College Life Part 19: Good for me (Michiru's b-day) Tuesday by Greenbeans Disclaimers: "Good For Me" performed by Amy Grant (c) 1991 Tom Snow Music "Galileo" performed by Amy Grant (c) 1991 Age To Age, Inc. Amy Grant "Hearts In Motion" (c) 1991 A&M Records, Inc. 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 :) [We see Haruka and Michiru in a night club. While it is somewhat dark, their figures are unmistakable. In the background, music begins to play. It's the opening for this part of "College Life". (To "Good For Me")] 'You like to dance and listen to the music' [Haruka standing against the back wall of the dance floor listening until Michiru enters the room. Haruka grabs a hold of her hand and pulls her out onto the floor.] 'I like to sing with the band' [At their house: Michiru singing softly to a CD while Haruka watches her smiling, unnoticed from the shadows.] 'You like your hand splashing in the ocean' 'Well I like my feet on the sand' [At the beach: Michiru is running in the shallows while Haruka is chasing besides her on the sand. Michiru grabs onto Haruka's hand and pulls her into the water with her.] 'Does anybody have it any better?' 'Isn't it easy to see just how well we fit together?' [The focus goes to above their heads and "College Life" is blazed across the screen.] 'When I start to sing the blues' 'You pull out my dancing shoes' 'I think you could be so good for me' [At their house: Michiru plops down into Haruka's lap. Haruka is obviously moody about something, but immediately cheers up when Michiru holds up her car keys. They get up together and leave the room.] 'You get brave when I get shy' 'Just another reason why' 'I think you could be so good for me' [At a market: Haruka is being her usual assertive self. Michiru is behind her laughing into her hand as Haruka parts the tides of people in front of her.] 'You like to drive like Mario Andretti' 'I like it taking my time' [Haruka in her sports car with Michiru in the passengers seat. The top is down with the winds tossing their hair about as Haruka speeds them down the city street.] 'But let me say wherever you are going' 'You know it suits me just fine' [The view stops following them to let the car go racing down the strip. It becomes a small speck in a matter of seconds.] ***** "Here," Beans ejected the CD from her CD-ROM, placing it into a jewel case before handing it to Michiru. Michiru smiled by way of thanks. "Beans is a sucker for sappy love songs and is getting Michiru hooked on them, I'm doomed!" Haruka lamented dramatically from her leaning spot against the door. "Amy Grant does more than 'sappy loves songs'," Beans corrected before sticking her tongue out at her. "Watch what you do with that thing," Haruka warned, "someone might take it as an invitation." She winked. Beans felt her cheeks turn hot at what Haruka was implying. Perverted woman! Michiru chuckled politely behind her hand, then rose to join her partner at the door. "Thank you for lending me this. I'll return it soon," she promised. "I'll return it sooner," Haruka quipped after Michiru was out of the room. Beans waved her off and they were gone. *********** Sunday ********** It was a lazy evening. A slight wind give the air a chilly nip, but not enough of one to discourage people from seeking out cafeteria food. A group of geeks stopped by the dorm message board on their way back from dinner. "Hey!" Dan pulled on John's sleeve enthusiastically to catch his attention. "Sign ups for intramural baseball are posted." "It is getting to be that time," John agreed. He'd organized the geek's team last year, and was likely to do it this year. He wasn't very athletic, but he was a great manager. "I'll go around and see who's interested," Dan volunteered. April, who was behind them, snorted. "'Interested' is the polite way to put it. 'Bug them until they agree' is more like it." That earned chuckles from those around them. "You can't deny his enthusiasm," John commented, his mind already considering the possible roster. "We should have a good team this year." ********** Monday ********** The first study tactic learned in college was to get to know your classmates. That way, if you needed help with something you could keep knocking on doors until you found someone who could offer assistance. With that idea in mind, Beans was systematically introducing the freshman Pedro to their classmates. The best way to do that was at dinner. "Hey, Pedro, do you play baseball?" Dan asked, to the chagrin of everyone else. "No," he answered slowly, "but I did score-keep in high school." That answer seemed to please Dan more than disappoint him. "HA! We'll be the only team with our own scorekeeper. The others will be so jealous!" "Enough, Dan," April threw a wad of napkins at him. "If you bug one more person..." The rebuke fell on deaf ears since Haruka and Michiru had just joined them. "Haruka! You play baseball, right?" April got up from her seat to give Dan her warning in person. People scooted around to make room for the pair. Recently, they were coming around more often for dinner. They rarely ate, but the gesture of getting together at the end of the day was what's important. "Good luck, Dan. I already warned her," Beans teased from her spot next to Andy. "Beans!" He whined. Haruka puzzled as the conversation quickly flowed away from her playing baseball to other things. Relieved by the apparent reprieve, she sat down next to Michiru and watched as April mock attacked Dan. "They're insane," Pedro muttered. He turned to the person seated next to him. "I don't think we've met. I'm Pedro." Michiru smiled politely, introducing herself and Haruka. "I'm not a student here, but Haruka is," she explained. "Oh?" What do you study, or are you graduated already?" "Violin," she gestured to the woman besides her, "and engineering." "Interesting," he nodded. Their conversation was interrupted by Dan protesting (loudly) that they needed to have a roster set to start practicing. April whacked him again while Beans made her opinion of practicing in cold weather perfectly clear. "Are they always like this?" Pedro asked in an aside to Michiru. "Tip of the iceberg," Haruka answered with Michiru nodding in agreement. ***** Haruka was annoyed. While this wasn't a totally unusual event, it was rare in that there was little she could do about it. Haruka was driving home from the college with Michiru in the passengers seat and Amy in the CD player. And that was her problem. It disturbed her that she was quickly learning the lyrics to the songs. Even more so that the bubble gum pop quality of it was growing on her. She couldn't stop the disc. That would earn her a level LOOK from Michiru. It was so rare when their tastes in music collided. Haruka swallowed her annoyance while Michiru continued to enjoy the CD. ********** Tuesday ********** Michiru paced the dorm hallways slowly. She had long ago become accustom to the various posters on the walls and signs announcing upcoming events. If Beans had taught her anything during the last two terms it was dorm etiquette, thus she recognized an invitation when she saw one. The partially opened door to the room Beans, Alex, and Jeff shared beckoned for someone to enter and sit for a spell. Michiru already knew that the person she would usually visit wasn't there. Beans and Haruka were out on one of the ball fields doing something related to the baseball team Dan was excited about. She tapped lightly on the door before sticking her head in. "Hello?" "Oh, Michiru, hello," Alex looked up from her desk. "Beans isn't here right now." She smiled. "I know, I'm just walking around while they're down at the baseball field. I saw that your door was open and decided to stop by." "Cool, please, pull yourself up a piece of bed," Alex gestured to the nearby bed that doubled as a couch. "It's not often we get to talk. Usually you're waiting for Beans to show up or something to that effect. What's on your mind?" "Actually, I did have a question for you," Michiru tried to get comfortable on the bed she sat on. "Haruka and I have been curious for a while as to what Beans' real name is. We've heard a variety of stories so far. As her roommate, we figured that you would probably know something more solid." Alex leaned back in her office-style chair, a thoughtful look on her face. "Beans' name? It's funny that you ask that..." she twisted from side to side in her seat before stopping suddenly. "Let me tell you a story. I first met Beans when she transferred to our junior high. She'd just moved to the area," she paused for a moment. "You do know that she was adopted, right? It's not something she discusses very often. I know she told you about it after she was sick." Michiru nodded in acknowledgement. "Well, her adoptive family and my family are close. They often invited me to spend the night with them so that she would make at least one friend," Alex's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Making friends was never a problem once she was pried out of her shell! "When she introduced herself to me for the first time, it was as 'Beans'. I teased her, of course. Children are cruel that way, but she shrugged it off. She would get so *angry* if anyone used her given name, even her adopted family! When I think of it now, I can't quite remember what it is. I guess it doesn't much matter since she's all but legally changed it any ways." "Why is that?" Michiru asked. Alex twisted around in her chair again before answering. "You know how she can be... She didn't take on her parent's name when they adopted her; flat out refused to. I asked her why once. She said, 'So that I can remember where I've been.' She has a real twisted sense of pride at times," she shook her head at her friend's stubbornness. "When it came time for us to chose colleges. Beans and I decided to go to the same one and be roommates. Jeff has been my boyfriend since my junior year of high school. He's a part of the family, and we wouldn't have even dreamt of excluding him. "Some other people who came here from our high school are April and John. All the people I've named know Beans' past, how could they not when we're all from the same small town?" Alex smiled fondly at the memories. "It's not discussed by tactic agreement. To answer your question... I don't think any of them would tell you her given name even if they happened to know it." Michiru stood slowly. "Thank you, you've been more than helpful in explaining the mystery that is Beans," she made an off-handed gesture. Alex laughed at that. "If you ever do figure her out, you'll have to tell me what you discover!" The aqua-marine haired woman waved as she showed herself out. She then turned down the hall and continued walking until she found the next opened door. ***** Beans scooped the baseball up off the dirt on a one-hop to her. She quickly shifted it to her throwing hand and shot it to the waiting infielder. A short trot later and she was back into position ready to make another catch. Meanwhile, Haruka was watching from the sidelines as John considered her fate. "You have a strong arm, but are you wild? No offense to you, but it took us a while to calm down the other teams after Beans kept beaning them. That's why she's in the outfield now. You could take center field," he mumbled the last statement more to himself than to her. Haruka rolled her eyes. "I know how to control the ball," she crossed her arms stubbornly. He sighed and shook his head. "All right, I don't see what giving you a few games to knock back as many batters as you can would hurt." "I won't hit a one of them!" She protested, offended that he would think she would hit a batter on purpose. He chewed lightly on the erasure of his pencil as he considered the clipboard he held. "Is your arm in shape? Don't want you pulling any muscles," he added thoughtfully. She nodded. "I maintain a regular exercise program." "Well then, warm up and get out there," he gestured towards the field. "We're going to scrimmage a few games before the season starts. You'll get plenty of practice." ***** Mellow tones from a viola whafted through the halls. Her trained ear traced it to a room at the end of the hall near the bathroom. The song stopped suddenly. She walked faster, trying to track where the music was coming from before she lost it. It was the last door on the right. The door opened with the occupant hurrying across the way to the bathroom before Michiru could stop them. She came to a stop in front of the door, reading the name placard. "Who would have guessed?" She chuckled to herself softly. "Michiru?" Pedro asked from behind her, obviously having just left the bathroom. "I didn't know you played viola," Michiru commented by way of greeting. He scratched the back of his head, somewhat embarrassed. "Oh, that. Please, come in," he stepped aside to invite her into his room. He kept his living space neater than most of his male counterparts. The shelves held as many books regarding computers as they did regarding music theory. A few sleeves of sheet music were neatly stacked on his desk. Not far from that, a collapsable music stand stood with his viola sitting on the bed. A poster that was a detailed diagram of various string instraments covered most of the wall above his bed. "Music is my hobby," he gestured to the poster. Michiru took in all that was around her before answering. "I would say it's your passion." He picked up the instrument carefully before sitting on the bed and placing it across his lap, almost protective of it. "I love music very much. I couldn't give it up when I came here to study computers." Michiru sat down besides him on the bed. "I know that you're having difficulties in the computers programs. Why don't you study music instead?" She asked gently. He shook his head. "There's no money in music. I'd probably just end up being an instructor or some other low paying job like that. There's lots of money to be made in computers nowadays." He sounded like he was reciting arguments that were pounded into him, not as though he believe that rhetoric himself. Michiru chose her next words carefully. "You would sell out your dream to do something you don't love in favor of money?" "It's not my choice," he grumbled. "My parents worked hard to get me here. They wanted the best for all their children. Computers was the best way to show them that their sacrifices were worth it. So that I can be successful and they would be proud of me." Michiru paused to consider his situation. It was a difficult one to be in. He was in a major he didn't enjoy for the sole reason that it might make him 'successful'. She wondered -- if he did graduate with a computer science degree -- how long he could stand the work before changing professions. "I'm sorry," she whispered softly. "I would urge you to reconsider you decision to study here if your heart isn't in it. The school I'm going to sounds more like the place you should be." "It's where I wanted to go," he admitted. "I applied there as well when I was looking for colleges. They accepted me and even offered a scholarship, but my parents were adament." He stroked the viola reflexively as he spoke. She pursed her lips together, debating if she should continue to speak or not. "You have to live your life for yourself. That is the gift your parents gave you. Please don't let them hold you back from fulfilling your dreams." Perhaps she was out of line for speaking so boldly, but some things had to be said. The gift of life was also the gift of freedom, knowing that the child will grow up to make their own decisions and mistakes. "My parents want what's best for me," a smile of chagrin crossed his face. "We're still debating exactly what 'best' is." Michiru returned his smile. "I hope that you find what will make you happy." ********** A week later ********** Beans walked down the corridor to the cafeteria with a broad grin. A grin wasn't the only thing on her face. Mud caked her pants, streaked across the back of her shirt, and was smeared on her cheek. Sliding practice was her favorite part of baseball and nothing made for better sliding than a swath of mud. She wasn't the only one who enjoyed the activity if the mud clad geeks that followed her into the cafeteria were any indication. "Why didn't you clean up first?" Haruka scooted away from the filthy ball players to avoid getting any of the still fresh mud on herself. She hadn't joined them in their 'practice', instead shaking her head at their antics from the safety of a paved walkway. "War paint," Dan answered. "The other teams will be intimidated when they see how serious we are about winning this year!" "Mud mask," Beans quipped. "Aren't they s'posed to be good for your complexion?" "You care about your butt's complexion?" Haruka politely inquired. Beans flushed. "Andy cares, don't you?" She turned to him. The look on his face could best be described as 'deer in headlights'. He shifted in his uncomfortably, "No comment." Both Beans and Haruka were about to turn the knife on him in their own ways when Michiru interupted. "You two can pick on each other. Leave him alone." Everyone was well into dinner when Pedro walked up to their table. One could almost see the storm cloud hanging over his head as he pulled a chair up. "Do you have time to tutor me after dinner tonight, Beans?" He asked after half-heartedly acknowleding the greetings from those around him. "Um, I have to shower first, but sure. I've already finished up my homework that's due tomorrow," she couldn't hide the concern she felt. Something was on his mind, that much was obvious. Maybe he would be willing to talk about it tonight? He nodded then got up and left, not bothering to stick around long enough to eat dinner. "I'll get a sandwich for him and insist that he eat it while we study," she assured herself softly. Studying on an empty stomach was a difficult thing to do well. ***** Pedro arrived at Beans' room not long after she got out of the shower. She quickly finished brushing out her long hair while he fished his books out of his bookbag. She pulled the sandwich she got for him out of a small fridge and tossed it to him. "You looked pretty bummed at dinner. What's wrong?" She sat next to him on the bed. He looked at his books with a dejected expression on his face. "Do you think I'll pass my coding class this term?" "I don't know," she replied honestly. "Your professor is a fair grader, which means that you'll get what you deserve, but I don't know if it's enough." He bowed his head. That was the simple truth. He tried his best, but the concepts of variables, if statements, arrays -- all of it -- got jumbled up in his mind. It made perfect sense when the professor or Beans explained it, but when he tried to replicate their work the results were never the same. It was so very frustrating. He felt like he was close to having a grasp of the concepts, only to have them slip away between his fingers. Beans touched his forearm lightly. "Don't be so concerned about failing that you can't do anything but. You're trying your best, which is all anyone can ask." "My best isn't good enough," he complained bitterly. He didn't often let his frustrations show, but the pressure was getting to be too much. The professor had spoken with him during office hours today. The professor was concerned about his lackluster lab work. Every lab he turned in so far this term didn't work quite like it was supposed to. He was too proud to go running to Beans to get a hint when he couldn't get something to work as he wanted and so he struggled through it. Thus the lab always came due before he could work all the kinks out. It was a vicious cycle with him being perpetually behind his classmates. The thought that he was only in the beginning programmers class left him feeling depressed. Was he going to have to struggle through all of college like this? "I'll tutor you as long as you're willing to learn," Beans assured. "Don't let your rocky start discourage you. Programming is like learning another language, some people are naturally better at it than others." "By that logic, some people have a natural weakness towards certain subjects," he reasoned, feeling the need to be somewhat difficult. "Well, yeah," Beans allowed, "but I won't accept that as an excuse to not try your best." "No excuses," he agreed before opening his text to the lesson he was having problems with. "Would you mind explaining the structure of an array to me again?" She shook her head while retrieving a pencil and a notepad from her desk. "Drawing it out helps a lot. Here..." ********* Wednesday ********** Haruka had a new plan for getting Amy out of the car's CD player without Michiru protesting. Haruka almost kicked herself for nothing thinking of it sooner. Michiru wouldn't deny letting her listen to a newly bought CD. During a break between classes, Haruka scurried to a small music store near the campus and bought a jazz music collection. She didn't care if it was good or not, just so long as it wasn't Amy Grant! When she picked Michiru up she was armed with her new CD. What she hadn't anticipated was that Michiru would be likewise prepared. "Ara, you bought a new CD too, Haruka?" Michiru marveled at the coincedence. "I found one of Amy Grant's other CDs at the college bookstore. This one is 'House of Love'." "'House of Love'?" Haruka could feel her eyebrows twitching at the very title of the CD. "Romantic, don't you think?" Michiru beamed. She was torturing Haruka on purpose, she had to be. Haruka's heart sank into her stomach as Michiru replaced the old Amy Grant CD with the new one. This was all Beans fault! She would have to find some way to get her back once Michiru was winged off of this horrible music. *****