"Slip, Trip, Stumble and Fall... in Love"

Serenading who?

Erin went home and slept. She was awakened by a music coming from her window. She peeked outside and was shocked upon seeing Lantis standing at the other side of the street, his back rested on the wall, strumming his guitar, and singing. His attention is on his guitar and Erin doesn't even know if he is aware that she actually lives here.

'I have often walked down this street before

But the pavement always stayed beneath my feet before

All but once am I

Several storeys high

Knowing I'm on the street where you live...'

After that song, he straightened up, then silently walked away. Erin sighed and sat on the nearest couch. It would be nice to think that Lantis had just serenaded her. But that's too impossible.

The next morning is like torture for Erin. She spent her time hiding and avoiding Lantis. She even caught him looking at her for a couple of times. And every time, she would feel her cheeks burning...

The rumor about the alleged love letter that Lantis received has become an instant 'talk of the town' among her classmates. She learned that,Joshua, one of their classmates found her letter in their classroom, that fateful day the slipping and stumbling accidents took place.

"Well, whoever that kitten is, I bet she is so ugly that she doesn't even have the guts to reveal herself to Lantis." Sabrina said mockingly, as she linked her arms around Lantis'. The whole period for her is like a nightmare.

When she walked home that afternoon, she felt a tingling feeling on her nape. It's like, someone is staring at her. She glanced at her back, and she saw the most handsome apparition she had ever seen. Lantis is at her back, gazing at her with a serious face.

She blinked twice, open mouth. "A-ah.. L-lantis. Hello!" She smiled awkwardly. "W-where are you heading now? This is not your route home.."

But he just ignored her, and kept walking instead. Erin scratched her head then proceeded. All the while, she was just staring at his broad back, then, smiled despite herself. Lantis was walking so slowly, it's like he was actually waiting for her... to accompany him. 'Silly me', she thought, but her grin widened.

When they reached her house, she glanced at Lantis who didn't stop walking. She just whispered, "Farewell, my prince."

"Bye, Dad." Erin kissed her father's cheeks before running towards the gate. She had a good sleep, and she looked forward for a good day today. As she stepped out the streets, she saw Lantis walking the same way she was heading. She smiled hesitantly at him. "G-good morning, Lantis."

He just nodded. But it's better than not responding at all, or she would have lost all the little confidence she had. "H-have you moved to our neighborhood or something? Cos, I've been seeing you here recently."

"No. I just go here for a walk." She caught a slight smile curved his lips. "I love your pavements here.."

Erin automatically knotted her forehead. "Pavements? I can't see anything special in our paths here..", she said as she kept observing the road.

"Have you ever tried writing a love letter before, Erin?"

She would have smiled vaguely by the sweet way he stated her name had not he mentioned about the love letter. "A-ah... ahm.. W-well. O-of course. Who hasn't? Hee." another awkward smile.

"I received a love letter. You heard about it, right?"

"Yeah! And I still don't know why all of our classmates have to read it."

He smiled. It is the first time I saw him smile. "They did not. I kept it safe. Only my barkada read some of its parts. The rest of its contents, only I had the privilege to read."

She looked at him, rather surprised. "Really?" When he nodded, that's when she sighed of relief. "That's good news. A love letter should be kept private, don't you think so?"

"You're really a good poet, Erin."

"H-huh?! W-what do you mean?"

"Thank you for comparing me to a demi-God, but I think that's an overstatement. I'm imperfect, just like any other guys."

Erin stopped walking. It's as if, her whole body was turned into stone. "L-lantis, I d-don't understand what you're talking about..."

"You don't have to be embarrassed about it." He turned to her, looked directly in her eyes, then continued, "I like girls who know what they want, and do something about it. I know it's you who wrote it, Erin. I saw it flew from your bag that day I slipped on the classroom, and you stumbled and fell on top of me. I saw it before Joshua did. All this time, I know it was you."

Erin bit her lip upon hearing it but a bead of tear already fell from her eyes. She was hurt and embarrassed by his confession. "Then why did you not tell me? Nor confronted me then?" her voice is full of pain and bitterneess. She doesn't know but she really felt betrayed. "I can't believe you got me fooled."

Lantis gently dabbed the drop of tear from her cheeks. Erin was too stunned to move away. "Please don't be mad." His voice was so cool, it felt like her heart was soothed by it. "I was waiting for you to tell it first. But then I got more curious of you that I started following you, trying to know where you live, and has been walking here everyday since then. Erin, I'm not sure yet, but I think I'm beginning to like you, too. I want to get to know you better."

"Please, Lantis, if you're just saying that because you know how I feel--"

"No, stop." He held her hands, then lovingly looked at her eyes. "Tell me what should I do for you to believe me? You want me to serenade you again, I'll do it."

"You?"

"Yes. That's my song for you. You know how aloof I am with the other girls, right? It's because I was never interested with any of them. Not until I read your letter. I was really touched by your words. Those were the best compliments I ever received in my life time. And you may not have notice, but the day you stumbled on top of me, and I smelled your perfume, and I had a close glance of your eyes, your lips, your face, I was... enthralled, enchanted. That day, you had tripped your way inside my heart."

This time, tears began flowing from her eyes. "I... I don't know what to say. Is this a dream? Are you even real?"

He smiled, flashing a complete set of pearly white teeth. "Of course. Now, can I ask you out on a date, later?"

She wiped any trace of tears on her eyes. "Well, let me think about it first. Hmm.." She flashed her sweetest smile. "Sure."

He matched her smile and pulled her for a hug. "Thank you."

Erin sniffed his manly perfume. "So, where will you take me for our first date?"

"We will eat first, then, we'll have a walk around the neighborhood... You know, I always had this certain feeling whenever I walk down your pavements. I can't explain it. But it gives me happiness just by knowing... that I am walking at the same street... where you live."
"Tss.." She tried to suppress her smile but simply can't. Her stomach is full of butterflies with how this handsome guy looking at her. "So, who's the poet now?"