We skied until dinner time.

Julien drove us home.

When we walked in, Aunt Diane was waiting for us with a meal already prepared. Connor sighed at the sight of more vegetables.

We were sitting at the table when Aunt Diane asked, "Rory, what happened? You have a bruise."

"She fell," Connor replied.

"Did you hit your head?" she asked. "Because if you did, then we better-"

"No, I didn't hit my head." I said.

She sighed in relief. "Oh, good."

Connor changed the subject and put down his fork. "Aunt Diane, I'd like to put forward a suggestion."

"I'm listening,"

"I want you to stop making vegetables."

"Vegetables are healthy for you."

"But I don't like them."

"Connor, eat your vegetables."

He didn't say anything. Instead, he picked up his fork and stabbed it into a piece of asparagus, glaring at Aunt Diane.

"Want to go skating with Landon and Julien tomorrow?" Natalie asked, suddenly switching topics.

A smile replaced Connor's frown. "Yeah!"

Natalie glanced at Aunt Diane, "Is that okay?"

"Sure."

"YAY!" Connor grinned. He looked at me. "Oh, by the way, Nat, I no longer ship Natalien. Laurora all the way."

I raised my eyebrows, feeling my face redden. "...Laurora?"

"Yes, Laurora. You guys are cooler than Natalien by far."

I shook my head, "No."

"Yes."

"Ew."

"Rory and Landon sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-"

"Stop, Connor."

"-N-G. First comes-"

"Stop."

He laughed, "Ha! Look at you! You're turning into Natalie."

"Huh?"

"You're as red as a tomato."