A/N: Gosh! So long it has been since I uploaded this story… now, here it goes… I hope you'll enjoy…

Nidole's point of view

I can die now, yes, I swear… you may now kill me. Hang on, I'll just finish this meal of mine, then, I'll be ready to be shot! I'm living a fantasy! After four days of not having had anything to eat, I am now feasting on a –smack- very. VERY. Delicious meal.

"Haven't you anyone to contact, Nicole?" asked Mrs. Edenforth as I wolfed on my third helping of bacon and egg. I could tell that she was amused at the sight of me, taking in mouthful after mouthful. How could I have helped it? Ms. Pig –as the name may suggest- ate all there was for us, orphans.

At that, I dropped my fork –fortunately, I knew how to use one- and gazed at the lady. "I'm afraid I haven't, Ma'am." I paused to gulp down some juice and continued, "I happen to be an orphan downtown."

"An orphan?" I saw the surprise in Mrs. Edenforth's face. And, just like most pure-hearted people, there was pity in her eyes.

Blinking uncontrollably, I said, "Yes, an orphan," proudly. Honestly, I was more proud to be facing the challenges alone than to have been facing them with parents who did not even want me.

"Oh, dear me!" said Mrs. E – that's what I've decided to call the lady as 'Edenforth' just was too long – worriedly. "Are you planning to go back to the orphanage at all?"

She killed me – Ow! – like a dagger that was piercing my heart, I felt the pain once she had said those words… well, come to think of it, she did give me a complete repast… Could my fate be death? FINE, then, maybe not, but she had pointed out the obvious, talk about cold water being splashed down my face. I had to go back to the pigpen, especially if she were that truly responsible lady… She would really give me back. I was going to spend the rest of my life with the – with the – oh! I mustn't say the word, it would ruin my appetite…

"No, Madame. I think I'd rather not," I said but I hadn't the choice, had I? "I do not want to –"

"Morning, Mum."

I stared as a figure, burning, red, and emitting flames stooped down to kiss Mrs. E. He sat beside Mary who seemed to busy chopping her sausages into teensy bits. Oh, my… Mrs. E's cheeks should be aflame, it could hurt…

"Who are you?" he asked – that monster of a creature did – with eyes ablaze, at least that was what it was like for me.

Mary, looking up, arched her brows and spatted at him, no, I meant, at IT.

"The girl you almost killed, Daniel," she said.

IT had a name? I meant, other than beast?

"I haven't asked you MA-REE-UH - "

"Mind your manners, Daniel," snapped Mrs. E.

At that point, a uniformed maid held out a mobile phone and Mrs. E flicked it open and spoke to it – I honestly haven't seen anything of the sort, I tell you…

"So, Nicole," said Mary conversationally. "This is my elder brother, Daniel. Thanks to him, you are in pain at the moment.

I couldn't have put it better, I must say.

"What're you trying to –"

"Excuse me, but I really have to be off," Mrs. E said, apparently, the conversation over the phone has ended. "Nicole, will you please stay? I'll be seeing you when I come back and we shall talk. Daniel," – Ha! – she turned to him with a sharper tone, "Nicole is under your charge and to treat her as a guest.."

As Mrs. E left, I thought I was being dragged down an abyss. Charge me to the double-horned fork-tailed creature? Just kill me now, why don't you?

Daniel's point of view

MY charge? Bloody (censored)! What's worse, Mary was there when Mum said that and fat chance that I will be able to get out of it. Damn!

"Why, Daniel, are you not touching your meal?" asked my sister.

ISN'T she just so SWEET?

I exhaled and eyed the girl, what's-her-name… Nicole, who seemed to be glaring at me. She WAS glaring at me. That shorthaired figureless tit! If she weren't crossing the street so late at night, she wouldn't be under my charge and she won't have any reason to glare at me. No, hang on, she DOES NOT have any RIGHT to glare at me!

"Excuse me," I said, pushing my plate aside and rising up in disdain.

As usual, my sister's eyes were upon me. "Excuse ME," she started. "Where are you going? I thought I heard Mum say that you are supposed to – "

"You thought, Mary. THOUGHT. There's a big difference between – "

"I'll call Mum."

"Call her now, why don't you?" I said dangerously. "If you are too keen for this, this GIRL," I was careful not to say tom, "to see our house, why don't you just tour her yourself? I NEED to meet with Nadine now, you see."

"You are not about to go anywhere," said Mary furiously.

"And who exactly are you to tell me this?"

Then, my extremely lovable a sister whipped up her phone and waved it threateningly away. Mum, she reminded me, was only one speed dial number away. Even if I were the elder one, it usually was me who was the receiving end of Mum's harangue and the last time – last night – was enough to last me a lifetime, thank you very much.

I caught sight of that – that GIRL, if she truly were one – wrinkle her brows. Maybe she was thinking that she needed to stop forcing food down her guts or she would explode. Honestly, she grappled her food like some monster starved down to execute some person/s. Her name was just a tad unfitting of her. I knew Nicole went somewhere around Princessly and she was absolutely NOWHERE near it.

"Nicole," I said as she set down – yeah, finally, she did – her cutleries.

"What?" she asked me in the most unladylike of all manners, looking malevolently at me.

I gave her an equally devious stare and went, "If you'd like to see the house, maybe you should come and follow me."

Not at once did she stand up, making me wait for at least three minutes by the door. I believe, she was trying to win a staring contest against me…

"Fine, then," I said as I began to step out to the garden. "I said IF, did I not? THAT gives both of us two choices. IF you WOULD and IF you WOULDN'T… as you chose the latter, I think I'll be better off somewhere else."

"Shut up, Daniel," Mary said.

"SHUT. YOUR. FACE." I told my sister in a way that my eyes were getting through hers, not in a very nice way, I tell you. That whiny little sister…

I turned to Nicole and she rolled her eyes to the ceiling. I felt my jaws quiver at the same time. It was pretty clear that something mutual was springing between us… MUTUAL DISLIKE… And, I just couldn't help thinking that I was off to the most PLEASANT situation in my entire life…

O)-

A/N: I know it's short, but I rather enjoyed writing it… It really was nice, writing the names of my two most favorite people in the world, I mean… please read and review… nicee! – vierblith