The Moon Is Beautiful

Chapter 17

The moon glitters in the sky.

It has stopped snowing a while ago, leaving merely a clear night sky behind. I sit on a hanging bench on Ms. Anderson's front porch, staring up at the sparkling stars in the sky. It's quiet, in complete contrast to the city. In the city, no matter what the hour, it's bustling with people and cars, but here, everyone has already retreated to their homes for the night.

The bench suddenly moves and a weight is placed onto the wood, startling me. I look to my side, and I'm surprised to see Kaden sitting next to me, his eyes glued to the sky. He doesn't say anything, and so I bring my eyes back to the sky, and silence engulfs us.

I'm not sure how long we sit out here in complete silence, but it feels so short because it's a comfortable silence that surrounds us. It's the first time ever that I don't feel the need to fill the silence with meaningless chatter, and it feels quite refreshing.

It is a little strange though, because, even though he's a complete stranger to me, I feel comfortable around him. I don't feel the need to leave or try to fill the awkward silence. It's strange, because usually it takes me quite a while to get used to someone and be comfortable with them.

Perhaps it's the aura that he gives off. From the moment I laid my eyes on him, I could see that he's a kind soul who is good and just. I can't even imagine him hurting another, and I just met him.

However, as more time passes by, I want to speak. I don't feel the need to as we are fine in complete silence, but I want to. I'm not sure where this desire is suddenly coming from, but I want to get to know him.

I want to know him.

"Have you lived here all your life?" I find myself asking, not sure of what else to say, because anything else will sound weird and I'll end up being embarrassed.

He breathes in reply. I try not to be offended by his lack of a response, although, I admit, it does bother me. Was I being too forward by asking that question? I don't think I was.

"I have a favourite saying," he says instead of answering my question, drawing my attention to him. ""The moon is beautiful"."

The moon is beautiful? Is there a saying like that?

As if he senses my confusion, he proceeds to explain. "There was a famous Japanese teacher named Sohseki Natsumé. He was born in the last year of Edo era and at that time, society was still stoic and lovers couldn't even walk hand in hand in public. The story goes of him teaching his students that Japanese men should say "The moon is beautiful"."

"What does it mean?" I ask, pressing my hands against the bench.

He doesn't answer immediately, and so I drag my attention away from him, silence surrounding us once again. Why did he bother to say that if he's not going to finish? I release a breath, frustrated at this man.

"I love you."

His sudden words startle me, and my eyes widen as my head snaps to his.

"W...what?" I stammer out, my cheeks flushing with heat.

"That's what the saying means. He taught his students that Japanese men shouldn't say "I love you". "The moon is beautiful" is enough."

I don't say anything, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. I love you, such delicate words.

I've never uttered those three words to anyone but my dad, not even to my mother. I've also never had a boyfriend whom I truly cherished to tell that to.

"It's beautiful." I say, my heart swelling in my chest. I'm being honest. If someone ever says that to me, I think I'd fall head over heels that very moment.

Kaden smiles, his eyes on the sky. "It is. That's why it's my favourite."

"It's my first time hearing something like that." I say, redirecting my gaze from him to the sky.

He hums, and then silence follows. We don't speak again, just both staring at and admiring the beautiful night sky, and it's only when the air becomes quite chilly that I audibly shiver, rubbing my arms with my hands.

Kaden quickly notices. "Are you cold?"

"A little." I say, goosebumps appearing on my skin.

"I'll be right back." he says before standing up and disappearing into the house. I don't put much thought into his words.

Maybe I should go inside now. It's a nice and peaceful night to just sit here, however, I might freeze to death out here at this rate.

I'm about to stand up when Kaden appears with a mink blanket in his hand. Is that for me?

"Here. Cover yourself with this." he says, holding the blanket out to me. I don't know what to say or do. No one has ever done something like this for me before. Staring up at him with wide eyes, I take the blanket from him and throw it across my lap, wrapping it around my body. The moment I'm covered, I'm surrounded by warmth and I smile.

Now I don't need to leave just yet.

But then a thought comes to mind.

"Aren't you cold?" I ask, bringing my attention back to Kaden. He merely shrugs, as if him getting cold isn't something to worry about. "Come here."

I'm barely thinking at this point, scooting over to him and before I even realise what I am doing, my side is pressed up against his and I'm wrapping a part of the blanket around him so that we can share it.

He tenses when I do this, his shoulders becoming rigid. "What...what are you doing?"

"We can share the blanket." I say.

"There's really no need to." he says, his voice soft.

"But I want to." I find myself saying, the natural warmth of his body radiating onto mine, making me even warmer.

A few moments of silence passes by before he speaks. "Bellerose. That's your name right?"

I hum in response.

"Can I...can I call you Rosie?" he hesitantly asks, and I instantly see heat creep up into his cheeks underneath the dim porch lights. Almost immediately, I'm reminded of Raine. Raine calls me Belle, and now Kaden wants to call me Rosie.

There is such a big contrast between the two. Belle sounds intoxicating and seductive, whilst Rosie sounds so innocent and pure. I can't help but compare the two. Which one appeals to me more, I do not know.

"Sure." I find myself saying.

"Well then Rosie...I like you." he admits.

I know that he probably doesn't mean it in a romantic way considering the fact that we just met today, however, my body reacts instinctively to his words, my cheeks flushing with heat.

"W..what?" I stammer, finding myself relieved that he cannot see the reaction he caused.

"Oh. I don't meant it like that," he stutters, the heat in his cheeks becoming more apparent. "It's just...I have a knack for being able to read people, and the moment I met you, I could tell. You have a kind soul, and so I'm interested in getting to know you."

His eyes glimmer in the light. His words bring a small smile to my face. I've never been described as having a kind soul before, but I have to admit, I quite like it.

It relates to him as well. I've never met a person quite like him before, so kind and pure. Everything about him is beautiful.

"Sure. I look forward to getting to know you too." I say, staring up at him. His eyes sparkle, and he smiles. He's different from other people I've met, and so I have a feeling this will be quite refreshing.

I can't wait.