I awoke to a warming, summer dawn; beautiful rays of light tip-toed in through the large glossy window, like a twinkling wave of hot, golden water from the beach.
Heaven.
"Wakey, wakey..." Sunshine whispered, her voice sweeter than honey. "Did you sleep well?"
"Really well, thanks." I reassured, smiling up at her – blonde hair haloed by the sun; creamy skin glowing with youth; eyes sparkling, sapphire-blue.
"I kind of... made you breakfast..." She hummed, setting a neatly arranged tray on the floor next to the mattress. "If you would like to borrow anything – your welcome to my clothes." She gestured to the closet. "Please, maybe, come into the kitchen whenever you feel ready?"
With that, she shuffled back across to the door and out into the open corridor.
…
"Hey." I sang as I pushed open the door, sliding onto the black, marble counter as Sunshine wiped flour from the worktop.
I stared awkwardly across at her; before looking about. "Where are your parents?"
Sunshine blinked through the open window at the branches swaying side to side in the morning wind. Distant. "Out."
Doubtful – I checked my watch. "But it's seven twenty in the morning on a Saturday..."
"They work a lot," She shrugged, "Their both doctors."
I nodded, noting that this may have been a sensitive subject in the Sunshine household.
"What's all this...?" I tipped my head towards the table, which was smothered by layers of books, maps and handwritten manuscripts.
Sunshine hesitated – withholding her excitement. A small, sunny smile ebbed at the corner of her mouth as she patted the surface of the wooden chair for me to sit at the table with her.
"I thought;" She began, as I took a seat. "Maybe we could spend today together."
Careful not to disturb the tidiness of her work, I examined each individual sheet, leaflet and book.
"Wow -" I breathed. "You must have out so much time into this."
She blushed, diverting her eyes to the floor, "All things I was hoping my parents would maybe do some of these things with me someday."
I bit my lip – my family wasn't exactly great but at least my mum had been around when I was younger – as in... before Dad died. "I love the idea of cycling somewhere... your chose of where?"
She blushed a deep shade of crimson, pulled a poster tightly to her chest. "The art exhibition looks kinda nice."
Her eyes twinkled at the thought – enough to make my heart flutter in my chest.
I nodded reassuringly. "I'd love to!"
…
The sound of breaks screeched in my ear, slicing into me like the twisting of a blade, as I dismounted my bike. Sunshine halted at my side – breathing heavy – and the colour pooling in her cheeks.
Inside was spectacular:
Paintings dotted the soft-grey walls, as well as several small clusters of tables bubbling in the corners – decorated with handmade cards, handbags, clothes and jewellery.
"Wow-" I gasped, "Sunshine; you real are the most amazing girl I've ever met."
I looked across to see her gazing longingly at it. "It's perfect!"
Laughing I nudged her with my elbow and blushed. "C'mon!" I took her arm and pulled her into line.
After 3 hours of bright discussions and interpreting the work and attempting (rather unsuccessfully) to replicate it in the mud of the outdoor gardens; I and Sunshine opted to sit on the bridge over the stream.
The water glistened like diamonds against the warm glow of the wealthy sunlight. Aged, rickety trees shivered in the cold spring air, casting shadows over us as we sipped on pink lemonade in chipped, ceramic teacups.
Sunshine was dropping pieces of her sandwich into the water, watching as the ducks picked at it with light-hearted joy.
By the time we'd returned to her house, it was late afternoon. The sky had already prepared for night – streaming ribbons of warm reds, pinks and yellows across the clouded heavens.
"Do you want to go back to your house tonight?"
I stopped; I'd almost forgotten about the argument – how my step-dad had grabbed me by the ponytail and aimed the vodka bottle for my head; how mum had lay on the floor crying as blood dripped from her lip onto the carpet and how I'd grabbed the emergency bag on my way out – how I couldn't have taken my little brother with me because he was locked in our bedroom. I swallowed hard; eyes tightly shut.
"Holly?"
I loved my mum but home with... him... would only ever bring us harm. Alcoholism brings out the worst in people.
"I think I'd rather stay here tonight." I forced a smile. "I mean; if that's okay?... I promise I'll be out of your hair tomorrow."
Sunshine narrowed her eyes worriedly at me, causing my stomach to churn with guilt. "...If you're sure?"
"Absolutely." I promised, trying my best to hide my tears.
Maybe someday I'll repay her.