Ocean

Finally, the leaves are starting to fall, its only the beginning of October fall was still my favorite season. It was a season you can cuddle up and read and nobody cares. There aren't any big holidays or traditions. At least not for me. Maybe for others.

Curled up with a book in my little library I snuggled closer into the beanbag chair Hayden had gotten for me. Yeah, it was a surprise, but I still loved it. It was more comfortable than the floor.

My focus on my book was broken by knocking on the door. My body went rigid as it always did when I was startled. I hated it living with Hayden. I always hoped he wouldn't notice.

Hayden popped the door open. He tossed a small package at me. It was wrapped in a brown paper.

"Here I got you this." Hayden smiled from the door.

"Want to come help me rake the leaves out in the yard?"

I was stunned. Despite how small the package was I couldn't register it being thrown and didn't catch it. I nodded to him that I would join him in a second, but he didn't move. Instead, he watched me expectantly. The silence between us lasted an awkward minute before he finally asked, "Well are you going to open it?" I glanced at the package at my feet. Pulling it into my lap, I carefully pulled the tape loose and carful unfolded the paper trying not to rip it. I lifted the thing out of its wrapping and let it unfold. It was a long strip of knitting. a deep blue and green yarn.

I looked up at Hayden, confused.

"Its a scarf." Hayden grinned. "To keep you extra warm this winter." He turned away leaving the door open.

I glanced around to find a bookmark and sliding it into my book I stretched.

"Oh yeah don't let me forget..." Hayden reappeared in the doorway startling me. I dropped my book with a bang as I jumped at his sudden appearance.

"Oh, uh sorry." He reached up and scratched the back of his neck. "I didn't mean to scare you." He avoided looking at me instead glancing around the room.

"Um anyway, we have to pick up a couple new jackets for you as yours won't survive another winter."

I bent down and picked up my book off the floor nodding. I glanced back at Hayden, and he instantly looked away his cheeks seemed to take on a reddish hue. but that was probably just the lighting. He disappeared from the doorway again.

I ran upstairs to change out of my pajama pants and into some leggings and a jacket.

I glanced at the scarf that now lay on my bed. Holding it up I folded it in half and looped it around my neck. Tucking the two ends through the loop, I walked to my mirror to adjust the scarf, so it looked ok. I hade seen people wearing them before and this way seemed easiest. It looked cute.

For the first time in ages, I smiled at my refection.

I rushed back downstairs with the smile still on my face.

Hayden had out a large rake and had already started pulling the leaves together.

"Hey, can you pick up any branches you see or anything that will get in the way of my raking?" his greeting was plain, and he didn't even bother looking up at me.

I smiled as I stood by the large pile of leaves that now sat in front of me. Hayden came up behind me and spoke softly. "You know, the colour really brings out your eyes."

I turned slightly to look at him and saw his smile. I turned back quickly to hide me face as a smile crept across it.

"Its a nice pile of leaves don't you think." I could hear amusement in his voice as he spoke.

"It would be a shame if somebody where to wreck it." The words clicked in my head, and I spun around to look at him. I glared slightly as his smirk grew.

"Such a shame." He took a step forward and before I knew it, he had his arms wrapped around me and we were falling into the pile of leaves. Hayden had skillfully spun us around, so he was the one to hit the ground, me directly on top of him.

The leaves went flying everywhere. Hayden stated laughing as I hastily got up. He sat up once I was off him and said, "What's wrong princess, don't like the leaves in you r hair?"

Glaring it him, I shoved him so he would fall back into the leaves. I know all well I didn't have the strength for such a feat, but he went along with it and fell back with a laugh before grabbing a handful of leaves and tossing them in my general direction. I kick some leave back at him and grinned as he shook them from his face.

His expression turned from one of laughter to one of almost anger, but his eyes held their mischievous glint.

"So that how we're going to play huh?"

I froze at his words suddenly terrified. I suppressed a shiver as he lifted his hand. He stood, coming toward me and brought his hand above my head, I recoiled slightly as I anticipated something.

A raining of crushed leaf bits swirled around me and in my hair, of course. I inhaled sharply not realizing I hadn't been breathing. Wrong choice. I started coughing as leaf bits attempted to make it to my lungs.

"Careful." Hayden grinned leaning closer.

I stepped back only to stumble on the leaves. Hayden was quick enough to catch me and he grinned. "I can't have you getting hurt."

I glared at him and straightened up.

Unfortunate Hayden was still right in front of me. yes, like a couple inches from me.

Like I could feel his warm breath on my head.

Tilting my head up we made eye contact.

My body felt paralyzed as we stood there staring at one another.

Was this it?

Would he kiss me like he did before?

I broke the moment with a shiver I couldn't suppress.

"Oh uh," Hayden took a step back. "You want to head inside while I clean this up?" His voice caught lower in his throat then usual.

I nodded and darted back inside. I pulled off my scarf and jacket before heading to the kitchen. Pulling out a pan, I filled it with some milk. Hot chocolate would help, right?

I glanced out the large glass door at Hayden. He was kicking the leaves back into a pile a little aggressively. He was talking to himself by the looks of it.

I turned back to my cooking thinking nothing of it.