Nothing In This World

|8|Ms. Fairytale and Mr. Perfect

Arya

The cafeteria buzzed with the midday energy of students chatting, laughing, and exchanging stories over trays of food. The scent of freshly baked bread mixed with the tang of spices wafted through the air, filling the room with a warm, inviting aroma. Gerald and I managed to snag a corner table by the window, a perfect spot for people-watching while we took a break from the whirlwind of the day.

"Okay, spill," Gerald said, raising an eyebrow as she took a big bite of his burger. "What's got you looking like you're on cloud nine?"

I absentmindedly picked at my sandwich, my mind still drifting back to the performance from earlier that day at the SWARAS music competition. "It's just... you know that guy in the black shirt? The one who sang the love song?" I began, unable to suppress a smile.

Gerald leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Oh, the one you wrote a three line quote for? Yeah, I remember him. What's the deal?"

I hesitated, my cheeks warming as I thought about how to express the whirlwind of emotions I felt. "He was just... captivating, you know? His voice, the way he performed... it was like he was singing just for me."

Gerald's grin widened, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Sounds like someone's got a crush!"

"Oh, please! It's not like that," I retorted, rolling my eyes even as a smile crept onto my face. "I just thought he was talented."

"Talented? Arya, you were practically swooning!" he laughed, leaning back in his chair. "I swear I could see the hearts in your eyes. You should just admit it already."

I tried to keep my composure, but the memory of his performance flared in my mind, his rich voice enveloping me like a warm hug. "It's just... I haven't felt like this in a long time. It's refreshing."

She narrowed her eyes at me implying that i don't know him enough to feel like this.

"Gerald, you don't understand! He was like a magical creature straight out of a fairytale," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might break the spell. "When he sang, it was like the whole room disappeared, and it was just him and his voice. I swear I could feel the music wrapping around me like a cozy blanket!"

Gerald raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin spreading across her face. "A cozy blanket? Really? Sounds like you've got it bad!"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the dreamy smile that crept onto my face. "No, seriously! It was like he was casting a spell with every note. His voice was so rich and velvety, it made my heart do somersaults. And those eyes—oh my gosh, Gerald! They were like two little stars shining down on me!"

Gerald chuckled, leaning back one her chair with an exaggerated sigh. "So, you're saying he's a magical star boy? How romantic!"

"Exactly!" I exclaimed, my hands flailing in excitement. "And when he smiled, it was bright so bright and I felt like I was floating! I can't even remember how he looked, or his face; just the way he sang and the way he lost himself doing it. It was like he was singing just for me, and I could feel it in my bones!"

"Okay, okay! I think I get it," Gerald said, laughing. "You're totally smitten! Next, you'll be writing him love letters in glitter pen."

"Don't tempt me!" I giggled, clasping my hands together as if I were dreaming up the most magical scenario. "What if I wrote him a poem? Something like, 'You are the only one song, my mind whispers all along'"

Gerald burst out laughing, shaking her head. "You're going to embarrass yourself, but I have to admit, that's pretty cute!"

I couldn't help but giggle along with her, the bubbling excitement swirling inside me. With a dreamy sigh, I leaned back in my chair, a smile plastered on my face. The world around us faded as I continued to gush about the boy who had turned my day into a magical adventure, feeling as if I were in the very pages of a whimsical story.