Breaking the Grid

Waffles

Sitting there, watching Kyra and Leo playing football, I can't help the big smile spreading across my face. Kyra's competitive spirit is on full display, but she's softened it just enough to let Leo have his fun, laughing as he dribbles around her and tries his best to "score" in an imaginary goal. They've been at it for over an hour now, running back and forth across the yard, and every so often, a burst of laughter cuts through the crisp winter air, making the cold feel a little less harsh.

I let myself get lost in the moment, watching as Leo circles around Kyra, his cheeks flushed red from the cold and his smile wide with excitement. Kyra's laughter is warm, her eyes bright, and there's this look of pure joy on her face that pulls me in. For a second, I feel an urge to join them—to let loose and play, to feel the rush of running around and just forgetting everything.

But before I know it, I've drifted back to reality. When I refocus, I see Kyra making her way over to me, cheeks pink and eyes shining, though I can tell she's shivering a little. "Having fun?" I ask with a smirk.

She grins, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. "Just a little," she says, her breath coming out in small puffs of steam.

"Here," I say, reaching out to hand her her jacket. "It's freezing. You'll catch a cold." She slips it on, her shoulders relaxing with the warmth.

As she sits down next to me, she casually rests her hand on my thigh, and I feel a flicker of warmth, despite the chill. I look over at her, and there's this quietness in her eyes, like she's savoring this simple moment just as much as I am. When I take her hand, though, it's like ice. "Your hands are freezing," I murmur, slipping my gloves out of my pocket and handing them to her.

She chuckles, sliding her fingers into the gloves. "Thanks. Guess I forgot how cold it gets when you're not moving."

We sit there together in comfortable silence, watching Leo run across the yard, kicking the ball with more focus than I've seen in him all day. Every so often, he glances back at us, and I can tell he's trying to impress Kyra. I think he really likes her. It's easy to see why—she's got this way of making people feel like they're the most important person in the world. She's good with him, too, in a way that feels natural, like she doesn't even have to try.

"He's got a good foot on him," Kyra says softly, nodding at Leo.

I nod. "Yeah, he's got a lot of energy. He's talked my ear off about Arsenal."

Kyra laughs, her eyes sparkling. "Well, who knows? Maybe we've got the next big Arsenal star right here."

Leo overhears, looking back at us with a proud grin. I grin back, feeling the warmth of Kyra's presence by my side and the joy radiating from Leo. As much as I love my own high-paced world, there's something so comforting, so real, about moments like this.

After a while, the cold starts to get to us, and I suggest we head to a nearby café. Leo's face lights up at the mention of hot chocolate, and before we know it, we're bundled up and walking down to this cozy little place around the corner. Inside, the smell of coffee and freshly baked pastries fills the air, instantly warming us up as we slide into a booth.

The waitress brings over our drinks and a stack of waffles drizzled with chocolate sauce. Leo practically dives into his hot chocolate, his eyes wide with excitement. He takes a big sip, leaving a foamy mustache of whipped cream and chocolate on his upper lip. I try to hold back a laugh, nudging Kyra. "Look at him," I whisper, and we both break into quiet chuckles.

Leo notices us watching him and grins, not realizing the mess all over his face. "What? Is something funny?" he asks, looking between us with innocent curiosity.