Rather nice to talk to and to look at. The "look at" part was completely one-sided of course; none of them ever even glanced at him as a romantic inte...rest. But as a conversation partner he liked to think there was a mutual appreciation. Quite often he'd end up at school late into the evening, lounging on the mats after practice with the girls, chatting about their chances of winning the next meet, what to expect on the chem exam next Friday, or why in the world the theater club had decided to. “How did we solve that equation on the blackboard?” sheasked sharply.“Well…” he began, then he shrugged. “I have an idea,but I’m not sure.”The class burst into laughter, and Mrs. Norman’s eyeshardened. “I’ve had enough of this,” she said curtly.“This time you’re really gonna get it. Report to myoffice after the class.” She stalked away back towardsthe blackboard, her skirt hardly able to contain thelush,. But I was just having trouble figuring out how to say all of that,and now I'm worried I hurt your feelings." Well, you almost did. I can't stand being treated like a carnival freak," Isaid sadly."It's not that, it's just that you don't exactly make it easy to figure you out.You're like, a beautiful mystery woman. So help me figure out themystery." OK, right after high school finished, I went straight to college. No oneknew me there, so I started living as a girl part time, and then I got. Matt cleared the landing and broke into a sprint, heading towards the bedroom. He heard the sound of claws on wood as the beast struggled its way up the stairs behind him.He made it inside and slammed the old oak door, locking it just as the creature barreled into it from the other side, the key flying from the lock under the impact and clattering onto the floor. It howled, a haunting and terrifying sound, perhaps trying to call more of its ilk to the hunt. Matt scrambled across the room and.