The bells inside the café jingled melodically, warmly inviting Stacey inside as she entered. The waitresses greeted her with cheerful and welcoming smiles, to which she responded with a bright, "Hi guys!"

"I thought you forgot about us already," Elly teased. "How's your self-tour going?"

"Great," Stacey replied, seating herself on the stool. "I could get used to this place. It's nice."

"Isn't it just?" Donna giggled, handing her a blueberry muffin.

"How much?" Stacey asked, reaching into her bag for her wallet.

"Ah, no need, sugar," Donna waved it off. "It's on the house."

"Oh, Donna, I couldn't-"

"Please, I insist."

Stacey opened her mouth to spit out another protest, but Donna held her hand up and playfully eyed her warningly. She sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat as she picked up the muffin.

"Thanks," she mumbled.

As she sunk her teeth into the sweetness of the blueberries buried inside the baked good, Anne spoke up. "I saw you with that boy, Stace. He wasn't bothering you, was he?"

Stacey shook her head. "Not at all," she said through a mouthful of muffin. Swallowing the bits, she continued, "His name's Jesse by the way. Jesse Miller."

"Jesse Miller?" Kate repeated. "Gosh, how'd you figure that out?"

"He told me," Stacey answered.

"He actually talked?" Kate said incredulously. She let out a sharp breath. "Well... that's a first."

"Why did he tell you?" Elly questioned.

"I just... asked him," Stacey said. "He told me before I came in."

"Honey, I'd stay away from that boy if I were you," Anne said quietly. "God knows what he does in his free time. Hell, we don't even know where he lives. He can't be good news."

"Steve isn't good news either," Stacey said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Steve?" Donna gasped. "You met him?"

"Yes," Stacey replied with sad eyes. "He isn't as nice as you said he was. He was picking on Jesse just because he's so quiet. Him and those other two boys... His friends."

"Friends... Oh," Donna grinned slightly in realization. "Nick and Tim, right?"

"I... think so?" Stacey said, trying to recall their names.

"Oh, well, that boy... Jesse, or whatever his name is..." Anne said, cringing when she mentioned his name. "Just be careful around him. Steve, Nick, and Tim probably know more about him than we do. There must've been a reason for their-"

"There was," Stacey grumbled. "They said it was because he didn't say anything to them, or he didn't answer them or something. Mom, whatever the reason is, even if it's a good reason, one shouldn't mess with someone like that. And honestly... Steve's reason was ridiculously stupid. I'm sorry, but I don't like him. I didn't get a good vibe from him."

"I don't feel good about that Jesse either, hon," Anne said sharply. "I'm sad you don't like Steve, but all I'm saying is be careful around Jesse. You hardly know him."

"Yeah, I hardly know Steve too," Stacey mumbled under her breath so silently, Anne wasn't able to hear her, much to her relief.

"Enough serious talk!" Donna said enthusiastically. "My birthday's coming up in a few days!"

"Oh!" Stacey smiled slightly. "That's great, Donna."

"Thanks hon, but don't ask how old I'll be," Donna pleaded.

"You're not that old," Kate rolled her eyes. "You're younger than all of us, for Pete's sake."

"Yeah, you're still a baby to us," Elly agreed.

Donna chuckled. "At least I know how to have fun," she said, sticking her tongue out at her friends.

"Are you having a party or something?" Stacey asked.

"Sure am!" Donna said happily. "It'll be at the All Star Nightclub at around seven."

"And that's why we agree that she knows how to have fun," Elly said to Stacey. "The All Star is always wild. I think you'll enjoy yourself there."

"I'll be looking forward to it, then," Stacey grinned. Tossing the empty muffin cup into the nearby trash can after finishing her last bits of her muffin, she turned to Anne and said, "I'll be going now. I want to check out the mall."

Anne chortled. "Alright then. I'll see you soon."

Stacey bade her new friends and her mother goodbye and dashed out the door. She walked several feet away from the café and glanced around her surroundings. She felt her shoulders sag, and a disappointed frown took place upon her features.

Jesse was nowhere to be seen.

***

The next day, the sky's clearness began to invite the clouds. Patches of the white puffs littered parts of the blue sky, occasionally forcing the sun to hide behind them. The wind became soothingly cooler, more gentle and calming.

Stacey was out of the house at around two in the afternoon. Frank had informed her of a park that was down Ellis Avenue, not too far from where they lived, knowing that she loved to take long walks along parks and beaches and quiet places.

Parks weren't usually quiet. They were always filled with the sounds of swings creaking and children laughing. But those sounds made Stacey a child again. And God, did she miss her childhood. Thus, parks always sent her to her peaceful aura of childhood memories.

Once her feet had carried her to the park, she quickly glanced around to examine it. The swings, the monkey bars, the slides... and the children. It was all so lovely and soothing, it was almost overwhelming.

Stacey started forward, but stopped after taking a few steps. A familiar face was sitting on the bench with an acoustic guitar in hand, seeming to be thoughtfully staring at the children having a good time.

Grinning, Stacey hurriedly approached him and was soon standing in front of him. He peered up at her with those icy orbs and blinked.

"Hi Jesse," she greeted.

Jesse nodded in a form of response to her greeting.

"S'good to see you again," she said. "I like your guitar. Do you play?"

He glanced down at his guitar and nodded again, but this time seeming to be more shy.

"Can you play something?" she asked softly. She noticed his shoulders stiffening and quickly added, "If you want to. You don't have to if you're uncomfortable."

Jesse let out a breath he didn't seem to be realizing he was holding. Stacey heard him mumble something under his breath, though she didn't catch it. "Pardon?" she asked.

He shook his head as if to say he never said anything.

Stacey frowned. "Ok," she said in a breezy tone.

Jesse gently dragged his guitar pick on the strings in one swift movement, gracing each string with his talented fingers with much care and affection. He looked back up at Stacey. He seemed nervous, as though he was trying to figure out what to say.

"Are you ok?" she asked.

Clicking his tongue, he silently nodded.

A voice suddenly gasped behind Stacey, making her jump in an obvious startle.

"Jesse! Hi!" the voice said brightly.

Stacey spun around to see a pretty girl who seemed to be her age with raven-black hair that looked to be made of pure silk. Her emerald eyes sparkled underneath the rays of sunlight.

"Long time no see, Jess!" she gushed once she reached Jesse and Stacey. "You remember me, right? We were in the same math class last year!"

Jesse sighed and nodded.

The girl glanced at the awkward-looking Stacey, her smile fading slowly. "Who's she?" she demanded.

"Stacey," Stacey replied. "I moved in with my mom two days ago."

"Ok, let me rephrase that," the girl snapped, startling Stacey. "Why are you here? As in, here with him?"

Stacey, bewildered, said, "I didn't realize I needed permission to talk to him."

The girl scowled. "Jesse, who is she?" she rounded on Jesse, who was now coldly staring at her. "I thought you said you'd ask me out once summer started last year. But you didn't. Why her?" She pointed at Stacey sharply. "You're going out with her, aren't you? You lied to me! And God, she just moved in too?"

Stacey, offended that the girl who seemed to be acting as though she wasn't even there listening to her insults aimed towards her, opened her mouth to retaliate. However, to her and the girl's surprise, Jesse beat her to it.

"Quit it, Bonnie," he said, his tone razor-sharp.

The girl, Bonnie, blinked, like she was trying to understand if what she heard was right. "What?"

"Leave her alone," he repeated. "She's my friend. And even if she was my girlfriend, that wouldn't make you look any better."

Bonnie scoffed and folded her arms tightly. "Fine," she grunted. "Suit yourself. Have fun with new girl here."

Shooting one last heated glare towards Jesse and Stacey, she spun on her heel and stormed away, grumbling incoherently under her breath. Stacey watched the back of her raven head with widened hazel eyes, then slowly turned to Jesse, who had his attention back on his acoustic.

"I'm almost getting used to that nickname," she chuckled. "New girl." Clearing her throat, she breathed out, "And Jesse... Thanks."

Jesse looked back up at her with an arched eyebrow. He moved his head to his usual nod in response.

"We are friends, right?" she asked timidly.

He blinked wordlessly, pausing for a split second. "Do you want us to be?" he inquired.

She couldn't explain why, but every time he spoke - even if it was just a single worded answer - it made her stomach jolt in excitement. Possibly because he hardly ever spoke.

"I'd like us to be," she finally responded.

He slowly nodded once again. Glancing back down at his guitar, he began to gently pluck at the strings, forming a soft, calm melody that lightly rang through Stacey's ears. She watched him in awe, her mouth slightly agape, allowing the wonderful sound of music to take over her senses. It was so hauntingly beautiful.

It didn't last too long. He soon came to a halt, and Stacey could have sworn she saw an ever so light red shade creeping up to his smooth cheeks. He refused to meet her gaze. He merely stared at his hands blankly.

"Gosh, that was pretty," she sighed in content. "I could listen to it forever. Who taught you how to play?"

Jesse shook his head. "No one," he responded.

"No one?" Stacey repeated disbelievingly. "You... taught yourself?"

He hummed in reply.

"So you taught yourself how to play and how to read notes?"

"Can't read notes," he said. "I just... play by ear."

"So... you listen to something and can automatically play it?" Stacey asked, dumbfounded.

Jesse's lips twitched. "Mmm... Yes."

Stacey whistled. "That... that's impressive," she said in a hushed voice. "You have a gift, you know that?" He seemed too embarrassed to answer. She smiled and rubbed his tense shoulder. "I can leave you alone to play. I should go visit my mom at the café anyway. I'll see you later, alright?"

Jesse chewed on his lower lip. She walked past the bench and started down the sidewalk. Before she was well away from the park, she heard his voice.

"When can I see you again?"

She whirled around to find Jesse standing behind her about ten feet away. She grinned.

"We can meet back here tomorrow at three if you want," she offered.

"Yeah... Sounds good," he said breathlessly. He seemed surprised by his own actions and wants.

"I'll see you tomorrow then," Stacey said.

He gazed at her with a distant look, then nodded once again. With a silent giggle, she waved, turned back around, and went down the sidewalk to the direction of Anne's café.

On her way before she was well out of earshot, she faintly heard the sound of Jesse playing his guitar.

Man, he's really... something.