Finding out that we were moving a month ago never had me daydreaming about a lot of things. In most parts, I’d wanted to let the mystery continue because the less I daydreamed, the less disappointed it would be. I forgot that the less I daydreamed, the more shocked I’d be too.

What had occurred three days ago, though, seemed like a very good candidate for a perfect daydream. A historical lord-like being descended from the heavens above talked to me and held my hand.

I would have thought I was crazy, but the marks that remained from his grip on my arm acted as proof that I had in fact talked to the epitome of every girl’s fascination and imagination when they read a historical romance.

There was no way to deny it; Bryce had been a beautiful possible killer. But truth be told, that wasn’t it. His beauty, his charm wasn’t exactly the fact that had me so intrigued. There was just something about him.

Something just pulled me in, something warm and comforting. I didn't know what it was, but I found myself back in the swing each day after the end of school… waiting. And he would come.

Sometimes, he would sit in front of the swing. Sometimes, he would stand at the back and pull.

And every day in these past three days, all we ever talked about were those tiny things, the likes, dislikes, jobs, and dreams.

I noticed, though, Bryce had seemed to avoid some of the questions, and although normally that would alert me, I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t bring myself to suspect him.

And then I’d spend my nights telling myself how much of an idiot I am.

The same sound of a bats’ cry ran through the woods, reminding me of the setting sun every day, and I slumped in the swing a little.

Again, I sat on the swing again today, hoping he would come. He didn’t. My nagging conscience that almost always turned out correct couldn’t help to warn me that being this friendly with a stranger was incredibly stupid and all because he looked really really, really handsome.

I sighed as I turned towards the darkening sky and finally got up off the swing. Maybe he wouldn’t come today. Each step towards the back door felt like another lump of disappointment settled in my throat. My feet climbed on the first step, my hand reaching for the doorknob, and I stilled when a hand wrapped around mine.

“I’m sorry.”

I stared down at my feet as I let him hold my hand. “What for?”

He took a step closer, his footstep thumping on the patio floor.

“Being late.”

“It’s almost dark.” I shrugged. Turning around, I looked up into the bright blue pools of the ocean staring at me.

A small smile teased the edge of his mouth, and he leaned down lower. “I know,” he mumbled, curling a strand of hair behind my ear.

“How was your day?”

“Profitable. How was school?”

I shrugged. “Educational,” Bryce smirked and began striding towards me. He dropped on the sofa beside me. It felt strangely good. This was the first time we’d actually sat somewhere together.

“You’re angry,”

I was a little. I shook my head. “No, I’m not.”

Bryce’s smirk widened. “Yes, you are.”

Looking at him smirk, I slumped in my seat. “Okay, a little,” I admitted in a small voice.

Bryce edged closer and for the first time, moved his hands over my shoulder. I stilled. All the gnawing questions in my mind suddenly just slipped in one go.

“Are you engaged? Married? In a relationship? Do you have a kid?

Or kids? Are you really even twenty-four?” I blurted out hurriedly as I asked him the questions I’d been wanting to ask him for days.

Bryce stilled beside me, and his grip on my shoulder tightened. I cringed a little at his strength.

“No. No. Maybe. No. No. Yes.”

Maybe…

“So… It’s complicated?” I mumbled out slowly, my mind on his relationship status. So there was another girl.

“Yes.”

Yes…

It was already dark now. The moon was making itself known, another night, and another silky silver ball gown dazzling us with its rays.

“Oh…”

I inched out of Bryce’s arms and smiled awkwardly when I stood up and turned towards him. “It’s getting late. I have to make dinner.”

Frowning slightly, Bryce got up, rubbing his hands on his pants.

“Want some help?”

Hands on the patio door, I opened it up and looked back at a smiling Bryce. I shook my head. He was in a relationship, and I didn’t want the other girl to feel cheated.

“I’m sorry, but mom said no strangers are allowed in the house.”I didn’t wait to see Bryce’s face or hear his response. Moving back quickly I turned away and closed the door behind me, bolting it locked.

Two hours later I found myself in my room, a cup of forgotten chilled coffee on my study table, and lying numb on my bed.

The sound of a car entering the garage settled through the air, and I let out a small sigh. Mom and Dad were home.

My thoughts waded back to the blue-eyed man I met for the last time just hours ago. A glance at my Grandma’s wedding ring had me falling deeper into melancholy because his eyes were so like their shade, Swiss blue topaz.

I closed my eyes shut and turned away. Maybe something in Piedmont's water had every guy flirting with other girls. This was the second time this happened to me: first, Alex and now, Bryce. It hasn’t hurt so much with Alex, though, but Bryce… despite my closed eyes, a tear slipped out to its doom. It hurt more for Bryce.

“Honey, we’re home!” Mom yelled as I heard the front door shut.

Our home was fairly moderate in size, somewhat leaning towards the large side, but the neighborhood was quite quiet during the dying hours of the sun so hearing the front door shut or open was easier during these periods.

Feeling lame for falling into the same trap again, I shook my head. Immediately pulling on the happy face, I’d decided I was going to smile until my face hurt.

“Hey, Mom! Hey, Dad! I’m just up in my room going to do some homework, alright?” I yelled as I stuck my head out of the doorway, waiting for a reply.

“Okay, sweetie! We will let you know when dinner is ready! I feel like grilling chicken tonight! What do you say?” Dad yelled back.

Despite my smile, another tear slipped out, and I shook it away with an image of Dad seated on a high chair. I could practically picture him sitting in the high chair, placing his glasses aside and watching Mom as she stretched out a bit before cooking.

It had been twenty years since their marriage, but their love was still very apparent.I wanted that. Whenever I saw them holding hands or sneaking kisses when they thought I wasn’t watching or when dad whispered into Mom’s ear, and she turned red before hitting his arm; yes, I wanted that.

I sighed and called back a reply to dad. “Sure, dad! Chicken sounds great! Let me know if you guys need help!”

Maybe someday, I will find my very own Mr. Soulmate.

A pair of blue pools flashed before my eyes, but I chased them away.

Not him…

Still mentally scolding myself for acting so stupidly, I walked into the bathroom. A shower was in order.