LOOKING TROUGH YOUR EYES

CHAPTER 15

The next day Sheryl and Lindsey got up late, they had both had a rough night, each one absorbed in their own world. They ate breakfast together, but hardly spoke. Then Sheryl shut herself back into the bedroom, leaving the necklace on the table. Lindsey took it and looked at it for a long time, she realized that it had lost the initial shine of more than 10 years ago, she remembered the first time she noticed it on the neck of her cute baby, it glowed like a star, it seemed that the flower had recently been plucked and she could even smell the scent of sunflower fields. But now, it felt off, it was opaque, sad and hopeless, it seemed to be crying. Suddenly, a little bird came through the window, perched on her shoulder and began to sing a painful melody, when it finished, Lindsey stroked it and said: "I promise that I’ll do everything I can to improve things between you two." The little bird approached her cheek, caressed it and flew out the window. Lindsey realized what she had just done, she’d given the poor boy hope; she immediately regretted it, she couldn't force her daughter to love someone she didn't even know, besides ... what would happen to Jair? He’d suffer too if Sheryl walked away from him, perhaps he’d suffer even more, since they were so close.

-          what have I done? - She said worried.

She began to walk around the room, she wanted to find a way so that none of them suffered, but no matter how much she thought about the problem, she couldn’t find a solution. When it was time for lunch, she called her daughter, they ate, and Sheryl started to go back upstairs with the diary.

-          Don't you want to do anything else? You've already been locked up in your room all morning… remember that there are only two days off before classes come back for a week…  don't you want us to go to the park for a while? Make cupcakes or watch a movie?

-          No, thanks ... Jair will come tomorrow anyway ... - Sheryl replied as she climbed the stairs

-          Wait, you forget your necklace. Remember that you must always have it on your neck

-          Ah, yes ... - she said as she returned to the dining room

-          Don't you notice something different? It seems duller to me. I remember it had a special glow the first day I saw it on your neck. Grandma told me that you really liked it from the very first moment. She said that there was also a little note, although she didn’t tell me what it said ... - she said as she helped her to put on the necklace

-          Yes, well ... it's very cute, but I didn't know that I was accepting that he’d spy on me for my lifetime. Anyway, I hope one day he gets bored - she said as she went up to her room.

Lindsey looked at her sadly, she was worried ... she had to find a way that none of the boys were hurt and she had to worry about Sheryl's happiness, that was the most important thing ... but, everything seemed so complicated, almost impossible. Suddenly the phone rang, it was Jair.

-          Good afternoon, may I talk to Sheryl? – he asked shyly

-          sure. Sheryl! It's for you - she said going to the little girl's bedroom.

-          Who? - she asked somewhat annoying

-          Jair. Come quickly

Sheryl immediately left her room, she didn't even worry to put the necklace back on, ran downstairs and answered the phone excitedly. Lindsey noticed how her eyes came to life, she hadn't seen her so happy all day. She felt guilty again, she remembered the promise she’d made to Ethan, she had to help him ... but she couldn't, she didn't want to end the enormous joy that Jair gave her every time he called her, she didn't want to see her daughter sad or insecure again , she knew it’d been difficult for Sheryl to trust a boy, she remembered the conversation they’d had last year, she remembered how much they’d suffered with Paul since she was only 3 ... they’d been through a lot, her life had been gray and full of frights ... but everything had improved with the arrival of the Walkers, even though it was not perfect, now they laughed and sang, affection was breathed every time Sheryl and Jair met, she’d fallen in love with Mike, they had more time to be happy ... she wasn't going to throw all that away. But she had to keep the promise she made to Ethan… she had to find some way. Suddenly Sheryl hung up the phone and ran upstairs to her room.

-          what happens?

-          He says that he was calling me on the cell phone, but I had it turned off….

-          ok…. By the way, put the necklace on before they start ... - She stopped, I’d have been better for Ethan not to find out that they were going to talk - well, if you want ... - she finished the sentence.

-          Yes, don’t worry. I'll put it on in a moment - said Sheryl and closed her door

She spent the whole afternoon talking to Jair, Lindsey heard her laugh constantly, she peeked at her door a couple of times and saw her hugging her teddy, her eyes full of illusion. “I can't take that away from her, I know Ethan must be suffering… but, I remember that before Jair appeared on her way… Sheryl was alone and hardly smiled. She can't go back to that… I'm sorry Ethan” she murmured.

At almost 9 p.m., Lindsey peeked out of her daughter's door again.

-          It's time to sleep, honey. You’ll have time to keep talking tomorrow

-          okay mommy - she said and hung up the phone

That night, Sheryl slept like an angel, hugging her teddy. Lindsey, on the other hand, couldn’t sleep, she felt guilty and anguished, she felt that it was her responsibility, but her hands were tied, the feeling of helplessness didn’t let her sleep.

Next morning, Sheryl got up early, changed, and made waffles with maple syrup, her favorite breakfast. By the time Lindsey came downstairs, her plate was already served and Sheryl was drawing hearts on the napkin while she had breakfast.

-          Good morning mommy! - She greeted her, with a beautiful smile on her lips

-          Good morning Sheryl, did you fall out of bed? - she said jokingly

Sheryl smiled and kept drawing on the napkin. They ate breakfast in almost absolute silence; however, there was no tension in the air, quite the opposite, there was peace and love, Lindsey was very happy for her daughter, she even forgot the promise she’d made to Ethan for a second ... but then she returned to the reality.

-          What do you want us to make for lunch? – she asked

-          Mmm… lasagna! - She said enthusiastically - it's his favorite dish

Lindsey smiled and nodded. They finished breakfast, Sheryl started dancing in the living room, she looked so in love, so happy, so excited ... Lindsey started cooking immediately, she preferred to have everything ready so that nothing could go wrong according to Mike's plan.

Mike arrived at noon, he had a bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates with him, he liked to spoil Lindsey. She greeted him in surprise.

-          Hi. I thought you only came for Sheryl - she said shyly

-          Hi. Of course not. Ethan asked me to protect both of you, it’s true that there’s a lot to do regarding the diary. But the most important thing for me, is you - he answered and kissed her forehead gently

They both passed and Lindsey put the roses in water

-          Hi Sheryl. I see you’re very happy - Mike greeted, seeing that the girl was still dancing

-          Hi Mike - she greeted enthusiastically - yes, I'm really excited ... Jair told me that today would be special ...

Mike knew what he meant. "I should have told him not to give her too many expectations, I hope this doesn't end badly" he whispered worriedly. Sheryl went to the window to wait for the Walkers to arrive. As soon as she looked out, she shouted excitedly:

-          They’re here!

And she ran to the door, greeted them and invited them in. She realized that this time, Jair was bringing not only his skateboard, but also a guitar.

-          what is that for? - she asked

-          I promised you that today would be special - he said approaching her to kiss her forehead

Sheryl blushed. They sat at the table to have lunch. As they ate, they began to remember how it all started.

-          A year ago - Lindsey said - Sheryl and I realized that life had become so monotonous. It wasn’t that bad, but… it was repetitive to get up every day to work or go to school… it was that day we met you in the park that we decided to change that. It really was a beautiful coincidence that we met that morning.

Sheryl and Jair exchanged glances, smiled and continued eating, each one knowing how much that knowing look meant.

-          Yes, that moment had some magic. I remember my husband and I were surprised when Jair got out of the car so determined to talk to Sheryl...

-          Well... I’d already liked Sheryl for a long time, whenever I saw her I wanted to talk to her. That day I finally had the courage to get close to her, and I know it was the best decision I could have made - he took Sheryl's hand and kissed her tenderly

They continued eating and remembering how much they’d been through in such a short time, they realized that they were almost like family, everyone felt confident and loved. Lindsey, Emma and Mike were alone in that town, the 2 women had left everything to go live with their husbands and Mike was an only child, with the death of his mother, he’d been left alone, his father had abandoned them when he only 2, he didn't even remember his name anymore; they were happy because they felt that they had a family again, they felt lucky. They finished lunch and thanked for the food. The adults went to wash the dishes.

-          Can we go to the park? - Jair asked, taking Sheryl's hand

They nodded. Jair took his skateboard and guitar.

-          Shall we leave? - he said addressing Sheryl

-          Wait, I must bring something - she replied as she ran to her room

She returned immediately with the diary in her hands.

-          I’m ready, let's go

-          Hmm… it's a special occasion, can we disconnect from everything for this afternoon? Let's go out as a normal couple… can you drop all that?

-          Um… what do you mean?

-          The necklace, the diary and the bracelet ... let's just be you and me

-          But you said that ...

-          I know what I said, when we return we’ll do whatever you want, but let me surprise you with no one watching us for just one afternoon ... okay? - He said as he approached to her face

Sheryl got nervous, blushed and felt her heart beat faster and faster. She gave him a kiss on the cheek, took off her necklace and bracelet, put it next to the diary, on the small central table in the living room, and they went out headed to the park. She on her bike and he on his skate, they were circling for a long time, they just looked at each other and smiled, they felt lucky to have met that day, each one remembered all the magical moments they’d spent together, they imagined everything that still they had to live. After almost an hour, they stopped and went to the park, they sat on the grass and he took out his guitar.

-          I wrote you a song ... you know… it’s very difficult to express how much I love you with words, but I hope music helps ...

He began to play, Sheryl was hypnotized with the melody, she looked at the guitar strings that danced according to Jair's fingers, she listened to his voice, harmonious like a choir of angels. She felt that she fell more in love with him every second, she couldn't take her gaze from her boy's lips, she saw how they moved so delicately to let out those beautiful words. It was a magical moment. In that song, Jair had managed to express his feelings with beautiful words, it was the most beautiful song Sheryl had ever heard. When he finished, Jair looked at her, waiting for a comment, but Sheryl couldn't say a word, she’d been moved to tears.

-          it was beautiful! - she said at last, as she threw herself into his arms

Jair put the guitar to one side and, holding each other, they rolled around the grass a couple of times, they looked like two innocent children playing, but it was more than that, they were two angels in love. After a while of rolling around, Jair stopped, Sheryl's head was resting on his chest.

-          Don't move - he whispered to her ear

-          why? Is there something wrong? - She said worried

-          It's not that ... don't you see? It's perfect ... I’d like us to stay like this for ages ...

Sheryl hugged him tenderly and moved her head as if she wanted to caress his chest.

-          Thank you - she said shyly - thank you for all this time together, thank you for your love and attention - she began to sit up - thank you because ...

-          You don't have to thank me - Jair said, placing his fingers on Sheryl's lips - I'm the one who should thank you, I never thought I could love someone this much. It may sound hard to believe, but I can't stop thinking about you, from the first day I saw you at school, I knew that I couldn't be happy if I wasn't by your side, and from that time we talked at the entrance of that water park, I realized that I needed your smile to give light to my days. I haven’t stopped loving you since then, and my love for you grows more very day ... you’re the most beautiful girl I know, you’re cheerful and funny, smiling and charming. You’re the only one who knows how to fill my heart with joy and hope. Thank you - he approached her face slowly, searching for her crimson lips.

Just as their lips started to touch, a little bee landed on Jair's mouth. Sheryl freaked out and stood up immediately. Jair shook the little bee away and got to his feet too.

-          I’d forgotten that Ethan can spy on us even without the necklace - he said somewhat uncomfortable

Sheryl shrugged and sat back on the grass.

-          Hi, my name is Jair. You are Sheryl right? - Said Jair suddenly

-          Yes - she answered, intrigued.

-          I realized you were looking at me ... - he said with a mischievous smile - calm down, your face’s already too red

-          What do you mean? - Asked Sheryl

-          It's not the first time we've met. We go to the same school, do you remember me?

-          Of course I do. What are you playing to? - She asked impatient

Jair laughed and reached for her hand to help her up.

-          Don’t you remember? The first time we spoke ... when you had to get out of the car ... you were red as a tomato - he said caressing her face

-          Ahhh, yes ... I remember now, I didn't think you’d remember it in such detail ...

-          Of course I do, that was the best day of my life, or well ... the beginning of the best story of my life

Sheryl blushed again, thanked him with a smile. Jair took her hand and drew her close to him, spinning her around, then bowed as if inviting her to dance. The girl looked around, somewhat embarrassed because she realized that people in the park were starting to look at them. Jair noticed, leaned closer to her face and whispered:

-          It doesn't matter if everyone thinks we're crazy ... just allow me this piece together, forget about the people around, just look at my eyes and I promise you everything will be fine

Sheryl couldn't refuse, they started dancing on the grass. There was no music, but they both heard a beautiful melody that came from their hearts. They went around and around for a long time, ending their "dance" with a hug. Then, Jair went for his guitar case and pulled out a small camera.

-          smile! – he said taking Sheryl by surprise

She laughed and grimaced in front of the camera, then walked over to him and they took countless fun photos together. Then Jair put the camera away and they both lay down on the grass, looking up at the sky.

-          It's getting dark - Sheryl said worried - I think it's time for us to go home ... - She tried to get up

-          Just a while more - he said, taking her hand delicately - let's stay just 5 more minutes, just looking at the sky. Then we return immediately ...

-          Mmmm… okay - she said with a beautiful smile

After a moment, Jair sprang to his feet.

-          You know ... - he said - I think I won't need the 5 minutes

Sheryl got ready to get up, he took her hand and pulled her gently toward him. When she got up, their faces were very close, Jair didn’t wait any longer, he knew that anything could interrupt them at any second, so he decided to take advantage of every second. He kissed her. Both closed their eyes and felt as if they were transported to another universe, it was an indescribable sensation, their hearts smiled; they hugged tightly and forgot about the world around them. Suddenly, a little bird landed on Sheryl's head, but she didn't care, then a little squirrel started tapping on Jair's shoe, he didn't care either ... they were both in another world. Finally, a small boy who was playing around, stood in the middle of them, forcing them to separate. When they looked under them, they realized that the boy had lost his ball under them, he quickly took it and continued playing. Sheryl and Jair looked at each other, smiled, and blushed. He went for his skateboard and his guitar, she went for her bike. On the way home, neither of them said a word, they still felt the sweet taste on their lips. When they got home, Jair said:

-          Wait, before we go in ... I want you to know that you’ll always be the most important thing for me, all I do is always looking for your happiness, I love you very much - he said while hugging her

-          Why do you say so? You sound very serious ... - she said somewhat confused

Jair didn't answer, he knocked on the door and Mike opened it immediately.