Izzy’s trip to the bookstore had gone without a hitch. The artificial lights of the store stung her eyes for a moment, before they adjusted to the harsh brightness inside. The smell of the bookshop--the robust scent of coffee from the small café, the binding and pages of the books--was more intense than she remembered it, even more pleasurable. She paused only once, pondering on how coffee would taste to her now. Though she took a bit longer than she would have liked to find the section she needed, she found it all the same. They had a fairly good selection, considering the size of the store. After quickly choosing what she thought would be best and paying, she headed outside, the ease of the trip there boosting her confidence for the journey back.
	But, as life always seems to enjoy toying with its playthings, the universe had other plans. 
	Izzy gasped, her back straightening at the familiar voice. How did she know that voice? She turned, taking a slight step toward a darker spot on the sidewalk where neither the streetlights nor the glow from the storefront window fully reached.
	There, looking debonair, stood Trevor.
	“[i]Trevor?[/i]” she said, opening her mouth as little as possible. She cleared her throat and looked down at the books in her hand. For once in her life, she wished she had not put her hair up so she could use it to better hide her face. “S-something like that.” She shuffled nervously through the books. She needed to get rid of him, but she did not want to be rude, especially since the worst thing he had done was make her have a friend. 
	“My brothers take karate," she began, doing her best to sound sincere in the lie that followed. "I figure it’s time I brush up on my martial arts skills so I can give them a run for their money the next time we get in an argument.” She glanced quickly down the street. “I should probably get back before my parents start to worry.” She glanced to Trevor, gave him a halfhearted smile, then turned to head down the street, silently pleading he would simply return to the bookstore. “It was good seeing you again!"