A shout out to my reviewers:

Votuse- There will probably be a fight between Vash and Knives but later on though.

Hannah-chan- Grrr… stole my cookies jar…

update update update!!- Here's your update!!

KeNsHiN's GuRl- Thanks for reviewing. Here's your update!

dark-pyro-angel-2- That…was…the…most…wonderful…comment…ever… Do you know how much you've boosted my self-esteem? Thank you very much. I wasn't really feeling this story in the beginning but now I'm starting to get into the groove of things. I'm very grateful for the encouragement. I give you all of my cookie jar tips. (a fifty dollar bill floats down) Erm…I'll give you another fifty.

vashluver1- Unfortunately Knives won't die. He'll probably get his ass kicked real bad in the future chapters…(mumbles) He deserves it anyways…

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Disclaimer (by Knives): …stupid human. Anyways, I was somehow convinced to do this but here's the author's disclaimer: "I do not own Trigun or any of its characters." Thank god…

Me: You are too kind Knivesy.

Knives: Don't call me that you insolent spider!

Me: WWWAAAAHHHHH ;)

Knives: Ummm…sorry, er, could you please stop crying. (Doesn't stop) Grrr…I'll do anything if you just stop that incessant noise!

Me: Sounds good to me! (Drags Knives to an empty room)

Knives: You LIAR!!! Let go of me! HELP ME, HELP ME, HEL- (door slams shut)

Here's your update!

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Chapter 3: Confessions of a Jealous Bitch

Meryl found that high school wasn't so bad after all. She had good teachers and wonderful friends. Especially Vash. He was such a gentleman. Meryl loved it when she got a tiny post it from him every single day with a cute little phrase written on it. Vash didn't move things fast for her. For now, they were just getting to know each other. Nobody could really tell if they were dating or not unless you were in Vash's fan club.

Vash's fan club consisted of many girls who were mad about Vash, including Jessica and Lina. They were all jealous of Meryl since Vash practically gave all his attention to her. Jessica was the most jealous one of all. Ever since she saw Vash, she knew it had to be love. She thought Vash belonged to her, not to some rich kid. Jessica was so full of jealousy that she and the girls taunted Meryl when Vash or that bodyguard wasn't around. They got a kick out of it when they saw that they hurt her with their verbal abuse. But today was a special day. Today was the first day that Meryl didn't have Robbie. Meryl was in a more vulnerable position.

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"Milly, what's taking Wolfwood and Vash so long?" complained Meryl. It was already fifteen minutes into their lunch hour and most of the tables had probably been already taken.

"Vash and Nick got in trouble for flying spitballs at Legato," explained Milly.

"The idiots…well they better hurry up!" said Meryl.

"Why don't you go on ahead so you can save us a table if there are any left," said Milly.

"O-Okay," Meryl said hesitantly. She was kind of scared of going into the cafeteria by herself. There's no one to protect you now. Meryl could easily protect herself physically, but emotionally? That she didn't know how. "Give me strength," she whispered to herself.

........

Meryl got her lunch and was lucky enough to find an empty table. So far, none of those bitches bothered her…yet. She saw Milly, Wolfwood, and Vash in the back of the lunch line. Milly smiled when she saw that Meryl had a table. Wolfwood, whom she dubbed Idiot #2, was asking people if they could cut in front of them. One of the cafeteria ladies caught him and shouted at him to get back in line. Meryl saw Wolfwood mutter something and sulk back to Vash and Milly. Vash gave Wolfwood a pat on the shoulder. Meryl giggled. Birds of a feather flock together.

"Well if it isn't Miss Rich Bitch," a female voice sneered. Oh no, not now. Please just go away…thought Meryl.

"What do you want Jessica?" Meryl asked tiredly. It was the same god damned routine although today would be different since Robbie wasn't around anymore.

"I'll tell you one last time bitch. Stay away from Vash," said Jessica.

"You can't tell me what to do! If you're so frickin' raw about this, why don't you go bitch about it to Vash. You'd be probably wasting your breath anyway."

"Shut the fuck up! Why don't you high tail your ass away from this school? You don't belong here," shouted Jessica. By now, the whole cafeteria was listening to them. Meryl glanced at the lunch ladies. They weren't doing a damn thing to stop this. Then Meryl remembered Milly telling her that they're very bad of hearing. Shit. She saw that Vash wanted to come over and tell them off but Wolfwood was holding him back. He whispered something to Vash and he stopped struggling. Her heart broke when she saw Vash's face of hopelessness. Meryl finally stood up.

"Look Jessica, I don't know why you treat me like this but I'm asking you to stop. I've never done anything disrespectful to you or any of your friends. So please, leave me alone," said Meryl in a calm voice. She would've of karated Jessica's ass by now, but her father once told her that her lessons were to defend herself from a fight, not to start one. Everyone gasped as Jessica slapped Meryl across the face.

"Don't feed me your classy bullshit!" yelled Jessica. Meryl bit her lip to keep her tears in. That really hurt. She slowly lifted her head and stared at Jessica. Jessica smiled sinisterly as she saw the effect that she had on Meryl. "You're nothing but a cheap slut!" Then one by one, all her friends started calling her horrible names.

"Anorexic hoe!"

"Monkey shit!"

"Daddy's little whore!"

"Pain in the ass!"

"Rich bitch!"

"Spoiled brat!"

"Stupid shit!"

Meryl's head was spinning with all those names. She pushed her way through the crowds of people. She had to leave now. Meryl couldn't take it anymore. She heard Jessica shout after her.

"Yeah, don't you ever come back here bitch!"

Meryl quickly went to her fifth and sixth period teachers and hurriedly told them that she wouldn't be coming to class. Her teachers were confused but Meryl left before they could get an explanation out of her. Blinded by her tears, Meryl couldn't see where she was going. Must get out, must get out… Meryl ran into something soft and warm. Quickly, she muttered an apology but a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

"Meryl," whispered Vash.

"Please let me go Vash," said Meryl. Her voice was wavering and her sight was blurry.

"Where are you going?" asked Vash.

"I'm leaving," said Meryl and tried to pull out of his embrace.

"You can't leave!" Vash said desperately.

"Why Vash! Obviously I'm not wanted here! If you haven't noticed by now, I don't come to school just to be teased at," said Meryl. "I just want to get out of here for now, okay?" Finally, her tears streamed down her face. Meryl took in a shaky breath. "Why do they have to be so cruel?" she sobbed.

"They're just jealous of you. They have no respect for other people," Vash said softly. "I'm so sorry Meryl." He gently stroked her head.

"You've got nothing to apologize for," Meryl mumbled. Her face was buried in his chest.

"I would have defended you but I couldn't risk getting into trouble again and getting suspended. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."

"You couldn't help it," Meryl said and looked into his eyes. He cupped Meryl's face with his hand and gently wiped away her tears.

"My poor angel," he murmured softly and he gently placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Do you mind skipping fifth and sixth period with me?" Meryl asked shyly. If the situation were different, she would've slapped herself silly for asking such an absurd question.

"Wow Meryl," Vash said, "never knew you had it in you." He took her hand and led her towards the exit. "Of course milady," he said grandly. Meryl giggled and left her worries behind.

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"Does anybody know the whereabouts of Vash and Meryl?" asked Mr. Henderson. He was the Physics teacher. Nobody said anything.

"I think she decided to take the rest of the day off due to some unnecessary discrepancies," said Milly who eyed Jessica evilly.

"And of Vash?" questioned Mr. Henderson

"Probably fucking around with Meryl," grumbled Jessica.

"Excuse me Jessica?" Mr. Henderson frowned. "Detention after school."

"Fuck," she muttered.

"Make that two days of detention," said Mr. Henderson.

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"Nice car Meryl," said Vash, commenting on her Lexus.

"Thanks!" said Meryl. She unlocked the doors and they got in. "Where do you want to go?"

"Wherever you want. I'm just here to keep you company," said Vash.

"Do you have to be home at a certain time?" asked Meryl.

"Nope," replied Vash.

"Great. Wanna see a movie?" asked Meryl.

"Sure," Vash said. It took them ten minutes to find the nearest movie theatre, which was at an enormous shopping mall. They ended up seeing a comedy and it brightened both their spirits.

"That was so funny," giggled Meryl as they left the theatre.

"It was, wasn't it," chuckled Vash. Meryl took in their surroundings of the many shops and boutiques.

"Hey Vash," asked Meryl innocently. Vash looked at Meryl. There was something funny about her tone of voice. "You do realize where we are right?" Vash looked around.

"We're at a mall, a very…" Vash gulped. Oh no. I hope she's not thinking what I think she's thinking. "…huge shopping mall."

"Correct. You don't mind shopping do you?" asked Meryl. She saw the look on Vash's face. Meryl slipped both her arms around his waist and gently drew tiny circles on the small of his back. Vash gritted his teeth.

"You manipulator," growled Vash.

"C'mon, it might be fun," said Meryl. Of course Vash wouldn't deny her.

"All right, all right," said Vash. Meryl squealed and gave Vash a kiss on the cheek.

"I think you missed your target," Vash said slyly. Meryl laughed.

"Nice try buddy," said Meryl and off they went.

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Four hours later, they were back in the car. Vash had to help carry Meryl's bags. To his surprise, he actually sort of enjoyed shopping. It wasn't that bad when Meryl included him in the fun. He got to help Meryl decide what looked good on her. Meryl was extremely generous. She not only bought clothes for herself, but for him, Wolfwood, and Milly. He remembered how Meryl would say, "Oh my gosh, look at that! That is so Wolfwood," or "Milly" or "you, Vash".

"How did you know all of our sizes?" asked Vash.

"When you have a mom who's in the fashion industry, you tend to have very good observation skills," said Meryl.

"Someone needs to put a leash on you, you shopaholic," said Vash.

"Don't worry. I limit myself to the amount of money I spend. I made today an exception though. If anyone needs a leash, it's you," said Meryl pointedly. "Do you know how hard it was to get you out of the lingerie section of Victoria's Secret?"

"But Meryl! I could've sworn that little black number would've looked great on you," Vash teased. Meryl poked him in the shoulder and looked at the car watch. It was 6:00 p.m.

"I better call my Mom. She's probably worried stiff." Meryl got out her cell and dialed home.

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Mrs. Stryfe was nervously pacing in her office. She looked at her husband who was calmly reading the newspaper. She looked at the time and it was already kind of late.

"Where could she be?" muttered Mrs. Stryfe.

"Don't worry sweetheart. The principal called and explained the whole situation," assured Mr. Stryfe. The phone rang and Mrs. Stryfe hurriedly answered it.

"Hello, Stryfe residence," said Mrs. Stryfe.

"Mom?"

"Oh Meryl, are you all right? We got a call from the principal telling us what happened today."

"I'm fine Mom. How did the principal find out?" asked Meryl.

"A girl named Milly Thompson informed the principal. Oh sweetheart, I'm so sorry," said Mrs. Stryfe.

"It's all right. I'm with a friend," said Meryl.

"Whose that?" asked Mrs. Stryfe.

"Vash Saverem," answered Meryl.

"Vash? A boy?" said Mrs. Stryfe. Mr. Stryfe looked up from his paper.

"Yes, a boy Mom. He was really kind and he kept me company." There was a long silence. "Mom, we didn't mess around if that's what you're thinking. You know that."

"Of course dear. We believe you. We've always believed you," said Mrs. Stryfe.

"Well Vash and I are going to get something to eat and we'll be home no later than 8:00 okay?" said Meryl.

"All right dear. Your Dad and I want to meet this boyfriend of yours," said Mrs. Stryfe. Mrs. Stryfe had to hold the phone away from her ear at Meryl's answer.

"MOM?!" exclaimed Meryl. "He's not my boyfriend!"

"Of course dear. Whatever you say," teased Mrs. Stryfe. Mr. Stryfe started laughing out loud.

"Is that Dad in the background? You better set him straight. Well, I gotta go Mom."

"Okay dear. Have fun," said Mrs. Stryfe.

"Bye."

"Bye," and Mrs. Stryfe hung up. "Well we'll get to meet Meryl's so-called 'friend'."

"You shouldn't tease her like that. This Vash person better be good," said Mr. Stryfe.

"This is the first time she has ever befriended a boy but I trust her judgment," said Mrs. Stryfe.

"I trust her too dear," said Mr. Stryfe.

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Me: See ya later Knivesy!

Knives (in a rumpled state): Yeah see ya. Can't believe I was molested by a human…

Me: You know you enjoyed it.

Knives: Humph!

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Just a little side note: if you were wondering what 'karated' meant, it's the past tense of karate. It's not an actual word but it sounds pretty snappy with this sentence: She would've of karated Jessica's ass by now…

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