Before you know it, it was morning, and it was no sad news for Elias, instead it was the most exciting thing that was going through his mind. He got up and rushed downstairs, as he ran for the kitchen, he bumped into his grandmother. "Bloody hell, what's on fire boy!" she exclaimed. "Sorry Grandma, am just so excited about today, am just goanna grab so breakfast to go" Elias replied in an excited tone. "I can see you really like this, Malik kid huh." Grandma said softly realizing that just the mention of his name, Elias's face turned red faster than the leaves of a tree turning orange in autumn. "How about you go get ready, and I'll make you breakfast to go." grandma said teasingly. Elias went back upstairs and took a bath and the only thing on his mind was trying to figure out why Malik told him to bring change of clothes, maybe they were going hiking or maybe it could be something even more thrilling, there was just so many maybe thoughts going through his head. By the time Elias got out of the shower and got dressed, he could not help but smell a delicious and familiar aroma coming from the kitchen downstairs. He quickly put on his clothes and head downstairs to the kitchen. "What are you making?" Elias asked walking towards the kitchen. As grandma was about to answer Elias gasped at who he saw sitting by the table in the kitchen chatting with his grandma. "Good morning." said a familiar voice. "Malik, I, taught I'd meet you at the beach, I didn't expect to see you here this morning." Elias replied, as a faint smile rushed across his face. "Yeah, I figured I'd just drop by and say hello." Malik replied. Grandma giggled, as she saw Malik's face. "You two should get going if you want to get a full day." grandma replied, still laughing at the sight of both. As they set out to leave, Malik turned and said, "thanks again for breakfast, it was very delicious." rubbing his tummy as he walked through the door. "Anytime my dear." grandma replied while closing the door behind them. As the two set off in the buggy heading for Maliks home, they began to chat. "Hay, where are we going today." Elias inquisitively asked. "It's a surprise." Malik cuts him off before he could finish his sentence. Looking at Elias face with a smile for a moment, looking back at the road giggling away. As they got closer to the driveway of Malik's house, Elias noticed that his heart was beating a bit faster than usual, as if it was excited about something. When Malik parked the buggy, they both got out, but Elias could not help but to look up. And he saw Mrs. cooper by the window upstairs, as their eyes met, they waved at each other, as if they had been close friends who lost touch for years and was now seeing each other. Elias took his bag from the backseat, and Malik took him upstairs to his room. Because it was so early in the morning, they decided to play video games and get to know each other more. They were both sitting on the bed playing a racing game and the chatter began. They were both shocked to find out that they are actually attending the same collage, "I knew your name sounded familiar, but how come I have never seen you around campus before." Elias asked. "Because whenever I have class, you don't, and when I don't you do." Malik replied. As they conversation got deeper so did their friendship, soon the room echoed with laughter. By the time it was 12 they both were as hungry as a beer out of hibernation, when they went down to the kitchen, they ran into Mrs. Cooper, "Oh hello boy's." she mumbled stuffing her mouth with pastries. "Hi, Mrs. Cooper, so nice to see you again." Elias replied. "same dear, nice to see you again." she replied while staring at the pastries like it was the only meal she saw in centuries. "Anyways, let me leave you be, make yourself at home, Elias." Mrs. Cooper said as she walked away heading up the stairs staring at here plate contemplating on what to gobble up next. They continued to the kitchen, and as Malik opened the fridge he was shocked to see barely anything in it. "Boy this is embarrassing." Malik said while scratching his head. "hey, looks like we have a change of plans, we are going to eat a restaurant." Malik said while staring in the fridge. So, the two left the house for the restaurant opposite the cafe. on their way Elias could not help but glance over at Malik every chance he got, "hey what you looking at" malik asked as if he did not know the answer while catching Elias staring at him from the corner of his eye. before you know it the had arrived and as Malik parked the buggy, he turned to Elias and said, "Lunch and dinner is on me, how's that". "Sounds good but are we coming back to the restaurant later or do I need to remind you that the fridge is empty." Elias said as he tried to hold back his laughter, "We'll go grocery shopping later." Malik replied swiftly giggling. As they got inside the restaurant, the sweet scent of food made them inhaled deeply admiring the smell. They went and sat by the window facing the beach, the waitress came shortly "good afternoon are you guys ready to order." "yes, can we have to grilled chicken burgers with a side of fries please, and two Dr. tomatoes." "no problem, coming right up." the waitress replied and sped off like she was about to out a fire, "so, I hope that your visit to my house has been good so far." Malik nervously said striking up a conversation. "yeah, your house is amazing am not going to lie." Elias replied. and just likke that a conversation between the two blossomed like a flowering tree after getting pollinated, the conversation was going so well that time seemed to have no effect on them and before you know it they herd the bell coming from the kitchen and almost instantly they saw the waitress coming through the boor with two huge steaming plates, when they got the hamburgers they ordered, they immediately dug in, not wasting anytime. and with each bite they were savoring the flavor and it did not take long before they both ate their last fries, When they finished eating, they leaned back rubbing their bellies as if the meal was still being eaten,they stayed in the same position staring out the window enjoying the view. then breaking the meditation "You ready." Malik asked excitedly, "yeah whenever you are." Elias replied. They both got up and Malik cleared the bill for their meals, then they walked back to the buggy. when they close the doors and idea came to Malik "hey how about we do grocery shopping now so we would have to do it later?" he asked with the widest smile on his face like he just solved world hunger. "sounds great to me" Elias replied. Malik drove off heading to the grocery store. while on the way he asked Elias "what do you wanna eat for dinner?" "I don't know." Elias responded looking as if he is trying to remember a thought from ten years ago."surprise me." he then said. "okay, i'll try my best." Malik said trying not to smile. they soon arrived at the store, Malik then parked the buggy and they both proceeded to walk towards the side by side like the universe was already saying something that they can't even realized, As they got inside the store, Malik took up a basket and they began walking, they were chatting and walking close together, Elias is trying not to blush at how close Malik's skin was next to his. "Aww, such a cute couple." said an elderly shopper walking by. And before they could respond, she sped off waving to them heading down the isle in a speed that was shocking even for an old lady of her age. They were so shocked they just erupted into laughter. "We really would make a good couple now wouldn't we." Malik said as he walked towards the freezer. Elias was at lost for words at the statement made, he then tried to play it off and was stumbling with his words as his face turns bright red. maliked turn and could not help at how Elias was trying to hide his face who was betraying him by changing color in agreement with the thought. After paying for the groceries, they went back to the buggy and headed back home, when they got there, they put away the groceries and went back to Malik's room, when they got there, Malik went into his closet and pulled out two life jackets and said, "I am goanna take you to my secret spot." a rush of excitement came over Elias they went downstairs and headed to the buggy, as Malik out the jackets in the back seat, he told Elias to get in and that he was coming back. As Elias hoped in and buckled his seatbelt, all he could think about is where Malik was taking him. Shortly after Malik returned with a key in his hand, Elias was so excited he did not even bother to ask about it. They set off Hedding towards the docks, Malik parked in boat rental yard. Before Malik could say anything, Elias asked "where are we going?". "You'll see, take the jackets lets go" Malik replied. And he reached in his pocket and took out the same key that Elias saw, and now he realized what it was for. When Malik opened the door, they both went in and malik locked the door behind him, but Elias was walking around the building admiring the paintings on the walls, Malik then opened a door behind the counter and pulled out two paddles. He then called Elais and they both head out to the back of the shop where the jetty was, they put on the life jackets and Malik took down a paddleboard from the rack that was there and handed it to Elias and he then took one for himself. As they headed out to the end of the jetty Malik stopped and turned to Elias and said, "the place am about to take you to its, one of my favorite spots, and being said you are going to be the first one am taking to this place." Elias was touched by these charming words and as they got on the water, Malik led the way and Elias was paddling behind, as they had passed the rock at the bay Malik turned and said that they were almost there, soon they got to a secluded cove, Elias jaw dropped in the stunning beauty of the cove, the crystal blue waters, the palm trees sawing in the gentle breeze. As they got closer to the shore, Malik slowed down, turning his paddleboat slowly, and at this point they were facing each other. "Welcome to my safe place," Malik gently said. "It's absolutely beautiful." Elias commented. as they were sitting on the boards chatting, it felt different, the seclusion, the quietness it was almost deafening, but it felt so right. Minutes grew into hours, and their connection grew stronger. Everything was quite until Elais tried to stand on his board, then there was a loud slash, and Malik could not help but to laugh as he saw Elias's face. One attempt turned into an audition of attempts, and all would result in Elias losing balance and ending up in the water, malik could not help himself but laugh. "I'd like to see you try." Elias said while giggling softly. Malik had no problem standing up on his board. "Hay, you're cheating." Elias shout from the water but Malik replied, "grace, under pressure." they both started to laugh and as Malik stretched out his hand to Elias, he grabbed it without a moment's hesitation. And with a smirk on his face, he pulled him in the water and began to laugh, but Malik just shook his head. And began to laugh. "Come, I'll show you how to do it." Malik said while reaching for the board. As he got on, he reaches out and grabbed malik by the hand and pulled him up on his board. "You ready." Malik asked. Elias just nodded. His head, as malik stood up, he took Elias's hand and slowly guided him to stand. "You see look you're doing it." Malik said teasingly, but Elais started to blush a little, and when he looked at malik their eyes connected with each other, and Elias could not help but feel his heart racing, and he began to lose balance. But Malik quickly threw his hand around him, one his waist and the other around his back, as they both regained stability, Elias face was as red as a bottle of tomato ketchup, the distance between them was so close that Elias could feel Malik's warm breath against his face. "Is, everything ok." Malik asked, looking directly in Elias's eyes. "Yeah just felt a little dizzy." Elias said while clearing his throat. "We, urmn, we should head back now it's getting late." Elias said quickly. "Yeah." Malik swiftly responded. As Elias went back on his board they began to head back, by the time they got back to the shop the sun was almost ready to set, Malik quickly hung up the board and the paddles to dry, and he took the Jackets and hung them on some hooks to dry and they went to the parking lot. As malik finished locking the door they went to the buggy and head back to Malik's house. Th ride back was unsettling, they did not utter a word, although the silence was loud they both felt a new connection that evening and it was different, strong yet tender. When they got back home, they immediately went upstairs to Malik's room, Elias went out on the balcony and was watch the sun set, and when he glanced around he saw Malik taking off his underwear through the bathroom door that was open half way, he tried to look away quickly but the image was stained in his mind like red wine on a carpet. It was the first time Elias had saw Malik so exposed, so raw. He began looking at the sunset and his face was bright red, almost as if he was competing with the sun for who's face glowed the brightest. Soon the sun was almost gone, the breeze was light yet chilly, and Elias began to shiver, he did not want leave such a beautiful view, but Malik saw this from inside and brought a towel and wrapped it around Elias which almost startled him, "let's go make dinner." Malik said softly, "ok, but am goanna take a shower first." Elias replied. As they both went back inside, Elias made way for the bathroom, he place his towel on the bed and went to take something from his bag. While he was showering, he heard a knock on the door. "Hay, am goanna talk to my mom, you'll meet me in the kitchen." Malik said on the other side of the door. Elias replied "ok, ill be there in a few minutes." by the time he was done showering, he reached out trying to grab his towel but remembered he left it on the bed. He tried calling Malik to see if he was still there to hand it for him but the room was quite, so Elias walked out of the bathroom naked, and began walking towards the bed but he did not realized that the bedroom door was opened, as soon as he almost reach the bed he heard footsteps and as he turned around Malik walk in the room unaware that Elias was naked and their eyes met. "Am so sorry I did not realized you were undressed, I actually forgot my phone." Malik said while turning around. "it's ok, I had forgotten the towel on the bed." Elias quickly replied while wrapping himself in the towel, and for a brief moment there was an awkward silence in the room. Elias took up Malik's phone and passed it to him and noticed that Malik was blushing. "Hay, why is your face red." Elias ask as if he didn't know the answer. "no it's not." Malik said while speeding off. In a couple of minutes Elias walked downstairs. Heading to the kitchen but not before a lovely aroma hit him on his way there, the air was filled with delicious scents. Elias stood in the doorway, admiring Malik's culinary skill, and then he entered saying "something smells great.". Malik turned around and looked at him saying. "have a seat, and am sorry about earlier." "It's not a big deal." Elias replied while staring at the pot. Malik quickly fixed him a plate, a soon they both were delving into the food. Few minutes later Elias could not help but belch saying, "this was the best spaghetti and meatballs I've ever had." Malik was at this point dead laughing. And for a moment the room went into an awkward silence, which was soon interrupted by Malik's chair moving. He stood and took the dishes to the sink and loaded them into the dishwasher, after which they both went back to the beadroom where they were looking at the harbor lights from the balcony. "It's very beautiful." Elias said softly. "I know." Malik replied closing the gap between them, soon Elias felt Malik's hand brushed against his, and he turned to him, looking him in the eye and said. "thanks for today, I really enjoyed myself." Malik stepped closer, and they were so close that they could feel the warmth breaths of each other on their faces with a hint of thyme, which came from the meal they just had. "anytime." Malik replied. Elias slowly closed his eyes and Malik put his arms around Elias and was about to kiss him, they both heard a voice and pulled away quickly. "Ohh boys, where are you, who wanna watch a movie." Mrs. Cooper said while walking in to the room. They both looked into each other's eyes awkwardly then walked off, as they both head down to the living room Elias could not help but feel more awkwardly hot, he felt as if he could not breathe properly. And then it hit him, he was falling for Malik. His heart was still beating as if he had just ran a marathon. When they got to the living room, the three of them sat on the couch and began to watch the movie, and they were all laughing at what they saw, it was a fun evening, and although they did not kiss that night, it was good to spend time with his new friend. Minutes turned into hours and, Mrs. cooper had already retired for the night, leaving the two of them on the couch, and before you know it Elias was fast asleep on Malik's shoulder. Malik reach for the remote and turned the tv off and he lift Elias in his arms. And began to walk up the stairs, the way how Elias clung to him made him blush. Soon they got to the room and Malik gently put Elais down on the bed before lying on the other side, and within a few minutes he fell asleep.
