'Melanie...Melanie are you listening to me or not??!!' There was a long pause before Melanie finally turned her head ever so slightly towards her friend, Cassey.

'Huh?' Was all the reply she gave as she gased back into her fantasy world. She'd been like that a lot lately, Cassey had thought.Though, she hadn't been curious enough as to ask why..and besides, it probably had something to do with that new internet connection Mel had got just that past week, and personally, Cassey couldn't care less about the 'net!

Later that night Mel logged onto her usual chat...usual indicating she had been there twice since she had first connected to the 'net the previous week! She had always wanted the net but it wasn't until her 15th birthday that she finally recieved an account with a local Internet Service Provider, or in net talk, 'Isp'. Being a lover of the latest pop trio, Hanson, her first 'net instinct was to find the best Hanson Site available with a chat and was lucky enough to find it almost first go, the address, 'Http://www.hansonhitz.com'. She noticed however, on this, her third attempt to chat at the HansonHitz site, that everyone used strange names. She decided 'VoodooDoll' could be here nick, as at the time, she was wearing her VoodooDoll sandles!

ChocolateMilk - hey there voodoo stats?

VoodooDoll - Hello ChocolateMilk, whats 'stats' mean...?

ChocolateMilk - haha! stats are your statistics silly like Im 16/f

VoodooDoll- Oh, sorry, then, in that case I'm 15/f, how are you?

It had been rather embarrising for Mel not knowing what 'stats' were when she was sure she had used that word herself before..just, on the net, it seemed differant. She had noticed that her new friend, 'ChocolateMilk', never used commas, capitols or proper frasings for words and sentances! It seemed strange to her. Though, when she looked around the 'HansonHItz' room, she noticed many people were using ChocolateMilks slang way of speaking, so she decided, that tomorrow, she would follow their example!

'Hey Mel, you do that Geography assignment last night?' Queried Melanies Geog' buddy, James.

'Umm...well..' Mel mumbled, unpacking her bag onto the desk.

'Haha, this is a first! Melanie Farington not doing her homework, whatever has this world come to?' James smirked as he watched her sort through her belonings and jumble them onto their desk.

'Whatever are you doing Mel? Lost something?' James queried as she continued to search her bag inside and out.

'I cant believe it!' Mel sighed finally, accepting defeat to her school bag and resting it back on the floor beside her.

'Can't believe what??!!' James spluttered in anticipation.

'Oh, you wouldn't understand, James, it's internet stuff.'

'Oh, Ok.' James replied as he went back to completing last nights homework before Mrs B, there Geog' teacher entered the room and started her usual boring lesson.

Mel had felt bad for snapping at James that day, after all, he had only asked! But, her internet stuff was 'her' stuff, and no one elses. Besides, there was NO way she'd admit to printing out the terms and conditions for a 'Hotmail free e-mail account' to any of her off-line friends! They'd probably laugh.

'Mel, what the heck is that! Looks like you skipped into study a few months too early!!' Squeled Danica as she squished down beside Mel at their usual lunch table. Ever since 'Belbrook High' had introduced wooden tables for the students, there had been less and less space for them to plonk their butts! Firstly, the wooden seats took up too much space so fewer people could squish onto them, and secondly, while wearing a skirt it was near imposible to kick your legs over the seat without flashing yourself to the intire school! Mel for one was totally, undebatably against the new tables! However, being such a pathetic thing to complain about, she decided to remain annonomous when she slipped a note into the Debuty Principles office a few weeks prior to that day. Later that week there had been a posting for 'The Annonomous Request For 'The Good Old Seats' Complainer to please see the Deputy at lunch.' Mel doubted anyone else would own up to it, and there was certainly NO way she would...how embarissing! She hadn't even mentioned it to her best friend, Anne! Thinking about that reminded her of Anne, whom had recently left on an exchange program to NewZealand for the term. Ofcourse, they still keept in contact via phone, and letters. Though, sometimes, infact, most times, Mel wished it were easier to just call Anne whenever she wanted to talk, rather then their weekly call every Friday night at 7.

That afternoon Melanie decided to log back onto the 'HansonHitz' chat and see if 'ChocolateMilk' was there. Unfortunatly, she wasn't. While staring pointlessly at the screen in sheer hope ChocolateMilk would turn up, Mel noticed someone send her a msg, in private.

*Privite* @B1&B2- Hey there stranger you look lost can I help?

Somehow Mel managed to figure out how to send a 'Private Message' back and replied,

*Private* VoodooDoll- Well, actually, I'm sort of new to the net and I don't really know where to start with this chatting business! Why is your name a differant colour to mine in the names list and whats the @ sybol infront of your name mean?

*Private* @B1&B2 - Wow, that took awhile to send! I thought I may have lost you for a second there. I am an operator (Op) of this ChatRoom, I keep everything undercontrol. Thats why my name is blue, and contains an @ Symbol. How long have you had the net? Liking it?

*Private* VoodooDoll - You wouldn't believe me if I told you how long it has taken me to work out how to even type in a chatroom! Thanx for that. My dad got me an internet connection just last week, for my birthday. I'm loving it! Though, I wish I knew more about it!

*Private* @B1&B2 - Hmm, I think I could help you with that problem. Do you have an email account I could send you some things about the internet to?

*Private* VoodooDoll - I'm afraid I don't quite yet, you see, I haven't finished reading the Terms and Conditions of a 'Hotmail' email accout. So, until then, No, I dont, sorry.

*Private* @B1&B2 - Haha, you remind me of..me almost 3 years ago now when I first got the net! Dont worry about terms and conditons, just click sumbmit, you'll be fine! Do you want my email addy for when you DO get an account?

*Private* VoodooDoll - Yeah, sure! That would be great! Thanks!

*Private* @B1&B2- b1b2@hotmail.com Im headed off to school now, see ya!

*Private* VoodooDoll - Bye, and thanks!

Mel had scribbled the address down on a scrap peice of paper, though she knew of no logical reason why, as she hadn't a clue how to actually receive an email, let alone send one! However, something had told her meeting B1&B2 would help her out in the future and decided to take his/her advice and get that dambed Hotmail account right there and then.

'Youre new email accounts login name is VoodooDoll_15 Your password is cobi-jai Your new email address is VoodooDoll_15@hotmail.com Welcome to Hotmail!!!'

That was Mels first ever e-mail!! Ofcourse, it was only an auto-matic email but, never the less, it was her first e-mail and she decided to to email B1&B2 about it, now that she knew how!!

'B1&B2,

Hello! It is VoodooDoll here! Well, my friends constantly harass me not to tell anyone my name over the internet, but, I don't see the differance. My name's Melanie. What's yours? I'm 15, as my NEW e-mail account, thanks to you, shows! Thankyou very much for that advice. I can't wait to get my first real email from you! Byebye!

Mel.

Ps: Where are you from? It was 3.30pm when you said you had school! I don't know where it is, but, any school that starts at 3.30pm is the school for me!!

Why had she added that, Mel thought? Did it sound too corny?? Maybe...but how could she take it back now, it was sent! She checked her watch before logging off, 4pm. She had soccer training in half an hour, better hop to it!

'I cant believe Mel is actually giving up going shopping to hang around on the net! Wailed Cassey as she plodded through her homework with her softly spoken boyfriend, Mark. Mark just looked up and smirked a half smile.

'What??' Pleaded Cassey after giving into his tornmenting looks. '....Oh, nothing.' Replied Mark uneasily. 'Its just.. well, I go on the net ya know..and I mean, it's fun..' He said in Mel's defence with little confidence. 'Its just..addictive!' However, no matter how much Mark tried, it was certain there would be no way Cassey's mind could be altered. To her, the net was the net, if it involved a computer, how could it be any where near as fun as shopping?!?!?

'Mum, for the last time, you look fine!! Now go away! Get outta 'ere!!' Screamed Mel impatiently to her Mum and Dad as they waltzed out the front door headed for a friends Wedding. Finally, peace at last, Mel logged back onto the net! She had almost become addicted she thought, after all, it was a Saturday night, and rather then go out, here she was getting hyped up about the internet!

'Omigod!' Mel squelled to no one in particular, 'B1&b2 e-mailed me!!!' Realising the state she had worked herself into over an e-mail, she quickly calmed down, reminding herself once again, that it was only the internet! Mel wondered what B1 had e-mailed her about as her netscape browswer loaded the page...and then it hit her like a cricket ball in the face....(Well, that's all she could relate it to, she'd never been hit in the face by anything else?!!)

Mel re-read the page over and over till it finally sunk in... but it couldn't be true, or, could it? Just those last few words stayed impritned in her memory throughout the night,

'my room mate just came to tell me dinner's ready in the hall, I better go so I'm not late..dont wanna mess up in 'ere!.'

Mel wondered where 'ere' could possibly be...ofcourse B1 may have been at school, or..some place alike, couldn't he? Surely they wouldn't have the internet in..in..a jail? Nah, why would he be in jail? He seemed perfectly normal, right?

Three weeks had passed since B1 had sent Mel 'that' e-mail, and nothing more had been said. B1 had turned out to belong to the name of Peter, and was only a few short months older then Mel, well, give or take a few years! :P Ofcourse, Mel tried to hardest to stear clear of asking about Peter's school, but it was soo tempting to ask since he never mentioned it himself! It also turned out that Peter was friends with alot of other people in Hansonhitz, encluding a girl called 'Tabbitha'.

Ok, so it sounded abit made up to have for a name, especially since she was only 13! But, either way, Tabitha and Mel got on great! Tabby was from The USA, in Arkansas-where ever that was! She'd been connected to the net' for about a year when she met Mel and even had her own homepage! Her pic was on their too! The really weird part about Tabby and Peter was that they seemed to have a sort of 'relationship' as Mel' prefferred to phrase it, and worse, they actually thought it could work! Every day after school, Mel would rush home, skiped calling Cassey to chat and logged straight onto the net to find out what all the latest gossip was, or whatever it was called on the internet! Things had been great between Peter, Mel and Tabby until Tabby started acting strange around Mel when she came on as if her and Peter had a secret, something they didn't want Mel to know. It bugged her. Really bugged her. But what could she do? Ignore it? Yes-that's what she'd do, ingore it like a bug and cross her fingers it would go away.

Chapter 3

Melanie flicked through the casual position adds in the local paper, not necessarily looking for anything, but hoping something would spring out of the page and bite her! Ofcourse, not litterally, but something to that effect. Her finger slid over the secretaries positions, to a checkout chick and suddenly she found herself staring at the position she would have dreamed about-if she'd know it existed!

Enthusiastic juniors with internet background and enough computer knowledge to take orders and work casual at a new Internet Cafe'. Call.....

Mels mind drifted off at all the possibilities working at an Internet Cafe'! The downside, probably alot of geeky people from school hanging around.. The Good side, free internet access and more knowledge, not to mention the pay!! What was that number again, Mel wondered?

'8 o'clock sharp on Saturday morning, Miss..' The lady on the phone trailed off. 'Melanie, Melanie Farrignton'. Mel presented. 'Oh, Ok Miss Farrington, See You then, dear!' Melanie replaced the reciever not tottally believing what she had just heard-a job interveiw!! But wait, what would she wear??

Saturday, 7.56am, Mel stood outside the premises of where the the Cafe' was to be opened the following Friday. Peeping through the windows she saw an elderly lady, of about 70 with a younger female, maybe 25 and what looked to be her husband and two children clawing each other over a basketball. Suddenly the door swung open and a tall dark haired guy stood facing Melanie. She hadn't seen him when she was spying, so who was he?? Too old to be a son...too young to be a part owner but maybe he was..'Hi, I'm Jay, I worked at the last Cafe' the owners had in the next suburb, I'm the ...well, I'm the geek.' He smiled a cheeky grin and offered his hand out to Mel who was frozen to the spot with what seemed to be a rare case of Love At First Site! Well, maybe not Love, but deffinatly lust! He, Jay, had the most gorgeous brown hair that flopped ever so slightly over his deep blue eyes, and here he was calling himself a geek! Get Real! Geeks had glasses and freckles and were nothing like Jay! Yep, this was really gonna be a hard job, she thought, standing around computers taking orders here and there and perving on Jay 24 hours a day! Infact, it was such a hard job, she thought she should start straight away so she'd learn quicker. Or atleast that's what she intended on telling the boss.

~To Be Continued~

© Gwenster 1998.