But his eyes are what I noticed first. They’re blue and light, but not as muted as Mum’s. They’re glinting in the sun as if they’re reflecting its warmth. As if they’re mimicking the sky and trapping the stars.
Yes, stars are visible during the day, but only through his shiny eyes. Not only can they be seen there, but they also have that magical pull.
Like Disney films and the wildest fairy tales.
His name is Daniel.
It’s a normal name on everyone else but him.
We’ve been studying in the same class ever since I changed schools after Mum married Uncle Henry.
Everyone in school loves me. The teachers, because I’m a good girl and smart. The kids, because I’m popular.
Not Daniel, though.
He’s never spoken to me. Never even looked my way.
As if I were invisible.
His mother recently became friends with Mum and this is the first time she’s invited her to our house.
I’ve been over the moon ever since I learned that he’d be coming over with his mum. I didn’t know why at first, until I learned what “unhealthy obsession” meant last night.
I think I have one for him.
Which should be stupid, considering he doesn’t even know I exist, but I always find myself watching him.
Like now.
I don’t even know what Chloe, the girl I poured tea for, just said. But I continue to nod anyway, so she’ll keep talking and I can watch him.
So I can see how he runs and tackles the ball, then scores. His teammates gang up on him and he grins.
I stop breathing.
Something happens when he grins or smiles or laughs.
His cheeks crease and one set of dimples appear. If he were an angel, those would be his wings. If he were a prince, that would be his crown.
Daniel is simply so…beautiful.
My cheeks catch fire and I focus back on Chloe for a second and laugh at something she said before I lift my head again.
This time, Daniel’s bright eyes that resemble a combination of the sky, sun, and stars are staring at me.
No, glaring.
His lips are pursed, the dimples gone, before he shakes his head and goes back to his game.
What…?
What happened just now?
Ghostly hands squeeze my chest, and my heart starts to thump loudly. I did something wrong and I don’t know what.
Why did he look at me for the first time and glare?
My fingers shake on the teacup and Mum gives me a sidelong stare. I carefully put it down, trying to breathe deeply as she taught me.
I’m going to screw up something. I can feel myself losing control and if I do, Mum will be mad.
So I stand up, smooth my white dress with lace and smile. “I’ll be right back, girls.”
I don’t wait for their replies as I walk in a brisk pace toward the house, staring at my golden flat shoes with lace ribbons that match the ones in my hair.
Today, I wore my best clothes so I’d look pretty. I even asked Mum to leave my hair loose because it makes me feel like a princess.
I wanted to be a princess because that’s what princes want.
But he glared at me.
Overwhelmed, I go to the kitchen, make sure none of the staff is looking, and then I steal two peaches. I hide them behind my back and sneak to the pool house.
The drawn-out curtains hide the light except for sneaky rays that spill through onto the wooden floor.
I sit on the carpet and kick my shoes away. I’ve always loved to sit on the ground with my feet outstretched, but Mum hates that, so I come to the pool house to do it.
This is the only place where I’m out of her sight and can do what I want.
Like eating peaches.
I’m allergic to them, but they’re my favorite food. I like the calm they bring me after every bite. So what if I have red, swollen lips? It’ll go away after a while.
Loving something that hurts you is also an unhealthy obsession, I think.
I shouldn’t be doing this when we have guests, but I’m freaking out, and peaches erase that feeling.
They’re on my side.
I take the first bite and close my eyes to enjoy the sickeningly sweet taste. My tongue tingles, but I continue chewing and sucking the positive energy. The first peach is almost finished, and I tell myself I’ll take my time with the second one.
“Peaches.”
I startle, my eyes snapping open, and that causes one of my preciously stolen fruits to roll down on the ground and bump into someone’s shoes.
Before I can be relieved that Mum didn’t catch me, I rake my gaze over the person who did.
Daniel.
He stares down at me with mild annoyance as if I’m a beggar at the side of his house who keeps blocking his way whenever he goes out.
The blue of his eyes that’s usually bright and sparkling is a little muted now, but the rays of the sun streak his hair to give it lighter strands.
Even though he was running for more than half an hour, his shirt is tucked neatly in his trousers and his face isn’t all red and sweaty like mine whenever I do any physical activity. Only a slight flush dusts his cheeks and nose.
He bends over and catches the fruit that unapologetically bumped into him, then rolls it between his fingers as if it’s the first time he’s seen one. “Do you always hide to eat peaches after being mean?”
I swallow the contents of my mouth and my lips burn as if I’ve kissed fire.
But that doesn’t matter.
Because I think Daniel just spoke to me.
For the first time in weeks, he sees me.
Just to make sure, I search around me in case someone else came into the pool house.
Maybe it’s a ghost?
Or his imaginary friend?
No. He was actually talking to me. I’m the only one hiding to eat peaches.
My brow furrows when I focus on the last bit he said. “Who’s mean?”
“You.”
“M-me?”
“You’re mean and stuck-up. I don’t care if you do it to anyone else, but if you laugh at me again, I won’t let you.”
Wait. What is he saying?
“I didn’t laugh at you.”
“You did with Chloe just now.”
“No, that’s not…” My tongue gets stuck and my words won’t come out.
Usually, eating peaches only makes my lips swollen, so why does my tongue feel numb?
“Do you enjoy acting superior when you invite people to your house?” he continues. “I can play your game, too. I’ll tell your mum that you’ve stolen peaches and are eating them. If you’re hiding to do it, then it must be a bad thing.”
“No… Don’t do that…”
My tongue barely moves and my words are drawn out. My hand involuntarily opens and the half-eaten peach falls to the ground.
“I can be mean, too.” He starts to move and I stand up abruptly.
The world spins around me and the room pulls me down. A buzz fills my ears before a thud echoes around us.
It’s me, I realize, when my blurry vision focuses on the ground.
I fell down. My limbs feel like they’re in an awkward position, but I don’t even care about that as I strain, “D-don’t…”
My eyes are half-closed but I make out his silhouette facing me again. “If this is some tactic to stop me, it won’t work.”
“Peaches…” I mumble. “I-I’m allergic to t-them…”