Chapter 1

"Bye Dad. Thanks for the ride!" Aaron yelled as he stepped out of the car and into the park. As his dad pulled away, Aaron hurried over to his favorite bench. It had a view of the lake. But when he came up behind it, there was already someone in it. He walked around to see who it was, and what he saw stopped him right in his tracks. Sitting with a huge sketchbook on her lap, was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. Her long blond hair was pulled into a side ponytail, but a lock was hanging in her face. Her petite nose scrunched up and her pink lips pursed as she concentrated on her picture. Her face was down, so he couldn't see her eyes.

About a thousand thoughts raced through his head, but the loudest one was the one that said, Sit down with her! Mustering all his courage he plunked himself right down and said, "Hey."

She jerked her head up and looked around for a few seconds before resting her eyes on him. He could finally see them. It was the oddest thing. One emerald eye and one brown eye stared back at him. "Oh sorry," she said, "I get so wrapped up in my drawing, it's like there isn't anything else in the world." She laughed, and her eyes flashed.

Aaron laughed with her. "Yeah, well I'm a pretty light stepper. Sorry for startling you."

"Maybe you should try to get a job at the CIA." she smiled, revealing pearly white teeth. The front one was chipped. "So, Mr. Spy-Man, what's your name?" She tilted her head.

"Aaron. How about you, Mrs. Artist? What's your name?"

"I don't tell my name to strangers. You have to earn the right."

"What?" he was surprised. He tried to find a joke on her face, but her eyes were completely serious.

"I told you. You have to prove your worth."

"And how am I to do this?" he smirked.

"Be creative!"

"Well..." He searched through his mind, and came up with an idea.

Aaron got up and stood right in front of her. He got down on his knees and grabbed her hand. In a knight's voice, he said, "My lady, I ask that you grant me with the privilege or knowing your name. I only can hope that you find me worthy of this great honor" He stood back up and sat down again. "Well, how was that?"

She raised her eyebrows. "Impressive. Where did you learn to talk like that?"

"I watch a lot of movies..." he said.

"Well it worked. My name is Selina. No nickname"

It sounded like the name of an angel to him. "So I've never seen you around before. Where are you from?"

"Oh we just moved here. Glad we moved in the summer, so I can start the year fresh. I've been trying to meet people, but they all seem so...cold. Except you, of course." she smiled.

"Well that's Lake Falls for you." he shrugged and looked at her.

"You have the bluest eyes, do you know that?" she said. It caught him completely off guard. She put her finger to her mouth, "I'm trying to find the word for them...hm...hm. Oh! Limpid! That's it!"

"What?" he was still confused.

"Limpid: Clear, transparent, or pellucid, as water, crystal, or air. It's an adjective."

"What did you do, memorize the dictionary? No, I meant what brought the talk of my eyes on?"

"Oh. I just thought that they were really pretty. If I think of something, I say it. Unless it's mean. And yeah, I do sometimes read the dictionary." she pouted.

He wanted to say something, but all he could do is laugh. She looked angry for a second, but then stared laughing with him. But then she glanced at her watch.

"Oh shoot! I was supposed to go home 10 minutes ago and help my mom unpack! I gotta go!" She gathered up all her stuff and stood up.

"Wait! I want to see you again. Can I have your number or something?"

"You have to earn it!" she started walking.

"How?" he called after her.

"Be creative!" she yelled and started running. He noticed she was barefoot. Then she was gone.

"Selina..." he whispered to himself.