Summer In Paradise (Page Every Day)

First Look

When I finally changed, I looked at myself in the mirror. I had never liked two-piece swimsuits, but these red ones that Andrea gave me were perfect. I grabbed my phone and headed out of the bathroom, which was opposite my room. I went downstairs; Sheila and Kally had long since left, and it didn't seem like they wanted to come back soon. I looked around and saw glass doors leading to the backyard. I went outside; there was a beautiful terrace with seating and a small bar. I tossed my phone onto a wooden lounger and then headed to the pool. I inhaled the stinging smell of chlorine, which tickled my throat. I stood at the edge of the large pool, eager to jump in. Just as I was about to do it, a strange voice interrupted me, "Careful, you might get shocked by the icy water," the voice was hoarse and deep. I turned to face the villa. "Here," he pointed to himself. I glanced at the wooden fence, the only thing not as modern as the rest of the villa. There stood the same guy from the gas station. I laughed, "For heaven's sake, it's you again."

"How again? We've only met for the second time," he smiled directly at me. I placed one hand on my hip and used the other to create a visor over my eyes to get a better look at him. "Can I join you?" he asked with a silly smile. I pondered; I couldn't just invite someone into a house that wasn't even mine. I couldn't see his body over the fence, but I could tell he was already wearing swim trunks. "I'm at my aunt's place, and I don't know if I can," I coughed. "Sheila is like my aunt too; she has known our family for a long time," I reluctantly agreed. The guy stretched and hopped over the fence. I saw every muscle on his chest, defined abs, and big arms; he was about two heads taller than me. He walked towards the pool, and I stood opposite him. The only thing separating us was the water. He looked at me with a big grin, "What's your name, well if your aunt lets you tell me." I sarcastically smiled and replied, "Selena." He charmingly bowed, "Nice to meet you, Selena." What a goof, I thought. "And you? What's your name?" I asked him. "Kevin Kim Lee," he shared his whole name. I didn't want to wait any longer, and I didn't enjoy the awkward staring at him either. I clicked my fingers and pushed off the ground. I felt my hair flowing in the air; it was swift, but for me, it was like slow motion. The water first touched my feet, then my torso, and finally my whole body. Underwater, I opened my eyes, but I couldn't see much, just Kevin's body as he splashed into the water. Bubbles formed around him. I resurfaced and lightly rubbed my eyes to get rid of the excess water. Kevin emerged from the water. It was like a movie; his body was beautifully tanned, and black hair perfectly matched his eyes. I swam to the edge of the pool, "It looks like you're running away from me," he joked. I hoisted myself up and sat on the edge of the pool, "I'd love to, but it seems like you'd catch me," I joked back. He swam towards me but stayed in the water. Being above him felt strange, seeing him look up at me, but this time, I was the bigger one. "You're doing any sports?" I asked; obviously, he does something, or he just likes going to the gym. I heard his smile in his voice, the same smile Andrea always has when we talk about boys, "Yeah, I do a lot of sports," he replied dryly. I looked at him with a puzzled look, "Like what sports?" I mumbled. "Volleyball and football."

"What about you?" he asked me this time. At that moment, I wanted to burst out laughing; the only thing I do is yoga in my room. If Andrea were here, she would immediately tell him everything I can't do. "Sports are not my thing," I replied. Kevin pushed off with his feet from the edge, and water surged forward from behind him. He grabbed my leg and pulled me into the water. His grip was firm and quite strong. I resurfaced and pushed him, "Hey, that's not fair," I said as I kicked him in the stomach, but it didn't seem to faze him. He swam towards me and grabbed me by the shoulders, gently pushing me under the water again. He held me underwater for a moment and then let me go, so I wouldn't drown. I surfaced again. "That's not funny," I wanted to say, but Sheila's voice interrupted me, "You're making friends quickly," she said with her typical happy and carefree voice. I stiffened. Kevin, who was dangerously close to me, still had a relaxed smile on his face. "Hi Sheila," he greeted. "Do you use the familiar form with her?" I whispered when I turned towards Sheila. "Yes, she offered it herself when I was thirteen," he whispered back. Everything was fine until I noticed my mother's warning expression, so I distanced myself from Kevin. "Feel free to keep swimming," Sheila said as she made tea that Kally had brought. No, I'll go back to my room and... study there," I mumbled the first nonsense that came to my mind. Kally lay on a lounger next to Sheila and looked at me, "Study?" she asked. "Yeah... what's wrong with studying?" I blurted out another silly thing that came to mind. "Kevin would be happy to help you," Sheila intervened in the conversation. I turned to Kevin, who had just climbed out of the pool. He nodded eagerly and followed me inside. As we walked through the living room, the silence was broken, "So, you study during the holidays?" I responded as we reached the second floor, "No, but I just wanted to get away quickly." We arrived at my room, and I quickly rushed to get some towels. When I came back, Kevin was sitting on my bed. I tossed a towel at him and started drying myself off.

"So, Selena, what do you like?" he leaned back with his arms crossed, trying to relax. I pondered whether I wanted to answer. I had only been here for about an hour, and the guys were already trying to get close to me. But this summer, I wanted to focus on myself, so we'll just be friends. Unaware that I was thinking about not wanting a relationship with him, I probably stood there for a minute before he snapped me out of my thoughts, "Selena?" he reminded me that he had asked something. "Yeah, sorry. I love reading and dogs," I replied with a smile. Then I sat on the soft seat in the corner of my room.