After my conversation with Tory about her unfortunate PMS situation, things went surprisingly uphill. I found out that her favourite ice crème flavour is orange choc-chip, her favourite animal is – and always has been – a wolf, and that she misses her mother, more than she ever lets on.

'So why are you always so silent?' she asked as we made our way back to the houses. That was a good question, one that I didn't really have an answer to.

'Is it lame for me to say that I don't really know?' I asked with a small, sad laugh. Tory smiled slightly and shook her head.

'Not really, but you don't seem to be your normal self today. What's changed?' another good question. I contemplated a series of answers, pausing to figure out which one to use. Should I say, i have a crush on you Tory, no – too embarrassing and incredibly dorky. How about, I act differently around you because I feel like the real me, open and free. She would laugh in my face if I said that. I settled for;

'I don't know, I guess I'm just in a talkative mood.' I tried to shrug nonchalantly, but it came out like a sort of spasmodic jerk of my shoulder.

Tory cast a sideways glance at my movement, but decided to ignore it. We just exited the larger part of the trees, making our way up the rocks by the shore. The beach looked incredibly beautiful today; the sun reflected the beach on the water. It was like we were watching a movie of our island. It was clear as day.

We walked in silence for a few more minutes. Each second that passed made me more embarrassed and Tory more frustrated. I could see that from her agitated eyes and her stiff movements.

'Okay!' she finally exploded. 'Why are you always so cryptic?' she asked. I turned to face her. Tory's eyes were ice cold and firm, it looked like she would force a long answer out of me if I didn't give one myself.

'I'm not.' I deadpanned. If it was possible, her ice cold glare turned into a blizzard worthy stare.

'Oh come on! Today in the bunker I was finally getting more than one syllable answers from you. Now when we leave we are back to this. It makes me wish that I could read your mind. Which I can but only when I flar–'

Tory's eyes turned that familiar devilish yellow gold colour, and I knew, just from one look, that she was about to delve into my mind and pick each memory to pieces until she was satisfied I wasn't a lost hope. If I didn't flare then she couldn't read them. I just have to get away.

I started to run away from her, as fast as I could, my legs moving faster than I ever knew them to. I just couldn't allow her to read my thoughts, especially since they were mostly about her and how beautiful she looked today. And the other thoughts about Jason, who is now I guess my competition. It was obvious from the looks he gives her in the hallways at school that she would be his next triumph. She could do so much better than slimy, sleazy Jason. But I don't think she could see that, she was too preoccupied glancing at his athletic good looks. I really hate him.

SNAP.

Damn it! She was one step closer to picking at my mind. I stopped running and turned to face the way I came. Subconsciously I had made my way along the beach, to the docks. I saw my boat parked in the closest space to the open sea. That would be my escape. If I could only reach there without Tory being within a ten foot radius of me.

I realised that I hadn't actually checked to see if Tory was even following me or not. I had just reached the entrance to the dock; the metal railing below my foot creaked as I slowly turned around.

There she was, standing proudly a few feet away from my exact position. She had a smug grin plastered across her face; it was tormenting and awfully condescending. Just think normal thoughts, about my boat and school. She can't pick up on anything embarrassing then.

Reading my mind Tory? I asked telepathically, I'm sure she could hear it crystal clear.

Of course I am. She replied instantly. I saw a smirk break out from the corners of her lips, her perfectly moulded pink lips. SHIT! I hope she didn't hear that.

What do you want? I asked mentally, I hoped that my telepathic voice portrayed my annoyance the way my regular voice would if we were speaking naturally.

To know why you are so cryptic all the time. It's not so hard to speak in long sentences and add feeling to your voice is it?

I was getting ready to come back with some witty comment when both out concentrations were broken from behind me.

'Hey guys!' was the voice of Hi. He seemed overly enthusiastic, or was that just me?

SNUP.

Thank God! Now my thought were safe. I could hug Hi for his impeccable timing. I turned on Tory with a cocky grin. She was sourly looking at Hi, clearly very pissed that her concentration was broken. Hi finally caught on to the strange situation her stumbled upon,

'Whoa! Did I just interrupt something?' Hi asked looking from me to Tory with a confused expression.

'No.'

'Not at all.' We both said in unison.

'Good! Now where's Shelton? I really need have a break from that Synagogue service. Do you guys want to go to the Bunker?'

I locked eyes with Tory; we glared at each other still. Then without warning we both burst into laughter. From where I was standing, bending over, clutching my sides, I saw Hi give us both a very concerned stare.