Connor and I walked through the bustling downtown area back to his car.

"Are you sure you don't want me staying with you?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"I really don't mind."

"Connor, I'm fine. I'm just going to eat and go to bed. I won't be much fun."

"If you say so," he said navigating his way toward the parking lot that my car had been in.

I felt so lonely in my car. It was quiet, even with the radio on. I didn't really want to go back to the dark, desolate house that was my home. I knew mom was going to be there, but she was not really the greatest company. I had so many new emotions going through my mind; I wanted someone who was actually going to smile, nod, and listen; someone who actually had emotion to share with me. I knew deep down that I really wanted to be with Connor. I didn't really want to leave him and go home. I didn't know why I was acting like that. I felt like such a clingy, crazy person, and that was not me.

While I should have been paying more attention to my driving, I let my thoughts drift to the previous night. I keep seeing his face in the throes of passion with me, his eyes rolling to the back of his head in pure ecstasy and a warm shudder ran through my body. Then, I remembered the axe. All thoughts happy and warm disappeared. I knew it was only a matter of time before the wolf would be after me. I knew I had to stop staying out at night, mom would need protection as well. Panic gripped my heart when I thought of something trying to eat my mom. She may have been an emotionless pit, but she was still my mom and I loved her.

The ringing phone startled me out of my thoughts.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Elysse!" the familiar soprano voice sang from the other end.

"Anna, how are you?" I sighed heavily.

"I'm fine." she said.

"So you aren't mad at me?" I asked.

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"Last night with Connor, you seemed really upset."

"Oh I don't care about that. He's not all that good looking anyway," she said.

That liar.

"Where have you been?"

"Interning. Remember?"

"No, last night silly! I went back to your house because I have your books and there was no Elysse."

"I was picking up my car," I lied.

"Liar! You stayed with Mr. Gorgeous, didn't you?"

"Of course not."

"I know when you're lying, Elysse Grimm."

She got very quiet on the other end. I could almost hear her thinking.

"Oh. My. God!" she accentuated every word more than what was necessary.

"What?"

"You lost your V card to him!" she squealed.

"Really, Anna! V card? What are you, back in high school?"

"You're not denying! You did! How was it? How was he? Are you guys, like, a thing? And why didn't you tell me last night that you liked him?"

"Because I knew you would act like this, crazy."

"Oh come on. Let me live vicariously through you."

"No, what happens in the bedroom stays there."

"Boo," she pouted.

"Get a life."

"I can't. My parents won't let me. I have to sneak around everywhere."

"This is true." I said.

"I wish I had your parents," she whined.

"Parent. Remember, no dad. And with mom, it's like not having one. I wish I had your parents. At least they care."

"Yeah right."

"I'm serious. She didn't even call to see where I was last night."

"Lucky," Anna murmured.

"Immature," I said back.

"So where are you?"

"On my way home from work."

"Oh, so have you seen the paper today?" she asked.

"The paper? You're asking me if I read the paper? Do you even know what a newspaper is, Anna?" I asked sarcastically.

"Oh ha, ha. You are hilarious, Elysse. I'm serious, have you read it today?"

"No, I haven't read a paper today," I said exasperated.

"You didn't hear about the girl that was eaten?"

"Eaten?" I asked.

"Yeah the other day in downtown. They said something ate her throat."

Blanche made headlines a few days late.

"No, I didn't hear anything about it," I lied.

My throat was instantly dry.

"It was apparently only a few blocks from where you work. Did you know that?" she asked anxiously.

"If I didn't hear about the story, how would I have known where it happened?" I asked wryly.

"True. Well in either case, will you be careful walking around down there? I don't want to read about you being eaten up next," she said.

"I'm sure I'll be fine."

"Want to have a sleep over?"

"Yeah, why not."

"I'll meet you at your house."

She hurried and rushed off the phone to pack a bag. The girl was always anxious to get away from her parents. I'd been telling her that one day she was going to wish she had just stayed home.