A/N: Thank you soo much for all the wonderful reviews and for everyone who has favorited this story. It means a lot. I'm sorry it took a while to get the complete first chapter done. I wanted it to be perfect. I really hope you enjoy this chapter. Read and Review. I'd like to know what you think! I'd love to know what you love and stuff, you can ramble or something. I love long reviews and reading every detail. blahh. I'm starting to ramble now haha. Well here's the first chapter!

-Annie

Chapter 1 // The Little Things

The plane ride wasn't so bad. I ate a few snacks and I chewed a whole pack of gum. I hated how my ears were hurting the whole time. I had to chew the gum to keep myself from crying from the pain.

When I finally arrived, I tried to search for my suitcase from the luggage carousel. I found my bag, but not my suitcase. That's exactly what I needed right now. I have clogged up ears and a missing luggage.

"Shit," I cursed under my breath. I just stood there waiting and watching as people grabbed their things. Then I glanced at my watch and noticed that it was a quarter to four. I hope my grandmother's friend wasn't waiting too long.

I stepped back so that others could get their things. One woman was rude and kind of pushed me aside while she grabbed her fancy, pink luggage. How tacky! I glanced at her and noticed the large sunglasses that she was wearing. We were inside of an airport and there was not one sight of sunlight in here. She turned around, took a quick glance at me. I grew annoyed and said, "What?" She made the "hmph" sound and left. I shook my head as if I was amused and lit up when I found my navy blue suitcase on the carousel. I reached over for it and struggled to pull it over. When I did, I went out searching for my Grandmother's mysterious friend.

I walked passed a few people. Some people were reuniting with their husbands. Others were meeting up with friends and boyfriends. And I was out searching for an old person. I looked really cool.

I rolled my suitcase around the airport searching for this person that I didn't even know. Was it a female? Male? Were they old or young? I didn't know who I was looking for. I was stuck in a situation where I was looking for a stranger. It's not what I wanted to do the first time I arrived in North Carolina. But isn't that what we all do when we discover a new world? We meet strangers. Before we could really know someone, they are only strangers.

While I was browsing around through the crowd, I noticed someone by the exiting doors. She looked familiar like I've seen her before. She had blondish white hair and a floral top and jeans. Her face was probably in one of the pictures my grandmother gave me. So I just went with my instincts and started heading towards her.

I was hesitant at first and then I finally asked, "Are you friends with Olivia Bregard?"

I wasn't sure how she'd react to that question. She was probably the wrong person until I suddenly found her smiling gently at me. "Yes I am. I'm Merriam and you must be Haley." I was right.

"Yeah. Nice to meet you," I greeted as I shook her hand softly. "I wasn't sure who I was I looking for. My grandma just told me that a friend of hers was going to be picking me up. She wasn't really specific either though. And your face looked really familiar," I rambled.

"Oh, it's fine. At least you recognized my face or you would've been lost," she smiled. "Good thing I knew what you looked like."

"You do?"

"Oh of course," she said. "Let me help you with those things," she continued as she grabbed a hold of my rolling suitcase. "Your grandmother has pictures of you every where in the house. It's obvious that you are her favorite grandchild."

"I wouldn't say that," I blushed.

"Well it's true. She's always raving about how intelligent and talented you are," she said as she started to walk towards a silver Lincoln down the sidewalk. "You are a very big part of her life."

I smiled as she popped her trunk open. "I hope she wasn't bragging too much. I don't want to disappoint anyone when I arrive." I noticed her grabbing my suitcase and carrying it inside the trunk and she was the same age as my grandmother. I just watched amazed.

"Oh don't worry, doll," she pushed the trunk down and turned to me. "It almost came to a point that we didn't think you actually existed. By the way she talked about you, you sounded almost too perfect."

I was silent. I wasn't sure what to say to that. I was definitely not perfect. I was actually pretty far from perfect.

"But that's just your ol' granny talkin. You know how we old ladies love to brag about our grandchildren." I laughed. She started walking towards the driver's seat as I climbed into to the passenger's seat. I held my bag on my lap as we started heading off to town.

"Before I drop you off at your grandmother's house, we have to stop by the bakery," Merriam stated as she turned a corner and into a street in the middle of what seemed like the busy part of town.

Bakery? I think I'm starting to realize who she was. It's been a long time since I've read the letter about my grandmother sharing a bakery business with someone. She even sent me a picture of her cutting the ribbon to the grand opening with Merriam. That's where I've seen her before.

"MO's Bakery?" I asked.

"AH yes! That's our bakery!"

"My grandmother sent me a letter and a picture about it. That's where I knew you from. It must've been exciting to be able to finally start your own business."

"You have no idea how amazing it was to sign those papers to the place at last. It took a couple of years of baking cakes and pies for the community to finally realize that we wanted to be serious about it. We're grandparents and we love to bake so why not spend the rest of our lives cheering other people up with our desserts?"

"I think it's a brilliant idea. Grandma has a killer lemon meringue pie," I gushed.

"That's one of the popular ones we have." I smiled at the thought of hundreds of people ordering the one dessert that my grandmother made only for me and my family. I could just see the smile on her face.

I noticed us getting closer to the bakery. It had a sign above the entrance that said "MO's Bakery" in cursive – my favorite.

"I'll give you a tour of the shop," she stated as she parked. We both climbed out of the car and started walking towards the glass door. "A couple of young folks come in sometimes, so you can come here to hang out or meet a boy." She winked at me as we entered the bakery.

The moment I stepped inside, I couldn't believe the aroma that I smelled beneath my nose. It was rich. It was sweet. It was like I was in a perfume store. I looked around and I saw a couple of tables and chairs. Some people occupied them with a cupcake or scone in front of them with a cup of coffee. They all seemed really into their conversations or laughing about a joke. I couldn't help but be amazed by it.

There were picture frames everywhere. There were old Hollywood stars in them and some had old pictures of my grandmother when she was younger. There were also pictures that I assumed were Merriam. I just gazed in admiration at the beauty they both had and still have in them.

Cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, and other desserts surrounded me. I thought I had gained about 100 pounds just taking it all in with my eyes.

"Merriam, this place is amazing," I stated.

"Thank you. Your grandmother and I agreed on the colors and decorations of the place," she replied looking around. The walls were in pastel colors and there were unlit candles and flowers decorating the place. It was comforting and relaxing. "I actually wanted to go with a pink theme, but she refused. She said it was something about a boy? I wasn't really sure, but she hated the pink idea."

I laughed when she spoke about the pink situation. Ever since I wrote her the letter about Aaron, she decided she wanted to hate the color pink too.

She wrote: He broke your heart on Valentines? How dare he! If you hate pink because of that boy, I'll hate it too.

"I'll show you the kitchen," Merriam stated as she guided me towards a swinging white door. When I entered, it was a white room with cake mix everywhere and a couple of people working on a few orders. They were all at certain tables. One girl was sitting at one table on her own while she decorated a strawberry themed cake. A tall, skinny guy with black hair was placing criss crossed the crust over a pan of apples. And then there was a main table where people were working on a four layered wedding cake.

"Hey Merriam!" a large, middle-aged old man with glasses called out. He wasn't as old looking as Merriam, but he wasn't exactly my age either. "Is that Olivia's granddaughter?" he asked, nodding at me.

Merriam placed a hand over my shoulder and stood before everyone. "Yep. Everyone say 'Hi,' to Haley," she ordered. While everyone was working patiently on their cakes and desserts, they took a few seconds to greet me.

I smiled back at everyone, but I don't think they all caught it. Merriam started guiding me around and telling me all the little details about the workers here.

She pointed at the large middle-aged man and said, "That's Jonathan. He's the class clown of the kitchen. He's always joking about something even if it didn't make any sense." I laughed as we both saw him chuckle at something.

We both looked over at the girl who was working on the strawberry cake and said, "That's Eliza, she believes in all supernatural phenomenons. She wanted to work on that ghost hunter show, but things didn't work out. But beyond her oddness, she's a very sweet girl."

Merriam continued to tell me about everyone who worked here. Everyone had their very own personality and style. I was intrigued by the diversity working in this bakery. I loved it because it wasn't what I was used to. In the town I lived in over in California, everyone seemed the same and very bland. No one was interesting to me. But here, everything intrigued me.

"Well, we better head out." We both started walking back to the main room of the store, when one of the bakers called for Merriam for help. "I'll be right back. Just wait for me out there," she advised as I walked out of the kitchen and back into the area where a few more strangers were browsing the place.

I sat at one of the tables near the display counter and watched as people walked in and out. While I was tapping my fingers on the table, I noticed a guy come inside. He was tall, muscular with a light tan and dark brown hair. He just darted inside and went behind the counter and popped open the register.

My eyes furrowed as I watched him pick a few dollars from the tray. He had no right to be lurking through the register like that and snatching money out of it. Since I had a tendency to follow my instincts, I stood up from my seat and walked over to the man.

"Excuse me, what are you doing?" I asked, curiously.

He slowly picked up a dollar from the tray and glanced up at me, "Do I know you?"

"No, but that doesn't matter right now. I want you to put that money back."

"I'm not stealing," he replied, grabbing a few more.

"Then what do you call that?" I pointed out. He closed the register and put the money in his pocket.

He didn't answer. He just looked at me as if I had an insect on my face. "I do this once a week," he replied.

I gave him a look. "You steal money from here every week? "

"I already told you, I'm not stealing anything. I'm allowed to take money from here. Everyone knows I do it." I looked around the shop and noticed how relaxed and oblivious everyone was. No one feared him when he walked in and no one panicked when he started rummaging through the cash register.

"Who allows you to take money from here or are you just saying that so I'd let you go?"

He chuckled. "You must not be from around here. You obviously don't know who I am."

Was I supposed to know who this guy was? I just shook my head in annoyance.

"I'm Nathan Scott. I'm the grandson of the owner here," he replied.

He's obviously not Olivia's grandson. I would've known. "Merriam's?" I asked.

"Yeah, you know her?" he asked as I watched him open the glass display to grab a cupcake.

"She's friends with my grandmother. I'm Olivia's grandchild," I replied.

"Ah, so you're Miss Over Achiever," he stated after a taking a bite from the cupcake.

I scoffed, "I am definitely not."

"From what I've heard, you were at the top of your class and won a few competitions in glee club," he stated with a smirk.

My grandmother really babbled about me, didn't she? Did she really have to discuss me being in glee club with these people? If only she didn't.

"Look, just because you're Merriam's grandson it doesn't give you the right to take money out of her register."

He took another bite of the cupcake and placed it on the counter. "If you really must know, my grandmother gives me money every week to help pay for my car note. Even though I work here, she thinks it's her right as a grandmother to keep giving me allowances every week. On my off days, I just come in and get it. She trusts me enough to barge in here and grab it from the cash register," he answered.

"Oh," I said, embarrassed. "She must really trust you then."

"Yeah, she does," he replied, chuckling. "Did you really think I was going to rob this place?" he asked. "If you did, you're a pretty brave girl to be walking up to a thief like that."

I shrugged, "Eh, what can I say. I have balls."

He lifted an eyebrow at me and started shaking his head. "So what's your real name, Miss Ballsy?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "I'm Haley James."

He reached out his hand to shake mine. "Nice to meet you Haley James."

"Yeah you too," I replied completely embarrassed of my actions. Staring at him for those few seconds, I realized how the sunlight from the window accented his blue eyes. He was a very attractive guy. I didn't really realize that until now because I was too worried about him stealing money out of the bakery.

"I see you've met my grandson!" We both turned around and found Merriam smiling at us.

"She thought I was taking money from the register," he stated as Merriam embraced him from the side.

"Well, I didn't know who he was."

"At least we know if you're around, we won't get robbed." I just wanted to lean over the counter and slap him then and there, but I didn't want to be rude in front of Merriam.

"Better watch out about this one," she began, patting him on the arm. "He's a trouble maker," she advised, winking at me. I took that in really well. I think I even embedded it into my brain.

"Any who, we have to get you back to your grandmother's house before she arrives," Merriam stated as she walked around the display counter and grabbed her purse.

I turned around and followed her towards the door.

"It was nice chatting with you!" I heard him call out from behind us. I wanted to turn around give him a look, but Merriam placed a hand on the small of my back and said, "he's just trying to push your buttons."

On the ride to my grandmother's house she talked about Nathan and how he was such a charming boy. She told me how he used to be on the High School basketball team and led them to victory at the State Championships. He was also an all around guy. He was very generous to community and became a volunteer firefighter. That was very impressive. Nathan did carry that strong physique when I was looking at him for those few seconds. Merriam was right about grandparents always bragging about their grandchildren.

When we parked in the driveway to the house, I couldn't believe my eyes. The place was beautiful. It was a yellow two story house with a white porch wrapped around it. There was a gorgeous garden of flowers in the front yard and bird bath in the center of it. It was very old fashioned and elegant. It looked brand new.

"Your grandmother renovated the house a few years back because it was falling apart, but luckily she saved a ton of money on the side," Merriam stated noticing how mesmerized I was by the place.

"Am I really staying in this house for the summer?"

I heard her laugh as we both climbed out of the car. She popped the trunk open and pulled out my suitcase just like she put it inside at the airport. I was still impressed by her strength at her age. I was afraid that it would pull her back or something, but she did it so easily.

"Do you work out?" I asked.

"Oh, me? I do some strength training sometimes. Nathan actually helped me stay in shape. He's a good coach," she smiled.

I pulled out the key from my pocket as we approached the front door. I unlocked it, opened it and immediately smelled my grandmother's signature scent. It was a mixture roses and vanilla. I felt Merriam walk past me to place my suitcase in the bright white living room that could've been in a Southern Homes magazine. My grandmother was certainly up to date with the indoor style.

I looked down the hallway and noticed a couple of pictures of me when I was younger and my cousins. But there were more pictures of me. There was a picture of me at my third grade spelling bee and at my first solo for a choir concert. There was another one of me during Valentines with a red heart instead of pink. She even put a picture of me wearing the ugliest sundress that my mother could have ever given me. Horrid! Merriam wasn't kidding when she said I was all over the house.

"Your grandmother will be here in about ten minutes, are you fine here by yourself?"

I looked away from the picture frames and glanced at Merriam. "Oh yeah, I'm fine here. I'll just look around until she arrives."

"Alrighty dear. It was nice meeting you again," she said as she hugged me. "If you need anything you can call the bakery. I'm pretty sure Olivia has it on the fridge. I'll see you tomorrow."

After she left, I left all my belongings in the living room and decided to tour the house on my own. The place was so elegant but very quaint at the same time. It wasn't too fancy and too "old" like I expected it to be. I went upstairs and found the bathroom. The counters were made of marble – Grandma was getting all fancy on me. Then I found a bedroom that I assumed was hers. Being a nosy person like I was, I opened some of the drawers in her vanity stand. I found her jewelry drawer and poked around at all the pretty vintage jewels she had. Then I lifted up a long necklace of pearls and wrapped it around my neck to see what I looked like in the mirror.

Pretty, I thought. When I put it back into the drawer I noticed a black and white picture. It was of her and grandpa. It was their wedding. She had on a white lacy dress with flowers on the side of her curly hair. And Grandpa looked really sharp in his tux and bow tie. They really fit together. If only I had the chance to meet him.

I walked out and tried searching for my room. I opened the room passed the bathroom and slowly opened it and noticed the peach walls, a silky bed, and a desk with a cup of pens and pencils on top of it. I stepped towards the bed and felt the silkiness of the comforter and then grazed the slick gloss of the wooden desk. I smiled and I just knew that this was my room. There was an empty book on top of the desk with a brand new pen beside it. I slowly opened the booklet and noticed a note inside.

Dear Haley,

I see you've found your room already. How did you know? Was it the peach colored walls or the random book on the desk? What ever it was I am glad you found it. I just wanted to give you another memorable gift - a blank book. The last time I gave you a blank book like this was on your 7th birthday and that was the beginning of a wonderful bond. Now you're eighteen and the pages of that book have been filled in and sent to me. So I decided to give you this one for you to keep. I want you to write about your trip here for the summer. I think it's a wonderful idea especially since we're no longer a thousand miles a part. We don't have to write each other letters. I just thought it would be nice to write down all your thoughts and favorite times inside so that you can read it in the future.

I'll be with you soon!

Love, Grandma Olivia.

I smiled at the thought that she took some of her time to buy me a book and write in it just for me. She spoils me sometimes. I don't even think I deserve it.

As I was flipping through the blank pages, I heard the door open downstairs. My heart skipped a beat. I just knew that it was her. I was starting to get nervous. It's been almost eleven years since I've seen her physically in front of me. I wondered if she still hugged the same, baked the same, talked the same, or even looked the same. There were so many thoughts clouding my mind, I forgot to step out of my "room".

"Haley, honey, are you here?" I heard her call out.

I quickly ran downstairs and found my favorite person in the world standing by the front door.

"Aw, there you are!" she smiled.

She looked fantastic for her age. And she looked drop dead gorgeous. Her hair was short, brown with a couple streaks of gray. Other than that, she looked like the same grandmother I knew when I was younger.I approached her with a huge hug and she embraced me in her arms like I was a child again.

R&R