Author Notes: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of its characters they belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I have changed Mamoru's age to similar to Usagi's. They are both at High School.

Chapter 1

She looked over at him, a cold look in her eyes; he glanced over in her direction she looked away. She was nothing to him, she treated him the same as everyone else with indifference, everyone believed her to be cold and unfeeling but she couldn't blame them really. She'd been like this since her parents left her with her grandmother, she wasn't resentful toward her guardian. She had never met her parents, nor did she wish to. She looked over at him again the coldness replaced by a hint of jealousy, he was surrounded by his friends laughing and smiling, he was her opposite, he was animated, lively and had friends and family. She however was steel eyed, dead and alone, she wanted to talk to other people her age but she could never find the courage to approach them. They all seemed to ridicule and mock her. She turned her head slowly from the group to the window gazing longingly outside as the afternoon rain poured down, she liked the rain and didn't want to be stuck inside in a stuffy classroom surrounded by people, she wanted to be alone with her thoughts, she gave a small inward laugh, as if I wasn't alone enough. But then even if she was in a room full of people she still felt alone.

'Hey…?' someone placed their hand on her shoulder, she jumped, "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." She looked up at the boy next to her, her eyes still betraying her sad thoughts; she quickly regained composure her eyes steeled over. His face changed, he seemed to be afraid.

"What?" she snapped annoyed at herself for losing herself in thought.

"Well…I thought you might want to join us?" he waited for her answer.

"Oh, well, I...err" she felt herself go a little red, "No." she answered, "…thank you." She looked away quickly feeling foolish at her lack of courage and more annoyed that she lost her composure again.

"Oh, alright" he seemed a little disappointed, "it's just I thought you looked lonely and then when you…never mind." He walked quickly back to the table with his friends.

He sat down, "Why did ask her to sit with us?" he just shrugged and shook his head, then acted as though he didn't hear the question.

She was sitting beneath one of the large beech trees in a quiet corner of the park, lost in her thoughts, she had a book open in front of her laying on her lap, that she was meant to be reading, but she couldn't concentrate, her thoughts kept going back to the boy that spoke to her, why did he even talk to me she asked herself. But the she didn't care and set about reading her chemistry book, she found the topic rather dull and repetitive but read it none the less. She realized that she was rereading the same line again and again for over five minutes. "What is wrong with me?" she asked herself. She closed her book giving up trying to read it and lay on her back and staring up at the small branches of the tree rustling in the wind, she closed her eyes savouring the scent of flowers drifting over from the nearby gardens.

She was startled awake by some children running by, she sat up slowly the sun was descending; she looked at her watch 9.30. She shook her head I slept for two hours! She looked around quickly to check her belongings, they were piled neatly beside her bag including her chemistry book, and she glanced around again and just glimpsed a white sleeve at the edge of the tree. Who? She put all her books in her bag, and walked around to see who it was. Him?! It was the same boy from school; he had drifted off to sleep a strand of his dark hair falling over his slightly tanned face. She moved a little closer and pushed the strand gently behind his ear, her hand lingered. She snatched in back quickly, what am I doing? She scribbled a note and left quickly, almost running, she slowed down after she rounded a corner questions whirling dizzily in her mind. What was he doing there? Was it him that piled her books? Why did he do it in the first place? The incident in school came back. Why did he talk to her? He had plenty of friends, why ask her to join them? Come to think of it she had never heard about him having a girlfriend…she shook her head never she thought she had slowed down lost in her thoughts, but that doesn't mean anything does it?

"Hey! Usagi…Wait!" she heard his voice yell. She quickly thought of running but what was the point, so she stopped turned and waited for him, he ran up beside her taking a second to catch his breath, "I thought I'd lost you there." he looked at her now, she glanced down at his hand and saw the note she left, he quickly stuffed into his pocket.

"What were you doing there?" she tried not to sound too snappish

"Well, I wanted to talk to you" he said quickly.

"But…?" she asked thinking, why does he want to talk to me?

"You were asleep…and well I didn't want to wake you up…."

"So you waited for me to wake up?" she finished for him.

"Well yeah" he looked around nervously, "I hope you didn't mind me piling your books, some of your work was blowing away."

"Oh, so it was you," she said absently, "err...thanks" She looked away from him embarrassed but didn't show it, thinking quickly "Why did you want to talk to me?" Feeling a little relieved that she had something else to say.

"Well…err…I thought about asking you to the spring dance, it's just I didn't want to do it in front of the people at school. Cause' well I thought it might embarrass you since you don't seem to like many people or too much attention." He looked a little relieved and seemed to relax.

How does he know that about me, she thought, duh it's pretty obvious by the way you treat people and the way you hide yourself she scolded "This isn't some stupid joke is it?" she asked bluntly.

"No, it's not." He snapped, "Sorry." He looked away from her looking a little hurt.

"I'm sorry. I had to ask." She paused, "I'm just kind of curious as to why you asked me when there are so many girls that keeping asking you out." He turned to face her, a small smile on his face.

"If you really must know, they only want to go out with me because I'm popular and they want it to rub off on them. Personally…" He laughed a little, his dark blue eyes sparkling, "I think you don't care, am I right?" She nodded.

"You still didn't answer my question." She said quickly

"Oh yeah, sorry. Well…um…the truth is…that…" He stopped looked away from her.

"Stop doing that. I like eye contact so I know if someone's lying to me." He looked at her directly; she relaxed a little, "Thanks. So the truth is that you…." She waited patiently. He has beautiful eyes, no wonder girls go for him she thought, that strand she had moved back when he was sleeping had fallen down again.

"I…well…" He looked a little stressed now. "I can't say. I can't put into words, least that I have the guts to say." He laughed nervously. He stepped a little closer to her and gave her a chaste kiss. He stepped back and looked in her eyes, "Well that's the only I can express how I feel about you, Usagi." She didn't say anything, she couldn't, and she didn't know what to say.

"I don't know what to say, I…well…yes I will come with you to the dance," She bit her lip "But could we not say anything to anyone." She stared into his eyes.

"I thought you would say that, it's fine by me, if it makes you feel more comfortable." He smiled at her.

"Thanks." She was about to go home when she decided. "Goodnight."

She got home and for once she didn't need to fake happiness for her grandmother, "Grand mum, I'm home." She wondered into the kitchen, her grandmother was putting on the kettle. "Hello, Usa." Her grandmother looked at her granddaughter. "Why so happy?" Usagi just shrugged getting something to eat out of the fridge, grabbing an apple.

"No, real reason. Say Grand mum, could we maybe go shopping for a dress for me?" She bit into an apple.

"A Dress? Whatever for?" She glanced at her granddaughter, "Well there is a dress upstairs, you might like."

"Thanks, can you show me it later once I'm finished my homework. I'll need for next month, you know for the spring dance." Her grandmother stopped.

"The spring dance? I thought you didn't like going to those things."

"I don't really it's just well, a boy asked me to go with him and I said yes." She paused for a moment unsure, "I can go can't I?"

"Of course you can. So what's his name then?" Usagi blushed.

"Mamoru."

"What that popular one with the dark hair?" Usagi nodded, "I know his mother, nice woman the father, well you know what they say if you can't say something nice don't say nothing at all."

"You won't say anything to her will you?" she asked suddenly

"No, no. Not if you don't want me to dear. I know you don't like unwanted attention."

The month flew by, they caught snatched glances of each other in school, and the dance approached, the girls were excited, rumours that Mamoru had asked someone to the dance circulated. Usagi became rather nervous about the whole thing. Dreadful 'what ifs' whirled in and out of her mind? As her grandmother did the finishing touches to her dress, she seemed a little calmer. She was ready, her midnight blue dress fitted nicely flattering her figure, and her grandmother disappeared into her own room for a moment. She came back through with a camera and a dark navy blue box. She put them both down and opened the box, "Come here, Usagi." She motioned for her to turn, "This was your mother's though I don't know if you want it." Placed it around Usagi's neck, it was a thin silver chain with a small heart pendant, she put her hand over it, and it was a locket. Her grandmother never clasped it she let it fall into Usagi's hand. It opened, inside there was a small piece of paper, and pictures of two people, she unfolded it slowly her hands trembling slightly. There was wavy hand writing not much different from Usagi's own handwriting it read:

Our dearest Daughter,

We are sorry we left you, and wish we could have watched you grow up. We hope my mother has been taking good care of you but we're sure she has. Give her our love, and have a happy life.

All our love your Mother and Father

.

Tear ran down her cheek, "I didn't know, why didn't you show me this grand mum?"

"My dear granddaughter," she said as she wiped away her cheek, "You weren't ready. Now, please stop crying dear you'll spoil your make-up." Usagi laughed and hugged her grandmother, "Thank you, grand mum."

The doorbell rang, panic filled Usagi, "Be calm, my dear, you look beautiful." She smiled looking at herself in the mirror while her grandmother put the necklace on and left to answer the door. Usagi got up and walked to the top of the stairs, waiting. "Usa!" her grandmother almost sang. She walked down the stairs, slowly. And glanced toward the doorway where Mamoru stood, Wow she thought he looks gorgeous, his shoulder length hair tied neatly back and wearing a midnight blue suit. She saw the look in his eyes and realized he must be thinking the same her cheeks flushed red. She arrived at the bottom of the stairs, he slipped his arm about her waist, she tensed a little but it felt like the most natural thing in the world, and murmured in her ear 'You look beautiful' she smiled; she had never been called beautiful by anyone other than her grandmother. She was still looking into his now intense blue eyes, when a camera clicked, she turned to see her grand mum holding a camera up, and "You two remind of Usa's parents." His eyes shone at the approval that was now given from her grandmother, "Now, hurry along and have fun." Usagi was helped into her short coat and stepped outside the door, "Thank you, for allowing me to escort your granddaughter." Her grandmother looked almost taken aback, she laughed, "A rare find, Usa, a fine gentleman." He went a little red, making her grandmother laugh.

There was no need to drive; Usagi's house was a five-minute walk from school. They walked along quietly, she glanced up at Mamoru, he was still blushing from the comment her grandmother gave him, "I'm sorry, for the way my grandmother behaved." He shook his head, "It's alright, I…well…I was being polite, my mum said I should make a good impression." Usa blinked, laughed a little and leaned her head against his chest, "She was already impressed, you know. The night you kissed me I came home genuinely happy."

He stopped for a moment, "Did I say something wrong?" he shook his head

"No, you didn't. It's just when I got home I was a happier than usual." He chuckled, "My mum, just asked me what's her name, then?"

They both laughed, "That's what grand mum did as well."

They walked, linking hands, turning the corner they reached the school, he glanced at her "Ready?"

"No, but if I don't do it now I probably never will." She laughed, nervously though; she hoped the fact that her date was the most popular guy in school would go unnoticed and that she even bothered to come too. He felt her tense and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze; she glanced sideways at him giving him a weak smile.

They entered the hall at an awkward time, a song had just ended and they were the only two entering, the DJ spotted them and announced their entrance "and let's say welcome to the lovely couple both dressed in midnight blue, who have just entered the hall." Every head turned in their direction, Usagi gulped a little a stepped a little closer to Mamoru for comfort, most of the girls didn't recognize her, for which she was relieved, but one of them did. She heard whispers all over the hall, her name and his being mentioned, Mamoru gave her hand another squeeze, she replied with some pressure herself, "Just ignore them, there just jealous because I'm standing next to the most gorgeous woman in the room." he whispered. She felt herself relax, yeah she thought and that I'm standing next to the most popular and the most gorgeous guy in school, the thought made her smile.

The DJ whipped up a tune and she was almost dragged onto the dance floor by Mamoru, "Wait a minute, I can't…." She was being twirled around by Mamoru, but her feet seemed to be keeping up, how on earth? She was breathless by the end of the song, "Wow!" she took a few deep breaths before they sat down, "Where did you learn to dance like that?" he shrugged and went to get some drinks, while she calmed herself. "My mum taught me, actually." He said when he sat back down. "The question is. How were you able to keep up with me?" He gazed into her shining blue eyes, waiting.

"I honestly don't know." She was genuinely puzzled about it, "My grand mum said something to me about my…"

She looked away, "You don't talk about your parents to anyone do you?" she shook her head, a steely glint could be seen in her eyes as he mentioned her parents, but that same sadness he saw once reappeared again, "You were thinking about them when I came up to you in class."

"How do you know that?" She asked quickly, but nervously.

"The eyes are a window into the soul." He replied, "They betray you sometimes, when your mind wonders."

She sat there shocked, "How long have you been watching me?" She asked quietly, more to herself than to him.

A slow tune started playing in the background he got up, "Shall we?" She stood up and walked with him to the dance floor. He pulled her close to him, she felt like putty in his strong but gentle hands, it was almost as if she couldn't control herself, she felt herself being lulled by the sway of the dance, gazing into his eyes, where she happily lost herself. They danced a lot and talked a little to each other, and leaving discreetly. They walked into the schools garden, the cherry tree in full bloom, "Beautiful isn't it?" She nodded, her eyes wandering over the garden at its best. They walked around a little, in silence. Stopping under the cherry tree, the pink blossoms falling onto her light hair. She felt a little strange being alone with him, but it felt right for some reason, she stopped walking and turned to face him. He was already looking at her with a small smile on his face she smiled back. They kissed deeply. Usagi wished it could be this way forever, but she knew it wouldn't last, she pulled away first, "Why me, Mamoru?" she asked him. He looked surprised at the sudden question, "Well…I don't really know, to be honest, I thought it was just because you were one of the only girls that didn't fancy me." He continued, "But that wasn't it, you were and still are the first girl I notice when I come into class." He looked away for a moment, "I was curious as to why you often looked sad and you were shunned by everyone else."

She looked down at her feet, "So, you pity me, that's all."

"No, no, it's not that." He said quickly, "I don't know how to put it." He started pacing, he paused for a moment, and "I believe that I love you." He said quickly going red in the face.

"I…uh…don't know what to say." She felt herself blushing; she looked away biting her lip. What I am supposed to say? She thought quickly, "You know, I thought I was jealous of you because you have all your friends around, you." She said, "But I could have been jealous of the person next to you, but it was you I was jealous of. I'm not blaming you for being popular. I mean your handsome, funny and seem to enjoy peoples' company."

"Actually…" he hesitated a little, "I don't really like being around lots of people, I've just gotten used it that's all. If anything I'd prefer one person's company I like rather than the crowd that hangs about with me."

Usagi looked at him thinking that he had said 'hangs about with me.' So he doesn't like there company really, surprises me. She couldn't think of anything to say, she was jealous of him for no reason, "So you see," he continued, "I'm actually jealous of you, because people, well, they avoid you. I'm sorry if that sounded like an insult."

"I…well…" She wasn't insulted strangely enough, she cheered a little, and "I suppose I can understand, being popular isn't all it's cracked up to be." She thought a little about what else he said 'a person he liked' did he mean her? She thought hopefully.

"I wish I could understand, but maybe after tonight I will." She thought about all the 'popular' wanting to hang out with her because she was dating the most popular guy in school. She shivered at the thought; I'm not really looking forward to next week.

"I really hoped those people," motioned his head toward the loud hall, "would leave you alone, since I know you don't like company that much."

She laughed, "I like your company." She said prodding gently at his chest, "I'm sure I can live with them, after all I am the 'quiet one' remember." She looked at him again, "and didn't you say people avoided me." He nodded, "Let us leave this until next week when we have to worry about, OK?" she asked gently, "Meanwhile, we can get to know each other a little better." She said suggestively.

He smiled, "I know this quiet little spot in the park…"

He walked her home, kissing her goodnight; they parted both happy that they had made plans for the weekend. Usagi entered her home, her grandmother sitting in the living room, dozing in her favourite armchair with a book on her lap, her glass slipping slightly off her face. "Grand mum?" She asked quietly.

"Hmm, oh, hello Usa, did you have a good time?" her grand mum asked sleepily.

"Yes, it was nice. Are you going to bed now, grand mum?" she didn't really like her grand mum sleeping in her chair, bad for her back.

"Yes, I suppose I will." Usagi slipped her grand mums glasses off and placed them in her case and put the book on the side table. She walked upstairs with her grand mum seeing her to bed, happy her grand mum was comfortable, she sought her own bed, and fell asleep, her dress hanging neatly on its hanger.