“Hey! Are you okay?!” Her eyes shoot open and I stare into them. They are this beautiful blue almost green color. They remind me of the ocean when the sun hits it. Well what I’ve seen in pictures anyway. I have never been to the beach but I hope to one day go. I pull back and look away. “Sorry I thought you needed help.”

“It’s alright. I was just enjoying the snow. This is my favorite time of year.” She smiles at me. I smile back sheepishly. I get butterflies in my stomach. I put my hand in my soft red hair. I stand up and offer her a hand. She grabs my hand and stands up. “wow! Your hand is freezing! Where are your gloves?” I just kind of stare at her. Now that she is standing I can tell she is just slightly short than me.

“Oh..um.. crap! Curses! I knew I forgetting something! I have to go!” I start to run back toward where I was at before but the girl grabs my wrist.

“Can I come with you?’

“Um…” Do I let her come with or do I just leave her here. I mean I don’t even know her. I think to myself. “I guess. I took them off and put them on the ground. The place where we’re about to go is kind of a secret place and no one really knows about it. It’s pretty well hidden.” She moves her hand from my wrist to my hand. Oh gosh! She’s holding my hand. What do I do?! Do I hold it back? This has never happened before! Ugh!

“Oh. My name is Harper by the way. What’s yours?” She lets go of my hand. I realize I’m holding my breath so I breath out.

“My… my name is um… Louis” I say feeling bad for lying

“I know that’s not really your name but that’s alright. I can understand not wanting to tell me your real name. We did just meet. You know I think I’ll just leave you be. I’m going to go back to my cabin.”

“No! It’s alright. You can stay. I kind of need the company. It’s been very lonely the past 8 years.”

“Oh. I’m sorry. Where do you live?”

“Um I’d prefer not to say. Have you lived in that cabin long?”

“Since I was 2 and I’m nearly eighteen.”

“Oh. That’s a long time. I bet you have a lot of friends then.” She looks down at her feet as we continue to weave through the tree’s. “Sorry I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“It’s fine. I guess I’m just not really the kind of person who has friends. I had one once but she…..” A tear falls down her check. I whip it away.

“Hey. Don’t cry, it’s okay. I understand.”

“Anyway. I think you're handsome. I bet a guy like you has a great girlfriend.”

“I actually don’t have a girlfriend. I never have.”

“Oh. I’ve never had a boyfriend.” I look at her shoked.

“Really! You’re so beautiful! I mean… um. Yeah. You are.”

“Thanks. I’ve never gotten along with others. I’m surprised my parents never sent me to the Madern Home.” I shuffle around uncomfortably. Maybe I should tell her then. She deserves to know.

“Your welcome. Well, I don’t think you shouldn't be there anyway. So there’s…..”

“Look I think I found them!” She runs ahead and picks up my blue gloves.” She runs back and hands them to me.

“Thanks” I put them on. We turn back, heading toward her cabin. We walk there In silence.

“It was nice to meet you. I hope you find some friends.”

“Bye. Nice to meet you too. I will. You too. I hope to see you again though.”

“Yeah. It won’t happen sadly though.”

“Why?”

“Because if you find out where I live then you’ll never want to see me again. I can’t risk you or me getting hurt. I’m sorry” I start to run back to The Madern Home.

“Wait! Come back here!” I look behind me and see her running after me. I pick up my speed. I weave between the trees so she gets lost and can’t follow me home. I look behind me and I can’t see her. I stop and take a deep breath. “I’m sorry.” I whisper. I walk the rest of the way back to The Home. When I arrive I sneak through the back door. I go up to my room. Well it‘s more like a prison cell. There’s walls but nothing other than walls and a bed. I have a few pairs of clothes that are scattered on the floor. I flop onto the bed. “I can’t believe I just met someone who actually wanted to stay with me.” I fall asleep thinking about it.