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Chapter Twenty

Temperance crept up the walk, stealthily as she possibly could, and ducked down underneath the window, peaking over the window ledge and seeing the three blondes, sitting on the couches, in their bathrobes, sipping their late night tea and being waited on by Angela. Temperance felt the need to walk in right then and there, hug Angela and apologize for leaving her to take care of her stepfamily all by herself.

Instead, Temperance ducked down beneath the window and crawled her way to the back door, to the kitchen, opened it and crawled inside, shutting it silently behind her.

When she turned back to the kitchen she nearly had a heart attack at seeing Angela standing in the doorway, with her hands on her hips. "Class ran late, huh?" she said, with a knowing smile.

Temperance blushed. "Yes." she lied. "There was a very heated discussion about the difference in the features between the Japanese and the Chinese. It took up an extra ten minutes before Mr. Stires realized that class was over." she lied very easily, but couldn't stand to look into Angela's eyes because she knew that Angela could see right through her.

"Uh-huh," Angela said, still grinning, "So that isn't cologne I smell from all the way over here, and those aren't flowers I can see poking out of your bag?"

Temperance's eyes widened as she looked into her bag, where the wrinkled bouquet of daffodils and daisies was sticking out. She blushed. "Oh….that. Well you see…" She turned to Angela, unable to think of another lie. She sighed. "Okay, the rig is up, I guess."

"I think you mean jig, Sweetie." Angela said, chuckling. "So, where were you, really?" She leaned down to take out the flowers and put them in a vase filled with water.

Temperance sighed and sat down on one of the island stools, placing her elbows on the counter and her face in her hands. "I was on a date."

Angela smiled, and turned back to her. "Really?" she asked, placing the flowers in the middle of the island, between them. "With who? Not your Anthro teacher?"

Temperance made a face of disgust. "No, not Mr. Stires. His name is Tony Scallion."

"Tony Scallion?" Angela said, confused. "I've never met him before."

Temperance chuckled. "You wouldn't have. He just got back from the army. He served with Prince Seeley, or so he says." Temperance chuckled again, smiling softly. "He's amazing, Angela. He's sweet and gentlemanly and he's not judgmental at all. I know I've always said that I hate the whole Alpha-male type, but that's exactly what he is. And it works for him."

Angela smiled at Temperance, feeling as if she were having this conversation with her own daughter, which Temperance pretty much has been since her own mother died. "I'm so happy for you, Sweetie. So, did you two kiss?"

Temperance blushed deeply and looked away, smiling slyly. Angela's jaw dropped. "You didn't!"

Temperance looked back at her, surprised. "Didn't what? Kiss him? Because I assure you, I most certainly did."

"No, Sweetie! I meant…you didn't sleep with him, did you?"

Temperance's eyes widened. "Angela!" she exclaimed. "NO, I DID NOT DO THAT! Why would you even ask that?"

Angela grinned coquettishly. "Well," she said, "you know what they say about a boy fresh from the army, don't you?"

Temperance shook her head, looking at her friend, blankly. "No, I don't."

Angela sighed. "Never mind, then. So, are you going to see him again?"

"Well…I don't know." Temperance responded, standing up and beginning to sweep the kitchen floor. "He wants me to meet him at the Ball tomorrow and-"

"Then meet him!" Angela exclaimed. "Go to the Ball tomorrow night, dance with him, and fall in love, Sweetie!"

"But, Angela, if I go, you can't meet that man you were going to-"

"I don't care, Sweetie! I have plenty more time, trust me. And Jack will understand. But you, you have somebody that's practically head over heels for you! So, go to him, fall in love, and move out of this Hell hole! I'll even go with you! To your new home, I mean."

Temperance smiled. "Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself, Ange? I mean, I met this guy a couple of days ago. We just shared our first kiss. And, besides, humans aren't even a monogamous species, so there's a chance that-okay, now that's just immature." Temperance said, frowning as her friend stood there, fingers in her ears, eyes shut tight, humming loudly to herself so that she couldn't hear anything that Temperance was saying. Temperance sighed. "It's very hard to believe how much older you are than I am." Angela couldn't hear her so Temperance just sighed again and picked up her bag, walking towards the steps. "I'm just gonna go to bed now. Night, Angela." she said, making her way to her bedroom.

Nearly a minute later, Angela opened one eye, peeking at the empty kitchen, then both eyes widened wide and her fingers came out of her ears. "Tempe?" she said, confused, looking around. "Where'd you go?"

Sorry, I just had to! I can just imagine Angela like this, can't you? LOLZ! Please REVIEW!