Just a chapter left and then the Epilogue...

“Does a Silly Jump”

TONY WAS DISCHARGED  from the hospital today but I won't see him till after swimming practice.

As it turns out, Zion was a part of the male swim team and although they refused to admit it, he was good.

Walking to the bus stop takes longer than needed because I needed to mentally prepare myself to face Xavier at home.

Sam asked me to hang out at his aunt's shop tomorrow evening and I decided I would ask her if there was an opening for a new employee.

I needed to gain a sort of responsibility and although dad would be mad because the amount of money sitting in my account could last an average person four years even with active spending.

Speak of which.

“Hey, Diana.”She steers the car into the main road.

“Yeah?”

“Are there any orphanages around here?”

“The Pretty Heart Children's Home is around the corner. Do you want to visit?”I nod.

“There's a party on Saturday, you're coming with me, period.”

That's if you see me. Insert giant smirk here.

⊥⊥⊥

“Do you want to go somewhere with me?”I was in my room tending to my aching body when Xavier had knocked and I let him in.

He's all dressed up. White T-shirt that has a violin drawn on the front.

“I would have loved to but my body is uncooperative at the moment.”Xavier sits on my bed and scans my body, in a non-creepy way.

“What did you do?”

“I joined the school swim team yesterday. We have practice everyday.”He nods, threading our fingers together.

“Did you take a hot bath?”

I shake my head. No. “Was I supposed to?”

“It works like magic, trust me.”

My cheeks burn red at the sight of our fingers together. It feels so nice anyway.

“Maybe tomorrow then.” I gaze up at Xavier.

“Huh?”

“We'll go somewhere tomorrow since you're not in good shape this evening.”He suggests but the impatient part of me wanted to know what he had planned.

I stand, pulling away from him. “You know what? Let me take that hot shower and see how it goes.”

He nods and leaves. The few boys I've know would have made a perverted comment but he doesn't and that is a major relief.

Immediately he's out, I enter my bathroom and strip, putting Gemma on video call.

Well, we're girls, nothing to be ashamed of.

“You look excited.”She rolls a part her hair around a hair roller.

I giggle, turning on the faucet. “That's because I am. Xavier's taking me somewhere.”Gemma slaps a hand over her mouth, leaving the roller dangling.

“Date?”

“I'm not so sure, but I think we can call it that, although he did not say anything and I'm freaking nervous about what to wear. Gemma-” I feel so anxious right now that I could pull my hair.

“Relax, Haze.”She motions me to inhale and exhale.

“But-”

“-who's on the phone with you.”I and Gemma's eyes widen at the foreign voice which belongs to a male. Swearing freely, she fumbles with her phone.

“It's Hazel.”I tilt my phone away so that the person wouldn't see me even if they happened to look in Gemma's phone.

“Can I talk to her?”

The call ends at this point. Sighing, I work through my hygiene.

◎•◎•◎

Xavier takes me to the city's park and he sets up a small space at the center and ushers me to sit on a bench.

Then, he takes out a violin from its case and my heart does a silly jump.

“What are you doing?”

He grins at my question. “You'll see.”

Then, he starts playing “Perfect”by John Legend and my entire body feels like I'm floating in space.

This wasn't my expectation at all when he asked to take me somewhere. I expected it to be a diner, cafe or a cinema, but I never dreamed he would be playing a violin for me before everybody.

Already a small crowd had gathered and money fall into the open case while others take videos of us.

“I found a love,
for me Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead.

Well, I found a girl,
beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me

'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was I will not give you up this time

But darling, just kiss me slow
Your heart is all I own
And in your eyes, you're holding mine

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favourite song
When you said you looked a mess
I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it
Darling, you look perfect tonight”

His eyes are on me the entire time. Only me. I find it hard to describe the intensity of passion that passes through his stare.

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favorite song,
I have faith in what I see

Now I know I have met an angel in person
And she looks perfect
I don't deserve this You look perfect tonight

I know that I have met an angel in person,

You'll know when you finally meet the person for you because even your heart and brain knows it.

darling you look perfect, tonight...

The end is graced by a deafening applause but all I see is him and all he sees is me.

Still flustered, I ask some girl to send the video of us to my phone and she delightfully agrees.

Shortly after this, the crowd diminishes until it's just us left and the passers-by.

“That was mind-blowing, Xavier.” He adjusts the beanie on his head and smiles.

***

Well, who saw that coming?

I know I know, right?
I love Ed Sheeran's Perfect by the way.

It's a beautiful song.

And after this I think I'm going to get an acoustic guitar. I took lessons some time ago but I've never got a chance Ty practice much since I didn't have a personal guitar.

I'll let you guys know how it goes.