The last chapter was more conversation heavy. But this one is more thought heavy between the 2 characters. I was listening to David Archuleta's "Crush" when I wrote the chapter, so it has some influence from the song.

January, 28, 1939

Hugo didn't know when it started. It might've been when he first met her or over the years, but he felt some sort of attraction towards Isabelle. He knew (well hoping) that it wasn't love. Well he did love her, but he didn't want to think it as the romantic love. He couldn't be sure though. It could be just a silly crush he had for her. For one he didn't have much experience with romantic feelings towards others. Before he met Isabelle he didn't have a lot of experience with people, let alone girls. But back then he didn't care. He had gave up on ever finding any friends after he moved into the station. So his chances of finding a girl were even slimmer. But still, against all odds he had managed to find a friend and a girl at that. Which might be why he had an attraction towards Isabelle.

Hugo sighed. They weren't any serious attractions and for sure he did not think of her in the wrong way. He couldn't. He wouldn't. Thinking of her in that intent would be too barbaric. Too animalistic. He shook his head. He wasn't going to step into that boundary. But he did think about how adorable she looked when she smiled. How her eyes shined when she was reading a book you liked. He thought that he would grow out of it. He thought it would go away in time. But it didn't, it stuck with him. It was a wonder how it didn't affect the way he acted around her. Well it did, but no enough for Isabelle to notice.

Some people might wonder why he hasn't confessed to her. He was afraid of the rejection that might come after his confession. He knew he was being a coward, be he didn't want to lose his only friend. He knew that Isabelle wouldn't shun him for confessing, she was too innocent to do that. But he would've still done irreparable damage to their relationship, which he wasn't willing to do. Though he did sometimes wonder if she felt the same way about him, but she never showed any signs that she did. The conversation they had an hour ago didn't seem support his chances either. He certainly had no experience with "sweeping a girl off her feet" and he definitely did not fit the image of a "dashing prince". So it wasn't long after he came to terms with his feeling, that unless she showed any interest he wouldn't confess. Even if she were to marry someone else.

Hugo cringed at the thought. If she did in fact find a man then he would just quietly leave her life. He knew it would hurt her, but it would hurt her less than finding out about his feeling afterwards. He didn't like the idea either, he didn't want to be alone again. He wasn't aware of it when he lived in the station, but after he had met Isabelle and Papa George. He didn't want to be alone again.

"You alright Hugo?"

He found Isabelle looking at him with a face of worry. "Of course," Hugo answered with a smile.

Isabelle didn't believe him, but she didn't press further about it. "Are you going to finish the sandwich?" Isabelle asked she pointed her finger towards the half eaten sandwich.

Hugo chuckled, it was surprising how she could eat so much. "No you can have it if you want," Hugo answered as he handed her his sandwich. "You sure you want it though?" Hugo asked her to make sure.

Isabelle eagerly took the sandwich as she nodded.

Hugo smiled. He wasn't going to worry about his feelings until the time came. He was perfectly content with the way things were at the moment.

Isabelle didn't ask further about it before, but it still continued to nag at her. It wasn't the first time that he did that. He would get that distant look in his eyes and wouldn't talk for a while. She never asked about it though. She wanted to, but she fear that he would further isolate himself. She did not want that to happen, since if she was going to solve this problem, she needed to open up not close himself further. It was problem though. He wasn't the type to open up and talk. To her he always seemed to take things by himself. But if he wasn't going to open up, she wasn't going to make him do it. She wasn't going to pry until he was ready.
She didn't want to lose Hugo by prying into things that she wasn't supposed to. He was a dear companion. He was her closest friend, and sometimes she considered him her only real friend. She for sure wasn't friendless. She actually had quite a bit of friends. But none of them knew her as Hugo did. They nothing more than people she would fool around with. Well she did fool around with Hugo, but that was different. She could leave Hugo with anything. He would take her the way she was and would gladly take her on his adventures.

"Isabelle, the suns about to set," Hugo spoke up.

Isabelle looked out the window and the sun was indeed setting. It was always beautiful to watch the sun from the clock tower.

"This might be the last time we get to see the sunset from here for a while," Hugo added solemnly.

Isabelle nodded. It probably was the last one that they'll get to see from here. Which did saddened her, but she paid no mind to it. After all it wasn't going to be the very last. "What do you think Canada is like?" Isabelle asked as she continued to watch the sunset.

"I'm not sure. What do you think it's like?" Hugo asked back,

Isabelle shrugged, she wasn't all that sure either. "I did read some books about it though," she answered.

"What did it say?" Hugo piqued with interest.

Isabelle's eyebrows furrowed in thought. She did read the book, but she had finished the book in a day, which made it difficult to remember much about it. "Cold?" Isabelle answered uncertainly.

"Cold? I thought you said that you read the book?" Hugo asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I did read the book,"

"And cold is the only thing you got out of it?"

Isabelle scoffed. "You try to look for more information about Canada."

Hugo chuckled in response. It was entertaining to see her react like that. Which was why he always teased her. It was no fun if she didn't react. Sure there were times when he did stepped a line that he shouldn't of and she would get angry. And those times, he would feel terrible and apologize. Isabelle would always forgive him afterwards and apologize for getting angry.

Isabelle smiled. It were times like these that she felt the best. Hugo always seems to brighten up her mood. There was something about him that made her feel better. She only wished that this could go on forever. But with way things were going, she didn't doubt that it would.

I was trying to develop how they think of each other, but it turned out to be more about Hugo sulking or something.

Also since this is my 5th chapter(didn't think I will get reviews or any viewers), I wanted to do something special. I was thinking answering 1 to 2 questions about the story and where it might be heading. So if you have any questions about the story feel free to ask in the review section. I will put up the answers on the next update.

Thanks

Flamestone