– So it's all about my looks? – I was upset at the thought.
– Exactly: you are very beautiful and you make a stunning impression on people… Oh, I think the meat is burning! – Mary began to turn the meat over to the other side. – Even Harry said you're insanely beautiful, and he's very objective about women's beauty… He said if you weren't so thin, he'd fall in love with you.
– Don't mention it» I asked, feeling awkward and inexplicably ashamed: I was embarrassed to hear what Mary's brother thought of me. I didn't even feel bad that Harry had said that about me, and called me skinny.
– Just ignore it. People will soon get used to you and stop admiring you, and when you start studying, your fellow students will realise that you're also very smart» Mary advised me.
– I don't think I'm smart» I said. – I think they're all geniuses compared to me. You don't know how much I hate it when everyone stares at me like a mannequin in a shop window! I'm just an ordinary person!
– Be patient! – Mary threw it back at me.
– I was just flirted with by a guy from the bookshop» I grinned, remembering that.
– A guy? Tall? Blond? – Mary asked. Her eyes lit up.
– Yeah, I think so. Why, do you know him? – I wondered.
– How could I not? It's Andrew: I dated him this summer.
– And he was flirting with me! – I cringed. – God, that's disgusting! Ew!
– Don't be like that: he's a really nice guy. – Mary opened the tap and started washing her hands. – He and I parted very well, as friends. We just realised we weren't right for each other.
– Still, I feel really bad about it» I frowned.
– But Andrew doesn't know we're friends, and when he finds out, he'll be embarrassed, and he'll apologise for a long time, you'll see. The meat's ready! I'll set the table. Will you keep me company?
– Okay, I'll just change and come back» I answered and went to my room.
As I sat on the bed, I thought about how busy my second day had been. It was my second day living away from home and my vampire environment. My second day in the human world.
I changed into an old pair of jeans and a T-shirt and went back to the kitchen.
– I made you a salad: it's just tomatoes and cucumbers» Mary said, sitting down at the table.
I looked at the table by the window, where there were plates, forks, a large teapot, two mugs… And a deep plate of salad.