Helena can't misinterpret! It would go against Christie's psychic-ness! Well, if we wanted to get technical (which I don't, because technicalities hurt my head) a psychic is different to a fortune teller. Yeah, fortune-telling is more up Kasumi's alley, Christie just likes freaking people out, I guess.

*

He couldn't help but feel extremely apprehensive as the French beauty approached him.

"Hello, Hayabusa," she greeted. Even her voice seemed to emit waves of culture and exotic lines. "How are you this fine day?"

His eyes glanced up as he examined the blue sky. The weather was cool, admittedly, but still nice. "Good, thankyou. And yourself? I apologise about your mother. From what I know of her, she was a good woman,"

"That she was," Previously veiled grief crept into the blonde's face. "But hopefully, she is in a better place, and God will look after her,"

How can I tell her that I'm not Christian… hmm… "I'm sure that she will be looked after exceedingly well, Helena,"

A sad smile graced the blonde's elegant lips. "Thankyou for your concern, Hayabusa. You really are a gentleman,"

He blushed at her statement, he couldn't help it. "Not really, but thankyou for saying so,"

"I suppose it's a little late to ask you this, but do you have a partner for the dance?"

I really don't want to do this… "Err… he started hesitantly. "Never. I, uh- detest you, Helena. The …very sight of you… chills me to the bone,"

Her eyes instantly narrowed, but not for the reason that he originally assumed. "Christie told you to say that, I presume?"

He nodded. "I apologise. I really don't detest you,"

"I guessed that. Not that I could really tell if you did, however. Christie has always disliked me for reasons that I don't know, but to stoop so low as to send other people… she really is appalling. No morals, that girl. Just public school trash,"

"Not all people that go to public schools are immediately trash," he protested mildly. "It's a mere stereotype that follows them around, regardless of who they really are,"

"Really? Show me an example of a good person who came from a public school," Helena challenged.

"Ayane," he said instantly.

"Her? That purple-haired girl, Kasumi's sister?"

He nodded. "She is a good person, albeit a bit… brash… sometimes. You really should give her a chance,"

Helena sighed, tucking some hair behind her ear. "I don't like Ayane one bit. You know how Mother was killed? She was run over by a truck. The truck driver had purple hair. And that certainly isn't common,"

"Ayane's younger then me. She can't drive legally as of yet,"

"Yes, I know," Helena sounded slightly impatient. "But I didn't like her from the start, and this just further cements that fact. But… I'll never forget. Mother pushed me out of the way of the truck instead of me getting hit. She sacrificed herself for me,"

"I…" he didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry,"

"You really are. I can see that. You're not like the rest of them," she sighed for a second time, tossing her golden ponytail over her shoulder. "Tell Christie to leave me alone. I'm not in the mood for her shenanigans. So. Who are you going to the formal with?"

"Kasumi," he said finally.

"Really?" The French girl's face suddenly lit up. "That's wonderful! She really is a lovely girl, Kasumi. She was dying to ask you for so long but couldn't summon up the courage to. I'm glad she did. She deserves you. She's the same sort of pure-hearted as Irene,"

"Yes. She is," he agreed sincerely.

"Make sure you look after her well for me. Okay?"

He nodded. "Most certainly. You have my word,"

*

Next chapter: The proverbial shit hits the proverbial fan. The start of my little 'surprise'. A snip:

*

It couldn't be. Tears? Why so weak now? As if I give a shit about it. I just won't go. That was what I was planning to do anyway… what's the big deal?

She rubbed at her eyes angrily, glaring with burning hatred at the wet, glistening tears on the palm of her hand.

*

Without further ado, hope you enjoyed!