Surrender.

It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. Of course, I was willing to surrender to God, but my question stays, how exactly is it done?

I was answered to that question by Rex several days ago but still, I couldn't bring myself to it as much as I wanted to. When she realized she couldn't help me further in this by explaining, she said, "God will help you see it through as He helped me. A change isn't something we can make, it's God's business. Just make sure you've given your heart opened to Him."

I nodded to myself, siting in my room, recalling our conversation we had several days ago. I was feeling so tempted towards Rilden, even though I've decided to let him go. Rex did warned me about this temptation and some minutes ago, I was in the very edge of trying to look up Rilden's siblings on Instagram, to see if I can find his photo there; but I stopped myself.

Why Rilden of all people and things Rex was telling me to let go?

I still don't understand why. I did understand that she was telling me not to hope for him because he was hopeless for me.

I've began to get frustrated at times, top confused at what's going on with me. Sometimes I can't even tell what was going in my mind or what was I thinking.

I didn't see Naomi -the girl I was planning on seeing but Rex told not to because she knew what I was up to- until a day before Christmas Eve because she was in Tel Aviv with her parents who lives there as caretakers. I didn't had to go to her because she already was coming to me when we saw each other, and talked a lot. She was less over-smart than I remembered and was acting a bit mature, according to her age. Maybe it was a relationship that brought changes to her; Rilden might be such an amazing person enough to warm her up. The argue inside me about asking her something about him was boiling in my veins, in part of temptation. But I tried to push them away. I thought, maybe Naomi might bring up the topic of her boyfriend because she loved flattering, but she didn't; and I counted that as another change in her. I wanted to be proud of her or praise God for the change in her, but my jealousy was too strong, even though I knew I'm not supposed to feel it.

This trip to Jerusalem was meant to be pleasant and warming but it wasn't doing well for me. But my cheerer, who was physically a million miles away from me, did managed to cheer me up.

On the Christmas Eve morning, our youngest uncle called Haxsel on phone and told him that there are two posts for me and him. When Haxsel came back with our postal cards, I was surprised to see that mine was from Harry and Haxsel's was from Maxell. I was quite surprised and asked my brother, how did they got our uncle's address. He told me that Max had asked him for a postal registered address to send a Christmas card, and so because our uncle's was the only registered address we had in Israel, Haxsel gave him that one.

I went up to my room, sat on my bed and tore off the sealing of the cover. Mine had something in it than just a Christmas card like Haxsel's; it was something like a small gift box with a folded note tied of top, with a visible writing of Harry: WARNING! Don't open this paper and read until you open the box.

I literally laughed at his so called warning and placed the thing -that had a bit of weight- aside and reached for his Christmas card. To my utter surprise, there were three cards, one from Harry and other two from Emmy.

Harry might've told Emmy that he's going to send me a Christmas card, asking her if she'd want too; I told myself.

Apparently, one of the cards from Emmy was for Rex, which I decided to give her later that day. After I went through the Christmas cards from my friends, I excitedly reached out for Harry's extra gift.

I slowly untied the ribbon and placed the small fold of paper aside and gave my all might to open the box. It was tight and I had to use all my might. At last when I managed to open, a huge amount of cold water slipped into my lap, sending shivers down my spine.

I gave a baffled look on my lap, "What the..." I trailed off as my eyes then caught what was in the box; water.

Water?

There was nothing inside it but water; what on earth?!

I reached for a dry towel and scrubbed over my sweatpants where the icy cold water had fallen to, before I took that fold of paper I had kept aside. It read:

You said there's no snow in Jerusalem, so I thought to send you some. I do really hope it'll melt into water by the time it reach into your hands. Oops, did it spill on you? Then take it as an early Christmas prank from your best prankster friend in the world.

Merry Christmas!
XOXO, H Canfield.

My lips parted as I read it. I gaped at the letter in my hands, I didn't know whether I should laugh or groan; cause I was somewhere in the between. Even though I wasn't pleased with the fact that he nearly drowned me in ice water, I couldn't deny that he, as always, had made me cheer up, even though we were far far away from each other. That's who Harry Canfield was; he didn't had to be here with me to cheer me up.

I immediately texted my both friendy with a bunch of thanks for the unexpected gifts. Harry replied with a victorious emoji and said, that's the best prank to go down his record of pranks; making me to roll my eyes.

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve with our community by joining in a Christmas Carol all the way to Bethlehem at night, with lit up candles. And on Christmas day we gathered with family in our old house. It was indeed pleasant, all the times my mind was able to involve in such things were the only time I was given rest; other times, I felt I was going mad.

I wanted to surrender to God so desperately but, I felt like He was miles away from me. My restless thoughts and doubts that I was keeping in myself, began to interrupt my prayers. Finally, I couldn't concentrate or focus on reading Bible nor on my prayers. I wanted God, I loved Him, He was my first priority but I didn't understand why was I like this.

I understood one thing, if I'm going to go like this, I'll put myself into more troubles.

It was the day after the new year, I just came back to home from Rex's, when mom hurried me inside, telling me that our cousin Bonnie wants to have a FaceTime with us altogether and they were waiting for me to come back.

Dad, mom and Hax sat on a sofa with Haxsel's laptop set ready for the FaceTime on a small table in front of them. I came and sat on my brother's lap to get a nice view on screen while Nicky laid his head on dad's lap, expecting that we're going to watch a movie.

Soon our cousin Bonnie appeared on the screen, slender and beautiful as ever with her wide smile, which I wondered, would hurt her rose cheeks. She was wearing a black sweater and a black and yellow checked scarf around her neck; her natural raven hair was colored into dark brown -as always because that's what she liked- and was curled into waves, instead of the her natural straighten ones, falling on either sides of her shoulders, and to my surprise, she also had added some hints of blonde to her hair, making her appearance even more beautiful than she already was.

"Bons, you look... stunning!" I commented blissfully on the appearance of my favorite big sister, who was also my role model. "Look at your hair! It's fabulous!"

Bonnie chuckled, running her long slender fingers along her curls. "Thanks honey, you look gorgeous too." I rolled my eyes when she said that, as I always used to. Because I knew, mine was nothing, compared to her beauty.

"Don't tell me my little sister is getting ideas." I heard my brother's voice behind my ear. "You know she's your copycat." he told our cousin, chuckling.

I rolled my eyes again but didn't protest, he was right and I was proud of being her copycat.

"She definitely is, isn't she?" Bonnie smiled at me and I shrugged.

"How are you doing, Bonnie?" dad asked.

A wider smiled spread across her pretty face, which she couldn't control. "I'm hundred times more than fine, uncle. Thanks to Jesus for that." she said, humbly as always; one of the many reasons I love her was for her humble heart.

"So... What's it that you wanted to tell us, Bons?" mom asked her niece eagerly.

Bonnie didn't answer anything but still smiling, she lifted her left hand, the back of her left hand in front of the camera, raising her eyebrow at us. I didn't had to squint or lean closer to have a closer look on what she's trying to show us; sparkling on her ring finger was a shimmering diamond ring.

I gasped aloud, along with my family, with eyes wide as saucers. I covered my mouth with my both hands; it was an engagement ring!

"Bonnie..." I trailed off.

"I knew it!" mom said.

"Gosh, girl!" my brother laughed in disbelief.

"Congratulations dear!" dad clapped his hands.

"Thank you, uncle Bill." our cousin giggled.

"When...when did this happen?" Haxsel inquired.

"Yesterday, after New Year ceremony at church; Clyde proposed and I said yes." Bonnie beamed widely.

I felt tears cramming my eyes, due to my happiness for my cousin. "Finally! I've been waiting for this day for a long time!" I said.

I was indeed. Bonnie and her boyfriend Clydon had been dating for straight five years and I have been waiting for them to get married because... because I wanted to see them end up together.

"Aww sweetheart, thank you!"

"Congrats... little sister. I guess I can't call you that anymore, huh?" Haxsel chuckled.

"I wouldn't mind." Bonnie shrugged, "And, thanks big bro."

"Congrats dear, what did your dad say to this news?" mom asked.

Bonnie thanked her first before answering her question, "Don't worry, your brother is perfectly happy." she said, winking. "But I must say, he and Mom almost had a heartattack, while my little brother was thunderstruck."

We laughed and our conversation continued for several minutes that passed by. She informed us that, there will be an engagement party hosted in a resort sooner and was sad that we couldn't make it.

To our surprise, she also told us that, their wedding will take place by the end of March, while we wondered how soon they have fixed a date.

"Hailey, I want you to be one of my bridesmaids. Will you do the honor?" Bonnie asked me, and my heart melted like butter at her words.

"Yes! Yes, I will!"

"Great! Then I want you and aunt Adela here in Colorado three weeks before my wedding." she said and furrowed her eyebrows, "I know Hailey has class-"

"I don't care," I cut her off and turned my eyes to my parents, "Come on, it's for the bride..." I pleaded with puppy eyes. I don't care some weeks of missing classes anything more than my cousins wedding; especially since she wants me there.

Mom raised an eyebrow at me, amused, "We didn't even say anything against."

I smiled sheepishly, "Well, I was saying in advance."

Dad smiled and turned to Bonnie on screen, "Don't worry, Bons, they'll be there in time; three weeks before your wedding." he assured her.

"Ah, I was hoping to get an invitation too..." my brother's dramatic voice rang in my ears and I turned to him, eyebrow raised. "What?" he asked me, trying to hide the amusement in his eyes.

"Come on, Jonny. I know you can't take a leave from your job, nor can uncle Bill, so, that's why I want the least available people by my side." Bonnie said, "But I want you to be present there three days before my wedding." playfully threatening my brother with her index finger pointed at him.

"I'll think about that," Haxsel smirked at Bonnie, leaning back on the sofa, "Since you dared to point your finger at me."

Bonnie rolled her eyes at my brother, ignoring him. "So, everything is settled?" she asked, high-spirited again.

"Of course, I'll take care of it." Dad said, glancing at us.

"Alright then," Bonnie straightened herself in her seating position, "I'll see you in Colorado in two months or so."

I waved at her as she ended the call and cuddled close to my brother. "I can't wait to go back to Colorado!" I said excited about upcoming event.

"Me too." Haxsel chuckled, agreeing with me.

It was as if my brother was agreeing about the excitement unconsciously, because, he only seemed to come to his actual senses that evening, when we sat around the table for dinner in a hotel.

"Wait, Colorado..." he muttered to himself, making all three of our eyes shot to him. "I almost didn't think about it; you can't go to there alone." he said, glancing at mom and I.

"Why not?" mom asked.

"Colorado is dangerous for Hailey to go." his eyebrows furrowed as he glanced at me.

I blinked at him, "Excuse me?"

"Bobby Khuller. He's still in hiding." Haxsel said, seriously. If I hadn't seen the worry in my brother's eyes for me, I would've probably rolled my eyes at him. How many times should I tell him that I'm unrecognizable to any of the old Mafia members now? I wasn't a popular girl there and I doubt if Bobby Khuller even cared that I escaped the mafia quarters then.

"Jonny, you're being-"

"Either I'll come with you both or you'll only be going with us when we go." Haxsel cut off mom's words, sternly.

This annoyed mom.

"And why is that?" she asked, folding her arms across her chest, while Dad and I exchanged amused glances, watching the mom and the son arguing.

"Because you both will be alone!"

Mom's serious face cracked into an amusement expression, she shook and tilted her head. "Really Jonny? We won't be alone; there are two of us, for your information." mom said.

This time, Haxsel got annoyed.

"That's not what I'm talking about!" Haxsel ran his hand through his hair, visibly frustrated. "She's not safe there." he whispered, pointing his chin at me.

I felt a warmth in my heart at my brother's words, at his caring words.

"Where's your faith now?" mom asked him, just above a whisper. "Aren't you the one who told me to have faith when I was worried about her safety like this in the beginning?"

Something flickered in Haxsel's eyes and his blue irises were calm again. He sighed, looking down at his lap, surely thinking about something and then spared a glance at me. "You're right." he confessed to mom, "I got carried away."

Mom smiled warmly at him and reached for his hand on table, "God will watch over our little Hailey." she said and turned to me, gracing me with that gracious smile, "Won't He, love?"

A smile broke into my face and I nodded at her, before turning to my brother, whose eyes were already on me, "I'll be fine, Jonny, but I really appreciate your concern." I said. "I love you."

A soft chuckle escaped my brother's lips, "I love you more."

*****

Two days later, we were leaving Jerusalem, back to Chicago. But this time, our grandparents weren't coming with us, they both were staying with their youngest son til the end of January.

Out of all people I know in Israel, the person I always had a hard time saying goodbye to was always Rex; this time, it was the same too. Her little brother and sister gifted me a lovely painting of me, Rex and them, when Rex informed them I'll be leaving soon, which Yoyakim drew and Esther painted. A day before we left, Rex and I had an entire dayout together with all shopping and fun. Since I promised her that I'll come back on summer vacation, that was only six months away, we both felt a bit okay. But there, my temptation thought rose, will I be able to see Rilden if I come to Jerusalem this summer?

Oh shut it, Hayline!

We were welcomed back to home by a thick snowing and so, when we reached home, our home was bathed in white. It didn't snow in Jerusalem this year, so I didn't realize how much I missed snowing until I saw this wonderful sight.

Nicky let out a bark of excitement from the car, staring outside as he saw snow all over here and there. He must've remembered the fun we used to have in snow. And so when we got out of the car, Nicky wanted to jump right into the snow, forgetting it would freeze his bare legs, so Hax stopped him.

Once our things were taken into the house from the car, I had a huge argue inside me to scoop a handful of snow without anyone noticing and throw it at my brother, just for fun. But what I didn't realize was that he was thinking the exact same thing and threw a handful of snow at my back, while I had turned around to take some snow into my hands, unseen.

I gasped out loud and turned to my brother with wide eyes, not liking the fact that I was taken by surprise and my brother has ruined my plan of prank on him. I gave him the most dangerous murderous look I could muster but it soon replaced with a smirk as I leaned down all of a sudden, taking a handful of snow and threw it at my smugly smiling brother on face.

"Aha!" I laughed triumphantly at him.

Haxsel, not expecting this from me, had a look of disbelief on his face as he wiped the snow away and that look in his eyes alone told me to run for my life, and I did.

"I will get you for that, Hayline Houston!" he chased after me as I ran to the backyard of our home. Two times snow balls hit my back, which were definitely thrown by my brother, while some of them flew right passing me, as he missed his aiming.

"Haxsel Houston - 2; Hayline Houston on lead with 8 points ahead..." I sang along with laughing as I kept running, only to annoy the thing out of my chasing brother.

Suddenly I heard Nicky's barking behind me, followed by my brother's, "Come on boy! Go get her!"

"You're gonna freeze him, Jon-" I jumped away as I felt Nicky near my legs.

Turning, I saw him completely dressed - probably by winning mom's pity with his puppy eyes- to play in snow and regretted my words. I noticed that my brother hadn't still catched up with me; maybe he's letting me win to have more time running and have fun, or maybe he got slow by bending down each time to get handful of snow and throw at me. But I didn't see him anywhere, and Nicky, who was supposed to chase me for him, was running along with me on my right.

Just as I turned my head from Nicky to my front, my face hit hard on something soft but solid. Before I understood what was happening, my legs were soon swept up from the ground, I was lifted into the air.

"Big brother won; little sister lost; zero." I heard my brother's teasing victorious laugh in my ears, as he was the one who had lifted me to the air, appearing out of nowhere in front of me. He must've gone back to the way we came running from and chose to come to the other side of our home, where I was heading to, so I would run right into him; Big brain.

"Fine, I got it." I pouted like a five year old. "But one day Jonny, one day, I will win." I repeated my usual dialogue I used to tell my brother everytime I lost to him.

"We'll see about that." Haxsel smirked, challengingly at me.

*****

I've been counting days to the second week of March ever since we got back from Jerusalem; and finally it came. But when mom and I stood at the airport, saying goodbye to Haxsel, Nicky and dad, it wasn't that easy. All my excitement died out for a moment when I hugged my brother and bid him goodbye for three weeks; I never liked being separated from him and the only time I had ever been separated from him -since the day we had lived together- was when he had gone for his studies in a distance place some years ago and had to stay there in the hostel. And now, I found myself crying silently into my brother's shoulder, as he held me tight in his warm embrace that was worth the world to me.

"Our home is going to be haunted without you." Haxsel whispered into my hair as he gently rubbed my back.

"Hopefully, Nicky will do the honor of barking all the hauntings out." I joked, looked at Nicky from my brother's shoulder who stood beside dad with his belt in dad's hands.

Haxsel chuckled and then sighed deeply, squeezing me to him. "I'll miss you." he said.

"I'll miss you too." I bit back the sob that made it's way out to the lips. "Will you call me everyday?"

"Of course," Haxsel said, "We can call endlessly all day to night, with earphones in our ears and talk to each other until we meet again." he joked.

"Tell me something that's possible." I rolled my eyes mentally.

"I'm going to miss your presence every day."

I wanted to hug my brother more tight but I'm afraid if I tighten my arms around my brother's neck any more, I'll literally make him gasp for breath. "Three weeks are to pass by without even knowing, so I hope we'll be back together soon." I said.

Haxsel nodded, "Promise me you won't go out without mom or anyone of our family members."

"I promise."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"I love you more."

"I love you most."

"I love you more than most."

"Is there anything more than most?" I asked and we both burst into laughter, pulling back from our very long hug. I looked into my brother's elegant deep blue eyes; he opened his mouth to say something but mom cut in.

"Are we ready?"

I looked back into my brother's eyes and nodded, turning back to mom. "Yes."

I hugged dad and Nicky and then my brother again, before we both walked with our luggages, to where our flight was waiting. I blinked back my tears as I walked, turning back several times to look at my family who stood in the background until I couldn't see them anymore.

I stayed gloomy all the way to Colorado, resting my head on mom's shoulder and glancing outside through the window of airplane. When we reached at our destination after half an hour, my cousin Bonnie and her day, mom's older brother, were waiting for us with their car.

Mom went straight to her brother and they shared a hug, while I ran up to my beautiful cousin. Mom was making fun of her brother's hair getting grey while I was admiring my cousin's hairstyle; the blonde hint I had seen some months ago had started to fade along with her favorite brown dye, which had left her hair into her natural raven color at some parts, making it a different style on her.

I told her, maybe she should better be a beautician than a dentist that she was. But she dismissed me saying, it wasn't her ideas on her hair but her friend's, who apparently, was her younger brother's girlfriend. Our cousin Archer recently had started a relationship with his sister's best friend from their church, which I was aware of, but I had no idea his girlfriend was a beautician.

"Her mother owns a beauty salon. We'll go to there on one of the upcoming days and will get you done for my wedding." Bonnie said, reading my mind of going to a salon and getting beautified.

I texted Haxsel saying we've landed in Colorado and told him I'll call once we reach at our old home, before we left the airport. On our way, we passed through the road better the woods where I had bumped into my brother's old car eight years ago. I felt mom squeeze my hand when we reached there; looking up, I met with her blue eyes shining down at me. No wonder, she's been reminded of the same event.

I was expecting we were going to our home but uncle was taking us to his house.

"Finally!" our cousin Archer side-hugged me when I got out of the car as we reached their home. "Whoa my gosh, you're getting taller." he said, measuring our shoulder level.

"And you're getting a bit fatter." I said, sarcastically. But Archer took it indeed serious.

"Are you being serious?"

I laughed, slapping him on arm, "Don't be silly, I'm joking."

"That's good. Or he'll start dieting from tomorrow." an unfamiliar but pretty female voice chuckled from behind me. I turned back and saw that girl I've only seen in photos with Archer and Bonnie; his girlfriend. She was a pretty girl with raven hair like Archer and a little shorter than him with golden eyes. "So this is the famous Hailey I've heard a lot about from Bonnie?" she asked, and I wondered if that question was asked to me or Archer.

I smiled while my cousin nodded, "Yes. This is our little Hailey here and Hailey," here he motioned his hand towards his girlfriend, "this is my girlfriend-"

"Alecia. I know." I cut him off, "I've heard a lot about you from Bonnie too." I smiled at her, extending my hand to shake hands with her.

"You can call me Allie, if you like. That's what my friends calls me." Alecia threw her arm around my shoulders and led me into my uncle's house, where my mom was already being led in by our aunt. "Come inside."

I looked around for Bonnie who had disappeared out to somewhere and saw her talking to someone in her phone, a few feet away.

"What about the luggages, dad?" I heard Archer asking his dad, stretching out his mascular arms, getting ready to carry our bags in.

But why bother taking them inside? We're probably leaving to our home-

"Oh yes, I'm coming." Uncle walked up towards his car's back to take out our luggages. Mom told him not to, but he wouldn't listen. They all insisted us to stay there than going to our old home now to stay there alone, as Archer said, "It might've gotten haunted by now."

Alecia rolled her eyes at him.

"What? It's been a year a half." he stated as if truly believe in hauntings.

After our luggages were loaded into their house, we all sat down and talked, sipping on our coffees. Alecia and I immediately became friends; she seemed beautiful inside as she looked outside, also she was so sweet and funny. Before she left at night, she promised to meet tomorrow at their Church.

The next day, after the Sunday church sermon and worship and after meeting with Bonnie's fiance, I stood at the entrance hall of the church building on down floor, with Archer on my side, waiting for our parents who were talking with the senior pastor somewhere up.

I don't even remember how did we ended up here in between the crowd and was going to ask that question to my cousin when I felt something bumping against my legs.

I looked down at the same time I heard a small voice mumbling, "Oh I'm sorry." It was not a something, it was a somebody, a little blonde girl around five.

She looked up at me with a frown and apologetic look on her angelic chubby face, but when her eyes -those were gold and looked familiar to me- slid up to my cousin, who was standing beside me, -not knowing that a little girl just bumped into me,- her face brightened up with a hint of visible relief.

"Archy!" the little girl called him. I blinked, that was the same nickname I called him when I was little.

Archer immediately looked down at the girl as he heard her, "Oy there's my girl!" he leaned down, scooping her up into his arms. "How did you find me? What are you doing in this crowded area?" he asked her, poking her side.

The girl giggle at his tickle attack, "I got lost!" she had to exclaim her words out. "I can't find Benny!"

Archer stopped tickling her, "Aha, where's that sticker?"

"Sticker?" I inquired, feeling something funny at his question.

"Who's this?" the little girl whispered to Archer in his ear, loud enough for me to hear.

"Oh. I almost forgot." he said, "This, Cloudy, is my cousin sister Hayline Houston." he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"And who must be this little angel?" I asked, smiling at the little girl who suddenly got shy when I said angel.

"Allie's little sister."

No wonder why her eyes looked familiar to me.

"She has a little sister?" I asked. She didn't tell me about this out of all things we talked yesterday.

Archer nodded, "And a brother too. Meet, Cloudy Sticker."

"Allie will get your head for that." said a male voice from behind me, in a mocking tone.

Stepping aside and turning my head, I saw a tall and slim blonde boy walking towards us from the same direction the little girl came and bumped into me. He looked just slightly older than me and wore a navy blue shirt with its long sleeves rolled up to his elbowy and a black jeans. His electric blue eyes were fixed on Archer as he neared us, with a small smirk wandering on the corner of his rose lips and his hands stuffed into each of his jeans pockets.

I was taken aback at his sight; he was the same boy I saw on stage today, during the worship, playing guitar; who had me slightly distracted at times when my eyes fell on him.

Strike that two.

Seriously Hayline, what's your obsession with boys who plays guitar on worship stages?

Nothing. Shut up!

The blonde's eyes slid over me and his smirk turned into a small smile as he caught my eyes. My heart skipped a beat as I saw him smiling at me and smiled back.

"Ah! And this is that brother, Benny Sticker." Archer introduced the blonde boy to me. So, this must be the Benny the little girl was talking about previously. But I still found something funny with that last name; especially when the two blonde siblings casted a glare at my cousin.

"Please ignore him," the boy turned to me after rolling his eyes at Archer. "It's Benjamin Steaker." he smiled, sticking out his hand to me.

"And I'm Claudia Steaker!" the little girl in my cousin's arms exclaimed, before turning to shoot my cousin with her adorable glare, "Not Cloudy Sticker." she mumbled with a pout on her lips.

I chuckled even before I could stop it and turned my eyes back on Benjamin in front of me, "Nice to meet you two. I'm Hayline Houston; Archer's cousin." I said and shook his extended hand. I felt butterflies fluttering in my stomach, the moment my hand contacted with his. A feeling I've only read in stories but never had until now.

"Hailey, right?" Benjamin asked as we were done with the handshake.

"Um, yes? How do you know my-"

"My sister told me about you yesterday." he smiled.

"Oh. That was... so nice of her." I was taken aback at the fact that Alecia told her brother about me. "But she didn't tell me about you two when we talked."

"Were you talking something about the upcoming wedding, like about, bridesmaid dresses and stuffs?" Benjamin raised an eyebrow at me, amusement in his eyes.

"Yeah, mostly." I shrugged.

"Then there's no doubt why she forgot to mention us, right Clau?" Benjamin stifled a laugh, asking his little sister.

"Absolutely." Claudia rolled her eyes, tilting her head along, and the boys were laughing at next moment.

I watched him, Benjamin, laughing. I found myself staring at this boy in front of me, because there was this something about him that couldn't let my eyes tear away from him. His smile, that was the thing that I first noticed and caught me in distraction, when I saw him on stage. He has such amazing eyes and his eyebrows were dark, unlike his blonde hair; his face was slim and he had a perfect jawline. Everything about him made me smile. He was breathtakingly handsome, and when I admitted it to my heart, I felt it accelerate.

"Where have you been? Cloudy said she couldn't find you." Archer asked Benjamin once their laughter died out.

"Actually, I was looking for her and couldn't find." Benjamin stated, running a hand through his hair.

"I'm glad you did find me anyway." Claudia said, making her brother raise an eyebrow at her. "Or else I wouldn't have bumped into her." she pointed her small chin at me, leaving me totally stunt at her words. "She has a beautiful name!"

That made me laugh, "Really?"

"Beautiful and unique." Benjamin answered me with that handsome smile of his.

I blushed at his words, "Thanks, it was my brother's selection." I told him, now unable to meet his eyes.

"He must be very good at it then." Benjamin said. I looked at him from my gaze on somewhere in the air and saw his eyes on me.

Oh no. He isn't. You have no idea how much my brother was wrestling to find a name for me.

"Benny?" Claudia's voice rang innocently. "Can I have her name, please?"

I chuckled, joined in by Archer and Benjamin. "Don't be ridiculous, Claudia." his voice soaked in amusement.

Claudia's puppy eyes turned into an adorable glare, as deadly as she could muster. "That's what he says all the time." she threw her hands in the air, "Claudia don't be ridiculous, Claudia don't kidiculous, Claudia don't be madiculous. Blah, blah, blah!" she sticked her tongue out at her brother and we all burst into laughter at her funny words.

I clutched onto my stomach, laughing hard and the serious looking Claudia started giggling too, finding her words amusing. "You're adorable!" I softly pinched her chubby cheek.

Claudia shrieked and buried her face on Archer's shoulder, wrapping her arms around his neck tight. "And a bit shy at sometimes too." my cousin said, and whispered something into her ear, to which she mumbled back sometime. And their conversation went on a bit further like that. Mumbling and whispering.

"So," I turned to Benjamin when he spoke. "How long are you going to be here in Colorado? I mean, will you be staying for long after the wedding too?" he asked, with a shrug of his shoulder and of his eyebrows; that was cute.

I shrugged, "I don't think we'll be staying longer after the wedding. I've got school from which I'm already taking break for three weeks. And, Dad and my brother has got a job and that's the reason why they will be coming only three days before the wedding. So, no I guess." I said, hiding a frown with my smile, at the thought that I will have to leave one day; leave him one day, even though I have no idea what's going on with me in his presence. I know one thing, I was getting extremely nervous when speaking to him.

Benjamin nodded, "Um, I was wondering... if- if you'd like to come to our youth meeting on Wednesdays and hangout with us as long as how your stay is?" he said, shrugging.

I felt myself shaking with excitement at his offer and of course, I couldn't and wouldn't refuse it. "Of course! I'd love to!" I couldn't help the smile that made it's way to my lips.

A smile broke into Benjamin's face too, "Great then, I'll pick you up in my car if you don't mind. Your cousins will probably be busy with the... upcoming event."

Before I opened my mouth to answer him, my cousin cut in, "Hello? It's not my wedding that's coming up, so I can do the honor of giving her a lift if she wants, thank you very much." he rolled his eyes at Benjamin, who just shrugged, as if speaking with his body language, okay that's totally fine.

"Alright then, I'll see you here on Wednesday or before that, if God wills." he glanced down at his black elegant watch on his left wrist and looked up at his little sister in Archer's arms. "We should go, mom is waiting."

Archer set Claudia down on her feet, who immediately snuggled to her brother's side and casted me a shy smile as I waved a goodbye to her. I then glanced up at Benjamin, our eyes meeting. "I'll see you." I smiled at him.

He nodded at me and my cousin, before turning to walk away.

"That wasn't flirting." I heard Archer whispering to me.

I turned to him with a baffled look, "Of course not! What are you talking about?" I asked innocently, slightly startled.

Archer smirked teasingly, "Is that... young love I see in those eyes?"

Oh no.

"Oh shut up!" I slightly pushed him away and he began to laugh at my face.

I smiled a tad; I don't know if I can call it a love yet. Maybe I'm just going crazy? I couldn't make out what my feelings were. And when I saw Benjamin turning to me, -from the a corner he was disappearing to- gracing me with that handsome smile of his, I understood one thing.

I'm not the only one who's feeling it.