I burst through the front door and kick it shut, running to the couch and jumping on it.

"Another fun day, dear?" My mum asks, peeking out from the kitchen.

"Yes!" I squeal. "I got to hand out with Edlynne, and Jenny today!" Mum sighs and disappears into the kitchen, coming out moments later without her apron and spoon.

"Okay, enough secrets. I wanna know exactly who this Edlynne is! You talk about her so much you'd think you were dating her!" Mum laughs, and I hit her with a throw pillow.

"Muuum! I only just met her!" I whine, falling back onto the couch.

"I know, I know. I'm just teasing, dear."

"But she's awesome." I start, staring up at the ceiling. "She's really quiet- and only ever says serious stuff. Things to drive the conversation forward. Y'know, important things. But when she does talk, she's really sarcastic. It's basically her entire personality! Sarcasm and wit! I don't even think she realizes how funny it is! And it matches her perfectly. She's all uptight when she talks- like she's some princess or something. And she might be! I just found out today that she's rich! And she came from the city! She takes the taxi, or walks everywhere she goes- and she dresses all dark, even in summer! I think she's trying to scare people away... It's like she's emo or goth, or something. And she's always wearing eyeliner! Always! And dark lipstick, too! I have no idea how she doesn't get it on everything! She's always eating, but she's built like a twig! I have a feeling, if it weren't for those heavy boots of hers, she'd float away! And she has these really pretty earrings- they're really big! And gold, too! I think they might be real gold!"

"She sounds like quite a character. Are you sure she's all that?" Mum asks, smiling her soft, contented way. Why does she have to be all wise?

"You don't know the half of it. She lives by herself- at thirteen! And off a monthly allowance by her parents! She doesn't cook- but she owns every ingredient to everything! Her pantry's full- and she doesn't even know what half of it is! I taught her to make apple pie, and I'm pretty sure it's all she's been eating! Every time I see her, she has a pie with no more than two pieces missing!"

"Oh dear... Are you sure she doesn't need any more help with cooking? That can't be good for her." Mum worries, with her hand over her mouth.

"She's fine. She walked a mile today like it was nothing! And then did it again to go home! And she fought off the Hellhound- and then scolded me about my leg! She doesn't show it- but I'm sure she's really worried. I think she's been reading up on health stuff. She gave me an entire lecture about health this morning!"

"Oh, yes, I heard that. She was very loud- and right, you know. I looked it up after you two left.''

"But I don't think she's been taking care of herself! She's- as far as I can tell- been eating nothing but pie, not sleeping, and working herself to the bone by walking all across town every day!"

"That's not good. She has to take better care of herself. Should we make her dinner? A feast of healthy food?" Mum suggests, and I shake my head.

"No. I already asked her, but she said 'no', but in this really fancy way, like she always does. She's just so fancy! Everything she does screams sophistication! The way she talks! The way she walks- heck, she even knows how to ballroom dance!"

"Oh my, you think she'll teach me?" Mum asks.

"Probably- she already agreed to teach me. But we're getting off track! She's just really sophisticated! Like a princess! Her hair is long and flowy like one, too! It goes down to her back, and it's shiny and smooth! And it's black and pin-straight! Just think of the things you could do with it! So many braids... And her eyes are really dark, too. They're green, but you can't tell except in the sun because of how dark they are. Everything about her is so serious and dramatic. She's all straight lines and sharp angles, from her bones to her nose, to her eyeliner and hair! And she always has a neutral expression on her face! Like she has no emotions at all. Her mouth is permanently pressed in a straight line like someone just kept ironing it. Actually- the only expressions I've ever seen her make are fear, anger, and happy. And the first two were so dramatic- like in manga. But her smile is so slight, that just by blinking you could miss it."

"Is she nice, though?"

"Very- and considerate and caring, too. She just doesn't like to show it. I don't know why, but it's like she's built herself an entire emotional fortress. The only time I've ever gotten a peek past its' walls, was when we were attacked. For a split second- while we were fighting it, I could see her face. It was all scrunched up- her eyebrows were knitted together, and she was yelling. I don't think she'd ever been that loud. And her hair, it looked like it was curling. It was so weird... Seeing her like that, I don't think the Hellhound was that weird. I guess I've just gotten used to her neutral expression."

"Well- that was very descriptive and all- but I'm not a psychiatrist, and I can't tell you anything about people without meeting them. So, until you decide we should meet her, I can't help you, dear. But- I do have some muffins in the oven if you'd like to help." Mum says, standing up and straightening out her skirt.

"Okay!" I jump up and follow her into the kitchen.