Gar and raven sat by the fire in a blanket to get warm from the storm.
"So, where would you travel?" Raven asking breaking the silence
"Uh.. honestly I don't know. I would grab a map and I'd just go."
Raven enjoyed watching him speak of what he was passionate about
"Where would you like to go? If you were me?" Gar scooting closer to her
"Um.." not know where any places are other than her own place in the sea. "Somewhere fun. With people. Things to learn."
"Well.. maybe you could come with me one day.." Gar smiling
Rachel blushed
"Assuming I even get to do this at all."
"I think you'll get there. Just keep aiming for it." She smiles and it bewitches him
He looks at her smile and lips and back up to her captivating eyes and leans in to kiss her.
Raven is stunned by his quick move and kisses him back. His hand cupping her neck while his thumb still grazes upon her cheek. He pulls away slowly
"I'm sorry..I um.." Gar stuttering
"No. It's okay. I'm glad you did." She blushed
"Um look.. don't tell my folks. They like you.. but if they knew.. they would want you to find somewhere else.."
"Why? I thought they liked me?"
"They do.. it's just if they knew you and I.. they'd not want us to be alone together in case anything happened."
She nods still confused at this behavior. "I understand."
He nods.
The next day, Gar's mother is making lunch and as they sat at the table. Gar's parents start lecturing on his dream of traveling.
"You guys. Please. I don't want to speak of it right now." Gar pleaded with them.
Raven went to the bathroom to freshen up.
"Garfield. Do you not see what's in front of you?" His mother pushed his buttons
Gar obvious and looks in front of his plate.
"No, boy. She's talking about the girl, Raven."
His father chimes in
Gar nervous hoping they didn't find out
"Listen. I know you have dreams, but this girl could be a good thing. You two can have a life here. Anywhere. But she and you are the same age and well you're getting older." His mother continues to poke
"What if she doesn't want to? Maybe she has dreams that don't involve me. Think of that?" Gar not wanting to give up on his dream fully.
"Oh please. You're as cute as kitten, and kind and hard working. Plus I see how she looks at you." His mother adds
"At least see if there's.. anything there." His father winks
He nodded as Raven came back.
"You know what would be a good idea? A picnic. The four of us close to the apple trees a couple of miles from here." His mother mentions
"Picnic?" Raven asks
"You never had a picnic?" Gar asks
She shakes her head. "What is it?"
"Well, you grab some food, a cloth. Take it somewhere nice and enjoy the day." His father explaining
She smiles thinking the idea would be lovey.
As they get ready for their picnic, Gar sees a note on the table.
"Your father and I won't be able to make it. Our neighbors need help with their carriages. But take the picnic basket and blanket I prepared and you two have fun."
"Very convenient." Gar smiles and shakes his head
"What's wrong?" Raven asks
"Nothing. My folks may not make it. But you and I could still-"
She nods and smiles and they walk to the spot near the trees.
Green grass. Blue skies, the sound of birds and light wind in the air.
"It's beautiful." Raven takes in the view.
"Yea" he smiles at her and he sets up the picnic cloth and they eat together.
"Your mother makes the most interesting food." Raven mentions
"What kind of food were you used to eating?" Gar a little confused seeing it is only fruits and pies
"Oh.. well. Mostly fish."
Raven lies back and watches the sky. Feeling the wind hit her dress and the sun shine through the trees
Gar leans over. "Raven?"
"Yes."
"What do you want? Like in five years. What do you expect your life to look like?" Gar trying to find a way to bring up the topic his parents mentioned
Raven stands and looks around while the wind hits. "Oh.. um. I guess I would like to be doing something I love. Have stories to tell. Someone to care about." She says looking at him then looking away feeling bashful
"Well.. I want the same thing. What kind of person do you think you'd want?" Gar asking blushing
"Um.. Well.. like you." She tucks her hair behind her ear.
"Really?"
"Yea. You're nice. You care about people. You play so well. You don't judge me."
"Why would I judge you?"
"Gar.. I'm not like other people.. I'm.. kind of different in ways it's hard to explain."
Gar scoffs. "Well; yea I mean I can tell. I think that's why you're.." he pauses
She looks at him and they lock eyes. "Beautiful.. to me" he adds
"You think I'm beautiful?" She blushes
He walks closer to her and cups her face and kisses her slowly. She kisses him back and feels weak in her knees. She's been a human for a week and never knew how this affected a human body.
They walked home and seen his parents were still not home so they made tea and sat together and enjoyed their night together.
