There, in front of me was the most amazing view of a castle perched on a mountain, surrounded by pine trees and fog.

Beyond it, I could see water, maybe a lake. Maybe a sea… It was actually hard to say through the fog.

I turned around, already readying myself to leap on Dad but frowned when I noticed that he had already left my room.

The blond Alex was standing

in the doorway with the usual smirk on his face and his axe missing.

I frowned. The urge to just smack his expression away seemed quite strong now, and it would be easy too.

“That is the castle Dovelore, owned by His Grace, Alexander Whitlock. ‘His Grace’ because some say his grandfather was a Duke, and

that has now been passed over to him. He is also very rich if the castle isn’t proof enough. But not by heritage, most of it is self-made and all. We are

supposed to visit that castle this year, you know. Mr. Whitlock is providing one lucky student with a full-time scholarship to any university he or she

wishes to attend and another lucky student a chance to stay in his castle for the breaks with the full usage of his library and a full tour around the castle if he or she wanted to, that is.”

Blond spoke, but his gaze did not once shift from the castle which although it looked quite brooding, looked equally inviting as if charming me into visiting.

There definitely was something about that castle.

Suddenly very curious, I turned towards Blond and asked, “What would you like?”

He turned his attention towards me, and for the first time since the fifteen minutes that we had known each other, he smiled at me… a real

smile.

“Although the most brilliant of literature is available in the castle library, and I would love to roam the dungeons and secret pathways where

the Pirates were slain and beasts held hostage, I want the scholarship.” I nodded and turned back to look at the castle.

What beasts was Blond talking about?

The feeling of my feet pushing themselves forward registered slowly before I found myself staring at the castle and my hands, sliding the window open.

Is someone living there right now? How many rooms could there be?

I swept my gaze along the windows of the castle but stalled when I saw someone staring back at me. It seemed like he. His bulky build made sure

of showing no confusion even if he was so, so far away. It was quite distinguishable that he was wearing a white shirt, but that was all that could

be made sense of. The rest was a blur.

“Hey, Blond, come here!” I whispered, motioning Blond to move forward.

“Blond?” he asked quite confusedly and sounding outraged as he made his way to me.

The man was still staring. His stare seemed so intense that it made my hair stand on the back of my neck. I turned towards blond, wishing he could see the strange man just as I did. Castles were always haunted. But the one I would see day and night could not possibly be haunted, could it?

“Can you see the man?”

“What man? I see no man,” he whispered back, scrunching his eyes as he looked in the direction of the castle.

I turned towards the castle, and the man was gone.

“He was just there! I promise!”

He looked at me frowning for a second before his smile came back.

“I can help you decorate your room,” he offered, looking as if he really were interested in sorting out my mess.

I smiled as I brushed a stray of brown hair behind my ear. Silently thanking God for his sudden offer to decorate my bedroom. It would have taken me all day and night, otherwise.

“Let’s do this.”

***

The sun had begun to sink, and darkness was making an entrance when Alex and I finally managed to complete setting up my bedroom.

I slumped on the comfortable alcove by the window as I heaved out a sigh of relief. I had a feeling this part of the room would be my favorite.

Dad did give me the room with the best view. I could see the castle from most of the windows here. But the best view was provided by the window by the bench and the full glassed walls where Blond and I had decided to place my two tiny sofas.

The brilliant thing about this was that there were bookshelves around the bench. It was the perfect spot for reading.

I smiled and turned towards Blond who was currently slumped on the sofa. “Well, I'm glad it's over. Thank you for helping me with the lights, moving stuff, and everything.”

“It’s alright. Dad was an electrician before, so he taught me a few things. Besides, it was fun. Who knew you could rock to Mayday Parade like you did?”

Thinking of all the ridiculous dance moves I had bolted out while decorating my bedroom, I giggled. “Thanks, you’re not so bad yourself. I’ll buy you smoothies for this, you know”

Letting out a chuckle, Blond casually got up and began walking towards me lazily, making me tense immediately.

The same old smirk I had grown to so lovingly hate now plastered onto his face, Blond strode his way towards me, and I watched wide-eyed as he bent down to level himself with me.

“I ask not much for the help I provided, but a small token of appreciation, a kiss, fair maiden, for the help I provided?” He murmured, still smirking slightly as he stared straight into my wide eyes. Wait, what?

“Or maybe a staring competition?” I croaked out, moving back slightly.

I felt like hitting myself. Idiot!

Alex confused me when he grinned. “I accept.”

Chuckling nervously, I shook my head and nodded. “Let us commence the battle!”

Looking straight into each other’s eyes, I popped out my tongue trying to catch his attention elsewhere, but apparently, Blond seemed learned and didn’t lose his concentration for a second.

“You wanna play dirty, aye?” He chuckled, still staring straight into my eyes.

A small giggle left my lips but stopped instantly when Blond started to come closer, all the while not breaking eye contact once.

I began to sweat. This was definitely getting heated. His beautiful face was just inches from me. His smirk was slightly edgier but I still managed to maintain eye contact. This was not something I had expected to be happening on my first day in Piedmont.

“You could look away, you know?” Alex whispered as he inched closer. Our noses slightly brushed together making me gulp nervously.

This was definitely something I hadn’t expected to happen on my first day here. Sure, I had hoped that there would at least be a cute guy living next door.

But nearly kissing that cute boy next door, in my own room on my first day, was something I was not expecting.

Looking at Blond’s personality, I wasn’t sure it was something I wanted.

Heck, I had never been at nose distance from a guy before except my cousin Ronny, but that fella was three, and he had burped on my face just seconds later.

Kids these days!