AN: This chapter's a bit dramatic, ooers. But yeah, it's just a storm, there will be calm after it! Sorry for the slow update... _ Haha! Please, please, please review ^_^ I know this chapter's a bit short but don't complain, it'll just set me off from writing the next! XD Thanks for being patient ^^ I LUFF YOU ALL! :)

Warning: Bit of swearing.... *bows head in apology*

"You know Van," Merle smirked impishly as she broke an egg over the preheated frying pan, "Jealousy never suited you too well."

"And what am I jealous of this time?" Van asked exasperatedly, his stomach growling for food.

"When Hitomi and Allen came over yesterday, I saw your eyes. Someone's been visited by the green eyed monster, and I don't think it's because of Allen's glossy hair."

"Van," came the cheerful chirping of Hitomi's voice on his answering machine, "My birthday party is coming up this weekend; you're singing with Dilandau again, got it? Do it or die."

A small smile curled onto Van's lips which turned into a carnivorous expression when Merle tipped some scrambled eggs and bacon onto his plate. Picking up his fork deftly he began to shovel the food into his mouth while Merle rolled her eyes, mixing up some fruit and yoghurt for herself.

"What's with the rabbit food?" Van asked in a muffled voice, pork grease shining his lips.

"Unlike you I don't enjoy heart attack on a plate for my breakfast," Merle stuck out her tongue, "Jesus, a pound of bacon… One day that metabolism of yours is going to slow down and you'll be a big tub of lard."

"Thanks," Van muttered, eating his breakfast more dejectedly. Visions of ball shaped Van rolled across his mind and he dropped his fork with a clatter.

"At least I'm cooking. If you cooked it yourself you'd eat it practically raw," Merle shuddered, spooning a strawberry into her mouth.

"Shut up," Van pouted, but in a half grateful manner. If Van had to cook for himself when their mother was away he'd probably be dead right now from food poisoning. Once he tried to heat some food by himself and nearly set the house on fire because he didn't take the tin foil off causing it to burst in flames. "And just so you know, I am not jealous of Barbie over there."

"You're on the swim team right?" Merle asked, frowning slightly as she tapped her spoon against the rim of her bowl slightly.

"Yes…" Van answered slowly, blinking.

"Are they training you in that river in Egypt or something?" Merle continued, her expression dead serious until Van made a move to tackle her. Giggles erupted from her mouth as she ran screaming from the kitchen, Van chasing her with a package of frozen bacon he nicked from the fridge.

* * *

There was buzzing in the hallway, and Van slammed his locker shut, exhausted. Walking past the trophy cases and cafeteria, he felt a hand grab his shoulder.

"Van, go to the second floor," Naria, one of his brother's best friends said urgently. Naria and Eriya were twins, and even though Folken left for college a while ago they still kept in touch with the Fanel family, and of course, Folken himself.

"Why?" Van asked, looking from gold to silver, puzzled.

"Some girls are cussing at Merle," Eriya explained seriously, "We tried to stop them but they're pretty serious about this." The two made no acknowledgement of the dirt on their faces, their normally immaculate hair tousled.

"Did they start on you when you tried to step in?" Van asked quietly, and the two avoided his gaze.

"Just go."

* * *

Sprinting up the stairs, Van pushed the double doors open and rounded the corner to find a bunch of girls crowding in a hallway of lockers.

"Yeah you little slut, don't you go around thinking you're all that," one of the girls threatened, "Or you're going to find your life a living hell." There was a fierce noise of protest, and Van's eyes flickered as he saw Merle over the girls' shoulders. One of them in a light blue tank top pushed his sister against the wall sharply, and Van was about to yell at them when he saw him.

Allen.

He was standing there, awkwardly, and certainly looked like he didn't want to be there. He was off to the side, looking at his shoes, waiting for his fan club to 'finish up.'

"Bitches, go pick on something else like the zits on your face," Van snapped, parting through the crowd dangerously and standing in front of his sister.

"Van," the leader stated, "Lighten up, god."

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Van demanded, "You think ten against one is cool? You think you're respected in this school? You think you're anything but screws to any guy in this school?!"

"Don't you talk to me like that, you bastard!" the girl seethed, "And I wouldn't talk about being just a screw if I were you, Van Fanel. Not even your precious best friend, Hitomi, can treat you seriously."

"Remember what I can do to you," Van said calmly after a deathly silence, "I can turn every single person in this bloody school against you whore so I suggest you watch your damn hands and mouth and keep using them for what you were using them for before."

The girl narrowed her eyes about to reply when Van continued.

"And I don't mean whoring around. I mean screwing yourself."

Heat flushed the girl's face as she screwed up her face, trying to think of a reply.

"C'mon he's not worth our time," she finally muttered, the girls following silently. The few others in the hallway that had stayed to watch scuttled away, and Van exhaled sharply, casting Allen an even sideways glance. His face then changed sharply.

"Why didn't you intervene, Schezar?" Van demanded, pushing Allen against a locker violently, "Why the fucking hell didn't you intervene?"

"Van don't use violence or I'll be forced to—" Allen began, slightly surprised, but Van merely punched the spot beside Allen's head.

"Or you'll what? Tell on me?" Van snapped, his eyes flickering from brown to maroon.

"I'll fight back," Allen replied flatly, narrowing his blue eyes right back at Van. "Touch me again and I'll meet fist with fist."

"Get real Barbie," Van shouted, "You allow your bitches to push my sister around you're going to pay!" Dropping his backpack with a thud onto the floor Van swung his arm and hit Allen square across the jaw. Girls screamed, but the volume increased when there was another hitting noise. Van held his nose for a moment, and when he removed his hands blood stained them. Yelling in anger Van hooked Allen's neck and flipped him onto his knees, Allen elbowing Van in the gut reflexively. As the raven haired boy's grip released the blonde stood up and slammed Van's back causing the youth to cripple to the floor. Looking up, Van's vision was blurred slightly when he saw Allen step back, off balance and knock Merle against the water fountain. A fresh wave of anger swept over him and growling Van stumbled up and dove at Allen's knees causing the tall boy to fall down. Grabbing Allen's wrists Van raised his fist to punch Allen again when he heard a familiar voice.

"Van what the hell do you think you're doing?" came a horrified voice as delicate hands grabbed his torso. Standing up as he was off guard Van's head snapped to the side as Hitomi slapped him across the face.

"Hitomi!" Van roared, "What the—"

She ignored him however, she was too busy helping Allen up.

"Oh my god I'm so sorry," Hitomi apologized, "He's not normally like this." She tried to keep her face from bursting into an incredulous one, but she could feel the confusion swarming her. She knew Van sometimes picked fights but they were usually with people who deserved them.

Or at least, that's what he convinced her.

"It's really alright," Allen muttered, rubbing his jaw, "It's not all his fault." Hitomi felt guilt overcome her, she felt as if she was responsible for Van's actions.

"Hitomi," Van tried again, "He—Merle—"

"Come on, I can clean you up at my house," Hitomi said, ignoring Van as she hugged Allen. Van felt a surge of rage zip through him as Allen rubbed circles on Hitomi's back with the flat of his palm.

This song is dedicated to all the happy people…
All the happy people…
That have real nice lives,
That have now idea what it's like…

"Thanks," Allen nodded, "Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure," Hitomi smiled softly, leaning up and kissing him on the cheek. She looked away quickly, embarrassed, but Allen grinned and held her hand.

I feel like I'm walking a tight rope without a circus net,
I'm popping percasete, I'm a nervous wreck,
I deserve respect…

"Are you going to even let me say anything?" Van asked softly, his head buzzing gently. Green eyes met his flatly, and lowered again.

"Come on," Hitomi said quietly, "Maybe if we walk quickly we can beat Mamoru home."

That's rock bottom
When you feel you have had it up to here
Cause you mad enough to scream but you sad enough to tear
That's rock bottom...

"Van?" came Merle's hesitant voice, "Are you okay?"

The youth just kept staring down the now empty hallway, blinking numbly every few seconds. Suddenly he slammed his fist against a locker, causing it to dent slightly at the edges.

"Doesn't she remember I made her keep him?" Van demanded angrily, "Doesn't she remember that I told her not to dump him? Doesn't she remember that I never pick a fight unless I have…" Van trailed off, his eyes blood shot as he leaned against the wall.

"A reason," Merle finished quietly, "I know". Patting him on the hand comfortingly she waited with him patiently in the deserted hallway.