Falling For You

Eight years ago...

As the children were talking and laughing with their friends, Ms. Sally, their homeroom teacher came in with a little boy. "Everyone, settle down. We have a new student."

The children then went back to their seats and obediently waited for the little boy to introduce himself.

"My name is Nicholas. I'm thirteen years old," the little boy smiled as he nervously looked at the children in front of him.

Ms. Sally touched his shoulder. "Where would you like to sit? There are five vacant chairs you could take."

Nicholas pointed at the last seat on the right beside the window. "I'd like to take that one, ma'am."

When Ms. Sally agreed, he went to the vacant seat and slowly put down his bag on the table. As he was about to unpack his things, he noticed that the little girl sitting beside him seemed unusual. She was wearing a dark gray jacket with the hood up which covered almost her entire face.

Nicholas stretched out his hand, hoping that she'd shake it. "Hi, my name is—"

"Adeline," the girl interrupted, "that's my name."

"I'm new here, so can you show me around? You seem to be the only one that's amiable."

Adeline put down the hood of her jacket which showed her glossy skin and honey brown eyes. "I don't have time for that, don't disturb me."

As soon as Nicholas was able to see Adeline's face, his eyes widened and his cheeks turned red. He then looked at the window beside him to hide his cute expression.

"Why are you looking at the window? I'm talking to you." Adeline tapped his shoulder.

"I was just—"

Before he was able to continue, Ms. Sally interrupted, "Nicholas, since Adeline is your seat mate, she'll be the one showing you around."

Nicholas then smirked as he looked at Adeline. "You can't say no now."

Adeline rolled her eyes. "Whatever. It'll only be a quick tour."

A few hours later, as soon as class ended, Adeline showed Nicholas around the school.

"And this is the last place I'll be showing you, the canteen," Adeline ended.

"Thanks for showing me around." Nicholas smiled as he looked at her.

"I'll be going now."

Nicholas waved goodbye. "See you tomorrow!"

Coming home from school, Adeline noticed that her parents were preparing so much food. She then asked them what the occasion was, but instead of answering her question, her parents told her to come and help them prepare the food.

Adeline sat down as she slowly removed her shoes. "I'm tired from school. I don't have the energy to help."

"Just come and help us! We heard that we're having a new neighbor!" Adeline's mom shouted.

"Who cares? I'm going to my room."

Before Adeline was even able to take another step further, someone rang the doorbell. As soon as she opened the door, she was left astounded by what she saw. It was Nicholas and his parents.

"Surprise! I'm your new neighbor." Nicholas handed her a cake.

"You-You? Why are you—"

"Adeline, what's taking so long? Bring the guest in!" Adeline's father interrupted.

Adeline grinned as she looked at the guests who were standing in front of her. "Yes, come in please."

A few minutes later, when everyone was able to settle down, Adeline's parents told her to go and bring Nicolas to her room since they needed a chat with Nicholas' parents.

Nicholas smiled. "Adeline and I can just—"

Without letting him finish, Adeline suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him to her room. She then told him to sit on her bed as she was locking the door.

As soon as Nicholas got in her room, he noticed that there was a frame that contained a picture of her. He then got it and smiled as he looked and the picture where Adeline was only a baby.

"You're so cute." Nicholas giggled as he looked at the picture frame.

Adeline looked back. "What are you doing?"

Nicholas held up the frame high. "This one."

Adeline ran towards him. "You! Give it back!"

"Why? There's nothing embarrassing about a photo like this."

"Just please put it down."

"After I'm done looking at it," Nicholas smirked as he stood up and held the frame higher.

As Adeline tried to reach it, she accidentally stepped on Nicholas' foot which made him lose balance making both of them fall on the bed. Nicholas was now trapped between her and the footboard of the bed. They both stared into each other's eyes until Nicholas got the frame and covered his face.

Nicholas looked away. "You can get off me now. I'll give you back the frame."

Adeline instantly sat down as she fixed her hair. "Yes, sorry about that."

"You're quite sly aren't you?"

Adeline stood up. "What?"