Saudade

5 (Summer 11 years ago)

That school year Cecilia missed Rui.  Her grades dropped to the 80's which was unusual for Cecilia.  Her parents weren't happy about it but they told her that as long as she kept her grades above 80% she would be allowed to bring her new friend Ali to Portugal with her.  She met Ali in her grade 10 math class, Ali had just moved from Vancouver, the girls instantly clicked. They eventually joined the swim team together and Ali would go to Portugal with Cecilia for the first two weeks of summer.

Cecilia became obsessed with writing poetry, she would call Rui and read him her poems.  She would write a lot of poems about him, he was the only one who knew about her poetry, let alone read them.  They would call as much as they could.  Rui had joined the surf team and the soccer team so he was very busy too.  Cecilia tried to get Rui to join Facebook so they could keep up better with pictures of each others lives, rather than having to email them.  Rui said no, claiming that social media was stupid and he would never get it.  

Cecilia was ecstatic to go to Portugal this summer, all she wanted to do was be with Rui.  Cecilia's parents had work to do early in the summer so they were going to go in late July, causing Cecilia to have a meltdown.  They decided they would let Cecilia and Ali go earlier without them.

"I'm so exhausted."  Ali whined as they got off the plane. Ali put her straight, black, thick hair in a pony tail. "Same."  Cecilia said.  They walked through the airport going to customs.  "I have to go in the citizens line so we have to split up for a sec."  Cecilia told Ali as she got herself situated.  They eventually got through customs and collected there bags from the luggage belt. 

They walked through the airport to find Cecilia's grandparents waiting excitedly.  "Hi, Amour!" Cecilia's grandfather said.  She gave them both long hugs and introduced Ali to them, They both hugged Ali like she was family.  Her grandparents were very warm and welcoming, they made Ali feel comfortable.

"I can't wait for you to meet Maria and Rui."  Cecilia smiled as They organized There cloths in Cecilia's closet.  "Me too!" Ali said folding one of her tops.  "Maria said she would be here soon when I texted her." Cecilia said checking her little iPhone four.  "Do you think she'll like me?" Ali asked.  "Yeah, of course." Cecilia nodded and smiled. Cecilia wasn't actually sure Maria would really like Ali, her whole life knowing Maria it was just the two of them.  They had never introduced another girl into the friendship.

Cecilia heard a knock on the door. She bolted down the stairs and answered the door to find Maria standing there.  "Hi!" Maria said giving Cecilia a hug.  "Hi!" Cecilia said turning around to find Ali standing there.  "Maria, this is Ali."  Cecilia introduced the two.  "Hi, how are you?"  Ali smiled.  "I'm good." Maria said. Oh gosh, come on Maria. Cecilia thought to herself.  "So, what do you guys want to do tonight?" Cecilia Said trying to move the conversation along. "I don't know, I'm pretty busy." Maria said.  "I just wanted to stop by and say hello."  Maria added as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.  "Oh ok, well I'll walk you back home." Cecilia slipped on her sandals.  "I'm going to go unpack, nice meeting you!" Ali smiled.

Maria and Cecilia walked down the street in awkward silence.  "What's wrong?"  Cecilia finally said when they got half way down the street.  That's when she spotted it, a for sale sign with a sold sign plastered over it.  It was sitting in Maria's front yard.  "I'm moving.  To Chaves, in a week.  My house is almost packed."  Maria said, trying not to make eye contact with Cecilia.  Cecilia's heart dropped.  "Why didn't you tell me." Cecilia said with tears welling up in her eyes.  

"I don't know, you wouldn't have cared." Maria said as they stopped at her house.  "What?" Cecilia said confused.  "All you care about is Rui.  You were already bringing your new friend or whatever too.  You're very self centred."  Maria said shrugging and still not making eye contact with Cecilia, just staring at the ground.  "What are you talking about? I'm allowed to have other friends, where is this coming from?" Cecilia said trying not to let anger get the best of her.  "You're a selfish person, Cecilia."  Maria said now looking her in the eye.  Cecilia took a breath trying to calm her anger.  "You can consider this friendship over." Cecilia finally said and turned around to walk home.  

Cecilia walked down the street proud of how she handled the situation.  She got home and pretended like nothing happened, she just told Ali that Maria was moving and they wouldn't be seeing her.  Cecilia eventually introduced Rui and Ali which went well.  Rui told Cecilia to spend most of the first two weeks with Ali, which Cecilia highly appreciated.

For the  two weeks Cecilia showed Ali around town, they would go for dinner, go to the beach and to the mall. Eventually Ali left and Cecilia's parents came,  Cecilia and her parents then went to Cecilia's fathers town for the rest of July.  Then finally they were back in Apulia for the rest of August, Cecilia was really looking forward to her time with Rui.

The first full day they spent together was at the beach, Rui teaching Cecilia how to surf.  It was a hot sunny day, perfect for the beach. Since it was a week day it wasn't too busy.  They got into chest deep water.  "Okay Cici, lie on the board."  Rui ordered. Cecilia jumped on the board and lay on her stomach.  "Okay now paddle." Rui laughed.  "Why are you laughing at me." Cecilia glared at him.  "I'm not, listen up there's a wave coming." Rui said trying to contain his laughter.  Cecilia rolled her eyes. "Okay, paddle and then stand. I'm going to push the board." Rui said. He pushed the board and Cecilia tried to stand but failed, falling into the water.  She rubbed her eyes out of frustration. "Nobody ever gets it the first time, just keep trying." Cecilia felt embarrassed but didn't want to disappoint him.

Cecilia tried time and time again but still failed.  "Ugh, Rui I suck at this. Can we just go back to shore please."  Cecilia said, Her nose and cheeks were getting pink from the sun and there was salt in her eyes.  "You're so close though." Rui tried to support her.  "Rui, I'm tired.  I want to go!"  She snapped.  "Okay."  He nodded.  Cecilia went back to shore ahead of him.  Rui carried the board out and placed in in the sand upside down so the fins wouldn't get ruined.  Cecilia sat down on the towel near where they left their bags. 

 She downed some water and wiped her eyes with a towel.  "Are you ok?"  Rui asked.  "I'm fine."  Cecilia shrugged. Rui said down beside her on the towel.  "I heard about what happened with Maria, Nelson told me."  Rui said as he put his arm around her.  "Yeah."  Cecilia nodded.  "She's just dumb,  I think her and Nelson are having problems with their relationship.  She's probably just jealous of you." He said.  "Yeah, I know."  She nodded.  "She said I was selfish."  Cecilia added.  "You're not at all." He shook his head.  "I don't know."  She shrugged.  "I promise you that you aren't." He said rubbing her back.  

"I'll try again." Cecilia said, After they lay in the sand for half an hour.  "Really?" Rui asked excitedly.  Cecilia stood up.  "Yeah." She said.  They got into the water and Cecilia got onto the board.  "Okay, Ready?"  Rui asked, Cecilia nodded.  "You got this." He added.  A wave came from behind her and Rui pushed the board forward.  She paddled and eventually stood up, trying to keep her balance.  She kept her balance until the wave dwindled out.  "Yeah! You did it Cecilia!"  Rui said once he finally caught up to her. He hugged her and liftedft her up, kissing her.  She could taste the salt in his mouth.  

On the walk home Cecilia couldn't stop smiling.  "You did so good."  Rui said holding her hand.  "Do you think you'll surf again?" He asked.  "Probably not."  They both laughed.

Cecilia would go to Tony's cafe and meet Rui after his shift everyday.  They would go to the beach or the soccer court, or even just go for a walk sometimes.  Cecilia eventually went to Rui's house.  Which was an apartment in the middle of town, Rui just lived there with his mother.  His mom was really sweet and loved Cecilia. But it was hard for them to talk since Cecilia didn't understand Portuguese from Angola very well and Rui's mother didn't speak english.  Cecilia's parents really liked Rui too. Whenever he would come over Miguel would talk to him about soccer until Cecilia would get annoyed and tell him to go away.

One night towards the end of the summer Cecilia heard a knock on her bedroom window, immediately knowing it was Rui. She made sure her parents were asleep. It was easy to sneak in and out of her room. You just had to climb The fence at the side of the house and climb through the window.  She carefully slide open The window to find a freshly showered Rui standing there. He was wearing grey sweatpants and a white undershirt.  Before he could come in he kissed her, putting his hands on her waist.  She kissed him back, he swooshed his tongue through her mouth.  He stepped in her room and went to her bed laying her on top of him.  They slept soundly.

The next morning he rushed out of her room kissing her goodbye.  That was one of Cecilia's favourite summers.