Hanging By A Moment

Her mother wanted to know what she had for lunch. She read the question and began typing out her response on Skype. Mothers somehow, always had to make sure they were on top of your meal menus. Even if they were 3500 miles away. She paused in her description of her tortillas and beans to look up.

He was sitting opposite her. She caught him bending down, earphones plugged in; he rested his head on the table, cushioned by his elbows. 

She could see only the top of his head now, just over his laptop that blocked it. And reflexively, her lips parted... a great feeling of affection warmed her. She couldn't understand it. Her mouth slowly curved upward, eyes began to crinkle. The gentle pace of the smile, a result of the overwhelming intensity of emotions. 

He lifted his head suddenly, she instantly turned her face such that her hair hid it... quickly - and thankfully - cognizant of her joyful countenance, very convinced that he shouldn't see it.  

"Oye." He said and stood up.

She pulled her hair back nonchalantly, as if to tie a pony, and looked at him enquiringly. 

"I think I'll go sleep." 

"What? Where?"

"There... on the couch" He pointed. She nodded. 

She watched him as he took his laptop and walked over to the couch adjacent to the long windows. He drew the shades, and moved the short table nearer. She saw him stretch his legs and adjust his laptop gingerly at the edge of the table. He then leaned back, as far as his earphones allowed him. And closed his eyes. 

Her heart swelled with happiness as she watched him. A curious warmth flooded through her. Overwhelmingly joyful fondness at seeing him... sleep. Emotions that she surprisingly couldn't keep from shaking her steady mind. 

She caught her reflection on the screen of her phone, lying on the table. An ecstatically glad girl beamed back at her, looking unusually beautiful, she realized. This was how she appeared?- WHY so happy?! The girl's brows furrowed, a slight uncertainty creeping into her expression. 

Her iTunes changed songs then. ♫ ~I'm falling even more in love with you~ ♫♪