Cavin
It had been three days since the incident with Father in the hallway. He avoided me after, lest to make either of us angry.
I was heading out to a nearby orphanage. The Matthews, Jemerson's family, wanted to do a secret donation and invited me to tag along. I grabbed my car keys and a jeans jacket as I headed out of my bedroom. As I descended the stairs to the living room, Mother saw me.
"Cavin dearest," she called me. "Where are you off to so early?"
"Good morning, dearest mother." My plan to leave unnoticed had been foiled. She wasn't supposed to be in the kitchen by that time. I moved to her and kissed her forehead.
"Jemerson invited me over for a drive," I toss my keys in the air and catch them. "I'm heading out to meet him."
"Oh…" there was pain in her voice. I could hear it. "You're not… hiding anything… or anyone?"
I smile weakly at her. Unlike Father, she never brought it up so often. So when she asked, it never really felt as much of a nuisance as when Father did.
I hold her shoulders and shake her gently, making her giggle. "Mother, if I ever fall in love, you're the first person I'll tell. I promise. The moment I do, I'll call you."
She laughs. Inasmuch she disliked my idea of donating, she was still my mother. I still loved to see her laugh and hated it when she cried. I smile when she laughs and give her a tight hug.
"Alright, I'm off!" I head to the door.
"Take care, my love!"
After a ten minute drive, I finally arrive at the Marstinson Children's Home. Since vehicles weren't allowed inside, I parked outside and stepped out, the sun warming the sidewalk. Jemerson and his family was already waiting for me right outside the building with bags full of clothes, food and toys.
"Cavin!" Dr. Matthews called out to me, waving. HIs towering frame and confident stride always made him seem far younger than he actually was. Even in his fifties, he still looked like he was in his thirties.
"It's good to see you again. It's been ages," he clapped me on the back
Mrs. Matthews was close behind him. Her face was hidden under her massive sunhat, but her beauty and elegance shone even in darkness. She lifted her head up slightly to look up to me, her afro her peeping out from under the hat.
"It's good to see you again, baby," she said, her smile so warm it could light up the entire orphanage. "How've you been? And your parents?"
I sigh, shrugging with a playful exasperation. "As stubborn as ever," I roll my eyes after saying this.
We made our way into the orphanage and were greeted by the laughter of children spilling out from the courtyard. The warden tried to keep them under control but they could't. A wave of children ran towards us, their arms outstretched.I couldn't help myself. My cheeks flushed red at the sight of them so happy. I crouched down just in time to be attack by a whirlwind of hugs. The joy was infectious and before I realised, I was on the ground, laughing with a bunch of kids.
Mrs. Matthews stood off to the side, pulling her phone out and taking shots of the children and I. "This is too cute," she said beaming at the scene.
As we started the distribution, the children's eyes were filled with awe and gratitude. Toys, books and food filled the air in the orphanage with excitement and happiness.
Jemerson nudged me at a point, and pointed to the older boys who were playing basketball. "What do you say? Us versus them?"
"Oh, you're on," I roll up my sleeves as we go to challenge the boys.
As the match went on, the children playing and watching couldn't contain their energy. The place was full of joy and excitement. Seeing and hearing all this brought some satisfaction to me. I felt… accomplished. And it felt good. It wasn't about the game we were playing with them—it was about the laughter and the simple joy of being there with them.
After an embarrassing loss, we bid the kids goodbye and headed out.
"You did good, kid," Dr. Matthews said clapping my back. I smirked, feeling a sense of fulfilment I haven't felt in a long while. They said their final goodbyes and we parted ways to our cars.
As I reached into my pocket for the car key, remembering the event a few minutes ago, I felt something leave my other pocket. As I turned to check, I saw a blur shift positions. I turned again and I moved away swiftly with my wallet in their hand. That's when it hit me—I'd just been robbed.
"Oh hell no," I say to myself, my heart leaping into action. "That wallet cost a fortune."
Without a second thought, I chase after the thief, meandering through the crowded sidewalks of Marstinson. The bustling noise of the city—honking cars, the overlapping conversation of pedestrians and distant laughters—all seemed to blur as all my senses where focused on the thief.
"Hey!" I called out to them, knowing it won't make much of a difference "Get back here!" They didn't even look back. Heck, they sped up even.
My legs wanted to give out and my lungs felt like they were on the verge of collapse, but I had no intention of stopping. The rush reminded me of my junior high glory days. But it was long ago. The thief passed through the people with ease, almost like she was paper.
Then, just when I was about to lose hope, they slowed down. With the last bits of energy I had, I ran to catch up to them, my steps pounding against the ground as I closed the gap.
"Finally stopped, huh?" I managed to say between my gasps, my chest heaving. My legs were weak—practically begging for mercy. But I didn't listen as I walked towards the thief.
Looking at me over their shoulder, they took a few cautious steps forward as I slowly approached them. "Come on, man," I pleaded, my voice raw. "We're too exhausted for this."
I grab their shoulder and spun them around.
Then, it was almost like the world stopped.
My breath caught as I took in the face of my thief. It wasn't a man—she was a girl. And dare I say, probably the most beautiful I had ever laid my eyes on.
Her wide eyes, full of defiance and surprise, met mine. Neither of us spoke and the world was muffled to a soft hum.
Then, without thinking, I say the first word that comes to my mind: "Beautiful."