Once in the Moonlight OPENING!

CHAPTER I:1

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE I LACK.2

Oh-what a lovely dream it was! I was on stage, singing, as I often loved to do. And there-right next to me-yes!-it was Akihiro Hanazaki! Akihiro, the best singer-in my mind, that is-singing with me! He even told me that I had a lovely voice…and he was singing for me…only for me…3

Sunlight streamed in onto my pillow. All was still. The ceiling fan lazily spun its course, gently buzzing like a bee in a lotus blossom. The c-d disks that were scattered across the pale aqua colored room made no sound. Another day of private school. The year was coming to a close, but these last couple weeks were dragging by as slowly as they could. Not much was on my mind, as I slowly rose from my lair. All except the single thought of "I hope Topleaka doesn't try anything stupid today," 4

It was too late.5

"Wake up, HARUKA!!!!" Was all I could hear. My head spun around, my heart screaming as it dramatically increased its beat. It was only a pillow that hit my head, but it hurt really badly. 6

"Topleaka?" I asked drowsily. She stood there-totally awake and a rather impatient facial expression was drawn across her face. This was, of course, embellished with make-up (which, of course, intensifies the anger even more-). Aqua blue hair trailed down across her shoulder, in thickly bound curls. She was in front of the mirror for at least 20 minutes this morning. Or at least that's what I would have guessed. She looked sharp in our school's new uniform. We used to not have uniforms, but the faculty must have decided that we were not yet miserable enough. Around her arm was a star embellished hair tie \"She always wears stars"\ I thought to myself. She had explained to me that that was because she loved Rei, and since he was a movie star, the star had become her official logo. A lame pun in my mind.7

Rei Kaedo... He was the rookie movie star of little Mihama, which is why our town considers him the rage. A few years ago, Rei had begun to act in some minor movies. But his fame was spreading. Not a lot, but enough to give little Mihama something to boast about. But Topleaka thought of him as more than a star. He was her life. "Rei was on the cover of my magazine" she would say with a sigh. "Did you know Rei likes Tempura Shrimp over Ramen? I've always loved Tempura too! A match made in heaven...." Another sigh, or the very frequent stealing of my remote from my favourite Night Coon episode with a “REI’S ON!!!!" were a few of her magical phrases. You didn't even need to squeeze her hand, like those creepy plush dolls. Perhaps she could get distracted from her unhealthy obsession. But as I said-perhaps. 8

"Why...why are you at my house? And it’s only 5:45....." I mumbled as I threw my head back into the pillow. I didn't care if I was defeated by the great impulse to sleep.9

"REI'S TRANSFERRING TO OUR SCHOOL!" She said this as though I cared. This was followed by continuous shrieks that made me more confident that falling asleep was STILL the best option. 10

"He's shadowing today! And I want to be the first to talk to him!" She continued.11

"How do you know this?" My voice was still monotonous.12

"Tien." she replied. 13

“Who?” I asked lazily14

“Aspen’s acquaintance,” Aspen was my friend for the past 6 years. She was an independent, feminist, bold person, who tried her best to get me out of my shyness shell. It seemed odd that she would know something about Rei. She's...not the kind of person that can be described in one word. She's more of the kind that needs one of those test essay answers.15

"How does Aspen know?" I asked, sounding less monotonous and more agitated. But, once again, my question seemed to miss her ears entirely. Perhaps she didn't feel like answering. Or maybe it was my soft voice. Or perhaps her excitement was taking over her.16

Instantly, I learned it was the third. She soon began to dance around me room, humming "Here comes the bride". Her long locks slapped her face, and then soon hit mine. This was not the good morning start I had prayed for the night before. 17

“Come on, Haruka, we’re going to be late!” Topleaka whined, twirling a curl around her finger as she stared at her reflection in my mirror, a sigh passing through her lips.” Do you think this looks better THIS way?” She flung the curl to one side. “Or THIS way?” She flung it to the other.18

"Will you get out, Topleaka?!" I shouted, unintentionally, of course. The evils of lack of sleep; for I am not one of those shouty people. That was Aspen. 19

Soon sniffles broke out, which quickly resulted in tears. Then, Topleaka looked as though she could no longer hold in her hormonal emotions. I must have never gotten that gene. I could never cry over a guy. Well, then again, I've never really been in love...20

"Topleaka-I didn't mean-" Well, I sort of did-I reminded myself. 21

"See you at school..." Topleaka reluctantly said, slowly pulling the door behind her.22

"How could I be so retarded?" I thought to myself. When Topleaka first moved to Mihama, I was seven years old. Mom made me promise one day when the cherry blossoms began to fall, "I want you to show love to Topleaka-make her feel at home here. We don’t know if she knows Jesus, so we need to be loving friends and a good example of Jesus for her.”23

I watched her blankly, a bit confused. “What-do you mean, O-ka san?”24

“It means that you show her the gospel in everything you do, whether it be how you play, how you talk, or how you act. Can you promise me that, Haruka-chan?" I was more than determined to uphold that promise, and befriended Topleaka. Soon, we became fast friends. 25

Looking at the swaying door, I felt a sudden feeling of despair. My conscience works over time. Slowly, I pulled the covers behind me and attempted to get ready. The battle had already begun. IF only I was awake to fight back.26