Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter - By Nikki Jefford Page 0,34

get in a fight. I intervened. I already went over this with Principal Romero. That kid was about to kill the other one, and I stopped him."

"Principal Romero said you beat on him."

"Well, it put an end to his rampage, didn't it?" I crossed the kitchen, opened the freezer, and frowned. "No more fruity pops?"

"Aurora, I'm talking to you."

"I can snack and listen." I opened the cupboard and pulled out a bag of pretzels instead.

"Aurora, I'm extremely disappointed."

I stopped mid-chew and looked at her. "Well, I'm sorry. I was recruited to fight. This is who I am now. It's what they expect from me."

"Agent Melcher said you could go back to your normal life."

"Right, Agent Melcher." I sneered. The pretzel sticks made me think of small bones snapping under my teeth. I chucked the bag onto the counter. "I don't get to make my own decisions anymore."

My mother's face dropped. "Maybe they'll reconsider in a year."

"Mom," I said firmly. "They'll never let me go." I grabbed an apple out of the glass fruit bowl on the counter and headed up the stairs.

"Where are you going now?" Mom asked.

"To get started on homework." I chuckled at the surprise on her face. "Much as I despise the idea of attending the UAA next year, I loathe the thought of repeating senior year at Denali even more."

And that was the truth. I could only play the recovering accident victim for so long before my teachers started expecting more participation on my part.

The upside of suspension was it forced me to stay in one spot and get my work done. No Mouseketeers. No Skipping. No Fane.

I'd already crammed more studying into one morning than I did during a whole week at Denali.

I joined my mom at the dining room table the next morning and spread my books over the far end. A plate of toast and a glass of pulpy orange juice sat by my side.

"I'm glad you're making this time count," Mom said. "Are you sure I can't make you breakfast?"

"Mom, I'm fine."

I'd never really been sure what my mom did while I was at school. To start the day, it seemed, she read the newspaper with a glass of diet soda.

An hour later, my mom got up, put her glass in the dishwasher, and took the paper in the recycle bin. She disappeared upstairs for a while then returned fully dressed with freshly applied makeup.

"I'm going to the grocery store. I'll be right back. Do you want anything?"

"More fruity pops," I suggested.

The solitude was nice. For the first time since the accident, I got work done. The sub sandwiches Mom brought back for lunch were a welcome break, regardless of the way the bread disintegrated like sponge cake inside my mouth.

The phone rang as my mom finished putting away the groceries.

She answered. "Hello? Yes. May I ask who's calling?"

I stared at my mom. She held the phone against her chest. "Aurora, there's a boy on the phone for you. Fane?"

I leapt out of my chair and grabbed the phone. "Hello?"

"Hello, Aurora."

Even through the phone, his voice was silky.

My mother looked over.

I turned my back and spoke softly. "How did you get my number?"

"I looked it up."

I felt lightheaded in a good way. I wasn't sure if Fane would talk to me, much less call after the kiss. Scott hadn't called and he actually had my phone number.

"How's school?" I asked.

"All the boys are resting easy knowing Aurora Sky's not around to beat them up...for now."

I laughed. "They better not get too comfortable. The school's letting me return on Friday."

"I can't wait."

I gripped the phone around my ear. My heart hammered inside my chest.

"Do you have a piece of paper and pen?" Fane asked.

"Why?"

"I want to give you my phone number."

"Why Fane Donado, are you giving me your digits?" I asked in mock glee.

He chuckled. "Just write it down."

I grabbed a No. 2 pencil and piece of unopened mail from the counter, turning the envelope over to the back. "I'm ready."

Fane recited his cell number.

"Got it."

"Call me anytime."

"During class?" I joked.

"Anytime," Fane repeated.

"All right, see you Friday."

"Until then, Aurora."

My hands shook slightly when I hung up the phone.

"Who is Fane?" Mom asked.

I spun around and smiled innocently. "A boy at school."

"And his name's Fane?"

"Yeah."

"How do you two know each other?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Gym class."

"Aurora, I don't want to see you fall in with a bad crowd."

Laughter bubbled up my throat. "And you're assuming he's a delinquent because of his name?"

"Nice boys don't