Castle On The Hill

Chapter Seven

Another month has gone by and I have to admit, things are pretty great. Since the snow has started to fall, I've been riding to school with Cate. She, Francesca and Parker all drive. Shane rides with Parker and Tammy rides the bus. Tammy lives closer to school than the rest of us, but she says it's too far to walk. I'm surprised she makes it up the hill to the castle sometimes with how out of shape she is! I'm just glad I was able to find friends.

Parker and I have been hanging out every chance we get, but he still hasn't asked me out. I don't know what the hell he's waiting for because we have both admitted we like each other. At the same time, listening to Tammy still whine over Steve and listening to Nick and Francesca constantly fight low key deters me from wanting to be in a relationship too. At least Shane gets along with his girlfriend, so there is a tiny sliver of hope.

I reached Babcock Park where Parker instructed me to meet him at. He was sitting Indian style on the playground equipment. I ran towards him and pushed him down to where I was perched on top of him. Luckily we both have snow pants on because the ground is covered in it.

"Hello Tara." He smiled.

"Hello Parker. What are you getting us into today?"

His smile grew. "We're going up to the castle."

I looked at hom in confusion. "What's so special about that? I'm up there like three times a week. It's haunting yet peaceful."

"We're doing something different up there today. You have to get off me first though."

I giggled and we both got up. We left the park and made sure no cars were driving by before sneaking up the hill to my favorite place. He led me inside and when he continued past our usual stop on the second floor, I paused. He looked at me curiously.

"Yes?" He asked.

"Where are we going?"

"Higher."

"How high?"

"Where an airplanes are."

I raised my eyebrows curiously. He grinned and led the way up to the roof. As I took in the sight of the city of Dansville, I gasped.

"This is magificent." I sighed.

"Are you hungry?" He asked.

I frowned. "I don't want to leave yet. I want to take pictures."

He waved his arm to the left and right next to the tower, there was a picnic basket. I gasped.

"Oh my God!" I yelled while running in the direction of the food.

"Slow down. This building really is dangerous, especially this high up. We can walk together."

"Okay."

"Did you know this was the first fireproof building? After a fire caused by a tipped lantern, they rebuilt it."

"That's pretty cool."

"Granola was invented here as well by Dr. Jackson himself."

"That's who this place is named after?"

"Yes."

We made it to the basket. He had cleared away the snow and put a blanket down. It sort of felt like we were in a bucket of snow. I sat to where I could see the city of Dansville behind him.

"I want this in a picture." I demanded.

I got up and stepped far enough back to get him, the basket, snow cubby and city behind him and took a few pictures. He was blushing.