Kiernan kept her eyes low as she sat across from Nat at
breakfast. She knew that if she caught sight of Gram then she
would break her resolve and throw herself at him, heedless of
the consequences.  "Earth to Kiernan!" Nat's amused voice broke
into her thoughts, and Kiernan turned to her.  "Sorry.. what?"
she asked, distracted.  "I understand that a certain dark
haired, mysterious boy is now in your life.. But that so does
not give you the right to ignore your friends!" Nat exclaimed,
and Kiernan chuckled. It was far from the truth.  "He's not" she
whispered, as her tower shot up high in the sky, and the sun
came out, shining in patches of honey-gold.  "He's not? ..I'm
not understanding" Nat replied through a mouthful of muesli.
"He's not in my life" Kiernan explained firmly. Birds sang,
flowers burst open, and Kiernan wore the most beautiful of her
gowns, high in her tower. The trouble had passed, her world was
safe.  "Does he know that?" she asked, and Kiernan was about to
respond, but realised that Nat wa