Chapter 1 : Unknown Number

I saw a girl in the window of a vibrant strawberry house while waiting for my bus to come.

She looked like someone from an 80s movie and it made me smile. She had black hair that almost reached her waist and she was wearing a light purple dress with some pink and yellow flowers. The way she looked at my direction with those emerald eyes, gave me butterflies in my stomach.

She had a book in her hand and was staring out the window with a look of deep concentration. It was hard to tell if she was looking at me or something interesting on this side of the street or just admiring the colors of the trees in the park across from her house.

My mind thinks she's only focusing on me.

I kept looking at her, hoping she don't find me creepy or anything. That'll be unfortunate because I really want to get to know her. But I have no clue how to start conversation with any girls before. What if we never see each other again?

I was mesmerized by her beauty and her eyes. As I watched her, she smiled at "me" and giggled. I waved back but she didn't catch that. I waved back again. She did not wave back. Is she looking at me or...

Then one acorn landed on my head. I looked up, curiously. There was nobody else near me and there were no signs of anyone trying to hit me with an acorn. I looked around me and didn't see anyone anywhere nearby either. I guess I must have been imagining things.

The Girl in the window giggle. My ear perked up and I scanned to her direction. Her giggle was like a melody to my ears. If there was anyone who could make this feeling go away then it would be her.

" It's that Squirrel who did it. " She spoke.

I looked up, and was startled by a squirrel. Indeed, she was right. The squirrel was above me staring at me with those two deadly, black pupil eyes. What do you think it would do?

Of course It jumped and landed on top of my face. A freaking squirrel landed on my face! I screamed in surprise as I tried to shake it off. Its claws dug into my skin and it tried its hardest to pull me down.

It didn't matter what kind of weird creatures these squirrels are, they all had a tendency to attack strangers. My dad told me stories about them when I was little. He always told me never to go near them unless they're being chased by another animal that can help them escape.

The squirrel ran away. I looked up and noticed it disappearing through a small hole in the fence. My heart dropped. Why did this squirrel decide to jump onto me? Why couldn't it jump over the fence? There is something very unsettling about squirrels.

"Are you alright?" A sweet voice said.

Hoping it was the Girl from the window who said that but it wasn't it was some other girl.

" Yeah." I said. " Just a little shaken up." I admitted. I looked back and found myself staring directly into her gorgeous hazel eyes. Her face was so up close to mine, I quickly back out and stand up on my own. I brush off the dirt from my rear and comb my hair between my fingers. I know there's not much to do, I still look like a mess in the end.

I feel embarrassed now. How embarrassing of me to act so immaturely. We both stood awkwardly, neither one of us knowing what to say.

I scanned her up and down. She wore a cute pink sundress and a light blue flower necklace. Her eyes sparkled when I stared at her and I felt my heart racing. This girl is so pretty and kind.

But, it's not the Girl from the window.

I panned across to see the strawberry color house, hoping the girl from the window did not witness something so embarrassing. She was not there. The window was closed and all I saw is just a green velvet curtain. I let out a sigh of relief. Good thing the crazy squirrel left. Though, I was a little sad that she's gone.

"You okay there?" She asked, smiling sweetly at me.

"Yea, I'm fine. It just took me by surprise, is all." I answered.

"Well, I hope the squirrel didn't hurt you too badly." She teased.

"No, he didn't." I laughed. "He just scared me a bit."

"Oh, well, I'm sorry to hear that." She apologized. "I hope he didn't scare you too much."

"Nah, it's fine. I'm used to it." I assured her.

Now that's a white lie.

"That's good." She said. "Do you live around here?"

"Yeah, actually I've lived in this neighborhood for a month." I explained.

"Really?! So you live here?!" She exclaimed excitedly. I could tell she was truly surprised.

"Yup!" I replied. "And you're the first person I've seen since getting here."

"Wow! Really?" She gushed. "It's so nice meeting you! I'm Kara."

"Hey, it's nice meeting you too. You seem really cut- I mean nice!" I greeted her. I almost slipped there but was saved. Truthfully, she seemed nice and genuine unlike most people that pass by me.

I wonder why?

"I'm J'onn."

"J'onn?" She echoed. "Nice name. Are you from...East Hallow?"

I nodded. "Yeah, actually, I'm about to visit my parents there. How did you know I used to lived there?" I asked curiously.

"Your accent sounds like you're from East Hallow. I can recognize that kind of sound anywhere." She pointed out. "Plus your hair and clothes looks familiar..."

I looked at myself. I never even thought about that.

"Thanks?" I thanked her as the bus is almost arriving.

"Well your bus is almost here." She pointed out. "Have fun in East Hallow! Bye!" And with that she turned around and started walking away.

"Bye!" I yelled after her and I smiled. She really seemed like the type of girl who would enjoy watching squirrels attacking strangers from afar. I wondered if I should talk to her again. She's weird, yet mysterious, yet pretty.

Maybe.

I took one last look at the window across the street before the bus actually arrives to his stop.

Actually, I'll like to talk to the girl in the window. Something about her makes me want to know more about her. Maybe I can ask her out. She looks like the type of girl who likes a guy like me. Someone who's sweet and kind.

Maybe I'll see her next time? In person?

I took a picture of the window with green velvet curtain for memories.

" Maybe." I sigh.

The bus arrived and I got on. Once I settled in my seat, I took out my phone and opened the app that was called "Twitter". I searched the name 'Kara' and I'm not sure whether she's on it. Nothing about her popped up.

My phone suddenly buzzed and I immediately checked to see who it was. To my surprise, there was a message sent to me. My eyes widen as I read the message.

'You're cute'

I blinked twice and reread the message to make sure I didn't misread it. Then, once again, I checked the number.

To: J'onn

From: Unknown Number

Hi! I wanted to see if you're ok after the incident? Are you feeling better? :) :)

"Who is this?" I whispered.

I looked around, hoping no one heard me, and I look back at my screen. My cheeks became hot and my heart began to race.

Can it be the Girl at the window?

How is that even possible? No way, that was just a coincidence. Just a coincidence. That's what I keep telling myself.

Maybe it's that girl name Kara. Or maybe it's some kind of phone prank? Probably some kid making fun of me because I got attacked by a squirrel.

I shoved my phone in my pocket, ignoring the text. I can't respond to that now. It was a coincidence. I'm certain.

I sat comfortably. Though the bus chair felt like it was going to fall apart any minute now due to how many people have sat here before me. It wouldn't be surprising considering how old and worn out it is. I could hear the driver mumbling things under his breath while I leaned forward and rested my chin on my knees, trying to calm my nerves.

My phone suddenly rang that startle me. I checked it; it was my mother. I answered it instantly.

" Hey mom, I'm almost there. " My grin spread across my face, making me look like an idiot.

" Me and your father is so excited to see you after so long. " My mom said in a cheerful tone. " "We miss you, honey."

" I miss you guys too." I sighed. " How have you been?"

" Fine, we're doing great, how about you? " My mom asked. I could sense something is different. She sounds like she's happy but I don't know why. Is she worried about me?

" I'm okay mom. " I answered. " Things are going good. I think I might have met someone. "

" Who?" Her curiosity kicks in as always.

" Some girl I met hours ago. " I said blushly. God if my dad saw me blushing so hard right now, he'll think I have some sort of rare illness or something.

" Oh my gosh, when you get back home, let's talk about it!" My mom sound so excited.

" Wait mom. . ." Then my phone lost connection. Great. Just great.

" Shit. " I said out loud. The bus driver looked up at the mirror and clearly looked at me with his stern expression.

I gave him a apologetic gesture. I decided to shut up and looked out the window as trees and building passing by, until suddenly my eyes caught sight of the same old red barn in the distance.

A familiar feeling of nostalgia washed over me as soon as I saw that barn.

"Ahh, it feels so nostalgic to be back." I mumbled.

I leaned back, closing my eyes.

Home.

A/N : Hello! I'm so glad I'm writing again. This is fairly new novel I'm writing. Everything you're reading is still a draft and may be re-written. New chapter is written on days where I have nothing to do or that ideas starts kicking in. This novel is not complete as you can see. There's more chapters to come. Please be patient. :)

Ps. I don't have a specific schedule for posting chapters for now. I just post whenever I want to.