A Sky Full of Stars

CHAPTER 7

          I almost dropped my jaws. Greenwood Aquarium. We were really here, from any other places in this weirdly cool city, James brought me to an aquarium for a date. Yes, an aquarium.

         “Are you kidding me?” I chuckled, “Wow, James…”

         James ignored me. He opened the door and walked out so I followed him. He crossed his hands in front of chest, eyes staring at me, lips curving into a smile, “So?”

         “Last time I went to an aquarium, I was 6 years old. It’s 11 years ago.” I chuckled, feeling so happy for no reason. I remembered that day, Dad and Mom took me to Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium because I wanted to see big fish. So they took me after school that day, then we had burgers after that and I remembered I was so happy that day.

          Then today, James brought that memory back. I was almost forget about that day, it’d been too long and I never any good at remembering things.

         James put his hand around my waist, pulling my body closer to him, “Everyone loves childhood memories.”

         “You’re right.” I nodded in agreement, “But it’s closed.”

          He shook his head, “Not for me.”

         We walked toward the black doors, James knocked twice then seconds later, someone opened the door.

          “Hey, James.” the red head guy smiled, “Come on in.”

         I had no idea how James knew this guy. He should be the security or something here, right? The guy turned on the lights and my vision was clear. I could see the aquarium very well, the blue water, many kind of fish, the quietness and the dim light. Everything was beautiful.

          “Thanks, Tom.” James tapped the guy’s shoulder, “We’ll look around.”

         Tom nodded, “Sure. I’ll be upstairs.” he glanced at me and I just gave him a nod and he smiled. Then, he ran upstairs.

         “Who is he?” I asked when we were away from our previous place, started to enter the tunnel.

         James put his hand around my waist, “Old friend. He’s a homeless year ago and I helped him to get a job here. I taught him to swim because it’s required.”

         I smiled, “You’re so kind.”

         “I do that because I love water. I told you, water makes me feel comfortable.” He smiled, “And he’s a nice person.”

         “And so are you.” I smiled.

         “When I was in kindergarten, I cried to my Mom because I wanted to swim with dolphins but I couldn’t because it was super windy that day and I was sick. I always love swimming, I love sports since I was a kid.” he wrapped our fingers together as we walked, “So, she took me to aquarium instead. We bought some souvenirs and chocolate, and spent the rest of the day there. I was so happy.”

         Here he was again, those sparkles inside his eyes whenever he talked about his Mom and lips never stop smiling.

         “That’s a beautiful story.”

          He just gave me a thin smile then looked up, sharks and other fish were swimming above us, “Look at them,” he said without turning his head to me, “They’re so beautiful. Swimming elegantly.”

          I put my hand around his waist, leaning over his shoulder, “You swim like them. Elegant and beautiful.”

         “No way,” he chuckled.