It has been a while since we went to check out the boat. The fall break began. Selena went off to Japan and sent us lots and I mean lots of photos! We both really miss her, but at least me and Rafael have each other. As we found out, neither of us has brothers or sisters.

“It was pretty lonely when I was little.” Rafael says.

“I understand. I had it the same. That’s why I started drawing and stargazing.” I say.

“That’s why I started composing and cooking.” Rafael says.

I grab his hand.

“Well, we’re not alone anymore!” I say and he smiles.

I love it when he smiles, grins, or does anything other than being sad. We actually started watching movies together! We always go to my house, though. He lives in a small apartment, so we don’t really have that much room at his. I love spending time with him! Today is the day I proposed for us to stargaze together! I already prepared the telescope! I am so excited! In the evening, we rush to my house, both giggling like children. Since there is still some time to wait until it is dark enough, I have an idea:

“Rafael, since we have some time, what do you say if we cook something?” I ask.

“O! M! G! YES! Anything!” he says, while jumping in place.

“Wow, someone’s excited!” I state the obvious with a smile.

“Of course, I am! It’s cooking! Oh, could we please make Pastéis de Natas? Please!!!! Por favour!”

“Hmmm! Only if you play me something on the guitar.” I say evilly.

“You evil! Fine… But I want more Pastéis de Natas than you!” Rafael says with his mock annoyed expression.

“Whatever you say, master chef! Let us begin!” I say and turn the kitchen lights on.

We start by getting the ingredients out of the fridge. I start working on the cream, while he makes the pastry.

“Hey, I just realised, that’s the first time you ever spoke in Portuguese!” I say.

“Not exactly my first time! But yeah, it’s the first time since I moved.” He says while being very careful with the mixture in front of him. “Why? Did you like it?”

“What?! I…” I can barely speak from the embarrassment.

“Does it make me sexier?” he asks and then winks at me.

“Raf! Stop! I can’t take it!” I say while laughing. “I’m going to destroy the cream!”

“Ok. Ok. I’ll try to keep my sexiness in check, minha querida!”

“Raf!”

We both laugh and then continue to make the Pastéis de Natas. When we put them in the oven, we look at each other.

“Do you think we succeeded?” I ask anxiously.

“I don’t know, but I know I had lots of fun!” Rafael answers.

“You know what? You’re right!” I say, and then the two of us start talking happily, while we wait for the Pastéis de Natas to be done.

“You see, back in Portugal, we had a bakery. I loved making Pastéis de Natas with my dad, but when we moved, we couldn’t afford to open another one. You see, we sadly couldn’t make enough money. They always knew the business was failing. They were always looking at possible jobs. Especially the ones in Germany because of the higher salary. I think it was because I wasn’t a good enough baker.”

“I am so sorry.” I say.

I can see some tears in his eyes. Without giving it a second thought, I hug him. He hugs me back. We stay like that for a bit.

“For what is worth, I think you are a great baker! I think those people just didn’t know how to appreciate you! Just look at the wonderful pastries we made and that beautiful smell!” I say.

“Thank you, Noah! I really appreciate it!” Rafael says and hugs me tighter.

After another minute we come apart. He looks me in the eyes. He still has some tears. I brush them away with a napkin.

“You know… I think that moving here was a blessing in disguise. Had I not done it… I would have never met you!” he says, and I blush.

Now, looking happier, he stands up and looks at the oven.

“They are ready!” he says with a grin.

I smile warmly and help him to get them out. After they cooled a bit, we try one.

“They are so good! You are amazing!” I say.

“No!” Rafael says.

“Huh?!” I gasp.

“We are amazing!” he finishes.

We both laugh together. The clock chimes nine o’clock. I grab his hand and pull him all the way to the balcony. I already have everything set up. I look through the telescope to see where to point him at. Oh! So many constellations were viewable tonight!

“Come and take a look! We’re really lucky! There are so many tonight!” I say.

Rafael looks through the telescope.

“Wow… They are so beautiful!” he says, full of wonder.

“How do they make you feel?” I ask.

“Like I’m in a whole new world. One of magic and stardust.” he says, glued to the telescope.

“That’s how they always made me feel” I say while looking at the sky. “Whenever I would feel sad or lonely, I would retreat in the stars, where everything was beautiful!”

Without realising, I start humming the melody he played me on the guitar. Rafael looks at me with sparkles in his eyes. He brings the guitar from the room and starts playing as well. We synchronise perfectly. It is so nice. We sing happily under the moonlight.