College Life Part 3: Love bytes -- Enter the competition by Greenbeans Disclaimers: Starting with this one, I'll be switching between different characters perspectives instead of sticking with just Beans. Though, I'm not sure how much I'll do this yet, so stay tuned. There's some cursing in this one, but not as much as last time. (That was more of the exception than the rule) I'll do this once quickly: [] Are actions -- either real or figuratively () Are author comments * Are quick footnotes *word* Are the equivalent of italics or extra emphasis If I come up with any more I'll repost this. Comments, thoughts, complaints, compliments, ramblings, and flames are all accepted. But the latter two stand a serious chance of being printed out and turned into rat cage lining. All characters are property of their respective holders. I belong to myself, thank you, and have a nice day :) I still have my computer (heh, heh). Here's part 3. ********** Wednesday ********** "You can't *do* that!" Haruka handed my paper back to me in my failed attempt to understand 'basic' Calculus principles. "Why not? The answer still comes out the same," I defended. "Because --" she began, but Michiru placed a hand on her arm to silence her. "Because that isn't the focus of the exercise. If you look ahead in the book, what you are trying to do is covered three sections ahead of where you are. You need a good foundation of the base concepts before you can forge ahead into other things. Try this problem using the method the book suggests and see if you can't get it." I nodded to her and began to work. The term had only just started, but I felt as though I had known this pair for most of my life. Since hashing things out with Haruka, my friendship with the pair has became a lot firmer. I still didn't know a lot about them, but I do enjoy the little hints that I am able to extract from them. Mostly that back home, this pair must have been important somehow, but I had no idea how or why. I'd also had a chance to consider what their relationship with each other meant to me. It didn't draw my attention when I thought it was a he and she. Except to say it was romantic. It's still romantic, but well, as Haruka would undoubtedly say, "It's none of my damn business." So I'll leave it at that. Thought I do enjoy watching the little things they do unconsciously that are so cute. Just like the young couple in love that they are. Like how they play music together. Early morning last Sunday in the student union I had heard soft piano music being played. I knew exactly where to go to find the source. This time I accepted Michiru's offer to stay and listen. I don't even think Haruka minded that much. I could tell that their playing music together was a very special time for them and I felt honored at getting to witness it. The sweet tones they produced while alternately being challenged and supported by the other made their music soar to heights that nearly brought tears to my eyes. Few had such skill as they did. Few had such a strong bond as they did. It was a fragile thing that I feared breaking with a breath as I watched them. But they paid me no notice when they were enthralled with their playing, which relieved me of some of my guilt at intruding on their special time. The news of my discovering Haruka was a female spread throughout the campus like wild fire. Many got a good laugh at my putting my foot in my mouth. Some did come up to me and admitted to making the same mistake. I believe that most of the student body had mistook her. The news was spread by every means short of putting it in the school newspaper and spaming the student body. Fortunately, Haruka doesn't tease me about it. She understands that I have limits and stays within them. Unfortunately, their are still plenty of subjects within bounds for her to tease me about. One of her favorites is my lack of a boyfriend. I'd like to point out now that she isn't being cruel by teasing me on this subject. The fact is, that being one of the rare "female" specimens at a male dominated technical school does cause for some interesting situations. The source of Haruka's amusement is; with a half dozen guys chasing me at any given time, why didn't I chose one? Did I have leanings the same way as her and Michiru? To which I would firmly deny. She'd smirk and ask why am I getting so defensive? At times, Haruka could be downright aggravating! Michiru would just sit there smiling or chuckling a little. Individually, they were alright, but together -- augh! -- some things just shouldn't be mixed! "Here," I handed my paper over for examination. "That's the way," Haruka gave me a small smile. I felt warmed by it. I'd noticed that she tended to grimace a lot and only smiled when with Michiru. For her to share that with me was an event and should be noted as so. Then her smile turned wicked. "One down, 19 more to go," she handed the page back to me. I groaned inwardly at the thought. "Why don't you two go play that racing game while I crunch these problems out?" I'd noticed that Haruka really liked the F-1 racing game they had here. The few times I raced against her I was beaten before I had gotten off the starting line just about. She had a real talent for it. "Good idea," she said while digging into her pockets for some quarters. "Are you sure you will be alright?" Michiru asked. "It's okay, if I have any problems I'll pull Haruka away from the steering wheel." "Only if you beat me first," she said with a glint in her eye. "Someday," I promised. "Go on, shoo." Haruka hooked Michiru around the arm and pulled her to the arcade machines. ***** Michiru sat contemplatively (is that even a word?) while watching Haruka turn another challenger away unsuccessful. Life here in the US has been quiet when compared to their lives in Japan a few years ago. With Galaxia's threat turned away, their lives as Senshi had become next to non-existent. Everyone stood guard for over year after that waiting for another threat to present itself, but none had. During that time and still, she and Haruka practiced everyday to improve their skills. Even so, it seems that life has returned to 'normal'. They had come to the decision to pick up where they had left off in school. They had the opportunity to go to the US and study for a year. Both of them wanted to go, but they didn't want to leave in case a threat came. Usagi was the one that convinced them to leave. 'Nothing had happened for years and if something did, Michiru would probably be one of the first to know it. Besides, I have everyone else to look after me. Why shouldn't you pursue your dreams?' She had argued. It was good enough for them and the arrangements were made. They weren't able to attend the same school, but these two schools were only 10 miles apart with their house between them. Haruka had finally remembered to get her international driving license (thanks Tim ;) last time she was here. It hadn't taken her long to find a car to her liking. Having everyone drive on the wrong side of the road didn't seem to bother Haruka as much as it bothered her. It seemed backwards to her. Haruka took many of the things that happened here in stride. Sure, she had been to the US before, but not nearly as many times as Haruka. She secretly thought that part of her easy acceptance of things was due to the fact that some of them were as outlandish as she could be. Many Americans acted with the mentality that it was their job to forge a new path even if a well established one was readily available; which matched Haruka's mindset at times. Haruka wanted to find the best way herself, and she dedicated herself to helping Haruka in her own way. Every extreme needed it's balance. Together, they had struck a level base for furthering each other. "May I join you?" A youth that was on the verge of manhood asked from across the table. She looked to see if Haruka was nearly finished with her game, but she wasn't, so she nodded. It would be nice to have someone to talk to while she waited. "I've seen you around, but not in any classes. My name's Andy." He would be rather good looking in a year of two, but was still in the process of filling out. She was sure that newly awakened hormones had a large part to do with him sitting with her. "I am Michiru. I don't attend classes here," she responded. "Oh? Why do you hang around here then?" He leaned forward. Michiru leaned back in her chair and nodded over the Haruka. (Who was looking rather masculine today) She could almost hear Andy's hopes as they shattered right there. "Michiru!" Beans called from halfway across the room. Haruka only afforded her a brief glance before returning to her game. "Michiru," she said again once she reached the table, "I need help on problem 17." She dumped all her books and papers onto the table. Sitting down, she began to search for the right one. "Beans, have you met Andy before?" She asked. Beans glanced up long enough to get a look at him, then continued searching. "You're in section 1 lab of Computers 101, right?" "Yes, I am," he answered somewhat dazed. Michiru turned away and chuckled some into her hand. Andy was definitely a victim of his hormones. "I cover sections 2 and 3," she commented while still looking for the right paper. "I guess that means you don't have to take the class, huh?" He said, trying to be witty. 'Oh,' Michiru sighed. 'Go easy on him, Beans, he doesn't know any better,' she encouraged mentally. She looked up at him with an odd expression on her face. "Yeah," she drawled slowly. 'Good girl!' She cheered. 'Don't crush him before you get a chance to know him.' ***** Haruka noticed some computer geek sitting down with Michiru. She was tempted to go over and introduce herself when another girl popped a quarter into the machine to challenge her. Her challenger wasn't that good, so she was able to play and half watch the table at the same time. Michiru nodded over to her and the boy's head dropped in disappointment. She smiled and turned her full attention back to the game. Beans came in calling for Michiru. 'Good, let her ask Michiru while I play.' Then the power to the machine was cut off when some girl that was a bigger klutz than Usagi managed to knock out the plugs to the machines on either side of her. She was going to make an issue of it, but decided against it in favor of going to see what this geek was up to since he hadn't left Michiru yet. She came up behind his chair and 'accidentally' kicked it with her foot. The geek looked up to her. "Haruka Ten'ou," she introduced herself while glaring down on him. "A-- Andy," he stuttered. "Found it," Beans proclaimed as she pulled a sheet out of the mess she'd brought with her to the table. Andy, who sat next to Beans, leaned over to look at her work. "Um, I think that you forgot to flip you fractions over," he said while trying to avoid her gaze. "Huh?" "Well, flip them over like this, add them to that, then factor this out and you'll have your solution," he explained while pointing out things on her paper. "You're right," Michiru said from the other side of Beans. She didn't like the idea of Michiru having anything to do with this geek. "I think we should return to the lounge," she said with her usual statement-not-a-question tone. "But I just got settled," Beans protested. "Well, unsettle," she snapped and began to pick up books. Michiru helped with the papers. They returned to the lounge leaving Andy at the table. ********** Friday ********** Haruka and I were 'enjoying' yet another horribly long Calculus assignment. Luckily, I actually understood this lesson and we were breezing along when Andy came into the lounge. "Hello, have either of you seen Michiru?" He asked. I could almost see the daggers coming out of Haruka's eyes at him for asking for her partner. Not that I blamed her personally. "No, we haven't," I answered. "Oh, then could you please give her this?" He held out a slip of paper. I snagged it before Haruka could. "No prob," I said as he left. "What is it?" Haruka asked suspiciously. I unfolded the paper. "His phone number." "Give it to me!" She demanded. "No, because if I give it to you Michiru will never get it," I defended while stuffing the piece of paper in my shirt pocket. "Damn straight!" She reached for my pocket. "Haruka, knock it off! You don't know *what* he wants. We'll give it to Michiru and let *her* decide what to do with it. Or don't you trust Michiru with a guys phone number?" I taunted. "Damn you --" "Many times over for the things that I've done. Now let's finish this homework, okay?" She sat back into the couch and didn't go for the paper anymore. After we finished, I gave the slip to Haruka. I knew that she wouldn't do anything to it and would deliver it to Michiru just to prove that she did trust her. I smiled inwardly. Haruka would never turn down a challenge. ********** Monday ********** I was playing Hearts against Haruka on the computer before me. I was waiting for someone to need help with their lab. The five people that were still here knew what they were doing; they were just slow. A disadvantage of a three hour lab when you were only needed during the first 20 minutes. Haruka was killing time because Michiru wouldn't need to be picked up from classes for another hour. It was kind of her to stick around and keep me company, so I let her win fairly often to keep her interested in the game. She may be able to beat me at racing games, but Hearts I can handle. I had often considered loading a *real* game onto one of these computers, but it was against school policy, and, in theory, I upheld school policy. Oh well.... I was dying to know if Michiru had called Andy during the weekend. Finally, I gave up to curiosity and asked Haruka. She grimaced. "Yes, she called him. I don't know what they discussed, but they talked for a good half hour." She seemed quite annoyed by this. She was easily distracted by it because I *couldn't* let her win, even if I tried, with the cards she was playing. "I'm sure it was nothing important," I reassured. Haruka got jealous too easily, not that Michiru wasn't one worth getting jealous over. She'd let this eat at her until she got angry and pounded on Andy; who probably wouldn't have realized what he'd done. "Let it go, Haruka. You two have a strong, trusting, relationship. I'm sure a guy like him would never draw her away from you. Besides, I thought you both had leanings for those of the same sex. If you hadn't noticed, Andy is a MALE. What value would a *guy* have for her?" She thought about that for several minutes. By now it was an all out slaughter against her in the game. "I guess you're right, but I still don't like him," she grumbled. "If that's your prerogative," I replied. "Hey! When did I get 300 points added to my score?!" I laughed. "You shouldn't let the little things distract you --" Michiru walked into the lab as my words trailed off. "Michiru, how did you get here? I wasn't supposed to pick you up for another 45 minutes," Haruka asked stunned. "Oh, Andy gave me a ride over," she answered easily. Haruka looked about ready to kill. ***** The lab held several sets of emotions in an electric mix that threatened to spark at anytime. The five who were working stopped to watch the upcoming exchange. Beans ceased her pounding of Haruka at Hearts to also watch. Michiru looked at everyone with a mix of mild confusion and ignorance at what she'd done. 95% of the surging emotions were coming from Haruka. Her first impulse was to go find that geek and make sure that he never walked straight again. Her second impulse was to recess into herself and cry at being rejected by Michiru. Her third impulse was to become as the wind while plummeting off a cliff to her death. "Haruka, what's wrong?" Michiru walked up to put her hand on the shoulder of the sheet white Haruka. "I-- I thought you loved me," she whispered. The pain in her words ripped at everyone's heart. Michiru's eyes opened wide in shock. She pulled Haruka into a tight hug. "What would ever make you think that I didn't?" Silent tears were forming in her eyes as she hid her face in Michiru blouse. 'That's it,' Beans decided. She went around to each person left and told them to move into the lab next door. She followed them out while locking the door behind her. ***** Beans waited in the other lab for over an hour. Finally, she decided to peek her head in the door to see if everything was alright. The lights were off and all the computers were shut down except Haruka's. She walked over so she could read the screen. "Arigato Mame-san" * She smiled softly before turning it off and locking the lab back up. ********** End part 3 ********** * Quick Translation: Arigato -- thank you Mame -- bean No bristling at the term "computer geek"! I'm one myself and if that's how I want to refer to our breed, that's that! Besides, most geeks I know *like* that term. Next episode: A continuation of the "Love bytes" story called "True intentions." Beans begins to smell a trap when this elusive pair begins to get rather friendly. Before long (like before the end of the episode :) she'll learn their true intentions. I'd like to acknowledge some of my favorite fanfic authors whom I drew inspiration from: * Tim Nolan: "Awakening", "Obligations" Thank you for answering all of my outer Senshi questions =) * Jackie Chiang: "Senshi Kurai" I really liked this fic for being serious and still having fun! * Brett Handy: "Oh my God!!" Series Thanks for all the advice and encouragement you've given, mate! Check out his Oh My Goddess and Ranma fics at his website at: http://www.ozanime.com/darkwind/ * A Sailor Moon Romance: For posting this and providing me with plenty of fics to read ;) http://ctdnet.acns.nwu.edu/~aerdnahu/ Also: * Blitz Krieg (aka Macboy): "I can't believe you put yourself in this!" And after learning my plans for the series... "You are evil, truly evil!" Thanks for the vote of confidence Blitz =P