Disclaimer: I own nothing. As always.

Chapter Eight:

"So what would the density of this be?" Lucrecia asked Vincent. They were working on their science project at school, and they hadn't gotten very far yet. Vincent was mainly spending his time in a daze, thinking of Lucrecia. "Uh... 3.5?" he said after he wrote it on the paper. She nodded and smiled. "Good," she said. He smiled slightly. Just then, the bell rang. "Oh great... We're kind of behind. Maybe we can work on this when school's over?" Lucrecia said, getting up from her seat and grabbing her stuff. "Um, sure... Can I come to your house?" Vincent asked, watching her put her books away. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hojo walking towards them. She pulled out a small piece of paper and wrote something on it. She looked to Hojo, and smiled nervously. Hojo glared at Vincent. "Let's go," he said. She nodded, secretly slipping the piece of paper onto Vincent's book. She smiled at him one last time before walking out of the classroom with Hojo.

Vincent sighed, and looked to the paper on the notebook. He unfolded it. It was her address, and a time: '6:30.'

Vincent felt like he was floating on a cloud on the way to work. He had never had so many emotions. He was actually going to Lucrecia's house, the girl who looked like an angel to him. He was still in shock that he was actually going over to her house. But wait..

What if Hojo was there?

Would Hojo act like an ass even when he was there?

He sighed at the thought, and walked into the office. Reeve was sitting at his desk, like always. "Valentine, glad to see you. I wanted to commend you for the work you've been doing. We've been having very satisfied customers," he said, standing up. Vincent nodded. "Thanks, Reeve," he said, setting his stuff down and walking out to see one of the customers.

It was 6:17, and Vincent was walking the streets before heading to Lucrecia's house. He was nervous, his stomach felt like it had turned over. He hoped with all his might that things went well. This was the first time he had been happy in a long time. He strolled up to her porch, and sighed. He knocked on the door. A few moments after, Lucrecia came to the door. She smiled at him. "Hello Vincent," she said, motioning for him to come in. He stepped into her house.

It was clean, and big. He hadn't ever really lived in an environment like this, even when his father was still alive. "Nice place," he said, looking around. She laughed. "Thank you," she said, nervously. 'Shit! Wrong thing to say, Valentine,' he thought to himself. But she took it fine. "So, should we get started?" she asked. He nodded. He sat down on the couch.

They worked on their project until 8:00. The sky outside was now dark, streetlights on. Rain patted on the windows. "Wow, we got really far!" Lucrecia said. Vincent smiled. "Thanks for all your help. I really needed it.. I'm doing kind of bad in school lately," said Vincent. She nodded and smiled. "You did very well on this project, I must say. I was glad to help you," she said. Vincent's heart lit up when she smiled. It was like light to him. The light that would guide him from the darkness. Just then, the phone rang. Lucrecia got up. "I'll be right back," she said, walking to the phone. Vincent leaned back on the couch. He heard her talking on the phone. Her words showed discomfort. He listened carefully.

"N-No, he's gone now. You don't need to come here," Lucrecia said. Vincent could hear distant yelling on the phone. He knew who it was. 'That bastard!' he thought to himself. "H-Hojo, please. Stop yelling. Everything is fine," Lucrecia said. She tried to keep the conversation quiet. She gasped, and couldn't take it anymore. She hung up the phone. Lucrecia ran back into the room, gathering up their project. "I'm so sorry, Vincent. You have to go," she said, putting her stuff away. "Why? What's wrong?" he asked, sitting up. She paced back and forth nervously. "M-My mother is coming back, and I can't have anyone over," she said. 'Lie,' Vincent thought. He was starting to worry, getting angrier at the thought of Hojo yelling at her. "Are you sure?" he asked, getting up. "Yes, I am sure! Please, you have to go! I'm so sorry!" She went over to the door, opening it. "I'm very sorry. I'll see you tomorrow!" she said. Vincent walked out the door, but turned. "Wait," he said.

She slowly closed the door, leaving Vincent alone on the porch, getting soaked by the rain.