A face full of history, yet brimming with youth. Your shine is brighter than the sun. It's glistening, warm and comforting. You make me feel loved and safe. The feeling when you're close to me makes me tingle. The air around me moves to your will because of the bliss that you create. Unknowingly, you make everyone around you feel like they don't need to run away. Especially me. Therefore, I want you to feel the same around me.
I want to safeguard your feelings, your heart. You are precious. Just as you helped me come out of my sheath, I desire that you approach yours with me. Therefore, enjoy all of your days. They will be filled with laughter, joy, and peace. I'll make sure that your heart is sweet and merry every single day.
You have amazing family and friends around you. They are willing to make sure that you feel covered and safe. Just like your favorite cake, your life will be perfectly sweet. It may sting sometimes, but I'll do my best. Just as I did when you mistakenly spilled water on yourself in class. I'll make your awkward moments into something you can laugh freely about.
"They have amazing desserts here. Some of your favorites are here!" He happily holds my hand while talking, and I look intensely through the glass display.
"You can always come back for more if you don't know what to choose."
He looks at me patiently, waiting. "I want the mint chocolate cake and the citrus-mintade."
"Is that all you'll have? You sure you don't want any more Adah?" Joel looks expectant. David chimes in peeking from behind.
"Yeah, are you really sure you don't want anymore? Sally's is the best bakery around here," David adds.
"Adah are you really—" I quickly interrupt him.
"Yeah I'm sure. I was lost in thinking about how the cupcakes are looking cute. I'll buy more if I want more—" This time he is the one who interrupts me.
"You'll buy them?"
"Yes, I'll buy them. I know that you were the one who asked me out today, but we ended up going on a double date. So let me take care of you today… Since I kind of caved in when Bae asked if they come with us."
"Of course you'd cave in. It's me we're talking about," Bae says smiling. "Have you two finished ordering? Adah pick the strawberry and lemon cupcakes if you're still unsure about what to pick." Bae places her head on my shoulder.
"I'll have a mint chocolate cake, strawberry and lemon cupcake's with one lemonade and citrus-mintade. I'll also have two chocolate éclairs and two opéras please."
The corner of his mouth curls up and he lightly grips my hand tighter
"Bae how do you eat this everyday. It's so sweet. Don't your teeth itch when you eat so much sweet treats."
"It's not that sweet and I don't eat cakes and cupcakes so often. It's mostly snacks that I eat and when I do I rarely eat them after eight. But Joel you really seem to be enjoying the cakes."
"Well, my mom bakes a lot and so does Adah. I would usually eat the pastries and cookies she bakes."
"Adah baked for you?" Bae turns her attention to me slyly smiling.
"I didn't only bake for him, I did for you as well. You know, when I would bake and give some to you I also brought some for Joel."
"What about me then? Why did I never get any and why—" Bae stuffs David's mouth with a doughnut.
"You usually ate some of my share didn't you?" David's eyes light up. "You're right I did. I sometimes ate more than you." We burst out laughing.
"When and what are we eating for dinner?" I ask while wiping cream of the corner of Joel's mouth with my thumb. "Around five," he answers licking the cream of my finger.
Our eyes lock, and oddly, I feel parched, even after two glasses of ade. My ears grow hot.
"We're having burgers. My dad's in charge of the grill toady."
"You two aren't alone here. We're a couple to you know," David says looking at us amused.
"Well, we better eat up and head for the art museum. There's an art exhibition today." Joel says while flicking Davids forehead lightly.
"Don't you get bored by watching pictures on the wall, Jojo." David starts hysterically laughing.
"No I don't. It's the same feeling as when you play video games late into the night. And I told you to stop calling me Jojo.
"Alright I'm sorry Jojo," This time we start to giggle.
"You can't be serious," Joel mutters under his breath smiling, unable to contain his laugh.
We walk towards the museum hand in hand. He rubs his neck with his hand.
"Do you want to talk about something Joel?"
The fidgeting stops and he calms down.
"The Mint Chocolate Factory wasn't only my safe space because things like school, or life in general where hard. It became more of a habit to hide here."
He exhales deeply.
"I would even visit my grandparents as a pretext to hide."
"Who were you hiding from?"
Everything feels still for a moment.
"Your eyes never miss the spot do they. You see everything about me.— I was hiding from a person working in my mothers company."
"Did it start at that colleague's party when you first met me?" He grips my hand tighter slightly shaking.
"It did. She would pressure me in different ways."
My hands search his face. I tap around all over him.
"Did she ever hurt you physically." Agitation rises inside me. "No she didn't it was only psychological."
"Only psychological! You were ten years old at the time." His hurt shows.
"Was it when people tried to buy shares in Gami-studios and that accident happened?"
"Yes it was then. But she does not work anymore in the studio. My parents fired her after they found out about it."
"Then why do you feel guilty about it? Has someone ever tried to guilt trip you about it? Is it someone I know." He tries to turn his head away from me, but I quickly stop him.
"That's a lot of questions Adah. Why don't you—" I click my tongue.
"So it is someone I know. I know for a fact none of your friends would be that rude. It must be someone from school."
"It's okay. I'm fine, I just wanted to get it off my chest. I wanted to…"
"Joel it's okay I know that what happened wasn't your fault. I will never blame you." He exhales, this time it feels worrying.
"I know but I was just so annoyed and maybe hurt at the same time. Jake kept ranting about you and the started to talk about me, but I don't—"
"So it was Jake." He suddenly freezes. "Adah don't do anything, its fine."
"I won't. But if he ever bothers you tell me," I pull his face close to mine. "Don't downplay how you feel. You taught me how my feelings are important. So are yours. Him talking about you isn't okay."
I become aware of how close we are. He lightly caresses my cheek. Our breaths remain entwined. The moment feels risky.
While in the museum I feel a piece absorbing everything around me. I find myself sitting in the same spot for a long time.
"Do you like this piece a lot," Joel joins me.
"It does. It reminds me of you. Calm yet chaotic inside with hidden feelings. Not suppressed out of fear. But because that's what you thought would be the best for the people around you."
He settles comfortably against my shoulder.
"The piece also represents a new beginning. It shows rebirth. What was hidden is coming out into life. Stronger and a thousand times more beautiful than before."
"Do you think that's how I'll change Adah?" He looks at me. His head is still on my shoulder.
"Yes I think so. So don't fret. I believe in you. You will get out of your valley. Soaring high like the eagles.
Give your best-
the utmost for others.
Show your presence.
Days full of Joy overflowing.
Friends by your side.
They lift you up.
You will feel delighted.
Don't shun the feeling.
Eagle's soar high never afraid.
Keep your head high.
Without pride, march forward.
You will always have someone there.
Life is sweet enjoy it's fruits.