▫️Seven

Grey's pov

I was already up at five in the morning. There was nothing interesting in laying on bed when I was fully awake. The covers of my large bed didn't seem to bring the warmth I so much desired.

The one only she possessed.

I vigorously washed my face so as to be more awake, briefly looking at my reflection on the mirror. I appeared as a looming shadow, mainly due to the dim lighting I had on but I was much used to it.

I changed into some workout shorts then went downstairs to begin my day. It was a repetitive chain from work to home and back though I was content with how my life was.

Everything seemed fine to me until almost two weeks back when I realized a very important piece of me was missing. One that I'd never thought of till it struck me.

Ginelle

I adjusted my body and arms properly so as to begin lifting the weights above me. Music wasn't an option to me as most people preferred while working out. I preferred silence, letting myself get consumed by the thoughts of her.

I hadn't slept a wink after last night. Staying at her place, interacting with Dalton and playing with them had brought me so much joy that I never knew existed.

It felt as if I'd gone on vacation, relaxing myself and fully letting my guard down. That's how I felt around her, carefree. I wasn't that expressive but my insides danced ceremoniously each time she looked at me.

Today's workout seemed easier to me that I managed to pull out everything without a sweat. The soft feeling of her hand on my forehead melted the insides of my heart that a different rhythm began to beat, faster than the usual one.

All of this was new to me. I never once experienced such emotions but I slowly welcomed them, embracing them fully. Ginelle had already taken a part of me the first time we met.

Her scent, the lemon in her hair, her honey coloured eyes, her small tiny hands that held onto mine as we crossed the road. Everything about her was perfect. I found even her blinking adorable and there was nothing that could be done to help my case.

I took off my shirt that clung on me rather uncomfortably after the intense workout and tossed it carelessly on a seat nearby as I walked to the kitchen to get some water. I pulled out a glass to pour some water and my thoughts wandered back to last night.

The softness of her hands on my lips had me frozen completely. Her lovely eyes stared up at me and she blinked at me ever so innocently that I couldn't hold back the strangled breath that had my lips parting.

I was physically strong on every aspect, mostly because of my job but surprisingly I wasn't strong enough to handle her. To handle the emotions that came along with her innocent touches.

I jolted back to reality when I felt water getting to my feet. So lost in the thought, I didn't realize water had been overflowing from the glass the whole time.

Running my hand through my hair, I sighed and picked up a table cloth to wipe the messy counter. I needed to set my thoughts right. It was too early to be loosing focus.

After cleaning the wet floor too, I took my shirt from the seat where I'd tossed it earlier as I went upstairs to take a shower.

Today being a Saturday I was free from any duties so I didn't need to go to the military camp unless there were any emergencies.

Lately I hadn't been frequently going by but being in charge, there was no one to question me. As long as everything was under control.

I chose a random black t-shirt from the many I owned and a pair of brown trousers. I was going to stay indoors after all.

The idea of passing by Ginelle's store crossed my mind severally but I don't think she went to work on weekends. It would also not be appropriate after being there yesterday.

I just couldn't be helped.

I went down to get some breakfast and quickly prepared some pancakes that I'd learned to make from Reece. He was a friend of mine who worked at the military as the tech specialist.

We'd known each other for quite sometime long before we even joined the military. I had visited their family countlessly especially after the military academy when they got to know me.

I felt appreciated by his family thus I rarely felt out of the loop when they visited. I finished setting the pancakes just as the door bell rang. As usual, I knew who to expect this early.

I took my time getting to the door knowing too well that Reece was waiting on the side. He frequently showed up at my place on Saturday mornings just to eat.

Apparently with his mother's guidance, my cooking skills had surpassed his. At first I thought she was just praising me so that I didn't feel terrible. I hardly knew how to handle anything in the kitchen.

"Took you so long," Reece sighed as soon as I opened the door but I shot him a glare as I gave him a this-isn't-your-base-look.

"Masha," a small force collided with my legs that my glare dropped instantly and I knelt down to embrace Mayella, Reece's sister.

I easily lifted her up to my chest as I stood up. She was too small for her age granted she was only five. I felt as if I was holding a new born baby, not that I'd ever held one, but she was very small.

"I missed you Masha," she played with the neck of my t-shirt as she smiled up at me, her brown hair falling behind her small back in two pigtails.

"Didn't you go to school today?" I tried teasing her, lightly playing with her chubby chin. Her amber eyes widened as she looked at Reece as if in alarm.

"It's Saturday remember?" She was still not familiar with the school days and I laughed at the cute glare she was sending Reece having thought he'd failed to prepare her for school.

"You lied," she tried hitting my chest once after realizing I was just messing with her. Reece walked past us into the house no doubt headed for the kitchen.

"Just joking," I easily carried her in, closing the door gently behind us. My house was ever clean but when I had their company, it was literally a whole mess.

Just like now, Reece had already plastered many plates on the table as he messily ate and I could hear regular drops of water from a tap that had not been tightly closed.

Mayella shuffled in my arms to get down once she saw her brother feeding on some pancakes and I let her down. She really liked my pancakes.

I went to get a clean plate for her and add some syrup that she liked on them. Reece adjusted her up the high coach after getting her a piece from his plate.

"Thank you Masha," she smiled broadly as I placed the small plate in front of her. The table was however far away for her reach so I asked her to come to my side so that I could feed her.

"Any plans?" Reece spoke with his mouth full and Mayella shifted beside me and angrily pointed his mouth. She then opened her mouth and turned my way to eat more.

I shrugged my shoulders as I leaned back on the sofa watching as Mayella softly chewed. "You never have any," Reece grumbled as he finished his last stack of pancakes, "don't know why I asked."

I chose to ignore him as I fed Mayella. She had moved from her original spot, crawling to the other end though she came back after swallowing. She was the type of child to eat while moving.

"You've not been coming to the camp," Reece gave me a questioning look that I avoided. I didn't feel like sharing about Ginelle with him yet.

"Something wrong?" He prodded further at my silence and I quickly shook my head. He was quite observant and I hoped he didn't catch on anything from my blank face.

I cleaned the table after they were done and also wiped Mayella's mouth with some wipes. From the kitchen, I could hear them talk.

"Reecie?" Mayella sweetly called her brother shaking his knees so that he could look up from his phone. "Yes Ella," He sighed.

She grinned once she got his attention, "Can we go to the park?" It had been so long since she last played with both of us. Reece must have agreed to her request since she came rushing towards me.

"Masha, shall we go to the park?" She asked as I finished drying the utensils. In as much as I wanted her to be happy, I also didn't want to disappoint her so I agreed.

"Yay!" She attempted pulling me towards the living room but gave up when I didn't budge. I chuckled at her but relented soon afterwards.

The parks were noisy, something I hated and Mayella always forced me to go with her on all her rides. The chairs barely lift and I found everything terrifying to me. I wonder how Reece managed, he always seemed to be having fun.

"Let's go then!" Mayella shouted as we emerged and Reece stood up putting his phone into his jacket. I quickly put on a jacket too and had a change of shoes.

Mayella was patient enough to let me do that but she pulled us out soon afterwards. I thought it was too early to be going to the park but Reece said that less people would be there so I didn't mind.

The sun had also risen and though it was quite nippy, Mayella's sweater was zipped up. Reece helped her get into the back seat of my car as I took the driver's seat.

I drove through the familiar road thinking back of yesterday when I'd driven Ginelle and Dalton home. I almost smiled when I remembered of their little game.

"Grey," I turned to Reece when his voice registered. "Are you even listening?" I nodded swiftly though I hadn't heard him previously.

"Your phone's ringing," he pointed at the device that kept vibrating from the dashboard. I easily took it up when I saw the chief commander calling.

"Captain," he drawled out after I had answered. He then explained about a new mission that had come up and that we were supposed to get ready by Monday morning. It was also mandatory for us to stay at the military base.

I hung up the call after around five minutes as Reece turned towards me. "New mission?" He guessed correctly and it was expected since we'd been free since the New Year celebrations.

"When's that?" He relaxed into the seat not bothered at all. Normally I also wouldn't have cared but it was getting hard to think of staying away from Ginelle.

"Monday," I had to see her before then even if that meant going to her store. I respected her privacy but would also stop by her place if I didn't see her by then.

We were silent and Mayella brought her small head forward to peak at us, "Are you leaving again?" She pouted after hearing our conversation. It was so unfair that we weren't constantly by her side as much as we wanted to.

"Not today," Reece smiled encouragingly at her as he lightly pecked her forehead. She giggled at him as he brought her to the front, settling her on his lap.

I easily parked the car at the usual spot I always did when I was here. It was nearly empty just as Reece had predicted. Mayella excitedly got off the car with Reece's help as they headed for the registry counter.

I followed behind them with my hands in my pockets. Reece grabbed the necessary items as I waited nearby looking at the playful place.

Children walked in groups, others with their parents as they jumped from one spot to another. I was only familiar with the swings and the rotating machine Mayella had called the merry-go-round.

There was a small queue at the next stage although Mayella continued to list out all the places she wanted to go. Reece nodded along trying to memorize them all. He was the one familiar with the names after all.

Our turn came and someone had been distributing bunny ears thus the slow progression. Mayella happily took hers alongside with Reece. I was just about to walk past but they were pushed into my unexpecting arms.

I glared at the person though they had their face covered but Reece pulled me forward. Its not like I was going to put them on. They would have been preserved for somebody else.

"The swings first!" Mayella sprinted to the left as Reece dashed after her so as not to loose her. He looked just like the rest of the children here with his bunny ears on.

"Grey!" A familiar voice called, one that was neither Reece's or Mayella's. I stopped mid-step and looked around but didn't see anyone. I shook my head to stop my imagination and resumed my walk.

I hadn't even moved a few steps before I felt someone tug the sleeve of my jacket. I felt annoyed that I turned to tug my arm away but familiar blue eyes stared up at me.

Dalton

I quickly looked around for whoever was accompanying him, hoping to see the girl I so much wanted to see but there was no one in sight.

"Are you alone?" I anxiously asked though he seemed relaxed unlike someone who was lost.

"Elle and Lei-" I interrupted before he could go on, "Ginelle is here?" He nodded his head as he tried looking behind him as if they'd been following him.

"They are there!" He pointed at two ladies who were anxiously looking around, stopping every passer by to ask something.

"Let's go," I took Dal's hand to lead him back before they got more worried. I noticed that Ginelle was wearing a pink dress, one that highlighted her already flushed cheeks.

Her friend seemed to notice us first, "Where did you run off to?" She attempted to scold the boy as she ruffled his hair. That caught Ginelle's attention and she quickly turned our way.

She looked at Dalton first then up at me and the familiar warm feeling that enveloped me under her eyes took over. I stared back at her as she took a step closer. "Grey," my name softly left her lips and I hummed in reply.

Her eyes fleeted to the stuff in my hands then back to my face, "Are you here to play?" Those weren't the words I expected to come out of her mouth.

I subconsciously took a step closer, mesmerized by her words and the surprised look in her hazel eyes. I however halted immediately when I was met with the harsh glare of her friend.

✪ ✪ ✪

Curious to know what goes through Grey's mind? I hope this satisfies you and many more to come.

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