Сумерки

           "Hepausedtocatchastraylockofhairthatwasescapingthetwistonmyneckandwounditbackintoplace.Myheartsplutteredhyperactively."Isupposeyoucouldsayyestothefirst...ifyoudon’tmind-it’seasierthananyotherexplanation."

           "Idon’tmind,"Isaidinafaintvoice.

           "Andasforherotherquestion...well,I’llbelisteningtoheartheanswertothatonemyself."Onesideofhismouthpulledupintomyfavoriteunevensmile.Icouldn’tcatchmybreathsoonenoughtorespondtothatremark.Heturnedandwalkedaway.

           "I’llseeyouatlunch,"hecalledoverhisshoulder.Threepeoplewalkinginthedoorstoppedtostareatme.

           Ihurriedintoclass,flushedandirritated.Hewassuchacheater.NowIwasevenmoreworriedaboutwhatIwasgoingtosaytoJessica.Isatinmyusualseat,slammingmybagdowninaggravation.

           "Morning,Bella,"Mikesaidfromtheseatnexttome.Ilookeduptoseeanodd,almostresignedlookonhisface."HowwasPortAngeles?"

           "Itwas..."Therewasnohonestwaytosumitup."Great,"Ifinishedlamely."Jessicagotareallycutedress."

           "DidshesayanythingaboutMondaynight?"heasked,hiseyesbrightening.Ismiledattheturntheconversationhadtaken.

           "Shesaidshehadareallygoodtime,"Iassuredhim.

           "Shedid?"hesaideagerly.

           "Mostdefinitely."

           Mr.Masoncalledtheclasstoorderthen,askingustoturninourpapers.