The Firefly

16°

-Stay still, I will now tie your apron.- I said, turning him around.

Wearing a dark green, tight, turtleneck sweater and a pair of light-coloured jeans, he slipped the rings off his fingers, placing them on the kitchen island.

-Ok, let's start.- I said rubbing my hands together and looking at all the ready ingredients lined up in front of me.

I quickly tied my hair and out of the corner of my eye observed the boy at my side.

He looks uncomfortable.

-Relax, Sir.- I said, taking him gently by the arm and pulling him closer.

I took a small book in my hands and handed it to him, holding back a smile.

-What is it?- He asked doubtfully, grasping it carefully.

-A recipe book, I found it while she was changing- I said, leaning towards him to look at the small orange book with a picture of a cake printed on it.

-It is written in Braille, between the two of us only he can read it. Mrs. holland must have bought it. So now we both need each other's help to be able to do something.- A satisfied smile escaped me as I saw his lips open slightly in surprise.

-Come on, hurry up and read me the recipe.-

I urged him on, opening the book for him to the right recipe page where I had bookmarked it, I had only managed to find it because there were also ink writings, but I didn't tell him that.

He turned his head towards me, piercing me with his empty eyes.

His lips rippled into a slight smile, but this time it did not disappear.

I admired both her scars for a few seconds, as she smiled they looked almost cute.

-We have everything we need.- I said, crossing my arms in satisfaction after she had finished reading the whole list.

I put everything I needed, measured out, into a large bowl and then handed a large spoon to Jake.

Turning to take it, he smeared my cheek with his flour-stained hand.

He rubbed his thumb and forefinger together as if to make sure it was really dirty.

-I got you dirty, didn't I?-
-Yes.-

I placed my forefinger on a small mound of flour, approached him slowly until the tip of his nose was dirty as well.

-But now we're even.- I said chuckling as a small mocking smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

-Mix here while I get the moulds and the baking tray.- I told him calmly, trying to make everything as simple and natural as possible.

With some initial difficulty he began to do as I told him while I rummaged through the drawers and doors pulling out what I needed.

-Try harder.- I advised him, peeping out to observe him, he obeyed.

I stood up, approaching him.

-Maybe it would be easier if you pulled up your sleeves, Sir.-

I suggested, slowly resting my hand on his arm to pull up his sleeve, he stopped me abruptly, locking it with his in a very firm grip.

-I'm cold.- He said simply sliding my hand away from him and going back to stirring.

He simply didn't like being touched by someone without his consent, I remembered.

Some maids who were on their way home after their shift looked at us curiously.

They began to whisper, but when they realised that Jake, with his head tilted slightly towards them, was listening to them they immediately fell silent.

-Goodbye Miss Hooper and Mr Hale.- They waved goodbye, looking away from the boy to shift their gaze to their feet.

-Goodbye.-

He said seriously, stopping stirring as he waited for them to leave, the maids looked at each other in disbelief before running towards the exit.

Jake had never, and I mean never, greeted them before.

As soon as he heard the door close he went back to stirring the dough vigorously.

-Keep stirring while I pour in the chocolate chips.- I said, hoping to relax the situation and trying not to think about his grip on my wrist moments before.

-They were surprises, weren't they?- He asked, obeying my command from moments before.

-Well...-

-I guess it's strange to see the cold and apathetic Mr Hale doing something on a par with his personal Brat.-

Brat what?

-First.- I began as I opened a bag of chocolate chips.

-I'm nobody's Brat and stop calling me that.- I pointed out as I poured out the small chocolate chips already salivating.

-Secondly, yes they were surprised, but not in a bad way.- I said quickly adjusting my glasses on my nose.

-I think it's a good thing you're doing something new after so long, don't you?-

No answer.

-Stop always seeing the negative side in everything or it will only hurt more going forward.-

I said, stopping his hand gently to pour the dough into the moulds and then put everything in the oven.

-How long do we have to wait now?- He asked coyly without mentioning what I had said just before.

-About twenty minutes.- I replied with a sigh as I turned on the tap to wash my hands, Jake came over to do the same.

-Mr Hale... think about what I said though.- I said softly so that only he could hear me.

-If I do that, I'll only end up getting illusions that I'll later be disappointed with.- He whispered back to me as well, leaving me interjected.

He hurriedly dried his hands on a towel and then ran a hand through his dark wavy hair.

-Who says there will only be disappointments in the end?- I nailed him with my gaze.

-I answer you: no one. No one can assure you whether something will end well or badly so, in my opinion, it is better to live life always looking on the bright side, that way even if things don't go as planned you will still have a good time in serenity and lightheartedness.-

I sighed as I turned to start the timer, I felt good after finally telling him what I thought.

Without saying anything he grabbed his white stick and then went to sit down on one of the many stools around the kitchen island and opened the same book as that morning.