Chapter 2 Little friend

“Be the moon and inspire people even when you’re far from full.”

- K.Tolnoe

Elsie POV

I didn't feel comfortable at the same table as the guy who just yelled at me in the middle of the café. That guy was utterly rude. I ignored him and paid all my attention to the chatterbox who keeps talking to me. She was cute and I love to talk to her, I might add, with all the children as I am a lover of children. I adore their cuteness a lot.

“Sweet pie, I will be right back. I have to take this call first.” The rude guy in the dark blue shirt and black leather jacket who was sitting across from us talked and came out of the café. I blew out a long breath, relieved by his absence.

“You don't like my dad?" The girl asked all of a sudden, and I guess it was too obvious for her to notice.

“It's not like that. It doesn't matter, as long as I like you,” I said which caused her to grin. She stuffed herself with a scoop of ice cream. Her face was a bit messy with ice-cream. That was the best part of being a kid, not having to worry about their surrounding.

“Look at your messy face." I laughed. At the same time, I took a handkerchief out of my purse and wiped her face mostly near her lips. She laughed at my touch as her hand continued to dig into her ice cream.

“You're really a big fan of ice-cream, aren't you?”

“Yeah, it's really good. What is your favorite flavor?” She queried.

“Strawberry,” I said without a second thought.

“Same!” She cheered for it. “Give me five,” she said out of the blue.

“Give me five!” I accepted her little hand and pinched her cheeks. It was too cute to resist.

“Hmm, I don’t see your mom. You came alone with your dad?” She remained quiet, the smile on her face faded. I felt that something was not right and I regretted my question.

“Oh, I’m sorry, princess. I shouldn't ask you about this,” I said, lowering my head and looking at her face.

“She was gone. I don’t have mommy like other people.” All I heard was sadness in her voice. That was a normal thing for me. I usually encountered this in the orphanage home, which I worked as a volunteer there. I pulled her small figure into my embrace and rubbing her back, in an attempt to send her some comfort.

“I'm sorry to hear that. Stop being so sad. I’m sure your mommy is in heaven now. She can hear you, see you, and watches you from up there.” I pointed to the sky. That wasn't a lie, at least that was what I believe all this while after losing my mom.

She returned my hug upon my words. “I always missed her." Those words always broke my heart, it happened whenever the children at the orphanage said the same thing about their parents.

“I’m lonely. I don’t have friends and daddy Dexter always busy.” She confessed in my embrace.

“Daddy Dexter?” I asked out of confusion.

“He wasn't your real dad?”

“No.” She pulled away from the hug. “He is my uncle but I called him daddy. “My dad had left too.” My heart sank as I heard her words. I noticed tears at the edge of her eyes.

“Do you want to be my friend?" I tried to divert her attention away from the sad topic but it was a genuine offer.

My question made her gazed at me. “Really?” Now she smiled, but there's no spark in her eyes, she probably still doubts my offer.

“Yeah, of course for real. Can I be your friend?” I asked and caressed her cheeks.

“Yes, you can. I want you to be my friend." She got up on the chair and jumped towards me. Luckily I manage to grab her. She suddenly turned jumpy due to the excitement. She giggled and showered kisses all over my cheeks. I laughed as it tickled me. I love the way kids pour their excitement.

We keep eating our ice cream till there's nothing left in that bowl.

“I think we should go. I have to return to work,” I said. I hold her in my arm and walk out of the café. I noticed the rude guy still occupied with his phone outside the cafe.

“I wish we had more time to talk.” She looked at me with her sad face.

“I want to, too, princess, but I got work to do after this.” I gave her a little pat on the back. I put her on the ground beside her dad. He immediately hung up the call and approached Andrea, but kept his mouth shut.

“I guess it’s time to say goodbye now,” I lowered my body to meet her eyes but she looked away avoiding my gaze. Nevertheless, I noticed her teary eyes.

“Hey, stop feeling sad. You'll see me again, okay? Call me at any time if you want to talk to me," I placed my palms on her plump cheeks while gently caressing her. I took a card out of my bag and handed it over.

“See, this is my name and my phone number. You can call me anytime.” I pointed to the card and she looked at it with a smile. I noticed the guy was watching our interaction, but he didn't say anything and I ignored his eyes, pretending he wasn't there.

“I'm going to miss you.” The little angel told me and held onto me while I knelt across her.

“I'm going to miss you, too, princess." I hugged her back. A moment later, I loosen our hold and kissed her both cheeks which she returned to me too.

We bid goodbye with the promise that we will talk and meet again, my new little friend.

I like her, but I don't like her rude father.

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