Cotton Candy

After how she was so proud of herself, she faced two consecutive losses that brought down her confidence by a lot. Her face collapsed, and she felt ashamed to face Daniel.

On the next one, she at least got the third position.

But for the ambitious Eve, this wasn't enough.

When the game of football started, Evelyn gathered up her spirits and determination. Although rules were laid out, a bunch of five years, overtaken by their competitiveness, hardly paid any mind to them, and everyone started play in their own methods.

The children struggled to get the ball, and a couple shot the ball with their hands instead. Clashes happened. While they got into squabbles, Evelyn had one clear goal in her mind.

The time was running out, and Evelyn knew that if she let her opponent get this kick, the game would end in a loss for their team. That's why, buckling up her spirits, she rushed sideways towards the ball before the boy could kick it.

Her feet kicked the ball from before the boy's feet, and after that, she reacted quickly by jumping on the ball, catching it in her arms . This made her cheek scrape against the ground.

But in the face of a win, when did injuries matter?

And then, she managed to kick a goal.

At the end, their team managed to win, and Evelyn would be given the grandest reward for getting most balls into the goalpost.

Proud from listening to praises left and right, she had her hands on her waist. Her chin was lifted as she boasted to Daniel: "Did you see that? I am so great, so cool! My kicks! Whoa! They were perfect!"

However, Daniel showed dissatisfaction on his face. Those cold eyes of his made nervousness form at the bottom of her stomach, almost losing all the joy she received from winning.

"Didn't I trust you with being careful? How could you run so recklessly? Do you know dangerous it was?" he scolded.

Feeling guilty at that, she softly said, "I only got a little injured. And didn't I win?"

"Little injured? Does it not hurt? And it could've been worse. What if you fractured something? You need to act with more care."

"I am sorry," she voiced out while pouting.

He was too scary. Instead of being praised, she got scolded.

"Come on. Let's get your wounds cleaned up."

°°°

On the way home, her eyes drifted on to the cotton candy being sold. Instantly, she craved for the fluffy and sugary goodness. Licking on her lower lip, she tugged on Daniel's hand.

This made him look at the little girl.

Pointing towards the cotton candy, she said, "I want to have one."

He followed her finger, and he immediately replied, "No."

Hearing him turn her down made her scrunch her nose and say, "I have money. You don't have to pay for it."

"It's not a matter of money. That is not good for your health," he stated.

This made her expression crumble. If he acted like that now, how would she live with him in the future? Will she not get to eat anything delicious?

No, that can't be it.

She should try to convince him from now on for the sake of her taste buds in the future.

"Look at me. Am I not healthy and strong? I have cotton candies all the time, and nothing happened to me. And also, eating only one wouldn't cause a difference. Really. I promise you," she pleaded—her blue eyes filled with desperation.

"You have cavities in your teeth," he pointed out.

"Mom said that I will have new teeth soon. They will fall off soon. I promise that I will not eat them after I get new teeth," she expressed, trying to sound as sincere as possible.

"Let's get you home," he stated, showing how there was no space to argue on this matter.

But Evelyn wasn't the one to back down easily.

"Mister," she whined, "can't I have one? Just one?"

Her eyes turned watery as she blinked them, hoping that would melt his freezing heart. Daniel silently stared at her.

"I really want to eat them. If I don't get them, I will be very much sad and cry. I wouldn't be able to study, eat, or sleep then. And then, I will get sick, very sick. Wouldn't it be bad?"

Daniel sighed.

"You are a troublesome one," he commented.