Butterflies danced in dappled shadows of the trees. Sunlight flickered across the leaves as wind blew between branches to make its own sweet melody of nature.

Reasons why Lily came out here were insignificant to why she loved it out here. Just like how everybody had a special place, this was hers. A place to be alone and think.

Most importantly, the only place where she could pour her heart and soul into words she normally couldn't express.

As he stepped through the forest, carefully picking his way over rocks and fallen trees, he marveled at the beauty of the forest when it was filled with the chirps and trills of birds in the sweet afternoon light.

He heard the creek the same time he saw the clearing ahead. As he stepped into the meadow, he froze, enchanted by the girl strumming her guitar with her back to him and weaving a melody with her siren voice.

Invader, her mind screamed. But she kept playing. She was in a good mood.

Let the poor person live a few seconds longer, she thought.

As the song ended, the notes lingered in the air a few seconds longer than natural. Then the spell was broken as she spoke.

"Move so much as an inch and I'll put a hole in you."

Damn, how did she see him? She hadn't turned around at all as she packed her guitar away. Then she turned and his entire world revolved around her and the sharp green eyes that regarded him with open hostility and guarded wariness.

"State your name and purpose stranger."

He was completely mollified. Most girls melted over seeing his winning smile.

She all but snarled. "Yeah well, I am not most girls, bozo."

He blinked. He must have spoken out loud. He made a mental note to stop doing that. It could turn out to be embarrassing if he spoke at the wrong time.

"Hello?"

"Uh yeah sorry. I just moved here from Raleigh, North Carolina. I'm 6'5", gold hair and eyes, 17 year old and entering senior year in high school, want to major in something related to animals, and I've had all my shots recently, so I won't bite." He flashed a smirk at this. "Unless specifically asked to. What about you?"

"I've lived in this town for a while. I'm 5'5", brown haired and green eyed, also 17 going into senior year, majoring in psychology, and I haven't had my rabies shot yet, so watch out."

"Oh, well nice to meet you-"

"Hold up stranger. You forgot an important part in your All About Me speech, such as your name."

He grinned crookedly. "Oh. I'm Gage. Gage Ryker."