Orange

six

The flecks of gold swimming in deep chocolate pools have me mesmerised. He shakes his head a little, his hair falling into his eyes and obstructing my view. My eyes drift from his own down his nose to the small, off centre, freckle. They continue down to his slightly pursued lips. 

It is only when he licks them that I realise what I am doing and look away with a strangled cough. My cheeks are burning like asphalt on a hot summers day. I could cook an egg on these bad boys. 

He coughs a little, and I look up to see the napkin in my hand still pressed against the side of his mouth. I drop the napkin like its hot and pull my hand back to my chest. When I look back at him his eyebrows are crinkled at the corners, and his mouth pulled down at the edges. 

I laugh awkwardly to myself, and run a hand through my hair only to have it snag on a surprisingly big knot. 

Why am I like this?

I have singlehandedly ruined the light hearted mood we had going for the past few minutes. There is no sound, save our mingled breathing. I am staring at my shoes so hard that my eyes begin to hurt, and when I close my eyes their outline is burned against my lids. 

Orange drags my bag towards him, its loud scraping sound startling me a little. With a sly little grin, he begins to rummage through my bag then I hear a chocolate wrapper being opened. He is eating my snickers. I feel my chest puff out a little, and my fiesta side begin to show its ugly head. 

Nobody eats my chocolate and gets away with it!

I am just about to give him a stern scolding half of a snickers bar is thrusted into my face. His face is blank, but the corner of his mouth is twitching slightly and his eyes are fixed on somewhere to my right. Despite his awkward gesture, and uninterested manner, his intention is clear. 

"Thanks," I murmur and take the chocolate bar from him. I am touched by his gesture although it is my chocolate. I appreciate him giving me some and not eating the whole thing, like I probably would have.

I take a small bite, and the heavenly taste of chocolate graces my tastebuds. A chocolate induced smile covers my face as I take another indulgent bite. Chocolate always makes me feel a little bit better, but it can't take away my awkward unfortunately. 

He looks over at me and I smile at him right after taking a giant bite, my teeth full of chocolate. I close my mouth quickly when I realise. Cheeks burning, I avert my eyes but not before I catch the corners of his mouth tugging upwards in a sweet smile. 

I eat the rest of the chocolate bar slowly, concentrating a little too hard on chewing. I can hear him rummaging around in my bag once more, looking for more food no doubt. 

My blood runs cold when I hear the telltale tap of a finger against the top of a can of soft drink. The can that had been shaken up from the bag ripping in the lobby and from the elevator break down. I spin around to warn him.

He flicks the can open expertly and it erupts like a volcano. Fanta spews out like a foamy jet and hits him square in the face. 

Heck.

The stream stops and his face dripping with Fanta. 

Now he really is 'Orange.'

His facial expression is so pure, eyes wide and mouth open, it tugs at my heart. Like a small child who has poked a sleepy cat repeatedly only to get swiped, and turns to their mother in surprise. He looks over at me, Fanta dripping from his fringe and nose.

His expression is both heart warming and hilarious. I can't help the giggles that begin to spill from my lips. He turns to me, raising his eyebrows, orange liquid drips from his fringe and onto the floor. I clap my hands over my mouth but that only muffles the obscene sound. 

I am very aware of the fact that my laugh sounds like a dying seal. I usually fake laugh in public but today I cannot contain my true laugh. I am laughing so hard that my stomach aches and my cheeks burn. He just stares at me, as I try to get a hold of myself. I try to calm myself, but when I look at his shocked face manic giggles begin anew.

It takes me a few moments to get myself under some control, with only the occasional giggle escapes me. He is still staring at me, his face is no longer surprised but containing an unreadable emotion. I begin to feel a little self-conscious, he just heard the seal.

"I'm sorry. It was shaken up." I try to remain calm and collected. 

He looks down at his drenched T-shirt and I can't help the giggles that escape the clasped hands covering my face. When I peek through the gaps in my fingers, he is wearing the biggest smile ever showing all of his teeth. His eyes crinkle at the edges, eyelashes are heavy with drops of Fanta. 

His smile is so pure and sweet that it takes me off guard, it is probably the most adorable thing I have ever seen. He turns his face away, leaning into his sleeve. Shoulders shaking, he makes the most wonderful sound. 

He is laughing. 

I drop my hands from my mouth and join in.

This time I don't even try to restrain the seal.     

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Tae's smile is everything

- B x