Guiding light

Fearless

Perdita

Another day flew by and just when the first rays of the sun touched the endless horizon, I saw a little ship, it wasn't that I've been waiting for. My heart skipped a beat and I felt a smile drawing on my face when I spotted a familiar figure at the wheel as the ship approached. The weak warmth of the early sun felt warmer than any summer day. Not only the world, but my heart lightened up as well. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. My nails left a little bleeding spot on my arm which healed fastly. I kept the light on and rushed down. I opened the cupboard and quickly got into my best and "new" purple dress. I also ran to the bathroom and quickly combed my hair as much as I could. My hands were shaking and I wanted to jump around in joy. I ran back to the tower to make sure I wasn't mistaken. But my mind didn't deceive me this time showing what my heart desired so much. I don't know what I felt, but I've been in pain and swinging between sadness and happiness since Tyler appeared. I knew what hope was although I almost stopped believing in it. My chest hurt, but this pain was somehow sweet. When he was close enough and safe to stop the ship, I turned the lights off and stood in the door waiting. This was a kind of fear I've never felt before, my stomach tickled, my ears were burning and I could hear my heartbeats. He came back. As the thought appeared in my mind the door softly opened and there was him. In his black t-shirt, and funny yellow trousers. The sun shined at him and Tyler's blonde hair resembled gold while his brown eyes turned into an enchanting amber color. Our eyes met and my heart skipped a beat when he smiled.

- Hi Perdita! - I waved to him and wanted to hug him so badly. But then I remembered that he saw me as a monster. I took a step back and motioned him to come in. Tyler walked in and I left the door open.

- Why did you left it open? It's still cold. You might get sick. - he said and walked back to close the door. Tyler stopped in the middle of my little house and took a look around. Slowly he turned around and grabbed my hands, the sun lighted him up from behind now making him look like an angel.

- You did this all alone? - he asked and I nodded.

- Unbelievable! I'm so proud of you! - That's it. If this is a dream I never want to weak up just let me die in this sweet dream. I smiled at him and Tyler stopped grinning, he pulled a little further and checked me out from head to toe. I felt my cheeks getting warm as his eyes sparkled.

- Wow. - he didn't say anything else, this little word and the look in his eyes was enough to make my heart race. His glance landed on the collar and hesitantly, he reached towards my neck. I stepped closer to him without fear and he took it off gently caressing my injured skin.

- I would like to clean your injury if that's okay, but I don't know if water touches you what will happen. - he said with a shy grin and I walked to the sink. I ran the water and out my hand under it to show him, nothing is going to happen.

- Oh! So you only change in the ocean? - he asked casually and I nodded.

- I'm sorry that I left the way I did and it took me so long to come back. But I had to sort my thoughts out. - he said still standing in the middle of my house. I walked in front of him and whispered.

- That's okay. - his glance that was glued on the floor full of guilt now looked at me with amazement.

- Did you just speak? - he asked and I nodded. Tyler laughed and suddenly grabbed my hands. I felt a ticklish sensation on them.

- I have so many questions! - He said and pulled me gently to the kitchen table. We sat down and he asked.

- How have you been? - I thought everything over what happened since we last saw each other and didn't know how to respond. No one has ever asked me this question. I looked at him shyly and confessed the truth.

- I've never been asked about that. - my voice was clear despite of barely talking in the past decade, but I tried to speak as low as possible to avoid any tragedy.

- Well, we will change this from now on. - i gasped. While Tyler kept holding my hand and smiling. This is not pity. This is something else.

- I'll tell you what happened with me and than you'll turn, okay? - he asked and I nodded. Tyler told me about this new friend of his Jake and that the ship he came woth is his family's.

- Tyler... - I called his name and he stopped the story telling. His ears got a bit red.

- Yes?

- There is some words I don't understand. - I confessed and felt really bad and stupid. I was afraid to look at him again. What if he is going to laugh at me? What if he gets disgusted and leaves? But Tyler didn't fail to surprise me again.

- That's totally understandable. Tell me which ones and I'll try to explain it to you. I'm not as good at teaching as my mother, but I'll try my best! - he said with confidence.

- What is a friend? - Tyler's eyes looked a bit said but he kept smiling while he explained.

- A friend is a person close to you, someone who you can trust and laugh with. Someone who helps you and protects you if needed.

- Are we friends? - I asked with my hopes high up mustering my courage.

- Yes. - the confidence in that one word shaken up my whole world. I felt as the colors of the house got stronger. Suddenly Tyler held a piece of my hair and chuckled.

- It looks a bit lighter, but maybe just because of the light. What other words you don't understand?

- Mother.

- Mother is the woman who gave you birth and raised you with love and care.

- I don't have any. - I said and he kept smiling although I saw the sadness in his gaze.

- Please. Don't pity me. - I said and he nodded.

- What else?

- Family.

- Family are those people who are related by blood normally, but one can have a family of their own with someone they love dearly.

- Last question.

- Go on!

- What is love? - the smile from Tyler's face disappeared for a second and he looked pensive.

- Stand up. - he said and we stood up. Suddenly, he hugged me and I felt his warmth. His heart beat fast just like mine and I felt my knees getting weak as I inhaled his scent.

- I can't explain that to you, but if you allow me, I will show you what love is. - I looked up into the warm brown eyes, and nodded slowly.- I really wanted him. I wanted him and didn't know what this feeling or thought was but it made me scared and happy st the same time. Tyler released me from his embrace and I felt cold for a moment. I wanted more.

- Perdita, would it be okay if I brought my friend Jake with me next time? - he asked and I wasn't sure what to answer. He saw my puzzled expression and smiled again looking into my eyes.

- You can say no if you don't want it. - I don't know how this could be even better than the hug, but him looking into my eyes, lighting up my world, for tye first time of my life... Tyler made me fearless.