The Dictionary of a Hopeless Romantic Wordsmith (2020)

Chapter Three

After Ethan had calmed down, we decided to get ice cream on the convenience store nearby. We bought a piece of twin pops.

Afterwards, we went back to Ethan's apartment and sat by the balcony overlooking the city.

“Okay. Are you ready?” I asked Ethan. I was holding the right popsicle stick of the twin pops.

“Yeah. I'm ready.” Ethan answered, holding the left one.

On the count of three, we split the twin pops. The split was uneven and Ethan sadly got the smaller piece.

“It's really a bad day for Ethan, huh.” he said, looking at the small piece of popsicle that he is holding.

“It's not.” I told him and took his small popsicle, “You can have my piece, Ethan.”

And just like a little kid, a smile lit up on his face while accepting the bigger piece from me.

Ethan really does embody the universe’s beauty and mystery.

I am just observing him enjoying his piece of the twin pops. Right now, his eyes look so pure and innocent. It's like a part of him remained to be a boy.

Ethan's eyes both display the beauty and tragedy of growing up. The beauty of a boy who never forgot that he was once a kid, and the tragedy that he never got to be that kid.

“You look really cute right now, Ethan.” I said, laughing at his childlike innocence.

“I just really love ice cream, okay!” He blushed, slightly embarrassed that I noticed him.

I wonder what else is behind those walls.

“You sure do.” I told him, still laughing.

“I sure do.” he mimicked my tone.

Then, both of us laughed.

I wonder what other secrets are hidden inside of him.

We were just laughing. I liked it better when we were just laughing. Especially when Ethan is laughing. I like it when I see his eyes brimming with happiness. I love his eyes when they're happy. His eyes are beautiful when he is happy. He is beautiful when he's happy.

Both of us are just looking at the city now. I felt his shoulder touching mine.

The city is currently on its daytime cycle. It's pace is fast. The people are all over the place.

“Drei?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you,” he said, “for staying.”

I smiled.

Ethan's life is at its daytime cycle too. His mind currently clouded with thoughts chaotic. His emotions can be all over the place.

“You're always welcome, Ethan.”

And I will stay with him, especially right now, when he needs someone to contain all these black holes living inside of him.

I felt his hand on top of mine. I turned to him. He is just looking at the city right now.

None of us is speaking now.

I felt him slowly holding my hand. His fingers now interlaced with mine.

Apparently, we don't need to speak.

I casually leaned closer. Slowly, our bodies starting to touch each other.

Even without the presence of words, you can still speak.