14 The Promise (3)

[Williams point of view]

I was still looking at her without answering, she adjusted her chair to face my table and brought her lunch box while placing it gently on my table.

Her lunch box was simple, it was only had one layer. There are rice toppings, a meat dish, and a side dish. Without asking me anything else she put the lid of her lunch box in front of me while she divides the food carefully to two.

She gently placed the food on the lid, as if afraid to spill it out the small container. She looked cute while doing it seriously, I thought to myself.

As she divided everything equally, she gave me her fork and said, "My mother always pack too much food for more so sharing is not a problem." She said that while smiling. "I'm Mia by the way."

"William." Was all I could reply.

This scene was forever etched in my heart. She started munching on her food in silence, so I did the same.

As we ate in silence and finish eating, she took out her water container, in it was hot chocolate.

She poured hot chocolate on the plastic cup container then handed it to me while saying. "It's chocolate, be careful, it's hot."

I slowly finished the cup of chocolate I said, "Thank you."

With a smile, she replied, "You're welcome."

Since we were done and lunch break was almost over, she cleared up the containers and packed them in her bag. She then readjusted her chair facing the front without looking back again.

All I could do was stare at her back until classes ended. We didn't talk on our way out, I was still looking at her, but she was looking ahead of her and went straight home.

The next day was Friday and I still didn't have money for food.

When the bell rang and Mia saw me not standing up from my chair again she adjusted her chair to face me and did the same thing as yesterday.

I did not know what to say to her, so the time passed by like yesterday.

She still had the same gentle smile, same braided hair, same dorky glasses, same kind of dress with another color of doll shoes, however, she looked way cuter today than yesterday. She must really like that style.

Monday arrived, but now I have my allowance, and I decided to be wiser as asking Mia for food was embarrassing. I brought my own lunch from the packed lunch store as I wanted to eat lunch together with her.

I was just about to grab my bag and take out my food, but Mia must have thought that I don't have food again as she started to do the same thing she did the past two days.

I wanted to say something, but I was too embarrassed to stop her from what she was doing so I retracted my hands and put them on the table instead.

Since that day, every day we would eat lunch together. 4 months have passed and I have saved a lot of my allowance because Mia kept sharing her food.

I was shy back then and did not know how to express myself. I wanted to play with her and be closer to her but I did not know how to start the conversation.

When I was hesitant or embarrassed I would always bow my head and look downwards.

While I was looking down Mia suddenly said something, "Are you busy this Saturday?" she asked while playing with her fingers.

"No," I said.

"It's my birthday, do you want to come to my house? You could bring a friend over too." I was surprised when she said this as I looked at her with my surprised filled eyes, I could see her face was blushing. She must have been embarrassed to ask me to come.

"Sure, I'll go." I answered really fast without giving it a second thought.

It was worth it because her embarrassed face has turned into complete happiness with my reply.

…

Making my way home, I thought that I should give her a gift since she was always giving me food.

I was looking for a gift that a girl might like, so I was walking back and forth at the local shopping district trying to find the perfect gift.

While doing so, one of the grandma's with a shop asked me what I was looking for and maybe she could help. I was hesitant to speak up but this was for Mia so I answered in quiet voice.

"I want to buy a birthday gift for my friend," I said while looking down.

The grandma asked, "Is it for a girl or a boy?"

"A girl," I said more embarrassed than ever as my ears are now starting to heat up.

The grandma smiled and said, "Do you want to look at stuffed animals? Girls like cute things so you take a look to see anything that she might like." I followed the grandma inside her shop and inside there were filled with lots of cute stuff animals like dogs, cats, bears, birds, monkeys and more.

While I was looking around I found a bunny at the corner with a pastel dress on it. I lifted the bunny and saw how cute it was, I thought it was perfect.

"Uhmmm." I tried to say something.

"Do you like that one?" the grandma asked.

"Uhmmm," I said while fidgeting my foot.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked again.

I put courage into my words as I said, "Can you stitch a letter M on her chest?"

The grandma smiles and said, "Sure no problem. Just sit on the couch as this will take a couple of minutes." She then took the bunny and worked deftly with her hands.

I paid for the bunny and got it wrapped.

While carrying my gift, I was full of smiles as I walk back home.

Original novel by Chuchuwachuwa

Editor - Chocolate Cake