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off this often. And you are such a pain.” I retorted struggling uselessly. “We should probably get to school. Unless somebody wants to play hooky today.” Shane said doubtfully. “Yeah, hooky sounds like fun.” I said rubbing my ankle. That surprised him and he looked down at me with a shocked expression. “What? Do you honestly think I’ve never played hooky before?” I asked doubtfully. “No, it just seems that it wouldn’t be something you would take lightly. You’re normally a lot more responsible.” Shane said with a grin. “Normally I would make you kids go to school, but considering her ankle, and the fact that most of you are normally pretty good students, I’ll let you get away with it today.” John said. “I would have skipped either way.” I said. “Right.” Shane and John said in unison. I had already stopped struggling and I was honestly quite comfortable. Then Shane picked me up and he started walking back up the hill. “Where are we going?” I asked drowsily. “Well, I’m headed to where we have karate and I’m probably going to do some training. You, I’m guessing that you are going home.” Shane said putting me in Roses’ car. “Can I go with you? There’s nothing to do at home besides wrestling with Jordan and Jacob, which gets really boring when they don’t stand a chance against me.” I asked hopefully. “And because you’d rather stare at him all day than train with your family.” Rose said while climbing into the drivers’ seat. “Rose, don’t you ever learn to shut up?” I asked not hiding the annoyance in my voice. “Yes, I do, but he’s next to you and he’ll hold you back if you try to attack me again.” She said confidently. “I wouldn’t be so sure that he is capable of restraining me when I’m agitated.” I said still very annoyed. Then Shane got into the seat next to me, and pulled me into his lap. “Can’t you just let me sit in my own seat, instead of your lap all the time?” I asked annoyed. “I could, but you’d attack your sister.” He said smugly. “Put me back in my seat Shane.” I said annoyed. “Why? Are you uncomfortable? Or are you just trying to get a chance to attack Rose?” He asked doubtfully. “Because I want to attack Rose.” I answered before I actually thought about it. “Yeah, I kind of thought so.” He said. He wrapped his arms around me, making me realize how cold I was. I realized that Rose and I had rolled through a couple of puddles in our little squabble. I didn’t want to argue any more, so I just adjusted myself more comfortably and closed my eyes. “She looks comfortable.” John commented. “She probably is. She’s soaking wet, again, and freezing too.” Shane said with a shiver running down his spine. “Yeah, that would be uncomfortable. Or at least without a shirt it would be.” John said, trying to repress his laughter. “Why is she wearing your shirt anyway?” He asked. “Cause Roses’ shirts turn transparent when they get wet with cold water, and she went for a little swim in the pond.” Shane said, obviously having a hell of a time repressing his laughter. “You know, I’m right here. And I tripped.” I said losing grip of the last bit of dignity I had. “Oh, I thought you were asleep.” Shane said with a hint of regret in his voice. “No, not quite.” I said, my drowsiness beginning to slur my speech. “She will be in about five minutes though.” John said in a calm serene voice. “Not a chance.” I said trying to hold back a big yawn, unsuccessfully. Shane just wrapped his arms around me tighter, in a way that made me really comfortable and tired at the same time. The cars’ engine started up with a low purr, gently lulling me toward sleep, all of my concentration focused on keeping myself awake. Rose gently urged her new car forward and I could barely tell that we were moving. I decided that if I acted like I was asleep that they’d probably start talking again. Maybe I’d pg 2