TEMARI still couldn't think of the right description for Rhys when the taller boy swiftly lifted the hood back until it was fully covering Rhys's head and face.
"That's it. We are going back now," the taller boy growled. She couldn't see his face but he felt like he was giving him a sharp look. His anger was too strong that she felt it like a physical punch.
She took a step back. "Why are you so mad?" she couldn't help but say incredulously.
The taller boy did not say anything but his body looked even more tense than before. Temari frowned. Rhys was the one who broke the silence. "He is just trying to protect me. I apologize if you got offended."
She looked at Rhys. "Protect you? From me?"
"From everyone," the taller boy grumbled. Then he said to Rhys. "We should go back now. When you run, instead of getting away, you only got unnecessary attention." Then he turned to Temari. "You too. Go back to where you came from. Those people you saw in the flea market saw us running away. It is impossible that they will not figure out why we run."
Temari stood straighter and she tried not to feel the panic bubbling in her stomach. He was right. The head mistress and the head of the disciplinary committee have a strong intuition when it comes to misbehaving children.
"Yes. I should get back now," she uttered more to herself than to the two boys in front of her.
She turned and was about to run away when Rhys suddenly grabbed her lower arm and said, "Wait!"
Temari turned to him. He took a step closer to her, enough so she could see his forest green eyes again. "Can we see each other again?"
"What are you talking about?" the taller boy protested.
Rhys didn't cut their eye contact. He said, "You are the only person after him that is not a family member that find my eyes beautiful instead of scary. Thank you."
Temari blinked. The taller boy froze as if he was surprised by that statement. "I… You don't have to thank me. I just told you the truth. Your eyes are beautiful." She couldn't understand why it was a big deal for Rhys.
"I want to be your friend." Temari's mouth fell open at what he said. He was serious. She could see it in his expression. "You don't have to answer right now. You can think about it. If you agree, we can meet here again one week later. I promise I will wait here and it is okay if you choose not to come."
The taller boy mumbled something Temari couldn't fully understand. He looked like he wanted to protest but chose not to say anything. Rhys continued to stare at Temari. She thought about what he said. She wanted to be his friend too. She was comfortable being around him. She could feel his genuine kindness.
"Okay."
Rhys inhaled. "Okay?"
Why did he sound like he didn't expect that answer? Temari nodded. "Okay. I will meet you here again after seven days. At night, okay? I can't go if it is day time."
"I understand," Rhys answered. Then he smiled. "See you next week."
Temari nodded again. He slowly let go of her lower arm. She reluctantly took a few steps back. "I needed to go back now. If they caught me missing, I won't be able to go back here again to meet you."
Rhys nodded. "Okay. Take care."
Temari knew she should give him her name. After all, it is just fair since she knew his name now. But for some reason she couldn't say it. [Next week], she promised to herself.
[Next week, I will tell him.] With that thought in mind she turned around and run away from them. She didn't stop running until she finally reached the familiar stone wall of the orphanage.
Thankfully, Temari has a sharp memory. Even at the young age of ten, she could clearly remember everything she sees at least once. She knew how to get back to the orphanage and she was sure she will be able to find their meeting place one week later.
She was able to climb back up without much issues and when she landed inside the premises of the orphanage, she almost didn't make a sound. Temari didn't know at that time that she has been doing things that no normal ten-year-old can do. She only knew that she was naturally agile, with a strong body and sharp mind. She didn't know that these traits will develop more as she grows older.
That night, she successfully got back to their sleeping quarters and was able to get under her blanket when she heard heavy footsteps on the hallway. She pretended to sleep when the door opened. She didn't move as the familiar presence of the disciplinary committee head walks around the room, checking that every child in that quarters were sound asleep. He stopped for a few minutes too long next to Temari. But she was also good at pretending to sleep so eventually he walked away and out of the sleeping quarters.
Temari smiled when she heard his retreating footsteps, pleased with herself that she got away with what she did tonight. She slept soundly that night, even dreaming about her adventures in the flea market and the promise she made with Rhys. She was excited to see him again.
However, one week later, she failed to sneak out of the orphanage. She got caught by the head of the disciplinary committee while she was climbing the wall. She got dragged to the basement as punishment and was forced to stay there for one week with only water.
Temari didn't know yet at that time, but it was the first time she felt heartbroken. She broke her promise to Rhys. She imagined him going to their promised meeting place and she will not appear. He will think she didn't want to be his friend. Temari knew she will never see him again.