Chapter 21: Normal Lives? “Jacey!  Jacey!  I think I have something that you want to see!” Jen called up the stairs to her.  “It’s a nice big. . .” “Oooo!  Let me see!” Jacey shrieked, bounding down the stairs and rushing her aunt.  She seized the large white envelope and tore it open.  “Dear Ms. Chiba-Monroe. . . We are pleased to inform you that we are offering you admission for the fall semester at Oxford University!  Oh my God I got in!” Jen wrapped Jacey in her arms and held the screaming girl close to her.  “I knew you would!  I’m so proud of you Jace!  You get to go to England for four years.  Just think of all of the possibilities!” “I know!  I know!  I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited in my life!”  Jacey hugged Jen tightly.  “I couldn’t have gotten this far without you, though.  You’ve been the biggest part of my life since I can remember.  I love you so much!” Jen just smiled.  “Go run and tell Griffin!  He’ll be thrilled!” Jacey kissed her on the cheek and bolted for the door.  “Grif!” she yelled, not even halfway out the door.  “Grif, get out here!” He came running out his front door, a panicked look on his face.  “What’s going on Jace?  What’s wrong?”  He grabbed her tightly by the shoulders. “I’m going with you!” she smiled with tears in her eyes.  “I got into Oxford, and I get to go with you!” Grif scooped her up and spun her around the front yard, his muscular arms encircling her waist.  “I told you you would!  I can’t believe we get to go to England together!”  He put her down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.  “I love you, Jacey.” “I love you too!” she cried, holding him close to her.  “I’m so happy that we’re staying together.” “This calls for a celebration!  Am I the first to know, or do we have a phone call or two to make?” he asked, kissing her on the cheek. She nodded.  “I wanted you to be there when I called, it’s really important to me that you are.” *** “Congrats, Kid,” Amara said on the computer screen.  “I’m proud of you.” Trista smiled.  “There’s no one that an old-fashioned Japanese private school can’t get into college!” “You’ve earned your break!” Michelle said.  “You and Grif will be so happy!” “Way to go!” Hotaru said. Jacey smiled with Griffin by her side.  “Thanks guys,” she said.  “I’m so strong, mentally and physically, now, I don’t think I could have made it in without you guys!” “Don’t take credit away from yourself!  It was your grades and hard work that got you in, don’t forget that!” Trista said. “Trust me, I won’t,” Jacey replied.  “I hope to see you guys soon, but only under good circumstances, ok?” Michelle laughed.  “Hopefully that won’t be a problem!” “See ya!” Hotaru yelled, waving at the webcam that broadcast her image across half a world.  “Write us a letter or something!” “I will,” Jacey smiled. *** “Wow, Jace!”  Serena shouted.  “This is going to be so much fun for all of us!” Amy and Mina laughed.  “It is a huge coincidence that we all got into Oxford too!” Amy said. “Especially Serena!” Raye said, rolling her eyes. Lita held out her hand.  “Just because she doesn’t apply herself like we do, doesn’t mean she doesn’t have the brains.” “Thank you, Lita,” Serena said.  She turned and stuck her tongue out at Raye.  “It’s nice to know that someone is on my side for a change!” “So when are you leaving,” Mina asked, changing the topic of conversation. Jacey rolled her eyes.  “The third week in August, I believe, Grif and Darien and I are going to leave from here.” “That’s right, Darien’s coming next week to stay with you guys for the summer,” Amy said.  “I hope you all have a good time there!” Grif smiled.  “I’m sure we will.  I can’t wait to hear all of the big brother talks that I’ve missed out on for the whole beginning of my and Jace’s relationship!” “We’ll be in touch soon, ok?” Jacey said.  They all waved goodbye and then she signed off.  She leaned back in her chair and looked at Grif.  “Only three months left here,” she sighed. He raised his eyebrows.  “Wow.”  He stood up and got ready to leave her bedroom.  “I’m gonna go now and let you call Darien.  Call me when you’re finished and we’ll all do something for dinner, ok?” She stood up and kissed him.  “Of course,” she said and waved as he ran down the stairs and out of the house. *** “Isn’t it so amazing that we all got accepted, you’re doing the research project, and Grif’s doing the study abroad?  It’s like it’s in the stars!” Jacey sighed on the phone to Darien. “Be careful what you say about the stars,” he said.  “Let this just be a good thing, no evil attached whatsoever!” She rolled her eyes and threw a beanbag in the air.  “Enough said on that topic!  So, how’s Serena taking the few months apart?” “Oh, like a champ,” he said sarcastically.   “She’s never taken well to my leaving for more than a few hours.” “Rightfully so,” Jace said.  “You are a high demand guy, what with your new brotherly duties and whatnot.” “I can’t wait to see Jen,” he said, his voice dripping with excitement.  “She’s the one person I really feel that I need to talk to make things complete for me.” Jacey smiled to herself.  “Well, the wait won’t be that long anymore.  I’m going to go, to avoid a killer phone bill, so I’ll see you next week!” *** “You are a true champion, Jacey,” Athena said.  “You took everything that we handed you, your friends, and the world handed you and you went with it.  And to top it off, you succeeded with flying colors.” Jacey lay on her bed, engrossed in her thoughts about the future as the cats entered her room.  “You think I’m a champ?” she asked them. “Of course,” Apollo said.  “You saw the result of the battle, of all of your sacrifice.  Who else could have done what you did and turned out on top?” She just shrugged.  “I’m guessing by your reaction that it wouldn’t be very many people, huh?”  The cats just looked at her.  “Ok, so I’m giving myself more credit now.  I only want to think about the future and going to Oxford and being with my friends, boyfriend, and brother.” “It’s the most important thing in life, friends and family, that is,” Athena said. “You know what, at first I was upset that we didn’t lose our memories after fighting Metalia.  We were promised normal lives and no more Sailor Scout stuff,” Jacey said, sitting up. Apollo looked at her.  “But there hasn’t been anymore Sailor Scout stuff.” “Let me finish!” she said rolling her eyes at him.  “But now, I think about what I would have lost if I lost my memory.  I wouldn’t have a boyfriend, or a brother, or a set of the best friends in the world.  Maybe having to pick up the Sailor Scout thing at some point in the future wouldn’t be a horrible price to have to pay in return for all to the benefits I’ve gotten from it.” Athena smiled.  “That’s the idea,” she purred.  “It isn’t all that bad all of the time.  You triumph over evil, and save the world.  I think that alone should be worthwhile.” “Most definitely,” Jacey said.  “But I still wonder why we never lost our memories.” *** In the kitchen, Jen was stirring the sauce for Jacey’s congratulations meal.  “Sometimes I think that girl will never learn,” she thought to herself.  “She knows whatever she wants to know, she can always ask.”  :)