Okay, I've always been able to see why Aunt Barbara's husband divorced her. I mean, she hates all men and she's paranoid about everything. I don't even know how or why he married her. What I don't understand is how he could have left my poor cousin Aimee there.

Aimee is the sweetest person in the world. Who else but a really nice person could put up with Aunt Barbara? She does everything my aunt says and never even complains.

Libby and I were going to have to do something about that before we left.

"Hi, Aunt Barbara,"I said cheerfully, ignoring the suspicious looks she was giving Libby and me."Where would you guys like to go for dinner tonight?"

Aimee softly mentioned that there was a new Chinese place in town that looked good.

Aunt Barbara interrupted her and told us we were going to a nice Italian place that I think is the only restaurant in Tulsa that meets her approval.

I felt so bad that we hadn't invited Aimee out with us that day. To tell you the truth, I'd forgotten that she even existed. She was so quiet. She'd already been in bed when we arrived the day before, and I hadn't even seen her before we came back from the picnic. I mentally vowed to have her come next time we decided to ditch Aunt Barbara.

I'd forgotten that Aimee was such a pushover. She even let Aunt Barbara bully her into ordering what SHE designated the only meal worth eating.

Libby and I stubbornly ordered for ourselves. I could tell that she wasn't used to anyone going against what she said. She was going to hate us by the end of the week.

"Can I ask you a question?"Libby implored of me when she called that night. I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but I had been sitting by the phone waiting for her to call. I don't know what it was about her.

"Of course."

"How's Zac, with, drawing people out?"she asked.

"Drawing people out?"

"Yeah."She paused."Like shy people. You know, getting them to feel more comfortable."

I had no idea."I dunno. Any particular reason why?"

She sighed."It's Marissa's cousin Aimee. She's so shy, she hardly speaks a word. I thought maybe we could all go somewhere tomorrow, but I don't know if she'd have a good time."

"I could ask him to make a special effort,"I suggested.

"That sounds good. Good night, Isaac."

"Good night, Libby."

I hung up the phone."Hey, Zac!"I yelled."I need to ask you for a favor!"

I prayed that Aimee wasn't anything like Marissa.

Don't get me wrong, I like Marissa and all, but she had a talent for making people want to kill her. Unlike Taylor, I don't consider a girl who hates my guts a challenge.

Aimee was the complete opposite.

She had long light brown hair that was almost as long as Libby's own butt- length blonde hair. Her pale eyes looked nervous and stared at her feet.

Libby and Isaac decided to go for a walk, and Marissa went to go beat Taylor at video games. Actually, Marissa went to play with Mackie, but Taylor followed her and I could hear him challenging her.

Poor Aimee. I wondered how they had talked her into coming. She looked like she'd rather die than be here.

I tried to remember why again I had come. Libby just wanted to be with Isaac, and Marissa had ditched me at the first chance. This was the wrong place for me to be. I didn't even like Hanson.

I stared at my feet. I should have stayed at home with Mom.

"So,"Zac attempted to make some conversation."Are you a fan?"

I shrugged."Not really,"I said softly.

Oh, great. She wasn't even a fan. Usually I could at least make a shy girl smile by giving her an autograph or something.

I had no idea what to do.