At his house, I carried Alexander while Donavon carried the cage. There were boxes everywhere from their recent move.

"Hey mom, this is Avery."

"Welcome!" His mom said with a large, greeting smile as she sipped on a drink while sitting in a kitchen chair. "I'm so sorry about the mess! It's so much work to sort through everything!" Her loud personality was apparent in the tone of her voice. 

I continued to follow Donavon through the kitchen to the upstairs. It was so odd to be in another's house. It almost made me feel like a normal person…almost. 

Once in Donavon's room, he set down the cage.

Now what?

We stared each other down for a moment. I didn't want to stay, but I also didn't want to leave Alexander.

"You can see him as much as you like," he said, his gentle eyes reassuring. 

But seeing my bunny would also mean seeing Donavon more. It was worse enough that I had broken my promise to even speak to him again. Disaster was a close friend.

I set Alexander in his cage. "Give him lots of pets," I ordered.

"I will." Alexander was too good for this. Should I have suffered riding with my dad for his sake? But he was also too good to have to be alone so much. "I can drive you home from school so you can see Alexander."

That sent warning signals off in my head. But it did sound better than riding the bus. Stupid boy.

Donavon again was silent as he drove me back to my dad's. He pulled up to the house and parked. Neither of us moved for a minute.

"Can I just ask one question?" he finally said, turning to me.

I almost snapped a no as my usual mean self, but I owed him. "What?"

"You aren't who you appear to be at school—all the dark clothes and makeup. That's not you. So why?"

He could have asked anything but that. It was like he was trying to pull everything out of my skull until he knew me better than I knew myself. His interest did baffle me. But then again, I was so different. He must be attracted to different. Not really me…just…different.

"It's better that way," I answered, not looking at him then left the car.

~*~

The futon didn't fluff in the same way as my old bed. I bet thousands of old farts had been trapped in it too. Alexander was far away, my aunt was far away, and some lazy bozo slept in the room only one wall away from me.

Sleeplessness havocked a tornado in my brain. Life used to be easy—stay away from people. But now I couldn't help but to be force-shoved into a small bottle with them. And the only person I wanted to be close to now was my aunt. The thought of her being alone and all cut up with broken bones bashed in my chest. My dad deserved that, not her. 

The sun finally decided to join my sleepless party as a sliver of light snuck past the window and onto my face. My mind was finally ready and begging to drift away to sleep. I could skip school again…maybe…

Before shutting my eyes back away from the world, I turned to check the time on my phone which showed three missed calls—a number which I didn't recognize. My phone lit up again as the same caller was calling again. Better answer just in case it was important.

"Hello?" I answered, hoping I didn't sound too much like a zombie.

"Avery? Hey, it's Donavon. I'm outside your house. Want a ride to school?"

My fatigued mind had to pause and process for a moment.

"Uh… No thanks," I tried to mumble back.

"You know it's too late to ride the bus…" I didn't answer as I pulled a blanket over my head. "You're not going to skip school are you?" He spoke again. "We have that important test today, remember?" 

Clarity struck my brain for a moment… Oh yeah…the test…

"Wait, you said you're outside?" I asked.

"Yeah, been waiting here in case you wanted a ride…"

"Oh…"

"So if you're gonna come, if you don't mind hurrying, because we are really…really late."

I checked the time. Oh bunny fuzz! Class started in one minute. And he had made himself late for me? He must think he's my knight in sparkling armor or something. Silly boy.

As zomped as I was, I grabbed my bag and dashed to his car. Once inside, he greeted me then sped like a starved man running towards bacon.

My brain finally cleared enough to recognize some things. One, that I was in normal clothes—jeans and a purple shirt from yesterday. Two, that I had no makeup. And three, I was about to be seen like this by hundreds at school.

"Turn around!" I accidentally shouted.

"What!? What is it?"

"I just…forgot…something. Can we please go back?"

"Is it that important? We will already be late as is."

"Well…" I didn't want to lie, but I didn't want to tell him the truth. "I guess…I'll live." But would I?

The school's doors now seemed like the mouth of a lion ready to swallow me whole. I statued myself at the entrance.

Donavon stopped when he saw I wasn't following. "What's wrong?"

"I can't go in there." And I really meant it. As in, I would definitely die. His face asked the question: why ever not?

"Well, look at me."

His eyes searched in confusion. "Um… You look fine."

"That's the problem! My clothes, no makeup." No shield, I wanted to say.

He started laughing. "Maybe one day I will understand you, but it's definitely not today." He walked back to me and offered his hand. "I doubt anyone will even recognize you. Just stay close to me."

Yeah, wouldn't you like that punk. 

His hand hung rejected as I walked past him. He opened the door for me, and we both plodded in. 

I had always felt like the one on top at school, but now I was the mouse ready to be digested by dragons. Thankfully, the hallways were cleared since classes had already started, but I still stayed right behind Donavon. Our pending doom even worsened when our first classroom door came into view. He opened it for me.

"I'm not going in first," I whispered.

He nodded and entered first then I followed. Of course all heads turned, giving us instant spotlight. The teacher's mouth slightly dropped open as her squinted eyes pointed at us. All was silent. Traveling to the two far desks was like crawling through the Savanna desert, but soon all resumed to normal.  Donavon gave me a reassuring nod.

As lunch time came, things got even worse. I couldn't sit at my usual spot because people would know it was me. My best bet was to sit with Donavon. We chose a remote table, but soon that same girl and guy he sat with the first day came to join us. 

"These are my cousins, Justin and Jennifer.  And this is-"

"Jade," I quickly spoke for him, giving my middle name.  Donavon shook his head with a slight smirk.

"Alright!" Jennifer cheered. "We are like the "J" team here!" She held out her hand to high five me. I awkwardly brought my hand to hers slowly then quickly back to safety on my lap.

Soon, two other girls, who I recognized, joined the table as well. But I didn't see any recognition in their eyes when they looked at me. I guess Donavon was right after all, though it was probably more my behavior than looks that shielded me from being recognized. 

It appeared that Jennifer was quick to make friends. They talked about all kinds of things that I couldn't relate to as I focused down at my food which I didn't feel like eating.

"What do you like to do, Jade?" Jennifer asked.

It took me a moment to connect that she was talking to me. In the past, when speaking to anyone my age, it was always with weird or rude remarks. Of course, no one talked to me anymore—back when I was the "witch freak". But I had to be normal now. What would a normal person say?

"Uh… I…have a bunny."

"Cool! I love bunnies!"

"She also draws," Donavon added. "Like super amazing drawings."

~*~

Fatigue ruled my body as the school day started to close. My stomach was growling like mad. But I knew it wasn't because of the lack of food. I hadn't had blood for at least a day now. I wasn't even sure how long I could go without it.

"Do you want me to take you to see your aunt? Or maybe Alexander?" Donavon asked as we entered his car.

"Thank you," was all I spoke, looking down. Guilt was starting to get to me, and I had to say something. He had helped me so much.

"For?"

"Um, a lot."

"It's not a problem."

"I can wait in the car for you," Donavon offered once at the hospital. I nodded my appreciation and practically bolted for the door and through the hallways.

"Hey, Aunt Lil," I said slowly, approaching her bed.

It was such a relief to be around someone familiar. She opened her arms, inviting me to a hug. I bent down to her as she wrapped one frail arm around me. Her scent was comforting.

"Hey, sweetie, how's everything?" She asked. Now I was supposed to spill my guts out. This would be normal for any daughter speaking to a mother. I wasn't used to it.

"Well…I had to let Donavon watch Alexander since he can't stay at my dad's. I had to go to school looking like a normal person. And people talked to me, and it was horrible."

She laughed. "You have been so brave, and I'm proud of you."

I looked down. That was the first time anyone had ever said that to me, though I felt a bit silly. 

"So tell me about this Donavon guy?" She prodded.

I answered simply all the facts I knew from what he looked like, how he moved from Colorado, and how he skateboards, or at least tried to.

"What's his personality like?" She dug deeper. I suppose that normal girls would have loved this kind of chat, but I wasn't like normal girls.

"Well…he's good with animals. He asks me a million questions. He's kind even when I'm rude to him. He opens doors for me and drives me everywhere. He seems to be always in my space, yet respectful of it," I sighed hopelessly. It sounded as if I was in love with this seemingly perfect person, but I was far from it. 

My aunt's eyes looked as though some fairytale had been told to her. "I'm so glad you found someone so nice."

"It's not like we are dating or anything, not even friends. We are on business terms only."

She chuckled. "Alright, I'm glad you found a nice business partner then."

I could have spent more time with my aunt, but I couldn't have Donavon waiting forever.

"I love you," my Aunt said as I was leaving. It froze me in place. 

Me loved? Was I really the kind of person that someone else could love? I didn't deserve it. 

I at least smiled back, then left.

Donavon had loud music playing in his car when I got back. His head was moving to the beat but stopped once he spotted me. He leaned over to open the door for me from the inside.

"Bunny time?" He asked.

I nodded, though I was already spending way too much time with this guy. I just hoped that my aunt would be better soon, and everything could go back to normal.

~*~

Donavon's mother was once again in the kitchen trying to find places for boxed items.

"Avery! Hello! What a wonderful bunny you have. I can't help but to pet him from time to time!" She said in her usual dramatic tone. 

I almost smiled. It was good to know that they seemed to be treating Alexander well.

"Hi, Mom," Donavon smiled.

He then walked me to his room.

"You can stay as long as you want," he said, then left me alone with Alexander.

Eagerly, I snatched him from his cage and brought all his furry cuteness close to my face. "You missed me, haven't you? But you've been such a good boy, so I'll have to give you extra treats when you get home."

With Alexander in arms, I crept down the hall to the top of the stairs where I could hear Donavon and his mom talking. She asked about his day, and he asked her a few questions about unpacking and other random things. 

Their conversation seemed so normal and easy flowing. I guess that's what happens when people were close to each other. It was hard to imagine feeling completely comfortable with another human being.

After putting Alexander back, I descended the stairs where amazing smelling food was cooking.

"Avery, why don't you join us for dinner?" Donavon's mom asked.

I majorly didn't want to, but it would buy me more time before having to go back to my dad's.

"Uh, I guess so."

"Wonderful!" She sounded genuinely excited. I awkwardly stood to the side as they maneuvered around the small kitchen to get the food ready and table set.

Donavon pulled out a chair for me to sit on. He was so old-fashiony. 

The three of us sat. Just us? Did he not have a father?

Donavon's mother was not much different in that she asked me question after question. But unlike talking to Donavon, I actually had to answer each question. Thankfully, the questions weren't anything too personal. 

The spotlight torture finally ended, and I was once again in Donavon's car, riding home to my next doom.   

All was silent. I knew all kinds of stuff must have been going through his mind. What did he think of me? But I didn't care…did I? I started to wonder more about him. I almost wanted to speak but couldn't force myself to say anything. 

Soon, we pulled up to my dad's house, but neither of us moved. I kept my gaze straight ahead. It was hard to admit, but I was starting to get used to Donavon's presence. We simply sat and existed in his car for a few moments. It's now or never I guess.

"What happened to your dad?" I barely forced out, still looking at the ground.     

"He left us a few years back," he answered so casually with no hesitation. 

"Oh."

"You owe me an answer now." I could feel his full focus on me now. "What happened to your mom?"

"She died."

"I'm really sorry." His face truly looked it as well.

"To be honest, I didn't care. She hardly existed before she died anyway." I said, finally brave enough to look into his eyes as they studied me. 

It was strange to know that we had some kind of connection now—at least something in common. I could tell he wanted to ask more but thankfully stayed away from questions too personal.

"I still don't get you," he said.

"You never will." I kept looking into his eyes. I wasn't even sure why. They seemed so safe…but I knew it wasn't. Nothing was safe about this at all. I couldn't change who I was. 

No, I didn't like him! I wouldn't…I couldn't…