"Excuse me," someone interrupted my reading, just as I got to the part where Mr. Darcy professes his love for Elizabeth. I looked up, squinting in the midday sun, and saw a figure motioning at the unoccupied side of the bench. "Do you mind if I sit? I won't bother you."

I nod at him- still unable to see him- before turning back to my book.

"I'm Nicholas, by the way," the boy spoke. I nod my head, but I don't take my eyes from the words Jane Austen wrote. "Aren't you going to introduce yourself to me?"

I sigh, snapping my book closed. Turning to face him, I finally see deep set brown eyes, angular features and full lips that are turned upwards into a perfect smile.

"Arwen," I say. "Not to be funny, Nicholas, but you said that you wouldn't bother me. I'm just getting to the really good part in the book, and even though I've read it about seven times already, I still want to know how it ends. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to lose myself to the characters. It was lovely meeting you."

"You, too, Evenstar," the boy says, sitting back in his seat and watching the world go by quietly.