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Noel shifted in his seat awkwardly, simultaneously moving the pink sun hat atop his head. He wasn’t just uncomfortable, but always feeling ridiculously embarrassed by the fact that he, a very mature 10-year-old, was having a dainty little tea party in a room that was freakishly pink. With Andrey Pocket of all people. Usually you would expect that someone you used to bully almost daily wouldn’t dare to invite someone like you to their home. Noel sighed in defeat, resigning to the fate he had been given.
Though, it wasn’t all too bad a thing that he was here with Pockey. Something about the other just made Noel feel a little better about himself. It was most likely the highly contrasting energy that the pair had when interacting. Pockey’s happiness and unrelenting cheeriness rubs off onto Noel sometimes. And maybe Noel could be content with that.
Not at this moment in time though.
“Noel! Stop moving about! That’s my favourite hat,” Pockey complained, when the hat seemed to be hanging just by a small tuft of hair on Noel’s head. This prompted Noel to glare at Pockey, albeit jokingly. The latter, though, was unbothered and continued to arrange the very pink tea cups on the study table to his liking.
Seriously, the room looks like Pinkie Pie just exploded in it. Numerous different shades of pink; coral, salmon, baby, bubblegum, watermelon and other shades that Noel has never even seen in his life were decorated around the room.
Noel sighed once again, completely resigned, as he attempted to keep himself still while Pockey poured tea into each cup slowly from an even pinker teapot. Noel didn’t even know that it was possible for someone to be this crazy about a colour.
The scent of blueberries wafted through the air in the room as the two boys sat together side by side. The smell was deeply enticing, even for someone as hard-hearted as Noel.
Noel lifted the cup to his nose, and the smell only strengthened against it. “Pocket, I don’t know what you did to this tea, but it smells like blueberries,” He took another deep breath after saying so.
“Why of course! Mama taught me to make this specific blend of blueberry tea from the moment I could walk!” Pockey smiled gleefully.
Noel sensed something off about the way Pockey talked about his mother, but he digressed. The last thing he would want is to be sent home and questioned by his parents. And then being accused of bullying Pockey. Again.
Noel stared into the cup of tea, the reflection of his hair rippling in it.
“Can I drink this yet?” The darker-haired asked, slightly impatient sounding,
Pockey nodded his head, laying down the wide array of assorted biscuits on the plates in front of them. Ranging from graham crackers to strawberry-flavoured Pocky biscuit sticks, the sight of all the sweets spread in front of him made Noel’s mouth water. He had always had a sweet tooth, even though he’d very much prefer not to say it aloud.
Noel took a long sip of the blueberry tea, and the flavours immediately impressed him. Bitter, but not too much so, and with a small hint of sweetness to make room for the sweets he would be having soon enough.
Pockey followed suit, taking a shorter sip than that of Noel’s, and grabbing for himself a raspberry crown pastry. The sweetness of both were not too overwhelming, making it easy for him to swallow. Like Noel, Pockey too had an immense liking for all things sweet. But like many other children are told, he knows when to take it easy and stop.
But not now though, because he’s having a relaxing time with his friend. While the affair was quiet, Pockey enjoyed the zen atmosphere. It is quintessential for a good tea party.
“So,” Noel started to speak, breaking the unknowingly comfortable silence, “Were there any specific reasons why you wanted me to come here and have afternoon tea with you?”
Pockey grinned, without answering the question as he watched Noel stir his tea with the frosted end of a Pocky stick. He had no ulterior motives, just a desire to spend time with his good friend on a Saturday. And maybe because he doesn’t have much to do on Saturdays anyway.
Noel rolled his eyes at the lack of response from Pockey, biting aggressively into the damp Pocky stick to mimic his annoyance.
“Actually,” Pockey sounded out, looking to his fidgety hands, “ I just wanted to spend some time with you, Noel. I’ve been enjoying the moments we’ve spent together as friends, and I wanted to treat you to some nice things I bought last week. I know you like sweet foods-”
“That’s not true,” Noel cuts in, lying to both Pockey and himself.
“Sure, sure, say what you will. But seriously, I think you’re a really fun guy sometimes. And I want to thank you for tolerating me.”
Noel feels his face heat up as the other boy flashes him a genuine smile.
Dang it, Noel, The boy curses at himself inwardly. He doesn’t know why Pockey’s words bring such emotional turmoil within him. And perhaps he doesn’t wish to know, for his own sanity’s sake. Noel turns away from Pockey’s face to hide his embarrassment.
“Whatever, you weirdo. Thanks for the treats,” Noel squints his eyes out of cringe for himself. Why was he thanking him? What weird magic spell has the pink freak casted on him this time?
Pockey simply giggles as he pours more tea into Noel’s noticeably empty teacup. Only causing Noel to redden his face even more in response to the kind gesture.
“How about this, I’ll teach you how to brew this yourself after we finish up here?” Pockey suggests cheerfully, after understanding that Noel actually enjoys the tea.
Noel simply nods slightly to show his interest.
-
The moon reflects bright against the white teapot in the kitchen of Noel’s house. It’s half-full, and the smell is strong, even when the lid of the pot is sealed so tightly on it.
Norman lifts it up to pour it into his own cup. After only filling a quarter of the cup, he takes a slight sniff of it to confirm that the source of the scent is the tea. When it is confirmed that the aroma is indeed emitted from the tea, he drinks it quickly.
The taste brings a soft smile to his lips, surprised that Noel is able to brew tea that was as delectable as it was. True to the nature of the drink, it wasn’t too sweet, and was slightly more bitter than Pockey’s.
Norman finally understands why oel came home with such a vast abundance of blueberries in his arms. And truthfully, he’s happy that the reason behind it was such a delightfully wholesome one.