Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! Keeps me going.
Despite a desperate desire to stay snuggled beneath your covers, you rise with the sun. Breakfast consists of two pieces of toast which you butter haphazardly. Then it's out the door you go, sunglasses skewed on your face and backpack flung over one shoulder.
The sunrise that greets you is magnificent: strong oranges bleeding into bright yellows, dotted with clouds highlighted in soft pinks and purples. You keep your eyes up as you mount your trusty bike and take off, watching the colors slowly give way to a baby blue sky.
There's another hue on your mind this morning. Red. You subconsciously adjust your shades on your face. It's not that you don't think your eyes are cool. Heck, they're hella rad. But other people think they're freakish. You don't know if John feels the same way, as he hasn't had so much as a glimpse in years.
His offhanded comment yesterday afternoon shook you. You're not sure what made you choose his present for today. Maybe you want him to think your eyes are just as cool as that stupid rabbit's (okay, fine, it's not stupid…you can't stay mad at cute, fluffy animals, especially if they remind you of John). Or maybe you just want to make it clear to John that he has you, if he wants you, from the top of your styled hair to the tips of your red converse. And that includes your eyes, no matter how uncomfortable you are when exposing them to the world.
Through some magical coincidence, you arrive at John's house just as he's pulling the front door shut and stepping out onto the stoop. He pauses when he sees you, eventually breaking into a friendly grin. You're reminded that today is the last day of your anticipated Stage 4: Acceptance, and that tomorrow commences Stage 5. You hope you were right when you titled it "Interest."
John reaches you, still balanced on your bike with one foot on the pavement. He stands on the curb and bounces up and down on the balls of his feet when he greets you. You're happy to see that he hasn't lost that childlike habit. He also still grips the straps on his backpack with both hands, in an action quite reminiscent of an anime schoolgirl. You laugh.
"What?" John asks, walking alongside you as you begin to pedal back down the street. You assure him it's nothing as you make a right onto the next suburban road. You're impressed when John is able keep pace. Then again, you suppose walking to school every day gives one good legs. You find yourself thinking about John's legs, and force yourself to focus.
"So…no present today?" John asks sheepishly, looking up at you and smiling.
"You better watch your mouth there, Egbert," you warn, smirking. "I'm beginning to think you only tolerate me for my gracious gifts." John turns a remarkable shade of pink.
"That's not what I meant!" he exclaims. You reach over and ruffle his hair lightly before he gets too agitated.
"What'd you name that rabbit, anyway?" you ask, to dispel any tension. Yesterday afternoon, John's father had begrudgingly allowed the rabbit to be kept in the house, as long as John found it a cage and supplies the very next day. You were suitably relieved, and you and John agreed to hit the pet store after school.
John purses his lips thoughtfully. "I haven't decided yet. I was thinking Liv Tyler." You smile.
"Of course you were." Gradually, you slow the bike, bringing it for to a complete halt. John glances over at you questioningly. You bite your lip. "So, honestly, I did bring a present you today." He seems to sense something is wrong, and tilts his head to the side in an extraordinarily John-ish sort of way. "You mentioned yesterday that I never let you see my eyes," you continue, reaching for your shades. "So, I thought…"
Lightning-quick, John's hand catches your wrist and steadies it. "Dave," he says slowly. "You know you don't have to do this. Not if you don't want to, or it makes you uncomfortable." His smile is heartening. "I would never want you to do something you didn't want to do."
In that moment, you're thoroughly convinced you picked the right guy. You beam, catching him in an awkward hug from your position balanced on the bike seat. "I know, John. It's okay." You feel him smile into your shoulder. "I guess it would make me happy," you admit. He nods and steps away, allowing you to remove your sunglasses and tuck them into your sweatshirt pocket. John gasps a little and steps closer, peering into your eyes like they're the most fascinating thing he's ever seen. And you gotta admit, they are pretty damn cool.
"Dave, they're gorgeous," he breathes as his own eyes sparkle. You bite back a grin and take off pedaling again. John has to jog a little to keep up. Sunlight breaks through the trees, dappling the pavement with a soft glow. The world (and the boy beside you) are so beautiful in brighter colors, as opposed to the muted hues you usually see in, that you decide to keep your eyes uncovered for the rest of the ride to school.
"Hey," you mention after a considerable pause. "Are we still on for the pet store after school?" John smiles, his eyes on the sidewalk.
"Definitely."