“Hello!” Edward greeted me as I got in the car. “How are things?”

“Hi.” I growled.

He looked at me questionably. I held out my hand without a word. Come what may, I don’t care anymore! The vampire closed his eyes watching my memories. His face stiffened. Why do I always have to be right? He let go of my hand rapidly as if it burnt him. I was looking at my knees. I felt like a kid who received a note for a fight with a classmate, and is going to be punished by a parent. We were driving in silence for some time. I didn’t have the courage to say anything, or even look at his face to check if he’s mad. Finally, he sighed.

“I guarantee that I’m less of your ideal guy than you think.” I couldn’t read anything from his voice.

I felt my cheeks getting red. You’re telling me that, and so what? I thought. I still see it differently. For the first time, I met someone exactly like my artistically inflated vision. I was simply fascinated; at least I hoped so. It will pass. I was explaining to myself. I was a sworn feminist after all, I couldn’t fall in love. Especially not with my torturer-to-be.

Wait a sec; it was him, after all, who had told me that if I wanted my life to be more interesting, I should leave all my standards and feminism alone! I looked at him courageously. He surely saw something in my face expression because he became sulky again. He looked at the road.

“It’s starting to get out of control…” He muttered so quietly I wasn’t sure I heard him well.

Suddenly, he stopped the car. I looked through the window. We were below my apartment building.

“You said we’d go…”

“But we won’t!” He snarled and then sighted. “Go now. Your mom’s waiting.” He said in calmer voice.

I went home, sullen. When I looked up at my window I saw mom’s face. So I got what I deserved. I thought, thinking of my mother as well as Edward. As I entered my apartment mom was already standing in a hall with a menacing face.

“Whose car was that?” She asked suspiciously.

I looked daggers at her. “That’s none of your business.” I growled, knowing that I was only making my situation worse. I didn’t mind any more.

“It’s exactly my business! It’s some boy, right?!”

“If you already know, why are you asking?” I touched my temple; I was starting to have a headache. I moved towards my room.

“Wait here, young lady!” Mother stopped me. “I think we need to talk!”

I looked at her with disapproval. “If you’re gonna have that ‘talk’ with me, then you should know school has already done it.”

She snorted impatiently. “Who’s that boy?”

“Edward Favors, 20 years old. He’s doing a degree in English at our local university.” I recited obediently the formula Edward told me in the morning. Mom was slightly surprised with my sincere and consistent answer.

“How long have you known each other?” She asked, calmer.

I shrugged. “Some time.” She looked at me skeptically. “I dunno, I didn’t count.” If only she knew it was less than three days she would surely get mad.

“If you fail school because of him…”

I rolled my eyes. Always the same. “Mom, calm down! I’ll cope with it.”

Thankfully, she didn’t order me to describe him in detail like my friends had done. If she did I’d surely get nuts.