Serenity could feel her heart pounding heavily in her chest.

Goodness, what had gotten into her?!

She blushed and quickly withdrew her hand.

"Okay, let's... eat before it gets cold."

With that, she concentrated on her food and started eating voraciously.

Jackson smiled faintly as he watched her face almost disappear into her bowl of soup, and the amusement in his eyes seemed to deepen.

"Then, do you like me, Sis?"

"Yes, I do," Serenity replied without hesitation.

"I like you very much too," Jackson said, his lips curling up into a smile.

It seemed like it had been a long time since someone had captured his interest like this.

***

After the City Council inspection ended, Janice said to Serenity, "Serenity, our high school classmates are planning a class reunion this weekend. You should come too."

A class reunion?

Serenity laughed inwardly. Given her current situation, attending a class reunion would only invite more ridicule.

"No, I have something else on that day, so I