Jacob, a twelve year old boy, huddled in the little hollow of the giant tree of the backyard, waiting for his little sister to find him and all his friends. This was too embarrassing. Next time he invited his friends over, they were going to the park.

“Hi,” came a voice. He turned to see Charlotte, better known as Charlie. “Can I hide here?”

“Sure,” he responded, turning red.

“Your sister is cute.”

“…thanks? She can be annoying.”

“Ha! All seven year olds are.”

There was awkward silence for a minute as Didi, his sister, screamed the typical “Ready or not, here I come!”

She pounded by the tree and over to the shed. While Didi searched through the rakes and winter sleds, Jacob whispered to Charlie.

“It was nice, hanging out with you at the dance last night.”

“Thanks… I enjoyed it too.”

“There was something I never got to tell you…”

“What?”

“I… I really, really like you.”

“Oh…” In the dim light shining from the tree, Charlie’s face was clearly red. “Really? Um, thanks. I like you too.”

He smiled at her. “Good.”

He kissed her.

She looked surprised for a minute,then kissed him back.

They melted into each others arms.

The sound of crunching leaves came from behind them. They looked up… Didi stood there, smiling down at them.

“Found you! You’re gonna be in so much trouble!”