𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 || 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭

𝟑: 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞-𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬

A few days had gone by since what she was now calling the 'teenage paparazzi" incident.

The sun was setting, and she was snuggled in her pj's in the tree, reading. Her bedroom window was open, casting light onto the pages of her book. String lights she threaded through the branches years ago helped a bit too.

The sound of a window frame squeaking made her look up, and she could see the silhouette of someone pushing open the adjacent window in the Scobell's house.

Walker popped his head out. "Room for one more?"

She hesitated before scooting over as an invitation, returning to her book. She heard him step out onto the branch and slide his way over, tucking his knees to his chest once he reached the nook in the tree.

"Whatcha reading?" He asked.

"Little Women."

"Oh cool."

"Yeah."

"What's it about?"

"Little women."

"That's unexpected..."

"Mhm."

He was quiet for so long that as she read she almost forgot he was there. Until he started scratching his nail against the bark. Loudly.

She snapped the book shut, leaning her head back against the tree.

"Do you need something?" She asked, trying to keep the edge out of her voice. He had gotten really good at disrupting her peace and quiet, but she was trying her best to be patient.

He stopped picking at the bark, staring down at the grass below. Glancing at her for a millisecond, he looking away. He seemed nervous. Weird for an alleged mega celebrity.

"Not really, I just feel like we got off on the wrong foot. I'd rather not have my new neighbor hate me, you know?" He shrugged before looking at her again, holding her eyes to his.

"Could we maybe start over?"

Of all things she had expected from him, it wasn't that. Sophia set the book down next to her, wrapping her arms around her knees. She shrugged.

"Hmmm, I don't know. Your first impression was reeeally memorable." A hint of teasing poked through her voice, and he squeezed his eyes shut as if trying to wipe the memory.

"Yeah, you don't have to remind me. Those muffins were really good by the way, my brother Tanner ate like, all of them."

She blushed, just a little. "Thanks. If your family's ever sweet treat deprived let me know, I'm kind of trying to build a business out of it."

He sat up, facing her. "Really? That's cool actually, I bet you totally could."

"Oh come on, you're just being nice to try and redeem yourself."

He faked a look of shock and hurt. He was good at it, not surprising based on his career.

"Whattt, how could you say that?" He paused for affect. "Is it working?"

She looked up into the sky, now littered with stars. "Maybe."

They sat in silence for a second, legs swinging off of the tree.

"And about that group of girls," He stated awkwardly. "I kind of act sometimes, on TV. I don't even know how they knew where my new house was. Sorry they bothered you."

"Don't apologize. Not your fault."

And again came the silence. Maybe she should give him a chance. And besides, she felt guilty for being so short with him, so she tried to lighten the mood.