By the time the last bell rang I was out the door already. I walked through the halls a little more carefully this time though, but not because I was afraid of falling again, but because I was searching for Howard. When there was no sign of him by the time I reached the front doors, I was a little disappointed, but remembered there was always tomorrow. I walked down the sidewalk along the street, thinking about what had happened that day, when I heard a voice behind me.

"Do you ever feel like your being followed?". I turned around quickly and saw Howard walking behind me, his hands in his pockets.

"Hey", I said. He caught up beside me and touched the bandage on my forehead and rubbed it softy,

"How's the battle scar?", He asked. I laughed,

"It's okay, doesn't hurt anymore".

"That's good", He said looking me in the eye, "So, where ay headed?". I let out a sigh,

"Garden Dr.". Howard looked at me in surprise,

"Really? I live on Garden Dr.!". I looked at him,

"Stop joking around", I said.

"No, really", He said seriously, "I think your my neighbor".

"Do you live in a big white house?", I asked him.

"Yup, that's mine". I smiled to myself, "alright! this is cool!" I thought silently.

When we got to my house Howard walked me up my front stairs and waited for me to say good-bye. I did, and as I did so I asked him

"Hey, can I call you Howie?". He looked at me and smiled that Ok...you are now melting cause I am so cute smile,

"Sure". I went inside and watched him walk down the street to his house. And I felt a little bit better about moving here.

I went inside and grabbed and apple, throwing my books down by the stairs. No one was home, and no one would be till late tonight. I had a single working mother who like to go out more than coming home. I sat on our couch, which wasn't in the place my mom wanted it, the movers would come back tomorrow, they still had to drop off the rest of our possessions. I flipped on the TV and looked for the best program.

I woke up and realized I had dozed off, I looked outside to see the sun low in the sky, casting an orange glow among the small street. I stood up and walked to the back of the house. Looking out the screen door as I opened it I walked out and gazed upon my small, fenced it back yard. It smelled of freshly mowed grass and I actually liked this part of the house. I sat down on the porch swing, which screeched as I slightly swung back and fourth. Then I heard someone on the other side of my fence and hoped it was Howie. I looked over and saw flashes of him threw the tiny slits in the fence. I guess then he noticed me, too and he peeked over the fence, struggling a bit, he was a little short, but not shorter than me.

"Hey", He said.

"Hi", I said still swinging.

"What's up?", He asked. I pointed upwards,

"The sky", I joked, "Want to come over here and swing!", I said a bit childish. Howie smiled and looked behind him, as if he was looking for someone to ask. When he realized there was none there he turned to me,

"Yeah", He jumped down and walked around my fence, straightening his shirt and stepping swiftly. He walked up the back stairs and took a seat next to me on the swing, I then felt his arm against mine and noticed that the swing was smaller than I thought. He looked over at me, as if waiting for me to start a conversation.

"How long have you lived here?", I asked.

"All my life", He said. Now that I had the chance to study him, I saw that he had very beautiful deep brown eyes. His hair, a dark brown, was fluffed and was probably curly when he didn't attempt to style it. He had smooth skin, which was still tan after the summer, and by the way the sun's autumn rays hit him, lighting up his eyes and hair I couldn't keep my eyes off him.

"Where did you move from?", He asked. I told him about my home in Tennessee and how much I missed it, he just sat there listening sympathetically and commenting from time to time.

"Howard", Someone yelled from his backyard. He looked over and said "Yeah, mom, I'll be there in a minute." He looked at me, "Hey, I gotta go eat, but I'll see you tomorrow, um, are you walking to school in the morning?".

"Yeah".

"Well, I'll meet you outside in the front around 7:30, okay?". My stomach turned, he may actually like me, I thought to myself.

"Yeah, that's good", I said. He got up and ran over to his house where I could hear him talking.

"What mom?" Then I heard the voice of his mother, but I couldn't quite here her. "Okay", I heard him say. I then saw him appearance again around the corner. "Hey, Carrie?"

"Yeah?"

"My mom wants to know if you want to come over for dinner?", He said. I blushed.

"Are you sure there is enough food?". Howie's eyes widened,

"Oh, yeah! There's always plenty of food!". I stood up and looked at myself. I didn't want to look bad meeting his family and all.

I walked over to him, his eyes following me the whole time. We went together over to his back porch. His house was slightly larger than mine, and bright white. He opened the door for me and I stepped in, immediately I smelled the food, the whiff of spice tickled my nose and I smiled at the scent. Looking around the house was very cozy. Small lamps lit up the living room and I could see the kitchen from there. Then, an older woman walked down the hall towards us,

"Carrie, this is my mom", Howie said. I gleamed politely at her and said,

"Hello, Mrs..." I paused, I didn't know his last name! She seemed to catch on to that and smiled,

"Dorough, and Hello, Carrie, is it?".

"Yes", I said a little embarrassed.

"Welcome to our home." She wiped her hands on her apron, I could tell then that she was a very sweet person. That type of mother who baked cookies, kissed boo-boo's and helped with homework.

"Thank you", I said. She then looked at Howie,

"Dinner in 5 minutes". He looked like her I thought as she made her way back to the kitchen.

"C'mon", He said, grabbing my hand, "I'll show you my room". He pulled me up the stairs and I noticed pictures of him and the rest of his family (I was guessing) that were neatly lined up on the walls. We went onto a small room in the back.

Achievements and trophies were everywhere, I managed to glance at one that read "Math Superstar", and I knew then that he was probably a straight 'A' student. I sat on his bed, which was very soft. It was a blue captain bed which was kinda funny considering he was 18. I looked on the wall by his bed, and noticed a crucifix hanging over his bed.

"So, is it just you and your parents here?", I asked him.

"Uh, now it is, I have three older siblings, but they all have moved out.

"Oh," I sighed. We heard his mom yell that dinner was served and we went downstairs.

After dinner, Howie walked me home. He was so nice and polite I couldn't believe he was a guy. Cause, most guys are mean and immature. He said goodnight and I walked inside .

"Wow", I sighed. I turned around to see Howie still standing on my porch and I suddenly became bright red. Had he heard me? He smiled and walked away laughing to himself. Omigosh, ha had heard. I went upstairs to my room to put on my pajamas and then opened my bed room window and looked at the moon. It was almost full and beautiful, giving everything that eerie silver glow. I glanced down and saw Howie's window within sight. He was walking around, over to his desk then back to his dresser. He then lifted his shirt up and took it off , then laid down on his bed. I smiled to myself at how scrawny he was. He looked over and noticed me snooping. He laughed and shook his head. He threw a blanket over him and screamed like a girl. I giggled.

"Go to sleep you peeping Tom!", he yelled laughing.

"OK!", I said jumping into my bed.

"Sweet dreams!", I heard him yell. I turned out my light and smiled to myself, and when I closed my eyes I saw him. Continue to part 3 Go Back Home