Nobody Like You

Chapter Eight

There is a firework show going on tonight, and I think it will be such a pretty sight. I'm aware that there is a firework show at the castle in Magic Kingdom at Disney World—because I've watched enough YouTube videos to know. However, we didn't go to Disney World today. So, that will have to wait for another time. Today has been fairly productive. We went to Sea World for a few hours, saw some cool shows with the aquatic life, had a good breakfast, and walked around the upbeat parts of Orlando. I am more than happy to end the night on a good note with fireworks in the night sky.

As we enter the area where the firework show will take place, we see a lot of people gathering around. Some people have lawn chairs and are sitting around with drinks and snacks. Others stand up with their hands on their hips. Some people are even sitting on random benches—basically whenever they can fit in. Unfortunately, we didn't have the luxury of getting lawn chairs because we didn't know how it was going to turn out. So, we stand around like everyone else is and wait on the show to start. We have about ten minutes until it starts, so we make small talk in the meantime.

This is the type of stuff I live for—the exciting stuff in life. The kind of things that make you look back on life and become nostalgic. I will never forget this moment, just being here in this serene and beautiful place with my best friends. This is what living feels like. I don't need to drink or smoke or party hard until I can't get up—I'm not knocking anyone that does. That person is not me, but this is—the one who gets adrenaline rushes from nature and events like this.

The ten minutes go by quickly and before we know it, there is a guy with a microphone speaking to the crowd. He speaks with a loud voice and it seems inviting. He welcomes us to the firework show before lighting the fireworks. It is like the Fourth of July. There are long fireworks, short ones, loud ones, colorful ones, and even ones that make silly signs.

"Can you believe Luca came on his own? He's not into this type of stuff." I overhear Casey say to Katie. She has to scream a little bit to let her voice be heard. Well, I hear her loud and clearly. It leaves me greatly confused because Luca said that his parents forced him to come.

I turn my head to look at Casey, just to make sure I'm hearing things right. Katie shakes her head and laughs as a response to Casey. I don't think my mind is playing games with me. Casey said exactly what I think she just said. The real question is why Luca even said anything about his parents forcing him to come.

I then turn my head to where Luca is standing and I notice that he is already looking at me. He has his arms crossed over his chest with the same serious look on his face from earlier. When he catches me looking at him, he doesn't look away. He continues to look at me. He knows exactly what he is doing. He knows that he intimidates people, so he won't look away. This is a challenge to him. This amuses him greatly, and I can tell. I beat him at his own game. I roll my eyes and turn around and pretend like he isn't even there.

Thinking I have the upper hand, I smirk to myself with my arms crossed over my chest. Then, I notice Luca's figure standing right beside me. I look over at him and he mirrors my actions.

"What do you want?" I groan.

"Nothing." He shrugs his shoulders.

"You lied." I state. "You definitely weren't forced to tag along with us."

"Couldn't exactly tell you I wanted to see about you, now could I?" He says. He still has the same look on his face, so I can't tell if he is being genuine or sarcastic.

Did he just say he wanted to see about me?

Hold up.

Did I hear that right?

"Wait, what?" I uncross my arms and tilt my head to the side. The fireworks are pretty loud and I can barely hear him, so I'm sure no one else can hear our conversation.

"I think you're cute. I knew who you were before this trip. I've just never talked to you before it." He eyes me.

I don't know if I should be weirded out or flattered, really. It isn't everyday that Luca just wakes up and decides to be semi-nice to a girl by complimenting her—that just doesn't happen. There is absolutely no reason why Luca should be attracted to me. I mean, I know I'm fine and all, but he said so himself that I am rude to him. This whole situation feels awkward because I've never looked at Luca in that way before. So, it's kind of weird that he's attracted to me.

"I'm sorry, are you flirting with me?" I blatantly ask. I just have to make sure my mind isn't playing tricks on me for the second time tonight.

"Maybe." He smirks.

I get an inexplicable feeling in the pit of my stomach. This is the part where I run off and barf into a bush or something. Luca Novak can bother any girl on the earth with his flirtatious comments, yet he is over here bothering me.

"Look, I appreciate it, but I'm not interested." I shake my head.

I don't even consider Luca to be cute. I just see him as this bad, stoner dude who doesn't give two craps about anything. For crying out loud, he comes to school high and he always smells like weed. He sells alcohol to minors and doesn't have any real friends. Why would I have any reason to be attracted to him? I try to count in my head, but there are absolutely none at all.

"We have a week left, you will be." He smiles. I think this is the first time I have ever seen him crack an actual smile.