Since you guys are just so incredibly awesome, I decided to update a day early! =D Plus I was just so excited about this chapter that I couldn't keep from posting it any longer XD I hope you all enjoy this chapter as much as I did writing it! And as an added bonus, it's two pages longer than most of my chapters!

If you'd like to see Amelia's waitress outfit, then check out the gallery at the TNAB website, I just posted two pictures the lovely Elin drew! =D Also, Elin's casual entry from the TNHD Costume Design Contest is Amelia's outfit described in the first paragraph ^_^ You can check out the Contest Entries gallery on the website to see it!

Author's Note: I do not support drinking(alcohol) in any way shape or form, I do not support minors going to bars. It's in the story because it's vital to the plot. Just saying, you can read about it, just don't do it.

Now, on with the story!

Amelia trudged along the sidewalk wearing normal human clothes, which consisted of a pale green t-shirt with long light blue sleeves underneath, and a pair of faded blue jeans which she had doodled music notes all over with a sharpie. Her shoulder length light brunette hair was done up in a ponytail, but a few short strands dangled in front of her face, much to her annoyance. Carefully she balanced a massive pile of books in her arms while trying to keep her backpack from slipping off her shoulder. Her tired expression lit up when she saw Claire standing outside of their apartment complex.

"Oh thank goodness, you got my text message." Amelia practically cried with joy as she approached her best friend.

"Good grief, you're taking way too many classes girl." Claire stated in exasperation as she grabbed most of the pile of books, leaving the drained teenager to carry only two. Now with a newly freed hand, Amelia adjusted her falling backpack back onto her shoulder.

"Why don't you use both straps? That's kind of the point of there being two." The taller young woman pointed out.

"Because one broke." The light brunette replied, laughing sheepishly.

Claire just rolled her eyes and shook her head before following her roommate up to their apartment. Once inside, she deposited the massive stack of books onto Amelia's desk and let out a deep breath.

"Looks like you have a long night ahead of you." She commented, feeling a little sorry for her friend.

"You have no idea. On top of that," she gestured to her pile of homework, "I have to work tonight!"

"Can't you ask for the night off?" the dark brunette questioned, quirking an eyebrow.

"No…" the overworked student grumbled. "I did the same thing last week…"

"Well then, I suggest you get started." Claire sighed, "I need to head out to La Petite Café anyway, I'm working the afternoon to evening shift, so I'll let you be."

"Alright, see you later then." Amelia said a little saddened that she'd be alone, but it was for the best. They said their goodbyes and the tall brunette left, leaving her roommate to tackle the atrocious homework load.

Around eight o'clock later that evening, Claire returned to find her friend getting ready for work.

"Make any progress?" She asked as she plopped into a chair.

"Yeah, I got a good chunk of it done." Amelia replied as she fastened the buckles on her black and pink shoes. "Ugh I hate this outfit." She groaned and stood up in front of a mirror to fix her hair.

"You just hate it because it's pink and has a skirt." Claire snickered.

"Oh be quiet." The grumbling teenager had turned to glare at her friend for a second, and then turned back to her reflection. She wore a pink waitress dress that hit just a few inches above her knees and lace decorated the edge of the skirt. The sleeves were short and a little puffy. Her collar was black, along with the buttons down the front, as well as the apron which tied in the back into a thin bow. On her top, just below her collar bone, were the initials MS embroidered decoratively with black thread in a cursive design. Amelia was a waitress at a local club called Moonlight Sonata.

"If it weren't for the pay and the musicians, I'd quit." Amelia said irritably, grabbed her keys, and walked out the door. She slipped into her small, plain, silver car and drove to work.

The Moonlight, as it was also called, was not only a dance club but a bar and restaurant all in one. It wasn't a horrible job and it had decent pay, the only downfall was the hours she had to work which often went into early morning. But what she loved about the place was that they hired local musicians and comedians to provide entertainment. Amelia had wanted to perform the club's namesake on the piano they had, but sadly was always denied the opportunity. Most of the customers came in for the garage bands that got up on the stage, not for classical music. Well, at least that was her take on why her boss hadn't let her play yet.

Amelia parked about a block away from the club because normally it was hard to find a spot in the parking lot around the place in the evening. She walked through the main door and was met with the sound of loud rock music and the sight of most of the customers keeping time by clapping. Indifferent to the commotion, she walked through the restaurant up to the bar.

"Hey Lori." She greeted the assistant manager behind the counter. Lori was like family to her, and had managed to get her the waitress job in the first place.

"Amelia! I'm so glad you're here." Lori beamed. She was a middle-aged woman with dark curly brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. She was roughly Amelia's height and her brown eyes were lit up with happiness. "Things really picked up after the band started playing."

"Who's the band anyway?" the waitress inquired.

"Oh, I think there name was something like…The Black Vipers?" she responded uncertainly.

"The Black Vipers! Really!" Amelia quickly turned on her heel to look toward the stage. There were four guys all decked out in black gothic-like apparel. Two were playing bass, one on the drums, and the last playing the lead guitar and singing the main vocals.

"They're a popular local band right? From Samhain High?" Lori asked when she noticed the employee had recognized the name.

"Yeah!" Amelia turned back to her, "My friend is a member, Daniel, the one playing the red bass guitar."

"Well that's cool! Why don't you get him to convince the others to let you play with them?" the assistant manager winked.

"Nah," the waitress laughed, "they don't need a pianist. I don't know that many of today's popular songs anyway."

"Girl you are way too modest." Lori put her hands on her hips as if to make a point. "I know very well that you can learn just about any song you want so don't be selling yourself short."

"Ah, well…" Amelia laughed sheepishly, "I'm not a band member I'm a waitress so I'd better get to work." With that, she went over to the cashier counter, grabbed a pad of paper and a few pencils, and then went over to a table where some new customers had sat down in the restaurant. Lori crossed her arms and shook her head, but her eyes narrowed in thought before she went back to work herself.

A while later, Amelia was coming back from the kitchen carrying drinks on a tray and walked over to the customers sitting around a large table. She was setting the beverages down when a voice spoke to her and she had to suppress the annoyed look that threatened to cross her features.

"Hey there sugga." A drunken man's voice slurred. "Why don't we swing a couple back… and head towards my place?"

She turned to look at the man at the opposite end of the table thankfully, who had a big grin plastered across his face and his eyes bloodshot.

"I'm sorry Eddie, but I can't. I'm working tonight." Amelia said politely, but then bitterly thought to herself, 'When will you realize the answer is going to be no? This is the hundredth time!'

"Aw c'mon sweetie," he said, his drunken eyes pleading, "How's about…Eddie gets ya a beer…and you reconsider?"

"How about no."

"A date later then?"

"No."

"Why not!" he whiled loudly, ignoring the annoyed looks of his friends at the table.

"Because I'm busy. Between my job and school, I have no social life." Unfortunately, what she said was true.

"A good-lookin' chic like you…should have a man…just flirt with yer boss…to let you off…I wan another beer!" Eddie nearly fell out of his seat when he shouted.

"I think you've had enough for one night." Amelia stated bluntly, taking a few steps back to make her leave.

"If I could rearrange the alphabet…I'd but U and I together." The drunkard grinned.

"Yo Ed," one of his buddies finally piped up after guzzling down his drink. "Leave the girl alone. This is like the hundredth time she's turned you down."

"Ah whatever." Eddie slurred, and then thunked his head against the table, rattling the other drinks.

"Sorry 'bout him." One of the more sober guys handed her a five-dollar tip.

"Eh it's alright, thanks." She said and graciously took the money. "It's just a usual Thursday."

"Yeah unfortunately." He said. "That'll be it for us tonight, well, at least for him." He gestured to Eddie still passed out with his face against the table.

Amelia nodded and walked off, carrying the empty tray under her arm. One of the other waitresses noticed her walking by with an irritated expression.

"So did Eddie give you his regular come-on?" She asked, trying to suppress a giggle.

"Yeah." Amelia replied dryly. "Of all the waitresses, why did he choose me to be the one he hits on all the time?"

"Because you're fun to pick on." Her co-worker beamed.

"So I've heard…" the annoyed waitress grumbled, glaring back at the table of drunken men.

A short while later the Black Vipers finished playing, packed up their stuff, and headed into the restaurant section of the club. They all sat down in a corner booth and Amelia happily walked up to them. She and the boys were friends but the band members were all a year younger than her, currently seniors at Samhain High School.

"Hey guys!" She greeted cheerfully.

"What's up Amelia!" One of the guys greeted.

"How's it going, pinky?" Another grinned cheekily.

"Well I was about to offer you all a free round of soda on the house, until Daniel opened his mouth." She gestured toward him with a slightly annoyed expression. Said young man was on the receiving end of several glares and a few punches in the shoulder. Amelia laughed in amusement.

"Thanks guys, that makes up for it. I'll go get your drinks." She brought out her pad and pencil. "The usual?"

"Yep!" The lead singer answered with a toothy grin. The guys were regulars even before they created the band.

Amelia turned on her heel and went into the kitchen. Soon after she brought out several sodas carefully balanced on a tray in her arms. But when she neared the table, her foot hit a slick spot on the floor and began to slip.

"Wah!" She yelped, but quickly regained her footing barely preventing the drinks from falling. The boys laughed and jeered while Amelia just shot them all fiery glares.

"Smooth move Amelia." Daniel snickered.

"Oh yeah?" She set the tray down on the table and put her hands on her hips. "I'd like to see you put on a skirt and balance drinks on a tray while wearing these shoes." She gestured to her feet.

All of the other guys at the table ooh-ed him and a few called out "Burn!" Daniel just gave them all an irritated look and crossed his arms. But then he just laughed and shrugged it off.

"If you guys want anymore, feel free to put it on his tab." Amelia winked gesturing to the bass player who just didn't seem to be getting a break anytime soon. They all laughed and the waitress left them to tend to other customers.

A few hours passed, the band had left long ago, and it was midnight when a strange man entered the club by himself. He was quite tall, hair as black as the night sky, and stunning emerald green eyes with a slight eerie look to them. He was slender with an attractive face, but with a somewhat confused expression as he scanned the restaurant. He wore dark navy blue jeans, black shoes, and a black leather jacket over a dark red t-shirt. Shrugging, he sat down at one of the small tables and watched the solo guitarist who was playing on the stage. Amelia had watched the man since he walked in and was oddly intrigued. She started to walk over to him, but one of the other waitresses beat her to it. So she hung back near the kitchen door and caught up with the girl after she came out with his order, which apparently was just a soda.

"Hey, who's that guy you served?" Amelia asked curiously.

"I don't know, but he's cute!" The girl giggled then sighed dreamily. "And he has a voice to die for." She squeaked in excitement then hurried back over to the customer to give him his drink.

Amelia stared at the strange man a moment before going back to work. Just a few short minutes after she had snapped out of her daze, she saw Lori out of the corner of her eye hastily running toward her.

"Good news! You get to play!" She said excitedly.

The waitress nearly dropped the tray of food she was holding but quickly caught herself after balancing in a strange pose.

"W-What!" She stuttered in disbelief and set the tray down on the empty table next to her.

"You can play Moonlight Sonata tonight!" Lori cheered.

"Eh! Now!" Amelia's eyes were wide in shock.

"Yeah! That guitar guy is finished so get up there kid!" The assistant manager pushed her toward the stage.

"B-But what about that order I had? Can I at least change first?" The teen asked, her nerves starting to take hold.

"I'll take care of that tray of food, and sorry but the boss says you got to wear your uniform. It's for advertising purposes." Lori stated much to the waitress's dismay. "But hey you get to play finally!"

"True, I love the piano a lot more than this outfit." Amelia laughed.

"Ok, enough dawdling. Get up there before he changes his mind." The manager shooed her.

"Alright, alright." The musician giggled happily and was about to make her way over to the stage but stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Thanks Lori." She beamed gratefully.

"You're welcome Amelia, now hurry up and break a leg!" she said cheerfully.

The college student hurried over to the stage and casually walked over to the upright piano. She faced the audience and bowed before speaking.

"I am Amelia Brave and tonight I will play for you the first movement of Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven."

Just as she was about to sit down, her eyes caught sight of the strange man and he was gazing at her. Half the room had their eyes on her, but even from such a distance his emerald orbs captivated her. There was something about him that felt vaguely familiar, but she didn't have much time to think on it because she realized she had paused a second too long. The musician quickly sat down, mentally prepped herself, and began to play.

There was something magical about her music that slowly entranced everyone in the room, even those who had one too many drinks. The entire building fell silent and only the notes to Moonlight Sonata were heard. Just like any time she practiced, Amelia became so engrossed in just the music and her performance that nothing else mattered. She didn't care that she was wearing a uniform she found absolutely embarrassing. She didn't care that only half the people in the club were sober. She didn't care that the attractive man was watching her intently, not that she noticed anyway.

When the song came to a close nearly everyone stood up and clapped, granted a few immediately fell back into their seats. Amelia got up to face the audience, bowed, and thanked them before calmly walking off the stage. As she was heading back to the dining area, she thought she should check on the stranger to see if he needed anything. However, she mainly wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to talk to him. Unfortunately, when she neared his table, she was sad to find that he was gone.

'Wait…I feel sad?' She thought, blinking in surprise. Then mentally she shook her head and pushed the thought aside. 'He was nobody. I'm letting my imagination get to me.' Amelia checked on a different table and went to get refills for them.

"Well at least I get off in five minutes." She said with relief after she glanced up at the clock.

Once said amount of time had passed, Amelia quickly headed out the door.

"Dang, I forgot my change of clothes." She grumbled to herself, "Well, I'm only parked a block away so it's not all bad." She stated as she walked down the well-lit sidewalk. As she trudged tiredly, the human who was secretly a sorceress was overcome with the sense of being watched. She stopped and scanned the area all around her, listening carefully for any sign of another person's presence. Finding nothing, but certain something was amiss, she stayed alert and continued on her way. When the young woman passed a few shrubs, she heard a rustle come from them and she quickly whipped around. There was no one around, but Amelia knew better.

"Who's there!" She demanded in a stern tone, living up to her family's name. The sorceress readied herself to be on defense if needed.

"A little jumpy are we?" a smooth voice asked softly in her ear. She spun on her heel, aiming to punch the person but her fist was caught in a strong hand. She looked up and her eyes widened in surprise when she recognized the stranger from the club. She jumped back, ready to fight.

"Who are you and why are you following me?" Amelia demanded to know.

"I see you have learned a thing or two from me. A normal human wouldn't have picked up on a person's presence by just the rustle of bushes alone." He beamed.

The sorceress fully recognized the voice and her jaw literally dropped.

"…Jack!"

"In the flesh," he grinned, "literally."

dun dun DUN! Ok yeah I'm sure that most of you saw this coming ^^; Even though I tried to sound vague about it, I just couldn't get past your clever minds Anyway, so what do you all think of Jack's cute human form neh? ;D

Ok I need some critique or advice or something about one scene in particular. When Amelia gets hit on by drunk Eddie, does it sound believable? I don't exactly hang around drunks so I was kind of winging it. Your opinions are most appriciated! =D Thank you!