I looked down and noticed a boy about Nathan’s age. He seemed familiar, then I remembered him. He was the boy who came from the shop to order strawberry ice cream last time and he has been one of Nathan’s playmates back at Aunt Maggie’s mansion. It’s Caleb.
“Oh hey, Caleb!” I said, kneeling down on my knees so that we are on the same level.
He looked at my face for a minute before finally smiling at me, “You’re the pretty girl! Hello!”
“You knew each other?” Luke stared at us in confusion.
“Yup!” exclaimed Caleb. “She served me my ice cream last time at Ein’s shop!”
Luke looked at me questioningly, checking if what Caleb said was right. I shrugged.
“Your name is Snow, right?” Caleb asked, talking like he’s not just some five-year-old. I notice that he’s a bit mature for his age. I nodded at his question, “Yes I am.”
He nodded, “I see. You became prettier! Just like your picture from his phone!” Caleb said enthusiastically, raising his chip up to see me clearly.
“Why thank you, gentleman!” I can’t help smiling at him. “And phone? Who’s phone?” My eyebrows raised, glancing at Luke. What did Caleb mean by a picture from his phone?’ Did Luke save my photos to his phone?
Caleb was about to open his mouth again but was cut off by a voice. “Snow, who is that?” My mom shouted and appeared behind me.
“Oh, you’re here already Luke!” She said, glancing at me to scold me, ” Snow, you didn’t tell me he arrived.” I smiled sheepishly.
“Hi, Mrs. Waterstrings! Did I say you are gorgeous today?” Luke greeted. He glanced at me and winked.
Pshh… He’s trying to win my mom’s heart again.
“Ohhh thank you.” Mom blushed like a teenager. Noticing Caleb standing beside Luke, she asked. “Who is this cute little fella here?”
“This is Caleb, my cousin. Say hi to Mrs. Waterstrings.” said Luke, and Caleb sent us his adorable little smile. “Hi, Mrs. Waterstrings!”
“Awww, he’s so cute! And Luke, didn’t I already tell you to call me Aunt Evy?”
Luke rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment, “Okay, Mrs- I mean Aunt Evy.”
Mom smiled at that, “Good, now, come in.”
“Actually mom, we’re going right now,” I said and called out, “Nathan!” Footsteps shuffled from upstairs and Nathan appeared, descending the stairs quickly.
“Hello, Nathan!” greeted Caleb once he found Nathan running towards us. Nathan then tugged at my shirt and looked at Luke and Caleb wearily before replying with his little voice, “Hello…”
I faced Nathan, chuckling at my little brother’s shy approach, “Since you already know that cute little guy there named Caleb, I’ll introduce you to Luke, okay?” He nodded and I continued, pointing at Luke. “Nathan… this is Luke. Luke, this is Nathan.”
“Hey, there little guy!” Said Luke to Nathan, easing his shyness from him.
“Hello..” Nathan replied, still a bit shy but easing up a little, before facing me again. “Is he your friend, Snowwy?”
“Oh. Yeah, he’s my…., my friend,” I replied, scratching my head awkwardly. Why do they always ask me this question? I really feel nervous.
“Are you all prepared now?” I asked him, changing the topic.
“Yup!” He exclaimed, popping the p. “So excited! Let’s go to the park now, Snowwy!”
I chuckled at his reaction and nodded, “Then let’s go! Say bye to mom.”
He went to mom and kissed him on the cheek before returning to me. “Finished! Let’s go now!”
Mom just chuckled, and said to me, “He’s really excited, remember to take good care of Nathan, Snow.”
“I will,” I replied and we walked to the driveway where Luke’s car was waiting.
“Luke, come here first.” Mom shouted from the door.
We turned and I glanced at Luke. He shrugged and walked back to our house. I was going to follow him when he stopped me. “It’s okay, I can handle it.” He reassured me so I nodded. When he reached the door, my mom immediately talked.
While Nathan and Caleb were talking to each other, here I am trying to listen to what they were talking about. I couldn’t hear what they were saying because they were lowering their voices.
Judging from their solemn expressions, I could tell it was serious. And with their constant glance at me, I’m sure I’m involved in it. Luke was frantically nodding to what my mom was saying. After a final nod, he smiled and walked towards us.
“So?” I asked curiously, nervous as to what mom said to him.
“So?” Luke repeated, hopping on the driver’s seat as I was seated at the passenger’s seat beside him while Nathan and Caleb were at the back.
“What? What did she tell you?” I asked impatiently.
“Oh, typical… She said that I should take care of both of you….” He answered and I raised my eyebrows at that, “That’s all?”
He nodded, “Yeah.”
“Can we please go now?” asked Nathan and Caleb from the back impatiently. We chuckled at their expressions.
Then Luke glanced at me, and pointed at my seat, “You’re really getting used to sitting there.. Well, you have to since that will be your official place starting now.”
“Shut up!” I said laughing at him, a bit embarrassed now. I didn’t notice it either. It’s like a reflex now. He started the engine and drove through the streets. The local park was minutes away from our house so it didn’t take long for us to finally arrive.
“Yeheyyy!” Caleb and Nathan immediately jumped out of the car and ran. We immediately followed the two of them, watching over the two.
“If you need anything, we’re just over here!” I shouted towards them after a while, tired of going after them and not knowing if they heard it or not. Luke and I sat at a nearby bench where we could see them. Good thing that the sun was not that hot and the wind was just right today since it’s still morning. It’s a perfect day to do outside activities. The park was filled with plenty of kids and adults watching over their children.
I saw Nathan and Caleb on a slide, laughing with a girl I never saw, probably their newfound friend. I just sat there comfortably with Luke beside me as silence took us. It suddenly got a bit awkward for me.
“So Snow, how about 20 questions?” Suggested Luke, breaking the silence.
“Okay sure.” I agreed since this will help us pass the time.
Luke smiled, “Then I’ll start. Favorite color?”
“Blue,” I answered. “You?”
“Green. Song?” He asked back.
“Treat you better, one call away, fireflies, Jason Mraz songs. You?”
He thought for a moment, “Hmm… See you again by Charlie Puth. Favorite singer?”
“Charlie Puth, Jason Mraz, and Shawn Mendez,” I said.
“Ouch. Those are all boys… I should be the only boy in your life.” He pouted.
“Well, that’s a problem then… I have other boys in my life.” I said, shrugging, and decided to tease him a little.
“Who?” His brows furrowed.
“Well, for one, my brother, Nathan. Also, Leroy, Dax, and… Eion.” I counted off, smiling. I hesitated to even include Eion but never mind that.
Luke sighed in relief, chuckling at my answer, “I didn’t mean it like that… but good thing that’s all.” He said. “Oh, back to the question… mine is Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran.”
“I didn’t know you were a romantic type,” I commented.
“Well, I am.” He said in a low voice, sincerity in his voice. He looked me straight in the eye. I notice that every time he stares at me seriously, I feel the butterflies erupting in my stomach. His hands were now on my cheeks, his piercing green eyes didn’t waver, making me melt.
Silence passed us for a moment, I don’t know how many minutes it was, too lost in the moment. He slowly leaned towards me, and I closed my eyes.