PK / PETER KAVINSKY

23.

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The final few rays of the sun hunkered down for the night, leaving a few pale and faint traces of yellow in the now dark blue sky. 

I pulled my legs close to my chest, resting my head on them as I wrapped my arms protectively around my knees. Peter caught my eye for a moment and grinned at me from where he was sprawled out horizontally on the hood of the car, to "get a better look at the stars." "They're not even out yet, dumbass", had been my witty response. Don't think that us having kissed would make me any less sarcastic.

The family who had been picnicking on the hill in front of us were packing up all their things, ambling slowly up towards their truck which was parked just opposite us. The youngest of the family, who must have been around five or six, was a little girl with a daisy chain in her hair, her cheeks flushed a pinkish red from the growing breeze in the air. She stared unabashedly at Peter and I as her parents and older brother unloaded their belongings into the boot of the truck.

I nudged Peter with my knee and nodded towards the little girl, causing him to twist onto his front.

"Cool flower crown." He called over to her with enthusiasm.

Her mouth dropped open for a moment, as though she had never contemplated the idea that we might notice her staring at us. Quickly, she regained the confidence typical to children of that age and with a spring in her step she galloped over.

Looking immensely pleased with herself she plucked the daisy chain from her head and laid it on the bonnet of the car, just within our reach.

"It's for you." She pointed at me and giggled, her eyes flitting between the two of us, awaiting our reaction.

"Oh my gosh thank you!" I enthused, picking the circlet of flowers up with a delicate reverence.

"We humbly accept your generous gift, my lady." Peter answered with a ridiculous attempt at a posh accent, accompanied by a half-bow from his reclined position, eliciting a delighted bubble of laughter from the girl.

I placed the flowers on my hair, turning my head from left to right so the little girl could admire her handicraft. Her face broke into an elated grin and Peter smiled at me,

"Well would you look at that, you made her even more beautiful than before." Peter praised the girl, fixing me with a look of pride mixed with admiration.

Seeing her daughter with us, her mom hastily came over,

"Sorry, you two." She smiled apologetically.

"We don't -" Mine and Peter's eyes met with amusement as we spoke in unison, "mind."

Her mom chivvied the girl towards the rear door of their truck, pausing patiently for her to click in her seatbelt before hopping in the driver's seat. As they pulled off, the girl leant forwards to peer out again, raising a small-palmed hand in a little wave as they drove away. Peter returned the wave with a warm smile and a wink, causing her to beam back, a few baby teeth missing from her broad smile.

"God, you're such a wetwipe." I cuffed him around the head, a soft smile playing at my lips.

"Me? A wetwipe?" He scoffed, quirking an eyebrow in confrontation. 

"Mmhmm." I hummed with a provoking look of smugness on my face. I placed my hand on his muscled chest, "You have a kind soul, Peter Kavinsky."

We held eye contact in a long pause and then simultaneously spluttered with laughter.