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He stayed by my desk till the bell rang. Then he smiled at me wistfully and went to sit by a girl with braces and a nasty perm.

It seems like I was going to have to do something about Antonio, and it would not be easy.

In a town like this, where everyone survived on top of everyone else, diplomacy was so important.

I had never been exceptionally tactful, I had no training dealing with overly friendly boys.

I was alleviated that I had the desk to myself, that Alessandro was absentng out the class.

I frequently told myself that. But I could not get rid of the nagging feeling that I was the reason he was not there.

It was ludicrous, and boastful, to think that I could affect anyone that much. It was unthinkable and yet I could not stop worrying that it was true.

When the school day was finally over, and the blush was receding out of my cheeks from the volleyball incident, I quickly changed back into my jeans and red sweater.

I scurried from the girls' locker room, thrilled to find that I had successfully escaped my retriever friend for the moment.

I strolled swiftly out to the parking lot. It was piled now with fleeing students. I got in my truck and dug through my bag to make sure I had what I wanted.

Last night I had found out that Klaus could not cook much besides fried eggs and bacon.

So I proposed that I be allotted kitchen detail for the duration of my stay. He was ready enough to hand over the keys to the banquet hall.

I also noticed that he had no food in the house. So I had my shopping list and the cash from the jar in the cupboard tagged FOOD MONEY, and quickly I was on my way to the Thriftway.

I turned my deafening engine to life, dismissing the heads that turned in my direction, and backed cautiously into a place in the line of cars that were waiting to flee the parking lot.

As I stayed, trying to pretend that the ear splitting rumble was coming from someone else's car, I saw the two Cullens and the Hale twins getting into their car.

It was the shiny new Volvo. Of course, I had noticed their clothes before, I had been too mesmerized by their faces.

Now that I stared, it was apparent that they were all dressed extremely well; simply, but in clothes that subtly hinted at designer origins.

With their extraordinary good looks, the manner with which they carried themselves, they could have worn dishrags and pulled it off.

It seemed irrational for them to have both looks and money. But as far as I could tell, life functioned that way most of the time.

It did not look as if it bought them any acceptance here.

No, I did not fully reckon that. The isolation must be what they desire, I could not imagine any door that would not be opened by that degree of beauty.

They stared at my noisy truck as I passed them, just like everyone else. I kept my eyes straight forward and was relaxed when I finally was free of the school grounds.

The Thriftway was not that far from the school, just a few streets south, off the highway.

It was pleasant to be inside the supermarket, it felt usual. I did the shopping at home, and I fell into the structure of the familiar task gladly.

The store was big enough inside that I could not hear the tapping of the rain on the roof to remember me where I was.

When I got home, I unpacked all the groceries, packing them in wherever I could find an open space. I hoped Klaus would not mind.

I sheathe the potatoes in foil and stuck them in the oven to bake, covered a steak in marinade and steadied it on top of a carton of eggs in the fridge.

When I was wrapped up with that, I took my book bag upstairs. Before I started my homework, I changed into a pair of dry sweats, yanked my damp hair up into a pony-tail, and inspected my e-mail for the first time.

I had series of messages. "Aria," my mom wrote…

Write me as soon as you get in. Tell me how your flight was. Is it raining? I miss you already my dear.

I am almost done packing for Florida, but I can not find my pink blouse. Do you know where I put it? Phil says hi. Mom.

I sighed and immediately went to the next one. It was sent eight hours after the first.

"Aria," she wrote…

Why have you not e-mailed me yet? What are you waiting for? Mom.

The last of her messages was this morning....

"Ariana",

If I do not heard from you by 5:30 p.m. today I am calling Klaus.

I checked the time. I still had an hour, but my mom was well known for diving past the gun.

So I wrote back as soon as possible...

Mom,

Calm down. I am writing right now. Do not do anything rash. Aria.

I sent that one, and started again.

Mom,

Everything is wonderful. Of course it is raining. I was waiting for something to write about and that is the reason I have not yet replied your mails.

School is not bad, just a bit repetitive. I met some nice kids who sit by me at lunch.

Your pink blouse is at the dry cleaners, you were supposed to pick it up on Friday.

Klaus bought me a truck, can you believe that? I love it. Though It is old, but really sturdy, which is good for me you know.

I miss you more from here mom. I will write again as soon as possible, but I am not going to check my e-mail every five minutes. So Relax and breathe some cool air, I love you.

Aria.