When It Begins Again

13

Carlos' Coma

Carlos floated in the blue water, his eyes fixated on the clouds as Jewel sat at the table, her eyes fixated on the work at hand.

He wanted her to notice him, to not see this as just a project, but he was failing miserably.

"How often would you say you used your vehicle?"

She questioned as Carlos pondered his answer.

Their group assignment was based on their carbon footprints and ways in which they could improve it.

Carlos knew it was a waste of time because no matter what he did, he was impacting the earth just to live comfortably.

"Everyday."

A frown graced her lips.

Her curls were in a messy bun on top of her head and Carlos melted every time she bit her lower lip in deep thought.

She was like this puzzle piece he was trying to fit into his life that just didn't want to fit. But he knew what he felt from just staring at Jewel couldn't compare to the girls he'd slept with occasionally.

They weren't here and she'd quickly invaded his thoughts. All he wanted to do was protect her.

She didn't see him yet, but he was determined to make her recognize him.

He swam towards the edge of the pool, his hands rested on the tiled flooring as he rested his head.

"I have a proposition for you?"

She turned to look at him, her eyebrow arched.

"I'm not interested in being one of your bed mates Carlos, we discussed this last week."

Her voice irked of annoyance.

Carlos raised his hands up in surrender.

"Last week you spoke and I listened. Now listen to me. I want to help you."

"Ha!"

A laugh escaped her.

"Please enlighten me on how you can?"

Carlos swallowed hard, he was taking a risk by doing this, but it was his last resort. She's turned down all his other advances even after he'd found out she was single.

"Marry me."

She burst out laughing and Carlos shrunk.

She got to her feet.

"Clearly the chlorine is getting to your head which means it's time for me to leave."

Carlos pulled himself out of the pool as he stood in front of her.

He noticed her pause as she stared at his chest before her eyes met his.

"I'm serious. Marry me and you can get out of that orphanage for good."

"How did..."

She shook the words away.

"No thanks, I don't want to owe you anything."

She retorted as Carlos shook his head.

"Jewel you'd be doing me a favor. My father said I had to get married to claim my trust fund. This can help the both of us. We get married and stay together for a year and I'd pay you twenty percent. That way when we divorce you can pull yourself through college and return to your beloved Ryan."

At the mention of her ex boyfriend's name, her eyes grew sad and it irked Carlos. What did the man have that he didn't?

"Carlos..."