The Apple of Her Eye

one

she was sprawled out on the carpet, a bowl of ice-cream balanced in one hand with a chess piece in the other.

outside was blisteringly hot - like all days were in this record breaking summer.

her eyes flickered to meet the glare of the boy laying on the other side of the chessboard.

"checkmate." she placed her piece.

"again?" he rolled onto his back.
"it's no fun to play with you. you always win." he complained.

she swallowed a rewarding spoonful of ice-cream.