About a week later, my relationship with Faith has been going great.  But on the other hand, Willow and I seemed to be drifting apart. Whenever I try to talk to her, she always seemed distracted and uneasy about something.  I felt worried about her.

It was Saturday and it was unseasonably hot. Not that it ever got really cool.  In this area, but it was hotter than most people could stand.  Another strange thing about that day is that I was the first one to wake up.  Even on days when we don't have class.  She never sleeps in.

I was worried so I went over to check on her.  At first, nothing seemed different, except she was just wearing a T-shirt and shorts due to the heat.  But then she started tossing and moaning like she just started having a nightmare.  I reacted quickly and woke her up.

I asked her “Are you all right?”


She seemed a little disoriented as she said “what's going on?”

I told her “you were having a nightmare.  Are you all right?”

She seemed worried but she said “yes, I'm fine now Heather.  Thank you”  
I told her “you had me worried.”

Well responded “sorry about that, you're really worried?”

“Yes!” I said “why wouldn't I be you’re my best friend”

That seemed to make Willow sad for some reason.  Now, I knew something was wrong, but I didn't know what to say. I felt like a bad friend for that. So I just said “Come on the showers will be packed today.” She got up, but she didn't say anything.

Sure enough, it was packed. It seemed like almost everyone in the school was lined up to take a shower. I didn't see Faith, but she could have gotten here early. I said to Willow “I knew this was going to happen.”

Then I saw Faith she looked like she was headed for the shower but she walked right by the line. Confused, I called out to her “Hay! Were you going?”

She walked up to us and said “Going to the VIP showers, would you like to come with me?”

The VIP showers were off limits to most students.  However, the headmistress does get out some passes to students for various achievements, the passes of other rewards as well.  From what I hear there are a lot nicer than the public showers and there are bound to be less crowded.  Considering that only about 5% of students have passes. I was curious to know what faith did to earn one of these passes, but I didn't look a gift horse in the mouth, so the two of us followed Faith.

When Faith swiped her pass down the slot, I couldn't help but feel a little guilty. I didn't deserve to be here I was definitely not one of the VIPs at school.  Willow must've sensed how I was feeling; she said “Don't worry Heather.  They're allowed to bring guests into VIP areas are fine.”

It was a lot less crowded alright, were the only ones there, which helped the little. It struck me as a little odd that the baths were not in separate chambers from each other. Well it’s not like I haven’t seen Willow before. I did not what to look at Faith while she was getting ready but I couldn't help myself she did not take off that glove but I did see that she had a Japanese symbol tattooed on one of her arms.  I wasn't sure what it meant.

The Baths were great; a girl could get used to this aromatherapy oils imported sops.  Too bad this was a one-time deal I said to myself “this is wonderful” But then I heard footsteps.  I set up straight and called to Willow “someone coming! We got to go!”

Too late, the doors opened and of all people the headmistress herself Sarah-Peach Blossom walks in.  I was so freaked out; I thought I was going to get busted for sure. Headmistress Blossom did not look angry at all.  In fact, she was smiling. Then she looked at me and said “Heather Yuri, what a surprise to see you here.”

I was nervous, so I just squeaked out “I'm here with Faith”
The headmistress just said “that's all right”

Around noon, me and Willow were baking in the heat. Where are going to be in for a major heat wave.  We needed to do something abut it. After some thinking I asked Willow “How about the beach just the two of us?”

Willow brightened up and said “Now you’re talking!”

It wasn't long before the two of us were ready and at the beach. This was a good call; the ocean was crystal blue the black sand at the beach was nice and warm.  Best of all, even though it felt like summer, it was actually the fall so it was not crowded. Wow Willow looked great in her swimsuit; it was a nice little blue bikini with yellow stripes. It never really occurred to me that Willow is an incredibly pretty girl, probably because I didn't know that I liked girls until a week ago.  I on the other hand, my green one-piece make me look like a giant lime. Then Willow looked at me as if she had something to say.  But she must have changed her mind because she looked down.

I knew something was wrong so I asked her “what is it?”

I never expected her answer “I think I love you” I was so surprised.  I lost my balance and fell into the sand.

The words kept ringing in my head. I couldn't believe it my best friend since grade school was suddenly in love with me. I couldn't have heard it right, or she's messing with me again.  I would give anything if I could make it so she didn't say that. It was my fault for telling her how I felt about Faith. She is a no good blind bandit, if she's just messing with me. Why would she be in love with me anyway? I'm nothing special.

Willow was standing over me just smiling and looking right at me. She has a nice smile. Then I thought it could be true, Willow in love with me.  I had a feeling this was not going to turn out well.