`` why have you been avoiding her in the first place ? '' `` first , i do n't see that there 's any reason to drop out of school , especially this close to graduation . '' he was glowing , a soft , nearly amber light as if fire were being reflected through a golden jewel , and that jewel was his body . i stood up and put myself between them . i see lights on in that house , joe said , looking up at the house with suspicious eyes . 