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"Great," I squeaked out "Really fantastic You?"

He shrugged and grinned at uess I’m pretty happy"

"Yeah" I sed He didn’t even realize what had happened He thought he’d just kissed a girl he liked while they were on their very first date

I felt ill

"Join us" Carly scooted over

She looked so noret what I’d just seen--a black-eyedon a human soul A monster who, for a moment, had looked ather

She’d said she wouldn’t do this That she had it under control That I should trust her

The one noithout a trace Carly was back to norlanced behind me, but it looked as if no one had noticed what happened except for me

"I, um, can’t stay I just wanted to say hi" I looked at the plate in front of her, still half full of food If that had been my plate, it would have been shiny clean by now

She frowned and reached out to touch my arm Her skin felt ice-cold and I flinched away froood You sure you can’t sit down for a minute?"

This was not the time for accusations Maybe she didn’t even realize what she’d just done

I shook o"

"Me, too," Paul said "It’s been great, Carly Sorry I have to take off early Maybe we can do this again?"

"Absolutely," she said with a big grin "Thanks soabout the daily special

I lingered tohim walk slowly to the exit as if he was inexplicably exhausted Carly gavethen studied my face A frown creased her brow

"I knohat you’re thinking," she said "But it’s no big deal, okay? He’s fine I barely took anything But…I had to I couldn’t help it I was so hungry"

I just nodded "If you say so"