This might be weird. Okay, it is weird, but I've made a list of things I want to do with Blade.

My list labelled Adventures with Dustin has several activities I want to do with Blade before the school year is completed. It's not very long, but if I get a new idea I add it to the list.

After taking her out for ice cream, I decided that she deserves to be that relaxed all the time, so I'll be making sure at least once a week we can do something together so she can be.

School ending early today because of the infestation was the perfect incentive to take her to the first thing on the list: the butterfly farm.

I didn't plan on bringing Miriam, but I know she hates school and would be pissed if I went somewhere cool without her. Besides, she's good at easing tension and might help Blade not feel out of place. Of course, I'm right. They get along like a house on fire.

I can't help but feel a pang of jealousy seeing how much more Blade smiles with Miriam than with me. Stupid, I know but I want to be the reason she smiles. I can't be too in my feelings about it though because Blade smiling is always the goal regardless if it's me or my sister.

We finally make it to the end of the botanical garden which has the butterfly farm. It's a big screened in area with a pond, plants and of course butterflies. Lots of butterflies.

Blade looks completely awestruck as she stares on with a goofy smile on her face.

"This is fucking awesome!" Miriam exclaims, earning a sharp look from me.

"No cursing," I tell her sternly. "But yea, fucking awesome."

Blade giggles at us, amused by our banter as usual. She walks ahead, a bright smile on her face as she looks around.

"You like her," Miriam says lowly into my ear, slowing her pace so she can walk with me.

"What are you talking about?"

Miriam rolls her eyes. "Boys. Always so stupid. I see the way you look at her. I had an inkling before but now it's like a slap in the face."

I scoff. "I'm not that obvious."

"Mhm. Sure. Just know I totally ship it."

I give my sister a pointed look, unamused by her naivety. "She's just barely let me be her friend. I doubt she'd ever let me be anything more."

My sister smacks her lips and links her arm with mine as we follow behind the curly haired girl. "Where's all that confidence you usually have? You guys get along great and you're literally learning sign language to communicate better with her. She'd be insane not to like you."

"Whatever she chooses, I'll be happy. As long as I get to be in her life."

I've only known Blade for a short period of time and I barely know anything about her, but I like her. Even if she never talks to me or pursues anything more than frienship, I want to be a part of her life and I want her to be a part of mine.

Miriam shrugs. "If you say so, bro."

We catch up to Blade who didn't even seem to notice we were gone, too busy staring at the koi fish in the pond.

"Hi, miss lady." Miriam plops down next to her, eyeing the koi.

I snap a picture, wanting to capture these moments. We walk around more, looking at the different species and reading the signs that give information on them.

A butterfly lands on Blade's shoulder, so I tell her to stay still. She looks down at her shoulder and I take a picture.

It's perfect.

"Wow that's a great pic!" Miriam gushes. Blade remains where she is, smiling down at the butterfly so I get another picture just before it flies off.

"Look," I show Blade the screen and she bites her lip, looking shy.

She pulls out her phone and types into the screen. 'That's a nice picture. The butterfly is really pretty.'

Yea, but you're prettier. I think to myself. I would never have the balls to tell her that so I smiled at her instead. "I'll send it to you."

She nods before looking around some more.

It's getting late and Blade informed me that she needs to be home before four so we head back to the car.

"Did you have fun?" I ask, buckling in.

Blade nods, smiling brightly and signs Thank you.

You're welcome. I sign back.

"Now I need to learn sign language. I refuse to be left out."

I laugh. "Yea, I barely know anything."

She shrugs. "Still."

I smile to myself when I see Blade laughing at us.

Today was a success.

*****