With each step, I watched as the flowers swayed in the wind. The bonsai trees lined the perfect lawn in their wooden boxes. I strolled towards the pond with flowering lily pads. 

I thought about how calm and peaceful the surface of the pond was. It was a different story underwater, fish and bugs struggled to live. Many will look at this pond and mistake it. Just because you see its calm surface, it doesn't mean you know everything about it.

That's how I felt.

I looked composed but I was a nervous wreck on the inside.

I stopped walking when I heard footsteps behind me.

Someone's coming.

I turned around quickly and threw a punch.

Just before it made contact, I stopped my fist.

'Taeby.'

I blew a sigh of relief when I saw Aera.

'Sorry, did I scare you?' Aera laughed.

'No, I thought you were someone else,' I said quietly.

'Anyway, I wanted to talk to you,' Aera said.

'Hmm?'

'I have this problem,' Aera said.

I stared at her as I listened.

'You see, I like to go out sometimes. Just me and a guy. You know...like a date?' She said.

I nodded.

'But, I can't go out because you have to be with me every minute. I mean, what if he invited me to his place afterwards? Are you going to come, too?' She laughed.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

'So, the only thing I can figure is for you to take me out,' Aera said with a shy smile.