summer boy ~ tal fishman ✓

~22~

I put the cake on the countertop. Then I close the oven and turn it off. 'The cake is supposed to cool for an hour. That's what the website says', Tal says. 

'An hour?! What? I can't wait that long! It smells way too good to wait an entire hour to eat it! Are you sure it isn't half an hour? That's way too long as well! Isn't that hour the baking time?' I ramble on. 

Tal laughs. 'Well, I knew you could talk pretty fast, but I think you just set a personal best', he says. I frown, pretending I'm mad, but I laugh after a few seconds. 'Nah, this wasn't the fastest I have ever talked. You should hear me talking about Mouse to new people. I guess I am a bit too enthusiastic about him. He's my bae', I say. 'That was your cat, right?' he asks, seeming anxious. 

'Right. I am going to get him for you. You have to pet him. I'm going to warn you beforehand, he's too cute. So if you die because of cuteness overload, it isn't my fault. You were warned', I say before opening a cabinet door and grabbing the cat treats. 

'Mouse! Mousy, come here. Where are you? Come here, I've got some food for you,' I say with my baby voice. I always talk to Mouse in my baby voice. It has become a bit of a habit. Tal smiles and I notice it. 'What? Are you laughing at me?' I say. 

'No. First of all, I was smiling not laughing. And second I think it's cute when you-' he starts before I interrupt him. 'Shh, I heard Mouse meowing from upstairs. I'm getting him, whether you like it or not', I say and I run upstairs. 

'There you are! Cutie pie. Who's cute? Yes, you are!' I say to Mouse. I found him laying on my parents' bed. Mouse is a pretty lazy cat. He's very cuddly as well, he'll come up to you at night and lay with you in your bed. That sounds creepy though. If you don't know he's a cat, that would sound very creepy. 

I give Mouse a little treat because he came up to me and actually stood up from his spot. I pet him and give him a kiss on his head. After that, I pick him up and carry him down the stairs. 

Downstairs, I sit on the couch and place him on my lap and he lays down there. The only reason he probably is staying there is because I am petting him behind his ears and I know he loves it. And he's probably too tired to move right now. 'Come on, he won't bite', I say to Tal. Tal sits down next to me and starts petting Mouse as well. Mouse starts to purr. It's cute. Both Mouse and Tal. 

WAAaaiit a minute. 

Didn't I tell myself I should stop catching feelings for Tal? Like last summer vacation that was what I told myself. Why didn't I follow the rules I made for myself to protect myself? I'm so stupid. I shouldn't be that girl. You know, that girl who creepily follows her crush and gets to know everything about him without him knowing she exists. The girl who would do anything for a guy before he even asks. But Tal knows I exist. And that girl doesn't have anything to do with me. Why am I even thinking about that type of girl? The voices are battling in my mind once again.

'He's really cute', Tal says, waking me out of my daydream. Was it a dream? I don't know. I'm back. That's what I do know. 

'Yeah, I know right? My dad and I love him. My mom a bit less since she doesn't really like animals in general. My dad loves Mouse, but doesn't give him a lot of attention', I explain. Why am I explaining this? I don't have to. He didn't ask for an explanation, did he? No, he didn't. He probably doesn't care. Why would he care? Why am I overthinking every word I say? Help.

Tal smiles again. He smiles a lot. It's adora- no. Tal is a just happy person. That's good to know. It's nice to have such happy friends. Because that's what Tal is, brain. A friend. Why am I talking to my brain? I am talking with my brain. So basically my brain is talking to my brain. It's about to explode if I keep thinking like this, I guess. 

I see Tal's lips move. I hear a sound. Wait, he's talking to me. I need to zoom back in, I've been daydreaming/over thinking for about fifteen minutes now.

'Sorry, what?' I ask. 'I was asking when should we invite Meredith and Adi over?' he asks me. 'I don't know. Meredith told me they were seeing a movie tomorrow, so I guess the day after that?' Tal nods as an answer. 'Cookies?' he asks and I smile. 

I pet Mouse and give him a kiss on his head before I put him next to me on the couch. Mouse probably doesn't even notice since he's already sleeping. He's so cute and little and I just love him. I stand up from the couch.

'Why did we clean up the entire kitchen if we are going to make a mess again?' I ask no-one in particular. 'I don't know. You tell me', Tal responds. 'Hm. Maybe because we were raised that way so we will clean up after ourselves?' I look him straight in the eyes. He stares back.

'If you knew the answer why did you ask the question?' 'It was a rhetorical question and not meant to be answered.' Tal steps a little bit closer. 'Then why did you ask the question in the first place if you already knew the answer even if there wasn't supposed to be one?' 'Why are you being so difficult?' Well, that was a great comeback, Julia. 

And then my brain finally realizes how close we are. And I start blushing. 'Am I making you feel uncomfortable, little peach?' Tal teases me and he comes in even closer. I see his eyes flicker down at my lips. Waaaaiit... does that mean he wants to kiss me? I slowly back away. 'Slightly', I answer him. 

Well, wasn't that your chance right there to kiss him? And admit your feelings so you guys will get married and then live happily ever after? Why didn't I do anything? The moment has passed, Julia. Great job. You ruined it once more. 

'Well, I think we have waited long enough. You want a piece?' I grab a knife and start cutting the cake. Just offer him some cake so he'll forget how awkward I acted just now. Seems like a good technique. The cake has cooled down so I can touch it without burning myself. I place a piece on a plate for him and for myself. It's still a bit warm, but not too hot. I take a bite. 

'This is pretty good.' 'No, it's amazing', I correct him. 'Well, I'm sorry miss, let me retry.' He clears his throat. And again, more dramatic this time. 'Wow, this cake is amazing! I love it, where did you get it?' he says with a high-pitched voice. 

And I start laughing again. Didn't know I could laugh this much in one day.

~*~

Hey guys! Thank you so much for 2K!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I'm going on vacation tomorrow, so I don't know how active I'll be... 

Love you!