最近我想拍拖了!.!"見到個同事勁樣衰..拍左拖之後個樣都令左....~我有時就算同朋友出去玩...都覺得心靈上有d空虛ge感覺。見到d couple感覺咁好,自己都想有番個...可惜咁耐e尼都撞唔到兩情相悅ge人..有d人鍾意我,,,不我唔鍾意佢地..都冇計
maybe係好奇心作怪la=v="
有時會諗,,都與左frist love係冇可能會長久....點解唔try下呢?但我又想讀掂曬d書先...or上左大學先~.~"
好果開始左.....有起事上尼都好effective bor=.="
哈哈...都係keep fit先....瘦番2圈仲唔有大把chance@v@"

12/6/2009 13:37:24 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 我從沒有拍過拖的
12/6/2009 13:38:02 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) oic,,
12/6/2009 13:38:40 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 「今日比個中東鬼佬跟..嚇死我」←非常有趣
12/6/2009 13:38:55 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 妳定是太美了
12/6/2009 13:38:59 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) =口="
12/6/2009 13:39:18 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 那個人像看到仙女般
12/6/2009 13:39:20 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 今日放工...我去買gift比媽咪
12/6/2009 13:39:36 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 行行下..見到條友係咁望住我
12/6/2009 13:39:43 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 所以才跟著妳
12/6/2009 13:39:52 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 我停佢又停=,=
12/6/2009 13:40:05 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 好在多人...我行得快
12/6/2009 13:40:11 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 佢唔見左
12/6/2009 13:41:46 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 妳還記得我們有多久沒聯絡嗎?
12/6/2009 13:42:55 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) half year?
12/6/2009 13:43:00 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 我唔記得lu
12/6/2009 13:43:05 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 好似好耐下
12/6/2009 13:43:37 小方方(御宅人) 傳送檔案 gigi92716261784192.xml
12/6/2009 13:43:53 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 看看吧
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/6/2009 14:01:32 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 這之後我很想在七月十六日跟妳說生日快樂的?
12/6/2009 14:01:55 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 哦~.~
12/6/2009 14:02:45 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 其實我很開心妳還記得有我這個人存在
12/6/2009 14:02:51 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 點解又會唔見左你呢
12/6/2009 14:03:12 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) haha..當然記得你~你淺我好好^^
12/6/2009 14:03:14 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 對
12/6/2009 14:04:38 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 因為沒有續約
12/6/2009 14:04:49 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 電腦?
12/6/2009 14:04:53 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) =0="
12/6/2009 14:05:18 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 家人說網上太多騙子和不法之徒
12/6/2009 14:05:48 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 點解會咁講?
12/6/2009 14:06:00 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 唔係因為我牙ma=v=
12/6/2009 14:06:00 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 借這次機會給我成長
12/6/2009 14:06:10 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 當然不是
12/6/2009 14:06:19 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 你比人x左@.@?
12/6/2009 14:06:31 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 我在巨高常常被人騙錢
12/6/2009 14:06:50 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 下
12/6/2009 14:07:01 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) d女仔騙錢?
12/6/2009 14:07:29 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 男女都有
12/6/2009 14:07:49 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) oic
12/6/2009 14:07:58 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 咁你e家幾大?
12/6/2009 14:08:32 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 20?
12/6/2009 14:09:38 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 都唔理人ge=,=" 我要出街啦... bye
12/6/2009 14:15:29 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 從今開始,妳會成為我生命中的唯一女生
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/6/2009 19:50:29 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 妳逛街完畢了嗎?
12/6/2009 19:50:58 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) yea~行左好耐..都冇坐過咁濟
12/6/2009 19:51:59 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 同男朋友逛街呢
12/6/2009 19:52:34 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) no~.~同女仔fd去行街..之後去左跳舞
12/6/2009 19:53:27 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 還跳舞,那一定很累吧
12/6/2009 19:53:48 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 哈..腳痛
12/6/2009 19:56:44 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 懂得跳舞的女生都是很漂亮的!
12/6/2009 19:58:09 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 我去學ga喳... 唔好咁讚我la/.\
12/6/2009 19:59:40 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 不管怎樣妳在我眼中都是最美的
12/6/2009 19:59:53 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 但你未見過我...
12/6/2009 20:00:57 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 都說不管怎樣
12/6/2009 20:01:27 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 我相信我當初對妳的情是真的
12/6/2009 20:02:05 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 你喜歡我d咩?我冇咩可以比到你...
12/6/2009 20:02:39 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 給我一隻松鼠狗吧^^
12/6/2009 20:02:49 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] ↑
12/6/2009 20:02:55 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 說笑
12/6/2009 20:03:08 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 只要妳幸福開心就可以了
12/6/2009 20:03:20 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 我甚6都不需要
12/6/2009 20:03:28 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 我甚麼都不需要
12/6/2009 20:03:34 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 但我唔明我有咩值得你鍾意
12/6/2009 20:04:38 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 不需要理由
12/6/2009 20:06:36 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 只係感覺?
12/6/2009 20:09:08 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 只是感覺的話早在我失去上網時那就不記起曾有個人叫X姿了
12/6/2009 20:10:20 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) oic
12/6/2009 20:10:22 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 所以很難解釋
12/6/2009 20:10:28 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 嗯...
12/6/2009 20:16:13 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 話說回頭
12/6/2009 20:16:52 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 妳說可以說有談戀愛又可以說沒有談戀愛是何解
12/6/2009 20:17:46 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 等..hang左機
12/6/2009 20:18:01 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] ok
12/6/2009 20:19:32 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) em...最近有個外國人追緊我...我對佢有好感,,但唔係like佢,,,不過佢成日打比我,,同我msn等等...佢成日話想date我=,=咁lor 我都唔知
12/6/2009 20:19:39 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 我食反先
12/6/2009 20:20:32 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 原來如此
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13/6/2009 17:21:26 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 忙碌的姿姿
13/6/2009 17:28:01 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) hi
14/6/2009 11:54:49 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] hello~姿姿
14/6/2009 11:56:08 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) helloe
14/6/2009 11:56:30 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 星期天
14/6/2009 11:56:41 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 係牙
14/6/2009 11:56:58 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 應該找個鬼佬約會
14/6/2009 11:57:29 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) =.= 佢想約,,不過我推左
14/6/2009 11:58:21 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 機會不是常常有,要珍惜
14/6/2009 11:59:09 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 佢唔係我杯tea
14/6/2009 11:59:19 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 哦......
14/6/2009 12:00:11 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 那怎樣的茶才是妳杯茶?
14/6/2009 12:01:31 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 精神年齡要同我差唔多,,照顧到我對我好就ok
14/6/2009 12:02:30 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 那這麼簡單那鬼佬也應該有吧
14/6/2009 12:02:56 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 講就easy..做就難
14/6/2009 12:03:18 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 噢......
14/6/2009 12:03:46 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 對妳好這些都好空泛呢
14/6/2009 12:04:06 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 怎樣才叫對妳好呢
14/6/2009 12:04:15 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 哈哈都係要自己感覺
14/6/2009 12:04:46 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 我ge exp好少..so我都唔知
14/6/2009 12:05:08 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 妳經驗少嗎?
14/6/2009 12:05:14 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 不會吧
14/6/2009 12:05:36 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 點解你會覺得我exp多呢?
14/6/2009 12:06:17 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 因為中東佬
14/6/2009 12:06:32 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 下
14/6/2009 12:06:40 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 連中東佬都......就知
14/6/2009 12:06:55 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 追求妳的應該多的是
14/6/2009 12:07:39 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 當中定必有些完全達標
14/6/2009 12:07:40 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 我諗中東佬可能覺得面善
14/6/2009 12:09:31 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 我唔覺得自己係令女ga
14/6/2009 12:10:13 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 別人眼中的自己才是真實
14/6/2009 12:10:57 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) ... 豬排都多人追ga
14/6/2009 12:12:16 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 「美」對不同人有不同定義!
14/6/2009 12:12:52 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 係ge...
14/6/2009 12:23:52 小方方(御宅人) Daphne~*] 那妳談過多少次戀愛?
14/6/2009 12:24:13 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 好少=.=
14/6/2009 12:25:01 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 我off啦..食反
14/6/2009 12:25:04 Daphne~*] 小方方(御宅人) 88
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

last果段激死我,.....頂..你係咪玩我?

個土耳其男仔個樣...佢瘦左XD...我幾鍾意lay種"鱗確"..haha!身材都ok...瘦多少少會好d~.~"我話佢個樣可愛..佢真係會shy...真係好cute..哈哈'
睇尼佢仲係鍾意我=v="點算?

"Oh, we have weapons." He flashed his bright teeth in a brief,
threatening smile. I fought back a shiver before it could expose me.
"Just not the kind they consider when writing hunting laws. If you've
ever seen a bear attack on television, you should be able to visualize
Emmett hunting."

I couldn't stop the next shiver that flashed down my spine. I peeked
across the cafeteria toward Emmett, grateful that he wasn't looking my
way. The thick bands of muscle that wrapped his arms and torso were
somehow even more menacing now.

Edward followed my gaze and chuckled. I stared at him, unnerved.

"Are you like a bear, too?" I asked in a low voice.

"More like the lion, or so they tell me," he said lightly. "Perhaps our
preferences are indicative."

I tried to smile. "Perhaps," I repeated. But my mind was filled with
opposing images that I couldn't merge together. "Is that something I
might get to see?"

"Absolutely not!" His face turned even whiter than usual, and his eyes
were suddenly furious. I leaned back, stunned and ¡ª though I'd never
admit it to him ¡ª frightened by his reaction. He leaned back as well,
folding his arms across his chest.

"Too scary for me?" I asked when I could control my voice again.

"If that were it, I would take you out tonight," he said, his voice
cutting. "You need a healthy dose of fear. Nothing could be more
beneficial for you."

"Then why?" I pressed, trying to ignore his angry expression.

He glared at me for a long minute.

"Later," he finally said. He was on his feet in one lithe movement.
"We're going to be late."

I glanced around, startled to see that he was right and the cafeteria was
nearly vacant. When I was with him, the time and the place were such a
muddled blur that I completely lost track of both. I jumped up, grabbing
my bag from the back of my chair.

"Later, then," I agreed. I wouldn't forget.

===========================================================================


11. COMPLICATIONS




Everyone watched us as we walked together to our lab table. I noticed
that he no longer angled the chair to sit as far from me as the desk
would allow. Instead, he sat quite close beside me, our arms almost
touching.

Mr. Banner backed into the room then ¡ª what superb timing the man had ¡ª
pulling a tall metal frame on wheels that held a heavy-looking, outdated
TV and VCR. A movie day ¡ª the lift in the class atmosphere was almost
tangible.

Mr. Banner shoved the tape into the reluctant VCR and walked to the wall
to turn off the lights.

And then, as the room went black, I was suddenly hyperaware that Edward
was sitting less than an inch from me. I was stunned by the unexpected


electricity that flowed through me, amazed that it was possible to be
more aware of him than I already was. A crazy impulse to reach over and
touch him, to stroke his perfect face just once in the darkness, nearly
overwhelmed me. I crossed my arms tightly across my chest, my hands
balling into fists. I was losing my mind.

The opening credits began, lighting the room by a token amount. My eyes,
of their own accord, flickered to him. I smiled sheepishly as I realized
his posture was identical to mine, fists clenched under his arms, right
down to the eyes, peering sideways at me. He grinned back, his eyes
somehow managing to smolder, even in the dark. I looked away before I
could start hyperventilating. It was absolutely ridiculous that I should
feel dizzy.

The hour seemed very long. I couldn't concentrate on the movie ¡ª I didn't
even know what subject it was on. I tried unsuccessfully to relax, but
the electric current that seemed to be originating from somewhere in his
body never slackened. Occasionally I would permit myself a quick glance
in his direction, but he never seemed to relax, either. The overpowering
craving to touch him also refused to fade, and I crushed my fists safely
against my ribs until my fingers were aching with the effort.

I breathed a sigh of relief when Mr. Banner flicked the lights back on at
the end of class, and stretched my arms out in front of me, flexing my
stiff fingers. Edward chuckled beside me.

"Well, that was interesting," he murmured. His voice was dark and his
eyes were cautious.

"Umm," was all I was able to respond.

"Shall we?" he asked, rising fluidly.

I almost groaned. Time for Gym. I stood with care, worried my balance
might have been affected by the strange new intensity between us.

He walked me to my next class in silence and paused at the door; I turned
to say goodbye. His face startled me ¡ª his expression was torn, almost
pained, and so fiercely beautiful that the ache to touch him flared as
strong as before. My goodbye stuck in my throat.

He raised his hand, hesitant, conflict raging in his eyes, and then
swiftly brushed the length of my cheekbone with his fingertips. His skin
was as icy as ever, but the trail his fingers left on my skin was
alarmingly warm ¡ª like I'd been burned, but didn't feel the pain of it
yet.

He turned without a word and strode quickly away from me.

I walked into the gym, lightheaded and wobbly. I drifted to the locker
room, changing in a trancelike state, only vaguely aware that there were
other people surrounding me. Reality didn't fully set in until I was
handed a racket. It wasn't heavy, yet it felt very unsafe in my hand. I
could see a few of the other kids in class eyeing me furtively. Coach
Clapp ordered us to pair up into teams.

Mercifully, some vestiges of Mike's chivalry still survived; he came to
stand beside me.

"Do you want to be a team?"

"Thanks, Mike ¡ª you don't have to do this, you know." I grimaced
apologetically.

"Don't worry, I'll keep out of your way." He grinned. Sometimes it was so
easy to like Mike.

It didn't go smoothly. I somehow managed to hit myself in the head with
my racket and clip Mike's shoulder on the same swing. I spent the rest of
the hour in the back corner of the court, the racket held safely behind
my back. Despite being handicapped by me, Mike was pretty good; he won
three games out of four singlehandedly. He gave me an unearned high five


when the coach finally blew the whistle ending class.

"So," he said as we walked off the court.

"So what?"

"You and Cullen, huh?" he asked, his tone rebellious. My previous feeling
of affection disappeared.

"That's none of your business, Mike," I warned, internally cursing
Jessica straight to the fiery pits of Hades.

"I don't like it," he muttered anyway.

"You don't have to," I snapped.

"He looks at you like¡­ like you're something to eat," he continued,
ignoring me.

I choked back the hysteria that threatened to explode, but a small giggle
managed to get out despite my efforts. He glowered at me. I waved and
fled to the locker room.

I dressed quickly, something stronger than butterflies battering
recklessly against the walls of my stomach, my argument with Mike already
a distant memory. I was wondering if Edward would be waiting, or if I
should meet him at his car. What if his family was there? I felt a wave
of real terror. Did they know that I knew? Was I supposed to know that
they knew that I knew, or not?

By the time I walked out of the gym, I had just about decided to walk
straight home without even looking toward the parking lot. But my worries
were unnecessary. Edward was waiting, leaning casually against the side
of the gym, his breathtaking face untroubled now. As I walked to his
side, I felt a peculiar sense of release.

"Hi," I breathed, smiling hugely.

"Hello." His answering smile was brilliant. "How was Gym?"

My face fell a tiny bit. "Fine," I lied.

"Really?" He was unconvinced. His eyes shifted their focus slightly,
looking over my shoulder and narrowing. I glanced behind me to see Mike's
back as he walked away.

"What?" I demanded.

His eyes slid back to mine, still tight. "Newton's getting on my nerves."

"You weren't listening again?" I was horror-struck. All traces of my
sudden good humor vanished.

"How's your head?" he asked innocently.

"You're unbelievable!" I turned, stomping away in the general direction
of the parking lot, though I hadn't ruled out walking at this point.

He kept up with me easily.

"You were the one who mentioned how I'd never seen you in Gym ¡ª it made
me curious." He didn't sound repentant, so I ignored him.

We walked in silence ¡ª a furious, embarrassed silence on my part ¡ª to his
car. But I had to stop a few steps away ¡ª a crowd of people, all boys,
were surrounding it.

Then I realized they weren't surrounding the Volvo, they were actually
circled around Rosalie's red convertible, unmistakable lust in their
eyes. None of them even looked up as Edward slid between them to open his
door. I climbed quickly in the passenger side, also unnoticed.


"Ostentatious," he muttered.

"What kind of car is that?" I asked.

"An M3."

"I don't speak Car and Driver."

"It's a BMW." He rolled his eyes, not looking at me, trying to back out
without running over the car enthusiasts.

I nodded ¡ª I'd heard of that one.

"Are you still angry?" he asked as he carefully maneuvered his way out.

"Definitely."

He sighed. "Will you forgive me if I apologize?"

"Maybe¡­ if you mean it. And if you promise not to do it again," I
insisted.

His eyes were suddenly shrewd. "How about if I mean it, and I agree to
let you drive Saturday?" he countered my conditions.

I considered, and decided it was probably the best offer I would get.
"Deal," I agreed.

"Then I'm very sorry I upset you." His eyes burned with sincerity for a
protracted moment ¡ª playing havoc with the rhythm of my heart ¡ª and then
turned playful. "And I'll be on your doorstep bright and early Saturday
morning."

"Um, it doesn't help with the Charlie situation if an unexplained Volvo
is left in the driveway."

His smile was condescending now. "I wasn't intending to bring a car."

"How ¡ª"

He cut me off. "Don't worry about it. I'll be there, no car."

I let it go. I had a more pressing question.

"Is it later yet?" I asked significantly.

He frowned. "I supposed it is later."

I kept my expression polite as I waited.

He stopped the car. I looked up, surprised ¡ª of course we were already at
Charlie's house, parked behind the truck. It was easier to ride with him
if I only looked when it was over. When I looked back at him, he was
staring at me, measuring with his eyes.

"And you still want to know why you can't see me hunt?" He seemed solemn,
but I thought I saw a trace of humor deep in his eyes.

"Well," I clarified, "I was mostly wondering about your reaction."

"Did I frighten you?" Yes, there was definitely humor there.

"No," I lied. He didn't buy it.

"I apologize for scaring you," he persisted with a slight smile, but then
all evidence of teasing disappeared. "It was just the very thought of you
being there¡­ while we hunted." His jaw tightened.

"That would be bad?"

He spoke from between clenched teeth. "Extremely."


"Because¡­ ?"

He took a deep breath and stared through the windshield at the thick,
rolling clouds that seemed to press down, almost within reach.

"When we hunt," he spoke slowly, unwillingly, "we give ourselves over to
our senses¡­ govern less with our minds. Especially our sense of smell. If
you were anywhere near me when I lost control that way¡­" He shook his
head, still gazing morosely at the heavy clouds.

I kept my expression firmly under control, expecting the swift flash of
his eyes to judge my reaction that soon followed. My face gave nothing
away.

But our eyes held, and the silence deepened ¡ª and changed. Flickers of
the electricity I'd felt this afternoon began to charge the atmosphere as
he gazed unrelentingly into my eyes. It wasn't until my head started to
swim that I realized I wasn't breathing. When I drew in a jagged breath,
breaking the stillness, he closed his eyes.

"Bella, I think you should go inside now." His low voice was rough, his
eyes on the clouds again.

I opened the door, and the arctic draft that burst into the car helped
clear my head. Afraid I might stumble in my woozy state, I stepped
carefully out of the car and shut the door behind me without looking
back. The whir of the automatic window unrolling made me turn.

"Oh, Bella?" he called after me, his voice more even. He leaned toward
the open window with a faint smile on his lips.

"Yes?"

"Tomorrow it's my turn."

"Your turn to what?"

He smiled wider, flashing his gleaming teeth. "Ask the questions."

And then he was gone, the car speeding down the street and disappearing
around the corner before I could even collect my thoughts. I smiled as I
walked to the house. It was clear he was planning to see me tomorrow, if
nothing else.

That night Edward starred in my dreams, as usual. However, the climate of
my unconsciousness had changed. It thrilled with the same electricity
that had charged the afternoon, and I tossed and turned restlessly,
waking often. It was only in the early hours of the morning that I
finally sank into an exhausted, dreamless sleep.

When I woke I was still tired, but edgy as well. I pulled on my brown
turtleneck and the inescapable jeans, sighing as I daydreamed of
spaghetti straps and shorts. Breakfast was the usual, quiet event I
expected. Charlie fried eggs for himself; I had my bowl of cereal. I
wondered if he had forgotten about this Saturday. He answered my unspoken
question as he stood up to take his plate to the sink.

"About this Saturday¡­" he began, walking across the kitchen and turning
on the faucet.

I cringed. "Yes, Dad?"

"Are you still set on going to Seattle?" he asked.

"That was the plan." I grimaced, wishing he hadn't brought it up so I
wouldn't have to compose careful half-truths.

He squeezed some dish soap onto his plate and swirled it around with the
brush. "And you're sure you can't make it back in time for the dance?"

"I'm not going to the dance, Dad." I glared.


"Didn't anyone ask you?" he asked, trying to hide his concern by focusing
on rinsing the plate.

I sidestepped the minefield. "It's a girl's choice."

"Oh." He frowned as he dried his plate.

I sympathized with him. It must be a hard thing, to be a father; living
in fear that your daughter would meet a boy she liked, but also having to
worry if she didn't. How ghastly it would be, I thought, shuddering, if
Charlie had even the slightest inkling of exactly what I did like.

Charlie left then, with a goodbye wave, and I went upstairs to brush my
teeth and gather my books. When I heard the cruiser pull away, I could
only wait a few seconds before I had to peek out of my window. The silver
car was already there, waiting in Charlie's spot on the driveway. I
bounded down the stairs and out the front door, wondering how long this
bizarre routine would continue. I never wanted it to end.

He waited in the car, not appearing to watch as I shut the door behind me
without bothering to lock the dead-bolt. I walked to the car, pausing
shyly before opening the door and stepping in. He was smiling, relaxed ¡ª
and, as usual, perfect and beautiful to an excruciating degree.

"Good morning." His voice was silky. "How are you today?" His eyes roamed
over my face, as if his question was something more than simple courtesy.

"Good, thank you." I was always good ¡ª much more than good ¡ª when I was
near him.

His gaze lingered on the circles under my eyes. "You look tired."

"I couldn't sleep," I confessed, automatically swinging my hair around my
shoulder to provide some measure of cover.

"Neither could I," he teased as he started the engine. I was becoming
used to the quiet purr. I was sure the roar of my truck would scare me,
whenever I got to drive it again.

I laughed. "I guess that's right. I suppose I slept just a little bit
more than you did."

"I'd wager you did."

"So what did you do last night?" I asked.

He chuckled. "Not a chance. It's my day to ask questions."

"Oh, that's right. What do you want to know?" My forehead creased. I
couldn't imagine anything about me that could be in any way interesting
to him.

"What's your favorite color?" he asked, his face grave.

I rolled my eyes. "It changes from day to day."

"What's your favorite color today?" He was still solemn.

"Probably brown." I tended to dress according to my mood.

He snorted, dropping his serious expression. "Brown?" he asked
skeptically.

"Sure. Brown is warm. I miss brown. Everything that's supposed to be
brown ¡ª tree trunks, rocks, dirt ¡ª is all covered up with squashy green
stuff here," I complained.

He seemed fascinated by my little rant. He considered for a moment,
staring into my eyes.

"You're right," he decided, serious again. "Brown is warm." He reached
over, swiftly, but somehow still hesitantly, to sweep my hair back behind