A/N

The trek to New Meteli was long, but we got there in two days. As we entered the village, I pulled up the hood on my cape so no one would recognize me. Jack got us two rooms at the inn; one for him, and one for me. I went inside, and started to unpack when I heard a noise behind me.

"Melanie! You're here!" I turned and saw Cadenza, hugging me. I smiled, hugging back.

"How did you-"

"Know? I know everything. I'm the Lord, after all." She said, pulling apart and taking a look at me. She bit her lip when she saw my dirty dress and cape.

"Don't you have anything else?" She asked. I shook my head no. Cadenza grinned, grabbing her backpack that was slung over her shoulder.

"Good." She said, handing me the backpack. I took the brown leather bag from her and opened it.

Inside was an outfit for me to wear. Before I examined closely though, I closed the bag and pushed it into her hands. Cadenza shoved it back, crossing her arms.

"Nope. It's yours forever." Said Cadenza. I narrowed my eyes.

"Cadenza-" I began, but before I could finish, she opened the backpack and laid the clothes out on my bed. I opened my mouth in awe.

A baby blue, laced, short sleeved skater dress was laid on the bed, along with a white cloak that would reach my hips. A pair of white flags was placed on the floor.

"Dang it Cadenza... It's beautiful." I mumbled, picking up the dress in my hands. Cadenza grinned.

"Well, try it on!" She cried.

I stared at myself in the mirror, taking in my reflection. Cadenza had added a black bow to the back of my hair to, as she said, 'complete the look'. I thought I looked... Nice.

"Eek! You're so beautiful! If only Laurence could see you now-" Cadenza squealed. I immediately turned, shaking my head. She gulped.

"Oops. Sorry, force of habit." Cadenza said. I sighed, pulling the cloak on and the hood over my head.

"Thanks Cadenza. And thanks for washing my old clothes too." I said, grabbing my bow and arrows. She nodded, pulling me into a goodbye hug.

"I gotta go. The Phoenix Alliance meeting is coming soon, and I have to lead the discussion with Aphmau." She explained. I nodded.

"It's ok. I have to leave too." I said, walking out.

----------------------------

"If I'm correct, Lily will be somewhere with lots of animals." Said Jack as we walked throughout New Meteli.

"I'm pretty sure we should go to a barn then." I said. We walked to a big red building that housed animals.

"So, what's your sister like?" I asked. Jack shrugged.

"She's awesome. She loves animals, and she can be real childish at times. She might've changed through the past few years, but I'll love her anyways." He said. I smiled.

"Aw! So you do have a soft side, don't you?" I asked. Jack blushed.

"N-no I don't!" He objected. I laughed.

"Yeah. And I still love Laurence." I joked. Then, I quickly took it back.

I wasn't exactly sure if I still loved Laurence or not. He may have broken my heart, but Cadenza did say that he wanted to talk to me... Maybe I should go talk to him?

"Who's there?!" I looked up and saw a girl about twenty years old.

She had red hair, and looked like Jack... A little bit. She was holding a small orange fox.

"Lily?" Asked Jack. The girl placed down her fox, staring at Jack.

"You're dead." She said, pointing at Jack. He shook his head no.

"I'm not, Lily." He said, nearing her.

"I SAW HIM STAB YOU!!! YOURE DEAD!!!" She yelled. I walked up to her.

"Hey, I'm Melanie, and I guarantee you... He's real." I said. The girl hugged Jack.

"Jack, I missed you so much!" She cried! Jack hugged her tightly.

"I've missed you too." He said. Then, he let her go and smiled when he saw the fox.

"Hey Flare..." He said, picking up the fox. She licked his face.

"Aw, you know I don't like that!" Said Jack, wiping his face, making me laugh.

"It's only been three years, and already you've got a girlfriend?" Asked Lily. We froze.

"No, he's not- we're not... Hehe." I said, smiling. Lily nodded awkwardly.

"Ok.... Well, aren't you going to tell me how you've been?" Asked Lily. 

This was gonna take a while.