To Awesome as Annabeth- That chapter wasn't the last one, but one of the last ones. If I have to, but no more than a hundred! :P I'm trying to update, patience! I think you were the only one who got that reference (or remembered it, either way :D ) But yes! :P

Crystal would have thought that Melanie would have stayed to gloat while she was in this newfound cold mood. Gone was that irritating bubbliness and constant jabbering- she was malicious and icy and Crystal would have smacked her one if she had any substance to her.

"You could stop yourself from flickering, but you're probably too stupid to work out how to do that."

"Melanie, I swear-"

"Sssh." Melanie hushed condescendingly. "Don't want to use up what little energy you have left, do you?"

"I'm gonna-" But Melanie had vanished. Just… poof. Gone.

Cursing Melanie, Crystal closed her eyes and reprimanded herself. She needed to focus otherwise she would fade completely. Alvie had warned her to stay calm, warned her of the consequences. Why was she such an idiot?

Alvie, I'm sorry, I should have listened. Where are you?

There was no response.

She did her best to calm down, counting to ten, taking deep breaths, all the usual practises. Gradually, she solidified and started to look more like her regular self than a ghost. Just to make sure, however, she waggled and counted all eight fingers and two thumbs and pinched herself on each arm and leg just to make sure they were actually there. "Right," Satisfied she was all there, Crystal glowered at the spot Melanie had been, "where are you?"

Once again, Crystal was off on another search of the campus, looking for Alvie and her vic- um, Melanie. Calm, stay calm. Can't fade away before smashing that cow's face in.

That sounds calm.

Alvie!

Hello.

Where have you been, I've been worried sick!

Sorry. Are you OK?

I flickered, but I'm OK now. Where are you?

Our apartment.

Do not move, I'm on my way. She broke into a run, glad she had at least memorised the way to their place. If he had moved an inch, she was going to break his legs and not give him anything help in moving around- he would stay put.

The door to their suite was already open. She caught her breath before entering, the sweet smell of wild flowers circling about her. "Alvie?" She called. His books had been put away and in their place on the table was a candlelit dinner for two. OK, maybe she wouldn't break him just yet.

He walked out of the kitchen and smiled at her. "You are going to be the death of me, keeping disappearing like that!"

"Sorry." He pulled the chair back for her and she sat, suddenly realising how hungry she was. Like full English breakfasts, Alvie was the master at cooking roasts. It almost looked like that food you see on TV.

"So, where've you been and have you blown anything up?" She piled food onto her plate- vegetables, meat, gravy. "And why are your eyes blue?"

"Oh…" He blinked and they were grey again. "I found this book that tells you how to change your appearance at will."

"So cool!" He nodded. "Aren't you eating anything?" She gestured at his empty plate with her fork. Robotically, he started helping himself to food. "Are you OK?"

"I'm fine."

"Will you tell your face that?" His eyes found hers and a wave of nausea swept over her. "Alvie…" Her eyes blurred and she was suddenly seeing two of him. "Alvie…" Her knife and fork clattered to the table and she reached for him.

He moved away. "Alvie?" She started shivering, although that made no sense- everything felt like it was on fire and being doused in lava. "Wh-?"

"Alvie can't help you." Crystal squinted at him, trying to anchor her swaying vision. Maybe she was hallucinating, but Alvie just turned into… Melanie…

"What-? Where-? You-!"

"Hush." Melanie smirked. "Fighting only makes it worse."

"Where's Alvie?" Crystal demanded.

"You should worry more about you first. Alvie… well, he's… otherwise preoccupied."

"Melanie-"

"Oh, please. As if Melanie could come up with something like this. What's that term you use? Air-head. Yes, Melanie was an air-head. Now," Melanie gave a mock bow, "I take my leave." And, once again, she vanished.

I was going to write more for this, but I'm watching Malificent tonight and thought you could do with an update tonight :)