Author's Note: Okay, I said I have an idea of what this plot is going to be. I'm not lying either. As to the little changes: I did indeed change the title of the story. The previous title was "I Like Chocolate Milk" which was an homage to Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and it was a hoot. But considering this chapter is the first of the sequel story I figured the story could use a different title to match how different it now was.

I saw the envelope fall to the floor, and because of its color I felt my heart drop.

It was a bright pink, small and covered in blue glitter. I picked it up but didn't bother opening it. I wouldn't open it in the hallway, and I quickly put it back in my locker. Immediately I began to question what I had just found. Even without opening it I knew it wasn't from anyone I knew, I just knew that as a fact. Still, as I grabbed the envelope and stuffed it in my bag, I felt my face turn red. Such a gaudy looking letter could only be from a girl for sure...but who?

I sighed before standing straight up and looked around, and saw that everyone else was minding their own business and completely ignoring me. Good, I didn't want this to be known to anyone else if I could help it. I was still contemplating what the letter was as I left the school and went on home. In the safety and seclusion of my room I finally decided to relieve myself of the stress and started to open the letter.

I took a seat at my desk and carefully opened the envelope with a pair of scissors. I did it so slowly that it felt as if I was disarming a bomb. Still, nothing happened as I undid the seal on the back. Though it didn't explode, some sort of scent came out of the now opened envelope. It was a pleasant smell, a perfume of some sort. "Definitely a girl."

I pulled the only thing inside the envelope out. A small card that had my name on the front. I opened the card. The message in it was typed out so there was no way of seeing any signature, and it read:

'I see you from afar, yet I imagine you close with me.'

"What?" I saw there was something down near the bottom edge of the card:

'Reply by writing a return message, then leave this in your desk after school tomorrow.

Signed, a secret admirer'

I sighed again, "A secret admirer...well that is out of the ordinary for me at least." I put the card down, wondering what I should do now. Should I just throw the letter away or...return the message? I had never had a secret admirer before, but I didn't want to hurt the feelings of who sent me the letter by ignoring it in case it was someone I knew. The answer came to me rather quickly. I decided to reply. Besides, I'd have a better chance of figuring out who sent me this letter if I played along. For now at least.

I put down the card and wrote a rather simple reply: 'I appreciate the sentiment, but who are you?'

I felt a bit better as I put the card back in the envelope. I went ahead and did what homework I had to do as well and went to bed.

I tried to keep the letter out of my mind as school dragged on. It was harder than I had thought it would be, mainly because I was curious as to who sent it to me, and to sate that natural curiosity of mine was proving to be difficult. It got worse by lunch time. It distracted me from the conversation I was having with Alyssa so much she tossed a bun in my face to get my attention.

"Hope? You seem spaced out."

I shook my head, "No. Just a bit bummed out. The weather is making my mood is going bad.

She nodded slowly, and I could tell she didn't believe me but she didn't press on it. "Okay then. Well, here's something that could cheer anyone up. My group got official word on the status of the winter prom, and I became the manager! I can do anything I want with the place!"

I nodded, not interested in hearing about the prom. Still I decided to humor her, "That's good."

"Of course I also plan to take part in the festivities and put on a hell of a show. Think you could give a hand if I need it?"

"If I'm not busy maybe."

"Good, then maybe you could bring Lightning too."

I rolled my eyes, "She no longer lives in town." That was a lie but she wouldn't know.

But the look on her face made it look like she was confused, "Um, that's not true Hope. I saw her with you yesterday."

Before I could think I slammed my fist down on the table. It was so hard it echoed through the cafeteria and everyone stopped for a split second and I could feel a hundred pairs of eyes peering into my back. I didn't care about that, but I lowered my voice to a low whisper, "You saw us?"

The rest of the room slowly went back to normalcy, and Alyssa answered, "Yeah...I had to return to the school because I forgot a few things. I took a short cut through the lawn near the trees and I saw her talking with you. She got rather clingy with you it was kind of cute."

I lowered my head to the table, quite ashamed of myself.

"Sorry Hope, I couldn't help but watch..."

I put up a hand to stop her, "Who else knows?"

"I'd imagine the whole school by now-"

It was then I wished I was dead.

After school was over I remained in my classroom well after the bell rang. Nobody bothered me, which was rather odd, though I did get a few good looks and even a giggle or two from a few other girls in my class. Alyssa didn't accompany me because she said she had to help plan the prom.

I waited in my chair for nearly half an hour before sticking the letter into my desk. I didn't really care what would happen next with it but I just wanted to go home and wish the day never happened.

I put all the thoughts of the day in the back of my mind and began to make a mad dash for home. I ran down the stairs and stopped short of the bottom before I heard her voice.

"In a rush kiddo?"

I knew it was Lightning, and sure enough she was leaning against the concrete wall. Dressed in the coat I had seen her in the day before and she appeared to be in better shape than the cloudy sky. That smile shined brightly, it really was something that suited her.

"Yeah. Got more work to do."

"Mind if I walk you home?"

I shook my head, "That's alright but I'll be fine."

"Too bad, I'm heading that way. Besides, we need to catch up."

I didn't bother arguing.

We crossed the first street in the direction of my house and Lightning began to talk, "Well, I helped Serah and Snow with taking care of their daughter, but I began to get restless and went to look for a job. I didn't find any that I enjoyed or did right so I decided to head back here to apply somewhere. That's my story."

I explained my end of it as we approached the end of the block, "I am studying to be a doctor, and that's all I got to tell."

Lightning chuckled, "Still avoiding getting a girlfriend Mr. Esteim?"

I stopped, "It's not funny. I'm just pretty busy that I don't want the distraction. I am a senior now after all."

"All work and no play will make you into a sourpuss Hope. Let loose and have fun often enough and you'll break out of the mold," Lightning said.

We got to my house, and I turned to Lightning, "I'm sure I'll be fine. See you around Lightning."

I went up the sidewalk and to my front porch when I heard Lightning call out to me, "Just remember Hope I'm here if you have any trouble with anything."

I looked back at her, but said nothing before I went inside.

Author's Note: So, what do yoo think? Like the 1st Person POV? Hope so, but look for the next chapter coming on June 10th!