"No, of course not. It never has. You're stil you, but you have a different childhood every time and your personality is always a little different. You're certainly more high-strung than when I knew you last."

I glared at him, but I couldn't hide the smile that also appeared. "What was my name last time?"

"Why does it matter?"

"I'm curious."

"It was a long time ago." He stood up and wrapped a hand around the back of my neck gently. "A name is just a name, not who you are. How about we don't worry about that?"

"What do you mean?"

"How about you just be you tonight and I'l be me? Don't worry about anything else." His emerald eyes were soft and kind. I felt he real y meant what he said.

"You mean pretend to be human?"

"Why not?"

I smiled slyly at him. "Wel , this is quite the turn for you."

"Maybe I'm thinking it would be good for you to relax from time to time."

"Just for the night?"

"Just for the night."

He dipped his head and leaned forward, surprising me. He didn't kiss me, but he was close enough to do it. My body locked up and my lips parted. His body was warm against mine, and I wanted him to do what I thought he was going to do. I real y wanted him to kiss me, and I could feel my insides tugging and spinning. I lifted my chin and waited, but he stopped. His look fel away and he turned his face and stepped away slowly. I deflated.

"So when is the movie?" he asked, running a hand through his hair.

I felt like fal ing to the floor. "Um, seven or eight is usual y when we go."

He nodded. "It's only four. What do you want do until then?"

"Wel , I should get a couple pages in on my econ assignment," I said, groaning.

"That's fine," he said. "Would you like me to leave so you can do your homework?"

"Where wil you go?" I asked. "Wil you go al the way back to Nathaniel's like you do during the day?"

"No. Seeing the reaper this afternoon has made me nervous. When I'm guarding your house, I usual y sit up on the roof. It's the best lookout."

"If it works for you, I guess." I smiled. "I'l give you a shout when I'm done."

He gave me a quick nod and turned away, disappearing. I shook my head in disbelief. He was like a ninja or something. He had probably disappeared into the Grim, and I considered for a moment fol owing him there. But I was afraid of the Grim and what things I might see there. So instead, I sat at my desk and grabbed my backpack to get out my homework. I could stil feel Wil 's presence in my room, smel his scent, as if he hadn't actual y left. And he real y hadn't. I knew he was close by, and that comforting thought helped me to get through my assignment with ease.

16

MY STOMACH GROWLED. I LET MY FACE HIT THE desk and rol ed my head to the side to glance at my clock sideways. It was just after six. I couldn't believe I'd been working on this homework for two hours. I was so sick of this crap.

I lifted my gaze. "Hey, Wil ?" I felt stupid talking to no one in my room.

"Finished?" answered his voice a moment later.

Startled, I leaped out of my seat, grasping my heart. My pulse pounded in my head. "What's the matter with you? You scared the crap out of me!"

He stood just in front of window. He had somehow managed to get in without making any noise at al . "Sorry about that."

I smoothed out my shirt. "What are you, Wil ? How can you move that fast?"

"I'm your Guardian."

"No, I mean, besides Batman, what is your species?"

"I'm immortal."

"Never mind," I said impatiently. "I already know what you are: obnoxious. I'm going to go change into some fresh clothes."

"Why?"

"Because I don't like wearing the same outfit al day."

He looked at me like I had a third eye. I rol ed my eyes and shut myself in my closet. I picked out a pair of jeans and a black sweater and put them on before emerging. "I'm real y hungry, and I know how much you like to be invisible and al , but I think you can make an exception. Would you mind if we grabbed a bite to eat before the movie?"

"Not at al ," he said. "You need to eat. You get grumpy when you don't eat."

I blinked in surprise. He real y did know me wel . "Great. How does Coney Island sound?"

"I have no idea what that is."

"Blasphemy."

I drove us to my favorite, Leo's Coney Island. The restaurant was typical y crowded for a Friday night. As we wandered to an open table, I noticed a group of girls sitting at a booth table near the front door. Two of them were staring at Wil , so I gave them the stink eye as we passed.

I chose a booth on the opposite wal , as far away from the girls as possible. Our waitress was a perky girl maybe a year older than me.

"What can I getcha?" she asked with her pencil and notepad in hand.

"Plain cheeseburger and fries with a side salad and water for me," I said, and nodded at Wil . "Do you want anything?"

"No, thank you," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

The girl gave a quick nod and buzzed away.

"Aren't you hungry?" I asked him.

He shook his head. "Not often. The only time I eat is usual y after a fight. The more heavily wounded or weak I am, the more I need to eat in order to heal and replenish my strength. Calories heal my body, so I need a lot of them."