My aunt. I don't even see my family that much, so it was this really big shock.

[ especially for this super-shy girl who still hadn't mastered looking up when she spoke to people. She returns Heather's smile with a rueful one of her own. ]

It was, a little. But I decided to go for it because I thought I'd finally be able to make friends that way, so I didn't want to just run screaming after the first day.

[ just don't ask her how that friends plan went, Heather. ]