Well hello again everyone! As promised, I am now updating after 2 weeks exactly. Thank you all for your patience! My break was fabulous, and my story ideas replenished. Also…some of you asked about my next story…well, the first chapter will be posted shortly as a teaser chapter. I'd like to get your comments, see if the idea intrigues anyone, haha. Some new stories to check out: My Last Breath by MysticalDreamer, Of a Dream by CinderellaxVan, Souls of the Past by Sailor Hope (fave of the moment!), Digging Up the Past by PeachesandCream, and Coming Home by Tevrah. All of these are really refreshing stories! I especially love the story by Tevrah, great start, interesting plot twist, twinge of saddness…I give it two thumbs way up! Ok…now for an age check on my stories characters! It gets really confusing, I know!
The year is now 1994…….
Van: 15 (16 in Nov.)
Hitomi: 15 (Just turned in July)
Kari (this is Yukari, only with a nickname!): 15
Gaddes (Karis' boyfriend): 16
Dilandau: 15
Chid: 15
Folken: 19
Merle: 12
Kohaku (Hitomi's younger brother): 13
Treena (Hitomi's baby sister): 2
On with the show!!!
***Esca-lover
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Two years and many letters later…
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September 23, 1994
Dear Van,
I can't believe it's sophmore year in high school already…time flies so fast. Little Treena is trying desperately to talk, although most of what she says is nonsense, haha. Kohaku is now in middle school and loves it. How's Merle handling the switch?
I'm sorry about your break-up with Naria…how long did you two officially go out? About a year and a half, right? I hope you guys will stay friends, you seemed so close. You're right though, when the feelings die, it's time to move on. We're still young, ya know? Relationships are still new. Speaking of break-ups, Kari finally told Gaddes how she really felt. She wants to see other people for a while to find out if he's really the one for her. He took it pretty well and agreed that 'exploring other options' was a good idea. I'm not sure if they will get back together eventually or not, but I think a break will certainly be healthy for them. Besides, he's a junior this year, and planning for college will take up a lot of his time towards the end of the year.
I told you about Dryden, didn't I? The guy at my work that asked me out? Well, here's the short version. I started my new job at Old Navy about a month ago, remember? Dryden works there also and is training to become an assistant manager. He's 18, and a senior at a different high school. I'd describe him as the intellectual type, and he's not bad looking either, haha. I love his long, dark hair…Ok, I'm sure you don't care to know that! Anyway, a while back I was standing behind a register, completely bored out of my mind, when suddenly Dryden came up to me and casually asked, 'So…how do you like your job so far?'. It was customary for the 'manager types' to check up on the newbies, so I stifled a yawn and replied with a not so enthusiastic 'It's great.' He laughed and gave me a wink. 'Don't worry, not all jobs are this exciting.' We chatted for a while about school, friends, and life in general. He wants to go to college for business and science, but his dream is to travel the world and learn all he can about it. I found it all fascinating, and almost forgot to check out a waiting customer. For the next week we talked on and off as work allowed. He was the highlight of my job, and found myself blushing when he asked for my phone number. He called me later that night and asked if I'd like to have dinner and a movie with him the next day. Of course I said yes!! Here was a decent, responsible, older guy asking me out…ME! Not some supermodel or genius, me! I was flattered to say the least, haha.
The date itself went pretty well. We ate at the Olive Garden, my favorite Italian restaurant, and almost missed the movie because we were talking so much! We saw Dead Poets Society, definitely a must see! During the movie, Dryden put his arm around me, it was so cute! He really is a sweet guy, I'm glad he found me. After the flick we decided to go out for coffee. There was a jazz combo playing softly, and the lighting was so romantic! He said that this place, the Jazz Café, was his favorite spot in the city. I can see why! We continued gabbing late into the night while sipping our cappuccinos. When I looked at my watch I realized how late it was and told him I should probably be getting home. Dryden sighed and said, "That's too bad…I could talk with you all night, Hitomi. It's been a wonderful time, hasn't it?" Ooooo, how he made me blush! He's so sincere and polite! All I could do was smile and nod, but he got the message. When we arrived at my house, he walked me to the door, gave me a hug goodnight, and then winked at me over his shoulder. "Until we meet again, Hitomi," and he was gone. PHEW, talk about a great first date! I'm sorry if I'm boring you, I was just so excited I had to share.
Is it me, or is there way more homework this year?! I swear I've spent 2 hours a night studying and doing calculus problems. It's surprising that I actually have time for a job, let alone a social life!
Well Vannie Boy, I better go, haha. Please write back soon, I want your opinion on my current crush. Honestly, what do you think? Let me know, you owe me the truth!
Your friend,
Hitomi
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October 3, 1994
Hey Hitomi,
I'm glad everything is going well with you, even if your new man is a nerd! I'm kidding, he sounds like a nice guy, but his favorite place is a Café? Sounds a little fishy, don't ya think? I mean, most guys love a steakhouse, or maybe a wing place, but a Café? Must be the whole intellectual thing, it's not really my forte. It's good that you're making friends at work. McDonalds isn't fun at all, but it's a job. Then again I'm not exactly a social butterfly like yourself, lol. Maybe if I tried to make some friends there I'd enjoy it more. Oh well, we'll see.
Naria and I hang out every once in a while, but it turns out she's already dating someone else. I guess I wasn't that hard to get over. Apparently he's loaded and spoiled rotten. She'll like that…she always did want a rich boyfriend. Are all girls like that, Hitomi? If so, I'm screwed. My family has just enough to make it by. I always thought girls wanted a good guy who promises to be their knight in shining armor, not a materialistic egotist. Woah, whipping out the fifty dollar words, I'll tone down my bitterness now.
Merle is doing well, thanks for asking. She loves her new school, and instantly made friends with every girl in her class. Our phone line is never free, so it's a good thing you don't try to call me, haha. Folken is at college now, so the house feels kinda empty. True, now I have the bedroom to myself, but it was nice having him around to get me out of trouble.
Dilandau has started a gang called the Slayers. Scary, I know. I've tried to talk to him every once in a while, make sure he's doing alright, but I think he's headed for trouble. Right now his groupies are into vandalizing school property at night. I just hope Dilly doesn't give in to his urge to burn the school down. As much as a shorter school year would be fun, I really don't feel like retaking the year somewhere else. I saw him smoking a cigarette yesterday on the bleachers. He offered me one, but I turned him down. 'You always were too soft, Fanel,' he smirked. 'Maybe someday you'll actually start living.' I didn't know what to say to him, so I just kept walking. 'Van! You've got a spot with the Slayers if you ever wise up,' he yelled to me. I turned and gave him a smile. 'Thanks Dilly, but I don't think your gang has a place for a goody-goody like me. Stay out of trouble, alright?' He just laughed. 'Sure thing, Fanel, anything for you,' he chided, taking another long drag on his cigarette. Deep down, I think he just wants to feel needed. His family life isn't exactly pretty. He still lives in the rusty trailer with his mom. His dad's an alcoholic and shows up long enough to cuss them both out. I guess that's why I don't just leave him alone. I wanna be there for him if he ever needs a friend. Oddly enough, I think he feels the same about me. Otherwise, I'm positive he'd have his cronies beat the crap out of me, haha.
Homework? What's that?? Ok, ok, enough teasing. My biology class is killing me. I have a huge cell project due next week and I haven't even started. Guess I should probably do that, huh. I'll write you again soon, Hitomi. Don't let that Dryden guy pull a fast one on you, alright?
Your friend,
Van
P.S. Haven't I told you five times now??? Don't call me Vannie Boy, you nerd-lover! ::wink::
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YAY! Another chapter finished! Hmmm, a little short though. Nothing too extreme this chapter, but who knows what awaits our pen pals next posting…….should be soon. Please review! Thanks again for all your patience! God Bless!!
