Me: This story seems fairly popular already! I'm so happy! ^.^

L: Just because two people reviewed?-.-

Me: :O People that said they loved it and couldn't wait to read more! They commented a day or so within me uploading the first chappie!

L: -not impressed-

Me: I WILL sucker punch you! …..Or make you say the disclaimer!

L: -not intimidated-

Me: ARGH!

Matt: O.o –cough cough- Saga doesn't own Death Note or Jai Ho, but she does own Lillith.

Chapter 2

The next day, Lillith was in a brilliant mood. She was doing great in her classes now, she slept well last night, and her hair and outfit were perfect! She felt that way all the way home, until she got to her apartment, where two simple words shattered the joy. A ton of cardboard boxes, taped shut, were piled in front of the door. Utterly perplexed, Lillith navigated around them to her door. A piece of copy paper was taped there. Right there, in cruel black print, was the stark truth. The paper said:

Eviction Notice

Lillith's world stopped spinning as she read the two harsh words over and over in her mind. It seemed like an eternity that Lillith's dark violet eyes stared hollowly into space. Her thoughts buzzed in her head like a busy beehive: Where will I live? How will I afford my rent anywhere else? How am I going to get all these boxes out of here? Will I be forced to sell Simon and Shukumei? Lillith's face contorted as the tears that had been welling up in her eyes spilled over. Her face buried in her hands, as if hiding the shame of not being able to pay for even this cheap apartment, Lillith wheeled around and took off.

Lillith kept running until she was in front of her favorite café, coughing and gasping for breath. Her leg muscles shrieked with pain, and sweat glistened on her face. She wiped a few tears from her eyes and slowly entered the shop. Lillith ordered an Iced Mocha and sat down at a booth near the window. Sipping on her coffee, she tried desperately to fight back the urge to cry her heart out, but after a while the lump rising in her throat was too much and she was soon sobbing again, all sense of dignity in her gone.

After about a minute of continuously flowing tears, Lillith felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up through bleary red eyes and was surprised to see Near, the boy she had met yesterday. His face looked indifferent, but Lillith could see a trace of concern in his eyes.

" H-hi, Near-san…"

"Why are you crying? Is something wrong?" Near slid next to her in the booth.

Lillith wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I-I got evicted from my apartment because I couldn't afford the rent…"

Sympathy flashed for a split second in Near's eyes, but it was soon gone. He tugged on his hair as he said, "Oh, I'm sorry. But can't you find another apartment complex?"

This just upsetted Lillith further, but she didn't take it out on Near, who was just trying to make her feel better. So she took a shuddery breath and said, "That's the problem. That apartment complex is the most inexpensive one in the area. Where am I supposed to live if I can't afford rent there?"

If Near was embarrassed for asking, he didn't show it. He just kept on tugging on his hair, staring into space. Lillith could tell he was in thought, so she just quietly sipped on her drink and let him think. After a while he spoke, but he still seemed to be thinking. "Do you know anyone you could live with or that you could get a loan from?"

"No. Most of my friends and relatives live outside the city, and I try to take as few loans as possible. I only took a couple my first year on my own, and haven't taken any since."

Near thought for a few seconds more before he had an epiphany. "Hey, Lillith-san, I have a spare bedroom in my apartment. If you want to, you can live with me."

Lillith's deep amethyst eyes brightened in joy. "Near-san, that's so thoughtful of you! I would love to, but I couldn't sit around in your apartment like a lazy idiot while you have to pay for the rent!"

"It's okay. I don't mind. You can stay as long as you want."

Lillith looked like she was about to cry again, but this time out of happiness. "Thank you, Near-san!" she exclaimed, hugging him.

Not wanting to make Near feel awkward, she quickly released him, smiling radiantly. "I don't know how I can repay you!" she clasped her hands together.

Near curled a lock of hair around his finger. "It's okay. Do you want to go get your stuff now?" Lillith nodded.

Once they got to the apartment, Lillith checked inside to get some of her stuff and her food out of there while Near called a taxi. Lillith was setting food inside a small cooler when Near walked in. He curled his hair while he talked to her. "What're you gonna do about the furniture?"

"It's not mine. It's the apartment owner's. That includes the bed frame and mattress, the couch, the coffee table, the kitchen table and chairs, and all of the kitchen appliances. I just have to leave them in here and tell the owner when I drop my key off." Lillith set down a gallon of milk in the cooler and stuck the lid on. "Do you need help with that, Lillith-san?" Near asked. Lillith picked it up and smiled. "Don't worry about it. Could you take my equipment outside with the other food please?"

"Your what?"

"My food."

"Not that. I meant your 'equipment'." Near inserted air quotes here.

"Ooooh, I never told you about that! I mean my Guard equipment. My sabre, rifles, and gloves. I was in Color Guard in High School and when I moved out of my parents' house, I couldn't bear to part with my weapons. Of course, the flags belong to the school so I don't have one. They're in my bedroom right by the door. Can't miss them. And the gloves are attached to the strap of one of the rifles." Lillith then proceeded to walk to the door, carrying the heavy cooler.

A couple minutes later, the taxi arrived. Lillith and Near threw the boxes carrying Lillith's possessions and her food in the trunk of the car. But Lillith insisted on holding onto her Color Guard stuff during the ride. Lillith locked up the apartment and turned the key into the main office. Finally, she and Near climbed into the backseat and gave the driver directions to Near's apartment.

Once the taxi started, an uncomfortable silence fell over Lillith and Near in the backseat. Lillith kept her mouth shut for once, too grateful to say anything to Near. After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at Near's apartment complex. Near paid the taxi driver and helped Lillith get all of her stuff out of the car and to his apartment, number 163. Near opened the door and stepped aside to let her in. "Welcome home, Lillith-san."

Me: ^_^ The plot doth thicken!

Misa: Why are you talking weird? I'm confused…

Me: -.- -to light- Can you really get that stupid?

Light: In Misa's case, yes.

Misa: HEY!!!

Me: Read and review! –runs from the wrath of Misa-