Chapter 7:

I felt the heat of the sun hitting my skin. The dazzling golden ray poured through my window, gently approaching me as if it's telling me it's time to wake up because it's already morning.

I squinted my eyes as soon as I opened it.  My eyelids felt heavy so I rubbed my bleary eyes.

My vision was a bit blurry but it regains focus in just a second.  I could see the rays of the sun lighting up the room as well as my a bit messy room.

I looked towards my window where the sun was entering from. The day dawned crisped and clear.  It's been a long time since I slept this great and woke up gently.

I sat down when memories from last night came into mind that brought a smile to my face.

Wait... Why am laying in bed? I remember sleeping in the living room with them.

Are they already awake? I actually was surprised to learn that they also sleep but they told me that sleeping doesn't restore their energy as they don't lose energy by doing physical things in the first place.

They lose energy when they use their skills and to regain back their strength instead of sleeping they have to come back to Star Skyland to rest.

"Star Skyland is like the residence for us Star Spirits," Wade explained while whirling the colli in his hand.

"So it's like the place or the paradise you go to once you die?"

"If you died, you'll have the chance to make your wish come true but it's only for those who made a wish through a star before and if you're too determined to accomplish that wish then yes, you can have the qualifications of being a Star Spirit who's mission is to fulfill it," Wade continued to explain

"And when you have proven that you're determined and have the qualifications when the time comes, the heads of the Star Skyland will lead you to the start of your path to make that wish come true."

Aniel nodded and added, "It's basically like an ultra-private school where only the picked students can go to after having an extreme test."

"Ohh," I said amused.

"Who are the heads? Are they Star Spirits too?"

"No, they're constellations," Wade after he took a sip out of his Colli.

I was more surprised, do they mean like the constellations? Like Leo, Libra, etc?

"Yes!" Arien answered I guess after reading my mind. I brushed it off as I'm getting used to it.

"What does Star Skyland looks like?"

"Arien would say it's like a fantasy world but with a modern era. We all have apartments for ourselves but without electronics because it's just magic all around. The Star Skyland used magic to function so Star Spirits also have magics or what we call skills. Each of us has a role, every day some spirits go and come," Arien explained with her usual cheerful voice.

"Go and come?"

"Yes, After you have finished your wish you will have to go to paradise and say bye bye! You can't live in Star Skyland forever after all we all are immortal. You can't live forever," Aniel said as if he's remembering the times he was alive.

I feel sorry for them, they were so young when they died. They were too young, and judging from their looks and the way they express themselves, they must have been from rich families and had fun lives.

Aniel looked at me with his usual innocently stoic face that changed to a curious face.

"Why are you looking at us like that?" He asked. I shut my mouth.

"Nothing, let's just sleep already I'm tired. Oh, wait you guys sleep right?" I asked curiously.

"We can sleep but we don't get fatigued no matter what we do except for when we use our skills," Wade said as he started to clean the cans. We all got up and helped him.

"Oh, so you can sleep, what happens when you use a lot of skills?"

"Let's say we're like a phone, after we use a certain app or skills we lose percentage or energy, if we're low on battery or stamina then we can only charge if there's a charger. Then the Star Skyland will be our charger to charge, once we step on that world then we'll slowly charge back up," Wade used as an analogy.

"Eh?! That is a terrible metaphor, Arien thinks it's a bit stupid. I'd like a chance to explain."

"Ha?! Fine, what do you got?"

"We're like adults who work day and night, once we have done our specific jobs or use our brain we lose energy then if we're really tired we'll go home," Arien cheered.

"That's not that great either," Wade straight up said and Arien pouted at him.

"Wade's analogy is not that think through while Arien is a bit pure," Aniel interrupted them.

I stared at the three of them as they argue and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Done daydreaming?"

"Wah!" I instinctively grabbed a pillow and throw it hard as I can to the door where the person's voice came from.

He effortlessly avoided it and laughed at me.

"Wade, oh I'm sorry. My hands suddenly move on their own like it knows what it's doing." I jumped out of my bed to walk to him.

"Must have been by instinct," he chuckled but soon his smiling face turned to a serious one.

"Wade?" I asked as I stopped in front of him. He looked at me with a hint of seriousness and sincerity in his eyes.

"You're calling me Wade?" He asked, his facing looking like he has a lot of questions in his head that he needed answers to.

"We-well you said your name was Jack Wade so..." I answered biting my lower lips while avoiding his gaze.

"You used to call me Jack," he said not believing me.

"Yeah..."

"Do you rememb-"

"No," I quickly denied. He went silent once again.

"I see," he looked down, his eyes look like a busy bee as if he's answering a bunch of questions on a test.

We both were quiet only the chirps of the bird outside can be heard.

"But I know," I said as I determinedly looked into his eyes. He flinched at my words and showed a face saying he doesn't know what to do or what to say.

"What?"

"It is true I can't remember my past but I know. That." I pointed at the guitar hanging on the wall.

He looked at it and let out a laugh-sigh.

"Your name is engraved in it so I asked my grandmother back when we were on Lerish Mountain. I happened to tell my mom too and she goes on telling things from the past."

He still didn't speak so I continued.

"I know... But I can't remember. I'm sorry," It was now my time to look down. I really am sorry.

"It must have been hard keeping it for yourself. I don't know why you didn't tell me but I'll understand. Even if I can't remember, trust me I know. I know already so you can freely act like how you act before."

"It's okay with me," I looked up at him to see his expression.

"Navi..." His left hand traveled to my left shoulder and before I knew it he was already hugging me.

"Thank you," he said, his body felt heavy as if he's finally letting go of his burdens.

He was leaning on me with his full body but it was manageable. He touched my back hair while still hugging me and I felt him stroking.

"What are you doing?" I chuckled.

"You said I can act like my old self without having to worry so I am. I used to caress your hair like this and hug you like this every time I could."

"You do?"

"Hmm."

We stayed in that position for a while before he let go.

"Let's eat. I cooked breakfast," he said as he dragged me downstairs.

We were still 5 feet away from the kitchen but I could already smell it.

"Is that bacon and egg?"

He instantly smiled. We reached the kitchen and I could see the white table set up, the chair was also white. The fresh daylight coming through the window added to the scenery.

There was a little flower pot in the middle with Lavender Rose in it. It was obvious that it was sprayed with water just a second ago as the sweet scent swayed around the room and the petals were still wet by the water and water droplets are still visible on its edge.

Two plates were on the table, with a superb breakfast. There was a slightly burned toast which I personally prefer because I don't know it just makes the toast have a bit of a change of taste. There was bacon and spinach scrambled egg with Apple juice on the side and a fruit salad.

I was still in awe that I didn't realize him leaving my side and taking a sit on the other chair.

"Standing and staring there won't make you full," he said as he smirked.

I snapped out of it and slowly approach the table.

"What are you a chef?" I jokingly said as I took a sit.

"Hmm, well I can be a chef, a driver, a gardener, adventurer, researcher, protector, doctor, boyfriend, your sleeping bag, your pillow, blanket, anything depending on the situation."

I looked at him like a cow. Blinking a lot of times like I couldn't believe what he is saying. He looked serious saying that not an ounce of joke in his tone.

"I know, ain't I perfect?" he jokingly said.

"Yeah you are too perfect," I straightforwardly said. This time he was the one who blinked but with a smirk.

"Oh by the way Wade, where's the twins?"

"They went back to Star Skyland."

"Oh, do they need to rest?"

"No, Star Skyland is our house. We can go there whenever we want even if we don't need charging."

"Oh, then can I visit there?" I asked.

He looked at me maliciously, "There is no way I'm letting you die on me."

"Huh? You need to be dead to enter?"

"No," he flicked my forehead and sat back down.

"Only star spirits can enter that realm."

"Ahh..." I chuckled a little because of my stupidity.

"Navi start eating, it's already 7:26 AM."

"Alright! But... I have to pray first," I looked at him.

"Hmm yeah I know, sure," he said and leaned on his chair.

"Are you gonna pray with me?"

He smiled at me, "I have no religion, so I'll wait for you. It's important for you to have faith and to believe so go on."

I giggled and nodded at him. I closed my eyes and started to pray my breakfast prayer, I even added a bit of extra prayer, thanking about the experience last night and the handsome guy in front of me who happened to be my boyfriend who is very skilled at everything especially cooking.

"Amen!"

Once I opened my eyes I saw him smiling proudly at me.

"Yehey! Now eat," he pointed at the dish he made excitedly.

"Tell me what you think," he added. I smiled at him and nodded.

I started eating and once I took a bite I couldn't stop eating for more. I continuously praise him as his smile grew larger every time.

Sometimes he would wipe my messy mouth and before I knew it we were having a fulfilling conversation.

When we were out of topic it was just silent but it wasn't awkward. I don't even care if it's awkward as long as I have this delish food in front of me.

This is too delicious! Why is he so damn perfect, I'm going to cry.

I was just eating heartily and he was oddly quiet so I peeked at him.

He was leaning his arm on the table while resting his chin on his hands. He is looking at me smiling.

My heart pounded wildly. It was beating faster than before.

Once I looked at his eyes...

It's like he's looking at the only woman in the world. He's looking at me like I'm that someone he's going to be with for the rest of his life. It was full of love and support.  I've never received this kind of gaze before.

I feel like I'm looking at someone who's deeply in love.

"You know..." He started while holding back his smile.

"When I'm looking at you, it's as if space and time become the finest point imaginable as if time collapses into one speck and explodes at light speed when you look back at me. I couldn't think about anything else but only the thought of my universe beginning and ending with you."

"I could run forever, search forever, but in the end, every path leads right back to you. I always kept thinking about you. Just imagining your face makes me lost in my own imagination, seeing you smile makes me feel like I could do anything just for you."

"Damn Navi... Just what... What did you do to me?" He smiled.

He said all that while looking straight at my eyes. I was lost for words. I felt my stomach suddenly having butterflies.

I could feel my face heating up once all his word has been processed by my mind. Why is this guy saying such things? He laughed by himself while I was covering and fanning myself.

That was cheesy... But it was real and sweet.

"That was random... And cheesy what the heck?!" I said still covering myself.

"You told me to act like myself without anything holding me back and it made you smile didn't it?"

"I'm not smiling."

"Oh really?"

He keeps on teasing me and I could feel my heart beating quicker every second.

I stood up while avoiding his gaze and lifted my plate that is now empty. "I'm done eating."

I walk towards the sink to wash the utensils, I could feel him gazing at my back.

I heard the chair squeak indicating that he has gotten up, I looked back wondering what's he's doing but I haven't fully turned yet when he suddenly appeared right behind me and hugged me from behind.

"Huh? What?" I asked myself flabbergasted.

He pressed his chin on my shoulder and I could smell his scent. He gave a strong yet soft fragrance.

"Hurry up, you still have school." His subtle voice reached my ear.

Flustered, my movements fasten, and eventually, I got the dishes done while he observes as he was back hugging me.

"Why are you hugging me?" I asked. Though I'm not complaining.

"I used to do this before..."

"I missed this," he said with a genuine tone. His voice seems like he really missed this so I didn't oppose nor admonish him.

We were in that position for no more than a minute before he let go.

"Take a shower now, you smell like your bed. You stink," he said jokingly with a smirk.

I glared at him in disbelief as he laughs. Like what? Why would you hug me that long if I smell? And your the one at fault here, I just woke up and you suddenly drag me down to eat.

Okay, I don't mind you being sweet to me but why the sudden change of mood. I like the romantic atmosphere, I pouted by myself.

I rolled my eyes at him before going upstairs to my bedroom to close the door and lean my back on it.

I couldn't stop myself from smiling anymore. My heart is beating happily and positively around him. Is this what love does to someone?

It felt like it's my first time feeling this way but at the same time, it's not that new.

"Hey! Take a shower already stop thinking about me. I can't read your mind but I can feel your presence leaning on this door," his voice coming directly just outside this door.

"I'm not thinking about you! I was just... Resting!" I said and hurriedly ran to my bathroom.

How... I didn't even hear his footsteps.

I faced the mirror inside this bathroom and could see my face burning red.

Waah! Why am I like this?!

******

Favorite ice cream flavor???