Chapter 4: A wrong idea.

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I'd walked downstairs to see what Mateo's dad wanted. "Ah George there you are."

"What's up." I smiled.

"I'm going out for a bit. Do you want to spend some time with Elena?"

"Yeah sure."

"Alright, cya!" he mocked. I laughed. He had a running joke where he'd make fun of me for saying 'cya'. I found it funny. Then I walked outside to go meet Elena, she saw me and instantly knew.

"Let me guess, he sent you out here didn't he?" She asked rolling her eyes. I nodded and chuckled.

"I can go if you want." But before i could leave she grabbed my hand.

"Wait." I stopped and sat down next to her. "You know, you're alright."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." She laughed. It's then that i noticed she had such a nice laugh. Her teeth were pure white in the sunlight. Her eyes were a beautiful mix of green and brown, i'd already noticed this but i could see her eyes a lot better now. Then she stopped laughing and noticed me staring at her. "You are a curious one aren't you."

"Sorry, I- i'm sorry." I blushed slightly feeling embarrassed.

"I'm joking estúpido." She said and playfully hit my arm. I began to laugh out of relief.

"Oh well i thought i'd really offended you." I said and smirked.

"Oh that's the last thing you should be worried about."

"Oh yeah?" We stared at each other for a moment and then both began to laugh. Then i thought about me and Mateo in the bedroom and that one moment where we were really close. His little finger touched mine.. She noticed i was distracted.

"Penny for your thoughts." She asked. I didn't really know how to respond so i just shrugged.

"Is Mateo alright? He just seems.. i don't know. Sadder, recently."

"Well i think it's because when i come over it brings all his old memories back and it traumatised him." She told me.

"Oh i see. Are you alright? Did it.. hurt?" I asked risking it.

"No. Well i don't really remember it i was only 8 at the time and i kinda blocked it out." I nodded understandingly. Then she began to wheel herself over to the little pool. I watched her feeling a little on edge and having to remind myself that she had been in a wheelchair basically all her life and she knew what she was doing.

"What are you doing?" I asked curiously.

"Come here estúpido." She said and i followed. Then suddenly she jumped off into the pool. I threw my hands out to try and catch her but she fell into the cool, crystal clear water. "Oh god you don't trust me do you?" She stated. I blushed again.

"No it's not like that i just, it's just natural reflexes i swear." I tried to justify myself, but then she started to laugh.

"HA got you again." She laughed.

"Oh you little-" But before i could finish she grabbed my arm and pulled me into the water. I swam up to the surface and began to panic for air.

"Are you ok?" She asked suddenly becoming quite concerned that i could be drowning. But i caught my breath and then started to laugh.

"Ha ha HA! Got you!" I sniggered. She smirked.

"You idiot." And playfully hit my arm.

"Ugh, now my shirt is all wet, and my trousers. Why did you do that." I complained. She rolled her eyes.

"Oh get over it." And then she pulled me under the water. I opened my eyes slowly and adjusted to the watery vision of her in front of me. I saw her grab my arm and pull me closer. She stared at my lips and then closed the distance between us. I have to say that's the first time i've had an underwater kiss, it was so strange. I was bursting with joy. Then we both swam up to the surface. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She was beautiful and funny. I was mesmerised by her. It wasn't till i looked up and noticed Mateo in the window watching us, and then disappeared from the window that I had realised what had happened. Once again distracting me. She noticed again and asked. "What's distressing you so much?" Then she saw Mateo who was hiding behind the curtain in the window. "Oh." She pulled herself up on the side of the pool.

"Wait don't go." I said and grabbed her arm.

"There's something clearly bugging Mateo, someone needs to speak to him."

"I'll go. If you want." I offered. She smiled. "Thank you George, im grateful for that." And with that she jumped back into the pool. So i got out and headed to the front door. I couldn't bare facing Mateo so i decided i needed to go and have some space. I went outside and grabbed one of the bikes on the porch. Then i began to ride to a beach near us. Once i got there i stopped and looked at the view. It was beautiful. I sat myself down on some rocks after placing my bike down. But not for long because another bike appeared behind me. Without looking behind me i knew who it was. "What do you want Mateo?" I asked. He hopped off.
"Follow me." He stated. Without question i got onto my bike and we road all the way to this river. Once we got there he hastily hopped off and placed his bike onto the floor, careful not to scratch the paint, and walked over to the lake. I ran over behind him. He stood beside me and I continued to look out at the view. I could feel his eyes on me. Then he crouched down next to me and picked at the grass we were sat on. He didn't speak. I had decided on waiting for him to reply so I stared at the mesmerising river in awe. It was truly magnificent.

"This is my favourite spot." He said all of a sudden, breaking me from thought.

"Really?" I asked curiously.

"Yea, I came here a lot last year, i've read so many books at this location. It's hard to keep track." He said chucking slightly to himself. I didn't make a sound. I watched as he stood up and took off his shoes. He then walked over to the river and stepped in. It was a calm river and it wasn't moving, it calmed me in a way to watch Mateo stand in the river. I pondered on joining him but i didn't get that long because Mateo began calling my name to join him. So i took off my shoes and socks and jumped in. I didn't realise how cold it would be and inhaled a deep breath in sharply, doing this made me suck a fly into my throat and i began coughing. Mateo ran over to me and helped me straight away, i awkwardly listened to what he was saying while having an urge to push him away.

"Ok Mateo. MATEO!" I shouted suddenly and he stepped away. I hung my head down. "Sorry, I-"

"It's ok. I understand." He replied and walked further into the river away from me. I couldn't think of words to say, I stood there awkwardly as he kicked the water around with his feet. Instead of using words, I walked over to him and pulled him into an embrace. He jumped slightly as he wasn't expecting me to touch him. I hugged him for a while, listening to the birds in the trees.

I leaned closer to his ear and whispered "Thank you." Then I pulled away and without looking at his face, walked to the edge of the river and sat on the grass. I lay down and stared at the sky, he soon followed. He lay next to me. It was beginning to get slightly darker and the moon was visible in the sky. I stared at it, it was beautiful. "It's beautiful isn't it?" I stated. Mateo didn't reply.

"What? The moon?"

"Yeah. What else would i be talking about?" I laughed. Mateo didn't. "Mateo?" I asked curiously. He sat up. I did too. "What's up? Did i say something wrong?"

"No no, it's nothing. I'm just, I wanna get back. You coming?" He asked suddenly impatiently and refusing to look at me. He avoided any eye contact with me and I was confused.

"What's wrong?" But he didn't answer. "Nah, i'll urm, stay out for a bit if you don't mind." He stood up and walked over to his bike and climbed on. I watched as he hastily rode away. I lay back down and stared at the sky. I needed to head back soon, i missed Elena.

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I cycled back to the house as quick as possible. I felt so dumb, embarrassed, stupid, why was i so stupid? As soon as i had got back i jumped off my bike and hurried to the front door, i unlocked it and ran upstairs to my room. I didn't want to be stopped by my parents. I got to the guest room, opened and slammed the door shut, and then lay on the bed and cried. Why was i so stupid? I rolled over and opened the cabinet door by the side of my bed. I pulled out my diary, I turned the endless pages and drawings. Tears began to flood my eyes, i stopped the page on a drawing of me and a figure in the lakes together. I slammed the diary shut and threw it on the floor with rage. I buried my head into the pillow. 'What the fuck is wrong with me?' I asked myself. I had cried so hard that i felt tired and soon fell asleep.

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