Even the nice ones will break your heart. I can't get the words out of my head. All afternoon, as we scaled the mountain they tumbled around in my mind. Did Valentina really mean that or was she just caught up in the memory of Robert? It was such a strange thing for her to say. She's usually the hopeless romantic while I've always been the level-headed, rational one.

Now, looking back on Wheeler's behaviour all afternoon, I think that maybe she's right. Not about the breaking your heart part, of course, since I'm not in love with him, but sometimes even the 'nice guy' acts like a jerk…Jerk. When did I even start using –thinking– that word? Must be Wheeler's influence. I smile to myself and glance at him, strolling in between Laura and Gi as we head back into the town centre. As if he can feel my eyes on him he turns around to look at me, Kwame and Ma-Ti.

"I've never been so hungry in my life!" he exclaims. I smile. That's more like the Wheeler I know.

"You say that every time we do anything even vaguely physical!" I tease him.

"Hey, Laura, you wanna grab something to eat?" Wheeler inquires, completely ignoring me and turning to her.

"Sure!" she grins, a little too eagerly, in my opinion. "There's a great place down the main street that does fantastic American-sized pizzas!"

I wait but somehow I know the invitation is not going to be extended to me or anyone else. Already they are walking away from us, strolling a little closer together than is entirely necessary.

"Um…" I clear my throat awkwardly. Wheeler turns around and looks in my direction, but, somehow, it's as though he's looking right through me and not at me.

"Yeah?" His face is completely passive. I can't read anything at all, which is strange, because usually his emotions are plastered across his face, as clear as daylight.

"Um…" What am I supposed to say? I suddenly feel like an idiot, especially as none of the others seem to be bothered by his behaviour. "N-nothing…"

"Oook….," he raises an eyebrow mockingly. "Jeez, Linka, you're acting really weird today. Stay out of the sun!"

What? I'm the one acting weird?

He turns around and he and Laura head off, already laughing at yet another in-joke.

"Hey, I saw a really nice-looking restaurant on the way into town." Gi is by my side but her voice seems to be coming from a million miles away. "You guys wanna go check it out?"

She is looking at me, Kwame and Ma-Ti inquiringly.

"Yes, I'm quite hungry," Kwame nods.

"Me too," Ma-Ti pipes up.

So why did you nobody say anything just now? I look at my friends incredulously and wonder if Wheeler is right and the exposure to the sun has damaged my ability to think rationally, since I seem to be the only one who finds it strange that Wheeler just abandoned the rest of us and went off for a private meal with a tour guide we just met. I mean, I do not really care what he does, I just find it rude from him. And, as for Laura… Well, I've decided I definitely don't like her. What kind of person completely neglects their duties like that? She was supposed to be showing everyone around, but clearly she's reserved the special sights of Kanapa for Wheeler. It's totally unprofessional. For the sake of everyone's enjoyment, maybe I should ask Valentina if she can find someone else for us, someone who will actually include the rest of us…But I already know what she'll say. She'll think I'm jealous, which is just crazy. Valentina is obsessed with seeing romance where there is none!

Ma-Ti, Gi and Kwame are heading off in the opposite direction from Wheeler and Laura, who obviously couldn't wait to get away from us since they are already a fair distance away. I squint into the sunshine…it looks like…like they're holding hands! But the bright sunlight is hampering my eyesight so maybe it's just my imagination. In any case, it wouldn't bother me, of course; I am just a little surprised at how fast things are moving. But that's Wheeler, I suppose. He does tend to get carried away. Anyway, we're on holiday; he should have his fun. Just so long as when all this is over he remembers where his real loyalties lie. With us Planeteers, that is.