Alright friends! I am back after a two year long hiatus. Honestly, I feel like I could rival the Sherlock fandom with the length of my breaks that I take. I am sorry to those who read this and thought they would be getting faster updates. Honestly, I felt that way when I entered the Sherlock fandom. Oh well! Now that I have found my joy again with writing (pre med sucked the life out of me now I am changing my major and joy shall be restored!) I hope to work on this more. So without further adieu, I give you *drum roll* a flashback! Italics mean flashback and regular text means current time. Just in case you are confused why this entire chapter is in italics. But yes! Review! Enjoy! Have a cookie! And above all else, drink a cup of tea.

~E


Elsie stood in front of her closet absentmindedly flipping through her clothes trying to find something suitable to wear. Her mother had informed her that it was going to be a nice dinner, so her usual jeans and sweater with a button down shirt would not due. No, her mother requested a pretty dress this evening. Elise liked dresses, but she didn't understand why she would have to dress so formally for one dinner with another military family. Obviously, she was out of the loop on some piece of information. Turning her attention to her closest again, she found a pretty blue frock that her mother had bought in London. As she slid it over her head, she sighed with pleasure. The fabric was soft and light making her feel very elegant. Her mother was the best at picking out the perfect colors for her. The blue in the dress complimented her light blonde, curly hair and made her freckles more pronounced while at the same time making her grey/blue eyes sparkle. She tied the sash in an elegant bow and slipped on a pair of kitten heels. After adjusting her makeup in the mirror, she walked out of her room to the parlor to greet the guests.

Before walking in, she heard the voices of her parents and the Westmore's. Smiling to herself, she walked through the door but her smile quickly disappeared when her eyes went to the Westmore's son. It was the boy that ran into her at the base! Elsie stood in the doorway unable to move debating on whether or not to tell her mum and father that she was ill, but that plan was foiled when her annoying brother, Thomas, waved at her and nudged the boy perched next to him on the window sill. Rolling her eyes, she plastered a smile on her face and walked over to her father to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"Elsie dear, I would like to introduce you to the Westmore's. You have already met Lieutenant Commander Westomore," She nodded towards him and smiled. "And this is his wife, Ellen and their son Stephen. Stephen is currently attending Canton Academy. Isn't that great, Elsie?"

Elsie stood there unable to comprehend what was just said. Canton? Seriously? She quietly murmered her hellos to Mrs. Westmore and Stephen. His eyes locked hers when she shook his hand. He held it for a brief moment and winked at her causing her to scowl and snatch her hand away.

"Pleasure to meet you, Elsie." He smirked to himself as he walked back over to the window to perch on the sill. Panic fell over Elsie as her brain worked a thousand times a second to try to come up with a plan. The only thing that came to mind was the dinner. This will have to do.

"Mum, if it's alright with you, I will go and see if anything needs to be done in the kitchen?" She may have said that too eagerly because a very confused mother nodded her head and followed Elsie into the kitchen.

"Elsie, dear whatever is the matter?" she inquired, pulling the rolls out of the oven and arranging them on a platter.

"Mum, it's nothing!" Elsie sighed, obviously distressed, running her hands through her hair. She remembered back to earlier that day when she ran into Stephen, frustrated at his ignorance and his blatant rudeness towards her. She turned her back on her mother and did something with the stew that they would be serving.

"Dear-"

"I don't want to talk about it. It's fine. I'll just finish up and serve our guests." She knew she was being a bit pushy, but this was a weird situation. Her mother left and didn't ask about it anymore. After a few minutes of stirring the stew and messing about the kitchen, she had this feeling that someone came back in the room.

"Mum, I know you want to ask me about it but-" She turned around expecting her mother, but instead the boy stood in front of her.

"Surprised to see me?" He commented with a hint of cockiness. This gained a raised eyebrow from Elsie.

"To be frank, yes I am surprised to see you. You didn't allude to the fact that you were the son of a commander in the navy." It was his turn to raise his eyebrow at her.

"I might say the same about you, daughter of an American naval officer. Now how about that. We are both navy brats attending and about to attend Canton. And allude? Really? How old are you anyways? 70?" He laughed a bit as she colored at his verbal sting. Puffing out her chest, she glowered at him as fiercely as she could.

"For your information, I am 15." Amused by her answer, Stephen leaned back on the counter a bit and held up his hands jokingly before moving into a comfortable stance with his arms folded across his chest.

"Oh man, someone get this girl a cane. Seriously? 15? No wonder you got into Canton. You are a walking book."

"A walking book? And might I ask how old you are, Mr. Westmore? You can't be more than, what, 21? And I can hardly imagine what the admissions committee thought as they read your admissions paper." She snickered as it was his turn to change colors. "See, I am not so dumb as to think that you are all grown up and able to judge my vocabulary since many who I talk with can't hardly understand what I say to them." She advanced towards him, curious, but no less fierce than she was a moment ago.

"Fine, ya got me. I'm 16." Elsie blinked a bit in surprise. "Oh don't look so surprised. I got into Canton when I was your age. Last year, as a matter of fact. Brilliant person I must be and all that jazz. They let me in because I was, quote "A very promising young lad with ambitions to become a capital naval officer" unquote. How's that for an impression?" Stephen jokingly readjusted his jacket to affirm his feelings of superiority. She almost thought he was serious, until he cracked a bit of a smile revealing his pearly white teeth again.

After a few moments of silence and contemplation, Elsie thought that this person wouldn't be so bad. She did something that surprised her guest: she extended her hand. "Alright, truce."

"Fine, truce." He took her hand and shook it, a definite feeling of finality as they let go. This will be a fine friendship she thought to herself. All he thought about was her eyes and how he wanted to get to know this girl he happened to run into on an ordinary day on the pier.