This morning, I made plans with my grandmother to stay at her condo in Florida this summer.  It was sort of like a vacation, but I would get a job and not have to worry about running into Evan, like I would if I went home.  I would also be able to see some of my friends from school, because I'm sure that they all have houses down there.  I'm not quite sure how everything regarding my disguise as a boy will work out, but I'm sure that will all come to me in time.  

Around lunch time, I was taking care of Adam's sheep.  They followed me across their paddock, which was right by the horses day pasture and stable.  They were like lost puppies and were so cute that had to feed them the raspberries I had planned on eating with my lunch.  They couldn't fit them in their mouth, so I ended up with sticky, red hands.  I went over to the stable for water to wash it off, and I was just in time to hear a passionate confession of truest love to none other that Edmund.

I peered though the leaves of a conveniently placed bush and watched.

"I thought maybe you didn't get the flowers and the letter."  A pretty girl in a Saint Catherine's uniform was saying, her face as red as those mashed up raspberries.  "And so...I...um...wanted to...ah...see you."   She looked down at her shoes.  "I wanted to make sure that you read the letter."  She added, very fast.  

"I'm sorry."  Edmund said emotionlessly, pushing his glasses up the ridges of his nose.  "But I got rid of those things.  I'm allergic."

"Oh...I'm sorry."  The girl turned an even darker shade of red.  "I...ah....didn't know.  I'll...send you something else--"

"Don't bother."  Edmund turned his back to her.  "I'm leaving."  And he walked coldly off.

The girl began to cry.

I stepped out of the bushes.  "What a jerk."  I said loudly in the direction of Edmund's retreating back.  

The girl sniffed and looked up at me.  "You heard?"

"I'm sorry." I said.  "I couldn't help overhearing."

The girl, unexpectedly, smiled.  "I guess it's better this way."  She sighed.  "I've been in love with Edmund for my whole life, even though he always treats me coolly and distantly."  She forced a laugh.  "I don't know why I'm even telling you this."

I smiled, and was struck by a sudden idea.  "Let's make Edmund fall in love with you."  

"What?"

"I bet we can do it.   I'm his friend.  I'll just casually suggest to him that he should go out with you."

"Would you really do that?"

"Of course.  And I'll work on him in the summer.  Maybe, by next year, you'll have him as your devoted slave."  

A genuine smile lit up the girl's--later to be known as Ava's-- face.  "That sounds wonderful."  

And the plan began.