The Sullys recently moved to Hawaii for a fresh start. Neteyam, Lo'ak, and Kiri go on different rides of emotions while trying to fit in with their new home as they discover difficulties and challenges, though they also find things or people that wi...
Electricity ran through my finger tip and down my arm. I stand there, hand on my medal and finger touching his. We don't say anything which I'm thankful for because if he were to say something right now, I'd end up embarrassing myself.
Neteyam hands me back my medal and I notice his fingers are tucked in his palm. I slowly take it back and silently sigh, hoping he doesn't realize how much I liked his touch. It's strange though..I've only just met him yet even his touch can make me feel something.
I watch as his head turns towards the door then back to me. His eyes signal something which I make out it to be that he wants to go downstairs. I nod and we both make our way down towards our siblings.
"Hey guys, how were the cookies?" Neteyam sits down next to his brother on the couch. I didn't like how close Tsireya was being near that boy. I don't say anything, since nothing has happened yet and I know she'd be mad at me if I lash out in front of the Sullys. I honestly didn't want to be down there so I went on my phone.
I clicked onto Instagram and then onto Neteyam's profile. I scrolled through his pictures, admiring his feed. There were mostly pictures of his family but once in a while, he would post himself. I made sure not to like any of the posts, in case he found it weird. I wouldn't say I'm the type to stalk people...but something about him intrigues me.
I was going through his highlights when I stopped, looking at a notification that popped up.
Text Message:
(Father) Son, come to the dinning table. I want you to talk to Jake Sully.
I let out an annoyed sigh. I knew exactly what he wanted me to talk about. He was going to go on and on about how I'm gonna become a politician like him, or how I would work in something related to politics. I've told him countless of times that I had no interest in the field of work and that I'd rather focus on what I actually like. I rapidly tap away at my phone in response.
Text Message:
Ao'nung: Father, I'm not too sure Mr. Sully would even care. Plus, I'm keeping his children occupied right now.
(Father) You will do as I say. I want to make a good impression of you. Your sister can keep them entertained. Come to the kitchen, now.
Not even seconds later, he responded. I turn off my phone in frustration and make my way toward the kitchen. When I enter, my father eyes me down and gestures for me to come to the table.
My mother and the fierce woman were talking while my father interrupts to tell the Sullys about me. "This is our eldest son, Ao'nung. He's Neteyam's age and very capable of having a bright future." My father's boasts and my mother's nods of encouragement made my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I try my best to not show annoyance on my face and give them a friendly smile.
"So son," Jake Sully starts to speak, turning to face me, "what interest do you have?" I hesitate, though I know my first answer would be surfing. I look at my father and wait for his approval as he nods, allowing me to speak.
"I surf sir. I'm also captain of our basketball team." Mr. Sully nods in approval, yet something else pops up in his eyes. He eyes my arms and shoulders, examining them. It's kinda weird but I don't mind. I've always had pretty large and wide shoulders and have gotten compliments about my build.
"Son, have you ever thought of football? With that build you could be a star!" I hear my father laugh and honestly, I wouldn't mind football either. I smile, genuinely, and nod. I tell him I'd take him up on that and he shakes my hand. Everything was fine until my father spoke about my future and a career in politics. I mood changed but I kept my composure. My father and Mr. Sully kept going back and forth, adding onto their politic gibberish that I did not pay attention to while I nod my head.
"Father, Tuk's tired." The sound of Neteyam's voice quickly catches my attention, making my head snap toward him. It's like Eywa sent me a guardian angel named Neteyam. Thank you great mother!
In his arms was a little girl, asleep. I hear my parents wrap up the function and help the Sullys on their way out. I walk toward the door with Neteyam. Neither of us said anything. The silence was comforting though. I just hoped we could be friends of some sort after this.
The door is in my sight when I see Tsireya and that boy talking. She leans in to give him a hug and my anger rises. I don't say anything and roll my eyes when she looks at me. The Sully family walks out the door one by one until Neteyam and Tuk were the only ones in the house with us.
"Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Akana for inviting us out tonight! Your house is lovely!" Neteyam thanks my parents and looks at me. I hear my parents say their "no problems" and "our pleasures" but all I could focus on was him. He stares at me for a few seconds before he smiles. His smile is hypothesizing. It makes me forget about his ugly little brother and my anger towards him. I return his smile, wishing him goodnight, as he walks out and my mother closes the door.
Me, Tsireya, and Roxto help our parents clean the kitchen of plates and cups before being let go, free to go to our rooms. On the way up, I catch Tsireya smiling and giggling to herself and stop midway on the stairs. She stops as soon as I look at her and innocently looks away.
"Rey..him? Really? He's ugly." She slaps my head and argues. "No he's not! He's cute and sweet!" She pouts and I roll my eyes again. On the rest of the way up the stairs, I complain. No one is good enough for my sister. She's been hurt multiple times by different exes and I'm not letting her go through another heart break. She doesn't deserve that.
"Nung! You don't even know him like that!" She whines as we get to my room. I throw myself on my bed, taking in the comfort that the mattress gave. "What is there to know?" I turn to face her. Her arms were crossed across her torso.
"You're the one that told me that I shouldn't judge people before I get to know them. Yet you're doing the same thing to Lo'ak!" I hate when she uses my words against me. I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. I reach my bum and pull out the hair tie, letting my curls fall to my shoulders. I hate to admit it but she's right. Maybe he is a good person. Whatever he is, I hope he won't get too close to her.
"You're right, Reya. I judged him too fast." She nods her head and holds back a proud smile. "How about you invite him to our party next week?" Her proud smile that she hid turned into a cheeky one. "I already did!" She laughs as I shake my head and chuckle.
"Wait. Did you invite Neteyam?" The thought immediately popped into my head and the question slipped out of my mouth too quickly to respond to. I regret my decision when I see her sly smile and she wiggles her eyebrows.
"Why? Did you want me to invite Neteyam?" She wiggles her eyebrows and pronounces his name strangely. "Well, yeah...he is Lo'ak's brother isn't he?" I tried to lie about the real reason as to why I want him there but she sees right through me. She starts teasing me about him and I feel my cheeks burn.
"Ao'nung, your eyes were on him the entire night. Did you think I wouldn't notice?" She laughs as she continues to mock me before I throw a pillow at her and kick her out. She continues to laugh behind my door and the laughing stopped when she was across the hall. I sigh and burry my head in the other pillow that's still on my bed. Now she's gonna tease me for the rest of my life...
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1440 words!
(I feel like this is going pretty slow, but I wanna make this kind of a slow burn so bare with me!!)
How Neteyam smiled at Ao'nung before leaving:
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