written by evergreen_ebony 

It was a warm, rainy day beautifying the gorgeous landscape with isolated showers. I gazed at the lush green hills close by and sparkling white sand on the ocean shore in the distance. The golden rays of the sun shone through the tall palm trees and the cool breeze caressed my skin. Even though I had lived in Bridgetown, Barbados all my life, it still took my breath away.

I sat in front of my laptop at a window side table at Clarissa's Café. Leaning back in a chair, sipping a cappuccino and enjoying a blueberry muffin were some of my favorite things. The warm, cozy atmosphere and lovely scent of freshly baked cake, would definitely keep me a loyal customer.

The blank page on my screen stared at me in defiance and I rubbed my temples in frustration. All morning it had been type, delete and repeat. Ugh! Who knew Statistics could be so frustrating? Said no one. Ever. When I got the pop up notification for yet another STA 209 assignment via email, I rolled my eyes. A second year animal science student in college shouldn't have to deal with crap. Then again, maybe they should, but it was still annoying.

I pulled my wavy black hair into a ponytail and sighed. A bad break up last year left me depressed and disillusioned. Picking up the pieces of my broken heart, one day at a time, combined with college coursework and a job as a vet's assistant threatened to overwhelm me. My mum always said tough times don't last but tough people do in order to encourage me. I had no choice but to hold on to hope for my dear life.

My dad suggested I contact Matthew Reginald, his co - worker's son, when I told him that I needed a STA 209 tutor. Matthew was a computer scientist who graduated with honors from Stanford two years earlier. Dad gave me his phone number and said, "Tell him you are Mr Brown's daughter." I was pleasantly surprised when I called Matthew and he agreed to meet me at Clarissa's Café.

A cyclist rode his bicycle past, and a car honked from across the street. Distracted with the hustle and bustle of passersby, I did not notice when a man entered the café and stood beside my table. He spoke in a deep and calm voice.

"Hello. Are you Miss Michelle Brown?"

Hmm. Polite but suspicious. "Who's asking?" I enquired.

He smiled and shook my hand. "Hello, I'm Matthew Reginald."

I looked at him from head to toe. At first glance, he was a typical geek in plain navy jeans and an Black Panther T-shirt. On the other hand, his tall, athletic frame and effortless charm were disarming. Not to mention the Americanised twist to his Barbadian accent. Nice.

"How did you know it was me?" I asked.

Matthew sat on the seat facing mine and arched an eyebrow. "I figured that the young lady sitting alone and sighing in frustration in front of a laptop was probably you."

I pursed my lips, not impressed with his jibe. Ha, ha, very funny smartass.

A clap back balanced on the tip of my tongue but a cheerful waiter sprang out of nowhere and made me hold back. "Hello, lovely couple. Would you like to order anything? May I recommend the Valentine's Day cheesecake?"

"No, thanks. And we're not a...nevermind," I replied. Matthew said a quiet thank you and added that he'd order later.

Matthew chuckled and raised both hands in playful surrender at me. "I was kidding. I guessed you're Michelle 'cause you bear a striking resemblance to your dad. Slim, dark, gap between your front teeth...a stunner."

Hmm. Smooth as butter. "Should I tell my mum you have a crush on her husband?"

"No, that would make neighborhood meetings awkward," he retorted.

I giggled, he bit his lip. Both of us laughed.

Matthew signaled to the waiter and ordered a cappuccino and chocolate muffin. The waiter gave me a it's about time you lightened up it's Valentine's Day look. I gave him a mind your own damn business look before he left. Matthew looked into my eyes and shook his head as he awaited his meal, with a cheeky smirk on his face.

We spent the rest of the afternoon going over the coursework. He was an excellent teacher. Everything that seemed difficult, became so straightforward. As the hours passed, I wondered why I had issues with it in the first place. He gave me a series of practice questions which I solved without stress. We enjoyed each other's company and I had so much fun that I felt a bit sad when we were done.

He walked me home after sunset. We strolled side by side and only exchanged a few words. Matthew took me by surprise when he stopped at a local gift shop and bought me a yellow rose and a cute gift package on our way. Simple, but the sweetest random thing anyone had done for me in a while.

"Aww, you shouldn't have, how sweet of you. Thank you, Matthew."

"Happy birthday, Michelle"

"My birthday is tomorrow."

"Yeah, I know. Your dad told me. The rose is for you, just because today is Tuesday, but the gift package is for you to open tomorrow."

I appreciated how he didn't go on and on about it being February the fourteenth, and called it just another Tuesday. He must've guessed my sensitivity to it. Nevertheless, who gives people birthday gifts the day before? "How do you know I won't open it the minute I walk through my door?"

"Wouldn't you want to delay your gratification?"

Heat rose to my cheeks at his response. I didn't miss the possible innuendo but my sideways glance met his poker face and an innocent shrug. We continued walking and reached the front door of my house within a few minutes. I looked up into his eyes, and fiddled with my keys. "Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to tutor me."

He held my gaze and smiled, "It was a pleasure to be of help, Michelle."

We both stood on my doorstep staring at each other. He did not leave, and my feet refused to move. Putting my previous preferences into consideration, I would not have given him the time of day because he was a nerd. In just one afternoon, he had attracted me with his maturity, kindness and intelligence. Perhaps love was in the air. Maybe it was the full moonlight that made me starry eyed. When I looked at Matthew closer, he didn't look as plain as before. He was handsome, in an intriguing way and his golden brown eyes fascinated me. The front porch light cast a glow on his square jaw and complexion, and my heart warmed. It wasn't love at first sight, but at third glance an inexplicable desire drew me to him.

He held my hand and murmured. "You are finally seeing me, Michelle."

"I've been seeing you all day."

He took a small step closer. "No, you have been looking at me. Now you are seeing me." He bit his lip as his eyes drifted to my mouth.

I nodded. I thought the shadow over my eyes had been lifted.

"Say goodnight, Matthew!" My dad called out to us from the sitting room.

I cringed and almost died of embarrassment. My dad was keeping tabs on me. As usual. Maybe my over protective thirteen-going-on-thirty year old little brother, Mason, was asleep. They often worked as a team.

Matthew chuckled. "Yes, Mr Brown. Goodnight sir." He stroked my cheek, and his hand lingered when he tucked a curl behind my ear. "Goodnight Michelle. See you tomorrow."

He turned to leave but I held him back. "Wait, um–" My voice trailed off into the evening breeze.

"Yeah? Did you–"

Fortune favors the bold. I silenced him with a peck that was dangerously close to his full lips. The pine scent of his aftershave flooded my senses, and I purred with contentment. It was out of character for me to be forward with a guy so soon after meeting him. That being said, sometimes the spur of the moment is special. He took control and kissed me back with firm hands on my waist. Our eyes fluttered shut as we shared the passionate moment. Thunder rumbled in the distance and I broke the kiss. As I came to my senses, several shooting stars streamed across the sky and the moon brightened. For a split second, Matthew's facial skin rippled, and two glowing antennae popped out of the top of his head. I blinked and the eerie sight was gone. Too quick to elicit a fearful reaction from me, but enough of a reason to stop eating my roommate's 'organic' cookies.

Matthew watched me with dreamy eyes as I opened my front door and rushed into the house. I didn't look back when I closed the door. My body trembled with the adrenaline rush caused by the shock of our kiss. I had only known him for a few hours and truth be told, I wanted more but rational thought prevailed. My fingers brushed my lips as I climbed the stairs to my room and my heart raced in anticipation of our next meeting. My phone beeped. It was a message from Matthew.

I had a wonderful time today, and I can not wait to see you again, My star.

My star? On one hand, it seemed a bit early for a nickname. On the other, I acknowledged that the hot kiss on our not exactly first date might've messed with our timeline.

He deleted the message and sent a revised version:

I had a wonderful time today, and I can not wait to see you again, Michelle.

With a nudge from my hip, I pushed my bedroom door open. My phone in one hand, and my gift package tucked under my other arm. Thinking that I would tease him for his initial typo, I responded:

The pleasure was all mine. I am grateful for your help, My moon.

***

After the most wonderful year in my life, Matthew and I marked our one year anniversary. Our love bloomed bright and beautiful like the yellow roses he gave me on the day we met. Considering how amazing our relationship was, noticing that his smile didn't reach his eyes as we had an evening stroll on the beach worried me.

'Matthew, what's wrong?'

'Nothing. I wouldn't change this moment for the world.'

Heck no. His answer came in a swift breath, and he avoided eye contact. He never lied to me before and I wasn't going to take him starting now. I stepped away from his side, and stood in front of him with my hands on my hips. 'We're not going anywhere until you tell me what's up.'

'I don't have much time left. The blue moon is here,' he murmured.

Tears flowed free and fast from my eyes. How could absolute joy turn into sorrow in a split second? 'Oh my goodness! Are you dying?' My chest tightened. I didn't even realize I was hyperventilating until Matthew put his strong hands on my shoulders and told me to breathe in and out.

'Babe, please. I'm sorry for upsetting you. No, I'm not dying. Let me explain.'

My voice came out in a muffled squeak. After a few painful minutes, I calmed down.

'I'm not from around here and I don't want to leave you,' he said.

'Boy, please! Is this 'cause you studied in the States and you wan't to go back to some other chick?'

'No.'

'No? Is that all you have to say after we dated for a year, and on our anniversary?'

Matthew pulled me into an embrace before I could walk away. 'I will never let you go. I love you.'

'Let me go.' His strong but gentle arms annoyed me for the first time ever.

'Remember how you always said you wanted us to go on a vacation...at a place far away?'

Dude had to be tripping. 'What has that got to do with this?'

A twinkling spotlight hovered above us and descended in a spiral around us. My shock overcame my fear and my eyes froze on Matthew. He held me closer and whispered in my ear as we were drawn into the light and up into the sky. 'Honey, we're about to go on a vacay you would've never dreamed of.'

<<<<<FINIS>>>>>

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Evergreen Ebony is a slightly ambidextrous science instructor who shares her love for family, art and culture with the world through her stories.