It had been at least 2 weeks since Johnny's last encounter with the strange girl. He sat at home, festering with confusion, anger and a want to understand. She didn't say a word for the whole time until he finally snapped, did she snap as well? Her voice sounded like an angel being strangled. Somewhat sweet, but with the prominent irritation, she might as well have been high pitched with anger. He didn't feel any remorse, for all he knew, she was a mental spy sent to destroy his life. What other reason would she have for lacking any kind of loquacity?

"How dare she try to invade my personal life like that? Her insolence makes me very displeased, of course it's my fault for trying to be friendly. I should've known better."

"Maybe you pushed her over the edge as well?" Replied Nail Bunny.

"Non-sense. She had plenty of chances to prove she wasn't a brain spy. Notice how she didn't speak until I called her out on the spotlight. It was so evident that she was out for something and it wasn't my friendship... Why would she be? Why would anyone be? I'm nothing more than an oddity for people to laugh and mock. How foolish it was of me to believe that someone would actually want to befriend me. I'm so hideous, on the inside and out. Curse me for being so pathetic."

"You're not pathetic Johnny. Not in the least. I think you had a genuine friend and you scared her away is all. Maybe if you apologize to her, sh-" "NO! She wasn't my friend, she wasn't anybody to me, just another untouchable laughing at the great unwashed."

From then on, Johnny stayed at home, only going out to grab sustenance. He hadn't any desire to leave his abode.

A handful of weeks had gone by before Johnny realized that it was November. In those weeks, instead relaxing and getting over things, he had festered and fussed over his last encounter with her. No one had ever caused him so much distress, this was starting to become a pain, and he had to do something about it, soon.

He set out for the coffee place with the bagels. At first he started out with a very brisk stride, but after a few blocks, he became exhausted. He was also wearing boots, which hurt his feet.

"What the fuck was I thinking? Blisters ahoy!"

The cafe seemed vacant, only being occupied by a few 'aspiring authors' and high school beatniks. She was not there. Right as he was about to turn around and leave, "You lookin' for Pandora?"

"Er.. who?"

"Pandora, the quiet girl who works here sometimes?" It was a tall girl with glasses and long black hair. She seemed like she's been around for a while, she was obviously older.

"I guess. Is she here?"

"Nah, she's been focusing on school and having those days where she wants nothing to do with people. Happens a lot really."

"I see. So does that mean she no longer works here?"

"She does, whenever she wants to. She's my little sister, and I know she can't possibly get a job anywhere else with how quiet she is. Hell, when we were kids, our mom would check the back seat on occasion just to make sure she was still there."

He chuckled slightly, and headed for the counter.

"I know she pays for your bagels, but that's because you saved her something. With me, you gotta pay."

"Well, that sucks. But I was actually going to ask if she.. talked.. at all?"

"She does. There was a period where she didn't do anything except talk, talk, talk. Of course, this was after we persuaded her to not be so shy. Oh did we regret that. Pandora loved to go on about how she loved her desserts, she has a major sweet tooth, the funny things that happened at school and just be a chatty kathy all day."

"Pandora?"

"Yeah, Pandora Tempest Snow. Our parents were obsessed with obscure names. I would've preferred Pandora over Chrysanthemum Amaranth. You wouldn't believe how many people spelled and pronounced my name wrong."

"I can only imagine.. So, why is she quiet now?" Chrysanthemum twitched, before she answered.

"I have no honest idea, however I believe it had something to do with that idiot boyfriend of hers."

".. Boyfriend? Is he the guy with the fluffy hair?"

"Yeah. His name name is Derek Klimer, but he prefers to be called Death. He's such a tool. I heard that some guy hit him on the head with a blunt object and kicked him in the head afterwards. Supposedly, he only has a concussion. Finally, some justice." He giggled quietly.

"So, when is she coming back to work?"

"Can't say. I just let her come in whenever she wants. She might be holed up in her room, staring at the wall. I have to poke her sometimes to make sure she hasn't gone catatonic. It's like having an arthritic mouse for a sister. If you want, you can come visit her if you'd like. I can give you a ride after work."

"Well, if she wants to be dormant, I have no right to disturb her. Besides, I'm not sure if she wants to see me.."

"Well why not? Did you do something?"

"Well uh.. No. I just don't think I should pester her if she's feeling reclusive. I certainly don't want people badgering me when I'm feeling like that."

".. I see. Well, if you change your mind. This is our address. Feel free to stop by anytime."

Johnny took the note and walked out. He made plans to stop by the next night.

That evening, he stood in front of his mirror. He gazed upon his face for a long time, what was minutes seemed like years. In what he saw was all the damage others had done to him. They weren't visible but the scars of cruelty were all in his eyes. The bags under his eyes reminded him of the many nights he'd gone without sleep. All those nights dwelling on those who called him a freak, those who inflicted violence on him for being strange, those who isolated him just for being himself. He then shed one tear, and upon realizing the wetness streaming from his eye, he promptly shattered the looking glass. The shards exploded towards him and fell towards the ground. He stood there frozen, silently sobbing to himself. The tears of agony burned through his eyes as they poured out, his fist still buried in the remains of the mirror.

He then pulled his head up, and looked into one of the remaining pieces of the mirror. Eyes red with pain.

"I'm a sniveling clod. This needs to end."

He removed his hand and looked at the tiny pieces of glass embedded in his fingers, the blood slowly cascading from the wounds down his arm and dripping on to the floor.

"Ow.."

The time was soon 11:30 PM.

Meanwhile, in a certain purple and black room, a particular girl stares at her wall. She sat on her bed, looking intently at the purple colored plaster. She wasn't contemplating, she wasn't catatonic, she was just staring. No thoughts, no murderous plans, just motionless. Only breathing and blinking. When she heard a knocking, her eyes widened and abruptly turned to the door.

"Pandora?" The familiar voice belonged to her sister, who then let herself in.

"Hey, just wanted to see if you were here. I know you like to disappear every now and again." Pandora shrugged.

"Oh, before I forget. I saw that friend of yours today. You know, the one you always give free bagels to?" Pandora's eye twitched. Instead of saying anything, she continued to stare at the wall.

"I see. Well, if you're hungry, there's pizza downstairs. Oh, and mom was feeling oriental, so if you're in the mood for Korean, there's gamjatang as well." Chrysanthemum left. Pandora now goggled at her wall with a distressed expression. She could feel her fingers convulsing as she gripped the blanket. Her toes curled inside her shoes, the restriction of space caused her pain, but she seemed to ignore for the sheer bliss of anger.

She suddenly heard a tapping at her window..