I go downstairs earlier than usual. It’s hard to sleep feeling this excited. Stefan loves me and I feel like I’m walking on clouds. Everyone is surely still sleeping so I try to be quiet as I go down. I walk towards the kitchen to make coffee, but then I stop midway when I hear a heated discussion coming from my dad’s office between him and Mike. I tiptoe near the office door, remaining at a distance where I’m close enough to be able to hear the argument, but not close enough in case they come out unexpectedly and I have to run.“How can you be so calm after what they did?!&rd

Miranda and I haven’t seen each other in weeks. We’ve texted each other, but for different reasons, it has been impossible for us to meet in person or even talk on the phone. We’ve never had this problem before and I know it has something (or everything) to do with the fact that secretly she doesn’t really want to see me. Once we see each other face to face we are going to have to talk about the fact that Barney dislikes me and that he has probably advised Miranda to keep her distance from me. Miranda is in the awkward position of choosing between the two of us; I know she’ll choose me, but she has been infatuated with Barney for so long I’m sure it’s difficult for her to break up with him. It’s easier to avoid me for a while than to face reality. I get

I can hear the racket inside my house just by standing on the front porch. There’s music and laughter coming from inside, the lights from every floor are on and I can see thru the windows people coming and going. Such a change from the usual silence that rules in my house. Most of my relatives arrived by plane, but the ones that live nearer drove here, so there are more cars than usual parked in the front. Among them there’s a blue BMW M8 Coupé, I grin from ear to ear and rush inside. I’m received by a wave of greetings from my relatives. I hug and kiss my way thru the dining

I wake up really early. Everyone is still sleeping, the house is as quiet as usual, no surprise there, I heard laughter and clinking glasses until dawn. My relatives really like to party, but I was feeling pretty downhearted after the rudeness everyone showed Stefan last night so, after he left, I went up to my room and stayed there ignoring the good time everyone was having downstairs. I go to the park for a run, exercise is always helpful to clear my mind and get me in a good mood. When I get back home the house is still quiet. I go in, aside from our maid cleaning the mess in the living room, ther

Luck is on our side. My family has no idea I spent the night out. When I come back home, my parents are so busy saying farewell to our relatives that they barely notice my presence. I stand next to them on our front porch while we hug and kiss an endless line of relatives. Short afternoon the house is empty again. My parents, Stefan and I are the only ones left, and the time to tell them what’s going on arrives. I ask my parents to come to the dining room to talk, but instead of coming right away, they take their time. I wait for them as I nervously bite my nails, Stefan gently grabs my hand to