei suggested.  "Remember
the last blind date Minako set up?"

All five girls cringed deeply. . . even the seemingly
depressed Usagi.  Minako threw her hands up in
frustration and cried, "Well, how was I supposed to
know the guy was married?  Geez!"

"Sorry, minna-chan," said Usagi in a quiet voice.
"I don't think I'm up for a dance."

"Come on," insisted Ami.  "Everyone will be there.
We'll miss not having you there."

A weak smile crossed over Usagi's features.  "I'll
think about it."

@<~~<~~

"Mom, I'm home," Usagi called without interest as
she closed the heavy oak door behind her.  Silence
was all that greeted her, and the girl sighed.
Trudging into the kitchen, she found a note.

		"Usagi, your father and I are going to
	a PTA meeting tonight.  Make yourself some
	dinner and clean the kitchen when you're done.
	And for goodness sake, stay out of trouble.
					Love,  Mom."

"Lovely. . . " the golden child muttered, tossing her
backpack, jacket, and lunchbox into a heap on the floor
without interest.  She raided the refrigerator like a
pro, and didn't stray from the glowing haven of goodies
until she had an armful of treats that could quite
possibly feed a small army.  "There's never anything
to eat here," she grumbled as she sat down at the table
and proceeded to devour the feast.

Inhaling her healthy dinner, which consisted of sushi
and chocolate donuts, Usagi brooded over the events
of the day.  She didn't exactly feel sorry about her
actions toward Mamoru.  Quite the contrary.  The jerk
got what he deserved.  If anything, she had let him
off easy. Chiba Mamoru could try the patience of Job.

Still, there was one thing she did regret, and that
was the fact that she and Mamoru fought in the first
place.  What cruel twist of fate had deemed that she
and him were to be forever enemies?  Why did he always
see it fit to tease her and make fun of her?  And why
had he laughed at her when he could clearly see how
offended and upset she had been at his earlier remarks?
Did he really hate her that much?

Usagi let the last donut drop from her hand to the
cold plate as her appetite suddenly disappeared.
She sighed and rubbed her eyes in tired frustration.
How long had she wished that things could be different
between Mamoru and her?  How long had she wished for
his friendship. . . and maybe something more?  But
it certainly seemed as though her wishes had been
overlooked by whoever tended to that sort of thing.
Or perhaps it just wasn't meant to be.

"Oh Mamoru-chan," Usagi whimpered with a small sob.
"I'm so sorry.  I didn't mean to get so angry.  Nothing
ever comes out right anymore."

Her tears brought her no comfort.  They simply reminded
her of what she did not have, and that was Mamoru's
friendship and affection.  She downheartedly accepted
this blunt fact, as she had many times before, with
a sniffle and a sigh.  With that, she arose from the
kitchen table and wiped her eyes on her shirt sleeve,
erasing the sign of her emotional state from her face.
After all, it was no use to cry.  What was done was
done.  She and Mamoru would always be enemies and
nothing more.  To hope for more would be silly and
exceedingly pointless.

If it only Valentine's Day wasn't drawing so near.
Perhaps then she would not feel so depressed.  Usagi,
for the first time in her life, could not wait until
the wretched holiday was over and done with.  She
didn't really want to think about hearts and kisses
when she had just flicked off the only guy she had
eyes for.

After "conveniently" forgetting to clean the kitchen,
Usagi trudged slowly up the stairs towards her bedroom.
She heard the muted sounds of a video game issuing
from Shingo's room and decided not to disturb her
brother.  It would be a fruitless quest to try to
talk to him when he was engrossed in his games anyway.
When he had a new game, as he did now, the only times
he was seen emerging from the bottomless pit that was
his room was when he was scourging for food or being
drug, kicking and screaming, to the bathtub by his
mother.

Usagi's eyes fell upon her door, and she scowled to
see that the bunny-clad sign that hung there was
crooked.  Great, someone had been in her room.  That
was something she exceedingly detested.  Her room
was her secret place--the place where she relaxed--
the place where she dreamed--more importantly, the
place where she dreamed about *him*--and no one was
permitted within those walls without her express
permission.

Thus, an enraged Usagi flung open the door, anxious
to see what damage had been done.  Was it her diary
this time?  Shingo had read it five times in the
last month.  No, it was in her drawer where she
left it, still locked.  Had her mother been looking
for her stash of chocolate bars?  No, that was still
intact at the back of her sock drawer.  Out of
options, Usagi took a careful sweep of her room
with her eyes to see if anything was out of place.

Then she saw it.

Tears stung Usagi's eyes for the second time that
evening, only this time, they were tears of absolute
delight.  There on her pillow were two dozen yellow
roses, accented here and there with a sprig of
greenery and baby's breath, and wrapped in a
beautiful piece of lace.  They were the softest,
palest shade of yellow, Usagi's fingertips touched
them as though they were the most delicate thing
in the world.

Who?  Who could have given her such a delightful
present?  It certainly wasn't her family.  They
were still a bit sore with her because of her last
test score.  Could it be one of her friends?  A
teacher?  A relative?  Her mind was ablaze, and
she frantically searched the handsome bouquet for
a card.  She wasn't disappointed.  Trembling hands
tore open the envelope hastily, and tear-filled
eyes read these words.

@<~~<~~

Sweet Usako,

The yellow rose symbolizes joy and gladness.  Never
doubt that I delight in your every smile.  Never let
that smile fall from your sweet face, for your
happiness is mine.

A friend

@<~~<~~

Her eyes arose from the small card momentarily, and
she blinked a few times in incomprehension.  Confused,
she read it again, and then once more for good measure.
Of all things to catch her eye, it was the "Usako"
part. Usako?  My little bunny?  It was a sweet little
nickname that made her blush exceedingly deep, but
exactly *who's* little bunny was she supposed to be?

After a fourth reading of the mysterious card, she
laid back on her bed, and began to ponder who could
have sent her such a lovely *anonymous* gift.  She
caressed the sweet smelling blooms that lay next to
her face on the pillow, and sighed.  It was all
terribly romantic--receiving such a gift--but she
felt a twinge of doubt in her stomach.  What if it
was from someone whom she did *not* want to receive
flowers from like *shudder* Umino?  What a dreadful
thought!

Usagi rid herself of the picture of a nervously
giggling Umino handing her flowers and tried to
imagine Mamoru in his place.  Now *that* was a
beautiful sight.  Usagi sighed and gave a little
giggle.  "For me?" she whispered with a smile on
her face.  "Oh, Mamo-chan, you shouldn't have!"

Mamo-chan?  Usagi laughed.  What a perfectly delight-
ful nickname!  And so fitting!  Usagi decided right
then and there that she would refer to Mamoru as
Mamo-chan.  She would just have to be careful not
to do it around him or her friends.  She would never
hear the end of it if one of the girls found out that
she had feelings for her archenemy.  It would be all
over the school in less than a day, and it would not
be long before it reached the ears of a certain
good-looking college student.  If that happened,
she would never be able to face him again.  Never.
She would simply crawl into a ball in the back of
her closet and die.

Giving another little pathetic sigh, Usagi kissed
one of the roses before she snuggled up to the
bouquet and closed her eyes.  It was not long
before sleep claimed her.

@<~~<~~

Ja!

Aimee
sailor_moon89@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Teahouse/4986/