Dedicated to the person who has always supported my stories. She's been my fan ever since The Startled Princess. Thanks! ;) x

11th 

**

"Are you sure about this, Ellie?"

I sighed. Aaron has asked the very same question for more than twenty times now. "I'm sure. Don't worry too much about me. I'm not a kid anymore." I whined, rolling my eyes. 

"I'm not going to be able to pick you up, you know. You sure Gail could give you a ride home? Have you called her?" 

I nodded, rolling my eyes. "Yes, Sir. Do you have any other annoying questions to ask me?" I replied sarcastically, and actually lied to him. 

I hadn't called Ms. Gail to ask if she could give me a ride home. But I guessed, it's not a big problem, right? Aaron got some work to do so he couldn't pick me up later on. I lied to him because I knew he wouldn't let me go to Riley's if I hadn't called her. 

I flicked my eyes to his house, and spotted her black-convertible, parked safely in the driveway. She was home, and she definitely wouldn't mind sending me home.  

Aaron frowned. "I was just making sure."

"Well, now you're sure so I'm going inside!" I stated, and opened the car door, getting out of the car. "Bye!" I shouted, shutting the door. 

I pressed the bell, and waited for someone to open the gate. "Hey, Ellie!" I heard Aaron's voice, shouting my name. He had lowered the window down. "Don't be here for too long. I'm leaving at four so someone needs to watch Sophie at home," 

"I know, I know. Just go away!" I shooed my nosy brother, and hoped that someone would open the gate soon. 

He frowned. "Why do you hate me this much? Afraid of the fact I want to meet your new boyfriend?" he taunted, annoyingly. 

"Why're you being so nosy?" I retorted, shaking my head. Then I turned around as I heard the big, gold gate creaked. "Go away! Someone's opening the gate." I shouted at him.

Aaron sighed, resting his head on the steering wheel. "Whatever. I'm so terribly sad my sister is hating me because of her new boyfriend,"

I gave him a flat look. 

I saw he stole a peek at me, and probably realized his acting wasn't working. "Fine, fine. I'll go," Aaron shrugged, turning on the engine once again. "Just take care of yourself, okay?"

"Okay, okay."

I thought he was going after that, but he wasn't. "And say hi to Gail," he said playfully, winking his eye. 

"Ew, no."

Aaron laughed, and he finally said, "Bye, Ellie." And his car left the Flynn's residence a moment later. 

The gate was fully opened, and I couldn't help but to feel so small, and insecure. The house was really big, and it was nothing compared to mine. I couldn't see all this last night because it was dark. 

There's a mini garden on the left side, and it looked really beautiful. Maybe his mom or Ms. Gail loved gardening. And there was actually a garage that could fit in at least two cars. 

I walked down towards the door, and realized there was an old lady, waiting for me on the steps. 

The lady looked nice, though — much to my relief. She's got dark hair that was streaked with gray, and tied into a tight bun. She was wearing, which I guessed, a maid's uniform — the black and white one. 

"Hi," I said, smiling. "I'm here to see Riley. Is he home?" 

The lady didn't say anything, and looked at me up and down. "Are you Ellie Burke?" she asked eventually, looking at me intently. 

I blinked in surprised. "Yeah. I'm Ellie," I replied, tugging Riley's hoodie with both of my hands. I figured, maybe Riley or Ms. Gail had told her about me. 

"Ah, I see. Well, Riley's home," she grinned, nodding. "He talks a lot about you, that's why I knew your name." 

"Bad things or good things?" I chattered, chuckling. I could guess what he probably told her — I was weird, annoying, persuasive, stubborn and much more.

She smiled. "Well, both, I guess," she answered. "Anyways, my name is Rebecca, and I was the one who changed Riley's diapers when he was a baby,"

I laughed, covering my mouth as I held back a cough. "I see. A nanny, isn't it?" 

"That's the official name," Rebecca nodded, shooting me a genuine smile. "I'm happy Riley's got a friend now. I thought he wouldn't ..... After the accident."

"I'm happy to be friends with him too," I said honestly. Rebecca shot me another smile, and she looked happy to hear what I said. She must've been very close to Riley since he told her about me. 

And the way she talked about him, I could tell how much she loved him. Then I remembered Lucy. I wondered if she knew her, but I supposed she did. Rebecca said she was the one who changed his diapers. 

"Who's there?"

I turned my head to look behind Rebecca when I heard his voice. Rebecca moved to the side, revealing Riley who was walking towards us. 

And I swear my heart stopped beating for a second when I realized he wasn't wearing his shades. 

"Who are you talking to?" Riley asked as Rebecca held his hand, helping him to stand beside her. "I heard voices, and my name."

I stood there, beaming at him. My heart felt weak as it started thudding like crazy. It got worse when I lifted my eyes to look at his eyes — something I've been wanting to do since the first time I met him. 

He's got dark brown eyes, and not blue like I'd expected. People have always said that blue eyes were sexy, handsome, and charming.

But his brown eyes in some way gave me warmth, and comfort. 

"Oh, it's your friend, Ellie," Rebecca answered his question, squeezing his arm. "She's here to see you."

I was still gazing at him as he turned his eyes to look at me. My heart beat faster, and then even faster. I swear if there weren't any rib cages in our body, my heart would've fell out of my body. 

"Ellie?" Riley called out my name, sending shivers down to my gut. "What are you doing here?" 

My mouth somehow refused to answer his question, and I kept staring at him, longer than I usually did. The intensity of his beautiful eyes was killing me from inside, and I gulped. 

I was lost in his eyes, and the sayings were true,

There's so many emotions could be expressed through a single meeting of eyes. 

"Ellie?"

Plop...

"Hey, are you there?"

Plop...

I was awake when I felt a hand on my arm. "Ellie," Rebecca's voice blasted through my ears, and brought me back to earth. 

When I was finally conscious, I realized they were both giving me odd looks, and there wasn't a surprised there. "Um, sorry. I was thinking about something," I said awkwardly, biting my lower lips. 

"What are you doing here?" Riley asked, and again, it made my heart race unusually. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"

God. This was the reason why he should wear his shades to cover his eyes. 

"I'm — I'm, um. I want to send this back to you," I stuttered, holding out his hoodie. 

His hands wandered everywhere so I guided his hands to take his hoodie. The moment I touched his skin that odd feeling crept down my spine again. And the funny thing was I didn't want to let it go. 

What was happening to me?

I pulled my hand hastily, afraid that I might scare him off. I didn't want him to think in a bad way about me. Riley probably noticed it when he raised his eyebrow, giving me a weird look.  

"I'll leave you guys now. Do you want to drink anything, Ellie?" Rebecca asked, shooting me a tender smile. 

I was about to answer the question before Riley interrupted me."Never ask her if she wants or needs anything. She would say no," he answered for me. "Just grab any drink for her. She wouldn't mind. I told you she's weird."

I scowled. "How did you know I would say no?"

He flicked his eyes to me, smirking. "Try me. Request anything you want to Rebecca. She would get it for you," Riley sneered. 

Still scowling, I averted my eyes away from him. "Rebecca..." I started, trying to think of the most polite way to ask for something. But to be honest, I could not. Well, maybe he was right. 

Weakling.

She waited for me, smiling kindly, and it made me feel so guilty. It was her place, I shouldn't be asking for anything from her. It was wrong. 

Riley crossed his arms to his chest, and his lips twitched into an evil grin. He could be really mean sometimes. "Come on, Ellie. Ask for something," he sneered, cocking his eyebrows. 

I sighed, knowing I lost to him "Anything would do, Rebecca," I answered, grimacing. 

Rebecca chuckled, shaking her head anonymously. "Alright then, sweetheart," she mumbled. "No wonder Riley loves to talk about you. You're so cute!"

Riley's eyes widened, and I thought he was blushing a little. "What are you saying, Rebecca?" he exclaimed, putting on an odious look. 

"Don't listen to him," Rebecca mouthed silently, and winked her eye. I laughed, and nodded my head before she went away from there. 

Riley turned to look at me. "Don't listen to her. She was just saying that for fun. Rebecca didn't mean anything," he said ominously. 

I laughed, and coughed at the same time. "Sorry." I muttered. 

"You're still sick, aren't you?"

"Better than yesterday, though." 

He sighed, rolling his eyes. "Come on. Let's sit in the garden," he said, and started to walk away from there. I followed him from behind, and Riley led the way to the garden. 

The garden wasn't actually as small as I thought. It was quite big, and there's a lot of flowers, and trees in this area. Mostly was roses in different colors, and there were tulips, and lilies — and there's a white swing placed under a big, old tree. 

Riley took a seat on the swing, but he didn't start swinging it yet. "Why're you still standing?" he asked, looking up at me. "I don't want to be responsible if you pass out."

I smiled, and took a seat beside him. He started swinging it when he realized I had taken my seat. 

"Your mom planted these flowers?" I asked conversationally, looking around the area,. "It's amazing."

He nodded. "Yeah. Well, she used to. She and Gail used to plant all those flowers together...." Riley paused before he finished his words, "and Lucy loved to join them too."

"I didn't mean to —" 

He seemed to ignore me before sighing. "Everything changed after the accident," Riley told me. "They never say this to me, but I know they're blaming me for her death. I just know it."

"Don't say that. No parents would ever blame their own children," I debated. "It's just you, I think. You're just over-thinking about it. And being a pessimist."

"Maybe I can't see their faces, but I can still hear them, you know. I know they want me to become who I was before it happened, but I can't. I'm blind. There's nothing anyone could do about it."

"Surgery, maybe?" I tried, flashing him an encouraging smile. "I've always seen a movie like this. You could get your sight back through a surgery, right?"

His lips curved into a smile. "I did think about that one before. But I don't know," Riley shrugged. "Maybe I just don't have any strong reason why I should get my sight back. And the surgery risk is really high."

My smile faded away. "Oh, really." I drawled, disappointed.

He turned his warm, brown eyes to look at me. "Hey, you shouldn't sound so guilty about it," Riley chuckled. "And you know what, I think you watch too many movies, Ellie. Weird."

I rolled my eyes. "You're so mean sometimes, Riley Flynn." 

He gave out a breath of laughter as Rebecca showed up, holding a tray in her hands. 

"Thanks, Rebecca," I said as she handed me one of the glasses. She gave another glass to Riley, and he thanked her. 

"Have fun kids!" she chirped, walking away from there. Rebecca might look old to some people, but I didn't think so. She looked so fun to be with, and Riley was lucky to have her as his nanny. 

"Rebecca is cool," I said, complementing. 

"Yeah. She is. I knew her since I was a baby."

I laughed as I recalled what she told me just now. "Yeah, she told me she was the one who changed your diapers!"

Riley frowned. "When I was a baby, Ellie."

I laughed. "Whatever," I said before catching his eyes again. I never thought I would finally see his eyes. This was really happening. Up close, it was more beautiful than I thought. 

And somehow, I could stare at it for as long as it's possible. 

"Ellie?" I heard his voice calling my name. "Are you still there? Don't tell me you passed out!" Riley literally shouted.

I was back on earth when I felt a light slap on my right cheek. "Huh? Sorry, I was thinking about something. What did you say?" I murmured, and was still in a blur state. 

Riley cringed away. "You're acting weird today," 

I laughed. "I thought I'm always weird."

"You are. But today you are very strange," Riley uttered, looking at me tentatively. It was truly weird to talk to him without his shades on because his eyes were looking directly to me. I was used to him wearing his shades. 

"Um, you don't have your shades on," I spoke, my mouth snapping shut. 

Riley touched his face so I guessed, he didn't notice it in the first place. "Shit. I forgot to wear it." he cursed, frowning. "No wonder you're acting weird."

"Yeah...." 

He averted his eyes away from me. "Now you know everything about me," Riley shrugged. 

"It's not a big deal. Why didn't you want to show me your eyes?" I asked, sipping my orange juice.

Riley leaned back in his swing, and started swinging it again. "Because it's the only part of my body that has no use to me. I can't use it anymore so why show it to the world?"

"That's one of the most stupid things I've ever heard," I said truthfully, and he scowled instantly. "At least you still have your eyes, and it's nice. What about the blind people whose eyes became ugly and disoriented?"

He shrugged. "I know, I know." Riley gave in as he probably didn't want to hear any of my ramblings on how ungrateful he was. 

I grinned in victory. "Good."

"But that's not the only reason. I wear the shades because my eyes are sensitive to the sunlight. It's one of the effects because something is off with my brain or something," Riley explained. 

"Right."

"And did you say I have nice eyes?" 

Silent. "Maybe."

"I should say thanks, I guess." Riley said in a genuine tone. I was taken aback a little as I couldn't believe he could say thank you to others. 

"Wow." I mused.

"What?"

"You said thanks."

Riley frowned. "You really know how to ruin everything sometimes," he shook his head, obviously annoyed. 

I chuckled. "Sorry, Riley. And you're welcome," I said casually. "It's nice to see this side of yours. The cute, sweet, kind side of Riley Flynn."

"Ugh, Ellie. Please. Don't make me chase you out of my house," Riley rolled his eyes, and I knew he was joking. "Why're you here actually? I know it's not just for the hoodie. But if it was, then you're really nuts."

I slapped my forehead. "Oh, yeah. I almost forgot!" I gushed, pushing a hand into my pocket to take out my new phone. "Look at what I just got!" I waved my phone excitedly.

"I can't see, genius."

"Sorry," I apologized, flashing him a cheeky smile. I grabbed his right hand, and placed my phone in it. "So, what do you think it is?"

It took him only three seconds before guessing, "A phone?"

I nodded. "Yup, my brother bought it for me. It's my first phone. I've never had one before,"

He cocked an eyebrow. "Really? I had my first phone when I was thirteen," he bragged. 

I shrugged. "So? It's not like I needed anyway,"

He smiled apologetically. "Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you," Riley muttered. "I shall say congratulations on having your first phone then?"

"That's better."

Riley let out another laugh. "You came over here just to show me your new phone?" 

"Not quite. I came here to ask for your phone number." I answered him before realizing it's actually embarrassing. "Um, you know, it'll be easier! If I wanna talk to you or something...."

Somehow, I thought he shot me an amused smile. "So you're asking for my phone number, huh? Is that right?" Riley's smile turned into that snobbish smirk that a player always had. 

I slapped his arm lightly. "Don't be so flattered! I was just asking for a phone number, that's all," I grumbled. "It's a normal thing, okay? Friends have each other phone numbers."

Riley laughed, and it was actually the loudest one I've ever heard coming out of him. "Fine. Stop giving me your lectures. Give me your phone," Riley said, holding out his hand for my phone. 

"You know how to type using a phone?" 

"Ellie, I've used this thing for what? Twenty years?" Riley crowed. "But I don't do message, okay? I don't want to type something wrong, and give you the pleasure to laugh at me because of it."

"I won't laugh at you," I promised, placing my phone in his hand. 

"Ha-ha. Like I'm going to believe it," Riley grimaced, punching in his number before handing it back. When I glanced down at the screen he'd save it under Riley Flynn. 

I got up to my feet, and holding out the now empty glass to him. "I should get going now. My sister's alone at home."

"Your brother?"

"He's got to do something,"

"So you're walking home? Are you crazy? You're sick, Ellie," Riley sputtered, putting on a worried look. 

"Yeah.. well," I started, biting the inside of my cheeks. "Is Ms. Gail around? Can she send me home?"

He looked a little taken aback. "Wow. You did know how to ask for something," he mused. 

Silent. 

Riley sighed. "But she's not home. Gail's out for something. I don't know when she'd be back, though." he said in a disappointed tone. 

"But I saw her car in the driveway —"

"Well, she took her own car then. That one was mine, and she drives me around using it because Gail knows how much I love it," 

"Oh, really," I sighed, regretting I didn't call her in the first place. I should've listened to Aaron's advice. Maybe this was a karma. "Never mind then. I walk home then."

"No. I'm not going to let that happen. What if you pass out in the middle of the road?" 

I smiled. "Riley, it's okay. I'm not going to pass out, okay?" I said, assuring him. "It's not that far."

He didn't say anything, and it looked like he was thinking hard about something. "Hold on a second," Riley said, holding up both his hands. "I think I know who can help you."

Before I could even ask for more information, Riley made his way from there, heading into his house.

**

So, like I promised, this is your Christmas present from me! xD Woah, I never thought I could finish this on time. >,< 

Merry Christmas to everyone who are celebrating it! Have a great day, and be happy with your loved ones. <3 

So, what's Riley is up to? And finally, his eye color is revealed! xD 

Like always, vote and comment! :DD 

Thank you! xxx