~Crazi Hostess Stories~

I am a bit annoyed that I am actually putting the whole first chapter up here, but I think it will be the only way to draw in your attention.  Please enjoy the revised version of Night Course! -Jen Craze

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Explanations about names etc;
-Mr. Fanis; said- Fah-Niss

-Kasumi; said- Ka-Sum-Ee

-Asai; said- Ah-sigh

-Lushin; said- Loo-shin

Chapter One; Night Class

Chel’s feet moved faster than any human could ever hope of moving, though Chel was very much human, she was also on the track team and the top of her class in gym.  But that wasn’t enough to save her from the torture of the other classes, she was nearly always late because she worked after school and then did homework until midnight.  Chel was sure she wouldn’t make it before the first bell rang, and she was right.  When she finally got into the school, the halls were empty which meant the hall patrol had already gone around the school, throwing kids into their classes.
    Chel threw open the classroom door and stared at the class and the teacher who looked ready to kill her.  “I’m sorry for being late.” She apologized quickly and took her seat before the teacher could punish her further.  “Miss Lunar, in the future I suggest you become more punctual.” He quirked a brow and then turned back to the board, the student’s looked away from her and paid attention to the teacher.  Chel sank down into her seat and sighed, this was going to be another painful day. 
    Of course she had been right, the teacher did nothing but throw questions at her that she couldn’t answer and made the other students laugh.  It appeared as if he did it on purpose, but she knew he was just doing a sync pattern.  She sighed, “just kill me now.” Chel muttered. 
    The bell finally rang after what seemed like hours instead of an hour, Chel stood up and collected her things, then as she tried to get out of the class without the teacher seeing her, he called out; “Miss Lunar! Stay.”  
    All the other students filed out and Chel turned stiffly to her teacher, she walked over to his desk and looked at him.  His eyes were black and narrowed behind his round glasses, his hair was loosely cut and some of the bangs hung in his eyes, “I can’t say that I have been enjoying this Chel.” He used her first name as he waved for her to sit.  Chel sat down in a chair opposite his. 
    “Now, I don’t know if you are doing this on purpose…” he held up a hand to silence her protest, “or if you are honestly being late.  Now either way I can’t tolerate it anymore.  I have a suggestion to make to you,” he paused waiting for her to speak but she didn’t so he continued; “very recently they have installed what we call ‘night studies’ into this school.  They are for the student’s who don’t seem to do well during the day, like yourself.  I have heard from some of the students personally that it is easier on them, because they can sleep in.”  The teacher intertwined his fingers and watched her over them.  “What do you think?”  
    Chel stared at him for a long time; she wasn’t sure what to think.  “Uh, I don’t know if...” she paused and blinked, her teacher had just narrowed his eyes into somewhat of a glare.  “I suppose…” she changed her tactic, “I could… try it out.” She offered. 
    “Splendid, I will talk to your councilor and have him make all the arrangements.” He smiled, “now be along, and here is a teachers pass so you don’t have to worry about the next one.”  
    Chel nodded and stood, taking the pass, “Thank you Mr. Fanis.” Her voice was almost no more than a whisper and she left the class.  She sighed and went to her the next classroom, not bothering to go to her locker since those books were already in her bag.

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It was nighttime, a week after talking to her teacher, Mr. Fanis.  She had just finished attending her first night class, it was definitely a lot easier to concentrate on and she wasn’t sure why.  Chel hadn’t made any friends yet, but she had spotted a rather odd boy, he stood out because of his beautiful angel like face.  Though she admitted his dyed purple hair looked strange with that face, he was still a bishiounen to her.  That had excited Chel; he was also very mysterious which added onto her adoration for him.

Chel wasn’t like those screaming fan girls you see on TV or in anime, no, she was just intrigued by his character, she wanted to know more about him and be his friend.  That’s how she always thought, never any different.  But it was because of that boy that she had gotten lost and was now standing on a street corner she didn’t recognize.  ‘This is… bad.  I was thinking about him so much that I must’ve followed him and then got lost! What the heck is wrong with me? Sis is going to be so worried.’

She didn’t notice the figure until it was upon her, she spun and nearly screamed but a hand covered her mouth.  “Shh!” the boy hissed, “Do you want to wake everyone in the neighborhood?” Chel recognized the voice, it was him.  Her eyes widened and she stared into his unnatural purple eyes, he didn’t look at her, not yet.  And then he relaxed and released her.  His eyes slid to hers and he watched her carefully, “You shouldn’t be out here.” He said crossing his slender arms.  Chel blinked, “Uh.. yeah, I know…I got lost.” She smiled hesitantly, “Ah.” The boy turned around and stood in front of her, “If you go straight from here you should hit an intersection.  If you go right, then you will find your way home.” He turned and his purple hair glided on the night wind.  

Chel nodded, “R-right, thanks.” She walked around him and made her way home, she turned to say something else, but he was already gone.  “Huh?.. That’s weird.” She muttered and then continued to walk.  ‘I wonder…how he got away so fast.’  It was certainly odd, but she didn’t question it.  Especially since the directions he gave her did take her back home.  Chel smiled and placed a hand on her front door, she slowly opened it and stepped in, taking off her shoes.  Then she walked up the stairs, Chel was about to say something, because she saw that the light was on in Magnolia’s bedroom, but she heard another voice… male.

Chel stiffened and listened.

“…do you think?”

“Not much, please just wait until then.  I am not going back on my word, I mean it.” The honesty in her sisters voice made Chel sick, but she wasn’t sure why.

There was silence and then the male said; “Fine, until then…” there was another long draw of silence and the sound of rustling curtains.  Chel finished her ascent up the stairs and knocked on Magnolia’s door, the door didn’t open right away which scared Chel, then it flew open.  “Oh, Chel, welcome home.” She smiled.  But Chel could see the small touch of fear and worry, and was that a blush on her face? Chel shook her head and smiled; “Thanks!” she hugged Magnolia and then went to her room, closing the door behind her.

“What… was that?” Chel asked herself before sitting on the bed and brushing out her straight fawn brown hair. 

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Chel was grateful for being able to sleep in now, but the issue with her sister and that mysterious man was now bothering her more than ever.  Chel rolled out of bed at ten o’clock and pulled on her jeans and t-shirt, she walked from the room and down to Maggie’s.  “Magnolia.” She called and opened the door slowly; her sister was still asleep on the bed.  Chel sighed and closed the door; she turned and went downstairs going to eat breakfast. 

‘I wonder, who that person was and what they were talking about…And how the heck did he get out of her room if he didn’t use the stairs?!’ Chel’s eyebrows furrowed and she slammed a mug down on the counter harder than she had intended.  “oops.” She murmured, it hadn’t broken, which Chel was grateful for.  She carefully poured chocolate milk into the mug and sipped it, Chel sat at the table and read the newspaper (something she had never been able to do until now) and munched on her toast. 

Along with switching school time, she had also switched her work hours, which helped too.  Her night classes didn’t start until five thirty, and she worked until five, which gave her a good half hour to get to school.  Chel smiled, she had an hour before she had to go into work.  She would enjoy it by lazing around.

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            Chel blinked, even though she had slept a good amount that night, she had still fallen asleep near the end of class.  The students were shuffling out of the room one by one.  “Crap.” She muttered and shoved her books into her bag, the teacher eyed her, “Miss Lunar, I know it’s only been a month since you’ve come to this class, but if you are finding something stressful please tell me.” Chel stared at the teacher as if not believe the words.  “Uh.. okay.” She agreed.  “Bye.” Chel waved and shook her head, “That’s weird.” She muttered.

            Chel looked up in time to see the boy, he was already out the door, Chel smiled and walked out after him.  She was still so curious about him; there was something that he didn’t say to anyone, something he was hiding? But what?

            It was then that she realized where she was, back on the street corner…’Dang it! I did it again!’ with an irritated sigh she turned around and was about to head home when the sky suddenly started to rain, heavy sheets of rain that pelted her skin and stung.  ‘Oh, great.  Now what?’  Chel looked around a bit frantically and then started to head forward, she wasn’t sure why she had headed that way, but something told her in her gut to go that way.

            She rounded a corner and there was nothing but a forest, Chel blinked, she had never seen this before.  Chel didn’t have time to ponder it, lightening streaked across the sky, and she jumped and ran through the forest in a mad dash, trying to escape the lightening.  Huffing and puffing, Chel spotted a huge building, she couldn’t tell what it was exactly but she was certain it was a mansion.  Chel walked as fast as she could up to the house and knocked on the door, there was no response, she tried to open it but it wouldn’t budge.  Chel sighed and jogged around the side and then went to the back of the house and kicked in one of the glass windows.  It made a horribly loud sound, but she didn’t care, Chel slid through the broken glass. 

            She looked around the room; it was apparently a kitchen which she walked out of cautiously.  She eyed the inside of the mansion, it was huge and dark, which didn’t help Chel any, she sighed in frustration and finally found a bathroom.  “Ah, I must be near the front of the house.” She murmured.  Chel walked past the room and looked at the front door, it was huge.  Chel nodded and glanced at the stairway that was illuminated by the lightening, she smiled and went up the steps, she was sure whoever owned this place couldn’t be all that bad.  Once she reached the top of the staircase she had a choice to make, right or left.  Chel chose right, she didn’t know why, more than likely out of a simple whim.  She walked down the long hall until she reached a door she figured she liked and opened it, the room was dark and the only thing actually visible was a huge king size bed.  Chel smiled, she went to the bathroom in the room and found towels.  She quickly dried off and walked back out to the bed, unable to contain herself she dove onto the bed.  It was soft and squishy making her sink into the blanket, Chel smiled and slid underneath of it and before long fell asleep.

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            Chel felt her eyes tug open when her body reacted to the daytime, though you couldn’t really see any sign of daylight through the dark black curtains that hung over the windows.  Chel sighed and slid from the bed reluctantly, she had slept wonderfully.  

She walked over to the windows and threw the black curtains back, sending a tiny bit of dust particles from them.  Chel coughed a bit, but recovered.  She smiled out at the daylight and turned to head downstairs, she flung the bedroom door open carelessly and jogged down the hall to the staircase which she skipped down easily and merrily.  It wasn’t until she reached the bottom of the stairs that she realized something… someone was watching her.  Chel froze and looked ahead, standing almost directly in front of her was a boy with dark blue hair and pale skin, his sharp eyes stared at her bewildered and then he turned and screamed; “LUSHON!” the shout made Chel wince, she wasn’t sure what she had been expecting if anything from what the people who owned this house.

Opening her mouth to speak rendered useless because the boy stormed off leaving her there, Chel frowned and sighed blowing her bangs from her face.  “oy…” she muttered and stepped down the last stair, she heard the boys shouts again as he called to someone who apparently was ignoring him. 

“LUSHON!! WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU?!” the voice ripped through the quiet house causing a thunder of feet above Chel’s head, ‘Ah, that’s not good…’ the thundering sound came behind her and down the stairs, she stood still by the railing, but the person didn’t seem to notice her, instead he walked past her, his hair swaying around his face.  Chel instantly recognized him for who he was, the mystery boy who caused her to go astray last night, her heart thumped hard in her chest as he walked by.  An extremely loud crashing sound made Chel start, she walked the way the boy had gone and stared in shock at what she saw; her mystery boy standing over the blue haired boy who was lying on the ground holding his mouth. 

“Would you shut up?” the mystery boy growled, “You are making so much noise! What could possibly be so important that you would want to wake up the entire world?”

The other boy stood up swiftly, “there is a girl in here.” He said pointing past the mystery boy, he didn’t seem to believe the other boy until the blue haired boy insisted on him turning and looking.  Annoyed beyond reason the mystery boy turned and glowered, his face softened into a shocked expression when he saw Chel standing there…staring at them.  “What…the…” he whispered.  “You see?! This is why I need to find that stupid idiot! LUSHON!” the blue haired boy shouted dodging around the mystery boy and running past Chel.  Chel didn’t even notice, she was looking into the mystery boy’s eyes, utterly sucked into their depth. 

“How… how did you get here?” he asked walking towards her slowly, Chel blinked and shrugged, “Um, not sure…actually.” She confessed rubbing her arm.  He sighed seeming exhausted already even though he had just awoken, “this is going to be bad.” He walked around her, Chel felt as if a cold front had just slammed into her.  She turned to watch him go and was greeted by the blue haired boy and a man… or was it a woman…with unnaturally long black hair that dangled above his heels, it was pulled back in the front so that the two sides were twisted and clipped into the mass of black hair covering the person’s back side.  Chel blinked and looked him up and down, he wore somewhat traditional clothing, a long silky kimono and pants that went underneath it, his feet were bare and his skin extremely pale.  Chel guessed he burned badly in the sun. 

“Oh my…” when the person spoke Chel knew it was a man, he stared at her with wide eyes as if not comprehending her existence.  “Well, why don’t you come with me young lady?” he waved his hand to a room and then turned walking through the doorway, the blue haired boy followed after the man glaring back at her.  Chel hesitated and then followed the two, she edged to the doorway and looked in.  The room was fairly small, it had a coffee table in the middle of the room where a round rug covered the cold marble floor, four chairs sat around on the rug and a small love seat where the man sat.  The boy however sat in a chair away from the man.  Chel entered the room and walked over to a chair, taking a seat and looking up at the man before bowing her head; “I’m sorry…”

The man paused in taking a sip of his tea, he watched her curiously before closing his eyes and saying; “that’s enough, apologizing is a good thing.  But to much of it and we will get no where… Now.” He opened his eyes and looked at her bowed head, “why don’t you lift your head so I may see your face, it won’t do if I can’t talk to you face to face.  It would be awkward.”

Slowly Chel raised her head and looked into the man’s eyes, they were a dull crimson color and were soft, which comforted Chel if only a little.  “There! Isn’t that better?” he smiled shutting his eyes and cocking his head, Chel thought that he had peculiar behavior.  “I suppose..” she said glancing at the boy, who’s sharp blue eyes narrowed at her, she quickly looked back at the man. 

“To start things off… I am Lushin.  I do have a last name but I abandon it a long time ago, so please forgive me if I seem rude.” His eyes were open again and he observed her carefully. 

“I am Chel Lunar.  I know it’s a weird name…” she didn’t break eye contact with him as she spoke.  He had been right, it was definitely less awkward to talk face-to-face.  Lushin nodded, “perhaps a little strange, but I have heard worse.” He set his teacup and saucer down on the coffee table.  He was silent for several long minutes before he cleared his throat and said;  “It is obviously rude to just stay over-night at someone else’s house unless invited, but seeing as it was to dangerous for you to go home in that weather last night I shall forgive you and let you go without charge… is that alright with you?” Lushin raised a black brow waiting for her to respond and tried to hide the small smile of amusement that tugged at his lips when he saw her shocked expression.

“…You… you’re not going accuse me of breaking in…?”

“Nope!”

“…Wow… I am… really stunned.  Not many people would do that.”

“Well, I am not many people.”

Chel covered her mouth, it was really funny to hear him say that and she had almost burst into laughter.  But she was in no position to be laughing, she was sure if she had the boy who sat not far from her would have taken her head off.  Chel settled for a small cough and a smile, “Thank you so much, you have no idea how grateful I am! My sister would have killed me if I got charged for breaking in…”

Lushin waved a hand dismissively and then noticed her face had changed.  “Sis… I.. I have to get home.” Chel said jumping to her feet.  Lushin blinked up at her with wide eyes, “Oh…? Alright, well then hurry home.  Wouldn’t want your sister to worry.” He smiled gently at Chel who smiled back, bowed and ran from the room. She zipped past someone with pink hair and out the front door.  “Crap! I am going to get killed! I forgot to call her last night!” Chel drove herself on, running faster than she ever believed was possible, her legs were burning by the time she got to her house and she felt like she would puke up a lung.  Chel leaned against her knees trying to steady her breathing, but it was a lost cause, so instead she straightened and jogged up the steps carefully, and then opened the front door.  She glanced around and then went toward the kitchen, she heard a sharp piercing sound that could only be a plate shattering against the floor and Chel quickened her pace. 

“Maggie?”

In front of her, sat her sister, on her knees on the floor, leaning over the broken plate, she wasn’t observing it, but instead was crying.  Chel blinked, rather shocked by what she saw, had her sister really been that worried? Or was it something else.  “Maggie, I’m home now…” she slowly made her way over to her sister, “Mag-“ she stopped next to her sister and bent down and stared at the blood that was coming from her sisters hand.  “Mag! You cut yourself!” she almost shouted, that seemed to snap her sister back to reality.  “Chel, you’re home…” Maggie blinked rapidly, “Where were you last night? Why didn’t you call me?” the worried tone in her sisters voice, cut deep into Chel’s heart, “I’m sorry… I… I was…” Chel pressed her hand against Magnolia’s bleeding one, “I will tell you about it later, let’s get this hand cleaned up before it gets infected.” She stood up quickly and ran to the bathroom to gather the needed supplies.  ‘What was she thinking? Dropping that plate! And then cutting herself…she must’ve been worried…about more than one thing.’

Chel ran back into the kitchen and washed out her sisters wound before putting ointment on it and a large bandage.  “There, that should do it.”  Chel shifted her dull green eyes to her sister’s bright ones, “what were you thinking about that would make you drop a plate? You aren’t normally this clumsy…actually, you never are.” She placed the bandage box on the table while speaking, forced to turn her head away from her sister’s face, so it was impossible to really tell what her sister was thinking from that angle.  “Sorry…Something is bothering me Chel-chan.” Magnolia was looking down at the ground where the broken plate remained; Chel noted that her sister wasn’t willing to look her in the eyes.  “Maggie…” she reached out and touched her sisters hand, “you can tell me everything.  I am here for you.” Chel said smiling as her sister looked up at her shocked, then tears began to roll down Magnolia’s face, “C-Chel… It should be me… I-I’m so sorry… so sorry!” she covered her face with her pale hands and sobbed into them.  Chel stared at her sister for a moment and then wrapped her arms around her older sister and pulled her close to her. 

“It’s okay now; it’ll all be okay… I promise.” Chel whispered, hoping that what she said would be true.  Magnolia wrapped her arms around Chel tightly, and cried into her shoulder; ‘Oh Chel, if only you knew…if only.’ 

Chel helped her sister to her room, and then went back downstairs to clean up the broken plate.  ‘Darn it! I know this has got something to do with that man I heard in her room the other night.  Why? What’s going on Sis? What are you hiding?’ Chel clenched her hands into fists and tossed the plate remains into the trash can.

Chel had hardly noticed the days that had passed since she had last spoken to that man from the mansion.  She was to busy trying to keep her school and work in order, along with trying to discover why her sister was acting so weird.  So naturally it shocked her when she found herself on that ever so familiar street corner, “Oh man, what am I doing here?  Geez, I am losing it..” she muttered and turned around to leave when she spotted the boy from her class.  Her eyes opened wide, and he seemed a bit shocked as well.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” he asked walking up to her and stopping a few paces from her.

“Oh uh, I… am not sure.  I kinda wandered here.” Chel shrugged.  He nodded slowly, “why… why don’t you come home with me? Lushin wouldn’t mind if you stopped in for tea.” The boy reached to his hair and ran a thin pale hand through it.  Chel blinked, utterly shocked by what he had purposed, “Ah, I… would, but my sister isn’t feeling that great lately, I need to be by her side.” She smiled, “but thank you for the offer, perhaps I will take you up on it sometime.”

The boy looked at her and shrugged, “anytime you want.” With that he waved and walked around her leaving her alone.  Chel smiled and went back towards her house, then with an excited squeal she charged forward, running with all her might.  She was to happy to care what people thought of her, she was excited because up until now she didn’t have any friends, he would be her very first if they ever got to know each other. Chel laughed out loud, something she rarely ever did, she felt like it didn’t matter.  Her feet pounded up the concrete stairs to the townhouse, “Maggie!” she shouted as she burst through the front door.  “Maggie! I’m home!”

A startled Magnolia came out of the kitchen, “Chel, are you okay?” she asked staring at her sister who spun around and then hugged her.  “I am great!” Chel twirled and made her sister spin with her.  Magnolia smiled, she was glad to see her sister so cheerful, after all… she never knew when it would be the last time she saw Chel smile.  When Chel settled down, Magnolia pulled her into her arms, and kissed Chel’s head like a mother would.  “I am so glad to see you happy.” She whispered.  Chel blinked rapidly, “of course, I am always happy.” She said hugging Magnolia back, “but I gotta go change! So I will see you tomorrow morning.” Chel took off up the stairs.

Magnolia’s smile faded and she turned around and re-entered the kitchen, sitting at the table was a man, she knew exactly who he was.  He visited often.  “She looks fine to me.” He said, one arm leaning over the back of the chair, Magnolia sighed, “Perhaps, but please… a few more days.” Magnolia walked over to the man and took his hand.  “I  promise.” She bowed her head, letting her black wavy hair fall over her shoulder unintentionally.  The man sighed and took a piece of her hair into his fingers, “don’t worry, I know.” He stood up, and Magnolia looked up at him.  “You are a good sister, to good if you ask me.  I will see you in a few days then.” He released her hair and disappeared out the window. 

Magnolia stumbled forward and then sighed, “What am I doing?” she whispered placing a hand over her face.

Chel had taken Saturday off from work and was on her way to the mansion, she had already informed her sister about it.  Chel grinned madly, she couldn’t wait to sip tea with someone other than her sister, it didn’t take very long for her to reach the mansion.  When Chel stood at the door, she pondered whether she should knock, or sneak in the back way.  Chel didn’t think that the latter was very appropriate, so she knocked.

The door flew open after a minute, the blue haired boy stared down at her. Chel smiled up at him; “Yo!” she greeted.  “What.  The.  Crap…” the door slammed shut on her face, Chel blinked rapidly.  “that was rude.”  She muttered, then without another thought she stormed around to the back of the house, she stared at the still broken window.  ‘What the… they never fixed it.  Wow, lazy people.’,

Chel shrugged it off and climbed through the window.  “Pbft, that’ll show him.” She said chuckling and walked through the giant kitchen, out the door that swung back and forth as she stepped out into the hallway that lead to the front door.  Chel smiled and walked leisurely, voices echoed to her ears and she listened intently picking up the conversation.

“…She’s not here anymore!”

“Good riddance.”

“How dare you, I invited her over you jerk!”

“Well, I hope she never comes back, that pesky little girl.”

“You are so full of it!”

“Yeah, whatever, I don’t ever want to see her again.”

Chel smirked, “Well that’s too bad!” she grinned widely at the two boys who stared at her in shock.  “How the he-“the boy with blue hair said, but was cut off by a hand flying over his mouth.  “I am so glad you found a way in.” her classmate said with a slightly pained expression.  “By the way, this is Asai…” he said releasing the wriggling boy who turned to choke him.  “Ah! I am Chel Lunar.” Chel quickly got between the two boys and bowed, forcing Asai to move back. 

He snorted and turned on one heel, walking away from the two. 

“I don’t think I ever introduced myself properly.”  Chel turned to him,

“I am Kasumi Fujita.”

Chel smiled, “Nice to meet you Kasumi.”