Ice And Fire

Across the road

It all started when I shifted here with my family, here in this town.
I was deeply saddened by the thing of shifting here, after all I left the place where I lived my whole childhood, had many friends and actually I loved my old environment.

I was rather mad at my parents and there was my elder brother, making me madder as he sat beside me in the car.
We entered the town. Coolness of the town did help me to sooth down.
It has been a beautiful town always, but at that point of time I completely disagreed it.
I was in so love with my old city life and friends that I never wanted to shift here.

My brother was on a contrast feeling. Overwhelmed for his sophomore. Or actually for new girls.
In old school he was a fail on girls, total fail. Zero.
I myself was very popular and maybe I didn't want to lose my great popularity.
I always thought that those 900 friends in my phone were my real friends. Until I met Lucas.

I still remember how pissed off, I was when he came to our house with his mother carrying a apple pie, as a welcome gift.

I hate pies. Totally hated it.
Thou I love it now.

His mother makes best food in this whole world.

They were very kind to us.
Lucas and his elder brother helped us to load things and furniture in home. They even invited us for dinner.

That was the best dinner of my life.
At dinner, my mom, who was very bad at cooking was already asking for recipes and tips.

I was seated just across Lucas. My hands were numb and my body was senseless except my tongue which was already exploring thousands of flavors in simple sketti and meatballs.
I myself never ate so delicious homemade food.

Our brothers, having common interests like basketball were busy, talking and telling about themselves.

It actually felt like everyone was talking and chatting except us.
He was busy with his spaghetti and his fork and I had nothing to do, except staring everyone and especially him.

It was all going fine when our parents asked us talk.

"You both not talking?" asked his mom.
"Er.. Um.." I replied and concentrated on my plate.
"I never thought that you are so shy? Riley? Are you even listening to me?? Riley?" My mom called out.
I glanced towards my mom and said back "I am. I am not shy. Its just that.."

"What I suggest you both is that, you both should take a walk around here. Lucas, you must take Riley for a walk. And yes show her the spot." His father suggested enthusiastically.

We both finished our meals and we went out leaving everyone. At that moment I was already regretting my decision.

My brain almost stopped working. Actually I imagined that we would not say word to each other and end up going home without any chat.

Perfect plan! I thought it was.

Unless my big mouth cannot control itself.
"So you are a Sophomore?" I asked him.
He was basically lost and then he looked towards me and asked "Pardon, can you tell me what you said?"

"Are you a sophomore" I retraced my question.

" No. Actually a freshman."
"Oh! Me too! You know I don't know much about here, so maybe you can help me out." I asked him, and instantly regretted it.

Oh shit! I said aloud in my mind.
Oh! Please say no. Please say it.
Say a no, I am busy.

"Um.. Sure!" He said, exactly the opposite of what I thought.

"You must be missing your old friends." He asked with perfect politeness.

"Yeah! A bit. But I have all of them in my phone." I replied.