I was taking out books from my bag, when Kristine came shouting,"Lucy?!"

I turned and smiled at her."Hey Kristine. Good morning."

"You know what ? There's this new guy in our school. And oh-my-god. He looks soo good. Like hot," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm and excitment.
"Is he in our class?," I enquired.

"Bingo. He is," she informed. "And there he comes."

And then he came in. Blake. I was astounded. I choked and starting coughing hysterically.
"Are you okay, Lucy?," Kristine asked her eyes widened in worry. I nodded.

I looked at him. He was smiling and talking to one of my classmates. He then looked at me and  excusing himself from the crowd came walking towards me. I looked at him questioningly. He came and sat down beside me and said....nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Then, our class teacher entered. We all wished her and sat down .
"Good morning, students. We have a new student in our class. I'm sure you all noticed?,"
We nodded.
"Right. Meet Blake Halter"
Blake got up from the seat beside me and went towards Mrs.Rowley. "Blake's father has been transferred to India from U.S.A for setting up a business here. I hope you all will make him feel comfortable," she ended.
"Yes ma'am," the class replied enthusiastically.

"Hi everyone. It's really nice meeting you all," Blake smiled. He spoke in heavy, American accent. We nodded at him.

Then, after a few more polite exchange of word he came back and sat down beside me.

Our class began.

After some time, I thought of talking to him which wasn't possible between the classes. So I decided to write it down instead.
"Hey . Welcome to India, new neighbour. " I wrote, and passed it down to him.
He looked at the sheet, raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Thanks" he wrote back. 

"If you need any help, I'll be right across the street. Like literally"
I passed it down. I saw him laugh at that.
"Yeah. Thanks. By the way, I saw your dance. And it was hurmourous. I couldn't stop laughing."

I redened when I read that and looked at him. He was looking at me and smirking.
"Yeah, of course. Thanks''
I wrote, sarcasam filled in every word.

Then, the bell rang.

___*___

We all sat on our chairs during lunch break. Kristine said,"God, Blake went and sat right next to you. You both-"

"He's my neighbour," I said, interrupting her.

"- have met....HE'S YOUR WHAT?,"Kristine shouted. Everyone around the room turned and shooted a look at her. She redened.

"What's wrong with you?," I scolded.

"Sorry. I couldn't help it. He's your neighbour?," she asked, astounded.

"Yep," I replied. "He shifted just yesterday. Don't know how he joined school that fast"

"Ooh cool. Lucky you," she puffed up her cheeks.

I rolled my eyes. "You can have him"

"No I have Eros. And I want him for you And I'm gonna make that happen, Lucy Goodwin."

___*___

The classes went on after break as usual. Blake and I didn't talk. And even though we didn't, the silence wasn't awkward. It was comforting being beside him, in his presence, in silence. Weird, kind of.

After five more classes, the bell rang and all the students rushed out of the door like monkeys. In five minutes, the classroom was empty . Blake was flabbergasted. He turned towards me with shocked eyes. I laughed ,"Yes they're like that always."

"Oh " He said.
After a minute of silence, he held out his hand. "Let's go home."
I smiled and took his hand.

Kristine came running to me, as usual, as we got out of the classroom. "Lucyy! There's a prom this saturday. I'm going with Eros,and you're coming."
"NO! We're just thirteen. And I don't have a partner," I admitted.

She made a disgusted face. "Blake will go with you. And c'mon! We aren't comsuming alcohol or wearing short dresses or anything. We're just going to dance and enjoy. Just think it's a prom for 13-year-olds,"she said.

"Shut up, Kristine,"I said looking at Blake, embarrassed.

"No, I don't mind going. Would you be my partner, Lucy, for the prom night?," Blake asked, in his heavily accented voice.

"Awwwh," Kristine giggled.

I shot her a look. She's losing it.

"Yes, off course," I said to Blake, half-smiling.
How smiled in reply. "So let's go?"

"Yep. Bye Kristine."

"Bye Kristine. Nice meeting you," Blake smiled at her as dimples formulated on  his cheeks like small deep craters on the moon.

"Nice meeting you too,Blake. Bye, both," Kristine said and waved.

Once we reached home, Blake turned to me.
"It was really nice meeting you ,Lucy. I look forward to the prom. We're friends now, right?," he said, extending his hand.

"Of course we are," I said, taking his hand.

He smiled, his beautiful smile, which reached his blue eyes too. And then, he turned and walked across the road.

_*_