"Hello, you cakesniffers!" The rude, obnoxious (sp?) voice of Carmelita Spats shattered my daydream and I snapped backto reality.

" I was wondering if I could see your homework, I wanted to see what numbers we had to do." she said, pretending to be sugary sweet.

Violet gave me a confused look and replied "Sure-"

I cut her off. "It was page thirty-f-"

"NOBODY ASKED YOU, ORPHAN!" Carmelita shouted, towering over me. As Violet handed Carmelita her already-finished homework, I knew just what was happening.

"Thanks, orphan!" She sneered, then ripped the paper out of her hands and skipped away before I could warn Violet.

"Oh…" I heard Violet whine. She then put her head on her fist and ate no more of her lunch. Poor Violet, I thought.

"Come, Violet, let's research in the library," I heard myself say. I had to do something to cheer her up. I looked sternly at Isadora, hoping she would understand that Iwanted to be alone with Violet.

She followed me to the library, but was several steps behind me, and looking downward as she walked. I stopped and waited for her to catch up."Violet, is something wrong?" I asked.

"No, I'm fine." she replied in a tone that didn't sound like herself at all.

"I grabbed her hand and held it firmly. "Please, trust me. You can tell me what's on your mind." I let her hand slip out of mine; she had given in.

A few silent seconds passed. "Why does it have to be like this, Duncan?" Violet cried. I realized that her voice was wavering. I guess she was crying. I didn't get her question.

"Um…sorry, I don't understand…"I mumbled, misunderstanding her.

"Why do I always have the bad luck in everything? Why can't I be a normal girl, goingto a normal boarding school, with a normal home and family?"Violet cried. She was bawling now. Ididn't know what to do. All of a sudden, Violet collapsed. Collapsed like she didn't deserve to stand. Luckily, and I hoped I could find some luck in Violet Baudelaire, luckily, I caught her. I hoisted her back on her feet. I don't think she wanted to stand. She clung to me, crying, like a small girl.

I just held her, whispering comforting things to her. I was turning bright red because we were so close. Finally, she drew away.

"I'm so sorry," she said, wiping her tears."I didn't know where that came from."

"It's fine." I said, and walked with her to the library.

Our research was incredibly boring. How could it be exciting when it was about fungus? Then we went back to the shack, where Klaus, Isadora, and Sunny were. After an hour of sprinkling salt at the ceiling to dry it, we heard a knock at the door. Isadora went toget it, but just as she got there, the handle turned and in barged Nero. And another guy, named Coach Genghis. I turned to look at Violet. Her mouth was wide open, and I saw tears starting in her eyes.

There was no denying it.

This was Count Olaf.