Then as if nothing weird had ever happened, the next week started perfectly normally. No one at school was talking about the supposed fire that caused us to evacuate our houses, be lured into a forest and tackled by a 6 foot four giant. Okay, so the last parts were just me. But still. A forest fire... you'd think it would at least make a page in the local newspaper.

I wanted answers, and since Alex wasn't giving me any and since I wasn't exactly going to storm up to Levi demanding an explanation, Estelle was the next best thing. I first spotted her by her locker, talking to a few girls.

I stormed up to her, trying to remind myself that she actually had nothing to do with my problem, and to not take it out on her. That resolve lasted a few seconds.

"Danni," Estelle said, looking at me weirdly while I stood there looking like a crazy person.

"Can I talk to you?" My voice sounded weird. High and strained. Estelle smiled apologetically at the girls, shut her locker and walked a few meters away.

"What's up, are you okay?" Her face was innocent and concerned, like she had no idea what I could possibly be worked up about.

"Hey. So, just wondering, but do you happen to know anything about why I was taken to a freaking house in the middle of the woods while escaping a hypothetical fire that didn't seem to actually happen, during which I was lured into the woods by some kind of creepy evil thing only to be interrupted by your brother tackling me, I totally cried into his chest like a baby talk about embarrassing, then to top things off I got to spend the night in a room full of guys working on a strategy for which I'm assuming was not the fire." Wow. I was breathing heavy as I finished my rant.

Estelle blinked a few times, then smiled coyly. "You cried into my brother's chest?"

I groaned. "Well yeah I mean I couldn't reach his shoulder so - No! So not the point here!"

She averted her eyes and sighed. "Look, there was a certain... danger that night. A fire, if you will. And that was the only safe place to go. The part about the creepy thing in the woods and Levi tackling you, sorry I have no idea."

I threw my hands in the air. "Why do I feel like everyone in this town knows something I don't? When do I get let in on the secret? Do I have to pass some kind of test? Is there a hazing?"

Estelle bit her lip, looking conflicted. "There's nothing we're hiding from you. It's just we're a small town, things probably feel different here for you because you haven't been here as long."

I slumped against the lockers. "So, there was a fire?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "It didn't come as near as we'd expected though, so that was good."

"Are the forests around here haunted? I know I sound crazy but I've seen things..." I asked, seriously. I still couldn't get over that one.

She laughed, then saw how serious I was being. "I mean, not that I'm aware. Maybe you just heard the wind or something?" I really wish I could cast it off as just the wind.

"Danni, listen to me. You are safe here, okay? We all protect each other here - Alex, me, Levi... we've got your back. Please try not to worry," she said earnestly. The look on her face, it was hard not to trust her.

"Okay... But I can look after myself too, you know."

"I'm sure you can. Now c'mon, we've got to get to class."

We began walking. "Hey, where were you the other night?"

She averted her eyes again. "I was out of town, didn't hear about it till I got back yesterday."

--

Then suddenly, it was like I was never alone. There was always someone with me. Walking with me to class, offering to drive me home, hanging out at my place until Alex was home... I wouldn't be surprised if they'd sat down and made a roster, it was that perfectly orchestrated. Even when I did manage to get a chance to be alone, I'd feel like I was being watched, followed. Creepy.

But they weren't obvious about it, and I didn't feel like there was a way I could confront them about it without looking like a bitch and being unappreciative for their friendship. But seriously, a girl needs some time alone.

And why they were doing this with me was beyond me. I'd gotten over my little freak out, I wasn't going to have another breakdown, I wasn't sick anymore... I just wanted to have one afternoon where I could pee in my own house without being questioned.

And that afternoon finally came. I had snuck out of my last period class early, and sighed in relief when I got on the bus without anyone offering to come help with homework, or asking if they could hang out at mine while their parents painted their lounge.

Once home, I changed into my loose cotton shorts and the comfiest top I owned - the one with all the holes in it - and began the difficult attempt of a decision between ice cream and popcorn. I'd just settled on putting popcorn in my ice cream, when the doorbell rang.

"Oh for the love of God," I groaned, putting the ice cream down and storming to the door. I was ready to tell whoever it was to go home, I was fine. But when I opened the door, the word's I'd prepared disappeared back inside me.

"Danielle," Levi said, his words electric. Despite spending more time around him, I found it harder and harder to control myself. I wonder what he'd say if I literally launched myself at him... Would almost be worth the backlash. But then I'd have to face his sister...

"Hi. Hello, uh what-" Coherent and fluid as always. I was painfully aware now of what I was wearing. He seemed to notice too, his eyes slowly trailing up my body, a smirk on his lips. I shifted uncomfortably, wishing I'd put on something a lot nicer.

"Sorry to interrupt," he said, his deep voice doing strange things to me, "but Estelle wanted me to drop this off to you." He held up a bag, my school bag to be exact. In my hurry to leave I must left it in class. Stupid. But also not stupid, because now I had a very attractive boy on my doorstep.

"God, I'm such an idiot," I laughed, embarrassed. "Thanks."

He nodded, not saying anything. The muscles in his jaw twitched, and he was holding him body in a very stiff way.

"Uh, do you want to come in?" I heard myself say the words before I even knew I was saying them. My eyes widened and my cheeks caught fire.

He looked at me with that confusing look I could never make sense of, and grabbed the back of his neck. Okay, an answer would be nice, don't just stand there staring.

"Okay." Shocked, I stepped aside, and he walked in, brushing past me in the process and leaving me basically weak at the knees.

I stood by the door for a few seconds longer, trying to control my breathing.

Levi was walking around the lounge, looking at the pictures and art on the walls. Meanwhile, I stood like an idiot, contemplating running to my room and changing.

"Is this you?" I startled at the sound of his voice, then walked over to look at the picture he was holding.

It was a photo taken when I was about 10 and Alex was 12, right before he got all shut off and secretive. We'd just had a huge storm and our garden had basically turned to slushy mud, so Alex and I had the brilliant idea of having a mud war. The photo was taken after we'd finished; I was leaning on Alex, exhausted smiles shining from under our dirty faces. I'd forgotten about that, and looking at the photo brought back happy memories.

I smiled, nodding. "That was such a fun day."

"I couldn't imagine any of my sisters looking that happy about being covered in mud," he chuckled slightly, putting the photo down.

Grinning, I thought about Estelle rolling in mud. "I'd pay to see that happen."

"Uh, do you want a drink?" I offered nervously, watching as he made his way across the room.

"Sure, I'll have whatever you're having."

Almost exhaling in relief of being able to leave the room, I practically ran into the kitchen and slumped against the counter. Oh my god. Levi was in my house. Alone. My heart was sprinting a marathon and my palms were unnervingly sweaty.

Okay. Drink. What could I make to drink?! Suddenly every drink that ever existed left my mind.

I opened the fridge and found orange juice. Orange juice is okay right? God he wasn't some kid, he probably expected a beer or something. Um okay - we had beer. Do I bring out a beer and offer it to him while I lamely drink some orange juice? Or do I drink a beer too.

I ran my hands through my hair, stressing more than I had since my last math exam.

"What do guys drink," I hissed to myself, under my breath.

"The juice is fine." I spun around to see an amused Levi leaning against the kitchen doorframe, observing my animated freak out. I cleared my throat.

"Okay great," I said casually. Controlling my shaking hands to the point where they were able to grab two glasses and pour without spilling, I handed him a drink and a silence ensued. He didn't seem to have a problem with prolonged periods of silence, whereas I did. Especially with him. I was just about to break out in another lame attempt at conversation, when the front door slammed shut and Alex's voice trailed into the house.

"... hope you're hungry because I just ordered three quarters of Emerald Thai's menu and we are not going to sleep until it's all gone and - oh. Levi." Alex stopped short, looking at the very tall, very strong guy in our kitchen.

I suddenly felt like I'd done something wrong, like a parent had just caught me with a boy in my room or something. "Uh hey Alex, Levi just was dropping off my bag for Estelle and I offered him a drink so now we're just having a drink in the kitchen."

Alex nodded slowly, looking at me like I was an idiot. "I can see that, thanks Danni."

Levi snorted slightly, and I shot him an annoyed look.

"Hey man," Levi greeted, and they shook hands. Formal. I was beginning to learn to not question things here.

"So, up for the challenge?" Alex nudged me, heading towards the fridge to grab some water.

"Hell yeah," I scoffed.

"You should join us. She thinks she's up for it but really she's all talk," Alex grinned, speaking to Levi. He laughed and raised an eyebrow.

"I can imagine."

"That sounds like a challenge," I crossed my arms.

"Well maybe it is," Levi straightened, stepping closer to me in an intimidation technique. Of course it worked, but for once I wasn't reduced to acting like an idiot. The competitive side of me was taking over.

"Bring it on boys."

And that was how Levi ended up staying for dinner at my house, which is a sentence I never thought I'd ever say.