a deadly storm, an unsolved disappearance, and a small town brimming with secrecy;
an outcast girl, a boy who only knows how to hide, and the world against them;
what could go wrong?
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At promptly ten-thirty the following morning, Boo parks in front of Harry's house. Her hair is lightly curled and she has a fresh layer of makeup on. Even her clothes suggest an air of effort. Really, she just doesn't want Harry to know how much of a shut-in she is. It's been years since she's been on a date.
She pauses in the car, reflecting on that thought. Could this be called a date?
"It's too early for this," she grumbles, exiting the car and walking up the front path.
She presses the doorbell; a few moments pass before the door opens to reveal Harry, looking as though he's still struggling to wake up. "Boo," he murmurs, a sleepy smile crossing his face. "Good morning."
Boo covers her mouth in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize how early it is." Her face flushes hot and words begin tumbling out with reckless abandon. "I, uh, I'll come back, I'm so sorry."
She turns but a low chuckle makes her stop. "It's alright, Boo, don't worry. I've been up for a while, some mornings just take longer than others. I need a few minutes to get dressed."
"Okay, I'll wait out here," she says, gesturing to his empty porch.
He raises an eyebrow and pulls his door open more. "You sure you don't want to come in?"
"No, I'll be alright," she smiles politely. "It's a nice morning."
He nods and closes the door. Boo sighs deeply, feeling her stomach unknot as she clambers up onto the wooden rail and takes a seat facing the street. Below her swinging feet is a patchy little garden, neglected for who knows how long. A few green leaves are attempting to sprout up through the dry dirt, but without proper care they won't grow for long.
Boo hums to herself before hopping off the railing and kneeling beside the garden. She scoops some gunky leaves away from the sprouts before hunting down a nearby hose. She sprinkles a few drops of water onto the little green shoots, enough to darken the soil around each one, and smiles to herself in satisfaction.
"Do you always water your neighbor's garden?" Harry asks, startling her. She looks up to see him leaning over the porch railing, smirking down at her. His necklace swings in the air and his hair hangs around his face in loose tendrils; from her vantage point the gentle sunlight gives him the appearance of having a halo.
"Just the ones I like," she says, coming to her feet. Harry continues to lean down, despite her face being much closer. She can smell his mint toothpaste.
"A day ago you were yelling at me for not coming out of my house," he says in quiet observation. His eyes dance with something mysterious, and Boo feels her stomach flip excitedly. "Now you're taking me for coffee and watering my plants. What's next?"
"Marriage," she breathes out, too nervous to say anything else. A crooked smile stretches across his lips, revealing those oh-so-lovely dimples. Boo's knees knock together in delight.
