Page 21 of Perfect Chaos

Gavin stops almost immediately. “What is it?” There seems to be a trace of panic laced in his voice, like he is worried something is wrong.

“Go down the next aisle. I saw something I want to look at.”

“Aye, Aye, Captain,” he chuckles before walking in the direction I pointed.

As soon as we are close enough, I yank the item off the shelf and put them on. They are yellow daisy-shaped sunglasses that remind me of the ones a clown wears in a slasher film. I use my grip on his hair to pull Gavin's head back as I lean over so he can see me. “How do I look?” The position is awkward, but the look on Gavin’s face is worth it. A true, genuine smile blesses his face. It’s beautiful. His eyes light up and he looks up at me like he needed the smile I gave him. “You look perfect. Let’s go!”

“Wait, I've got to put the glasses back.”

“Nope. You wanted them; you are getting them.”

“But-”

“But nothing. This is not an argument you are gonna win.” He jogs back to Atlas. He grips my left thigh, keeping a firm grip on it as he drops his other shoulder and maneuvers my other leg around to spin me to the front of his body, before sliding me down his body to my feet, stepping back from me. The moment some distance is between us, it’s as if I am snapped out of a trance. What the hell just happened?

Atlas

We get back to the house and unload the groceries. It was nice for all of us to do something so mundane together. Distracting Maizyn from her own thoughts is always a plus. While I am sure she did it to get a rise out of me, it was actually refreshing to see Maizyn acting like her old self for a bit. Even if it was temporary, those few moments of her riding Gavin's shoulders in the grocery store, she was carefree. Her smile was genuine. It was the first time since everything that happened that I knew she just might be okay. He was grinning from ear to ear as well. I snuck a picture of them when she was grabbing something off the top shelf. They may fight their connection, but I feel like they may be good for each other, even if they can’t see that.

“Are we going to Elixirs?” Maizyn bounces up and down, the glasses slipping down her nose a bit as she does. She hasn’t taken those glasses off since she found them. They are cute on her, though. They fit her personality. The fact that they are yellow warms my heart a bit as well. That color will always represent what we are. She is my soulmate in every sense of the word. It still hurts that I know there are things she is not telling me. I just want her to be okay. I am hoping Gavin can help.

“Why would we go to Elixirs?” Gavin asks the question before I could.

“Because it's Saturday. Isn’t that y’all’s thing?”

“Damn, I completely forgot it’s Saturday. We don’t have to go tonight.” He looks to me to gauge my reaction.

“Yeah. What Gavin said, we don’t have to go.” I didn’t forget. I also didn’t want to bring up going. After last time, I didn’t want her to feel like it’s something we have to do every Saturday. Her well-being is more important than any tradition will ever be.

“No, No. I want to go. We have to. Please?” She says in a tone similar to a kid begging for cake. I already know it’s a fight I won’t be winning. Maybe a compromise will work?

“How about I make a deal with you?”

“I'm listening…”

“This goes for Gavin too, because I know both of you probably haven't eaten a proper meal today. We will go to Elixirs after you both eat dinner. How does that sound?”

“Fine. I guess that's fair.”

“How the hell did you know I didn’t eat?” Gavin asks, sounding perplexed, like I wasn't supposed to notice that.

“Neither one of you ever eats properly. It's not hard to notice. So do we have a deal?” The words come with authority and leave no room for argument. They both know I’m right.

He sighs, “What are we having?”

Maizyn perks up at this, intently waiting for the answer.

“I was going to make chicken quesadillas. Unless y'all rather have something else?”

“Ooo yummy, do you want help?” She does a little wiggle at the mention of food.

“Let Gavin and me cook while you go get ready. Then we can eat and head out.”

“Sounds good.” She kisses my cheek and skips down the hall.

I put a skillet on the stove and turn it on medium heat before grabbing the pack of chicken out of the fridge and using a knife to slice the package open. Gavin waits until she is out of earshot before turning to me.

“Why did you want my help? I know you don't need it. What's going on?”