There's this thing called body language, my friend. And if you read it enough—you can see things. Understand things. And from what I've read? She's into me.
I still remember the first time we met. It was twelve years ago, back when we were just a couple of chubby little kids. I had been hanging around my mom's market stall when I spotted her—a tiny figure, curled up behind a stack of crates, hugging her knees and sobbing.
The market was always chaotic, a swirling blend of scents and sounds. The aroma of sizzling street food mixed with the tang of freshly cut fruit, while merchants barked out prices and haggled with customers. Neon signboards flickered in the distance, advertising products I could never afford. The city's massive infrastructure loomed above, casting angular shadows across the dusty streets below. Everything felt alive.
Even as a kid, I paid attention—to the way the world moved, to the little details people overlooked. And right then, I noticed her. Alone, scared, trying to disappear behind those crates. That wouldn't do.
Being the gentleman I imagined myself to be, I crouched beside her, doing my best to make my voice sound soft and reassuring. "Hey, are you okay?"
She sniffled, rubbing her teary eyes with tiny fists. "I… I can't find my mommy."
I sized up the situation quickly. "It's okay! I'll help you find her!" I said, pulling her to her feet and wrapping her in a comforting hug. "We'll find your mommy in no time."
"Really?" She pulled back from the hug and beamed at me—the most beautiful smile I'd ever seen. Her eyes shimmered, like moonlight on a still, quiet pond.
I froze, momentarily dumbstruck. One second, she was crying. The next, she looked like an angel who had just descended to bless the earth.
Maybe she thought I was lying about finding her mom, because her eyes welled up again.
Snap out of it, man.
I gave her the most reassuring smile I could muster, grabbed her hand, and led her to my mom.
Mom's face softened the moment she saw the little girl. She knelt beside her, her voice gentle. "Sweetheart, can you tell me what your mommy looks like?"
Selene sniffled. "She has golden hair… and a pretty dress…"
Not much to go on. And she probably didn't have a tracker on her either—some parents were wary of those, afraid someone might use them for the wrong reasons.
"Do you know her phone number?" Mom asked.
Selene nodded quickly, reciting it in a small, shaky voice. Relief washed over my mom's face as she dialed. "Hello? Yes, is this Selene's mother?"
Turns out, her mom had already alerted the police and was frantic with worry. When she finally arrived, Selene didn't hesitate.
"Mommy!" she cried, running straight into her mother's arms.
"Oh, Selene," her mother murmured, her relief evident as she held her daughter close. "Never disappear on me like that again," she whispered, pressing a kiss to her daughter's forehead.
"Okay, Mommy…" Selene mumbled against her shoulder.
Her mother turned to us, eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you so much, miss…?"
"Oh, just call me Marfi," my mom said with a smile.
"Thank you, Marfi. I'm Charria. I can't tell you how much this means to me. Please, let me do something to repay you."
Mom waved off the offer. "Don't worry about it. Any mother would do the same."
Charria smiled, but before she could say more, Selene tugged on her sleeve. "Mommy, it was this kid who found me."
Kid? Excuse me?
Charria turned to me, smiling warmly. "Well then, thank you, young man."
Selene grinned, clearly enjoying calling me a "kid." I crossed my arms and puffed up my chest. "My name is Tarvic," I said, trying to sound as grown-up as possible. I was older than her! Who was she calling a kid?
My mom and Charria chuckled at my antics. Totally admiring me. Obviously.
As they turned to leave, Selene glanced over her mom's shoulder. Just before disappearing from sight, she beamed at me—that beautiful smile again. "Bye, Tarvic," she waved.
I felt my face heat up, but I waved back anyway.
That night, I whispered a little prayer. I prayed to our author, Inkaris, that I might get to know that little devilish angel a little better.