It had been several days since I had rejected Eisuke. It still weighed heavily on my mind, 'Hah... I really could have went about that differently...' Still feeling regret over what I done I let out a sigh as I hung my head. The hallway was abuzz with college kids amiably chatting amongst one other. Lunch time was nearly about over, just as I reached into my locker to grab my textbook for my next class someone tapped me on the shoulder from behind, "Kyah!" I yelped in fright and quickly spun around and saw it was Joelle. "Huh?" I looked at her in confusion. "Shh," Joelle held a finger to her lips, "Follow me." She grabbed my arm and started to drag me away. 'What on earth is going on?' I couldn't understand what she was doing as she dragged me through the hallway and away from the other kids in an Inconspicuous manner...or so she tried, 'Joelle... Laughing like you've gone mad while pulling me along is no way to avoid attention.' I couldn't help but shake my head at her, the faintest smile on my face.

"The bathroom?" Standing in the bathroom, I was even more perplexed than before. "We should be able to talk here without any interruptions from Kat." Joelle looked relieved, "I'm glad I got you here without being spotted." She said with a relieved smile. "Yeah. I'm surprised myself. I mean you were laughing the... I mean, how lucky!" I quickly corrected myself, shyly laughing. "The others should be on guard at the door." Joelle said.

"The bathroom is off limits. Need to go to the toilet? Go find a tree or something."

"But I really need to go!"

"I said it's off limits! You better hurry if you want to make it in time. Go on, shoo.

"Hmmph!"

I heard Stephanie talking outside the bathroom. 'Ack. Oh no... That poor person ...' I felt a little bad hogging the bathroom, I hoped they'd be able to make it to one of the others in the building.

"Elli, I heard about what happened." Joelle suddenly started to speak, there was a sad look on her face. "What do you mean?" I asked. "You know, with Kat." She replied. "Oh... Yeah." I weakly responded. It reminded me all too well about what happened with Eisuke that day. "So you are in Tres Spades now. I never would have imagined. You didn't tell me you could sing!" Joelle playfully quipped, giving me a light punch on the shoulder. "Ahaha, It must have slipped my mind. Sorry." I grinned broadly, playing innocent. "Sure, sure. Anyway, I wanted to come by your place today. I have some free time and if we plan it right, Kat will never be the wiser. What do you say?" Joelle got straight up in my face as she asked, there was a cheeky grin on hers.

"Really? Of course. I'd love to have you over." I quickly nodded my head, I knew If I didn't she would only play with my feelings until I accepted. 'I really am not in the mood to see anyone right now...but maybe I can talk to her about what happened. She just might be able to help me.' "Great!" Joelle snapped her fingers excitedly as she lent back with a smile and at the same time the school bell rang. "Looks like it's time to get back to class." I remarked and Joelle gave a small nod of her head, "Yeah. I will meet up with you after school. We must not be seen walking together from the college. I'll meet you at the walkway, got it?" She checked to make sure I understood and I nodded.

Joelle then hurried out of the bathroom, I also did the same. When I got out I saw the other girls standing around, as soon as they saw me they gave me a smile and I returned the smile. Walking down the hallway, I glanced back, a horde of college students could be seen rushing inside the bathroom. 'Wow. I never realized just how many students need to use the bathroom after lunch. We denied that many the privilege of relieving themselves... I really should feel bad about it...but I'm not.' I silently giggled to myself, it was too funny a scene to feel otherwise.

...

College was now over, I had already made my way to the walkway, the place Joelle and I usually say our goodbyes before going our separate ways. 'Hmm, where Is she?' I scouted out my surroundings as I idly stood around. I started to rock back and forth, feeling a little impatient when finally I saw Joelle running up to me.

"I'm sorry!" Joelle shouted out in apology, bent over in front of me as she took in a few deep breaths, "Kat held me up. I couldn't let her catch on to us so I took a little longer than I thought." Joelle explained and I just waved it off, "Don't worry about it. You are here now. It's not like you got attacked by some wild animal." I giggled. "Speak for yourself! Kat is like a wild animal!" Joelle immediately replied in a raised voice. I blinked at her once before we both burst out in laughter.

"If she heard you say that I'm sure you wouldn't be laughing right now." I chuckled. "That's for sure." Joelle playfully shrugged her shoulders with a laugh. "Alright. Let's get going." I said and we were now on our way to my apartment.

On the way there I saw what looked like smoke rising into the sky from the direction of my apartment. 'Why is there smoke...?' Fear immediately took over, my stomach twisted into a knot. It seemed Joelle had also picked up on it, "Is there a fire?!" Joelle exclaimed and at that same moment we could hear sirens and a fire truck zoomed past us. "Oh no." I could feel my hairs standing on end, I feared the worst. Joelle and I looked at each another and nodded our heads, we immediately broke out in a run for my home.

...

"No..." It was just as I feared. My apartment had caught on fire. There was firemen all over the scene desperately trying to put it out. I watched on in horror as my home burnt down to the ground before my eyes. "Why..." I clutched my chest, feeling too weak to stand I fell to the ground. "Why?!" I screamed, I felt like I was being suffocated, I was in too much shock to even cry. "Elli..." Joelle crouched down besides me, gently rubbing my back, doing what she could to comfort me.

"Miss, did you live here?" I looked up when I was suddenly addressed. One of the firemen was looking down at me. "Yes..." I weakly nodded my head, looking anguished. "I'm sorry about what happened... It looks like the fire was caused by a fault in the electrical wiring. You are lucky you weren't inside when it happened, it might have cost you your life." The fireman said, looking down at me with pity before returning back to my now charred apartment.

His words left me agape, 'I could have died...' I was absolutely horrified. My life really was like one big roller coaster. No matter how many times it had its ups it wasn't long before it hit rock bottom once more. 'Why is this always happening to me? Just how many times will my hope keep being crushed... My life seems like one big disaster.' I sighed sadly, still overwhelmed by it all. "Elli... I-I don't know what to say. I definitely wasn't expecting this... I'm so relieved you were not inside." Besides me, Joelle soft voice rang in my ear. "Yeah... I guess I was lucky. So lucky that I keep managing to get out of terrible situations only to fall right back into another." I laughed with self-depreciation.

'My piano... That was all I had to remind me of home...of my parents. All my belongings...gone.' The thought was almost too painful to bear, It felt like my heart was being squeezed in my chest.

The sun had now slowly began to make its descent through the sky, painting it in dark shades of orange and red. It would soon be night and I had nowhere to go. "What am I going to do...?" I mumbled, fear of what was to come slowly taking over. "Elli... I would say for you to stay at my place but sadly it's not possible with my family." Joelle said, her voice tinged with sadness. "It's okay..." I tried my best to smile, though it was shaky.

"Elli?"

"Huh?" My head snapped up when I heard a familiar voice come from behind. I quickly turned my head, "Eisuke?" I was shocked to see him standing there. "Eisuke, I didn't expect to see you here." Joelle remarked, Eisuke didn't even pay attention to her words as he gazed at the remains of my apartment. "What happened?" He asked. "Well..." I explained to him everything I knew, he looked stunned for a moment before his expression returned to normal. "I see... That is unfortunate." He muttered, still focused on my apartment, Eisuke looked to be thinking of something, "You don't have anywhere to go, do you?" He asked, not taking his eyes off the burnt building. "N-No..." I shook my head, I could feel the tears starting to prick at my eyes, 'Eisuke... Why are you here... I wasn't ready to see you yet. ...Not after what happened. My heart can't handle all this right now..." I clutched at my chest in agony when Eisuke spoke, "Come stay with me at the villa." His words caused my whole body to flinch, I had to catch my breath, "What...?" I timidly turned my head to look at him. "Exactly as I said. Come stay with me. I'm sure the guys would love to have you around." He replied, still looking off ahead, Eisuke wouldn't look at me, not once.

'It must be because of me... I am such a fool. Can I really stay with him? ...It's ludicrous. Kat would have a fit.' I was about to reply when Joelle beat me to it, "I don't know if that's such a good idea. Kat would never allow it if she found out." Joelle said and Eisuke smirked, "That's the thing, we don't let her find out. It might take a bit if work but I think we'll be okay. Besides, Kat doesn't scare me." Eisuke said with a confident grin as he lifted up his hand and shrugged.

"But..." I tried to talk but Eisuke didn't allow it, "You don't have anywhere else to go. I don't think you can refuse." He replied, not leaving me any room to talk back. 'Ugh... He sounded so cold... Is he trying to distance himself from me...?' The thought made my chest ache even more. I wanted nothing more than Eisuke to hold me in his strong, warm arms right now. ...But I knew It it would never happen and it only made me feel worse.

"O-Okay." I nodded, "I'll go with you..."

"Elli, are you sure?" Joelle asked in concern and I looked at her firmly, showing her just how sure I was. "Alright. Take care of yourself, okay?" Joelle smiled at me sympathetically before throwing her arms around me in a hug. "I will." I replied. Joelle then stood up and helped me up. "I better get going. I will see you later." Joelle started to head off, "Keep me updated!" Joelle shouted as she started to pick up her pace before vanishing into the night.

Realizing I was alone with Eisuke, I immediately tensed up, 'Well this is awkward. ...No, I can't be nervous. I'm the one who rejected him in the first place. I should act like I always do. ...Though how do I usually act?' As I was thinking that I suddenly felt a pain on my forehead, "Oww!" I rubbed my forehead while pouting. Eisuke looked at me with a teasing grin. 'Huh? I thought he was mad at me...so why is he acting so differently again all of a sudden?' I couldn't understand it, the only thing that had changed was Joelle was no longer around. Then It hit me, 'Was Joelle the reason why? I wonder... How does he feel after I turned him down? ...Hah, I can't keep worrying about it or I will just be making it more awkward than I already am.'

"Elli? Yeesh. Just how many times does your mind drift off to fantasy land? It's a good thing I'm here or some thug might come jump you." Eisuke's voiced snapped me from my thoughts, "T-Thug?! Okay, okay! I get your point. I'll try to remain focused." I quickly replied, Eisuke looked at me with a smug grin, "We better get going. It's a long walk back to the villa and the nights not getting any younger." He said and I shrugged, looking off to the side with a look of defiance. 'Always so cocky. ...But that's one of the many things I've come to love about him.' My face softens into a genuine smile. He always had that effect over me, to be able to make me smile in even the direst of situations.

"Your hand, my princess." Eisuke suddenly thrusted his hand out in front of me causing me to gasp, "What has gotten in to you?" I looked at him quizzically and he looked back at me with a wry smile, "What are you talking about? I'm no different than I always am." He replied and urged me to take his hand. 'He must be trying to make me feel better...' The thought made me feel somewhat happy. I hesitantly put my hand onto his, as soon as our hands touched, he squeezed my hand tight. The feeling caused an electric spark to shoot through my body, my heart was now beating rapidly for a whole other reason. The anguish that plagued it earlier was now replaced by a soft warmth. I was still shy about holding his hand, feeling the touch of his skin on mine, but I couldn't deny just how happy it madd me feel. Whenever I was at my darkest moment, Eisuke was always there like my guiding light to save me from that darkness. No matter how many times the hope inside of me was shattered, Eisuke would be there to pick up the pieces and slowly restore the hope once lost.

'I really do love him... But still I can't... I can't commit to a relationship, not yet. Not until I find my sis. Until I've reached that goal, it will just have to keep on waiting. But as long as he is by my side every step of the way, I should be okay...right?' I kept telling myself that but my heart was trying to tell me otherwise. I once denied the longings of my heart. It's not like It will be forever, Just one more time can't hurt...or so I thought. And just how would living with the guys at Tres Spades go? Would I really be able to pull it off without Kat finding out? If it doesn't work out... there is nowhere else for me to go. I was lucky as it was to get the apartment I was staying at... If it doesn't work out it'd mean I would have to return home and give up on my dreams and everything I worked so hard for. It'd also mean I couldn't see Eisuke any more. The very thought was too painful to think about. That night as we walked hand in hand I gazed up to the stars making a wish that no matter what happened nothing would get in the way of my dreams or pull me away from Eisuke. I wished it in my heart of hearts.