5 | pancakes and strawberries

I think what is interesting in life is all the cracks and all the flaws and all the moments that are not perfect.

- Clemence Poesy

________________________

- L I L A -

"So, where did you go last night?" Dan asked, his gaze curious yet suspicious as he leaned on his forearms in front of me.

Reaching towards my mom, I took one strawberry from the small bowl, biting into it with my front teeth. "What's it to you?" I rolled my eyes, laughing when my mum prevented me from taking another one by slapping my hand.

"I saw a guy in the car, your boyfriend maybe?" Helena joined in, taking a seat on the chair by the island whilst I jumped onto the tabletop.

"I haven't got a boyfriend and why are you two so interested?"

My older brother by one year shrugged, walking to the fridge and taking out the orange juice carton. "Can I not be worried about my little sister's whereabouts?" he twisted the cap open and drank straight from the carton, placing it back in the fridge afterwards.

I made a sound of disgust as Helena complained loudly, chucking her slipper at Dan. "Mom! That's disgusting! I'm not going to drink from that now."

"You don't have to. I'm not complaining." He scoffed, closing the fridge. "Back to the topic at hand, Mom, do you know where Lila went?"

"Yes, Dan," my mother replied dryly, "she went to an art gallery with her new friend, now stop being so nosey and go wake up your dad."

Sending a mocking smile his way, I placed my chin in the palm of my hand. "Yeah, Dan. Stop being so nosey and go wake up Dad."

"So," my sister began, getting our mother's attention. "What's his name?"

I eyed my sister's grin, along with my mom's sly glance. "Matthew." I answered, my stomach grumbling as a plate of pancakes were placed in front of me.

I thanked my mom before I dug in, sighing when I noticed Helena was staring at me. "Do I have something on my face?" I snapped, tilting my head in her direction.

She wasn't fazed and laughed. "Has he got a cute brother?"

I choked on my bite slightly, my eyes widening as Mom let out a laugh, turning off the cooker once she finished making breakfast.

"He has a brother," I shook my head at the way she perked up, looking more interested. "Who's married and lives in Atlanta."

She huffed and nodded, picking up her phone from the marble tabletop. She began typing away, not looking up once, even when my dad entered the kitchen with Dan in tow.

"Good morning." He smiled, kissing my mother before he placed himself on a stool beside my little sister. "So, what's this about a guy?" he chuckled, his gaze turning to me.

I inwardly groaned, restraining myself from rolling my eyes again. "He's the new guy in my year, but I met him in the bakery."

"You do know that you don't need to work there anymore, you already have a new phone - right?"

"Yes, Dad." I responded, showing him my phone. "But, I like working there, it's fun."

"Let me see your phone."

Dropping my cutlery down on my plate, I passed my phone to my dad, deciding to get a glass of water on the way. He examined the sleek black device, pulling it close to him when it pinged.

"You may fall from the sky, you may fall from a tree, but the best way to fall...is in love with me." He read out, turning to me with a huge grin. "I'm guessing his name is Matthew?"

My jaw fell slack as my cheeks flushed a deep red, my sister leaning towards him to read it as well. "Aww, that's so sweet."

Before he could send me any more texts that my dad could see, I grabbed it off him, switching it off and sliding it into my pocket. "It's all banter, a pick up line doesn't mean anything, guys."

"It's talking about falling in love-"

"Thank you, captain Obvious." I retorted, Dan rolling his eyes at my sarcasm.

"It could be something pretty significant, like, I don't know, he wants you to fall in love with him." Helena scowled, bringing her shoulders up and leaning her head back slightly.

"When are we meeting him, then?" Dan questioned, beginning to eat his pancakes.

"He's not my boyfriend." I deadpanned, going back to my seat.

"We can meet your friends, can't we?" Mom asked, resting against the table top and looking up at me.

"Well, yeah. But-"

"No buts," my dad interjected, smiling. "Why don't you invite him for dinner?" before I could respond with an excuse, he held his hand up. "Yes, I know you have school tomorrow, how about next weekend?"

"I'll ask him."

---

Sitting on the sofa, I watched the movie that was being displayed on the TV, my phone lighting up beside me. After breakfast, I did my shift at work, but sadly, Matthew wasn't there this time.

'What are you doing now?'

It was Matthew, which was surprising since after he texted me that pick up line, he didn't text me for the rest of the morning, until now.

'Nothing, why?'

He replied instantly. 'Can you meet me at the library? I want to try something.'

'What?'

'Nothing improper, I promise :)'

'Sure, I'll meet you in a bit'

Entering the library, I laid eyes on Matthew sitting down in one of the chairs, Toby situated in between his feet with his head resting on his paws. He scratched him in between the shoulders, his guide dog's jowls separating into this adorable smile.

Matthew lifted his head up, his lips parting and turning up slightly at the corners. "Hi, Lila."

"Hey," I replied, taking a seat on the opposite side of him. "So, what are you doing at a library on a Sunday afternoon?"

"The paint fumes were a bit too much for me to handle so I though I'd get out of the house and go somewhere educational."

"And..." I sensed there was more to his sentence, Matthew taking his glasses off and setting them on the table.

"...I wanted to get Toby acquainted with you. I'll be taking him with me a lot more until I familiarise myself with the school and such; can you do that for me?"

I nodded silently, hearing him sigh straight after. "Do I need to remind you that I'm blind?"

The blush crept up my neck, Toby raising his head towards me. "Sorry," I apologised, "yeah, what do I need to do?"

Reaching into his pocket, he dragged out a bag of dog treats, Toby yapping excitedly. "Down, buddy." He chuckled, feeding him one.

He turned the packet towards me, gesturing for me to take one out. "Bring the treat to his mouth and when I tell you to, pet him between the shoulder blades."

Pulling one out, my heart jumped slightly after Matthew moved his hand, telling Toby that it was okay to approach me. His tail wagged happily, the dog gladly taking the treat out of my hand. "Okay, pet him now, but don't touch his head."

Tentatively, my hand levitated towards Toby, his eyes filled with protectiveness and alertness. Withdrawing my hand, I shook my head. I was alright around dogs, but I was a bit apprehensive to touch them. "I'm scared."

His gaze caught mine and he frowned slightly. "Here," he responded, his palm outstretched towards me. I looked at it for a while, my stomach clenching unwillingly when his hand curved over the back, his fingertips over my top knuckles.

I petted Toby with a smile, the dog whining quietly in response to me. "See, he likes you."

I emitted a shaky laugh, blinking at our joint hands. After a few seconds, Matthew smiled slightly.

"I'm going to be honest," he spoke, his voice going husky at the end. "I didn't really think you'd come, but I'm glad you did because I've got something for you."

Automatically, the ends of my mouth turned up. "What, like a present?"

"All in good time, Lila." He smiled, his dark grey eyes held mine and there was a weird but exciting sensation that ran through me. His eyes had to be the most beautiful ones I had ever seen, but it was odd to think that they wouldn't be seeing me, or anyone for that matter.

I breathed softly through my nose, my eyes never leaving his before he spoke up. "I can feel you staring at me, why is it so intense?" his voice was quiet, insecure even, which caused me to frown.

He reached for his glasses, my hand instantly reaching towards his. "I'm not staring at you in a bad way...I'm just-" I stopped, taking a breath and starting again. "You have really nice eyes."

"Well, thank you," he replied.

"You're welcome."

Then, he broke out into soft laughter, his broad shoulders shaking slightly, and his smile widening, like it always did. "That pick up line was good, wasn't it?"

I laughed along. "Yes, it was, but my dad saw it."

His mouth fell open, a blush spreading across his cheeks before he bit his bottom lip. "Lucky it wasn't a crude one, then," he joked, feeding Toby another dog treat. "Although, I-I'd never send you anything inappropriate."

"I'm sure you wouldn't." I countered, leaning back in my chair.

"Lila," he called out, he cleared his throat, wiping the smile off his face.

"What?" I answered, tilting my head to meet his.

"I'm all for you holding my hand, but I'm going to need my hand back."

---

"Which colour do you think suits me more?" Yasmine held up the two dresses she brought over to my house, looking at me with uncertainty.

Finally, she had a date with Greg and came over for, well, if I was being honest, I didn't have a clue as to why she came over, but I welcomed her with open arms.

I examined the dress she held in her right hand, cringing instantly. "White's a no-no on a first date," I answered, "red brings out your eyes, it's a known fact."

Tossing the white dress on my bed, she held the red one to her body by the hanger, squealing. "I can't actually believe that I'm going on a date with him."

I beamed a smile back at her, my eyebrows creasing when her face went blank. "What?" I asked, alarmed by her sudden change of countenance.

"Y-you have to come with me." She panicked as she slid the dress on. "I need you there as moral support."

"I'm not going to be a third wheel." I laughed, lying down on my bed. "Just be yourself, he likes you and you like him. It's simple."

"I'm nervous."

"It's your first date with him, it's okay to be nervous." I shrugged, hearing the sound of a suitcase being dragged against the floor outside my bedroom.

As soon as I realised what was going on, I jumped off my bed, opening my door. Seeing my brother walk down the stairs, I caught up with him, carrying the other end of the suitcase. "Going already?"

He looked behind his shoulder, shaking his head. "No, I'm leaving next Sunday, but Dad told me to leave the suitcases downstairs."

I nodded, turning on my heel and returning to my room. There, I saw Yasmine touching up on her light make-up, her phone shaking due to vibrating against the mahogany table. "It's Greg!"

"Does he know you're here?"

She nodded in response, exhaling a deep breath that conveyed her nervousness as clear as crystal. "Wish me luck."

Walking with her down the stairs, I opened the door, giving her a quick hug before she stepped out onto the lawn, looking back at me. I held my thumb up, smiling. "Good luck!"

"Lila! Close the door, it's cold!"