As I weaved in and out of people, heading home, I touched the spot on my cheek where Evan had kissed me. It was tingling, rather like it had recently been warmed by a fire. I shook the thought from my head.

Today I was getting an extra meal, thanks to Evan. I owed him big time.

Another day of school and I had work. My eating was back to it's normal state of not very much, but I was more positive since the meal Evan had supplied.

Tonight was a five hour shift- not too long, but long enough if you're tired. And my day at school had tired me out. Dilila had been up to her tricks again, and I had been covered in water once again. Now though, I thought of Evan when the water cascaded down me, and it gave me the strength to just smile back at Dilila, which seemed to unnerve her a little. Evan. I had no idea why, but the complex build of emotions I felt every time I met his eyes were mentally taxing- as if both of us were fighting a mental battle. But the mere thought of the way he was with me was enough to give me the strength to get through the day; whether that was because of the meal or not I had no idea.

After three hours of the shift, I got a break. When I emerged from the bathroom, I saw a familiar figure by the bar. I gasped and melted back against the door. Evan was here. Why? To see me? I breathed in deeply. I only hoped Dilila wasn't here again.

"Serena, why are you hiding here?" One of the waitresses asked as she headed to the bathroom.

"No reason." I muttered, and slunk out of hiding. I nipped past him and slid in to the kitchen. My boss spotted me.

"Serena! I need you to work bar! Kelly's going to have to go home." I heard a wretching sound from outside. Kelly was pregnant, and appeared to have reached the morning sickness stage. I grimaced but did as I was told, slipping behind the bar and pouring my first customer a drink. As I handed it to the man, Evan looked up from next to him. He grinned and I felt my heart flutter.

"So, this is where you work." His silky voice caressed each word so gently I wondered why they didn't just jump back in his mouth to stay close to him forever. I almost did the same, but the bar and my own strength stopped me.

"Yes. Why are you here?"

"Can't a guy come for a drink?"

I gave him a look.

"Ok, so I may have worked out that this is where you work. I just thought I'd check up on you; make sure you're eating."

I glanced around to make sure no one was looking.

"Shush, please. This is the place that's cutting my check."

"Then maybe I should have a word with the manager..."

"...No! Please don't! It was all because of the students from my school... it's standard procedure."

"But they should have been made to pay." He said, frowning a little.

"Well... it seems that when he went to talk to them they changed his mind..."

"They must have been persuasive if he believed them over you."

"One of them was." I eyed him, not sure whether I should tell him it was his sister. But it seemed I didn't have to.

"What day was this?" He asked. I told him. "The same night Dilila came home with that great big smile on her face..." He muttered, apparently unaware that I could still hear him.

I saw my boss looking at me, and began serving other customers. When they had gone I returned to Evan.

"It was my sister wasn't it?" He asked.

I grimaced but nodded.

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Author guidance for This exercise

Serena Faith
Age: 17
Appearance:Pitch black hair, usually in a loose ponytail with a huge long sidefringe. Bright blue eyes which sparkle in the right light, pale skin and a small scar which cuts through her right eyebrow.
Tattoos: Stars which start at her coxis and make their way over her back, arms and stomach, stopping in the centre of her breasts. Has a real tattoo across her chest.
Personality: An outcast, mainly sue to the fact she doesn't like to show her tattoos and therefore doesn't get in to any situations where they could be shown. General hate of people, but loves nature. Strong personality.

Dilila Wink
Age: 16
Appearance: Auburn coloured hair falling like a waterfall to half way down her back. Smokey, heavy, grey eyes that are wide and watching. Her skin is pale with no scars, no tan. She has a firm build with nice curves. Stands at
Tattoos: They are rose patterned starting at her ankles, they curve round them and travel up the sides of her legs. When they reach her hips they curve round before hooking round her belly button then heading up her sides. They stop just beneath her breaths, curving onto her back round her her shoulder blades. They go onto her shoulders and down her arms to the elbow.
Personality: She can be cold. Doesn't lie but is an expert at avoiding at having to tell the truth. She's a bit cruel and sort of fits easily into the popular group through looks and strong personality. She takes charge but strangely also doesn't support the bullying of people below her.


Evan Wink
Age: 18
Appearance: Dark Auburn hair thats chopped short and always ruffled. His eyes are a light grey and calm almost all the time. They reflex every mood he feels clearly. He has a strong jaw and his skin has an olive tan. He has a strong muscular build standing at exactly 6 foot.
Tattoos: He has a phoenix pattern curving up to his right shoulder blade from his left him on his back. Flames and colour tail round his shoulders and collarbone. The tail of the phoenix comes round to the front of his hip flicking over his crotch.
Personality: He has this adorable little smile and is a bit of a bad boy. Has the charm and the cheeky arrogant attitude sometimes. Is honest though and like his sister never lies."

updated Jun 2 '11 by Stargazer