Afterschool, Rashelle was biking on her way home with Riondra until she spotted a man with a briefcase.

“Wait!” Rashelle screeched against the street, making Riondra stop as well.

“Riondra! Look at that guy!” Rashelle patted the child.

“What about him?” Riondra slapped Rashelle’s hand away.

“He’s an artist! Look at the paint splats!” Rashelle jumped in excitement.

“Ah, be quiet!” Riondra proceeded to tiptoe with her bike. “Let’s just follow him. I’m bored.”

Rashelle knew it would be useless to argue with the youngling and decided to follow as well. The man met up with a whole group of artists at a café. They proceeded to share each other’s work while drinking. The two schoolgirls watched around a corner as crowds of people bustled by.

“Go talk to them,” Riondra told Rashelle.

“I can’t,” Rashelle bit her lip. “I’m too nervous. I’ll go when I’m older.”

“And when’s that?” Riondra sighed.

Rashelle dragged Riondra away from the populated center. “I dunno. A few years?”

“You’re already a starving artist. What is there to lose?” Riondra rolled her eyes.

They were already on their way back to the orphanage. Rashelle puffed, “I’d rather go when I’m an artist. Period.”

“Boo,” Rionda taunted.

Rashelle said as they biked back to the orphanage, “It’s getting dark anyway. We would’ve been late to dinner.”

They both changed clothes and sat at the dinner table with the rest of the children. Suddenly, the kids heard a knock on the door.

Their caretaker answered it. “Oh! We weren’t expecting any visitors tonight. I would’ve prepared something better…”

The children murmured with one another.

“Riondra,” Rashelle asked, “do you see who it is?”

“Shut up. I’m feasting,” Riondra stuffed her face with the sausage and vegetable stew.

The caretaker called out, “Rashelle! It’s for you!”

“What?” Rashelle questioned. The thought of having a random visitor stressed her out.

Riondra elbowed her to get up. Hesitantly, Rashelle got up from her chair and trudged to the door, wondering who would visit at this time of day with no warning.

A million questions popped into her head. Were the alley boys pickin’ a fight? Did I forget something at school? Or worse? Was it someone from Class Eight?

Rashelle was wrong. She shouted when she finally got to the door. “Saphire?!”

The blonde beauty was in his female disguise with a hooded cloak. “Yes, Rashelle. Now could you shout that any louder?”

“Ah,” Rashelle coughed, “well, what brings you here?”

Saphire removed his hood as he stepped in. “I...would like to have a little chat with you.”

“Shoes,” Rashelle quietly commented.

“Excuse me?”

“Take your shoes off in the house, please,” Rashelle awkwardly smiled. Saphire rolled his eyes and removed his heels.

“You’re a tall person!” Riondra yelled from the dining table.

Saphire thought, I’m not that tall.

“Riondra, don’t shout at the table,” the caretaker said. Then, the motherly woman offered up to Saphire, “We’re having dinner right now. Would you like to join us, Miss Creliz?”

Saphire looked at Rashelle who was tapping her foot against the floor. He responded, “I’d love to.”

Rashelle introduced Saphire to everyone as they sat across from each other. The children stared at Saphire like a rare gem. There was a long strain of silence until the kids resumed chatting randomly. Rashelle, however, silently stared at Riondra who was staring at Saphire who was staring at his untouched food. He thought that no wonder Rashelle was so skinny.

“Too gross for you?” Riondra joked.

“No, little one,” Saphire swirled his spoon. “I’ve eaten already.”

“It’s Riondra to you,” she said, then whispered to Rashelle, “I bet she can’t eat…” Rashelle finally chuckled.

Saphire couldn’t hear the last part. “What?”

Rashelle smirked, “Would’ya eat duck fetus?”

“Why would I eat that?” Saphire scrunched his face.

“Knew it,” Riondra nodded in amusement.

“It’s gosh darn good, okay?” Rashelle laughed, “Like the lil’ snails!”

“Escargot,” Saphire sighed. “Rashelle, can we please talk somewhere in private?”

“Umm,” Rashelle drank her glass of water, “you won’t find any quiet and private rooms here.”

“What do you mean?” Saphire asked.

“We share everything, including rooms,” Riondra answered with a sharp tongue. “Maybe bring a portable mansion next time.”

Saphire suggested, “Then, I’ll take you outside.”

“Yeah,” Rashelle bit her lip, “that’s not gonna happen.”

“Why not?” Saphire asked.

“Nanny won’t let us,” Riondra mumbled. Rashelle continued biting her lip.

Saphire stood up, walked over to the other side of the table, and whispered to the caretaker. Rashelle couldn’t see what he was doing. After a few minutes, Saphire walked back to Rashelle and told her, “Get ready. We’re heading out.”

“What?!” Rashelle shot up from her seat.

“Just go, Rashelle,” the nanny reassured.

“Bring me something if you can,” Riondra poked her.

Rashelle smiled as she ran upstairs to change clothes. She tucked her hair into her newsboy cap and wore her scrappy pants. Saphire didn’t bother commenting on her attire.

“Do you like coffee?” Saphire asked her in the car.

“I love coffee!” Rashelle’s eyes lit up. “Nanny doesn’t know I drink it sometimes though.”

And so the two were taken to a small café near a canal. Rashelle wasn’t sure what to say at the table so she stared outside. The moon reflected off of the water as the windows showed signs of light frosting.

The server asked, “What would you like?”

Before Rashelle could say she didn’t want anything, Saphire answered, “Two decaf lattes please.”

“Saphire, I don't know what you want, but you don’t have to get me one too,” Rashelle twiddled her thumbs.

“I recall you said that you love coffee,” Saphire said.

“I do,” Rashelle confirmed. “Thank you.”

The drinks arrived after a few minutes. Saphire watched Rashelle sip the latte with delight.

He thought to himself before asking her, “Rashelle, what is your impression of me?”

Rashelle paused for a moment, then answered, “You’re the beautiful doll of The Shepherd. Your family is rich, and you live comfortably. Boys like you, and girls wanna be you. I think everyone would say so.”

Saphire sighed, “But what do you think?”

Rashelle paused again. “I don’t know...Why’re you asking?”

“I,” Saphire looked down, “...Your opinion is important to me.”

“Wow, I’m surprised,” Rashelle calmly said. “Well, before I thought you were a silent beauty too — confident, poised, elegant. But…”

“But what?” Saphire looked up.

“But then you met Ryacell,” Rashelle grinned smugly.

“What are you implying?” Saphire looked back down at his cup.

“Oh c’mon! It’s obvious!”

Saphire tapped the cup, “You knew this whole time?”

“Duh,” Rashelle smirked. “Admit it!”

“No.”

“Well, why go through the trouble of seekin’ me out when you won’t even admit it?”

“I needed confirmation from you,” Saphire’s brows furrowed.

“Aww,” Rashelle teased him. “It’s a lil’ princess’s first crush.”

“What?” Saphire gave a puzzled glance.

“You. Like. Ryacell,” Rashelle pointed at him. “And now you’re a shy, jealous girlfriend. Who would’ve known you like the young types?”

Saphire stared at Rashelle’s confident pose and chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Rashelle crossed her arms.

“Nothing,” Saphire sighed in relief. “Rashelle, you are too naive for your own good.”

“I’m confused,” Rashelle pouted.

“You caught me,” Saphire smiled at her, but he looked down again. “What do you think of Ryacell?”

“My friends keep asking me that too,” Rashelle tapped her chin. “He’s cute, but don’t worry. I don’t have a crush on him.”

“Is that all?”

“To be honest, I,” Rashelle bit her lip, “want to protect him.”

Saphire questioned, “Why?”

Rashelle thought for a few seconds. “I don’t know. Maybe because he questions everything like a baby, and he’s quite small,” Rashelle smirked. “Oh, but once he hits puberty, he's gonna be everyone’s fancy! Isn’t that why you’re crushin’ on him?”

“Of course,” Saphire sipped his drink. “Do you...have a crush on anyone?”

“Oh my gosh, no!” Rashelle laughed. “Have you seen the guys in my class?”

“Yes, I have,” Saphire nodded.

“Besides, it’s too early for me to get into that stuff,” Rashelle swatted her hand around.

“Yes, it is,” Saphire agreed.

“Satisfied with my answers, Miss Saphire?” Rashelle grinned.

“Yes,” Saphire finished his drink. “Would you like anything before we leave?”

Rashelle looked at the pastries on display. She awkwardly asked, “Could I take a chocolate croissant?”

“Of course,” Saphire smiled.

After receiving the pastry, Saphire took Rashelle back to the orphanage. Before Rashelle left the car, she said to Saphire, “Thank you for tonight. And don’t worry about Ryacell. I’m no match against you.”

Rashelle brought the croissant to Riondra who happily accepted the treat.

“It’s from Saphire,” Rashelle told the youngling.

Riondra smiled brightly. “I like her!”

As the moon glowed against the starlight sky, Rashelle read her homework and went to bed.