PLEASE MAKE ME SMILE AND VOTE BY CLICKING THAT STAR AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN! :)

When  your crush starts to notice you and you start planning your future in your head, like your wedding, how many kids you'll have... because you know, it's always good to be prepared.

Everyone knew when they started turning the heaters on in the school:

your nose dries up,

your throat feels parched,

your skin feels itchy from the dryness —and if you normally don't use lotion, you can definitely tell because some parts of your skin look like dehydrated snake scales—,

your hair and clothes are full of static and if anyone touches you, you'd hear the electricity crack,

and the air smells like toasted old socks.

It was almost the end of November, and everyone was talking about the dreaded Provincial Exams. We had a little over a month to study for it.

Quietly tiptoeing downstairs so as not to wake up my mom, I followed my nose to the kitchen.

Even though my mom worked all night, she always made sure to cook a full breakfast for me as soon as she got home. She was a firm believer of starting your day with a full stomach.

Glancing at the clock, I noted that I still had twenty minutes before I had to leave. So I sat and ate a typical Japanese breakfast: steamed rice, Tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet)—not exactly my favorite but I'll eat it, miso soup, Umeboshi (pickled plum), and hot green tea.

After washing the dishes, I clapped my hands together, and thanked God for giving me the best mom on Earth.

Since it wasn't that cold out yet, I donned my parka but deserted my gloves and hat, grabbed my backpack, slid into my flats, and walked out the door.

Shivered from the cold.

It was colder than I thought.

Shaking my head, I stared at my flats and the exposed skin of my feet, telling myself I was made of sterner stuff and could definitely walk to the school without piling on more clothes.

Hat, gloves and boots are for sissies! You're like Chuck Norris. You don't get cold. In fact, you are the cold.

I let out a sigh, looked up the road.

And froze.

Noah was in front of their house, leaning against the fence.

Trying not to smile.

He looked like he had been watching me all this time as I was arguing with myself like an idiot.

Wait! Was I speaking out loud about Chuck Norris?

I groaned.

"What's wrong with your shoes?" he asked.

"What?" I asked stupidly.

His voice was so yummy I could feed myself with it and feel super full.

For days.

No, for weeks.

Possibly months.

I blinked. "What?"

But he just stared at me for a moment. And then he asked, "Would you like to walk with me?"

"What?" I asked for the third time.

You must have been dropped as a child. How many times will you say, What?

"Would you," he repeated, smiling now, "like to walk with me to school?"

Holy mother of John Snow...

"Y-yes," I sputtered.

In his own beautiful and quiet way, he smiled. He took a step forward, angling his body toward me. "You should dress more warmly," he said.

Wide eyed, I watched as he tugged his scarf from around his neck and, slowly, leaned close to me, and, gently, draped it around my neck.

"Better?" he asked softly.

Heart pounding, I looked up at him.

It was like a moment suspended in time as we stared at each other. I was intoxicated by his proximity, the long sweep of his lashes, the way the blue in his eyes turned deeper and deeper as I stared into them, the slight flush on his cheeks, the shape of his lips.

"Parker? You okay?"

Hard to breathe...

"Parker?"

"Cra-cramp," I choked out.

He frowned. "What?"

"Cramp. My leg," I said breathlessly.

"Oh, let me see."

"No!" I jumped away, needing space to breathe. "I'm fine now. I swear."

I closed my eyes, counting silently while I took deep breaths.

Not working.

Obviously. Your brain is still buffering.

I opened my eyes, found Noah looking down at his shoes. I stepped forward.

"Parker?"

"Yes?"

When he didn't answer, I turned to look at him. He was still staring at his shoes.

"What is it, Noah?"

"I'd like to draw you again."

My heart gasped.

"Noah, I swear..."

He looked at me curiously. "Hm?"

"Nothing. Sure. When and where?"

This time his blue eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. "I'll let you know when I can get a day off from work then we can figure out our schedules together."

Together. Yes. Together. Definitely.

"What should I wear?"

He made a deep humming sound at the back of his throat. "It doesn't matter. I already have something in mind. It's more your face and body I need right now."

I gasped, crossed my arms to cover my chest.

He let out a soft laugh.

"Not the way you're thinking," he chuckled.

"What?" I blushed. "You don't know what I'm thinking."

He rubbed the back of his hand on the tip of his nose.

"I'll see you later," he said as soon as we entered the school.

I stared at his broad back until it disappeared around the corner.

It was definitely hot inside the classroom, but I kept that scarf on in all of my classes.

What if he gave you his socks? Would you have kept that around your neck too?

Of course not!

I mentally rolled my eyes. I was sure I had my limits... right?

I couldn't concentrate on anything. All I could think about was this morning when Noah waited for me. Asked me if he could walk with me to school. Gave me his scarf... What did it mean?

He wants to marry you. You can start planning  your wedding now.

"Ms. Gottlieb?"

"Parker!"

I blinked.

"What is the formula for..."

Mrs. Heisenberg went on and on about logarithm, base and exponents and other stuff but I had zoned out and flew to I-know-nothing-because-Winter-always-comes-in-Math planet.

Mag was looking down on her textbook, her finger tapping like a woodpecker on top of it.

"Parker!" Mag hissed. "The answer. Here. Look."

I looked at where Mag was pointing, gulped and told the professor. Mrs. Heisenberg narrowed her eyes at me before continuing the lesson.

"What are you doing on your free period, Parks?" Mag asked as soon as Pre-Cal was over and we were heading to her locker.

Ruth and I usually hang out since we both had a free period, but since she was still absent today, I wasn't really sure what to do or where to go. Homework, maybe.

"Is everything okay? You've been absent-minded lately. More than usual," she teased.

Mag was never one to pry or judge, unlike Ruth who could be obstinate about it. I loved and needed both of their ways.

"Do you know Noah very well?" I suddenly blurted. Very casual-like.

Mag shook her head no, her blond hair swinging silkily. "Not very well. He was a year ahead of me, but I know of him. Everyone does, I assume."

I swallowed my nervousness and went for it. "I think I'm... I'm... I mean, I like him."

She gave me a soft sweet smile, but didn't say anything.

"Mag? Why do you say everyone knows of him? Is it because he's a good artist? He's super beautiful? He's got the voice as deep as the Pacific ocean?"

She chuckled. "Well, yes, all that, of course, but..."

"But?"

A little frown marred her forehead. "A lot of things, really. Where should I start?"

I should have asked Mag about Noah before, especially since Ruth was stingy with details. But Mag was always busy working, studying or babysitting that we barely hung out. There wasn't just a good time for it.

Well she's here now. What are you waiting for? A full moon? Get to work! You know you're dying to know...

"Noah's dad," she started, her eyes somber, "he gets really mean when he's drunk. I remember seeing him trash the Town Hall before, almost setting it on fire until they stopped him.

"He doesn't have a good reputation in town, and I'm afraid his whole family got affected by it. It's so unfair," she huffed, looking angry. Mag didn't get angry often, but when she did, it was a sight.

"And disgusting how most people in town treat Noah and his sister Agnes. And after Mrs. Hunter passed away, it just got worse."

I grabbed her arm. "What?"

Her eyes filled with sympathy. "Noah's mom died a few years ago."

My arms fell limply to my sides.

"After that happened, Noah's sister... she was uncontrollable. She left town not long after their mom passed away. And then there was this scandal about Noah's best friend. After that Noah dropped out of school and—"

"Maggie!"

We both turned around at the cheerful male voice. It was Sebastian.

I had to strain my neck up to look at him. He was so tall.

He gathered his dark blond hair in his fist, looking annoyed. "Should I have a man bun?" he asked. Bending his knees and propping his palms on them, he leaned close to Mag so that their faces were only inches apart. "Or should I chop it off? What do you think, Maggie?"

I didn't think anyone called Mag Maggie but him.

When I glanced at Mag's face, she was blushing. Before she could reply, Sebastian spotted me, his green eyes lighting up.

"Oh, hey, Parker, it's you! How's the—" he puckered his lips.

"It's better. We met the other day," I explained to Mag when she looked at me curiously.

"Good!" Sebastian batted his eyelashes at me, tugging on Mag's hair playfully. "Can I borrow her for a bit?"

"Sure. I'll see you later then, Mag."

Occupied with thoughts about what I'd learned from Mag, I didn't notice that I was heading to the South Gym. The trail behind the exit there would lead me to my secret clearing.

As soon as I opened the exit doors, the sun streamed down inside. I shielded my eyes, breathing in the crisp air. It wasn't snowing yet, but I could feel it coming soon.

The wind picked up, swaying the branches of the trees. They made a rustling sound, almost like a whistle and I turned to look.

And saw nothing but the tall and lean figure of a boy leaning against the wall.

Noah had his right hand in his pocket, his left holding a cigarette.

He was looking up at the sky, the wind blowing his dark hair so that it covered his eyes.

A picture of a bad boy who had no qualms breaking the rules.

My heart sped up. A normal reaction to him.

"I don't think you're allowed to smoke on the school grounds," I said in way of greeting.

His body didn't move, made no indication that he heard me, but his head turned just a bit, and I noticed his eyes shifted to look at me sideways. His mouth moved as if he was trying not to smile. "Says who?"