Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Because of Daphne, Derek had already pieced it together. That girl dancing at Neon Nights Bar was none other than Sherilyn! Wasn't Gilbert, after all the effort of getting her into the Lightning Dance Troupe, just trying to rekindle an old flame? Yet, why was she with Edgar?

"What are you looking at me for?" Gilbert gave him a sidelong glance, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "As Edgar’s cousin, even Yates is clueless? As her ex, I’m even more out of the loop."

"Man, oh man." Yates was totally in the dark. "I honestly had no idea. Man, this is messy. Can you imagine what my aunt and uncle would say if they found out?"

Meanwhile, Edgar let go of Sherilyn's hand and waved everyone over. "Come on, what are you doing over there?"

They all gathered around. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

A bit sheepish, Edgar glanced at Sherilyn. "Let me properly introduce you to my girlfriend, Sherilyn."

"Hi, everyone." Sherilyn offered a shy smile.

Hmm. Gilbert silently scoffed, diverting his gaze. Women in love.

Edgar continued, "Sherilyn, you know everyone here. No need for formal introductions, right?"

"Yeah, of course." Sherilyn smiled, nodding.

Noticing Sherilyn holding onto a bag, Edgar asked, "What’s that? You’ve been holding onto it for a while. Isn’t it heavy?"

"Not at all." Sherilyn smiled, shaking her head. "It’s a birthday present for you."

"Really?" Edgar's eyes sparkled with anticipation, a wide grin spreading. "You got me a birthday present?"

"You..." Sherilyn couldn't help but laugh. "I came for your birthday. How could I not bring a gift?"

She bit her lip, looking a bit embarrassed. "It’s nothing fancy, though. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t like it. Just dispose of it quietly."

Much like Gilbert once did.

"How could I not like it?" Curiosity got the better of Edgar. "What is it? Can I open it now?"

Even though he had received plenty of presents that day, none sparked his interest like Sherilyn’s. But how could Sherilyn's gift be anything like the others?

"Maybe not here." Sherilyn whispered, "I made it myself."

"You made it?" That just made Edgar even more curious. "What is it? If I can't open it now, give me a hint."

"It’s a shirt." Sherilyn handed over the bag. "Take it home and open it there. Try it on, and if you don’t like it, it’s fine. But if you do and anything doesn’t fit right, I can adjust it for you."

"I already love it!" Edgar hugged the bag close, "How could I not? You made it by hand..."

It felt like he had discovered a treasure.

Edgar was overjoyed. "Sherilyn, you made this? You can do that?"

"Yes." Sherilyn laughed, amused by Edgar’s reaction.

It was obvious. Edgar truly liked her gift. And that made Sherilyn, the one who gave the gift, even happier.

Edgar couldn’t help but praise her. "You're amazing!"

"Am I?" Sherilyn blushed, "My grandma was a seamstress. I only know a few basics."

"That's still amazing!" Edgar was eager to open it immediately, but he also wanted to save it, to make the moment last. It was something Sherilyn made uniquely for him!

He decided to wait, to open it when he was alone. "Thank you, Sherilyn. I love it. Love it."

"Come on." Sherilyn playfully glared at him, a mix of laughter and exasperation, "You haven’t even seen it yet..."

"But I already love it!" Edgar grinned from ear to ear. "Anything from you, even a straw, would mean the world to me!"