Sunlight beamed on his face, causing Alfred to flutter his eyes open. The sound of laughter beckoned through the window; making him peek out into the outside world. And that's when he heard her laugh; her beautiful, warm, precious laugh.

  If you're near that Devil girl, you'll bound to sin.

Alfred gulped, biting his lip in temptation. He wanted to speak to her, but the question lingered: What if Mother found out?

"If only I could touch your lips with my own," he mumbled to absentmindedly, sighing as he buttoned up his shirt; getting ready for the day.

Walking downward from his bedroom, Alfred pressed towards the kitchen, only to see his mother in a state of frustration. He sighed, quietly walking past her to the front entrance as he began his way to go and milk the cow.

The sunlight rose high above the beautiful, clear sky; the grass greener than the rest of the land. Everything was beautiful, including the 'Devil Family'.

As his feet skidded through the tall grass, Alfred heard someone walk alongside him; her auburn hair flowing perfectly through the breeze.

"Hello," she greeted, her voice sounded so angelic, it was as if he were in Heaven already. "what's your name?"

"A-Alfred," he stammered, sighing as he spoke. "and you are?" he glanced over at her; her complextion clear as well as her smile.

"Amanda," she grasped his hand, squeezing it as a fair greeting. Alfred quickly pulled away, fearing what spirit may be on the inside of her petite body.

"Listen, don't take this in a bad way," he began, "but I can't talk to you. My mother will shun me if she finds out I'm talking to an outsider."

Amanda grimaced, feeling a bit shocked. She then turned on her heel, getting ready to walk ahead when he stopped her by grabbing her arm.

"Believe me, if I weren't Amish, I'd love to talk to you. Really, I would." his eyes pleaded a want for her voice, them together; intwining their fingers and an occasional massage to the wrist with their thumbs. He wanted this badly, but how would this look in front of Pastor McDowell?

"Why can't you?" Amanda questioned, tilting her head to the side curiosily.

Alfred sighed, avoiding her stare.

"Because, it's a sin to think about someone." he stared at his shoes, hearing her smirk.

"Were you thinking about me?" she asked. "That's really sweet." Amanda couldn't help but blush. 

"I'm not supposed to think about. . ." he bit his lip nervously. "kissing you, or touching you. It's known as an act of letchery."

"I see." Amanda nodded, admiring his nervousness; finding Alfred cute.

"Alfred!" it was Alfred's mother beckoning from the window, glaring at the two who were in fact very close to one another.

Alfred stepped back, his face growing pale by the sound of her hoarse, traumatizing voice. He looked at Amanda, giving her a sympathetic look.

"I have to go," he said shakingly. "I'm sorry." with that, he sprinted towards the barn, where he was to milk the cows and collect the eggs for the morning meal.

..........

"What have I told you about talking to her, Alfred?!" Alfred's mother exclaimed, her face flushing to a beat red. "You know she has the Devil in her, so why in God's name are you speaking to her?!"

"I'm sorry, Mother," Alfred said sheepishly, his hands trembling. "I won't do it again, I - I promise."

"If you do it again, you're going to Hell."

The twenty-two year old man nodded, his hands behind his back. He was then sent to his room, a beckoning father yelling at him to read the verses as a way to get rid of the sin that occurred today. He thought that reading the Bible would help Alfred release his holiness with religious studies and prayer.

Once he was in his room, Alfred sat at his desk, opening the book before him as he began to read. He then heard a paper rustle against the wind, and that's when he noticed that his window was shut. Alfred took the paper out, unfolding it to reveal perfectly neat, cursive writing.

Dear Alfred,
     I feel terrible for getting you in trouble tonight. I would love to talk to you, but I see that I will only cause trouble.
           I wanted to get to know you better, I wanted to know what your favorite book was, or what type of music you listened to.
       Maybe someday, I will get to reveal the utter mystery that lingers within you.
--- Amanda

Alfred smiled, taking out a piece of paper as he began to respond to her letter.

Dear Amanda,
You don't need to apologize. It's just the way my mother and father think. I wish I had a favorite book, but in this village I can't read anything that isn't based on God or anything non-religious; I'd be considered a witch if I did so.
Musicwise, it would have to be the hymns of the Gospel. Anything that isn't 'holy' is considered a sin.
I'll talk to you tomorrow evening. Good evening, Amanda.
---- Alfred

Before he went off to bed, Alfred snuck out his window; quietly stepping into the tall, thin strands of grass as he made his way to her window, knocking on it slightly. Amanda awoke abruptly, yawning as she approached Alfred.

"I wanted to leave this at your window but, I thought it'd be best if I gave you my response in person." he blushed, feeling like an idiot once he'd said that.

Amanda only giggled, grasping the letter and gave him a hug. Alfred stood there, shocked.

"You hugged me," he couldn't believe that someone actually embraced him. "why?"

"Because you're huggable." she smiled, "Goodnight, Alfred."

She closed her window, letter in her hand. Alfred stood there for a moment, taking everything in. She hugged me. He began to walk home, his eyes narrowing down at his shoes which were buried deep into the grass.

Another night, another day filled with regulation and torture.

A u t h o r ' s    N o t e ,

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