Chapter 1

Daniel

"Ladies, ladies," the headmistress exclaimed excitedly. "Today is finally the day of our Monthly Picnic. Today, for the first time, we are going to be joined with the Gentleman Scholar Academy!" she said, referring to the Boys' academy next to their finishing school.

All of the girls chattered excitedly and giggled. They had many picnics before, but this was the first time the Finishing School was going to be joined with the Gentleman Scholar Academy.

"You ladies have prepared all of the food, right?" Everyone nodded. "Alright, so--" then she stopped. "Where's Mandy?"

Everyone shrugged.

"She should be on her way here," Lilly, Mandy's friend said.

The mistress shook her head in disapproval. Mandy had never been late to class.

"So, anyways, girls, we'll be heading out right now. Don't forget the table etiquette we have learned! Now off we go to the meadow."

All of the girls got up in groups and headed out the door towards the meadow.

--

Meanwhile, fifteen-year-old Mandy ran as fast as she could, clutching her basket. Her azure eyes were clouded with tears because her pony, Bindy, was deathly ill from old age. Mandy had been at home nursing the pony.

"I don't want to go to school, Mother," she cried out. "Today's only the picnic. I won't be missing anything at all."

"Mandy," her mother comforted, patting her back. "You need to go to the picnic. You'll be able to meet a lot of fine young gentleman."

Mandy shook her head, sniffling. "Bindy's about to die," she said quietly. "I wouldn't exchange a hundred boys for her."

"You have to go," Mother said sternly. "Come on, get up," she said. "I'll take care of Bindy. She'll live. "

'But mother, I--"

"Go." she commanded. "Bindy's safe in my hands."

Now, Mandy was late to school for the first time. Her eyes were red from crying, and she couldn't stop thinking about Bindy. But, she was late. She ran harder. Suddenly, she bumped into someone, and her basket flew out of her hands. The boy fell to the ground, and Mandy fell to her hands. Dust spewed everywhere, but she didn't notice. "Excuse me," she muttered, reaching for her basket. It was still intact.

"Do you need help--" he asked, getting up, but she was already running away.

He stared off after her. "That was strange," he thought.

--

Mandy burst into the classroom, but it was already empty. "They must've gone to the meadow ," she thought. She grabbed her basket and headed towards the meadow.

At the meadow, the picnic table and food were set up, and the ladies were sitting on the grass, chattering. As Mandy approached them, she hesitated. Should she explain to the mistress what had happened? She decided not to, and went to join her friends.

"Mandy, what's wrong?" Lilly asked, concerned.

"Nothing," she murmured, hoping no one would ask more. They didn't.

"You want to go get some food?" Lilly asked, gesturing to the table.

"Sure," Mandy replied. She got up and headed to the table. As she was gathering food on her plate, a firm hand grabbed her shoulder. Mandy turned around.

It was the mistress.

"Look, I'm so sorry. My horse--"Mandy started.

"Mandy, this is unacceptable. I am disappointed in you. "

"But--"

"No excuses. Late is late. Go sit over there until I tell you to join us again," she said, pointing to an area farther off. "You are not to talk with anyone, as your punishment."

Mandy headed off to sit where mistress had pointed. She sat, leaning against a tree, alone. She had never felt so vulnerable and alone. She was usually with her friends. Just as well, she thought. I won't have to answer any questions about my eyes.

--

Seventeen-year-old Daniel stood among his friends, joking and laughing about the picnic. They were all very popular, and this was their last year at the academy.

"I'll be right back," he told them. He went to the table to get more food, he caught sight of a pretty girl sitting alone under a tree, with tears in her eyes. She looked familiar. His brow wrinkled as he tried to think of where he had seen her. She glanced up at him. Then he remembered. She was the girl who had run into him on the way to school. He smiled amusedly, and wiggled his fingers in a wave. A confused look crossed her face, and she turned away.

Was she crying because he had made her late? He decided to go talk to her. Besides, she was very attractive, with a slender face and loose brown curls.

He walked over to her and sat down.

"Hi," he said, grinning.

She looked at him, with a surprised look.

"Hi," she said. Then she said nothing.

There was a long silence.

"Who are you?" she asked, at last.

"I'm Daniel, the person you knocked into today...in the morning."

She showed no recognition. Maybe this is the wrong person, Daniel thought.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he said, getting up. "I must've gotten the wrong person" He felt quite embarrassed with himself.

Suddenly, she grabbed his elbow. "I remember you!" she exclaimed loudly. Daniel flinched from her sudden touch. She stood up, since it felt awkward to be talking to him while she was sitting down.

"I'm so sorry for bumping into you today," she said. "Sorry I didn't apologize. I'm so sorry, you must've been angry at me for ruining your clothes, and--"

"It's OK," said. He grinned. "No need to be sorry."

He wanted to talk to her more.

"What happened to you this morning?" he asked.

She hesitated. "My horse was deathly ill," she said. "I was taking care of her."

She didn't really feel comfortable spilling her feelings out to strangers. But him, he didn't feel like a stranger at all. In fact, it felt quite natural.

Suddenly, Mistress came over. She eyed Daniel critically, but she didn't say anything.

"Mandy, your punishment is over," she said. "Run along."

Daniel smiled at Mandy. "Well, I'll be going," he said.

She smiled a dazzling smile back at him. "Me too."

Right then, she realized that he was very handsome. He was a head taller than her, and he had short, brown hair.

Mandy walked back over to join her friends, not thinking about Daniel anymore. She probably wouldn't see him again, anyways.

However, Daniel couldn't stop thinking about Mandy. There was something about her that interested him. She seemed different, and she seemed to have a deeper character than she appeared.

"I hope to see her again," he thought to himself. Then, he rejoined his group of friends.

-:- Please write reviews! Tell me what you think, what I need to improve, etc.