I wake up and start my usual morning routine.

“Hello, there, Feathers! How are you today?” I say happily while feeding my little friend. “Wow, you are recovering fast! Proud of you!”

Smiling, I go downstairs, and, after a bit, I leave for school. I wait in our usual spot, but Selena is nowhere to be seen.

“Strange…” I say very confused.

Then, out of a bush, Selena jumps and hugs me.

“Ha! Got you! So, how is your day?” she says after I recover from the shock.

“Pretty good actually!” I say.

“Oh, also, I can’t meet tonight for the project. We are going to my auntie! Sorry!”

“No problem! Actually, I couldn’t come either. I asked Rafael if he wanted to come over to mine and he accepted.” I say a bit embarrassed that I didn’t tell her sooner.

“Oh? Interesting! Cool!” she says, her knowing smile returning. “Hey! Want some chocolate?” she asks, handing me some dark chocolate.

“Sure!” I say, unable to resist.

While every food was Selena’s weakness, mine was dark chocolate. I am crazy for that stuff. Rafael said that he prefers white chocolate though, so I bought a bar yesterday, before arriving home. I want to give it to him. I don’t know why. I guess I just like seeing him happy. After a bit more talking, we arrive at school. Rafael is already there, waiting for us. The rest of the class isn’t here yet. This must be a first. We are early!

“Hey, Rafael!” I say.

He hands his fist with his magical grin on his face. We fist bump and I sit down next to him. Selena embraces the two of us.

“I can’t believe how good this chocolate is!” she says happily.

“Selena, you say that about every food!” I say teasingly.

“Yeah, but this one is even better! Or actually, it doesn’t beat the pretzel. Or the cupcake? See? See what you’ve done? I’m confused now!”

The three of us start laughing together. After a minute, the rest of the class arrives, together with the geography teacher. The lesson begins and we start talking about the local mountains. After school, me and Rafael say our goodbyes to Selena and then we go to my house together.

“Wow, the weather is so beautiful tonight!” Rafael exclaims happily. “It’s a shame that we have school until like eighteen pm.”

“I know! I hate it!”

“Nah! You love it! You would never arrive at school on time otherwise!” he says with an evil smile.

“How dare you!” I say trying to seem like I’m offended. “I’ll have you know I am very punctual!”

“The teachers beg to differ.” Rafael answers with a smug look.

“Of, ok, you win.” I say, defeated.

After a bit, we arrive at my house. It’s green and has a small garden in front of it. The red roof makes it look like a Christmas decoration. We enter and then go upstairs to my room. I don’t have the cleanest room, but not the messiest either. It has yellow walls, with waves drawn on them by Selena. Her room wasn’t enough! I have a small study desk, where I usually listen to music while drawing. On the opposite side, I have my bed and a drawer. I also have lots of windows because I like natural light. I even have a balcony! I know! I’m very lucky!

“Ta-da! Welcome to my room!” I say happily.

“Wow! It looks so beautiful!” Rafael says and I blush a little. “You even have a balcony! I always wanted one!”

“Yeah. I like watching the stars with my telescope. It makes you feel like you are in space, flying between the stars.”

“Can you show me?!” Rafael asks extremely excited.

“I’d love to, but today it’s too cloudy. We won’t see anything.”

“What a shame…” he says, suddenly sad.

No! Sad Rafael is unacceptable! I take my phone and look at the weather.

“It will be perfect for star gazing in like three weeks! You think you could come over then?”

“Of course!” he says, almost jumping with excitement.

I smile. He is so cute. After a second, I return to reality, blushing really hard and looking around for a subject to talk about. A guitar! Perfect!

“Hey! You said that you play the guitar, could you play me something?” I ask, happy for the great distraction I created.

“Oh, sorry, I can’t play when others are around. I get too nervous.” he says embarrassed.

“Hey! No need to be embarrassed! I’m afraid of everything! I have an idea! What if I help you get past your fear?”

“Only if you allow me to help you beat your fears as well.”

“Deal!” I say and hand him the guitar

He takes it nervously, and then the two of us sit together on my bed. I pick up a pen and some paper from my bag. He takes a deep breath and then starts playing. It sounds so beautiful! Like a sweet voice, telling you all will be fine. I start making a portrait of him. But after a bit, he makes a mistake and stops.

“I can’t. You keep looking at me. I…” he says while blushing.

“Destroy my hair!” I say interrupting him. “I am very scared of how I look! You fear people seeing you play. So, it’s fair. Do it!”

“O-Okay?” he says, looking more embarrassed than ever.

He starts destroying my haircut. His hands are so warm. And so soft. He gently pushes my hair in different directions. I can’t help but look in his eyes. He looks into mine. We both smile at each other.

“You have such soft and spiky hair!” he says while grinning.

I blush even harder if that’s even possible. He finishes. I look in the mirror and I see that my hair is in all directions. I see him looking at me. Keep calm. Keep calm. It’s just hair! I smile, after taking a deep breath, and he seems to have gotten some courage too! I smile even wider as he starts playing again. I now continue my portrait. Even though, I can’t beat the original.

“It was so beautiful!” I say when he finishes.

“Thanks! It’s a piece I created myself. I call it Moonlit Rain!” he says, looking pleased with himself.

“I love it!” I say happily.

We both stare at each other. But then, the clock chimes.

“Oh no! It’s already nine o’clock! I have to go!” he says while being really sad.

“Ok…” I say while being sad as well.

After we say goodbye, he leaves. I look after him until his silhouette disappears into darkness.

“Dear? Will you come to dinner?” my mum calls from the kitchen.

“Yeah! Just a minute!” I say and go back inside.