Excuse me? Vanessa glared at her older sister, too furious to say anything. Then Arlo blew his nose again, his chest heaving with sobs. Vanessa was sort of worried he might be having a heart attack or something.  ?Dad?? ?We just had no idea you were so ?artistic ,? Gabriela faltered. ?No idea.? It wasn't exactly a compliment, but Vanessa hadn't exactly been fishing for compliments. Her films were so dark and weird, hardly anyone ever really liked them. Arlo grabbed the remote and switched the TV on again. They'd been watching the reinterpretation she'd done of a scene fromWar and Peace, starring none other than Dan. The camera followed a scrap of dirty paper being blown by the wind through Madison Square Park at sunset and then settled on Dan, lying collapsed on a park bench. It zoomed in on his face, and Vanessa's heart dropped into her knees. ?Can we turn that off now?? she pleaded. But no one paid any attention. ?It's not just that you can tell a story,? Arlo gushed, entranced. ?But the way you do it, like a painter.? He turned his teary, bloodshot eyes to Vanessa. ?You put us all to shame.? ?She got into NYU early, too, cuz she's so freakin' good,? Ruby burbled proudly. Vanessa's face burned. ?Shut up.? Gabriela wrapped a tentative, kimonoed arm around her shoulder. ?We're so proud of you, Eggplant,? she whispered, using the endearing name Vanessa hadn't heard since she was a baby. Then Arlo came over and hugged the both of them, his face damp with tears. Ruby reached out to rub his back, and soon the four of them were wrapped in a group hug even the hippiest of hippies couldn't top. It was totally un-Vanessa, but it wasn't like anyone was filming it or anything. ?Jordy's going to come stay with us for a while this summer. Is that all right?? Gabriela murmured while they were still hugging. Ruby snorted. ?I don't think she minds what you do with Jordy.? ?Oh, I thought you liked him,? her mother said. ?I do,? Vanessa faltered. And Jordy was nice while he lasted. ?I just?? ?She likes that Dan friend of hers from the picture a bit better,? Arlo interrupted, as if reading her mind. ?He's really got something.? Ruby giggled, and Vanessa kicked her in her leather pants. Yeah, Dan definitely had something, and she was pretty sure she knew what it was.
 Her.
 gossipgirl.net Disclaimer: All the real names of places, people, and events have been altered or abbreviated to protect the innocent. Namely, me.  hey people! Isn't it great to be back? Isn't it great to be back andstill not know where we're going to school next year? Isn't it great to be back when it feels like our lives are hanging in the balance and we're all going completely bonkers? Well, here's a little something to look forward to: Calling all boys You know you want to meet me, and here's your chance. Tomorrow is our first day back at school, and the weather is supposed to be unseasonably warm and beautiful. As soon as sc............