[Skylar]

*~*~*

I was a shadow.

I was born a younger twin.

I was malnourished in the womb, but that's alright. I'm still here.

I always stood behind him, taking care of my brother while he takes care of everything else.

I am the less achieved, less loved of the two, but that's alright. I still love myself.

I... believe everyone deserves to be loved. Because deep down –

I know –

I wasn't loved enough.

*~*~*

"Stop! Wait a minute – Hold my cup pour some liquor in it!" This song is just jammed in my head; I can't stop singing... or speaking the words. I'm not the best at rapping, you see. "Hey!" The music was slammed off by my grumpy best friend.

"It's too early for this shit Cookie. Get your ass back in bed. Please."

"That would be a dollar." No cursing, especially now that I'm not only interning and going to school but actually a responsible adult and have my degree to teach little kids how to read and write.

"I'm 26 I'm allowed to swear."

"I'm 3 years younger but I'm clearly more responsible –" My face explodes in flames. "Put some clothes on!"

Felix walks across to the swear jar and places his penalty in obediently; the jar where I have expertly decorated with sharpies to make it... extra enticing... to not swear? Clearly I haven't thought that sentence out properly.

He rolls his eyes at me. Ungrateful sloth, I even made him breakfast! I gave him options, pancakes and waffles, honey and maple syrup, brought to him proudly by my home country, Canada. "Cookie. It's been 8 years, and you've at least seen me naked once a day."

True, but that doesn't warrant him the right to be naked around the apartment. Especially now that I'm a responsible adul–

"O-oh! Remember Christopher? The teacher from the physical education department?" An epiphany breaks me from completing my thoughts, Felix hums, confused, while sipping on the orange juice straight from the carton. Gross. "First, use a cup. Second, he bought you a tie! Look!"

I hand Felix the thoughtful gift that I pulled out from my bag. "That's nice of him. Why me though?" He offers me the carton of orange juice. When I shake my head, he sighs and goes to retrieve a cup and pours some out for... hygiene's sake.

"He said it's for always helping the school." I take a sip and place the cup on the counter before hugging Felix. I like hugs, they make me feel happy, so naturally others would like them too, right? Well I wouldn't know because I've only hugged my brother and Felix. They don't seem to hate hugs, so I guess my statement is correct? "Thank you for helping us so much."

His arms come around my waist, "I'm not doing it for them Cookie." He kisses the top of my head and tightens his hold. "I'm doing it for you."

"W-well... Doesn't mean we don't appreciate the help." He chuckles and releases me, after tapping me in the head with his finger.

"Alright. I have to go to the gym." Felix flings my body around and settles me on his back before placing his hands on my thighs to stable me.

"Whoa!" I cling to his neck like a life line. I'm 5"4' so it's weird to see how tall people look at the world. "I thought you had plans for job hunting today."

"Yeah? Well, I feel like bringing you to the gym so we can stare at hot guys."

"You don't like gym guys... And you never know, my special someone might be a lady."

"Well then I can go be a muscular guy while you stare at the other ladies and gentlemen." I was placed gently down on the bed with a kiss to the forehead while Felix puts on his work out clothes. "You need to find that special someone and form that connection Skylar."

"I don't need to date anyone. I'm happy." He raises an eyebrow at me, "What? I have this place, I have a steady job, I have Ryland and you! What else do I need?"

"I'm glad I can make you happy Cookie." Felix lets out a small but goofy smile, he looks good smiling.

He should smile in front of other people too.

~

Ryland: Can you come to the school? The weekend charity workshop needs help. Thank you!

"Oh!" I stand on Felix's skateboard as my fingers grab one of his belt hoops and he pulls me along with little effort, even after our workout. "Ryland said he needs help at school."

"He needs to stop making you work so hard Skylar." I can hear the grunt of displeasure in his voice. "Just because he's your brother doesn't mean he can make you do weekends."

When we take the left into the school he steps aside and stops the skateboard so I don't fall over. He's a very thoughtful guy. I jump off playfully, and smile sheepishly when I almost trip over... nothing. "Don't frown Felix! This is a fun day."

He concurred but quickly groans when he heard loud screams of excitement. He's not what you'd call a 'people's person'.

I'm being very selfish aren't I?

"Bambi! Thank Christ!" In quick succession, an apron was thrown over my head, hands shoving me towards a table with a group of unattended children. "Go, my exact replica except a good few inches shorter. Go and educate the pillars of our future!"

I flash a toothy grin and go to wash my hands. "Cookie. This does not fit me."

"Of course! You're a scary Yeti!" One of the kids muses. Others laughing along with him. Kids can be mean sometimes.

"Be nice Timmy. You know he's really nice!" I huff. Felix might be scary looking, tall with all those muscles but he comes from a good place and I get angry when people make fun of him.

Although they are just children, I can tell Felix is shaken up. He has... insecurities about being scary, no one would look at him and think he is friendly. And the more the he thought that, the more it became true. He had detached himself.

I'm not afraid of him though. I love him.

And I'll love him enough for everyone who doesn't want to.

~

"Good job Sarah! I love the colors!" I point out while placing an extra purple icing piping bag next to her. She loves purple, even her little nails are painted purple. So cute.

I look over to see Felix sweating profusely while raking leaves out of the pathways, I don't get how his body functions at a point where he is sweating in the chilly autumn breeze, but he's doing a great job! I'll just... run him a bubble bath tonight! Yeah, sounds nice.

"Oh gosh, no no no!" I sprint over to the table next to me, managed by my brother. "Felicity is allergic to nuts!" I take a whiff of the cup of milk at her table before taking it away, "Sorry, that's almond milk. I'll go get you the regular stuff."

"Sh-, crap sorry Bambi, I forgot..." Ryland takes the cup away from me. Bambi is a nickname he gave me, when I was a kid I used to be terrified of deer. So of course he would name me after one.

"It's okay, just be careful next time." I turn and wipe my hands on my apron before bumping into someone. "Just remember Raymond is allergic to pumpkin and Clearance is allergic to seafood. But I'm sure there won't be any of those in a baking workshop. If there is then... innovation?"

"I'm here to pick up Paris Perry." The man's tone was in no way rude, just... very stoic.

I look up, and up... and up. Until my eyes were met with a really tall and muscular man. I can tell he has long hair from the messy bun on his head. His beard is scruffy. He has a pair of hipster glasses sitting right in front of his silver-grey eyes.

He looks really upset...

"O-oh. Well, the parents' social area is in the room next door." His eyes never drift from mine. They look so... empty. I know that look too, it's the same one Felix had when I first met him. "Paris is over there. She's a natural baker!"

The slightest hint of interest flickered in his expression in form of a twitch at the corner of his mouth, but that was it. "Thanks kid."

I squint at his remark. I know I'm short and he's really, really tall but that doesn't mean I'm a kid. Granted I'm surrounded by kids who are up to my chest height and they are a fraction of my age but... but... I'm really not helping my case am I?

A frown settles on my eyebrows when I see him walking towards the playground where no one is currently at except Felix raking the leaves. Does he not like the parent's lounge?

Maybe he was too tired to speak to other parents.

Maybe he enjoys being alone.

Or is it because –

He is lonely?

With a smile I return to my duties, I did think of bringing some water for Felix, but he is too far away. I can't leave my little angels alone now, can I?

Once the session ended, I took to myself to bring the children to their parents. Making a comment on certain things that what the little ones have done well.

"Mr. Cookie?" I turn around to see Paris holding out a note, saying that it was her brother picking her up today instead of her parents. Must be the guy from earlier.

"Okay! Let's go find your brother."

~

[x]

Under the red and orange trees is a lonely man.

He is void of emotions, unable to pronounce the faintest amount of empathy.

He is a shadow.

Frame of a strong exterior;

Harboring nothing but a chasm of darkness inside the blurred lines of his existence.

"Roman!"

His existence is merely to keep alive a burning flame. A pillar of the future as Ryland would say.

"Fun?"

"Yeah! Mr. Cookie taught me how to draw flowers on my cupcakes and... and –"

Standing beside her rambling sister is a beaming teacher. Short and lean;

But perhaps that is what made his light so condensed and superior.

"She did a great job too. Love the decorations!"

Roman looks at the small container, filled with little cupcakes that had floral patterns iced on top. Some neat, some sloppy.

It would have been an endearing sight on any other occasion.

But –

All the older brother could see is –

"Thank you..." It is a notion to stop speaking, but the tall man drags out the last syllable. Something that indicates the desire to know one's name.

"Skylar Cook... Or Mr. Cookie."

Blinded by the elegance of his smile, Roman just stands.

But –

All the older brother could see is his time stopping smile.

It is harsh to the dark interior.

It is like staring at the sun.

"Thank you Skylar." They shake hands. His tiny ones not lacking any confidence. Size really doesn't matter.

For Roman had an inkling;

That the tiny man in front of him,

Had been through the darkest hell;

And yet, his light leaves the shadows long forgotten.

Disobeying the laws of science.

~

Paris opened small paper bag, there are chocolate cookies and a small note.

"Rommy! Read it for me!"

The big man pulls his sister on his lap, examining the meticulous handwriting.

Good job Paris! Have a lovely weekend!

Simple, but touching to know that he had put in the extra effort to congratulate these excitable souls. At least it should be touching.

Roman flips the note over. In a different colored pen, it read:

I know added extra chocolate chips! Hope you and your brother enjoy!

The acknowledgement of the man himself is touching too, no one has ever bothered doing it for any length of time.

And perhaps,

It was a little touching;

Even to the untouchable man.