#Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

[rabbitcruiser]

Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

“Life is short, eat dessert first” is a phrase that has been bandied about by a lot of people for reasons both flippant and serious. Although it probably sounds like all fun and games, Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is one of the more serious embodiments of this phrase, serving to increase awareness about childhood cancer.

For children whose lives may be cut short and who see every day as a blessing, it only makes sense to indulge in life’s little pleasures. And Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day brings that opportunity to everyone in support of this important cause.

History of Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day was created to commemorate the nine wonderful years of the bright soul that was Malia Grace, born on February 18, 2001. Malia, who passed away after a long fight with cancer on Dec 7, 2010, was an inspiration to everyone around her.

Those who knew her saw that she glowed with the kind of enthusiasm for life that childhood is made of. She embraced knowledge and learning every day, getting outside whenever possible and drinking in her short life with a passion that made each day a new and exciting adventure of its own.

First celebrated on her birthday in 2013 by a group of close friends of Malia to commemorate her life and creativity, the event started out small and was shared with just a few folks on social media. In 2014, the event went public and opened up to include 55 other families of children with cancer.

Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day went on to become a day to honor all of the children who have battled or are battling childhood cancer. It didn’t take long for the day to explode onto the scene, with thousands of people from all over the world taking part and spreading the message to thousands more.

How To Celebrate Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

Observing and celebrating this day is about more than just the actual act of eating ice cream for breakfast. It’s a day to get involved in the effort to encourage children who have cancer and make an effort to put an end to this terrible disease. Try out some of these ideas for getting involved in this worthy cause:

Make a Donation to Fight Childhood Cancer

For those who are not into ice cream or would like to promote this good cause in other ways, why not look for local hospitals and healthcare centers that are in need of donations, as they help parents and children fight this terrible disease? Certainly, many dollars are needed to research and develop cures for the various cancers that affect children in particular.

St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Make a Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, and the American Childhood Cancer Organization are just a few of the organizations that offer hope and support to children with cancer as well as their families.

Host an Ice Cream for Breakfast Day Fundraiser

Hundreds of children every year benefit from the efforts of various hospitals and organizations. Putting together an Ice Cream For Breakfast Social can help raise spirits and morale, as well as awareness for the need. Grab a few friends and make a plan for serving ice cream in the morning and asking for a donation. Make it a social event at the office, at a school or in the community. Lots of creative ideas can be implemented to make this day special while spreading the word and raising some finances that can be donated to one of the above charities.

Learn Facts About Childhood Cancer

Most people don’t think a great deal about childhood cancer until it happens to them or someone they know and love. But the reality is that it is more prevalent than most people realize. Here are some important things to know and stay informed about childhood cancer:

Globally, more than 300,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year. Worldwide, this equals a cancer diagnosis for a child every three minutes.

Childhood cancer causes approximately 90,000 deaths each year all over the planet.

70% of childhood cancers are curable, assuming they are caught early and have access to appropriate treatment protocols.

Many families whose child has cancer feel very alone and isolated, so connecting with them through events like Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is a very encouraging act.

Volunteer at a Children’s Hospital

This might be the day to contact a local child oncology ward and find out what kinds of supplies they need, or arrange to be placed as a volunteer and spend a day with the children playing games and talking. These special children are always eager to drink in the life and experiences of others and to share their own lives with those who come in. They know they’re sick, but they’re also children, and they don’t let that illness get them down. So, one great way to commemorate the day is to commit to being part of their life’s experience by sharing various stories and listening to theirs.

Share Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day with Friends

Celebrating Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is best done by joining people around the world for an ice-cream breakfast! Join the community by posting a picture of what you’re eating and who you’re eating ice cream for on the Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day social media pages. Share the idea with friends, family or coworkers who don’t know about it, to help raise awareness to put an end to childhood cancer.

But isn’t this the wrong date!?

There are actually two holidays that are very similar in name but founded for very different reasons. Today is not to be confused with Ice Cream for Breakfast Day which takes place on the first Saturday of February created in the 1960s by housewife Florence Rappaport from New York. It is possible to read more about how that day got started here.

Source

[potatoknitsmysteriouscoinkidink]

Guys guys guys tomorrow is eat ice cream for breakfast day

It’s the most important day of the year so don’t forget it

[slav-every-day]

[meownotgood]

Mermaid aki trying human foods...

he'd be so happy to try anything you make for him, he's so amazed by how delicious human foods can be... until you suggest he try fish, and then he gives you an annoyed glare.

[breakfastsundae]

Mermaid Waffle Sundae

with Target’s Favorite Day Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

[makemycitybreak]

How much weight do y'all think I can lose in 4 weeks

[rosesradio]

.

[potsherd]

today is simply full of food disappointments

[brunetterightsactivist]

as soon as i stop having insane sugar cravings on the daily i'm gonna slay

[fingertipsmp3]

Well I think the interview lowkey didn’t go well but I guess we’ll see

[rabbitcruiser]

Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

“Life is short, eat dessert first” is a phrase that has been bandied about by a lot of people for reasons both flippant and serious. Although it probably sounds like all fun and games, Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is one of the more serious embodiments of this phrase, serving to increase awareness about childhood cancer.

For children whose lives may be cut short and who see every day as a blessing, it only makes sense to indulge in life’s little pleasures. And Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day brings that opportunity to everyone in support of this important cause.

History of Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day was created to commemorate the nine wonderful years of the bright soul that was Malia Grace, born on February 18, 2001. Malia, who passed away after a long fight with cancer on Dec 7, 2010, was an inspiration to everyone around her.

Those who knew her saw that she glowed with the kind of enthusiasm for life that childhood is made of. She embraced knowledge and learning every day, getting outside whenever possible and drinking in her short life with a passion that made each day a new and exciting adventure of its own.

First celebrated on her birthday in 2013 by a group of close friends of Malia to commemorate her life and creativity, the event started out small and was shared with just a few folks on social media. In 2014, the event went public and opened up to include 55 other families of children with cancer.

Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day went on to become a day to honor all of the children who have battled or are battling childhood cancer. It didn’t take long for the day to explode onto the scene, with thousands of people from all over the world taking part and spreading the message to thousands more.

How To Celebrate Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

Observing and celebrating this day is about more than just the actual act of eating ice cream for breakfast. It’s a day to get involved in the effort to encourage children who have cancer and make an effort to put an end to this terrible disease. Try out some of these ideas for getting involved in this worthy cause:

Make a Donation to Fight Childhood Cancer

For those who are not into ice cream or would like to promote this good cause in other ways, why not look for local hospitals and healthcare centers that are in need of donations, as they help parents and children fight this terrible disease? Certainly, many dollars are needed to research and develop cures for the various cancers that affect children in particular.

St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Make a Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, and the American Childhood Cancer Organization are just a few of the organizations that offer hope and support to children with cancer as well as their families.

Host an Ice Cream for Breakfast Day Fundraiser

Hundreds of children every year benefit from the efforts of various hospitals and organizations. Putting together an Ice Cream For Breakfast Social can help raise spirits and morale, as well as awareness for the need. Grab a few friends and make a plan for serving ice cream in the morning and asking for a donation. Make it a social event at the office, at a school or in the community. Lots of creative ideas can be implemented to make this day special while spreading the word and raising some finances that can be donated to one of the above charities.

Learn Facts About Childhood Cancer

Most people don’t think a great deal about childhood cancer until it happens to them or someone they know and love. But the reality is that it is more prevalent than most people realize. Here are some important things to know and stay informed about childhood cancer:

Globally, more than 300,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year. Worldwide, this equals a cancer diagnosis for a child every three minutes.

Childhood cancer causes approximately 90,000 deaths each year all over the planet.

70% of childhood cancers are curable, assuming they are caught early and have access to appropriate treatment protocols.

Many families whose child has cancer feel very alone and isolated, so connecting with them through events like Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is a very encouraging act.

Volunteer at a Children’s Hospital

This might be the day to contact a local child oncology ward and find out what kinds of supplies they need, or arrange to be placed as a volunteer and spend a day with the children playing games and talking. These special children are always eager to drink in the life and experiences of others and to share their own lives with those who come in. They know they’re sick, but they’re also children, and they don’t let that illness get them down. So, one great way to commemorate the day is to commit to being part of their life’s experience by sharing various stories and listening to theirs.

Share Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day with Friends

Celebrating Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is best done by joining people around the world for an ice-cream breakfast! Join the community by posting a picture of what you’re eating and who you’re eating ice cream for on the Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day social media pages. Share the idea with friends, family or coworkers who don’t know about it, to help raise awareness to put an end to childhood cancer.

But isn’t this the wrong date!?

There are actually two holidays that are very similar in name but founded for very different reasons. Today is not to be confused with Ice Cream for Breakfast Day which takes place on the first Saturday of February created in the 1960s by housewife Florence Rappaport from New York. It is possible to read more about how that day got started here.

Source

[valwrote]

PICK YOUR DOMESTIC HUSBAND 🛒

WHICH HUSBAND IS ON THE DOMESTICITY MENU TODAY?

featuring: diluc, alhaitham, zhongli, wriothesley, neuvillette.

synopsis: glimpses into married life with the genshin men.

warnings: implied fem!reader, occasional pet names, ooc (I have a sparse idea how diluc works, mention of "activities" (just mention I can't write smut pls), silly goofy ah loser coded men, mild swearing (damn, heck)

a/n: *stretching my back and crunching my neck.* I'm back from the dead. apologies for the choppy writing. thanks for the support on the other posts, if only I could write 50-page essays thanking everyone. <33 :')) not proofread.

DILUC 🍷

PRODUCT NAME: BREAKFAST AND KISSES IN BED. Diluc always hated the Knights of Favonius… 

He hated how most of them just stand around like buffoons and do not partake in any actual work that involves saving Mondstadt. He wouldn’t admit that he enjoys playing Batman. He hated them all except for one.

One he was willing to forgive all flaws of. "Knight of Favonius…always so inefficient,”  He scoffed at the pathetic sight of the hilichurls trying to dry roast a few knights roped to a wooden stick for their dinner. “Seriously, You’re so right Master Diluc.” Diluc’s head turned so fast at the sound of a new voice. When did you get here? Were you always there and how did he not sense you around?

That’s simply how you always were. A hard worker amidst slackers – he always termed despite Jean trying to explain that others work hard too. Perhaps that’s what caught his attention, honestly, he would never know what did. “G’morning…” He murmured against your skin, head buried in the crook of your neck, your flushed bare back pressed against him. “5 more minutes…” he heard your soft and groggy voice evoking a chuckle from the usually passive man. “Have I ever told you…how beautiful you are?” Diluc muttered against your skin. You smiled and turned around, “You always do. I remember my Dark-Knight Hero crying at the altar.” You pressed a finger against his chest, while he scoffed at the memory. “Don’t remind me about that, Kaeya doesn’t let me live that down…” He sighed, his brother consistently brought up the matter of him crying whenever he was losing an argument. Foul play if you ask anyone. “So…breakfast downstairs or in the bed?” He planted a kiss on your cheek while you hummed out a response, “Bed, you didn’t exactly go easy on me the previous night.” You recalled the events of the passionate night the day before. The honeymoon phase never seemed to end. “I am so sorry–” He panicked,” You're not in pain are you? I promise I’ll be gentle– I knew I should’ve been more considerat–” You stopped him by pressing a kiss against his lips. He groaned at the feeling of your soft lips touching his hands tangling themselves in your hair.

“I’m kidding silly… you should stop taking things so seriously unless you want me to start searching for grey hairs amidst those red locks of yours.” You snickered out seeing him release a breath of relief.

If the Darknight Hero really does exist, he's probably just someone in disguise. When he gets up in the morning to brush his teeth, it's the real him. He was his real him in front of you. People may call him a loser for such vulnerability…he was a loser for you.

ALHAITHAM 🌱

PRODUCT NAME: READING BOOKS OUT LOUD. One would say married to someone like Alhaitham was nothing short of a nightmare. They weren't 100% right. Shrouded beneath the aloof and meticulous personality resided someone who was in complete denial towards being loved. He loves it.

Who was he kidding? Nobody in a million years thought someone could put up with his insufferable personality — said Kaveh, his unpaying tenant. That was until he ran into you during his time as the newly appointed Scribe. You were like a painter, splashing heaps of paint in his 90s black-and-white life. Was eating ice cream always this enjoyable or was it because it was with you? Was the gossip between co-workers always this interesting or was it because it included you?

Why was his heart having an entire Queen’s rock and roll concert talking to you? Was it cardiac arrest or– He almost shuddered at the thought of it being what they called love.

“You’ve got flour on your face, sweetheart.” His teal eyes blinked amusingly into yours, a faint smile curling up his lips. You must have saved a nation in your previous life to land this man as your husband. Beige shirt perfectly sculpting around his abs – contrary to him calling himself “feeble,” hair slightly tousled and slight sleepiness in his eyes. He might not act like it but he was a little child whose needs had to be tended to like the coffee mug in his hands which you made, like usual. You wouldn’t want a cranky Alhaitham now, would you? “Hmpf, not my fault, this cooking book is completely bogus!” You rubbed your cheeks with the back of your hand, wiping away any remaining flour. “This is so boring…if only someone could provide their poor wife with some entertainment.” You always resorted to theatrics to get him to do things for you, albeit begrudgingly. “No, the same tactic is not going to work again.” “Please…” “No…” He groaned, tone almost pleading not to put him through the torture again. “During better or worse!” You resorted to the ace up to your sleeve. WEDDING VOWS! “Stop quoting the wedding vows.” He sighed in defeat. The most intellectually gifted man in the nation couldn't win against his own wife. Ironical. He got up and grabbed a book out of the bookshelf; a small fraction of his much larger library.

“Miss Elizabeth,” Alhaitham lazily flipped through the pages earning a rebuke. “More emotion! You are ruining the scene.” Alhaitham sighed and cleared his throat, “I love you most ardently…” His tone was feathery soft, emotion surging in it. A smile crept up as he stared at you endearingly.

“That’s much better. Though I seriously think Mr Darcy should’ve said– Miss Elizabeth, allow me to kiseth thy lovely lips.” You mimicked the deep voice of the character with the failing British accent. “Please have mercy on Jane Austen’s ghost and let her enjoy the afterlife.” Alhaitham chuckled and continued reading as you continued baking.  It was a shame that a man of such talent only paid attention to the truth itself and not to the people around him. If only the searching eyes of the ordinary say the exception to his indifference, you.

This was your biosphere, just you, him, novels and food encapsulated inside your small home.

ZHONGLI 🪨

PRODUCT NAME: ALWAYS ON HIS MIND. What is the best but the most useless flex you have? Being married to the Geo Archon. The inability to just tell the whole world that you are married to the frigging god was painful. You yourself were surprised by your ability to control yourself. Zhongli was a man of carefully curated words. Instead of words, straight-up poetry flew out of his mouth. Everyone knew how much he adored his wife, every vendor, every acquaintance, heck even Venti. Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's mysterious consultant. Handsome, elegant, and surpassingly learned. Excellent memory. A master of courtesy and rules. The amount of poor women who have tried to grab his attention. "Mr.Zhongli, how does this look?" the woman, who he remembered meeting over a history discussion 17 days ago. "Hm?" his amber eyes shifted to gaze at the hairpiece the lady was holding. "Most exquisite.." He remarked, seemingly going into deep thought. Instead of a compliment, he said something that made the woman back away, "Such beautiful craftsmanship...may I ask you to tell me where you found this? I wish to buy one for my wife–" he paused, seeing the lady vanished after pointing at the shop where she got it from. "Zhongli, you should be able to tell why people approach you..." Hutao sighed, standing beside the rather oblivious gentleman. "Let's just continue...we've got customers to find!" Hutao started walking alongside the railing, hoping to find people in need of funeral services. "Maybe we should go and ask peopl– Zhongli??" Hutao looked around for the Consultant, who was caught up chatting with a shopkeeper over some earrings. "Zhongli!" Hutao called out to him, causing his head to turn towards the director. "Oh, apologies...It seems I got too carried away. These earrings caught my eye...I'm sure [Name} would love them.." he mumbled, staring at the jewellery. "I'll take them." "Mister Zhongli? What about the payment..." The shopkeeper meekly asked, causing Zhongli to turn his head fully at Hutao; gazing expectantly. Hutao should've expected this... "Zhongli, we are out here to find customers! Not buying gifts for [Name], her birthday is months away!" "They say the best things should be done first. After all, why must I wait for one specific day to express my love for my beloved?" Zhongli asked curiously and Hutao shaked her head; love was clearly out of her expertise. Zhongli, he is particular about everything. He only attended the best operas and focused on the perfect ratio for the creation of an authentic dish.  On a typical day, all you will glean from him is a few pieces of useless trivia, because he particularly enjoys sharing these fun tidbits with you. He was particular about you and your likings. A smile on your face was what he wanted by the end of the day. For being someone alive for 6000 years, he could proudly say that he loved and cherished something– someone.

"Wait here, Director Hu...Perhaps I should get those flowers over there to accompany the hairpin and earrings..."

WRIOTHESLEY 🐺

PRODUCT NAME: BATTLE TO BUY A DOG OR NOT.

"Wriothesley, I want a dog!" You crossed your arms, staring down at the Duke who was glued to the chair in his office. “But why? That’s just unnecessary responsibility…” Wriothesley sighed, rubbing his temples. This was the 3rd time this month you’ve brought up this topic. Was he that incompetent in terms of filling his role as your significant other? Perhaps not with the never-ending paperwork. Oh, how he wished people would just stop committing crimes. “I get lonely in the Fortress…I want a child.” You put forth your point by using the term ’ child’. Child, dog same thing. You hoped to finally convince him this time.

“We have Sigewinne.” Wriothesley pointed at the head nurse prepping tea in the room with the back of his pen. “I am sorry, Your Grace but playing the role of the child is out of my job description.” The Melusine replied indifferently, pouring freshly seeped tea into the three cups. “Fine, we will go get one…I’ll schedule a meeting with the owner of the pet shelter. Happy?” He asked you, chin resting on his palm. Perhaps getting a dog was a good idea as he was guilty of being unable to spend quality time with you… “No way…” “Isn’t that..?” “The Duke of the Meropide–” “He rarely appears in public..” Wriothesley held out the door to the shelter for you, hoping you would go in and it would finally save him from the gaze of curious onlookers. The two of you walked in, only to be pounced upon by a big dog. “Kal! You sly dog! I knew I shouldn’t have let you out!” The caretaker yelled at the big ball of black fur who had tackled Wriothesley to the floor and was aggressively licking his face, tail wagging in delight. “Are you okay?” You asked your fallen husband, who just chuckled in response. “I am good just– Okay stop! I understand your gesture of love.” Wriothesley got up as the dog encircled him. “This one is so adorable…” you gasped at the cuteness radiating from the dog and its big brown eyes. “You’ve got a keen eye! This is Kal, Shiloh Shepard, one of the finest dogs out there.” The caretaker combed her fingers through the thick and groomed black coat of the canine. “He seems to have taken a liking to the Duke.” The caretaker continued as the dog ran back to Wriothesley, peppering his face with licks. “He even looks like you.” You teased as Wriothesley stared at you in disbelief. You did not just compare him to a dog…he even did a double take at the dog to confirm. “We will take this one then…” He chuckled in amusement. Never had he imagined marrying you and on top of that getting a four-legged beast. Needless to say, Wriothesley proudly walked out of the shelter, holding the big dog in his hands like a child. It felt complete ever since getting Kal; like your own little family. Wriothesley wouldn’t admit it but he loved the dog, despite it hogging all of your love and attention. He didn’t expect to be fighting over cuddling rights with a dog!? 

He watched you and Kal sleep peacefully on the couch, keeping him company while he finished up his work. He felt a sense of gratitude…people of the Fortress knew little of the crime he once committed. The only one who still remembers it like yesterday is Wriothesley himself. And no matter how much glory or repute he has earned, he still considers himself to be the same old Wriothesley he's always known.Neither a good person nor a complete villain. He's just another soul, still living on in this world. However, your eyes always reassured him in ways he couldn’t describe. Everything was perfect…

[Name]!! YOURDAMN DOG PISSED ON MY COAT!! Maybe not that perfect…whoops.

NEUVILLETTE 🌊

PRODUCT NAME: HELPING THE OTHER DRESS.

Monsieur Neuvillette, The Iudex of Fontaine, always wondered how his life had come to this. 500 years of serving his position as the Beacon of Justice, a lovely, beaming baker somehow broke the monotony. Well, calling you just a baker was now an insult. With your ring finger bejewelled, with one of the rarest gems– an ode to his undying loyalty and representation of his eternal love. “It’s astounding how a covert mission conducted by melusines could’ve landed someone such as myself a lady like her…” He muttered to himself, seeing his full form in the mirror. “Talking to yourself, again?” You leaned against the door frame, lopsidedly smiling at the peculiar antics of Fontaine’s most distinguished man. “Ah, apologies…I didn’t think you would notice me conversing with myself. Now I find myself in a rather awkward predicament.” He chuckled. Dear god, this man was so beautiful that his beauty was almost blinding with the morning sun perfectly hitting his face.

“Say ah,” You requested and he complied. Who better to take constructive criticism from other than your husband? “New filling?” He covered his mouth while chewing on the croissant. “Yup, how is it? I was experimenting with some Rainbow Roses and these Inazuman berries I bought.” You blinked curiously, waiting for some input. “Hmm it is very pleasant, it is fascinating how you manage to maintain the freshness of the fruit…” You smiled at his compliment, before noticing him struggling with the jabot around his neck. “Need help?” You offered and he nodded his head. “This is absurd..it usually isn’t this difficult.” He frustrated replied, it was amusing to see the cool and collected man all worked up about clothing. “I suggest simplifying your outfit.” You attached the jabot and secured it in with the teardrop brooch, fixing the ruffles. 

“Thank you. I do prefer my outfit as it conveys the message I wish for it to convey.” He explained before staring at you. You knew that look, he looked at you with his eyebrows slightly creased when he was hesitating from saying something. “What is it?” “Do I get a goodbye kiss before I leave?” “Pfft! I didn’t think you would take that seriously!” Conclusion: this man was wayyy to cute.

Neuvillette is a solitary person. Neuvillette is not known for his personal desires.

He was deemed as someone with unassailable impartiality. If only they knew that perhaps the Iudex was just a wee bit biased.

a/n 2.0: the crust will come off...hopefully. i wonder if it's possible to guess which one of them is my favourite??

don't steal, copy, plagiarise, or translate.

©definitelysel

[speakercrab666]

it’s okay to cop out sometimes. sometimes eating right and going outside just isn’t gonna happen today, and instead of sitting in your bed and feeling guilty for not making a meal and going for a walk, you get an ice cream and a medium fries from mcdonald’s and eat it parked next to a playground with your car door open.

and is it perfect? no, of course not. i’m not even sitting outside i just have the door open and an ice cream and fries hardly counts as a meal. but it’s something, and that is always better than nothing :)

[plinkcat-gif]

man maybe if you didn’t play video games so often and actually 1) interacted with the family throughout the day and 2) listened to your body you wouldn’t miss out on all the fun little treats in the house 🤔🤔

[erwinsvow]

Okay but shy/bunny reader being used to bestfriend!Rafe ditching her because he’s with some girl, she never points it out and somehow she always lets it go because she’s just a babyy and Rafe starts realising that they don’t hang out as much😭💖

it was hard seeing rafe go—always was, and always will be.

you tried to convince yourself you were used to it now, but the familiar ache in your chest when he'd say goodbye to you, topper, and kelce and walk away hand in hand with his flavor of the week was getting worse and worse.

before you'd realized you had feelings for rafe—beyond just the affection you gave to your close friends—you hadn't cared at all. you'd even encouraged it, same way you did with top and kelce, offering advice and recommending which flowers to bring, what places to bring them.

not that rafe ever really needed your help. it seems since the day he'd become your best friend, there was a line of girls hanging behind the two of you, seemingly waiting for their turn. at night, when it felt worse—and somehow it always did feel worse in your bed alone, wondering if rafe's was empty too and knowing that it wasn't—you tried to make yourself feel better.

you're still here, and they're not—that's how you tried. it worked for a little.

the newest girl had been around for a record three weeks, so even your usual bandaid for your shattered heart wasn't helping the wound heal.

so far, he'd skipped two meals, a day at the course, and half of a boat day to spend with her instead of you. you, kelce, and top that is. you'd hoped today was going to be different, walking back to top's jeep after lunch to head to the marina.

"you're not coming?" you call out to rafe, who was walking back in the direction of his own car. kelce and top are too far away to hear—getting into the front already. you were always stuck in the back, and you had never minded when rafe was there to keep you company.

rafe flicks his eyes over you, taking in the new dress you really shouldn't have bought just to see what kind of reaction you could get from him. your bag has your bikini in it and one of his button ups to cover you and he sees it poking out—white seersucker temporarily distracting him.

"rafe?"

"yeah. sorry, no. made plans with-"

"yeah, of course you did." you cut him off, and though even a few weeks ago you couldn't have imagined the vitriol in your voice, it comes out all too easy. "have fun."

you try to walk away but his footsteps follow—and damn his long legs, because he gets infront of you before you can escape.

"what, kid? you mad at me?"

you shouldn't say something. you shouldn't say anything.

"we're going to the boat. you said you were coming. i cut fruit for you."

"i-i'm sorry. top will eat it."

"it's not for him. that's not the point." the words teeter on the edge—wanting so badly to tell him that you miss him. that he never hangs out with you anymore, that he's choosing some girl over you and it stings worse than anything you've felt so far.

you're not sure when it started feeling so different—rafe's always done this. and standing two feet from the jeep, kelce sticking his head out the window to yell at you to get in, you realize you're going to reveal yourself if you don't shut up.

"have fun, rafe. sorry. bye."

you don't give him a chance to respond, but it doesn't take anything else for the gears to click. you're too quiet to ever admit it, too shy to say what you're really thinking, and rafe knows that—he's known it since he met you.

standing there, watching you drive away with kelce and top, he briefly wonders what the last time was he did something just with you. he can't even remember it. it all blurs together—late night runs for ice cream and breakfast while top and kelce were still passed out. the sweet way you smile at him and how your expression changes when he goes to the girl who's waiting for him. he gets in the car and can't decide which direction to turn—towards this girl or towards you.

on the boat, you kick up your feet and open your book, trying to drown out the chatter of kelce and top trying to get out of the marina and focus singularly on the romance in your hands rather than the one in your brain. you drown it out a little too much.

"that the one i got you?" rafe asks from somewhere next to you.

"god-" you exclaim, book slipping from your grip and thudding on the boat. "you scared me." catching your breath, you bend to pick up your book, but rafe beats you to it, picking it up and placing it on your lap.

"sorry."

"what happened to your plans?" rafe shrugs. you wish your heartbeat would slow down. you look down at your lap and rafe looks over you—exposed skin shiny with sunblock, a blue bikini he thinks he's never noticed before, matching nails that suit you.

"already had plans with you, remember?"

[derinthescarletpescatarian]

Breakfast Time

My son’s stuck in a time loop again.

He thinks I don’t know, of course. He’s never told me that this happens to him (or that he can do this, possibly; I’m not sure which it is.) Maybe I’m a bad mother, if I haven’t proven myself worthy of that trust. But there is only so many times that one can watch their son trudge through a day with bored impatience, anticipating everything you say just a little too quickly and showing no surprise to even the most surprising event, and then come downstairs the next day disoriented but rejuvenated and with a new zest for life and a tendency to get blindsided by even the most predictable things, before one makes the obvious connection.

I don’t think he’s lived through this day too many times yet, because he’s not frustrated by my good morning joke but not surprised by the monster attack being announced on the news. He eats his toast makes polite conversation that sounds just a little too rote until his sister comes down, and he puts his toast down in that distinctive way that make her eyes widen in sudden realisation, a reaction I never would have noticed if I wasn’t looking for it. He told her about three time loops ago, I think, although it might’ve been earlier and I just never noticed the signal until then. I make sure to keep the smile on my face as I push a plate of toast towards her.

The thing on the news is some kind of flying beast, and my son’s eyes don’t leave the TV screen. I expect that calm, solid determination that I usually see in his expression on days like this, but instead he watches it only with a wary sort of calculation. I suppress a sigh – it looks like I won’t be remembering today, then.

The pair exchange glances and look to me. “Hey, mum, I figured we should go to school early. We’ve both got these big tests coming up and – ”

“Yes, fine, whatever. Go.” I know what you’re thinking – obviously they’re off to do something dangerous, and obviously they’re far too young for this sort of thing, and obviously I shouldn’t enable this, and I’m a terrible parent for letting them run off to maybe get themselves killed someday. But I put this to you:

How, exactly, do you expect me to stop them?

As my son heads for the door, though, I almost stop him. I consider, not for the first time, just telling him what I know, what I’ve figured out, and asking him to explain everything, to say where he’s going and what he plans to do about that thing and if his sister is involved and if they at least have help, to put my mind at ease. I don’t, though. Because, logically… I must have done that before, right? In at least one of the countless days that never happened. I must have gotten worried or angry or just fed up with this ridiculous charade and told him that he wasn’t as good at hiding as he thought he was. He has to know that I know, right? And yet, he still chooses to let it play out like this.

Or, perhaps, he told me once. That must have happened, right? I must have been there to help, to patch his wounds and dry his tears and listen to him confess his fears or his worries or his regrets about this big responsibility, about whatever he’s doing out there. He must have told me, at some point, at least once, in one of those nonexistent days. And afterwards, he chose not to tell the me that stuck around. Meaning that I must have given him some reason to keep this secret.

What did I do to him? What did I say to him? How bad a confidante must I have been, that he chooses instead to keep me in the dark?

They leave, they ‘go to school early’, and I start on the dishes. As I wash my daughter’s breakfast crumbs away, the plate slips from my fingers and shatters on the tiles at my feet. I sigh, and turn to get a broom.

Then stop. Pick up all the other dirty plates. And shatter them, one by one, on the tiles.

Then I leave the mess behind me, pull a full tub of rocky road ice cream out of the freezer, and resolve to spend the day eating junk and watching youtube videos. After all, it’s not like it’s going to matter tomorrow, right?