It was almost five o'clock when Todd got home. His house was empty, his father at work, and his mother only God knew where. He threw his books on the couch and walked back outside. He stood on the walkway, in front of the door and leaned against the concrete wall, looking up at the clouds. "Up to old pasttimes again, eh Squee?" Said a familar voice. Todd turned, seeing Johnny, standing a few feet away. He looked slightly different now. Though he was still bone thin, his pitch black hair had begun to dim. His eyes were darker than normal, with circles around them from lack of sleep. Todd nodded, "You know I don't go by that anymore, though, right Johnny?" He said, with a small hint of irritation. Nny smiled. "Yes, yes, I'm well aware. But, I've just grown to know you as little SqueeGee and that will be how you remain in my mind." Todd sighed. "Alright...but only you." The sound of Johnny's door opening echoed over to them. The dark-haired beauty emerged from that shack and looked around for a moment, finally spotting Nny and dashing over to him. Her hair was slightly less neat than earlier, but it still shone and trailed in an invisible wind behind her. She smiled to Nny. "Johnny, you'd better hurry back soon. They're getting a little too courageous with me. I had to show one of them how serious I was about the whole nails in their spine thing." She smiled. He nodded. "In a second." He turned back to Todd. "Squee," Todd scowled, feeling a little color rise to his cheeks. "I don't believe you've met my Alina have you?" She turned to him slowly, looking him over. He bowed his head a little. "Not personally." He muttered, digging his shoe into the ground. "Hmm...weren't you the one on the stairs this afternoon? The one that kept watching me?" She asked, raising a perfectly scuplted eyebrow. He looked up to Johnny, who was staring pointedly at him. "I, I wasn't watching you. You just, looked familiar. That's the only reason I looked at you." He said, his voice rising, scared to imagine what Johnny might do if that angered him. She regarded this comment with a smile. Johnny cleared his throat, somewhat impatiently. "Then, Squee," More blushing, another small bowing of the head. "Allow me to introduce to you, my uh... 'student' Alina Canace." He said. Todd looked up, bringing his hand up with his glance. She grabbed it in a strong grip and shook. "That's my good hand, my knife hand." She smirked and let go. He glanced at his slightly red hand and nodded. "Nice to meet you." Todd said nervously, he had never been good with girls. She smiled at him, then turned to Johnny. "Why don't you take care of the guests. I'd like to become better aquainted with Todd here." Johnny nodded and walked off back into the house. Alina turned to Todd. "Walk with me." She said, taking his frail hand and pulling him until they were walking in step with each other.