Alex's POV

Stacie looks so elegant as she swims home. I can't imagine why Mr. Johnson would pair me up with such a beautiful creature that is Stacie. I'm so thankful to him. If I could, I would thank him a million times.

I think Stacie realized we have a couple classes together. She would look around in each class until her eyes landed on me. Once they did, Stacie would smile, and I would smile back.

Unfortunately, she would never talk to me or say hello. I felt like she was trying to avoid me at all costs. When school ended, Stacie basically darted out the door. I couldn't help but think it was because of me.

As soon as we are at Stacie's house, she quickly swims to greet her waiting brother. Stacie picks him up and takes him inside, unknowing that I am watching them, leaving me curious as to what they are doing.

I wonder what the inside of her house looks like. It's not big like mine, but it's still a house. To me, it doesn't matter what is on the outside. All that matters is what you make of the inside. I bet she has pictures everywhere of her and her family. Even though I haven't officially met any of her family members, I can tell Stacie is the type of person to want to remember every occasion whether it's good or bad.

A few minutes later, Stacie walks out of her house with her little brother. They begin playing all sorts of fun games. I wish I could join in. If I could, I definitely would. The only thing stopping me is the fact that I'm painfully shy. I don't know Stacie's brother, which is why I would probably stick to myself. He doesn't know me, so he probably wouldn't interact with me either. That's why I haven't spoken to Stacie any time before today. It's partly due to the fact she is so gorgeous, but it's mostly because I am afraid of what she might think of me. I'm afraid of people's judgments, forcing me to not speak to them at all. If I don't talk to them, they can't judge me so much.

Stacie looks out-of-this-world cute playing with her little brother.

I've heard her say the name Avery a couple times while I've been 'keeping an eye' on her. I wonder if that's his real name, or maybe it's a nickname she gave him? You can tell Stacie really loves her brother.

I wish I had siblings who I could enjoy playing with.

Stacie's lucky. She has three, even though I can tell she isn't really close with one of her sisters. Stacie isn't that close with the other sister either really. It's only her brother who she's close to. It's surely not Stacie's choice. Stacie's sisters seem like they would rather do anything but play with Stacie.

Shockingly, I haven't seen Stacie's mother at all in the past year while I have been watching her. Does Stacie not have a mother? Does she only live with her father? If I recall, I haven't seen her father either. Why have I only seen Stacie and her siblings?

Stacie's so hardworking.

Every day I see her trying to take care of her siblings, who don't appreciate anything she does for them, not including her brother. At least he appreciates it, even though he's young.

I really pity Stacie. She comes home from a hard day at school to take care of her bratty siblings. The only time I see her having fun is when she is playing with her brother for an hour or so. I never really see her go out to hang with anyone.

The only person she does see is Marissa. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like Marissa cares too much about Stacie's personal life. It's always about her and what's going on in her life. Marissa reminds me of Nick a lot. Those two would make a great couple I think.

Like Marissa, Nick cares about Nick. He puts himself above everything else. Not that I mind, considering I prefer to keep to myself. It's just it can get a bit annoying. I would like some time to talk about me.

"I'll be back soon, I promise. I'll try to hurry," Stacie's angelic voice says. I snap out of my trance.

Why waste my time thinking of Marissa and Nick when I can be thinking of Stacie? Her little brother nods.

"Okay, I wuv you," he says frowning. In a way, he sounds really cute. I admire their bond as siblings. I'm extremely jealous of it.

"I love you, too. Be a good boy for Mommy," Stacie says, pausing for a second. Her little brother nods.

So, she does have a mother? Or does her little brother call her Mom? You'll ask her tomorrow, Alex. Calm down. You're overworking yourself.

"Okay. I will," he says, giving her a quick smile.

Awe, touching. Wait, I'm becoming soft. I can't become soft! What will my parents think? They've taught me better than this! But, how can I not become a little soft with Stacie? They can't tell me what to be, considering they haven't met her.

I watch as Stacie's little brother swims inside the house. They must have a mother since Stacie always leaves him at home. It's illegal to leave young children alone in the house. I'm sure Stacie's not a law breaker. She seems like she does everything she's told. Even if by some sort of huge surprise Stacie was, I would probably still have a gigantic crush on her.

Just then, Stacie swims past the bush I am in, snapping me yet again out of my head. Stacie's leaving! I must follow her. I'm guessing she's going to pick up her siblings like she always does after school. Go catch up to her, Alex! Don't let her get away!