Chapter 2
1088 Words
The next day, Maria walked up to me and said hi.
The days that followed were marked by friendly waves and warm smiles. By the fifth day, I finally found the courage to say hi back. That simple exchange led to lunch together and just like that, we became friends.
Two years passed.
We had visited each other a couple of times, and through Maria’s help, I had lost some weight. Not enough to match her slim frame, but enough to shift me from “chubby” to “curvy” though some still called it fat. My confidence grew a bit, although I occasionally get shy around people. Maria remained my only friend. She was more outgoing than I was, so she talked to more people. I occasionally talked to her friends when we hung out, but I never had any of their contacts saved.
At some point, I realized Maria had an older brother she never mentioned. I had only seen him that one time. He was in college. I don’t think he noticed me, but ever since then, I had a secret crush on him and hoped to see him again.
Because Maria never spoke of him, I tried not to ask. Waiting for when she spoke of it, or the next time I met him at their home.
It was friday.
“Wanna hang at my place after school?” Maria asked as we walked side by side in our uniforms.
“When do I ever not want to?” I replied, rolling my eyes.
“Cute pin by the way.” she said with a grin.
“What?”
“Your hairpin. I said it’s cute.”
“Oh this,” I said letting out a chuckle “I forgot it was even there.”
She gave me a look of disbelief “really! I know you totally forgot about it, because all that hand gestures, hair touching and getting me to notice wasn’t obvious at all.”
My cheeks flushed “when did I ever do that? Pff girl you’re unbelievable.” I responded, willing my short legs to walk faster.
Maria shook her head, laughing.
“Classic Stephanie. I knew orange would suit you,”she called behind me.
“Jeez… she’s onto me,” I muttered.
School ended. Maria’s driver was taking us shopping, bikinis this time. She’d seen a cute piece online and couldn’t stop talking about it.
I swear, she could be so superficial sometimes.
“What do you think, Steph?”
“What do I think about what? You’re practically naked. Is it this... scantily clad thing you’ve got on?”
“Live a little my friend. Try not to be so judgy.” “See” she twirls, then does some funny poses.”
“The color is pretty. It’s definitely your size.”
“Eew!” she wrinkles her nose. “Are you an old nun? Who gives compliments like that? Anyway we are getting you a pair.”
“No way am I wearing that.”
“Your opinion doesn’t count.”
She was right, my opinion didn’t count. Because somehow, I ended up in a matching black bra and pant set. I glance down, feeling exposed.
“I feel so exposed.” I mutter.
“Stephanie you look beautiful. Your body is perfect.”
I just roll my eyes and stare up at the ceiling, sighing.
“You know I can’t swim right?”
“I’ll teach you. It’s not difficult”
She pays for both of us, and we head to the Moretti mansion.
The feeling of awe never fades- crossing the black iron gates into the castle they call home. A fountain stands at the center, crowned with a white lion sculpture. A few False Ashoka trees line the path as the car circles the fountain and stops at the front porch of the gleaming white building.
We move into the house. Inside, we are walking through a vast corridor lined with several doors. One of the rooms, I think it’s the laundry one, there’s noise coming from it.
“Want to check it out?”
“No, it’s probably Clara.” Maria replies.
Clara was the help.
Changed into this thin bikini, I’m grateful it’s just the two of us.
At the pool.
“Imagine you’re a dolphin. Gliding through water.”
“Not helping Maria”
She chuckles. “Okay. For real this time.”
I stand at the shallow end of the pool, wide enough to fit fifty people, if I’m not exaggerating. Maria is by my side.
“Put your hands forward, like you're diving into the water.”
I stretch my arms, feeling like wonder woman without a suit.
“Your arms back” “wait- but my hands are already forward. Should I put them back?”
“Let me show you”
Maria moves her arms in a graceful forward motion, gliding like she was born in water. It’s mesmerizing to watch.
“Now try”
I mimic her, but my body refuses to let go.
“Trust yourself, be free. You can’t drown at this shallow end. One arm at a time, like you're scooping water.”
After three failed attempts. We agree it’s better she explains it with words before practice.
“I’ll explain it, listen carefully. Your arm forward like you’re scooping water. One arm at a time. Small fast kicks with your legs, like you're splashing.
Turn your head to breathe, side by side. Take a quick breath, then look down again. Keep going. Hands forward, pull, kick, breathe, repeat.
“Okay, let me go over that” I mumble more to myself than to her. Bracing myself to go over it. Maria is floating backwards, watching me.
Then, in the quiet between us, a loud splash breaks the silence.
Splash!
I freeze. Maria stops floating and turns sharply.
We both glance toward the deep end of the pool.
A figure rises from the water - tall, lean, & broad shouldered, droplets falling down his skin. He pushes his wet hair back, revealing sharp cheekbones and piercing blue eyes.
Maria gasps.
“What the hell Damien?”
I blink. Damien? Her brother?
He climbs out of the pool, his b*tt cheeks on full display.
"Jeez dude! put some pants on." Maria snaps, irritation dripping from her voice.
His gaze lands on her, then shifts to me. My breath catches.
"Didn't know you were home," he says, voice low and smooth.
- Writer
