The Moon Is Beautiful

Chapter 22

I feel fuzzy inside.

After packing out all our snacks and drinks, we just sat down at the kitchen table and laughed. We were both so awkward, and yet both our awkwardness made it comfortable. And then we moved over to the couch where we started talking about out the things we like and our favourite hobbies. I found out that other than reading, Kaden likes swimming and he does it whenever he has time. He finds it to be a pity that he can't go to the beach alone, others worrying that he may hurt himself in the waves or even drown when there's no one around to watch him.

He expressed his distaste for this. He hates being treated like a child by all the town residents. He understands that they care for him and just wants him to stay clear from harm, but he still wants to be able to go to slightly dangerous places alone without a babysitter.

I understand his view on this. I can't imagine having to take someone with me to the beach. I love the beach, even if I don't go into the water all the time. I also like my independence. He must feel like such a burden to others, even though it's clear that they do what they do with love in their hearts for him.

And throughout the entire conversation, I took long sips of my soda, causing bubbles to burst in my stomach and eventually resulting in me feeling fuzzy inside.

"I'm sorry. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it must be for you." is all I can say even though I know that my words most definitely won't make him feel better.

"It's not that I'm ungrateful. I'm actually so grateful for everything they do for me, to the point that I feel apologetic. But still, I'm a man. I want to be independent and do things on my own. I don't want to have to be afraid of drowning in the sea if I go there on my own." he vents, sighing deeply. I hum, allowing his words to sink in.

"Look, I can't promise that things will change or get better for you, but what I can promise is that you are not a burden to anyone. You are the sweetest and kindest person I have ever met, and I've only met your twice now. If you needed my help, I wouldn't hesitate. So don't worry. You can still be independent, but you have to accept that there are things you can't do alone. And that's okay. It doesn't make you weak. In fact, accepting that you need help at times makes you a lot stronger than half of the people here." I say, unable to stop myself from reaching over the table and placing my hand on top of his.

His eyes glimmer, shining with unspoken words. He carries a lot of weight on his shoulders, I realise. There is a lot he doesn't talk about and keeps inside of himself. It's not healthy.

Now I'm determined. I'm going to be his friend here and will help him express himself more during the time that I am here. This is the fastest I have ever cared about someone, but I'm not afraid by it, because I can see that he's a good person, and he deserves all the care in the world.

I want to give it to him.

The sudden rush of affectionate emotions overwhelms me, but I try not to be affected by it, trying to shrug off the anxiety that slowly creeps in off.

When he finally looks up, he smiles. "Let me show you something."

He gets up from his seat and walks over to the bookshelf. His fingers trail across the spines of the books, before they stop, and he pulls one out and tucks it under his shoulder. He gestures for me to come to the couch as he takes a seat on it and I quickly follow him, taking a seat next to him. The material of the couch is so soft, my bottom basically melting into it.

He then flips the book open, and I'm surprised by what I see. The inside of the book looks nothing like what I'm used to. The words and sentences are there, but each letter protrudes from the page. Is this how Kaden reads?