**A Day of Unexpected Twists**

Prompt: I was sick with a stomachache yesterday and I went to school today and they had the nurses send me home again even tho I was feeling okay. The stomachaches are going around and they are contagious they say, so I respected the decision. {A Story With Usagi Tsukino}

Usagi Tsukino stirred awake on a chilly autumn morning, the sun streaming through her curtains. She had hoped for a bright, cheerful day, but the dull ache stubbornly settled in her stomach reminded her that yesterday had been less than pleasant. As she blinked at her alarm clock, memories of her sick day came rushing back: the relentless stomachache, the feeling of nausea, and her mother’s worried expressions. Yet, miraculously, as she sat up in bed, the pain had almost completely faded. "I feel much better today!" Usagi chirped to herself, though her mind flashed back to the whispers circulating around school about the stomachaches that had been going around. Contagious, they said. Maybe that was why there’d been so many empty desks in class the past few days. Determined, Usagi took a quick shower, brushed her teeth, and slipped into her school uniform, tying her hair into pigtails with an eager bounce in her step. Even though she had missed out on her favorite snack yesterday, her spirits lifted. Today would be perfect—she’d eat extra chocolate parfaits at lunch to make up for it. At school, her friends appeared relieved to see her, breaking into smiles that made her heart swell. "Usagi! You’re back!" exclaimed Naru, as she rushed over, her brown eyes gleaming with concern. "How are you feeling? Are you really okay?" "I’m totally fine! The stomachache is gone!" Usagi replied, keeping her optimism bright as they walked together to class. But as the bell rang and students filed into the classroom, the nurse slipped in as well, her expression serious. “Good morning, everyone. I need to remind you all that we’re dealing with a stomach virus going around. If anyone is feeling even slightly unwell, I need you to see me immediately. We can’t afford to spread this any further,” she announced, her voice steady but urgent. Usagi’s heart sank a little. Could she still be contagious? The thought made her stomach twist uncomfortably. She listened intently, grateful for the nurse's commitment to the students’ well-being, but anxious about being sent home again. As the hours passed, Usagi found it difficult to concentrate. Every whiff of lunch made her stomach rumble, not from hunger, but from nerves. To her horror, she noticed several of her classmates leave for the clinic, each returning with a pale face, whispering about how awful they felt. When lunch finally rolled around, Usagi thought about joining her friends at the cafeteria. But they were called to the nurse's office instead, leading a group of green faces. They all returned shortly after, some still clutching their stomachs. “Usagi!” Naru’s voice rose over the laughter of some other students. “You should go to the nurse too, just in case!” “But I feel fine!” Usagi insisted, although the truth hung uncomfortably in her throat. What if she wasn’t? What if she unwittingly spread the stomachache around to others? The thought of being responsible for someone else feeling that awful made her heart race. “Still,” Naru reasoned, “maybe it’s good to check. Better safe than sorry, right?” After a few moments of contemplation and a soft nudge from Naru, Usagi made her decision. “Okay, I’ll go!” She plucked her bag from the desk and took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for what might come next. The line at the nurse’s office snaked down the hall, and as Usagi waited, she started to feel more jittery. What if she got sent home again? What if she never got to eat that chocolate parfait? She chuckled darkly at the absurdity of worrying about dessert when so many were suffering. Finally, it was her turn to step inside the small, brightly lit room. The nurse looked up, her demeanor softening. “Ah, Usagi! How are you feeling today?” “I’m feeling better, really! Yesterday was just a stomachache. I thought I should check in,” Usagi hurriedly explained, her voice hopeful. The nurse nodded slowly. “That’s good to hear, but given how contagious this stomach virus has been, I think it’s best that you go home for the day. Just to be safe.” The news hit Usagi like ice water. “But I—” “No ‘buts,’” the nurse said firmly but kindly. “It’s just precautionary. Better safe than sorry, right? And I’d like you to check in again tomorrow. Just to ensure you’re definitely in the clear.” Dejected but understanding the wisdom in the decision, Usagi nodded slowly. “Okay, I understand. I’ll tell Naru.” As she made her way back to her classroom, Usagi felt disappointed, as if today had shifted in a way she hadn’t wanted. But perhaps it was for the best? As if on cue, Naru and her friends were waiting outside the classroom, concern etched across their faces. “Nurse’s orders!” Usagi said, attempting to sound chipper despite the heaviness in her heart. “I get to go home early.” Naru frowned. “But you were feeling fine…” “I was!” Usagi insisted, but deep down, she knew that if she were in the nurse’s shoes, she would reinforce the same protocol too. That day, returning home felt more like a surrender than a victory. Usagi plopped down on her bed and pulled out her homework, determined to catch up. But soon, the excitement of her earlier optimism faded, leaving a dull ache of impatience. “Maybe I’ll let myself indulge in a tiny bit of chocolate just this once,” she thought as she opened her snack drawer, recalling the delicious snacks she’d missed during her illness yesterday. With every little taste, Usagi reminded herself that sometimes life threw unexpected curves, and there was a beauty in how they could shift things—like waiting for chocolate when you were really looking forward to it. Eventually, that sweetness would come in time, one perfect bite at a time.