LOOKING TROUGH YOUR EYES

CHAPTER 6

They held each other for almost a minute, but it felt like a second. She was smaller, her head was perched just at the level of his heart, she could hear his heartbeat, faster and faster every second; he felt complete, he had never experienced anything like that before. All the adults around them stared at those two children, they looked so cute together, they looked like little cake dolls, two hugging angels. But suddenly, a bee appeared out of nowhere and stood on Jair's hand, he felt it, he even sensed that it was going to sting him, but he didn't care, he knew it would hurt, but he didn't want to separate from Sheryl. The little bee, then, changed strategy, started walking towards the little girl's shoulder, Jair released her and scared the bee away.

-          Thank you - Sheryl repeated - I really needed it

-          Don’t worry. Remember that, from today onwards, I’ll always be around you to take care of you, you just have to mention my name, and I will appear as if by magic, by your side, to support you in everything.

Sheryl didn't know how to answer, no one had ever said something so nice to her; she felt that she was in heaven, that child seemed like an angel who, in less than a day, had won her heart.

-          Sheryl! - Lindsey said - a while ago I sent you to wash your hands, what are you still doing here?

-          Yes, mommy, excuse me. It’s just that ... - she said somewhat embarrassed

-          It doesn't matter anymore, let's go. Do you want to go with us? - She said looking at Jair

-          No thank you very much. My parents are waiting for me too. Well Sheryl, you know, I'm here when you need me. Have a good day – he wanted to say goodbye, but did not know how…

Sheryl decided to take the initiative, stood on tiptoe, gave him a peck on the cheek and went quickly to her mother's side. Jair put his hand to his face, smiling, gently stroked his cheek and walked away hypnotized.

-          Hmm ... I see that a certain little person likes a boy - Lindsey said in a mischievous tone - what's his name?

-          Jair - Sheryl said blushing

-          He seems like a good boy. But you know, I think I’ve seen him before somewhere ...

-          yes! He says we go to the same school ... I don't know how I didn't notice him before

-          Well, now that you know, I imagine you two can meet at the break ... but tell me, were you with him all the time? why did it take you so long to wash your hands?

-          No no, it’s just ... do you remember that when I was little I saw a woman who scared me? The day I went out with dad ... - Sheryl said trying to remind her of the event

-          Ahhh yes, you said it was Melany ...

-          exactly! But don't name her, please, it gives me the creeps just hearing her name

-          Okay, but I don't understand ... what's wrong with her? Did you meet her?

-          No… well, not exactly. It's just ... I was washing my hands in the bathroom and there was no one else, suddenly I felt someone breathing agitated behind me, I didn’t turn around nor looked in the mirror, but I’m totally sure it was her, I would recognize that breath anywhere. So I ran screaming out of the bathroom, I didn't realize where I was going and ended up bumping into Jair.

-          Wow, it's strange… it's been a long time since we last saw her. But did she do something to you? Did she say something?

-          No, Mom, she never says anything ... I remember that, that night, she even screamed ... her voice was strident and, although she seemed to be saying something, it wasn't words that came out of her mouth. It was more like a terrifying moan

-          I see ... well, I think it's better if we don't separate, okay?

-          okay. Well… shall we go to eat?

-          sure

They spoke no more of the incident; however, both were left thinking about what had just happened. Lindsey was worried, she’d been so relaxed without hearing from Melany, everything had been normal for a few years, she didn't want to go back; she remembered those years full of suffering and pain, she didn’t want to go back to that, just now that she’d made the decision to smile more every day ...

Sheryl, for her part, was still scared. She hadn't even had the courage to look in the mirror, she didn't want all those things that scared her so much when she was little to come back, she didn't want that woman to come back into her life; she separated her parents, she destroyed her family, and even worse, she felt she wanted to hurt her. There was something about that woman that made her hair stand on end just thinking that she would see her more often. But, despite that ... she smiled, her mind drifted quickly, after running away she’d collided with that charming boy; she remembered every detail when hitting him, she didn’t feel the impact, she seemed to have hit a pillow, and when she got up, he’d taken her hand, "how beautiful" she thought, his hand felt soft like velvet, but firm and solid like if it was made of diamond. His little eyes shone with the sun and ... he blushed, the moment they hugged she almost fainted, it was perhaps the most beautiful moment she remembered, she still felt his heart beating strong, she wanted to hear it again, she wanted to cling to that child again. She couldn't get the memory of that hug out of her head, she didn't want to. She wanted to relive it over and over again, she needed to feel that warmth, that confidence that it gave her.

Mother and daughter were eating, neither spoke a single word, they were lost in their own thoughts. It was easy to notice Lindsey's concern, and it was even easier to see the joy in Sheryl's eyes, you could see that she was dreaming of something, although no one would imagine that it was a memory, a memory that would remain in her head and in her heart forever; the first time she hugged an angel.

They finished lunch and decided to walk for a while.

-          "It is not good to enter the water after eating," - Lindsey pointed out.

-          okay mom. Also, I think that way we can talk for a while - she said with a smile on her lips

They were walking through the park, hugging. Sheryl described to her how she felt near to that boy, she couldn't help but smile every time she said his name, she was so excited, so happy, she was living in a dream. Lindsey was very happy for her daughter; it was so long since she had seen that sparkle in her eyes. They talked about him for almost an hour, then Lindsey told her that there was a gentleman in her office, he was a good friend, but she wanted them to be something more; her little girl's reaction surprised her. Sheryl was happy for her, hugged her and said: “It's time for you to be happy, mommy. You must focus on what YOU want, I'm already grown up and dad left a long time ago. The time has come for you to focus on the things that make you happy”. This moved Lindsey to tears, she thanked her for the support and they kept walking.

After a while they returned to the games, they had even more fun than in the morning, they both smiled so much that, by the end of the day, their faces hurt from laughing so much.

They returned home, that would be a day they would never forget. They slept like never before, both felt they were resting on the very clouds.

The next day Lindsey asked Sheryl for the necklace to have it fixed, but it was fine now, in fact it shone more than before. Sheryl wore it to go to school, Lindsey took her to school and went to work, they both wished each other luck and said goodbye.

Extraordinary things would happen that day.

As Sheryl made her way to her classroom, a hand touched her shoulder. She turned around immediately, it was Jair, he had a beautiful teddy with him, it was a pink Moon.

-          Hello - he greeted her shyly - how are you?

-          Hi, I’m fine, thanks. And you?

-          I’m okay ... but, you know ... I’ve been thinking about you, I missed your smile, it's very pretty - he said while his cheeks blushed

-          Thanks a lot. The truth is I missed you too… I know it was less than a day since we met, but… I don't know… ah! By the way, thank you very much for the hug, I really needed it

-          You’re more than welcome ... I also really liked hugging you

There was an awkward silence.

-          Well…. I brought you this, I hope you like it - Jair said as he handed her the teddy – it’s for you, so that you remember me at night, so you know that you can count on me even when you are dreaming. I have the other one, it’s a gray Moon that fits perfectly with this one, that is because our friendship will be perfect, I am sure that we will complement each other like these two Little teddy Moons.

Sheryl's eyes filled with tears, she looked like she wanted to cry

-          Excuse me, did I say something wrong? I'm sorry...

-          no! Don't apologize, you didn't say anything wrong… it's just… your words were very nice. Thank you very much, I really hope we can be the best of friends - Sheryl said while hugging him.

Once again, she felt his heart beating, this time it was beating even faster, she could feel that she was also somewhat heated. They were both flushed. They stayed embraced, without feeling how the seconds passed, they felt complete, they completely forgot that the whole school was looking at them, all the children had formed a circle around them. But they didn't notice it, they felt like they were in heaven. But it was too perfect to last ...

-          ouch! - Shouted Sheryl

-          What happens? - Jair said, releasing her immediately - excuse me, I didn't mean to make you hurt

-          No, do not worry. It wasn't you, it's just ... I felt like someone was sticking a needle into my neck - she said touching the place where she’d felt the pain.

-          I don't see anything ... wait! there is something, but it’s as if something very small had pricked you ...

And suddenly, a little bee landed on the child's hand, stung him, leaving a blister that immediately swelled

-          Wow, it sure was that bee that stung you - said Jair somewhat pained - by the way, I see you have a new necklace. The previous one was very strange ... I'm sure I saw the bee emerge from the flower...

-          No, it's the same - Sheryl said surprised

-          for real? But this one is blue ...

Sheryl observed it, Jair was right, the necklace was blue “how strange” she thought “this morning it was gold”. At that, the teacher appeared.

-          Children, the bell rang a while ago ... what are you seeing here? - She asked something annoyed.

When she saw that in the center of the circle were Jair, who had a blister in his hand and Sheryl, who was hugging a stuffed moon; was surprised.

-          What's going on here, guys? what happened to your hand? And you, why did you bring that to school? - She didn’t give them time to answer and continued - well, it doesn’t matter, you go to class and you’ll go with me to the infirmary - she said taking the child by the other hand.

"Thank you," Sheryl muttered as the teacher walked away with her friend. He replied with a smile, but it wasn’t just any smile, it was one of those laughing smiles that make you think of an angel, his little blue eyes would close when he smiled; you could see the purity in his gestures. That smile would stay on Sheryl's mind all morning.

Already in class, she remembered the necklace, removed it from her neck and began to observe it; it was still blue, though not as dark as a moment ago. It was weird, there was no explanation for why it changed color just when she was with Jair. Suddenly, she heard someone whisper "I love you." She turned quickly, but her classmates were distracted in their games, nobody had spoken to her. She sat down, put on her necklace and started to take out her notebooks, but in her backpack, she found the little purple box that she already knew, inside it was a heart-shaped card, it was right next to the Moon that her new friend had given her, she thought it was his, so she opened it excitedly, saw how the ink changed color in front of her eyes, it quickly went from a golden color to a navy blue, but she no longer paid attention to that detail. She read: "I'll wait for you behind the cafeteria at break." She smiled, she couldn't wait for the break time.