Eli & Juno

20- Graffiti

I wake up with a smile on my face. It's been months since our trip, and everything has been pure bliss.

I keep waiting for a fight, an argument, or something other than the little squabbles over who gets to pick which movie we watch (even though I should always get to, because Eli falls asleep with his head in my lap everytime we start a movie after eight. Which, I'm not complaining about, because it is adorable.) But it's been smooth sailing so far.

After I drove Eli home after the movies, Kylan and I went to the florist to buy some bouquets. Mother's Day is tomorrow, and in our house, it was done up. I had always volunteered to cook, and Pippa had volunteered to recook whatever I made.

Which makes Kylan in charge of gifts.

"How about these ones? Mum would like these, right?" He holds up a bouquet of what looks like weeds and asparagus. I wince.

"How about something more personal?"

"What's more personal than flowers?" He holds them up proudly. "Please, Juno?"

I check the price. Twenty three dollars. I nearly drop them. Twenty three dollars, for this?

"I have a better idea," I say, "let's take them out."

"What?"

"With Eli's family," I say, the ideas pouring out of me. "We'll plan something."

"But what about my flowers?"

"Eli has a great garden," I say. How had I not thought of it before? "He'll help you put something together."

"Will we pay him?"

"Of course not," I say ruffling his hair. "He's my boyfriend."

"He is?"

I give Kylan a funny look. "Of course. Is that alright?"

He stares for a moment, then nods and hugs me. I hug him back.

"We should bring him bubble tea," he says into my shirt. "As a thank you."

I laugh. "You're right kid, he's a monster for that stuff. Since when do you know my boyfriend better than me?"

Kylan grins. "I like Eli. And I'm smart."

I ruffle his hair and we head for the car.

The bubble tea place ends up being closed which I should've known, so we get Eli one of those London fog drinks I know he'd kill for. I also buy myself a vanilla latte, and Kylan a no-coffee frappuccino, which turns out to be a bad idea because he goes sort of hyper and almost jumps out of the car while we're still moving.

"Hey!" Eli calls when we pull up. His hair is damp at the edges, like he's just showered, which should be revolting but it most definitely is not. I stop the car and greet him in a completely PG way.

Kylan mimes barfing. Eli laughs and fists bumps him.

"Why are you two here?"

I tell him my plan. By the end, Eli's smile is wide.

"I love it." He takes my hand. I meet his gaze. He looks a little nervous about it, like it's wrong to be holding hands so openly. I kiss his cheek. "Come on," he says a little shakily.

I grin.

We go around the house. Eli assures us that no one is home. His backyard is beautiful. Yellow sunflowers, tulips, mint, and so many plants I can't name are spread around.

"Mum has to have a garden. Even if we're only here for a year." He looks back at me. I force myself not to match his sad expression, even though all I can think about is the fact that he'll be gone soon.