My moyo pounds in my chest as I gaze at my palm. I feel like I want to take mine hand out of his but somehow I can't let go. His grasp on my hand gets tighter. This moment is just insane. I feel overwhelmed with commpasion and upendo for him though I barely even know him now.

"Laylia come on in and help me ste the meza, jedwali will you." I hear my grandmother say as she steps out the door step. I know she can see us because I hear no movement.

"Comming." I am able to mutter before I slip my hand out of his. Our eyes meet as I turn away. His glimmer in the porch lights.

While we head towards the jikoni i can feel her anxious movement and breathing. Her hands mold together and her eyes shift to the ground and back up again. I know that she is thinking about what she saw.

The little wooden meza, jedwali has a red and white checkered meza, jedwali cloth on it. A litle glass vase with purple wild flowers in it sits at the center.

"Why don't wewe grab the silverwear and napkins. I'll hand wewe the plates once I get the chakula on them." She won't evern look at me when she talks. Whatever I did has sure made her anxious.

~_~

chajio, chakula cha jioni went kwa slowly, and now that it is time for the Clearwaters leave I feel anxious.

"Well Esther thank wewe so much for the delicious meal and the jelly." Mrs. Clearwater holds up the little jar of Grandma Esthers homemade jelly. I try to keep my glance on all the other but Seth, but always end up looking back at him. I try to hide that I can't take my eyes off him but it is no use. Besides he is looking at me the same way but with almost zaidi intensity.

"By wewe three and don't forget the big potluck on saturday!" Grandpa yells from the living room. I glance back breaking our gaze. I turn back around and see that he is looking down.

"Thanks again." Mrs. Clearwater says as she pulls Leah and Seth out the door. We share one final glance in utter silence.


~_~

Now that the Clearwaters have left I don't know what to do with my self. I head up the stairs to take a kuoga and head to my new bed.

"Goodnight Laylia." Grandma Esther says as I trudge up the stairs.

"Night Grandma." I hear her go into the living room and start a conversation with Grandpa. Normaly I would think nothing of that except for the fact that they are speaking in hushed tones. I step one step back down and lean over to where I can hear what they are saying.

"Ricky I think something happend with Seth and Laylia tonight."

"I am sure of it. They probably struck up a good old friendship that they left behind." I lean in closer to understand their words.

"I am talking something zaidi serious. I think that Seth imprinted on Laylia." My mouth goes dry as I slump against the wall. My eyes closing as I take in what a big deal this really is.