Mysterious Girl

"I don't know how you can stand the cold, I'm freezing," she said, zipping up her jacket.

It had been his idea to meet in the attic of an abandoned barn, hiding between loose hay. The roof was already weathered and broken, there was a wide gap from where they could see the night sky and she had liked the idea of them sitting here, stargazing. It was actually nice being there with him, she always enjoyed spending time with him as much as this war allowed it, but the chilly breeze of autumn made itself perceivable. As a matter of fact, she got cold very quickly. Even if she was dressed properly for the weather.

"Come here," he said, taking her into his arms and she nestled her head against his shoulder. He took of his cap and tenderly placed it on her head. She smiled at the small gesture of approval.

"You know what my mother used to say when summer was over?" he asked with an innocent smile. She waited patiently for him to continue.

"I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin and crisp sunburnt leaves."

A smile appeared on her face. "That sounds beautiful," she admitted. "All I think of is autumn leaves are falling on the floor, making perfect hideouts for birds and insects. As a kid I loved scraping them together and hide under them so my mom wouldn't find me for hours," she said.

"Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day," he quoted.

She laughed and another thought appeared in her head.

"That's true. And it's the season of Halloween, one of my favorite times of the year, but it is almost impossible to celebrate it in times of war." Her face took on a sad expression.

"It's okay. We'll think of something," he tried to comfort her, smiling reassuring at her.

"The leaves are changing; I feel poetry in the air."

"Is this supposed to cheer me up?" she joked. But it did its job because she giggled. "You like poetry?"

"I do. But don't tell Newkirk and LeBeau. They would razz me for this." He grimaced at the thought.

She held up her hand. "I won't," she promised.

He softly nudged her head with his own. "You know, I am so glad Mary Jane dumped me and that I have met you. She never..."

"Shh." She advisedly put a finger on his mouth, silencing him.

"I don't want to hear anything about her. Just let her go. I want to be the only one you're thinking of," she mocked him.

He pulled her closer in his arms and placed a delicate kiss on her forehead.

"Believe me. You are," he whispered into her ear, brushing away a strand of her blond hair that fell into her soft face. It was a good thing he couldn't see her face blushing in the dark.

She decided to change the subject. "I am so glad you made new friends here. Once this war is over I would love to meet this barmaid you've told me from. Mady. She seems like a nice young lady."

And she meant it. She wasn't the envious kind of girl and he knew that.

"Oh, you would really like her. She is very friendly," he said honestly looking at her with his big innocent eyes. She smiled at him.

After a while they grew tired and she felt colder so he laid her down on the hay bedded floor and tucked her in with some leftover hay to keep her warm. He blandly traced the fine contours of her face, cheeks, chin and mouth. He could kiss those soft, beautiful lips of her. And that's exactly what he did.

When they broke apart she took his face in her hands, caressing his cheeks. They locked eyes.

"Do you think we should tell them? About us?" she asked him, deep in thoughts. "Do you think they would be happy for us?"

He grinned his goofy smile and quickly kissed her on the top of her nose. "Of course they would. Firstly, they sure would be shocked but they would get used to it. They have to. But I guess they would like you anyway."

She raised one of her eyebrows as she slung her arms around his neck. "However, what did you tell them to get out?"

He snorted. "That I went to meet Mady."

She sniggered. "Sneaky."

He shrugged his shoulders and placed his forehead against hers. "I call it an emergency lie. What about you?"

Now it was her time to shrug her shoulders. "Oh, just the usual."

A smile played on his lips. He knew what she ment. "And you call me sneaky."

"Always works for me."

She let go of his neck and he took a blade of hay, tickling her nose with it. She reacted by grimacing comical.

"Boy, I would love to marry you," he said, absentmindedly, as he lay down beside her.

Her reaction came prompt and she hoped he noticed the irony in her voice.

"Who said I'm going to marry you? I want to marry a rich guy." She laughed and he knew she was just teasing him.

"But I am rich," he insisted, continuing their little game. "Back in Bullfrog North Dakota, I grew up on a farm. We own a lot of animals. Cows, pigs and chicken. One could say I'm the richest guy you've ever met."

She laughed gingerly. "Okay, you win."

Quietness. Then she took his hand.

"Please don't break my heart," she whispered.

"I won't," he whispered back.

A/n – Quotations:

I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin and crisp sunburnt leaves. (Unknown)

Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day. (Shira Tamir)

The leaves are changing; I feel poetry in the air. (Laura Jaworski)