Okay, so updates may be a little sporadic for the next two or so weeks, because I have exams and papers and all that fun stuff (gag). At the moment I'm avoiding writing a ten minute presentation due tomorrow. Aren't you glad my procrastination only extends to boring things? Lol. I've recently discovered something that I'm sure ya'll care about very much (note the sarcasm?). But I'll tell you anyway. It is sometimes quite helpful to start in the middle of a chapter. I was having a great deal of difficulty with this chapter, so I skipped to the fun stuff and then it was fine. I think. Great, now I've gone and jinxed myself. Anyway, I humbly offer you this chapter as an apology for my future absences. Which I can hopefully but not necessarily avoid.
soulmatesDC: Yeah, I really hate when people make Derek out to be a knight in shining armor. He's really just not the wildly heroic, save the damsel, guy. And there's plenty to work with as he is anyway, so why try to change him? There will definitely be more fights with Derek back to normal. I would go into convulsions without Dasey fights, lol. There was just a short break for a while. They may take a few chapters to return in full, but I really don't know.
attjjddc42: Yeah, sorry about the slow going there.
Brit Love: Thank you. I know I keep promising romance and not really getting there. I'm just going to shut up now, lol.
RAWR-IKICKBUTT: Thanks. I love Dasey too, but stories that are solely Dasey are rarely realistic (not gonna say never, but usually something else is going on in people's lives).
atruwriter: Yeah. Ducks. Okay, so maybe I was a little inspired by that episode. It was a good one, lol.
Ghostwriter: Thanks. I want to write something witty, but I'm a little brain dead at the moment. You can imagine something for me.
funnechick: That's probably a good suggestion. I mean well, but . . .Ah, yeah. You know. Lol.
Jane Davis: Whoops. Thought I fixed that. Okay, now I've fixed it. I hope. Thanks for the kind review.
BannanaBlondie14: Thanks! My goal in life is realistic characters. I hate when people basically write a trashy romance novel and insert the characters of a specific fandom. Ugh. I'll try to keep it up.
Oasis Blackmore: Lol. I do whatever the voices in my head tell me to. I agree with the Casey replacement, that's kind of why I liked her. It gave me hope for the future. And Kendra was okay, but who I really hated was Sandra. I don't know why, she just annoyed me, and I didn't find her attractive at all. Vicky was probably the best, both in looks and Dasey hope, lol. Surprisingly, my mom didn't find the stepsib thing weird, cause they've only known each other a few months; she even argued the point to my brother, who thought it was gross (we used his crush as an example, too funny). She just hates the fact that I'm writing fanfiction instead of the original work she wants me to finish (I got her hooked then got distracted). The disclaimer was saying, in a very roundabout way, that just because you write about something doesn't make it yours. I think. I must confess the kitchen scene was my personal projection of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Ironically, I've always thought Derek would hate seeing girls cry, and when I saw that ep. I was squealing. Lol. That ep. was totally the bomb shiz. I had fun making the crying scene how I wanted it (even if I was blatantly copying it). Ah well.
Disclaimer: I don't live in Canada. I don't like the cold.
Wednesday morning the house was bustling like it hadn't in weeks. Everyone was apparently overlooking the more negative aspects of the impending visit in light of the positive. George and Nora smiled over coffee and Edwin and Lizzie were engaged in real conversation. Derek was apparently back to his annoying self for good, as evidenced by the fact that he switched Casey's cereal with dog food. Casey let out a disgusted yell as she ingested the concoction, but couldn't help a light eye roll once the taste had left her mouth. Better irritating Derek than zombie Derek.
As Emily met Casey at the bus stop, she couldn't help but comment on the change in her friend. "You're certainly chipper this morning," she noted with a raised eyebrow.
"Yep," Casey responded, turning to climb the stairs as the bus pulled up.
"Any particular reason?" she wondered, sliding into the seat beside Casey. "I mean, this is like a total mood reversal. I couldn't get you to talk to me all week."
A guilty look passed over Casey's face, but her smile quickly eradicated it. "Sorry, Em," she apologized, and Emily waved it off. "We're visiting Marti today," she confided in a low voice. "Everyone's really excited about it."
"Really?" Emily asked, encouraging her friend. "That is so cool. I bet your house was happier this morning. How's Derek taking it?" Casey gave her a look. "Can I not ask questions about my friends?" Emily defended.
Casey sighed and rolled her eyes before responding, "He's ecstatic. Not that he'll show it," she added. "But you can tell anyway." She smiled slightly and Emily turned the conversation in a different direction. By the time they reached school they were chatting amiably about the latest stunt pulled in an attempt to outdo Derek. "I don't understand why they try," Casey argued. "Even if they manage—which they won't—, Derek will only take credit."
"Yeah," Emily agreed. "But it's still fun to try."
"They're only deluding themselves," Casey pointed out, grabbing her things from her locker and walking toward homeroom.
"But . . ." Emily stopped talking, turning to watch Casey curiously. Her friend had ceased walking, looking surreptitiously into the empty Journalism room. Emily joined her, and they both saw Katy plop listlessly into a chair, rolling her pencil back and forth across the table.
"Um, Katy?" Casey inquired, moving into the room despite her misgivings. "Are you alright?"
Katy looked up, sighing at the sight of the two girls. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Emily inquired before Casey could stop her; Emily was less informed than her friend.
"I should have known," Katy began morosely, flicking the pencil so hard it flew off the other side. Emily glanced at Casey, confused, and Casey held back a wince.
"It's nothing against you," Casey assured quickly. "He's just . . ."
"I know," Katy said pointedly, and Casey abandoned the thought.
"Um, what happened?" Emily asked hesitantly, glancing from girl to girl.
"Derek ditched me," Katy told her, and Emily dawned a look of comprehension. "It's my fault anyway," Katy continued. "I have no experience with guys. And everyone told me he doesn't keep girls long."
"It is not your fault," Casey said, growing slightly annoyed with Derek for the scene despite her happiness the day before.
Emily interceded, apparently well versed in the ways of resolving Derek-disappointment. Sitting beside Katy, she began, "You know what you need? A layout day." Katy looked up in confusion and Casey began to object. "Trust me, it'll help," Emily continued, ignoring her friend. "Look, we'll skip out of first period, get some junk food from the vending machine and watch a movie in the projection room. You have the keys, right Miss Head Editor?" she asked, smiling in an attempt to enliven Katy. Katy nodded, and Emily perked up. "Great. Let's get started. You'll feel better in no time."
Katy followed Emily obediently, but Casey pestered her with objections. "That's against the rules you know. Besides, you can't miss class. What if you get caught? What if . . .."
"Casey," Emily broke in authoritatively. "I'll take it from here. Go ahead to class." Casey started to argue again, but Emily had already pulled Katy into the throng of students. Momentarily indecisive, Casey turned and walked to homeroom with a sigh and a disapproving glance over her shoulder.
She had to admit Katy looked better when Casey saw her at lunch, though she still would not condone the method.
"I told you I knew what I was doing," Emily told her after Katy stopped by for a short, distracted conversation. "She'll be back to normal in no time."
"Fine," Casey agreed reluctantly. "But you still shouldn't have skipped class." Emily shrugged, moving to her salad, and Casey had to admit she was glad Katy had stopped moping over Derek; at least for the most part. She had taken to ignoring him, which he seemed happy to go along with as he effortlessly avoided her lunch table. Casey couldn't help a small smile at the return of normalcy, though she did feel sorry for her friend. If only Abby were to give up Marti, things would be perfect, she thought, somewhat melancholy.
Casey noted an extra car parked outside as she walked up the driveway, waving goodbye to Emily. Miss Ackart was waiting in the living room, conversing quietly with Nora and George, when Casey walked in, Derek following a few minutes later.
"We're leaving in just a minute, guys," Nora told them, motioning them into the kitchen where Edwin and Lizzie had been sent. They made their way slowly, but the adults didn't resume the conversation until the teenagers disappeared into the other room. Derek dropped his bag loudly on the table, then darted back to where Edwin and Lizzie were huddling, trying to hear the conversation. Casey spared them a disapproving look, but the faint voices drifting out proved too much, and she was shortly pressed eagerly against the wall just underneath Derek.
". . . appears she will be fine. Of course, there has been some change in behavior, but that can be attributed to a new environment and different parenting techniques. She should be her normal self soon enough. It looks quite likely that Abby will raise Marti." The kids exchanged frightened glances. "Well," Miss Ackart shifted. "We'd best leave soon."
"Kids," George shouted, and the four jumped before settling and walking into the front room. "Let's go," he told them, motioning the family out the door.
The first thing Casey noticed about Abby's house was the car. It was sitting in the driveway as if on display, shining every bit as brightly as it had a few weeks earlier. The house seemed to match the car, the crisp cream blending nicely with the silvery gold vehicle. She could tell the neighborhood was nice, and the house far exceeded the others, if not in size than in quality. Potted plants and a tea table sat on the front porch, off to one side, looking as if neither had been touched by human hands. Miss Ackart knocked politely; the door swung open and everyone moved closer in anticipation.
Marti was beside her mother in a cream dress, dutifully standing still though everyone could tell she wanted nothing more than to run around. Casey felt her face drop as a pang of anxiousness drifted through her. She sighed in relief when, moments later, Marti abandoned her pose with a cry of, "Daddy!" as she launched herself into his arms. She smiled as Marti quickly wriggled out of her father's arms, echoing, "Smerek!" and attacking her brother. Casey noted the tightness in Abby's face with vague satisfaction as Derek kissed his sister lightly atop the head. Then Marti bounded around the circle, greeting each member of her family, and even giving Miss Ackart an enthusiastic shake of the hand. Apparently anyone who brought her family to visit could be forgiven for making her leave. As Marti reached her, the little girl gestured Casey to bend over. Casey obliged, somewhat confused, and Marti threw her arms around Casey's neck; a smile spread across Casey's face and her eyes prickled as she returned the hug quickly. Then Marti was wriggling free and moving on to Edwin. When Marti finished, she moved to stand happily between George and Nora, grabbing each by one hand. Miss Ackart moved to the side of the room, watching the procession from a sea of beige. Wow, Casey thought, looking around the house. Abby really does keep this place clean. Casey herself prided herself on organization, but even she could admit this was a bit ridiculous. Beige walls, tan loveseat, cream carpet. It doesn't look like anyone lives here, she realized, Least of all a child. Pity for Marti rose instantly.
"Well," George said awkwardly, dropping Marti's hand. He pulled Nora forward, and Marti drifted back beside her brothers; Derek picked her up and Edwin hovered close by, almost protectively. "Nora, this is Abby," George introduced as he pulled his wife towards his ex-wife. Nora smiled; only Casey noted the tightness around her eyes. "Abby, this is Nora," he returned, gesturing to Casey's mother.
"A pleasure, I'm sure," Abby greeted, smiling sweetly but gazing at Nora with a superior stance. Nora's smile tightened, but she refrained from comment as George stepped between them, seemingly by accident. "Well, Abby," he diverted her attention, introducing the rest of the family. "This is Casey," he waved in her direction.
Casey nodded in acknowledgement and Abby interjected, "Yes, we've met. Lovely girl." She smiled at Casey as if she were a beloved niece.
"And Lizzie," George finished, motioning to his other stepdaughter.
"Hi," Lizzie said, standing confidently though she obviously couldn't tell what to expect.
"Hello, dear," Abby greeted. "Very pleased to meet you." Lizzie looked slightly perturbed at the childish tone, but kept a small smile intact. "Well, shall we adjourn to the living room?" Abby asked, moving purposefully farther into the house without waiting for a response. The family followed warily, Miss Ackart trailing them with an encouraging smile. Casey felt more and more as if they were all on display as they arrived in a muted room and seated themselves on expensive furniture. "Well," Abby started pleasantly. She gave a tinkling laugh. "You know, I believe Marti's been having such fun here she doesn't want to leave at all." The family stiffened and Abby glanced at Miss Ackart from the corner of her eye. "But it really is so nice that you've decided to visit. Marti is positively delighted to see you all." Marti gave her mother a stern glare from her perch on her father's lap, kicking her legs up onto Derek's lap defiantly. Abby looked anything but amused, but Lizzie almost laughed and Miss Ackart gave a complacent smile. Derek and Edwin, for their part, looked quite proud of their sister; Casey argued briefly that she shouldn't condone rebellious acts, yet she couldn't help the small smile from playing across her lips at the sight.
"Can we play now?" Marti asked, purposely ignoring her mother.
"Would you like to play with the new dolls I bought you?" Abby asked, babying, despite being thoroughly ignored.
"No," Marti said plainly. "They're glass and they break easy." She looked down slightly at that comment, hurt flitting across her face before she looked back up, announcing, "I want to play outside. Can we, please?" She addressed Miss Ackart, knowing her mother wouldn't object. Casey had to commend her method, though it was probably the sort of thing Derek had taught her.
"I don't see why not," the woman responded, raising an eyebrow at Abby.
Marti smiled in triumph as Abby stood, clapping her hands together and announcing brightly, "Well, follow me."
The garden was as immaculate as the house, rows of flowers and herbs growing perfectly straight in a section roped off from the tiny yard. Marti paid it no mind, ecstatic to be playing a game. The family gathered in the grass, Miss Ackart standing by the fence on one side and Abby looking disparagingly at the yard from the patio. Casey gave a small laugh as Marti marched betwixt the players, watching them with a critical eye; she noted she was not the only one with a smile fixed on her face.
"Why don't we play soccer?" Edwin suggested. "Lizzie's ball is in the car."
"No," Marti disagreed authoritatively. "We are going to play Fairy Tale."
Casey laughed as Marti quickly overruled her brothers' arguments. They were too glad to play with Marti to object too seriously.
"What?" George complained jokingly. "How can we play fairy tale? There are no castles around here."
"Daddy, you have to pretend," she explained seriously. Walking around the circle, she assigned parts. "You're the Queen," she told Nora. "And you're the Monster," she told her dad, who smiled menacingly. "And you're the handsome Prince," she announced to Derek, who smirked cockily, folding his arms across his chest. "And you're the Guard," she told Edwin, who looked slightly disappointed despite not wanting to play.
"Oh, come on!" he argued. "Can't I be a brave knight or something?"
"Guard," she reiterated flippantly, turning to Lizzie. "You're the brave night." Edwin groaned and Lizzie smiled triumphantly. "And you can be the beautiful Princess," she told Casey.
"Don't you think she should be the evil witch?" Derek interjected deviously, smirking at Casey who sniffed, affronted.
"No," Marti explained. "Mommy's the witch." She glanced over at Abby, who straightened, insulted, at her place by the fence.
Stifled laughter sounded around the yard, as George warned, "Marti," in a thoroughly unconvincing tone of voice.
Abby glanced at Miss Ackart and tinkled a laugh. "Children," she said in way of an explanation.
"What are you going to be, Marti?" Casey asked, thinking it best to avoid irritating Abby.
"I'm the fairy," she said in an obvious tone. Running over to the rows of flowers, she ripped up a flower stalk—earning a wince and disapproving frown from her mother, which she ducked at slightly then ignored. Skipping back to the group, she flicked the flower like a wand and said, "Go." Each person fell into their assigned roll with somewhat different grace. George immediately chased Marti around the yard, growling, as she shrieked, "Daddy, stop! You're supposed to chase the Princess," she added, laughing. Edwin and Lizzie locked themselves in an air sword fight, Casey faked a swoon and Nora stared down her nose at everyone in a highly comic fashion. Derek swung into Marti's path as she ran past, scooping her up and twirling her around. "Smerek!" she objected. "Go rescue Princess Casey!"
"Princess Casey, huh?" Derek asked in a mischievous voice that had Casey backing up slowly. Then Derek slung his sister onto his shoulders and gave chase, Marti laughing and waving her wand. Casey hadn't felt so childish in ages, but she found she really didn't mind. Derek stopped when the weight lifted from his shoulders, turning to watch Monster George escape with the fairy. While Derek was distracted, Casey slunk away to stand beside her mother; the two pretended to exchange idle chatter and Lizzie immediately abandoned her mock fight with Edwin to stand guard. The moved about the yard in general mayhem, each taking their role much more seriously when Marti was in view, until everyone tired of running around. They sat or collapsed in the grass, respectively, Marti ignoring her mother's faint call of, "Don't stain that dress, please, dear."
Marti kicked her feet forward, ignoring the streak of green across a previously spotless shoe. "When can I come home?" she asked innocently, a hint of sadness creeping into her tone. The all stilled uncomfortably, Derek shooting his sister a remorseful glance.
"Well, Marti," George began, watching her kick her feet. "We're not sure."
Marti looked slightly disheartened, then brightened. "If I'm nice to Miss Nasha over there," she motioned to Miss Ackart, "Will she let me come home?"
"Uh, I don't know, Marti," George answered, not quite sure how to respond. Casey opened her mouth to object as Marti stood, but she was already across the yard, tugging on Miss Ackart's jacket. Miss Ackart listened to Marti, bending down and speaking softly. Marti looked slightly disheartened, and Miss Ackart shot an annoyed glance at the family. Casey winced, knowing Miss Ackart would hold it against them.
Abby spoke to the woman, whispering, but allowed her words to drift across the yard. "If you don't mind, I really should get Marti cleaned up and start dinner." She glanced at Marti's clothes with slight disdain, giving the group a surreptitious glare. She seemed to direct that blame filled stare at Derek in particular, Casey noted, and he narrowed his eyes in return.
Miss Ackart, distracted by the little girl begging for her attention, muttered an absent, "Yes, yes. Of course." Turning, she announced. "I believe it is time to leave." Abby grabbed Marti by the shoulder, giving her firm but gentle guidance into the house. When they reached the front hall, she let go, but stood closely, watching the procession gather at the door. Marti darted forward to hug her father, laughing as he picked her up and kissing him on the cheek. From her perch, she included Nora in the hug, bending at an odd angle to reach her stepmother.
George whispered, "I love you," before setting her down, and she darted to Edwin and Lizzie, giving them each a half hug around the waist. With a last devious smile for the middle children, she walked over to Casey, wrapping her arms around the older girl's waist, and burying her face in Casey's stomach. Three seconds later, she was moving over to Derek, glancing quickly at her disapproving mother before wrapping him in a tight hug. He enveloped his sister in his arms for a moment before dropping them. Marti stood amidst her family longingly, unwilling to leave.
"We really must be getting ready," Abby broke in, and Miss Ackart nodded at the family to leave. Marti went to stand morosely by her mother, watching her family abandon her.
"I'll come see you soon, okay Smarti?" Derek told her, noting the look on his little sister's face. Casey couldn't help but feel compassion, gazing from one face to the other, and a slight tightness in her chest.
Abby broke in even as Marti chanced a small smile. "Yes, you can arrange it all with Miss Ackart later," she told him tightly, moving to hurry them out the door.
"You want me to chaperone sibling visits as well?" Miss Ackart asked, slightly surprised.
"Yes, well," Abby began, slightly flustered. "I think it would be best to make sure nothing influences little Marti." She spoke about her daughter with a condescending coo, which made Marti wrinkle her nose in disgust. Casey felt repugnance for the woman before her; pretending to love her daughter when she only wanted Marti for her own devices, whatever those may be.
"All right," Miss Ackart agreed, face shifting slightly as she remembered Marti's pleas to return with her family. "We'll set something up," she promised Derek as they were ushered onto the porch. They all waved goodbye a final time, faking smiles for Marti, who looked quite discouraged. As soon as the door closed they sighed, allowing their disappointment to show through. Derek was the first to the car, hoping in and sitting on the far side as the rest of the family made their way to the vehicle. Everyone acted much happier than days previous, but Casey couldn't help the feelings of sadness; and apparently the others felt it too. She leaned her head back against the seat wearily as Lizzie clambered in behind her.
Her sadness gave way to frustration when Derek took it upon himself to pick on her the entire ride home. The rude comments, projectiles and tugging of her hair began to grate at her nerves until she finally yelled, "Derek, stop it!" This only fueled his behavior, and after several interjections by their parents, Casey decided with a huff to simply ignore him. Easier said than done. She managed to sit through the whispered taunts and annoying nudges, albeit barely, but staring resolutely the other way gave him an opening. As Casey watched the house approach with a feeling of relief, shock shot through her as icy hands wrapped around her neck. Shrieking, she swung at his face, only to face defeat when Derek grabbed her wrist. The hand still on her neck had actually warmed fairly quickly, but Casey felt a slight chill at the placement. Wrenching her hand free with some effort, she scooted across the seat, jumping out the door before Lizzie was fully out of her path.
Everyone ate dinner quietly, tension relieved but slowly returning. Derek had finished and abandoned the table almost before Casey started, grabbing his hockey stick and a puck for target practice in the driveway. A smattering of conversation threaded its way into the meal, courtesy of Nora, but no one had any interest in group conversation. Lizzie and Edwin still seemed to be working on some experiment, though their efforts were considerably less focused than normal. Nora and George made small talk, intent on loosing the awkward sense of the day, while in fact increasing the discomfited atmosphere. Casey made a comment here or there, mostly focusing on her food. The biggest announcement of the meal came when George engaged Edwin in conversation about some prank or other the boy was planning. Lizzie, Casey and Nora were discussing random things when Lizzie seemed to remember something.
"Oh," she said, turning to her mother. "Can I have Jordan over for dinner tomorrow? His parents already agreed."
Both Casey and Nora looked up in surprise. Casey guiltily discovered she had completely forgotten that aspect of her sister's life in the past few days.
"Well, I don't know, honey," Nora began, a mixture of excitement for her daughter and unwillingness to agree.
"Pleeease," Lizzie begged, giving her mother a look reserved for her outbreaks of random juvenility. She increased the effect as her mother started to cave.
"All right," Nora agreed. "If it's all right with you, George?" she added.
George had obviously not been paying attention, but gave a distracted, "What? Oh, sure." Nora smiled, knowing he was clueless, and Lizzie seemed to perk up. Casey smiled brightly, happy for her sister. She found she actually wanted to meet Jordan; she had to see who made her sister abandon those boyless ways. She blocked out thoughts of Scott bitterly, focusing on the smile on Lizzie's face.
After dinner, Casey immediately went to her room to start homework. She finished it in short order, wondering vaguely if Emily was free to work on the math project. Realizing that it was highly unlikely, she paced about her room, bored and anxious at once. She finally distracted herself by updating her journal, taking care to remember each conflicting emotion she experienced during the taxing day. As she recorded her thoughts, Casey realized she felt substantially better since her breakdown in the kitchen yesterday. Seeing Marti had helped, but she felt new worries replace the old ones. Casey finished her writing with a sigh, moving to put the book away. She stopped, remembering Paul's suggestion a few days before. He said I should go back and look for trends, she reminded herself. Wanting more work to finish and hoping for some personal insight, Casey reopened the notebook to the first page. She began scanning each entry, flipping through until she reached the end. Okay, that was not helpful, she complained internally. All it's telling me is that I'm stressed. I knew that. She wondered if maybe she should do a more thorough search; research often didn't work on a surface level. Moving back to the beginning, Casey read through the pages, noting a constant worry over her family. Well, I knew that too, she thought, intent on finding something new. A final search told her she had been distracted and irritated around Emily lately, with one or two exceptions, which she guiltily decided to amend. Emily shouldn't have to put up with a bad friend just because I can't deal with my own feelings. Sighing, Casey flipped back through the pages absently as she thought, wondering just how much she had overlooked the past few weeks. I guess Paul's advice did work, she admitted reluctantly. Sometimes she found it hard to rely on other people's judgment.
Suddenly, her hands stilled; she focused her eyes on the fourth page. Okay, odd, she admitted, scanning the rest of the page. The same name kept cropping up. Furrowing her brows, she turned back to the front page, reading the entries in greater detail. She raised an eyebrow. Annoyed with Derek, Confused over Derek, Worried about Derek, repeated themselves over and over. As she moved closer to the last few days, she noticed other patterns emerging, ones that were not nearly so easy on her psyche. Sympathetic towards Derek, Embarrassed by Derek, and Frustrated with Derek gradually changed to, Drawn to Derek, Annoyed with Katy, Intrigued by Derek and Attracted to Derek. Over and over they showed themselves in different wording, different forms. When she wrote them, they seemed completely insignificant. So she had a brief second where she found Derek cute; it was a natural thought toward someone everyone worshiped, even if he was one's stepbrother. Most of the situations had other factors involved, anyway. But now, staring up at her from the page, they seemed so incriminating. Numerous instances, countless times each day she had thought these things. It's not possible that I like Derek, is it? she wondered. No, of course not, she assured herself. She was just . . . hormonal. Or . . . lonely. But for some reason, she couldn't accept those as outs. Her rising panic gained a frustrated tone, and she slowed her growing hysteria, hoping to observe the situation logically. Gathering her thoughts with mild success, she closed the book and tried to talk herself out of this mess. She went through the arguments in her head, more desperate with every new point, listing every reason she shouldn't, couldn't, feel the way she felt. But she did. Groaning, she buried her face in her palms. What was she going to do?
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Well, that meeting went completely differently from how I planned it; which is not necessarily a good thing or a bad thing. A little lightheartedness never went awry. I just hope there was enough drama mixed in there as well. Let me know what you thought about the revelation at the end. I've never really done that sort of thing before, so I don't know if it's stupid. And I'm feeling very apathetic today, so once again I can't decide the quality of my work. I rarely can, if you've noticed. Ah well, such is life.