The two girls get into a heated conversation, arguing over what they want and expect from each other.

Clarisa returned to her temporary home with new-found knowledge, a smile betraying the fact, that she wasn't hiding any secrets. While she wasn't about to rub it in Madelyn's face, teasing her with the knowledge as though it was the girl's Achilles' heel. She'll cherish it in secret.

She now knew that she left an impression on Madelyn. The moment the girl spoke to her about her past, is proof of that. She'll revel in it… learn from it and apply it when other instances arise between them.

Just like the moment, the girl told her about her past, what it was like during her childhood, to anything new she decides to reveal to her... she'll listen. She'll try to be open to the idea of being something more to the girl.

Whether that'll be an ear for Madelyn, or a wise old woman to help the girl understand the key differences between her thoughts and feelings, she should start trying to be there more often for Madelyn.

When she entered the shared flat, she kicked off her shoes with a bounce in her step. Slipping them under the rack, she hummed with a smile as she got further down the hallway, the smell of food sizzling intensified the closer she got to the source.

"What you cooking?" The girl asked as she opened the pantry, looking for a snack, even though Madelyn would probably offer he food, if, she played her cards right. Provided she didn't ask for it directly, and Madelyn had cooked more than she intended… which was a lot more often than it should've been, she may get leftovers for her and Kiel. This was all like clockwork for her.

She didn't intend to start acting this way. The girl mainly shared food, only when Clarisa never asked for some. Kiel was the exemption. If Clarisa got food, Kiel was bound to get some as well.

"Steak... with a side of veggies, mash potatoes and gravy."

"Sounds delicious…" grabbing a small container of peanuts, she threw one into her mouth, "Is Kiel back?"

"Dunno… have you tried using your eyes and checked his room?"

"He could be doing homework, so I don't want to disturb him."

"How would you know if you don't check…?"

"That's quite the conundrum" the girl threw another peanut in her mouth, "I'll just bother him closer to when we should go grab a bite to eat."

"Takeaway again… typical."

"Well… to be fair, I'm not about to give my brother food poisoning. I can't cook for peanuts as you're aware… you know how terrible I'm at it…"

"Oh, yeah… I know… it was a fog of black smoke that smelt like ash and death… how could I forget."

"Hey, I'm not that bad…" Clarisa argued as a smile betrayed her feelings on the matter, "All I did… was just overcook noodles till they were no longer soggy."

"Ah, yes… the infamous time you re-dehydrated, already dehydrated noodles. That was quite the achievement… if I say so myself."

Clarisa chuckled at the sarcasm, "This is one, I can at least be proud of." the girl popped another peanut into her mouth, letting the sound of silence take hold of their confusing friendship. If she was being honest, it was times like this that made her question the answer to Madelyn's question…

Moments like these make her want more from their friendship. She feels like she connects better with Madelyn when she's like that. The snarky humour… when she remembers something about her, even if it's a stupid memory…

Sure, she's had her ups and downs with the girl, but aren't all relationships predicated on that fact? Nothing is perfect? There were moments where things break down, but as long at the two of them work through it, they can pass the hurdle…

This is what she hoping to gain from being more open with Madelyn.

She does want to get to know the girl better, but probing her for more information doesn't exactly end well. She gets tossed aside, pushed away for days until finally, Madelyn was willing to speak to her again.

It'll be like this for a long time, probably… even as the girl grows more accustomed to sharing her life with somebody else, she'll continue to push her away in a way to contradict her slowly building feelings.

Madelyn wanted to be alone, yet…

Except now, she was starting to open herself to somebody else…

Someone other than Vastorie…

"So…"

"So, what?" Clarisa gleefully added, hoping that this will be another time the girl cooking, initiates an open discussion about herself. Instead, she was met with utter disappointment.

"I saw you walking with Daniel earlier… giggling, I might add."

She wanted to make a joke about the girl being jealous, to brush the situation aside. But doing so will make the girl angrier. Jealousy didn't fit her personality… but what she was probably feeling, is something akin to disappointment.

It'd make sense if Madelyn was disappointed in her for speaking to Daniel, even though she shouldn't be. Daniel got nothing from her, so she'll need to help ease her housemate's feelings with this news.

"He only had a few questions."

"Figures… of course you'd be the one to unravel to his boyish charms."

"First of all, I didn't fall to his…" the girl made air quotes with her fingers, "boyish charms. He had questions, none which I could or was willing to answer, at least without your explicit permission."

"So, you would've have told him within a heartbeat if I said: I didn't care who you talked to?"

"No, that wasn't what I was saying…"

Madelyn turned to the girl behind her, giving her attitude for contradicting her words within two sentences.

"Alright, I understand why you're giving me attitude. But the fact still stands … he's concerned about you."

Madelyn turned back to her food still cooking, "Well, tell him to stop prying… I don't need his concerns."

Clarisa bit her lip, frustrated with the situation. The girl had just opened herself to her, and now she was being shut out for a stupid reason. Sure, Daniel was prying… but he was doing it for a good cause. There was no maliciousness in his actions or words, just a need to help, "I don't understand why you're like this."

"Figures you'll be this dense…"

"That's rude… and second, of all, I'm not dense. I don't understand why one second, you're reaching out to me, but the next you're slamming the door in my face. I need consistency, not mixed signals. I… can't help you if you're not willing to give me a chance to understand you."

"I don't need anyone's help…" Madelyn turned to point an accusatory finger at her housemate, "Not Daniel's… Not Kyle's … and especially, not yours…"

Clarisa felt irritated at her housemate's words. But at the same time, she also felt disappointed in herself. She has been unable to help the girl, she was slowly developing feelings for "You don't have to act this way… We're only trying to help, not force you to act in another manner… isn't that what Daniel is trying to teach-"

She stopped herself. However, it was far too late. She already crossed a line, one she agreed she wouldn't with Madelyn.

"I knew you were lying to me… What else did he tell you? That I'm useless? That-"

"ENOUGH!" Clarisa bit her lip in frustration, for the first time in her life, Madelyn was stunned from the sudden outburst. She took a deep breath, "He only argued that your Ten was on the weaker side… but that's not all. Like I said… he's concerned about you… He was worried that the actions of his father, has caused these contradicting feelings…"

"As I said, he doesn't deserve to hear about my private life."

"Well, I'm not Daniel… I'm Clarisa, parroting these concerns… I'm worried about you as well."

"You didn't seem to feel that way when I asked-"

"I know…" Clarisa bit her lip, once more looking down in disappointment. How she thinks and feels about the matter, is mixing into this messy situation "It's… It's because I'm confused about my own, answer to you. It isn't as simple as me saying I care about you as a friend… I sometimes feel like I should be saying friend, instead."

"Why? I haven't exactly been someone approachable… I haven't put myself out there to look for that-"

The fact that Madelyn didn't argue, that she didn't swing that way told her it's possible, they could be more, but, now wasn't the time to drill into that topic. She didn't want to confirm who or what gender her housemate was into.

What was important, was talking about Madelyn, telling her that she didn't need to shut everyone out of her life. Isolation wouldn't help her… at least, not right now. She needed to talk more about her feelings to come to term with them, not lock them up every time she hits a pothole.

"Have you really, isolated yourself? That night you cried in my arms… you spilled a part of your past to me. You haven't done that with Daniel or Kyle. You must have told them something, because Daniel wouldn't have approached me for those details, otherwise. Not only that, you haven't pushed me away completely. So, what are you expecting from me? A person for you to vent to…"

The girl looked into her housemate's eyes "or do you want me to be something more than an ear to hear your thoughts?"

"How about… neither?"

"Please… don't do this. I want you to come to me more often… to be more open with yourself, to me… It felt… nice to be there for you, minus the tears of course because I'm one of those people who like to see others smile. That's beside the point. Am what I asking for, too much for you…? Is being more than your ear to complain to, too much to ask?"

"Yes…" Madelyn looked away. It was too much to ask because this was all too much for her to accept in such a short period. She just found out that Clarisa may or may not have feelings for her. She didn't even know if she could accept anyone in her life, no matter what they're supposed to mean to her. But she wasn't about to voice those concerns…

It'll just make the waters murky, harder to navigate.

"Why? Why are you so scared to open yourself to others?"

"I'm not scared…"

"Then what is it? Hmm? I want to understand… I want to know."

"You'll…" Madelyn's voice died out. What can she say? She doesn't know… She doesn't know what Clarisa wants from this at the end of the day.

"I'll what…? Please, tell me…"

"Leave me like Vastorie… You'll leave me like my parents…"

"Vastorie hasn't deserted you though. You're not on some street in the middle of unknown territory. You're here… at this school, leaning… well, what you're studying."

"But he did-"

"I can prove he didn't leave you!"

"How…? How can you prove that he doesn't want to associate himself with me?"

"He…" Clarisa took a deep breath, "Daniel thinks his father believes he may have hurt you… confused you from what is right and wrong."

"And… you what… believe this kid one year younger than you?"

"He isn't some dumbass that walked off the street, ignorant of your past. Yes, he probably doesn't know his father's exact thoughts or your history, but what he does have… is experience. He's using what he knows, to try to understand why his father left you. And his theory… well, it's not just his theory… it's Kyle's too. Their theory is Vastorie doesn't believe he has a right to adopt you because of what he did to your family…"

"Yeah, I heard that bullshit from the horse's mouth too. But what you know, that they don't know… is my family is a bunch of scum bags!"

"Be that as it may, but the fact still stands… you were his hostage at one point. For all you know, you may have pictured him as a better father figure, because he got you ice-cream. He probably would've gotten you everything you wanted at that time… can't you see that would cloud your judgement on the man? For all we know, Vastorie may have seen himself as being-"

"Someone who lured children in with candy…" She had to confirm if that was Clarisa's line of thinking. It shouldn't be… no one at the Swordcross Institution would think that way…

"Exactly! He took you from your family, regardless of what kind of monsters they could've been to you. And he did it by giving you everything you wanted… you saw him in the image you painted him as…"

"So, what?" Madelyn was infuriated that Clarisa would lean down that route. She should know better than that. She should know better than to assume Vastorie would assume himself as being the big bad monster "Let's just assume that he thinks of himself as that way. That shouldn't change anything… because at the end of that day, either I went with Vastorie… or he went to jail, and I was forced to go back to my family, then repeating that shitty life. No matter how many times I'd be put into that situation… I rather go with Vastorie every time, then deal with them. I'll rather be adopted by Vastorie… then live another second with my biological parents!"

"It's the guilt I'm talking about Madelyn… not the action… You're right, it was the better option. But that doesn't change what, I'm guessing, would've hurt Vastorie… he wouldn't have wanted that on his consciousness… can't you see that?!"

"You're assuming the fact without any hard evidence."

"So, are you… can't you see that? We're both assuming this information because we can't read his mind or know him to the same extent his family know him… Daniel isn't the only one…"

"Yeah…" Madelyn interjected, "there's Nathaniel too! Did you forget about him?! He was kind to all the kids, no matter the background… are you saying he too, has felt guilty for being kind to all the kids?"

"No… I don't think that way about Nathaniel, because he hadn't once distanced himself from anyone! Even you…"

"Let me guess… Daniel is the same as Nathaniel?"

"Yes… Sure, Daniel might not know everything… and he could be wrong about his assumption with the situation. But he grew up with his parents, Vastorie… and Nathaniel. So, he should know things that we do not know."

"Fine… but he still won't know anything about us… the Swordcross Institution… the other kids there."

"Really, how would you assume to know such a detail… without asking him?"

"I…" Madelyn fell silent. She fell into an obvious trap once more. She didn't like being pressed, nor did she like losing. But this type of battle was already set in stone. Clarisa had paid fact to the finer details, unlike, herself. So, where does she go from here…?

Does she deflect the conversation, or continue this uphill battle, "Then what do you expect from me… knowing full well that my end goal is to be isolated?"

"What I want is for you to be a little open-minded. I want you to reach out to Daniel, just as much as you did to me-"

"I did not!"

"You told me your backstory… but you didn't tell them. You've been opened with me, but not with them. Now, I get it… it may be harder for you to warm up to people… but they've had more experience with this world than I am… they have seen the good and bad, the things the world outside these school grounds has to offer…" She paused, "Probably… So, give them a chance… tell them what you told me. You may be surprised by Kyle and Daniel's reaction."

"What's in it for me… they'll be open with you… tell you things they told me."

"Do you know about Audrey's hidden ability?! Tell me!"

"Say what now…? Audrey knows Nen as well?"

"So, you don't know…"

"I know that Kyle's backstory is tragic… I also know that he has a different perspective on his past. What he wants now… is different, to what his family expected from him… Yes, he's not about to throw away what he learned during those years… but he'll no longer pursue his family's original goal… He's proof that people can change." If he can change… so can you. I'm hoping the change you'll go through will allow people in, not push them aside…

"What did he do in his past that made him believe in change is possible?"

Clarisa bit her lip. She wanted to tell her housemate, but she felt it will contradict her beliefs on the matter. It was Killua's story to tell, not hers' "Why don't you ask him yourself?"

"He's a part of the Mafia… isn't he. Or at least his family… I get a gut-wrenching feeling whenever he looks at me with those dull, blue eyes… like I've been marked for death."

"Why did he look at you like that?"

"I… pushed him for information about his sister."

"Kyle considers only a few people in this world, precious to him… Alluka… and Daniel. There could be others, like, another boy he mentioned, Gon. So, attacking or pressing him for information about these people will get you on his… for a lack of a better term, shit list. Unless he's willing to tell you, you will not get that information."

"Who's Gon?"

"A best friend… I, unfortunately, can't tell you anymore or that will make me unbiased in this matter."

Madelyn felt irritated, but given the situation… all the information she had heard so far, her housemate was trying to stay neutral on the matter. Even though she says she had or has, feelings for her, the girl was choosing to not reveal more than she was willing to give up.

It definitely… sounds like she's hiding a lot more than she was giving up… information Kyle or Daniel has told her.

Given that both boys have called her out on lies, tells her to obtain this information, she'd needed to be willing to tell the boys something in return.

Madelyn turned off the stove. She didn't like the scenario one bit, but it looks like it'll be the only way to get anything out of this student and teacher meetups. Turning her head slightly, she glanced over her shoulder at her housemate once more, "How am I supposed to trust people, when in the next second they could be walking out of my life…"

"I would say start with hello, but that would be a terrible joke. I'd say give them a chance, but that wouldn't be enough for you… So, all I'll say is… voice your concerns; how else are they supposed to know what you're feeling?"

"Daniel and Kyle, do it fine on their own… It's revolting how sappy they can be around each other… so… trusting."

"What they have is something else… something that I believe transcends trust. Maybe… faith… they believe they'll have each other's back."

Madelyn turned around, crossing her arms as she stared into her housemate's eyes for a flicker of betrayal, something to give away that she didn't believe even her own words, "What if I told you I still didn't believe you…?"

Clarisa sat up straight, meeting the girl's disbelieving expression with her perseverance "Then watch them yourself. See how they genuinely care for one another, without your own, judgment clouding your eyes… they look after each other. And they never expect anything from each other in return… I bet you any Jenny they've already done it. I bet you they've already shown compassion to one another in front of you, you just refused to see it yourself…"

The girl pouted at the words, but rather than continuing to argue as she'd normally do, she instead chose to focus on her earlier task. Grabbing a plate, she filled it with her food before retreating to her room.

Opening her door, she glanced back at Claris one last time, "Leave the pots and pans. I'll clean them later. Oh, and…"

Clarisa expected to hear a thank you of some kind, instead, all she felt was a sense of disappointment after their conversation.

"Oh… There are leftovers in the fridge… help yourself." Shutting the door behind her, she silenced her housemate from saying a thank you of any kind. She didn't want to hear anymore… not gratefulness… not even a thank you. All she wanted, is to be left to her thoughts.

Clarisa sees something, that she was refusing to accept. She'll pay a little more attention next time. Hopefully, the boys will not make her respond in disgust… that she'll get to see what the other girl saw in them.

A bond without expectation…