UPDATE 2016: This is the author speaking. It's been years since I've written this...I was 14 at that time, and I was still a blooming writer. I'm back again though, because I've gotten some pretty nasty comments about my OC Creole. Now, I understand that some readers think it's a shame that such a "good potential story" is "ruined" by her presence, but I would argue that WRITERS are the ones with potential, not the story. I am the one who wrote this, and I am the one you need to write comments to. If you don't like an OC, leave thoughtful criticism on what I did wrong, what I can change. I was trying something new as a new writer-I was using her to accomplish some acts that I couldn't do with my current cast of characters. But instead of trying to offer advice, commentors like the anonymous Applehat09 leave cruel, thoughtless, drooling-at-the-mouth hatred. It's lucky I only got support while in the process of writing, or I might have stopped writing all together. I'm just here again to remind my readers that the comment section isn't a blind forum-you're messaging right to the author and you could be hurting them-ruining their potential.

Now, if you hate Creole, some say it gets better by the end, some say it doesn't. I'm not able to objectively comment on that. However, I'd say I'm still pretty impressed by my 14-year-old self for writing this. If I'm being honest with you, I think this piece is pretty faulty, but it was a good start. Keep reading if you see fit, and check your hate at the door. I'm still eager to hear any proper criticism if you have any. I love you all, and keep supporting writers through comments!

Wow...sorry guys. That was a long wait wasn't it? But I got something done! Yay~

So~ I hope you like. Yes? Heh heh...more OC

(T) for f-bomb at the end. Ooh~ I'm so bad!

Chapter 4: Hotter and Hotter

It's another hot day. I hate heat…I hate it with all my being. It's been making me fairly irritable as well. I thought about skipping class. I decided otherwise because I'm not going to let myself, get in my…way. Now that I think about it, that sounds kind of ridiculous doesn't it? I'm in my own way? Well…I suppose it happens.

The reason I don't like the heat? I hate my clothes sticking to me, I hate that it gives me insomnia, I hate that it makes me intolerant, I hate that it makes me want to destroy anyone who can happily skip down the hall like it isn't a burning torrent of heated hatred cursed upon me and the world… Don't you see? It's making me hallucinate feelings and it's been getting worse every day. Hotter and hotter…it's beyond the realm of sanity!

Along with the heat getting under my skin, Creole is being overbearing to top things off. All day she's been asking me over and over to go outside. Much more relentless then Linda, who now seems like an oasis of peace and serenity.

"Hey, Near!" Creole appeared at the doorway of the common room, dispelling my last shred of sanity. I wasn't going to be nice anymore. There was a limit.

I squirmed back into the corner as far as I could. Ok. So I am never really "nice" in the first place and I still want to avoid being an ugly "mean" that might lead to other problems… But I'm not going to put up a show for her either. I'm not going to use my polite declinations. I'll be blunt and to the point. Even the simplest person should be able to get it.

"Come on! Let's go!"

Maybe she spoke with some unknown high frequency set to agitate humans because no voice had ever made me cringe like that before. The dark skinned girl stopped in front of me, leaning over and smiling endearingly.

"Come on~! This time it'll be perfect, Near!"

I don't think so. It's much to hot to be anywhere close to perfect. In fact, it was the worst. I pushed the hair out of my face, trying to cool my head off a bit.

"Why is it perfect this time?" I asked to simply humor her.

"I've been exploring lately around the grounds -by the way this place it huge- and I found a place. It's completely guarded by trees so it's not all that hot…then there's this little river-like thing. I just kidnapped some ice-cream bars and I've already memorized the way there. You can come with me. We'll sit with our feet in the water, eat ice-cream…it'll be great! Perfect!"

She was quite ambitious, was she not? But I still didn't plan to leave my dark, cool, corner. Never. Not until the sun burned out.

"No thanks…" I said, not able to resist my fake politeness.

"No!" Creole commanded sternly, uprooting my guard for a moment. She sounded so strict. Like when on of the teachers were scolding someone for misbehaving. I'd never been told off like that before and it made me want to apologize for even saying something to deserve such a response.

"Not today, Near! You're coming!"

I struggled a little, but not enough where she would have trouble getting me on my two feet. Creole held a stiff chin, making sure we were eye-to-eye.

"You're going outside, Near. If you don't, you're going to diminish in vitamin D, and get cancer and diabetes and heart disease and Osteoporosis! …Maybe only girls can get Osteoporosis. Well, you might get it anyway! I'm not a doctor, so I wouldn't know."

Creole grabbed a hold of my jaw, directing me to look out the window and into the yard. It was so bright and hot looking. She let me go and I returned my gaze to her.

"As my dear mémé would say, "Jeunes n'ont croupions avec rien à faire assis dans un siège; sortir et bouger les pieds!" or as in translation, "Young people have nothing to do with rumps sitting in a seat, exit and move your feet!" And if I didn't do that…I had to peel potatoes."

Creole cupped my hands, rubbing small circles in the palm.

"And telling from how soft your hands are, you've never had to do work like that. Peeling potatoes until your blisters bleed…you need tough hands like mine."

Creole clapped, bringing her argument to a close. I don't see how peeling vegetables and soft hands pertained to me going outside, but there was no stopping her- no matter what I physically did… And there was absolutely no fighting against her "logic". If she was willing enough to think it up, I'd bet she'd be willing enough to defend it. The dispute would definitely take much more energy then I'm willing to exert…so me being the push over I am, gave in.

I couldn't help but wince painfully as I was pushed out the door and into the open mid-morning air. It was unbearable. Even when trying to breathe, it was like swallowing smoke. There were no complaints from Creole though. She was all business at the moment, marching us over the green grass, taking me somewhere beyond the trees. At least it wasn't as hot in the shade as expected. I still didn't like it.

Insert some walking and finally Creole allowed us to stop. It was a small opening, hidden beneath a canopy of trees and surrounded by more trees and shrubbery. There was a clear stream nearby and the temperature was pleasantly cool. Maybe this wasn't so bad.

"Go and sit!"

It wasn't by any means a request, more of a order. Creole steered me by my shoulders, driving me strait to the water bank.

"Roll your pants up so they won't get wet and stick your feet in. You'll love it!"

I can't say I wanted to, but I did so anyway. Why? Why not?

The water was the final thing I needed. Feeling numbing cold in contrast to the heat before? I was calm and unbothered by outside matters for the first time in days.

"Here."

I was woken from my empty daze, letting my eyes glide over to where Creole sat beside me. In her slender, bronzed hand she offered to me an ice-cream bar. Just past her I could see the open box with it emptied contents scattered in the grass. I don't know where she could have gotten them on her own…

I took a hold of the frozen treat anyway and Creole remained next to me holding her own. I took a small bite off the corner. Vanilla with a chocolate shell…sweet and cold. Another addition to my state of calm.

There are few times where I can say someone knew what they were talking about. Especially when it came to understanding me, myself. It's like she knew this is what I needed. An escape… And she didn't chatter on like I had expected. I thought she might try to talk or something, but now Creole was a different person. Sitting patiently… waiting for me I guess. So we just sat there.

"Want me to throw that away for you?"

I looked at the empty stick that had been sitting in my hand for the last few minuets then handed it to her and watched as she shoved it in her back pocket.

"Want another one?" she asked, holding a second one up.

"No. Thank you though."

Creole froze for a second, releasing herself with a sigh.

"Trop mauvaise. Quelqu'un est ici pour nous rendre visite…"

"Excuse me?"

The girl shook her head sending her curls bouncing everywhere. "Nothing… I was mumbling to myself. Anyway, how do you feel about company?"

"What?"

"They must have found their own way. Don't know who it is though…" Creole grunted as she hopped up, shaking off the water on her feet before strolling over towards the trees. "Who's in there? I have ice cream if you come out!"

I could hear a quiet utterance as someone asked, "Ice cream?"

Creole timed it perfectly as she stepped to the side, Matt was flung out of the greenery and to his knees.

"That wasn't nice Mello! They already knew we were there!"

I looked expectantly at where Matt had made his entrance. Mello…was here too?

Soon enough, the little round leaves started to rustle as the other intruder showed himself.

"I thought you said weren't going to be following me anymore." I asked, staring unaffected, into the hateful blue eyes that found me.

"I say a lot of things."

Matt was already up as he patted Mello on the back. "Chill out a little, Mello! I'm starting to worry about you! Everyday you're getting more to the borderline of obsession."

Obsession. The uncontrollable persistence of an idea or emotion in the mind, sometimes associated with psychiatric disorder…

"Why you so obsessed with me? Boy I wanna know~! Lyin' that your sexin' me! When everybody knows~!"

Mello and Matt were automatically defused from the fight that was about to break. Both stared at my singing companion -who I suppose they never had the…pleasure to meet.

"Who are you?" Mello spat, brow already twitching with annoyance. He's never been the kind to easily accept newcomers. Well, he's never been the kind to accept anyone… Maybe Matt, but sometimes evenhe can't get through during Mello's fits.

Creole wiped a few stray curls from her face and smiled genuinely.

"Je m'appelle "Creole" Pleasure!"

Matt returned with his own half cocked smile.

"Hey, I'm Matt. Nice to meet you too."

Mello wasn't so kind.

"I take no pleasure in meeting you. I actually hate you. Where are you from?"

You would think that such a blunt statement of hatred would be taken worse, but Creole seemed to have overlooked it and smiled still.

"Moi? Oh, I'm from everywhere! Me and my mémé would travel all over the world when she was alive. Unfortunately, she died not long ago...and I was graciously allowed to live here!"

"You're awfully cheerful after whoever dieing. Didn't you like them?"

"Mémé. My granny." Creole said, enunciating each word as if she were talking to a small child.

Mello didn't seem to like being talked down to and I saw as his hands balled into fists. If she continued like that, things were going to turn bad. I've never heard of Mello hurting a girl…but maybe that's because most girls knew better then to mess with someone as unstable as that particular blonde.

"You see..." Creole continued at her slow pace. "I am bilingual. So, sometimes I say funny words that might not make sense. That's because I sometimes speak French. Do you know what French is?"

I've seen sarcasm. I've seen teasing. But this wasn't either or. She appeared to be seriously thinking Mello was incapable of understanding. And the blonde was nowhere near a "good mood". Before she had even opened her mouth to give another dose of kindergarten talk, Mello snapped. His fist swung through open air. Creole had once again stepped out of the way before being touched. Mello tried another solid swing that passed through nothing again.

Creole shook her head in disapproval. "Non, non, non! You don't hit girls!"

Mello tried to reach her with his fist again and again she was out of reach.

"Didn't I tell you not to hit girls?"

Mello didn't answer, acting as a silent killer and jumping without warning. Creole dashed around, just outside his grasp. Then, in a few acrobatic movements, the once grounded girl was perched on the thin branch of the trembling aspen above.

"You are a very, very violent person!"

"And you're lucky you're quick!"

"Monsieur Mello~! I'd gladly invite you to have ice cream with Near and I if you'd please not attack me. I can only assume you came because of him, for you do not know me and you do not act like you had originally sought to know me. Correct?"

Mello looked nowhere ready to act civil. He stared up at Creole as if she were spitting insults rather then trying to resolve a problem.

"You think I came here just to see him?" he shouted. "If I wanted to see Near I wouldn't need your help! If I wanted him to get him, I can get him on my own!"

I watched, wide eyed, as Mello snapped his head to look at me. This wasn't going to be good. I was going to be taken out of my calm place. The blonde marched at me, arms outstretched. I didn't have a choice. It's not like I can't fight back.

Mello dragged me out of the water, then let me drop at his feet.

"Get up."

I stared up at Mello who was either extremely calm, or silently furious.

"Get up, Near. Now."

My eyes drifted to the rest of the company. Matt looked unknowing to the situation and Creole was still watching from her perch. So I was alone, was I?

Mello nudged my in the ribs with a foot.

"Get up."

I sighed and rolled around to get up.

I didn't even get a chance to do things myself, because he had taken the initiative; grabbing me under the arm and hauling me to my feet.

Matt took a step forward. "Mel-"

"Don't follow us." Mello hissed before marching us past to who-knows-where.

I tried to look back to see if they might have decided to intervene anyway. To my displeasure, they were only staring after.

I tripped over something causing Mello to have to catch me.

"Watch your dammed feet, Near!" he cursed, regaining our quick strides.

I almost succeeded in giving a nod, but he might not have noticed because my head was already bouncing around from our little jog. But hey… because I'm one who likes to look on the bright side of things, I at least got to experience Mello in close counters where I'm not exactly being threatened. See? See the silver lining? …Me neither.

I didn't know he had more than one shade of blue in his eyes. I'd always thought it was one solid icy color, but it also had a ring of dark blue around the edges that every now and then would spike out and touch the pupil before jetting back to the edges. It almost looked like the light was fighting against the darkness, and the darkness was slowly gaining ground. Maybe not. It was an interesting thought anyway…

Mello suddenly looked back at me, catching my eyes in his. "What are you staring at?"

I drew my attention to the ground, not really sure how to answer. It was probably a rhetorical question anyway… I watched my feet in comparison to Mello's. His strides were long and strong -probably doing most of the work too- while mine were taking a bunch of short, quick and clumsy steps that would slow us down immensely. But I realize that I should have been less concerned with how my feet looked, and more about where they were taking me.

I was dragged through a side door that connected the outside world to the kitchen. Oh, great. He was probably plotting to kill me. It's easy to come to that conclusion when you have a "pissed off" Mello. Maybe he was going to stab me with a kitchen knife? Beat me to death with some sort of blunt object, like a rolling pin or a frying pan? I know. He's going to lock me in the freezer. It would be easy enough to play it off as an accident. I'm sure Matt wouldn't say anything. Creole…well, she might have some trouble. Poor girl. The only reason she's involved was because…well, because she insisted in involving herself in my life. Ah- but no. We moved through the kitchen without the slightest pause. We were going upstairs towards the bedrooms. He still hadn't let go of me and there weren't any given clues to the mystery of what he was planning.

I guess he knew where my room was, because that's exactly where we went. Mello smoothly slipped us both in and shut the door without a sound. A strange thing considering his track record for absurd and unnecessary noise making.

Suddenly there was nothing there to support me, and I dropped to the ground like a broken toy. Mello blocked the doorway, overlooking me in my position. I didn't know what he wanted, so I decided to stay where I was for the moment, using my elbows to prop myself up and wait.

"What are you going to do to me?"

"Who said I was going to do anything?"

That was strange. He had nothing? "Well, weren't you?"

"I don't know. Is there something you had in mind?"

I gave myself a little freedom, letting my gaze drift around for a bit. So he just wanted to…do nothing. Good.

"What is with you and lying on the floor? Get up and get on your bed or something!"

I looked back at Mello trying to figure him out once more. He wasn't angry….no. He just looked annoyed. Maybe. I couldn't place it. He was refusing to look at me too. Just staring at a corner of the ceiling. I had to say something.

"Why are we even here then? If you weren't planning to do anything, then why don't you-"

"You want me to do something!" Mello snarled, reverting back to his carnivorous tone. "Fine! I'll do something!"

I wasn't trying to provoke him. I guess that shows how far I've come to interpreting feelings…

Mello stepped over me, straddling my waist and slamming my shoulders back against the hard floor.

"What do you want me to do Near?" Mello punched the floor beside my head with each stressed word. "Do you want be to beat you? Is that what you want? Is that what I have to do! Every single time I come to see you, is it to hurt you? Is that what you think, Near! It that what you want?"

I was seriously confused. What he was saying… it didn't make sense. What kind of emotion was this? He was yelling and punching things…but it didn't fit his words. I couldn't understand why he was asking these questions.

I winced as Mello took a fistful of my hair and pulled me upwards. He stopped when I was in his face. He was angry… right? What was this?

"Fuck you, Near! Why don't you go and have fun with Matt, huh? You obviously have no problems with him coming to see you!"

"I don't understand. Why are you yelling such strange things?" Oops. I didn't mean to say that out loud.

Mello let go and my head thunked back to the floor. Then he got off, stood up and left while slamming the door behind him.

We get it Near. You don't like it when it's hot. You really, really don't like it. But now he has a special place he can visit when he thinks it's unbearable! And Oh, Creole. Singing strange songs. Oh, so strange. And acrobatic. And stern. And intervening. And what's with Mello? Why's he all upset and punching things? Apparently he doesn't like Nears attitude towards Matt. WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT! FIND OUT NEXT CHAPTER!

~reviews really appreciated~

If I get enough I might wanna work faster! ^-^