Calista and I share most of the same classes, but it was the first time that we partnered up. Only the two of us. Nobody else, especially Mr. BadDummy. Since that he sent my parents downtown, Calista and I were alone. It would make it easier for me to ask her out with nobody to distract us. Deep inside my heart...I had doubts that she would say yes, but it was worth a shot.

I just needed to wait until the perfect moment. I would take her hand, gaze into her eyes, and...

"Clay. You going to welcome me inside?" Calista asked, freeing me from my thoughts. Her voice is always both soft and soothing. "Or you going to leave me out in this dreadful cold?"

My cheeks were burning. My heart was beating so hard that it felt as if I were about to have a heart attack. "Ah, yes. Yes. Where are my manners?" I gently slapped my face. "Bad, Clay. Bad."

She laughed. "So happy that we decided to be partners. I wanted to be one of my friends' partner, but I wanted you a little more."

"There is no other person that I would want to work on this project with than with you, Calista. Besides Cade."

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Are you not going to let me in?"

My breathing became shallow. "Right, right. Sorry. My bad." I tripped and nearly met the floor as I moved out of the way. I motioned for her to come in. "Welcome to my humbly abode. Sure hope that everything is to your liking. Want something to drink other than water?"

She walked to the couch and lifted her arm. The poster dropped on the couch with a loud plop. She placed her water bottle on the small table by said couch. "What do you have?"

I pushed the door closed and followed. "Whatever your heart desires."

Calista began taking off her bag. "I am craving for fruit punch and apple juice."

I grabbed the bag's straps. "Let me help you with that." I slid them down her arms and dusted off her bag. I set it on the couch. "There you go."

She sat and clasped her hands in her lap. "Thank you."

Good so far.

"Shall I fetch you fruit punch or apple juice?"

"Surprise me."

"Your wish is my command."

I fast-walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. A cold breeze hit my face, and I shivered. I hate that. But this was not the time to complain because a special girl was waiting for my return. I leaned my side against the fridge door and peered in. I was catching my breath. It was then that I decided to pop the question after I gave Calista her drinks. I grabbed a small box of fruit punch and a small box of apple juice and shut the fridge using my foot. I fast-walked back to the living room and held out the drinks.

"For you, my lady."

Calista was rummaging through her bag in her lap. She looked up at me and took the apple juice. "Thanks. You are such a gentleman."

"The other drink is for you too."

"I thought that was yours."

"I got you fruit punch and apple juice."

"But I only need one."

"But you wanted me to surprise you."

"You certainly surprised me." She took the fruit punch. "You always do."

I stepped over her feet and sat next to her. Time to ask. "Calista. There is something that I want to ask you."

She placed the drinks on the small table. "What is it?"

I drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I wrapped my hands around hers and stared in her sparkly eyes. I felt my throat drying up. "Would...would you like to—"

I was interrupted by loud taps. I let go of her hand and surveyed the room.

"What is that?" Calista asked.

"I am not sure. Maybe the kitchen faucet is leaking. Let me go check." I got back up and realized that it was not the faucet. It did not sound like water drops hitting the sink. It sounded more like taps on glass. And they were too close for comfort.

Calista must have seen the distress on my face because she said, "You feeling okay?"

I looked down at her and forced myself to smile. "Yes. I just came to the realization that it is not the faucet."

"Then what?"

I listened closely to those taps that had grown louder. I pointed to the giant window across from us covered by a dark red curtain. "It is coming from there."

"Something is tapping on the window?"

"I am afraid so."

"Should we call the police?"

I hesitated. "...no. I am pretty sure that it is a branch or a stupid woodpecker."

"Why would a woodpecker peck at glass?"

"I said a stupid woodpecker."

"But even stupid ones would realize their mistakes and fly off."

"It probably mistook the curtain for wood."

She returned to rifling through her backpack. "I will be calling the police if some creep is on the other side."

I force my legs to move to the window and grabbed the curtain. I really did not want to see what - or who - was tapping on the glass. I did not want to have nightmares or to get grabbed and dragged through said window - if it was a person. I looked over my shoulder at my crush. She had taken out her cellphone and was staring at it. I looked back at the curtain and let out a long whoosh of air.

I can be brave. I must be brave for Calista.

I pulled back the curtain - and felt the color drain from my face. I managed to stifle a scream and released said curtain. I spun around and motioned to the front door. I said that I would be right back.

"Wait, Clay."