I am the one to break the silence after we'd both read the full article. "Do you think we can trust the source of this info?"

"I'm not sure...it looks like superstition, but then, how did it end up on this site, which is officially handled by the State government? I really can't say." He shakes his head from side to side, looking bewildered.

"You have a point, there." I agree.

"Hmm...we have no idea of the credibility of this info, but I think we should, for now at least, start work on our story. Maybe we can ask Ms. Hirsh about the tree house? Or, even better I guess, your history teacher?"

"I don't know if that's a good idea totally. I mean, yes, we should start the story now, but I don't think it'll be very wise to tell any of our teachers about this yet, because, well, they might think we're just making up those scary parts about the tree house and not willing to research, or whatever. We'll probably seem like frightened children!" I shake my head at the thought.

"You're somewhat right, now that I come to think of it..." Ned says sheepishly.

"Anyway, let's not waste our time then, brooding over the tree house, and start our story."

"Right. So, who'd be the protagonist?"

"Of course a girl!" I say.

"Hey, why not a boy?" He asks, looking puzzled.

"Because of the simple fact that girls are braver than boys, and this is a ghost story." I wink at him, teasing him.

"Oh really?" He enquires, raising an eyebrow.

"Obviously!" I'm thoroughly enjoying teasing him.

"That's not true. You were going to faint when you heard that scream from that tree-house that night. I saw you. Your eyes were as wide as saucers!" He imitates a wide-eyed look and starts laughing.

"Yeah, right, as if you're the bravest person in the world! Take this!" And I aim a pillow at him, with an evil grin.

"Wait a min—" But the rest of the word is muffled as my pillow flies straight into the target— Ned's face!

I chuckle contentedly, but then a pillow lands on my face too!

Well, you can guess what happens after that—we both start a nice little pillow fight, and in the end when our stomachs ache from laughing so much, Ned fishes out a white handkerchief from his pocket and waves it into the air, still laughing, signalling the offer of peace, which makes me giggle again, and I collapse on the bed, my laughter subsiding finally and tiredness taking over.

Ned lies down beside me on my bed, his hand on his stomach, and says, "Oh my god, Ashlee! I've never had such an afternoon in my life. It was so  fun!"

"I know... it's the same for me too." I look into his hazel brown eyes, my head propped on my elbow.

We lie there for a few moments, gazing deep into each other's eyes, when I start blushing all of a sudden and surprisingly, I notice he's blushing too! Our stare doesn't break till Mom shouts from downstairs, "Ashlee! I'm home! Where are you?"

I hurriedly sit up and so does Ned. "Would you like to come downstairs and meet my Mom? Anyway, I'll be back in a few minutes." I ask him, picking up the tray and plate and glasses to take downstairs to the kitchen sink.

"Umm...sure, let's go."

                                                                 ***

So Ned leaves after I introduce him to Mom, she offers him to stay for dinner, and he declines politely.

When I come back to my room, I instantly realize something's wrong—

Oh no!! We forgot to write the story!!

And to think that was the main reason for his coming to my house today. Hmm...nothing can be done right now, we'll just have to meet again sometime to do it.

As much as I enjoy his company, I wouldn't want to seem suspicious by meeting him almost everyday for something or the other. Already we've met twice in a week, and add to it the fact that till date no school friend of mine has ever visited my place—that is, if there were  any real friends of mine.

Just then, my phone beeps twice, indicating a new message. I retrieve it from the study table, and unlock it to see that the message is from Ned.

Hi, Ashlee. Sorry, but I just remembered that we forgot something... :(    (→Ned)

Yeah, me too. I text him back. (→Ashlee)

Oh, what a coincidence...The story, right?

Right. ;) So, now what?

Get ready for another meeting, what else? ;)

Sure... :|

:) Mom's calling me....talk to you later, 'kay?

Fine. Bye! :)

Bye!

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Sorry for the delay in updating, I was a bit busy due to school and some other reasons, and can't even promise you another update soon, too. :(

Also, sorry for the short chapter.

And now...about 375 reads already, and it's not yet been a month since I first published the book!☺ Close to 30 votes too. I say, it won't hurt if you vote once at least on any one chapter, would it? ☺ And anyway, I know you don't hate the story as you've come this far into it. So please, if you like a chapter, do vote!!!!

Things will start getting interesting soon, just wait for 2-3 chapters more, and I promise not to make this story as long as 30-40 or more chapters! I'll finish it in under 20, if I can help it. :)

You may ask me any questions about the story, if you want, by posting a message on my profile, or messaging me personally. Don't hesitate at all. :)

Thanks for your faith in me!! :D

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