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I put the items on the register and asked him to give me a bag.

– You must have just got in? Oxford? – The cashier suddenly asked, glancing at what I had brought.

– Yes» I answered briefly, not looking at him: I didn't want to talk to him.

– Which college? – He asked again.

– St John's» I answered reluctantly, glancing at him, but not really understanding why he was asking me that.

– I study there, too. Second year. It's a great college! – he said, putting my things in a bag and smiling at me.

– That's great. – I opened my wallet. – How much do I owe you?

– Twelve pounds» the guy replied.

I handed him the ill-fated hundred quid that Mary hadn't accepted. The guy counted out the change and gave it to me with the bag.

– You know what…» He hesitated. – If there's anything you need or don't understand, you can ask me: new student always have a hard time – I've been there myself.

– Thanks, I'll know. – I took the bags and quickly left the shop to avoid further pointless conversation with the brash salesman.

At that moment, I was reminded of how people around me react to my appearance. Looks, for crying out loud! It's like I'm a pretty wrapper! A beautiful doll with a void instead of a brain! I was even willing to put up with the horrible smells of Mary's food, just so I wouldn't have to face the attention of the people around me.

I got home, took off my sneakers and jacket, put the bag of stationery on the bed in my room, and went into the kitchen to ask Mary the question that had been bugging me.

– Mary, do you think I'm stupid? – I asked, as soon as I entered the kitchen.

– Wow, what a question! No, I don't think you're stupid. On the contrary, I think you're a very clever girl to have got into Oxford» Mary said, and ran the back of her hand over her face, leaving marks of anguish on it.

– Then why does everyone else think otherwise? – I asked resentfully.

– Who does?

– It's just that I heard two blokes talking today, and they thought I didn't get into Oxford because I'm smart.

– Don't listen to any idiots. How many idiots are there in the world? – Mary opened the lid of the pan and looked at the meat. – I'll tell you a big but banal secret: there are many losers in our town who couldn't get into any college, especially Oxford, so they get angry and take out their offence on everyone around them, especially on beautiful girls, because they are the easiest to offend.

– So it's all about my looks? – I was upset at the thought.

– Exactly: you are very beautiful and you make a stunning impression on people… Oh, I think the meat is burning! – Mary began to turn the meat over to the other side. – Even Harry said you're insanely beautiful, and he's very objective about women's beauty… He said if you weren't so thin, he'd fall in love with you.

– Don't mention it» I asked, feeling awkward and inexplicably ashamed: I was embarrassed to hear what Mary's brother thought of me. I didn't even feel bad that Harry had said that about me, and called me skinny.

– Just ignore it. People will soon get used to you and stop admiring you, and when you start studying, your fellow students will realise that you're also very smart» Mary advised me.

– I don't think I'm smart» I said. – I think they're all geniuses compared to me. You don't know how much I hate it when everyone stares at me like a mannequin in a shop window! I'm just an ordinary person!

– Be patient! – Mary threw it back at me.

– I was just flirted with by a guy from the bookshop» I grinned, remembering that.

– A guy? Tall? Blond? – Mary asked. Her eyes lit up.

– Yeah, I think so. Why, do you know him? – I wondered.

– How could I not? It's Andrew: I dated him this summer.

– And he was flirting with me! – I cringed. – God, that's disgusting! Ew!

– Don't be like that: he's a really nice guy. – Mary opened the tap and started washing her hands. – He and I parted very well, as friends. We just realised we weren't right for each other.

– Still, I feel really bad about it» I frowned.

– But Andrew doesn't know we're friends, and when he finds out, he'll be embarrassed, and he'll apologise for a long time, you'll see. The meat's ready! I'll set the table. Will you keep me company?

– Okay, I'll just change and come back» I answered and went to my room.

As I sat on the bed, I thought about how busy my second day had been. It was my second day living away from home and my vampire environment. My second day in the human world.

I changed into an old pair of jeans and a T-shirt and went back to the kitchen.

– I made you a salad: it's just tomatoes and cucumbers» Mary said, sitting down at the table.

I looked at the table by the window, where there were plates, forks, a large teapot, two mugs… And a deep plate of salad.

– Mary, you shouldn't have! – I felt terribly uncomfortable, and then I was afraid I'd have to eat the nasty stuff.

– I don't mind! – Mary replied, cutting into pieces the roast meat on her plate.

«She's so anxious to please me! It's so touching!» – ran through my head

– Thank you for taking care of me, but I can only eat fresh vegetables» I found myself seeing that the salad had been drizzled with sunflower oil.

– What a shame! Damn, there was no hurry! – Mary said annoyed. – But I'll get some fresh…

– No, don't! I'm not hungry! – I exclaimed hastily.

She raised her eyebrows in surprise and sat back in the chair from which she had already risen.

– You're awfully strange! – said my neighbour. – But I won't insist.

– Thank you. – I sat down opposite her.

While Mary ate her lunch, I sat on a chair with my hands on the table and looked out of the window. It was an incredible sensation to sit next to someone who was eating roast meat and potatoes and drinking tea. And it's going to happen a lot.

– When do you start school? – Mary asked.

– Monday» I said. – And I'm a little nervous.

– Of course you are. Do you know anyone there?

– No, nobody at all. But that's no problem.