Lyrics thanks to Death Cab for Cutie - Title and Registration

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Chapter 12 : Mild Manners and Pleasant Surprises

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Graduation day was empty. For all of us. I can't ever know exactly what they were feeling, or why, but I knew for myself that I no longer had anything left to feel. After my own ceremony, I attended theirs. Obviously it was held on a higher esteem for they were the seniors. I stood beside a tree in the far back, watching them recieve their scrolls. I left before the ceremony was completed because I didn't want to say goodbye.

Afterwards, Electra drove me to the river and we sat there drinking champagne until the sun began to set. We understood the unsaid words and spoke of nothing. When the sun dipped past the horizon and the sky began to turn a navy blue, I stood up.

"I have to head home."

She looked up at me and nodded. "You can go. I'll be here for a little longer."

I stopped to kneel beside her and said softly, "It's Vincent, isn't it?" Electra didn't have to answer and I stood up again, walking down to the main road. "What did the saying go? Love will prevail?"

She chuckled and I waited for her answer. I had never seen her so serious until right then, with her eyes shining as she stared out onto the water. "You and I know better than that."

-

By the time I was 22, I reached a rather stressful part of my life. I'd graduate in a few days and that would bring up the topic of what career I'd have for the rest of my life. Actually...I had to "resign" from my job at the casino when some trouble ensued. I'll leave it at that, if you know what I mean. Without a job, I couldn't pay my rent and the landlady started yelling at me by the steps whenever I came home. And when graduation came, she broke it to me as we both knew she would: "You're evicted in three days. Get packing."

Not that I had much to pack, anyway.

Electra had no room is her own cramped apartment ("Unless you want to share a bed with me, of course..." She winked. I spit out my soda and replied calmly, "Sorry. I don't swing that way.")

So that's how, three days after I graduated, I became the homeless Faye Valentine.

It was around this period that I started drinking and stealing excessively. I drank to forget and I stole what I needed, which for the most part was only food. I couldn't accept anything from Electra, since I took so much from her already. I also become a chain smoker, which I still believe is my worst habit compared to the rest. Every time I breathe in I can remember my first cigarette with him. And it was how his shirt smelled like whenever he pulled me close.

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I just ordered a hamburger from a fast food restaurant and then ran off to the park. Not to mention, right outside the park was where I had my first kiss with Spike. I lingered over the area while chewing my lunch. I remembered surprise and the acceptance that followed, making me smile. Eventually I snapped out of my reverie and entered the park's main gate. The paths were clear and I chose to walk down the one lined with trees. My white boots scuffed against the pavement softly and all I knew then was loneliness. I took a last bite of my lunch before I threw the rest into the wastebasket a foot away from me. When it landed in, I took a seat on the park bench.

This time of year had a meaning to me now. It was the end of spring and not yet summer; I could tell it with my eyes closed. Inside I could feel it and vivid images would accompany my thought. They were too bright or too dark and there was always too much to say. Lately there was too much of everything, and a little of nothing. Nothing that I wanted.

I was ready to leave but someone took the seat next to me. Who else but Vicious?

"Why hello, Faye. Lovely to see you on a day like this," he said, his voice light. I blinked. Vicious smiled and then cut to the chase. "I heard you were homeless."

I rolled my eyes. "Now who would tell you that?" He stared at me. "Oh...fuck. How did he find out?" What I really wanted to know was why he was still thinking of me.

"Your sister, of course. She's worried about you, you know."

I tried to hide my disappointment. "Oh.. Julia."

"Why don't you pay the Valentine estate a visit?"

I laughed out loud. "No thanks. The last thing I need is to see him- ..her, ever again." I got up to leave, but then I remembered for the third night in a row, I didn't have anywhere to return. "Wait! I change my mind." I said desperately.

"Changed your mind?" He questioned.

The things I do for a warm bed. And food. "I think I'll come over for dinner later, if they don't mind."

He smiled. "A good idea. I'll come along, as well."

"Alright, meet me here at..." The clock tower readtwo pm, giving me enough time to go shopping. "At six."

He nodded and with a swish of his coat, disappeared behind the trees.

-

I knocked heavily on her door until she opened up."Faye? What is it?"

I put on my best puppy dog face. "I really need to borrow some money. I promise I'll ...pay you back."

She acted surprised. "And when is that?"

I shrugged. "When I make it big. Come on, we're going shopping." I pulled her out of her house and shoved her into her car.

"What's the occasion?" She asked as she she started it up.

I grinned. "A reunion with my lovely sister and my worst ex." I laughed, and after a while, she laughed along with me.

-

We parked outside Singapore's most popular mall, according to Electra, seeing as I don't have enough money to know all the malls around here. I picked out a variety of outfits and and an hour and a half later, I decided on a simple knee-length white dress.

"Don't you think it makes you look too.." She searched for a word. "Innocent? I don't know."

I smiled. "That's exactly what I'm going for! This is perfect."

Electra rolled her eyes and bought the dress, along with a new pair of shoes for me. After we got into her car, she dropped me off at the park. But before I left she asked, "Why are you going there now, Faye?"

I shrugged. "I need a place to stay for now. And no, I will not take you up on that offer of yours."

She laughed. "Alright, alright. Have fun."

I slammed the car door and winked at her through the lowered window. "I'll be sure to have the time of my life."

Vicious waited until Electra's car disappeared around the corner before he decided to scare the shit out of me once more. "Can't you greet me like normal people do?!" I panted, clutching my heart.

He smiled at me. "You look beautiful in that dress." He reached forward to feel the fabric on my shoulder.

I blushed, the word ringing in my ears. Beautiful. Then there was the feel of his fingers caressing me through thin cloth. I backed away, out of his grasp. "You don't have to lie in order to make me feel better. I'm not tied to my past." What a lie. I was depending on them too much.

His hand dropped to his side. "You haven't changed." Nothing made sense to me now, and I couldn't ask for any clarity. There were things I had to keep to myself, things I could never understand. The silence stretched for the longest time, until the clock tower started up to startle the both of us. It was six in the evening.

"Should we get going now?" He nodded and led me to the backseat of his limosine. As the chauffer drove us to the estate, the neon lights from the bright streets passed by so quickly. I closed my eyes and tried not to think, but on times like this there was simply one thing to think of.

I wonder how he's doing. I wouldn't be all that surprised if I found them engaged. Or married. Or married with kids. I laughed out loud; it was amusing to imagine Spike with a kid. But it was cute.

"What are you smiling about?" I jumped, forgetting he was in the car.

"Nothing really." I let out a breath. "How are ...they doing? I mean, I haven't talked to any of you in years. It seems awkward that we're all meeting up again, you know?"

He crossed his arms and stared out the window. "Spike and Julia haven't moved in together. But he visits the Valentine estate from time to time, and Julia the Spiegel estate. They're doing quite fine." That didn't tell me much, but I didn't want to push any futher. And I didn't have any time- we were already pulling up on the driveway.

I got out of the limo and stared at the mansion, the mansion I used to live in. My eyes drifted to the kitchen window and the lights were on there. Instinctively I ducked behind the car.

"May I ask what you're doing?" Vicious asked, staring at me.

I chuckled nervously. "I think you should ring the bell."

"Alright."

I followed him up the stairs, clutching at his arm and I let my weight fall onto his side. For some reason it was getting harder to walk, and he didn't seem to mind it at all. He paused dramatically before pressing a single finger to the bell. The door opened immediately.

It was Julia.

Thank God.

With practiced surprise she whispered, "Faye? Vicious?" I felt Vicious stiffen at his name and he held onto my arm tighter. So he still has feelings for her. This is really ..something.

She smiled and opened the door wider and we walked into the main hall. A lot of memories came back to me from my childhood and I didn't need her to lead me into the living room. I sat down comfortably on one of the chairs. Home.

"So what brings you two here?" She asked us, a tray of tea already at hand. I shook my head and she offered a cup to Vicious, who accepted.

I looked at him before answering. "Because I'm homeless, and I'm related to you."

She laughed lightly. "You're asking for a place to stay then? I haven't changed your room."

"And uh, I'm hungry, too." I added. Julia was about to respond but then we all heard the heavy descending footsteps down the main staircase. It seemed like hours until he finally stopped at the doorway, scratching the back of his head.

"Hey...is dinner ready yet?"

We locked eyes first. Subconsciously my grip on the handrest tightened but gradually I released the tension. Damn, he looks good. I noticed the silence but I couldn't break away from his gaze. I opened my mouth to say something. Hey Spike? How stupid.

Julia shot up from her seat and scared all of us. "Let's all go to the dining room. Dinner is ready.." Spike nodded at her and left the room quickly, following Julia. I felt my face grow hot. He didn't even have the decency to say hi, or say anything for that matter. Well, I should've expected that. Spike was always such a gentleman, but only when he wanted to be.

And now was certainly not the time.

-

there's no blame for how our love did slowly fade

and now that it's gone it's like it wasn't there at all

cause it's too important


to stay the way it's been