Значительный

It was a warm morning. Ken, who had just opened his eyes, was still lying in bed, staring sleepily at the ceiling. He didn't want to get up anywhere, but the thought that today was a day off and he would spend it in the company of Barbie, still, yes, encouraged him.

After he had unsuccessfully "confessed" to her, asking her to dance, then, in Floravia, it had been about a week. Thoughtfully, he slowly got up from the creaking bed, grunting slightly, and then began to descend to the first floor. At the bottom, he met his mother, and, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek, asked:

- Good morning, Mom. Where's Dad?

The dark-haired woman smiled, gesturing toward the backyard.

- Morning,- she said, ruffling her son's hair, still smiling, - He's there, decided to water the flowers.

The boy nodded gratefully to his mother and stomped into the bathroom. After a quick wash and brushing of his teeth, he stripped off his clothes and climbed into the stall. As soon as the water began to run, he turned the hose on himself, quickly refreshing himself and starting to think. After washing his hair and rinsing, the blond turned off the water, and then, taking out a towel hanging on a hook, wrapped it around his thighs and left the stall, standing on the doormat.

Looking up, he saw in the mirror a handsome, well-built guy, with all this and very sexy.
The fact is that Ken, being a little wiry, decided to pump up a little and worked out with his father, going to the gym. Now he had broad, beautifully set shoulders and a great torso, which some girls definitely looked at when he was on the beach. But he didn't care about them.

Satisfied with what he saw, he quickly dried himself and dressed, then dried his hair. As soon as he left the bathroom, the pleasant aroma of fresh pastries and hot scrambled eggs hit him. His mother, though not a professional cook, was an excellent cook. This smell from the backyard attracted the boy's father, led by a subtle aroma. Ken chuckled at the man's dreamy face, and the woman rolled her eyes, smiling. The fact is that the older blonde, hearing a pleasant aroma, was so carried away that he forgot to leave the watering can on the street and dragged it straight to the kitchen.

Half an hour later, when breakfast was finished, the guy, thanking his mother for the delicious food, left the house and went to the next one - in a couple of minutes they agreed to meet with Barbie to go to the shopping center together - they wanted to spend time together. When he reached the appointed place, he sat down on the lawn around the house and waited for the appearance of a secret sympathy.

Barbie came out five minutes later. Lost in thought, the guy didn't even notice that the front door slammed. He rested his head on his hand and stared at the toes of his sneakers, lost in the forest of his thoughts.

The girl, immediately noticing the blonde, quietly approached him, and, squatting down and looking into his eyes, put her hands on his shoulders.

- Hello!

The thoughtful Ken, clearly not expecting that he would be so brazenly pulled out of the flow of his own thoughts, startled jerked, causing the blonde who could not keep her feet fell right on top of him. The guy, pinned down by the weight of his girlfriend, lost his balance, and they both collapsed on the lawn.

Once astride her friend, the blonde put her hands on his chest, lifting herself up. Ken just blinked stupidly. Neither of them had yet realized what an ambiguous position they were in.

- Hi, - the girl smiled, - once again.

- Hey, - he couldn't help but smile, too, - you scared me.

- I noticed, - she narrowed her eyes, laughing, - I'm sorry, I-

Before she could finish, they were interrupted.

- How lucky I got out of the house, though, - Barbie pursed her lip as soon as she heard the owner of the voice, and rolled her eyes, - Hey, Roberts?

- What do you want, Trey?

Reardon just grinned, surreptitiously taking pictures of the couple.

- Ken doesn't seem to be a horse, - he grinned at the blank stares of both of them as he continued, - but you did ride him.

As soon as the meaning of the words reached the two of them, they looked at each other, and then jumped away from each other as if scalded, while blushing wildly.

The brown-haired man laughed, grinning: it was already a habit to tease the neighbors, even if they had become more friendly. Running a hand through his hair, he put the phone in the pocket of his shorts, looked at his friends, who were looking at each other in confusion, trying to find words of explanation, and then gave up on them and went about his business.

The embarrassed blonds cursed Trey inwardly, trying not to look directly at each other, which made them blush even more. Barbie stuttered awkwardly and nodded at Ken, gesturing toward the Carson garage.

- C-can we take your car? - she finally pulled away from the degree of embarrassment that made her hide her eyes, - I don't really want to drive right now...

- Yeah, yeah, okay, - the guy nodded, scratching his head, - Come on?

Barbie nodded and the two of them headed to the garage to get in the car.

After a while, they were at the mall, where Nikki and Renee were waiting for them. The girls also decided to hang out with friends, dragging around the shops. As they walked along the main street, the company looked at the boutiques that most often sold clothing and shoes. Barbie nudged Ken with her shoulder, as if flirting, and he responded with the same enthusiasm, leaning toward her, because he knew that the blonde was doing this to get his attention.

- Let's go find you something? - she looked at him with a twinkle in her eyes, waiting for an answer , - I recently saw a very cool set that would suit you very well.

- Do you include your design talents? - Ken sighed, grinning, - All right, lead the way, O queen of style!

They both laughed, and Barbie took his hand and pulled him toward one of the boutiques. Renee and Nikki looked at each other with pleased faces, chuckling merrily.

- Lovebirds...

Asian woman smiled, pulling her friend to her by the waist, and so, embracing, they followed the friends who had already rushed away.

Once inside the store, a pair of blond men with sly expressions literally flew up to the stands with clothes, starting to look at everything. Rummaging through the shelves and looking at the mannequins, the girl still found the very set that she wanted to try on Ken. The guy at this moment came up from behind, looking over the shoulder of the blonde and examining the find.

- Did you find something? - he looked at the things appraisingly, - Cute.

- Yep, - she said, wriggling a little, amused, - Let's go measure it!

Picking up the hanger, the girl turned around, but, not expecting that the blond man would suddenly be so close, she slammed into his chest and, not keeping her balance, almost fell off. The guy managed to react in time and catch her by the waist, otherwise they would have been kicked out of the boutique for the destruction, even if it was accidental.

- Hey, hey, hey, are you going to fall? -  he grinned as he helped her to her feet, then only released her, - Be careful, I can't always be around.

He winked at her, and Barbie, both embarrassed and outraged, pursed her lip, snorting comically.

- By the way, - she grumbled, rolling her eyes as she kicked him lightly on the ankle, - it was your fault I almost fell!

The guy grinned and, without answering, took the clothes rack from his friend.

While this" jester pea", as the blonde called him in her thoughts, was in the dressing room, Roberts angrily grumbled at him, being in the main hall, being very confused. Nikki and Renee, who were watching the whole scene, were standing nearby, giggling, looking at each other cheerfully.

When Ken sent the blonde a text message that he was ready for the assessment, the girls moved towards the fitting rooms. Walking to the booth where she left her friend, Barbie spoke with a slight laugh, looking at her friends.

- We're ready to faint, Carson.

I heard his unrestrained laugh, and the guy, gathering all his charm, pulled down the curtain, showing his eyes.

Yes, maybe the girl had exaggerated with the fainting, but her jaw had clearly gone to meet the floor. Renee whistled, looking at her friend from head to toe.

And, frankly, there was a lot to whistle about. Black jeans ripped at the knees, hugging his legs, a plain white T-shirt, white sneakers, and a black and white open shirt with a large check looked amazing on him. And while Barbie was waiting for her jaw to end the date with paul, the girls openly admired the friend, who quite folded his arms on his chest.

- No, well, we knew you were pretty in any outfit, Ken, - Nikki said, holding up a finger in admiration, - but not that much...

-Hahah, thank you, girls, - he laughed, slightly embarrassed by the compliments, - Okay, I get it. I buy it.

While the guy was changing back, the girls dragged her friend back to the hall, to take a queue at the cash register. While they were standing there, Renee looked at a cute T-shirt, and Nikki looked at a chic dark green shirt that just looked incredible on her. Barbie, on the other hand, was looking at the cash register, waiting for their turn to come.
                                 ***
They spent most of the day at the mall, then ended it with a wonderful sit-down in a cafe.

- I wish Daisy and Teresa could have come with us, - Renee smiled, winking at Nikki, - this day was amazing!

The two blonds nodded in agreement.

- You're right.

They looked at each other and laughed - it had been a very good day indeed, and even Reardon Junior's embarrassing joke didn't spoil it. Yawning, the African-American woman leaned her head against the Asian woman's shoulder, exhaling wearily.

- I agree. But I'm as tired as a horse that's been plowing in the fields all day, - she covered her mouth with her hand, - That's what I was running into.

- We're already going home, you'll have a rest, - Renee patted her shoulder, also yawning-a reflex worked, - You'll eat and go to bed.

- Well, - the guy said ironically, smiling, - you started talking about food and now I want to eat. Thanks!

The girls could hear the sarcasm in his tone, so they all laughed together. Barbie poked him in the side.

- We'll be right there and you can eat.

- Oh, are you going to feed me? - he looked at the blonde girl with a twinkle in his eyes, - I'm so hungry!

The girls laughed, and Barbie nudged him with her hip.

- Make no mistake, - she said, her eyes dancing, - I won't feed you.

- Oh, well Baaaaaaaaaarbie!  - he let out a disappointed sigh, making puppy - dog eyes, - Pleeeeeeeease!

- Okay, okay, - the blonde finally gave up, - just stop being so cute!

- Ha, - the guy sighed contentedly, saying a little haughtily, - No one can resist my charm. I'm cute!

The group laughed merrily as they left the mall. They walked to the parking lot and said their goodbyes - Renee and Nikki had arrived in a taxi, so they had to go to the bus stop. The blonds went to Ken's car. He put the two shopping bags in the backseat and got behind the wheel, starting the car. It was already evening, so the sun was already at the level of the horizon.

Barbie leaned her hip against the car, watching the gentle sunset. She stood with her head turned a little to one side, so that the sun shone beautifully on her profile. Ken, who had turned to call his friend into the car, froze, transfixed by the sight.

The girl turned to him, and the boy, still mesmerized, was almost speechless.

- You look amazing...

- Thank you... - she smiled shyly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear - a compliment from Ken that was very nice, - You too...

The blonde got into the car, looking out the windshield, although she was actually secretly looking at the confused guy. She knew he wasn't just a friend. But it's simple... Afraid?

She was afraid. It's scary that he won't accept her feelings. What was even more terrifying was that their friendship could be destroyed. And she didn't know what she would do if that happened.

They arrived home fifteen minutes later. The guy parked the car, getting out of it and taking with him two bags of things - his and hers. Barbie also got out of the car, looking at her sneakers. After walking a few meters, she stumbled thoughtfully over the low threshold of the garage and flew forward.

With a cry, she felt herself in his arms.

- You're not paying attention today... - he looked anxiously into her eyes, - Are you feeling all right?

- Thank you...  She got to her feet, leaning on his arms, - Yes, everything is fine...

- Is something bothering you? - the guy was still holding her hand, squeezing her hand lightly, - You can tell me, I'll listen...

The blonde exhaled, gathering her thoughts.

"How can I tell you that I'm worried about you rejecting my feelings?!"

She smiled at him tenderly.

- Don't worry, I'm fine, - she said, stroking the palm of his hand with her thumb, - I think I'm just tired.

- Then go and rest, - the blond man looked into her eyes with a slightly excited expression, - Come on, I'll walk you out.

- But...  - the girl gave him a slightly surprised look as she followed him, - You were hungry, weren't you?

- Babs, - he glanced at her, still walking slowly in the direction of the house next door, - I'm not starving enough to make you stand at the stove tired. I'll eat at home.

The blonde only looked down at the asphalt in embarrassment, biting her lip with a smile. She had never doubted him.

Why is it so perfect?

When they were in the Roberts ' back yard, the blonde girl went up the steps, and the guy stayed at the bottom.

Ken looked at her with concern, making her heart skip a beat.

- Get some rest, - he finally released her hand, handing her her purchases, - I'll write to you again.

The guy was about to go home, turning around, but the girl called out to him. He turned to her.

Fighting her feelings, she leaned across the step that separated them and, incredibly gently, lightly, kissed his cheek.

- Thank you.

- You're welcome, - his heart thumped loudly in his chest, - Barbara.