When Tobias and I walk through the doors of Panera, the comforting smell of pastries and fresh baked bread fills my nostrils. I take a deep breath, then let out a content sigh. Tobias looks down at me and smiles. I see a light that was not there before, shining bright in his eyes. And then I remember.

Flashback: (5 years ago)

I am 11, and flying by myself for the first time. I was here in Houston visiting some relatives and am trying to get back to Chicago.

"I'm sorry Sweetie, but all flights to Chicago have been canceled tonight because of the blizzard." The flight attendant says, looking down at something on her desk. "You'll have to spend the night here."

My eyes widen. I am only 11, and she wants me to spend the night in an airport? By myself? I put my hands in my pockets to look for my phone, but come up with nothing. My pockets are empty. Panicked, l scurry out of the gate.

The airport is full of people. Many of them are in groups, families even. There are the gates on my left and an arrangement of fast food restaurants on my right. I've never really realized how big airports are until now. The tall, modern ceilings raise high above my head, and the noise of people talking echo throughout the building.

I look up. A huge sign says Terminals A-B - and beneath that it says Tram for terminals C-D

I've always liked trains. Trams are similar. I decide to follow the sign so I can ride the tram, in a desperate attempt to calms myself down.

As I walk, tall, strange men pass me by. Sweat begins to accumulate on my palms and I scurry toward the tram. This is going to be a long night.

Once I arrive at the doors, I am the only one there. I look at the clock on the wall. It reads 10:30. In a moment, a loud voice booms over the speakers. "Please move away from the doors, the

tram is arriving."

The tram races into my line of sight, and then comes to a complete stop. The doors open automatically.

I walk through the doors and look around. A boy sits on the bench in the very back, his hands pressed firmly against the glass window. He doesn't look much older than me.

The voice fills the speakers again. "The doors are closing, please hold on."

I look over my shoulder as the automatic doors swing into their locked position. The boy takes his hands off the glass window to look at me. He looks about 13, He is handsome. His eyes are a color I have never seen before, a dreaming, sleeping, waiting color. A beautiful shade of dark blue. His dark brown, almost black hair, is buzzed short. The area around his eyes are red and puffy, like he was crying. Looks me in the eyes.

"Why are you alone?" He asks, concern filling his voice.

I smile a little. This boy I don't know, cares that I'm alone.

He scoots over a little and pats the empty space next to him on the bench. I hesitantly walk towards him, rolling my little black carry-on behind me.

"I'm traveling alone." I say. "All the flights back home were canceled tonight." I bite my lip to keep from crying. I was fine until I said it out loud.

His eyes widen. "Did you call your parents?"
I bite my lip even harder. "I lost my phone."
"Oh," he says, looking down at his lap.
"What are you doing here?" My voice cracks.
"Um. Well I'm stuck here tonight too. I'm trying to get to Chicago." I smile a little. "Me too!"

"Really?" He asks, looking back up at me and smiling. I nod my head vigorously.

"We should stick together tonight then. I would hate for you to spend the night alone in this big airport."

I puff out my chest a little. "I could handle it." I say, defensively.

He grins. "I know you could. You look tough," he pauses. "and strong."

I offer him a small smile, as a tear slips down my cheek. "What's your name?" I ask.

"Tobias," he replies. "What's your name?"

"Beatrice." A second tear rolls down my cheek. "Sorry." I say.

"Don't apologize." He says, softly. His hand brushes over my cheek, wiping away my tears. He doesn't wipe them off of his hands, though.

We talk a little and get to know each other, as the tram approaches terminal D.

"We should probably get off here," Tobias says, looking at the doors that are just starting to open. I nod, and follow him off the tram. Our flight is leaving from this terminal tomorrow.

The gates and terminals, are empty. Every step we take echoes throughout the building. I look around, and feel small. I realize that this space looks even bigger without people in it. The gate numbers run across our left hand side, and closed magazine stores line our right. Tobias turns and walks toward gate 46.

"We'll stay here tonight." He says, sitting down in one of the chairs.

I sit down in the one next to him. I'm scared. This place is huge. No telling, who or what is hiding here.

Tobias notices my discomfort and raises the arm rest that is between us. I pull my legs up onto the chair, and tuck them underneath me so that I am sitting on them. He wraps an arm around my shoulders and brings me to him. The practical side of myself scolds me. What are you doing? It says. You just met him!

I've always thought that love at first sight was impossible. Now, I don't think it is.

"Thank you." I lean my face against his chest. "I wouldn't of made it tonight without you."

He chuckles softly. "You're stronger than you think," he says. "You would of been fine." He pause for a moment. "I'm the one who wouldn't of made it."

His heart picks up its pace underneath the soft fabric of his shirt. "What do you mean?" I ask, confused.
He sighs softly. "I guess I should tell you why I'm actually here tonight." I nod.

"My dad and I decided to have my mother's funeral here in Texas, because this is where my aunts live. When we got here today, to go back home, my dad took me into an empty airport bathroom, and told me how my mother's death was my fault."

I feel a drop of water land on my head.

"He undid his belt and threw off my shirt. And he..." Tobias winces.

"He started to beat me, and told me that if I wanted to get home, I better figure out a way because there was no way in hell he would buy me a plane ticket. So my father, Marcus, got on the last flight that actually went through to Chicago before the blizzard hit. Right as he left though, I saw you. Just the way you acted and how independent you were, I knew something about you was special. I've never really liked any girls before, or any other people, for that matter. You're different, special, and strong. And you were certainly brave." He finishes.

"I'm not brave. I was just crying a minute ago." I say.

"Sometimes it takes more courage to cry." He says, softly. "I can just tell by the way you carry yourself. Someday the world will be awed by your strength and bravery. I like you, Beatrice."

He hugs me tighter.
"I like you too, Tobias."

Okay, I believe in love at first sight.

I nuzzle my face deeper into his chest, and his warmth fills my entire being. Tonight, both of us are just so desperate, scared, and hurt, that we just need someone to hug. And I think we might of even found something more. He kisses the top of my head. I try not to think about how greatly my parents would disapprove of this, but rather I think about how lucky I am to be here. I think I'm starting to believe the statement, "Everything happens for a reason." What started out as a nightmare, turned into the most beautiful thing. Without being stuck over night, I never would of met Tobias. Since I am only 11, and Tobias is only 13, of course we don't know what love is. But I think I'm starting to. I do know, if I was around him long enough. I would grow to love him. They say I'm an old soul, after all.

After a while, I fall asleep with my face buried deep in Tobias's chest, listening to his heartbeat. And I forget about the strange men, the big buildings, and the things that could be hidden deep inside of this airport. I am safe here in his arms.

The next day, Tobias got on a different flight to go to Chicago then I did. I'll never forget what he said to me before he left.

"I hope you remember me." I said, and gave him a hug.

"Oh Beatrice," He said. "I"ll remember you for centuries."