are you lost?

..But then again, what are the chances of meeting the pretty stranger again? And he gotta admit, he was dead curious to find out her name as well. He didn’t really have a particular reason why.. It was just his nature.

PT decided there was no harm. ”Well, my real name’s Patrick.” he said, almost at a whisper. “But only my closest friends call me that.” he grinned. He hoisted the books on his arm and prepared for the journey. PT hoped the woman’s house will be less than a hundred steps off. He decided it would be ungentlemanly to faint.

"Give me some of them," Pan grabbed a couple of the books off of him, feeling sorry for the kid. "They're pretty heavy if you carry them all by yourselves."

"The name is... and you have to promise to keep this a secret till your dying days okay?" She looked around, to make sure no one was listening, "It's... Panchali."

It's not as if Pan hated her name, in fact she adored her name. The problem was everyone else just looked at her funny, whenever she mentions her real name. And it wasn't even that kind of mocking funny look. It was more of, hey she has a weird name, but you can't say it's funny so don't look at her that way, and it all ends up being a curious as well as pitying?

Sometimes, that's even more offensive.

The woman smiled and introduced herself.

“Hmm.. To pleasant to be a witch.” he blushed slightly.

Or maybe!

Maybe if PT happened to open the books, he will undoubtedly find it hollowed and cut-out, a tommy gun stashed in between the pages. That’s why the books are so heavy! For the woman is in fact, Britain’s number one Spy: Code named “Tigerlily”, and she is infiltrating the town for a Russian Drug Syndicate that have hoisted themselves in their peaceful town! (*insert Panchali in skin-tight leather catsuit*)

“AHA!” he cried, flipping over one of the books. There was no gun, but some miniscule text in a serif font. There was a picture of a doctor in one of the pages and a bold text said “Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Signs and Symptoms”

PT’s ears grew red. “I— I’m PT. You can call me.. uh.. PT.” he said awkwardly. “Why don’t I walk you home, Miss? Your books are awfully bulky.”

"Nice to meet you, PT" she replied offering her free hand for a shake, "Now is that your full name? Cause, you see, mine's a nickname too!"

"I'll tell you mine, if you tell me yours," she said, lowering her voice in a conspiring whisper.

During this, he was suddenly aware that he ran into a young woman peering cautiously at him. PT braced himself. Usually, this kind of situation called for screams of disapproval, snaps and resentful clicks of the tongue followed by a string of words that concerned themselves with his inherent clumsiness or detestable behavior. These things felt grafted into his skin since he could walk. And for a few seconds, he sat there dumbly, waiting for it to arrive.

But the woman just seemed particularly concerned; if he was hurt, surprisingly. She didn’t even bother to pick her things up. Kind of just forgot them as they scattered on the street, the breeze chasing up her papers father away. Not concerned at all that she was also knocked off her feet, and more focused on him, a stranger’s, well-being. “How weird,” he thought and PT decided to chuckle; a gesture he did to reassure her. “A genuinely nice person. You don’t see many of those these days.”

"I'm so sorry for bumping into you though," she said as she quickly gathers her things, "I'm glad you're okay.

She peered at him. He seemed quite young, must still be in highschool by the looks of him. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but he seemed like the type of guy who would grow up and break a few hearts in the future.

She smiled, reminded of another guy that could break hearts.

"I'm Pan by the way, what's you name?"

So why was he pawing at the dark pavement on all fours and whistling “Here, boy.. here..” like an idiot?

Because of Shadow that’s why. 

Shadow’s been lost before. In fact, if you count the lifetimes he has lived roaming the world, PT was sure that dog was immortal. He took a deep breath. Right. This is normal. This is fine. He wasn’t worried. PT straightened up and started walking upright. He guessed the worry came in when he was about to go home that evening. He bid Wendy goodbye and called for Shadow in the garden. Usually, Shadow would be twirling about in the grass, chasing on phantom butterflies and imaginary gnats. He loved this garden. He rarely leaves. Tonight, Shadow wasn’t there and finding the usual spot empty made PT’s stomach do impressive little flips. 

“He’ll turn up by morning.” he told himself. “He always does.”

“Shadow?” PT perked up. Was it his imagination? He heard a little doggie yip just up ahead.

She loves dogs.

She looked around for where it was coming from when suddenly, before she could realize what was happening, someone had rammed into her. Someone rammed her hard, and sent her books flying all over the place.

"Oh my gosh, are you alright?" she asked, more worried about the young man that hit her than her notes, which are flying here and there all over the place.

Thinking of joining the debate club? Must be pretty nice, but you can really manage that in addition to a busy schedule? 

Hi, it’s me again.. Just passing by and just happened to pass by a familiar face.

Arnette! Well I'm not really sure, but I don't really feel like having nothing to do you know? Maybe by participating in this, it'll fill in some of the free time I have.

What about you?

Joined any clubs?