"Meeting new people has always been a thing I find enlightening. I enjoy getting to know the people I don't know."
"Do you enjoy getting to know me?"
I smiled. "Of course I do."
Where a girl who just lost her mom and a boy who fights his own demons...
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I sat at the dinner table, my father in front of me while Alex and his mother sat on two different sides. It was slightly awkward, but I felt at home. It felt normal, besides the fact my father hadn't had another girl over in a while. I could tell he was nervous by the way he kept looking from his food to me then back at his food. He had forgotten how to interact with other women that is remotely close to his age. It took everything in me to not laugh at his awkwardness.
I had fixed my mother's soup for this occasion and everyone seemed to love it. It was getting colder outside each day, so hot soup seemed like the way to go. I hadn't been able to sit under my tree since rain has taken over the days. I hated rain when I had to go out in it, but when I look outside form my window with a book in hand, it seemed peaceful. I had hoped Amy painted the raining scene from her bedroom. She had an awfully huge window which seemed perfect. She had told me she started by painting her room and the nature outside. She is only fifteen and is already that good.
Ellie placed her spoon back into the bowl and smiled at me. "That was wonderful. You're a great cook."
I smiled and shook my head. "I wouldn't be if it wasn't for my mother. She would let me watch her cook as she taught me step by step."
"That is wonderful to hear. I bet she would be so proud of you."
I smiled. I loved it when people told me that. My mother was the only person to help me get out of the shell I was in. I wouldn't talk to anyone who wasn't the March family and my family. I thank her for that everyday.
"Maybe we should take a walk." My father suggested. That was when I knew he was nervous.
"Father, it is raining." He looked at me then out the window, which was right beside him. I could tell he was embarrassed. I stood up from my chair and smiled. "Maybe we should let them get to know each other, right?" I looked at Alex, which took him a moment to realize. He stood up and nodded.
"We will be at the bookstore if you need us. Try and get to know each other before we take any other big steps."
We both left the kitchen and got our shoes on. I grabbed an umbrella and we both made our way outside. It was now sprinkling, which was good for us. We walked down the grassy hill and onto the now muddy road.
"Do you think they'll like each other?" Alex asked as he took the umbrella from me, holding it above us.
"I sure hope so. It would be awfully horrible if they didn't. We wouldn't be able to spend time together, but I think they'll get along. My father could use more friends his age anyway. He only has us."
He laughed. "I suppose you're right. All they do is work. Maybe having each other as friends wouldn't be all that bad for them."
"Or us."
We both laughed and continued our way. When we arrived to the bookstore, Alex opened the door for me, letting me in first before he closed the umbrella and stepped in. I looked over and smiled at my old friend, Lenard. He always helped me out with books. He was obviously older than me and my father. He has running this bookstore since before I was born. "Hey Lenard. It is always a pleasure to see you."
