ALEX

A BITE OF

There's a small bakery on the outskirt of town that I always seem to find myself visiting. They make the best blueberry scones ever. I always leave with a full paper bag of them, I practically wipe the place out when I come. I am such a fat ass.

"We've got fresh scones," Edward the baker smiles as he prepares me a bag.

I blush timidly as eyes stare at me from across the room. This is so awkward.

Passing through the bakery is Mathew, everyone greets him as if he is the celebrity of the town. I just stare from afar as he makes his way to the counter.

"And here is your batch of scones Mathew," Edward hands him a paper bag.

Mathew looks at me and smiles.

"Thank-you," he answers as he pays and leaves.

My eyes follow Mathew to the outdoors where he enters a blue pick-up truck and drives off.

"Nice guy, isn't he your neighbor," Edward asks as he hands me my bag of fresh scones.

Boy, this town sure is small.

I smile and nod my head.

Just because he's my neighbor doesn't mean anything.

"You've got any family," Edward asks as I pay him.

"Yeah I do, but we don't keep in touch much," I answer quickly.

"Well, we've got a family gathering at church tonight that we do around this time of the year. You should check it out," Edward smiles.

I say nothing and just smile. The last place on Earth that I want to be right now is inside of a damn church.

"Alright," I answer kindly as I step out of the store.

Just hearing Edward question me about my family has my heart racing. I've got to get a hold of myself. Like usual, I walk my way home which takes about an hour or more depending on the weather.

Mid-way on my walk I come across Mathew who drives past me. I guess he had other errands to run after picking up his scones.

"Need a ride," I hear.

Actually, no I don't need a ride. Especially from a neighbor that I don't know. Go away leave me alone.

"Just save yourself now before I ruin your life." I think to myself but Mathew doesn't budge, he slows down his truck.

"I'm ok, I'm almost there," I point out.

"It's getting dark and it's about to rain. I can't have you walking down this path alone," he babbles on.

No you can, trust me I will be fine.

I look at him and stop.

He reminds me of Chris. He is so persistent.

"Sure," I agree. If I don't jump into his truck now he will never go away, I seriously think that he will drive side by side with me until I make it home.

Now that I think about it, it's our first time ever talking to another. I've lived next door for a month now and this is our first conversation.

Mathew stops his truck and steps out. He escorts me to the passenger side and opens the door for me. I remain quiet as ever and just observe as he returns back to the driver seat, after assisting me.

And yeah, by some sheer coincidence it starts to rain.

But not a moment too soon I find us in my driveway, across from his enormous house facing my front door. I think the entire time as I sat in his truck, my mind must have gone somewhere else. I thank him for being so kind to me and step out of the vehicle and make my way to the door where I enter and never look back.

I walk my way to the kitchen where I realize that I have forgotten my scones in his truck. Quickly I rush to the door only to find Mathew standing there with my bag in his hands. All six feet and five inches of him hovers over me as his hair falls over his shoulders as he stands there soaked from the rain.

"You forgot your scones," he points out.

I can see that.

I grab the bag from him gently and thank him. But from the looks of it, he is not about to leave my front door. Maybe, I should offer him some coffee?

"Would you like some coffee," I offer.

Mathew doesn't hesitate and says yes.

He makes his way in before I can even step aside and shut the door behind him.

Alright then.

"I'm Mathew," he smiles.

But I think that he knows that I know.

"I'm..."- but I pause.

"You are...," he asks.

"Crystelle, but you can call me Crys," I answer.

Did I just really give the man a fake name?

Mathew walks to the dining room table and pulls out a chair.

"Lovely name."

Yeah it sure is, and with that I prepare us a cup of coffee.

"So are you going to that church event," I ask.

Mathew shakes his head no. "I rather enjoy this coffee with you," he mentions before his eyes fall to mine.

"Is that so," I ask, but I feel uneasy about this whole event as we stare at each other. I don't want trouble, I don't need to draw this man into my life at the moment.

"Yeah, this house has been empty for almost twelve years. You are the first person to ever move back into this haunted place," he says with a serious look on his face.

I become mute. Haunted house?

"I only kid, you should have seen your face," he laughs.

Yeah, I wish I could have seen myself as well.

Thirty minutes into our conversation I find myself laughing for the first time in a long time. I'm actually glad that we've finally become acquainted.

"I see you every morning at your window watching me," he mumbles.

Oh great, he thinks that I am a stalker now.

"Oh yeah about that..." but before I could say anything he stops me.

"You've got those eyes...I haven't seen eyes like yours in a long time," he rants on. By the look on my face I know that he's aware that I am confused.

"What eyes," I ask.

Mathew pulls his hair back into a bun and grins.

"Eyes that drown themselves in a bag of scones," he smiles as he takes a scone from the bag and takes a bite.

Is he trying to flirt with me?

Well, if he is then that's my neighbor for you.

The odd handsome man who lives all alone with his livestock in a huge home in the middle of nowhere in Kings Mountain, North Carolina.

"So what's your story, you don't look like a country girl. What are you running away from," Mathew pesters on with his curiosity.

This is going to be the start of an interesting friendship.

Yes indeed, as I myself go for a bite.