Skater Girl
Epilogue
A year later
Jurina sat in Rena’s rug with her legs crossed and a worn notebook in her hands. Rena was watching her attentively in silence with hopeful eyes as Jurina read the words written in the old notebook. Jurina looked completely immersed in the writing to even notice her girlfriend’s staring. Finally, Jurina looked up with a huge smile and broke the silence, “This is awesome! I love it!” Rena’s serious face was replaced with a huge grin. “Really?!” Rena blurted out hugging her girlfriend out of pure happiness. Jurina’s eyes widen in surprise. Her girlfriend didn’t usually act that way, but it was nice when she did. “Whoa, Rena!” Jurina giggled putting her arms around her girlfriend. “I am sorry! It’s just this is the first song I’ve ever written and I was afraid you wouldn’t like it!” Rena explained excitedly. Jurina giggled once more. Her girlfriend could be really cute and childish at times. “Of course I love it silly. It’s simply brilliant!” Jurina replied the words of the song still haunting her mind. Rena smiled once more and snuggled closer to Jurina. “In fact, I think this would be the perfect song to use as our album single,” Jurina told Rena. Rena eyes became wide like saucers. “You’re joking, right? I mean it’s good, but not it’s not nearly as good as your songs! We can’t use it as a single!” Rena exclaimed in utter shock.
Using her song as a single? Instead of Jurina’s? That was madness!“Why not? It’s a good song and I think it’s a good idea to have a cheerful yet at the same time sad song as our album single rather than just a moody one. I am sure the others will agree with me too!” Jurina countered. “Call them over then. I am sure they will think otherwise,” Rena responded. Jurina gently pushed her girlfriend to the floor and pinned her down. Rena’s heart began to hammer in her chest as her girlfriend got closer and closer. “Jurina! Get off!” Rena ordered and squirmed beneath her trying to keep her cool against her girlfriend’s charm. Jurina smirked enjoying the position she was in a little too much, but then she remember her argument. “Why do you always have to bring yourself down?” Jurina questioned with an intense look in her beautiful eyes. Rena was mesmerized by them. It was almost as if those eyes could look through her soul and read her like a book. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” Rena denied in a stubborn voice. “Then why not let us use your song as the main single?” Jurina insisted. Rena bit her lip and search her head for a reasonable explanation other than fear.
“Because even though it is good you have way more experience in songwriting than I do. Clearly, I want us to present your lyrics written by a person with more experience in songwriting than my amateur lyrics. Beside, it was Complicated that won us the battle of the bands. Not to mention we already recorded the album,” Rena pointed out. Jurina recoiled surprising defeated by her girlfriend’s clever point. Rena sighed in relief. Complicated did earn them battle of the band and the opportunity to record an album. Jurina remember the moment as if it were yesterday. They were up against fifty bands. Jurina thought they had no chance against so many people. Still they gave it their all and when the announcer yelled out their band’s name as the first price winner it felt unreal. It still did! They were going to record an album for crying out loud! It was going on sale in two weeks! In two mere weeks! It was completed already, but Jurina felt Rena’s song would complete it fully. ”You bring up a good point, but still!” Jurina whined in a sulky voice. Rena had a triumph smile in her face. ”Come on get off me. I know you can’t help yourself, but band practice starts in 10 minutes and I don’t want to be late again.” Rena replied merrily. Jurina smirked and shook her. "I think being late every once in a while can be a good thing," Jurina said leading in for a kiss. Rena laughed softly and returned Jurina's kiss.
...
Akane collapsed in the nearby armchair exhausted. Finally, the baby had gone to sleep. Yes, baby. Akane had slept with Mizuki-kun out of spite and jealously after seeing Jurina with Rena. It was the stupidest thing Akane had ever done. Akane didn’t even enjoy it. Akane didn’t even love Mizuki-kun. Akane loved Jurina! It wasn’t long before Akane began to feel funny and get morning sickness. Akane bought a pregnancy test and it was confirmed. She was pregnant. It was funny because Akane never imagine she would ever end up pregnant in such an early age. Yes, Akane understood that having sex could lead to getting pregnant, but at that heated up moment she didn’t think things through. Not to mention Akane thought that sort of thing could never happen to her. It seemed like something that only happened in TV shows and movies. It didn’t feel real. Things got hard. Not just with her parents who were completely furious and disappointed with their only daughter, but at school too. Akane never thought that getting pregnant would make her unpopular. She always assumed people would stare and be disappointed, but she never imagine Minako and Momoko would ditch her completely. Not like the others ditch her! They spread all sorts of nasty rumors about her too. People began to call her things like slut and whore.
The worst part of it all was that Mizuki-kun, the father of her baby, bailed out on her. He transferred schools and never spoke to Akane again. Rumor had it that he was dating Momoko, but that was just a rumor. Frankly, Akane could care less. Akane never love him and she didn’t want to date him, but she hated him for leaving her innocent baby without a father! Her daughter, Juri, would grow up without a father and an unfit mother who probably would never amount to much. Akane never meant things to get so far, so complicated. How did things get so far?
...
“I agree! We are totally using this song as our single! I am calling manager-san to see what we could do!” Airi announced. Rena shifted in her seat uncomfortably. “You too, Airi?” Rena asked with a defeated small voice. Rena should be more ecstatic, but what if they didn’t make it because her lyrics were bad or amateur? Rena didn’t want to ruin the amazing opportunity they landed their hands on. “I have to agree with Airi and Jurina. This song is amazing. We could totally work with this,” Yuki said. Mayu nodded as well. Jurina had a wide grin in her face.
“It’s settle then. Let’s call manager-san and see what can be done.” Jurina declared. Airi pulled out her phone and stepped outside. No one followed her. They had learn to leave that sort of business to Airi. She was sort of the band’s personal manager. In spite of having her head in the clouds and always reading manga, Airi could be responsible when she wanted to. “Your song reminded me of Akane. How do you think she is doing?” Mayu wondered. “What with her baby? Who knows. She dropped out from school. I feel kind of bad that something like that happened to her though. We may have not ended in the best terms, but we were still friends at a time. I know Akane had bigger dreams than that,” Rena sighed. “Yeah, not to mention I heard Mizuki-kun didn’t take the responsibility for the baby,” Mayu told them. “That pisses me off. If he was man enough to get her pregnant he should at least man up to his responsibly,” Jurina spat. “I know! I mean it is your child!” Yuki agreed.
“Guys! Manager-san said we still had time to record one last song, but we would have release the record a week later than planned.” Airi explained. “Yay!” Jurina exclaimed and hugged Rena. Rena knew she was supposed to be nervous and upset, but Jurina’s excitement was just too contiguous. So, Rena’s song would be the one that would draw people into her band, huh? “You’re smiling, Rena. Did you change your mind about not wanting to make it a single?” Mayu asked. Rena looked at Jurina’s bright dazzling smile and replied, “Yeah, I sort of did.”
...
1 month later
Akane was sitting in front of the TV munching on popcorn. Her mother had told her to take a rest and that she would babysit little Juri-chan. Ever since Akane became pregnant, she never had a day to herself. She always fantasized about what would she do if she had one though. Akane always thought she would go shopping or to do something fun. She never pictured herself taking a day to watch TV and read magazines all day, but that was exactly what she planned to do. Akane was too tired to go shopping and even she hated to admit it she had no friends to go to the mall or anywhere else with. It was at times like those where Akane really regretted hurting Rena so much. Rena would of never abandoned her if Akane hadn’t hurt her so much and destroyed their friendship. But, it was too late for their friendship. Jurina and Rena were dating now. In a way, Akane had sort of pushed them towards each other. Akane envied them so much, but Akane could of had Jurina, but she messed up.
Akane flipped through the channels until she finally found MTV. It had been a while since Akane had gotten a dose of the entertainment news and she was dying to get back on track. The channel was playing music videos. Suddenly, a familiar face no familiar faces came up on the screen. “RENA!” Akane shrieked in shock. It wasn’t just Rena. It was all of her band. They were ON TV!!!!! Jurina was their on her guitar. Akane couldn’t believe it and the lyrics of the song… They were about her… About how Akane reject Jurina because she wasn’t popular. The lyrics hurt… The message at the end as well. Rena is basically talking about how Akane lost Jurina. Rena couldn’t have gotten the story any better. Akane began to cry as she watched Rena kiss Jurina at the end of the video.
Akane decided to phone Miyuki. Surely she be less cruel than the other. “Miyuki-san,” Akane asked. “Akane-san? What do I owe the pleasure?” Miyuki asked sounding surprised. “I just saw Jurina and her band on at MTV. Did something happen?” Akane questioned. “Oh, Akane! You are so behind. They won the battle of the bands and signed a record deal. They are at the top of the charts. Even I had a hard time getting tickets to their show and Mayuyu is my cousin!” Miyuki replied. Akane was silence for a moment and asked in a small voice, “So it’s really hard to get tickets, huh?” “I have an extra if you want to go. My friend cancelled last minute,” Miyuki offered. “You would really do that for me? Why?” Akane asked. “Because I like you. You are pretty cool and fun when you aren’t being mean, but I figure you are over that already, right?” Miyuki prompted. “Yeah, no more of that for me and thanks Miyuki-san.” Akane replied. “Call me Milky,” Miyuki said.
...
The stage was illuminated by bright lights and it looked huge. Akane stood next to Miyuki in the center seats. They aren’t the closest ones, but they had a good view. Akane didn’t know why she wanted to see the concert so badly. Maybe it was because the song she heard hit her heart so much. Akane regretted so many things, but she could do nothing, but watch as everyone moved on, but her… There were screams as the band immerged to the stage. Miyuki was screaming and Akane founded herself screaming as well. “Is everyone feeling good tonight?” Jurina yelled in the mic. The crowd responded with an unbelievable volume. It shocked Akane.
“Okay, guys before we start remember we asked you to email your questions to our blog. We be answering them right now!” Rena announced. Yuki appeared suddenly with a box. “Okay, let me pick one,” Rena told the audience putting her hand in the box to grab a question. “This one is from penname Kawaii-san. The question reads Rena-chan, I love you!” Rena began and smile. “I love you too, kawaii-san!” Rena said blowing a kiss with a wink. Akane eyes widen.
Was that the shy Rena she knew? “Rena-chan!” Jurina whined and hugged Rena in a possessive matter. “Jurina!” Rena giggled. “Kawaii-san, you made Jurina jealous!” Mayu announced with a giggle. “Anyways, the question is What is the song SK8r Girl based on?” Rena read put loud. “Well, Rena that question is for you since you did write the song,” Yuki pointed out. Akane felt her heart drop. “That song was based on a personal experience for me and Jurina, actually. Jurina was dating a really popular girl, but she dumped her because no one would like it if they knew she was dating Jurina. She was actually my best friend. As the song says she ends up pregnant and I end up with Jurina. I don't like the tragic ending of my friend, but I think it could serve as a life lesson,” Rena said.
At this point Akane was crying. “Oh, Akane!” Miyuki told her pulling her to a hug. The band finished their questions and began to perform and it was clear to Akane. Akane could never go back in time and change what she did. Forever Akane would be the girl who did ballet and refused to accept her only true love. It wouldn’t change.
...
The live was over and it was still early in the afternoon. The girls rarely did live so early in the day, but that one had been one of those. Rena still had to go record a new song though. It was one she wrote with Jurina. It was another song about Akane. “Jurina, I’ll see you later. I am going to the recording studio,” Rena told Jurina. Jurina pulled Rena close. "I love you,” Jurina whispered. “I love you too,” Rena replied. Jurina pulled her in for a kiss.
The kiss was intense like all their kisses. Their lips eager as they met. Jurina’s lips were soft and tasted amazing as usually. Rena put her arms around Jurina’s neck and let herself get lost in the pure bliss of it all. Rena didn’t want to let go, but she had to go already. ”I’ll be waiting, so hurry up okay?” Rena ordered. “Of course. I wouldn’t want to keep my cute girlfriend waiting,” Jurina replied with a wink. Rena blushed and stammered, “J… Just don’t keep me waiting, okay?” With that Rena took off to the studio to record a song about a girl her girlfriend used to love.