"Even then, you were always beaming," Saaya put the giraffe back on top of the dresser, then turned to face me. "Whenever I saw you, it was like I was looking at the sun." I chuckled, "If it was like looking at the sun, how come you didn't squint or cover your eyes?" Saaya reached for a pillow and threw it at me. "It's a simile! You're not blinding but you do give off this warmth, just like the sun It makes other people want to be near you."

I caught the pillow just before it hit my face, then threw it back at her. "Is that why you came up to me at daycare or was it because you wanted Georgie?" Saaya caught it and held it as she said, "Of course I only came over for Georgie. He was the cutest person at the daycare."

"Wow. And here I was thinking I was all that," I smirked. Saaya laughs and puts the pillow back in its rightful place. She carefully puts strands of her hair behind her right ear. Her cheeks turn into a rosy pink. Her voice is barely a whisper when she says, "But right after Georgie, you were the cutest. You still are." My heart begins to pick up speed and I can feel my face heating up and becoming itchier by the second. I take a look at Sayako and see that she probably feels the same way.

"I'm sorry," Saaya whimpers, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." "No," I reassure her, "It's-It's fine. I just didn't see that coming. You complimenting me like that, I mean." "Really? Are you sure?", Saaya brushes her hair behind her ear again. "Yeah, don't worry. The compliment just caught me off guard, that's all.

I scratch the back of my neck. This is getting awkward, I think, How do I make her feel comfortable? "Hey Saaya, should we start working on that cake?" Her facial expression changed from embarrassment to shock in a heartbeat. "I'm so sorry!", Saaya sped-walked around her room rummaging around drawers, "I totally forgot about making the cake and - Where did I put that recipe anyway?"

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

"Um, Saaya, have you checked you're backpack yet?" "Oh my gosh, I didn't! Thank you Mitchie - I mean Mitchell, sorry." She unzips the backpack at the foot of her bed and searches for the recipe.

"I don't mind if you call me 'Mitchie', you know," I stare at her longingly. Saaya pulls out a piece of paper out of a lilac folder. "I found the recipe, finally," She turns to me, "Did you say something Mitchell?" "I said I don't mind you calling me 'Mitchie'. I mean, you used to call me that all the time. I even remember you calling me that on our way to your house, at the library, and even during school." Saaya starts to fidget with her hair, twirling it around her fingers.

"Well, I heard that you don't like it when some people call you that." "Ughhh, Saaya," I bring my thumb and fore-fingers to my forehead, "Tiffany told you that, didn't she? Why do you even listen to her? Almost all the things she says about me aren't even true." "I know but...", Saaya moves her hand near her chest and starts fidgeting with her fingers and the paper, "They sound true." I sigh.

She reminds me of my dog Lina when she spills all the food in her bowl and looks at me all embarrassed. "If Tiffany ever says something about me, ask me if it's true okay? I mean it's better to go to the primary source right?"

"Okay," Saaya holds up the recipe, "Now let's finally start baking this Cookies and Cream Cookie Dough cake," she grins. "Finally. I was starting to get hungry."