Wavering Destiny

Chapter 20: Burning Up and Breaking Down

Twenty chapters already! Wow! Originally this story was planned to be about fifty-ish chapters, but we'll see where it takes us...

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"Seiya..." Usagi gasped.

The Starlight leaned weakly against the door frame. The look on her face told them she wasn't expecting to walk into the bathroom and see Usagi crumpled on the floor with a tear-stained face.

"Um, Seiya," said Rei, "could you...give us a minute?"

Seiya nodded in a daze. Their blue eyes met and Usagi looked away,. It was bad enough crying in front of Rei. She lowered her head, golden bangs falling to hide her eyes.

Seiya walked faintly back into the bedroom.

Rei watched her from the doorway. When she saw Seiya got into bed, she pulled the bathroom door shut and returned to her friend.

"She heard me, Rei," Usagi said quietly. "I know she did." The floodgates threatened to open again.

"We don't know that. And if she did...well, you were going to tell her about this at some point, right? And tell her how you feel? Now's the chance."

"No. I can't face her now."

"Yes, you can. You have to."

Usagi sniffled. "Did you see the look on her face? I just can't-"

"Usagi," Rei interrupted. "Seiya...you love her, don't you?"

Usagi paused, then nodded slowly.

"Then you can't keep pretending this is nothing. It isn't fair to Seiya, and not to you either." Rei dropped her hands and began to stand.

Panic flooded Usagi's face. "But I-"

"You can do it, Usagi. Just be honest, okay? Seiya's part of this too now, and you need to talk." She extended her hand and helped her princess to her feet.

"Thank you..."

Rei brushed Usagi's bangs back. "Good luck."

Usagi looked down. Her insides felt warm and fuzzy whenever Rei was being nice to her. She wished she would act that way more often.

"Hey, Rei?" Usagi called after her.

"Yes?"

"Thank you for not being mad. I didn't think...you'd understand so quickly."

"Oh, don't think I'm not mad." Rei shrugged. "I just already knew."

"Huh?"

"You and Seiya. I knew there was something between you. I guess it just took a while for you to figure it out, huh?"

Usagi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah...I guess..." Had it been that obvious? She supposed they did go on a date together, even though it was only to an amusement park. But she only let her spend the night at her house because she was scared to be home alone. And they spent all that time together watching the stars and practicing softball to prove that she was worthy of Seiya...

Now that she thought about it, she felt really stupid. How could everyone not have seen that all along? How could she not have?

Rei folded her arms. "I'll admit, it's kind of scary thinking about what'll happen now...but I will support you. Though I can't speak for anyone else."

"Thank you."

Rei paused to look over her shoulder. "And, Usagi?"

"Yeah?"