Mr. Navas

4

"I'm surprised," he said.
"Why?"
"You're handling this quite well. Normally, people recognize me pretty quickly and then start screaming and ask for a picture and everything."
"I'm just in shock..."
"Why, I'm a human being just like you."
"True."
"So you really didn't recognize me? Am I not that famous?"
"No. To be honest, I don't watch a lot of football. I'm too busy."
"Oh ok, I see... And you are, Mrs?"
"Miss."
"Miss?"
"Miss Barrie, Kris Barrie."
"Kris?" He scrunched up his face.
"Yeah."
"Is that like short for something?"
"It's Kristine."
"I like that name, Kristine."
"Everyone calls me Kris. Well, you have a wonderful home, Jesús."

He didn't reply right away. He fiddled with his hands then looked back up to the tv screen. He didn't look at me when he spoke.

"I wouldn't exactly call this home."
"Why not?"
"It's just temporary. My real home is back in Seville, Spain. I'm just here playing football."
"Oh..." I was kind of confused.
"Sorry for being rude earlier, I was just trying to forget about home. I have chronic homesickness."
"That must suck."
"It does..."

We left it at that and continued to watch the rest of the movie. I wouldn't say it was awkward now, but maybe just the slightest bit uncomfortable.

I didn't know he had chronic homesickness. I remember going to camp for a few days, during one of my years in school, and getting homesick. It was horrible. I can only imagine for him... It's a tough decision for him. To be at home or be away playing his favourite sport and doing his dream job. I guess he chose the football in the end.

Eventually, the two of us had finished the popcorn and gone through two cans of pop each. I was snuggled up and cozy with a blanket wrapped around me. It was getting pretty late and I was starting to think it was time for me to leave. It was nice of Jesús to invite me over, though. The movie was coming to and end, too.

"Ready to start the next movie?"
"As much fun as I've had, I think I should be going."

I yawned and stretched my arms. I moved the blanket and set it off to the side.

"Kristine, it's nearly two o'clock."
"Yeah, but I need to go."

I found it weird how he called me "Kristine". Nobody called my by my full name. Everybody just shortened it to "Kris" because it was easier. Not even my parents used my full name.

"I don't feel comfortable letting you go home all by yourself."
"I can get a cab."
"Still, it's not so safe at this time... And I'm too lazy to drive you home."

He started laughing.

"I don't trust you to drive me. You're probably so tired that you'd crash the car," I joked.
"Probably."
"Then how am I supposed to get home?!" I was actually concerned.
"Just stay the night, it's no big deal."
"Sleep here?"
"Why not?"

Seriously? He was inviting a total stranger to stay the night. Am I just going to trust this guy again? I've never been involved in any relationships and I've never slept over at a guy's house before. I thought over all the possibilities that could happen before giving him my final answer.

"Ok, I guess I could."
"It's not safe for you to go home all alone now. I'll bring you home in the morning."
"Thanks."
"So... Do you want to start the next movie?"
"Ugh, what is it with you and these movies?!"
"I'm just kidding, let's go upstairs."
"Alright, I'm exhausted."

We went up the stairs first and I followed not too far behind. When we got to his room, I realized there was only one bed and two of us.

"Don't worry, you can have the bed."

It was almost like he read my mind.

"Thanks, but where are you going to sleep?"
"I'll go downstairs on the couch."
"No, it's ok, I'll sleep on the couch."
"You're my guest, sleep here."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'll be gone, but first let me use the bathroom."

He opened the door leading to the bathroom and disappeared behind it. I sat down on the edge of the bed and waited for him to come out. When he did, he had a new toothbrush in his hand.

"Here, use this."
"Thanks."
"Oh and you can just sleep in that, I'll give you something new in the morning or whatever."
"Ok... Thank you so much for letting me stay here, I appreciate it."
"No problem."

I went into the bathroom. It was a pretty good size and was a four piece bathroom. There was a sink and counter on the left with a large mirror on the wall. Against the back wall, was a bathtub on the left and an opaque glass shower on the right. Across from the shower was the toilet. On the wall above the bathtub, there was a window.

After I finished up in the bathroom, I came out to see Jesús pulling out a blanket from the two doors on the left. He closed the doors and grabbed a pillow from his bed. He was getting ready to go downstairs.

"If you need anything, I'm downstairs, ok?"
"I should be fine though."
"Good night."

I crawled into his bed and pulled the covers up to my chin. I adjusted the pillow.

"Thanks for letting me stay over, good night."

He walked towards the steps and switched off the light. The room became surrounded in darkness. My eyes adjusted quickly and I caught him smile at me before walking downstairs. I heard each of his footsteps. A light from downstairs came on and illuminated the room a bit. It was dimly lit. The light crept up the stairs and into the bedroom.

I turned onto my side and stared at the wall. His alarm clock sat on his dresser and the red numbers read 2:34am. I tried to get some sleep. It was weird to be sleeping in someone else's bed... Especially a guy's bed. I tried to ignore the fact that I wasn't sleeping at home.

In a matter of time, I started to feel my eyes close. I took slower breathes and eventually, slipped away into a deep sleep.