LA LA LA!  Alright, I know my other chapter just went up, but hey!  I've got a little free time, thought I'd write some more;) CinderellaxVan, just wanted to let you know that I loved the hockey story!!  (Over My Head)  I read it a little while ago, and I encourage everyone to check it out.  Van is the perfect little hockey player, haha.  Also, I'd love it if you updated Every Moment Gets Better!!  SO CUTE!  A little note to everyone…this story will be pretty long, and have lots of sub-stories.  Most of the chapters will continue as I have been writing them.  I really think that a good story has a lot of character development in it, so I'm trying to build a strong friendship between the two.  You'll see…every sub-story serves a purpose!  Oh, and to aid first time readers, Hitomi is now 12, and Van is 13.  I'll try to mention it every once in a while so you can keep track of it.  Will you be able to track all the coincidences when they occur in the latter chapters??  ::mwahahaha:: ANYWAYS…Niffer, this chapter is dedicated to you!  I applaud you're strength and courage, and am very happy to have you as a reviewer!  You inspire me to appreciate the fact that I have my sight, and to spend each day cherishing the little things.  

                                                                                                ***Esca-lover

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            Dear Hitomi,                                                               March 5, 1992

            What's new?  I got the picture you sent me.  Your family looks pretty cool.  Folken thinks you're cute, haha, too bad he's a little old for you.  That's great that your mom is having another baby.  New York City or Chicago, huh?  Those are pretty big cities.  Not like any town in Indiana, I'm sure.  When do you think you'll be moving?  After the baby is born or what?  Make sure to write me when you change addresses, otherwise you won't hear from me again! 

            Ok…so I think someone must have cursed me.  Why you ask?  Here's the story:  The weather has been really nice lately, and Chid and I decided it would be cool to build a tree house in my back yard.  Folken said he'd help out if we needed anything, and Chid's dad had a lot of extra wood in their garage.  So we set to work.  My tree in the back is huge!  It's just perfect for this tree house though.  It has a really thick trunk, but then the branches almost stick out straight before curving up.  Chid and I worked on it for weeks.  It was really hard sometimes, but it gave me something to do.  When we had finished building it, we painted it brown so it would blend in with the tree itself.  We even got some chairs up there and a card table.  It was so awesome!  Until…SOMEONE torched it while we were spending the night up there!  It was crazy.  Chid and I had just got into our sleeping bags and turned off the flashlight when…WOOSH!  All of a sudden the tree house was on fire!  We just started yelling and freaking out!  Finally we realized that we were gonna die if we didn't get out of there, so we jumped down the ladder as quick as we could.  We made it just in time to see the floor cave is and crumble to the ground.  Luckily the firemen showed up before the whole tree was destroyed.  I did earn a battle scar though!  A big cut down my left leg.  My mom says it will never heal.  I think it looks cool so I don't care.  I just wish I knew who lit out tree on fire!  I have a hunch it was probably Dilandau.  Did I tell you he's been acting strange lately?  Maybe it's because I've been hanging out with Chid a lot.  I don't know.  Dilly has been known to be a bit of a pyro, but I thought we were friends.  Oh well.  Maybe I'll ask him someday. 

            I got my first job the other day.  I get to deliver newspapers every morning.  It's really not that bad.  I feel like the kid on the Paperboy game for Nintendo, only I haven't gotten chased by an old man in a red stocking cap yet, haha.  The pay is alright, and I'm saving up for a new knee board.  Ever seen one?  They are really fun to ride.  I don't really like getting up so early, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. 

            Only two more months of school!  I can't wait.  My classes have been alright, but I've been so bored cooped up in a classroom all day.  The air conditioning is broken, and it's so hot in the school.  One girl passed out it was so bad.  They called an ambulance and everything.  She's ok though, so it's all good. 

            What kinds of things do you do in the summer?  I know your family goes places for holidays, but what about vacation?  Ok, I better go.  Oh, and thanks for the Valentine.  Until I write again!

                                                                                                Yours truly,

                                                                                                            Van

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            Dear Van,                                                                    March 30, 1992

            Hiya!  How've ya been?  That was so scary about the tree house!  Why is Dilly doing that!  That is so mean.  Maybe you shouldn't hang out with him anymore, he seems dangerous.  I bet it made you mad after you and Chid had worked so hard on it.  Well, maybe you can try making another one.  I had a tree house once.  When I was little my dad made one for us in our front yard.  It wasn't very high up, but it was still cool.  Me and my mom decorated it with little curtains and I had my favorite tea set in the corner.  My collection of Boxcar Children books were on a shelf, and my brother kept his Ninja Turtle figures there too.  We used to eat lunch there and everything.  Sometimes the girls around the neighborhood would bring their dolls and we'd play house.  It was so much fun!  I wish it was still there.  We had to tear it down because it was falling apart.  It was so nice to have that little quiet spot to go to, especially when I was sad.  Sometimes ya just need to be alone, ya know?  Do you ever cry Van?  I've never seen a boy cry before, so I'm curious. 

            I had a dentist appointment today, and I found out I need braces!  I am so mad!  The last thing I want is a mouth full of metal.  The kids will all call me brace face, or maybe tinsel teeth, I just know it!  Luckily I will only have to wear them for about a year and a half.  But still!  This is terrible…I guess there could be worse things, but I can't think of any right now. 

            I'm really glad classes are almost over too.  I've been able to keep all A's so far.  I'm so tired of doing homework.  I want summer to be here already!  Wow, ok, sorry I've been really whiney this letter.  I'll stop now.  You asked what I liked to do in the summer, right?  Well, I like to ride bikes, go to the park, go swimming, play with the neighbor kids, that kinda stuff.  Me and my brother go fishing sometimes in a pond nearby, but we hardly ever catch anything.  One time, my parents came with us.  The boat was really small, and I didn't think we would all fit, but my dad insisted we ride together.  So, my mom got in first, then me, then my brother.  Finally, my dad goes to get in, and he doesn't step into the boat…he jumps in!  My whole family got tipped into the pond and none of us were wearing bathing suits.  My mom wasn't happy to say the least, but my dad just laughed and started throwing us around in the water.  It was really fun. 

            Did you try out for the track team?  I made captain, I forgot to tell you.  I run the mile and the 400 relay.  It's so great!  I won second place in my first regional meet! It was so exciting.  My dad has it all on videotape.  My brother wants to run track now too.  He's not very good though.  What does Merle do?  Does she play soccer like you?  Folken thinks I'm cute?  That's weird.  He has funny hair, but don't tell him I said that.

            Alright, I have to go now.  Write back soon!

                                                                                                Your pal,

                                                                                                            Hitomi

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Hitomi,                                                                                    April 13, 1992

            I can't believe it.  I'm scared.  I don't know what to do.  Please help me.  It's my dad, Hitomi…my dad…he's…..

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            DUN DUN DAH!!!!!!!!!  ::MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA::  Wouldn't you like to know what happened??  Well, I thought it was about time that I gave you all a cliffhanger!  I know…I'm pure evil.  But hey, this story is just getting started, just you wait!  Until next update, Ja ne and God Bless!