The following week passed pleasantly. The Halter family settled in their new house. It was December now, the resilient winter. And our winter vacations had just begun.

On Saturday, the door bell rang. I got up from the couch and went to open the door.
He was standing there, smiling as usual, hands in his pockets.  Wearing a plain black T-shirt with dark blue jeans he yet again managed to make me gawk him. Does he really look this good or is it just my imagination? 

Beside him stood his parents. The Halter family is here.

"Who's there, Lucy?," mother asked. "Our new neighbours mom, the Halters," I said, smiling at them as they entered. "Welcome"

"Nice house," Blake said , looking around.

"Thanks."

"Welcome, please make yourself comfortable here," mom greeted them warmly.

"Thank you so much," Mrs.Halter chirped, as they sat down on the couch."We just wanted to know our neighbours."

We nodded. Heather departed the hall to make them some tea and refreshments.

"Hey, sweetheart," Mrs. Halter said, as she hugged me warmly. "Blake talks alot about you these days."

Blake and I had been spending a lot of time together lately. We chatted all the time getting to know each other better.

I looked at him and smiled. He was looking around the house, with a child-like spark in his eyes.

"Why don't you show him our house, Lucy?,"mom said.

"I'd love to see it," replied.
"Sure why not?,"I  said, as we got up.

___*___

"And this, is my room," I said, after showing him the entire house. He got into the room, his eyes fixed on some lines I'd pinned on the softboard.

"Miracles grow where you plant them," he read aloud. "You've never acknowledged my exsistence, nor I yours. But you're a circus act all of your own and I cannot help but be your audience."

He paused, and looked at me. "I like them. Did you write it?"

"Nope,"I shook my head. "They're lines from a book, and I pinned them. They were good."

"Oh," he said, turning around. And then he looked at me, spellbound. "Oh God. What on earth is this?" he gestured towards the books kept on the shelves.

"They are so many ! Like a library." he said, astounded.

"I loved reading, so I keep buying books," I informed,laughing at his retaliation.

"God, you're crazy!," he laughed along.

"Blake!?," Mrs. Halter shouted, calling for his son.

"Coming mom," Blake replied.  "I'll pick you up at seven today all right?"

"Okay," I said.

"It was really nice meeting you all," Mr.Halter said as they proceeded towards the door.

"Do come again," my mom greeted.

"Sure," they said, closing the door behind them.

__*__

I looked at myself in the mirror for the final time. I had worn a trusty full length white and lavender gown, black peep toe stilltoes and an emerald bracelet. I had curled my hair and tied it into a bun leaving two strands out. I had finally, fixed my hair with rose-shaped clips. I look just fine, don't I? I nodded.

I went downstairs, lifting up my gown a little to avoid falling. I felt like a princess appearing for her wedding.

"How do I look?," I asked.

"You look great," Heather informed.

"You look beautiful " mom smiled

"Thank you so much," I said gratefully.

"Okay then. Let me click your picture," mom said, picking up the camera. And just then, the bell rang. Blake.

---*---