she stared at it , trying suddenly to remember how it felt to be on the other side . makes me feel like a secret agent or something . `` that boy is under my protection . pests are always attracted by their own kind , you know . '' `` i do n't want to be your puppet . she was there to be a friend . `` there was a kayak trip that went wrong , '' i tell her quickly , even though i 'm getting tired of explaining . 