(A/N: I'm back!  Looks like the characters are going to become more OOC the further I get in this story.  Sorry guys for not updating sooner.  At least hope for one update each month…though I can't even promise that.  The disclaimer is the same as last chapter; of course I don't own this game, Squaresoft does.  They're rich, and not me.)

Previous chapter:

"You look really cold right now," said a smooth, masculine voice.  Jumping out of my reverie, I turned around to look.  Right before me stood the one and only Van Dillogne, just as I imagined him, with his gorgeous purple hair and blue eyes.

Chapter 2: What's it called…studentship?

"Uh…h-hi…" I stammered, probably a bit pink right now.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his eyes suddenly flashing brightly.  "Are you another one of those crazy fan-girls roaming my house, trying to impress me with a skimpy outfit and hoping I might go for you?"

What?  His sudden anger confused me.  Yes, I was stupid enough not to bring a sweater to wear for cold temperatures like this and only wearing a thin tank top and shorts, but I was not trying to impress him.  I was just interested…yeah, that's what I should say…

I think the shock that clearly was shown on my face answered his later question.  He scanned me from head to toe, most interested in my face.  Yes, my reddish hair-color wasn't that common, and I enjoyed my uniqueness.  "You're just a girl…" he mused.  "Sorry for my rudeness, but I've been sick of those crazy girls in Porre that could not detach themselves from me and give me my own privacy," he said, transforming his pleasant face into an angry scowl as he ranted further.  "What's with these girls?  Do they think I like that?"

"No…" I randomly blurted out.  Not realizing that I said that out loud, I stared at him, waiting for him to respond when he was waiting for ME to finish my statement.

"No what?" he asked.  I thought for a bit, and said, "No…I think that they…want your attention, I guess.  Well, I don't think that's the way I…"

"Would do it, you say," he finished for me.  "Well that's certainly true.  I don't know what Rhonda was thinking to let you into my room, but…"

"She's a nice girl.  Don't be so harsh on her," said the lady as she intruded upon our conversation.  "At least she doesn't flaunt herself in front of you."  Turning to me, she said, "Well, dear, I guess it is time for you to go home now.  Mr. Dillogne is very tired, unless you want to join us for dinner?"

"No…" both Van and I said.  Van continued, saying, "I'm really tired so I just want to go to bed."  He went inside, and almost immediately we heard him plop onto the bed.  Wow…he must have been exhausted.  I felt guilty for wasting his time with my stupid conversation.

"What about you dear?  You look like you need a big meal to fill those limbs of yours," the lady asked, facing me.

"No…I'll manage on my own.  I don't want to be a burden," I replied, but her position did not change.

"You're staying here.  You're eating and you're telling me more about yourself.  Got that?" she told me, grabbing onto my arm.  Such a powerful woman when she was determined to do something.  I think she must have influenced Van a bit…maybe.  Dragging me down the stairs, she stared at me while we waited for the soup to boil.

Wow…this will taste real good.  Inhaling the smell of the soup, I started to feel the pain in my stomach, aching for food.  I tried to suppress it, hugging my arms around my stomach, but it did not go away.  It instead made its presence known by a loud growl, making me flush in embarrassment and the lady smile knowingly.  Well, I definitely won't be able to refuse anything now…

So it was no surprise when I gobbled down almost the whole pot of soup, probably eating Van's portion.  Well he wasn't hungry, anyway…  I forced her to allow me to wash the dishes as a small repayment of what she had done for me, but she only added to the things she had done for me.  After hearing how it was like for me at home, she locked me into the guest bedroom, saying I would stay there overnight and not outside.  I could not resist; she had one of those motherly looks that crushed the resistance, no matter what the excuse was.  The bed was white and fluffy, so much better than the wooden one I had at home.  It was so clean and soft, I felt bad just looking at the bed.  Being smelly and sweaty since I hadn't washed in a while, I decided that I would take the carpeted floor.  And that was still softer than my bed.

It wasn't too long until I was completely asleep.  I remember last hoping that Van wouldn't be angry in the morning.

*****

What is this?  It's a…white fluffy pillow on a white fluffy bed!  I woke up to the sounds of tiny bird chirps and bright sunlight from the window.  Surprised to see feel such softness underneath me, I was even more shocked to find myself tucked under the blankets of the white bed.  Who put me here…oh, probably Rhonda.  She was a sneaky one, but I didn't mind.  I bet she came in and tucked me in.  Such a deep sleeper that I am, I probably wouldn't even know if someone tossed me off Van's balcony or not.  Stretching my arms out, I tumbled out the bed to find myself in a…silky nightgown?  My tank top and shorts were nowhere to be found, but over on the desk lay a blue T-shirt, khaki pants, and a belt.  Picking up the note that the lady probably left there the night before, I deciphered the scribbled writing into:

Change into these and eat breakfast with us.  Your clothes have been put with Van's dirty laundry and will be washed today.  Don't worry, Van won't kick you out.  I'll make sure of that.

~ Rhonda

"Well it looks like I'd better do what she says," I mumbled to myself.  Tugging the nightgown over my head, I slipped into the loose pants and shirt.  Actually they weren't really loose…but kind of big.  Like my pants barely stayed on even with the belt, and the T-shirt went halfway down my thighs.  It didn't matter…anything but the nightgown, or Van would be thinking that I was trying to make a mess in his home.

Slowly walking down the staircase, I tried not to trip myself, gripping tightly to the rail.  As I finally strode into the kitchen, I found the room to be silent.  Both Van and Rhonda looked at me as I waddled my way into my seat, knowing that I was acting pretty dumb.  Rhonda was the first to speak as she rose out her chair, obviously finished with her meal.

"Hello, Mel.  Did you have a pleasant sleep last night?  Oh, sorry that those clothes are too big, those are Van's old clothes, and…" she rambled.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," I interrupted, taking a seat.  "Thank you for yesterday," I added, picking up my fork and digging it into the scrambled eggs.  I was about to put it into my mouth when I noticed Van staring at me.  What's wrong?  Is something it my messy hair, or these clothes?  Rhonda, as usual, broke the silence again.

"Well I guess I will leave you two alone," she said, looking at both of us.  "Why don't you learn more about each other since Mel will be staying here for a while?"  With that, she left the room, probably hurrying to start her work.

Now it was just Van and I.  After a few more seconds of silence, Van asked, "You're staying here?"

I laughed a little, then replied, "If Rhonda says so, I guess.  She's quite a forceful woman, so it's not like I have a choice."  I was surprised when he still kept looking at me, almost as if he was analyzing each pore of my body.  I felt a bit unnerved, and moved back to put the egg into my mouth.  It was delicious; I had never tasted scrambled egg so perfect ever before.  As I savored the flavors of my food, I saw Van's expression change into a smile.

"You like it?" he asked me.  I nodded, obviously not speaking because of the food still in my mouth.  "I think Rhonda makes the best scrambled egg ever," he added.

Wow, nice conversation.  At least there's actually some talking.  I easily finished my portion of scrambled eggs in the silence that followed.  After devouring it, I asked, "You don't mind too much…me staying here?"

He responded with a smile, which obviously was a good sign.  Maybe one day I could talk to him normally, not in broken conversation like this…  "I haven't had much sane company for a long while except for Rhonda," he said.  "Even those artists I met in Porre were obsessive, only talking about things in colors and textures."  He laughed.  "Rhonda told me you also liked to draw," he said plainly, but from the expression on his face I could tell that he wasn't sure about that.

"Yeah," I replied.  "But I'm not any good," I quickly added.  Turning back to my food, I grabbed a piece of buttered toast and took a bite.  Wow…even the bread here awesome…but then I haven't had bread in such a long time…

"Don't worry," he said.  "I've been thinking of going into art instruction, but I hadn't found anyone I wanted to teach yet."  Whoa…did he say art INSTRUCTION?  That's…GREAT!  Maybe I can have him teach me…  But from the blank, kind of pensive look that still was on his face, even though I was sure I'd obviously jumped at the statement, brought my hopes down.  Of course I'm not good enough…  "I was thinking that you could be my first student…" he added after a while, stretching his arms a bit.  I was totally stunned.  His yawn woke me out of my shock, and even still I could not express the excitement.

He's still waiting for my answer…stupid Mel, answer right now!  "Of COURSE!" I squealed, probably making him change his decision.  But wait…he's smiling…I'M NOW VAN'S STUDENT!  Then something else dawned on me.  "How am I going to pay you?" I asked.

He was dumbfounded.  Ah…why did I have to ruin my chances?  I was so close.  But not even a second later, Rhonda shouted, "She can work with me." Where'd she come from?  I thought she was still working?

Van nodded after he found her standing at the doorway with a basket with wet clothes.  "Then it's settled," he said.  The lady nodded, and quickly sped off as silently as she came.  Turning to me, he said, "Nice to meet you, Mel."

I stammered and replied, "Nice to meet you, uh…Mr. Dillogne."

"Please call me Van," he immediately responded.  "I'm not that old, you know?" he laughed.

"Yes, Mr….Van," I said, mock bowing.  "And I know it will be such an honor to be your student," I added, but couldn't help laughing even though it was supposed to be a serious statement.

"Damn…I thought you were actually being genuine," said Van, feigning a pout.

"I actually was…" I started to say, but laughter consumed me again.

"Don't play with me," Van warned, forcing himself to glare at me, "or you'll face the wrath of the abnormally psycho Van Dillogne with his boomerang in hand."

"Oh really?  I use the boomerang too…" I replied, grinning.  He was surprised, and to add to what I said, I flexed my muscles.  I actually have some…wow…

"You…DON'T MAKE FUN OF ME!" he shouted playfully, throwing an air-punch towards me.  Giggling, I scrambled out of my seat.

"Try and stop me!" I taunted, sprinting out the kitchen and out the door.  Too bad I had just eaten, because I ended up having the biggest cramp.  As I clenched my aching stomach, Van laughed at me.

"It's not FUNNY…" I grumbled, glaring at him.  He still continued to laugh, managing to choke out that he cursed me because I teased him.

"Well soon enough he will feel the curse of Melanie Hineka," I told myself.  And with that, I retreated inside to finish my meal only to find all the food gone from the table and all the dishes put away.  Van…he's really going to get it!  Now not only will he feel my curse, but he will face my wrath.  Hahaha…he'll be begging for mercy…okay, maybe not like that…

But first, I needed to grab hold of a boomerang…

(A/N: How was this stupid chapter?  I had to find a place for Mel to stay but yet have lots of time to interact with Van.  Yes, later on this is a Mel x Van fic, just to warn you.  Hope you liked this…tried some bits of humor.  Please review, and I hope to update sometime soon!)