A Girl in my garden.

A teenager named Ember was peacefully asleep in her room, but that night held an unexpected turn of events that nobody could have foreseen.

As the sun began to cast its first light, a young boy arose from his slumber, preparing for the day ahead. Upon opening his front door, he was met with a surprising sight – a girl was sleeping on a bench in his garden. He stood there for a moment, simply staring, his mind racing to comprehend how she had ended up in his garden and why she was sleeping there.

His gaze lingered on her, captivated by her beauty. Shaking his head slightly, he noticed that the chill in the air was causing her to shiver. Without hesitation, he gently lifted her in a bridal-like hold and carefully placed her onto his bed, covering her with a quilt. Taking a seat beside her, he found himself gazing at her again. She appeared to be around eighteen years old or perhaps even younger, her height shorter from his vantage point. Her black, long hair cascaded untidily over her face. With a gentle motion, he tucked her hair behind her ear, and a smile graced the girl's lips, prompting a matching smile from him as he noticed her comfort.

After a period of waiting for her to awaken, he decided to prepare breakfast, pondering whether she might need something to eat as well. As he moved to the kitchen, he left the door ajar.

Sometime later, the girl's eyes fluttered open, and she rubbed them as she took in her surroundings. As she fully focused, a jolt of fear surged through her – she was not in her own room but in an unfamiliar place. Trembling with uncertainty, she murmured to herself, questioning whether it was a dream or reality.

Footsteps reached her ears, and she observed that the door was open. In a rush of anxiety, she hurriedly shut the door and retreated to the bed, clutching the covers tightly.

A knock echoed, causing her heart to race. She attempted to respond, but her words failed to materialize. From the other side, the boy's voice broke the silence, calmly urging her to open the door. Inquiring who he was and where she was, she cautiously replied, her voice tinged with apprehension.

"Just come down and open the door. I'll explain," he reassured her.

A brief pause followed before the boy continued, addressing her unease about the situation. He suggested that it might be easier to talk face to face, acknowledging the many questions they both likely had.

His voice, unfamiliar yet comforting, made her feel safer. Summoning her courage, she slowly approached the door and opened it. As her eyes traveled upward, her heartbeat intensified. Before her stood a young man, dressed in black joggers and a white long-sleeved hoodie. A sudden stumble caused her to take a step back, but the boy swiftly caught her, gripping her waist to steady her. Her dark, shimmering eyes met his bright brown ones, and for a moment, everything seemed to pause.