The teacher was beginning to become more and more blurry as the ticks of the classroom's clock droned on like a metronome, slow and steady and not helping Alba's case as she fought fiercely to stay awake for the lecture. Although class had just started only five minutes prior, to the crystal academy senior it felt like it had been at least an hour as she propped her head with a free hand and wrote her notes in her right. Her eyelids were heavy and the idea of sleep lulled and beckoned in her mind, but bravely she fought on, the lead tip of her pencil at near breaking point from all of the force she was writing with.

She will not fall asleep. Will. not. fall.

The sentence came to a scribbled stop and the pencil dropped beside her now still hand. This was very much unlike Alba, who was usually one of the more attentive girls in class. It would appear that a few extracurricular activities had gotten the best from the transfer student, and she was now paying the price for it in the form of a nap, carefully leaning against the palm of her hand.




It had taken longer than expected to get Imogen sorted for some of her classes, like this one where they'd initially put her in the starter class rather than a normal one. For this timeslot her timetable had had two possible classes marked on it all week and she'd not been able to get the administration to sort it out until now. She should have been in either 127 or 129 already, but Imo had hoped they'd just let her slip into whichever class had been the correct room quietly so she could just sneak in and take the nearest empty seat quickly.

No such luck. The teacher paused midsentence and smiled at her as she entered, the admin lady who had brought her up here holding the door open for her. Like she couldn't have found the place herself! It was very embaressing to be herded in like this. Imo cast a nervous smile back at the teacher and started scanning for an empty seat...but no. They weren't done with her yet.

“Class I believe we have a new student with us today – why don't you tell us your name my dear while I find you a textbook?” The teacher said pleasantly but loudly. Ok, so, he was trying to be kind but Imo knew she was blushing. Justletmesitdown!

“I'm Imogen Farrago. I've been here for two weeks now, they just moved me up a group.” Not that new.




Alba would have continued to quietly nap in her corner of the classroom until the very end of the lecture had the teacher not suddenly raised his volume of speech. As it were, she had been lucky that there was an introduction at all, otherwise she would have missed the new student (not to mention the class lecture), who was currently trying to make herself as invisible as humanly possible. She wasn't doing a very good job, as the teacher wouldn't let her.

She woke up with a jolt, something akin to a short spasm coursing through her body as she straightened herself up and shamefully realized what had happened. Bleary eyes made their way to the front to see what could have caused such a reaction and locked on a mass of eerily familiar red curls. Her body inched forward above her desk while she squinted her eyes to better scrutinize her subject, and within those deep teal eyes it hit her.

It took a lot of self control for her to keep herself from jumping up, trample all over the students sitting in-front of her and scooping Imogen up for a close hug. Instead, she dug through her tote bag that had been draped over her seat to find a small photograph that she'd kept for many years, ever since they began to correspond.

The girl in the photograph and the girl standing before her were indeed the same.

And so she sat there, eyes wide and ready for a chance to snap her arm up in the air and point to the open seat next to her.

The day was already getting better.




The teacher handed her a textbook and with one last vaguely desperate smile of thanks, Imo was able to go find a seat. She'd already sort of scanned the classroom during her little intro speech. One of the girls near the back was glaring at her, seemingly using the empty place next to her to store her bag. A friendly looking blonde was gesturing to a nice sunny spot by the window. However it was the brunette she started to make her way towards. She seemed familiar, but in her desperation to get sat down rather than standing up in a room of seated people it didn't click until Imo had sat down, dumped her bag and turned to smile at her neighbour.

That smile faltered, her mouth because a little 'o' of surprise, and she didn't register that the teacher had gone back to lecturing. She'd just expected someone new to hopefully make a good impression on, not -! Imo hurriedly fished in her bag for a notebook and not even opening her text book yet, scribbled. She held up her quick little sign, trying to not make too big a scene, her smile back and hopeful. It couldn't be her friend. But she looked just like Imo remembered from her photograph.

Sorry if this is wrong, but - Alba??




Alba enthusiastically pushed her hand upwards at Imo's silent pause, her fingers beckoning for her to take the seat beside her in pointed gestures. As the red-haired girl made her way towards that chosen seat, she lowered her hand and attempted to stay calm as she doubly-confirmed her suspicions when she drew closer; it was definitely her. Definitely her.

She could hardly contain her teeth from flashing into the widest of smiles when the two girls finally faced each other. How badly did she want to exclaim her excitment, how badly she wanted this class to be over so she could catch up with her old friend verbally. As it were, the teacher had already resumed his lecture; a sign that they both needed to be silent for the next 45 minutes of class.

At Imo's note, Alba nodded her head vigorously while taking out a small notecard of her own to write on.

Imogen! You're in crystal academy now?!




Imogen gestured she'd be a moment. She set up her text book to what looked like the right page and carefully – trying to move it quietly - scooted her desk over a bit towards Alba. Then it was back to writing. They'd have to make do with notes for now, but soon as this class was over she was grabbing the other girl and giving her a hug that had been a LONG time coming. She'd sent a letter after getting out of hospital to Alba's old address in Costa Rica but after a years silence... well, that gave her something to write besides 'OMG YAY'.

Yes!! When did you get here? You were in Costa Rica last time we exchanged letters

Sorry I never wrote back. I did but my letters never got through and I didn't know. This past year has been crazy, you'll never believe when I tell you.

It is so good to see you <3




Alba furtively clasped at the folded piece of paper from her neighbor and glanced up at the front. It looked like the teacher was beginning to write a few things on the blackboard, so her replying to Imogen wouldn't look suspicious at all, for the moment. Clicking her pen on, she began to scribble a response.

The beginning of last semester! My parents and I thought it would be a good idea for me to actually go to school somewhere on my final year of high school studies, and here I am! I have a dorm room and everything.

I'm sorry I stopped writing! I had actually been hoping to scout you out, but the city ended up being a lot bigger than what I originally thought it was going to be. And things have been so busy, that I completely forgot to simply write that I was here!

It's amazing to see you! I'm so happy we're going to be classmates now. (:




Even if you had written I wouldn't have got it. I'm guessing you've seen the Barren Pines tragedy on the news? I'm one of the few survivors. I spent half a year at a school that apparently didn't really exist or something, then I can't remember half a year, only to wake up in hospital. My mother a grandmother had been told I was dead for the entire year. T__T

I've only just got my life sorted out a bit, starting at Crystal. I got a half scholarship because of dance and I have a room here.

It is so great you're here! I can't believe we're at the same school now, it's going to be great. After class want to get some coffee together? = D




At the next set of notes, the dark-haired girl had to pause for a moment. She definitely knew about Barren Pines, that's for sure; probably a little bit more than most, and maybe even more than Imogen herself at this point. She remembered that dark sphere that enveloped the school so vividly it was as though she saw it only yesterday, but it had been weeks ago. She was overwhelmed with sadness for her friend, and wished she could tell her the truth about her knowledge, but knew deep down that it would be a terrible idea to say to a normal girl.

What?! That sounds awful! I noticed that it had been a while since you wrote, but I figured you were busy with school, not going to Barren Pines and staying at the hospital!! Are you alright?

I would LOVE to have some coffee after class! I know just the place!




It's ok. I'm not dwelling on it too much, focusing on move on with my life and luckily I don't remember much. I'm all healed up now, least from what happened at Barren Pines.

Have you seen any youma-monsters or met any of the senshi...?




She could hardly believe what she read. What could Imogen know about senshi and youma? It couldn't be that she's apart of that whole mess as well? It didn't seem like it was possible that somebody who had been so close to her in her past could be apart of ...well, whatever she herself was apart of now. Eyebrows furrowed, she kept her lines simple.

Senshi and youma-what? What do you know about the senshi in Destiny City? They're all over the news.




Imogen wasn't one to keep her mouth shut about things like this. Alba had never got a boring letter from Imo because she always launched into the most important things rather that mulling over the weather. She was very open and shared with her friends, and now the grip Barren Pines had had on her life was weakening and she'd seen the senshi about...now she was fighting with a stupid crush on one of them...well they were what were on her mind.

I know what's been on the news, but also I've been attacked four times since getting out of hospital. I think it was because I was weak and still healing. I also had to kill one because it bit a senshi who came to help me. Three times senshi came to help me and I got talking to two of them for a little while.

It seems most people have at least seen a youma-monster, they're everywhere! I'm glad if you haven't yet. I don't want anyone I know to get hurt )=




The next note did not disappoint, much like the usual letters that she'd received from her friend. Imogen was hardly the one to keep secrets, and for once she was happy to see she was more indulgent in divulging the information that she needed. It was with relief, then, when Alba wrote some more, careful to keep as much to her true-self as she could.

You MET them? How were they like? Were they cute? I can't believe those THINGS tried to attack you! I'm glad that the senshi were able to help. A lot of people say they're more like terrorists than helpers, but I think they're wrong.

I have heard of them before, but I wasn't aware that they were called youma-monsters!




It's annoying, when you get up close to a senshi you can't really tell what they look like. Gemini, the first senshi I met, I couldn't work out if her hair was red, brown, black and at one point it looked strawberry blonde! She was lovely though. She walked me part of the way home after we fought the monster. That's the monster I killed because it had her pinned.

Imo sighed. She'd never been good at hiding her emotions and as she hurried scribbled away, thinking about Gemini actually made her sigh. Trust her, she'd tried not to have such a silly crush, on a senshi of all girls. But didn't work.

I also met Sailor Badass. She told me off for getting trapped and for fighting when I couldn't run. Like I should have just let it eat me! Huh! I don't know her real name. And I met Sailor Vanadis who saved me from a firey thing that looked sort of like Gollum. She was nice too. But not sure it was worth the injuries to meet the senshi. I think they're nice, trying to get rid of the monsters and saving people.

It was a long note. But it worked to her favour because as she was writing it, the teacher looked around to check on them all and while Alba was more hidden from view, the teacher could see Imo just fine. He had no way of knowing that what she was writing was so far from class notes.




Alba didn't recognize any of the names, although it wasn't as though she herself knew all of the senshi in Destiny City. She was far from it, and as much as she'd patrol every night, she would still come back to her dorm before the sun rise knowing the same few faces that have become so comfortable. She was almost disappointed that a normal civilian such as Imogen has had more luck finding new comrades than she did.

But that was Imogen for you. It was hard to turn down a pretty face.

It sounds like you've been having quite the crazy adventures, chica! You should tell me more about them after class.

She stared longingly at the clock: just 15 more minutes to go!




It's been insane!!

She underlined it for good measure even as she grinned wildly at Alba. She wasn't sure it was nessacarily good luck to have seen so many senshi, coming hand in claw as they did with murderous youma. But it wasn't bad luck either! Little did she know Alba was one of the Senshi too, though not sone she'd met. She didn't know her other best friend Aggie was Vanadis either.

Tell me what you've been up to besides moving here? You've been in the city longer than I have since I can't remember my year here and my old house was the next city over. You'll have to show me around, all your favourite places. <3




Another smile creeped along the edges of her cheeks and hugged her dimples. It was incredibly difficult for Alba to hide her joy at being with her old friend, regardless how somber the topic of note-passing was (or at least, it was to her). The last thing she wanted in the world was for Imogen to get caught up in the world of senshi and, most of all, youmas and negaverse. She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if that were to ever happen. Ever.

Imogen needed to stay the same, enthusiastic and positively vibrant girl that Alba always had the image of her as being.

I'll start with my favorite coffee shop, The Dark Roast! It's further into town, but it has the best coffee around, hands down. I like to go there to study when I'm not in the library or in my dorm!




You know me, coffee runs in my veins.

Only eight more minutes!!

After she passed the note, Imo let her head rest on one day and she happily studied her friend. They'd exchanged photos a long time ago and even had a couple of phone calls but it was amazing to actually see Alba. She'd occasionally indulged in daydreams of them meeting when they'd been writing to each other, just everyday stuff like dragging her along to dancing or getting coffee or talking about classwork back when they didn't even have the same classwork. So far it was better than she'd imagined.




If she had ever thought any other time that the last five minutes of that particular day's class was the longest she had ever had to wait, she was wrong. So far, nothing could compete with each dragging second that would bring them their freedom (and a cup of pick-me-up, to boot). There was no need to write a last reply, as they both found themselves darting their gazes between the droning, but well-meaning teacher and the large clock, of which Alba was now so sure that it was purposefully taking its time to make a minute round.

Five minutes turned to three minutes turned to a clear, single-noted bell notifying all students and professors that the class period was over. It also prompted the darker girl to jump up in excitement, slide all of her papers and books into her handy little tote bag, and reach for Imogen's hand so that they may leave the confinement of the classroom behind. Textbooks be damned.




Imo had only taken a pen and notepad out her bag and they were without a seconds pause unceremoniously stuffed back onto her back. Almost as though they'd choreographed it, she also got up and slid her hand into Alba's so they could walk out of the classroom together. Her curls bounced and she was beaming her brightest smile. Textbooks be damned indeed.

Once outside the classroom she turned towards her friend and tugged her hand softly, holding her other arm up a bit, obviously offering a hug. She didn't know just how touchy feeling Alba was or if she'd care their fellow classmates were leaving in twos and threes only a few feet away. If she had known it was okay she'd probably have glomped her.




Imogen was about to find out just how touchy-feely Alba was. If she didn't have her physical features describing her heritage, it would have been her mannerisms completely. Like most Latin Americans, Alba was incredibly affectionate and always went out of her way to show the people that she cared for that she loved them dearly through the use of touch.

She wasted no time in slipping under Imo's waiting arms and encircling her own arms around her waist to draw her into a tight squeeze. While her nights have been nearly devastatingly difficult to juggle with her school and social lives, it was all suddenly completely worthwhile now that she had a close female companion to share it with.

Not to say that any of the friends she made at school weren't worthwhile to her. Imogen was different. Imogen was what she would look forward to every week by her mailbox, or through the giving hands of her parents were they traveling abroad. Imogen was a constant in her life, and it was surreal to have her here in body, as opposed to ink and paper.

"I'm so, so happy to see you're here and safe!"




Someone after Imogen's own heart! She made a happy sort of noise and hugged Alba properly, resting her head by hers and wrapping her arms around her. Her own heritage included her grandmother Erce, a hail old Welsh-English woman who believed in embracing her friends and showing her affection. Imo had learnt from her example. All that talk about British people being up-tight and rigid was complete bull as far as Imo was concerned.

Like Alba, she had to say it was nice to have someone here who had known her so long, albeit through snail mail. Alba's letters had been a constant in her life for years. Not to say anything against her new friends but there was this comfortableness. She may have not been sure about the hug and she didn't know things like all her expressions and how she moved but she did know a lot about her and vice versa. This was also someone who hadn't been at Barren Pines, so there would never be that awkwardness and tension from being survivors of a shared tradgey.

“I'm so surprised but so glad to see you!” She pulled back, pausing to press a chaste almost sisterly kiss to the other girl's cheek. “Now, let's go get a cup of coffee and catch up some more.”