his gaze deepens. calista knows heβs trying to be funny or at least guesses it being his intention because what else could it be with that straight face and hard lines following a proud declaration of remaining an infant. and yet, she meets his gaze and accepts whatever challenge, though it soon feels less like a challenge and more like a river in which you dip your toes. slowly you take one step after another and suddenly the currentβs pulling you deep, the ground beneath you is slippery and wild emerald algae wraps around bare skin. she snaps out of it at his laugh, almost dazedβ stars visible in the clear-colored spaces in her vision. she forgets his background so often, even if his story lives in his smile and his eyes, in his every breath. a soft smile surfaces at the mention of his biological mother, almost as if theyβve swapped roles and now a younger version of calista sits in front of a man who tells her a story just to get her eyes wide with wonder and suddenly she finds herself asking in a soft tone: βdo you miss her?β has she ever asked him? she doesnβt think sheβd heard the answer before though sheβs seen it in eyes flooded in nostalgia. a part of her regrets the words, though she doesnβt let him know itβ only settles back on her seat, both hands tapping at her drinkβs white cap with a pretty smile, a wild of her head that allows for a chuckle to escape. βout of the kindness of my heart,β she states with a hand lingering above her chest, βi will consider not telling on youβ a spark in her eye, a glint of that child-like play being summoned back into the table. βyou better keep yourself in your best behaviorβ.
βfineβ she states in a pointed look, a gaze that pierces as she comes to suck on her cheeks for a second. βkeep your secretsβ she almost adds in volume and voice but she holds back becauseβ¦ well itβs just not what she wants but itβs also not something she can attain without lowering herself to this pitiful figure asking for crumbs. her expression remains grey and serious, she takes a sip from the chai and lets the warm liquid warm her insides just a bit. what the hell is wrong with you??? she means to ask herself one more time but calista knows all to well the answer is better kept locked away, well hidden deep deep down, left to dust and oxide. his chuckle is startlingβ again. and while it wouldβve annoyed her, it somehow brings a smile of her own at his casual attitude. so carefree and loud and almost unapologeticβ how she wishes he could let her borrow some of his sunlight. βmaybe you shouldβ, she gives a butterfly shurg, βthereβs this really good one or so iβve heard: itβs called donβt spend the money you donβt haveβ. and then, a little less playful: βdo you really need the 10 dollars? i think i have a twentyβ.
as she entertains him by engaging into childish play, the expression on his face cracks. the corners of his lips edging into an amused smirk as laughter leaves him. the snapshot of the two sitting there, staring the other down perhaps being one that was a little silly. they were behaving pretty foolish but regardless of it, there was a sense of security that he felt enveloped them both. a familiarity built through the years that left him feeling safe. itβs as if heβs the voyager, lost at sea crashing against the temperamental waves and sheβs the lighthouse on the shore, promising to guide him out of harms way. heβs just about lost in the honey of her smile until his question brings him back to reality. βoh.β the grin on his lips falls into a small lie as he stares at the girl for a moment. not out of disappointment or anger, itβs not a topic heβs ever found himself ashamed of. sure, his upbringing was difficult, different than most and while his mother wasnβt attentive or even around for the most part, it didnβt mean he didnβt harbor any love for her after all this time. it was difficult. more difficult than he cared to admit despite proving calista with some type of answer. βi do,β he admits, βthough i missed her a lot more after it all happened which was funny because i hadnβt seen her in a few months. it was just strange, i think she was just a reminder of what i was leaving behind and it just made it that much harder.β mateo lets his answer linger for a moment, reminiscing on what he once knew. heβd be lying if he said he never wondered what his life would have been like had he not found a new family. no doubt nothing of what it is now. the grin on his lips returns as she teases him, tongue running behind the top of his tech before he lets out a chuck accompanied by a small nod. βright, right. promise,β he says, βcross my heart and hope to die.β
her reaction is hard to read, as much as he takes silent prides in knowing her, thereβs always been a wall with just how far sheβs let him in. he canβt quit grasp it and perhaps itβs because heβs overthinking it. too stupid to see whatβs in front of him. the fact that sheβs acting so indifferent about it making it that much harder to not spill elyseβs name from his lips to see her reaction. though, as clueless as he may be, mateo wasnβt stupid. there isnβt a scenario where mateo could see this ending well if he did. there reaction is amusing, something about it almost endearing as he laughs, shaking his head as he accepts his βfateβ of needing a finance class. a brow quirking upward as he takes a sip of his black coffee. βis there?β he chuckles, βand do you think itβs actually any good? iβve never really heard of any class being called that β sounds a lithe too on the nose.β as calista grows serious, so does he. lips falling into a thin line for a moment, wondering if he wants to keep the ruse up or let it up. the fact that sheβs willing to spare him more than what he asked for, only making him laugh once again. βnah,β he admits, βi just wanted to see if i could count on you if i ever do need a favor."
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